In the Reborn Kingdom, Ch 52, New Arrivals
It was somewhat late and they were asleep in their beds. Normally they chose to sleep nude, but with the impending arrivals it was comfortable shorts and t-shirts. Chi was asleep in her bed, and Lady was parked in the hallway where she could watch if she chose to do so. So it was with some surprise that Nabiki's eyes shot open and she realized that the slight pains she had been having earlier that evening were now far more pronounced and they needed to get moving now. She elbowed Paul and called, "Wake up! We need to get a move on."
Paul, having been somewhat deep asleep was still able to respond, but granted he was a little slow on the draw at home. "Huh? What?"
Nabiki sighed, "Paul, I need to get to the hospital. The babies are on their way." A grimace spread across her face and she knew things would continue to progress. Her hand unconsciously gripped Paul's arm and he knew it was time to get moving.
"Okay I'm up," replied the man as he swung his feet off their bed. He reached over to the bedside display and touched the top number to connect with the other end. The other end eventually answered and a bleary eyed pair of Yui and Soun was regarding the screen on their end.
"Paul?" began Yui, "Is there a problem?"
Paul smiled, "Not really," he began as a gasp from his wife was heard, "I just have to get Nabiki to the hospital. It's time."
"I'll be right over to gather up Chi," replied Soun as he scrambled into action.
Yui smiled, "We'll keep Chi for however long as you need. Now get moving sailor!"
Paul replied with a warm smile, "Yes ma'am." Paul ended the call and quickly pressed the next icon and almost instantly someone picked up.
"Emergency services," greeted the young lady on the other end with a pleasant but tired smile, "What is the nature of your emergency?"
"My wife is expecting twins and we need to get to the hospital," replied Paul.
"Understood Captain Williams," replied the technician on the other end. "An ambulance is three minutes out and will wait outside."
"Thank you," replied Paul.
"You're welcome," replied the figure at the other end, "and congratulations." The call ended and Paul pulled on a pair of sweats, socks, and grabbed his small side pack that contained his wallet, some cash, his identification, and keys. He rose and saw Nabiki finally struggling to get to her feet. Paul walked over to his wife and offered his arm, which she took. She had been able to dress fairly quickly needing only sweatpants. On their way out the door Paul grabbed the bag that had been packed for this specific occasion, and they continued out into the hallway.
Soun had already arrived and had gathered up a sleeping Chi, blanket and teddy bear included. Lady was watching things with a curious eye and a slow wag of her tail. Her ears told the most of her thoughts as they would stand up and then lay down as she watched. Soun smiled at Lady and said, "Come on Lady. Follow me." She rose and followed Soun as she knew him on sight and scent. It was obvious to the dog that something was up, and she would again find herself in the company of other members of her pack. She padded on quiet paws as she followed Soun and the still sleeping Chi.
The back door was unlocked, but there was a door just at Lady's level and a device on her collar unlocked her door and she quickly entered what she considered her other den. She turned and sat while she waited for Soun to come in and she could tell that he wasn't far behind. Her tail swished as the door opened and Soun walked quietly in. He slipped his crocks off and closed the door, but he didn't lock it. He headed for the upstairs and was somewhat surprised to see the twins standing there with sleepy but puzzled expressions. Lady was hot on Soun's heels as she followed.
"Hey what's up?" asked Rei in a sleepy tone.
Soun smiled and answered in a quiet voice, "Nabiki and Paul are on their way to the hospital. I think the babies are on their way."
The kids smiled and Rei met Soun half way down the stairs and she quickly took the sleeping girl, "I've got her." She regarded Soun and smiled, "Guess I'll see you a little later than normal Dad."
Soun just smiled at the kids, "Go get some sleep. I have a feeling tomorrow will be an interesting day." The twins smiled and nodded and headed off to their respective rooms, with Lady following Shinji. Soun headed back downstairs and found Yui heading back toward their room and he asked, "Are they on their way?"
"Safely," she replied. "I'll make the calls to the family in the morning. Right now we need some sleep." She stood on her toes and kissed Soun and pulled him along behind her, not giving him a chance to argue.
They had arrived at the hospital with little problem and the admission process was pretty much done already. Nabiki was helped to a hospital bed for transport to the maternity ward where the on call doctor and Amazon women were on duty and waiting. As per normal since arriving on the Moon this ward was by far the most active and there was good amount of activity going on. Bassinets awaited new occupants, and two were being rolled by with new occupants contained inside, both wrapped in pink blankets.
Nabiki was brought to a private room where her charts were placed in a bin outside the door and she found a couple of women waiting for her. One was a familiar face from the Amazons, but neither Paul nor Nabiki could remember her name, the other was one of the many RNs that were on staff and they began the process of changing Nabiki and gathering vitals. A very familiar sound was heard by most and as Paul was about to step into Nabiki's room he turned to see Kuh Lohn hopping her way down the hall on her staff. "Elder," he remarked, "This is a surprise!"
She smiled at Paul and replied, "Oh not really. All of us elders help out here on occasion and I had a feeling that something would be happening tonight."
Paul smiled warmly and stated simply, "Elder Kuh Lohn, I'm glad you are here."
Time passed quickly for the couple, and for them they weren't solid on the timing of everything, but thanks to the influence of magic it was nearly 8 in the morning when a very sweaty Nabiki sat in the delivery bed with her feet up and her hand clutching Paul's. "Come now Nabiki and push," instructed Kuh Lohn.
"I'm trying dammit!" growled and grunted Nabiki. She paused to catch her breath and she bore down again and cried out in agony.
"Good, good!" encouraged Kuh Lohn. She saw the head of the baby and she reached down. Nabiki cried out again and the first of two babies was out. With an expertise born of many years of delivering babies she had the cord tied and cut. With a warm smile she announced, "Congratulations, you have a daughter." The baby was quickly handed over to the expert staff and vital information was collected.
"One down and one to go Nabiki," remarked Paul.
Nabiki fixed him with an evil glare, "No shit Sherlock." With that the next set of contractions began, and it was more than evident that someone was in a hurry to arrive in the world. "Ah fuck!" cried Nabiki and almost instinctually she began to push again. Slowly another head appeared and Kuh Lohn was right there performing what she considered her favorite task of all time.
It was clear that Nabiki was tiring and Kuh Lohn barked, "No time to slack off now Nabiki. You are almost done."
Nabiki looked deep within and she focused and she followed Kuh Lohn's instructions. With a final effort the second baby was born. "Congratulations, your son is born!" announced Kuh Lohn with a smile.
Nabiki began to cry and she was now beyond happy. She fell back nearly into Paul's waiting arms as her body began the process of finishing the birthing process. A small bundle wrapped in a pink blanket was brought over now that she was cleaned up and handed to Nabiki. The couple looked at their first natural born daughter and shared a look before looking at the tiny little person that was now a part of their lives. "Hello Kimiko, it is nice to meet you," greeted Nabiki. Small brown eyes opened to look around, and Kimiko yawned and closed her eyes and decided that a nap was called for at that time.
The second bundle was brought over and was wrapped in a blue blanket. Nabiki's other arm was now filled with the second form and she took time to greet the new arrival. "Hello David, it is nice to meet you too." Like his sister he opened his little blue eyes for a moment and blinked a bit. He too yawned and like his sister sleep claimed him. The family remained like that for a while before the nurses placed the new arrivals in their waiting beds and they were rolled to the nursery for monitoring. Exhaustion claimed Nabiki and with a kiss she laid back while the staff finished cleaning her up, and Paul was chased out to place some calls. Nabiki never even woke when she was transferred to a regular bed for some much needed rest.
Paul arrived at a call station and he quickly typed in a number from memory. The call was connected on the second ring and Yui was standing there in the kitchen and it appeared that she was cleaning up from breakfast. "Good morning Paul!" she greeted in an expectant tone.
"Morning Yui," replied a now somewhat tired Paul. "The twins arrived about ten minutes apart and Kimiko arrived first at a 5 pounds and 5 ounces and David is about 5 pounds 9 ounces. Nabiki is resting at the moment and the babies are in the nursery."
"Wonderful," replied Yui. "I'll pass the news on locally. You make sure you come home and get some rest as well."
"I will I promise," answered Paul.
He ended the call and promptly dialed another number. The first ring had barely finished before it was answered, and three very familiar faces were on the other end. "Hey good morning," greeted Paul.
"Well?" asked Nokoka.
Paul knew her well enough to what she wanted, "The twins were born about ten minutes apart. Kimiko arrived first and she is 5 pounds and 5 ounces. David is about 5 pounds 9 ounces." Paul yawned a bit and continued, "Nabiki is wiped and resting comfortably at the moment, and I'm off to the nursery to check on the babies."
"Congratulations son," came from Nodoka and Soun. Hotaru added her own congratulations as well. "Now you make sure you go home and get some rest young man," ordered Nodoka.
Paul chuckled a bit at her statement and asked, "Are you and Yui coordinating things Mom? I got the same order from her as well."
Nodoka smiled warmly, "Well you have twins and a little girl as well, so you will need your rest. I'll let the others know up here and I expect you to call me later understood?"
"I will Mom, I promise," answered Paul.
"Good, now go check on those babies and then go home," ordered Nodoka. "We'll see you later." Nodoka ended the call and she turned to the others.
"You know he'll probably camp out at the windows," remarked Genma.
Nodoka just smiled and stated, "Which is why I'll send Ranma and Ryoga to make sure he goes home and gets some rest."
Hotaru smiled, "Great idea Mom. Let's go get Onii-sama moving then." Genma just chuckled and joined the women as they went to leave the apartment.
Paul was standing there with his arm against the glass and his head against his arm as he regarded the two small forms that shared side-by-side cribs as they slept at that moment. Paul hadn't moved since he arrived and he had lost track of time. He was in awe of the two small forms and how truly tiny they seemed to be at that moment in time, and he just stood there in wonderment.
The staff had seen that reaction before from many a first time father, and for them they knew they would check on him soon if he didn't move. However to familiar figures to the staff walked side by side down the hospital corridor toward the maternity ward and the nursery contained within. Ryoga had for all intents and purposes chosen to wear clothing that signified his connection and marriage to Ami the sigil on his jacket confirmed this. Ranma was of course in his clothing as king and the two shared a light banter as they walked toward their destination. Neither was working to hide their aura, so when they got close they paused and shared a look, and just shook their heads and smiled.
Ranma approached first and put his hand on his brother's shoulder. That caused Paul to let out a confused "Huh?" as he looked around and realized who was there. "Oh hey. Morning Ranma."
Ranma just snorted a bit, "Try like nearly lunchtime. We need to get you home and you need to get some sleep. You probably didn't have breakfast did you?"
"Uh, no," admitted Paul.
Ryoga sighed and shook his head. He stepped over to his friend and took him by the arm and began to lead him away. "We'll get you fed on the way home. Auntie Nodoka is already here and she is with Nabiki." Paul knew at that instant that he had been set up, so he chose discretion and allowed Ranma and Ryoga to escort him home.
Rei walked into Paul and Nabiki's home with Lady hot on her heels as she came to fetch Paul for dinner. She kicked off her shoes as she came in the back and Lady had already disappeared inside the darkened house. She flipped the light on and began the mission of trying to find Paul to make sure he got some dinner. The kitchen was empty as expected so she began by exploring the first floor. She walked into the main living/family/piano room and as she suspected Paul was there asleep with Lady now sitting there waiting to see if she could get up.
It was a nice sofa whose ends reclined, and Paul was reclined and out cold in the recliner. Rei walked over and shook Paul's shoulder, "Hey wake up Nii-san!" Paul didn't move or respond to Rei's call. Rei happened to be quite intelligent and she knew Paul well enough. She regarded the other awake occupant of the room for a moment. Lady was seated quite patiently and she regarded the scene while seated and her ears up and head cocked in curiosity. Her head was pivoting back and forth as she returned Rei's look. Rei came to a decision and called out a simple command, "Lady, up!" as she pointed to the spot on the couch next to Paul.
Lady obeyed quickly and she lay down with her tail wagging. Rei pointed at Paul and called out another command, "Get him Lady!" Lady was only too happy to comply and she rose up and made herself comfortable on Paul as she began to lick his face.
That had the desired result, and Paul finally began to respond, granted in some annoyance, "Dammit Lady!" He began to scratch her side and he opened his eyes to regard the pup that had been a part of the family for a while. He saw the other form in the house and regarded her. "I take it you were sent to get me Rei?"
"Yup!" replied Rei. "We are having an early dinner and you need to get something to eat. Besides Mom sent me over."
Paul began to move at Rei's statement, "Okay I'm moving, I'm moving." Lady promptly hopped down and allowed Paul to get his feet under his rising form. As he stood he shifted and things popped and cracked back into place.
When the popping ended Rei wrapped her arms around Paul in a hug, "Congratulations nii-san!"
Paul returned the hug and replied, "Thanks Rei-chan!"
Rei gave the man a glare at the attachment of the suffix to her name, but she knew he did it just to tease her a bit. "Come on and let's get some dinner," stated the girl as she took Paul's hand and led him to the waiting meal.
Going to wrap this one up here. I would have had this done much sooner, but to my great sadness I had to take a longtime canine companion to the vet for the last trip. I adopted the mutt in 1995 after I had been out of the US Army for some time and he was with me for just over 15 years. I'm now finally getting back into things and I must apologize to all those who reviewed for not responding with at least a note of thanks. Again please look not only with enjoyment, but with a critical eye, even for my earlier chapters too. Reviews help and pointing out errors helps me to improve, even at my age!
More to come I promise!
