The knock at the door sounded louder than it probably was, Boyd being the only one left awake out of the rooms three occupants. He sat up and looked towards the door as it was pushed open, smiling as he saw Mel, Spence and Grace stood looking in. He held his finger to his lips but used his other hand to wave them all inside. They all stepped inside, Grace closing the door quietly behind them. The cot was in front of him, the baby sleeping soundly like her mother. Mel was the first one to reach the cot, he face lighting up as she took in the small baby.
"Can I pick her up?" Mel whispered as she looked at the baby then Boyd.
"Course you can, let's just hope she stays asleep." Seeing Mel reach in and gently lift the baby up.
"Oh Boyd, she's beautiful, she really is. Congratulations." Coming over with the baby as she took a seat.
Mel sat and cuddled the Baby for a few minutes, Boyd taking pictures without her noticing. When she stood up she looked between Grace and Spencer. Grace placed her bag on the floor and sat down, holding her arms out for Mel to pass her the baby. Mel passed the baby to Grace, Grace taking her with the skill and wisdom of being a mother herself. Grace gently unwrapped the blanket the baby was in so she could see her properly, the baby's tiny fingers wrapping around one of Graces as she held her. Boyd of course took pictures, making sure he captured the moment.
"Congratulations, Peter, She is truly beautiful." Tucking the baby back in as she kissed her head. "Look at all that hair, she's going to need a haircut shortly bless her." Grace stroking her finger over the thick brown hair on the baby's head.
Grace stood up and looked straight at Spencer, the baby still nestled in her arms.
"Come on, Spence, your turn." Seeing Spencer suddenly become nervous.
"I don't do baby's." Taking a step back from Grace.
"Oh yes you bloody do. Godfathers have to chip in as well Spencer." Boyds voice cutting in and making Spencer sit down.
Grace passed Spencer the baby and he held her like she was glass and he might break her. After a couple of minutes he seemed to gain some confidence as he leaned down and kissed the baby's forehead. It was Mel who caught the picture that time, big tough Spencer reduced to mush as he kissed his goddaughters head.
"She definitely takes after her mum." Smiling as the baby stirred in his arms.
"Of course she does." Frankie's sleeping voice taking everyone's attention off the baby.
"Hey, we didn't know you were awake. We didn't wake you did we? We were trying to be quiet." Mel coming to sit on the edge of the bed beside Frankie as she took her hand in hers.
"No, I need the bathroom." Squeezing Mels hand as she tired to sit up.
Frankie screwed her eyes shut as she sat up, pain rippling through her lower body as she did. Boyd was beside her in a second, one hand on her back and the other on her leg as she sucked in a deep breath.
"Is my stuff still in the bathroom?" Looking at Boyd when she finally opened her eyes again.
Boyd looked perplexed while Frankie just shook her head. She pulled his head down and whispered in his ear, his cheeks gong a tiny bit red when he heard what Frankie was asking.
"Yeah, all in there. You want me to give you a hand, or maybe Mel or Grace even?" His awkwardness at the fact other people were there showing.
"Truthfully, just shift Spencer over to the bottom of the bed so I can get out with some attempt at dignity." Seeing spencer look up from the baby at the mention of his name.
"Spencer, up you get. Let's get you moved so Frankie can get out of bed." Mel jumping down from the bed and getting Spencer and the baby located in a chair at the foot of the bed, his back to them as Frankie pushed the covers off her legs. Between Mel and Boyd they got Frankie standing up, Frankie swearing loudly as the pain really set in.
"Mel, never have kids, and if I ever decided I want more, shoot me. I'll show you how to not leave any trace evidence." Frankie's arms wrapping around her waist as she hunched over.
"Oh god, I remember being like that." Graces voice making Frankie look at the older woman. "Saying that, I had two kids so that speaks volumes." Laughing as Frankie started to shuffle towards the bathroom shaking her head.
"Is it really that bad?" Mel asking aloud so either Frankie of Grace could answer.
"Fuck yes. I swear it feels like my insides have been ripped out from between my legs, twisted, mangled, then shoved back up." Hearing Grace laugh, Boyd and Spencer groan and Mel gasp.
Mel left Frankie at the bathroom door, closing it over once Frankie was inside. When Frankie came back out she still had her arms wrapped around her middle, taking slow even steps to reach the bed. Boyd was at her side as soon as the door opened, his arms around her as best as he could to support her. He helped her up on the bed, covered her back over and made sure she was comfortable.
"Christ, where's that call button? If you find it push it, this is painful." Seeing Boyd take it from the table and push it.
"Spencer, you can come out of hiding now." Mel laughed as she went up to Spencer and took the baby from him.
"Hey, we were bonding. I was telling her all about her mum and dad." Spencer sulked as he pulled out a pet lip.
Just then the midwife stuck her head around the door and looked straight at Frankie.
"Hey, any chance I can get some pain killers please." Seeing the midwife nod her head then disappear back out the door.
"So, now Frankie's awake, do we have a name for this little princess?" Mels eyes darting between Frankie and Boyd.
"We do. Mel, Grace, Spencer, we'd like you to meet our daughter, your goddaughter, Imogen Jade Boyd." Frankie Smiling as Boyd came to stand beside her as she introduced their daughter to her godparents.
"Hey Imogen." Mels soft voice brushing the baby's forehead as she kissed her. "I'm your auntie Mel. And this here," passing Holly to Grace, "is your auntie Grace."
Grace took the baby and settled her against her chest, watching as Imogen started to fidget. The midwife knocked on the door and came in, a small plastic cup containing some tablets in in her hand. She passed the cup to Frankie a she picked up Frankie's chart, marking the medication as Frankie took it.
"Give it an hour, if that doesn't work give us a buzz and we'd give you something a bit stronger. We just don't want to give you anything to strong if your going to continue feeding her yourself." The midwife looking at Grace who was still holding Imogen.
"Speaking of feeding, I think someone wants their mum." Grace standing up and moving to the bed with a now fuzzing baby in her arms.
"You want me to stick around just until she latched?" The midwife asking Frankie as she started to undo the button son her nightshirt.
"Yeah, just in case." Frankie concentrating on shifting her clothing about.
When she was sorted she reached out and took Imogen, bring her to her breast and trying to get her to latch. Imogen wasn't getting the idea so the midwife came around the bed.
"Squeeze a bit out, let her taste it on her lips, she'll probably open her mouth then." Watching as Frankie did as the midwife suggested.
Imogen licked her lips, opening her mouth for more so Frankie could guide her into position.
"There you go, you did it all on your own." The midwife smiling as she patted Frankie's leg and went to leave.
Mel, Grace and Boyd were all fixed on the baby, her eyes wide open as she tried to focus on the things and people around her. Spencer was hovering in the background, feeling more than a little uncomfortable.
"I'll go get everyone a coffee. I love you like a sister Frankie but yeah, way past awkward." Making a quick dash for the door as everyone looked at him.
"Poor Spence, I never even thought." Frankie said as she looked at Grace, Mel and Boyd.
"You don't, she comes first now, and to heck with everyone else." Graces comment making Frankie feel better.
"Oh, I almost forgot. We got you both something." Mels bounce coming back as she reached over and picked a bag up to from the floor.
Mel placed the bag on the bed and Frankie just looked at it, then at Boyd. She shrugged and looked down at their daughter, as if saying how can I do it when I'm doing this. Boyd took the hint and opened the bag, pulling out a bright pink babygrow with the words daddy's little princess written on it. Everyone looked at Boyd as he read the words, his fingers tracing over the tiny letters.
"She is most definitely that. Thank you Mel." Placing the baby grow on the bed as she stepped up to Mel and hugged her in a very un Boyd like manner.
"Steady on, Boyd. People might think you've gone soft." Mel joked as she hugged Boyd back briefly.
Boyd let go of Mel, and returned to the contents of the bag. He pulled out a set of pink bibs, a pick hat and a set of plain pink vests and baby grows. He placed them all on the bed then emptied the bag on the bed to reveal two tops for Frankie with buttons on the front, perfect tops for feeding.
"Thanks Mel." Frankie becoming emotional as he looked at the gifts.
"If the tops don't fit I have the receipt. Just let me know and I can change them." Mel moving around the other side of the bed so she was on the side free from a feeding baby.
Frankie used her free arm to hug Mel while she continued to feed Imogen, the baby not showing any signs of slowing down or stopping anytime soon. Spencer came back carrying a bag with what looked like food in and a cup holder with five cups in, the middle one balanced precariously between the other four. He glanced up and saw Frankie was still feeding, looking away quickly so as not to cause an issue. Frankie noticed, and considered her options.
"Spence, come here. I can't hide away when I feed her, get used to it. I'm not embarrassed, neither should you be." Seeing Spencer look between her face and the top of the baby's head.
"I know, just give me time to get used to seeing you doing it." Trying to be a honest as he could.
Frankie nodded her head, then asked him what he had bought, completely changing the subject in another direction. Spencer just laughed, bring the drinks and bag to the table. Everyone tucked in, Boyd and Grace sat on either side of the bed in the not so comfortable hospital chairs, while Mel and Spencer perched on the foot of the bed either side. The small group ate, talked and laughed, all glancing at the the small baby as Frankie moved her around so she was on her other breast. Work was eventually brought up, Spencer breaking the mood when he pointed out that three out of the six people in the room had work in the morning.
"Three, who's not turning in tomorrow?" Boyd asked as he looked at Spencer, then Mel, then Grace.
"You!" Spencer said shaking his head. "You officially started your paternity leave as of a couple of hours ago. Frankie here managed to wangle you a full month off. So, enjoy being a dad, and take care of them both." Spencer patting his boss on the back as he went to shake Boyds hand.
"I'm speechless, a month off work." Looking at Frankie as she grinned.
"Frankie, we'll call in again tomorrow night if we can, if not you'll understand why." Mel stepping past Boyd to reach Frankie.
Frankie gave Mel a one armed hug, Imogen still firmly attached to her breast.
"Congratulations again, mum." Mel whispered in Frankie's ear as she hugged her, making Frankie hug her just that little bit tighter.
"Night Frankie, night Boyd." Grace calling to her colleagues when she reached the door.
"Night guys, she really is something special. You both done good." Spencer stopping at the door to look back at the small family now squashed together on the bed.
"Night everyone, and thanks for everything. See you all tomorrow." Boyd Knowing it may not be possible but saying it anyway.
Grace, Mel and Spencer left, the room going quiet again. Boyd was half sat on the bed, his arm around Frankie as she looked down at Holly.
"They're right you know, we did do good, daddy." Easing the sleeping baby away from her breast and into Boyds arms.
"I have a daughter. My very own little girl." Boyd looking down at Imogen while Frankie got herself tidied up.
"Yes, you do. That's your daughter, Peter. Imogen Jade Boyd." Seeing Boyds eyes becoming watery as he looked at the baby.
"I love you Frankie, more than you'll ever know." Kissing Frankie's head as he held his daughter.
Frankie just smiled, the smile turning quickly into a yawn.
"Rest, I'll watch over her, I'll watch over you both." Knowing that he would do anything, say anything, to protect Frankie and their baby.
"I know, I love you too." Settling on her side as she let her eyes drift shut and stay shut.
Boyd moved to sit in the chair, his daughter still tucked safely in his arms, just where she belonged.