Cory's face fell as the words his wife had uttered weighed down on him. "What? Wait...what?"
"Before they called my name and I went to-"
The Canadian stood up promptly, practically lifting Lea up out of her chair and stomping his way over an entire row of high heels and dress shoes. Heads turned and he was sure that the new announcers on stage were looking at him as well but he didn't care. He didn't even care about this Tony thing. All he cared about was keeping a tight grasp on the hand in his and making sure they got out of that building as quickly as possible.
"Cory! Cory? Cory." Lea halted their quick pace as soon as they exited the auditorium. "Stop. Take a deep breath and stop, babe. I haven't had any contractions, this could just be a...a mishap. We'll go see what the doctor says, but there's no rush. I thought I'd be the one flipping out..." The diva nodded with pride at her calm and panic-less aura until she felt the sharp pang. As if on cue, a razor sharp stab surged through her abdomen.
Cory frowned as his wife's lit up expression immediately faltered, her hands clutching his arm for support. "Ohh..."
That 'Ohh' scared the shit out of him.
"What? What is it? What happened?"
"I think that was a contraction." Lea shuffled away slowly, heading for a bench but Cory pulled her back. "Hey! Okay okay, no no no. We need to grab a cab. You can sit down in there. The baby isn't like...coming right now, is it?" He worried, bending down to try and see if her dress showed any signs of a baby popping out of her lady parts. She still looked pretty normal so that was good. Just a lot more frazzled than five seconds ago. Now it all seemed to be hitting her.
"Cory, I'm having a baby. Oh fuck, Cory, I can't do this. I can't do this."
"No! Shhh, it's okay. Let's just go outside, don't freak out on me! I thought you were supposed to be the calm one in this situation!"
They hailed a cab within seconds and Cory helped Lea scoot into the backseat. "You wouldn't be the calm one if you felt like your insides were being ripped away from your body, you idiot!" She snapped, leaning her head back against the seat.
Cory couldn't help but feel like this was going to be a long car ride.
It felt like they had been at the hospital for hours. And maybe they had. Lea had spent what seemed like forever pacing back and forth from Cory to Jonathan, ranting about anything and everything. She had been fuming about horse drawn carriages when they had called the doctor back in and minutes later he was totally peeking up her vagina.
"You're almost there, Lea. A few more centimeters and you'll be fully dilated and ready to push. Are you sure you don't want an epidural?"
"I said natural!" Lea barked, holding her Tony Award close to her chest. "I want an organic, all-natural, healthy experience for both myself and my baby."
The doctor nodded in understanding and snapped on some rubber gloves. "If you change your mind just let us know! I'll be back in a few."
The starlet made a face and whimpered against her pillows. "This hospital gown is atrocious. I hate this." She announced with a pout.
"I know, but in less than an hour, little Stephen will make his grand entrance!" Jon grinned, pecking his best friend's temple and rubbing her hand in his. "Let's watch some TV, get your mind off the pain."
Cory felt completely helpless. Even Jon seemed to have a better idea of what to do in this kind of situation. If he couldn't even help Lea before the baby was born...how was he going to be a good dad?
They flipped through channels until they found a showing of Audrey Hepburn's My Fair Lady which seemed to soothe Lea for a good two and a half minutes. A nurse came in attempted to pry the award out of the mother-to-be's hands, but the Broadway star was having none of it. If he had ever seen Lea Michele Sarfati-Monteith go all Bronx on someone, it was nothing compared to what that poor nurse endured. Lea was on a rampage, babbling about how she had rights to holding her Tony while giving birth, when things seemed to escalate quickly.
"It hurts, oh my god, Cory..."
Cory quickly scooted closer to the side of the bed, fumbling his hands up to clasp her hand in his. "Uh, get the doctor!"
It was soon confirmed that Lea was ready to push and Cory attempted to brace himself for what was to come. Thankfully, it was nothing like the movies but it still scared him half to death. The way she cried out in pain and there was nothing in the world he could do but mumble that it was going to be okay in her ear. The way she threatened him and promised never to have sex followed by panicked begging for him to stay with her. Cory rolled his hair towards the base of the bed, rubbing her leg affectionately. He peeked over and felt a mixture of vomit and emotion swelling up inside him.
"Dark hair...I see dark hair, Lea." The giant man swallowed and grinned, rolling his way back up to her face to stroke the bangs off of her forehead. Cory whispered an 'I love you' as she mustered up her strength for a final push and attacked her cheek for a kiss as the sound of her cries were replaced with a higher, shriller cry.
Lea started to sob-much different tears from those of before-and Cory watched as the loud little baby was poked and prodded before nurses held him up.
Or her up.
"What is...What is that..." Lea piped, pointing a finger to the lack of anticipated anatomy on the newborn.
"Well it seems she wanted to trick us, didn't she?" The doctor said. "Congratulations mommy, it's a girl."
Lea covered her mouth with emotion and glanced over lovingly at the Canadian that had started to cry. Jon pecked her forehead and laughed as the tiny infant was wrapped in a little pink blanket and placed gently in her arms.
"Oh Cory..." Lea marveled. "Look at her..." The petite brunette brushed a finger over the smooth cheek of the tiny girl, beaming brightly as two identical orbs blinked back at her. "She's beautiful. You're so gorgeous, little lady..."
"She is." Cory nodded, wiping his eyes fervently. "She's perfect. Look at her eyes, their yours. And her nose."
"Oh God!" Lea laughed, brushing her tears off of her face. "Poor baby! She has your dimples though so...She still has hope."
"Noooo, it's perfect, I love it!" Cory laughed, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. "Can I uh..."
Lea grinned and carefully placed the baby in her husband's arms. "There ya go, daddy. Meet your daughter."
Her heart melted as she watched Cory and the tiny person they had created.
"Your parents are on their way, Lea, they just texted. Oh, She's adorable." Jon grinned, peeking over Cory's shoulder. "What are you going to call her now that Stephen Jonathan doesn't seem so appropriate?"
"Oooh.." Lea pouted, tapping her chin and looking around the room for inspiration.
"Not Barbra." Cory laughed, placing a gentle kiss on the little girl's forehead.
"Hmm...What do you think about Eliza? Like Eliza DoLittle in My Fair Lady."
"Eliza..." Cory tested. "Eliza Michele."
Lea blushed and laughed. "We don't have to use Michele..."
"I know but...I kinda like the ring of it. That's what came to my mind. She looks like an Eliza Michele." He leaned towards Lea for a kiss and smiled against her lips. "Eliza Michele Monteith."
Author's Note: Thanks so much for all of the great feedback guys! More chapters to come! It's not over yet :)