Chapter 21

Mike walked into the station with a sense of urgency; his heart was filled with every emotion known to mankind.

His thoughts were chased away by the echo's in the apparatus bay, the voice was unmistakably that of Charlie the Mechanic and the words were the kind Mike would never let himself be caught repeating. There wasn't anyone anywhere that deserved to be berated by such verbiage.

Slowly and quietly making his way to the front of the bay Mike got his first, sight of the damage done to the front driver side of the engine.

Mike took in and let out a deep breath, the engine was destined for some time in the body shop but he found that he could care less. His whole world changed a couple of hours ago, what could be more important than that.

Mike listened to Cap defend Roy and place the blame soundly on the tow truck driver, not wanting to listen to the language Mike tuned the world around him out and turned into his recent memories.

-0-

Dr. Early had a smile on his face as he drew a single vile of blood from Laura's arm before slipping it into a centrifuge in the corner of the room. When the machine stopped spinning Dr. Early came back to the bed side and directed Mike to place a small table used for supplies closer to Laura. The good doctor then placed a few items on the table including a small rack that held the blood vile up right.

Dr Early then handed Mike a folded up piece of paper with printing on it. "You strike me as a relatively intelligent person," he spoke to Mike, "I'm sure you can follow the instructions to perform this test yourself. It's a new way of doing things they are saying that the day will come when a woman can just go to the grocery store and buy one of these to find out if they're pregnant in the privacy of their own home."

Mike remembered feeling totally inept at even thinking of running a lab test himself and it must have shown on his face because Dr. Early just smiled again and added, "I'm sure Laura here can talk you through it, she's already told us that she's used these things several times when she was working in the Far East." "I'm going to go make arrangements for some X-rays. I'm sure we can get the technician to drape a led shield over the abdomen without giving him a reason to do so. It's something they should be doing on all women of childbearing years routinely."

Mike remembered feeling totally shocked when Dr. Early then walked out of the room leaving he and Laura there alone to find out what their future held.

As Laura talked him through every little step, Mike uncapped the vile of blood, siphoned the clear liquid on top off with a pipette and applied the five drops to the little opening in the device the doctor had laid on the tray.

The paper said, results in about five minutes, and Mike remembered being unable to tare his eyes away from the little gadget for more than a second or two. Each time he anxiously glanced at Laura, she was crying. At least three times Mike had to take in a deep breath because he was unconsciously holding his breath as he waited. Without realizing what he was doing Mike also held his hand on Laura's stomach as he watched and waited. Laura managed to push her teddy bear aside and placed her bandaged hand on top of her husband's and joined him in watching the little plastic thingy on the tray.

The instructions had said one stripe for negative and two stripes meant they would need to decide where to set up a nursery. Slowly one stripe began to appear and then nothing. Mike looked at his watch and then back to Laura, "It's only been three minutes so far."

Laura giggled through her tears and pulled at her lower and cracked lip with her teeth, painfully she turned to get a better look at the little plastic thingy.

Mike wasn't sure what he was seeing at first but before he was forced to take in another breath there was definitely a second line forming in the gadget they were watching.

"YES!" Mike let out in extreme excitement but still a reduced volume, Mike remembered that his wife didn't want everyone in the hospital to know just yet, Laura reached up and placed a bandaged hand at the side of Mike's face and with a faint smile started to cry, again.

-0-

Dr. Early was looking over the x-rays and nodding his head, as he turns the light off and starts toward the treatment table where Laura was resting but trying to read the x-rays from across the room.

"Well, it looks like you might just have a mild concussion nothing much to worry about, from the pictures of the crash site that have been on the TV all morning I'd say your pretty lucky."

Mike remembered sighing in relief then looking at the little test thingy to see that it had dried out and no longer had any stripes on it let alone two of them. "A Doc, don't you want to know the test results?" Mike asked pointing to the tray and the supplies still there.

Dr. Early just smiled, "You, young man need to find a mirror, and when you do you'll see that the results are written all over your face."

Well those must have faded just like the little test thingy because his mother didn't see anything when he drove into his drive way and found her and his sister waiting for them.

Laura insisted on being walked into the house because carrying her hurt her shoulders but once they had her in the bedroom and into her silky nightgown and the teddy bear tucked in next to her she went right to sleep.

After showing his mother Laura's treatment instructions and where to find any phone number she might need, Mike handed his sister a couple of fifty dollar bills from his wallet and explained that they'd been out of town and then right to work, so there wasn't much in the house to eat.

"Be sure to get lots of juice for Laura, she's still fighting off the dehydration, she likes grape juice but she'll drink any kind of fruit juice, and get a couple of sets of batteries for her bear. She's going to need it until she gets caught up on her rest and the use of her hands back." Were Mike's parting instructions and after giving his sleeping wife a kiss he was on his way to rescue his friend from the trials of handling big red.

-0-

So there he stood in the apparatus bay, Charlie was still yelling so harshly that no one had noticed he was there and even thought he had tuned out for a while Mike's ears had had just about enough.

"You know Charlie; the one you should be yelling at is the tow truck driver who backed into her. Has their insurance adjustor been by to look at the damage yet?" Mike made his presence known.

"Is she fit for duty or are we going to have to pull in a replacement?"

Roy really seemed to appreciate the interruption and the fact that Mike was back to take over again.

"How's Laura?" Cap asked with a slap on Mike's back.

"Exhausted mostly but she's got second degree burns completely covering both hands and some rope burns on her shoulders that are quite painful along with a bunch of other bruises. She's home in bed with my Mom to watch her while I finish the shift."

Charlie seemed to take the hint and since the engine could function until they could schedule it into the body shop, the angry mechanic finished his paperwork and left to yell at someone else.

The afternoon was quiet with only a few minor calls and a couple of traffic accidents. His crewmates made sure Mike knew what was being said on the news about his wife, it seemed that the camera man did have one good arm to use to take pictures as they hiked out and the news station was wearing out that footage along with anything they could find in the archives about Laura and her previous exploits around the world.

Before the men turned in for the night word had come through that the fire was completely contained and that the camp crews were going to be taking over the mop up. The rest of the fire crews were being sent home for the night then back to their regular shifts and stations.

There was a lot of relief in the men as they turned in for the night knowing a fresh crew was going to be there for them in the morning. Everyone was tired at the end of a double shift and were soon sleeping soundly, everyone that is except Mike who was sitting on the bench in front of his locker holding a manila envelope in his hands an errant tear streaming down his face.

Hank Stanley rolled over in bed and noticed the still made bunk across from him. Hank lay back on his pillow for a moment to finish waking up then quietly slipped into his turn outs and went in search of his lost sheep.

When Hank saw his engineer he knew that Mike knew he was there by the way he turned away from him and kept his gaze in the opposite direction, but the reflection in the mirror told him his man needed some attention.

Hank did some quick calculating before he walked over to Mike and placing his hands under both of Mike's arms pulled him to his feet and led him out of the locker room making sure not to let go for even an instant. Mike was a puppet to his command, and once they were in the quiet of the office he was guided to a chair and Hank sat on the corner of the desk facing him.

"The way you've kept it all together until everyone went to bed I take it you don't want the rest of the guys to know what's going on but it's also clear that you have got to open up before you completely shut down."

At his captain's commanding voice Mike placed his tongue on his back teeth and took a few breaths before looking up at his captain. "Today was the best day in our married life and all she could do is cry, because of what that monster she was married to before did to her, all she could do is cry."

Over the next two hours a tired fire captain listened as Mike spilled his sole and retold every detail that had been heaped upon his shoulders in the last week, photo's were shown and when Mike was done Hank learned and gained a greater understanding of the relationship to one little girl who lived with a stethoscope around her neck. After informing the first time father to be that pregnant women often cry for no reason what so ever, while he rubbed his back and shoulder, Hank then led the emotionally drained engineer to his bunk and pulled the blankets back before setting him down.

While Mike pulled his uniform off in preparation for bed, Hank disappeared only to return with a very heavy basset hound to tuck in with his engineer. It had worked before and Hank didn't have to wait long to find out that it was going to work again. Unfortunately Mike had just gotten to sleep when the alarms went off summoning the crew to a structure fire in an old abandoned apartment building in what normally would be a neighboring response area.

They arrived far too late and with only half the man power and equipment they needed. All that was left was to surround and drown and most of their efforts were spent minimizing the damage to the other buildings around them. Three of which were boarded up and some of the others looked like they should be. These had been housing for workers of a clothing factory that was shut down for questionable practices of hiring undocumented workers and then charging them elevated prices for rundown place to live in.

When the morning light found them, one six unit apartment building and one duplex lay in ashes and there was significant evidence to suggest arson. It was a good thing that others would step in to decide if it was the owners trying to collect insurance money or someone trying to get revenge. The completely exhausted firemen could now only hope that the investigation wouldn't turn up any bodies along their way. Once they were sure everything was completely out and had their gear loaded back on the vehicles they were all headed home for some much needed sleep.

Whoever referred to those left behind to cover the city as gold brickers either never had to deal with or had forgotten about these kinds of fires and the men of station 51 had dealt with two of them on this short staffed double shift? They were very ready to go home.

Mike was the first one out of his smoke and soot filled uniform and into civilian clothing, he didn't take time to take a shower, he'd do that at home. He needed to get to his wife, to hold her.

As he was fumbling with his truck keys he felt a firm hand on his shoulder and turned to see his Captain.

"You haven't slept much at all the last two nights let me drive you home." Hank suggested, or rather ordered. As Mike was steered into the Captain's truck he was informed that his crew mates were already planning to shuttle his truck home and then the truck door was shut behind him and there was no room to argue.

At the stoker residence Hank walked Mike to his door where his mother greeted them.

"You look exhausted,"

"I am, how's Laura doing?"

"She's clearly exhausted too, she slept the whole night and didn't even as much as roll over in bed. She's been crying a little so she must be hurting more that she's letting on."

"Ma'am," Hank broke into the conversation, "Mike here needs a good breakfast, a hot shower and to be tucked in bed with his wife for some serious sleep. One of the crew will be by shortly with his truck."

"I'll see to it that he gets all three," Mike's mother smiled at her son, "now do I need to run the bath water or can you take care of that while I'm making breakfast?"

"I big boy now Mommy," Mike spoke in his most childish voice as he ducked his head, "I can take my own baff."

Hank gave a slight chuckle and a friendly slap on the back before Mike walked into his mother's care and Hank turned back to his truck.

When Mike walked through the bedroom on his way to the master bath he paused to look his wife over. She was resting peacefully with the blankets pulled up around her shoulders, the only visible sign that she was injured was her black eye and the mussed up section of her hair where Dr. Early had tied her laceration closed.

Assured that all was well Mike proceeded to the shower and had to admit he felt better letting the remains of his last fire go down the drain. When he stepped out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist he found his wife pushing herself out of bed.

"Where do you think you're going?" Mike hurried to his wife's side trying his best to determine if she were awake or sleepwalking.

"Bathroom," Laura said clearly enough to convince Mike she was awake. He simply pulled her to her feet and walked with her to the bathroom standing by as she took care of business. He then guided her back to bed and at her insistence positioned the pillows so she could sit up.

"You look like you've been through the war." Laura commented as she placed her bandaged hand on her husband's towel covered leg. If only she wasn't so stiff and sore.

"Yeah, it was a long double shift. How are you feeling this morning?"

Laura took in the worried smile and the twinkle in her husband's eyes but it was his hand finding its way to her stomach that started the waterworks once again. As the tears flowed down her face Mike pulled his hand away but Laura quickly placed her bandaged hand on top of her husband's and did her best to pull it back.

"You know, I bawled my eyes out whenever I was sure no one was watching, the entire pregnancy with Jessica. I'm just now realizing that it was probably more because of hormones than the mess my life was in at the time." Laura paused to make sure Mike was listening.

"Have you told your mom yet?" Laura spoke watching her husband carefully.

"NO not yet," Mike answered, "I kinda thought you needed a little more time before we told anyone. I a, also wanted to talk with you first."

"About what?" Laura questioned and Mike had the distinct impression that his next words were very important to her.

"I a, I want to know why you were afraid of telling me . . . . ,is . . . is it because. . . . you don't think I'd hurt you like Scott did to you?"

Laura was surprised by Mike's question and it showed in her eyes, wisely she took a second to formulate her answer, but only a second.

"NO Mike, I know you'd never hurt me like that, you're much too tender and gentle, to answer the first part of your question, I just wasn't sure you were ready to have a baby. We've never talked about it and every time we . . . make. . . love . . . . well you always use protection."

Mike heard his wife loud and clear and the pauses and hesitancy as she spoke of making love, spoke the loudest bringing back even more of what she had told him of her relationship with her first husband. It was his turn to take a second to formulate his answer, but only a second.

"I do want children, and I want to have them with you," Mike started watching Laura closely to see if he could tell if she was believing him, "I just don't believe one person should make that decision for the two of us, and I wasn't sure when or how to bring it up. I didn't want to do anything that would cause you to have to give up your work and I guess in truth, I was kind of hoping that things would happen just like they did, and just happen. I was thinking of maybe talking about it after our first anniversary, maybe."

"Well not being called out on helicopter rescues is going to be a relief if you want to know the truth, but I know the administrator is going to blow a whole handful of gaskets when he finds out. I don't think it will happen but it's possible I could lose my job over this." Laura thought out loud, "If I do though, I've already been offered a teaching position at the university."

"We can handle it if you want to stay home," Mike offered.

For a minute Laura didn't say anything and it was clear she needed more time to think about what had been suggested.

"We do have time to see what's going to happen and talk about it," Mike added not wanting to pressure her.

"Yeah," she answered and rubbed his arm with her bandaged hand.

"I know this is horrible to ask but I really just have to hear it." Laura spoke still fighting with her tears, "I do get to keep this one right?"

"Absolutely," Mike was quick to answer as he gently gathered his wife in his arms and carefully started to rub her back, "I hope you don't mind sharing with me a little though."

Laura pulled back enough to look into Mike's eyes, hers still leaking all down her face, "Absolutely," she answered as she lifted one of her bandaged hands to the side of his face.

"As much as I'm still trying to wrap my head around all of this, the look on your face when I told you and being able to sit together and watch the test register positive, that was all so beautiful, I couldn't have asked for anything more romantic and exciting. I really love the way you're already trying to hold the baby," She ducked her head toward Mike's hand on her stomach and as he realized what she was saying he relaxed his unsure hand and caressed her still flat stomach.

Laura managed to snake her bandaged hands around her husband, "As far as breaking the news, I'm not ready to make a PA announcement at the hospital but family is another story." Laura then nuzzled into her husband's arms a little tighter. "Except-" and then she stayed quiet.

"Except what?"

"I'm sure your mom has a lot of experience and knows things that can help me get through this. . . this . . . this water fall syndrome I'm going through," Laura finally got out.

"I wouldn't know about that but I'm sure she has some advice to give, after all she survived three pregnancies and the kids that came with them. But what are you worried about."

"I don't want to be afraid of saying the wrong thing; I'm thinking I should tell her about Jessica before I say something later to give it away. Do you think she'll understand, I mean truly understand and not hate me for what I did?"

Mike tenderly cupped his hand around Laura's face and pulled her tighter against his bare chest, "She'll understand, I'll tell her with you."

"Well I'm not about to tell her without you, I want to see the look on both of your faces."

Mike's tears joined his wife's as he once again pulled her close and being careful of her shoulders cradled her in his arms and rocked back and forth. He looked down and saw the brightest smile behind Laura's tears and realized he didn't mind the tears at all, now that he knew what was causing them and that it wasn't something he was doing or not doing.

It was a knock on the door that interrupted the silent sobbing.

"Come in," Mike called out and didn't make an effort to wipe his eyes or cover himself with more than a towel. After all, his mother had seen him in less.

"You're breakfast is getting cold dear," his mother called as she came into the room and noticed the tears on Laura's face. "Oh sweetheart you must really be hurting, I'll hurry and get your medications."

By the time his mother returned Mike had helped Laura lean back against the pillows and pulled a pair of boxers and a robe on. He was just sitting back on the bed when his mother came through with a class of juice and the bottle of pain pills. Dr. Early had made it clear that she really needed the pain pills and the sleep they would encourage.

Laura obediently swallowed the pill after Mike put it in her mouth and then held the glass for her. She then turned to her mother in law.

"Would it be acceptable to you if I called you Mom," Laura asked, "Calling you Elaine just seems so, so, Mother-in-law from hellish."

"I would be honored if you would dear." Elaine answered her own eyes growing moist.

"Mom," Mike took over the conversation as he gave Laura a look and a hint of a smile. "Would you by any chance know any old remedies for mood swings associated with pregnancy?"

Mom looked at Laura like she had two heads until Mike snickered and then she finally understood, "A baby, you, you're going, you're going to have a, a, baby, A BABY!"

Elaine dove across the bed and took both her son and daughter in law in her arms and it was a good thing Laura had taken her pain pill because when her mother –in-law realized what she was doing Laura really needed them.