A/N: I'm SO excited about this chapter! I've spent hours trying to get it just right, so please let me know how you like it.Unlike most of my other chapters, there's a little bit of strong language throughout this one. Just a friendly warning. :)
Chapter 36:
"Breathe, Mac" said Harm as another contraction began. "Just like that…good…"
"Owwww…" moaned Mac as she did her best to breathe through her pain. She had her feet against the end of the tub and was pushing herself back against Harm's body as the pain grew stronger.
"Squeeze my hand, babe" said Harm as he took her hand and held it tight. Mac squeezed his hand pretty hard, but it didn't bother him at all considering the pain she was in.
"Oh God" she said as the pain tapered off, "that was definitely the worst one so far!"
"That's good though" said Harm, "that they're getting stronger I mean."
"I know it's what has to happen" said Mac, "but I've never had pain like this before and it scares me to think about how much worse it's gonna get before the baby comes out."
"Don't think about it like that" said Harm, "we'll just take it as it comes and deal with it and then move on to the next one. I'm right here with you, Mac, you don't have to do this alone."
"I know" said Mac, "I think the fear of it all is starting to get to me."
"I'm scared, too, babe" he said, rubbing her shoulders tenderly, "but so far everything had gone good and you're doing a great job, and every contraction you have is one step closer to having the baby."
"How are we doing in here?" asked the nurse, opening the door enough to peek inside.
"We're good" said Harm. "She's had 5 contractions, and the last one was noticeably stronger than the rest."
"Great" said the nurse, "are you ready to get out, or do you want to stay in a little longer?"
"Can we have maybe another half hour?" asked Mac.
"Yes, ma'am" replied the nurse. "Dr. Mianni wants to check you again within the hour, but you can stay in here a bit longer, not a problem."
"Thank you, lieutenant" said Harm. The nurse closed the door and left them to enjoy the tub in peace again.
"We need one of these at home" said Mac.
"A labor tub?" asked Harm.
"No, silly" said Mac, "a whirlpool tub. Wouldn't it be nice to have in the master bathroom?"
"Hmmm…I believe you're right, my love" said Harm. "I'm envisioning a quiet evening, candlelight, maybe some soft music…"
"Hold that thought" said Mac as she reached out for Harm's hand. He didn't say anything this time, knowing that she knew the drill quite well by then.
"How far apart were those last two?" he asked her once the pain had passed.
"Only eight minutes" said Mac, "we're making progress if I dare say so myself!"
"Do you still wanna stay here for awhile longer" asked Harm, "or should we go back to the room and let them check you?"
"Let's head back" said Mac. "I'd like to know exactly how much closer we are to 'push time'." Mac slid forward a little in the tub so Harm could stand up behind her and get out. Once his feet were on the mat beside the tub, he reached over and helped Mac step slowly out.
"Here you go, babe" he said, handing her a towel and her gowns. He grabbed his uniform from the chair. "I'm gonna go get dressed."
"Hang on" said Mac, "don't you wanna put on your civvies instead of your uniform?"
"Oh yeah" said Harm, "I guess I do. They're still in the suitcase."
"It's OK" said Mac as she slipped her gowns back on. "Just wrap your towel around your waist and you can change clothes in the bathroom once we get back to the room."
"You want me to walk out of here without a shirt on?" asked Harm as he tied her gown for her.
"Oh, Harm" said Mac, "it's all of a fifteen foot walk back to the room, no one is going to care!"
"Good point" he said as he wrapped his towel around his waist. Even as tired as she already was, Mac couldn't help but notice how sexy he looked right then.
"Ready?" he asked her, taking his uniform, shoes and Mac's bikini top in one armload.
"Let's go" she said. They made it back to the room just in time for the next contraction.
"Hey!" said Mattie when they walked in.
"Hey, Mats" said Harm dropping the clothes on the floor, "sorry, give us just a moment here."
"No problem" she said, "do whatever she needs you to."
"Thanks" said Harm as Mac locked her fingers together behind his neck and once more buried her head against his chest. They rocked slowly, right to left, and Mac breathed through it all.
"Glad that's over for now" she said as she released her fingers and stepped back. "I'm ready to get back in bed."
"Can I help with anything?" asked Mattie.
"Sure" said Harm, "you can help her get settled in bed while I get out of these wet swimming trunks."
"Got it" said Mattie. "Hey, after you get dressed, why don't you go take a snack break?"
"I'm not hungry right now" said Harm as he dug his civvies out of the suitcase. "Besides, things are starting to pick up now and I can't miss anything."
"Harm, you haven't eaten since that sandwich at lunch" said Mac. "That was over seven hours ago, I know you're hungry, go have a snack."
"But I - " He began to say when Mac cut him off.
"No buts" she said, "yes things are beginning to happen, we think, and this might be your only chance to duck out for 10 minutes and not miss anything to speak of. Now for my sake and that of our child, go find the cafeteria, get yourself something good and then come back, OK?"
"Well, when you put it like that" he laughed, "how could I refuse?"
"Good answer!" said Mac. She laid back in the bed as Harm went into the bathroom to change his clothes. He emerged a couple minutes later dressed in a white "Property of U. S. Navy" T-shirt and a pair of faded Levi's.
"Much better" he said as he sat down in a chair to put his socks and tennis shoes on.
"Oh, Harm" said Harriet, "your mom called while y'all were down there."
"Uh-oh" chuckled Harm, "what'd she want?"
"Just to let you know that she and Frank left La Jolla a couple of hours before she called here, and their flight is due in to Dulles around midnight."
"Ah, OK" said Harm. "Lemme guess, they're renting a car and I'm not supposed to worry about anyone picking them up?"
"You got it, sir" said Harriet. "Sorry, Harm!"
"Are they coming straight here from Dulles?" asked Mac.
"Yeah, they are" said Harriet. "They said they'll be in the waiting room whenever Harm or anyone gets a chance to go find them."
"Well, we need to try and keep an eye on the time so they aren't left sitting out there not knowing anything half the night" said Harm.
"I'll take care of that if you want me to" offered Mattie.
"That'd be great, Mats" said Harm as he pulled her into a hug, "thanks."
"No problem" she said, "after all, you sure don't need to be worrying about what time it is, and hopefully by then things will really be rocking!"
"Oh, I sure hope so" said Mac.
"OK" said Harm as he finished putting his shoes on and grabbed his wallet from his uniform pants, "I'll only be gone a few minutes, and I've got my phone on vibrate if anything happens that I need to get back up here for."
"Got it" said Mattie.
"Anyone else want anything?" he asked.
"No, thanks" said Harriet.
"I'm good for now" said Mattie.
"Yeah, but I can't have anything" said Mac.
"Sorry, babe" said Harm, "after the baby comes though, I'll get you anything you want."
"Deal" agreed Mac, "now get your ass outta here before the next contraction hits and you end up staying for it and the next one and you pass out later from starvation!"
"I'm going, I'm going" said Harm reluctantly.
"OK, tell me Mac" said Mattie once she was sure Harm was out of earshot, "has he not been the best guy ever through all this?"
"I doubt there's another guy in the universe who'd do as well with this as he's done" said Mac proudly. "Actually, who'd do as well with the last 18+ months as he's done. We went through some brutal stuff, and because he wouldn't let us give up, here we are."
"Like I said before, Mac" said Harriet as she put her book back into her bag, "y'all are a perfect match."
"Thanks" smiled Mac, a smile which soon faded from her face. "Oh boy…"
"Another one?" asked Mattie.
Mac nodded and grabbed the side rail on the bed as she rolled onto her side.
"Want me to rub your back again?" asked Harriet.
Mac nodded.
"What can I do?" asked Mattie.
"Just sit next to her, sweetie" said Harriet. "She knows what to do, it'll be over in a few minutes."
…downstairs in the cafeteria…
"I hope she's doing OK" Harm said to himself as he finished up his salad and chugged the last few swallows from his water bottle. As much as he hated being away from Mac, he really was pretty hungry and he knew the girls were right when they insisted he go have a snack before things really started happening.
As he tossed the salad container and water bottle into the trash and started back towards the elevators, he felt his phone vibrate. He immediately grabbed it from his belt and looked at the screen to see who it was. Rolling his eyes, he turned around to head outside as he answered the call.
"Hi mom" he said in a slightly disgusted tone.
"What's wrong, Harmon?" she asked from the other end of the conversation.
"Oh, nothing" he said, "you just caught me at a bad time, that's all."
"Is something wrong?" asked Trish, her worry very clear.
"Everything's fine as far as I know" said Harm, "I was on my way back up from the cafeteria, where Mac ordered me to go and have a snack, and I'd had my phone on vibrate in case she needed to find me."
"Oh honey, I'm sorry to have scared you with my call" apologized his mother. "We're on a short stop-over in Chicago and I just wanted to make sure things were OK there, that's all."
"No problem, mom" said Harm. "I need to go now though, I don't want to be away from her for too long."
"Go on then, get back up there!" said Trish. "We're still looking to be at the hospital by 2:00 a.m., so just come find us whenever you get a chance, no hurry though, OK?"
"OK, mom" he replied, "Mattie has offered to come update you when you get here, so be looking for her. I love you and I'll see you soon."
"Sounds great" said Trish, "we love you, too, and we can't wait to meet this baby!"
"Me either, mom" said Harm, "me either." He hung up the phone and ran back inside to the elevators, and got back to Mac's room less than two minutes later.
"I'm sorry I was gone so long" he said as he leaned down and kissed Mac. "My mom called just as I was on my way back up, so I ran outside and took the call."
"It's OK, babe" said Mac, "I'm fine. Did you enjoy your snack?"
"I must admit I did" said Harm. "Thanks for insisting I eat something. I was hungrier than I realized."
"Well, I knew you were" chimed Mattie, "I mean, who wouldn't be by now after not eating since lunch?"
"Is everything OK with your mom and Frank?" asked Mac.
"Oh yeah" he said, "they're stopped over briefly in Chicago and she wanted to see how we're doing here."
Mac laughed a little. "She's not too excited, is she?"
"Only so you'd notice!" laughed Harm. "She felt bad that she freaked me out by calling, though."
"How so?" asked Harriet.
"Well" replied Harm, "I had the phone on vibrate in case you needed me back up here, and I wasn't expecting anyone else to call me, so when it went off, my natural first thought was that something was happening up here."
"Ah, yeah" said Mac. "I'm sure she was glad to hear that we're doing well, though."
"Oh yes" said Harm. "They plan to be in the waiting room around 2:00, and I told her Mattie will come find them. Hey, what'd I miss while I was gone, anything?"
"Nothing new" said Mac. "I had two contractions, about the same as the one before you left."
"Has Dr. Mianni been in yet?" he asked.
"Not yet" said Mac, "but she should be any time now."
"How does right now work for you?" asked Dr. Mianni as she entered the room.
"Sounds good!" laughed Mac.
"I see you're contracting closer together now" said the doctor as she looked at the printout from the fetal monitor.
"Yep" said Mac, "we're down to every 8-9 minutes now. Not much difference, but hey, I'll take it!"
"Indeed" agreed the doctor. "You ready for me to check you?"
"Go for it" said Mac.
Dr. Mianni sat on the edge of Mac's bed and did the exam, finishing up just seconds before the next contraction.
"Good news" she said as Mac was breathing through the pain, "you're now dilated to between a 4 and 5!"
"Oh…I'm glad" said Mac between breaths. It felt great to hear all the pain was producing results.
"I'm pleased with everything right now" said the doctor, "so unless you'd like to, we don't really need to do anything right now to speed things up."
"I think we're OK for now, doctor" said Harm as Mac squeezed his hand tight, "but if anything changes, we'll let you know."
"Sounds good, Harm" said Dr. Mianni. "Now that Sarah is far enough along to have pain meds, I'll make sure the nurses remember not to offer her any. I told them before, but I'll mention it again while I'm out there."
"Thanks" said Harm. As the doctor left the room, Mac's contraction let up.
"What was that she said about pain meds?" she asked as she laid back against her pillow.
"Just that she'll make sure the nurses remember that if you want any, you'll ask for them" said Harm. "Why, are you thinking you want something?"
"No" said Mac, "but I can definitely see why most women do!"
"I'm gonna go find a vending machine" said Mattie, "I'll be right back."
"Sure, hon" said Harm. "We'll be here!"
"I need to go call Bud" said Harriet, "mind if I step out for a few minutes?"
"Not at all" said Mac, "like he said, we'll be here when you get back!"
"I won't be too long" promised Harriet as she grabbed her purse and left the room.
"You holding up OK there, dad?" Mac asked Harm as he looked out the window. It was dark outside now, and the lights over Bethesda were really a sight to see.
"I'm fine, babe" he said, "remember, I've got the easy part here."
"Don't sell yourself short, Harm" said Mac as she sat up on the edge of the bed, "your job is just as important as mine. Just because you're not the one in labor doesn't mean your role here isn't a huge one."
"I know, Mac" smiled Harm. "I'm so excited, aren't you?"
"I'll hafta get back to you on that" she said. Harm was puzzled at her answer for a split second, then he realized she was contracting again.
"Here, Mac" he said as he knelt in front of her, "just like before…"
"Dammit, this hurts" she cried.
"Wanna stand up?" he asked her softly, "would that help?"
"Maybe" she cried.
"Let's try it" he replied as he helped her slowly to her feet. Once standing, she locked her fingers together behind his neck, just like before, and laid her head on his chest. She had been leaning the top of her had against his chest, but this time she didn't feel like doing that. They swayed back and forth as she breathed, and eventually the pain let up.
"Bad one, huh babe?" he asked as he brushed her bangs off her sweaty forehead. She pulled the rest of her hair back in a scrunchie.
"Ya think?" she replied harshly, and for the first time Harm got a taste of what laid in store for him.
"I'm sorry" he said, "that was a stupid question. Can I get you anything?"
"I need to pee again" said Mac, "can you get that IV pole, please?"
"Of course I can" he replied, taking the pole and walking alongside Mac to the bathroom.
"I got it from here" she said, "thanks."
"Welcome" said Harm. He popped his head out the door and looked down the hallway. Not too many people out there, didn't seem to be much going on. He went back over to the window and looked out over the city once more. It was so serene, so calm.
"Hey, guess what?" asked Mattie as she returned from her hunt for a vending machine.
"What?" said Harm.
"You and Mac have some visitors" she said. "On my way back here, I found Jen and Sturgis sitting in the waiting room."
"Did you tell them to come on in?" asked Harm.
"No, I told them I'd let you know they were here and ask if they could come in" replied Mattie. "I wasn't sure what might be going on, so I didn't wanna just bring them in with me, you know?"
"Understood" said Harm. "Go let them know it's fine if they'd like to come visit for awhile."
"Will do" replied Mattie. She set her drink on the table and went back down the hall.
"Here, I got that" said Harm as Mac exited the bathroom with the IV pole beside her.
"Thanks" said Mac. "I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier."
"Hey, don't worry about it, babe" said Harm. "I deserved it."
"No, you didn't" she said. "You were just trying to talk to me and I snapped at you and I shouldn't have."
"Mac, we both know things are gonna get a whole lot uglier than that before this experience is through" said Harm, "and that's OK."
"Just remember that even if I threaten you with extreme bodily damage" said Mac, "I love you way too much to ever make good on it."
"I know you do" said Harm, planting a kiss on Mac's cheek. "You wanna lay back down?"
"Actually" said Mac, "I think I'll give the rocking chair a try for awhile."
"OK" said Harm. He followed Mac as she walked to the rocker and got situated, and he put the IV pole behind the chair.
"There" he said, "now it's out of the way."
"Where are Mattie and Harriet?" asked Mac, "they've been gone awhile."
"Oh, Mattie came back just before you got out of the bathroom" said Harm. "She said Jen and Sturgis were sitting in the waiting room, so I sent her back to get them."
"Oh, cool" replied Mac. "I guess Harriet must still be on the phone with Bud?"
"Must be" said Harm, "she'll be back soon though."
"We're back!" announced Mattie as she returned to the room, followed by Jen and Sturgis.
"Hey!" said Harm, giving Jen a hug and Sturgis a handshake. "You know, you could have come down sooner, we didn't even know you were here."
"We didn't want to interrupt anything" said Jen.
"Plus we know you don't want a crowd in here" added Sturgis, "so we figured we'd wait down there and keep each other company."
"Well, we're glad you're here" said Mac.
"How are you feeling ma'am?" asked Jen.
"Very ready to have this baby!" replied Mac. "I've now been in labor for almost 9 hours, contracting regularly the whole time, and we're still a long way away from the end."
"How's he managing?" asked Jen, a little quieter and discreetly pointing to Harm, who was talking with Sturgis.
"He's been great" said Mac. "I snapped at him a little bit ago, and he didn't seem to care."
"I figured as much, ma'am" said Jen. "He's looked forward to this for a long time."
"I know it" said Mac. "He's been great…" She stopped talking and grabbed the arms on the rocking chair.
"Um, Sir" said Jen, "I think this is your cue."
"Hang on a sec, Sturgis" he said as he realized Mac needed him. He went over to her and knelt in front of the chair.
"Do you wanna stay in the chair, babe" he asked her, "or do you wanna stand up?"
"Chair" said Mac, her voice filled with pain.
"OK" replied Harm, "here, hold my hands." She took his hands and held them super tight as she rocked slightly in the chair, trying to make it from one second to the next as the pain intensified.
"Ow…ow…ow" she said. Harm knew just by the sound of her voice and the pain on her face that this was the worst contraction yet.
"We'll go wait back down the hall" said Sturgis.
"No, stay, please" said Harm. "She's fine, this is exactly what's supposed to be happening."
"Still, I think we'll give you two some privacy" Sturgis insisted. "We're just down the hall and to the left, so we'll be easy to find after awhile, OK?"
"OK, sure" said Harm. "We're glad you're both here, really."
"Don't mention it, buddy" said Sturgis.
"See you after awhile, sir, ma'am" said Jen.
"We'll be here" laughed Harm. As Jen and Sturgis left, Mac pain eased up and she let go of Harm's hands.
"OK" she said, "I'm seriously rethinking my position on the epidural!"
"Are you sure, Mac?" asked Harm. "I mean, I'm not about to try and tell you that you shouldn't have one if you think you need it, but try to remember how important it was to you to do with without any drugs."
"That was before I'd had any contractions" she said. "I'm not saying I want one yet, or even at all, but just so you know it's a little more of a possibility than I thought it would be."
"That's fine with me, babe" replied Harm. "If ever there was a time when I needed to defer to you on something, this is it."
"Very good answer, counselor!" said Mac.
"OK, Colonel" said the nurse as she entered the room, "time to check you again."
"Guess that means back to the bed" said Mac as she stood up from the rocking chair.
"Trust me, ma'am" said the nurse, "it's a whole lot less uncomfortable if I check you in the bed as opposed to in that chair!"
"You don't have to tell me twice!" joked Mac as she got back in the bed. Harm stood at her side and held her hand as the nurse proceeded with the exam.
"Oh, God!" exclaimed Mac. "That hurts!" She was unintentionally pulling back away from the nurse because of the pain.
"Try to lay still for me, Colonel" said the nurse, "I'm almost done."
"It's OK, Mac" said Harm.
"It hurts!" she said again.
"I know it does" he said, "but you're doing fine."
"You'll like the news, ma'am" said the nurse as she finished the exam and pulled the sheet down. "You're a good seven centimeters dilated now"
"Yes!" exclaimed Mac.
"And the baby's head is at a zero station" added the nurse. "At this rate, you should be able to start pushing within another couple of hours."
"Oh, I hope you're right about that, lieutenant" said Mac.
"If you'd like, ma'am" said the nurse, "we can break your water now to maybe help things along a little faster, and then you can walk around the halls again if you feel like it?"
Mac looked up at Harm. "What do you think?"
"I think it's up to you, babe" he said. "If you don't have a problem with letting them do it, then maybe it's the way to go, but if you don't want to, that's fine."
"Yeah, let's do that, lieutenant" said Mac. "I'm ready to try just about anything to speed things up."
"Yes, ma'am" said the nurse. "I'll go page Dr. Mianni and as soon as she gets up here, we'll come take care of that, OK?"
"OK" said Mac. As the nurse was leaving, Harriet returned to the room.
"I am SO sorry, guys!" she exclaimed. "I never meant to be gone this long, but Bud was having a little crisis with the boys and I had to help him through it."
"Dare we even ask?" laughed Mac.
Harriet shook her head. "AJ couldn't find the stuffed tiger he sleeps with, and Bud said they'd look all over the house and didn't find it. Knowing a bit more about the hidden nooks and crannies in our house than Bud does, I talked him through each room until, finally, he found 'Ty-Ty' wedged between the printer table and the file cabinet in the office."
Harm laughed. "Oh, the joys we have to look forward to, my dear" he said to Mac.
"That's a minor one, Harm" said Harriet. "I could write a book on all the antics my children have played in their young lives."
"I know" said Harm, "but I'm ready."
"What happened while I was gone?" asked Harriet.
"Well" said Mac, "Mattie found Jen and Sturgis in the waiting room, so they came down for a little visit, but then a big contraction hit me and they decided they were better off in the waiting room!
Harriet laughed.
"The nurse just checked me" continued Mac, "and I'm now dilated to seven centimeters and the baby's head is at a zero station."
"Oh, yea!" exclaimed Harriet.
"So they're gonna break my water and then let me walk around the halls again" said Mac. "She said at this rate, I might be ready to push within a couple hours."
"It sure sounds like it!" said Harriet. "Did they page your doctor?"
"They paged me and I'm here" said Dr. Mianni.
"How do you do that?" asked Harm.
"Do what" replied the doctor.
"Always show up just when someone is asking where you are. It's as freaky as her internal clock thing!" he said, pointing to Mac.
"Oh, just a gift I guess" said the doctor with a little laugh. "I see we're really getting things underway now, Sarah."
"It's about time, huh?" replied Mac.
"Oh, I know it seems like it's been forever" said the doctor, "but really, for a first labor, you're moving along fairly well."
"Well, that's good to hear" said Mac.
"If you'll lay the bed back a little more" said the doctor, "I'll get this done up real quick." Mac pressed the button on the control panel of her bed, and the head slowly lowered.
"Lift up for just a minute, ma'am" said the nurse as she held a big towel in her hands, "we need to put this underneath you or else your bed will get soaked."
"You'll feel this, Sarah" said Dr. Mianni as she began the procedure, "but it shouldn't hurt too much."
"OK" said Mac. As always, Harm was right beside her, holding her hand.
"Whoa!" said Mac as she felt a sudden gush.
"All done" said Dr. Mianni. "Fluid is clear, looks great, so we'll see if this doesn't help bump you up to a ten pretty soon."
"This feels disgusting" said Mac.
"Yes, it does" said the doctor, "but it'll end in a couple minutes, and you should be prepared for your contractions to come closer and stronger now, OK?"
"Got it" said Mac.
"Thanks, doctor" said Harm.
"I'll be back in an hour, or sooner if you need me. Pressures and everything still look really good, so just keep doing what you're doing." said Dr. Mianni as she exited the room.
"Did that hurt, Mac?" asked Mattie.
"A little bit" she replied, "not as bad as I thought it might though."
"I can imagine what that feels like right now" said Mattie, "and I'm glad it's you and not me!"
"It's gross" said Mac, "but again, could be worse."
"How long before we can go walking again?" asked Harm.
"I guess as soon as I stop gushing here" she laughed.
"Yeah, that'd probably be a good thing to wait for" said Harm.
"Hey" said Harriet, "have y'all got names picked out yet?"
"No, they don't" said Mattie.
"That's not true, Mats" said Harm. "We've got them picked out, we just haven't settled on our final choices yet."
"Oooh, what are they?" asked Harriet.
"Sorry, not telling" said Mac. "You'll have to wait until the big announcement!"
"Aw, y'all are no fun" said Harriet.
"Ow, Harm, ow!" said Mac as the first contraction after the procedure came on hard and strong. She laid on her side again, and he put his hands around hers as she clung to the bed rail.
"Breathe through it, babe" he said, "there you go…yeah, just like that…"
"Can I rub her back?" Mattie asked Harm. He nodded, and she did as she'd watched Harriet do before, applying gentle pressure to Mac's lower back.
"Oh my God!" said Mac, "this hurts so freakin' bad!"
"I know, Mac" said Harm. "You're almost through it, just a little bit longer." Another minute later, the worst of the pain was over.
"That sucked!" said Mac as she tried to catch her breath.
"You did awesome, though" said Harriet.
"Yeah, you did" agreed Harm. "Do you still wanna go for a walk?"
"Yeah, let's try it" said Mac, "anything to get this all over with!" Harm helped her out of the bed, and Harriet brought over the second gown and helped her put it on.
"You can go with them this time, Mattie" said Harriet.
"You sure?" asked Mattie.
"Oh yeah, go ahead" replied Harriet.
"OK" said Mattie. She took hold of the IV pole, and they were almost out the door when…
"No, no, stop!" said Mac, "back to bed, now!"
"What's wrong?" asked Harm.
"I can't walk around right now" said Mac, "it hurts too much."
"That's OK" said Harm, "we'll go back to the bed."
"Owwwwww!" cried Mac as another brutal contraction began.
"You're OK, babe" Harm said, hoping to reassure her. "Here, put your arms up here." For what seemed like the millionth time since her labor began, Mac hung onto Harm's neck and together they moved back and forth in an effort to ease her agony.
"I can't do this!" sobbed Mac. "I want drugs!" Harm hated to hear her ask for drugs when she'd gone that far without any, but he knew better than to try and talk her out of them.
"OK, you can have whatever you need" he said, "let's finish our little dance here, and then you can lay back down and I'll go ask them to bring you some drugs."
"It hurts so bad" cried Mac.
"It's almost over, my love" said Harm. He kissed the back of her head as she rested it against his chest.
"OK…OK…" said Mac when the pain finally ended. "I need to lay down."
"I know, let's get you back over there" said Harm. Mattie put the IV pole next to the bed as Harm helped Mac back into it, then as promised he went to see the nurse about pain medication.
"We'll need to check her first, sir" said the nurse, "then she can have something if she really wants it."
"Oh, trust me, lieutenant" said Harm, "she wants it!" The nurse accompanied Harm back to Mac's room.
"I need to check you again real quick, Colonel" said the nurse, "then we can get you something, OK?"
"OK" said Mac. The nurse quickly examined Mac, and came up with surprising results.
"Well, I'm afraid you can't have those pain meds after all, Colonel" she said.
"Why the hell not?" exclaimed Mac. "I asked for them because I need them!"
"Sorry, ma'am" said the nurse, "but you went from seven to ten centimeters in the last half an hour, and the baby's head is at a plus two station. You're ready to push!"
"Really?" asked Mac.
"Yes, ma'am" said the nurse.
"That's great, Mac!" exclaimed Harm.
"I'll go page your doctor" said the nurse, "then we'll be right back in to get you set up for delivery."
"OK" said Mac.
"Wow" said Harm, "you went really fast there at the end!"
"That would explain why that last contraction hurt so bad" said Harriet.
"Speaking of that" said Mac as she grabbed Harm's hand. "OH my GOD! This hurts!"
"Hey, Sarah" said Dr. Mianni, "don't have that baby before we get set up, OK?"
"Very funny!" hissed Mac, not at all in a joking mood. As Mac continued working through the contraction, the doctor and nurses were busily setting out instruments and getting gloved and gowned.
"We need to break the end of your bed down, ma'am" said one of the nurses. "We'll do that as soon as this one is over."
"Go ahead" said Mac, out of breath,"it's done for now."
"Where do we all need to be?" asked Mattie.
"Well" replied Harm, "I'm up here, Harriet is on the other side, and I guess you can be wherever you'd like."
"Should I get the camera out?" she asked.
"Oh, yeah" he answered, "it's got a clean memory card, so take as many as you want."
"Cool" said Mattie as she went to Mac's suitcase and dug the camera out.
"Alright, Sarah" said Dr. Mianni, "on the next contraction, I need you to take a deep breath and let it out, then take another and hold it while you tuck your chin to your chest, bring your knees back as far as you can and push for a count of ten, OK?"
"Oh, God" said Mac, "there it is!"
"OK, deep breath in, now let it out, good" said the nurse. "Another breath in, hold it and push."
"Grab her knee like this, Harm" said Harriet. Harm took a hold of Mac's left knee and brought it towards her chest like Harriet was doing with the right one.
"…three, four, five…" said Harm.
"You're doing great, Sarah" said the doctor.
"…eight, nine, ten." Mac let the breath out and dropped back onto her pillow.
"Rest for a moment, ma'am" said the nurse, "then we'll do it again with the next contraction."
"That was really good, babe" said Harm. He could see the pain in her eyes, and he wished he could make it stop.
"OW!" said Mac 45 seconds later.
"Alright, let's go again" said the doctor, "just like before." Harriet and Harm held Mac's knees back while she pushed, and Harm counted the seconds out loud. Mattie stood off to the side, snapping pictures of the activity around her.
"…nine, ten. Good job, babe!"
"I can't do this! I can't!" cried Mac.
"Yes you can" he said as he wiped the sweat from her forehead, "you're doing it."
"No, I can't!" said Mac, "Dammit, Harm, make it stop! OH, GOD!"
"We're getting real close, Sarah" said the doctor, "another few good pushes like before and we'll have this little one out of you."
"I can't do it!" sobbed Mac, "cut me open!"
"No, Mac" said Harm, "come on, just a couple more pushes and it'll be over and we'll have our baby. You can do it, I know you can!"
"Let's go, Sarah" said the doctor, "you don't wanna waste this contraction, let's push!" Mac took in a deep breath and pushed as hard as she could, focusing intently on Harm's counting.
"…seven, eight, nine, ten. See, you did it!" he said.
"Oh God, oh God, oh God" said Mac.
"You're doing really well with this, Mac" said Harriet. "You're almost there!"
"One more push and we'll have the baby's head out" said Dr. Mianni.
"Really?" asked Harm.
"Really!" said the doctor. "Come see for yourself." Harm didn't hesitate for a moment. He took a couple steps towards the end of the bed and looked down, and a huge smile came over his face.
"Oh Mac, It's right there, babe, I mean right there!"
No sooner did he complete that statement than the next contraction arrived.
"OK, Mac, give it everything you've got" said Harriet. "This is the hardest part, after this it's easy!" Mac pushed even harder this time than she had before, desperate to make the pain go away and knowing there was only one way to do it.
Harm finished his count. "…nine, ten. That was great, babe!"
"Head is out!" said Dr. Mianni as she suctioned the baby's nose and mouth with a small bulb syringe.
"OH, SHIT, GET IT OUT!" screamed Mac.
"Listen to me, Sarah" said the doctor, "with the next contraction, I need you to give me a little push, OK? Just a little one and we'll have a baby."
"Get it out NOW!" she screamed.
"We'll have it out in just a second, I promise" said Dr. Mianni. Mac finally felt another contraction, and gave the doctor the little push she asked for.
"OW! GOD!" screamed Mac as the doctor rotated the baby's shoulders and it's little body slipped out.
"There we go, little one" said Dr. Mianni as she suctioned the baby's nose and mouth a bit more.
"Oh my God, Harm" cried Mac, "oh my God…"
"OK, dad" said the doctor, "time to tell everyone pink or blue!" Harm was never so nervous or excited in his life than at that moment. He took a couple steps towards the doctor and looked down at his child. He looked back at Mac, and his tears were already falling.
"It's a girl! We have a little girl, Mac!"
"Oh my God!" sobbed Mac. Harm returned to Mac's side and they shared a long, sweet kiss and wiped the still-falling tears from each other's eyes.
A/N: Kleenex, anyone:) I'll have the next chapter posted within a day or two, I promise!