Author's Note: In the words of Lauren: "Eee! Another baby!". Enjoy chapter eight.
Chapter Eight: Perpetuation
Darien yawned and gave the alarm clock a disdainful glare as it disturbed his sleep. He had always hated Mondays. He turned over, propping himself up on his elbow, and looked at Claire, who was managing to sleep through the annoying morning DJ's prattle. He loved to watch her sleep, she was so peaceful asleep.
"Today ought to be cooler with a chance of rain in the evening. I hope everyone is enjoying this lovely 8th day of April." Announced the DJ.
This caught Darien's attention, he laid back down and stared at the ceiling. Today would have been Laria's first birthday. Had it really been a year already? What had happened to all that time? He closed his eyes and thought about their little girl. It still saddened him but he was able to remember the peaceful times.
He rolled over and draped an arm around Claire, his hand resting on her abdomen. Her pregnancy was just barely starting to show at four months. Darien could feel the soft roundness that was their second child.
"Clllaaaaiirrrre." He said softly, trying to wake her.
"Hrrmmpp." Was her answer.
"Claire, it's Monday, time to get up." He tried again.
Claire responded by pulling her pillow over her head. Darien laughed and climbed out of bed heading towards the bathroom. He stood in front of the mirror staring at his reflection. His mind was swimming with memories of Laria and thoughts of their second child. Claire's obstetrician had ran every possible test in the last three months to rule out every possible problem. They were both holding their breath hoping that this pregnancy would be without complications. There had never been a definitive diagnosis as to why Claire went into labor early with Laria.
Darien sighed and turned on the shower, letting the water warm up. When the spray warmed he stepped under it. He let the water clear his mind, he hoped Claire wouldn't be saddened today.
Claire pulled the pillow off her head, she had heard the DJ. It had been a year, a whole year since her beautiful baby girl made her fateful entrance into the world. She placed her hand on her abdomen as Darien had done. Another child was preparing to make an entrance. Her mind alternated between fear of the possibility of another premature labor and the excitement of a infant.
Claire heard the water shut off and pushed back the blankets and climbed out of bed. She crossed the bedroom and entered the bathroom. Darien was in front of the mirror applying various products to his hair. It took him longer to do his hair than it took her to do hers.
"Morning lover." She said.
Darien saw the smile on her face and the sadness she tried to hide in her eyes.
"Morning sweetheart." He said gently.
Darien rinsed his hands of gel and hugged her. Claire felt safe in his arms and let herself relax. They remained in that embrace for a few minutes until Claire jokingly asked if he left her any hot water. Darien answered her with a kiss and Claire turned the water back on. Darien left that bathroom to get dressed and Claire stepped into the shower.
After dressing Darien went to the kitchen and made coffee. Claire joined him not too long afterwards.
"Claire?" asked Darien tentatively.
"Hmm?" she replied sipping her coffee.
"What do you want to do today?" he asked quickly.
Claire smiled sadly.
"Let's go to the cemetery." She said.
Darien nodded. They finished their breakfast and prepared to leave.
When the arrived at the cemetery the sun was shining warmly through the trees. They followed the path they knew too well that took them to where Laria and Kevin were buried. Claire gently cleared away the old flowers and replaced them with new. They stood in silence, feeling the warmth of the sun.
Darien wasn't sure if Claire knew it, but he often came down here when he needed to think or if he had had a bad day. He would sit on the grass facing Laria and Kevin's headstones and tell them his troubles and problems.
Darien was standing with his arm around Claire when he heard footsteps. He turned quickly to see who was interrupting their solitude. He saw a familiar figure approaching.
Bobby solemnly walked up, carrying half a dozen white carnations.
"I thought you might be here today." He said quietly, placing the flowers in front of the pinkish gravestone.
"Oh, Bobby. Hi." Said Claire surprised.
"How are you doing?" Asked Bobby.
"Ok. We're just, you know…it being a year and all." Answered Darien.
Bobby gave them a sympathetic smile.
"Fat Man said you didn't have to come in today."
"No, really, we're fine." Replied Claire. Darien nodded in agreement.
"Should we go?" asked Darien.
"Yes." Said Claire, with no audible trace of sadness in her voice.
Bobby walked out with the pair and they climbed into their respective vehicles and drove to the Agency.
****
By July, Claire was in her seventh month. They had spent June worried to death hoping Claire would make is safely through the fateful sixth month. When she did they celebrated by going out to dinner, inviting Bobby, Alex, the Official and even Eberts. It had been a lovely evening.
But now it was July and it was hot and Claire was miserable. Darien had been able to deal with morning sickness, mood swings and strange cravings (who had ever heard of cherry Twislers and green olives?), but when Claire was unhappy, everyone was unhappy.
They went in for biweekly pre-natal check ups and everything was progressing normally. Darien loved the check ups that included ultrasound. The grainy black and white image was showed the precious being within Claire was amazing, the rapid heartbeat was music to his ears.
They had just returned from a check up and Claire was moody. The air condition was on full blast and she was still hot, and her feet and head hurt. She walked into the living room and laid down on the couch, one arm covering her eyes. Darien had brought her a glass of juice which she waved away.
Darien placed the juice on table and kneeled down next to the couch. He placed his hand on her swollen abdomen. He felt kick in response to his touch.
"Hi Erin sweetie. How are you doing in there?" said Darien in a sing-song voice.
They had done an amnio in May and found out they were having another baby girl. They had decided on the name Erin Lynn. They were going to have to use Kevin Mason later.
Claire smiled at Darien's antics. He was so excited to be a father again, possibly even more excited than she was about being a mother again.
Darien was lost in admiration of the strength of the kicks his daughter was assaulting his hand with, when there was knock at the door.
"She's going to quite a soccer player." Said Darien standing up to answer the door. It was Bobby. As they walked back into the living room Darien continued, "Or we'll have to have her train with Hobbes so she can put that energy to good use."
"What's this about me?" asked Bobby curiously.
"Darien was saying that Erin will either a soccer player or a Hop Kido master because of how she's kicking." Said Claire laughing.
"Is that so?" asked Bobby.
"Uh huh, you should feel her." Said Darien, his voice full of pride.
"May I?" asked Bobby of Claire.
"Of course, you're Uncle Bobby after all." Said Claire.
Uncle Bobby. Bobby loved that term. He loved children and had been upset that Vivian hadn't wanted to have kids. He moved to Claire's side and placed his hand on her abdomen.
"Here." She said moving his hand to the left slightly.
Bobby's eyes lit up when he felt the movement. Another thought crossed his mind.
"Did you two decide what you're going to do about counteragent production when Claire goes on maternity leave?" he asked.
"Yes we did. I asked Nina if she could come down and take over while I'm away since she already knows how to make it and all about the QS-9300 project." Said Claire. "We also spoke to the Official and he offered to hire her for more research and development since she's almost done with school." Added Darien.
"Really? That's wonderful." Said Bobby.
Nina was giving her last dissertation in August and she would then receive her Ph.D. The Official said she could help with QS-9300 and take on other projects that filtered through the Agency.
"When does she arrive?" asked Bobby.
"Mid to late August." Responded Claire.
"Great." Said Bobby, and his response was punctuated by a forceful kick from Erin.
****
By September 12th Claire was sick of being pregnant. She started practicing yoga in hopes of triggering the start of labor. Her due date had been September 4th.
She was currently laying on the floor, taking a break from her exercises when Darien walked in.
Darien saw her laying on the floor and walked over so he was towering above her.
"Having fun?" he asked looking down at her.
"It would figure that this little one doesn't want to come out." She said.
They heard the door in the kitchen that led to the garage open and Darien saw Nina carrying groceries. Nina had arrived on schedule, Erin hadn't. Nina was looking for an apartment and until she found one she was staying at the house.
"Ah, the other illustrious doctor in my life has returned." Said Darien teasingly.
Nina tried to give him a stern look, but failed.
"Don't call me doctor. It makes me sound old." She said.
Nina had settled right in at the Agency. She got along with everyone, even the Official, who actually spent money to have rooms four and five joined and turned into a useable lab for her.
Darien started towards the kitchen to help Nina put things away when he heard Claire gasp.
Claire was still laying on the floor when she felt the familiar gripping sensation of a contraction.
"Claire? Are you alright?" asked Darien.
"I think… I think it's time." She said as the pain subsided.
"What's going on?" called Nina from the kitchen.
"It's time, it's time, it's time." Babbled Darien.
Nina walked in from the kitchen, a smile on her face.
"Well, unless you want to deliver your daughter on your living room floor, help her up." She said, suppressing the laughter that threatened to erupt at Darien's reaction.
Darien flew to Claire's side and helped her sit and then stand. Nina collected her bag and purse and other necessities. Darien was ushering Claire out to the car when another contraction hit her. She gripped his hand.
"Breathe Claire, you're turning purple." Said Nina good naturedly as she walked up behind them.
Claire forced a smile and let Darien lead her the rest of the way to the car. He seated her in the front seat and Nina climbed in back. Darien ran around to the other side and got behind the wheel.
They drove to the hospital and checked in. Claire's contractions were coming surprisingly regularly. The doctor said is was possible she could have been having minor ones all day and didn't notice. She was dilated to three centimeters.
Darien was the typical nervous father. He couldn't sit still, he just paced and paced.
"Darien, honey, you're making me dizzy." Said Claire, watching him walk back and forth across the room.
"Oh. Sorry, Claire, I'm just way too keyed up. How are you doing? Do you need anything?"
"I'm fine Darien. These are nothing." She said.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in." called Claire.
Nina entered.
"I called Mom and Peter, Claire, and I called your Grandmother, Bobby, and the Official, Darien. Anyone else that needs to know?" she asked.
"I don't think so." Said Claire and Darien simultaneously.
"Ok. Mom said she'd be here tonight and Peter said he'd be here tomorrow with Jessica and the kids. Your Grandmother sends her love and Bobby said he'd be here ASAP. The Official said he'd keep in touch."
Just as she finished her report the was a second knock at the door. Nina walked over and opened it and Bobby stepped inside.
"Hey how are you doing?" he asked.
"I'm good Bobby." Said Claire, her sentence becoming forced as another contraction came and passed.
"That one was stronger." She said slightly breathless.
"Do you need anything?" said Darien jumping to his feet.
"Darien I'm fine!" said Claire. "Bobby, take him for a walk or something." She said laughing.
Bobby looked at his partner, he was jittery and nervous.
"Come on Inviso-Boy, let's give the lady some rest." He said grabbing Darien's arm and steering him out the door.
"But what if something happens, what if she needs me?" questioned Darien.
"We won't go far." Said Bobby, as Nina ushered the pair out of the room.
"I know you're sick of hearing this question, but are you sure there isn't anything you need?" asked Claire.
Claire looked thoughtfully at her younger sister. "I think the only think I need is for Darien to calm down. He's going to get so worked up he won't be able to control the gland and the last thing I need is for my husband to disappear in the delivery room. Can you imagine the explaining we'd have to do? Not only to the hospital but to the Official?" asked Claire.
Nina suppressed laughter at the thought of Darien shimmering out of site and the doctor's reaction.
"You're right Claire, we can't have him going see-through in the heat of the moment per say."
Claire smiled and laid back against her pillows. She was about to make another comment when a powerful contraction gripped her. She held her breath and grabbed Nina's hand. She felt it peaking when there was a sudden wetness underneath her.
Nina was coaching her sister through the contraction when she saw surprise register on Claire's face.
"Everything all right?" she asked.
"I think my water just broke."
"Oh! I'll go get Tammy." Said Nina, rushing out of the room.
Tammy was one of the nurses who they had befriended when Laria was born. They had kept in touch over the past year and Claire insisted that Tammy be her labor and delivery nurse for Erin too.
Tammy can back into the room with Nina on her heels.
"How are you doing? Are the contractions stronger now?" she asked.
Claire nodded. "My water broke too." She said.
"Ok, let me check you real quick and I'll change the padding under you. Sounds like you're progressing nicely."
"I'll go rein in that husband of yours Claire." Said Nina, extricating herself from the room to give Claire some privacy.
"I saw him pacing down by the elevators." Said Tammy grinning as she helped Claire scoot to the edge of the bed. Let's just see how far you've dilated."
Nina left and headed towards the elevators. There was Darien wearing a path in the carpet and Bobby was leaning against the wall trying to calm him.
"Her water broke." Called Nina once she was in hearing distance.
Darien paused and took a moment to register what she had just said. He started back to Claire's room in a rush, when Nina pulled him back.
"Give her a moment, the nurse is checking her."
Darien nodded and hovered outside the door. When it opened he literally flew inside.
"Whoa, careful there." Said Tammy as she hopped out of the way. "She's dilated to eight centimeters and the contractions are four minutes apart. The anesthesiologist is on his way down to administer the epidural." She reported.
Darien nodded and went to Claire's side.
"How are you doing?" he asked.
"If you ask me that one more time I'll have Bobby tape your mouth closed." Replied Claire.
"Oh! I knew I forgot something." Chimed in Bobby. "Duct tape. Do they have that in the gift shop?" he asked Tammy.
"I don't think so, but I could get you a roll of bandage tape." She offered.
"Ok, ok, I'll quit. I just feel useless. I'm not doing anything." Said Darien defending himself.
"Oh, you'll have plenty to do soon." Said Tammy as the anesthesiologist entered.
"Hello Ms. Rose, I'm Dr. Allen."
Claire nodded and gasped as a spasm hit her.
"Ok Claire, we're going to let this one pass and then sit you up so Dr. Allen can give you the epidural." Explained Tammy.
Claire had Darien's hand in a death grip, his fingers were white. Once the contraction passed Darien and Tammy helped Claire sit up. Dr. Allen administered the epidural. Claire sighed in relief.
"Oh, that's wonderful." She cooed.
"You shouldn't feel intense pain now, more like pressure." Said Tammy.
Claire nodded and closed her eyes.
"I'll be right back Claire. I'm just going to go inform Dr. Brevik of your progress."
Darien nodded and turned back to Claire.
"Fawkes? Did you want me in here?" asked Bobby.
"It's really up to Claire." Responded Darien.
"He can stay." Answered Claire, eyes still closed.
Bobby and Nina sat in the two of the numerous chairs and Darien remained at Claire's side.
Claire dilated the last two centimeters in a half hour and Dr. Brevik arrived.
"Darien if you ever come near me again I'll kill you!" said Claire through clenched teeth.
"I thought the epidural made if painless?" asked Darien plaintively.
"Almost and it's still a lot of work. Coach her, coach her." Said Tammy.
"You're doing good honey, you're almost there." Said Darien comfortingly.
"Ok Claire, almost there, one more good push, deep breath, and push, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Good Claire, good." Coached Dr. Brevik.
Darien watched as his daughter made her way into the world. Her lusty cries filling the room. Bobby and Nina were on their feet watching as Tammy cleaned the squalling bundle.
"She's got quite a set of lungs there Fawkesy." Said Bobby, tears wetting his eyes. Nina was unable to speak and held Bobby in a hug, Bobby looked at her, laughing and gently kissed her.
Darien felt the tears slide down his cheeks as Tammy placed Erin on Claire's chest. Claire was crying as she looked at the tiny face. She looked similar to Laria. Same dark hair, and lots of it, baby blue eyes that may or may not darken as she got older.
Darien bent down so he was on Claire and Erin's level.
"Hi there sweetie, we've been waiting for you." Said Darien, his voice thick with tears. Claire looked at her husband and back to he daughter. The painful memories of Laria's death came flooding back, but she knew this was different. She knew Erin was here to stay.
They had come full circle from where they had been almost two years ago. They were together, they had survived the death of one child and welcomed the life of another.
Nina had brought in Catherine, their mother.
"Oh Mom, she's beautiful." Gushed Nina.
Catherine came to her eldest daughter's bedside and looked at her newest grandchild.
"Mom, I'd like you to meet Erin Lynn." Said Claire with a gentle smile on her face.
"If only William were here." Said Catherine sadly, "He would have loved to see you so happy."
"Dad knows I'm happy Mom, he knows." Said Claire comfortingly.
Catherine nodded and looked at her son-in-law. Darien was lost in rapture of his daughter. He couldn't take his eyes off her. Catherine knew was going to be a father to be reckoned with.
Nina was still wrapped in Bobby's arms as she watched her sister. She was truly happy, a happiness she hadn't seen since before Laria had been born. She was ecstatic that Claire was happy again.
Darien carefully reached out a finger to stoke Erin's face. Her incredibly soft skin against his finger reminded him of Laria and he swallowed fiercely to hold back tears. He carefully traced Erin's fingers, almost as if he was counting them. Erin stirred at this contact and lightly wrapped her fingers around Darien's finger, almost as if to say hello, and gazed at him unfocusedly. Darien smiled in response to the true happiness he had finally found.
Ending Notes: To my readers: I thank you for your continued support throughout the duration of this story. Your positive reviews helped encourage me past that first chapter.
The story of Laria Rose Fawkes had traveled down many roads and made it's way back to the beginning. I hope to write sequels sometime in the future, I already have plot bunnies forming in my head. I'm excited to visit Erin and her family sometime later.
I'm glad that the readers of this story have enjoyed it and I hope that future readers enjoy it as well.
Beth