Chapter 17
Disclaimer: See chapters 1-16 (I've run out of witty disclaimers.)
Bobby stood with Carolyn in the waiting room. The doctors wouldn't let him in. They had to do an emergency Cesarean section. Alex's water had broken and it was tinged with blood, which Bobby knew wasn't good. They rushed to the hospital and Alex's doctor took one look at her and immediately prepped her for the operating room. They had elbowed Bobby out of the way. Bobby called Carolyn and here they sat, worried sick for their friend.
"What happened Bobby? We just saw you guys?" Carolyn rested her head on Bobby's shoulder, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I- I don't know. One minute she was fine, the next she was doubled over and then her water broke. And…well it wasn't good."
"I don't understand why they won't let you in the operating room. It's not fair; you should be with her right now. She's probably scared shitless!" Carolyn had gotten up to pace the waiting room, nurses looking at her sharply for her outburst. Bobby looked over at the double doors, Alex's doctor finally emerging. Bobby stood up to meet her.
"Bobby, I'm sorry about that. The baby was in distress though, we had to get her out." Alex's doctor patted him on the back. "But, congratulations! Everyone made it through okay and the baby's in with Mom right now. Just give the nurses about ten more minutes. She's in room 47-11." And with that Dr. Sam Jackson exited the waiting room.
"Well, she's certainly a whirlwind isn't she?" Carolyn stood by the nurses' station, arms crossed.
"She's okay. The baby's okay." Bobby gave Carolyn a smile. "Come on, let's go see her." He reached for her arm but Carolyn pulled away.
"No, Bobby. You be alone with her right now. She'll only want you." Carolyn pulled out her cell to call Mike and Lewis. The nurse caught her.
"Ma'am, no cell phones in this hospital! Go outside and make your calls and keep it down when you come back!" The nurse turned on her heel and sat back down in her swivel chair behind the counter. Carolyn and the nurse held each other's gaze.
"Bobby, I'll be outside, making my calls. Tell Alex we'll all jump in on here in a bit." Carolyn didn't look to see that Bobby was already gone, gone even before the nurse began her tirade.
"He's gone, sweet pea. Go make your calls." The nurse rolled her eyes. Carolyn tore her gaze away to where Bobby had been standing. Yep, he was gone. Carolyn sighed and went outside.
Alex's Room…Bobby stepped inside Alex's room and was startled at the sight of her looking so pale and small. She was fussing over the baby, trying to get her to latch on so Alex could feed her.
"Alex?" She turned and smiled.
"Sorry to make you worry there. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. She should be fine though." She motioned for him to sit next to her on the bed. "I have a name." He looked at their daughter, black curls sticking up every which way, eyes shut.
"And what is that?"
Alex adjusted the baby and handed her over to Bobby. "Bobby Goren, meet Meredith Frances." Alex smiled up at him. Bobby looked down at their daughter, surprised at the tears that stung his eyes.
"Frances?"
"Yeah, I thought it would be sweet, like a shout out, as the kids say, to your mom." Alex had a sneaky little grin on her face. They looked at each other for a moment before they both erupted into giggles.
"A shout out? Yeah, that works." Bobby wiped his eyes and looked back down at Meredith. One tiny little fist broke free and latched onto her father's pinky finger. "She's…thank you Alex." Bobby leaned down to give her a kiss on the cheek. Alex turned to say something to him and ended up getting the kiss on the lips. They stared at each other for a moment.
"Sorry, that was meant for the cheek." Bobby blushed, thankful the baby had woken up and he could turn his attention elsewhere. Alex looked down into her lap and bit her lip. Oh man, there would be no time for that…
The Waiting Room…Mike and Lewis had arrived within minutes of each other, flanking Carolyn in the waiting room seats. Deakins ran in, out of breath.
"Where is she? Is she okay?" Deakins looked at his detectives expectantly.
"Yes, Jimmy, she's fine. The baby's a little on the small side but she's breathing and everything's okay." Lewis stood to give the man his seat. Bobby came out down the hall, looking like a kid that just got told he'd be going to Disney Land. Deakins stood up, and the others followed suit and walked towards him.
"She got a name, Goren?" Mike handed out the cigars he had brought. There was a commotion in the waiting room. They all turned around to see the Eames' barreling past Carolyn's nurse "friend". Alex's mom got to him first.
"Is she okay? It took so long to get here, I feel so bad."
"Let me take you to her, " Bobby said to Alex's mom. He turned to the others. "I'll be right back." They turned and walked back down the hall to Alex's room.
"We're never going to get a name out of him." Mike opened his cigar. "Come on, who wants one?" He walked over to the Eames', chatting with Deakins and John Eames, Alex's father. Lewis caught Carolyn's eye and motioned for her to follow him. She plucked a cigar out of Mike's hand and followed Lewis out to the parking lot.