Chapter 40
Steven really didn't want to leave, but knew it would be best if Jackie has her things and hope that would help Jackie relax. He walked in and took the kitchen phone he figured Red could be his first call, after Red answered, "Red Jackie is in the hospital, they look to keep her overnight try to keep her from going into labor and get her blood pressure down"
"And here I thought you was calling me to let me know how things went with Pam, did that cause this?"
"Honestly I don't know, she stayed a lot calmer than I did this morning, I don't know if I ever wanted to hit a woman so much in my life, and that was after that crap Sam pulled. And if she is the reason Jackie's in the hospital right now, I guess it's a good thing she is in jail."
"Son Pam is no longer a concern for you and Jackie, you focus on being there for Jackie and making sure she is fine"
"Kitty is sitting with her right now, I came home to grab a few things and make some calls, I am going to call WB, can you let Michael and Fez know?"
"I'll call Brook at the library, Fez is on his way to get Laurie, so I'll be here when they get here, any idea how long they are going to keep her?"
"They hope overnight, then bed rest once she goes home for the next few weeks."
"Well Laurie will be here to help I am sure, with the store if need be or anything else."
"I am going to let you go and call WB and maybe Angie can come up and help for a bit too."
They hung up and Steven took a deep breath, and called WB at the office, after talking to his secretary and being put through, "Hey son I figured you would call tonight and let us know how things went, what's up?"
"Well things went as well as they could have this morning but the doctor admitted Jackie into the hospital concerned over her blood pressure and fear of early labor. They hope to just keep her overnight and then bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy."
"I am sorry son, anything I can do?"
"Well Jackie isn't going to be able to help at Grooves till after the baby is born and it might be some time after that, could you spare Angie for a while? She could help either at the store or stay with Jackie when I need to be at the store or something"
"I'll go get her now, let her go home and pack and she'll be there, where are you now?"
"I am at home came to get a few things then I am going to be staying at the hospital with Jackie, Kitty got it arranged I am staying with her tonight."
"Ok I'll send Angie to see you guys in the hospital first and then I'll come up for the weekend. You take care of your girl"
"Will do, I guess you get to break in your room this weekend"
"Well this is what we planned your house for. Who is with her right now?"
"Kitty was just getting off work, so she is staying with her till I get back."
"Get going then, we will take care of the store, in fact I'll call the guys there now and let them know what is going on and see if they can take care of things today till Angie can get over there tomorrow"
"Thanks, I need to be go, I'll call you tomorrow with an update."
"Be sure that you do and give my love to Jackie"
Steven had grabbed bags for him and Jackie and was walking back into the hospital when he passed the gift shop. He looked over and saw the flowers and stuffed animals, stuff he never bought before for Jackie, never bought anyone anything like that. Jackie that he first met loved that stuff, he now knew that it was the only comfort she got, right now he would do anything to help put her at ease so he found himself in the gift shop buying pink rose bouquet and a stuffed teddy bear. Before heading up to Jackie's room.
He reached the room and found Jackie asleep and Kitty in the chair by the bed reading a book. "Steven that wasn't long" she said in a low voice.
"Yea I just called Red and WB they are going to take care of letting everyone else know and such. She sleep the whole time."
"No she was up for a little bit and we talked, I assured her they are doing everything to take care of her and the baby. She told me a little of her meeting with Pam this morning, she said she was so proud of you, you was able to keep yourself in check."
"I didn't feel like I kept control as much as she did. I just don't understand how people like Pam and Edna can have a baby and never show feelings for it?"
"I don't know either, I never stop worrying over Laurie and Eric and even you, Jackie, Fez and Michael, I worry over all of you just as much."
"I hate to think of where I would be if it wasn't for you and Red, even where Jackie would be after the year she has had, I don't know if she would have gotten through it all if it wasn't for you two, and WB and Angie."
Kitty stood up and motioned for Steven to take her seat. "Well I am going to go home for a bit, I'll bring you guys up some food later." She gave him a kiss on his cheek
"Thanks, we really haven't ate much today, too much going on."
"Well Red and I will be up later with food" And she quietly walked out.
Steven sat by the bed and took Jackie's hand in his and leaned over to kiss her forehead. Jackie's eye's started to flutter, "hey doll, how are you feeling?"
"OK, just groggy, did you get my bag?"
"Yea I got a bag for me too, Kitty worked it out I am here as long as you are, and just hope it is just tonight"
"Me too, they have been in here twice since you left to take my blood pressure and everything."
About that time Jackie's doctor came in, "Hey guys, well it looks like we are going in the right direction with you vitals, they are going to keep an eye on them overnight and as long as there is no change in it going up I'll see you in the morning to release you to go home. So right now just try and relax, I know it isn't going to be much fun with them coming in every hour, but it is best, in the morning we will take you down for another ultra sound to check on the baby's vital organs and how they are progressing so we know a time frame of how much longer he can take."
"Thank you doctor, I am already ready to leave this place"
"Well I hope I don't have to see you guys till tomorrow" and with that the doctor left.
"Hey I got you something on the way here" and he lifted up the flowers and the teddy bear.
"You got me flowers, ROSES and a stuffed animal?"
"Hey thought it would cheer you up," he couldn't help but laugh as he thought about the first time he said that after he shaved for her. "Not like I have a beard or anything to shave for you and I am not shaving the side burns"
Jackie couldn't help but laugh, "I know I tease you about shaving them, but please don't, they are part of you and I am not sure I would like you without them. The flowers and bear are enough. Thank you" Steven put the flowers on her bedside table and Jackie took the bear and put it beside her on the bed.
"I love you and I am going to stay with you as much as they will let me"
"What about the store?"
"WB is sending Angie, and I had already talked to Laurie about starting to work and she is coming home tonight, so that will help, plus Todd has been able to help with the books, so we should take some time off and just focus on taking care of you and Reggie"
"Do you think everything will be all right?"
"Hey you have one of the best nurses in the hospital going to bat to make sure you have everything you need, you are one tough chick and that is going to be the worlds toughest kid"
"Crap have you thought past the thought of us being parents but what a kid with our combine genes is going to be like?"
"I guess I'll have a new understanding of Red when he becomes a teenager"
"Red is going to make sure to live long enough to see us handle a teenager isn't he"
Steven couldn't help but laugh, "yea just so he can laugh when I threaten a foot up his ass to our son?"
"Puddin why don't we try and get some sleep I know you haven't slept much lately" she scooted over to give Steven room to lay down in the bed with her
"Hey it's still more room than my old cot."
"Lots of good memories on that old cot"
"yea there were, but even better memories in our own new bed"
"Well just be prepared they come in here like every hour or so and check on me, I hope they can make it longer between times because right now I feel like as soon as a fall back asleep they are in here"
"Well I know Kitty will come back up later and Angie will be coming straight here, so we have that on top of the nurses. I would say no visitors, but I need to talk to Angie and I doubt she would take it well if she can't see you and well Kitty is bringing food"
"Oh I hope she doesn't take too long with food, I am hungry, they brought me a tray earlier and it wasn't that good, I was hungry enough to eat it anyway."
A little later there was a slight knock on the door, and Angie poke her head in, "Hey guys can I come in?"
"Hey sis, yea come in, we were resting."
"Angie thanks for coming!"
"Well I needed to get here and help take care of you I was packing up my desk before dad finished with telling me to come here"
"Thanks sis, going to need your help at the store and possibly at home too, in hopes she goes home tomorrow."
"I am here for however long you need me for whatever you need me for"
"Well the store and check with the guys tomorrow for figuring out a schedule, Laurie is also going to be working some too. Not sure when she wants to start, she had been working at shop in Chicago so she is good with customers now and her music tastes is well better than yours, but close to Jackie's"
"Aw that is the sweetest thing you have ever said about my music tastes"
"yea but only because Angie doesn't even know music, at least you know different bands"
"So do they know if they are sending you home tomorrow?"
"Doctor earlier said he will be in in the morning and if things are going like they are now then yes, plus going to do another ultra sound to check his vital organs and such."
"Ok I guess they are just playing it safe?"
"yes, but still going to have her on bed rest when she does get out for a few weeks, and she won't be able to be alone"
"Sounds like I am here till my nephew is born then, I have no problem with that"
Soon another knock was heard and this time Kitty popped her head in, "hey guys are you up for more visitors?"
"if you have food with you bring all the visitors you want" Jackie said sitting up a little more.
Kitty came in followed by Red, Fez and Laurie. Red and Fez were carrying containers of food, Laurie stood back some, unsure as to her welcome by Jackie.
Jackie noticed Laurie's reluctance to come in, but after her note and Steven telling her about their conversation and everything Fez had told her, she was ready to let the past stay in the past. "Laurie welcome home, sorry we couldn't all be at the Foreman's for a great dinner"
Laurie went up to Jackie and pulled her into a hug, "Girl you just get to feeling better and getting us a healthy baby boy and let me be an aunt to him"
"Of course, you are like Steven's other sister and he's known you longer than his actual sister."
Steven got a quick hug from Laurie, "Laurie this is my sister Angie, she is going to be helping out at Grooves till after the baby is born. She actually helped open it and run it till she moved back to Milwaukee and works at the main offices there with dad"
"Well Laurie we are going to have plenty of time to get to know each other, Steven said you were going to work at Grooves once you got settled in?"
"As long as the offer is still there, sounds like you guys need the help especially right now"
"Yea I have Randy and Todd working there now but I know they need a break"
While the group was talking Kitty went about setting up food for Jackie and Steven to eat. Jackie was thinking of the woman that has mothered everyone that seemed to walk through her doors, and was going to be the perfect grandma, "Kitty can you come by in the morning?"
"I work later but yes I can, why?"
"Well I thought the first time Angie was there and I thought maybe you would like to get to be with us tomorrow for the ultrasound to see your grandson."
"Oh that is just the most precious, I would love to. I never really get a chance to see the ultrasounds, I can't wait."
After everyone left and the food was ate, the nurse had come in and took Jackie's vitals, "Mrs. Barnett it looks like everything is good so I am going to let you sleep and we will check again in 3 hours, so get some sleep. When I come back I'll try to be quick and maybe you won't wake up too much and can go right back to sleep."
Jackie was thankful to get some sleep after the nurse left she moved again for Steven to join her in bed. "I don't know how I'll sleep without you with me."
"Well I will try to be there as much as I can, I just remembered I do need to get with Leo and develop some film that Eric left me from Africa. Maybe I could set up a dark room in the basement or something its been a while since I developed pictures."
"Remember when I would come over and help you, I guess I couldn't be around the chemicals right now"
"Not to mention that would not be bed rest. I guess we can see if Brook can get you some books or something you are going to have to do something to keep yourself occupied and in bed. There once was a time I could provide you with a reason to stay in bed" he gave her a smirk
"Just laying in your arms is all I need"
The pair was able to fall asleep with the quiet sounds of the hospital going on around them.