Chapter Three
"AAAAAAHH!!!"
"Shush, shush, shush. Just keep taking deep gulps of air," the woman instructed. "In, out, in, out, that's good nena." Fred grabbed the woman by the shirt.
"Get this thing out of me!" she yelled.
"We have to see how everything pans out," the woman said. Fred leaned back and took big gulps of breath as another contraction ripped through her. Another woman walked into the room, flanked by a much younger looking woman.
"Where are the healers?" the woman yelled. "Why don't I have healers here?" Immediately two blue-tinged young women ran to Fred's aid and placed their hands on her stomach, relief was immediate.
"It's not going to come out," said one.
"It's too early," said the other.
"I thought so," the woman said. She rushed forward and shook Fred's hand. "I'm Anastasja, head of the Wolfram and Hart Baby Center," she said.
"We have a baby center?" Fred asked weakly.
"Miss Burkle, here's what's happening. You're going through a false labor, it happens very frequently and Iona and Esme here should be able to take the pain away completely in a few minutes. We're doing everything we can here to help you," she said.
"Where's Wesley?" Fred asked.
"Mr. Wyndham-Pryce is talking to Mr. Angel," Anastasja said. She looked at one of the girls standing around the bed. "Tea please," she snapped. The girl ran off in search of tea.
"Tea?" Fred asked.
"Tea is very relaxing, unless..you wish to be tense?" Anastasja asked.
"No, no, tea is good." Fred nodded. "Are-- is Angel going to kill it?" she asked.
"I've got about ten telepaths, twenty psychics and a few reader demons in the next room just sitting to give us any heads up on the outcome of the child, but everything seems fine right now." Anastasja said. "Would you like to peruse the baby books?" she asked.
"Actually, do you have Physicist Diaries volume three?" Fred asked. "I haven't been able to get around to reading the rest of it,"
"Certainly," Anastasja said. She turned to one of the girls behind her. "Physicist Diaries volume three?" she said. The girl nodded and ran off, narrowly avoiding a collision with the girl bringing back a food tray. "Don't worry, Miss Burkle," Anastasja started as the girl set down the tray full of tea and cookies on Fred's lap. "We're going to move heaven and earth if needed for your absolute comfort," she said.