Lucky Stars
Part 2
[I'm working on fics left and right! Eeeeek! I want to get as many done as I can before I go back to school in one day! I'm doing Lucky Stars, an epilogue, and a stand alone right now, as we speak! Plus, I have another idea in my head. But maybe I'll hold out on that one. Anyway, here is part two.]
The paternity tests came back. The results said Joey was indeed the father.
As the days passed, Joey noticed that he was less and less worried about becoming a father. Each time he saw Taya, he noticed that she looked a little more pregnant, and a little more excited, and he soon grew excited, too. He knew this was a big responsibility, and he knew that he really wasn't ready for this, but he couldn't help but be excited. He knew how much he adored Emma. And wasn't this the same thing, really? Only it was his own baby.
His mother and grandmother constantly sent him things for the baby. His grandmother liked to sew, and she made the baby beautiful blankets. Joey noticed that she used neutral colors that went together nicely...like green and yellow. He never realized that they looked so good knitted into a blanket. She also made one that was pink and blue. That way it worked for his son or daughter.
His sisters who had a plethora of baby clothes sent him some of the clothes that were still in good condition and that they didn't need anymore. Mary Angela sent him a whole bunch of boys and girls clothes. He actually felt he alone was prepared for either sex.
Taya had a million names that she liked. She told Joey that she had been in love with baby names, and names in general, and this made it hard for Joey to suggest anything. She was so picky, he was afraid of what she would think of his own names she liked. However, he was quite excited when she mentioned that she loved the name Joseph, and what did he think about naming the baby after him? He had tried to get Ross and Rachel to name Emma Josephine, but they didn't like that name, they had said.
They also argued over the last name of the baby. Joey wanted it to be Tribbianni, of course, and Taya wanted to give the baby her own name, which was Wright. She argued that she was the one who had to have the baby, why shouldn't the baby have her last name? Joey argued that the baby should have it's father's last name. Taya argued that if the baby was going to be living with it's mother, shouldn't it have it's mother's name?
That's when Joey realized that this wasn't what he wanted it to be.
I can't take this anymore! he said, coming into Chandler and Monica's apartment.
What's the matter, Joey? Monica asked.
It's just, I get all excited about the baby, and then I realize this isn't how I want it to be, he sighed. I want to be able to see my baby all the time, not have it living with it's mother and not me. And I don't want to live with Taya, that's for sure.
Yeah, but just look at it this way, Monica said. When the baby cries all night, you get a break from it.
Well, maybe, and I say maybe, I don't want a break from it, you know? I want to be with my kid all the time! I don't want to miss firsts and things like that.
Joe, if you have that attitude, then you're gonna be a great father, Chandler said.
Yeah. Just the fact that you want to see those things means something.
And then there's the whole last name issue. I want it to be Tribbianni, she wants it to be Wright. See, those are the kinds of things I hate about this situation. I mean, you guys will just know your baby's last name.
But look at Ross and Rachel. They gave Emma both last names. Have you talked about that? Monica asked.
Kinda, for a minute. Taya said that she doesn't think Wright and Tribbianni hyphenate well together. Too different. She also said she wanted the baby to have two middle names, and that would give the baby way too many names.
Is she all about getting what she wants? Monica asked. Cause it's sure sounding that way.
Well, kinda, yeah. But mostly with the name. She's a name freak. She loves names.
I can't believe her! Monica said. First she wants Joey to be all involved, then she won't let him make any choices.
Well, she lets me make some choices, he said.
Like what? Monica asked.
Joey said. I don't really know.
Where did you meet this woman again? Chandler asked.
I have no idea. I think maybe at a restaurant, Joey said with a sigh. I hate that, too. That the baby's parents don't love each other. That they didn't even love each other when it was conceived. Didn't even know each other's last names, he looked at Monica and Chandler. I just, I always thought when I had a baby it would be like with you two, you know?
Joey was awoken from his sleep a few weeks later by the phone ringing.
he asked.
Joey? Joey, it's me.
Who's me?
Joey, it's Taya! Who else would call at three in the morning.
A lot of people, actually, you would be surprised. I once got a dishwasher salesman. Sure, he was drunk, but-
Taya said. Joey, the baby's coming!
But....but, you're not due for two more months!
I know! she said. I know, but the baby's coming. I need to get to the hospital. Maybe they can stop the labor.
Okay, okay, I'll take a cab to your place, and drive your car to the hospital, he said. It wasn't until then that it dawned on him. He need a car.
Joey, please hurry, Taya said. He noticed that she sounded scared and worried. He'd never heard her like that. She was always the bossy, controlling one. Kind of like Monica, but instead of in a good way, in a bad way. He thought.
He then jumped out of bed and got dressed, in something he later realized wasn't clean, and didn't even match. He wasn't even sure if the shirt he was wearing was his. It looked like Ross'.
He got to Taya's, and he soon knew that this wasn't just false labor like he had figured it was. He had come across that possibility in the cab on the way over to Taya's. She was in a lot of pain. And contractions were hitting her every few minutes. He was worried that the baby was going to come tonight.
Hi, hi, my, ummmmm... he struggled for a word to call Taya. My baby's mother is in labor. She's not due for two more months. Can you stop it?
We'll take here to an examining room and see what we can do. We can most likely give her an injection that will stop the labor. A male doctor told Joey as they put Taya in a wheelchair. He felt himself give a sigh of relief. Do you want to come with her?
he said, following the nurse who was pushing Taya in her wheel chair to an examining room.
Mr. Tribbianni, Ms. Wright, I'm afraid we can't give you an injection. The doctor said.
Why not? Joey asked, starting to worry again.
The labor has progressed too far already, he said. The contractions are seven minutes apart, and your water broke already.
My water didn't break! Taya protested.
Some women don't even notice when their water breaks. But it can happen when you're using the bathroom, so you may not have noticed it.
Oh my God, Taya said. You're telling me the baby is going to come this morning!?
the doctor said.
Is the baby gonna be okay? Taya asked.
It's too early to tell. In most cases, yes. But we don't know an specifics that could be causing the labor, he turned to a nurse. Amy, go find a delivery room for Ms. Wright, he instructed.
Taya said, clutching his hand. Joey, I'm scared. What if something happens to the baby?
Everything is going to be fine, he told Taya. The baby will be fine, you'll be fine. He said. Although, he wasn't so sure. Inside, he was just as scared and worried as Taya was. He knew he couldn't show it. He had to be strong for her.
Taya complained as another contraction hit. They were in her labor and delivery room now, and the contractions were less than five minutes apart.
You're 8 centimeters dilated, the doctor informed her. It shouldn't be too long now, maybe an hour.
Joey, can you call Marcie for me? Taya asked suddenly. I want her to know where I am, and get here as soon as she can. I want someone I know to be here. Call your friends if you want. She added. Just, not all of them, I can't have too many people here at once, especially if something goes wrong.
Joey nodded. I'll be right back, he said, exiting the room.
He called Marcie for Taya, then he called Chandler and Monica. They all said they would be right there. He told Chandler to tell Ross, Rachel and Phoebe what Taya had said, and to come one by one so it wouldn't seem to be so many people at once. He had agreed, and said they would be there soon.
Taya, I think it's time to have this baby! The doctor said. And you know, if all goes well, you'll have the baby home with you in a week or so!
Are you sure we can't stop the labor? she asked again.
No, Taya, it's now. You have to have this baby now.
Okay, okay, she said, reluctantly.
I can't believe she's having the baby! Monica said to Chandler. The had just gotten to the hospital, and were in the waiting room. It's two months early.
I know, Chandler said. I hope the baby's okay. I mean, Joey is having trouble with the idea of being a father, and he'd feel so guilty if anything happened.
And, if something happens to their baby, we can't likely tell them about ours! she said. That would be so inappropriate.
Yeah, and we only have a limited amount of time before they figure it out themselves, Chandler said, putting his hand on her stomach.
Hi, Monica, right? Marcie asked, coming into the waiting room.
Yeah. Hi, Marcie, she smiled at her. This is Chandler, my husband, and Joey's best friend.
Hi, nice to meet you, Marcie shook his hand. I can't believe she's
having the baby now! she said, falling into one of the waiting room chairs. I wonder how much longer?
Joey told us about an hour....and that was a while ago.
I'm so nervous for them! Marcie cried.
So are we, Monica said. So are we.
Okay, Taya, we have the baby's head, the doctor said. Just give us one more long push, and we should have it.
Oh my God!! Taya screeched.
the doctor said. Your baby girl is here! He rushed with her over to where neonatal specialists were waiting.
What's the matter with her? Taya asked, tears forming in her clear blue eyes. No one answered her.
Oh my God, something's wrong! she cried. Joey, go see, go see!
What's going on? Joey asked. He saw his daughter in one of the small infant beds, and they were hooking wires and tubes to her every which way.
She's not breathing on her own, the doctor said. Please, Mr. Tribbianni, stay with Taya and not in our way.
Right, sorry, he said, his eyes filling with tears. His first look at his daughter, and she was full of wires and tubes. This wasn't how it was supposed to be!
What's happening? a frightened Taya asked.
She's not breathing, he said. They're hooking her to wires and tubes.
Wires? Tubes? Oh my God, my baby! Taya said, tears streaming down her face.
Shhhh, shhhhh, it's gonna be okay, Joey said. They're helping her.
She didn't even cry. I always imagined hearing my first child's cry in the delivery room. She didn't even cry.
A nursed rushed by them with the baby, and took her to the NICU.
How is she? Taya asked
She's doing....okay...for her situation, the doctor said. She isn't breathing on her own, but that's normal for a baby in her situation. Her lungs are also full of fluid, so we're taking her to syphon that out.
But is she gonna be okay? Joey asked.
It's to early to tell, the doctor said. So I hate to tell either way.
Monica, Chandler, and Marcie said, all jumping up at once when Joey came out.
It's a girl, he said. But she's not breathing on her own, and she has fluid in her lungs.
Is she gonna be okay? Marcie asked.
They....they don't know yet, Joey said, his eyes filling with tears.
Oh, Joey! Monica said, giving him a hug. I'm sure she'll be okay!
Yeah, man. Isn't this normal for premature babies? Chandler asked, giving Joey a hug and a pat on the back after Monica.
Yeah, I guess. The doctor said it was normal for a baby in her situation, but I don't know exactly what her situation is, he said, sadly.
How's Taya? Chandler asked.
She's....okay, I guess.
Can I see her? Marcie asked.
Oh, yeah, go ahead. She's in 101.
Okay, thanks. I'm sure it's all going to be okay, Joey, she said, patting him on the shoulder before she went to go see Taya.
Any news? Taya asked Joey when he came to see her that night.
Well, they said her lungs are clear, but she's not breathing on her own, yet. They also said she's a little bit jaundiced, but they don't seemed too worried about that now.
Is this something I did? Taya asked. I mean, really. Why did this happen.
This wasn't your fault, Joey said. A lot of babies are born premature.
Have you seen her yet?
No. They said maybe in the morning we can see her.
God, I want to see her, and hold her so bad, Taya said, sadly. I mean, they just rushed he out of the delivery room. I didn't even get to see her face.
I'm sure she'll be okay.
Joey, she' needs a name, Taya said.
I know. What do you have?
Well, I liked Gabriella and Lydia, she said. But now I want something with more of a...you know, meaning.
What about Grace? Joey asked.
I like Grace, she said. It's just really common, though.
I also liked Mariah, he said.
Me, too, she said. But I don't know what that means. I know Grace means Graceful one' and Lydia means cultured one' neither of which relate to this.
Gabriella means Woman of God, the bringer of good news, Joey said.
Oh, that's perfect! Taya said. Although I kinda wanted Mariah.
Mariah means well, bitter, and God is my teacher.'
Well, I kinda like that, too! Ya know, like God is teaching her how to survive. Makes more sense than Woman of God.
Okay, what about Mariah Gabrielle? Then we get both, and we don't have a repetitive a' sound at the end.
I love it, Taya said. Mariah Gabrielle Wright.
You still won't consider
But why not, Taya? What is so wrong with my last name?
Nothing. It's just that I gave birth to her, I kinda want my name in there. And she will be living with me. It just makes sense.
Yeah, okay, you're right, I guess, he said, giving up.
Okay, Joey, we're gonna introduce you to your daughter! A NICU nurse, Alexa, said. She was the one that was mainly taking care of Mariah.
All right, I'm ready! he said.
Here she is. Alexa led him to a tiny baby in a small incubator.
Oh, wow, Joey said. She's so, so tiny.
There's an opening so you can reach in and touch her, Alexa said. Joey tentatively slipped his hand in the opening. Hi there, Mariah. Hi, he said.
She has so many tubes and wires...
I know they look scary. Alexa said. But they're helping her.
How is she doing? Joey asked.
A little better, Alexa looked at him. She has a 65% survival rate.
That's all? Just 65%?
That's good, though. More than 50%. And it will go up with each day. Yesterday it was only 60%.
I just, I don't want to lose her, Joey said, rubbing her small arm.
Well, of course you don't, Alexa said. Take it as it comes. Just live for the day.
Right, you're right, he said.
I'll be over there, checking on that baby, Schuyler, Alexa said. Call me if you need anything.
Okay, thanks. When Alexa walked away, he turned and looked to Mariah. C'mon, little Mariah. You gotta hang in there. I love you so much, you know that? I'm your Daddy, by the way. You're so tiny, it scares me. I just want you to grow up right now so that I know you're gonna be okay. You have to be okay. Do it for me. And do it for your mommy, she loves you, too. We all love you. And you have a lot of aunts and uncles, and a little cousin who's just a year older than you. And a lot more on the way, I'm sure. We're all gonna love you so much, and you're gonna have so much fun with us. You just haveta ge through this one little hard part, Mariah. Just this bit. I know you can do it. I can already see you're really strong, aren't you? He kissed his hand and placed it on her head. I love you, Mariah. Your Daddy loves you, and don't forget that. Just, please, hang on.
