(A/N – Well, we're together again! Chapter 19 of Nine Months In The Socks of the Motamiya's is ready for your review! Actually, it's going to be the LAST story for review for a week! I'm going on vacation both at my job and from the keyboard! I'm sorry guys, but I really need this break. Don't worry! I made this chapter longer than normal (about two pages longer) , and I left it in a great place to pick it up again next Saturday! In the meantime, enjoy chapter 19!)
Nine Months In the Socks of the Motamiya's: Chapter 19
"Joe says Sora's in the hospital in labor too." TK said, returning the phone to the charging base. He padded back to the bedroom. "How are you holding up?"
Yolei slumped out the bathroom, breathing hard as she leaned up against the doorframe. "Why is it that getting the kid in here was so much fun, but getting him out isn't?"
"Give a little, take a little." TK said, helping her shuffle to the bed. "How are the contractions?"
"About 5 minutes apart. I think we should call Dr. Greystone now." Yolei groaned as she slumped on the bed.
TK picked up her legs and swung them on top of the mattress. "She did say call when they got really close together." He said, picking up the bedside phone.
Yolei rested her hands on top of her rounded belly and sighed heavily. "TK, it hurts so much. I don't know if I can do it."
"Yolei, I have watched you parachute out of an airplane, and bungee jump off a bridge," TK began, sitting next to her, setting his hand on top of hers. "If you can do all that without complaining, I know you can get on top of this."
"You think so?"
"I know so." TK cooed, giving her a gentle kiss before standing from the bed. "Now I'll go call Dr. Greystone and let her know that you're ready for—"
"Gnnngggghh…" Yolei groaned, quickly grabbing TK's hand. "Here comes another contraction. Please don't leave me."
"Don't worry, I'm right here." TK cooed, sitting back down on the bed. "I'm not going anywhere. Just breathe easy."
Yolei flung her arms around TK and buried her purple haired head in his shoulder, her hands tightening into fists as another wave of pain twisted her body. She started sobbing and screaming in his arms as TK gently rubbed her back.
"That's it, just let it out. Just let it out." TK cooed in her ear as she sobbed and screamed in pain. He leaned in to pick up the bedside telephone and quickly used his thumb to dial. He raised the phone to his ear as it rang.
"Hello? This is Dr. Greystone."
"Hey, doc. It's TK. Look, Yolei's in terrible pain that's coming every five minutes." TK stammered in the phone as Yolei let out another cry of pain. "She's really hurting here."
"Five minutes apart? Uh-oh. She's not that far away then. Where is she now, Tea Cakes?""We're on the bed. She's in my arms screaming and crying." TK explained, massaging her back.
"That's okay, Tea Cakes. She's just doing what women have been doing since the beginning of time. Just let her scream and cry. She's bringing the baby down. Let her do what feels comfortable."
"O-okay." TK stammered, nodding nervously.
"I'll be there in a few minutes. Just let her do what feels comfortable. If she wants to scream, let her scream, if she wants to eat, let her eat, if she wants to go on a killing spree—"
"What!"
"Just kidding, Tea Cakes. Just making sure you were listening. I'm on my way. Bye."
TK hung up the phone and dropped it beside him as Yolei gently fell back on the bed, breathing hard, her cheeks puffy and wet with tears.
"Where…where is Dr. Greystone?" She panted, a hand resting on her forehead. "Is she on her way?"
"She's on her way. She'll be here any minute. She said just stay comfortable." TK said, picking up a face towel and dabbing the sweat off her brow. "Once she gets here, we'll try something else to help you out, okay?"
Yolei nodded wearily, a small smile forming on her lips. "Maybe we should've watched that video in the first place."
"Meh. I think we can wing it this time around. After all, we're in a warm and comfortable home and that was a tape about cold and sterile hospital births. You hungry? Thirsty?"
"Uh-uh." Yolei sighed, turning on her side. "I just feel sore. I'm just going to try and lie down for a while."
"I love you. You know that, right?" TK said, kneeling by her in the bed. "My angel. My purple haired angel."
Yolei gave another small smile. "My sweet little blonde haired dingbat."
"Dingbat?"
"Hey, I'm the one in labor here. If I say you're a dingbat, you're a dingbat."
"Okay, so what are we going to do?" Kari asked, now fully dressed as she stood in the living room. "We can't very well be in two places at once."
"Well, the only thing that I can see us doing is splitting up." Davis said, shrugging his shoulders as he helped Kari on with her jacket. "You go with your brother and Sora at the hospital and I'll go to TK and Yolei's house to see what the heck is going on."
"If you think that's right." Kari sighed, buttoning her coat over her round stomach. "Can you believe that both of them are going to deliver today?"
"Never would have thought it." Davis said, pulling his coat out the closet. "You're next, squirt, so you may as well get ready." Davis said, poking at Kari's tummy.
Kari giggled as she picked up her camera and wrapped it around her neck by the long white cord. "I still can't believe I found this old thing."
"I can't believe it still works." Davis said, slipping on his jacket. "You've had that thing for the longest time. I thought you left it with—"
"Oh, she couldn't use it." Kari said with a grin as she turned the Christmas tree on. "Something about her claws always showing up in every picture." She sighed as her fingers moved over a few scratches around the shutter button.
"Got your cell phone?" Davis asked, pocketing his small blue and green cover cell.
"Sure do. Fully charged." Kari said, patting her pocket. "Let's roll."
"Hey! Winry!"
The young blonde wearily turned around to face the receptionist, her long hair bearing a slightly frazzled look. "Huh?"
"Dr. Kido had a message for you." She said, holding up a small slip of paper.
Winry walked over and plucked the folded slip of paper out of her hand. "Thanks." She said as she started to unfold it.
"You just getting off?"
"Mm-hmm…Finally. Just finished up my last patient." Winry looked at her watch and groaned as she stuffed the piece of paper in her pocket. "Oh man, it's 5:34. Ed's probably ticked off by now."
"You off tomorrow?"
Winry grinned as she pressed the down elevator button. "Yep! Tomorrow and the next day! It is our first Christmas you know."
"Oh yeah! Well, I'll see you on Tuesday. Merry Christmas!" The receptionist said with a smile as Winry stepped into the elevator and the doors shut behind her.
Oh, I hope he's not too upset. Winry thought as she pressed the "1" button. He really hates it when I'm late. Oh well, I'll make it up to him.
She looked up at the monitor that showed the elevators position in the building. Why do I have the feeling I'm forgetting something? Winry thought as she felt the elevator slow to a stop on the bottom floor.
The doors opened up to meet a brown haired woman with an anxious look on her face. She looks like she's about to pop. Winry thought as she stepped to one side to allow her to get on.
"Excuse me?" She said in a small voice as she stepped out the elevator. "Are you from the maternity ward?"
"Ummm, yep. I am." Winry said, nodding. "How can I help you?"
"Do you know if Sora and Tai Kamiya had their baby yet?"
Winry scrunched her face up in a scowl as she thought. "Ummm…sorry. I'm just the anesteologist. Ask the receptionist upstairs. She'll know."
"Okay. Thanks! Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas to you too!"
"Winry, why didn't you call and tell me you were going to be late?" Edward asked, with a small scowl on his face as they drove down the street.
"I'm sorry Ed, but you know I had to finish up my charts from work. But I'm off for the next two days, and I plan on making it up to you." She cooed.
Ed turned a bright red as Winry tickled behind his ear. "Awww, stop, Winry…not while I'm driving. I'm going to hold you to that. Maybe I should make you sign a promissory note."
"Oh! Thanks for reminding me, sweetie!" Winry said, snapping her finger as she rummaged in her pocket and pulled out a small slip of paper. "Dr. Kido left this note for me at the reception desk."
"Oh, what is it?"
Winry unfolded the note and began reading. "Patient #1000-93376 Kamiya, Sora. Please give her an epidural ASAP. She's 8 centimeters dilated, fully effaced and moving pretty quick. Thanks, Joe."
"Kamiya…Kamiya…why does that name sound so famili—Oh, snap! Kamiya! I was supposed to give her an epidural! She's going through labor without an epidural!""What does the note say?" Ed asked, curiously.
"Meh. Nothing too important. Just a reminder to finish my charts, which I did."
"Dr. Kido, please forgive me! But Ed would KILL me if I asked him to turn around now!""So, did you hear from Alphonse?" Winry asked.
Knock, Knock.
"See, Sora. I told you. Here's the doctor to give you your medicine right now." Tai said gently as he walked towards the door.
"I hope so. It feels like I'm passing a freaking watermelon between my legs!" Sora growled as Tai opened the door. "This kid is going to rip me in two!"
"Merry Christmas big brother." Kari said, smiling as she walked in the door.
Tai gave her a big hug. "Hey, little sis. How are you? Did we wake you up? Where's Davis? Why aren't you sitting down!"
Kari rolled her eyes as she walked in the room. "Fine, Yes, but it's okay, he went to TK and Yolei's house after dropping me of, and I just walked in the door." She padded over to Sora's bedside and held one of her hands. "I'm getting better with your multiple questions. How are you and my little nephew?"
"Peachy." Sora sighed, giving a small sigh. "Joe said it won't be long now. We're just waiting for the anesteologist to come and give me my epidural."
"Man, what's keeping them?" Tai said, looking up at the digital clock on the wall.
"She left for tonight!"
Paige nodded nervously at the blue haired doctor in front of her. "I gave her the message, but she must not have read it."
"Oh, good grief." Joe groaned, raising a hand to his forehead. "Sora is going to kill me. She's fully dilated and screaming for pain medication!"
"Should I try and page Dr. Jinn from the OR—"
"No, no, no. No need to wake him up. She's just going to have to go it alone." Joe sighed, picking up the chart on the counter.
"Should I call for a tranquilizer gun?" Paige asked as Joe slouched away towards Sora's door, pushing a newborn incubator in front of him.
Joe tuned around and winced as Sora gave another loud scream from the other side of the door. "No…just call the coroner. Tell him to be ready to pick up two bodies."
"WHAT KIND OF CRACK-POT PLACE ARE YOU GUYS RUNNING HERE!" Tai exclaimed as Joe prepared the room for the delivery.
"I'm sorry Tai, but it can't be helped." Joe said as he helped set Sora's legs in the stirrups. "By the time we get an anesteologist in here, Sora would have delivered."
"Ohhh…" Sora groaned, shifting in the bed. "Here it comes again! It really hurts!"
"Well why did the anesteologist leave in the first place!" Tai exclaimed, pacing around the room. "Doesn't she wait until the last customer leaves before going home?"
Joe rolled his eyes and focused his attention to Sora. "I'm so sorry, Sora." He sighed, pulling on a pair of rubber gloves. It looks like you're going to be doing this on your own with no medication. Kari, you stand on the left and hold Sora's hand."
"Of course." Kari said, padding around Joe to Sora's left. She picked up her hand, which Sora immediately clenched. "Looks like you're going to be first." Kari said, wiping a tear with her free hand.
"Tai, quit looking out the door, get over here and hold Sora's right hand! It's too late for medication now!" Joe ordered.
"You mean…NOW? The baby is coming NOW!" Tai exclaimed, taking small, shaky steps back to the bed. "I-I'm not ready…I'm not ready…"
Joe growled and grabbed Tai by the arm to the foot of the bed where Sora's legs rested in the stirrups. "See THAT! He's ready!"
Tai's face twisted in absolute horror as he looked between Sora's legs. "OHHHHHH-MYYYYYY-GAWWWWWWD! WHAT….IS…THAT!"
"That is what's been sitting inside your wife for the past nine months, and that is what she's trying to get out. Now get over there and help her." Joe said, giving Tai a shove back to the head of the bed.
Tai stumbled and wiped his sweaty brow. He held out a trembling hand to Sora and looked down at her with a trembling smile. "Time to see our little tadpole."
Sora looked up at him with a tired smile as she took her husbands hand and gripped it. "Take my word on it, Tai. This is no tadpole—Ohhhh…."
"Sounds like a contraction, Sora. This time, I want you to take a deep breath and push with it." Joe instructed. "The baby's head is right here. A few good pushes, and we're done, okay?"
Sora nodded, inhaling deeply. "I'm ready."
"Okay. Here we go! And push!"
To Be Continued…IN ONE WEEK!
(A/N – Chapter 19 is locked down! I know that it's evil to leave you all hanging like this, especially with this kind of cliffhanger, but I really need this vacation to regroup, reorganize, deal with a few real life personal issues, and come back with all new and fresh ideas for how to end this story with a bang! Anyway, here's what I have to say about what YOU had to say with the previous chapter:
Jinn Strider – You're right! That WAS a Fullmetal Alchemist cameo in this chapter! I wanted to do something a little offbeat and unexpected by introducing another anime in this story! I hope you like!
Dark Qiviut – Extremely soon is an undertstatement, my friend. Sora's kid is right at the finish lines…crying shame Sora'll have to wait until NEXT Saturday until she's finally able to push the child into creation! Don't worry, my friend: if it's cliffhangers you want, it's cliffhangers you'll get!
Paige34 – You know, that's a great question about what were young kids doing outside singing Christmas carols at 2 AM. It was an idea that came at the very last minute, and I guess I didn't think it through. I also wanted to do an homage to the Christmas classic "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Actually, when Joe said "Yeah, I know you guys planned this…" He was really talking about them planning on a home birth. Check back about two chapters, and you'll see what I'm talking about. Oh, and don't worry…you'll meet kids…next week! See ya soon, and congrats on the band!
Anthony1 – Yeah, I know it's a bit obvious, but you never know! Everything that you just read regarding Yolei may be just false labor pains! I'm just that crazy. Peace!
JyouraKoumi – Again I say "Huh?"
Lexi – You know what? I can't wait to find out what the babies are either! The only one I know about is Sora and Tai's son…other than that, I know just as much as you do about the kid's gender.
A-c-H123314 – Hyperactivity is a blessing and a curse. I should know. I hear ya on school; it can get rough! Just be glad that you got a few days off for Thanksgiving so you can sit back and relax! Having Sora drive herself to the hospital would have been a pretty good idea, but come on, how far do you think Sora would have gotten with the pain that she was in? Traffic would have been backed up from one end of the continent to another!
Psycho G – You're right. Puffy AmiYumi (Real rock group) are in a bit of a competition with Matt's band, "The Teenage Wolves". In fact, it seems as though poor Matt and his group are in competition with a lot of Japanese bands: V6, L'Arc En Ciel, and now Puffy AmiYumi. Coincidentally, all three of the bands are in my music collection, and I tend to listen to 'em when driving!
Steve-Racer – Fun stuff indeed! This story has been, by far, the most challenging, and the most fun I've ever written! You're right! It has been quite a long time since we've last talked! I know you have a lot to tell me, and I have a lot to tell you! You sound like you're floating on cloud nine! I can't wait to find out why:turns and whispers to others: it's a girl, you know.
Gabumon7000 & Kyli (Since you both basically said the same things in your reviews I'll just answer both in one. Clever, no?) – I know, I know…Sora has been going through a lot, and I'm not really making things any easier for her by not giving her the pain medication OR leaving her in labor for a full week, but don't worry! The end result will be well worth it…I hope.
And to everyone else who read my story, thank you all so much! I hope you all won't miss me too much this week! IN the meantime, feel free to check out all the new stories in our (Jinn Strider, Gabumon7000, Paige34, Dark Qiviuit, Fan Fiction Story Rater) new C2 Community called "The Midnight Digital Writers Guild"! Well, time to go start my vacation! Before I go, I want to wish you and yours a very blessed Thanksgiving! Don't eat too much…but then again, don't eat too little! Eat until you're belly is full, then go take a nap! That's it! Bye!)