Chapter 36
Later that afternoon, Kimberly was helping the boys with their coats when she notices Tommy's unsettling demeanor.
"What's wrong, handsome?"
"You won't believe it if I tell you."
"Try me." Tommy made sure the boys were gone before he told Kimberly. "Anton Mercer is Mesagog!"
"Shhh…the boys."
"How? Why!"
"I don't know, but the worst part about this, Trent knew."
"What?" Conner, Kira and Ethan arriving just as Tommy told Kimberly.
"Yeah, he never told us," Tommy said.
"No, he lied to us!"
"Conner, wait….Trent wouldn't…"
"He lied to us, Mrs. O! We asked him to come forward and tell us everything and he lied to us."
"Maybe…"
"No, Conner's right. We asked him just yesterday to tell us everything. He said he did," Ethan said.
"Maybe he has a good reason. That is his father," Kimberly said.
"So!"
"Guys, I am willing to give Trent a chance to explain himself. But, if I don't like the explanation he gives, then I'll do what I have to do."
"Which is?" Kimberly asked.
"I'll ask for his Dino gem," Tommy said.
"What?"
"If we can't trust him, he can't fight with us."
"Where is Trent?" Kimberly asked.
"He bolted from school as soon as the bell rung, probably to go help Mesagog."
"Conner, stop it."
"He's not evil," Kira said. "He made a mistake and not telling us, I'll grant you that, but who hasn't. We're all friends here."
"Friends, with him? He lied to us, repeatedly. That is not a friend in my eyes."
"We should at least give him one chance, to explain."
"Fine, ONE chance," Conner said holding up a finger.
"Okay, how about this, tomorrow morning you all come here. I'll make us a huge breakfast feast and we can all chat then."
"Good ol' country cooking?" Ethan asked.
"Everything you could possibly dream of," Kimberly said with a smile.
"I'm down for that."
"Yeah, me too," Conner said.
"Deal, let's say 9 o'clock," Tommy said. Kimberly nodded.
"I'll be here 8:59."
"Good."
"And rangers, try not to stress about this. Let's just take tonight as a breather. No worries, no angry, okay." Everyone nodded. "Have a good nights rest."
"Bye Mrs. O," Ethan said going to the door.
"Oh, I almost forgot." Kira pulled out a small box.
"What's this?"
"A late baby shower gift."
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Just a few weeks back, Aisha had gotten together with most the women to throw Kimberly a huge baby shower. Aisha designed the party to be a 'Blue Heaven'. Everything was either blue or white right down to the napkins and forks. They had baby-back ribs, baby blue punch, they had tiny sandwiches, appetizers galore, from blue dips to baby blue puffs. Any type of cookies you could imagine, blue cakes for the Mommy-to-be, special punch for the Mommy's guests (the guests loving their cocktails a lot more).
They played at least 10 baby shower games, from which team can change, wipe and powder a baby the fastest to who could wobble the best with an egg between their legs and drop it into a cup without breaking it. Tommy won that game. The children even behaved for the most part of the day and party.
And because this wasn't Kimberly's first child, the normal gifts like books, a crib, stuff like that were left out. Kim got clothes, of courses, ranging for the seasons ahead, new nursing supplies from pads, milk bottles, nursing pillow, new car seat for the infant, but the new things were gift certificates to spas for the Mommy, coupons from friends and family to take care of things for the new parents, like babysitting, shopping, giving the new parents of 5 now a day off from parenting. Things to be more helpful than presents. Jason and Rocky even offering to take the children off for fun and games, so Mommy and Daddy can spend time alone with the new baby.
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"Kira, you didn't have to get me anything else. Your mother baked those great cookies for the party."
"I know, but I wanted to."
"I helped with this gift too," Conner added. Kira glared at him. Kimberly laughed as she opened it. 'I love Rock 'n Roll' shirt with leather pants and black cuffs.
"He got the cuffs."
"Hey! I picked out the cuffs!" Ethan said.
"They both did."
"We did." Ethan and Conner smiled.
"I love it and I'm sure lil Sky will too." Tommy closed the door behind them. He turned to find Kimberly bent over.
"Beautiful!" Tommy quickly caught her. "What's wrong?"
"Just a cramp in my back. I'm fine."
"I better get you to bed."
"All I do is lay around."
"You are days away from labor," Tommy said. "I will not have you up and about so much and risk this baby's health and yours." Tommy lifted her into his arms with ease. "Now, you rest." Tommy sat Kimberly to their bed.
"Yes sir!" Kimberly saluted Tommy as she covered herself up. Tommy smiled and kissed her softly on the lips. "I love you."
"I love you too."
"You better check our pantry now to make sure we have everything we need to have a huge breakfast."
"I will."
"And the fridge for things…"
"I will."
"I think we are low on orange juice and…"
"Okay, okay, Beautiful. I will go now and check."
"And could you make me a bagel with cream cheese."
"How did I know the only reason for the push to check the fridge was to get you something?" Kimberly smiled.
"Could you go to the store and buy me more magazine too?"
"Of course." Tommy kissed her forehead and got up.
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That night, after Mesagog punishes Elsa for sneaking that card in Dr. Mercer's pocket. He tells Elsa that she was right about his one weakness being Dr. Mercer. So Mesagog take a potion that gives him the ability to separate himself from Dr. Mercer. Mesagog orders the Tyranodrones to take Dr. Mercer away and sets upon a plan to destroy the Power Rangers.
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Early Saturday morning
With the children sleeping in late, thanks to Kimberly and Tommy letting them stay up as long as they waited, Tommy got started on breakfast. Kimberly came downstairs wrapping herself in her fluffy robe.
"Beautiful, I told you to stay in bed."
"I'm fine."
"You had back pains and a headache all last night."
"Which are all gone now, besides I can help." Kimberly opened the cabinet for some bowls and containers. Tommy sighed, knowing it was best not to argue with her these days.
"Fine, I'm thinking about making a small omelet place here," Tommy said.
"Good idea." Kimberly helped Tommy with all the chopping. Tommy dropped an onion only to have it floating above his hand. Tommy took the onion.
"No powers," Tommy said.
"The baby made me do it."
"What did I say?"
"Oh, honey. It was just an reflex," Kimberly said. "I won't do it again." Tommy kissed her cheek.
"Thank you."
"Oh it's 8, you can go pick up those pastries and muffins from Hayley."
"Right." Tommy wiped his hands and left for a run to the café.
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Conner, Ethan and Kira arrived just at 9. Tommy, Warren and Darren were pulling the table apart more to fit the extra 4 people.
"Good morning!"
"Morning! Come on in!"
"Wow!"
"Whoa, Dr. O, what a sight?" Conner said laughing as Tommy stood in a 'Kiss the chef' apron and hat.
"Ha, ha," Tommy said with his spatula. "Hey, where's Trent?"
"Did you stop by to pick him up?" Kimberly asked.
"We did, but he said he will come by later."
"Why?"
"He had something to do with Hayley," Kira said.
"Oh. Well, I got enough food to feed an army."
"We see that," Conner said.
"Okay. We got muffins, pastries, yogurts, oatmeal, cheeses, cereals, sausages, hot and regular, bacon, hash brown potatoes, scrambled eggs, whole eggs and Tommy can make you an omelet if you like. I got waffles here and French toast, slices of fruits, many juices from OJ to cranberry. Oh if you want I can even whip up smoothies. Might not be as good as Hayley does them, but…I can try."
"I'll take an cheese, onion and tomato omelet, Dr O," Conner said sitting down. Tommy made a cheesy one just for Kimberly first then went to making Conner one and Kira one. They all sat down to eat.
"Juice Mommy."
"Okay, baby."
"I'll get it," Conner said reaching for the jug and bringing it over Trish's seat. He pours into her small cup. "There you go."
"Say thank you," Tommy said.
"Thank you," Trish said smiling before drinking her juice.
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The rangers stood out on the back patio talking as Tommy cleaned up with Kimberly and the children. Tommy loaded their dishwasher to the max before heading outside.
"Guys, I'm gonna go get Trent," Tommy said coming out to them.
"Okay." Tommy kissed Kimberly on his way out.
"Don't tell me you feel sorry about Trent?" Conner asked.
"Of course I do! He's a good friend. I don't know if I could handle giving up my Dino gem if asked."
"That's rich, coming from someone who didn't even want the powers in the first place, remember."
Kira, Conner, and Ethan smile as they remember the past, just over 6 months ago when they received their new powers from Dino gems. They go down to the Dino lab.
"Okay, I realize at first I wasn't so into it, but everything has changed now." They flash back to receiving their morphers and being told that they are Power Rangers. "I mean, look at you Conner. You're not the same dumb jock that we started with."
"Gee thanks."
"You know what I mean."
"If he doesn't I do," Ethan said as they sat down. "You have come a long way, bro."
Conner smiles as he recalls his past few months leading up to now as the Red ranger.
"Okay, point made. Hey, what about you gamer dude? You're not the same nerdy Ethan we first met either." Ethan smiles.
"Yeah, you're right. I am pretty cool now."
"Don't get carried away. But it's definitely not embarrassing hanging out with you anymore."
"Wow, now who needs to learn how to give a compliment?" Kira asked.
"It's okay, Kira. I speak Conner. But you know what still freaks me out. Our teacher is a legend Power Ranger."
"Don't forget about his wife." They smiled remembering when they found out about their science teacher being a legendary Power Ranger.
"We own him a lot," Kira said.
"Yeah, we do."
"And are you guys forgetting who we almost lost him to?" Conner asked as they remember the evil White ranger nearly destroying Tommy by encasing him in amber.
"Okay, he was under the evil spell. We almost lost him because of that. But he's different now."
"Yeah, but he forgets to tell us Mesagog is his dad," Conner said.
"I made a promise," Trent said coming down the stairs with Tommy and Kimberly.
"What about a promise to us?" Conner asked.
"I never let my feelings get in the way of my ranger duties."
"That may be true, Trent. But you put us in a very difficult stage," Tommy said. "Conner may be right. I don't know how we are to trust you again." They all took a seat as Trent stood.
"Tell me what to say to get you all to trust me."
"Trust is something you can't just say and mean it, Trent. It is through your actions where you're warranted trust." Tommy nodded holding Kimberly in his lap.
"I know nothing I can say or do will undo the harm I did. But, things haven't been easy for me, guys." Trent tries to explain himself. How the gem chose him, not the other way around. When he found out about his father being Mesagog, he was still evil. Then Trent had the struggles with the evil White Ranger and him sharing a dino gem that almost killed him as well. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys about Mesagog being my dad. But I believed my father when he said he could get rid of Mesagog. I know now how wrong I was to believe that."
"Anton Mercer was my friend as well. I understand your loyalty. The question here is, do they?" Conner, Ethan and Kira looked at him.
"Being a ranger is the best thing that has happened to me. I don't want to lose that, trust me."
"Yeah," Conner laughed. "I heard that line before."
"Let me prove." A beep came from the computer.
"You might get that chance," Tommy said turning himself and Kimberly toward the computer.
"What? You're not seriously considering that, Dr. O!"
"You don't have a choice," Kimberly said. "This monster is exhibiting a very powerful energy source, stronger than any monster Mesagog has ever sent down."
"There is always a choice," Ethan said standing up. "And I say Trent comes with us."
"Me too."
"Thank you," Trent said. "I won't let you down."
"I hope not."
"Ready?"
"Ready!" The Rangers all morph and head towards the monster. The monster gives them a hard time, knocking Tommy and Trent into the water. Conner goes Triassic power and takes the monster to the Triassic dimension. But they soon end up back at Reefside since the monster is still too strong. The monster is about to deal Conner a powerful blow, when Trent stops the monster. The battle continues and escalates to Zords. The Rangers are having a difficult time but with Trent using his zord destroys the monster.
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The Rangers return to Dr. Oliver's home.
"You rocked!"
"You were awesome out there, bro."
"You did do a great job," Kimberly said sitting there.
"I meant what I said."
"It's always a lot easier when the whole teams works together," Tommy said putting his arms around his wife after kissing her neck.
"Thanks, Dr. O. I'm in for the good, that is, if you'll have me."
"Well, I say yes."
"Me too," Ethan said.
"Conner?" Conner turns to them.
"Just one question. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Of course."
"There is a real chance you are going to have to face Mesagog one day in the near future. Are you sure you can handle that?"
"If Mesagog wins, my father is lost for good. I want him defeated just as much as you guys. No matter."
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It was May now, the 12th, prom and graduation just weeks away. The Prom night about an a week away, 9 days to be exact and graduation the first week of June on the 6th. Kimberly woke up with a pain in her back and side. She groaned and sat up. Tommy barely shifted in the bed as Kimberly got up. Kimberly went to use the bathroom, when overwhelming pain overtook her and fell to her knees.
"Tom….Tomm…mmmmy!" Kimberly collapsed unconsciously to the ground.
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Just a few days back, Tommy jerked awake as Kimberly was attempting to get out of bed.
"What are you doing?"
"About to…use the bathroom."
"Then wake me up," Tommy said.
"Why?"
"So, I can help you. You shouldn't be going off alone."
"I'm just using the bathroom, I would only be a couple of feet away."
"And that is too far!"
"I'm not helpless!"
"What if you fall or have some pains and I am not there to help?"
"I'm fine." Kimberly walks to the bathroom. "Stop worrying about me so much. This is not the first time, you know."
"Every time is different, Kim." Tommy puts his arms around her. "It would kill me if something else happened to you because I wasn't around.
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Tommy moaned in his sleep and rolled off his stomach to his side facing Kimberly. He felt the bed to pull his wife closer. Tommy felt the cold bed.
"Kimberly?" Tommy's eyes shot opened. "Kimberly?" Tommy jerked up. "Kim!" Tommy looked around and saw the bathroom door slightly opened. "Kimberly!" Tommy shoved the covers aside and rushed to the door. Tommy pushed the door open slowly and gasped. Kimberly lay passed out on the ground, her hand on her stomach, blood coming from beneath her gown. "Kim!" Tommy bent down to her. "Kimberly, no…no…NO!" Tommy shook her. "Don't you dare!" Kimberly moaned as he patted her face. "Baby, wake up!"
"Tommy?"
"Yes, what happened?"
"I think…the baby…coming..." Tommy pulled down towels to move aside all the blood. Her eyes close again.
"NO!" Tommy checked her to find her dilated. "God, you're in labor baby!"
"Daddy?" Tommy turns to find Trish standing there. She screams as her foot steps in blood.
"Go!" Warren and the other boys come into the room.
"Daddy?"
"Give me the phone!"
"Daddy, what's wrong Mommy," Warren yelled.
"Give me the damn phone!"
"What is that….blood!" Darren asked.
"The fucking phone!" Warren runs and brings the phone over to him. Tommy dials 911. "Hello! Yes, my wife, I think she's in labor, I found her passed out on the ground, bleeding a lot."
"Daddy, I want to help!"
"Take you sister and brothers out of here!" Tommy pointed to Warren.
"Dad, I want to help you!" Darren yelled.
"Warren, Darren now! Clean your sister up and go wait by the door!"
"Mommy is bleeding!"
"I said go!" Tommy shoves them back and slammed the door shut.
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Tommy was transferred to Dr. Mara since she was their doctor on record to call. Tommy was made to measure her diameter and foudn her well beyond 10 cms.
"I don't know, she has lost a lot of blood."
"Tommy, you have to check to make sure that baby's head is down and not breeched."
"How?"
"Stick your hand up there and find out!""What?"
"Do it now!" Tommy did.
"Oh, man, I feel his head." Kimberly started coming to. Tommy saw that as he held her legs apart. "Hey, hey, you stay with me, Beautiful."
"Tommy?"
"Was that Kimberly?""Yeah, she's awake."
"Good, tell her to bear down and push."
"Dr. Mara wants you to push."
"The baby…"
"Push Kim, push." She groaned and sat up slightly with the urge to push.
"Don't let her push so hard, Tommy. She is hemorrhaging that's why she's losing blood."
"Dr. Mara says not to push hard."
"I can't….help it..." Kimberly cried out pushing down. She fell to her back in pain.
"Don't stop now, you have to push. I see his head."
"Oh, fuck! I hate you!"
"I know, Beautiful. Push okay! He's so close."
"Ahhh!" Kimberly rose up again. She screamed as she pushed. Tommy reached for another towel. "Not that towel, I got those in Italy!" Tommy smiled and yanked down another one.
"Good girl, keep pushing!" Tommy watched the baby's head crowning from its mother. Kimberly gasped. "Keep pushing, Kim!"
"Oh, shut up!"
"With all your might!"
"I am!" Kimberly arched from the ground, her hands clinging at something, anything on the ground. Tommy held her stomach like Dr. Mara said over the phone to help Kimberly. She screamed and Tommy gasped as the baby's head finally appeared completely. He smiled, holding out the towel. Tommy barely caught the speedy bundle of joy as he came busting into the world. Kimberly fell back to the ground. Tommy let out a laughed. "Tommy?"
"Hey, hey, hey…."
"The baby….is…he…."
"He's beautiful, Kim." Tommy rubbed the baby after patting his bottom and getting no response from him.
"Why won't he cry?" Kimberly asked trying to sit up.
"Because Sky is stubborn, just like his mother," Tommy said rubbing his son's head. He wiped out his mouth and pinched his little legs and feet. "Here you go." Tommy wrapped the baby nicely in another towel. Kimberly cried as he was placed on her stomach. With several kisses from Kimberly and Tommy the baby finally started crying.
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The bathroom door opened just at that.
"Well, well, looks like we missed the party," a paramedic said. All the children standing behind the 2 gentlemen.
"What a beautiful baby. My name is Greg."
"Hi."
"You did well," Stanley said. "But now we need to do our jobs." Tommy nodded. They examined Kimberly and the baby, cutting the umbilical cord.
"Sir, maybe you should change."
"Oh right." Tommy wiped his messy hands on his shirt, just realizing what a mess he must look like to them. He went to change from his PJ's into a shirt and jeans. He pulled a change of clothes for Kimberly as well.
"Tommy, your parents….everyone, we have to call them and tell them about the baby," Kimberly said as she was placed on a stretcher.
"I will. Is this necessary?"
"I do suggest we take the baby and your wife to the hospital."
"Is something wrong with the baby?" Kimberly asked quickly.
"No, no. Everything looks good. It's just a pre-caution we make with every birth at home, okay. And you lost a lot of blood. We just want to make sure everything is okay."
"Right. Let's just make sure, Kim," Tommy said. Kimberly nodded. They all went downstairs. "I'll follow you guys in my car."
"Sure." Kimberly was lifted up by a stretcher with the baby into the ambulance. "What's his name?"
"Clayton. Clayton Skyler Oliver."
"Strong name." Tommy smiled proudly as he helped Trish into the expedition. Warren has dressed her nightgown with some rainy pleather boots, as the boys all threw on their sneakers with their PJs.
"Dad?"
"What's wrong, Warren?" Tommy asked about to lift Rupert into the car.
"I'm sorry."
"Hey, don't be. I am so proud of you." Tommy hugged him. "You took care of your sister and your brother just like I asked. ."
"I did too!"
"I know you did, Dare." Tommy rubbed his head after hugging him as well. "I'm so proud of you all. You guys wanted to help, and for that I am so happy. Now, let's go. Soon we can bring Mommy and the new baby home."
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Kimberly met Dr. Mara right at the hospital doors.
"Trying to get out of the delivery cost, huh?"
"Anything to cut some corner, doctor." The baby was taken from Kimberly by a nurse.
"He is gorgeous."
"Thank you." Tommy arrived and parked the car. He called his parents and all their friends and family on the way to the hospital. He didn't expect a long stay in the hospital so told them to just met them back at the house in a few hours.
"Trying to steal my job, Mr. Oliver."
"Sorry, Dr. Mara. It just looked so easy I had to try it."
"And now?"
"I'll leave it to the professionals."
"Good."
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Everyone came by the house that following early afternoon once Kim and the baby were released from the hospital, after a blood transfusion for Kimberly, and the baby being fine to go home. Tommy and Kimberly sat down as everyone ooh and awed about the newborn.
"Ahhh…he is so cute."
"Look at those eyes, so beautiful."
"He gets that from me." Everyone laughed at Tommy, who handed the baby back to another person. They were playing the fun game of smell and hold the newborn, even Warren and Darren got into the act. Aisha snapped another picture. Trish was the only one hesitant to hold the newborn, but with one kiss she was hooked to her new baby brother.
DT finale is next...then Epilogue...no tears...it's gonna be amazing
babye :P
