It started with a low groan. Not the sort that sounded like an annoyance but rather a long deep noise that spoke of deep pain. Marilla having heard it oh so many times before leapt to her feet and rushed to its source. She found Anne on the floor clutching her massive belly while fluid pooled at her feet.

Mrs Cuthbert had been known as the best child catcher in the region. Many was the night she'd be away from home easing an infant's passage into the world. Marilla grew so used to it that it was almost unusual to find her mother up and cooking breakfast when she rose.

As soon as she was old enough Marilla joined in. Watching and then assisting her mother to pack clean linen, for that could not always reliably be found at the homes to which they went and an assortment of other tools which had been gathered over the years out of sheer necessity. Doctors were in short supply not to mention expensive; Avonlea women trusted Mrs Cuthbert and she was affordable.

By the time the old woman grew too decrepit to cope with the vagaries of such an intensive calling, Marilla was trained to take over. The first baby she delivered on her own was fraught. Marilla baulked initially until her long honed skills took over. She soothed the mother in her no-nonsense but calming manner and after some time a healthy baby girl was delivered without too much fuss.

Word went out that the daughter was as capable as the mother and Marilla soon learned to keep her bag packed against the eventuality of a call. Matthew too slept lightly waiting for the evitable knock from a frantic father at any hour of the day, or night.

Sweat stained women would look up from their labours and sigh in relief when Marilla arrived, for they grew to understand that this tall, taciturn woman would brook no nonsense from baby or their environment. Their own mother might be hysterical in the background, but Marilla would take charge as soon as she arrived asking how far apart the contractions were, ordering the water to be boiled for the enema, or the sheets to be changed if necessary. Regardless of her directions the woman understood that Marilla was now in charge and their hopes for a good outcome were all but assured.

Although initially sceptical, Doctors too grew to appreciate Marilla's judgement in these matters. If the case developed beyond her abilities, she would send the father out to fetch the doctor. If he said, "Miss Cuthbert says to come," the local doctor would drop everything to dash off at once.

When she was not birthing babies herself, Rachel Lynde would take it upon herself to assist. A feat Marilla was reluctant to admit for Rachel's advice was not always welcome. "You'll want to add milk and molasses to that enema," she might remark. Marilla would glance up at her sharply. After all, she was the expert here and Rachel's input was not welcome. Rather than arguing she would ignore her friend and use the methods she had learnt from her mother all those years ago.

Still, Rachel could be handy. She was a dab hand at wrapping a sheet around the bed legs to give the mother something to hang onto while she pushed. Marilla found that straining against a counterweight helped women during those long labours. And if given the right instructions Rachel could sit by the mother's side offering words of encouragement while Marilla worked at the business end.

Afterwards women were pleased because Marilla understood her limits. She might meet the mother and baby later in the mercantile, but beyond a polite greeting would not offer much in the way of advice as other women were wont to do; she understood the limits of her experience. Having never had a babe of her own, she knew she could only help with the birth, not the mothering.

Yes, she had had a great deal of experience, but she had never helped one she knew intimately, understanding when she had been with Anne during her previous births that doctors were on hand and that she was too close to be impartial.

A clap of thunder and the din of drumming rain on the roof now concerned her. Miss Baker who arrived shortly afterwards shrieked, "Oh, Mrs Doctor Dear not now, with the Doctor away. Who knows when he'll get back through this weather?" Gilbert had gone out to attend to a patient safe in the knowledge that Anne was with family and after all was not due for a few weeks yet.

"Well, this is a pretty picture," remarked Aunt Mary Maria arriving a few minutes later while Marilla was still appraising the situation. "And the doctor gone. Might want to hold your legs closed Annie, to stave it off."

Anne looked up at Marilla in shock as a tear traced down her face. "Hush, woman!" Marilla scolded, Mary Maria's tone galvanising her to action. "Haven't I birthed hundreds of babies myself these many years. Don't you worry, Anne," she said directing gentle words towards her stricken daughter. We'll get you through."

Anne had felt panic rise at Mary Maria's words, but just to hear Marilla speak brought her back to the moment. Hadn't she see seen her disappear into the night on many occasions only to return the next day with a satisfied smile on her face. She would be safe while Marilla was in charge. The women worked together to pull Anne from the floor and half carry her up the stairs to her room. Once they had her in the bed, they stood back to catch their breath.

"It's still no good," Mary Maria said thoughtlessly. "We need a doctor." Marilla shot her a furious glance.

Outside the land gave a great big sigh as if waiting for the deluge. Distant flashes of lightning lit the greenish sky before a thunderous crash presaged a torrential downpour.

"Oh no children," Susan said to Walter and Jem who had heard the commotion and were now peeking their heads around the corner of the door.

"Mother is going to be just fine, boys. Now off you go," Marilla said, though she kept her eyes on Anne counting the length of her contraction.

"God willing," added Mary Maria in a decidedly negative tone.

"Since you've decided not to be helpful here, Mary Maria," Marilla said. "Why don't you take the children downstairs. I'm sure they could do with some pancakes or a slice of cake or something."

"Well, I'm sure I don't know," replied Mary Maria. "Shouldn't Miss Baker take them. I am kin after all."

Rolling her eyes at Susan, Marilla sighed and reiterated her command to Mary Maria. "No, you take them down and leave us to it. Anne needs an encouraging hand in here, and frankly so do I." She practically pushed Mary Maria out the door with a shooing motion and shut it behind her. Most affronted Mary Maria looked at the boys noticing for the first time how pale Walter looked. "Milk?" she asked and led the way downstairs.

"Good riddance," muttered Susan almost under her breath. "Sorry," she added remembering herself.

"Not at all."

Susan looked at Marilla to ask what she wanted next. "We had better get Anne into a nightie, while we can."

Anne let out another low groan as her contraction bore down upon her. Marilla and Susan gazed upon her, understanding on a primeval level the pain that she endured even if they had no personal experience.

Taking charge Marilla knelt on the bed telling Anne that she had to examine her. Marilla had been consulting Gilbert since she arrived but deferred to his knowledge and understood why he might not tell her the entire picture, since after all, she was not a clinician in the strictest sense of the word. At no point did she expect to be in this position.

Really, thought Marilla as she worked, ultimately each labour room was the same, and despite the nature of her relationship to her patient, this one was no different. There was that smell, some might even say perfume; an odd combination of sweat, fluids, and panic, not to mention pain that presaged oncoming birth to Marilla's acute nostrils. It galvanised her to action as nothing else could.

Between contractions Anne surprised Marilla by getting off the bed. "Why don't you stay there, Anne? It's more comfortable." Marilla asked in some concern. But Anne took no notice preferring to lean against the wall and sway back and forth. "I really think…" Marilla sighed and looked at Susan. "Eh, what's the use?" She stood close but Anne was oblivious, seemingly in her own private world.

Seeing there was not much they could do at present Marilla directed Susan to go and boil some more water. "I'll keep watch here. Then you have a break. I suspect we're in for a long haul. We must keep our strength up."

"If you don't mind, Miss Cuthbert, I think I'll just plait her hair first. I've heard that's useful in these situations, keeps it from getting matted later."

"Yes, that's a good idea. Anne, Anne," Marilla tapped Anne's shoulder to get her attention. "Miss Baker is just going to take care of your hair for a moment. Don't mind her."

"No indeed, Mrs Doctor, just leave it all to Susan. She'll see you right." It wasn't easy as Anne never ceased her movement but, in the end, Susan got the hair braided and out of the way. "There you go, I'll just fetch some more water so we can bathe you." Nodding at Marilla she departed, closing the door softly behind her.

"Can I get you anything, Anne?" Marilla asked gently, somewhat worried for Anne's wellbeing. Anne did not reply so Marilla sat down for a while to watch her work. "You're not the only one do to that of course. I've seen it all. Women just seem to know what's needed to get them through. I wonder if you do this every time, do you?" Anne was silent. "Yes, well maybe I'll ask Gilbert when all this is over." Mention of Gilbert's name did get a reaction for suddenly Anne sobbed, "I need him here. Where is he?"

Marilla came to her side and said softly, "hear that rain on the roof? That's keeping him from you just now. He'll be holed up at someone's house just now. It isn't safe for him to come home through that storm. Don't you worry about a thing, though darling. Together we'll get you through this. Haven't I birthed a few babies in my time. We'll get through it, you, and I."

When Susan returned bearing a pitcher of warm water. Marilla said, "I'd like to examine you now, Anne, just to see how you're progressing. Do you think you could get back on the bed for me?" Anne shook her head emphatically, she just needed to be on the wall. "No? Are you sure? Very well then, can you stay still for a while then." And Marilla got to her hands and knees, and thence down onto the floor so that she could crane up to see Anne. "Gracious, Miss Cuthbert," commented Susan.

"Anne's directing this affair, Miss Baker. I just go along for the ride." Marilla said reaching up awkwardly. "Right, well there's still a way to go yet. I'll leave you be for a while." She took in a deep breathe, "oof it's stuffy in here. Open the windows, see if that helps."

One storm front had passed so the curtains hung limply down, but faint movement dimly informed Anne that another was on its way. Though regardless of the weather this baby had still to be delivered. Light flashed through the curtains and the wind blew them into the room. Anne watched was too consumed by her labour for the billowing curtains to signify much.

The drumming of the rain provided a backdrop to Anne's moans. She had dozed off on the bed for a while but was back up on her wall. Marilla took a moment to appraise the situation. It had been some hours now and they were all exhausted. "I could do with some dinner, you know," Marilla suggested.

"Dinner?" Susan was shocked.

"Hungry work this labouring, even for you and me; I think even Anne could take a little broth she needs fortifying for the work ahead. Do you mind?" Susan looked at them both, thinking they were mad, but she did as Marilla asked and left the room.

"There now, do you need anything, Anne?"

Anne swayed back and forth, the lace of her nightie hanging limply from her knees, but she shook her head. If not happy exactly, then content at least to stay put. The swaying easing the pain of the contractions.

After a bite to eat. Marilla sat next to Anne again and patted her shoulder, "still in there?" Anne looked; her eyes fixed but did not speak. Her sweat slicked nightie stuck close. Pulling out a fresh one Susan suggested they change her again. Marilla shook her head, "let's give it up as a bad job. They're just too uncomfortable aren't they darling?" she said to Anne. Anne nodded weakly, past speech, past nodding, past anything of anything much in all reality. Her sweat slicked hair clung to her scalp. "I know, I know. That's chafing you isn't it, darling. Too hot and sticky. Give me a hand will you Susan." With it gone, Anne felt decidedly better, and better again when Susan wiped a cool cloth across her face and down her chest and belly, even into her privates and thence down her thighs.

"Keep that up at intervals, I think. It's not actually achieving much," Anne murmured her disagreement. "But even if all it does is make her comfortable then it'll be worth it."

The mood shifted as Anne's moans became more urgent. Ah here we go, Marilla thought. She had such a long acquaintance with labour pain she could practically smell it coming. Each moan now ended in a grunt as the pain bore down. "Come and lie down now Anne," Marilla urged. "Let's get you onto the bed." In quite a change of direction Anne allowed herself to lie down but she was still working hard despite the change in position, harder really.

Since the children were settled downstairs the insanely curious Mary Maria crept upstairs to take a peek. What she saw was not so much Anne straining through gripped teeth, nor Marilla's apron spilling open or Susan comforting the labouring woman, but rather the white globe of Anne's belly glistening in the sticky bedroom a faint wisp of apricot between her legs; a sight that would inhabit her dreams for years to come.

Marilla placed Anne's left leg on her shoulder so she could see how the labour was progressing. She was pleased to see that things were going well. "Not long to go now, darling. You're almost fully dilated." She looked into Anne's eyes. "That means you're nearly ready to push. Time to meet this little one wouldn't you say?" Anne howled in pain, a different noise to the one's she'd been making before. "What is it?"

"Leg. Hurts."

"Might be a cramp. Let's see." Marilla examined Anne's calf and saw at once where it had knotted. "Susan," she directed. "Would you mind kneading this. It'll hurt at first, Anne," she explained.

"Leave it to Susan. She'll get rid of the nasty cramp, and that you may tie to, Mrs Doctor Dear." Susan's work hardened fingers, honed by years of dough kneading and more besides set to work at once on the nugget of hard muscle. Anne yelped initially but under Susan's firm ministrations the muscle relaxed, and Anne quietened.

"Now pull on this sheet here, darling. I find the traction helps. Some folks affix it to the head of the bed," Marilla said to Susan by way of explanation. "But I prefer to put it at the foot, just works better for my mother's that way. She took Anne's temperature and pulse and made a note.

Anne moaned once more; her heaving sides caused Marilla to thrust a bowl into Susan's hands just in time as Anne hurled. Susan wiped her mouth and gave her a sip of water to wash the bitter taste away.

"Marilla," Anne moaned pitifully. "I don't think I can do this."

Despite her inclination being towards a more soothing tone Marilla retorted, "fiddlesticks Anne, what else do you propose?"

Susan shot her a questioning look as if to say go easy on her, but Marilla knew her girl. She had reserves to draw upon if given the encouragement and after all there were no other options. Anne writhed on the bed her face contorted in agony. "Push," Anne moaned. "Need to."

"Grab hold of these sheets," Marilla placed the corners into Anne's hands, "use these." Anne pushed with her all might, her face going bright pink with the effort. And again, and again and again. "Hold on for a moment will you," Marilla said after a spell. "Let me see." She frowned. "Not getting anywhere." She regarded Anne thinking it through. "When was the last time you passed water, sweetheart?" Anne shook her head. "Hm, let's give this a try. Let's get you on your hands and knees." Susan watched in amazement as Marilla pulled the chamber pot out from under the bed and placed it under Anne. "Might be your bladder obstructing the baby," Marilla explained. "I've seen that happen before. Have a go." Anne's muscles were not in the correct spot but eventually she let out a long steady golden stream, feeling relief from an affliction she had been unaware of until that very moment.

It made all the difference and when next she felt the need to push, they were aware of a distinct improvement. Indeed, for the briefest of moments Marilla saw a thatch of damp brown hair emerge. However, as much as Anne strained the baby's head would not emerge further. Out it came for the briefest moments before retreating. Marilla could just see the elasticity of the cord looped around the baby's neck. She thought quickly trying to dampen her rising panic. What to do? If Anne pushed too hard she was at risk of strangling it. "Stop pushing for a moment, Anne," she said. "Wait a minute.

"I can't," Anne whined.

"I understand it feels urgent, but just for a minute." She shot a look at Susan who drew closer to Anne and started murmuring advice in her ear.

Reaching in Marilla pushed the baby back up the canal, just a little way. Just enough to loosen the cord. Working against Anne's internal muscles in the narrow space using her long, thin fingers she made a simple little flicking motion unlooping the cord from the baby's neck* and with the next push the head slithered out. "Just one more big push, Anne and then we'll meet this baby of yours.

The storm having abated Gilbert was eager to make his way home. His horse had to pick its way slowly through the debris which meant his journey was slower than usual. It was quite late by the time he made it through his front door. A light in the kitchen intrigued him and he went to investigate hoping a lamp had not been left lit. "Oh you're back, Gilbert. I have to say we have had a night," Mary Maria said by way of greeting. "Marilla was quite abrupt; some might say rude to me. You should have a word with her. Remind her of my place in this family."

"Oh?" said Gilbert, keen to get up to see Anne.

"And the noise, such caterwauling. Honestly Gilbert, you'd think no other woman ever gave birth before."

Gilbert blinked rapidly, turned on his heel and fled leaving Mary Maria in his wake.

"There you go little one. We'll just wrap you up nice and warm my beautiful girl," Susan murmured quietly while Marilla stayed by Anne's side. Both women looked up at Gilbert's approach. He paused in the doorway to take in the tableau. Marilla sitting on the side of the bed, Susan by the window wrapping a baby and Anne naked between them resting on the blankets. Gilbert rushed over to her, "I had no idea. What? How? Who?"

Anne laughed sleepily but it was Marilla who spoke. "Anne went into labour some hours ago, Gilbert. Between us", she nodded at Susan, "we assisted. I'm just waiting for the afterbirth, shouldn't be long now." She quickly filled Gilbert in on the birthing particulars, watching his face pale when she explained the prolapse.

"But she seems alright now?" her worried father asked.

"Yes, perfect. Ten little fingers and ten little toes." Susan handed the baby over. He fixed his gaze first at it and then at Anne. "You're a marvel, Anne-girl." He sat down on the bed next to Marilla. "Do you want me to finish up or?"

"I'll take my leave. I'm sure you're more than capable of managing the next part yourself. You three might like to have a moment to yourselves. Get acquainted like."

Mary Maria was nowhere to be seen for which Susan gave thanks. She pulled out a kitchen chair and reminded the somewhat dumbfounded Marilla to take a seat. "Now there, Miss Cuthbert, you've worked long and hard. Time to let Susan take charge. I'll just fetch you a drink." She placed several heaped teaspoons of sugar in a strong cup of tea, adding a generous dash of brandy for good measure, kept on hand for just these circumstances. Marilla smiled wearily and sighed. Her cup sloshing dangerously when she took it up, her hands were shaking so. Susan sat beside her and helped her guide it to her lips. "Drink, then bed," she said, her voice taking on the commanding tone Marilla had employed in the bedroom.

Now that the adrenalin that once coursed through Marilla had dissipated, she found herself utterly exhausted. Stifling a big yawn, she nearly nodded off at the table. "Miss Blythe," Susan called. "Would you give Miss Cuthbert a hand, please." Marilla was nearly struck dumb, and she gladly took Mary Maria's hand and let herself be led to her room. Sitting on the bed she was too tired to work out what happened next, and Mary Maria was no help.

Susan popped her head around the door and found Marilla sitting in her clothes on the bed, eyes half closed. "Come now, did she not assist you?" Susan helped Marilla to get changed and pulled back the covers. Marilla was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

She awoke hours later when the sun was fully up. A figure was silhouetted in the doorway. "Came to say thank you," Gilbert said, his newest daughter nestled against the crook of his neck.

Marilla sat up groggily, "my pleasure."

"Susan reports that you were magnificent, not only with Anne, of course. But you have her enduring respect for the way you managed Mary Maria."

Marilla grimaced, "my apologies, Gilbert. Anne needed all the support we could muster. Mary Maria..." she trailed off unable to put it into words.

"So, I've heard. I've had a word with her, don't you worry. Now would you like to meet your newest granddaughter?"

"We have been introduced," Marilla said, smiling.

"But she didn't have a name then. Bertha Marilla Blythe meet your namesake, Marilla Cuthbert."

Marilla rolled her eyes, "how many times have I told you two." She repeated it when she went to see Anne.

Anne smiled sleepily holding out her arms for her baby. "I'm adamant. She's named for the woman who saved me too many times to count and who saved her, too last night."

"Well, I can't argue with that," replied Marilla sitting down on the bed and reaching out a hand to caress the baby's head.

* Each of my babies had this issue. One more tightly than the other, but then the other had the cord looped around twice. They're 19 and 20 now.