A/N Welp…I posted the wrong Chapter…So you may be a chapter ahead. Dear me. This has been a mess. Let's try again, Ch 6, We're Having a Baby.
"Okay team, where are we?" Chuck asked the group gathered in his kitchen. Tomorrow night was the big night, the night Karen Fox and her state of the art security system was supposed to go down, and Chuck wanted there to be as few surprises as possible…mainly because Sarah hated surprises.
"Verbanski and I are on the wait staff." Casey began. "Between the two of us we were able to clone the majority of the apps the target has on her phone."
"A cursory glance at her phone will pass muster, but if she starts trying to do very much with it, this plan will fall apart quickly," Gertrude warned. Chuck turned to Morgan, who threw up his hands.
"Don't look at me, I did the most I could with the info I had."
"No one's blaming you, Buddy. Where are we on the finger-prints?"
"Casey got us everything we needed," Morgan said with a nod toward his father-in-law. That brought out a grunt.
"Awww, grunt 33, you're welcome….Dad." Casey scowled and Morgan looked as though he might flee. Alex grabbed his arm and shot her father a look. Casey relented but grunted.
"Don't know that one," Chuck admitted.
"It's number 3," Alex replied. "The, I will kill you if you ever imply I'm related to you again. It has only been used a few times. Well, until he met Morgan that is," she said smiling at her dad, letting him know Morgan could use it anytime he wanted. Casey looked sick.
"What about Jason, Zondra?" Chuck asked.
"Why don't you ask me?" Carina wanted to know. Everyone looked at Carina. "What?"
"We all know you keep telling us you can feel Jason's pick attempt because you want to rub up against Jason," Zondra replied. "Sarah can pick your pocket any day of the week, and we all know you'd never know." Carina shrugged, not one bit ashamed.
"I don't know what it is about him." Chuck looked at her with a raised eyebrow and a smile. She swatted at him. "No, Chuckles, I mean he's fine, don't get me wrong, but there's something familiar about him," she said, dreamily.
"I've never heard you talk about a man like that before," Zondra said, with an amused smile on her face. "Don't tell me…" Carina cut her off before she could go any further.
"I'm not falling for him." Chuck just grinned. "Don't worry Chuckles, when you finally come to your senses I'll still be here for you." Chuck's grin grew. "Oh, no, it's not like that!" she insisted.
"Not like what?" Stephen asked. "Are you gonna marry, Jason?"
"Why would you ask that?" Chuck asked, his face nearly splitting with a grin. Carina was sputtering.
"He thinks they belong together," Ellie said, walking in with Samantha. "Apparently both Jason and Carina have been spending a lot of time together 'watching the kids'." She said with finger quotes.
"They say they need to watch us together, but all they do is watch each other," Stephen said. Carina looked away, a little embarrassed to be called out by a six year old. Chuck looked bothered.
"I'm sorry, Chuck," Carina said. "You know the kids mean everything to me, and if something was going on, I would put them first." Chuck grinned at her. He had actually been thinking about Jason's comments about how he wouldn't do anything with Sarah if she were the last woman on Earth. That just stuck in his craw for some reason. He knew he should be happy that his wife wasn't going to have to worry about the nanny hitting on her, but at the same time….He shook his head. This was ridiculous. It wasn't bothering him, it was nagging at him, like it should mean something, like it should mean something obvious that he was missing.
"Carina…just don't let Sarah know," he replied.
"Let Sarah know what?" his wife's voice came from the stairs. Chuck turned around to answer but the words caught in his throat. Sarah was there, in a sleeveless Versace dress. Chuck thought it was one from years ago, but Sarah said she didn't remember wearing it then. Chuck was fine with her forgetting that fact…he had been dealing with her not unpacking her suitcase and had nearly ruined their night. Her hair wasn't as long as it was then, it was only shoulder length now, but the results were the same if not more stunning. Chuck had known Sarah for over 12 years, and she still managed to take his breath away each time he saw her, but this…this was something more. He wondered how he managed to keep his cool in Milan back then. Sarah had a smile on her face, that Chuck called his smile. That was the smile she reserved for him. Her eyes pierced into his soul when she smiled at him like that, and he didn't care if anyone else was in the room or not, because when she smiled at him like that no one else was around, or mattered. "Chuck?" she said grinning, knowing what she was doing to him, and loving it.
"How do you get more beautiful?" he asked. Carina stuck a finger in her mouth, mocking gagging.
"I always wanted a younger sibling," Samantha said, causing Chuck to raise his eyebrows and turn toward her. In fact, everyone turned toward her.
"Uh, where did that come from?" Chuck asked.
"I know about babies," Samantha said. Chuck looked at Carina.
"Hey, this one's not on me!"
"Uncle Devon showed me after I read one of his medical books," Samantha said. Ellie shut her eyes.
"I'm so sorry, Chuck," Ellie said.
"I'm sure it's not Devon's fault," Sarah said, looking at her daughter, who returned her own look. Chuck looked away, trying not to grin. Sarah's face twitched, and she gave Chuck a level look. She turned back to her daughter. "Did you ask Uncle Devon to see the book you looked at?" Samantha shook her head no. "Did you ask questions about what you read?"
"Yes, and I told Uncle Devon to show me more complete pictures." Chuck winced. Sarah nodded for her to go on.
"What did you learn?" Sarah asked. Samantha looked over at her brother and thought carefully about her brother. He seemed not to care about anything going on around him.
"I know anatomy and how babies are made, and I know there are pictures of you and Dad in that dress and him in a suit or tuxedo 9 months before the day Stephen and I were born." Chuck opened his mouth twice to say something but didn't. Sarah turned toward him, a grin covering her face.
"Anything to add to that?" Sarah asked Chuck pointedly. Chuck shrugged.
"Nope, seems like if we have any questions we should go to her," he replied, and with that, all the adults exploded into laughter.
"You're all boring," Stephen said, heading out to the yard. Chuck looked outside, where Jason was on the phone with someone, his back turned toward the house.
"I'm a little upset that you're checking him out and not me, Mr. Bartowski," Sarah whispered into his ear. Everyone was milling about talking after Samantha's little speech and Sarah had slipped up behind her husband without him knowing. Jason hung up the phone as Stephen approached him, and Chuck kept his thoughts to himself. Instead he smiled, thinking about his wife and the dress she was wearing.
"You never answered my question earlier. How do you keep getting more beautiful?" he asked, grinning. Sarah swatted him gently on the arm.
"Maybe you're getting a little older and need better glasses." Chuck turned toward her, disbelief on his face.
"That's a little insulting," he said, not really trying to look hurt. Sarah grinned, knowing what he was up to. "I mean you look good and all, but you got work harder than that for all of this, Baby," he said, running his hands palms up, down his body. Sarah laughed.
"I'd like a little sister," Samantha said, killing any mood the two had created.
"Uh, Honey, I don't think we're going to have any more kids," Sarah said turning toward her daughter.
"Won't stop you two from practicing," Carina muttered under her breath. Sarah turned toward her, trying to give her a dirty look, but failed, give the insanity of the situation. "What? She obviously knows more practical things about sex and childbirth than I do, it's not like I'm telling her something she doesn't know."
"She definitely has more practical knowledge on childbirth than these two had with Stephen," Ellie said, her eyes dancing looking at Chuck and Sarah. Chuck tried to look embarrassed but just kept grinning. Carina looked suspicious.
"Really?" Ellie nodded. "Just how bad did it go?" Carina asked. Ellie put down her coffee cup, in surprise.
"You mean, they've never told you?" Ellie asked. Sarah, grinning, shook her head no. "Sarah, really?" Sarah started laughing, and Chuck joined her.
"What happened?" Zondra demanded. Ellie looked at the couple, who both just shrugged.
"Well," she began but paused. "It was very Chuck and Sarah."
}o{
5 years ago
Chuck walked into the house, whistling. He had finished all the work that needed to be done for Carmichael Industries, and for now, that part of his life was on hold until after their baby was born. Chuck smiled at the thought; he was going to be a dad. Sarah wasn't due for 2 more weeks, but he wasn't going to chance things. He considered going on a baby-moon, but with Ellie having come in to stay with them until the baby came along, he didn't figure that was fair. He walked into the kitchen to see the scariest thing he had ever seen in his life. There was Sarah, as beautiful as ever, but very obviously pregnant, dipping dill pickle spears into Rocky Road Ice Cream. He watched her for a bit. She was oblivious, and with each bite, she looked like it was the most divine thing she had ever eaten. She opened her eyes after a bite, saw him, and never blinking her gaze, double (or was it by now triple?) dipped her pickle.
"I am never eating from that carton of Rocky Road again," Chuck muttered, smiling while he put his briefcase on the counter.
"The way I'm feeling that ain't the only thing your nevering again," Sarah replied, scooping again, this time she just got some ice cream in her hand since there wasn't much left of the pickle. She didn't look a bit concerned either, if anything, the look was a challenge.
"Uh, excuse me, you were the one in the rush to do the baby thing," Chuck replied, not really believing her comment…but still a little worried.
"You didn't do a thing to stop me," she retorted back. Chuck couldn't help himself and started chuckling.
"Nope." Sarah laughed, and put her non-dipping hand on her belly to support herself. She looked really uncomfortable.
"As much as that hurt, thanks," she said. "It's been a rough hour or so." Chuck tilted his head, confused.
"I'm having Braxton-Hicks contractions, I think," Sarah said. "They're aren't very comfortable."
"Uh, how far apart are they?" Chuck asked. Sarah shrugged.
"Five minutes," she replied off handed. Chuck's eyes bugged out. "Calm down," she said rolling her eyes. "I'm two weeks…" and she stopped mid-sentence. She looked down and her eyes grew wide. She looked up at Chuck, shock covering her face. "Uh.."
"ELLIE!" Chuck screamed, turning pale. Ellie rushed into the kitchen, took one look behind the counter and the mess on the floor, and muttered something under her breath.
"Calm down!" Sarah yelled. Chuck looked at her. She seemed somewhat calm. "I'm the one having the kid, not you, remember?"
"Ellie! She's doing the thingy!" Chuck said pointing at Sarah. Both women rolled their eyes.
"Chuck, you clean up this mess," Ellie said. Chuck brightened.
"I can clean!" And off he went to get supplies, leaving the two women alone.
"Are you having contractions?" Ellie asked. Sarah nodded and held up a finger, for her to give her a moment. Sarah winced a little. Ellie's eyes grew. "How long?"
"For about an hour, they're five minutes apart or so, except now it's more like 3…or 2."
"Uh-oh," Ellie muttered and Sarah raised her eyebrow. "Uh, how trained were you to withstand pain in the CIA?" Sarah's eyes got wide when she realized what the question meant.
"Am I having the baby now?" Sarah asked. Ellie nodded.
"I think, right now. It's called precipitous labor, and it goes fast. I never thought about you and your pain tolerance with your CIA training." Sarah nodded.
"We have a problem," Sarah said. Ellie stopped trying to think what it could be when she heard clanging in the other room. The two women locked eyes.
"Chuck," both women said at the same time. Chuck came bounding into the room with a mop, bucket, cleaner, and a smile on his face. He had lost it. His mind had snapped at what had happened. Sarah started to bury her head in her hand when it hit.
"Uhhh," she said. Chuck turned, worried.
"Uhhh? You never uhhh? I mean, oh…oh God…your having it right now aren't you?" Chuck's voice raised octaves as he said it.
"I'm sorry," Sarah said, her eyes pleading forgiveness. She slapped him. Chuck was shocked. She pointed at his face. "I need you. Right now. Snap out of this!"
"Are you remembering?" Sarah wanted to scream. "Wait, that look, it's like something from us during the missions when I'd do something stupid about us." Sarah smiled, and then winced one eye closed as a contraction hit. She made the sign for him to hurry it along. "You're acting like the you of old, not that you weren't before but." Sarah took three fingers and her thumb and pinched his lips closed.
"You're spiraling. I always remember you, you goof. In here," she said pointing to her heart with her other hand. "I may have forgot the memories, but my heart never forgot you." Chuck nodded. He closed his eyes for a second and Sarah removed her fingers from his face. He opened them and Sarah saw he was okay.
"Right," he began, and Sarah buckled a bit and one eye went a little buggy. Chuck reached down, scooped her up and began to carry her to the couch. "We're gonna have to burn this couch later."
"There was a chance he was conceived here, might as well have him here," Sarah muttered.
"Sarah!" Ellie shouted, not wanting to hear that.
"I used to have to shower, in the shower you and Devon did your thang in, so all's fair," Chuck replied. Sarah started to speak, but she made some groan that Chuck had never heard. "Sorry dear," he said and in one motion deposited her on the couch as he pulled her pants down, as she lifted her hips to help him. Ellie put her hand on his arm.
"I got this end from here. You work on that end, and I have everything down here," Ellie said. Chuck started to nod, but Ellie gripped his arm. "Chuck, you look down here, you'll pass out."
"Right," he said, turning toward his wife. "Don't pass out." Sarah nodded breathing. "Where are we?"
"About a 7," she said. He turned his head to the side to say, "really?" "Let me hold your hand," she said, reaching out. Chuck was a little hesitant.
"Dear, you're really strong, and I don't want you to break…"
"CHUCK! HAND!" she screamed during a contraction. He gave her his hand and she squeezed. Chuck dropped to a knee and wanted to scream, but no sound came out.
"Don't…snap….all the bones!" he got out, red-faced and trying to breathe.
"Sorry!" she yelled. "Ellie?"
"You're crowning, I've heard of this but never saw it," she said, shaking her head. "Push!" Sarah pushed, and Chuck fell from his knee to the ground, but he never let go of Sarah's hand.
"Aargh!" she yelled. "It's an 8 now!"
"I'm at an 80!" Chuck yelled.
"You are such a nerd!" she screamed.
"I KNOW!" Chuck yelled wondering if any bones wouldn't be broke in his hand.
"One more push and I think…" Ellie trailed off, and Sarah collapsed on the couch. Chuck hit the ground and laid there, he nearly passed out, until he heard the crying. He raised up, and Sarah caught his eye. They both had the same smile that plastered their faces. "I think someone wants to meet you two," Ellie said, tears in her eyes, cooing at the baby.
"Hey buddy," Chuck said, as Ellie started to give him the baby. "Nope," Chuck said. "Kick-ass spy-ninja over her just popped this guy out in less than two minutes, I'm not getting between her and her cub." Ellie smile, suspecting he was right. Sarah looked a little worried when she was handed her son, but the baby cooed in her arms and the look on Sarah's face made Chuck smile the biggest smile he ever knew. He reached down and traced his finger over his son's hand. Stephen opened his hand and clutched Chuck's finger. Sarah gasped.
"We did this," she whispered. Chuck nodded and she looked up at him, with tears in her eyes.
"Why are you crying, it's my hand that smashed?" he asked, a grin covering his face. She shook her head.
"I'm sorry about that," she answered. Chuck shrugged. "We did this, and it's amazing, but you are not touching me….ever!" Chuck did his eyebrow dance. "Give me a few days, you nut."
"Give her four to six weeks!" Ellie yelled. Chuck looked at her, shocked.
"I….wasn't…oh, screw it," he said, giving up. Both women laughed at him, as Ellie pulled out her phone to call the hospital.
}o{
"You replaced the couch, right?" Casey asked. Gertrude slapped his shoulder. "What?" he asked. Chuck looked at him, nodding quickly and insistently.
"An 8 huh?" Carina asked. Sarah shrugged, bouncing a shoulder.
"Probably an 11 for you," she said, winking at Chuck. Chuck smiled. Carina shook her head.
"Now that we've wandered down memory lane, are we ready for tomorrow night?" Chuck asked. Everyone nodded. Carina and Zondra took Samantha outside, the Grimes left as did Casey and Gertrude, even Ellie said she needed to get back to her new place and unpack. "Need any help?" Chuck asked. Ellie shook her head.
"Devon and I want to do this," she said, grinning. "Tomorrow, we begin to fix things, Chuck." Chuck put his arm around Sarah and the two looked at each other.
"There's nothing to fix," Chuck said. Sarah shrugged.
"I know he loves me and I love him, the rest…it would be nice, but I've got my family." Ellie smiled and went out the door. Chuck and Sarah walked over to the window to watch the five outside. Carina turned, saw them, and gave a head nod toward the stairs.
"Is she implying," Chuck began, trying to sound outraged.
"I swear that's all that on her mind," Sarah said, agreeing. She paused for a second and the two shared a look. "I mean, it wouldn't hurt to keep in practice in case we decide to have a third," she said with a grin on her face. Chuck's grin grew.
"It never hurts to practice," Chuck said agreeing. The two walked toward the stairs.
"You think Morgan figured out that's the couch he took from here yet?" Sarah asked. Chuck just burst into laughter.
"I wonder if Casey realized it was the couch he slept on when he stayed at their place?" Chuck and Sarah headed upstairs, not realizing that after tonight, things would never be the same.
A/N: BTW, precipitous labor is a real thing, and it once the idea popped into my head I just couldn't get it out.