Don't Honey Me
The days and weeks went by in a flurry of activity. Between work, Dr.'s appointments, ultrasounds, letting the ER in on the news, and decorating the house time just flew. Maggie even came and painted a Noah's Arch mural in the nursery and a garden in John and Abby's bathroom. After the initial morning sickness passed, Abby felt great, but as September arrived and Abby grew bigger she began to tire again. Despite her desire to work until she was due, John put his foot down, so just after Labor Day she went on maternity leave. She expected to be bored, but she wasn't. Susan came over frequently, Barbara visited while Kevin was in the states for business. Gamma and Abby grew close, for Abby it was like having a Grandmother for the first time. Best of all Eric resurfaced, safe and sound, and on his meds. John worked a lot but the ER was his work now, not his life. His life was Abby and their baby. John still wasn't speaking to Eleanor, but during the summer Jack had called to apologies to both John and Abby. They accepted his apology and John told him that he was going to be a grandfather. Jack was thrilled and promised to come by to see them after the baby was born.
Carter was snuggling next to Abby. The birth of the baby was coming closer. He was excited as well as nervous. He had just gotten off the night shift. He crawled into bed close to 1 am. Abby felt John come to bed, she wished she could cuddle closer to him, but the basketball that was disguised as her belly kept getting in the way. He laid there feeling the baby kick. He couldn't wait to meet the new baby. She felt him put his hand on her belly. The baby started kicking again. It always did when John touched her belly. Abby hated thinking of the baby as it, but the decided to wait until the baby was born to find out the sex.He started to drift off to sleep. He had lightened his load at work and was glad that Abby was staying at home now. He didn't worry about her as much.
Abby wiggled around trying to get comfortable. Her back had been bothering her all day.
He noticed that she was having a hard time getting comfortable. "You okay?" He whispered.
"I'm okay, my back just hurts," she whispered back.
He started to rub her back."How's that?"
"Feels good, thank you, sweetie. Just don't stop, okay."
"I won't," He said.
Abby had just started to drift off when she felt the muscles in her back tighten. John was nearly asleep the circles that he had been rubbing were almost non-existent. She let her eyes close when she felt it again.
She lay there a little while longer, then she felt something strange. "John, did you just spill a glass of water in our bed?"
"No, Abby why?", John said, awaken by her question.
"Because all of a sudden my hip feels very wet, and I was really hoping that you had an accident with a water glass."
He laid there for a minute, "no I was almost asleep I don't have any water." It took a minute, then hit him, "you're water broke." He bolted up out of bed.
"You think?" Abby asked, sarcastically.
"We have to go," he said starting to panic a little.
"Slow down Dudley. I haven't even had any contractions yet. We have time."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. I want to get up, take a shower, and change the sheets."
He looked at her, "go take a shower, I'll change the sheets."
"Do you want to help me out of this bed or do you want to watch me flop around like a weeble?"
Sorry," He said giving her a hand.
Abby waddled off toward their bathroom. "You might want to get dressed, too."
"Yeah," He said watching her. He got dressed and changed the sheets on the bed while listening carefully to the sounds coming from the bathroom. He was so nervous. Abby stood in the shower with the hot water running on her back. This felt pretty good, she just might stay here a while. Carter started pacing. He was a doctor, but it seemed like he couldn't remember anything right now. That was his wife in there and she was taking forever. Abby noticed the rhythmic tightening of her back, those just might be contractions she thought. This wasn't too bad, and the water still felt good, so she didn't move. Carter couldn't stand it anymore. He walked into the bathroom, "Abby are you okay in there?
"I'm fine. The water feels good."
"Don't you think we might want to think about going soon"
"John, what do you remember from OB. First labors take forever. I don't want to sit in a room and have people poke their fingers in me any longer than I have to."
"Not always." He mumbled as he walked back out of the bathroom. He stretched out on the bed. She finally got out of the shower and got dressed. The contractions were a little stronger now, but still infrequent. Carter had fallen asleep, he had fought to keep his eyes open but the shift before him made it nearly impossible. At least if he was sleeping he wouldn't be panicking. Abby smiled as she looked at him asleep. Let him rest she thought. It was going to be a long night, after all.
Abby eased her way downstairs. She figured she would get a little snack. She knew once she got to the hospital all they would let her have was ice chips. She nibbled on a cracker and sipped some juice. She found the phone and called the ER.
"County General ER," Susan said picking up the phone. Normally she wouldn't have answered but she had sent Jerry off to get her something to eat.
"Hey Susan, just the person I was looking for."
"What's up Abby?"
"I'm in early labor. How are you?"
"You're what?!"
"My water broke about 1. I have had a few irregular contractions, but nothing major. I though you would want to know.
"Okay, how's Carter," She said remember how anytime he got nervous someone had to give him inapsine.
"He had just gotten off shift, so I am letting him sleep."
"Okay, well you know the drill." She said to her, "I'm not worried about you. At least I know you know what to do. Try to get some more sleep if you can."
"I probably can't sleep, but I'm just going to hang out awhile. We'll come through he ER on our way up to OB when its time."
"Okay the pain gets to where you can't stand it come on in. I'll be here until 7."
"Ok, Susan. I will see you later."
"Take care Abby." Susan said hanging up the phone. She was happy for them, she knew that by tomorrow they'd be parents.
Abby picked up the crossed stitched blanket she was working on. She really wanted to get it done before the baby was born. She worked a few stitches before she decided that it wasn't a good idea to give a woman in labor a needle. She wandered around the room a while, then flipped through her wedding pictures.
Carter stumbled down the stairs. As he headed into the kitchen he called, "you doing okay Abby."
"I'm fine. I would let you know if I wasn't"
He walked back into the living room with a glass of orange juice. "I know I just worry about you."
"Would it make you feel any better if I let you check me?"
"I'd rather not Abby."
Abby rolled her eyes at him. "Then don't nag. I'm fine. This are little bitty contractions and if we went in now, they would send us home.
"Okay, okay," He said heading back up the stairs, "I won't nag you."
"Things are under control, really."
He climbed back into bed, he was going to try to really hard to not to nag her, but it didn't make him feel any easier.
Abby drifted off to sleep for a while. All of a sudden her eyes flew open. Pain ripped through her abdomen. Oh shit, this hurt. She tried to get up, to get John but another pain hit her. She really needed to get him down here. What happened to those nice easy contractions? "John, she yelled." No answer
Carter thought that he was hearing something, but he wasn't sure.
"Carter, get your ass down here."
Carter came tearing down the stairs, "what is it time?"
"Its time to get to the hospital."
Carter grabbed his keys and helped Abby to get off the couch, "how far apart are they now?"
"I don't know. I must have fallen asleep, and it woke me up. I had three in the time it too me wake you up.
"Let get you out to the jeep and over to County."
"Good idea."
Carter was trying to stay calm but it was very hard to go. He opened the front door, "do you need anything, any help?"
"Just get me to the blinking Jeep."
He put his arm around her and helped her down to the jeep. He opened the door and helped her in. He climbed into the driver side and tried to keep his mind of getting them there.
"Ouch, this hurts. It really, really hurts."
Just breath Abby." He told her, "remember he he he he hooo.
"You he he he hooo at me again and I will make it impossible for you to father any more children."
"Okay," He said. He decided to stick with just driving for now. He pulled up in front of the ER. He climbed out and headed over to let Abby out. Abby grabbed his hand as he lead her into the ER.
"Susan, I need a wheelchair," he called to her seeing that she was behind the admit desk.
"What happened to "I'm fine?"
Carter looked at her, "I just want to get her upstairs Susan."
"Don't talk about me like I'm not here." Abby snarled, as she sat in the chair.
I'm not honey." He said looking down at her.
"And don't honey me either."
"Okay." He looked down at her. He bit his lip not knowing what to say to her.
"Carter, do you want me to come with you two? The board is empty right now." Susan asked, seeing his distressed face.
"Yes!"
Susan pushed the chair toward the elevator. "Call me," she said to Jerry, "if you guys need anything."
"I will Dr. Lewis."
Abby sat in the wheelchair. She gave herself a little mental shake. She wasn't being very nice to John, but damn this hurt. Carter looked at Abby. He knew that this had to be hard on her, he knew that no matter what she said she didn't mean it. The elevator doors opened, and Susan and John pushed Abby toward Labor and Delivery.
Carter looked at her she was awfully silent, "you okay?" He knew that was a loaded question. But something from her was better than nothing at this point
"Just peachy, thank you"
"How close are they Abby?" Susan asked her friend.
"How the hell am I supposed to know. Do I have a watch on?"
"Let me know when you have the next one." Susan said pushing Abby thru the double doors of L&D.
"Having one now, thank you very much."
Carter looked down at his watch, at least he could time them, that's about all that they would let him do.
"Did anyone call Dr. McLukas?" Abby asked.
"No I didn't." Carter said starting to panic.
"John, that was your job, one of your few jobs."
"I'm sorry Abby." He said.
"Susan," Abby said, ignoring John for the moment. "Another contraction."
John looked at his watch and came unglued. "They are less than a minute apart!"
"Carter, we are right here, there is no reason to panic."
He looked at both of them, he could do this couldn't he. He was about to become a father.
As Susan wheeled Abby past the Nurses station she said, "Abby Carter, 39 weeks, membranes ruptured, contractions a minute apart. She's a patient of McLucus. Which room?
The nurse looked at them, "put her in 414 someone will be there in a minute."
"Thanks," Susan said.
Abby got quickly into the bed, for a woman in labor. "Susan, will you check me. John was unwilling."
"Yeah I will Abby. Don't know why John wouldn't want to do this."
Carter just turned green at the thought
"I guess he only wants to stick other body parts in there. And believe me, its going to be a long, long time before he gets to do it again."
"Your are fully effaced and completely dilated Abby." Susan said putting the sheet back down.
"You ready to start pushing Abby." She said, "I don't think McLucus is going to make it."
John just looked at both of them.
"I think I'm ready."
"I'm not," He said tearing into the bathroom, he leaned over the toilet and let go. My God his wife was having his child.
"Where the hell did John go?" Abby yelled.
"I'll be right there," He said empting his stomach one last time before returning to her side.
"Okay Abby let's go. Push"
Abby took a deep breath, and pushed for all she was worth.
That's it Abby," Susan said.
John wanted to take her hand but he knew better.
"Where are you, John. You promised to be here?"
"I'm right next to you sweetheart," He touched her head.
Abby threw her left hand toward him.
John took her hand in his. Dear Lord don't let her break it.
As another contraction hit, Abby sat up, squeezed his hand and pushed again.
"Come on Abby give me one more good push, you're almost there." Susan looked up at her, "okay Abby don't push, John hand me the bulb syringe."
Abby panted, she really felt like she needed to push.
Susan cleared out the baby nose and mouth. "Now Abby give me a good push."
Abby held onto John's hand. She was trying really hard to use her energy in the right muscles, but it was hard.
The sounds of a newborn's cries filled the rooms, "Congratulations guys, you have a new baby girl." Susan said to them as she clamped off the cord.
"A girl," Abby said, tears filling her eyes.
John was in heaven. A baby girl. He leaned down and kissed Abby's forehead. "Good job mom."
"Can you at least cut the cord? I want to see her."
Yeah." He said. He took the scissors and cut the cord that connected his little one to his wife for the last 9 months. "Welcome to the world."
Susan watched them, with tears in her eyes, too. This was so right. They deserved happiness.
"She's so beautiful Abby." He said. He couldn't take his eyes of his baby girl and his wife. He had never felt so much love in his life. This was his family now. He not only had a beautiful wife but a daughter as well. Abby held her arms out to hold her baby for the first time. She was so beautiful. She looked like John.
Susan looked at them, "what are you two going to name her?"
"We haven't decided for sure. We have her middle name picked out, but John wants to name her after his sister, and I don't want her named after his old girlfriend."
"Then again, if we are going to name the baby after his girlfriend, I want to name her after one I like. What is your middle name, Susan?"
"Julie," She said.
"Susan Julie?" Abby asked.
"Cookie was crazy what can I say."
John, how about it, should we add Susan's middle name to what we discussed?"
He looked at his wife, and the baby in her arms. "Julie-Anne Geneva Carter, I love it Abby."
"And I love you, despite what I might have said in the last few hours. I love you both."
He smiled at her, "I know you do."
Susan spoke up, "I hate to take that baby out of your arms, but we have a few things we need to do."
He ran his fingers thru Abby's hair, "I love you for what you have given me."
Susan took the baby, and tiptoed out of the room. They needed a few minutes just the two of them.
"I love you too." she said, reaching for his hand again.
"She is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen Abby."
"She really is beautiful. But that's because she's yours."
"No she is ours Abby." He said holding her hand, "she was born of my love for you, and our love for each other."
"She is a reflection of our love, conceived the day we committed our lives to each other forever."
A tear slipped down his cheek, "I will always be committed to you both."
Abby reached up and wiped his cheek. "I know," she said simply.
He had never felt so proud or happy as he did being there with her as they had welcomed their daughter into the world.
Susan quietly entered the room, and handed Julie-Anne back to John. They were going to make wonderful parents. No baby could be more loved.
He looked down at his sleeping baby. Next to Abby, this baby was his most treasured. She already had a special place in his heart next to Abby. He leaned over and kissed her on top of the head. "Daddy loves you."
Abby scooted over in the bed, and patted the place next to her. John sat down next to his wife. Abby leaned over and kissed Julie-Anne on the head, "Mommy loves you, pumpkin." Then she kissed John's head, "And daddy, too.
John, Abby and Julie-Anne cuddled together, and they all slept.
Over the next 48 hours the family had several visitors. The whole ER came up at one time or another. Abby pretended not to notice the tears in Kerry's eyes as she stroked Julie-Anne's cheek.
"Abby she's beautiful, you are so lucky." Kerry said as she held the tiny baby.
Abby smiled at her, "It's not to late for you, Kerry."
"I know, maybe again soon," Was all Kerry said as she handed the baby back to Abby. "I have to get back downstairs."
Abby looked at her retreating figure, she wishing her the best.
Jack walked in with flowers for Abby and a present for his new granddaughter.
"I know I promised never to touch you again, but if I give you a peck on the cheek will you not clean my clock."
Abby couldn't help but smile. "Just this once," she said.
Jack leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Congratulations to the both of you."
"Do you want to hold her?"
"Yes," He said looking at the baby.
Abby handed Jack the baby. He looked down at his granddaughter now in his arms, "she's looks like John did."
"I know," Abby said. Looking at Jack holding his granddaughter with such tenderness the last bit of resentment left Abby's soul.
You and John must be very proud right now." He said looking at them. "Where is John at Abby."
"He went down to the ER for a few minutes. He isn't working, but they wanted him to check something.
"Would you tell him that I stopped by and that I wish the three of you the best. I'm very happy for you."
"I think you should tell him yourself."
John walked into the room "Hi dad," He said kissing his wife on the head, "sorry about that Abby."
"Not a problem. As long as you don't make it a habit."
"I won't and that's a promise." He said, "how are you Dad."
"I'm good, John. And your daughter is beautiful."
"That's good to hear Dad, thank you. I think she is."
Jack handed the baby back to Abby, and started to stick his hand out to shake John's, instead he pulled his son into an awkward embrace.
Carter slapped his dad on the back. This was too weird, his dad didn't do stuff like this.
"I'm truly sorry for the problems I caused, son." Jack whispered for only John to hear.
"I know you are Dad." He said to him.
"I better get going. Take care of them both Abby."
"For the rest of my life."
John smiled. He was happy that he and Abby were able to work things out with Jack.
Abby and Julie-Anne were discharged that evening. Abby was hoping that everything would be low key. John had asked everyone not to throw any kind of a party when they left. He wanted to take his wife home with their baby. They would have a little party later. As they were wheeled out, congratulations were called out, and Susan blew kisses, but there wasn't a scene.
"Home, just the three of us," He said opening the door to the jeep for her.
"Wow, this is almost unbelievable." Abby said.
He had put the car seat in the jeep for her. He thought that since he screwed everything else up. He could at least so that. Abby smiled at John. He was such a good daddy, already. Carter got them in the car and started the jeep, "let's go home."
The ride home was quick. And soon Julie-Anne was settled into her nursery. Abby reached her hand out to John. He took her hands in his. "Can you believe we are parents?" He looked at the sleeping baby, "Yes Abby I can. She's amazing."
"So are you."
Carter looked at his wife before putting her arms around her and holding her close to him, this is what it was like to be truly happy.
The days and weeks went by in a flurry of activity. Between work, Dr.'s appointments, ultrasounds, letting the ER in on the news, and decorating the house time just flew. Maggie even came and painted a Noah's Arch mural in the nursery and a garden in John and Abby's bathroom. After the initial morning sickness passed, Abby felt great, but as September arrived and Abby grew bigger she began to tire again. Despite her desire to work until she was due, John put his foot down, so just after Labor Day she went on maternity leave. She expected to be bored, but she wasn't. Susan came over frequently, Barbara visited while Kevin was in the states for business. Gamma and Abby grew close, for Abby it was like having a Grandmother for the first time. Best of all Eric resurfaced, safe and sound, and on his meds. John worked a lot but the ER was his work now, not his life. His life was Abby and their baby. John still wasn't speaking to Eleanor, but during the summer Jack had called to apologies to both John and Abby. They accepted his apology and John told him that he was going to be a grandfather. Jack was thrilled and promised to come by to see them after the baby was born.
Carter was snuggling next to Abby. The birth of the baby was coming closer. He was excited as well as nervous. He had just gotten off the night shift. He crawled into bed close to 1 am. Abby felt John come to bed, she wished she could cuddle closer to him, but the basketball that was disguised as her belly kept getting in the way. He laid there feeling the baby kick. He couldn't wait to meet the new baby. She felt him put his hand on her belly. The baby started kicking again. It always did when John touched her belly. Abby hated thinking of the baby as it, but the decided to wait until the baby was born to find out the sex.He started to drift off to sleep. He had lightened his load at work and was glad that Abby was staying at home now. He didn't worry about her as much.
Abby wiggled around trying to get comfortable. Her back had been bothering her all day.
He noticed that she was having a hard time getting comfortable. "You okay?" He whispered.
"I'm okay, my back just hurts," she whispered back.
He started to rub her back."How's that?"
"Feels good, thank you, sweetie. Just don't stop, okay."
"I won't," He said.
Abby had just started to drift off when she felt the muscles in her back tighten. John was nearly asleep the circles that he had been rubbing were almost non-existent. She let her eyes close when she felt it again.
She lay there a little while longer, then she felt something strange. "John, did you just spill a glass of water in our bed?"
"No, Abby why?", John said, awaken by her question.
"Because all of a sudden my hip feels very wet, and I was really hoping that you had an accident with a water glass."
He laid there for a minute, "no I was almost asleep I don't have any water." It took a minute, then hit him, "you're water broke." He bolted up out of bed.
"You think?" Abby asked, sarcastically.
"We have to go," he said starting to panic a little.
"Slow down Dudley. I haven't even had any contractions yet. We have time."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. I want to get up, take a shower, and change the sheets."
He looked at her, "go take a shower, I'll change the sheets."
"Do you want to help me out of this bed or do you want to watch me flop around like a weeble?"
Sorry," He said giving her a hand.
Abby waddled off toward their bathroom. "You might want to get dressed, too."
"Yeah," He said watching her. He got dressed and changed the sheets on the bed while listening carefully to the sounds coming from the bathroom. He was so nervous. Abby stood in the shower with the hot water running on her back. This felt pretty good, she just might stay here a while. Carter started pacing. He was a doctor, but it seemed like he couldn't remember anything right now. That was his wife in there and she was taking forever. Abby noticed the rhythmic tightening of her back, those just might be contractions she thought. This wasn't too bad, and the water still felt good, so she didn't move. Carter couldn't stand it anymore. He walked into the bathroom, "Abby are you okay in there?
"I'm fine. The water feels good."
"Don't you think we might want to think about going soon"
"John, what do you remember from OB. First labors take forever. I don't want to sit in a room and have people poke their fingers in me any longer than I have to."
"Not always." He mumbled as he walked back out of the bathroom. He stretched out on the bed. She finally got out of the shower and got dressed. The contractions were a little stronger now, but still infrequent. Carter had fallen asleep, he had fought to keep his eyes open but the shift before him made it nearly impossible. At least if he was sleeping he wouldn't be panicking. Abby smiled as she looked at him asleep. Let him rest she thought. It was going to be a long night, after all.
Abby eased her way downstairs. She figured she would get a little snack. She knew once she got to the hospital all they would let her have was ice chips. She nibbled on a cracker and sipped some juice. She found the phone and called the ER.
"County General ER," Susan said picking up the phone. Normally she wouldn't have answered but she had sent Jerry off to get her something to eat.
"Hey Susan, just the person I was looking for."
"What's up Abby?"
"I'm in early labor. How are you?"
"You're what?!"
"My water broke about 1. I have had a few irregular contractions, but nothing major. I though you would want to know.
"Okay, how's Carter," She said remember how anytime he got nervous someone had to give him inapsine.
"He had just gotten off shift, so I am letting him sleep."
"Okay, well you know the drill." She said to her, "I'm not worried about you. At least I know you know what to do. Try to get some more sleep if you can."
"I probably can't sleep, but I'm just going to hang out awhile. We'll come through he ER on our way up to OB when its time."
"Okay the pain gets to where you can't stand it come on in. I'll be here until 7."
"Ok, Susan. I will see you later."
"Take care Abby." Susan said hanging up the phone. She was happy for them, she knew that by tomorrow they'd be parents.
Abby picked up the crossed stitched blanket she was working on. She really wanted to get it done before the baby was born. She worked a few stitches before she decided that it wasn't a good idea to give a woman in labor a needle. She wandered around the room a while, then flipped through her wedding pictures.
Carter stumbled down the stairs. As he headed into the kitchen he called, "you doing okay Abby."
"I'm fine. I would let you know if I wasn't"
He walked back into the living room with a glass of orange juice. "I know I just worry about you."
"Would it make you feel any better if I let you check me?"
"I'd rather not Abby."
Abby rolled her eyes at him. "Then don't nag. I'm fine. This are little bitty contractions and if we went in now, they would send us home.
"Okay, okay," He said heading back up the stairs, "I won't nag you."
"Things are under control, really."
He climbed back into bed, he was going to try to really hard to not to nag her, but it didn't make him feel any easier.
Abby drifted off to sleep for a while. All of a sudden her eyes flew open. Pain ripped through her abdomen. Oh shit, this hurt. She tried to get up, to get John but another pain hit her. She really needed to get him down here. What happened to those nice easy contractions? "John, she yelled." No answer
Carter thought that he was hearing something, but he wasn't sure.
"Carter, get your ass down here."
Carter came tearing down the stairs, "what is it time?"
"Its time to get to the hospital."
Carter grabbed his keys and helped Abby to get off the couch, "how far apart are they now?"
"I don't know. I must have fallen asleep, and it woke me up. I had three in the time it too me wake you up.
"Let get you out to the jeep and over to County."
"Good idea."
Carter was trying to stay calm but it was very hard to go. He opened the front door, "do you need anything, any help?"
"Just get me to the blinking Jeep."
He put his arm around her and helped her down to the jeep. He opened the door and helped her in. He climbed into the driver side and tried to keep his mind of getting them there.
"Ouch, this hurts. It really, really hurts."
Just breath Abby." He told her, "remember he he he he hooo.
"You he he he hooo at me again and I will make it impossible for you to father any more children."
"Okay," He said. He decided to stick with just driving for now. He pulled up in front of the ER. He climbed out and headed over to let Abby out. Abby grabbed his hand as he lead her into the ER.
"Susan, I need a wheelchair," he called to her seeing that she was behind the admit desk.
"What happened to "I'm fine?"
Carter looked at her, "I just want to get her upstairs Susan."
"Don't talk about me like I'm not here." Abby snarled, as she sat in the chair.
I'm not honey." He said looking down at her.
"And don't honey me either."
"Okay." He looked down at her. He bit his lip not knowing what to say to her.
"Carter, do you want me to come with you two? The board is empty right now." Susan asked, seeing his distressed face.
"Yes!"
Susan pushed the chair toward the elevator. "Call me," she said to Jerry, "if you guys need anything."
"I will Dr. Lewis."
Abby sat in the wheelchair. She gave herself a little mental shake. She wasn't being very nice to John, but damn this hurt. Carter looked at Abby. He knew that this had to be hard on her, he knew that no matter what she said she didn't mean it. The elevator doors opened, and Susan and John pushed Abby toward Labor and Delivery.
Carter looked at her she was awfully silent, "you okay?" He knew that was a loaded question. But something from her was better than nothing at this point
"Just peachy, thank you"
"How close are they Abby?" Susan asked her friend.
"How the hell am I supposed to know. Do I have a watch on?"
"Let me know when you have the next one." Susan said pushing Abby thru the double doors of L&D.
"Having one now, thank you very much."
Carter looked down at his watch, at least he could time them, that's about all that they would let him do.
"Did anyone call Dr. McLukas?" Abby asked.
"No I didn't." Carter said starting to panic.
"John, that was your job, one of your few jobs."
"I'm sorry Abby." He said.
"Susan," Abby said, ignoring John for the moment. "Another contraction."
John looked at his watch and came unglued. "They are less than a minute apart!"
"Carter, we are right here, there is no reason to panic."
He looked at both of them, he could do this couldn't he. He was about to become a father.
As Susan wheeled Abby past the Nurses station she said, "Abby Carter, 39 weeks, membranes ruptured, contractions a minute apart. She's a patient of McLucus. Which room?
The nurse looked at them, "put her in 414 someone will be there in a minute."
"Thanks," Susan said.
Abby got quickly into the bed, for a woman in labor. "Susan, will you check me. John was unwilling."
"Yeah I will Abby. Don't know why John wouldn't want to do this."
Carter just turned green at the thought
"I guess he only wants to stick other body parts in there. And believe me, its going to be a long, long time before he gets to do it again."
"Your are fully effaced and completely dilated Abby." Susan said putting the sheet back down.
"You ready to start pushing Abby." She said, "I don't think McLucus is going to make it."
John just looked at both of them.
"I think I'm ready."
"I'm not," He said tearing into the bathroom, he leaned over the toilet and let go. My God his wife was having his child.
"Where the hell did John go?" Abby yelled.
"I'll be right there," He said empting his stomach one last time before returning to her side.
"Okay Abby let's go. Push"
Abby took a deep breath, and pushed for all she was worth.
That's it Abby," Susan said.
John wanted to take her hand but he knew better.
"Where are you, John. You promised to be here?"
"I'm right next to you sweetheart," He touched her head.
Abby threw her left hand toward him.
John took her hand in his. Dear Lord don't let her break it.
As another contraction hit, Abby sat up, squeezed his hand and pushed again.
"Come on Abby give me one more good push, you're almost there." Susan looked up at her, "okay Abby don't push, John hand me the bulb syringe."
Abby panted, she really felt like she needed to push.
Susan cleared out the baby nose and mouth. "Now Abby give me a good push."
Abby held onto John's hand. She was trying really hard to use her energy in the right muscles, but it was hard.
The sounds of a newborn's cries filled the rooms, "Congratulations guys, you have a new baby girl." Susan said to them as she clamped off the cord.
"A girl," Abby said, tears filling her eyes.
John was in heaven. A baby girl. He leaned down and kissed Abby's forehead. "Good job mom."
"Can you at least cut the cord? I want to see her."
Yeah." He said. He took the scissors and cut the cord that connected his little one to his wife for the last 9 months. "Welcome to the world."
Susan watched them, with tears in her eyes, too. This was so right. They deserved happiness.
"She's so beautiful Abby." He said. He couldn't take his eyes of his baby girl and his wife. He had never felt so much love in his life. This was his family now. He not only had a beautiful wife but a daughter as well. Abby held her arms out to hold her baby for the first time. She was so beautiful. She looked like John.
Susan looked at them, "what are you two going to name her?"
"We haven't decided for sure. We have her middle name picked out, but John wants to name her after his sister, and I don't want her named after his old girlfriend."
"Then again, if we are going to name the baby after his girlfriend, I want to name her after one I like. What is your middle name, Susan?"
"Julie," She said.
"Susan Julie?" Abby asked.
"Cookie was crazy what can I say."
John, how about it, should we add Susan's middle name to what we discussed?"
He looked at his wife, and the baby in her arms. "Julie-Anne Geneva Carter, I love it Abby."
"And I love you, despite what I might have said in the last few hours. I love you both."
He smiled at her, "I know you do."
Susan spoke up, "I hate to take that baby out of your arms, but we have a few things we need to do."
He ran his fingers thru Abby's hair, "I love you for what you have given me."
Susan took the baby, and tiptoed out of the room. They needed a few minutes just the two of them.
"I love you too." she said, reaching for his hand again.
"She is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen Abby."
"She really is beautiful. But that's because she's yours."
"No she is ours Abby." He said holding her hand, "she was born of my love for you, and our love for each other."
"She is a reflection of our love, conceived the day we committed our lives to each other forever."
A tear slipped down his cheek, "I will always be committed to you both."
Abby reached up and wiped his cheek. "I know," she said simply.
He had never felt so proud or happy as he did being there with her as they had welcomed their daughter into the world.
Susan quietly entered the room, and handed Julie-Anne back to John. They were going to make wonderful parents. No baby could be more loved.
He looked down at his sleeping baby. Next to Abby, this baby was his most treasured. She already had a special place in his heart next to Abby. He leaned over and kissed her on top of the head. "Daddy loves you."
Abby scooted over in the bed, and patted the place next to her. John sat down next to his wife. Abby leaned over and kissed Julie-Anne on the head, "Mommy loves you, pumpkin." Then she kissed John's head, "And daddy, too.
John, Abby and Julie-Anne cuddled together, and they all slept.
Over the next 48 hours the family had several visitors. The whole ER came up at one time or another. Abby pretended not to notice the tears in Kerry's eyes as she stroked Julie-Anne's cheek.
"Abby she's beautiful, you are so lucky." Kerry said as she held the tiny baby.
Abby smiled at her, "It's not to late for you, Kerry."
"I know, maybe again soon," Was all Kerry said as she handed the baby back to Abby. "I have to get back downstairs."
Abby looked at her retreating figure, she wishing her the best.
Jack walked in with flowers for Abby and a present for his new granddaughter.
"I know I promised never to touch you again, but if I give you a peck on the cheek will you not clean my clock."
Abby couldn't help but smile. "Just this once," she said.
Jack leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Congratulations to the both of you."
"Do you want to hold her?"
"Yes," He said looking at the baby.
Abby handed Jack the baby. He looked down at his granddaughter now in his arms, "she's looks like John did."
"I know," Abby said. Looking at Jack holding his granddaughter with such tenderness the last bit of resentment left Abby's soul.
You and John must be very proud right now." He said looking at them. "Where is John at Abby."
"He went down to the ER for a few minutes. He isn't working, but they wanted him to check something.
"Would you tell him that I stopped by and that I wish the three of you the best. I'm very happy for you."
"I think you should tell him yourself."
John walked into the room "Hi dad," He said kissing his wife on the head, "sorry about that Abby."
"Not a problem. As long as you don't make it a habit."
"I won't and that's a promise." He said, "how are you Dad."
"I'm good, John. And your daughter is beautiful."
"That's good to hear Dad, thank you. I think she is."
Jack handed the baby back to Abby, and started to stick his hand out to shake John's, instead he pulled his son into an awkward embrace.
Carter slapped his dad on the back. This was too weird, his dad didn't do stuff like this.
"I'm truly sorry for the problems I caused, son." Jack whispered for only John to hear.
"I know you are Dad." He said to him.
"I better get going. Take care of them both Abby."
"For the rest of my life."
John smiled. He was happy that he and Abby were able to work things out with Jack.
Abby and Julie-Anne were discharged that evening. Abby was hoping that everything would be low key. John had asked everyone not to throw any kind of a party when they left. He wanted to take his wife home with their baby. They would have a little party later. As they were wheeled out, congratulations were called out, and Susan blew kisses, but there wasn't a scene.
"Home, just the three of us," He said opening the door to the jeep for her.
"Wow, this is almost unbelievable." Abby said.
He had put the car seat in the jeep for her. He thought that since he screwed everything else up. He could at least so that. Abby smiled at John. He was such a good daddy, already. Carter got them in the car and started the jeep, "let's go home."
The ride home was quick. And soon Julie-Anne was settled into her nursery. Abby reached her hand out to John. He took her hands in his. "Can you believe we are parents?" He looked at the sleeping baby, "Yes Abby I can. She's amazing."
"So are you."
Carter looked at his wife before putting her arms around her and holding her close to him, this is what it was like to be truly happy.