It was an ordinary day at the Playground. Daisy, Coulson and Mack were out recruiting new Inhumans while FitzSimmons were doing lab work. May was stuck with paperwork while Bobbi and Hunter were occupied somewhere.
Jemma was working at the Bunsen burners, heating a solution to combine with a new DNA sample. Her fingers turning the knobs, pen scratching down data, small contractions from the baby. Normal.
But then with a bang the ground shook. Chemicals rattled in their containers, lab equipment crashing and clanging. With a yelp the biochemist leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the chemical spray from the now everywhere solution.
The movement cost her, however, as she collapsed on her back. She cried out, Fitz dropping his piece of machinery and crawled over to her.
"Jem," he whispered, panicked. "Are you alright?"
Jemma winced, moving her hips a bit. Nothing appeared to be in horrible condition, but she was certainly going to be bruised. "I'm fine. Just a bit sore,"
His eyes met hers, and she could see the disbelief in his irises as his hand roamed over her, checking for more apparent injury. "Jemma,"
"Really, I'm fine, Fitz!" She hissed, sitting up. Bloody hormones. "Just . . . what was that?"
"I don't know," he lamented worriedly, helping her to her feet. "Wasn't an earthquake or Skye. Perhaps an accident with something in the hangar?"
Her face portrayed her reluctance, but she nodded. "Yes, that must be it,"
Gunshots rang out, followed by screams and small scuffles. Hair standing on end, Jemma was frozen by the sudden turn of events. Fitz was suddenly gone, and her panic only escalated.
"Fitz?" Her voice rang through the sudden stillness. His head popped up a few feet away from a set of cabinets, and he raised an ICER in response.
He let out a small sigh as he stood. A few cartridges found their way into his pockets before he cocked the weapon, handing off to his fiancé. "Best to be prepared, right?"
She nodded, fear beginning to take root in her stomach. Please don't them hurt the baby . . . Her heart was pounding as Fitz led her by the hand into the hall, keeping an ICER raised and ready in the other. The lab door clicked open as they crept out, Fitz covering her protectively.
They had made it about twenty feet down the hall before Jemma noticed something. A rather wet something.
"Fitz, my water . . ." She gasped out, stopping dead in her tracks. Her eyes were shocked open to meet his, but the engineer appeared confused.
"I can get you some water, I guess . . ."
"No, my water broke!"
His face paled quite a few shades, and his grip on the gun handle began to shake. "Your water? Now? The baby's coming?"
"Yes!" Jemma was panicking now, stronger contractions beginning. A wave of pain swept across her face as she doubled over. "Fitz, she's coming today,"
The poor engineer was completely at a loss for words, blue eyes wide and staring into her hazel. They had planned for this. They could do this.
Except . . . Nothing was going according to plan.
"Okay...okay," Fitz breathed, releasing her hand to run through his hair. "We just need to get you back to-"
He never finished as a gunman – HYDRA – ran into the hallway. His gun raised, aiming at the biochemist.
"Jemma!" May came barreling around the corner, pouncing and tackling the agent. He collapsed, knocked out cold. But she wasn't quick enough – his finger clenched on the trigger, sending dual bullets at the young scientist.
Fitz knocked her to the ground, twisting so most of her weight was caught by him. A small scream escaped her throat as the projectiles bit into the brick just inches from where she had just been.
By now she was breathing heavily, sweat breaking out in beads across her forehead. Nevertheless, as soon as she caught her bearings she grabbed Fitz's hand, squeezing tight. "Thank you," she panted, meeting his eyes before her eyelids clenched in pain.
Fitz hurried to his knees, gathering her bridal style in his arms. He hurried her towards May. "The baby's coming!"
May's eyes widened, meeting the couple more than halfway. "This isn't mock labor?"
"My... My water bro-ke..." Jemma bit out, her head resting on Fitz's shoulder. Her bottom lip was clenched tightly between her teeth, stopping the groans threatening to slip through.
One good look at the biochemist had May convinced. "Get her to the barracks. If she can't move anymore, get somewhere quiet. We'll try to hold them off, but it's going to be awhile,"
Fitz nodded, already beginning to strain under her weight. She wasn't exactly heavy, but he wasn't exactly Steve Rogers either. "Okay. Okay. I'll just . . . Get her to our, uh, room..." He trailed off, still meeting May's gaze.
"Go!"
"Right!"
"Fi-tz..." Jemma moaned, digging her nails further into the sheets. She was breathing through clenched teeth, face screwed up in pain with tears flowing down her cheeks.
Fitz hurried to her side, grabbing her hand and trying not to wince at the amount of pressure the tiny woman put into her squeeze. "It's alright, Jem. It's gonna be alright," he swiped away some strands of hair that had fallen across her face and placed a kiss on her lips. "We're going to meet our little girl tonight. Remember it's all for her,"
Reluctantly, he let go of her hand and rushed back to his former task – gathering as many blankets, spare clothing, pillows and rubber gloves as he could find. The latter was in short supply as the two were completely locked in their bedroom with a dresser pushed against the door. The thought had only recently occurred to him, and now he wished that he had stopped to grab more supplies before they were barricaded in their room.
According to his limited knowledge of labor, a woman could be in labor for hours and not know it before her water broke. As was what was now happening to them, except it seemed the delivery was progressing much faster than either had anticipated.
It had been almost two and a half hours since Jemma's water had broken. Fitz was by no means a midwife, but he had a feeling something was bound to happen soon. Whether it be birth or HYDRA related was up to cruel fate.
There had been no contact with any of the agents.
Once May had instructed him to take his fiance into the barracks, the two hadn't seen head nor tail of any other agent. No banging on the door, no offers for help. There was a growing pit in his stomach – complete and utter dread. If HYDRA had successfully taken the Playground, it was only a small matter of time before they were found. And with a baby just hours away, the outcomes weren't all too appealing.
Fitz gathered all he could and ran back to his love's side, knotting a handkerchief he'd found in one of the drawers. "Okay, okay," he whispered, taking her hand and dealing a cool washcloth across her forehead. "It's alright,"
She winced as another contraction hit, squeezing her eyes closed. "I know it's going to be alright, Fitz! You're j-ust telling yourself that!" she pulled in another breath. "This is all your fault, y'know! Knocking me up as Skye would say,"
He sighed, remembering the parenting books he had read. She doesn't mean half of what she says in labor.
"C-Contractions are coming faster," Jemma ground out, readjusting her legs.
Ah, it appears the biochemist is back.
"Only a minute or so apart . . . I'm going to need to push soon . . ."
Fitz's eyes widened (which was really saying something, considering their current width) and he began to feel light headed. "No, no you have to hold out for . . .uh, one of the nurses. Yeah, the nurses,"
"Fitz!"
"Alright!" The engineer jumped, grabbing a few items. He handed the knotted handkerchief to her, closing her fingers around it. "We need to keep quiet, in case HYDRA is out there,"
Jemma could only nod as the rate of contractions picked up just a bit. Small whines were escaping her, but she was adamant that her little girl would not hear her scream. Or at least not yet . . .
"It's starting!"
Fitz felt like collapsing. He was in charge of delivering his child with no prior knowledge of child birth whatsoever. And with no equipment, to boot. He wasn't sure who was more nervous – himself or Jemma, who appeared rather calm despite her pain.
"I . . . Uh, alright, here we go!" Fitz cringed, lifting the sheet. He grasped her hand more tightly in his, stroking a thumb over her knuckles soothingly.
It will all be over soon . . . right?
"One more time, Jem. You can do this,"
Jemma panted as sweat glimmered across her skin. Her head was thrown back with her eyes staring up at the ceiling, biting her lip and willing herself not to scream. Tears were mingling with with the perspiration on her cheeks, trickling down her face. With one last energy draining amount of effort, Fitz gave a small yelp of joy. There was a moment of struggle, but finally his head came back into sight.
"Hit her!" Jemma managed to get out, the beginnings of relief evident as her breathing struggled to even and she collapsed back into the pillows.
Fitz was puzzled for a moment before quickly jumping to do as she said. The sharp cries of a newborn filled the air as the new father rushed to grab the washcloth.
He returned with their daughter wrapped in a clean swaddling cloth, her cheeks puffed and red and screaming her little lungs out. Little tufts of light but wet hair crowned her head, and his breath left him as he just held her close.
Jemma's hazel eyes opened tiredly, wet strands of her own hair falling across her forehead. A smile appeared on her face. Almost as if sensing it, Fitz tore his eyes from his daughter to meet his fiance's.
"Jemma, she's beautiful. Looks just like you," a smile on his face so wide it hurt, he gently finished the distance between the bathroom and the bed.
"No, I'm sure she looks more like you," Jemma protested tiredly, leaning her spent frame into the pillows.
"How about you decide?" Fitz gently took he bundle from his arms and placed her in Jemma's lap. He knelt beside his girls on the ground, eyes beginning to mist.
Almost as if on cue, her little eyes opened and gazed at her mother for the first time. Jemma's breath caught in her throat, her free hand weakly pulling Fitz closer.
Her eyes were like gems, shining blearily at her parents. Small irises were bright blue – Fitz's in every way. Jemma's heart was melting in her chest, finally staring at her little girl.
The tiny slope of her nose, the beginnings of eyelashes. Her little cheeks, flushed and slightly damp. She was drawing them in, seeing what their love had created. What was theirs, what had started so long ago as hate had turned into a fiery love, something unstoppable.
Gently, Fitz leaned down and laid a small kiss on her nose. The baby just stared at him, seeming rather confused. Jemma could feel the tears trickling joyfully down her cheeks. Her love brushed them away with the hand that wasn't cradling their daughter's head before tangling his fingers in her caramel locks. Gently, he pulled her down so her lips met his.
It wasn't quick or rushed; they took their time, like that first night so long ago. Neither would take it back for the world. This was their reward, their love brought to life. They were holding their daughter.
Their daughter. And they were never letting go.
About a half hour later, there was banging on the door.
Jemma jumped slightly, pulling the nursing baby in her arms just a little bit closer. Fitz, whom was a clean freak and was cleaning their room the best he could, motioned for her to keep quiet as he pulled the ICER from his belt.
"Fitz? Simmons?" Bobbi's worried voice rang through the wood, "is everything okay?"
Simmons breath came out in a relieved sigh while Fitz tucked the ICER back. "Yes, we're all fine,"
"All?"
Fitz only grinned to himself, not replying. Instead, he pushed the dresser back from the door (not an easy task), and swung the door open. He didn't speak, just smiled like number one in the world as Bobbi stepped quietly into their room.
"Jemma?" She whispered in shock as she saw the biochemist cradling her greatest creation. "You did it?"
Simmons could only nod, too choked up to do much else. Bobbi was at her side, staring down at the tiny human being. Tears glistened in her eyes as she took her hand squeezing it tight.
"Congratulations," the agent whispered, rather stunned. She had expected to come in in the middle of delivery or something of the sort, but this was rather unplanned.
Finally, Jemma found it in her to speak. "I believe she wants to meet her aunt, don't you, Fitz?"
"I think that's a great idea," Fitz couldn't stop smiling as his girl traded arms. Bobbi cradled her surprising expertly.
The baby was asleep, tired from the delivery. But as her wispy hair had begun to dry, the color had lightened dramatically. It was Jemma's fair color, and warmth crept into Bobbi's heart. She was a perfect mix of both of them, her tiny nose like her mother's and face like her father.
"She's . . . beautiful," Bobbi was at a lost for words at the small bundle, for once going along with the cliches. Her blue eyes darted between the two scientists, Jemma already beginning to nod off. "Have you named her yet?"
The mother drowsily shook her head. "Not yet. Fitz says we'll name her later, that I need to rest,"
Bobbi nodded, a smile lighting up her face as the newborn's little mouth opened in a yawn. She turned to the father, gently cradling his daughter. "So how did it. . . you know, go?"
Fitz grimaced as he threw another used towel into a black garbage bag. "Good. She might have broken a few of the bones in my hand, but otherwise good." He pointed a gloved finger in his wife-to-be's direction. "But I am neverdoing something like this alone again."
Bobbi chuckled, nodding her head. "Understood,"
Just then, May came running in. She wasn't out of breath in the least, yet it was obvious she'd been hurrying. Cuts marred her forehead and face, but she didn't appear much more injured.
Fitz held up a hand before she could question, speaking quietly to not wake up the new mother. "She's with Bobbi,"
May turned to the agent, a hint of a smile appearing on her face as she saw the towel wrapped infant. "And she's alright? Both of them?"
"Yes," Fitz nodded, smiling the whole time. "Jem's asleep, but . . ." He trailed off as his daughter traded arms, him not even having to tell Bobbi to share.
May cuddled her close, the grin on her face the largest the engineer had ever seen from her. She gently ran a knuckle down the infant's small face, reveling in the softness of her skin against her beaten hand.
It hurt, in a way. The child was so pure and innocent and yet here she was, tainting the infant with the blood on her hands. This had once been her dream, to hold a baby that was her own. To love and care for a little one.
You can't have this, Melinda. The way that girl in Bahrain looked at you . . .
But then the demons would return, and her mind would start screaming warning flags. This would be the closest she would ever get to a child of her own, and she knew it. And it killed her just a little bit more on the inside every time.
Her heart ached as the infant slept soundly in her open arms, little mouth hanging slightly ajar. You'll be cared for, little one.
I promise.
Skye was running as fast as she could, tearing down the hallway with Coulson at her heels. Her mission gear was still on, gun still comfortably fitted to her hip.
"Hurry up, old man!" Skye chirped, taking a sharp corner without slowing.
Coulson rolled his eyes, following his adopted daughter. "I'm not old!"
"I think your grand baby proved it," she shot back as he caught up to her in front of FitzSimmons' room. Excitedly, she pushed open the door.
Bobbi was reclining in a rocking chair and lifted a finger to her lips in response to their arrival. May was seated next to her with – shockingly – a needle and fabric. She appeared to be embroidering a blanket of some sort, which shocked both agents in the doorway. Grandma May appeared to be taking her role very seriously.
But on the queen sized bed was Simmons. She was sound asleep on her back with Fitz pressed into her side. His arm was under her head and his other hand curved around a bundle of fabric lying between the two. Their daughter.
And all three of them were asleep; Skye grinned. Her hand snaked to her belt, pulling out her phone.
It was the perfect photo, after all.
Yeah, you guys got lucky XD I couldn't resist :3
In response to Lab Rat Whore's question, I honestly have no idea XD My mom was shocked, but it's actually kind of nice. I only have Algebra for two Trimesters, so I'm pretty proud about that. But we're like the only school in and around our county who does it, so I guess it's not all that common? I'm not quite sure :) Thanks for the review!
And now I will see you all in a week ;) Please review! Thanks :)