Hope I didn't over do the pregnancy stuff in this one. It's fairly fresh in my mind because I had a baby not that long ago LOL. One last little bit after this to finish it off then I'm calling it quits for this story. Sequel is not necessarily ruled out but I'll have to wait to see what inspiration comes to me.
Disclaimer: I do not own City Homicide or it's characters (unfortunately)
This is pure fiction any likeness to real people or events, strange but purely coincidental.
"I don't think I can move," Jenn groaned holding her swollen belly and trying to turn over towards the edge of the bed. She was already nearly a week past her due date and she felt grumpy and uncomfortable and she wasn't sleeping well because the baby kept her awake at night. There were so many pillows in the bed now that Nick had hardly any room to sleep. She clutched at her ribs gasping, "Ooh your child takes great pleasure in kicking me in the ribs." Nick looked at her sympathetically.
"It's not long now Jenn," he kissed her gently. He was feeling reasonably calm about the impending event. The nursery was ready, the car seat was already installed in the car and he'd figured out how to fold the pram and fit it in the back of the car. He was really excited actually though he didn't enjoy seeing Jenn so uncomfortable.
"Can you help me?" She asked. She hated being so pathetic but she felt like a beached whale. He chuckled and took her hands to help her stand up. "I can't even see my feet any more," she moaned feeling around trying to find her slippers. She couldn't see anything below her stomach and forget about putting shoes on unless she could manage to push her feet into them so Nick had to help her do that as well. She knew she looked huge and she felt frumpy because most of her clothes didn't really cover the bump well enough. Nick put his arms around her and hugged her gently. He thought she was the most beautiful thing in the world, her face round and rosy from carrying their child. Jenn had an enviable, athletic build when she wasn't pregnant which he loved but he couldn't deny that he was enjoying the voluptuous curves she had now. Until the last few weeks when she'd been too tired they'd still managed to enjoy a very healthy sex life throughout her pregnancy having fun finding different positions where the bump didn't get in the way. In fact much to Nick's delight Jenn seemed to enjoy sex and want it even more than she had before.
"You're the best Jenn." He kissed her and she leaned against him and closed her eyes. He rubbed her back gently and she sighed in pleasure.
"Mmm could you rub a bit lower? I'm sorry I'm being such a sook but my back is really hurting today I must have slept funny. I just want this baby out of me!" He gazed at her lovingly and stroked her cheek.
"I'm sorry you feel so uncomfortable." She shook her head and leaned back into his embrace again.
"It'll be worth it once the baby's here," she sighed. Her eyes pricked with tears, her emotions were all over the place lately and she felt uncontrollably needy at times just wanting to know Nick was close by. She squeezed him tighter and kissed his neck. "I wish you were still working in homicide. You'll have your phone on right?"
"Don't worry everyone knows you're really close now. They'll make sure I get to you on time. I wish I was there too but I have less than a week left then I can come back." Nick had actually enjoyed working for counter terrorism but he didn't like not being able to talk to Jenn about it. He felt more at home in homicide and he was glad to be going back there in a week's time.
Nick stopped the car outside the door on Flinders St. for Jenn to get out. She rocked gently on the edge of the seat to gain the momentum to ease herself out of the car and Nick tried not to laugh.
"I know," she laughed making a mooing sound, "I feel like a heifer!"
"You don't look like one," he chuckled. She smiled back at him gratefully. He always made her feel beautiful and desirable even though sexy was the last thing she felt when her clothes didn't fit and something the size of a basketball and weight of a bowling ball was pressing between her legs. She waved him goodbye and started walking as gracefully as she could towards the front door. She was actually quite grateful she didn't have anything taxing to do today because she felt very tired. It would be nice just to be in the office with the crew, drink tea and be a part of everything. She knew Nick would rather that she stayed at home now and she could have gone on maternity leave already but she didn't see the point. She would rather be at work doing things that kept her mind off the discomfort than sitting around at home doing nothing and feeling bored. Then she could save her maternity leave to spend time with the baby after it was born. She stopped at the door to take a breather. Her ribs hurt. She rubbed her back; it was really hurting today.
She waddled out of the lift and made straight for the break room to make herself a cup of tea. As she was stirring her tea she felt a sharp pain, she gasped and grabbed her back gingerly. She held on to the bench and breathed in and out as the pain slowly subsided. She was sure it wasn't labour pain she'd already been to the hospital twice in the last couple of weeks convinced labour had started only to be send home again. The midwives were always kind but she felt embarrassed all the same.
"You all right Jenn?" Allie asked in alarm as she walked in.
"Yep. Joys of pregnancy," she smiled in between panting slightly. She picked up her tea and walked slowly towards the door her hand in the small of her back. Allie observed Jenn and vowed she'd make sure she never got pregnant it did not look like fun and she certainly didn't want to get so big and fat!
Jenn sat down at her desk and turned on the computer and surveyed what she had to do today. She been on desk duty for most of the last five months and when she'd first realised she was being given lighter assignments she'd felt really annoyed about it. It all started when Matt assigned her to do background checks and family services liaison on the Simmond's case. Desk duty she had thought oh well. She wouldn't read anything into it for the moment but she started to notice that every assignment she was given from that time on had been fairly light on and usually involved phone legwork or research and she didn't get to go out into the field very much anymore. She spoke to Matt about it but he fobbed her off saying it was department policy. Not one to be put off by that Jenn then took it to Bernice thinking that she'd be sympathetic and possibly overrule Matt. She was wrong.
"Don't give Sergeant Ryan a hard time it wasn't his decision it was mine. Jennifer I'm sorry, it's not a punishment but you have to stand down on this one and no raids until after you've had your baby." Jenn looked taken aback and annoyed. She realised that going on raids might not be very wise but surely that didn't preclude all field-based activities. "To put it bluntly do you know the kind of negative media attention we'd get if we sent a pregnant officer into potentially dangerous situations?" Bernice sighed. She sympathised but she was also practical and she had to watch over how the police force was perceived by the outside world. "Look I understand how you feel believe me but you do have to think about your baby now too. I'm not saying you can't go out in the field but it will be on a case-by-case basis. We can't afford to take any chances and I don't really think you want to either do you?" Jenn knew she didn't but she didn't like being relegated to phone jockey either.
She had slowly got used to taking more of a back seat though and she'd felt a bit guilty that there were times when she'd actually been quite grateful not to be in the front line. She knew Bernice was right anyway, she didn't want to do anything that might risk the baby. She groaned quietly shifting unhappily in her chair because she couldn't get comfortable today. She got up and started to walk around again. She rubbed her forehead she was feeling really funny.
"You right Jenn?" Duncan asked in concern. She nodded and grabbed the edge of the desk as she felt another spasm in her back. Duncan walked up to her, "We can call Nick. I can take you to the hospital now if you like?"
"Don't worry I'm fine Dunny," She said slightly irritated and embarrassed at being fussed over. He still looked worried so she placed her hand on his wrist to placate him, "I'm fine, really."
"Well you let me know if that changes all right?" He said and walked back to his desk watching her warily.
"Yeah you don't want to have the baby in here Jenn," Allie jumped up excitedly. Jenn laughed at her and Rhys' eyes widened in alarm.
"That's not going to happen Allie."
She sat back down at her desk and adjusted the pillows in her chair to try and get comfortable. She'd been feeling weird all day and her back was hurting even more now.
After lunch Bernice walked past Jenn's desk on the way out of DSS Wolfe's office. Jenn took a sharp intake of breath and grabbed at her back again and Bernice's eyes darted towards her. She watched her for a moment summing up the situation; she thought Jenn was looking a bit pale. "Are you all right Jennifer?" She asked. Jenn gave her a weak smile and nodded. Bernice wasn't convinced. She put her folders down on the desk and knelt down by Jenn's chair. "Really how are you feeling," she asked quietly in a motherly tone. "You're pregnant and about to give birth Jennifer you can't play it tough now. If you're feeling off you have to get it checked out."
"My back hurts a lot but that's nothing new." She replied tears springing to her eyes at Bernice's kindness.
"Is it worse than usual?" Questioned Bernice unwilling to allow Jenn to brush this off.
"It's been getting worse since this morning and I feel faint."
Bernice patted her hand, "You could be in labour. I'm sending you to the hospital to get checked out." Jenn tried to shake her head thinking it was nothing, she was fine and she didn't want another false alarm. "It's an order Detective," she said kindly. "If it's nothing then that's fine but it's better not to take the chance." She stood up. "Detective Freeman," she called out. Duncan looked up from his desk. "Take Detective Mapplethorpe to the hospital right away and make sure she gets checked out by a doctor ASAP! And keep me informed of the situation."
"Yes Ma'am," replied Duncan jumping up. He'd been watching Jenn and he didn't need to be asked twice.
"Rhys get hold of Nick Buchanan and tell him Duncan has taken Jenn to the hospital." Rhys nodded and picked up the phone.
"Where's Nick," moaned Jenn breathing hard and walking back and forth as the last wave of pain slowly died down. "He should be here. I need him!" Tears ran down her face. She didn't want him to miss this. When they couldn't get hold of Nick, Bernice had called Jenn's Mum who fortunately did not live too far away. She was on high alert anyway and didn't waste any time getting to the hospital to be with Jenn.
"Don't worry I'm sure he'll be here soon," her mother assured her rubbing her back and handing her a jellybean, "here have this it'll help keep your energy levels up." Kathryn eyed the small window in the door catching Duncan's eye as he paced back and forth. He shrugged at her shaking his head. Darn it Nick where are you? He stressed. He called Rhys again to see if he had managed to get a hold of Nick but it was a negative. Duncan paced up and down outside the room.
Finally Nick came running down the hall his face flushed from the exercise. "Where is she? Is she alright?" He questioned Duncan his hands on his knees trying to catch his breath.
"Dammit Buchanan you're cutting it fine!" Duncan sweated, immeasurably relieved that Nick was here at last and he could stop worrying. "She's fine mate her Mum's with her but she's been asking after you. Where were you?"
"We had a raid. You know what it's like. No phones. I checked my messages as soon as I could," he said peering past Duncan through the window into the room.
"Ahhh," screamed Jenn and gripped the edge of the bed as another really strong pain seized her, "Nick!" She sobbed. Where was he? She needed him here she didn't want to do this without him!
"I'm here Baby," he said rushing to her side. She laid back against the pillows feeling drained and smiled weakly at him overcome with gratitude that he was here now. He knelt down beside the bed, took her hand and brushed the hair off her brow, which was covered in a light sheen of sweat, and kissed her gently. "I'm here now." He kissed her hand.
"OK let's see how we're doing," the midwife smiled bustling up to the bed and lifting up the sheet. Jenn squeezed Nick's hand and grimaced in discomfort as the midwife checked to see how dilated she was. She moaned as she felt another contraction starting to make its presence felt. She held onto Nick's hand tightly and tried not to cry but the intensity was all encompassing and she couldn't focus on anything else. She buried her face against his neck and grunted in pain. "Not long now you can push with the next one," the midwife said cheerfully.
Not much more than half an hour later Nick came out of the delivery room. Duncan jumped up as Nick walked towards him proudly carrying a small bundle. He could hardly contain his joy and his face was beaming.
"A boy," grinned Nick. Duncan peered at the baby. "4.2 kilos with a great set of lungs on him," he said proudly.
"Aww he's a beaut Nick. How's Jenn?"
"Pretty tired but she's OK. She was amazing!" Said Nick with wonder in his eyes. Duncan slapped him on the back. "You can go in in a minute and see her if you want." He peered through the door.
"So does this little guy have a name yet?" Duncan stroked the baby's cheek lightly with the back of his finger.
"We're still discussing that," Nick grinned. "None of the names we'd already picked seem to suit him."
"Well you better phone Waverley. They're all waiting anxiously back at the office to find out!" Duncan said opening the door to go and see Jenn.
Her Mum had helped her have a shower and get dressed in a clean nighty. She felt sore and tired but completely happy. She took the baby back from Nick and propped him up against her knees so she could have a really good look at him. Duncan leaned down to give Jenn a kiss.
"Well done Jenn! Nick said you were a trooper!"
"Thanks Dunny," she replied hardly taking her eyes of her new son. Nick sat down on the bed next to her and put his arm around her.
"Well I better go. They want me back in the office but congratulations you two! Oh and I think the others will be down in a bit." They smiled at him as he walked out the door.
"So did it really hurt?" bounced Allie. Bernice rolled her eyes at her behind Allie's back. Rhys just stood to the side observing. Babies weren't really his thing.
"Yeah it hurt but I'm already starting to forget," Jenn said gazing adoringly at her baby boy. "He's worth it though," she gave the baby a kiss and he stirred in his sleep making a quiet mewling sound. Rhys watched his Aunt as Bernice moved closer to the bed and held out her arms for Jenn to give the baby to her for a cuddle. Jenn handed him over feeling and overwhelming sense of anxiety, which she knew, was utterly ridiculous since she trusted Bernice completely. Bernice gazed down at the tiny boy remembering holding her own son in what didn't seem all that long time ago. Poor Josh. She missed him so much! At least she was fairly sure Jennifer and Nick would never feel that kind of pain. She gave the baby a kiss and handed him back to his mother, dabbing at her eyes with a hanky. Rhys moved up behind her quietly and put his hand on her shoulder. Bernice patted his hand gratefully. Rhys was a good boy. She was so grateful to have him staying with her he was good company and a great comfort to her
"You have a beautiful son Jennifer. Well done!" Bernice said. Jenn looked down at her baby she couldn't agree more. She took his beanie off for a moment and stroked the light fuzz on the top of his head before putting the hat back on.
"You want a hold?" She asked Allie. Allie looked like a deer caught in the headlights at the suggestion and Rhys chuckled.
"Nah it's OK," she said shyly. "I've got a pretty good look from here."
"Well if you change your mind," chuckled Jenn.
Wolfey and Jarvis came by not long after Bernice, Allie and Rhys had left to give their congratulations as well and by the time they'd all left the room was a mass of flowers, baskets of fruit and baby gifts. Jenn's Mum fussed over the bassinette tucking another new blanket into it that she'd knitted.
"I think I might go home for a while," she said to Jenn. "Do you need me to get you anything?"
"Nah I think I've got everything I need in my bag thanks Mum." She said giving her Mum a kiss.
"Nick do you want me to make you tea tonight?" Kathryn asked.
"Thanks Kathryn," he got up and gave her a kiss, "but I'm going to stay here with Jenn tonight."
Matt walked through the maternity ward and up to the room he'd been told Jenn was in. He held a large bunch of brightly coloured flowers with a balloon tied to them and a large box of chocolates for Jenn. He peered around the door shyly. Jenn was lying in bed propped up on pillows cradling a small bundle in her arms. Nick was sitting next to her with his arm around her. They gazed lovingly at the bunch of blankets, out of which a tiny head covered in a knitted beanie peeked, then kissed each other. Nick reached out and tentatively stroked the cheek of his tiny son who grabbed his finger holding on tightly. Nick stared in wonder, "He's got a great grip," he said impressed. Jenn leaned back on the pillows against Nick, tired but immensely happy. She turned her head for another kiss. "Told you he was a boy," gloated Nick and Jenn chuckled,
"Pure luck," she laughed, "you had a fifty fifty chance of being wrong." They kissed again tenderly.
"So we're agreed then?" Asked Nick.
"Yeah Tobias it is. We'll call him Toby though," said Jenn. "Tobias sounds too formal." Nick's dad had passed away the month before so they'd decided that they'd name him after Nick's father.
"Hey guys," Matt said wandering up to the bed shyly feeling like an intruder on the intimate family group. "Sorry it's a bit late. I couldn't get away any earlier." He'd got used to the fact Jenn was with Nick now and he'd been at enough social gatherings where he'd seen them together for him to acknowledge that they were actually really happy together. Things on the team had improved over the last five months and he'd felt more confident in his position. He and Nick wouldn't really ever be great friends but they'd come to hold a wary respect for each other. As he watched Nick and Jenn together with their baby he felt he could be happy for them. "Congratulations! What did you have?" he asked having left the office before Nick had called to let everyone know that he and Jenn had had a baby boy. Jenn held the baby out proudly for Matt to see. He put the flowers and chocolates down on the bedside table and regarded the child.
"A boy. We've decided to call him Toby." Matt looked down at the tiny little face. He looked just like Nick but he had a light fuzz of blonde hair on his head the same colour as Jenn's. He gazed at the baby and reached out to touch his little cheek but as he did the baby's face started to wrinkle up and he opened his mouth and screamed. Matt stepped back in alarm.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled. Jenn chuckled and placed her hand on Matt's wrist to ally his concern.
"Don't worry I think he's just hungry again," she said making a move to unbutton her nighty. "He's got an appetite just like his Dad."
"Um I'd better leave you to it." Matt said blushing and backing out of the room. "Congratulations again guys! I'll see you soon OK?"
"Thanks Matt," said Jenn smiling at him. Matt turned and left the room.
The love and the joy they felt radiated between them as Jenn snuggled up against Nick with her head against his shoulder and started to feed their baby. As Nick watched the baby sucking strongly at Jenn's breast his heart swelled, overcome with love for both of them and a tear started in the corner of his eye.
"You're so amazing Jenn," he murmured. "Thank you so much for everything you've given me."