Sorry this took so long to get up. Between writers block, RL and a not always reliable comp….. Hopefully it won't take as long for the next chapter.
The months seemed to fly by, and soon it was spring. Joy was due any day, and the entire family was starting to get a bit antsy. One particularly warm day, Joy was especially restless. It had been getting harder for her to get around at all lately, but today, she just was finding it hard to sit still. She hadn't been feeling right since she got up that morning. At first she thought perhaps she had slept wrong, but now she was starting to wonder.
She was sitting home alone that afternoon when she just couldn't take it anymore. "Guh! That's it. I've got to get out of here and take a walk or something before I go insane." Shoving herself off the couch, she put away the book she had been reading, grabbed a pen and paper, and left a quick note.
'Gone for a walk in the park. Don't worry, I'll be fine. Got my phone if you need me. Love Joy.' Sitting it where she knew it would be seen, she slipped on her jacket and headed out. Wandering down the road, she passed a small local park. She remembered going there when she was little, but she hadn't been there very often the last few years. With a smile, she turned in and started walking around the paths.
As Joy walked, she watched all the parents with their kids out enjoying the beautiful day. Smiling, her hand subconsciously went to her enormous belly. "Soon, Sweety. Soon it's going to be me and you out there playing."
Joy had been slowly exploring for a couple of hours, but it hadn't made her feel any better at all. If anything, she was actually feeling worse now than she had all day. Now, if her legs or feet had been hurting, that would have made sense to her. But the pain was increasing in her lower abdomen and back. She had no idea what was going on, but it was really starting to bother her.
Just as she was passing a bench, a particularly stiff cramp hit her. She stopped and used the bench to help steady herself. Standing there, Joy felt a leak of moisture between her legs, and suddenly, she knew what was going on. "Uh oh. Not good."
A woman was walking by and noticed the look on Joy's face. Stopping, she walked over to her. "Ma'am, are you alright?"
Joy shook her head. "Huh, Depends on your definition. I think I'm in labor."
The woman's eyes momentarily widened, but then she seemed to become all business. "Alright. Is there someone here with you? Husband, boyfriend…?"
Joy shook her head. "No. I live a little way from here. I walked down alone."
"Well, that might not have been the best decision you made. Alright, my name's Caroline McPherson, and I'm an EMT. My car's just a little way from here. Do you think you can walk that far, and I'll drive you to the hospital."
Joy nodded and stepped away from the bench. "Yeah, I think I can make it. Thank you so much. I'm Joy Summers, by the way."
Caroline smiled. "No problem. That's my job." She took Joy by the arm and started leading her over to one of the parking lots. "So, how far along are you Joy?"
"38 weeks."
Caroline nodded. "Alright. That's fine. Do you have any other children?"
"No, this is my first."
"Ok, well, congratulations. Any idea how long you've been in labor?"
"No idea. I haven't been feeling right all morning."
"Hmmm, alright. Well, this is my car right here." She opened the door and helped Joy into the car. Making her way around, Caroline already had her cell out before her butt hit the seat. "I'll just call the hospital and let them know I'm bringing you in, then you can borrow the phone to call someone to meet you there, alright?"
Joy smiled and held out her own phone, which she had just pulled from her pocket. "Thanks, but I've got my own." Flipping open her phone, she dialed the house number, crossing her fingers that someone would be home.
Thankfully, after just a couple rings, Buffy answered. "Joy, I was starting to worry. Are you alright? Where have you been?"
Joy couldn't help smiling. Even though she was about to be a mother herself, her mom still thought of her as a little kid. "I'm alright Mom. I went for a walk in the park. But, ummm, Mom… I need you to call the rest of the fam and meet me at the hospital."
Joy could hear the tension jump into Buffy's voice. "Hospital? Why? You said you were alright. What's going on?"
"Mom, calm down. Everything's alright. My water broke while I was in the park. I'm having the baby."
"WHAT! Ok, just stay where you are, I'll be there in just a couple of minutes to get you, don't worry, everything's going to be fine."
"No, Mom, you don't need to come get me. There just happened to be an EMT in the park. She saw me and she's giving me a ride to the hospital. We're already in the car. Just call the others and meet me there, alright?"
Buffy took a few deep breaths. "Ok. Alright. I can do that. We'll be there, don't worry."
"I'm not worried Mom. I love you. See you there." They hung up and Joy turned to Caroline just as she was hanging up with the hospital. "Got a hold of my mom. She's going to call the others and meet me there."
Caroline nodded as she put her phone away and started the car. "That's good. Just sit back and relax, we'll be there in just a little while."
The pair made small talk as they drove through the streets of town toward the hospital. When they got there, Caroline parked as close to the ER entrance as she could. "You wait here. I'll run in and grab a chair and bring it out for you."
Joy waved her off. "No, that's fine. I'm really not that bad, I can walk to the door."
Caroline put a gently restraining hand on her. "No you don't. For most women, this is one of the few times you'll get pampered. Sit back and enjoy." She smiled and hopped out of the car and headed in. Joy watched her go, smiling and shaking her head when the other woman was out of sight. Shortly, she came back out with a chair and pulled it up to Joy's door. Popping open the door, she motioned to the chair. "Your chariot awaits."
Joy eased herself out of the car and into the chair. "Ya know, you're starting to sound like the boyfriend or husband in one of those old chick flicks. It's really starting to get scary," she chuckled.
Caroline laughed. "Sorry. I've just found as an EMT that a little bit of playful over-dramatics can lighten a situation." She started pushing the chair into the ER.
"That's alright. I'm kind of used to it from my uncle. I'm just not as used to it from other people." Caroline pushes her up to the desk. "Hi. My name's Joyce Summers. My water broke about 15, 20 minutes ago."
The receptionist glances at her, up at Caroline, then at her computer. "Ah yes, can I get your date of birth?"
"November 20, 2024."
"Alright. Well, let's get you up to maternity and check you out, alright?"
Joy smiled at the receptionist, then turned to look at Caroline. "Thank you so much for bringing me. You can go now if you want to."
Caroline shook her head. "Nu uh, you ain't getting rid of me that fast. I'll just stick around till your family gets here, alright?"
Joy's face crumpled a bit before she could say anything as another contraction hit her. She took a deep breath, willing the pain away. "Fine. If you want to stay, you can."
Joy was hustled up to the maternity ward, changed into a hospital gown, hooked to monitors and given a quick exam. By the time the nurses were done, her family was just arriving. Buffy was in the front of the group, coming right to Joy's side in less than a second. "Sweety, are you alright?"
Joy smiled and rolled her eyes. "Yes, Mom. I'm fine. I was a little scared at first, but Caroline was great, and everything's good now. Really."
Buffy saw Joy's eyes flick over toward the door and a woman walking in. "You must be Caroline. I'm Buffy Summers, Joy's mom. Thank you so much for taking care of my little girl."
Caroline smiled. "No problem. Like I told Joy, it's my job. But, with that being said, I think I'll be off now. You all don't want a stranger butting in at a time like this. Congratulations and good luck." With a quick wave, the EMT was out the door again.
She wasn't gone thirty seconds before the Scoobies were turning back to Joy. "So have you seen the doctor yet? Do we know what's going on? Aren't you a little early?"
Joy sighed. She had to admit she had been a bit nervous too, but thanks to the nurses' reassurances and having some time to calm down, her family's panic seemed a little over the top. "No, I haven't seen a doctor yet, but the nurse gave me a thorough check over and said that everything is fine. I'm four centimeters already and seem to be going strong. As for being early, Dr. Connalie told me that even though it's rare for first time mothers, babies can come a couple of weeks early sometimes. But everything looked good on the last ultrasound. He seemed to be fully developed and everything, so they don't think there's any reason to worry."
Buffy took a deep breath and sighed. "I know, Baby. I'm sorry. But you know how it is, it doesn't matter how old you are, you'll still be my little girl, and I'm still going to worry about you."
Joy smiled and took her mother's hand. "I know, Mama. And I love you. But women have been having babies since the dawn of time. I think I'll be able to handle it just fine."
In a little while, they were able to settle in and relax as much as the situation and location permitted. To Joy, it seemed as if it took forever, but in all reality, it was less than ten hours before it was time for pushing. Joy had thought being a slayer would give her a bit of an advantage in labor and delivery, and she hadn't wanted to believe Buffy when she had told her that it didn't make a difference. Joy found, much to her disappointment that her mother, like she usually was, was all too right. But despite the lack of advantage, it still didn't take all that long before her son was out and in the world.
When Joy lay there holding her son in her arms, her family around her, it seemed as if the pain and grief of the last year just melted away…. Well, at least most of it. As she looked down at her baby, a few tears slipped from her eyes and dropped onto his cheeks. She sniffed a little and gently wiped the tears dry.
Willow placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Sweety, are you alright?"
Joy glanced up with a tremulous smile. "Yeah, I'm ok. Just missing Grandpa again."
Buffy brushed another stray tear from Joy's face. "Hey, you can bet that he would be proud of you and his new great grandson. And I'm sure he's watching over us from where ever he is."
Xander nodded his agreement. "You bet he is. By the way, have you decided what to name the little guy?"
Joy's smile turned more serene as she looked back to her son. "You know, I hadn't really made up my mind until I saw him. But I've decided. Robert Edward Summers."
Joy looked up to see her family's reactions and was surprised to see both her mother's and aunt's brows furrowed. "What? Is there something wrong with that name?"
Willow shook her head. "No, of course not, Sweety. I just wish I could remember why it sounds so familiar."
Buffy nodded in agreement. "I was thinking the same thing." She thought for another moment, then shook her head. "I guess Robert and Edward are both fairly common names. I mean, how many Bobs and Eds can you name?"
Willow didn't seem entirely convinced, but shrugged it off. "I guess you're right. Anyway, it doesn't really matter. Just so long as he's healthy, that's the main point."
Joy smiled down at little Bobby. "Yeah, and he's perfect." The words were barely out of her mouth when she yawned long and hard.
Buffy stood and took the baby from her arms. "Yes, he is. But you both need your sleep now. Good night Dear. We'll see you tomorrow."
Joy nodded, kissing her fingers before gently pressing them to Bobby's cheek. "Good night, Baby. Mommy loves you." She turned to the rest of the family. "Thanks, guys. Love you."
They all said their goodbyes and Buffy, Willow and Xander left, taking care of Bobby on the way out.