Title: Trials of Sydney Chapt. 5
Rated: PG-13
Author: Babs
Disclaimer: I own nothing... at least what is in this story, except for the idea and any made-up characters.
Special Notes: I'm not going to write the whole pregnancy, but do flashbacks of some points I think should be there. Flashbacks will be in italics. Thanks again for the reviews.
In her eight month of pregnancy, Sydney began to get a little antsy. He co-workers would say different, though. She had no complications and felt fine, but the bulge of her abdominal caused uncomfortable nights and restless days of sitting at her desk. Standing up from her computer, she stretched and began to walk around Company B headquarters. The office was almost empty. The senior rangers and Gage were out on an assignment. As she stood at the window, looking out into Dallas' skyline, her mind reflected on her first prenatal checkup.
"Is this your first pregnancy?" her new OB doctor, Dr. Lillian McCoy asked as Sydney was escorted into the doctor's exam room. She was a friendly doctor and Sydney liked her. Sydney nodded and looked behind her at Gage. Gage was unsure of himself as he took a seat on one of the chairs in the room as Sydney sat on the exam table.
"So, how long have you two been married?" Dr. McCoy asked as she began getting a few instruments ready.
"We're not married," Sydney and Gage responded in unison.
"We are partners at Company B Texas Ranger headquarters," Sydney added.
"You are Texas Rangers?" the doctor asked. "That must be an exciting job."
"Yeah, it is," Gage said and Sydney nodded in agreement.
Lillian smiled. "Basically, today all we need is blood and urine test, which was already taken and I need to review your physical health and history. And, of course, at the end, you can ask me anything and point out any concerns you may have."
The routine checkup went well and the tests came out good. The question and answer session took a little longer than planned, as Gage asked multiple questions, concerned with Sydney and the well-being of his child. The doctor assured Gage that as long as Sydney takes her vitamins and eats right and exercise regularly, they will be fine. The doctor handed Sydney pamphlets about a variety of exercises she can do, what needs to be ate, and what to avoid if possible.
As they exited, Gage looked at Sydney. "You were calm in there," Gage observed. "While I am a nervous wreck. I thought it was supposed to be opposite."
"Just because I don't look nervous doesn't mean I am or was," Sydney informed, getting in the driver side of her car as Gage took the passenger side. "Those books Alex gave me helped me prepare for it." She looked at him and saw concern in his eyes. "Gage, relax... we will learn together." She handed him the pamphlets to look over while she drove back to Company B headquarters. "I told you that you will be involved in this pregnancy.
The door opened with some heavy laughter, bringing Sydney back to the present. Walker, Trivette, and Gage walked in, laughing at something. She smiled as she saw them.
"How are you feeling?" Walker asked as he sat his hat and coat on the rack near his desk.
"Big," Sydney half-teased, resting her hand on the bulge. "But okay. Just a few more weeks."
Walker smiled. "Yeah, and then your life will flip around and you'll want another one."
"Not in this lifetime," Sydney continued to joke with Walker as she walked back to her desk to sit down.
Trivette smiled. "So, when do you plan to take maternity leave?" he asked.
"Not until my water breaks," Sydney informed.
"I told you to take the last two weeks before the due date off," Walker interrupted. "You need to take it easy and not over work yourself."
"So, you want to tell me what was funny?" Sydney asked, changing the subject.
"Oh, just something Victor Rowe said during his arrest," Gage informed. "You would have to have been there." Gage sat at his desk with a cup of coffee.
Sydney missed being on field work. "Walker, I have that information you wanted on Lyle Herrick." Sydney stood up to bring the folder to Walker. Just then her water broke, leaving Sydney stunned and holding her abdominal, dropping the folder on the floor. "Not now," she whispered in pain and Walker looked up in time to see her bend over. A flashback to when Alex's water broker popped in his mind and he immediately got up.
"Call 911 and get an ambulance," Walker ordered as Gage looked up to see Sydney. He was immediately at her side along with Walker. Trivette dialed 911 and the ambulance was on its way.
Less than 30 minutes later, Sydney was in the hospital, comfortable as they could get her. Her contractions varied between every 20 to 30 minutes, but the doctor confirmed that her water had broken, so she going to be delivering the baby soon.
Gage sat next to her as she slept for a little while. He reflected on the dinner with the Walker's and Trivette, a few weeks after she found out she was pregnant.
Sydney helped Alex set the table and bring the dinner to the table. Her morning sickness had almost subsided, only sensitive to certain aromas. But the dinner Alex had cooked smelled great and she couldn't wait to dig in.
Gage, Trivette, and Walker were sitting in the living, talking about a current case.
"Dinner is ready," Alex called, picking Angela up from the playpen and putting her in her highchair.
Walker assisted Alex into her chair and then sat down. Gage attempt to assist Sydney, but Sydney had no desire to be helped. She nodded in thanks, though. She sat down and Gage sat down next to her.
They said a small prayer before eating and dinner conversation was nice. After dinner was finished and the dishes were done, all five of them sat down in the living to talk.
"Sydney," Trivette began. "Out of idle curiosity, you never told us who the father is. Did you go to a sperm bank?"
Everyone looked at Sydney, waiting for her to answer.
"I don't think she went to a sperm bank," Walker said. "When she told me, it sounded like it took her by complete surprise."
"And it is still a complete surprise," Sydney answered. "It is still hard to believe that I am." Looking at Gage, she looked for a sign from him to okay her response. "The father of the baby and I have talked and we have come to an agreement. He will still be a part of the child's life. We agree that the night I conceived was not a mistake, just something that shouldn't happen again."
Everyone was waiting in anticipation for a name.
"So, do we know the guy?" Trivette asked impatiently.
"Yeah, he is sitting next to you," Sydney answered, smiling.
"Gage!" Trivette, Walker, and Alex all said in shock and surprise as they looked from her to Gage.
"So, when's the wedding?" Alex asked immediately, realizing they had finally given into their unspoken desire for one another.
"We aren't getting married," Sydney told her.
Alex looked disappointed. "Did you agree to that, Gage?" she asked.
"Sort of," Gage responded. "I told her I can't promise anything, but I will give her support and the space she wants. Like she said, I will still a part of the child's life no matter what. So, I still get to be a father."
"Don't you want to marry her?"
"I asked but she said no," Gage informed. "I told her I will not pursue her for marriage."
Walker finally spoke up, "so, no marriage but a baby. I always thought it was the other way around. I'm happy for the both of you, though. As long as you two are happy with the agreement, it is no place for me to disagree."
"Thanks," Sydney said.
They stayed a little longer, before Sydney needed to go home and sleep. Gage left shortly after her. Everyone was in shock about him being the father and it took a few more weeks to finally absorb it all. Even he was still in shock about it.
Sydney squeezed Gage's hand as another contraction hit her. He came back to the present and supported her, giving her an encouraging smile.
"That's it, Syd," he told her and caressed her knuckles with his thumbs.
The contraction subsided and Sydney let out a long breath.
"You remember when we felt the baby kick for the first time," Gage began. "It was an incredible feeling to know that our son or daughter is active."
"Yeah, and then of course there were those nights when it wouldn't stop kicking and punching me and I couldn't get any sleep," Sydney responded.
They both reflected back when Sydney felt the first kick.
Gage escorted Sydney to her apartment after a nice dinner they shared. Gage had asked her to join him and to talk about the baby and suggests some names if it was either a boy or a girl. Sydney agreed and had a nice time of not only talking about names for the baby, but of everyday life.
As they entered her apartment, Gage rested his hand lightly on her belly. Sydney had gotten used to Gage doing that ever since she started to show.
"I love you, little one," Gage whispered into her belly just as Sydney and Gage felt a little thump against her belly.
"Oh my God," they both exclaimed. Sydney placed her hand over Gage's where the thump took place.
"Was that what I think it was?" Gage asked, looking at Sydney.
Sydney nodded. "It reacted to your voice."
Gage was so happy that he had got to feel and experience that moment. He wrapped his arms around Sydney and kissed her deeply on the lips. Sydney did not oppose his action, and kissed him back. If she was true to herself, she didn't want to ever stop kissing him. But she pushed herself away and shook her head slowly.
"We can't Gage," Sydney reminded him, her hands still on his chest.
Gage just nodded. "I know, but sometimes I can't resist myself. Everything with this baby is new to me and makes excited and happy."
"I know. It is new to me too." Sydney agreed, hugging him. "Thanks for dinner. I'll see you at work tomorrow."
Gage nodded, kissed the top of her head and departed.
The doctor came in, interrupting their train of thought.
"Hello, Ms. Cooke, and how are you feeling?" he asked.
"Alright," Sydney responded.
"It says here your water broke around noon." He glanced at the clock. It was now a little after 6 in the evening. He checked the charts and the read outs. Everything looked normal. "Let see how dilated you are." The doctor checked and made a 'hrmm' sound.
"Looks like you are progressing slowly," the doctor informed. "But no worries. Sometimes it takes a little long for reach 5 centimeters, but after that, it should go by faster. Just get some rest." The doctor turned to leave and then remembered. "Would you like your other friends to come in to see you?"
"No, thanks," Sydney responded. She didn't want them to see her like this.
The doctor departed and Sydney looked at Gage.
"I really don't know if I am ready to have the baby," Sydney admitted to Gage.
"You can't hold in you forever," Gage responded, caressing her abdominal lightly. "Listen, I'll be right back. I'll go tell our friends that you are doing fine and then I'm going to get something to drink. Now don't go having the baby without me."
Sydney smiled and waved him off.
After Gage left, another contraction hit her hard and she did her breathing. After it subsided, Sydney decided to close her eyes and try and get some sleep.
Ten hours later, Sydney had finally reached 6 centimeters in dilation. The doctors examed her and concluded since the baby wasn't having any problems and Sydney was okay that they would not recommend anything to help speed the dilation along.
It was early the following morning and her friends went home for the night, but wanted to be called if she delivered during the night. Gage had stayed with her the whole time though. He slept peacefully on a cot the staff provided in the same room.
By nine, Sydney increased to 8 centimeters. Since it was getting closer to 10 centimeters, the only person that could stay was Gage with Sydney's permission. Sydney promised Gage that he could be there for her when she delivered.
It was her first prenatal exam that used the ultrasound. Sydney laid on the exam table with a medical robe on that was pushed up over her belly and a blanket covering the rest of her. Dr. McCoy let Gage in and smiled.
"Today, we will see what your baby looks like," she informed. "Now, it's going to be cold and feel weird."
Gage and Sydney looked at the screen as the doctor began to search for the baby.
"Oh, there it is," she said, pointing at the screen to a miniature baby. Sydney stared wide-eyed as Gage looked at it in awe.
"That's our baby?" Gage asked.
"Yeah," the doctor responded. "There are the legs and arms. There is the head. Your baby is developing well."
Looking at Sydney, the doctor smiled. "I can actually tell the sex of the baby if you want to know."
"No," Sydney said as Gage said "yes" at the same time.
Sydney looked at Gage. "I want to be surprised, don't you?"
"I don't know how much anticipation I can hold inside me," Gage informed, looking at Sydney and then to the doctor. "No, thanks, I suppose."
The doctor nodded and obeyed their wishes not to know the sex. Gage looked disappointed and Sydney told him, "you can be there when I deliver, so you can hear the announcement at the same time I do."
"That'll be great," Gage responded.
Sydney hadn't progressed much since nine. It was nearly 2 in the afternoon and Sydney was getting restless. She had heard that some can stay in labor for a couple of hours and some labor lasted over 24 hours. She was one of those that had to have the long labor.
She looked at Gage who smiled at her in comfort. "It's going to be okay, Syd."
"It's been 26 hours since my water broke, Gage," Sydney nearly hissed. "I am ready for this baby to come. I haven't gotten much sleep."
"And I have been with you through the whole time. Sydney, just relax and take it easy."
Sydney calmed down and apologized to Gage. During the brief silent moment, the baby's monitor started beeping loudly and startled them both. A few doctors came in to see what was going on.
"The baby is in distress," one doctor called out.
One checked her dilation and noted that she was almost 9 centimeters.
"What's going on?" Gage asked in panic.
"Sir, I'm afraid you have to leave," another doctor told him and escorted him out the door into the waiting room.
Before Gage left, he heard one doctor holler "prep for emergency c-section."
When Gage arrived in the waiting room, he was ready to fall to his knees. His friends saw him and Trivette supported him to a chair.
"What's going on?" they immediately asked. Gage wasn't really sure who asked it or maybe they all did.
"The baby is in distress and I heard one doctor say "emergency c-section"," Gage responded, placing his heads in his hands. "God, please let Syd and the baby be okay." Tears fell from Gage's eyes as his friend's supported him.
A few hours later, Sydney was laying in the recovery room with her new bundle of joy in her arms. Her daughter was finally here. Before they prepped for the emergency c-section, the monitors returned to normal and Sydney began to have heavy contractions and became 10 centimeters dilated.
She delivered almost thirty minutes ago and the midwife was helping her adjust to feed the baby for the first time. The baby latched and Sydney was caught surprised how it felt.
"Wow," was all she could say.
"When you are finished, she will unlatch," the nurse informed. "Also, I haven't told your friends that you have had the baby. Would you like me to get them for you once you are finished feeding her?"
"If you wouldn't mind," Sydney said, looking at her daughter with tears of joy in her eyes. She caressed the newborn's cheek as she suckled contently for her food.
The nurse excused herself, telling her to ring once she was finished feeding the baby.
In her arms, the baby fell asleep and unlatched herself. Sydney rang for the nurse and she arrived, helping her adjust the baby and covering up.
"Do you want to see your friends now?" the nurse asked.
"Yes," Sydney said, anxiously. She missed her friends company and especially Gage's support.
A few minutes later, she heard the door open and looked up. It was only Gage. He closed the door, looked at her and smiled.
"I was so worried," Gage said as he walked towards the bed. "How are you feeling?"
Sydney looked at him and smiled. "I'm tired, but good." Looking down at the infant bundled in the pink blanket, Gage followed her eyes and looked at the same infant.
"Meet your daughter," Sydney said.
Gage bent over and looked closer at his daughter. "She's beautiful," Gage said in awe.
"Go ahead and hold her," Sydney offered her up to him. He cautiously took the baby like was instruct during those parenting classes he took to ready himself.
"Oh, my, Syd," he said. "Well, hello, little one." He whispered to her, almost afraid to wake her.
"Are we still in agreement with the name?" Sydney asked, adjusting herself in the bed.
"Emily Rose," Gage recalled. "Yes. She looks like an Emily Rose."
Sydney smiled. "I'm sorry you couldn't have stayed."
"What happened?" Gage asked as he sat down, still holding Emily.
"She got tangled in her umbilical cord. She managed to untangle herself though, after you left. After that, everything happened so fast. I was fully dilated and began to push. Gage, I am really sorry. I know I promised you."
"Things happen and you are both okay," Gage assured her. "She is tiny. What are her stats?"
"She weighs 5lbs and 6 oz with a height of 18 and ¾ inches," Sydney informed. "They said even though she was a month early, her organs are fully developed and in working condition."
"I can't believe she is finally here," Gage said as he stood back up and handed Emily back to Sydney. "I'll be right back. I'm going to go get Walker, Alex, and Trivette. If you want to see them."
"Of course," Sydney said.
"Are you sure?" Gage asked.
"Yes, I want to see our friends," Sydney assured as Gage left to get their friends.
Another minute passed and the room was filled with their friends. Alex was the first to ask to hold her.
"Oh," she smiled, holding Emily close to her. "Congratulations. She is perfect."
Everyone congratulated her and got to see and hold the newborn. It was another hour before they decided to go so Sydney could get some sleep. They bided a farewell to Gage and Sydney and departed, leaving the two alone with their daughter.
"I can't believe this," Gage began, holding the infant again and sat back down in the chair next to Sydney. "I'm a father."
"Yes, you are," Sydney smiled.
There were a few minutes of silence, then Gage stood up, place Emily in her bed and walked over to Sydney. He sat on the side of the bed and looked at her.
"Sydney, being pregnant changed our relationship. Delivering her completely changes things." Gage took hold of her hands in his and looked directly at her. "I have given it some thought. I know you do not want marriage..."
"Gage..." Sydney interrupted.
"No interruptions, listen to me, Syd."
Sydney nodded.
"Like I was saying, you do not want marriage and I do. Seeing Emily made me make up my mind." Reaching into his shirt pocket, he presented Sydney with an engagement ring. Sydney looked from him to the ring and back to him.
"Gage..." she shook her head as tears began to fall.
"I love you Sydney Cooke. I always have, ever since I first saw you. Your independence and your sassiness attracted me to you. You always say what is on your mind, except for what you really feel towards me. I see it in your eyes. You want to say yes, but something is stopping you from doing so. What are you hiding from me?"
Sydney wiped the tears away and forced a smile. "Nothing, Gage. I am not hiding anything from you. Except... I love you too. I am afraid that marriage will make me too dependent. I don't want that."
"You will not have to give up your independence," Gage assured. "So, what do you say?"
"What are you asking?" Sydney asked him.
Gage had to laugh at her question. "I am asking for your hand in marriage. For you to marry me and make us a real family."
End of Chapter 5