A New Addition
Pairing: Nick and Sara
Sara goes into labor ten days before her due date.
Disclaimer: I don't own Nick, Sara or any other CSI character. I do own Nick and Sara's families and any other non-CSI character.
Labor Pains and New Daddy's Anxiety
Nick and Sara's Apartment, October 30, 2005
Cynthia sat at the dining room table across from Sara and looking at the younger woman with concern. Sara could hardly touch her cookie.
"Sara, come on," Cynthia said gently. "Just a few more bites, please. Don't you like cookies?"
"Yes, I do," Sara said. "I am just feeling a lot of discomfort in my lower back and pelvic area."
"Sweetie, that's means you are in the homestretch," Cynthia said. "Your doctor told you about it this past Friday during your weekly appointment. Why don't you go take a nap? I'll put the cookie in the fridge and you can warm it up when you feel like it."
"Thanks," Sara said as she got up from her chair with great effort. She was about nine months along and felt like her body was being occupied by an alien.
"No problem," Cynthia said. "Just try to get a little rest."
"If Nick calls," Sara said. "Give me the phone."
"Sure, I will do that for you," Cynthia said.
When Sara was in her room, she got as comfortable as she could in her bed. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, but it only lasted a few moments. She felt a sudden pain in the lower back.
This wasn't supposed to happen for another ten days, Sara thought.
She tried to go back to sleep fifteen minutes later, but she felt another pain in her lower back. Suddenly, her water broke and she almost immediately got up from bed. She waddled to the door and opened it. Cynthia, hearing the door to Nick and Sara's bedroom open and ran to Sara.
"Sara, what's wrong?" Cynthia asked with deep concern.
"I think Abigail wants to meet her parents, grandmother and friends right now," Sara said. "My water just broke and I had two contractions fifteen minutes apart."
"I'll call Nick on his cell phone," Cynthia said.
"No, I'll call him," Sara said as she picked the phone and speed dialed Nick's cell phone number.
Crime Scene, North of Tropicana
"Greggo, could you hand me a small bindle, please?" Nick asked as he was holding on to a tweezer that tightly held a fiber.
"Here you go," Greg said.
Suddenly a cell phone ringing disrupted the near quiet investigation. Nick realized it was his phone going off and answered it right away.
"Stokes!" Nick said.
"Nicky, my water just broke," Sara said in a panic on the other end.
"You weren't due for another ten days," Nick protested forgetting the lecture that Dr. Blake gave them about babies not always born around the actual due date.
"She wants to arrive sooner," Sara said.
"Okay, tell my mom to take you to Desert Palm Hospital," Nick said. "Call Dr. Blake right away and tell her you had just gone into labor. Don't forget to bring the 'Baby Bag' with you. Sara, it's going to be okay. I'll try to be there when shift is over. I love you!"
"I love you, too!" Sara said and they hung up.
Grissom notice the shocked look on the younger man's face.
"Nick, what's the matter?" he asked.
"Sara has gone into labor," Nick sighed.
"Wasn't she due for another ten days?" Catherine asked in shock after hearing the news.
"Yes, but it looks like Abigail wants to join the family right now," Nick said still in disbelief. "My mom is taking her to Desert Palm. I plan to go when shift is over."
"Nick, you go over there now," Grissom said calmly. "Sara and Abigail need you more than we do. Don't even think about arguing with me! We'll take it from here. Tell Sara that we are going to stop by and visit her after shift."
Nick solemnly nodded and headed out to his Tahoe. He got in, started his car, turned on the radio to his favorite rock station and left for the hospital. Once he got there, he found a decent parking spot and got out of the car. He walked over to the main entrance of the hospital.
Desert Palm Hospital Reception Area
"Sir, how can I help you?" the receptionist asked Nick.
"My wife is having a baby," Nick said nervously. "Her name is Sara Stokes. That is spelled S-T-O-K-E-S. I assume she was already admitted."
The receptionist entered Sara's name on the computer and waited for feedback.
"Sir, Mrs. Stokes is in Labor and Delivery room number 8," she replied. "Make a right to the elevators. Take the elevator to the 4th floor. When you get off the elevator, make a left and it should be the fourth door to your right."
"Thank you," Nick smiled as he made his way to the elevators.
Sara's Hospital Room
"Sara, you are dilated at three centimeters," her nurse after checking her. "Just seven more and you are ready to push. Everything looks great so far."
"Thank you, Natasha," Sara smiled and Natasha left.
"You are doing well," Cynthia observed.
"I know," Sara said. "Where is Nick? I called him before we went to the hospital."
"Maybe Grissom has him processing a crime scene," her mother-in-law said trying to reason with the laboring Sara.
Nick finally arrived at the room. He looked as if he was out of breath, but he wasn't running. He walked over to Sara and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"What took you so long?" Sara asked almost furious.
"I was at a crime scene," Nick said. "I got your call telling me that you are in labor. I wanted to finish processing the scene, but Grissom told me to come here. I managed get lost finding this room."
"I am glad you got here," Sara said. "I forgive you. The damned orderly, who wheeled me here, couldn't find his way here either."
"When the nurse comes here," Nick said. "I will ask her to bring an extra bed for me so I can take the occasional cat nap."
"Nick, your mother asked for one just for you," Sara said pointing at the empty bed. "It's over there."
Sara felt another contraction and winced slightly. Nick took notice of her discomfort and gently rubbed her back.
"Just breathe through it, Sara," Nick said calmly.
"I am breathing through these damn contractions," Sara said sharply. "I have been confined to this stupid bed and strapped to a fetal monitor. I want to take a break from listening to that constant thumping noise. Why couldn't I have labored at home and come here to give birth?"
Nick quickly debated whether to argue with her or get her nurse.
"I'll be right back," Nick said turning around to leave the room.
"Nicholas Anthony Stokes, where do you think you're going?" Sara asked sternly.
"I am going to ask your nurse if you can walk around the hallways," Nick smiled. "Even if it's for a little while so you won't go stir crazy in bed."
"Thank you, Nicky," Sara said quietly.
A few moments later, he returned with Natasha on tow.
"Sara, your husband tells me you want to walk around for a little while," Natasha said. "You can do that for fifteen minutes. If you walk, it will help speed up the labor a little. I will take off the fetal monitor and the blood pressure cuff. However, you need to keep the IV in."
"Thank you," Sara smiled. "Natasha, could you get me another gown to put on the reverse side so I don't traumatize the new parents an undesirable peep show?"
"I'll take care of that, Sara," Natasha smiled.
"You can give me a peep show anytime," Nick whispered.
Sara couldn't help, but laugh at her husband and soon-to-be father of Abigail Melanie. Natasha came with an extra gown and help Sara put it on in reverse. Nick waited for Sara so they could walk together.
"Mom, I am going for a little walk with Sara," Nick said. "If you would like to get yourself some coffee, you can. I'll make sure Sara is back in the room."
"I'll stay here until you return," Cynthia said. "Nick, do you want a cup of coffee?"
"Sure, I take it with a little sugar and cream," he said.
A minute later, Nick and Sara were walking the hallway. She was happy that she wasn't stuck in bed with a device strapped to her belly. Whenever she felt a contraction, she would lean forward, put her head on Nick's chest and took cleansing breaths. He stroked her back and made some soothing noises until the contraction subsided.
"Sara, I am kind of scared of becoming a father," Nick said quietly as they headed back to her room.
"You've waited nine months to tell me this," Sara said in disbelief.
"No, I am feeling the new daddy anxiety just now," Nick said. "I have been an uncle 24 times already, 26 if we count your brother's two obnoxious monsters, but the father thing is all new to me."
"I know, I am about to become a new mom," Sara said. "I am scared myself, too."
"Sara, we are going to get through this part," Nick said. "It will be somewhat painful, but we are going to finally meet Abigail Melanie Stokes in person. Besides, we have my mom staying with us to help us adjust to parenthood."
Sara smiled until she felt a slightly more painful contraction. Nick gently pulled her into a soft embrace carefully not to squish her tummy. She was breathing heavily in an attempt to ease the contraction.
"Let's get you back to your room so Natasha can check your progress," Nick whispered. "Besides, I want to take a little nap after my mom brings me some coffee."
Sara nodded and they headed back to her room. She was happy that the rest of the walk she didn't have a contraction. However, when she was about to get back into bed, she felt one slightly worse than the one before. She breathed through it and was able to relax. Natasha came to put the blood pressure cuff back around Sara's upper arm and strapped the dreaded fetal monitor around her belly. She left the room after a few moments. Cynthia, seeing that the young couple returned from their walk, left to get some coffee for herself and her son. Nick sat at the chair that his mother had previously occupied. He held Sara's hand and leaned over to kiss it.
A few moments later, Natasha returned to the room to check on Sara's progress.
"Sara, you are now four centimeters dilated," Natasha said with a smile. "Do you want an epidural?"
"Not right now," Sara weakly smiled. "Could I still have one if I need it?"
"Sure, I will ask your doctor when that time comes," she said.
"I doubt she'll need it," Nick said with a light chuckle. "My wife is a very strong woman."
Four hours later
"I can't take these damn painful contractions anymore!" Sara screamed. "I need the fucking epidural now!"
Nick felt bad for her as her labor was progressing and so was the intensity of the contractions. He went to see if Dr. Blake had arrived or not. He nearly ran into Natasha who gave him a look of concern.
"Mr. Stokes, is everything okay with Sara?" she asked.
"No, her contractions seem to get stronger and more painful," he said heavily and shaking his head. "I thought she was strong enough to handle it without pain medication. Boy, was I wrong for speaking too soon!"
"You should blame yourself for saying things too soon," she said. "I am sure Sara is stronger than you give her credit for. Does she want an epidural now?"
"She does now," Nick said. "Whenever she says something, she has to put a curse word in every sentence she utters."
"I am going to check her again," she said. "If I see that she can still have one. I'm going to see Dr. Blake and ask her what the next course of action should be."
Nick couldn't say anything at the moment, but managed a nod.
"Go comfort Sara," she said. "I'll be there shortly."
Nick went back to the room and tried to calm his anxious wife. He made soothing noises and gently massaged her back. Natasha soon returned to check on Sara.
Fifteen minutes later, a petite red haired woman appeared in the room with Natasha and a cart.
"Hello Sara, I am Dr. Holyfield," the woman said. "I am an anesthesiologist and I'm going to administer your epidural."
"Thank you," Sara said as she breathed a sigh of relief. "These damn contractions are at their worst!"
"Your nurse told me that you are now at five centimeters," Dr. Holyfield said. "You are still a good candidate for an epidural. If you went beyond seven, you would have to deal with the pain of active labor and pushing. Do you or your husband have any questions before I proceed?"
"Will our daughter suffer any long term effects from the epidural?" a very concerned Nick asked.
"Not really, she will probably be born a little sleepy," she replied. "But it's temporary. She'll be just fine."
Both Nick and Sara breathed a sigh of relief.
"I am going to numb the area of your back where I will put the line," Dr. Holyfield said. "You are going to feel a burning sensation."
Sara slowly nodded and grimaced when she felt the numbing medicine being injected. Dr. Holyfield then continued with the procedure. Nick made funny faces to distract Sara from what was being done to her.
"All done," Dr. Holyfield said. "It may take effect right away or not. Just have patience. Also, before it comes time for you to push, Natasha will reduce the amount of the medicine."
"Thank you, Dr. Holyfield," Sara said.
"No problem, Sara," she replied and left with Natasha.
Ten minutes later, Sara and Nick were joking and laughing. He was pleased with the 180 turnaround as Sara was happy and not complaining of pain. They spent time watching the Discovery Channel on television.
"Why don't you get some rest, Sara," Nick said. "You're going to need the energy to push Abigail out to meet the world."
"You should also rest," Sara insisted. "You look slightly tired and I won't have my labor coach fall asleep on the job when it comes time for me to push."
Nick chuckled as he laid down on the bed that was provided for him. Both he and Sara fell asleep.
Another four hours later
Grissom, Brass, Warrick, Greg, Catherine and Lindsey entered Sara's room. She was awake, but Nick was still sleeping. Cynthia had gone back to Nick and Sara's apartment to see if Sara forgot to take anything with her to Desert Palm. Warrick approach her and took her hand.
"Hey Sara, how are you doing with your labor?" Warrick asked.
"It was okay at first and then it became extremely painful," Sara said. "I have an epidural and feel great."
"I should wake Nick's lazy ass up," Warrick said.
"Don't do that," Sara said. "He'll wake up soon."
"Sara, how far along are you dilated?" Catherine asked.
"I am already at eight centimeters," Sara smiled.
"You are getting closer, girl," Greg said.
Nick groaned and started to stir. He opened his eyes and looked to see who was visiting. He immediately got into a seated position.
"Hey guys, aren't you supposed to process a crime scene?" he asked groggily.
"We came to see the two of you," Grissom said. "Shift ended an hour ago."
"Lindsey, why aren't you at school?" Sara asked.
"She wanted to be here to meet Abigail," Catherine said. "As far as you know, she is out on a family emergency."
"We won't blab about her wanting to see her 'cousin' being born," Nick said.
"Catherine would have kicked your asses if you told Lindsey's teachers," Brass chuckled. "Let the soon to be parents have this time alone. We are going to the waiting room and possibly the coffee shop. Nick, let us know when your daughter has arrived."
"You'll be the first ones to know besides my mom," Nick smiled as the visitors left.
"I love you, Nick," Sara said. "Abigail also loves you!"
"I love you, too, Sara," Nick said and he placed his hand on Sara's tummy. "Daddy loves you, too. I can't wait until she finally arrives!"
"So do I, Nick, so do I," Sara said.
"I am very hungry," Nick said. "So I am going down to the coffee shop to eat something decent. Do you want me to get you anything?"
"Not at this time," Sara said. "They won't let me eat until after I give birth. They are feeding me through the IV. If I had chosen to have her at home, I could have eaten something during labor."
"I'll make sure you have a cup of soup after she is born," Nick smiled.
"You'd better," Sara insisted.
Nick left the room to feed himself. Sara laid on her bed smiling that she was getting closer to having their baby.
TBC
A/N: Don't worry, Sara will give birth in the next chapter. In this chapter, it was all about her labor.