The Birth of Andrew Thomas Pike
"Amelia you're doing so good! Just keep breathing."
Amelia Pike wanted to kick the cheerful woman in the face to shut her up. To lift her foot out of the stirrups and deliver the biggest, nose-breaking kick would give her joy. But another contraction stopped her and made her scream, gripping the hand that held hers tightly.
"I'm going to kill you! Chris!" she screeched, before bearing down for another hard push.
The pain was unbearable as parts of her body began to stretch, allowing the child she carried for nine months to make it's way into the world. At least she hoped it was a human child and not a big-headed monster.
"That's just the pain talking, Mia," Chris said, as he tried to loosen her grip on his hand.
She glared at him, "Shut up! You were the one that was all worried about the drugs making the bab-OWWWWW!"
Another push. Wild panting and a deep exhale. She had been going at this for hours now.
"What's taking so long! I want this kid out!" she snapped, as a nurse wiped her sweaty brow with a damp cloth.
"The first birth is always the hardest," she said, as Amelia let out a shaky breath. "It'll get easier once you have another."
Amelia snorted, "Who said we're having more?" she hissed.
The doctor looked up from between her legs, "I can feel the head," she announced.
"Oh goodie!" Amelia snapped, squirming as the doctor groped around her body.
"I need one more big push and hopefully the head will crown and then it'll be over and you'll have your baby," she said.
Amelia laid back against the rumpled pillows and looked up at the fluorescent lights above her. She was exhausted. And the fact that she was drenched in sweat and red in the face, made her feel unattractive around her husband.
"Mia you're almost there," he said, pushing her hair back.
She nodded quickly, "I know," she said, feeling smaller than ever. "It really hurts," she said, as her lips trembled.
"I know baby. I know it hurts and I'm sorry," he said, as her eyes filled with tears. "But it's almost over."
The nurse-Betty- watched them- the older man and his young wife- as they quietly spoke together. She knew that Christopher was someone of great importance, when he rushed into the room hours earlier frantic and dressed in his Starfleet uniform. When he moved out of the room to call their family, Amelia told her that her husband was a Captain in Starfleet.
"You must be very proud of him," she said, setting the fetal heart monitor around her belly.
"I am. He's so good at what he does and I am a very lucky girl," a wide grin plastered on her face.
"You're so brave and you're doing an amazing job, Mia. I'm so proud of you," Chris said, stroking her forehead.
The doctor peaked up at them, "Mia, on your next contraction I want you to bare down and push really hard, okay?" she asked.
Amelia kept her eyes on Chris and nodded, "Yes," she whimpered.
Betty and Chris helped her up and kept their arms around her, as she held onto both their hands. Chris gave her a kiss on the cheek and didn't wince at all when she gripped his hand tightly.
"One, two, three! Push!"
Amelia pressed her chin into her chest and pushed as hard as she could, as Betty counted to ten next to her. She felt a lot of pressure before the intense pain and tearing of flesh. She screamed as she pushed back into her husband's arm, her head thrown back.
"The head is crowning!" the doctor shouted, as the nurses moved about at the foot of the bed. "Here's another contraction-" the doctor started, as Amelia sat up again. "Go on! Push!"
Another push and more pain, before the announcement that the baby's head was out.
"I can't do anymore!" she sobbed, knowing how silly it sounded.
"Yes you can," Betty said, patting her shoulder. "Come on, honey. One more push and it'll be over!" she said.
"I'm so tired," she moaned, closing her eyes.
Chris gave her a shake, "Amelia, one more push!" he said.
She opened her eyes and sat up slowly, "Okay. One more push," she said to herself, as the contraction came.
Bearing down with all her remaining energy, Amelia pushed as hard as she could. She could feel the baby leaving her body, the release of the pressure. And then she heard the most beautiful sound in the world, besides her husbands' laughter and the sound of the wind blowing between the trees.
The shrill cry of a baby filled the room and she couldn't help but let out a tired laugh.
"It's a boy!" the doctor announced, holding him up for the new parents to see.
Chris beamed as he looked from his son to his wife, "A boy.." he whispered. "Oh Mia," he said, kissing her.
She couldn't help the fresh tears that fell from her eyes. The sudden happiness that filled her body, despite the fact that she was so sore and tired. Her husband gripped her face and kissed her again, as they both shed happy tears.
"Do you want to cut the cord, Daddy?" Betty asked, as she brought the surgical scissors over from the tray.
With a nod, Chris moved from Amelia's side and down to the foot of the bed, taking the scissors from Betty. Amelia watched through tired eyes, as the nurse showed him where to cut. With one snip, her baby boy was finally free from her body and moved to the small counter in the corner.
Chris was back at her side within seconds and holding her hand, as the doctor and nurse moved about to clean and stitch up his wife.
"Eight pounds. Ten ounces. Twenty –one and a half inches long," the nurse read out, as the screaming newborn laid on the cold scale.
"He's a big boy," Chris said, as the nurse cleaned him off and wrapped him in a fresh blanket.
Betty carried him over, smiling down at him. "He's a beautiful boy," she cooed, looking up at them. "And here's your mommy an daddy," she said, carefully laying the squirming baby into Amelia's arms.
As soon as Amelia laid eyes on him, she felt her heart swell with love. All the pain she'd felt and endured was worth it, as she held her baby boy.
"Oh my.." she said softly, as she ran her finger down his chubby arm.
When he gripped onto her finger with his little wrinkly hands, she began to cry again.
"So what are we calling this handsome little boy?" Betty asked, as she moved to grab the card from the table.
Amelia looked up at Chris and smiled, "Go on," she said.
Chris smiled and shook his head, "Andrew," he said, reaching out to touch the baby's nose. "Andrew Thomas Pike."
Betty smiled and wrote the name down, along with the date and time. She then moved to get the cart ready for the trip down to the nursery, allowing the new parents a few more minutes with their baby.
"We need to take him down to the nursery so we can clean you up," the doctor said a few minutes later, taking her seat back at the end of the bed.
Amelia nodded sadly as Andrew gurgled in her arms. "Oh.." she whispered.
"It'll only be an hour or two. We'll clean you up and make you presentable to your family outside," Betty said.
Reluctantly, Amelia handed Andrew over to Betty and watched as she carried him over to the cart. With a promise to return him shortly, Amelia watched as he was wheeled out of the room.
Chris gave her another kiss and started towards the door, "I'll let the others know the news," he said.
"Don't be too long," she said, as he moved to the door.
He smiled back at her, "I won't," he said, before stepping out.
Four hours later, Amelia laid in a new hospital bed watching as Chris held Andrew in his arms. It took a bit longer for the doctor to fix her up, after further examination showed that the baby nearly tore her apart. Now she laid with an icepack rested between her legs, as she dozed in and out of sleep. Shortly after settling into her room, visitors began to arrive. Admirals and friends from the Academy showed up with flowers and balloons. Elizabeth and Robert came by with the girls, whom fell instantly in love with their new cousin. Amelia's sister Brittany came by with flowers and a stuffed bear, and couldn't stop gushing over Andrew. Tomorrow would bring her parents and Chris's parents, and many other visitors. But for now, she enjoyed the silence.
"He's got your eyes," Chris said softly, as Andrew slept in his arms.
Amelia gave him a tired smile, "He's got your nose and your mouth."
Chris sighed, "He's going to be a handful for sure,' he said, making her giggle.
"You mean he's going to be loud and bossy? A wise-ass?"
He shook his head at her and moved from the chair to the bed, sitting down next to her. Amelia shifted into a upright position, wincing at the pain between her legs. Once she was situated and somewhat comfortable, Amelia rested her chin on Chris' shoulder and looked down at her sleeping son.
"He's perfect," she murmured.
Chris nodded, "He is," he responded, before turning to look at her. "So are you."
Amelia looked up at him, "Even after I threatened to kill you?" she asked.
He chuckled, "Even if you threatened to kick me off the planet," he said, before kissing her. "I mean it, Mia. Thank you."
"For what?" she asked.
"For giving me the best gift in the world," he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "For having our baby and giving me the chance to be a father," he said.
Still on an emotional rollercoaster, Amelia felt her eyes tear up at his words. "Then let me thank you for giving him to me. And for making me a mommy."
He kissed her forehead and she gave a content sigh as she rested up against him, They sat quietly for a while, watching as Andrew slept in his father's arms. After a while, Amelia went to sleep and Chris moved back to the chair next to the bed and quietly spoke to Andrew.
"We've waited so long for you to come, Andrew," he said quietly, as the baby dozed. "Mommy and I are so happy that you're here. You and mommy made me the happiest man in the world right now. I love you so much. More than the stars and the planets in the sky," he said, as Andrew gripped his finger.
Chris smiled and traced the little hand with his thumb and took in every feature of his son, enjoying the moment of silence between them.
