To Have and To Hold
Chapter 13
Mike and Andrea had made it a bit of a tradition to take the birthday kid out for breakfast. It gave them one on one time with Dana that they never got, and Christine and Hilary had volunteered to care for their other kids for a few hours. They tended to spoil all the kids on their birthdays and Dana was special. She didn't expect anything at all. She would be getting the party, new bedroom, some new clothes and some more grown-up jewelry. She picked a diner for breakfast, mostly because they had advertised cheap breakfast. They settled in a booth and Dana ordered the $2.99 pancakes.
"You can order anything you want?" Mike told her.
"I know. I want the pancakes. What are we doing today?" Dana asked. She was not aware of the party or anything.
"Just hanging out at the house. Did you want to do anything special?" Andrea asked.
"No, that's good. That's what I wanted to do. Maybe swim?" Dana asked.
"We can do that. Also, I'm making your favorite dinner tonight." Andrea told her.
"Oh, you don't have to do that. Its really hard." Dana commented as their breakfasts showed up.
"Spaghetti?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, spaghetti isn't hard at all. Although, full disclosure, Christine is helping me with the sauce. Apparently, hers is good." Andrea stated.
"Its delicious." Mike commented. Christine was a really good cook.
"Maybe she will write her recipe down? Mine isn't so good." Andrea stated, and Mike felt badly.
"I…didn't mean that." Mike started, and Andrea reached over and squeezed his hand.
"Its okay, don't worry about it. She's writing down some favorite recipes of the kids. I will just have her include the spaghetti sauce. No biggie. She's making an 'Andrea book' to help me out once she…anyway, no biggie." Andrea assured him quietly.
"Could she…would she…show me how to crochet?" Dana asked. She still struggled asking for anything, even basic needs.
"I will ask. I'm sure she would love to." Andrea told her. Dana smiled broadly and nodded.
"So, I can make my own socks and gloves and stuff. You won't have to buy them. And maybe when I really learn, I can make stuff for the kids and earn my keep!" Dana said excitedly, and both Mike and Andrea groaned. It was typical Dana, but it still bothered them.
"You live in Florida, so you don't necessarily need gloves. As far as earning your keep, you have a list of chores that you complete, and you help us out around the house and with the kids. In exchange we get a daughter who we love very much. Even if you didn't do that stuff, we would still love you. And when we adopted you, we promised the court that we would feed you, take care of your medical and educational needs, clothe you and protect you. We don't ask for you to do anything to make that happen." Mike answered. Normally it was Andrea that dealt with it when Dana came up with her odd beliefs.
"I…okay. I still don't understand why you all do that stuff. In my old foster home, my foster dad wanted me to…well, you don't expect that." Dana said simply.
"And I never will and that's a promise. Now, you've been eyeing my sausage this whole time. Do you want this link? I won't eat it." Mike asked as he put the sausage link on Dana's plate before she answered. He would have but he didn't need it.
"Sure, why not." Dana said as she began eating it. Andrea was finishing her own breakfast, but always ate slower when they were out, wanting to prolong the peace of only having one kid needing something. And Dana was self-sufficient. It was nice for Andrea and Mike wouldn't hurry her.
"Almost done, I promise." Andrea said as she leisurely ate her scrambled eggs. Mike smiled over at her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Take your time." Mike assured her.
Andrea nodded and then resumed eating. Dana smiled at them and then looked outside. All Mike could hope for was that in watching them, she was taught how she should be treated by a man. His biggest hope for Dana was that she found someone who treated her like she deserved. She had the best heart and was completely selfless. She had been their first foster kid and from the moment they got her, they knew they would be adopting her. Even when she had been nervous and scared of Mike, she had healed their broken hearts so that they could take in and care for the other kids. They owed a lot to Dana.
"Okay, done." Andrea said finally. Mike had already paid the check and so Andrea slowly got out of the booth with Dana's help. The booth had been a mistake. "No more booths for the remainder of this pregnancy." Andrea joked. Mike had been on the inside of the booth, so he couldn't help her, but Dana was always willing.
"My mistake." Mike told her as she finally eased out and he followed her out with a hand on the small of her back. She had been having some Braxton Hicks contractions and was just generally worn out. Christine was also particularly worn out and Hannah was still requiring some care from her gunshot wound. They also had her graduation coming in soon and Andrea, Mike and Christine were planning on making her graduation party special.
The drive home was quiet, mostly because Andrea was so uncomfortable. Mike was worried about her, but she promised she was alright. She was thirty-six weeks along and given that Lexi had arrived at thirty-seven weeks, Christopher might show up early too. Their doctor didn't seem terribly concerned if he did, especially after he and Christine had had a conversation. There was also a midwife on standby if Christine become too tired or simply wasn't there. As soon as they got home, Dana went and changed into her swim suit, along with getting the other kids changed. Mike made Andrea sit down for a bit before she started cooking. Christine noticed what he was doing, and she quietly followed him into the backyard.
"She says its Braxton Hicks, but they are timing out about five minutes apart and her back is really bothering her. What do you think?" Mike asked.
"I think I need to check her. How sure are you on the due date?" Christine asked.
"Uh…this is weird." Mike started. How did he talk about his sex life with his second wife to his first wife?
"Mike, I'm a professional. I have seen the ultrasound pictures. The baby is big. They could have miscalculated. How frequently did or do you and Andrea have sex?" Christine asked without blinking. Almost like it was completely natural.
"Oh…geez. Uh…couple times a week." Mike answered.
"Your blushing. Its cute. So…she could be as much as thirty-seven weeks along. You better prepare for her to be in labor." Christine stated.
"This sounds dumb but where? We didn't think this through so well." Mike said, indicating the stairs.
"I can get up them. Just not make a lot of trips up and down. Depending on how quickly it goes, the kids might need to stay in the guesthouse tonight. Let me examine her and I will let you know." Christine said before walking out. Before Mike walked back into the living room; he encountered Dana.
"Sweetie…uh; so, Mom might be going into labor. We aren't sure but if she is…we had planned on having a birthday party for you and your favorite foods…and, a lot of stuff…I'm sorry…" Mike stammered but Dana smiled at him.
"Its okay! If she is, that means he might be born on my birthday! That's the coolest birthday present ever. I'll help with the kids, don't worry." Dana said happily.
"Thanks, sweetheart. We really are sorry. I love you." Mike told her as he gave her a pat on the shoulder. If it had been one of his other daughters, he would have hugged her but not with Dana.
"Its okay. Just take care of Mom and that baby. I'll have other birthdays. This one will be cool anyways. I love you too." Dana said before walking away. He was completely shocked by her sentiment, but he had to help both Christine and Andrea up the stairs. Hilary had gone back to the guesthouse to get Christine's 'kit.' Finally, they got to the master bedroom and Christine assisted Andrea with her clothing and after she laid down, covered her with the sheet and began an exam. Hilary brought the kit in and then went back downstairs, promising to keep the kids occupied.
"Alright, you are dilated to a seven and it seems you are going pretty fast. Mike, I think I will be okay so its up to you on the other midwife." Christine told him.
"If you think you'll be alright; I would prefer it just be me, you and Mike." Andrea told her.
"I'll be alright. This won't take long. I would guess by suppertime, you'll be holding your little guy." Christine told her as she propped pillows behind her.
"What do I need to do?" Mike asked. He felt a little off.
"My suggestion for you is to get comfortable. Change into comfortable clothes. I'll help her into a nightgown and get the bed ready." Christine instructed.
"Yes, ma'am." Mike told her as he helped Andrea into a chair. "I am going to run downstairs to check on the kids. Do you need anything?" Mike asked Christine.
"We are going to prop her up, so I will be kneeling on the floor to see better. I need some pillows down here. I hate to ask but…" Christine stated.
"Absolutely. We would be doing the same for any midwife." Mike told her before going downstairs. Hilary went and grabbed the requested pillows and the blanket that Christine had crocheted, along with her mom's water bottle, filled with ice cold water like Christine preferred.
"Dad, I know you're worried about Andrea and you need to concentrate on her but keep an eye on Momma, please? She had a rough night and I am worried about her. She's been in some pain. Once that baby is born, she's going to be exhausted, I'm afraid. I know you'll be all consumed with him and Andrea, but could you at least come get me, so I can take care of Momma?" Hilary begged Mike quietly. Mike took the time to put an arm around his oldest daughter and kissed the top of her head.
"I promise I will keep an eye on your mom. And, honey? I was not any less consumed when you were born. Still one of my favorite days; the day I become a dad. You are my first baby. Love you." Mike told her.
"I love you too, Dad. Don't worry about the kids. I got this." Hilary told him with a smile.
"What's the plan?" Mike asked.
"We are going to have a pizza party at the guesthouse. Movies, candy, popcorn. It'll be great. You can text once the baby is here, and I'll come over." Hilary told him.
"Thanks, sweetheart. Let me know if you need anything." Mike told her.
"Will do but concentrate on them." Hilary promised.
"Yes, ma'am. Kids, behave. Remember your buddies. Hilary is in charge. After that is Hannah and Dana. Dana, you are buddied with Lexi. Allie, can you handle Maggie and Katie? Paul, have you got Charlie and Tyler?" Mike asked. It was a system they had worked out.
"Yes, sir." The kids all said as a group.
"Alright, Hannah, I didn't leave you out. You are buddied with Hilary to help her out. Thanks, girls." Mike told them. He didn't want Hannah to overdo it and sometimes she still struggled with some anger towards Mike and Andrea. Usually it was when she felt left out.
"Okay, Dad. I'll help." Hannah told him quietly. He could see the pain and exhaustion on her face and even though he needed to get upstairs, he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. She gave him a slight smile and nodded. "I love you, sweetie. That isn't going to change." Mike whispered in her ear and she nodded back. He nodded again at Hilary and ran up the stairs with the requested items. By the time he got into the bedroom; Christine had Andrea positioned and was talking to Andrea's doctor on the phone. Mike positioned Christine's pillows, her water and kit where she could reach it and walked into the closet to change into a pair of gym shorts and a t-shirt. When he walked back in; Christine was checking Andrea again and talking to her. Apparently, Andrea's water had broken while he was downstairs.
"I may have been wrong." Christine said. Mike immediately began panicking.
"Why?" Mike asked before sitting down on the bed.
"You maybe holding this baby by lunch. Its go time. You good, Andrea?" Christine asked.
"Yeah but this feels…awkward, like the pillows are going to fall?" Andrea stated.
"Alright, Mike; get behind her. That'll help with that." Christine instructed, and Mike complied. He gently massaged Andrea's back and let her lean against him while Christine settled on the floor beside the bed. She lifted the sheet and smiled up at them. "Little guy is like his daddy. Impatient. Andrea, a couple hard pushes and you'll be done." Christine told her.
"Mike, the kids? I don't want them to hear if I yell?" Andrea asked.
"They're at the guesthouse. Its okay. Just holler out if you need to." Mike told her. If Christine was uncomfortable with their odd circumstances; she didn't say anything.
"That's right. Don't worry about anything. Its just me, you, Mike and this baby and you're doing all the hard work. Contraction is about to hit and…one…two…three…push, push, push! You can do it." Christine told her, and Andrea groaned in between pushes.
"C'mon, you can do it." Mike told her.
"Aahhh…it hurts…" Andrea told them as she rested on Mike for a moment before she had to push again.
"You're doing great. Baby is crowning. Come on, you can do it!" Christine said as Andrea began pushing again.
"I'm thirsty." Andrea said as the contraction ended.
"Head is out so one more push and then you can have a drink of water. It'll be over before you know it. Mike, hand me that receiving blanket, please?" Christine asked, and Mike handed it to her.
"Do you have everything you need?" Mike asked. He could feel Andrea tensing up and took both her hands in his own.
"I am good. Concentrate on her. Ready, Andrea?" Christine asked.
"Yeah…oh…God…" Andrea said as she began pushing again. It felt like an eternity to Mike, but the reality was, it wasn't so long before he heard a baby cry.
"Perfect baby boy. Mike, pull her nightgown down so he can feel her skin. Do you want to cut the cord?" Christine asked.
"I can…" Mike said emotionally. His kid's births had always been emotional events for him. He had cried a bit each time.
"Alright. You know the drill." Christine said as she handed him the scissors. He made the cut and Christine put the baby on Andrea's bare chest. She was finishing up with Andrea, so Mike took a moment to concentrate on his wife and new son.
Christopher was absolutely perfect. He looked a lot like Lucas had when he was a baby. Andrea had a serene smile on her face and was kissing the baby. When Mike looked back at Christine, she had tears in her eyes. He nodded at her, understanding why.
"Thank you. He's absolutely perfect." Andrea said.
"I didn't do anything other then get to be the first one to hold him. Did you get a name picked out?" Christine asked, and Mike and Andrea exchanged a look.
"Yeah we do. Christopher Logan. Christopher is for you." Mike answered and the tears in Christine's eyes overflowed.
"Oh, you don't have to do that." Christine said, and Andrea nodded back at Mike. He could see the exhaustion on Christine's face, so he gently pulled her down on the bed beside Andrea.
"Chris, you have given me back my kids plus a few more. You have cared for them and been accepting of all this. You didn't have to be. You could have caused us a legal nightmare. This little boy may not know you as he gets older, but he will be told all about the woman who delivered him and was a friend to both Andrea and I. I've been a very lucky man because I've had two women in my life who loved me and supported me when I didn't deserve it. That has been more then most men ever get. And even now, you are still one of my best friends and I do love you. You have given me six of the most precious people in the world. We don't have one of them anymore, but it doesn't make your role any less important. You have also delivered this little guy, helped us keep Charlie and so many other things. So, yes; we can name our son after you." Mike told her firmly.
"I agree with everything he said. And I am okay with him telling you that he loves you. I also love you just like I would a sister." Andrea told her as she continued to kiss the baby who had already discovered his thumb. Mike knew they would have to swaddle him soon but for now, he was surveying his world from his mommy's chest.
"Well, he is a very lucky little boy. I do love you both. Here, we need to get him swaddled up. Mike can hold him while I help you clean up. Here's some water." Christine said as she handed Andrea her bottle of water. The baby was handed off to Mike who quickly bathed him, dressed him in a diaper and onesie and swaddled him while Christine helped Andrea out. It gave him some one on one time with the baby boy.
"Chris, how are you feeling? I am under strict instructions to look after you. Hilary scares me a bit too." Mike asked.
"I…am pretty tired. I am dreading going down the stairs." Christine admitted.
"Then don't. I am sure that Dana won't mind if you borrow her new bedroom for a few hours. Mike, why don't you help her?" Andrea suggested as she took the baby from Mike. Christine had helped her to lean back on their headboard and into a fresh nightgown. "She can borrow one of my sets of pajamas from pre-pregnancy. She's a bit taller but it will be alright."
"Yes, ma'am. Come on, Christine." Mike said as he offered Christine his arm. He knew he needed to just text Hilary, but it felt good to help Christine.
"Andrea, I crocheted this for him." Christine stated before handing the blue aphgan to Christine. It was a beautiful keepsake that probably should be put up but instead Andrea laid it across her lap and swaddled the baby into it.
"Its absolutely perfect. Thank you. So soft." Andrea said as she picked the baby back up. Mike nodded at her, knowing that Andrea would be asleep by the time he got Christine settled and had checked on the kids.
"Your welcome. Makes me feel good that I can give him something." Christine said as she stroked the baby's cheek.
"Get some rest. We'll be alright." Andrea told her, and Mike took Christine's elbow again and guided her towards Dana's bedroom. As soon as they walked in, she smiled.
"What a pretty room. Dana is a lucky girl." Christine said as she pulled the blankets back.
"We are lucky to have her. I will call Hilary to come over and help you undress. If you need anything, holler; okay? I'll be close, with Andrea." Mike told her as he helped her sit down.
"Alright, Mike; thank you. It means a lot that you named your son after me. And let me deliver him. That took a lot of trust." Christine said simply.
"No one I trusted more to deliver him. He reminds me a lot of Lucas. Get some rest." Mike said as he bent down and kissed Christine's cheek.
"Me too." Christine agreed, obviously thinking about the son that they had both lost.
"I'll send Hil to you." Mike told her, and Christine nodded.
"At one point, you would have helped me undress happily. And I realize that was probably inappropriate to say!" Christine teased.
"Oh well. Lightened the mood." Mike said as he walked out of the bedroom. He ran down the steps and over to the guesthouse and walked in.
"Is everything okay?" Hilary asked.
"Yeah. Baby is already here. Your mom needs some help. She's going to take a nap over there before trying the stairs. Can you go help?" Mike asked her quietly and Hilary immediately stood up to follow him. "Baby and Andrea is okay. I'm going back over with Hil, but you guys can come back over once your movie is finished, okay? You must be quiet. Hannah, you got this for a bit?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, all good." Hannah told him confidently with Lexi on her lap. She had become pretty attached to her while she recovered.
"Daddy, is the baby is still a boy? I didn't want it to be a girl because I didn't want to stop being your baby girl." Lexi asked.
"Guess what, Lex? You're my baby girl but so is Hilary and Hannah. Dana and Allie and Maggie and Katie too. That won't change, I promise." Mike told her before kissing her forehead.
"Let's go, Dad. I want to check on Momma." Hilary said, pulling on his arm.
"Yes, ma'am. You are a good daughter. Doesn't hurt that you'll get to sneak a peek at the baby too, huh?" Mike teased, and Hilary nodded.
"I just want to hold him since he's my birthday present." Dana said with a smile and Mike nodded at her.
"Just give us a bit and you can." Mike promised as he and Hilary walked out. As soon as they got to the second floor, they parted ways and Mike went back in with Andrea and Christopher.
"You okay? I've seen baby pictures of Lucas and I knew it was bothering you a bit." Andrea asked as Mike sat down next to her.
"Yeah. I'm okay. I promised Hilary she could look in on us and when the kids came back over; Dana could hold him since she considers him her birthday present. That okay?" Mike asked.
"Perfect. He is perfect. Barely cries." Andrea said with a smile. Mike could hear Christine and Hilary quietly talking and he settled next to Andrea to concentrate on their baby. Christopher opened one eye and gave him a slight smile and then wrapped his little hand around Mike's fore finger. Andrea had laid her head on Mike's arm.
I don't know much about labor and delivery so don't judge that! Slowly wrapping this story up as well. Please review. I love reading them.