Here is another update. I will post the next chapter tomorrow. Amber
Chapter 23
Brooke and Claire talked excitedly in the back of the SUV. Laura Hardy was driving because Frank and Fenton went to process that awful man. Callie kept looking back worriedly but Brooke seemed to shake off the scare. Suddenly Callie felt a sharp pain in her belly. She rubbed her stomach and a small moan escaped her lips. The girls stopped talking.
Brooke inquired. "Mom are you okay?"
Callie was still feeling the pain. It was definitely a contraction. She gasped when it ended. "Whew. Okay...I'm okay. Do me a favor Brooke and write down the time.
Brooke pulled out her journal and did as she was told. Claire said. "Mommy didn't you have a contraction yesterday?"
"Yes but not one that intense." She was still breathless.
Laura turned. "Let's head to VHC after we change clothes. We can hook you up to a monitor and see what's going on."
Callie rubbed her huge stomach. "I'm alright Laura. It was just. Oh! Here comes another! Ohh!"
Laura parked the car in the driveway. She took Callie's hand and squeezed it. "Let's get into something more comfortable. I have some clothes here in the spare bedroom. Girls go change and don't dawdle."
The girls didn't need telling twice. Laura walked beside Callie as she climbed the steps. Callie nodded. "I got it. I won't go downstairs without you."
Callie took off her fancy suit, and put on a simple winter dress, leggings, and boots, and went to the bathroom. Another contraction hit her. She gripped the towel rack and moaned painfully. It was time to call Frank. She pulled out her phone. He answered on the second ring. "Hey babe. Did you and the girls get home okay?"
"Yes we're home. I'm having contractions."
Frank sucked in his breath. "How far apart?"
"Three minutes apart right now. Your mom wants to take me to VHC to check on things."
"We'll meet you and the girls there. Do you want them in the room?"
Callie had been thinking about it. But she just wasn't comfortable with that. "Frank I don't think it's a good idea. Oh here comes another one." Callie groaned, gripping the bed. This contraction was so strong! She screamed.
Frank soothed her. "Relax your body baby. Moan through it."
Callie was in agony she tried to moan but couldn't stop the shrieks of pain when the pain spiked upwards. "Frank it's not stopping. Ahh!"
Laura Hardy knocked and came inside. "Let me check you really quick dear."
Callie saw the gloves in her hand and watched as Laura went into her medicine cabinet and pulled out some KY jelly. She was in too much pain to be embarrassed. "Argh!"
Laura pulled her leggings down for her as well as her underwear. "Is that Frank on the phone?"
Callie through gritted teeth gasped. "Yes!" Callie felt the typical pressure and the contraction wasn't helping her discomfort any.
Laura nodded. "You're four centimeters."
The contraction finally stopped. Callie panted. "Well I guess it's showtime."
Brooke came into the room. "Mom why aren't you dressed?"
Callie pulled her underwear and leggings back up. "Your grandmother checked me. I'm four centimeters which means I'm in active labor."
Claire had come in and she did a twirl. "Yay the baby. Mommy can we be in the room please?"
Callie said. "No honey. It's better if it's just me and daddy. Less confusion and I'll be more relaxed. Bring your tablets, a deck of cards, anything to occupy yourselves with. But be quick!" Callie gripped the bed as another pain seized her.
Fenton was driving to VHC the hospital where Joe worked. Joe called him. "Hey dad you called."
Fenton answered. "It was Frank from my phone. Callie's in labor. He's coaching Callie over the phone right now."
"I'm on my way."
Callie, Laura, and the girls made it to the hospital first. It wasn't surprising. Laura nodded to the charge nurse as she pushed Callie in a wheelchair. "Hi Laura! Who's this?"
"My daughter in law Callie and Granddaughters. She's four centimeters dilated and contracting every three minutes."
One of the girls came around the desk. "Hi Callie, I'm Piper. Let's take you to a room."
The charge said. "307 is open."
Piper wheeled Callie inside. Callie said. "I have to pee and I know you need some."
Without missing a beat Piper pulled out a urine cup out of a cabinet and a blue hospital gown. "Here you go."
Callie nodded gratefully. She went to the restroom and came out seconds later in the gown. "I left the cup on the sink."
"That's fine. You can climb into bed."
Callie did. Both her daughters were sitting on the sofa on their tablets. She didn't want them in the hallway alone. So that suited her fine it would be hours. Callie sat on the bed and said. "Could you sit the bed all the way up please?"
Piper nodded. "Of course. Are those your girls mom?"
Callie moaned as a contraction hit. "Yes they're 15 and 13." She screamed in pain.
Laura applied counter pressure to her back. "Remember to breathe dear."
Piper started an IV expertly and a phlebotomist came to get some blood work. Within ten minutes she was on the monitors. Laura pointed for the girls. "See this line is the baby's heartbeat. This will be the contractions. See here comes one now. Callie breathe honey."
Callie screamed!
Before she could grip the bed Brooke took her hand. "Come on mom breathe. Slow deep breaths!"
Claire had disappeared into the bathroom and came out with a cool washcloth. She wiped her mother's head. "Breathe mommy oh look it's going down now." She watched as the contraction went down. Then she smiled. "Mommy you did it."
The door opened and Joe came inside. "Is this where the party is?"
Brooke smiled. "Yeah, our brother's birthday party. Hey mom if he comes after midnight he'll be born on yours and dad's 16th anniversary!"
Joe smiled. "Well dad and Frank will be here very soon. Come on girls." He knew Callie wanted just Frank in the laboring suite.
Brooke and Claire both whined about leaving but they left with Joe.
Callie said. "Can I get some ice chips."
"Of course dear." Laura left and Callie leaned her head back against the bed. She felt another contraction and moaned. "Oh god these contractions are…" she screamed.
The door opened and Frank came in. He seized her hand. "Moan baby and breathe."
"I can't!"
Frank soothed her. "Yes you can." He applied counter pressure to her lower back. Frank watched the monitor as the contraction rose off the chart literally. Callie screamed and squeezed his hand even harder. He soothed her. "Breathe Callie."
Callie managed to take a couple breaths then moaned. Frank could see her trying to relax her body. He encouraged. "That's it my love. You're doing so well sweetheart."
The contraction finally stopped. Piper came into the room. "I want you to sign some stuff mom. Are you dad?"
"Yes."
Laura came in with the ice chips. She handed them to Frank. "Another of my patients just got here. I'll be in and out."
Frank nodded. "We're good."
Brooke came in. "Dad can Claire and I get a couple drinks?"
Frank pulled out his wallet and handed her his card. "See if anyone else wants one too."
Brooke smiled at her mom. "How are you mom?"
Callie answered. "Doing…..AH! Okay...Frank here's another."
Frank wiped her forehead and then kissed it. His lips lingered on her forehead. "Relax sweetheart moan through it."
Brooke slowly left the room. She could understand now why her mother didn't want them in there. That was such a tender moment, a very intimate one. The pure love in her fathers eyes for her mother was amazing to see. She joined her grandfather and uncle. "He said yes. Do y'all want anything?"
Joe said. "A coke or Pepsi."
Claire said. "I want Sprite please."
Fenton stood up. "I'll go with you kiddo."
Fenton pulled out his card and selected a coke for himself. Brooke got two more cokes and a sprite. Joe took his drink. "Thanks kiddo."
"Where's Aunt Vanessa?" Brooke asked.
"She's coming in the morning. I promised her I'd text pictures." Joe said.
