The McGarrett Family Grows
Catherine's turn
Chapter One
As I waited for the nurse to bring me a wheelchair, I again looked at my watch. It had taken me only five minutes to reach the hospital because I was in town picking up Steve's tuxedo when my water broke. But it had been 15 minutes since I talked to my husband, Lt. Commander Steve McGarrett to tell him I was in labor.
He was so excited and nervous; I could hear it in his voice. When he asked me how I was doing I could hear Danny in the background yelling at Steve to slow down. Not that it would do any good. Steve knew his abilities and limitations and in 20 years of driving, he never caused an accident. Oh, he's been in a few near misses and collisions, but he was never at fault. I remember one time his sister, MaryAnn told me about a day they were been driven to school by her mom Margaret. MaryAnn saw a dog run in the road and screamed so loud her mother slammed on the brakes and caused a five car accident. Steve and his sister jumped out and ran after the dog and left their mother there alone to deal with all the angry drivers. Luckily Margaret called John and he came and took care of everything. That was the kind of guy Steve's dad was. John was the friend everyone called when they needed to talk. The neighbor who had the exact tool you needed to borrow, and the handyman everyone needed when their appliances' took a dive. My husband is just like him. He won't admit it but I know Steve fills with pride when people make that comparison. Steve had that dog for eight years and they named him Crash.
"Mrs. McGarrett, your room is ready. Let me help you into the wheelchair and get you to the 4th floor. Can I carry your bag for you?" Nurse Reynolds asked.
"Thank you, but I can get into the chair by myself. Will the front desk send my husband to my room as soon as he arrives?"
"No need Baby, I'm here." Steve says as he runs through the front doors out of breath. He leans in and kisses me, grabs my bag and whispers "Sorry, traffic was crazy, even with lights and sirens on it took me more time than it should have. How are you feeling, Cath, what do you need?"
"I'm good, and all I need is you and Dr. Cassidy and I am ready for Sailor John Steven to make his debut. Did you get in touch with my parents?"
"You mean Saylor Margaret-Catherine, don't you?" Just then Steve's phone rings and it's my mother Marie Rollins returning his call. "Hey mom, did you get in touch with Ed? Cath wants you to come today, how soon can you be ready?"
"I'm ready now, and Ed is on his way home from the hardware store. Why, what is your plan?" my mom wants to know.
"I have the Governor's helicopter on standby waiting for my call. Can you be at the Kawika Airport in 30 minutes?"
"That's perfect; we can leave in ten minutes and be there is five. How's our girl doing?" My mom asks Steve.
"She's just perfect, always. You know your daughter, tough as nails Navy Officer. Do you want to talk to her?" Steve asks.
"Sure, if she's up to it. Oh, and Steve, thanks for taking such good care of her. She is really lucky to have you." My mom replies.
"No, Mom, I am the lucky one." Just then a labor pain hits and it's pretty hard. "Mom, she can't talk right now, she's having a pretty bad contraction. We'll see you in two hours; I have a car at the airport to bring you here, ok? bye." My mom and Steve hang up. As soon as my contraction stops Steve helps me out of the wheelchair. The nurse hands me my gown and tells me I can change in the bathroom.
"Commander McGarrett, you can put her bag in the closet, and I'll be back soon to get everything ready for your wife. Her contractions are 15 minutes apart so you will be here awhile. Most first deliveries take 12-20 hours. Can I get you anything? Nurse Reynolds asks Steve as she leaves our room.
"No Mamn, we're fine. Thank you." Steve says as he comes in to help me with my gown. "Are you still having those back pains, like you were yesterday?"
"No Thank God. I can't believe this gown is so hideous, and you know I hate the pink color, and it's my least favorite. The pain comes and goes from front to back, but it's not that bad yet." I tell him while we leave the bathroom holding hands like teenagers.
"I think you're just mad that I am going to win the bet and we are having a daughter, not the son you keep telling everyone. " He helps me into my bed and sits down next to me and holds my hand.
"You keep telling yourself that, Commander. I think I'm down 2 to 1 so I'm sure I'm going to beat you this time. But even if I don't, I figure you still will give me my spa weekend for all those pounds you made me gain with your excellent cooking." I lean into Steve's chest and he kisses my forehead, and I hold onto really tight. Just then another contraction comes and he can feel me tense up.
"Cath, tell me, are you in a lot pain, or is it as bad as Danny says it can be?" he asks as he rubs my back.
"Well, it's not that bad yet, but I know it will be getting worse before our son gets here. I am still planning on going without drugs and I've been doing all my breathing exercises." I can tell they are getting closer together and more intense. Steve rubs my back as I breathe and squeeze his hand while his wedding ring cuts into it.
You mean our daughter, don't you? Steve replies again. I look at him and roll my eyes. "You're doing great, Babe, keep breathing just like we practiced; I know you can do it." Steve tells me in the sweetest voice ever. He can be so tender when he needs to be or he can be a killer and not blink an eye. That one seemed to come twelve minutes from the last one.
"I didn't bring the stop watch so you can be my official clock watcher." That one ends and I'm still holding on to Steve and don't want to let go.
"You're wish is my command, my lady." Steve says as he helps me under the covers and lies down next to me.
"Just stay here and hold me until I tell you to leave. The doctor told us in class to go to our "happy place" and right here is my Disneyland—my happiest place on earth, so I just want to be here in your arms now. Later when they are really bad I will be calling you lots of ugly names and won't be as nice as I am now." We both laugh as he leans down to kiss me. Steve has the sweetest way with me when I am not feeling well. The first three months of this pregnancy I couldn't move from bed until I lost my dinner and the room stopped spinning. Even the medications the doctor gave me didn't help and Steve and I were really worried. If we hadn't found one that worked by my second trimester, my doctor was going to put me in the hospital for a week to get the nauseous under control. I wasn't used to Steve being my nurse, I was never sick around him before. I was always the one sitting by his bedside after a dangerous Naval OP or shoot out with Five-0 but the shoe has never been on the other foot. He was so tender and attentive and the way I was feeling, I didn't care what he told me to do. He'd carry me to the bathroom and back to bed, he'd have someone with me all day while he was at work. I had never really seen that side of him before. I wasn't one to get sick very often. Most of the time if I had a cold or flu, I was out to sea and Steve was on a rescue mission in some mystery local. Oh, I knew he had that tender side, a side he only showed me and a very few people, but those months really scared him and he felt helpless.
"Cath, promise me you will tell the doctor if you want an epidural, and you won't try to be Wonder Woman. I read the literature the hospital gave us and the baby is completely safe so it doesn't make sense for you to suffer. Will you promise me that, please?" He asked while he brushed my bangs out of my eyes.
"Steve, I promise, I will. I just don't want any pain killers that can hurt our baby. Just because there are drugs out there, doesn't mean I have to have them. But I promise you I will have an epidural if it is really bad." Another contraction starts and I grab onto Steve's shirt and do my breathing. This time it feels like they are getting closer and more intense. The nurse comes back in with her IV supplies and fetal monitor.
"Commander, how is she doing? Sorry I was gone so long, but another nurse is at lunch so we are short staffed for an hour or so.
"She's doing great, her contractions are ten minutes apart and they are about three minutes long. " Finally this one ends and I can finally let go of Steve's shirt and hand. "Great job, Baby, you're breathing is getting better each time."
"Thanks Honey." Just then a knock on the door interrupts our conversation and there is a volunteer at the door with a basket for Steve and one for me. "Come in", Steve replies and she brings both baskets to our table. "Look, the team sent you some spa products, and they gave me some cigars, beef jerkey and cards"
"Thank you so much, I tell her and off she goes to deliver some more. Steve gets off the bed so the nurse can start my IV and put on the fetal monitor, but sits in a chair next to my bed.
"Mrs. McGarrett, I need to start your IV and get your on the monitor. " She takes a look at each of my arms to see where the best veins are. She chooses the left arm and proceeds to get all her supplies laid out on her table.
"Steve, is everything ok at work? If you need to go and check in with Danny, don't feel you have to stay here the whole time. Some first time deliveries can take 24 hours so you don't have be here for every minute." He's holding my hand and rubbing his thumb back and forth. He says he does this to calm me down but I think it also calms him down too.
"Cath, there is not one thing on this earth that would take me away from you and our daughter. If there were a bomb threat on the island, I know my team could handle it and do me proud. You and our baby are more important to me than life itself and I will not leave here for one second." He carefully and tenderly kisses my forehead and I just melt into his chest.
"Commander McGarrett, the front desk called and they need your signature on some forms, so now would be a good time for you to take care of that. I have to check your wife's dilation and put on the baby's monitor on their head, and usually most first time mothers want some privacy." Nurse Reynolds tells Steve. He looks at me and I give him a nod and he's off to go to the front desk.
"Thanks, Nurse Reynolds, I could tell he is getting nervous the way he's tapping his foot all ready. He doesn't like to see me in pain or discomfort and I know he will need to be sent on a few errands before this baby girl gets here." The nurse installs the monitor wand on the head of the baby and checks how far I am dilated.
"Wow, Mrs. McGarrett, you are all ready at 6 cm so this little one will be here before the day's over I predict. Most first time mothers get here and they are only at one or two cm but it looks like you are over half way there." She says, as the monitors start to spit out the information. "You might want to close your eyes in between contractions so you will conserve your energy for the delivery. I know how excited you and Commander must be, but rest is really important before you begin your transitional labor. When the Commander comes back I will go and get you some ice chips and then I need to go next door and do another intake. Here is the remote to buzz me if you need anything." She hands me the remote and busys herself cleaning up all the supplies from the IV and brings me the table so I can set it down.
Just then Steve returns and off the nurse leaves. "Did I beat the next contraction back?" Steve asks as he slides next to me on the bed.
"Yes, how's Danny, everything OK? "
"Everyone's fine, Cath, don't worry about them. I guess your plan is to be sending me on a few errands today so you can get me out of your hair." he laughs as he has all ready figured it out.
"You're not mad are you honey? Because, you really do have to indulge me today of all day's since I am giving you the cutest baby boy on the earth next to you when you were little." I say as I reach to hold his hand and another contraction starts. I hold onto him tighter than the last one and he holds me against his chest. There is no place I'd rather be than in his strong arms. Ever since the first time he held me close to him, nothing calms me but his arms around me and that special place on his chest just for me. The contraction ends and I still let Steve hold me tight. I almost feel so relaxed in between contractions that I could fall asleep right where I am.
"Cath, are you ok? I can tell they are getting stronger each time you have one. Did the nurse give you any idea on how you're doing?"
"Yes, I am all ready at 6 cm and she thinks he will be here in two to four hours or so. " I take Steve's hand and hold it and just close my eyes. Steve lays next me and I start to fall asleep because I am so calm and peaceful. It's just the two of us now since the nurse left to go next door. Steve leans in and kisses my forehead and I just feel so much love for him and this little girl I am carrying. Before I can even get some ice chips, the next contraction starts and again I hold on to Steve for dear life.
"Breathe baby, you're doing great. That's it Cath, take it slow and it will be over soon." As the contraction ends I hear Steve's phone ring. He ignores it and rubs my back for another minute. "You are doing really well, Cath, is there anything you need? What can I get you?"
"Steve, I'm good, just answer the phone so you can lie down next to me until the next one starts." He answers the phone and it's my mother. They just landed at the Oahu airport and are getting into the car Steve had waiting for them.
"Hi Mom, she's good. Our nurse says in about two hours our baby will be here. She looks fine and she's doing really great on her breathing. Ok, see in 20-30 minutes. Bye." Steve hangs up the phone and comes back to lay next to me and puts his arms around me again.
"Do you know that your arms are my favorite place to be on this whole earth? Just stay here all day and never let go." I get really scared when I feel I am losing control of my body. It was the same way when I threw up with morning sickness. Those first three months I lost over ten pounds and Steve and I were really scared.
"Anything for you, Baby. I don't think I've told you today how beautiful you look and how much I love you. You make loving you so easy and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank the Navy for getting us together." He leans into me and kisses me like on our first date. He is so tender and gentle and such a generous lover. "Catherine, thank you for marrying me and making my life worth living."
As a tear runs down my face, I start my breathing again as the next contraction starts to come. We stay like this for another 45 minutes and I am starting to worry about my blood pressure. When my blood pressure gets too high, I start to feel a little light headed and dizzy. Luckily the nurse comes in and does a status check on everything.
"Mrs. McGarrett, Dr. Cassidy will be here in 10 minutes, and he wants to check you over and see how the baby's heartbeat is doing. He wants me to put in a catheter so we can measure your urine output until the delivery and the next 24 hours. Commander, maybe you could go and get yourself a cup of coffee and be back in five minutes." Nurse Reynolds says.
"Steve, wait. Can you go down to the SUV and get the bag in the front seat? I stopped and got a blue hat and a pink blanket to make sure we had everything we need for the baby. Also, I didn't bring the diaper bag or camera. I had my bag packed in the car but not his. I'm sure you have time to run home and get it before he is born."
"Sure, I'll go to the car and get the bag but I am not leaving you to go home. I'll ask Kamekono go to the house and get them for us. I'll be right back." Steve leans in and kisses me before he leaves and the nurse closes the curtain.
"Mrs. McGarrett, I need to go over your list of medications in the chart here. Can you tell me what medications you are currently taking?" She asked.
"I only take Lisinopril for high blood pressure and my prenatal vitamins. I am not allergic to any medications, but I am allergic to shell fish."
"How long have you had high blood pressure?" She wants to know.
"Only since the last three months of my pregnancy. My mother had the same thing when she was pregnant with me and as soon as I was born, it disappeared,"