Bonded By Love-Ch 34
Over the next several months Derek and Penelope adjusted to not only life as a married couple but they also adjusted to life as parents-to-be of their first of what they hoped was many many children. Around the start of her 7th month Penelope started developing some complications and was finally diagnosed with preeclampsia and put on complete bedrest.
Being put on a restriction like that drove her crazy because she still had so much that she wanted and needed to do before time for her son or daughter to be born but Derek and the others made sure that she stayed in bed and only got up to go to the bathroom. She was currently one week away from her due date and was both excited and worried about when the time would come for her to deliver, her brothers were now residents of Virginia and working and living their lives in close range of her and the others.
Penelope still helped the team, but rarely, Derek knew that she wanted to help the team out but he didn't want to take any chances with her life or the life of their unborn child. Since she was so close to time to deliver Derek was taking some time off to be with her because he didn't want to be away from her when the time came to bring their child into the world.
Derek walked into the room and smiled at his wife as she slept, she was so beautiful and being pregnant made her even more so that she was before because now she practically glowed with happiness. He walked closer and reached out and gently pushed her hair aside and whispered, "I love you so much sweetness, more than you will ever know", he then sat down in a chair beside the bed and took her hand in his as he continued to watch her sleep.
Payton had come over for a visit, he had the day off and wanted to spend it with his sister, Fran met him at the door with a smile and told him that Derek was upstairs with Penelope and he wasted no time in heading toward the stairs. When he got to her bedroom door he stopped and smiled at the sight before him, as he stepped into the room Derek looked over his shoulder and said, "hey Payton, how are you doing"?, Payton said, "I'm good, how are you doing, how's P doin"?, Derek grinned and said, "I'm good, she's good, irritated that she still has to stay in bed but she's good".
Payton sat down in a chair beside Derek and said, "how's her blood pressure doing"?, Derek said, "momma is keeping a close eye on it and so far today it's good" causing Payton to smile as he glanced down at his sister. Derek sighed happily and said, "I still can't believe that in a few days we'll be able to hold our baby, it still seems so unreal, ya know"?, Payton nodded his head yes in agreement and said, "I totally do Derek, I totally do".
As the two sat there talking they talked about everything they had been through with Penelope over the past year and forward they looked to the birth of the baby, their conversation halted as Penelope opened her eyes and looked at them. Payton said, "hey sleepy head, how are you feeling"?, she smiled and rubbed her stomach and said, "good, tired but good" and Derek leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips and said, "can I get you anything"?, she shook her head and said, "I'm good but thank you" causing him to grin.
The trio talked for a while before she looked at Derek and said, "can you help me for a minute"?, he said, "sure, what do you need baby girl"?, she said, "I need to waddle to the bathroom". Derek said, "of course I'll help you" as he tossed the blanket aside and held out his hand to help her, Payton stood up and held out a hand to help to and she grinned as she took his and Dereks hand and rose from the bed.
As she took a step her eyes widened as she felt a gush of warm liquid running down her legs, she said, "uhhhh, either I've peed on myself or" and Derek and Payton in unison said, "your water just broke". Payton said, "I'll go get Fran", Derek nodded his head yes as he stood there holding his wiffes hand, by the time Fran and Payton had gotten back Derek had taken her to the bathroom and got her changed and got her back in bed.
Fran said, "alright sweetie let me check you and see how far you're dilated and then we will know which way to go", Penelope watched as her mother-in-law raised the sheet and quickly checked. Derek then said, "well momma"?, Fran said, "we won't have time to get her to the hospital, she's fully dilated and ready to deliver" and Derek said, "but she's not had any contractions" and Fran said, "Penelope honey have you been having any pain at all"?, she bit her lip and looked down at her hands and mumbled something.
Derek said, "what was that sweetness"?, she looked up at him and said, "I've been having pain all morning but I thought it was just the baby moving around so I didn't say anything, I'm so sorry". Fran said, "nothing to be sorry about", she then looked at Payton and said "can you call an ambulance for me, so that way when they get here they can take Penelope and the baby to the hospital"?, Payton nodded his head yes and pulled his cell from his pocket and walked across the room to make the call.
Penelope looked up at Fran as she said, "alright,, let's get ready to bring my grandbaby into the world" and as she walked away to get her things gathered Derek intertwined fingers with his wife and said, "are you ready to meet our son or daughter"?, she looked up at him and smiled and said, "I'm soooo ready", Derek then leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips and said, "I love you", she said, "I love you too".
Their conversation ended as Fran walked back into the room with her supplies, she put then down and then looked at Penelope and said, "alright honey let's get ready to meet your child", she grinned and nodded her head yes as she was hit with another contraction.