A broken arm certainly wasn't slowing Charlotte down as she rushed past her grandmother and into the lounge. Hopefully it wasn't too much longer before she could get the cast off which now was decorated in drawings and names thanks to her friends and Peters, mostly Peters. Shaking her head Kate follows behind the toddler and into the lounge where her daughter was attempting to get her eldest ready for school. Sadly though she wasn't getting very far with the task as Peter was purposefully making it as difficult as possible for his mother.
"Peter come on, I heard you promise your dad you'd be good and helpful to you mum. Will he be happy if I tell him you weren't when he picks you up on Friday afternoon? Hmm?"
The youngest put his head down as he took in his grans words. Sighing softly he turns to his mum, a face full of innocence before speaking softly. "Sorry mum." Looking up at his gran once more he keeps the same innocent face. "I'll be good, promise."
"That's better." Smiling she glances back at her daughter, she was unusually quiet and paler than usual. Biting back the urge to check on her, she wouldn't appreciate that questioning in front of the kids, she instead focusses on helping her get Peter sorted.
It was a fair while later before they had any peace, a friend having taken Peter to school and Charlotte now down for a nap. Duffy was still unusually quiet, mostly nodding answers rather than speaking but then again she was 38 weeks pregnant. Hardly known for the easiest time was it? Handing Duffy the cup of tea she regards her with a look.
"Are you sure you're okay Lisa?" Without looking up Duffy simply nods, mumbling a reply whilst taking the tea and staring into the cup.
"Uh huh." No sooner are the words out of her mouth before she winces, shifting slightly.
Sighing Kate simply throws another look her way before raising her eyebrows. "How long have you been having contractions?"
At first she doesn't reply, she just glances up at her mum. She eventually opens her mouth to disagree before relenting. "A few hours."
"Well I assume you haven't told your husband that or I highly doubt he'd have gone to work this morning." Folding her arms, her eyes set on her daughter she shakes her head. Stubborn wasn't the word.
"Oh I've been having contractions on and off for over a week. Why worry him over nothing? It will probably stop by the time he gets home." She really wasn't up to this discussion, moving forward she presses her hands into her back as the pain finally lessons.
"I don't believe that for one second Lisa and neither do you. Why not let me drive you in? Get checked over?" Her concern was building, the last thing she wanted was for her to leave it too late.
"Oh don't be silly mum. If it's labour and I mean IF then I'll have hours if not days to go yet. You know how long it took with Peter." Sighing again, she wasn't getting far was she?
"Fine but why not go have a lie down? Get some rest just incase."
"But Charlotte will be awake soon..." Tutting she rolls her eyes again, what kind of mother did she take her for?
"And? I'm here, I'm hardly going to leave you in labour am I?"
Biting back the urge to reply with 'well you did when I had Peter' she instead sighs, exhausted from the lack of sleep she'd had lately. "Fine. But please wake me if she needs me."
"I will. Just go get some sleep Lisa."
By the time Charlie arrived home it was safe to say he was exhausted. What a shift! He'd barely had a chance to just stop and breathe never mind anything else. Little did he know that he still wasn't going to get any rest. Not for a good while yet. Heading into the lounge where both kids were sitting watching tele he smiles at Kate, more than a little shocked to find her there.
"Hello double trouble! You both been good?" Smiling at them he laughs at the quick nods. "Oh hello Kate. Everything okay?" Smiling she nods towards the hall, wanting him to follow her as she leaves the room. As soon as she could she shuts the door open, not wanting little ears to overhear anything.
"Lisa is in labour. Her contractions don't seem to be too bad yet. I convinced her to go for a lie down, she's been up there a while. I'd recommend checking up on her, I've not been up since Peter got home."
"Ah. Shit." Rubbing the back of his neck he sighs. "Thanks Kate." Rushing up the stairs, taking them two at a time he can't help but hold his breath as he enters their bedroom. She was lying on her side, eyes squeezed shut and dressed in a tank top and skirt. Stepping closer to her he speaks softly.
"Darling?" Reaching her side he moves her hair out of her face just as her eyes spring open. "How long have you been having contractions love?"
Taking in a deep breath she tries to think back, the time all muddling together. "Oh. Um. Since this morning? Not sure...Ooh."
"Right. How far apart are the contractions?" Trying to keep calm he squeezes her hand as he takes it into his.
"Not sure. They are quick. Close." Each sentence was finished a sharp intake of breath before she called out in pain loudly. The instant worry in Charlie's face doesn't pass her by. Almost panting she manages to say in a panicked voice "My waters just broke."
"Okay. How about we get ready to go. Yeah? You should have called me hours ago Duffy." Managing to keep his voice cool and calm, just, he felt anything but inside. This is not how he expected to spend his evening.
"Hmm. Okay..." Letting him take both her hands she sighs as she forces herself into a sitting position. Her contractions had been steady all day but manageable and now suddenly everything felt like it was moving so quickly. Slowly she let Charlie help her to standing, groaning loudly as she got to her feet. Almost falling forward she lets Charlie hold her as a strong contraction takes it's hold.
"That's it, you are doing so well darling." Moving her hands he lets her wrap them around his neck as he holds her waist, swaying with her. Just as he opens his mouth to ask if she feels strong enough to walk down the stairs and to the car she lets go, shifting downwards and groaning loudly. "Duffy?!" Falling to the floor himself his panic is only increased when she parts her legs widely, resting against the chest of drawers, panting. "Duffy? Please tell me you aren't pushing?"
"I have to!" Was about all she could manage before screwing her eyes shut once more, her groans getting louder still.
"Shit!" Getting to his feet quickly, no time to think he rushes to the hall. "Kate! Can you call an ambulance? Please!" Not waiting for an answer he rushes back to their room and to his wife. Forcing himself not to completely panic he tries to astatine how much progress she'd made but he quickly realises she still had her underwear on. Speedily he removes it just in time to see the baby begin to crown. Christ this was happening fast.
"Oh god!" Trying to breathe she calls out in pain. "It burns!"
"Okay, the baby is crowing Duffy. You are doing so well darling. Just keep pushing, nearly there."
Still with little time to think he focusses on the task at hand and barely registers the noise of the door as the paramedics arrive, leaving his mother in law to answer the door. Kate rushes into the room minutes later with both paramedics to be met with her exhausted daughter holding the small baby in her arms a weakened smile across her face , Charlie at her side grinning broadly.
"It's a boy."