Disclaimer: I don't own FSoG
I rewrote this chapter 3 different times, 3 different ways. This was probably to the hardest chapter to write just because there were so many ideas that I had that conflicted with each other and I had to pick and choose which ones to use.
Hopefully you guys like this chapter! See you at the end!
~!~
Christian's POV
"How was Teddy?" Ana asks as I help her stand up.
"He's excited to meet the baby. He conned Mia into going to get the baby a present before they come meet him tomorrow. That's if he's here by tomorrow." I can't help the chuckle that escapes when I think about my oldest son's antics.
Ana gasps and grabs her stomach. I support her weight while the contraction wracks through her body. For the next forty-five seconds, she lets out little whimpers that break my heart. Once the contraction is over, I lean down and kiss her forehead. We slowly walk to our car, everyone wishing us good luck on our way out.
It takes five minutes to reach the car. Just as I'm about to open the passenger door Ana is hit by another contraction. "Another one already?" I can't keep the shock out of my voice.
"I think I've been having contractions since last night. I was achy but I figured it was just a side effect of pregnancy." She groans through her contraction.
Once the contraction ends, I quickly open the door. "Let's get you to the hospital. The traffic was a bitch on the way here and it's going to take at least half an hour to get to there." I help her into the car and then run around to get in myself.
With one hand on the steering wheel and the other clasped with my wife's, we make our way towards the hospital. Ana squeezes my hand frequently whenever she has a contraction. We're halfway there when she groans and releases my hand. "I-I think he's coming." Her voice is shaky.
"No…No,no,no…Just…We're halfway there." I worry as I grip the steering wheel tighter.
"We need to get to the hospital now, Christian…I feel like I have to push." Why is this happening? Teddy's labor lasted for hours…This baby decided it's time to speed things up as soon as we're in the car.
"Don't push! He needs to be born in a hospital! It's not safe for him to be born here!" I feel a cold sweat break out while I panic.
She ignores me and pushes her dress up past her hips. She has no panties on, my best guess is that she took them off when her water broke. Her hand goes between her legs and she laughs humorlessly. "I think I can feel his head."
I try to speed up, but we're stuck in the middle of traffic. I scrub one of my hands over my face and take a deep breath. "Maybe we should pull over. I'll call 9-11, we can get an ambulance."
Ana immediately shakes her head. "We're ten minutes away. Let's just get there…Please." Hesitantly I nod my head and continue towards the hospital.
A few minutes later, Ana's hand goes back between her legs and she lets out a little cry. "He's definitely coming out. I need to push. I can't hold it anymore." She cries.
I take a deep breath and nod my head. "Okay…Just…Let me know if I need to pull over."
"Call the hospital. They can meet us outside." Ana directs. I immediately pull out my phone and dial the number I have. First, I talk to the hospital and then I call Dr. Greene and let her know what's going on. I'm fairly certain that she hears Ana's groans because she hurries me off the phone, telling me to get here as fast as possible.
Just as we're about to take the exit to the hospital, we hit bumper to bumper traffic. I frantically press the horn, trying to get people to move faster. I glance over at Ana and stare wide eyed. The hand that is between her legs is cradling our baby's head which is all the way out. I'm stuck staring until I hear a car horn from behind and notice that traffic has moved forward. Within the next five minutes, my life changes drastically.
The baby's cries fill the car. One of the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard, only matched by Teddy's first cry and Ana saying 'I do'. Ana gasps and cries in relief as our child takes their first breath. Then, she laughs and holds the baby close to her. She turns him around and my mouth drops open. "Hello there, Sweetie."
"W-where's his penis? Ana…There's no penis…There is supposed to be a penis!" Once again, a car horn blows from behind me.
"I told you we were having a girl. Look at her, Christian…She's so beautiful." She runs her fingers down our bab- our daughter's cheek. Ana positions her so that the baby's head is close to me. I reach over and stroke the hair that covers the top of her head. She has even more hair than Teddy did when he was born.
"Ana…You just had a baby in the car." I say breathlessly. Ana laughs and leans her head back against the seat.
"I just had our daughter in the car." Her voice is shocked Ana's eyes drift down to our perfect little girl. "Are we still calling her Alex. We've gone months thinking she was going to be Alex."
"We have time to decide. Let's just get to the hospital. You both need to be checked out." I let my eyes drift back to the baby in my wife's arms. "We have a little girl, Ana…A beautiful, perfect little girl."
I drive slowly the rest of the way. I know Ana still needs to pass the afterbirth but I don't want to risk getting in an accident with the baby in the car. She's too precious and fragile to risk. I go ten miles under the speed limit and before I know it, I'm pulling up to the hospital.
There is a team of nurses and doctors waiting for us. As soon as I help Ana out of the car, they get her on a stretcher and wrap a tin foil looking blanket around her and the baby. We walk through the halls, everyone staring at us. I don't mind though, I'm too focused on taking care of my wife and child. Once we're in our room, they offer me scissors and let me cut the umbilical cord. Our daughter is then taken from Ana's arms and placed on a scale. I watch as the numbers appear, 6 pounds 13 ounces. She's so much smaller than Teddy was. They measure how tall she is and someone calls out 17 inches. Another nurse notices me trying to take a picture of my daughter and holds her up.
"Congrats, Daddy. You have one beautiful little girl." I feel the tears in my eyes knowing that she's right. As beautiful as I think my wife is, this baby girl totally eclipses her. I turn back and look at Ana. Despite the fact that she's in obvious discomfort, she has a smile on her face. She's delivered the afterbirth and Dr. Greene assesses if she needs stitches.
Ana's eyes catch mine and I mouth 'I love you' to her. She mouths it back and I turn to face our daughter. The nurse carefully rubs off all of the vernix and blood though we will wait to give her a bath for a few days. With a quick prick to her foot, they take a blood sample. The baby screams loudly in displeasure and it breaks my heart. A nurse swaddles her up in the standard hospital blanket and carefully picks her up. My daughter is placed in my arms and for a second, I see nothing but this beautiful baby. This is the first time that I've held my daughter and I couldn't be more in love. With one hand on the back of her neck and the other on her butt, I bring her up so I can kiss her forehead.
"Hello, Sweet Girl. Daddy has been waiting a long time for you." I can't help the tear that falls. I turn and walk over to Ana and carefully hand her to my wife. Looking at the two of them together, they look exactly alike. I better invest in a shotgun now. No man is coming near my little girl.
"She's so perfect." Ana's voice is a quiet whisper. My head nods in agreement. The nurses and doctor start singing happy birthday to Baby Grey. Ana and I join in quietly, watching as our little girl tries to find where the sound is coming from.
"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Grey. I would like to offer my apologies. I was almost certain from the ultrasound that you were expecting a little boy. Though it seems it may have just been her umbilical cord." Dr Greene tries to explain after we're done singing 'Happy Birthday'.
"No ultrasound is one hundred percent certain. We thought she was a boy as well…"Ana cuts me off.
"You thought she was a boy. I knew she was a girl from the beginning." She teases tiredly. . After rolling my eyes and conversing with Dr. Greene a bit more, we're left to ourselves. Ana's been changed into a hospital gown and I help her unswaddle the baby. We get her settled against Ana's skin. I reach over and run my fingers gently up and down my little girl's back.
Staring over at her, I know that there is absolutely nothing I wouldn't do to protect this tiny person. As I look over her, a melody begins forming in my mind. I can't help but hum it to the little girl laying against her mother's skin. The sound quickly lulls her to sleep with my finger clenched tightly in her little fist.
"Sweet Caroline, huh?" Ana teases. I feel my face get slightly hot as I shrug.
"I know it's not really about a baby but some of the lyrics fit." I try to explain. She reaches a hand over and rubs her thumb against my cheek. I lean into her touch, then turn my head slightly to kiss her palm.
"I love you, Christian." Tears fill Ana's eyes. I quickly reach up and wipe them away.
"I love you too, Anastasia Rose…Without you, my life would mean nothing." I let my eyes wander to the baby. Her head is facing me, her eyes shut tightly. She's sucking lightly on her bottom lip, so I reach over and gently pull it away. She really is just like Ana. "This little girl needs a name."
"What about Caroline? She loved it when you hummed it to her. I could feel her breathing speed up a little and she seemed more alert." Ana grins.
"Are you a Caroline, Little One?" As if answering me, she lets out a soft little grunt. Ana giggles and I can't hold back my mega-watt smile. "Daddy thinks you need a nickname though, Baby Girl. Just like your big brother, Teddy."
"We could call her Cara or Lina." My wife suggests. I silently look at the two of them together and then an idea pops into my head.
"What about Rosie? It's not the most traditional nickname for Caroline, I know…She looks so much like you though and I want a part of you in her name. Your middle name is Rose, so calling her Rosie would give her that little extra piece of you." I gently run my fingers through Caroline's hair.
"Rosie Grey…I love it. Plus, with her full name, it has a resemblance to your dad's name and my mom's name." She points out. "I have an idea for her middle name…I don't know what you'll think of it though." Ana bites her lip. Just like I did with Rosie, I pull her lip away from her teeth.
"What is it?" I ask carefully. Hopefully it's not one of those extremely unique names. If Ana really wants it, I'll agree but I hope it's at least somewhat normal.
Ana quickly says what Rosie's full name would be and I feel myself melt. My heart flutters the same way it did when we decided on Teddy's name. "It's perfect, Ana…Absolutely perfect."
Before we can say anything else, there is a knock on the door. A nurse peeks her head around and smiles at us. "I'm just coming to check in. I need to take your vitals and this little one's."
"Come on in, we're just giving her a name." Ana grins.
"Care to share?" Nurse Masen asks. Ana looks at me and I nod my head.
"Her name is Caroline, but we're going to call her Rosie." I tell her. Nurse Masen smiles brightly and looks at Rosie.
"That is a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl. Alright Mom, go ahead and hand Rosie over to her Daddy so we can get this over with. I'm sure you want some more alone time with your new little one." She chuckles. Ana carefully passes Rosie to me. I cradle her in my arms and hold her close to my body. Not wanting her to get cold, I grab her hospital blanket and carefully lay it over her.
Nurse Masen takes all of Ana's vitals and asks a few questions. She then asks if Rosie has eaten yet or pooped. When we tell her that neither have happened, she tells us that she'll send in the lactation specialist, just to check in. As if on cue, Rosie starts grunting against me and slightly thrashing her head around. I've seen Teddy do it so many times when he was a baby that I know she needs her Mommy.
"Look at that, she as impeccable timing." The nurse jokes. Without much more fanfare, the nurse leaves and Ana pulls her gown down, exposing her breast. Just like Teddy, Rosie is a natural at nursing. I can't help but take a picture of the first time Ana feeds our little girl.
Ana passes her over to me and I begin trying to burp her. This does not amuse Rosie and she starts crying. "Daddy's sorry, Rosie-Posie. Don't cry. Just give Daddy one little burp and you can go back to your Mommy Buffet. Shhh…" I pat her back a little bit harder and finally the wind comes up. I hand her back to Ana who gets her resituated.
"She's so much smaller than Teddy was." Ana observes.
I can't help the laugh that escapes me. "Ana, Teddy was as heavy as a bowling ball and I'm not even exaggerating. Our son is a big boy. I think Rosie is going to take after you…Oh god…I'm going to need to build a tower, buy a shotgun and start looking into all girls' private schools." Dread fills me.
The next couple hours go by slowly. Ana and I pass Rosie back and forth, each of us taking a turn holding her. Suddenly, I feel my phone buzz with a text message.
Just checking in. How's Ana? Is Baby Grey here yet? -Mia
"We should probably call our families and tell them that Rosie is here." I tell Ana after showing her the message.
"Do you want to tell them that Rosie didn't pop out a boy? Or should we wait for them to meet her in person?" Ana questions me.
"I think it will fun to wait to tell them until they're here. I mean, we had to wait so they should too." I joke.
"Alright, I desperately need to take a shower, can you call everyone while I'm in there. We also left all of our things in the car and I'd really like my sweatpants." Ana gives me the puppy dog eyes. I lean over and kiss her forehead, being mindful of the baby between us. I hit the call button for the nurse so that they can come take Rosie to the nursery while Ana showers.
"Do you know when you'd like us to bring her back?" the nurse asks before I head to the car.
"I shouldn't be too long. I just need to call our families and tell them that the baby is here. Then I need to run to the car and grab our things. Maybe half-an hour? I should be back by then." I feel nervous leaving Rosie to go to the nursery, but I know I need to get these things done.
As I run down to the car, I make the first few calls. My parents, Ana's parents, Mia and Ethan…They all want to come to the hospital, but I know Ana is exhausted. It was an extremely long day, and I'd much prefer if they waited until tomorrow to visit. When I explain this, they're disappointed but understanding.
My hands are full as I head back to Ana's room so I'm unable to make any more calls. I set our suitcases in the closet, pulling out Ana's sweatpants and a shirt for her first. I set up my pillow on the couch next to the bed. Once everything is ready, I knock on the bathroom door to let Ana know I'm coming in. As usual, the sight of her naked body sets me on fire. That fire is extinguished by the realization that I can't has sex with my wife for six more weeks at least. I set her clothes on the corner of the sink.
"Ana, your clothes are right here. I brought some panties too and one of those pads you packed." I tell her. She faces me and smiles through the glass shower door.
"Thanks, I'll be out in a bit." I leave the bathroom and sit on the couch. Pulling out my phone, I scroll to my sister's contact and press 'call'.
It barely rings twice before my ear aches from my sister's squealing. "Is he here yet?"
"Baby Grey was here before we even got to the hospital. Came out screaming in the passenger side of the car." I chuckle.
"Why are you just calling me now?! I've had another nephew for two hours and no one told me?!" She gasps.
"They had to check Ana and the baby out, make sure everyone was healthy. Plus, we were a little wrapped up in the newest little Grey." I roll my eyes.
"When should we bring Teddy up? He's been asking if his baby brother is here yet." Mia tells me. At that moment, Ana steps out of the bathroom wearing her t-shirt and sweats.
"Who are you talking to?" She climbs carefully onto the bed.
"Mia, she's asking when she should bring Teddy to meet his new sibling." I explain to my wife.
"Tomorrow. I'm exhausted, I need some sleep. Once we have Teddy here, everyone else is going to file in and I can't handle that right now." Ana rubs her eyes and yawns.
"Tomorrow, Mia. We'll call you and tell you when to bring him up. Can you put Teddy on the phone?" I hear the shuffle of Mia passing the phone. I put the phone on speaker and walk closer to Ana.
"Daddy! Daddy me miss you!" Teddy yells through the phone.
"Hey, Buddy. Daddy misses you too and so does Mommy. We will see you tomorrow though and you can meet the new baby. Are you being good for Aunt Mia?" I respond.
"Me bein' good. Me eated nuggies and gotsa toy. Baby bwofer like nuggies Daddy?" he asks. I can't hold back my chuckle.
"The baby doesn't like nuggets yet, Teddy. When they're older maybe they will though."
We talk with Teddy or a few more minutes and then he gets distracted. Not long after our phone call ends, there's a knock on the door. A nurse rolls Rosie back into the room in the plastic bassinet. I walk over and pull her out, holding her close to my body. With her in my arms, Ana by my side and Teddy in my heart…I feel complete.
~!~
Sooo…What did you think? Hopefully you liked it.
Obviously this story isn't completely canon so I hope you don't hate what I've done.
Please Review and let me know what you thought of the chapter! What do you think Rosie's middle name is going to be?
Hopefully I'll see you again for the next chapter!
Don't forget to follow/favorite/review!