By 11:00 am it was evident that Catherine's labor was in full force again. The doctor was keeping a close watch as she prgressed. Finally, she stood at the end of Catherine's bed, looking earnestly at both parents. "Things are going to start happening quickly very soon. Before that happens, I want to talk a little about what will happen when the twins are born. With Mattie, I was able to let you hold him a minute and enjoy the moment. However, as soon as these babies are out, they will be placed in an incubator and taken directly to NICU. Their lungs will be underdeveloped and they will probably need some help breathing. Also, there are other tests and screenings we will want to do ASAP to be sure that they have everything they need. We'll finish up in here and Catherine will go to recovery, as usual. When Catherine is feeling a little stronger and the babies are settled into NICU, you can go see them. There will be all sorts of rules about what you can and can't so and you'll have to wear the funny clothes. It may be awhile before you'll be able to touch them and even longer before you can hold them. We do want that to happen as soon as it can, however. We won't know just how much help they'll need or what,if any problems there are until they are born. I will tell you this, we expect some breathing problems; it could be very minor or it could be severe.One may do better than the other with this. I won't go down the list of the things that could go wrong, because hopefully it won't. But I do want you to be prepared. They will be tiny and they will be very vulnerable."
Tears were streaming down Catherine's face. Gil was trying to comfort her while fighting back his own tears and choking down his fear. "But you said we'll be able to see them?" he croaked.
"Yes, I'll arrange it as soon as we have them settled."
He nodded. "It'll be better once we see them."
"For now, let's take it one step at a time. First, we need to make sure that these little ones have a safe entry into the world. You two ready for your part? And once you've done your thing, we'll get busy doing ours."
Catherine nodded. As the doctor looked from one face to the other, she saw absolute determination forming in Catherine's and complete panic washing over Gil. "Gil, you're not going to pass out on us are you?"
He attempted a smile. "No Doc, no passing out. Just remind me to breathe every now and then though, would you please?"
Gil quickly called Jim and gave him a heads up. Jim said he'd get Mattie and then swing by to get Lindsey from school. By the time the babies arrived, Lily and the kids would be there. "Thanks Jim." And he hung up.
Things progressed as expected and about two hours later there was talk of moving to the delivery room. One of the nurses came in and spoke to Gil. "There's a very large cheering section in the waiting room. If you'd like to see them before the delivery, now's the time."
He walked through the doors into the waiting room. There sat his family: Lily, Lindsey, and Mattie along with Jim, Nick, Warrick, Greg, Doc Robbins, and even Sofia Curtis. His greatest surprise came when he spotted Sara sitting a little off to herself. Looking at the group, tears welled into his eyes. "Thanks guys...it means a lot, all of you here."
Jim asked how things were going and Gil quickly explained what was happening. Lily and Lindsey hurried back for a quick hello. Mattie began to fuss that he wanted to go too and Gil said he'd take him in a minute. He walked over to Sara. "Thank you. I know this isn't easy for you."
She smiled at him. "I want only the best for you...and your babies."
He nodded. "Thanks...it means alot..."
"And Grissom, ah...tell Catherine, well...tell her I said good luck."
He smiled and nodded. Maybe things were finally going to be okay between them now. He turned, gathered Mattie into his arms, and walked back to Catherine. Mattie gave his mother a hug and kissed her tummy. "I love you," he told the babies. Then Lily and Lindsey took his hands as they walked back to the waiting room. Gil turned to Cath. "The whole gang is here, even Doc and Sofia. And Cath, Sara is here."
"Sara?"
"Yeah. She asked me to tell you good luck."
Catherine smiled. "Thank her for me when you see her, okay."
The monitor indicated the onset of another contraction but Gil didn't need the monitor to tell him what was happening; it was clearly written on his wife's face. The pains were growing stronger. Things were progressing at a much more rapid pace and she was moving into the final stage of labor. He could tell becuase she was getting very cranky. During one contraction he felt compelled to apoligize for the pain that the babies, his babies, were causing her. "I'm sorry, Cath" he simply said.
"You damned well better be sorry and you owe me for this," she barked through a pain.
He smirked and agreed. "Yes, dear. And I intend to pamper and codle you once I get you home."
"No you don't, you over zealous sex fiend. I know what your intentions are and it'll be a cold day in hell..."
The nurse giggled at that one which sent Catherine into a tirade against the nurse. The nurse merely shrugged and left the room. By then the contraction had subsided and Catherine relaxed a little, knowing that the next one would soon come.
Another nurse appeared "Are you ready, Mrs. Grissom? Becasue I think those twins are." And they began the trip down the hall to the delivery room. Catherine was talking the whole way. "These babies are coming. Get me to the damned room or I'm going to drop them in the hall. Hurry!"
The doctor was waiting for them. "Catherine, are you ready to pop those little nuisances out?"
"Damned right, I am."
Everyone laughed a nervous laugh as they prepared for the event. Gil stood next to Catherine, holding her hand and hoping she didn't squeeze so tight this time. She'd nearly broken his hand with Mattie. But then he suppossed it was fair that he got in on some of the pain.
The doctor was settled in at the end of the table, waiting to make the catch. Nurses lingered around and Gil spotted the portable incubator near the wall. "All right, I see a tiny little head crowning. Let's see who we have here". The doctor went to work and coached Catherine, telling her not to push and then finally uttering the magic word, "Push."
Gil's attention shifted back and forth between Catherine and the action at the end of the table until finally he saw the tiny life in the doctor's hands. Quickly she severed the cord and gently rubbed the baby, stimulating it. They suctioned the nasal passages and Gil was relieved to see movement but concerned that there was no sound. A nurse saw his concern. "Premmies often don't cry at first," she said. "It's okay, not unuasual at all." The baby was gently, but quickly wiped and wrapped snuggly in a blanket and carefully placed in the incubator.
"Which one was that?" Catherine asked.
"Your daughter. She looked very good, all things considered." said the doctor.
Gil smiled at Catherine and mouthed a quiet but heartfelt 'thank you.'
"Okay, time for the second act." stated the doctor.
The process was repeated but to Gil this baby seemed much smaller. Again the doctor carefully but quickly took care of the essentials and then the baby was placed in the box with his sister. One of the nurses wheeled it close so that Catherine could at least see them in the box and then it was whisked away. Gil continued holding Catherines's hand and bent down to kiss her. "You did great," he said. "I love you."
She smiled at him, relieved that they were here and still alive but worried about them. Glad that he was here with her. She needed him with her. "Well, maybe not exactly 'a cold day in hell," was all she said.
Once she was settled into the recovery area, Gil went back to the waiting room. "They are here." He announced.
Everyone sighed in relief and then sprang into action, offering their congratulations. "But how are they doing?" Doc asked.
"Don't really know yet. The girl looked healthy enough, I guess but the boy was so tiny and fragile looking. He's much smaller than she appeared to be. They took them to NICU and we won't get to see them again until they've been evaluated."
The group got quiet. "Where's Mommy?" asked Mattie. His expression revealed his confusion and anxiety.
"She's okay Mattie. They have her in a special room where the nurses can take very good care of her until she feels better. Soon she'll be in her very own room and you can see her then, okay."
He nodded silently, fear still present in his face. As always, a miniature version of his father.
Most of the group offered their congratulations and said they'd be by later to see Catherine when she felt up to visitors. As Sara stepped in to offer hers, Gil looked at her. "I gave her your message. She said thanks...it meant a lot to her too, Sara. Thanks for being here."
She smiled. "I'll stop in later to check on you guys." And she left.
Jim lingered in the background. Gil saw him and walked to him. "Thanks Jim. Couldn't have done the last few days without you."
Jim held out a hand to shake but Gil did something totally unexpected and hugged him. "You're the brother I always wanted," he said.
Jim nodded, unable to speak. Taking a deep breath, he looked at Lily and the kids. "I'll hang around until they are ready to go home. I know you're not going anywhere for awhile. Oh, which reminds me...I have a change of clothes for you in my car. Lily's idea but probably a good one," he smiled at Gil.
Gil nodded. "Thanks."
They lingered a few minutes longer until Gil went back to Catherine. Jim brought in the clothes. After awhile, Lily went back to see her daughter and Gil came out to get the fresh attire. "They're moving her to her room now. You guys can see her in just a few minutes." He disappeared into the men's room and changed, bringing the bag back. Jim hurried it back to his car and returned in time to go with them to see Catherine.
She was happy to be surrounded by her family, Jim included. But she was also very tired, so they kept the visit short. After they left, she dozed off and Gil settled into another chair and waited.
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