Cyril Rum, an angel on sabbatical, had always marvelled to the concept of birth. That a woman could hold a growing foetus for nine months and then give birth to a healthy human baby never ceased to amaze him.

His friend and neighbour Mildred Thrup had been fussing about the past two days with news that her neighbour Amy Huggins was due to give birth any day now.

Mildred being of the spinster variety had never had the pleasure of childbirth, and by now her goose had well and truly flown. She took pleasure in her neighbour’s good fortune and had after a lot of trying and reaching out become good friends with Amy and her husband, Ron. To Mildred, the birth of a child in such close proximity to her was akin to having a relative give birth.

She had shared her excitement with Cyril as they sat at his kitchen table having their daily coffee together.

The news came that Amy was going into labour and the new baby would appear at any moment. Mildred was on tender hooks as Amy and Ron had elected for a home birth.

But something was wrong. The process was taking far too long. Mildred was visibility concerned and told Cyril this should not be taking this long.

Eventually, it got too much for her, and she went round to her neighbours to see if there was anything she could do.

Within minutes she was back, tears streaming down her face. The baby had been born, but Amy was not doing well, and the doctor held fears for her survival. Massive blood loss was causing great concern for all.

Mildred, knowing who Cyril was asked him if there was anything he could do.

Cyril explained that he was on sabbatical, that he had relinquished his angelic abilities to fit in the earthly lifestyle and wasn’t sure as to what he could do. Life and death were not things he had dabbled in before.

Mildred asked him to come over and have a look. The child needed a mother, everyone, she explained needed a mother.

Reluctantly Cyril accompanied Mildred to her neighbours and saw the miracle he had always marvelled at. A new baby, laying in her father’s arms, his attention divided between the new child and his wife who looked ashened.

Cyril stood beside the dying Amy and looked down on her. He asked if he could spend a moment alone with her and Mildred ushered everyone from the room.

Ten minutes later Cyril reappeared and looked at the father and the midwife assembled in the lounge room all looking more worried than before.

“I think she’ll be ok,” announced Cyril and turning to Ron, the new father, said, “You’re a lucky man.”

Later in Cyril’s kitchen, he and Mildred sat with a cup of tea each. He never said what he actually did to Amy, but when the family re-entered the bedroom, Amy was awake and immediately called for her new daughter. All Cyril would say was, “Sometimes things do work out.”

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2017/08/10/tale-weaver-131-10th-august-2017-birth/