Authors: Shelby ([email protected]) and Alex ([email protected])
Rating: PG
Category: General
Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to us with the exception of Hallie
who is ours, all ours!!! (cue maniacal laughter)
Notes: This story is part of a series. To fully understand what the hell is
going on, we suggest you read the first story, which is the Big Decision. Enjoy!
************************************************************************
Evelyn was in her finally weeks of pregnancy, and more than ready to have this
baby. Alex had been easy on her as far as pregnancy went with him; with this
baby everything was different, more intense. Her emotions were a mess, and she
cried or got angry at the drop of a pin. Right now she sat in her office at home
trying to write her latest book, which was on the curse of the Scorpion King,
and she was having trouble thinking of where she wanted to go with her story.
"Think," she said to herself then sighed as her back started to hurt her again.
She got up and rubbed it closing her eyes as she did so.
Rick quietly pushed open the door to her office and walked inside, smiling at
the sight of her trying to get some relief from the pain in her back. He went up
to her, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head before gently
pushing her hands away and beginning to knead her sore muscles. "How are you
feeling today?" he murmured.
She sighed as his hands worked their magic on her back. "I would be better if
this child of ours would make an appearance, the due date was two days ago, and
unlike Alex, this one wants to take its time,� she said. "I was thinking of
taking the horse out for a ride just to see if I could get myself to go into
labor," she said seriously. She loved that she was pregnant, but she wanted the
baby out.
He smiled into her hair, trying to picture her getting up onto the horse in
her condition, but kept it to himself, knowing he would get a verbal
tongue-lashing if he so much as mentioned it, her mood swings had been that bad
lately. He bit back a grin when he remembered the sign that Johnathan had taped
to Evie's back which read "WARNING: next mood swing in 3 minutes!" But he loved
his wife, mood swings and all and he continued to rub her back, trying to make
her feel a little better.
She sighed. "All right, I feel better. I need to try and get something done on
this book before I go crazy, so off with you now,� she said, all seriousness now
as she picked up her pen. She wanted to be left alone.
He snaked his arms around her, stroking over her swollen stomach. "But you've
been cooped up in here all day," he told her, nuzzling the side of her neck.
"And I'd get lonely without you," he added with a smile.
She pushed him away. "I really want to be left alone right now is that too
much to ask?" she snapped and moved over to a book shelf selecting a volume from
the shelf for research on what she was writing, though there was very little.
He sighed, deciding to leave her to it when she got this agitated. The last
time he had insisted upon keeping her company when she didn't want it, he had
gotten a book thrown at his head for his efforts. "All right, I'll leave you,"
he said. "If you want me, I'll be in the parlor with Alex."
She was already reading her book. "Make sure he finishes his project for
school," she said and walked back to her desk sitting down to write down some
notes, ignoring him completely.
He left the room, pulling the door shut and making his way into the parlor.
Alex was sitting on the floor, pens, paper and schoolbooks scattered around him
and Rick walked over to sit down heavily on the sofa, putting his head in his
hands. "Want some help with your project?" he asked.
He was concentrating hard. "Nope I�m good to go," he said and wrote down more
notes. He was doing his paper on Ancient Egypt and Mummification, and had even
made a Mummy using one of his stuffed animals for his presentation.
With Rick gone, Evelyn put the book down and lay her head on the desk and
began to cry. She felt awful, and she wanted the baby to come out, and she was
tired of getting mad at her husband for no reason. She sobbed louder not
carrying if anyone heard, she just wanted this baby to be born, and it wouldn't
listen to her.
With neither his wife nor his son wanting any help from him, Rick decided to
go off and finish up reading the book he'd meant to continue, but had never
gotten round to it, what with taking care of Evie all the time. He frowned when
he remembered that he'd left it in Evie's office, but decided a quick trip in
and out to retrieve it wouldn't be so bad, so he peeked his head around the
door, willing to take his chances. What he didn't expect to see though was her
sobbing on her desk. He hurried over to her and laid a hand on her back in
concern. "Honey, are you all right?" he asked.
She sat up and leaned into his embrace. "Oh, Rick, this baby isn't ever going
to be born. I don't know why we decided to have another one because I keep
yelling at you, and I cry over any little thing," she said and wrapped her arms
around his chest crying harder.
He held her close, rubbing his hands over her back and soothing her. "Ssh,
it's okay, sweetheart," he murmured, kissing her forehead. "It's not your fault.
The baby will come out when it's ready." He guided her over to sit on her couch,
letting her rest against him. "Want to go and lie down upstairs?" he asked.
"You've been working on that book all day, maybe it's time for a break."
She nodded. "Stay with me please." She stood up and gasped as she felt her
belly tighten and she closed her eyes, squeezing his hand tight until the
tightness subsided. "I think I'm in labor," she said and she began to sob more.
"Hey, settle down, Evie," he told her. "Try and stay calm. Let's get you
upstairs and into bed, all right? Think you can get up the stairs with my help?"
He let her lean heavily on him, rubbing a hand over her stomach. "Come on now,
honey, let's go."
She let him guide her upstairs, and all the while she didn't feel anymore than
that one contraction. She had on a soft cotton dress, but she wanted that off
and sighed. "Rest with me," she pleaded as she got it off and went back into his
arms. She needed to feel his comfort.
He helped her onto the bed, laying down beside her and taking her into his
arms. "I'm right here, Evie," he told her, running his hands up and down her
back in an attempt to soothe her. "I'm going to stay with you, okay?" He kissed
her forehead. "How are you feeling right now?" he asked after a while as they
both waited for her next contraction.
She sighed. "Like a silly old fool," she replied as she moved to sit up. "One
contraction, and then nothing. It�s just wanting to stay in me to make me go
mad," she said and then looked at him. "I'm sorry you got stuck with such a
crabby wife." She lay back down, resting her head against him. "Maybe sleep will
help."
He chuckled softly, stroking his fingers through her hair. "You sleep," he
murmured, smiling. "Get some rest." He wasn't tired himself, but he was quite
content to lay there with her and also in case she needed him. Like she had
said, there had only been one contraction so far, but he didn't want to leave
her alone.
~~~~~~
Time passed by two weeks, making Evelyn�s due date very much past. Her mood
was worse than ever and she spent much of her time in bed. Her husband wanted to
take her to the hospital but she refused telling him she wanted to have her baby
here in their room. Now she lay in bed on her side trying to sleep. She just
felt so tired and sick lately and she sighed as he walked in.
Rick smiled slightly at her on the bed. "I really wish you'd reconsider having
the baby at the hospital," he said cautiously as he sat on the edge of the bed,
not wanting to set her off again. They had argued over this a lot these past few
days, but he was concerned about her. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly.
For once she didn't feel inclined to bite his head off for asking. "Tired,
very tired," she replied. "Help me up," she said, as she needed to go to the
bathroom yet again. "I think this baby has decided permanent attachment to me.�
He laughed at that, holding out an arm for her to grasp as he helped her first
to sit up and then stand to her feet. "Well it has to come out sometime," he
said as he helped her walk into the bathroom, her leaning most of her weight on
him, but he didn't mind. "Yell for me when you're done," he told her.
One he was out of the bathroom, she lifted her nightgown and as she was
starting to sit down, she felt dizzy and she slid to the floor. She closed her
eyes. "Rick I need you," she said, though it was almost a whisper. She felt sick
to her stomach and she still needed to relieve herself. "Rick, please hurry,"
she called out and rested her head against her knees.
He pulled open the door when he heard her frantic calls, thankful that she
hadn't turned the lock. He knelt down beside her, lifting her chin and making
her look at him. "Honey, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly. She looked like she
was in pain. "What is it, is the baby coming?"
She felt even worse. "I just suddenly feel so dizzy, and I feel if I tried to
stand up I would black out," she replied, knowing that would concern him.
"Please, just help me back to bed. I'll be fine after some rest," she said, not
ready to face another going to the hospital argument, yet knowing that it was
coming
Rick frowned. "You've been resting all these past couple of weeks and this
never happened to you before," he told her, helping her to her feet. She swayed
a little and that just worried him even more. He put a hand to her forehead to
feel that she was sweating slightly. "I *really* think I should take you to the
hospital," he said, guiding her back to the bed.
She let him guide her there. "Rick, please, just drop the whole hospital
thing. If I go they won't let you in to be with me and they will take our baby
away from me and I don't want that," she said and let go of him, nearly falling
over.
He caught her before she could fall and helped her sit down on the bed. He sat
down beside her and put his arm around her shoulders, squeezing her gently. "I
know you worry about that," he said softly. "And I know that you want to have
the baby here, but I just want you to be safe. I worry about you a lot and I
don't want anything to happen to you if there are complications."
Evelyn was tired and leaned back against the pillows. "I'll get some sleep and
be fine," she said, reaching up to stroke his cheek. "Don't worry so much, I'm
just tired is all," she said though she knew it was more than that, yet she
refused to let anyone help her. She closed her eyes and soon drifted to sleep.
He watched her sleep for a moment, reaching out a hand to gently smooth her
hair from her face. He rose from the bed and walked out of the room, leaving the
door open a little so that he could hear her in case she needed him. He made his
way back downstairs and into the parlor, sitting down on the sofa and all was
quiet until Alex and Johnathan came in from their game of cricket.
"Hello, old boy," said Johnathan in greeting. He frowned at the look on his
brother in law's face. "Has she been yelling at you again?" he asked
sympathetically. His sister had been short-tempered with everybody lately and he
kept out of her way, but he knew Rick couldn't leave her. "How about a drink,
eh? That�ll cheer you up."
Rick shook his head. "No thanks, Johnathan, I'm fine."
Alex walked in after his uncle. "I'll have a drink, he said, and his shoes
were muddy from their game. "Dad, is she ever going to have the baby or is it
going to stay in her for the rest of its life?" he asked, plopping next to his
father.
He did smile a little at that. "I don't know when she'll have the baby, Alex.
I just hope it will be sooner rather than later, I think your mother's had just
about all she can take." He reached out and ruffled his son's hair. "So who won
the game then? Did Johnathan cheat like always?"
"I heard that!" Johnathan protested.
Rick rolled his eyes. "I said it loud."
Alex grinned. "I did and he did cheat, but I'm better at it than he is. He's
getting too old," he teased, then he sighed. "Is mum going to have the baby at
our house or is it going to be born at the hospital?" he asked. Lately he had
been asking a lot of questions about the baby.
"Well, she wants to have the baby here, but if anything goes wrong, I'm taking
her straight to the hospital," Rick told his son. Whether they had been arguing
about it or now, if anything happened to her, he would get her to the hospital
as fast as she could and he could beg for forgiveness afterwards. "I'm sure
it'll be all right though," he added, trying to reassure his son as much as
himself.
Alex nodded and went off to play.
~~~~~~
Evelyn woke up feeling thirsty and warm, so she moved the covers off of her,
lying there tossing and turning. She sighed and decided she could at least make
it to the bathroom. Slowly she sat up and her head throbbed. She felt her
stomach do flips as the room seemed to spin. After a moment that stopped and she
stood up.
Suddenly, she swayed then fell, though she caught the bedside table and tipped
it, knocking the lamp over. It smashed when it hit the ground and she followed,
landing hard on her bottom, smacking her head against the table, which made her
angry. "Come on, why can't I do a simple task such as walking?" she muttered as
she pulled back up on the bed.
Rick looked up when he heard a muffled crash come from upstairs. He went back
to his and Evie's room, pushing the door open to see his wife struggling to get
to her feet. "What just happened?" he asked, the worry evident in his voice as
he helped her back onto the bed. He began to pick up the pieces of the broken
lamp, keeping a close eye on her.
She was not in a good mood. "I just wanted to get a drink of water and I might
as well have just had a bottle of wine. I'm tired of this. I need to stop laying
around and start doing my normal things, maybe then this baby will be born," she
said as she stood up again and swayed. She staggered to the bathroom and grasped
onto the door, then fell backward again landing on her bottom and that was the
last straw.
"I've had it. I want this baby to be born now, right now!" she yelled and she
grasped the door, trying to get up. When he moved to help her, she snapped at
him. "Just leave me alone. I don't want your help or anyone else�s, I'm fine,"
she said, though she clearly was not as she couldn�t get off the floor.
Rick sighed and helped her stand, ignoring the way she slapped at him and gave
him a dirty look as he did so. "You're so fine you can't even stand up on your
own, huh?" he asked wryly, not meaning to anger her further, merely point out to
her that she needed help despite what she thought, though he knew she wouldn't
see it that way.
She got even angrier. "Ooooh!" she hissed and pulled away from him. "I can
manage just fine. What I need to do is just get some fresh air, maybe go back to
work," she said, though she wasn't making any sense. She felt terrible; she was
also completely at her wits end. "Just get out of my room!� she shouted as he
tried to help her. She cried out as her stomach contracted, though it didn't
feel like a normal contraction.
He hurried over to the bed, frowning in concern when she hunched over her
stomach, an expression of pain on her face. He lifted her chin to look up at
him. "What is it? What�s wrong?" he asked worriedly, forgetting about her
demands that he should leave. "Was it a contraction?"
She was afraid now, all anger forgotten. "It's the baby. Oh god, Rick,
something�s not right, it hurts it hurts," she moaned as she wrapped her arms
around him.
He held her in his arms, relieved that she was finally letting him be close to
her again, but still worried sick about her. "What's wrong, sweetheart? Where
does it hurt?" he asked softly.
She squeezed tighter as another wave of pain hit. "It's where the baby is.
Just sharp pains, not like when I had regular contractions with Alex. I just got
to upset. I'll just go back to sleep and it will get better," she said. She lay
down then cried out as another wave of pain hit.
He shook his head, reaching out to get her a drink of water from her mug at
the bedside table when the pain seemed to leave her, at least for the moment.
"Drink this," he told her, supporting her head so that she wouldn't spill it
over herself. "I think I should call the doctor, I'm really worried now," he
admitted. "If you're feeling this way, something can't be right."
She accepted the water and took in another breath, wincing at the pain. "I'm
fine, Rick, I just need to sleep it off is all," she said and she rolled away
from him. She didn't mind the doctor coming to see her, but she had a feeling
they would make her go to the hospital and she didn't want that.
He gently placed a hand on her shoulder when she turned her back on him.
"Evie, something is wrong," he told her. "Now I know how you feel about going to
the hospital, but at least if I get the doctor out here we'll have help if
something bad happens." He squeezed her shoulder slightly. "How about that,
hmm?"
She didn't answer him, not wanting to face him or the inevitable fact that
they would have to go to the hospital. She wanted to blame him so she kept her
back turned and stayed still, thinking if she did that he would leave her alone.
He sighed when she didn't answer him, wishing that she wasn't so stubborn all
of the time. But if she weren�t, she wouldn't be Evie, he thought, smiling
ruefully. "I'm going to call the doctor," he said decisively. "Will you be all
right on your own while I make the call?"
She pulled the covers over her head in response, deciding not to deal with him
or this at all.
Rick went downstairs, made a quick phone call to the doctor, and then went
back into their bedroom, hoping that nothing had gone wrong while he had been
away. "Now I know you're going to hate me for this, but I called the doctor and
he's on his way," he told her. "Are you still in pain at all?"
She stayed perfectly still, keeping the covers over her head. Her stomach hurt
her and when she had last gone to the bathroom, it had hurt to urinate. She idly
wondered if that had anything to do with it, but she wasn't going to talk to
him, not until she had to.
He sighed heavily at her silent treatment and sat gingerly down on the bed.
"Look, you can't avoid me forever," he said softly. "You're the most stubborn
person I've eve met, but I love you so much and I can't bear the thought of
anything bad happening to you. You're hurting and you don't want to le me help
you, but this is serious, sweetheart. I just want you to know that I'm here for
you even if you are ignoring me."
Despite being irritated by him calling the doctor, she was more afraid by what
was happening and she pulled the covers away. "Rick, what�s happening to me?"
she asked and she let the tears she had been holding back fall, showing that she
was afraid and decided to let him help her. "Oh, Rick, just hold me. Please hold
me and love me," she sobbed.
He held her in his arms and rocked her, kissing the top of her head. "Sssh,
it's okay, I've got you," he murmured. "I'm here for you, Evie. I love you so
much. It's okay to be scared, I'm here sweetheart." He rubbed her back
soothingly. "Now, let me know where you hurt, that way the doctor can help when
we tell him what's wrong with you. Are you starting to have contractions yet,
honey?"
She clung to him as if he were her only lifeline. "It hurts. It�s sharp pains,
not contractions and when I went to the bathroom, my urine burned and I just
fell awful. What if I hurt the baby, Rick, I'd never forgive myself," she said
and cried even harder.
He let her cry, hoping it would make her feel at least a little better. "I'm
sure the baby will be fine," he said soothingly. "We just have to let the doctor
know what's been happening and he'll find a reason. It's not your fault you've
been so ill, honey. I think this is just a sign that the baby is finally ready
to see the world."
After a few minutes she calmed down, letting his arms and his voice sooth her.
"I suppose we have to go to the hospital, but promise me you won't leave me,"
she said, staring up into his eyes.
He gently caressed her cheek, smiling slightly. "I promise I won't leave you,"
he told her. "Not even if they try and drag me away, I won't let you go. I
promise." He leaned forward and lightly kissed her lips. Are you still in any
pain now?"
She nodded. "I just want to have this baby," she told him.
Alex came in with the doctor waiting outside the door. "Dad, the doctor�s here
now, do you want him to come in?" he asked, worry evident in his voice.
Rick tore his gaze away from his wife for a moment. "Send him in," he told his
son. Before Alex could leave, he called out for him. "It's going to be all
right, I promise," he said. "You go and stay with your uncle." He turned back to
Evie, smiling a little. "When the doctor asks, be sure to tell him exactly
what's wrong, okay, honey?" he said, kissing her forehead.
When he was instructed to, the doctor walked into the room and greeted both of
them. "Now what seems to be the problem here?" he asked as he got a few things
from his bag. He stuck a thermometer in Evelyn�s mouth and felt her wrist for
her pulse as he waited for a response from Rick
Rick held her hand tightly as the doctor went about his business to diagnose
what was wrong with her. "First of all, my wife is two weeks past her due date,"
he began. "But lately, she's been starting to feel pains in her abdomen that
aren't contractions, it hurts her to urinate and she just hasn't been feeling
well at all. What do you think is wrong with her?"
He finished with taking her pulse and wrote a few things down then looked at
the thermometer and frowned. "Have you been having dizzy spells?" he asked.
Evelyn nodded. "For a few days now," she admitted, holding tighter to her
husband�s hand and wondering at why the doctor had frowned.
He listened to her heartbeat and then pressed her stomach. "I'll need to get
you to the hospital as soon as we can. Sometimes with a prolonged pregnancy, the
woman�s body can't handle it. We are not sure why this is, but you have a fever
and your blood pressure is elevated. From what you told me about your urine, it
sounds like you've got a build up of protein. We will need to induce labor,
which means give you medicine to start things moving. Your baby has a strong
heart beat, so that�s a good sign. Mr. O'Connell, if you'll get her down to the
hospital I will meet you there."
Rick nodded as the doctor left the room and helped Evie to her feet. "Hear
that, sweetheart? They just need to induce the labor, the baby will be fine," he
said, trying to reassure her. "Think you can make it down the stairs with my
help?" he asked, bracing an arm around her waist.
Alex hurried in. "Dad, I want to come too," he said, afraid for his mother. He
was worried about her and wanted to be there for her, just like his dad was
doing.
Evelyn sighed. "Alex, for now it�s going to be daddy and I," she told him and
he came and hugged her, then they left for the hospital
Rick helped her into the backseat of the car, helping her get as comfortable
as she possibly could before getting behind the wheel and driving her to the
hospital as fast as he could without breaking the speed limit. It wasn't long
before they reached the hospital and he got Evie out of the car and into
reception, looking around for their doctor.
He greeted them as the entered and led them to a room. "Evelyn, you will need
to get this hospital gown on. A nurse will be in shortly to start an IV flush
and give you the medicine to start your labor," he said. He left them to go on
his rounds.
Evelyn felt tired and afraid and clung to her husband as they went over to the
bed. "Rick help me," she said, leaning her head against his chest.
"Ssh, sweetheart, it's all right," he said, unfastening the buttons on her
dress and getting her into the hospital gown before helping her to lie back on
the bed. He smoothed the hair from her face as they waited from the nurse to
arrive. "How are you feeling now?" he asked gently.
She sighed. "It still hurts," she replied and she closed her eyes. The trip
from their house to the hospital had exhausted her and she fell asleep.
A little later a nurse walked in. "I'm Laura," she introduced as she procured
a bottle of medicine with a tube attached to it. "I will be watching over your
wife for the next 24 hours. Hopefully it won't take that long to get the baby
born, but sometimes these things take time." She pulled a stand over beside the
bed. "You might want to wake her so I won't startle her," she prompted as she
got a few things ready.
Rick nodded, gently shaking his wife. "Evie? Evie honey, wake up," he said
softly, hating himself for denying her much-needed sleep, but this had to be
done. "The nurse is here sweetheart, she needs to see to you." He helped her sit
up a little, holding onto her tightly.
Evelyn sat up with his help and rested her head on his chest as the nurse took
her arm and cleaned it with Iodine, then hid her eyes when she saw the long
needle.
The nurse finished getting the needle in and taped her arm. "This first bottle
is just to flush out your system. In a few hours, we will administer the drug,
which will start your body into labor.
Evelyn looked up. "Will this hurt my baby?" she asked, feeling afraid.
The nurse smiled and took her head. "No, your baby will be fine, but its
important to both of you, for you to rest and stay calm," she said before she
left.
Evelyn sighed and felt better, at least for now. "She's nice," she said then
closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.
Rick smiled, gently disentangling her from his embrace to lay her down on the
bed, pulling the sheet over her and sitting in nearby chair, watching over her,
waiting for the baby to start making an entrance.
~~~~~~
Time went slowly by and a night passed and part of a day before Evelyn was in
strong labor and by then, she was exhausted beyond words. They were down to the
last stage, which was pushing and all she wanted to do was rest. "Rick, I just
want to sleep," she gasped out as another contraction came and he helped her sit
up. She tried to push, but she couldn't.
The doctor was worried for the baby and for its mother. "Evelyn, you need to
push. The baby�s head is right at the entry, but it�s going to need your help to
push it out," he said.
Rick held her as she cried, pushing the hair back from her face and kissing
her sweaty forehead. "Come on, honey, you need to keep pushing," he told her.
"You can do it, sweetheart. I know you're tired, but I need you to push right
now."
She shook her head. "I can't, I can't," she said and sobbed harder as another
contraction came.
The doctor was dismayed. "Mr. O'Connell, you will need to help here. When the
next contraction comes, push on her stomach above where the baby is. I think
that should get it out far enough for me to help it the rest of the way,� he
said.
Evelyn sobbed as another contraction came, trying to push, but her strength
was not enough
Rick nodded at the doctor, placing his hand on her stomach above where the
baby was and when he was told to on Evie's next contraction, he pushed down on
her stomach, hoping that would help. "Is that all right? Can you see the baby?"
he called out to the doctor.
She cried out as it was painful to have him push, but she didn't try to stop
him and pushed with him as much as she could.
From his hand, the doctor saw the baby�s head immerge and with a few more
pushes and help from dad, a girl was born. He held her up by her ankles and
smacked her bottom, which got her to cry, but she was coughing and not crying
the way he wanted. He handed her to a nurse who took her away.
"She will be fine, Evelyn, I just want to give her a little oxygen in the
nursery," he explained and delivered the placenta, and then had the nurses clean
her up.
Once they had gone, Evelyn stared to cry. "I told you they would take away my
baby," she sobbed. "Rick, go be with her. I will be fine, but I don't want her
to be by herself," she said, taking his hand.
He held her hand tightly in his. "She'll be all right, Evie, the nurses are
taking care of her, she'll be fine. The one I�m worried about is you, you need
some rest after all that." He very gently pushed her back to lie against the
pillows. "Settle down now, sweetheart, everything will be fine."
~~~~~~
It was a few hours later when the nurse came back into the room with the baby.
She found Evelyn asleep and her husband on a chair next to her, his head on the
bed. Quietly she approached and put a hand on his shoulder.
Rick�s head shot up and his eyes flew open when he felt someone tap his
shoulder, but relaxed when he saw that it was only the nurse. He looked up at
her, smiling when he caught sight of the tiny bundle she carried in her arms.
"Is that her?" he asked softly. "Is that our daughter?"
She smiled. "Yes. She is doing better, but she is hungry. I wasn't sure if you
wanted to use a bottle with her or if your wife wanted to feed her," she said as
she gently placed the baby in his arms. "She will have to stay in the nursery
once she finishes just so we can keep an eye on her. You are welcome to come sit
with her and rock her if you would like. I'll be back to check on you in 15
minutes," she added and left.
He held the baby in his arms, cradling her close to his chest, marveling over
how tiny she was. "Hey there," he said softly, rocking her a little. She was
quiet at first, content to be in his arms, but when she began whimpering a
little, he realized that she must want feeding. He reached out with one hand and
shook his wife gently. "Evie? Honey, wake up. Someone wants to see you."
She came awake slowly and felt like she had been run over by a train. "Just
let me sleep," she muttered then she heard the little noises from the baby and
woke up. "I want to hold her. Oh, Rick," she sighed as she got a look at the
little face.
He smiled, helping her to sit up with her back against the pillows before
carefully handing her their baby. He watched her pull the baby close, soothing
her and he reached out to gently touch her face. "God, she's so amazing," he
said softly. "What do you think we should call her?"
For the moment, Evelyn was doing all the things a new mother did and right now
she was unwrapping her daughter, counting her fingers and toes. "Shh, I know you
want my milk, but mummy wants to make sure you�re alright," she said as the baby
started to cry. She sighed and pulled the gown over her breasts, then helped her
baby latch on and smiled at her husband. "I don't know, what do you think? I got
to pick out Alex's so I think you should have a chance for this little girl,"
she told him.
He smiled as he watched their baby hungrily get at her meal. "I was thinking
that maybe we could call her Hallie," he told her. "It's a pretty name for a
beautiful little baby. You get to pick out her middle name though," he added.
Alex had taken his name as a middle name, so he wanted Evie to pick one out this
time.
She smiled as the baby took her fill, not much for a first feeding, but in
time, Hallie would get the hang of things. "I like Hallie," she replied as she
eased the baby to her shoulder, gently patting her back, and heard her gasp a
little. "Shh," she said. "Hallie Jordan?" she asked, thinking of Egypt. She
looked up as the nurse returned and smiled.
"How did she do?" asked the nurse, taking her stethoscope off and instructing
Evelyn to lay the baby down. Being unwrapped and poked at wasn't anything Hallie
liked and she cried loudly while the nurse listened to her heart and coughed a
little more. "I'll need to take her back to the nursery so she can lay in the
oxygen tent,� she told the new parents.
Evelyn got her wrapped up and kissed her. "Rick, I'm going to sleep, go with
them," she said, wanting her baby to have one parent with her.
"All right," he relented. "I'll stay with her for a while, then come back and
check on you, okay?" He leaned down and kissed her gently, taking her daughter
and lifting her into his arms. She had quieted down now that she wasn't being
poked or prodded at and lifting her tiny hand, he made her wave goodbye to Evie
before following the nurse down the corridor.
~~~~~~
It had been a week since Alex had seen his mum or the new baby. His dad and
Uncle had taken shifts at the hospital, but he had not gotten to go because he
was a kid and kids had germs. Now he sat building a ship in the parlor while his
Uncle drank and played solitaire. "Uncle John, do you think they will ever let
them come home?" he asked.
"Of course they'll come home, partner," Johnathan replied, shuffling out his
cards before starting a new game. "I'm waiting for your father to phone. He told
me that your mother and the baby are starting to feel much better, so let's hope
it's good news when he calls, eh?"
He nodded and got back to his war ship. Lately he had been really into
building models of different things and he liked the WW1 Warships the best.
~~~~~~
Evelyn sat in the back of the car next to the little basket bed that Hallie
slept in, feeling wonderful. She had been so pleased when the doctor released
them and told Rick not to let Jonathan or Alex know they were going home as to
surprise them. "I hope Alex likes her," she said, keeping a hand on the baby to
reassure her she wasn't alone.
He glanced over his shoulder at her, smiling. "I'm sure it'll all work out
fine," he said reassuringly. It wasn't long before they pulled up outside the
house and he opened the door for Evie, letting her get out of the car before
taking the basket, motioning for her to walk up to the front door. "Come on,
let's surprise them," he whispered.
She smiled and waited for him to catch up with her then knocked on the door
and waited.
Inside, Alex heard the knock on the door and looked at his Uncle. �I bet it�
just Petey," he said and he sighed, going to the door. "Who is it?" he asked as
he opened it then found his parents there. "Oh, mum!" he exclaimed and hugged
her carefully.
"Alex, I�m not going to break. Give me a big hug," she said. He did and she
held him for a couple of moments, having missed him terribly.
Alex was so excited that she was home, he forgot about the baby and ran to the
Parlor. "Uncle John, they�re here!� he yelled.
Rick made his way into the parlor behind Evie, still holding the little basket
with Hallie inside, sound asleep. "I think you've forgotten someone," he told
Alex, smiling and sitting down on the sofa so that his son could look inside the
basket. "Say hello to your sister, Alex."
Alex walked over to the couch and looked inside the basket. Inside was a tiny
bundle all wrapped up in a soft pink blanket. "She looks like a mummy," he
commented, wanting to touch her, but not sure about doing so.
Evelyn settled beside her husband. "Babies like to be wrapped up, it makes
them feel safe. Since she's inside, we can unwrap her so you can have a look."
She gently lifted her daughter out, laying the baby on the sofa and unwrapped
her from the blanket.
Rick smiled at Hallie who had decided that she didn't like leaving the
security of her blanket and had scrunched her face, wriggling a little. He
looked up at his son, wanting to see what his reaction would be. "You can touch
her, you know," he said. "She doesn't have teeth yet so she won't bite."
Alex was just about to when she let out a very loud cry for someone so tiny.
"I didn't do anything," he said and backed away from her some.
"All right, mummy's sorry," Evelyn said as she wrapped the baby back in the
blanket and held her, totally absorbed for the moment to get her to calm down
some.
Rick reached out for Alex's hand, tugging on it for him to sit down next to
him on the sofa while Evie calmed the baby. "So, how have you been these past
few days?" he asked, partly out of curiosity since he had hardly seen his son
lately, but also for the fact that he didn't want Alex to feel neglected. "I
hope you haven't been getting into too much trouble."
Alex felt better. "Nope, not too much. Well, I suppose you'll find out, but I
got in trouble at school because the boys were teasing me again about mum
working. I broke Benjamin�s nose, so I�ve been having to stay after school," he
said sighing
"Alex, what have I told you about fighting?" Rick said. He sighed. "Never
mind, we'll talk about that later and I'll have a word with your teachers about
those other boys." He looked over at Johnathan. "Why didn't you tell me about
this sooner?"
"Well, I was going to but circumstances being what they were and all..." he
was cut off from making excuses by Rick's glare. "Well, you know about it now."
Alex decided mum was safer and he moved to the rocking chair where she was
feeding the baby. "Does that hurt?" he asked.
She smiled at him. "No, actually, it makes me feel better," she replied.
"Alex, you really need to find other ways to resolve your problems,� she said
gently.
He sighed. "I know, I know, but it's not like I could help it or anything," he
protested.
"Your mother is right, Alex, but we'll discuss this another time," said Rick.
He watched as Evie fed their daughter and he smiled. "So, what do you think of
your sister?" he asked.
Alex watched his mother the tiny baby and reached out, touching her little
foot, which stuck out of the blanket. "I suppose she's okay. She's awfully tiny
though and she isn't all that fun," he added.
"She has to grow first before she can be fun," said Rick, smiling. "But when
she's a little older, you'll be able to play together. For now though, she's
only a baby so she won't be able to do much of anything."
Once Hallie had gotten her tummy filled and was wrapped in the blanket, Evelyn
yawned and handed the baby to her husband. "If you two don't mind watching our
little princess, I'm going to go upstairs and take a rest," she said as she
stood.
Rick looked up at her. "Need any help?" he asked her. She shook of his
concerns and he went back to staring down at Hallie. She was content at just
being held now that she'd had her meal and he smiled as her little eyes slipped
shut, knowing that she was about ready to fall asleep.
After his mum went upstairs, Alex watched his dad with the baby. "May I hold
her?" he asked, still a little nervous, but more curious than not.
"Sure you can," Rick told him. "Just remember to hold her head just so and be
as gentle as you can," he added, showing Alex the correct way to hold her before
handing Hallie over to her older brother.
It took a moment, but Alex got the knack of holding her and smiled. "This is
so neat," he said and then he carried her over to his battleship and sat down.
"When you get older, I'll show you all about how to make a model ship and I'll
tell you all about Egypt too,� he said.
She was content for the moment, but then she started to get restless.
"Uh, dad, take her. I think she's going to cry or something," he said. His
nervousness got the baby agitated and she did cry.
Rick smiled, taking Hallie and holding her close, shushing her as he rocked
her. "It's okay, Alex," he said. "That was the first time you held her and you
did great. Sometimes babies just get a little fussy is all." He stared down at
Hallie, humming to her softly. "Sssh, it's okay, sweetheart," he told her.
Once she was in his arms, and being rocked, Hallie calmed down still with her
eyes closed.
Alex sighed and went back to his ships. So far his new sister wasn't all that
grand and he would be happy for the day when she would do more than cry eat and
sleep.
Rick watched his son go back to building his ships, then turned his attentions
back to his daughter who was fast falling asleep in his arms. He very gently
kissed the top of her little head, then took her upstairs and into their room,
intending to put her in her crib when she fell asleep.
Evelyn hadn't been in a deep sleep so when they entered, she sat up a little.
"Is she asleep?" she asked, stretching,
"Almost," he replied, walking over to sit on the side of the bed. "Aren't you
tired at all?" he asked her, watching Hallie to see when she would fall asleep.
She nodded. "Very tired. Hand her to me and you can lay with me too," she said
as she leaned back against the pillows. She took Hallie into her arms and patted
his side of the bed.
Rick stretched out beside her and propped himself up on his elbow so that he
could gaze down at their baby who was just starting to fall asleep. "She's so
perfect," he said softly, not taking his eyes off her.
"She completes us," Evelyn commented, finally looking up at him and unable to
stifle a yawn that came. "Let�s get a nap before this one decides its time for
another snack," she added and reached out, taking his hand in hers. "I love you,
Rick. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful daughter," she whispered.
"You're very welcome," he replied, looking up at her and smiling. He lowered
his head to kiss her and then lay back against the pillow, watching his wife and
his daughter as they slept.