Chapter 24

"Okay, just wait right here. I'll bring the car around front and help you get into it."

"No need. I can walk."

"Don't overexert yourself."

"Walking to the exit is not overexertion. Walking to the hospital would be."

"Well…just be careful."

Vaughn hurried out and pulled the car up in front of the store. Helping Sydney get into the backseat of the car, Vaughn barked the tires as he sped away.

When he pulled into the hospital around six minutes later the nurses took over. Transferring Sydney onto a gurney, Vaughn followed as they rushed through the paperwork and then pushed her into a room.

"Alright, just breathe," the head nurse told her.

Sydney complied. As time went on, Vaughn empathized more and more every time that Sydney went through a contraction. In one of the times between contractions, Vaughn smiled at Sydney. "Do you know what I find amazing?"

"What?" Sydney said quietly.

"You always look beautiful, even when your hair is plastered to your head and you're screaming in pain."

"Thanks," Sydney said seriously. "I guess it's a blessing."

"That it is." Kissing her on her sweaty brow, Vaughn smiled at her.

"Have you called Dad?"

"Not yet."

"Do it."

"I don't want to leave your side."

"I can handle it."

Taking Sydney's hand and kissing it softly, Vaughn left the room and dialled Jack's number.

"I'll be right there," Jack said right before he hung up.

A scream from the room brought Vaughn running back in.

The night drug on, with both Jack and Vaughn at Sydney's side, as first the head appeared. The neck came next. The baby continued emerging from Sydney. After seven and a half hours in labor, Jonathan Donohue William Vaughn was born.
Vaughn cut the umbilical cord. Cleaning the crying toddler off, the nurse clothed Jonathan off and, wrapping him in a blue towel, handed him to an exhausted, but exhilarated Sydney.

Sydney smiled. "Hey J.D. I'm your mommy."

Handing the J.D. to Vaughn, Sydney watched as Vaughn smiled at their child.

Looking over at Jack, Vaughn smiled. "Congratulations, Grandpa."

Expecting a stern response of, "Don't call me Grandpa," Vaughn was shocked when Jack smiled again and nodded. "Thanks. Can I hold him?"

"Of course," Vaughn said and handed the crying baby over.

Jack held the baby softly, and started softly rocking J.D. Sydney was shocked when the crying stopped.

"Just because I don't have the magic touch when it comes to you, doesn't mean that I'm not good with kids."

"You never cease to amaze me, Dad."

Handing the J.D. back to Sydney, "Congratulations, Sydney."

…TBC…