Disclaimer: as chapter one, so please do not keep making me write it out. This is for fun and not for profit! If I wanted to own any of this, trust me it would ONLY be Jack. Lol!
I was going to let this finish at the last chapter; but quite a few people pm'd me and ask me to continue it - so I thought I'd give it a go for a few more chapters. Let me know what you think. :O)
WARNING: SOME SEXUAL REFERENCES - SO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming please; and I will try to update regularly.
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
Summary: So, what's next for Jack and Lexie? JGxOFC
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PIECES OF THE HEART
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lexie looked around the delivery suite and sighed nervously; she wondered how she'd got talked into all this – but she knew. She was a soft touch; it was as simple as that – kind words, a bit of flattery and she was sunk.
Now she was stuck; there was no getting out of it, she was in it until the end. Besides, birth plans were all very well, but in the cold light of day a bit of paper was not the same as a pregnant woman hurling abuse at all and sundry because of the contractions and wanting pain relief; pain relief she wasn't getting because of said birth plan.
No, no, she knew better than anyone that stating precisely what you thought you wanted early on was an error; better to allow for changes when the baby was actually making an appearance was the way to go.
She turned to Veronica "are you sure you don't want any medication? Because seriously, some of these midwives take the birth plan as something akin to the Bible – they would no more divert from its instructions than they would burn the American flag. Whatever you put on that bit of paper is very important; why not put a proviso at the end of that the first rule of the 'Birth Plan' is that there are no rules – when the time comes you're happy to wing it if you want to?"
Veronica smiled at her friend "Lex, it's fine – I know what I'm doing. Besides how bad can it be?"
"Veronica you're shoving a baby, a small human being through a hole the size of a large grape...how bad do you think it can be? Me? I know – bloody awful, and if I was in your shoes I would be going for all the pain relief I could get, short of the epidural; and that's only because I can't have it due to my back problems since the accident."
Her friend's beatific smile faltered slightly "so what did you have when you gave birth to Molly?"
"Not much; gas and air and pethidin and..." Lexie went on quickly before her friend could interrupt "neither did much for me except turn me into a space monkey that swore at everyone and called them all extremely obscene names during the contractions, and then to dissolve into fits of giggles between them; though apparently the gas and air does affect people differently.
One of the midwives told me later that the woman in the delivery suite next to mine wanted to kill her husband and actually tried to get off the bed to strangle him..."
Veronica blanched "you're kidding..."
"Oh no, the midwife said she only contented herself with throwing her bottle of water and cup of ice at him because another contraction started." Lexie wagged at a hand at her friend "I wanted an epidural, but by the time there was a midwife and doctor free to do it, I was too far along; that's the joys of our overworked NHS over the pond though. In fact they couldn't even give me more pethidine, so the last four hours of the delivery were on gas and air alone; believe me when I say that was not fun."
"But you never told me all this before" Veronica was looking a lot less sure now.
Lexie sighed "I don't like those women who go around telling horror stories to expectant first time mothers; especially single ones like you. Your life is no bowl of cherries right now since you split with your husband."
She held up a hand in defence as Veronica went to interrupt "and I know that you called Rylan and he's doing his best to make sure he gets back to you before you go into labour, he wants to marry you as soon as your divorce comes through and it's all wonderful. But you know how it can be - traffic, airlines and even work can conspire against the best laid plans and all that.
So there was no way I was filling your head full of nasty stories about terrible deliveries and nightmare babies. Not every delivery is dangerous and not every baby is a crier; so I want to leave it up to you and just let you know I'm here if you need me.
My only concern is the birth plan – when I had Molly it was just a "I'd like this to happen if possible; but it's not set in stone..." novelty thing; the midwives would smile nicely at you and then get on with the job of extracting junior. Nowadays it is set in stone, and everyone treats it like some kind of legally binding document; so all I'm saying is just try to make sure it's as loose and flexible as possible, that way you have room to manoeuvre should you want to."
Veronica hugged her awkwardly around her large bump "you're a star, Lex; I hope Jack knows what a gem he's got."
"Of course he does" Jack grinned as he stepped into the room "and even if I did temporarily forget, my sister is more than happy to constantly remind me." He nodded at his colleague and friend as he wrapped his arms around Lexie's waist, his grin widening as she leant back against him so he could rest his chin on the top of her head "are you going to be alright to come tonight?"
"Sure, sure" the other doctor waved a dismissive hand "we're all going; well, with the exception of Belle..."
"He wasn't invited" Lexie grinned "I said he could only come to my birthday bash if I could spike his drink; Jack wouldn't let me do that, so he's off the list."
Veronica scowled at Jack "spoilsport; a drunken Belle would've been really fun to watch..."
"He might've been a mean drunk" Jack offered with a shrug.
Lexie tilted her back to glance up at him "how could he be meaner than he already is? What would he do, kill us all; turn into the boogeyman?"
"Ha,ha such a comedian" Jack rolled his eyes.
"Are you having pie?" Veronica was obsessed with pie, especially blueberry, since getting pregnant by her, briefly ex, lover. Having decided she loved him more than her husband and, anyway, she was pregnant by him – she finished her marriage and made 'the call' (her words).
Rylan was shocked to hear from her, more shocked that she'd left her husband and utterly floored he was to be a father; but he loved her and decided to come back to LA and be with her.
"What, instead of cake?" Lexie shook her head "nope; pie can't compete with cake, Veronica; trust me. Put candles in a cake, it's a birthday cake; put candles in a pie, and someone's drunk in the kitchen."
Veronica chuckled and Jack laughed. "But you will have pie, right?" her friend begged.
Lexie waved a hand "I have a blueberry one on special order just for you; it's even going to have a little card on it saying "Veronica's pie, touch it and die." She chuckled "hey, that rhymes."
Her friend chuckled "what made you want to have a party anyway?"
"I didn't; but then Bex said I should at least consider it and she nagged me about it for weeks. So I thought "well, it is my birthday; I really should celebrate surviving another year in a world run by morons."
Veronica laughed out loud this time at the long suffering tone to Lexie's voice "well, I'm glad you're having a party; it'll be my last escape for a long while."
Lexie nodded "eighteen years or thereabouts; you do know you'd probably do less time incarcerated for murder?"
Veronica smiled "and one day that sharp tongue of yours is going to get you into serious trouble."
Her friend shrugged "it does that already; all the time – ask Jack."
"Jack's pleading the fifth" he winked at Veronica, who smiled "anyway, come on – the damn cake is not going to take itself across town to the restaurant your brother's picked out."
"I wish it would; that would be very cool to watch. A self propelling birthday cake dodging traffic stops, angry cab drivers..."
"You're insane, you know that right?" Veronica grinned at her; pleased to see her so happy and her boss so relaxed.
"Yeah, well I was sane enough until I got tangled up in his life" she thumbed over her shoulder at Jack "then it all went to hell in a handcart."
Jack started towing her out of the room muttering about "retribution later" to which Lexie chuckled about "promises, promises".
0-0-0-0
It was only a short while later that Veronica came out of the hospital to find them still in the car park; judging by the way they were lip locked together they'd found something better to do than ferry cakes about.
Adopting an innocent look she tapped on the window; the couple inside broke apart, Jack grinning like an idiot and Lexie looking like a red tomato she was blushing so hard. Veronica gestured around the parking area as he opened the window "you're steaming up the parking lot, let alone your windows." She pulled a face at Jack "where's your bike, oh eco warrior?"
"Lexie doesn't like riding on the handlebars..."
"Not since you tipped me off them, she doesn't!" embarrassment forgotten, she was quick to defend herself.
"It was one time..."
"One time too many thanks; I'd rather kill the planet and remain safe, than take my life in my hands on that death bike."
Jack winked at Veronica "I said we should get a tandem..."
Lexie rose to the bait beautifully "where the hell does Molly get to sit? And don't say..." she held up a hand "the handlebars, because I could become violent."
Veronica laughed as Jack grinned at her "spoilsport; anyway I bet Molly would love it..."
"I'm sure she would; however I doubt my nerves would take it. Besides I love my old truck; it's like me, worn out but still chugging. The truck is family, do not diss the truck" she folded her arms with meaning.
"Ah well, I won't get any more kissing action now" Jack sighed theatrically "cheers for that Veronica; got any more friends you can pour cold water on?"
She wandered off laughing "I'll see you later Lexie..." she heard her friend call out bye before asking Jack why he hated her beloved truck; the male backtracking that was about to be undertaken proved that even senior psychiatrists didn't really understand females any better than the next man.
0-0-0-0
As they reached the restaurant Jack looked over his shoulder at the large box the cake was in; it appeared to be still intact which, given the way Lexie drove, was a miracle.
"Did you drive like that in the UK?"
She rolled her eyes "Jack I lived in London; I learnt to drive the right way so I could pass my test, first time I hasten to add. Then I learnt the 'death or glory' style of driving was the only way I was ever going to get anywhere. Cities everywhere are the same; so this is the way I drive – period."
He nodded as he peeled his hand from the grip strap "and did that style include classes in swearing and giving the finger because, honestly, I think you actually invent cuss words for some drivers that upset you."
She shrugged as she opened her door "maybe; but look, we got here didn't we?"
"Yup we did; and I can only assume your guardian angel is now going for a stiff drink before the return journey home."
They heard chuckling and both turned to see her brother stood by the restaurant door "so, you still trying to get used to her driving?"
"Shut up Zack" Lexie huffed "there is absolutely nothing wrong with my driving. I got us here with three minutes to spare..."
"Which is good" Jack deadpanned "it'll give me just enough time to kiss the ground in gratitude for arriving in one piece, especially when I thought we were going to die on more than one occasion."
Both men started laughing and she stalked past them, almost hidden by the cake box "oh everyone's a bloody comedian! Just for that you can drive home."
"Fine by me..."
"Just don't do your 'old man driving'; even Molly gets fed up."
Jack stopped laughing immediately "I do not drive like an old man..."
Lexie gratefully handed the box off to a restaurant worker muttering her thanks before rounding on the two men "oh yes you do; Jeez even Miss Daisy would say "go faster, you slow poke; I want to get home before I die..." she jabbed his shoulder with her finger and took on a shrill old lady's voice.
Zach roared with laughter "and once again my sister gets the final word. Annoying isn't it?"
Jack smiled warmly at her retreating back as she flounced over to hug Bex, well pleased with herself for having the final jab. "Yeah a bit, but it's nice to see her coming out of her shell a lot more."
Zach watched his sister laughing with Jack's twin. "I could say the same about Bex; they've been really good for each other haven't they?"
"Yeah I think they have" Jack nodded "I think they understand each other more than most. He shrugged "different mental health issues, but the same outcome – lack of self confidence, a warped view of the world around them and a wary attitude to anything new."
"I often think about what Bex said, that day when Lexie did a runner from the hospital; about how the two of them will never get better, that this is them for life now. Do you think she was right?"
His friend nodded "yeah, Bex is very pragmatic these days about her illness. She knows she'll never be cured, that without her meds she'll slip back into her old problems. Likewise Lexie accepts the fact that she'll never be very confident, never really see herself the way we do."
He turned to Zack "it's not a bad thing, but I wish it was different. Still, I fell in love with the woman she is, not how I thought she should be. So for her to change too much is probably not a good thing as she wouldn't be my Lexie then."
Zack took a deep breath "you know I've fallen for your sister right?"
Jack smiled "I had noticed you two have been spending a lot of time together lately. I've got no problem with it Zack; like your sister, you've been nothing but nice and accepting to Bex. You know how she is, you know about her illness – there's no nasty surprises in store for you as you know all the bad stuff and how to handle it.
If I could say I have a best friend here it would be you; so I think I can safely say I'm fine with you dating with my sister. Besides" he grinned "I can hardly have a relationship with your kid sister and not allow you to do the same with mine. Besides I'm only a few minutes older than her, she'd tell me to go to hell if I pulled 'big brother' rank on her."
"Good point" Zack visibly relaxed.
Jack frowned slightly "were you worried I'd say no?"
His friend swallowed "well, it had crossed my mind – I mean some people would think it was weird that you're with my sister and then I fall for yours. Also you were separated from Becca for a long time; so I could understand you being super protective of her."
"Well I am, but I trust you. So let's get over there and see what they're saying now..."
Before they could move Lexie's mobile rang; she hurried over to her brother "ummmm...why is our father at the airport? What the hell have you two done now?"
She was met with matching innocent looks...