7th of May – or – A New Addition
To say that things were tense at the moment was possibly an understatement. But then again, sully wasn't probably the best judge for these types of things. After-all, he didn't have to go through the process of waiting for Nate to be popped out. Sure, Sully was antsy at the moment but he knew that Elena was gonna be fine. Nate on the other hand, the kid looked like he was turned into stone. The poor man was deathly silent and still; Sully didn't doubt that Nate was worried about both Elena and his son. He wanted to say something to Nate, but he wasn't sure what to say.
He took a glance at the clock on the wall; they were approaching the six hour mark. God damn, how long did it take for a baby to be born? Sully looked over to Elena's parents, who were remarkably calm. Coraline was busy making some sort of blanket and Theodor was busy yammering his head off. The man probably didn't even realize that no one was really listening to him anymore. Sully glanced over at Chloe, who gave him a small, half-hearted smile before returning to her attention to her book.
Sully let out a quiet sigh as he took another look at Nate. Almost awkwardly, Sully reached out and patted Nate on the shoulder. "Everything is gonna be okay, you know that right?" Sully whispered. For the first time in hours, Nate looked at him. The kid didn't have to say anything; his face reflected how worried he was. Hell, it was like Sully went back to when he first met the kid.
"…Yeah…" Nate gave him a small, grateful smile.
All Elena wanted at this moment was for the baby to be out of her already. It had seemed like days that she had been trying to push him out. She was at that point where she wasn't even really listening to the nurses and doctor. Elena was just pushing for the hope it would all end soon and she would be holding her child.
"Okay! One more push!" someone yelled, probably the doctor. Elena nodded, gathering as much strength as she could. All she could think of was how she wanted to see her son, to finally hold him. Elena gave her final push and something between a groan and a scream passed her lips. For a moment, it seemed like the world had gone silent and then she hear it. Her son's first cries. She listened with half an ear as the nurses and doctors congratulated her and told her how handsome her son was. Elena could barely take her eyes off of him. If she wasn't so tired, she would have gotten up and cleaned him up herself, wrap him up in the blanket.
Thankfully the nurses and doctor were quick and soon Elena was holding her son… her little Alexander Sullivan Drake. His cries quieted slowly as he was placed in her arms. He seemed to fit so perfectly in her arms… Elena felt tears start to well-up and she blinked them back.
"Should we give you two a moment alone…?" one of the nurses asked in a quiet and soft tone.
"…If…if someone could go get my husband…" Elena didn't need to say anything more. The nurse quickly left the room and Elena's full attention went back to Alex, "Hey there…Mommy's waited a long time to hold you… to see you…"Elena whispered softly to her son. He wiggled a bit, letting out a short, coo-like noise, as if to return his mother's 'hello'. Elena smiled, "Daddy has too. He'll be here really soon. He's probably driven Grandpa crazy by now." She gently stroke Alex's cheek, marveling how soft his skin was. He seemed to lean into her touch and Elena got a good look at his hair. It was like the perfect mix of her and Nate's hair, a dark, sandy blond. She briefly wondered if it would darken as he got older, "You're going to be so handsome. Just like your father... " Alex let out a series of coos and gurgles. She let out a small chuckle, "Just so handsome…"
"Mr. Drake?" a nurse called out into the waiting room and Nate immediately looked up.
"Yes?" he knew how ridiculous it was to think that he was about to receive bad news, but he couldn't help it.
"Would you like to see go see your wife and son?" All Nate could do was nod in response. He quickly got out of his seat and followed the nurse to whatever room Elena and his son were in. Each step Nate took, he became more and more eager to see his child. But he was also worried. What if he looked at looked his kid and felt nothing? What would he do? All too soon, or perhaps soon enough, the nurse opened the door, "They're in there." Nate nodded and gave a word of thanks before heading in.
Nate looked around, noticing Dr. Princess and a nurse finishing up whatever it was that they were doing. He couldn't help but notice how white and clean the room was. And then he saw Elena, a small blue bundle resting in her arms. Nate knew what, who that blue bundle was. He was frozen to the spot as he watched Elena whisper softly to their son. Her hair was out of her usual bun, strands of hair were sticking to her forehead and the side of her face. She looked a little tired but she looked so happy, so peaceful…
Slowly Nate approached the bed, taking in the scene before him. He felt his lips turn into a smile. He stayed silent, not wanting to interrupt this special moment between Elena and Alex. The closer he got to them, the more he could hear what Elena was telling their son.
"…it's so big! There's a huge tree too. Once you're big and strong enough, I'm sure you'll be able to climb all the way to the top." Elena gently kissed the top of Alex's head before noticing that Nate was there. She smiled at him, "Hey."
"Hey…" Nate sat down on the edge of the bed, leaning down to kiss her. As he pulled away, his eyes fell on the bundle in Elena's arms. Nate was at a loss for words as he looked at Alex. He saw the dark blond duck-fluff, the round face, and most importantly, the big, sleepy blue eyes staring back at him. He felt his heart stop for a moment before giving a little shudder and over-fill with warmth. Nate slowly reached out and let his hand come to rest on Alex's cheek. Just like Elena, he was amazed how soft Alex's skin was. Nate looked at Elena, not too surprised to see her watching him.
"There's Daddy." Elena whispered to their son. Her smile even wider now and Nate felt himself try and match hers. He looked back at Alex, surprised to see how big his hands were compared to the rest of his son. He couldn't find anything to say. How could Elena find so much to say? Was it because she had a little more time to come cover the initial awe? "You can hold him, you know." she told him, "I'm sure he would love that."
Nate could only nod in response. He felt his hands begin tremble; whether it was from excitement or nervousness, he couldn't really tell (though he suspected it was a mix of both). Nate watched as the nurse helped Elena place the blue bundle in his arms and adjust his hands to properly support the tiny baby. He looked down at his son and felt his heart stop again and jump into his throat before it worked into overtime. It was like when he first realized that Elena was something more to him.
"Hey there…" he heard himself whisper. Alex yawned, wiggling a little; it seemed like the kid was attempting to get more comfortable, "You know, I never really thought I'd be a dad…" the words were just leaving his mouth, the like the filter and edit buttons were suddenly turned off, "but here we are…here you are…" He watched as Alex's eyes slowly began to close, completely captivated by this small being in his arms. The fact that he was now a father was hitting Nate full force. He thought back to his own father, his biological father and wondered how anyone could feel nothing but love for their child. How could anyone think that giving up their child? Nate glanced over at Elena for the briefest moment; she was still smiling, even if it had turned into a tired smile, and watching them. His gaze fell back onto Alex, who had fallen asleep. Nate tilted his head down, letting his lips brush a gentle kiss on Alex's tiny forehead. "Alex, I want you to know that I'll always be there for you. That no matter what happens or how far away I am, I'll always be there when you need me." Nate whispered softly, "That's a promise I'll never break."
Nate felt Elena's hand rest on his arm, pulling his attention towards her. "He looks just like you," she said softly, her hand moved from Nate's arm to Alex's cheek, her fingers gently stroking the skin there. "He'll probably get into just as much trouble as you tend to, too."
He chuckled, letting Elena take Alex back into his arms, "I doubt that. After-all, you'll probably stop him before he does anything too stupid." Elena let out a small laugh, "I think he has a bit more of you in him than me, though. I'm pretty sure I never had blond hair."
Their lips met in a sweet and gentle kiss. A sigh of contentment left her as they parted and Nate rested his forehead against hers. A peaceful quiet surrounded them as the new parents silently thanked the each other for new life nestled in Elena's arms.
Sully sighed as he finished up his celebratory cigar. He had stepped out after Nate left to see Elena and the new-born. He figured that he give the kid as much time as possible before seeing the tyke for himself. Sully was pretty damn certain that Elena's parents were already meeting their grand-child, followed closely by Chloe and Charlie (Charlie, who had appeared just seconds Nate left the waiting room). If they hadn't yet, then surely the Fisher's would be trying to bring down the door.
"All done with that cigar of yours?" Sully glanced over to see Chloe stepping out to join him.
"Yup," He flicked the cigar end into a nearby trash can, "Gone to see the tyke already?"
"Yeah, with Elena's folks. You should've seen it! The moment that kid was placed in Coraline's arms, he went from sleeping angel to crying baby." Chloe laughed, "And of course, the moment Elena got him back into her arms, he quieted down."
"So I take it you didn't even try and hold him?" Sully chuckled as Chloe shook her head.
"Nah. I figured I'd save Elena the trouble." Chloe smiled at him, "Well it's your turn now. They're waiting for ya."
Sully nodded and headed back into the hospital, telling Chloe he see her later. It took him to find a nurse to take him up to the room Nate and Elena were in. He smiled as he walked in and saw Nate and Elena fawning over their son. "I guess congratulations are in order!" He said, announcing his presence to the couple.
"Sully!" Nate practically jumped off the bed and went up to embrace the older man, "What kept you?"
"I figured I smoke my celebratory cigar before I came up to see the new kid." Sully replied. He looked over at Elena, who looked ready to fall asleep. It seemed like the day's events were finally catching up on her. "So, do I get to see him?"
"Of course Sully!" Elena waved him over, smiling broadly, "Has anyone tell you his name yet?"
"Still on the dark on that sweet-heart." Sully leaned over to take a look at the tyke. He was surprised when Elena held the baby out for him to hold. Sully didn't really have much of a choice when Nate came over to help him out. Sully was ready for a bawling baby but was shocked that all the child did was squirm a little before settling down. Sully smiled; he had expected Nate and Elena's kid to be some sort of cross between both of them. Any fears he had about being a part of the child's life were swept away. "So, name?"
Sully didn't see the look Nate and Elena shared between them. "Alexander Sullivan Drake." Nate answered. Sully instantly looked up from Alex and directly at Nate. Nate was just wearing a huge grin.
"Repeat that?"
"Alexander Sullivan Drake." Sully looked back down at Alex; he was shocked and didn't even know what to say.
"I- Why-? What-?" Nate placed a hand on Sully's shoulder.
"Sully, without you I wouldn't be here." Nate said, "I may not carry your name, but we figured that this was the best way of showing you how important you are to me." He ran a hand through his hair. The action showed Sully how hard it must have been to for Nate to say that. Sully kept looking between Nate and Alex.
"I'm not sure what to say kid…"
"Then don't say anything at all." Elena replied. Sully nodded before gently handing Elena back Alex.
"So… Alex for short?" Nate nodded, "Well, I gotta say Alex looks a hell of a lot like you."
Elena laughed, "See! I told you Sully would agree with me!"