Everyone Notices Part 3
See part 1 for details.
Part 3
Margaret turns her head towards the door after she hears it creak open. "Leo, is that you?" She asks, after the door hovers about halfway open for a few seconds, and no one enters.
"Yeah, umm… the nurse said it was okay to come in, now." Leo peeks his head around the door, but doesn't really look at her.
"It's okay, come on in," she waves him into the room. She smiles when she sees what he's wearing.
"Hey, Margaret," Leo walks a little ways into the room, but still refuses to look at her. He's dressed in hospital greens.
"You look spiffy in that outfit," Margaret smiles.
"Ya think," Leo returns.
"Leo, it's okay. I'm mostly covered."
"Mostly," Leo replies, as he shuffles a little closer to her bed. Still declining to look at her.
"Leo, look at me," she commands.
Leo raises his eyes, "How ya feeling?"
"Pretty good, considering. They gave me something," Margaret holds up her left arm, showing off her IV. "I've been examined by two nurses, an intern and the doctor on call, so far."
"Are you okay? Is the baby okay?" Leo quickly asks. The nurse hadn't told him anything when she came to get him.
"We're both fine," Margaret reaches a hand out towards Leo. "Leo, come here. It's okay."
Leo steps closer and takes a hold of her hand; "I'm glad," he smiles, the one that goes clear to his ears.
"Leo thanks for being here for me."
"Don't thank me… yet," he melodiously smirks.
"You'll do fine."
"Hey, I'm the one who's supposed to be coaching you," he laughs.
"True, so… go do a job," she teases.
"Look, mocking me will get you nowhere."
"Sorry," she laughs.
"I'll over look it this once, but only because you're having a baby," he grins.
"Yeah, I am," Margaret sighs happily.
"Margaret," Leo's eyes are full of questions. "We never did get to finish our talk we started in my office earlier tonight."
"Leo, can we talk about this later?" She still isn't ready to tell him what happened. She's so afraid that Leo will think badly of her.
"Yeah." He agrees, not wanting to upset her.
"Thanks and I'm sorry for the way I acted in your office earlier, too."
"Well… it wasn't your fault. I didn't handle things very well. I'm sorry, too."
Margaret bobs her head.
"So, do ya want a boy or a girl?" Leo asks, changing the subject even though there is so much he wants to ask her.
"I know people say this all the time, but it's true. I don't care what I have as long as the baby's healthy."
"Do you have any names picked out?" Leo sits down in the chair next to her bed.
"Yeah," she bites her lip and doesn't offer to tell him. She doesn't want to tell him what name she has picked if it's a boy.
"So, is your apartment ready? Do you have everything you need?" Leo asks, after she seems unwilling to impart with the names she has picked. He guesses that maybe she's a little superstitious about it. Margaret has always been a little quirky, but it's one of the many things that he loves about her.
Margaret gets a panicked look on her face. "Oh no, I was going to buy the crib this weekend."
"Margaret, don't worry about it." Leo stands, moving to her side. "I'm sure one of your friends can help ya."
"Leo, all my friends work at the White House," Margaret rolls her eyes at him. "They don't have time to be… wasting it on me." She is on the verge of tears.
"Margaret calm down. It'll be fine." He thinks for a couple of seconds and then offers, "I'll take care of it."
"You?"
"Yeah, me. I think I can handle buying a crib. I used to help run the country, so I'm thinking… that this shouldn't be too hard." He smiles.
"You'll go out to buy it, or you mean you'll call Mallory and send her out shopping," Margaret teases.
"I'll buy it, besides, Mallory's busy with school, right now," he grins.
"Yeah."
"So, where's this crib that I'm sure you have thoroughly checked out?"
Margaret rattles off the store's location and model number of the crib, "Shouldn't you be writing this down?"
"Margaret, I can remember."
"It's supposed to go on sale this Sunday." She informs him.
"I should buy it tomorrow, since you'll probably be home before it goes on sale. I hear they don't keep you more than a couple or three days anymore after giving birth."
"Leo, I'm going to be a single mother living on a tight budget, so… I need to wait until it…" She tries to explain.
"Margaret, don't worry about it. There's no reason to wait for it to go on sale, 'cause I'm going to pay for the crib. It'll be my gift to you and the baby."
"Leo, that's an expensive gift."
"It's not nearly enough; besides, you're worth it," Leo's voice softens as he takes her hand.
"Leo."
"Margaret, please. I want to do this for you and the baby," he pleads.
"Okay," she concedes, realizing that it will make him happy if he gets to buy the crib. "But who are you going to get to put it together?"
"Margaret, I wasn't totally inept as a father. I put several things together for Mallory," he slightly pouts.
"I'm sorry Leo, it's just I'm having a hard time picturing you with … you know… tools."
"It's not like I'm going to build a bridge," he grumbles. "It's a baby's crib. How hard can it be?"
"I wish I could be there to watch," Margaret smirks.
"Yeah, that's all I need. You supervising me," Leo returns her smirk.
"Leo, before I forget. Hand me my purse, in that drawer," Margaret points to the nightstand next to her bed. "I'll give you the keys to my apartment, so you can attempt to put together the crib."
"Attempt, hmm… you'll see," Leo says, as he retrieves the purse and hands it to Margaret.
"Here," Margaret hands Leo the keys. "It's the gold one," she says, as she makes a face.
"Are you having any pain," Leo asks, as he takes her key and slides them into his pocket.
"Not right now, it's more like… pressure," Margaret settles back in her bed, trying to relieve her slight discomfort.
"Did they say anything about how much longer it might be?"
Margaret smiles at him, "Leo, babies come in there own time."
"Well… I have a hard time thinking that any baby of yours would be late or keep me waiting," Leo smirks.
"Thanks, I think," Margaret half smiles.
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A few hours and several examinations later, "Leo, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be putting you through this. It's late for you to be up. You need your rest. You shouldn't be standing here with me."
"Margaret, I'm fine. Would ya stop worrying," Leo purses his lips and shakes his head at her. "Besides, I took a nap, remember?"
"I still think you should go home," she sighs. She'd never forgive herself if something happened to him because of her.
"And miss the big event, never. Look… it's not going to be much longer," he moves to the side of her bed.
"You promise?"
"Yeah," Leo lays his hand on top of hers.
"How do you know? Are you a doctor now?"
"Well… no," he grins at her logic. "But for one thing, the doctor said it wouldn't be much longer and…"
"I think he lied," Margaret interrupts. "I don't know anything about him. This might be his first delivery. He could be making this up as he goes along. I don't even know what medical school he went to."
Leo can't help but grin, "Margaret."
"It's not funny. I think you two are both lying to me. This baby is never going to be born," she cries.
"Margaret, calm down," Leo squeezes her hand.
"I'm perfectly calm," she squeaks.
"How are we doing in here?" The doctor asks, walking into the room, followed by a nurse.
"We're getting a little… impatient," Leo smiles, letting go of Margaret's hand.
"I am not. I just want to have the baby before the next election," she grumbles.
"Well, lets see what's going on," the doctor pulls on some rubber gloves, lifts the sheet and exams her.
As soon as the doctor put on the gloves, Leo quickly moves up closer to the head of the bed. "Do ya want some ice chips?" Leo asks, trying to ignore the fact that the doctor is where he is.
Margaret bobs her head, "Thanks."
"Well, it looks like you're ready to have this baby." The doctor announces, as he moves the sheet further out of the way.
"Thank God," Margaret groans.
"Yeah," Leo happily chimes in.
"Hey." Margaret gives Leo a look.
"What?" Leo innocently looks at her.
"I'm the one in pain and exhausted," she quickly points out.
"Sorry," Leo says sheepishly.
"Margaret," The doctor smiles at the two of them. He still can't believe they're not married or even a couple, because they seem more in love than a lot of the other couples that he's delivered babies for. "On the next contraction I want you to push," he informs her, as he watches the monitor, waiting for the next contraction.
"It won't be long now," Leo adds, as he takes a hold of her hand and watches the monitor, too.
A few seconds later, "Oh," Margaret groans as she pushes with the contraction and squeezes Leo's hand, nearly cutting off the circulation.
"You're doing just fine," the doctor tells her. "A couple more pushes like that, and we should see the head."
"I don't think my hand can take this," Leo smirks, as he rubs it.
"Very funny," Margaret says, in a very unsympathetic voice. "You don't know what pain is."
Leo gives her a pointed look and has to refrain himself from reminding her about his heart attack.
"Oh, Leo. I'm sorry. I don't know…" She can't believe she just said that.
"Margaret, it's alright. Don't worry about it, just concentrate on getting this baby out," he tries to convince her.
"But how could I be so thoughtless?" She cries.
"Shh… you weren't. Please stop," Leo pleads with his eyes and his voice, as he takes her hand.
Another contraction hits, "Margaret you need to push… now," the doctor informs her.
"Come on Margaret, push," Leo coaches, as she squeezes his hand.
"I am," she cries out.
"There's the head," the doctor announces. "Leo, do you want to see?"
"Ah…. ah" Leo stutters.
"Leo, it's okay," Margaret coaxes.
Leo tentatively moves a little towards the doctor, stops and then looks back at Margaret "Are you sure?"
"Damnit Leo, go ahead and look if you want to," groans with another contraction.
"Push," the doctor demands.
Leo peeks around the sheet, "Oh my…. I… I see the baby's shoulders," he gushes, as he looks up at Margaret.
"Okay, Margaret this next time push as hard as you can."
"I'm so tired," Margaret lays her head back.
Leo moves back up towards Margaret, "Come on Margaret, you're doing great," Leo grabs her hand.
"Okay, this is it. Push," the doctor orders.
"Oh…" Margaret grunts.
Leo moves are far as he can down towards the foot of the bed, without letting go of Margaret's hand, to watch the baby being born. He cannot believe how amazing it is. He looks back at Margaret, who is now watching everything in the mirror above the bed.
"It's a boy," the doctor announces as he holds him up in the air, for Margaret to see. Then he takes him and lays him on her stomach. "Leo, would you like to cut the cord?"
Leo has tears in his eyes when he looks for permission from Margaret, who bobs her head and smiles. "Yeah," he answers in a very throaty voice. Leo takes the scissors and cuts the cord. The nurse takes the baby to be cleaned up, examined and weighted.
"Oh Margaret, you did good," Leo whispers, taking her hand and gives her a kiss on the cheek.
"I have a son," she cries, as Leo and her stare at each other in silence for a couple of minutes. They both want to say so much, but neither can bring themselves to tell the other how they feel.
"What are you going to name him?" The doctor asks, as he is finishing up with the afterbirth.
Margaret looks at her baby and then up at Leo, as she squeezes his hand, "Thomas… Thomas Alan," she proudly announces.
"Thomas," Leo says in a husky voice, as he squeezes her hand in return.
"Is that okay?" Margaret pleads with her eyes.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm very sure."
"Then, I'm honored," Leo says, as a tear makes its way down his pleased face.
"Thank you, Leo for being here. I couldn't have done it without you here."
"Yeah ya could have. And it's me who should be thanking you for allowing me to be part of this amazing event."
"Here you go," the nurse places the baby in Margaret's loving arms. "Five pounds eight ounces and nineteen inches long."
"Thomas," Margaret whispers, as she places her first kiss on her son's head.
"He's so small," Leo strokes the baby's cheek.
"Is he okay?" A panicked Margaret asks the doctor.
"He's fine, a good size despite his early entrance," the doctor smiles.
"He's perfect," Leo declares, as he touches little fingers. "Aren't ya, Tommy?" Leo grins. "Oh, is it okay I call him that?"
"Yes, you can call your namesake whatever you like. I like the way you say Tommy. Do you want to hold him?" Margaret offers with a smile.
"I will later. He needs his Mama, right now," Leo touches the baby's fine auburn hair. "Do ya want me to call anyone?"
"Leo, it's three in the morning."
"Oh yeah, I forgot," Leo looks at his watch.
Leo stands by Margaret's bedside for several minutes, watching Margaret with her new son. His emotions and still running high and he has to wipe an occasional tear from his eye. Eventually, the doctor and nurses leave the room after it has been cleaned of all the things needed for the birth. The room now looks like any normal hospital room, except for the basinet by the bed. Leo goes to move and almost stumbles.
"Leo, are you okay?"
"Would you stop," Leo lightly growls, as he flexes his leg. "My leg is just stiff from standing all this time." He assures her, as he limps over to the chair, pulls it closer to the bed and sits down.
"I just don't want anything to happen to you," Margaret professes.
"Margaret, you need to stop worrying about me. You have Tommy, now." He motions towards the baby.
"Yeah, like 'I' could ever stop worrying about you," Margaret smirks. "But, Tommy has now taken over first place."
"Finally, maybe now I can have some peace," he smiles.
"You wish," she laughs.
"Well, I think it's time I leave and give you some time alone with your son."
"Okay," Margaret gives Leo a sad look.
"I'm sure you both could use some rest."
"Yeah."
"I'll be back, later today," Leo bends over and gives Margaret a kiss on her cheek. "Thank you, Margaret," he whispers in her ear.
Margaret bobs her head, as the tears start again.
Leo gives the baby a kiss on top of his head, "And I'll see you later, little man," he runs his fingers down the baby's cheek.
"Is Eddie still here?"
"No, I sent him home after you were admitted."
"How are you going to get home? Maybe you should stay here. It's getting late. The nurse told me when I was checking in that the sofa in the birthing rooms pulls out to a bed. You could sleep there, if you want to," she blushes with the personal question.
"Margaret," Leo scolds.
"Sorry," Margaret lowers her eyes.
"I'll sleep better in my own bed. It's close to here anyway. I'll be there in just a few minutes. I'll see ya later, okay?"
"Please get some sleep," Margaret requests, with a small smile.
"I could say the same to you."
"I will, if you will," she laughs.
"I'm going home right now and straight to bed," Leo promises.
"Okay, I'll get some sleep soon, too."
"And then tomorrow, I have a crib to buy and set up. Tommy needs a place to sleep," Leo smiles.
"Yes he does."
"Can I bring you anything from your place?"
"Well… I never got around to packing a bag for the hospital. I thought I had more time," she blushes.
"Do you want me to ah… pack ya a bag?"
"I think our roles have reversed," she laughs, trying to cover her embarrassment.
"Yeah, I guess they have," he smiles. "I'll umm… pack ya a bag and bring it back tomorrow, then."
"Thanks, do you need me to make you a list of what I need."
"Margaret, I was married for almost forty years. I think I can handle it."
Margaret bobs her head.
"I'll bring ya something to wear home from the hospital, too"
"You better just bring me something that maternity sized, cause I know I can't fit into any of my regular clothes."
"Okay, I'll call ya from your apartment tomorrow, if I have any problems."
"Okay."
"See ya," Leo calls, as he heads for the door.
"Bye," Margaret watches Leo leave and then looks down at her new son, "That was your Uncle Leo. You're going to love him. I know I do," she says with hope in her voice.
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Leo's spirits are still soaring from witnessing the miracle of Tommy's birth. He quickly decides to walk the five blocks to his hotel on this mild February night. He's only been in his hotel room for about five minutes, when his cell phone rings.
"McGarry," he answers, in a tired voice, without even checking to see who's calling.
"Hey, Leo."
"Margaret, is something wrong? Is Tommy okay?" Leo asks in a panicked voice.
"No, nothing's wrong. I'm sorry I scared you. I was just checking to see if you made it home okay." She leans back in her bed.
"Margaret," Leo growls.
"You walked, didn't you?" Margaret guesses.
"Yeah."
"I knew it. Leo McGarry, don't you know that the District has one of the highest crime rates in the United States," she scolds.
"Margaret, didn't I just tell ya to stop worrying about me," Leo sighs.
"Yeah, but… it's going to be a hard habit to break," she softly replies. In her heart, she knows she will never be able to stop worrying about him.
"Okay, I'll let it slide this time, but…"
"I'll try harder," she lies.
"So, what's Tommy doing?" Leo smiles at the thought of Tommy warm and safe in his mama's arms.
"Sleeping."
"Okay, I think you should be resting too."
"I know I should, but I can't stop watching him," her voice goes softer.
"Yeah, he's definitely a keeper."
"Yeah, he is," Margaret replies and then yawns. "I guess I should try to get some sleep."
"Yeah, ya should."
"Bye."
"Bye."
Leo sighs as he closes his call phone. His hotel room seems very lonely all of a sudden. He wishes he were with Margaret and Tommy. He slowly walks into his bedroom and gets ready for bed. Ten minutes later, he crawls into bed and lies there for a while thinking and worrying about Margaret. He still can't shake his desire to be elsewhere. Maybe he should have taken her up on her offer to stay on the sofabed.
Leo rolls around, picks up his phone, and calls the White House operator. He leaves a message with her for CJ, informing her that he's not going to come back into work until Monday.
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Leo is at Margaret's apartment by eleven on Thursday morning. One decision he made last night was that he was going to do whatever he could to make Margaret's life as a single mother, easier. He is actually surprised that Margaret isn't more prepared for Tommy, but then again, he did arrive early and Margaret has been really busy at work taking up the slack, since Josh left.
Leo continues to wander around her apartment, trying to figure out what she might need. He walks into her bedroom and discovers that she has made room along one of the walls for a crib. Leo thinks about calling Margaret and quizzing her about a few things, but he's afraid that he might disturb her and Tommy. He'll just visit the Baby Superstore and do the best he can.
Leo walks over to her closet and opens the doors. He finds a small carryon bag on the top shelf. He grabs it and selects a pair of slacks and a comfortable blouse for Margaret to wear home from the hospital. He walks over to the bed, sets down the bag and heads for her dresser. He opens the top drawer, looking for some undergarments. He moves onto the next one and finds them. He feels funny doing this and his face blushes as he picks up some panties and a couple of bras for her. He holds them by the tips of his fingers and quickly walks them over to the suitcase and drops them inside. Next he goes into her bathroom and lucks out by finding a toiletry and makeup bag already packed. He grabs it and throws it the suitcase too, along with her bathrobe and slippers and a couple of nightgowns. He breathes a sigh of relief from at having completed the packing. He zips up the bag, grabs it and is heading out the door, when his cell phone rings.
"McGarry," Leo answers.
"Leo, are you okay? I called CJ to tell her about Thomas, and she said you took the rest of the week off," Margaret nervously plays with the phone cord.
"Margaret, didn't we just have a conversation earlier this morning, say around four am," he grumbles slightly.
"Maybe, but you never take time off except for when you had…"
"My heart is fine," Leo interrupts. "I just have a few things I need to take care of, and I was planning to stop by and visit you and Tommy. Is it still okay if I come by later? I have your bag packed for ya."
"Yes, Tommy and I would love it and… thanks for packing a bag for me," she blushes.
"Good. I'll be there later this afternoon," Leo looks at his watch. He needs to get going to accomplish all he wants to do today.
"Okay, well… we'll see you later, then."
"Okay, bye."
"Bye."
TBC in Part 4
Author's Notes: Thanks to all of you that have left feedback. I hope you recieved my emails, thanking you.