Chapter 44
"Babe what is wrong?" Steven pulled away from her and looked at her.
"I think I just felt my first contraction" Jackie leaned over and held her stomach, trying the deep breaths. He helped her to the couch.
"What do we do now?"
"Check your watch and we time these and wait."
"Wait for what?"
"Wait till they are close enough to go to the hospital"
"Oh right" He remembered now, and he should have been the one to remember to start, she was the one in labor, in pain. All of a sudden she grasped out again, he checked his watch, "five minutes, doll it's time. How is it time already shouldn't these things start off a little further apart?"
"I think they hadn't been as bad until just now, I had cramps most of the day but I didn't think anything about it"
"Ok I am going to go up and get your bag, are you going to be OK?"
Steven raced up the stairs while Jackie grabbed the phone next to the couch and called the only mother Steven and her had, when Kitty answered the phone, "Mrs. Foreman I wanted to let you know we are headed to the hospital, if you can call everyone and let them know for us, and I want you up there too."
"Oh sweetie, I'll call everyone, I wish Eric was here, but Red and I will meet you guys at the hospital, you just make sure they know you are Kitty Foreman's daughter in law and they are going to take good care of you."
Jackie was tearing up and the statement, she was Steven's mother and she was going to be there for them, not just tonight, but always to help them. They were going to be great parents with a great support system. "Thank you Mrs. Foreman, Reggie is going to have the best grandma a little boy could ask for"
"Doll are you ready?" Steven had came downstairs with her bag"
"Steven's here and we are headed to the hospital so we will see you there in a little while"
"You let Steven take care of you, and remind him you don't want to get in a wreck on the way"
Jackie hung up the phone and Steven helped her off the couch right as another contraction hit. After it was over Jackie leaned into Steven, "Kitty wanted me to remind you that we don't need to get into a wreck on the way to the hospital"
"Well this is it, the next time we are here it's going to be the three of us"
Kitty hung up the phone in the kitchen and hollered through the door, "Red we need to be leaving shortly!"
Walking into the kitchen, "Kitty it's late I don't want to go anywhere"
"Jackie just called they are on their way to the hospital, so we are going to go, but first I am going to call everyone"
She picked up the phone and called WB first, surprised when he answered the phone himself. "WB here"
"Hey this is Kitty, Jackie and Steven are on their way to the hospital, it's time"
"Ok, let me get Angie and we will be on our way up."
Next she called Brook and Michael and then Fez and Laurie, Brook said they would drop Betsey off at Michael's parents and be on their way. She called the ER of the hospital to be ready for when Steven pulled up with Jackie. Finally Red lead Kitty out to the car to drive to the hospital, they knew it was going to be a long night.
Steven was driving as best he could, wishing he would have taken Jackie's car instead of the El Camino, but he rarely drove her car, but at least it was an automatic. It was hard to comfort Jackie and switch gears at the same time. He really wished he would have taken her car when he heard her "OH!"
"Another contraction?"
"Yea and I think my water just broke" yea her water broke in the nice seat of his El Camino. Jackie just started to cry, "I am sorry"
"Hey it's nothing that you could help, and it will clean up" at least he hoped it would.
They pulled into the front the ER doors, a guy in a wheel chair was there to meet them. "You Kitty's son?"
Steven was taken back by the question but knew the answer, "yes"
"She just called and told us to be ready for you, let's get your wife in the chair and wheeled in and you can park right over there. We will get you both up to the maternity floor"
Steven went and pulled the car in a parking space and rushed back to the doors. They were immediately taken to the maternity floor. "Lucky for you guys it is a slow night, they have already called Dr. Stevens, they will get you checked in and settled from here" He turned and left as nurse came up to them.
"Hey I am Karen, I'll be with you overnight, Nurse Foreman called me, we have your paperwork already done so let's just get you in a room and changed" She wheeled Jackie into a room with Steven right by Jackie's side, never letting go of her hand. "Ok you will be in here till it is time for the delivery room, Dr. Stevens is on his way here and will check you and see how far you are and then we just ride it out. Do you want drugs for the pain?"
"I don't know, do I have to decide right now?"
"No you can wait for the doctor to get here and talk it over with him. Let me ask a few questions and then I'll leave you to get changed. How far apart are the contractions?"
Steven looked up, "about every five minutes or so." About then another contraction hit.
"I have had cramping most of the day, but didn't think anything of it till it got worse."
"Ok when did your water break?" She took Jackie's blood pressure and vitals while asking everything.
"On the way to the hospital" Jackie answered sheepishly looking at Steven.
Karen followed Jackie's eyes, she done this enough and married herself to a car guy, "cloth or leather seats?" she asked Steven.
He was not expecting a car question and couldn't register an answer, Jackie looking at him realized shock was taken over and answered for him. "Leather"
"My husband works on cars and well he taken it upon himself to help new fathers out when this happens, he can clean your car in the morning"
"Thanks, there are times he takes more care of the car than anything else, but it is a pretty sweet car"
"Well I'll let you get changed and see if the doctor is here yet and we will be in to check on you."
In Milwaukee, WB hollered down the hall for Angie, "What is going on dad?"
"Well I was about to tell you to get dressed we are headed to Point Place, but you are still dressed?"
"Um I have to go to the airport, Eric called here and his flight gets in at midnight and he didn't want to get his parents to drive so late and since he was flying into Milwaukee"
"Well let's go get him and get to Point Place, Kitty just called Steven and Jackie are going to the hospital, looks like my grandson is on his way."
"Eric will be so glad to get here in time!"
Kitty, Red, Laurie, Fez, Michael and Brook all met in the waiting room of the maternity floor of Point Place General. They hadn't seen Steven or Jackie and no one would tell them anything. Finally Kitty spotted Karen, "Karen, how is Jackie doing?"
"Kitty, she is doing just fine, Dr. Stevens should be here soon and we will know more, but her vitals so far are good. Dr. Stevens had in her chart to keep an eye on her blood pressure so we are right now checking it every half hour. Her contractions are three minutes apart, so it could go faster than many."
"Oh dear, I hope WB and Angie get here soon."
"When is that doctor going to get here?" Steven was pacing the room, Jackie was setting up in bed, monitors hooked up to her and the sound of the baby's heart beat filling the room. Just as another contraction hit, Steven rushed to her side and took her hand, he never thought she had that much strength in her hand, had she been holding anyone else's hand she might have easily crushed it, "Just breathe baby, deep breath in and out"
"It hurts, I don't think I can do this"
"You can do this, and if anything the doctor can give you something for the pain when he gets here"
Just then Dr. Stevens walked in the room with Karen. Mr. and Mrs. Barnett great to see you this evening, well we got you to the point we wanted for this guy to develop and he is ready isn't he"
As the contraction ended Jackie relaxed, Steven took the cup of ice chips and gave her some, "Yea I think he is wanting out sooner than later" Jackie told the doctor.
"Ok let's check and see where we are and then decide if you want pain meds" Karen helped the doctor put Jackie's feet into the stirrups while Steven stayed at the head of the bed. "Well looks like you are at five centimeters so half way there." He looked at the tape from one of the monitors, "Contractions are steady, now this could change some with pain meds, but I strongly suggest pain meds even if it slows things up some, pain meds will help you blood pressure as pain can cause a spike in blood pressure. Right now everything looks good and we want to keep it that way."
"Yes, I'll take something for the pain"
"Karen put a call in for Dr. Parks, he is the anesthesiologist on duty, for an epidural. After he is in here, if you want anyone else in here to visit you can"
"Yea you have a pretty crowded waiting room out there. If you need me just push the button on the bed there" Karen told the couple as she left to get Dr. Parks.
Steven went to sit on the bed looking at Jackie and taking her hand, "I guess our family is out there waiting. Do you want me to go give them an update?" He wasn't sure he wanted to leave Jackie alone, but he knew everyone out there would be wanting an update, and Kitty might just be climbing the walls not knowing.
"Yea go you better go tell your mom, and see if they will let her in here before, I think I need her right now"
Steven leaned in and gave her a kiss on the lips, "Don't go anywhere Doll, I'll be right back and if you need anything"
Jackie cut him off, "Go that way you get back here sooner"
Steven looked around the waiting room, his family but he knew he was missing three family members, one that wouldn't be there, "Hey WB and Angie not here yet?"
"No but they are on their way, they should be here soon, how is Jackie?" Kitty stood up and went over to Steven.
"She's in pain when the contractions hit, but they are getting Dr. Parks to give her and epi something, then they said you guys can visit her, but she asked if you could come back now, said she needed you, I checked with the nurse and she said it would be fine." He looked at the others, "I'll come get the rest of you when it's OK to come back." He lead Kitty to Jackie's room.
At the airport Angie and WB waited for Eric to get off the plane, Eric stepped off into the waiting area of the gate and was surprised to see WB with Angie, "WB I wasn't expecting you here"
"Well we need to get your stuff and get to Point Place, I am about to become a grandpa"
"Jackie's having the baby?"
"Yea, your mom called me right before Angie was leaving to come get you."
"So I guess everyone is at the hospital?"
"I would guess so, but not sure, your parents are for sure"
They went to baggage claim and picked up Eric's luggage and took it out to WB's car. Angie let Eric ride up front with WB and climbed in the back.
"I guess it is a good thing I slept most of the time on the flights home."
"Yea, I am going to need coffee, there is never a way to know how long these things will take. Angie's mother was in labor 22 hours."
"Ugg, I don't know if I want to have kids and go through all that"
"Your mom forgot all of that when she held you for the first time, and maybe you shouldn't worry about it till you find the right guy"
"You got a point there dad"
The rest of the ride to the hospital Eric was telling about his trip and all that he had learned, how he realized teaching wasn't something he really wanted to do. He loved taking pictures and couldn't wait to see how they turned out. Angie told him that she hadn't seen them but Steven said the ones he had developed turned out great
At the hospital Jackie was feeling much better, but didn't feel like having everyone in her room at once, Red was perfectly fine once he saw Jackie knowing she was good and waited out in the waiting room. He couldn't help but wonder where WB was, it didn't take that long, he just hoped there wasn't an accident.
Kitty was a blessing, since she entered her room, she kept Jackie and Steven calm and helped hold her while the doctor gave her the epidural while Steven sat and held her hand. Everyone had came in to give their support and they would be waiting. Red said he would send WB and Angie in as soon as they got here.
Everyone but Kitty and Steven was in the waiting room. When WB, Angie and Eric showed up. Red stood up to greet them and send them into Jackie's room when he noticed his son with them, "Eric?"
"Yea my flight landed in Milwaukee and I had called Angie if she could pick me up since it was going to be so late and such, and mom had called right before Angie left."
"Well good to see you, your mom is in with Jackie and Steven, I told them I would send you guys in as soon as you got here." He hugged his son and shook WB's hand. "I'll show you to the room" and he lead them down the hallway to Jackie's room.
Right as they got to the door Kitty had just stepped out, "Eric! You're home!"
"Yea they picked me up at the airport in Milwaukee on the way here." Eric hugged his mother. "How is Jackie?"
"Doing good so far, the doctor is in there now, I step out to give them some privacy. Jackie and Steven are going to be so happy you are here"
When the doctor and nurse stepped out, Kitty motioned for Eric to go in with her.
Eric looked at his brother and Jackie on the bed, "Hey guys"
Both looked at the same time "Eric!"
"Well I was trying to get back before my nephew was born, didn't realize I was cutting it this close. WB and Angie picked me up on the way here"
"I was wondering what was taking them so long" Steven got up and gave Eric a hug, "Well welcome home"
Eric went over and hugged Jackie, "momma devil"
She hugged him back, "Uncle geek"
WB and Angie entered the room, and went over and hugged Jackie and Steven, WB looked at his son, "How are you holding up?"
"Ok, but I think Jackie is doing better than me"
"Women are like that, it's instinct to know what to do"
Suddenly Jackie broke the conversation, "Steven!" He rushed over to her, "I don't know but something feels wrong" The heartbeat that had been filling the room seemed to slow down.
Before he could reach for a button the nurse was rushing in the room, "I'm sorry but I am going to need everyone to leave the room while we check on Mrs. Barnett" Angie, Eric and WB left quickly, "Kitty I need you to go too, and take your son with you"
"I am not leaving my wife!"
The doctor walked in, "Just step into the hall, I need to see what is going on and you will be able to come back in."
Kitty reluctantly got up and went over to the door, she knew she wouldn't be able to move Steven herself, luckily WB was right outside, "Can you help, they want Steven to step out?"
WB motioned for Eric to follow him back into the room, both walked up to the side of him, "Son lets wait outside and let the doctor do his job"
Steven said nothing but just looked at Jackie, "Puddin Pop, I'll be fine just go, I'll see you soon." More nurses and another doctor had entered the room and WB and Eric guided Steven out to the hall. Time seemed to sit still, before they knew what was going on, Jackie was being wheeled out of the room. Dr. Stevens was standing in front of Steven, "There is no easy way to say this, but Jackie's blood pressure has spiked and on top of that the baby's heart beat has dropped both are signs of distress for both of them, we are going to do the best we can for both of them. But I have to ask you, if we have to pick one over the other do we save your wife or your son?"
Steven's world shook like nothing he ever known, he couldn't see he couldn't think. Choose? He couldn't live without Jackie, but he didn't know if Jackie would be able to take another loss of a baby. "Son we don't have a lot of time, I need to get in there, we may have to operate to deliver the baby"
"Jackie, I need Jackie"
And before he knew what was happening, WB and Eric was guiding him to the waiting room. The sat him in a corner of the room, Kitty went to the others while WB and Eric stayed by Steven. Angie, Brook and Laurie started to cry. Anyone that looked close enough would see tears in Red's eyes as well. They all looked at Kitty for what they needed to do, "Pray, pray for Jackie, Reggie and the doctors, and pray for Steven. I am going to make some calls from the nurses lounge, I think Bob and Donna need to know what is going on."
Red walked over and joined WB and his sons, Steven finally broke when Red put a hand on his shoulder, "I can't loose her, but she can't loose another baby" none of the other three men knew what he was talking about. "this baby has kept her going" WB took his arms around his son who seemed to collapse in his embrace.
Kitty walked up to the men, "I have called Donna and Bob, they are both praying and said to send their love. I talked to Karen, she will come out as soon as she can with an update. They are going to do whatever they can for both of them."
Now all they could do is wait.
AN: Please don't hate me. My father was faced with the same question when I was born.