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Chapter 7: Noah?

I moaned, lifting my stomach slightly as I stretched. I grabbed a file from the pile and scanned it lazily.

"Hey Abby! What are you now? 6 months?"

"6 months exactly but if you talk to me again Morris, I may have to behead you."

He put his hands up in mock surrender and motioned zipping his lips. I nodded in satisfaction,

"That's right. Now, I have to pee so, you can take vomiting girl in curtain two."

He glowered at me but took the clipboard as I dashed away, quickly relieving myself in the staff bathroom.

Coming out, I smoothed my stomach with my hand, "Not nice guys…not nice at all."

One kicked, as if in reply and I laughed as my stomach moved.

Luka appeared behind me and rubbed my belly gently, "What so funny?"

I grinned, "Oh nothing…just laughing at the babies."

"They were kicking again?"

I nodded, "Not as much as last night but enough. They find it funny, making me run to the bathroom in fear that I am about to explode."

He laughed, "You're in a pretty chipper mood for being up all night."

I shrugged, "Ah, you learn to deal with it. Besides, I was folding all of their clothes with my spare time."

He grinned, "It's getting pretty hard to tear you out of those new bedrooms. Ever since we moved in that's where you've been every spare minute."

I lifted an eyebrow, "You better not be complaining mister."

He held up his hands just as Morris had done, "Nope, not complaining."

With that he turned, winked, and walked away to find his patient.

I shook my head as I wandered back to the admission desk, picking up a new file.

Seven year old boy, presents with high fever present for three days.

I slipped a mask in my pocket and went to check it out.

The little boy lay pale and shivering in his mothers lap. I smiled sympathetically at the mother as I stepped closer.

"What's his name?"

"Ian." She replied, "We just didn't know what to do. His doctor is out of town and…"

I shook my head, "It's fine. Better we get it checked out."

I pulled out a thermometer, "Hey Ian, I'm Dr. Abby. Can we put this in your mouth for a minute?"

He nodded. I popped it in quick, took his other stats and waited until the time was up.

"Alrighty, it says you have a temp of…102.1. Ouch! That can't be fun."

I looked up at his mother, "Any other symptoms?"

She nodded, "Yeah, this." She pointed at him, "He's never like this. He's always up and running."

I nodded, scribbling lethargy down in his chart. "Anything else?"

"He's been complaining of a full-feeling head and a headache."

I nodded, good. It didn't sound like a viral infection. I could keep the mask right where it was.

"Alrighty. I'm going to check your ears, mouth, nose and eyes. We'll see if we can find an infection."

I pulled out my tongue depressor and looked in his mouth, "A little red, but not too bad."

Next I checked his ears, "Aha! There you go. Ian, looks like you have a nasty ear infection. Has his eardrum burst? Any fluid?"

The mother shook her head, "Alright that's good. I'm going to give you the name of a drug you can pick up at your local pharmacy and you can give him a low dose of Children's Tylenol for the pain and fever. Ok?"

The mother nodded as I scribbled a prescription down on a pad of paper.

"Ian, you make sure mommy gets you lots of juice and popsicles ok? Get all that infection out."

He nodded and gave a childish grin, "Can I have banana flavor?"

I smiled back, "Banana flavor is the best. Now you go home and get better."

He nodded and his mom helped him off the bed, "Thank you." He said.

I nodded, "You're welcome Ian."

I grinned as I turned to walk away, little kids were so cute.

One of the babies gave a kick and I poked it back, "You behave yourself in there. We have to go see Janet later."

I straightened up, tossing the file onto the over and done with pile, as we'd so fondly named it.

Sam looked up from the computer, "Wow, Abby. Your stomach is huge."

I nodded, patting the said bump "You got that right."

She grinned, "Twelve weeks left?"

I moaned, "Don't even tell me that."

She shrugged, "It goes by fast, trust me."

I grinned, "It better. Oh, have you seen Dr. Coburn?"

She shook her head, "Isn't she over at her clinic?"

I nodded, "Yeah thought I would check anyways. Thanks Sam."

She nodded her reply as I turned to leave.

I took a deep breath as I felt the familiar burn in the top of my chest. Rubbing it slightly I grabbed the roll of Tums from my pocket and downed two. Man, heartburn sucked.

I closed my eyes, leaning against the wall and waiting for it to pass. When it finally began to subside I let out a deep breath and sighed, pushing myself off the wall.

One of the new, younger nurses walked by and saw me, "You ok there Abby?"

I nodded, "Heartburn's a killer."

I took another deep breath then left my position and went into the break room. Letting myself sag into the cushioned couch, I switched off the light and closed my eyes.

What is with all the pregnancy stuff all at once? I wondered silently.

Over the past week, as soon as I'd hit 24 weeks, I'd gotten just about everything. My boobs were the size of…I don't even know…watermelons? They were enormous! And painful! My hands had swollen too, they were sore all the time.

The books had all told me that my mood swings would have disappeared by now, but judging by the looks on other peoples faces there was no way that had happened yet. Just in general, I felt big. I felt bloated and full all the time, my ankles were swollen and I'd begun to gain more weight in my belly.

I sighed and shifted as the babies punched my bladder. Moaning I got up and turned the light back on,

"Fine, you win. I won't lie down; I'll go pee until my bladder falls out…thank you very much guys."

On my way to the bathroom, Luka stopped me and tried to have a conversation,

"Luka, I would love to talk to you right now but if I do, I may actually pee on you."

He moved out of my way and laughed as I ran to the bathroom.

When I returned he grinned, as if he had somehow plotted the whole thing.

"Ha ha, real funny Luka. What do you want to talk about?"

"I was thinking about names while I was working and I wanted to know what you thought about the name Noah."

I thought for a minute, "Noah…Noah Lockhart Kovac, Noah Kovac."

Luka stood in silence while I contemplated, "You know what? I like that one. Write it down so we remember."

Luka smiled and kissed my cheek, "Thank you."

I shrugged, "For what?"

"For liking it."

I laughed, "It's a good name. Hey, I'll meet you in an hour, we have to go to Janet's, I have another ultrasound."

He nodded, "I'll see you then."

I grinned as I turned to leave, Noah, baby Noah.

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I climbed into the passenger seat of Luka's car and closed my eyes as he started the engine.

"You ok Abby?"

I nodded, "I'm fine."

He smiled, as he watched me touch my belly gently.

When we pulled up at the clinic, he helped me out of the car and into the clinic. As we sat down I gave thanks that I was only six months, watching a nine month pregnant mother struggle to even breathe.

I relaxed, slouching down in the seat with my arms draped over my belly. When they called my name I was reluctant to get up but did so with Luka's help.

I changed into one of the ill fitting hospital gowns and sat up on the table, Luka at my side. When Janet came in she grinned, "Look at you!"

I laughed, "Yeah, no kidding."

"Alright, Our nurse said she weighed you in, you've gained a grand total of 25 pounds already."

I grimaced, "Yikes, and from what I've heard the worst is yet to come?"

She nodded, "You got it. Alright, so any issues you'd like to ask me about first?"

I shook my head, "I've got just about every pregnancy symptom you could imagine, but according to everyone they're all normal."

Janet nodded, "Good. Ok, I'll just ask you a few questions then. Have you had any bladder infections? They're pretty common at this time during the pregnancy."

I shook my head, "No."

"Backache?"

"Hell yes."

Janet laughed, "Ok, try getting Luka to give you a massage, don't wear high heels and rest after work, that's a big one for you. How about nosebleeds? Bleeding gums?"

I shook my head.

"Breast soreness or leaking?"

I nodded, "Yes to soreness, no to leaking."

Janet nodded, "You may start so buy a maternity bra and slip one of the pads in. As for soreness, try a hot shower? Just try to avoid contact for a few weeks."

I looked at Luka pointedly, making him laugh.

"Have you felt faint at all?"

I shook my head again.

"Heartburn?"

I laughed, "Don't even get me started."

"Try watching what you eat, could be something in particular. If not, try eating small meals several times a day."

I nodded, "Thank you."

"Mood swings?"

I nodded again, "All the time."

She shrugged, "That, I can't do much about. Let yourself be upset when you have to be, take rest, etc."

"Pelvic pain?"

I hesitated, "Some aching but I wouldn't say pain."

She nodded, "It can get worse, especially in the latter months, try heating pads or changing your position. Hmmm, how about movement?"

"All day, everyday."

"Good, Luka can you feel it yet?"

He shrugged, "Sometimes, but not always."

She nodded, "It'll get easier. If it's uncomfortable change position or push gently on your stomach, it can't hurt the baby but it will move it slightly or encourage it to stop."

"What about sleeping?"

I hesitated, "Not too good."

"Try pillows, elevation, keep yourself comfortable."

"And finally, how about contractions?"

I shook my head, "None yet."

"Good, you may start getting them on and off. Braxton-Hicks. These are nothing to worry about, If they do start, change what your doing. For example, go lay down, take a walk. Make sure you're eating and drinking properly. If they are painful take some deep breaths, try and relax. If you can relax during these ones it's easier during real labour."

I nodded, "Ok."

"So what do you say we do the ultrasound?"

I nodded, "Sounds good."

She pulled over the machine and quickly set the ultrasound up. Smoothing gel over my stomach she pushed the wand into my belly as the screen lit up. Massaging gently she looked for a baby.

"There we go, this is…baby girl."

For the first time she actually looked like a baby, she was so little and perfect, I wanted to reach out and grab her. Janet smiled and adjusted the wand, looking for our boy.

"There he is, baby boy."

I watched as he shifted slightly and whispered, "Noah."

She looked up, "Is that his name?"

I smiled, "We're thinking about it."

She looked around for a little longer then turned the machine off. "Well, everything seems to be going well. I would recommend you call the hospital and pre register soon as well."

Luka nodded, "We called last week and let them know."

Janet smiled, "Good, then it looks like you guys are on the ball. How are things at home going? Preparations?"

"Good." I said, "We actually jut moved, it's a new house closer to the hospital and more kid friendly."

She nodded, "That's great! Well, call me with any concerns and I'll see you next month."

We thanked her then I went and changed before we left.

Slipping into the car, I took Luka's hand.

"Thanks for coming."

He grinned, "I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

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When we were lying in bed that evening I thumbed through the baby names book.

"Listen to this, Noah means Rest or Peace."

Luka smiled and pulled me closer to him, "Do you like it?"

I nodded, "I think we should call him that."

"What about a middle name?"

I thought a minute, "I've always liked Daniel, how about Noah Daniel?"

Luka thought about the idea, "Noah Daniel, I like it…I like it a lot."

I grinned, "You sure?"

He nodded.

I smoothed my belly with my hand and murmured, "Noah Daniel Kovac."

Looking up, I suddenly felt startled, "Luka, we're actually having a baby."

He laughed, "We're having a baby."

I grinned, looking at my bulge, "Now what about BG?"

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That night, I fixed pillows, rearranged myself, did some psycho pregnancy exercise and still couldn't fall asleep.

I growled softly and pushed myself out of bed, walking slowly out of the room so not to disturb Luka.

I paced wearily in the hallway, trying to tire myself out.

I was about to head back to bed when the phone rang. I ran to get it quickly, so it wouldn't disturb Luka, Who would be calling in the middle of the night?

I grabbed the phone, "Hello?"

"Abby?"

I recognized Neela's English accent the minute she spoke.

"Neela? What is it?"

I heard her clear her throat and I could tell she was upset.

"It's Michael."

I felt my breath catch in my throat, "Neela?"

"He was in an accident…his leg…they shot his damn leg off."

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TBC…..

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