Sitting up quickly, Rogue placed her hand on her lower back as a she felt a strong contraction. She shut her eyes at the pain and let out a deep breath as it stopped. Looking at the clock, she saw it was just past two. She waited to see if she would have another and ten minutes later, she experienced another strong and painful contraction. This wasn't like the Braxton Hicks contractions she had experienced, these hurt like the dickens. Another ten minutes and she felt another painful contraction. This had to be it. She had to be going into labor.
Reaching over, she shook Gambit violently. "Remy." She said, making him jerk his head up.
"Wha's wrong?" He asked, sitting up quickly, placing his hand on her back.
"Ah need ya ta go get Hank." She said, preparing for another contraction. "Ah think it's time."
"Mon dieu!" Gambit said, jumping out of bed and running out of the bedroom.
Running down the hall, he took a right and followed it to the other end of the mansion. Arriving at Beast's door, Gambit knocked before walking in.
"Hank!" He said, seeing the big blue man stir awake and sit up. "Anna! She need you! Vite!"
Quickly getting out of bed, Beast put his robe on before grabbing his glasses and following Gambit back to their room. "What's going on?" Hank asked as they quickly made their way to the other side of the mansion.
"Don' know." He said as they walked in to see Rogue's face contorted in pain. "Anna?"
Rogue let out a deep breath and nodded. "Just havin' contractions." She said, watching Hank walk over to her side of the bed.
"How far apart are they?" He asked, looking down at her.
"Ten minutes." She said. "They started just after two. These ain't like tha Hicks contractions."
Hank placed his hand on her forehead. "I think we're going to have a baby." He said, smiling back at Gambit. "You ready?"
"Uh..." He replied, feeling the adrenaline coursing through his veins. "Wha' I need t' do?"
"Do you have a bag ready to go?" Hank asked, looking at Rogue.
"Oui. She have it here." Gambit said, turning around and grabbing it off the arm-chair.
"Good. Then I suggest you get dressed and we'll leave immediately." Hank said, helping Rogue out of bed.
Gambit quickly threw on some jeans and a Henley and grabbed his duster as they walked out of the bedroom. They slowly walked down the hall before turning right and continuing on toward the stairs. Rogue stopped as she felt another contraction, gripping their hands tight.
"Go get Jean." Rogue said. "We'll be headin' ta tha car."
Gambit nodded as he walked past the stairs and to their bedroom door where he knocked on it loudly. He was growing impatient, so he opened it to see Scott was getting up to answer it.
"We goin' t' de hospital." Gambit said, seeing Jean jump out of bed.
"I'll be right down." She said.
Gambit shut the door and waited for a few moments before he ran down the stairs and caught up with them on the last step. Placing his hand on her back, he slowly walked with them to the garage where Rogue insisted they take the van. Grabbing the keys, Hank started up the engine as Gambit helped her get in. Jean ran out into the garage, putting her hair up as she got into the passenger seat.
Placing his hands on her waist, Gambit helped her step up and sit down in the middle section of the van. "Another." She said, shutting her eyes tight.
Gambit placed his hand on her forehead, pushing the hair from her face. "Dey still ten minutes? Didn' feel like ten minutes." He said, getting in the back of the van and closing the door.
Hank pulled out of the garage and headed toward the hospital. After a few minutes Rogue had another contraction. Gambit leaned over and took her left hand as his right combed through her hair. Leaning her head back, she let out a relieve breath when it had ended. Gambit smiled down at her as he kissed her forehead. She smiled back as the car swayed and rocked gently.
Glancing at the clock when Rogue began to have another contraction, Hank looked back at the two. "This is happening fast." He said, looking at Jean.
When it ended, Rogue rested her head back and looked at Gambit. "Ah'm scared." She said, seeing him smile lovingly at her.
"Y' can do dis, mon amour." He said, kissing her forehead again. "Dis be a breeze. Y' be a super mom."
She smiled at him as the car ride lasted another ten minute, allowing Rogue to have another contraction. When they arrived, Jean grabbed the bag as Gambit and Beast helped her out. They slowly walked into the hospital and followed Beast to the front desk.
"We need you to get ahold of Miranda Whitte." Hank said politely to the woman.
"Absolutely." She said, picking up the phone and dialing a number.
Gambit watched as Hank walked over and took a wheel chair, wheeling it over and helping Rogue sit. He smiled down at her before smiling at Gambit.
"Excited?" He asked.
Gambit shook his head. "Don' know wha' I be feelin', homme." He said, chuckling.
Jean smiled as she walked over and pat his back. "Well, she almost arrived on her due date." She said, looking down at Rogue. "What is it? A week?"
Rogue nodded as she had another contraction. "Ah feel like they're closer together." She said, after it had ended. "Ah can't wait on Miranda."
The lady at the desk smiled. "She's in the building. She'll meet you in the delivery ward." She said, hanging up the phone.
"Thank god." Rogue said as Hank lead the way to the elevator.
Walking inside, Gambit turned the chair around to face the doors before he combed through her hair. He couldn't help but gnaw on his bottom lip as they went up several floors.
"Don't got a very good poker face this time, sugah." Rogue smiled as she looked at him through the elevator doors.
Gambit made eye contact with her in the reflection and smiled sheepishly. The elevator stopped and dinged at them before the doors opened. Hank led the way again as they headed down a corridor.
"Hank." Miranda said with a smile as she shook his hand before turning to Rogue and Gambit. "Baby time?"
"Her contractions are nine to ten minutes apart." Hank said.
"Goodness, well let's get you comfortable." Miranda said, leading them to an empty room. "You're going to be here for several hours, so please make yourselves at home. I'm going to be checking on you often."
Helping Rogue out of the wheel chair and on to the bed, Gambit draped his duster over her legs, knowing she was cold. She hadn't changed from her night gown or robe and they were quite shear. Smiling at her, he leaned in and kissed her lips softly.
Rogue smiled back as she placed her hand on the side of his face. "Ah love you." She said, softly.
He winked at her as Miranda jotted down a few things on a chart. "Alright, I'll be back in about ten minutes." She said, as Hank walked out with her.
Looking at the clock, Gambit saw that all this had lasted over an hour. He rubbed his eyes before sitting on the edge of the bed and taking Rogue's hand, stroking her knuckles lightly. He smiled at her when she looked at him and moved in, to sit beside her.
"Gonna be a long day, bien-aimé." He said, softly, kissing her right temple.
She closed her eyes as she rested her head on his left shoulder. "Don't care. Just don't leave." She said, taking his left hand.
"Ain' goin' no where." He said, lifting her hand and kissing it.
Jean smiled as she closed her eyes for a moment before opening them and looking at the two on the bed. "I contacted the Professor and let him know what's going on. School will be cancelled for today, and will resume tomorrow." She said, seeing Gambit shake his head.
"Bon." He said. "My substitute be here anyway."
Jean smiled at him as she watched Gambit put his arm around Rogue and stroke her head softly. Rogue let out a whimper as she experienced another contraction. Kissing her temple again, Gambit felt her relax a minute later and continued to stroke her hair, combing through it as she tried to get comfortable.
"How long dis suppose t' last?" He asked, looking at Jean.
"The contractions will get closer together." She said, looking at Rogue. "It could take another five hours."
"Merde." Gambit said, looking back at Rogue. "Wan' her now."
Rogue chuckled. "Me too, lover." She said, resting her head on his shoulder again.
Gambit's stomach growled loud enough for Jean to hear and smile at him. "Go get something to eat. I'll watch over her." She said, getting his attention.
He looked at Rogue, who smiled at him. "Ah'll be fine. Go on." She said, patting his thigh.
Getting out of the bed, he stretched his back before smiling at Jean and leaving the room. Heading down the elevator, he rubbed his face and looked at himself in the reflection of the doors. He had bags under his eyes and it made him chuckle at how horrible he looked. When he reached the ground floor, he headed right toward the cafeteria when he heard his name.
"Remy!" He turned around to see Storm walking in from the entrance of the hospital.
He smiled widely as he walked over and hugged her tightly. "So glad y' here, Ro." He said, running his fingers through his hair. "Be nervous and scared as hell."
Storm placed her hand on the side of his face. "Do not worry, my friend. Everything will be fine. How is she?" She asked as she followed Gambit to the cafeteria.
"She havin' contractions every eight minutes, now." He said as they looked around the large area. "Jus' grabbin' a bite. Been up since two thirty."
Storm smiled again as she placed her hand on his back. "You should get some sleep. It is almost eight o'clock." She said, walking with him to a vending machine.
"Non." He said, shaking his head. "She don't sleep, I don't sleep."
"How are you suppose to take care of her and the baby if you are not rested yourself?" She said, watching him take a few dollars out of his wallet and place them in the machine.
"Have less sleep den dis b'fore." He said, punching in a code and watched as a bag of Trail Mix dropped into the bin.
"That is not all you are eating, is it?" Storm asked, watching him get a bottled water.
"Don' wanna be gone long." He said, turning to her and twisting the top of the water off.
"The baby will not be here for another several hours." She said, taking his hand and leading him into the cafeteria. "Now, get something that will sustain you."
He ended up getting a plate of pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon as well as a large black coffee. Sitting down with him at a table for two, Storm watched as he began to eat rather quickly. She smiled as she reached out and placed her hand on his forearm, causing him to look up at her.
"Calm yourself." She said with a loving smile. "Slow down."
He chuckled at himself as he took another bite, slowing his intake. "So, dere no school today." He said, seeing her nod.
"That is correct." Storm nodded as she watched him take several sips of coffee. "Classes will resume tomorrow."
"Maybe I get some sleep tonight." Gambit said as he looked to his right and stared off.
"I will gladly watch her tonight while you two try to sleep. You will both be exhausted." She said, seeing him nod.
"See how it goes." Gambit said. "Don' know if Anna be willin' t' go fo' dat."
"I understand." Storm said, as she rested her chin in her hand and watched him eat. "A mother wants nothing more than to hold her new born close."
"I want not'in' more dan t' do dat too." He said, winking at her as he took another sip of coffee.
"Have you two decided on a name?" Storm asked.
Gambit smiled and nodded as he took another bite. "Got two." He said. "She still be undecided an' I don' mind. Jus' want my li'l girl."
Storm smiled again as she reached over and took his right hand. "I am so happy for you." She said. "Your life has completely turned around from when we first met. It thrills my soul to see you in such good spirits."
"Well, y' helped wit' dat." He said, lifting her hand and kissing it. "If I never met you, chéri, dere be none o' dis."
Storm shrugged. "Perhaps." She said, as she watched his thumb gently stroke the back of her hand. "You are a remarkable young man, Remy."
He chuckled and shook his head. "Don' know 'bout dat, Ro." He said, finishing his pancakes.
They sat in silence as he finished up his breakfast before they headed back to the elevator. Putting his arm around her, they walked in and he pressed the button for the correct floor. He smiled when he felt her wrap her arm around his waist and hug him. When the doors opened, he led her to the room to see Miranda and Hank.
Storm smiled at Rogue as she walked over and took her hand. "How are you feeling?" She asked.
Rogue shook her head. "Ah'm alright." She said, looking up at her friend. "Havin' contractions seven minutes apart, now."
Storm pat her hand before she sat down beside Jean on the love seat. Gambit walked around and resumed his position beside Rogue on the bed, putting his arm around her.
"Did ya get something?" Rogue asked, looking at him.
He smiled and kissed her forehead. "Oui." He said, as she had another contraction.
"Seven." Miranda said, writing something down. "So, we jumped from ten minutes to seven. This could happen quicker than we imagined. I'll be close. Just try to rest."
"Y' wanna walk around?" Gambit asked. "Might help."
Rogue nodded as she was helped out of bed. Draping his jacket over her shoulders, they walked out of her room and down the hall before going left and making a circle back to her room. Walking in, Rogue suddenly stopped as she had another contraction. Taking in a deep breath, they walked back over to the bed where her water broke, drenching her nightgown and the jacket as it puddled around her feet.
"Could be a matter of hours now." Beast said as he left the room to find Miranda.
Getting back in the bed, Rogue looked at Gambit. "Ah think ah ruined ya jacket." She said.
Gambit smiled and shook his head as he kissed her. "Don' care." He said. "Dat de last t'ing on my mind."
"I thought that her water had already broken." Storm said, crossing her right leg over her left.
"Non." Gambit said, shaking his head again. "She have steady contractions all mornin'."
Pushing the hair back from her face, Gambit smiled at her as she had another contraction three minutes later. Miranda walked in with Hank and checked the baby's heartbeat before she left to get ready. Rogue's contractions were coming steadily for three minutes and then two by the time Miranda returned with her nurse.
"Alright, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you all to leave." Miranda said with a smile.
Jean and Storm stood. "We will be in the lobby." Storm said, kissing Gambit's cheek before she kissed Rogue's forehead.
"Good luck." Jean said, doing the same as they left with Hank.
When they closed the door, Miranda smiled at the two of them. "You ready to meet your little girl?" She asked.
Gambit smiled as he kissed Rogue's right temple. "Dis is it, Anna." He said, as she had another contraction.
"Remy, ah want ya ta sit here." Rogue said, motioning for him to sit behind her on the bed.
He climbed up and sat behind her, allowing her to lean back and rest against him as she took his left hand followed by an extremely painful contraction.
Letting out a painful whimper, Rogue let out a deep breath. "Alright, your body is doing its thing." Miranda said. "You've just gotta help it out. When another contraction comes on, go ahead and push, alright?"
Rogue nodded, as she waited for the pain to come back. "Jus' like de class." Gambit whispered as he kissed her neck.
When the next contraction came on, Rogue pushed, but suddenly stopped at the intense pain. "Ow, ow, ow." She whimpered.
"It's gonna hurt, but you've gotta do this." Miranda said.
As another contraction happened, Rogue pushed. "Keep on." Gambit said, softly.
After the push, Rogue leaned back against Gambit and let out a tired breath. "Wonderful." Miranda said. "One more push and I'll start to see her head."
"Did ya hear that?" Rogue asked, with a smile as another painful contraction hit her, causing her to cry out as she pushed.
"There it is!" Miranda said with excitement. "Doing great, Anna. Alright, let's do it again."
Rogue pushed several more times before she relaxed against Gambit. They kept silent as she pushed with her next contraction.
"Awesome, shoulders are on their way. This is the hard part. You ready?" Miranda asked.
"Can do it, mon amour." Gambit said kissing the back of her head. "A'most done."
Holding his hand tight, Rogue pushed and cried out again at the incredible pain. She tried focusing on her breathing as another contraction came, causing her to push again. When she relaxed, she couldn't help but cry.
"Be strong. One more push and it's over." Miranda said. "You can do this. Ready?"
Rogue took in a deep breath and clenched her teeth as she gathered her strength for one last push. When the contraction hit, she pushed as hard as she could until she finally felt no pain and collapsed. Gambit watched as Miranda stood and worked on getting a cry out of the baby as she gently rubbed her back. He suddenly realized Miranda was a mutant as an orange glow formed where she had touched the baby.
The baby suddenly let out a loud, healthy cry. "Great job!" Miranda said with a smile as she handed the baby to her nurse, who cleaned her up, then put her on the scale and measured her out before handing her back to Miranda.
After wrapping her in a blanket, she handed her over to Rogue. "Oh my god." She said, in a state of shock as she looked down at the tiny person. "Remy."
He smiled, looking over her shoulder. "Y' did it." He said, kissing her neck.
Rogue chuckled as tears fell down her face. "She's beautiful." She said, looking over the baby's face as she cried.
Gambit wiped his eyes on his shoulders as he placed his hand on the tiny head. "She so little." He said, running his fingers through Rogue's hair. "Je t'aime tellement."
She smiled back at him as he leaned in and kissed her softly before she sniffed and wiped her eyes. "What's her name?" Miranda asked.
"Leila." Rogue said, looking down at her before she looked up at Gambit. "Ah know it ain't one of tha names that we picked, but ah really like it."
Gambit smiled. "Leila." He said, stroking the baby's head. "Be a perfect name fo' her."
Looking back down at her, Rogue looked at Miranda. "Should ya cut tha cord?" She asked, seeing her shake her head.
"There's no rush. All kinds of good nutrients are still in there. We can wait a few hours, so you two can get some rest." She said, opening the door. "I'll be back shortly."
After closing the door, Gambit got out of the bed and helped Rogue lie back. Leaning over, he couldn't help but kiss Leila's tiny head before he kissed Rogue again.
"Ya wanna hold her?" Rogue asked.
"Oui." He said, gently and carefully taking the little body in his arms.
Rogue watched as he lightly swayed with her, looking down at her face.
"Bonjour." He said, softly, kissing the baby's forehead, keeping his lips against her skin. "Ma belle petit fille."
Miranda came back in and smiled. "You can have no more than two others in here with you." She said, pointing her thumb over her shoulder. "A few more from your institute showed up. Do you want to wait a bit for visitors?"
Rogue smiled as she watched Gambit look over the baby's face. "They can come in." She said. "They're our family."
"Alright." Miranda said as she walked out.
Gambit handed her back over to Rogue who held her tight and kissed her forehead as Storm and Jean entered. They had huge grins on their faces as they walked over to the bed and looked at the baby.
"My friend, she is gorgeous." Storm said, hugging Gambit. "I am proud of the both of you."
"She's beautiful." Jean said, placing her hand on the tiny head.
"Y'all wanna hold her?" Rogue asked.
"Of course." Jean said with a smile as Rogue handed her over.
Storm moved in and looked over Jean's shoulder. "What is her name?" She asked, looking at Gambit and Rogue.
"Leila." Rogue said.
"Leila LeBeau." Jean said, still smiling. "Beautiful."
Gambit wiped his eyes again as he took Rogue's hand and kissed it. "Still can' believe dis be real." He said, watching Jean pass Leila over to Storm, who smiled as she stroked the baby's head.
"You are a gift from the heavens." Storm said as she looked at Rogue. "She has your nose and lips."
"She be parfait." Gambit said. "De most beautiful baby ever."
Jean smiled as she hugged Gambit. "She is." She said as she took Rogue's hand. "I'll let someone else come in."
Jean left and Kitty came in with a smile as she looked at Storm, who still held Leila. "Oh my gosh, you guys." She said, walking over and placing her hand on the baby's head. "She is so cute." Storm handed her to Kitty and left, allowing someone else to enter.
Logan walked in with a smile as he looked down at Leila. "Y'all make pretty cute babies." He said, kissing Rogue's cheek before shaking Gambit's hand. "Congratulations."
"T'anks." He said as Kitty turned to Logan.
"You wanna hold her?" She asked, seeing Logan hesitate, before taking the baby from Kitty.
Gambit walked over and put his right hand on Logan's left shoulder, looking down at Leila. "Dis here be Uncle Logan. He spoil y' rotten." He said making Logan chuckle.
"Damn straight." He said with a smile as Kitty touched the baby's head again.
"What's her name?" Kitty asked.
"Leila." Gambit said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Aw, that is adorable. This is so exciting!" She said. "Okay, I'll let someone else come in here."
Kitty left and Hank entered, smiling at the sight of Logan holding the baby. "Miranda said you only pushed for about twenty minutes." Hank said, walking over and patting Rogue's right shoulder.
"Wasn't bad." Rogue said with a smile as Logan handed Leila to Beast.
"My goodness. She is definitely eight pounds." Hank said, smiling down at the infant. "A new member of our family. This has been an exciting day."
"Thanks for everything, Beast." Rogue said. "Ya've been so patient with me during my pregnancy."
Hank chuckled. "As a doctor, or friend, should be." He said as he handed the baby back to Rogue. "Eight pounds, eleven ounces. Twenty-two inches long."
Miranda came back in and Logan excuses himself from the room. "I know policy is we have to keep you for several days and monitor both you and the baby, but you guys have an exceptional doctor at your school. Just like at birthing centers, as soon as you can eat a full meal, I'll discharge you." She said.
"My own bed." Rogue said, making them chuckle. "Ah can sleep on my stomach again."
Gambit laughed as he kissed the top of Rogue's head. "Hopefully, she sleep t'rough de night." He said, looking at Leila. "Ro say she watch her tonight so we can sleep."
Rogue nodded. "Bless her for volunteerin'." She said, hugging Leila.
"Have you tried breast feeding yet?" Miranda asked.
Rogue shook her head. "Is she hungry?" She asked. "She ain't cryin'. How do I get her ta eat?"
"She'll do it on her own." Miranda said. "She'll find it if you put her close to your nipple."
"Would you like me to step out?" Hank asked.
Rogue smiled and shook her head. "Only if ya want." She said. "Ah don't mind. Ain't anything indecent."
"I'll step out." He said with a smile as he left the room.
Miranda walked up to the bed and showed her how to get Leila to feed. Gambit watched closely, with a smile, as the baby took hold.
"Now realize, you won't have any milk for a few hours, maybe even into tomorrow. Just keep feeding as you would if you did. The baby won't starve, so don't worry about that. She's perfectly healthy." Miranda said, talking to the both of them. "I'll leave you two alone."
When Miranda left, Kitty slipped back in. "Whoops! Didn't know it was time to eat." She said, seeing Gambit shake his head.
"Y' can stay, petit." He said, motioning her to come closer. "Dis is beautiful."
Kitty smiled as she watched Leila for a bit before she started to cry. "Aw, Leila." She said, as the door opened and Storm walked in.
"Shh." Rogue said, softly, as she hugged Leila and bounced her ever so slightly. "Ah gotcha, sugah."
Looking at Gambit, Kitty smiled. "You got a little something there." She said, pointing to her cheek.
Gambit smiled, knowing she was talking about the tears. "Dey jus' keep comin'." He said, smiling at Kitty and Storm. "Ain' never been dis happy in my entire life."
After everyone got their baby fix, they left the three of them alone for several hours. Miranda came by later and allowed Gambit to cut the cord, making it official. Logan and Kitty went out and got food for them all. After eating her entire meal, Miranda checked her out and they left that evening around seven.
A/N: Based on an actual birth. I was fortunate enough to be there.
Fan art coming! Merry Christmas!
