TWENTY FIVE

Three months passed and Martha was due within the week. The doctor had given them an exact date, but had warned them that their baby could come any time from now on. It was five days until her due date, so her and Jack were doing some last minute shopping for the baby. Martha was still one hundred percent positive she was having a girl and was walking straight past anything that resembled being for a boy. Jack tagged along, not daring to argue. As the months rolled on, she was becoming even moodier than usual and if he argued with her at all, it was his head. He just hoped Martha's certainty was correct, otherwise they would be dressing their son in pink and he would have many dolls and toys for girls.

They were shopping in the big baby store in Yabbie Creek. It had everything they needed in there.

"No, Jack, that is for a boy," Martha said as Jack picked up an outfit that was for a boy. Jack sighed and put it back. He should have known better. It wasn't like their baby needed anything else anyway. Martha had bought enough for five babies, not one.

"And what happens if we do have a boy?" Jack questioned for what felt like the one thousandth time in the past nine months. "We will have nothing."

"But we're not having a boy," Martha assured him.

Jack shook his head. "If we had just found out, we wouldn't be having this conversation," he said.

"Well it's too late now," Martha smiled. "I am right, Jack, I know I am. You will see."

Jack shrugged, giving in.

"What about we buy something yellow?" Martha suggested. Jack had been nagging her about buying all girl things for months. "That could be for a boy or a girl."

Jack nodded. "Alright, I saw this teddy bear that was yellow back a few aisles." He grabbed her hand and dragged her into an aisle where he picked up a yellow bear.

Martha smiled. "She'll love it," she said.

Jack smiled back. "Now before you find anything else let's pay for this and go home. You shouldn't be on your feet for this long."

Martha rolled her eyes. "Jack, I'm pregnant not sick. I feel fine."

"But you need to stay stress free," Jack told her.

"Shopping is not very stressful" Martha argued as they stood in a queue of one of the counters.

"Still, the sooner we get home the better."

Martha sighed. They stayed silent for the rest of the time until they reached the counter. The woman serving them gave them a friendly smile. Martha smiled back.

"When are you due?" she asked Martha.

"Five days," Martha replied. "But really, any day from now on."

"It must be exciting for you," the woman said.

"And scary," Martha added.

They paid for what they wanted to buy and left to go home.

OOO

"And two hundred and seventy dollars later, we return," Jack said as he carried the bags in with the help of Tony and Lucas.

"This child is going to be living in luxury!" Tony exclaimed. "Got everything they need and more."

"They have their mother to thank for that," Jack answered. He looked over at Martha who was in the kitchen getting a drink for everyone. She looked exhausted now after the adrenalin had drained from her body. He knew it had been a good idea to go home when they did. The pregnancy was tiring Martha really quickly and despite what she said she was unable to be on her feet for more than a few hours at a time.

Lucas went into the kitchen to help Martha. She was half way through pouring the four drinks when she suddenly stopped. Lucas watched her, slightly concerned.

Martha bit her lip as a sharp pain hit her stomach, stumbling from the suddenness of it. Lucas grabbed her and then called out to Jack.

Jack hurried over to her and put his arm around her to steady her. "Are you okay?' he asked.

Martha shook her head. "I think the baby is coming now," she whispered.

Jack brought her over to the lounge where they both sat down. Jack kept his arm around her.

"What is the pain like?" he asked.

"Sharp and tight," Martha told him.

"Get Rachel over here, Luc," Tony said to his youngest son.

Lucas left the house. He would go over there personally. He had been beginning to feel slightly uncomfortable around Martha. That was something he did not want to be around.

"Jack, I don't want to do this now," Martha sobbed. "I am not ready, not today."

"Ssshhh," Jack soothed her, holding her tight. "Don't panic, just stay relaxed and take in deep breaths."

Tony admired his son's calmness. Truthfully, he had expected Jack to freak out long ago, but he hadn't and it didn't even appear that he had ever wanted to. And what was even more surprising was Jack's knowledge on what was happening. But then again, he was part of the police force and he guessed part of Jack's training involved medical situations.

"I feel sick," Martha gasped. She covered her mouth and Jack grabbed a bucket from Tony who was already one step ahead.

"Is she meant to do that?" Jack asked, now slightly worried. He wasn't aware of people throwing up when they were in labour.

Tony shrugged. "I don't know. Rachel will be here soon."

Martha winced as the pain got worse. Jack pulled her closer to him.

A short while later Rachel arrived with her medical kit. She knelt in front of Martha and took her hands. "How long ago did they start?" she questioned.

"About forty five minutes," Jack answered.

Rachel squeezed Martha's hands. "Martha, you are going to be okay," she said. "This is just normal."

"Is the baby coming?" Martha asked.

Rachel shook her head. "I don't think that is something you will have to worry about for a little while yet. Your contractions have just started and being your first pregnancy, it can be hours. If anything happens we will call an ambulance and get you to hospital. But in the meantime, you are okay to be here."

"She has been vomiting," Jack said to Rachel. "Is that normal?"

Rachel studied Martha. "What is the pain like?" she asked.

"Like a stabbing, sharp pain which is there for five minutes non-stop and will disappear for a minute or so and then come back worse than the last time."

Rachel had a look of sympathy. She turned to Jack. "I think she is suffering from very painful contractions that are lasting a long time and that is causing her vomiting. The pain is too much. We could get her to hospital now and the doctor could give her some pain relievers. I am not sure how good that will do though."

"No!" Martha said. "No drugs. They are bad for my baby and I am not going to risk her life."

Rachel nodded. "Do you want to go to hospital?" she asked.

Martha shook her head and then winced, burying her face into Jack's shoulder. She removed one of her hands from Rachel's and squeezed Jack's.
"Do you remember the day we met?" he asked, trying to distract her from the pain. "I bet neither of us thought this day would come."

Martha shook her head. "There was not a chance in hell I was even going to touch you back then," she said.

"I never thought we would be here, today, about to have a little girl together."

Martha pulled away from him, a smile on her face. "You believe me?" she asked.

"If you say we are having a girl, then I believe you," Jack told her, kissing her forehead. He pulled her in for a hug.