I am so sorry this took so long to put up! If it's any excuse, I just had a baby. You can read more at the bottom! But for now, let's read this long overdue chapter!
And now, what you've all been waiting for: the delivery.
Enjoy!
Tick, tick, tick.
I glanced over at the stupid ticking clock. The digits read 1:23 AM. I gave a frustrated groan. Where the hell was Puck? Still at his "little get-together"?
I pinched my eyes closed as the now-familiar pain of a contraction charged through my body. My handy-dandy stopwatch informed me my contractions were 4 minutes and 18 seconds apart.
Tick, tick, tick.
Stupid clock! Mocking me as I sat there, in the most pain I've ever felt in my life.
Tick, tick, tick.
"That's e-nough!" I yelled scrambling up from my seat on the floor and snatching the clock from its shelf. I ripped the batteries out from the back, and it gave one final tick as it died. I set it back on the table and went back to my oh-so-comfortable seat on the nursery floor, my back leaning against the wall. I closed my eyes and tilted my head back against the wall.
A few seconds later, my eyes cracked open. I eyed the little clock on the table, the cold metal lifeless and dull. Suddenly, tears pricked at my eyes. All the clock wanted was to inform me of the time. It just wanted to do its job. And what did I do? I killed it!
I frantically crawled back over to the clock and shoved the batteries back in, waiting to hear the-
Tick.
I gave a choked sigh of relief, and headed slowly back to my seat. I resumed my position, watching the little clock tick its way through time.
Tick, tick, tick.
Suddenly, a wave of realization ran through me. I just cried over a damn clock. As in the inanimate object that has no feelings whatsoever.
Damn hormones.
My clock-filled thoughts were interrupted by a killer contraction, one that felt like your innards were being ripped to shreds inside of you. I gave a little scream, clenching a fistful of carpet on the floor.
Where the hell was Puck?
Oh, was that boy in trouble! I knew he shouldn't have gone. I just knew it. Bad things always happen when I'm left by myself. He was in for it when he got home. You better believe I was going to-
My thoughts were interrupted by the slam of the front door being shut. I froze, suddenly unsure of what to do. It was only when I heard his clumsy feet clambering up the stairs that I lifted myself from the ground and yelled and banged on the nursery door. I heard his footsteps run down the hallway, and the door was suddenly flung open to reveal a very disheveled and very drunk Puck Goodfellow.
"Sabrina? What are you doing in th-"
"Don't you dare even start, mister! Do you know how long I have been stuck in there? Hours, Puck. Hours! And what the- are you drunk? No goddamn way, this cannot be happening," I yelled, grabbing Puck's shoulders and shaking them. He gently, but firmly pushed me away from him.
"Hey, what's the big idea? I'm here, aren't I? I'm not the one who was stupid enough to get locked in the nursery anyways," he mumbled, turning away from me and beginning to walk towards our bedroom. I watched him with a glare until I just remembered that in all my rage, I had forgotten to tell him one key detail.
"Uhh, Puck?"
"What now, Sabrina?" he said in an exasperated tone, still facing the other direction.
"I'm in-" I keeled over as a mind-shattering contraction suddenly came over me.
"What? You're in what?" he said, starting to turn around.
"Labor." I squeaked, looking up at him from my crouched position.
"What?!" said Puck, racing over to me. His eyes were full of worry. "Why didn't you call me?!"
I put a fake thoughtful expression on my face. "Wow," I said in a slow, sarcastic voice. "I never thought of that one. If only I had thought to call you!"
"That was uncalled for." said Puck with a frown.
I glared at him. "Your face is uncalled for."
"Is this really the time, Brina?"
"Hmm," I said, pretending to be deep in thought. "I'm gonna have to say yes."
He rolled his eyes. "Come on, let's go to the hospital."
I helped Puck gather our go-bags before allowing him to fly me down the stairs with his pink wings, afraid that I might trip or fall on my way down if I walked myself. I quickly pulled on my coat and we were out the door.
I just finished locking up the house when I turned around and saw Puck staring blankly towards the carport. "What is it, Puck?" I said, walking up to him. I grit my teeth as another contraction overcame me.
"We don't have a car." he said, turning to look at me solemnly. I gave him an incredulous look.
"What do you mean we don't have a car?"
"Sabrina, I'm partially drunk. I couldn't exactly drive myself home!"
I let out a frustrated grunt, stomping my foot on the ground like a child. I immediately gasped as I felt the baby shift down more inside me, her movement caused by my stomping. I grasped Puck's arm.
"We need to go to the hospital now," I said to Puck through gritted teeth.
"Is everything okay?" he said, giving me a worried glance.
"The baby wants to come out. Like, right now." I said, gasping out loud as I felt the baby slide even farther down towards my, uh, opening.
"Okay, Brina, stay calm. I'm going to get us there, okay?" he said, popping out his wings.
My eyes widened and I began shaking my head furiously. "No no no no no! There is no way I will be flown to the hospital!"
"Brina, " he pleaded. "We have to fly. It's the only way."
I took a deep breath. My stomach ached with a pain that refused to go away. I knew I had to get to the hospital before it was too late.
"Okay," I said quietly, squeezing my eyes shut. Puck gently swooped me into his arms, bridal style, and I felt us lift off the ground. Wind whipped my face and my hair as we glided silently through the night.
After a short while of flying, I felt Puck touch down onto solid ground. He put me into a standing position and helped steady my shaky and aching body.
"Okay, Sabrina, we're in the hospital parking lot. Think you can make it to the front?" said Puck, wrapping an arm around me to assist my walking. I nodded in response to his question, and we slowly shuffled towards the hospital doors.
As we approached the entrance to the hospital, a thought suddenly popped into my head. "Puck, we need to call the family! We need to tell them to meet us here!" I said frantically, wanting Granny to be there to meet her first great-grandchild right as he was born.
Puck nodded and soothingly rubbed my arm. "I'll call them, Brina. Don't worry."
"Thank you," I replied, trying to ignore the massive waves of pain rushing through me.
After what seemed like an eternity, we made it to the entrance. The waiting room was empty except for a middle-aged man asleep on a small couch in the back. Puck and I made our way towards the front desk. A blonde-haired woman looked up at us and gave a smile. "You two can have a seat over there." she said politely.
I shook my head. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but this baby is coming out like, right now." I said quickly, leaning on Puck for support as I felt my baby shift more down my birth canal. The woman nodded and picked up the phone, calling for a doctor to come and get me. Once she finished her phone call, she told me that a doctor was on their way to come take me to the maternity ward. I managed out a "Thank you." in between bursts of pain.
While we waited, Puck pulled out his cellphone and dialed up Granny, putting it on speaker so we could both hear. It rang for a long time before a groggy, sleep-filled voice answered.
"Puck? Is everything alright?" said Granny in a worrisome tone. I felt bad for waking her up, but then remembered I was having a baby and that this was necessary.
"Yes, Granny, we're alright. I was just calling to inform you that Sabrina is in labor and is about to give birth. We're at the hospital right now." said Puck. I heard sounds of shuffling and movement through the phone.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner, Puck? We're on our way," said Granny, sounding very alarmed.
"No need to rush, Granny. Drive safely. We love you." I said, hoping that my voice would ease Granny's obvious nerves.
"I'll see you soon, Liebling," said Granny, and with that, she hung up. Puck was tucking his phone back into his pocket right as a doctor, followed by a nurse with a wheelchair, rushed into the waiting room.
"Hello, Miss. I'm Dr. Schultz. And you are..?"
"Sabrina Grimm." I said, lowering myself into the wheelchair. The doctor nodded and scribbled something down on his clipboard before turning around and speed-walking towards the elevator. The nurse followed, pushing me along.
"Puck!" I said, turning my head to see where he was. He jogged to catch up with me and held my hand.
"Right here, Brina," he said, giving my hand a little squeeze. I held on to his hand until we arrived at our correct floor, and then the doctor made us separate.
"Are you the father?" asked Dr. Schultz to Puck. Puck nodded.
"Will he be allowed to be there with me?" I asked worriedly, not wanting Puck to leave my side.
"If that's what you want, Ms. Grimm, then certainly. Nurse Kristina here will take you to your room to get ready. I'll be in there shortly, and we'll begin pushing."
I watched the doctor walk down the hall. In a very short period of time, I would be pushing. Pushing out a baby. A baby that would become a part of my life for the rest of my years. I could hardly believe it.
Nurse Kristina wheeled me into an immaculate, white room and handed me a hospital gown to change in to. I went into the bathroom to change, gown in hand. As I undressed, I took a minute to look at my reflection in the mirror. My stomach, giant and covered in stretch marks, suddenly put me in awe. I made a child in there. I am having a baby right now, and that stomach will be gone. And in its place will be a child. For the first time in the entire duration of my pregnancy, I looked at my belly with love and admiration as opposed to disgust and distaste. I rubbed it slowly for the last time before putting on my gown and going back into the room.
The doctor and a few nurses were already out there, rushing around the room and making preparations. I smiled as I saw Puck, looking so nervous and worried as he paced in the corner of the room. I shuffled over to him and kissed him on the cheek. He smiled and held my hand.
"Everything is going to be alright, Puck. Don't be worried." I said, leaning my head against his shoulder.
"I know, Brina. I just can't help but be nervous. I mean, what if our daughter comes out liking Justin Bieber?" he said, laughing as I flicked him on the head.
"Shut up, boogerbrain," I said, laughing despite my own nervousness.
The doctor walked over, interrupting our little laughing fest. "Ms. Grimm, we're going to check to see how dilated you are now. Please go lay on the bed."
Puck led me over to the crisp white bed and helped me situate myself. I clutched his hand tightly. The doctor lifted the hem of my room and spoke medical jibberish to the nurses, who all nodded and agreed with whatever he said.
"Well, Sabrina, you are around 9 and a half centimeters dilated, so that means we are going to have to start pushing rather shortly. Are you ready?" said the doctor, pulling on rubber gloves.
"But, wait, what about epidural?" I said nervously. I had read about the pain of natural birth, and it was not something I planned on going through.
The doctor looked at me regretfully. "I'm sorry, Sabrina, but you have advanced to far in your state of delivery for us to safely administer epidural. You will have to just push and give birth naturally."
I gulped and nodded, to scared to say anything else. Puck squeezed my hand and kissed my temple.
"You are so strong and brave, Brina. I know you can do this. You've been through so much already." said Puck. I clenched his hand harder.
"Okay, Ms. Grimm, we're going to start pushing now. The nurses will hold up your legs, and when we say "Push", you give us a big, strong push. Okay?" said the doctor, pushing my gown up. I nodded fervently.
"Okay, 1, 2, 3, big push!"
I heaved my body, pushing with all my might. A burning, ripping sensation overwhelmed me, and I let out a small scream of pain, nearly breaking all the bones in Puck's hand as I clenched it hard.
10 minutes of pushing passed, and I was the most exhausted I had ever been. Everything hurt, and I couldn't help but scream with every push. Finally, I heard the words I had been waiting for.
"We can see the head!" announced one of the nurses. I looked over at Puck, who looked back at me with nervous excitement.
"Okay, Sabrina, one more really big push!" said the doctor, cradling the head of the baby. My baby.
With a scream, I pushed with all my might, about to pass out from the pain. The whole room seemed to darken, and my vision got foggy, but suddenly I heard it. The sweet sound of a newborn baby's cries. I was immediately knocked back to my senses as I became aware of the sound of my baby crying. My baby was out. I just pushed a baby out of me.
I had to choke back tears as they handed me my baby girl, her little arms flailing as the nurses toweled her off in my arms. I kissed her fragile forehead, noticing the small tuft of golden hair. I watched as her squinted eyes began to open, taking in the world around her. Two green orbs peered up at me, flickering around for a minute before they closed shut again. I was suddenly aware of Puck leaning above me, staring in awe at the little tiny human in my arms.
"She looks just like you," I said to him, holding my baby close to me. He nodded, too choked up to respond.
"Would you like to cut the cord, Mr. Goodfellow?" said the nurse, holding out a pair of scissors. Puck took them from her, and cut the umbilical cord, smiling with pride. The nurse took the scissors from him, and he returned next to my side, tracing his finger over our baby's tiny feet.
A few short minutes later, the doctor came over and asked to take her so that he could weigh and measure her. I gave her up reluctantly, not wanting to part with my beautiful child. I watched as he put her on the scale and jotted down her measurements. A nurse came over to my bedside.
"Ms. Grimm, we're going to take your baby down to the nursery so we can wash her and check her vitals. We will return her back to you as soon as we're done. In the meantime, you're welcome to just rest. We understand you must be exhausted!" said the nurse, patting my hand before getting up and following the doctor and my baby out the door.
I looked over at Puck, beaming with happiness. He leaned down and kissed my lips gently.
"I'm so proud of you, Brina." he said. I scooted over in my hospital bed.
"Lay with me?" I asked, patting the empty spot. Puck climbed into the bed and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close.
"I love you so much, Sabrina Grimm."
"I love you, too, Puck."
I pressed my head against Puck's chest, listening to his heartbeat. The sound of his beating heart soothed me, and I suddenly realized how exhausted I was. I found my eyes closing against my will as I succumbed to a heavy, deep sleep.
A steady beeping awoke me from my sleep. My eyes peeled open slowly, bleary and crusted. Where was I? The beeping sound continued. The hospital! That's right. I was in the hospital!
My hand reached out and fumbled around the bed, searching for the familiar warm body that I had fallen asleep next to. I was met with only a fistful of cold sheets. I sat up slowly and confused, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.
"Puck?" I said, looking around the room. Where was that boy? My eyes fell upon the the bassinet situated next to my bed, and peered inside to see the face of a sleeping baby. My sleeping baby.
"Hello, darling," I whispered to my little girl, gently leaning over to pick her up. I pulled her close to my chest, being careful not to awaken her. She stirred in my arms, but still managed to stay asleep.
I watched her sleep, taking in every little detail of her face. Her pouty lips and button nose. The tuft of blonde hair. She looked so much like Puck.
Puck. Where was he? Also, where was Granny? They had to have reached the hospital by now. I looked around the room again, but there was no sign of Puck or where he could be.
"Daddy's probably at the cafeteria," I whispered to the little baby asleep in my arms. Gosh, she was so perfect.
Suddenly, a banging sound startled me out of my thoughts. I looked up quickly, feeling the baby stir in my arms.
Puck was standing in the doorway, his eyes wide and a phone clutched in his hand.
"Puck, where have you been?" I said, but his panicked voice cut me short.
"Sabrina, there's been an accident."
Whoa! Cliffhanger much?
Sorry, guys. I had to do it. I couldn't just let this story have a happy ending, could I?
Anyways, I have some exciting news!
I had a baby! On April 3, 2014, I gave birth to Penelope Claire! She was 6 pounds, 7 ounces and she is the most perfect thing ever. Yeah, as you might see, I made her my profile avatar thingy. She's cute, huh?
Also, who has two thumbs and just graduated? This girl! I graduated with my degree in Communications just two short weeks ago. And while all my friends went out and partied, I went home and breastfed! Woo-hoo for parenting!
I want to thank you all so much for your patience and kindness. I know I suck at updating, but you guys still stick with me, and for that, I thank you.
There are only TWO chapters left of this story. TWO! The post-delivery and then the epilogue! I'll get those out ASAP!
Sorry about the long author's note. Have a great day!
~Roxanne