Miami General Hospital – Maternity Unit Friday 5pm
N-(panting) I can't do this Horatio
H-(holding her hand) yes you can! You're doing great so far!
N-It hurts! It really hurts
H-What can I do to ease your pain?
N-(snarling as another contraction began) You can hunt down that Lamaze instructor and arrest her sorry ass!
H-Why would I do that?
N-She lied! "You'll only feel mild discomfort when you are in labor!" Bullsh!t!! She forgot to mention PAIN AND FREAKIN' AGONY!!!
H-(grinning) It's not that bad surely?
N-(growling) are you doubting me Horatio?
H-Never, my love! NEVER!!
N-Good! 'cos if you were I'd have to kill you!
H-Do you want to walk around for a bit?
N-No! Oh God here comes another one!
H-They're less than 3 minutes apart baby!
N-God Dammit get me an EPIDURAL
H-But honey I thought you wanted a natural birth?
N-It hurts so much Horatio! I just want the pain to end.
H-Okay sweetheart (pressing the nurses call button) let's get you something for the pain.
At 6pm Dr Marti Jager entered Natalia's room ready to check on her patient.
Marti-Hi Nat, is that Spinal Block still working?
N-Yep! I can still feel the contractions, but I have no pain!
Marti-That's good (snapping on some rubber gloves) Time to check you over!
N-But you already did that less than an hour ago.
Marti-(calmly) then you were just under 9cm dilated. So let's see if you've dilated any further okay?
N-(grumbling) I hate being poked around "down there"
Marti-(laughing) But isn't that how you got in this condition? Being "poked" down there?? (Quickly starting the exam)
N-(looking at Horatio) Look Marti! Horatio's face is now redder than his hair!
Marti-(grinning) It's so easy to make him blush! (Finishing the exam)
N-So what's the verdict? How far dilated am I now?
Marti-(smiling) You're fully dilated Nat!!
N-That means what exactly?
Marti-It means Little H wants to meet his mommy and daddy! On the next contraction I want you to push!!
An hour passed and there was still no sign of Little H!! Natalia was tired and her Spinal Block has worn off, so she could now feel the pain with each contraction!
H-(worried) Should it be taking this long Marti?
Marti-Every woman is different Horatio. First babies often take their time coming out!
N-(growling) That's just great! At the rate this kid's going I'll be giving birth to a freaking teenager!!!
H-(laughing) I don't think it will come to that!
N-(panting) You think this is funny Horatio?
H-(instantly sobering) not anymore I don't
Marti-Come on Nat! Push with everything you've got!
N-(pushing with all her might) I can't do this anymore!
H-(holding her hand) Baby you're so close! You can do it!!
N-(panting) You take over! I've had it!
H-I don't think that's possible sweetheart!
N-You are not touching me again! DO YOU HEAR ME!!
Marti-I can see the head!
N-(panting) Then reach in there and pull him out!!
Marti-Nat, I know you're tired. I know you've had enough, but look in the mirror behind me…see his head? That's how close you are! You can do this!!
H-(with tears in his eyes) just a few more pushes and he'll be here! Push baby push!!
N-(grabbing a handful of chest hair) I'm pushing as hard as I can sshole! (And with that Natalia ripped out a handful of Horatio's chest hair)
Marti-(chuckling) Nat, focus! You can maim Horatio later! Now push!
N-(feeling a burning sensation as she pushed) What'd you do Marti? Set me on fire down there!
Marti-(laughing loudly) No you idiot! Look in the mirror. The heads crowning!
H-(tearfully) He's here Nat! He's here!!
N-(panting) About bloody time!
Marti-Nat, one last big push and his head will be out. Come on! You can do this!
H-(excitedly) YEH! YOU CAN DO THIS!!
N-I don't need a freaking cheer squad!
H-(emotionally) I'll do whatever it takes to help you bring our son into the world.
N-(panting) Help me Horatio!
H-(putting his arm around her shoulders) Hold both my hands and we'll do this together! Okay on three. One. Two. Three push!!!
Natalia pushed with every ounce of strength she had left and was finally rewarded with a sight that would be forever etched in her memory – the first physical glimpse of her son. Looking towards Horatio she was surprised to see tears freely running down his face.
N-(shakily) We did Horatio! We did it!
H-I can't wait to hold him.
Marti-Okay mum and dad we're not finished yet! Nat, on the next contraction I'll deliver the shoulders and the rest of him will slide on out! Are you ready? Push!
The rest of Little H slipped out without any drama whatsoever! Marti quickly suctioned out his mouth and nose and he let out a loud wail! Then she clamped the umbilical cord in two places and said.
Marti-Would you like to cut the cord Horatio?
H-Yes ma'am.
Wish shaking hands Horatio cut the cord and Marti laid the baby on Natalia's stomach.
N-(touching her sons face) Hi there little one, welcome to the world.
H-(stroking his sons little hand) Hi there! I'm your daddy.
N-(laughing) Look at his little fingers, aren't they gorgeous
H-Indeed they are (turning to Marti) everything okay Marti??
Marti-(smiling widely) He's fine Horatio! Just listen to him! There's nothing wrong with his lungs!
H-He's certainly noisy (chuckling)
Once Natalia and the baby were settled into their private room, Horatio sent a text message to all of his team as well as Frank and Charlie. The message read
"Little H has arrived"
Tbc