A/N Thanks to H6p8gv and LittleFairyMaiden for reviewing the last chapter...I really do appreciate it! Hope everyone enjoys this chapter...This is the first time where I switched POVs (I use Link at one point..hope it doesn't confuse you)
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters from Hairspray...
8.
An Unconventional Arrival
The holidays came and went. Soon it was the beginning of February. Being almost nine months along, I had difficulty sitting at the desks for extended periods of time. In some classes I even had to sit at an angle so my stomach wouldn't be squished by the desk. One class where I didn't have to sit like that was Italian class. As Signora Vitaggio was discussing how to conjugate verbs, I squirmed in my chair. Link sat next to me and noticing my discomfort, passed me a note.
Are you alright Trace?
I scribbled a reply and handed it back to him.
My feet are sore and I'm uncomfortable sitting in this chair.
He gave me a comforting smile and handed me the note back.
It won't be long before class is over. When we get home I'll massage your feet.
I smiled over at him. He really was a sweet guy.
I'd like that but we have to watch Mandy this afternoon remember?
He looked at the note when I passed it to him and frowned.
Can we lock her in her room or something? She's so annoying sometimes.
I giggled slightly at his reaction, though I wouldn't condone him doing what he had asked. I wrote something and passed it back to him.
No, we cannot lock your sister in her room.
He frowned but nodded when he read what I wrote. The teacher went over and turned the lights off so we could watch a movie. I was dozing a bit when I felt a small pain in my stomach. I ignored it but then I felt another several minutes later; this one sharper than the first.
"Oww," I exclaimed.
Link's eyes were filled with worry and panic when he turned towards me.
"Tracy Larkin, it is not time to say ciao just yet. We still have ten minutes left in class," Signora Vitaggio chided.
"What's wrong?" Link whispered.
"I think I'm in labor," I whispered back, realizing the pains must be contractions. His eyes widened at the realization that our baby would be arriving soon. I stood up and made my way to the door with Link following close behind.
"Where are you two going?" Signora Vitaggio asked. We just ignored her as we walked out into the hall.
A few minutes later Amber came out of the room, towards us. "What happened? Are you alright?"
"Tracy is in labor," Link told her.
Amber gasped. "Oh! Do you want me to call for an ambulance?"
I shook my head. "Link will drive me."
"Will you tell the teacher that we are on the way to the hospital?" Link asked.
Amber nodded. "Of course. Want me to tell anyone else?"
"Possibly call my dad; we were supposed to watch Mandy later but obviously we can't."
"Okay Link, now get Tracy to that hospital." She went off to find a payphone quickly to first call Chris.
"Will you call my mom as well?" I called to her. Amber turned and nodded before continuing down the hall.
I felt another contraction. Link instantly wrapped his arm around me and nudged me towards the front of the school. Some students and teachers watched us as we made our way outside. My water broke right before reaching the main door and I could have sworn that someone said "Cleanup aisle ten" as we exited the building.
When we reached the hospital Link jumped out and got a nurse to bring a wheelchair for me. They both helped me into it and the nurse, a nice looking strawberry blonde, took me inside. Link was right by my side the entire way. I was given a room while Link filled out some necessary forms and Dr. Miller was called. The nurse, Greta, helped me into my gown. Link walked in a moment later and helped me into bed. Greta took my blood pressure and used the fetal heartbeat machine to listen to the baby's heart.
"Your blood pressure is 120 over 80 and the baby's heartbeat sounds fine," she told us once she finished her exam. "I'll be back later to check on you," she added before turning to leave.
Link was sitting in a chair by my bed. My left fingers were intertwined with his. "Thank you," he told her.
She smiled at us before leaving. "How are you doing?" Link asked.
"I've been better," I answered.
His lips curled upwards. "You're the strongest person I know. You can do anything and everything will be okay."
I moved to kiss him but a contraction stopped me in my tracks; the pain coursing through my entire abdominal region.
Link had a distressed expression. I was wincing when I saw my mom stop in the doorway. "Link what is it? Tracy, hun, are you ok?" she said quickly as she flew to our sides.
The pain had subsided and I looked up at her. I gently squeezed Link's hand to let him know that I was better. He sighed as he relaxed. "I just had a contraction Ma," I told her.
She visibly calmed. "Do you need anything?"
"Some ice chips would be nice," I said. She nodded and gave us both a kiss on the forehead before going out the door.
While she was gone, Dr. Miller came in. "So Tracy I see your little one wants to have an early arrival."
I nodded as I spoke, "Yes, it seems that way."
Link looked at the doctor. "Will the baby be okay being born early like this?"
"Yes, Tracy is at full term so the baby should be healthy."
"Thank you doctor," Link said, his gaze returning to me.
My mom returned and I immediately popped a few ice chips in my mouth as another contraction hit. Link grabbed a paper towel from the wall dispenser in the bathroom and wiped my forehead.
"Let me check to see how far along you are," Dr. Miller told me. I nodded and positioned myself for the exam. Link sat there, letting me hold his hand.
"You're at two centimeters," he said.
"So we've got a ways to go," I murmured. He nodded. "I'll be back later to check on you," he said before leaving.
"Do you need anything Trace?" Link asked.
My tongue ran over my parched lips. "I'm a little thirsty." He nodded and went to the counter to grab a cup from a stack that sat atop of it. He took one and went into the bathroom. When he handed me the cup, I took one huge gulp, emptying it.
A little while later Dr. Miller returned to check on my progress. He frowned when he finished.
"What's wrong?" I asked him.
"You're not as far along as I would like," he answered.
"So what should we do?" my mom inquired. Link looked like he had wanted to ask him the same thing.
"Well, we'll wait a little longer and see what happens. If the baby doesn't want to come out naturally we can always give her a cesarean section."
"Isn't that a surgery?" my mom asked.
Dr. Miller nodded. "I've performed them before and have never had a problem yet."
"Maybe we won't have to worry about that," Link said.
The doctor left, and after a few minutes, I started to snooze a little. I woke up when another wave of pain hit.
"Contraction?" Link asked.
I nodded and upon realizing that I was squeezing his hand, loosened my grip. He gently rubbed the hand I had held. "Sorry," I murmured.
His fingers lightly brushed my forehead and cheek. "It's ok doll."
A few more hours went by and Dr. Miller came back for another check-up. While he was there, he checked the baby's heartbeat. It wasn't as strong as earlier. He felt my stomach and did an internal exam.
"Tracy, I think I know why you're not progressing as you should."
I stared at him. "What is it?"
"It seems that the umbilical cord has wrapped itself around the baby, preventing him or her from moving."
"What can we do?" Link, Ma, and I all asked at the same time.
"If it's ok with you, I'd like to perform a cesarean section."
"If it can get the baby out before any damage can be done to him or her then yes, its ok," I told him.
"Alright, I'll be right back," Dr. Miller said as he walked out of the room.
"Are you sure about this hun?" Ma asked.
"Yeah, Trace, surgery has its risks," Link added.
I put a hand on both my mom's and Link's arm. "I trust Dr. Miller."
The doctor walked back in and they took my blood pressure and other tests in preparation.
"Mr. Larkin, Mrs. Turnblad, you can stay in the waiting room," he told them.
"I'm not leaving Tracy," Link said adamantly.
"Sir, I highly recommend that you sit with your family and friends and wait," Dr. Miller told him.
Link just stood there with his arms folded. A few moments later the doctor sighed. "Go find Greta and get some scrubs then."
Link grinned and went to find Greta. My mom kissed my forehead. "I'll be out in the waiting room. I'm sure Wilbur and Penny are there."
"Michelle, Chris, Mandy and the entire council too," I said.
"I bet they are hun. I'll see you in a bit." My mom squeezed my hand before going out the door.
Dr. Miller watched as she left and turned to me. "Now Tracy, we are going to give you anesthesia so you'll be asleep during all this. When you wake you'll have your new baby."
"Ok," I said.
Link POV
I found Greta at the nurse's station. "Hi, I told her. I came in with my wife earlier. The doctor told me to ask you for scrubs."
She smiled. "Ah, yes, Tracy's husband Link, right?"
I nodded. She went over to a hall closet and pulled out a set of blue pants and a shirt. "Here, the bathroom's down the hall," she said, handing them to me.
"Thanks," I said before finding the bathroom to change. When I came out I saw that they were wheeling Tracy out of her room. I ran over to them and took her hand in mine. She turned her head and smiled.
"Those match your eyes," she said softly.
I brought her hand up to my lips and kissed the back of it. "I wish they were brown to match your eyes; they are bewitching."
Greta and another nurse, chubby with short black hair, wearing a nametag that said "Fran", joined us as I said that. They were smiling and giggling. I looked at Tracy, waiting for her reaction. She was grinning and I was glad that I could distract her even if it was for a moment. The idea of Tracy having surgery made me anxious. A million things could go wrong and I didn't want to lose either my wife nor my child. She had to be as nervous as I was, but she never showed it. She was the picture of calm.
"Love you Link."
"I love you too Trace."
I continued holding her hand as we made our way to the operating room. The doctor and nurses went into another room full of sinks. Fran came in first and hooked Tracy up to an IV.
"What's that for?" I asked, trying to hide the nervous tint in my voice.
"Its anesthetic," she answered.
"Don't worry Link, Dr. Miller explained that he was going to give it to me while you were out of the room," Tracy said.
"Are you sure you want to be here?" Dr. Miller asked.
"Yes," I answered.
He frowned, probably hoping that I'd change my mind; but I didn't want to leave Tracy.
"Mr. Larkin?"
I looked to my left and saw Greta. "Yes?"
She pointed to the door. "Could you please stand behind the door? You can look in using the window."
I kissed Tracy's hand once more and placed it beside her. "I'll be right over there," I told her before walking to the aforementioned area.
Tracy was covered except for her stomach. Greta painted her stomach with some solution the doctor called iodine. Dr. Miller took a scalpel in his right hand and moved it towards her stomach. I turned so that I didn't have to see him cut her. I didn't turn back around until I heard a cry.
Greta tapped me on the shoulder and I looked at her to see a small bundle in her arms. "Congratulations, you have a daughter."
A daughter! That meant that I was really a father! I held onto the wall next to me to keep from fainting.
"Would like to hold her?"
I nodded and she gently handed the baby to me. She was so tiny and fragile looking as I supported her head with my arm. The moment she was in my arms I knew that I'd battle the world to keep her safe.
"She's beautiful," Greta told me.
"Yes she is," I murmured. She had a small tuft of dark brown hair and Tracy's nose and chin.
"How is Tracy?" I asked.
"She's doing fine. The doctor is finishing up with her and she'll be brought back in her room. She'll wake in an hour or so," Greta answered, smiling.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Come let's share the news with your family and friends."
"I was hoping that Tracy and I would do that together, but I guess it wouldn't be good to keep them waiting. I'm sure my mother-in-law already told them about the cesarean."
Greta nodded. "I can take the baby to the nursery so your wife can see her before the others."
"I'd appreciate that thanks. I know she'd want to see our daughter first."
I handed my daughter back to Greta and followed her down the hall. She showed me to the waiting room then headed towards the nursery. As I opened the door several pairs of eyes stared at me.
"We have a daughter!" I exclaimed.
My mom and Edna were hugging me before I could take another breath.
"How's Tracy?" they asked simultaneously.
"She's still asleep, but she'll awaken soon."
My father and Wilbur patted me on the shoulder and I received more hugs from Amber and Penny.
"I have a niece!" Mandy shouted. I smiled and nodded.
"Have you named her yet?" Penny asked.
"No I wanted to wait until Tracy was awake."
I must have seemed eager to get back to Tracy because Amber told me, "Go back to her and we'll see you in a little while."
"Yeah go back to Trace, she'll want you to be there when she wakes," Seaweed added.
I smiled at my friends and family. "I'll come get you when you can see Tracy and the baby."
My mom nodded. "Just go." I didn't need to be told twice as I turned around.
Back to Tracy POV
I was standing behind a swing pushing a child, my child. She had a pink dress on and giggled happily as she went higher and higher. A warm light blurred her facial features so I couldn't see what she looked like.
"Tracy."
It sounded like Link's voice. I glanced across the playground and the warm light that I had seen got brighter and brighter.
"Trace?"
I blinked a couple times before opening my eyes. It took a moment for them to adjust and I found myself staring at a white ceiling. I heard someone shifting beside me and moved my head in that direction. Link was watching me.
"You're finally awake," he said.
"How long was I out?"
"About an hour," he replied.
"How are you feeling?" he added.
"Okay." I touched my stomach with my right hand. It felt smaller than it did and I remembered that I had just given birth. "Link is the baby alright?" I asked.
"She's perfectly fine," he answered.
I let out a breath. "A daughter? We have a daughter?"
"Yes, a beautiful seven pound nine ounce baby girl."
"Can I see her?"
He smiled. "I was wondering how long it'd take you to ask that question." He found the call button and pushed it.
A couple minutes later a chubby older woman appeared. "Hi, I'm Fran," she said. "Would you like to see your daughter now?"
I nodded and with a smile she left. "Link, how'd she know what I wanted?"
"She was in the operating room with you," he stated.
I really didn't remember much other than hearing Link say that he loved me. Fran walked back in holding our daughter. She handed the baby to me and I couldn't help but be amazed at her. This precious baby was created by the love Link and I shared. I gently held her tiny hand and felt of her skin. A strong impulse to protect the child in my arms suddenly took hold of me.
Link softly chuckled beside me. I stared at him. "I can tell by your face that you feel it too," he simply said.
I just kept gazing at him for a moment before realizing what he meant. "You mean the strong desire to protect our daughter at any cost?"
"Yeah, I guess you can call it parental instinct."
I refocused on our daughter. She had my nose and chin and dark hair like Links. I've heard about girls having a maternal instinct but I was unsure if I ever would or what it would feel like. It was an incredible feeling to say the least.
Link brought me out of my thoughts when he asked, "What are we going to name her?"
"Angela."
"Angela Larkin, I like that," Link muttered.
"Angela Lynne Larkin," I said, smiling.
Link stood and gave me a chaste kiss before ghosting his lips across Angela's forehead. She squirmed a little in my arms.
"Our darling little angel," I added holding her close.
"Shall we let everyone meet her?" Link asked. I knew we should but I felt the urge to just keep her here with us but I also knew that our friends and family would want to see her so I said, "Yes."
Link stood and giving us both a kiss headed out the door. Angela nestled closer as we awaited everyone. Link soon came back followed by my mom, dad, Michelle, Chris and Mandy. I received a quasi hug from both Link's parents and mine; the best they could do without hurting Angela.
"Where's my niece?" Mandy asked.
"In Tracy's arms," Link answered matter-of-factly.
Mandy came over and sat next to me on the bed.
"Careful Mandy," Michelle warned her.
"She's fine dear," Chris told his wife.
I held Angela up so that Mandy could see her. "What's her name?"
I grinned. "Angela Lynne Larkin."
Michelle and Ma both said "Lovely name." at the same time.
Ma softly chuckled at how they both spoke at the same time. "I'm so glad that I could be here hun."
"Me too Ma," I told her; my words were laced with sincerity.
"Can I hold her?" Mandy asked.
I looked to Link and Michelle. They nodded in approval. "Alright but support her head," I stated.
She angled her body so she was facing me. "I will."
I handed Angela to her and watched as Mandy marveled over her soft skin and small limbs. Ma was next as the others took turns holding Angela. Throughout the next couple hours the others came in and visited. The girls all cooed over our daughter and the guys congratulated us. When peace finally settled and everyone left I sighed contentedly.
"What are you thinking doll?" Link asked. He was standing a few feet from the bed with Angela in his arms. A smile lit his handsome features.
I smiled back at him. "I was thinking with Angela finally here, we have our happy ending."
He placed Angela in a portable crib and walked to me, where he leaned over and captured my lips with his.
When he stood back he said, "Trace it's not an ending but only the beginning and its going to keep getting better."
E/N This isn't the last chapter..theres still an epilogue left...
I know that Link being near the room while she gave birth is well unconventional but H6p8gv and I wanted to think that Link wouldn't have wanted to leave Tracy so allow us the creative license to use this...
hippogriff-tamer
