Chapter twenty-seven

An unexpected visitor

Things were going very well for Chet in his recovery and Jeanette's pregnancy seemed to be progressing well without any complications. She only had about three weeks left and was looking forward to the birth, especially since Chet should be home and better by then.

On April 2, 1979, Jeanette was visiting her father when she first felt the pain. She knew this was a labor pain and got a little scared and pale.

"What is it, my pet?"

Trying not to sound too panicked, she replied, "I don't think anything too important, papa. I just felt a little twinge. Guess Sarah is coming a bit quicker than we thought. But then again, mom always said I was early, too."

Pierre laughed and said, "You sure were, mon chere. In fact, I was doing a job when your mom went into labor at your Aunt Jeanette's house and I had to meet them at the hospital."

Jeanette smiled at this and said, "Yeah, I know. Mom has told me that a few times, too. Guess this little one might just be carrying on the Boucher family tradition."

After about fifteen minutes with no more pain, Jeanette said, "Guess that was just a warning sign. I'll have to be careful. I won't tell Chet though, cause knowing him he'll only worry more that necessary. Good thing I am staying at the hospital right now, huh?"

Pierre and she laughed and after another few minutes, Jeanette left as she had a few errands to run before returning to the hospital.

She felt a few more sharper pains and on the morning of the fourth felt a very sharp distinct labor pain while visiting with Chet.

Grabbing the back of another chair, she yelled, "OW!"

"What is wrong? Are you ok?"

"C..Chet. I think you had better call a nurse. I think I am in labor here."

Chet began to panic and instead of ringing the call bell, he ran over to door and yelled, "HEY SOMEBODY! My wife needs help. She is having the baby NOW!"

Jeanette laughed and said, "Oh, Chet, please don't panic. After all, we are in a hospital and I am NOT having the baby right this second.

"OOH, but soon" and she gingerly walked over to Chet's bed and lay down, knowing she'd be more comfortable there.

The nurse arrived within three minutes and realized Jeanette was indeed in active labor. She grabbed the phone and called L&D to alert them, then confiscated Chet's wheelchair and assisted Jeanette into it.

Chet followed them to the delivery ward and was told to wait outside until he was called. He had requested to be there for the baby's birth.

While waiting, he made a couple of quick phone calls to his mom, mother-in-law, father-in-law and the station.

Within twenty minutes, his mom and in-laws were there, waiting nervously with him. Finally Chet was summoned into the delivery room; being told the birth was imminent.

As he was walking in, he asked the nurse, "What took so long? It's been almost 9 hours.'

The nurse smiled at the expectant father and said, "Well, sir, that is long, but in our world, not too long. We've had 36-hour waits already.

"Your wife is waiting for you right here." And she led him into the room where Jeanette was experiencing another severe labor pain.

"Ok, Jeanette, now on the next contraction, I want you to push as hard as you can. Chet is here, and your little one is becoming very impatient to meet his or her mom and dad, so let's go."

Within seconds, Jeanette had a contraction and pushed with all of her might, while grabbing onto Chet's hand as tight as possible. Chet never realized how strong she was-she was actually hurting him!

Suddenly the doctor said, "OK, keep pushing, good, good. Just a little more."

And then he smiled and said, "Ok, rest now." And he held up a beautiful little girl covered in down and crying lustfully and wriggling in the doctor's arms as he handed her over to the nurse for cleaning and examining.

"Well, Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, you are the proud parents of a beautiful little girl, and as far as I can tell, she is quite healthy and strong."

The nurse reported, "Dr. she weighs, 5llbs8oz and is 21 inches tall. Her apgar is 9 out of 10, an excellent score, for one born a few weeks early. Her color is somewhat jaundiced but a few days in the incubator and she'll be ok."

"Did you hear that, Jeanette? Sarah is healthy, just a little yellow Thank God."

"Yes, Chet," Jeanette tiredly, but happy, said, "I heard. I figured that. I can't believe the healthy weight and height, what with her being early and all.

"Can I hold her, Dr.?"

"Well, just for a few minutes, ok. We want to get her squared away as soon as possible.

"And Chet, I think you should go back to your room and rest. You look happy,. but really washed out. Are you sure you are ok? Maybe I should call Dr. Brackett or Early to check you out?"

"No," a smiling Chet answered, "I'm ok, just tired but so proud of my wife and daughter. I'll be going back to my room soon, I promise"

"Ok." The doctor agreed.

Chet then kissed his wife, who was half asleep and went to tell his family the good news.

Everyone was elated and pleased to hear that everything seemed ok. They were so glad that things seemed to finally be working out well for the Chet Kelly family. They well deserved it.

Timmy ran up to his dad and hugged him, saying, "Oh, daddy, I'm so glad mommy and little Sarah are ok. When can I go say hi to them?"

"Not for a while, son. Mommy needs to rest and Sarah needs time to get used to everything. Remember all this stuff is new to her.

"Now,. if everyone doesn't mind, I am going to my room. I feel exhausted and think I will rest a little. ok?"

Everyone nodded their understanding, with his mom saying, "Are you sure you are ok, Chet? Do you want me to get a wheelchair for you?"

"No, mom, I'm ok, just tired. Thanks to you all for coming." and he left, walking slowly but proud, back to his room.

He looked at his clock and realized he didn't know what time she'd been born. He decided to walk to the nurse's station to see if he could find out some way. Ann, the unit clerk, informed him he could find out later when he went to visit.

Thanking her, he returned to his room, where Chet tiredly lay down. Within minutes, he was asleep and dreaming of his new daughter.