Author: Buffy 2
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Same as always.
Chapter 6
Just after the kids left them, the adults went back to their conversation, commenting on how cute they were together. As everyone chatted, Cordy lay her hand on her large belly, gasped and then made a hissing sound. Angel noticed and asked, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. The baby kicked me kind of hard this time, is all."
"Are you sure?" Angel inquired.
By this time, Angel's questions had everyone concerned and staring at them.
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Has this happened before now?" he asked.
"A few times," Cordy replied.
"When exactly did it start?" Buffy asked.
Cordy looked down at her watch.
"Oh, I guess around 5:30 or so."
Buffy glanced at her watch and said, "And, judging from the time, you've been in labor for at least four hours."
"I thought it was indigestion, that's why I ignored it," Cordy explained.
Everyone, except Buffy and Spike, were in shock and didn't know what to do. Even Angel was stumped.
"Will you guys please excuse me? I think I need to go to the bathroom," Cordy said as she began to stand.
Just as she stood up, her water broke and went everywhere.
"Oh crap," Cordy said.
"Fred, get some towels," Spike barked.
"Okay," Fred replied and ran upstairs.
"I'll help her," Dawn said, rushing up behind her.
"Okay Cordy, don't panic, this is normal. It looks as if you'll be having the baby before this night is over," Buffy said, calmly.
"I'm not panicking. But eww! I need to shower."
"I'm afraid you can't do that, because we don't want you to have the baby in the shower. But I can help you get cleaned up," Buffy said.
"Okay."
Fred and Dawn came downstairs with armloads of towels; Buffy used one of them to cover Cordy from the waist down. She and Spike helped Cordy up the stairs, while Dawn and Fred cleaned up the mess on the floor. Angel still hadn't moved from his spot.
Looking behind her, Buffy shouted at the stunned vampire, "Angel, get the car and meet us in front of the hotel."
Angel looked up at her as she spoke and started feeling his pockets for the keys; finding them, he rushed out of the lobby doors. Everyone else stood back and just watched this chain of events take place. After helping Buffy lead Cordy to her room, Spike closed the door behind them and went to Connor's room to tell him that his mom would be going to the hospital to have the baby very soon.
Angel came running back into the hotel and grabbed her bag.
"Where is she?" he asked, frantically.
"Here I am. Calm down," Cordelia said as she and Buffy came down the steps.
"Spike!" Buffy called out.
"Here I am luv," he said, quickly walking down the hall behind them.
Meeting Angel at the door, Buffy turned Cordy over to him and he practically dragged her out the door.
The small group could hear her yelling at the vampire, "Be careful! Do you want me to have this baby on the street?"
"Which hospital are you going to?" Buffy called out to Angel.
"Wilshire Memorial," he called back.
"We'll meet you there," Buffy replied.
"Faith, Robin, please take Dawn and Bri back to the hotel with you," Buffy requested.
"Sure B, no prob."
"Keep us informed," Robin said.
"Okay," Buffy said.
"Dawn, please go up and get Brianna," Spike said.
"Thanks guys," Buffy said; then she and Spike went to their car and headed for the hospital.
"Well luv, does all of this remind you of another night?"
"Yes. The night that you rushed me to the hospital to give birth to Bri. She was so beautiful."
"Just like her mum," Spike said.
"Thank you, sweetheart," Buffy said, kissing her husband's cheek.
They arrived at the hospital and told the front desk nurse that they were looking for the Donallys', who'd come in to have a baby; the nurse directed them to the OB floor and up they went. They got off the elevator and went to Labor Room 4, where they found Angel standing beside Cordy's bed, talking her through a contraction.
"Angel, is everything alright?" Buffy asked.
Looking up, Angel answered, "We're good."
Buffy went to Cordy's bedside. "How are you doing?"
"I've been better. This really hurts."
"I know Cordy," Buffy replied.
"How dilated is she, mate?"
"I think they said she was five centimeters when we came in and her contractions are about ten minutes apart now."
"You're halfway there. Well, we'll get out of your way. Good luck, we love you both," Buffy said.
She and Spike turned to leave the room.
"Guys . . . ," Angel said as he turned to them, "thanks."
"You're welcome, mate."
TBC . . .