it's here! it's finally here! buckle up this is a long chapter! - Dee
Jean turned to Rose, "Call the hospital, see if Nurse Wolfe is on shift today."
"Shouldn't we get Aunt Alice there first?"
As Alice gripped her hand harder and she let out a groan, Jean shook her head, "I don't think we'll make it. Call the hospital, ask Nurse Wolfe to come here with her kit and then strip the bed, please."
"Of course, Jean."
"Thank you," Jean rubbed Alice's back and pulled her away from the sink as Rose dialed the hospital. "C'mon, Alice, let's get you out of those clothes into one of your nightgowns."
"But the floor-"
"I'll clean it once Nurse Wolfe gets here. You take precedent."
"This is all wrong, Jean," Alice shook her head. "Matthew's supposed to be here and so is Lucien."
"Babies don't adhere to our timetables unfortunately. Jack will be my next call after we get everything set up for Baby Lawson's arrival."
"Don't leave me, please," Alice looked at her with wide, scared eyes and Jean pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"I'm staying right here with you, Alice; you won't be alone in this. Now, nightgown, tea, and then we wait for Nurse Wolfe."
Alice nodded and leaned on Jean as they shuffled towards the bedroom.
"City South, Superintendent Robinson speaking," Jack answered the phone promptly as he, Hugh, and Charlie looked over the case file in front of them.
"Jack, oh thank goodness," Mrs. Blake's voice put him on edge. "I think you have an inkling as to why I'm calling."
"I do," he nodded. "I see that the baby has its own timetable."
Mrs. Blake laughed quietly even as he heard Alice call her name in the background. "I'll be right there, Alice, let me finish the call with Jack first. I know Matthew told you which courtroom he and Lucien were in, could you please pull some strings to get them home as soon as possible? We're holding down the fort here, but the labor's progressing faster than we thought it would."
"Of course," Jack pulled the mouthpiece away from his face and looked to Charlie. "Davis, go to the courthouse and go to Courtroom Four, see if we can steal Lawson and Blake away. Tell them that they'll need to leave as soon as possible. Collins, you'll need to collect Mac and take her to Wardlow. Phryne will take her and pick up Lawson and Blake at the courthouse. I'll stay here in case anything happens."
"Yes, Boss," Charlie nodded and he and Hugh left the station as quickly as possible.
"Thank you, Jack," Mrs. Blake let out a sigh of relief.
"You're very welcome, how's our girl doing?"
"Scared, but strong. You'll be the first call if anything changes or if the baby comes before the others get here."
"Give her our love."
"I will, and thank you again."
Exchanging hurried goodbyes with her, Jack hung up the phone and leaned on his desk. He'd never been particularly religious, but he sent up a quick prayer that Alice's childbirth would be quick and that she and the babe were healthy and happy. A small chuckle escaped when he realized it was Phryne's birthday and that perhaps her and Baby Lawson would share it.
"They're going to be trouble," he laughed to himself in his office.
Mac tapped out a random rhythm on the medical bag in her lap as her and Phryne waited in Phryne's car for Matthew and Lucien to come out of the courthouse. Trust Alice Lawson's child to come when they least expected it, she mused with a wry smile. It wasn't quite worst case scenario for the birth of Baby Lawson, but it was certainly inconvenient.
"Al doesn't do anything by halves," Phryne grinned.
"No she does not," Mac grinned back. "You know, this baby might share your birthday."
"The more the merrier, Mac!"
Mac laughed and looked up just in time to see Matthew rushing out of the courthouse with Lucien and Charlie trailing behind him.
"I told them," he grumbled once in earshot. "I told them I didn't want to leave her this close. Even after Charlie came in and told them Alice was in labor, the judge didn't tell us until after we'd given our testimony and been cross-examined."
"Get in, you can finish complaining about it after we're on the way to Ballarat," Mac let Matthew take the front seat as she and Lucien sat in the back.
"Thank you, Charlie," Matthew reached through the open window and grasped his former second in command's hand.
"Of course, Boss," Charlie smiled. "Tell the Doc I said hi and congratulations."
The second Matthew let go of Charlie's hand, Phryne pulled away from the curb - wheels just on the verge of squealing. Mac stayed silent as her friend's husband grumbled in the front seat - Lucien leaned forward and patted his shoulder, his hand staying when Matthew reached up and held on with a tight grip.
"She'll be fine, Matthew," Lucien soothed. "She's got Jean and she's got Nurse Wolfe; Alice is one of the strongest people I know."
"She really is," Matthew nodded. "I just… I wanted to be there with her, I promised her I'd be with her every step of the way."
"You will be, if Miss Fisher's driving is anything to go by."
"Behave," the woman in question teased. "I'll get you two home in no time - hopefully before your little one arrives."
"Breathe, Matthew," Mac finally spoke up. "Just breathe."
He nodded again and relaxed a bit back in the car seat - still holding tight to Lucien's hand as they sped out of Melbourne towards home.
'Let everything be fine, let everything go off without a hitch,' Mac thought as the city melted into farmland and bits of bushland; the entire car was silent, tense as it rolled along the road - each of them lost in their own thoughts as they worried over their loved one.
Alice gripped the the metal frame of her bed as another pain - tight and sharp across her back and belly - made her lose all coherent thought.
This was torture; this was too soon, this was all wrong. Matthew wasn't here, neither was Lucien, the labor was happening too fast and she felt suffocated in this room.
Jean was finishing up another update to Jack as Rose and Nurse Wolfe finished preparing the room for the birth. Her niece blotted her forehead and the back of Alice's neck with a cool, damp washcloth; even though it soothed her, Alice pulled away.
"Aunt Alice-"
"Don't," she snapped - the increasing contractions frayed at her nerves and patience. "Don't touch me."
Rose looked like she wanted to say something, but held her tongue.
Jean, however, did not.
"Alice, that's no way to speak to Rose," her friend chided softly.
"I don't want to be touched."
That got her a raised eyebrow, "You're going to have to be touched sooner or later throughout this process, but that doesn't mean you can snap at us for helping you."
Alice cried out when another contraction hit and she gripped the frame so hard her fingers started to go numb. Vaguely, she felt Jean rub her back and heard her coaching her through the pain - reminding her to breathe. Her legs shook - so did her arms - and she was already so tired, physically tired, emotionally tired, mentally tired, but Alice had no clue how far yet she had to go in this. She tried to keep the tears from falling, but it was to no avail.
"I want it out," she sobbed. "I want it out, surely it's time."
"Not yet, but soon," Jean soothed her - rubbing her back and taking the damp washcloth off Rose's hands to help Alice keep cool.
"Jean…" Alice looked up at her friend - the one who'd been so supportive since the day Alice found out she was pregnant, the one who'd done this before, and the one who Alice had asked to be her child's godmother - and felt more tears fall as she realized Jean was right. She couldn't lash out at her or Rose or Nurse Wolfe - they were only trying to help.
Alice didn't have to do this alone.
"Jean, I'm scared."
Jean held out her hand and Alice immediately grabbed onto it like it was her lifeline. "I know, my darling girl, I know you are. It's terrifying, it hurts, and it feels like it's never going to end, but I promise you it will. Do you trust me?"
"With my life."
Jean smiled and squeezed her hand, "You're doing fine, Alice. Listen to your body just like you have all throughout your pregnancy - it will tell you what it needs, and trust the three of us to take care of you while you do. Now, what is it telling you?"
"Can I walk around?" Alice asked shakily. "I… I don't feel like I need to push, but walking is better than standing still or lying down."
"Of course," she nodded. "We'll do a tour of the first floor and if you want to do something different don't hesitate to tell me."
"Bless you, Jean," Alice whispered and leaned against her friend - trusting and knowing Jean was there to support her. She reached out to Rose and squeezed her niece's hand, "I'm sorry, Rose, for snapping at you."
"It's quite alright," Rose smiled and pressed a kiss to Alice's cheek. "You're in labor and bound to say some things you might regret later. I promise not to hold it against you."
Alice chuckled and let Rose hug her briefly, "God, you sound like your uncle."
Rose kissed her cheek again and squeezed past her and Jean towards the kitchen, "I'll get started on some tea for everyone, if that's alright, Jean?"
"Yes, some sweet tea will do wonders for all of us," Alice's friend nodded and gently pulled Alice away from the bed. "Let's start that walking, Alice, and maybe we'll have done a circuit by the time Rose is done with that tea."
It was a slow-going shuffle throughout the house; Alice was uncertain of how long it took - her entire focus on walking and managing the contractions as they came with Jean's hand in hers and her soothing voice talking of every single thing that came to mind to keep Alice distracted.
"Jean, it's hot," she huffed as they entered the kitchen just as the tea finished steeping.
"I'm sorry, Alice," her friend chuckled, "you can blame your child for wanting to be born on the hottest and longest day of the year."
"Can I blame Matthew instead for putting me in this predicament?"
Both Jean and Rose laughed as Rose handed her aunt an extra sweet cup of tea. Alice took it with shaking hands and slowly sipped at it - feeling a little bit rejuvenated by the end of the cup thanks to the sugar.
"Finish another cup, Doctor, and then we can pop you onto the bed to see how far along you are," Nurse Wolfe smiled as she accepted her own cup of tea from Jean.
"What if I'm not that far along?"
"Then we settle in and wait, once you're fully dilated you'll be able to start pushing."
"Hurry up and wait," Alice sighed as Rose handed her a refilled cup. As she sipped at it, she ran through the medical side of childbirth in her mind. Alice had studied it years ago during medical school, but since she found pathology more her niche than trauma or surgery, she'd never really experienced childbirth even as a doctor. She was used to being a medical expert, to being the smartest person or one of the smartest persons in the room, but for the first time when dealing with a medical situation, Alice was the one looking to others for the answers.
But she trusted Jean, she trusted Nurse Wolfe - these women who'd either gone through childbirth themselves or helped countless other women through it. Rose was just as lost as Alice was, but she was here nonetheless to support her. As Alice looked up to see the women around her, she felt a little less scared than before.
She would do this with allies beside her; she would do this with Jean's voice in her ear, with Nurse Wolfe's experience, and Rose's hand ready to hold. Alice would do this whether she was ready or not.
"Not quite ready yet," Nurse Wolfe gave Alice a patient smile as she examined her once again. "You're almost there though, Doctor."
Alice sighed heavily as she squeezed Jean's hand, "Can I get up again?"
"Walk some more?"
She shook her head, "Too tired and the contractions are too fast now… I just need to stand."
"Alright," Jean nodded and pulled Alice up off the bed, "we'll stand together, Alice. You lean on me for as long as you need to, got it?"
Alice nodded and groaned when another contraction hit. Jean pulled her into her arms and let Alice lean her head against her shoulder as the two of them swayed back and forth. Soaking in the comfort Jean gave her, Alice smiled when her friend started singing softly - she recognized it as Stop Hangin' On, albeit a more melodic version of the rock and roll song.
"I didn't know you liked that style of music, Jean."
Her friend laughed quietly, "Lucien played it nonstop when he was working on Bobby Lee's murder and I grew to like it."
"I like your version better."
"Shall I keep singing it?"
"Please," she gasped when another pain made her grip Jean's shoulders tight - her friend took it all in stride and rubbed her back while she sang.
"Remember to breathe, Alice, breathe through the pain," Jean soothed. "You're doing so well, and I know you're tired, but we're getting close."
Minutes turned into hours, her world shrinking down to the bedroom and the solid warmth of Jean as contraction after contraction hit. Alice cried as she tried to do what Jean told her to do, but the pain was too high, too much. "I can't… Jean, I can't do this."
"Look at me, Alice," Jean gently held Alice's face between her hands and forced her to look up at her - brushing Alice's tears away with her thumbs. "Look at me. You can do this, Alice. You're the strongest woman I know. This is scary and it hurts, I know, but you can do this. Trust me."
She nodded even as more tears fell, "I want Matthew."
"He's on his way, Phryne's driving him and Lucien down so they could be here at any moment."
Alice couldn't even laugh she just sniffled and nodded, "Surely it's time, Jean."
"Nurse Wolfe, do you think we could examine Alice to see how far along she is?"
"Of course," the nurse nodded and Jean helped her friend lay back down on the bed.
Alice trembled from exhaustion as Nurse Wolfe examined her - Jean's hand warm in hers as her other one smoothed over Alice's already sweat-soaked hair.
"Good news, Doctor, you're fully dilated! On your next contraction I want you to start pushing, but before that comes, let's get you properly situated."
"Alice," Jean's voice was soft and warm as Alice looked up at her. Her friend smiled, "This is it, alright? You're going to have to pull all your strength together for this. You do what you have to do: scream bloody murder, yell, cry, even curse like a sailor if you need to, no one in here will hold it against you."
"Okay," Alice whispered.
"Okay?"
She nodded, "Okay, I will."
"You can do this, my dearest friend," Jean kissed her forehead.
Nodding once more, Alice pushed herself up with shaking arms and groaned with the effort; Jean slid behind her on the bed and softly coaxed Alice to lean back against her.
"Let's get you comfortable, and squeeze my hands whenever you have to push, alright?"
Alice nodded and laced her fingers with Jean's as Nurse Wolfe checked her once again.
"When the next contraction comes, Doctor, push!"
"You can do this," Jean whispered in her ear when Alice whimpered at the start of the next contraction. "Push, Alice."
Pain, unlike any she'd experienced, ripped through her and a scream tore from her throat as she pushed. It felt like it was never going to end; Alice zeroed in on Jean's voice - soothing and coaxing her through each contraction, each push as she screamed and sobbed. Jean reminded her to breathe and wiped away the sweat from Alice's face in between each push; Alice could feel herself shaking more and more after each push - her strength waning as they worked on pushing the baby's head out.
"Baby's crowning!" Nurse Wolfe told them with a smile. "Almost there, Doctor, almost there. Maybe a few more pushes and then you'll get to meet your little one."
"Hear that, Alice?" Jean smiled. "Nearly there, my darling girl, I'm so proud of you for getting this far."
"Jean, I'm so tired. So bloody tired."
"I know, I know, but just a few more pushes and the hardest part of delivering the baby will be over with. Come on, Alice, you can do this."
Nodding, Alice braced herself against Jean - her hands white-knuckled as she held on - and pushed with all her might.
"Good girl, oh good girl!" Jean held her tight and kept encouraging her. "Head's nearly out!"
"Yes, give me one good big push and baby's head will be out!" Nurse Wolfe nodded. "Miss Anderson, could you ready a towel? After the head is out it won't be much longer 'til baby's born."
"Right away," Rose nodded and gathered a towel from the changing cabinet - holding it the way the nurse instructed her to as Alice let out a rough yell on the next contraction.
Her throat burned, her body shook, and Alice could barely think outside of pushing when Jean or Nurse Wolfe told her to - she panted and slumped back against Jean when the baby's head finally was free. Nurse Wolfe coached her through turning the baby gently, then one shoulder and the next as she cried and screamed through the pain.
"Almost there, Alice, almost," Jean kissed her cheek and tucked some of her sweat-soaked hair behind her ear. "Your little one's nearly here."
"Where's Matthew?"
"On his way, he'll be in for a treat when he comes though."
Alice huffed a faint laugh that felt more like a sob, but when Nurse Wolfe looked up at her again, she braced herself against Jean, "How many more?"
"One last big push should do it, the biggest push you've done yet, Doctor."
She nodded and bore down when the next contraction hit - her voice cracking on the yell as she violently shook in Jean's arms. 'Almost there,' she thought. 'We can do this, almost there.'
"Here it is!" Nurse Wolfe beamed as the babe slipped free of Alice's body. Quickly clearing the baby's mouth and nostrils, they were rewarded with a piercing cry. "It's a girl! Oh, she's gorgeous, Doctor."
She cut the umbilical cord and handed the baby off to Rose. Rose took her little cousin with wide eyes, but grinned as she gently cradled the newborn while Jean and Nurse Wolfe helped Alice deliver the afterbirth.
Alice sagged back against Jean and nearly started crying - it was over, she was done. Nurse Wolfe set aside the afterbirth while Jean held Alice close.
"You did it," her friend whispered and Alice could hear her beaming grin in her voice. "I'm so proud of you, Alice."
"Can I see her?" Alice asked, her voice hoarse. "I want to see her."
"Of course you can, just as soon as Nurse Wolfe finishes taking measurements and we clean her off a bit," Rose answered as Jean slid out from behind Alice and propped her up on a few pillows.
"She's so little," Alice whispered while Rose finally handed her the tiny, crying bundle. "Are they usually this little?"
Jean sat next to her and wrapped her arms around Alice's shoulders - Rose joining them on Alice's other side as they squeezed Alice and the baby between them in a hug. "Babies always start out little."
"She's seven pounds, three ounces, Aunt Alice."
"Absolutely perfect," Jean smiled.
Alice traced the tiny feet and hands of her child - her child - in awe. The baby wriggled in her arms, but calmed at her mother's touch.
"Hello," Alice whispered, a few tears slipping down her face as she let out a shaky laugh. "Hello, little Joan."
"That's her name?" Rose asked.
Alice nodded, "Joan, Joan Mary Lawson. After two very important people, your Nan and Jean - their middle names."
Jean wiped away tears as she pressed a kiss to the side of Alice's head, "Oh Alice…"
"You don't mind?" She looked up at her friend, worry creased in the tired lines of her face.
"Of course I don't mind," Jean hugged Alice tight. "I'm so very touched."
All of them laughed - giddy, tearful, and tired after the day's exertion. Jean gently stroked little Joan's cheek with one finger as Alice leaned up against her friend and Rose rested her chin on Alice's shoulder - all gazing down at the baby in quiet awe. Nurse Wolfe came over and let Alice listen to Joan's heartbeat with her stethoscope - the baby kicking up a fuss at the cold instrument against her skin.
With a little guidance from Jean, Alice soothed her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "It's alright, Joan, it's alright."
Alice couldn't stop staring at her child - marveling at the faint blonde hair (she wondered which it would darken to: her red or Matthew's sandy blonde) that was already starting to curl as it dried, the tiny nose (Alice hoped she'd get Matthew's nose instead of hers), the rosy cheeks, and the strong grip Joan already had as she wrapped her little fingers around Alice's pinky.
Alice loved her instantly - she felt as though her heart could burst with the amount of love in it for her daughter.
Jean and Nurse Wolfe helped Alice stand briefly from the bed to change nightgowns and strip the bed. Alice leaned against her niece while the bed was remade, wincing when she reclined back against the pillows again - Rose handing her Joan once again. The young reporter got up from the bed when they heard a car pull up out front.
"If that's them, Rose, tell them no jackets," Jean warned as she and Nurse Wolfe bundled the soiled clothes and sheets for laundering later.
"I'll relay the message!" She gave them a grin over her shoulder as she rushed out to meet Matthew and Lucien.
"She's gorgeous, Alice." Jean smoothed the sweat-soaked and tangled hair away from Alice's face with a brush as the woman in question stared at the baby in her arms.
"She's very… pink."
Jean chuckled - a very Alice observation. "She'll grow out of it."
"Alice?" Matthew's voice echoed through the house and Jean could make out his unique walk hurrying down the hallway towards them.
"In here, Matthew!" Jean answered as she vacated her spot next to Alice.
He appeared in the doorway - sans the jacket and hat of his uniform, eyes wide and breathing heavily.
"Everything's fine, Matthew," Jean calmed him down, "Labor went smoothly - Alice was a trooper throughout it all - and there's someone for you to finally meet."
Her friend looked over her shoulder at his wife and then back at her, "You… you're sure?"
"Go meet your child, Matthew." Jean gently pushed him towards the bed as Lucien, Alice's old mentor - Dr. Macmillan, and Miss Fisher appeared in the doorway. Lucien wrapped an arm around Jean's waist and pressed a kiss to her temple as they watched the Lawsons.
Matthew limped towards the bed and grinned when Alice gave him a tired smile. Sitting gently next to her hip, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to Alice's forehead.
"I'm so proud of you, sweetheart," he whispered.
Alice hummed, "I wanted you to be here, but someone was on her own timetable."
He chuckled lightly and looked down at the wriggling bundle in Alice's arms. "A girl, hm?"
"Our little Joan."
"Joan?"
"Joan Mary, after your mum and Jean."
"It's perfect, sweetheart, and she's just in time for Christmas," Matthew kissed Alice's forehead again.
She smiled and smoothed a hand over the sparse curls on Joan's head. "Would you like to hold her?"
Matthew nodded, a boyish, dimpled grin spreading across his face as Alice gently handed over their daughter - tiny in her father's arms. The lessons Vera had taught him years ago when Rose was this little kicked in after he shuffled a bit awkwardly with Joan. He rocked her slightly when the baby fussed and pressed a light kiss on the girl's forehead.
"Hey there, little miss," Matthew whispered, tears gathering in his eyes as he looked down at his newborn daughter. "I'm your da."
He smiled as Joan wriggled in his arms and reached for him. "She knows my voice."
"Of course she does," Alice cupped his cheek - her thumb wiping away Matthew's tears.
"She's beautiful, Alice." He tipped Alice's chin up and kissed her over Joan's head. "And so are you."
Alice scoffed with a smile, but kissed him back. "I'll have to disagree with you at the moment, I feel gross."
Matthew just laughed.
He turned to the group at the doorway, "Lucien, I have a daughter."
Lucien strode forward - a bright grin on his face as he squeezed Matthew's shoulder and looked down at the baby, "Congratulations, my friend, she's a wonder."
"You'll be the godfather, of course?" Matthew asked as his friend kissed Alice's cheek with a smile.
"I'd be delighted, Matthew. What's her name?"
"Joan Mary Lawson," Alice smiled as Lucien bent closer to the baby. "Everything to your liking, Dr. Blake?"
"She's in perfect health, and… I spy that she's got Matthew's eyes already."
He looked down at his daughter and more tears - of sheer joy - sprung up as his newborn daughter blinked those startling blue eyes up at him - eyes exactly like his own.
"They might darken over the next few days, but I hope they don't," Alice wiped away his tears.
"Me either, she's already got your cheekbones, sweetheart," Matthew trailed a finger over Joan's pink cheeks with a trembling finger and the baby turned towards his chest. "Ah… I think she's looking for something."
Lucien laughed as he directed Matthew to hand Joan back over to Alice, "She's hungry. Now, Alice, do you want my help with this or Jean's?"
"Jean, please, she's helped me this far."
Jean was by Alice's side at once, gently instructing her on how to hold Joan so the baby could latch on - chuckling a fair bit when Alice made a face at the sensation.
"It'll feel weird at first, but I promise you that you will get used to it, Alice. Joan will let you know when she's done and then I'll show you how to burp her."
His wife nodded and smiled when Joan curled her little fist against her chest as she suckled, "I think she was hungry, I know the feeling."
Jean laughed and kissed Alice's temple, "After you burp her, I'll start on dinner."
"Now, Alice," Lucien spoke as Joan kept feeding, "there are some ground rules to your recovery."
"I figured there would be," she muttered. When she looked up and saw the slightly exasperated look on Lucien's face, Alice grinned, "Please continue, Lucien."
"You in that bed for a week, no less. Jean or I or Matthew will help you when you need to use the toilet or take a bath, but you are to remain in bed otherwise. After the week, we'll see how you're doing and then maybe you can spend part of the day in the parlor next week."
"Can I come out for a bit during the Christmas gatherings, Lucien?"
"We'll see how you do the next few days. I'll borrow a wheelchair from the hospital so you're not walking too much."
"I suppose," Alice sighed. "Can I at least have visitors?"
"Of course! I'll check on you every day during my surgery hours. Matthew, are you going to take off work?"
"My paid holiday starts today for Christmas and Boxing Day, but I'll go part time after that for about a week."
"See, Alice, you'll have Matthew here with you too."
He smiled at his wife and she smiled back as Joan finished feeding. Matthew watched as Jean pulled out a burping cloth and draped it over Alice's shoulder before she guided his wife on how to gently pat any trapped wind out of the baby - he took special note of how to do it as he fully expected to do it many times in the next few days and months.
"Perfect, Alice, Joan will likely sleep for a bit now," Jean kissed her temple and smoothed a hand over little Joan's head as Alice made herself decent again. "I'll get started on dinner so your friends can come in and meet her properly."
"Thank you, Jean," Alice smiled even as her voice cracked a bit. "You've been a godsend throughout all of this."
"Anything for you," Jean kissed her forehead as she rose from the bed. "Lucien, don't give her too hard of a time with the restrictions, she's exhausted."
"I won't, my darling," Lucien kissed his wife as she walked up to him.
"And congratulations, Matthew," Jean squeezed his shoulder and kissed his cheek as Matthew patted her hand.
"Thank you, Jean."
"I'll tell you the other rules later, Alice, but you rest after Dr. Mac and Miss Fisher leave, alright?"
Alice nodded and smiled when Lucien kissed her forehead and Mac and Phryne drew closer.
"Oh, Alice," Mac grinned as she looked down at the baby. "She's perfect."
"She's pink," Phryne stated over Mac's shoulder - grinning when her friend swatted at her without looking away from Joan. "What! She is, Mac."
"It's alright, Phryne," Alice laughed as she handed Joan off to Mac for her mentor's own little examination of the baby. "I said the same thing too after she was born, Jean said they grew out of it."
"I think she's perfect," Mac tutted.
Phryne reached down and let Joan grasp her pinky as she slept, "Such a strong grip already, Al, you've got a future troublemaker on your hands."
"She shares your birthday, Phryne, I'd expect nothing less."
The lady detective looked so aghast that neither he nor Alice could hold a straight face and they burst into giggles.
"What cheek!" Phryne put her hands on her hips as the Lawsons collapsed against each other still giggling.
"I'm sorry, Phryne," Alice grinned as she wiped away a few tears, "I couldn't resist. Thank you for bringing Matthew and Lucien back from Melbourne, and on your own birthday nonetheless."
Phryne leaned over and pressed a kiss to Alice's forehead - leaving behind a dark red lip print, "I'd do anything for you, Al."
"Well… I'm planning on Joan calling Jack Grandpa Jack, does that mean you'll be alright with Grandma Phryne?"
Mac threw her head back and laughed loudly at Phryne's shocked face. The lady detective gaped like a fish, but she pulled herself up straight with a sigh, "For you, Al, I will make an exception… can it be Nana Phryne though?"
"Of course."
Phryne kissed Alice's forehead again and trailed a finger down Joan's cheek as Mac handed her back to Alice. "Sleep, Al, you've done a lot of work today. I'm going to go back to Melbourne after dinner to pick up the Collins and Jack so we can come back for Christmas. Mac, are you going to stay here or come back with me?"
"I'll come with you, Alice doesn't need two doctors to hover over her," Mac winked at her mentee and Alice grinned. "Congratulations to both of you, Alice and Matthew."
"Thank you, Mac," Matthew's wife's smile grew fond when Mac kissed her cheek as she and Phryne left the room. "God, I'm tired."
"Here," Matthew whispered and he held out his arms for Joan, "you sleep and I'll take her for a bit. We'll both stay right here next to you on the bed."
"Okay," she nodded and gently transferred the sleeping baby into his hands. With Lucien's help, Alice laid down on some propped up pillows as Matthew reclined against the headboard - kicking his shoes off onto the floor beside the bed. Joan fussed a little bit, but he gently shushed her as both she and Alice slipped into slumber.
"I suppose I've got a few phone calls to make," Matthew mused.
"All in due time. Congratulations, my old friend," Lucien whispered and Matthew looked up with a smile. "I'll come back when Jean says dinner is ready, but we'll bring some in here on a tray for both of you. If you need anything, come and get us."
"I will, thank you, Lucien."
His oldest friend left with a grin and the door closed behind him with a faint snick! Matthew smiled down at his newborn daughter - utterly entranced with her delicate little features: the tiny button nose, the cheekbones which were already as sharp as her mother's, and the full little lips that pursed occasionally as she dreamed.
"Hello, Joan," Matthew kissed her forehead. "I love you so much, sweetheart, and so does your mum. You wore her out getting here, but we're so glad you're finally here. You get to meet the rest of your family soon, and I've gotta make some phone calls, but you sleep, sweetheart, the world can wait a little bit."
Joan gripped his pinky tight even in sleep and he kissed her forehead again before settling back against the headboard while both his girls slept - content to watch over both of them for as long as they needed it.