Ch. 11
Walt stood momentarily in a stunned silence before the Sheriff in him took over.
"Are you having contractions?"
"Some but not close. My back hurts."
He was quiet like his mind was searching through a catalogue for a distant memory.
"Your back?"
Vic nodded.
"Yeah."
"How long?"
She shrugged.
"Most of the day."
"Back pains can be labor pains."
Vic closed her eyes.
"Great."
Walt took her arm and started to lead her towards the bedroom.
"Let's get you cleaned up."
Henry looked out the window.
"The snow has gotten worse. I doubt the roads are safe."
He picked Walt's phone up and began to dial as Walt and Vic disappeared into the bedroom. Walt retrieved Vic's bag and a wash cloth and towel. He helped her clean herself and then helped her change. She sat on the bed looking stricken. Walt knelt in front of her.
"It's gonna be okay, Vic. I think Henry is calling for an ambulance."
She looked at him, her eyes distant. Before she could speak Henry appeared in the doorway.
"Walt, they cannot get an ambulance through right now. Most of them are answering other calls. They said they will send someone as soon as they can but it may be morning."
Walt took a deep breath.
"Women have babies every day. We can do this."
Vic doubled over in pain.
"Aaaahhh...dammit."
"Contraction?"
She nodded at Walt.
"Yeah."
He turned towards Henry.
"Henry, have you ever delivered a baby."
"I have not."
"Me either. It looks like we might be learning on a curve."
Walt tried to help her get comfortable on the bed, while Henry began gathering up things they might need. He stacked up clean towels and washcloths, along with a couple of clean blankets in the bedroom. Walt stood by the wall looking concerned. Henry lifted and eyebrow.
"Is something wrong?"
Walt shook his head.
"It's just progressing faster than I thought it would. I thought usually the first baby took longer but I guess there are exceptions to every rule."
Henry smiled.
"Vic is not much for rules."
Walt snorted a little.
"True."
For the next few hours, they waited. Walt sat on the bed with Vic trying to nurse her through the worsening contractions. The night wore on with no sign of an ambulance. It was looking more and more like he and Henry were going to deliver the baby themselves. Vic's moaning and heavy breathing inched closer and closer. Sweat beaded on her forehead and began to soak her clothes. Walt wiped her head with cool cloths, trying to help ease the discomfort.
"This isn't really what I planned."
Walt smiled.
"Yeah, I don't think this is what any of us had planned."
Her smile faded as another contraction cut through her. She gripped his arm. He vaguely thought about how bruised his arms would be later and pushed the thoughts away. It was a small price to pay.
After a while, he pushed as the blanket near the foot of the bed. Vic gazed at him curiously.
"What are you doin?"
"Checking your dilation."
"Oh...is that all."
"I've done a lot of reading."
She panted through another contraction before answering.
"Well, that definitely makes me feel better."
She reluctantly pulled her legs up and Walt pulled up the blanket.
"I think you're getting close, Vic."
She rolled her head towards him.
"This is really gonna happen here?"
Walt looked around his bedroom.
"Looks that way. Guess I'll never look at my bed the same way again."
Vic rolled her eyes.
"Ha ha."
The minutes continued to tick down and her pain became more and more obvious until there was almost no break. Tears began to form in her eyes and streak down her face.
"I'm not sure I can do this, Walt."
Walt leaned his head against hers, his breath tickling her ear.
"You can, Vic. We'll get through it. Together."
Walt checked her again and the color began to drain from his face. Henry looked at him, concerned.
"What is it?"
"I can see the head. It's coming."
Henry moved to the head of the bed and nodded at Walt.
"I will help her here, you deliver. I am sure Vic would rather you be on the business end than myself."
Vic almost laughed through her pain. Walt seemed less amused but nodded in agreement. He quickly washed his hands and propped her legs and blanket so he could see. Henry helped Vic get up on some pillows and sat next to her on the bed. His arm slid around her shoulders and he leaned in close.
"You can do this, Vic. You can."
She nodded, trying to gear herself up. She raised her head and met Walt's eyes from his position at the foot of the bed.
"You ready?"
"As I'll...ever... be."
"On the next contraction, push."
As the next contraction tore through her she pushed with everything she had and bore down. The pattern continued with Walt and Henry both urging her on.
"It's coming, Vic. The baby is coming. Push."
Walt's hands guided the small form slowly as the progress moved on little by little. Vic's head flopped back onto the pillow and she shook her head.
"I can't."
Walt could see the fatigue in her face.
"You can, Vic, You have to. Push."
Henry helped her back up as another soul crunching cry escaped her as she pushed again with everything she had in her. The baby slid farther and farther.
"Come on, Vic. One more. One more big push."
Inhaling, she gave one push and her head collapsed again. The baby slipped free from its mother and into the strong hands of its father. For a second, all Walt could do was stare before a smile broke across his face. He looked up at Vic who was trying to catch her breath.
"It's a boy."
His voice quivered with emotion. Vic's face erupted into the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. Henry moved swiftly to help him cut the cord and wrap the baby. He moved quietly out of the way once the newborn was snugly wrapped. Walt lowered himself next to Vic and slid the baby into her arms gently. She looked down at the tiny, crying form and then up at Walt and all either of them could do was smile.
x
Walt found Henry in the living room, looking out the window.
"The snow has stopped."
"Good. I'd like to get them to the hospital."
Henry turned to his friend and smiled.
"Congratulations, my friend. He is a beautiful boy."
Walt grinned in returned.
"That he is."
"How is Vic?"
"Tired but happy."
Henry nodded.
"You should get back to her."
"Right."
Walt walked quietly into the bedroom. Vic was sitting up in the bed with their son cradled in her arms. She had pushed her hair back out of her face. The expression on her face as she looked down at the baby did things to his heart that he didn't think he would ever feel again. She looked up at him, her eyes shining.
"No ambulance?"
He shook his head.
"Not yet. How are you feeling?"
"Tired, wonderful."
Walt laughed a little as he sat next to her.
"Do you need anything?"
"A shower?"
"In good time, Vic. This little guy needs a name."
She nodded her head slowly.
"I had an idea but I don't know how you'll feel about it."
"Try me."
"What about Henry."
"Henry?"
She shrugged a little.
"He did help deliver him. Henry Moretti Longmire."
Walt smiled. The last name was not something they had decided on.
"I think that's a great name."
She returned his smile and leaned her head into his shoulder. Walt rested his chin on her head. Henry tapped on the door frame.
"The ambulance is coming."
Walt sat up and motioned to his friend. Henry approached the bed.
"Henry, I'd like you to meet Henry."
Henry nodded his head with a smile.
"It is an honor."
