Chapter 55 – Baby countdown 17 days
Caine residence – Friday morning 7amHoratio had just finished making breakfast for both him and Natalia when she walked into the room rubbing her back.
H-Good morning beautiful! How'd you sleep?
N-(giving him the evil eye) Do I look like I've had a good nights' sleep to you?
H-(smiling) Nope! You look like crap frankly!
N-Thanks for sharing that with me (wincing)
H-Something wrong?
N-No, nothings wrong. I just feel a little uncomfortable that's all
H-Can I get you anything?
N-Would you mind getting me a cushion?
H-for your back?
N-No for my ss! I want it to sit on.
H--(chuckling) Then I'll go and find the softest cushion we have.
N-(growling) make it quick ginger man, I ain't getting any younger
H-(walking into the lounge room) No, but you're getting crankier!
N-Do you have a problem with that?
H-(giving her the cushion) Not at all babe!
8.30am Dr. Marti Jager's office.
When Marti Jager entered Exam Room 1 she found Natalia laying on her side and Horatio massaging her back.
N-Horatio, it's just a Braxton Hicks contraction! I AM NOT IN LABOUR!!
H-just remember your breathing
Marti-Is there a problem here?
N-Thank God you're here! Tell this maniac I'm not in labour!
Marti-(looking at Natalia) You very well could be!
N-Na Uh! I've still got 2 weeks to go! I CAN'T BE IN LABOUR!
Marti-Horatio, how often is Natalia having contractions?
N-(growling) Twinges! They're just twinges!
Marti -(smiling) Okay, we'll call them twinges! How far apart are they Horatio?
H-around 10 minutes apart.
Marti-Natalia, how long have you been having "twinges"?
N-since 4am this morning.
After making some notations in Natalia's file Marti snapped on some rubber gloves and said.
Marti-Hey if this little fellow is ready to come out, he's coming whether you want him to or not. Now just lay on your back so I can do a quick internal exam.
Horatio held Natalia's hand and placed a kiss on her forehead as Marti conducted her exam. Natalia felt really embarrassed when her water broke during the procedure!
Marti-Nat honey you're in labour!
N-(panicking) don't just stand there Horatio! Get me to the damn hospital!
H-Calm down we have plenty of time
N-Just get me to the hospital Ginger Man!
H-(soothing voice) Nat, try and slow down you breathing! I'll get you to the hospital with plenty of time to spare.
N-Is that a promise Horatio?
H-of course sweetheart. Now lets go!
1pm Friday – Crime Lab break room
Calleigh, Maxine, Alexx, Eric and Ryan were in the break room eating lunch when Ryan said.
Ry-Does anyone know what time Horatio is due in?
E-Nat had a doctors appointment today didn't she?
Before anyone could answer Eric, Calleigh's mobile phone began to ring. She checked caller i.d. and told the group to hush up because Horatio was on the phone.
C-Horatio! We were just talking about you
H-Good things I hope Calleigh?
C-Of course
H-I just called to let you know that I won't be in the office at all today
C-Why's that handsome
H-(chuckling) Nat went into labour this morning
C-(shrieking) What!!!
H-(laughing) Nat's in labour!
C-How far apart are the contractions?
H-Seven minutes and she's at 4cm dilation.
C-Oh my god that's amazing.
H-Indeed it is Calleigh.
C-I'll pass on the news.
H-Thanks Calleigh talk to you later!
Calleigh quickly puts her phone back in her pock and turns to the others and says
C-Nat's gone into labour
A-But she's nearly 3 weeks early.
C-I know! But it seems "little H" just couldn't wait.
Ry-Let's hope that everything goes okay for them.
E-Amen to that.
Meanwhile uptairs in Rick's office, Charlie is trying to get Rick's attention!
Ch-Rick are you even listening to me!!!
R-What was that Charlie??
Ch-You haven't even heard a word I've been saying, have you?
R-Sorry Charlie, I was miles away
Ch-(Angrily) what is wrong with you!
Rick looks at Charlie and passes him the photograph he's been holding in his hands for the last two hours.
R-(smiling) Take a look at this Charlie and tell me what you think!
Ch-(looking at the photograph with a stunned face) Is this what I think it is?
R-Yep!