And for the moment we've been waiting for! The Birth!
To put it mildly, Hell week had rained down upon the surgeons of the 4077, and things were getting down to the wire. Or, more specifically, Hawkeye's pregnancy. Christmas eve had finally arrived. However, the base wasn't entirely certain it was the only arrival of the week. It seemed the good Doctor could possibly drop any day now. The chilly base collectively cringe, as Radar's introverted voice echoed throughout the grounds.
"Numerous wounded! All Doctors report immediately!"
Pierce sits at the edge of his cot. Momentarily steering his focus on deep inhales and exhales. A heaviness in his pelvis, it felt as though he could barely move. Well, waddle as it were, today marked 40 weeks. Trapper takes notice, an expression of deep concern blanketing his face.
"You alright, Hawk?"
His words inadvertently falling flat, whilst his mind was a whirlwind. His sturdy hands reaching for the Captain's arm in a hopeful attempt to get him to his swollen feet. Both knew he wasn't in any kind of condition to be operating, unfortunately, the war wasn't perturbed with an impending birth. Pierce draws in his lips, almost as if in pain, but choosing to remain mum. Simply nodding in response.
"Alrighty, let's get to it"
A light chuckle in his voice, with any luck a weak diversion from the poor Surgeon's current internal warfare. Of course, he wasn't the only one with babies on the brain. Hot Lips' anxiety was through the roof. Just as the pair make their way to the door, Margaret rushes in.
"I tried tellin' Colonel Blake I didn't want you operating, but he woul-"
"Margaret, it's fine (his tone bordering on annoyance), plus, I made the kid pinky-swear he'll wait 'til after surgery to meet us"
He smirked. She flashes a crooked smile before giving a light snort in response.
"Fine. But if he goes back on his promise, I'll be right there. Reminding you that, "I told you so"
This particular string of injuries, it was as if the surgical staff had leveled up, were being tested. That the previous were nothing more than butcher shop Vaudeville. This was the big leagues, now. Pierce found his mind beginning to wander.
Perhaps, subconsciously, this was a diversion mechanism. Focus on something else, momentarily, so was not having to face the carnage that awaited him. He suddenly feels the presence of a delicate hand on his back. His heart nearly skipping a beat.
"It's okay, only me"
Came Hot Lips' calming voice from behind him. He gives a small smile, holding out his hands in preparation for her to slip on his gloves.
"Why, thank you, mom"
Once inside, you were lucky if you still remembered your own name. Blood and IV bags being passed around like Hot Potato. He quickly ties on his surgical mask, simultaneously turning to Hot Lips.
"Well, lets get 'tah work"
Patient, by patient, they powered through. During an examination of his third, did he start to feel a bit off. This, of course, didn't get past Trapper's keen sense of observation.
"Ya still doin' alright, Hawk?"
He could feel the sweat seep out from underneath his cap. Taking a couple deep breaths. Hoping soon it would pass.
"Yeah, fine. Someone hand me that scalpel"
To everyone else, this may have seemed like he was being somewhat laconic towards his friend. When, in reality, he just wanted to take his mind off the unpleasantness and questioning. Not only that, He didn't feel like Hot Lips catching wind and running over to ask what was wrong. Despite Frank still within his verbal agreement of Moose duty. He apparently was a glutton for punishment.
"I'm shocked you can still see what tools you need for others to grab, ha!"
"Frank!"
Came Margaret's chastising tone. Immediately, the rodent-resembling surgeon reverted back to his true momma's-boy demeanor. Regardless of how many times he checked the time on the clock, he still lost track of exactly how much of it had actually passed. Just as he was about to suture up the final section on his patient, a sharp pain hit Pierce like a freight train. His needle driver falling to the floor. This is immediately followed by the splashing sounds of amniotic fluid.
"Hawk!"
Trapper's panicked cries rang out. He rushes over to the Surgeon, Pierce's hands rushing to cradle his gravid stomach. Like a chain of dominoes, Hot Lips swiftly joins the two. "Take over", she yells to her nurse staff. Even despite this, Frank chimes in with his odd, giddy cadence. Whilst holding a pair of forceps.
"So, I guess this means I'm no longer your Moose?"
Pierce shoots the spineless hack a death glare.
"Yes, Frank. But you're still a ferret"
In unison. Trapper and Hot Lips light into him.
"Shut up, Frank!"
Trapper dashes over to where Colonel Blake stood, informing him of what was unfolding. His eyes widen, damn near missing a collision with a poor nurse's face with his elbow, as he swiftly turned to face him. Henry in panic mode was even more bumbling, everyone within inadvertent striking range would be wise to steer clear. His voice, even when blanketed behind his surgical mask, lit up.
"Well Jiminy Cricket, we're havin' a baby!"
The 4077 was fortunate enough to have the aid of temp surgeons. Even despite the room being flooded with wounded soldiers, they somehow managed to rustle up a surgical table. If there wasn't risk of cross contamination, they would be moving Pierce to the post-op area to accommodate an already cramped O.R.
Hawkeye tries to focus on his breathing. Hot Lips right by his side. They quickly change him into a surgical gown and get him on the table. She smiles down at him, brushing away a few strands of sweat dampened black hair.
"I can't believe we're finally having a baby"
She gushed. Even though this wasn't something that was planned. It would be a bold-faced lie to say the pair weren't looking forward to parenthood. To abide by Pierce's wishes, he would be receiving an epidural. Him and Hot Lips both agreed they wanted the birth to be natural. Trapper joins them on the opposite side and gives a quick run-through to the expectant couple, well, Hawkeye mainly.
"Alright, pal. Just like ya requested, we're gonna give ya an epidural. Its not gonna hurt the baby, just help ya with the pain"
He attempts to give a small smile, until another unforgiving contraction tore through. He grits his teeth. Trapper then motions to Henry with a sharp whistle.
"Needle now!"
Henry rushes over to where the Captain stood, they ease Pierce onto his side. Trapper gently massages Povidone-iodine with a cotton pad to the administration area near the small of his back, at the spine's base. He was thankful they could still administer it, seeing as his labor was not yet too advanced. Suddenly, he felt a sharp prick, as an odd, cooling sensation started spreading throughout.
"You're doing great"
Margaret spoke softly, her hand migrating over towards his and gingerly overlapping it. Once again, he gives a small smile. Thankfully this time, however, he wasn't disrupted with writhing pain. He chuckles softly.
"I know I am. 'An I expect an even greater martini when this' all over with"
God, how he missed drinking. Nine months was much too long of a dry spell. Only issue with this being, he had to learn to rebuild his tolerance. Otherwise he'd be falling flat on his ass. Suddenly, feeling an enormous spread of pressure in his pelvic region. Trap and Margaret still in their places. Henry positions himself at the end of the table.
"K, Pierce. When I say so, I'm gonna have ya push, alright?"
The Captain wearily nods his head. Between the lengthy surgeries and going into labor, he was dumbstruck as to how he was still coherent.
"Alright...push!"
He instructs, with a glint in his voice. Everyone, not just the parents, were rather eager awaiting the arrival. As soon as Pierce clenched his teeth and bore down, Radar opens the doors. Holding a surgical mask over his face.
"Uh, sir, I just..Holy moly! The baby's comin'?!"
His voice a mix of surprise, anticipation and its usual awkward inflection. Blake gives an exasperated sigh.
"Yes, Radar. An we're kinda busy here. Come back in a bit"
The clerk pushes his wire-rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose and swallows a gulp of air nervously.
"Uh, yes sir"
With that he swiftly departs back out the main doors. Another wave of pressure and dull pain overtake him.
"C'mon, gimme another push..easy now"
Margaret's hold tightens. Trap pats his friend's arm for support. Again, he bears down, concentrating on his muscles to do their job and hasten the baby's journey. Suddenly, Henry announces with somewhat of an elated tone.
"I can see the head! Almost there, Pierce!"
Nothing could wipe that silly grin off Trapper's face. The excitement of impending motherhood even had Hot Lips giving her baby's father a peck on the cheek. Had he not been so preoccupied with giving birth, he had half a mind to respond with something risqué.
The poor, exhausted surgeon didn't think he had any energy left to give. Again, Trapper pats his arm.
"You can do this, pal"
Margaret's hand migrates up towards his face and gently strokes his cheek. "I second that", she chuckled softly. Pierce shuts his eyes, trying to tune out all the chaos that surrounded him and gave it one final push. An immediate shrill crying could be heard, filling the O.R. He did it. The baby was here. Joyful tears begin to stream down Hot Lips' face.
"Boy howdy! Ain't she a beaut?"
Henry exclaims proudly. Hawkeye's weary eyes travel onto the Colonel holding a bundle in his arms. But wait, did he just say "she"? Trapper instantly bursts into laughter.
"Sorry, pal. But looks like I just won the bet"
"That's enough, McIntyre"
Henry admonished casually. He makes his way over towards the parents. Margaret's eyes lit up as Henry proceeding in handing over the rather boisterous newborn. She gasped, she was so overcome with pride and jubilation that the words got caught in her throat.
"Hawkeye, she's absolutely gorgeous"
Hot Lips beamed. He turns to face her and their daughter. He almost couldn't believe it, he was so sure his intuition wouldn't fail him. But none of that mattered now. He loved her all the same, he smiles.
"Can I see her now?"
Margaret chuckles and proceeds in very gingerly placing their baby girl in his arms.
"Of course. She's yours too"
The instant he set eyes on her, it felt as though his heart was going to burst through his chest. She was the picture of perfect. Soft wisps of jet-black hair, rosy-red cheeks. She finally settled down to soft whimpering. At last, opening her eyes to reveal a stunning baby-blue. He brushes an index finger, ever so tenderly over her sweetly cherubic cheeks. Trying to calm her as best he knew how.
"Hi, baby girl. I'm your daddy, (he gingerly, yet jokingly, shifts the baby in his arms to face Margaret) 'an that gorgeous lady standin' right by us is mommy"
The little girl's face scrunches up and she begins to fuss. Hawkeye lovingly shushes her with a kiss atop her head. She then nestles herself close on his chest. Finally quieting down and falling asleep. Margaret softly chuckles.
"I guess I can say it, now. I told you so"