"Family of Juliana Callaghan?"
Sam stepped forward, all thoughts of showing off his new daughter to his team were pushed aside. "Yes? I'm her husband, Sam Braddock"
"Well Mr. Braddock, your wife is incredibly lucky. She was shot in the base of her neck on the right hand side. The bullet missed all the vital structures in the spinal region. The bullet lodged itself against her ribs, and a piece fragmented. That piece punctured her lung when she had a contraction."
Taking a breath and giving Sam a moment to comprehend what he was being told, the doctor continued. "We have removed the fragmented bullet, repaired her lung. She has a chest tube in to help keep the lung inflated and to drain any fluid that may collect around her lung. She is still currently sedated and intubated at this time, we will start to wean her off the ventilator over the next few days barring any complications."
Sam, still in utter shock at the events of the day, stared dumbfounded at the doctor. His eyes held questions, but nothing came out of his mouth.
Greg realized Sam couldn't form words because he was in so much shock, so he asked the questions he knew everyone was thinking. "Will she be alright? And when do you think Sam could see her?"
The doctor gave a small but weary smile. "Mr. Braddock, I can take you back now if you would like."
Still unable to speak, Sam nodded his head to indicate that he would very much like to see his wife. After turning and nodding a quick thanks to Greg, Sam followed the doctor to the Intensive Care Unit.
The rhythmic beeping of the machines indicated that Jules is alive, but Sam had to touch her to believe it. As he got closer to Jules, the soft whooshing of the ventilator has heard. Pulling up the chair next to the bed, Sam sat down and began to cry. He held her hand as he spoke to her.
"Jules. Hey sweetheart, I'm sorry I didn't protect you. I failed you, and I failed our daughter. She is beautiful like you though."
Sam brought Jules' hand to his lips and gently kissed it. As if Jules' unconscious and medically induced coma body knew Sam needed a sign that she would be ok, her small hand lightly squeezed his larger and calloused one.
Sam knew logically that it was most likely a muscle spasm, but in his heart he knew it was his Jules letting him know she was going to be ok. Sam took a deep sigh, then began to tell the sleeping Jules about his shit show of a day. Jules didn't respond, but honestly Sam didn't care. He knew Jules was listening and thats all that mattered.
Sam was unsure how long he sat with Jules but he eventually drifted off to sleep, holding her hand, his head resting next to her shoulder.
Three days later…
Jules was officially tube free. Doctors had removed her chest tube and Jules was finally weaned off the ventilator. Still on heavy pain medications, she did a lot of sleeping. Jules was finally able to tolerate sitting up and the nurses agreed to let her go to the NICU to see her daughter.
Sam helped Jules scrub her hands prior to wheeling her into the room with their baby. As Sam pushed Jules into the room, Jules began to cry. Concerned, Sam knelt down in front of her. Speaking softly, Sam questioned the tears.
"Jules, sweetheart, whats wrong?"
Trying to wipe away the tears, Jules responded between sobs. "I'm so h-happy to meet her… But I failed t-to protect her… S-she deserves so much better… L-look at her, Sam… H-how can you s-still l-love me?"
Sam kissed Jules slowly. "Julianna Callaghan, I love you more and more each and every day. This-" Sam gestured to the incubator in the dimly lit room, "is not your fault. You are amazing. Our daughter is so incredibly lucky to have you for her mother. And I am so lucky that you married me. I don't blame you, and I'm sure she won't either."
With that, Sam pushed Jules as close to the incubator as possible to allow Jules to see their daughter. Sam stood in the back of the room, near the door, trying to give Jules a private moment with their daughter.
Out of the corner of his eye, Sam saw a nurse scrub her hands and then enter the room. She was young, brunette, and very soft spoken. "Hey there Momma and Daddy, would you like a chance to hold your baby girl?"
Jules whipped her head to look at the nurse, eyes full of hope, her voice steady as she asked the nurse, "Won't we hurt her? I thought she was too little?"
A slight smile graced the nurses lips. "No worries, Mrs. Callaghan. Your daughter is little, but research has found that skin-to-skin contact is beneficial for both the parents and the baby."
Striding further into the room, the nurse introduced herself. "My name is Molly. I'm one of your daughters nurses." Molly motioned to one of the large plush chairs in the room. "Mrs. Callaghan, we would help you get into that chair there, and we would have you loosen your gown in the front. We will lay your daughter on your chest and cover you both with a blanket. It is a very therapeutic practice for everyone involved."
Eyes renewed with tears, and not trusting her voice, Jules just nodded her head. Sam leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of her head as he replied to the nurse. "I think she would like that very much."
"Ok, I will be right back with an aide to help me get everything situated. If you think you can get into the chair by yourself you are more than welcome to do so." With that, Molly left the room leaving Jules and Sam anxious to see their daughter outside of the incubator.
Once the door was closed, Sam helped Jules into the plush chair next to the incubator. He got Jules situated just as Molly and the aide came back into the room. Seamlessly they were able to remove the tiny newborn from the incubator and place her on Jules' chest without getting wires crossed or pulling on any tubes connected to their daughter.
Once the baby was nuzzled into Jules' chest, a warm blanket was laid over top of the two of them. "We will be back in a little bit to check on you guys." Without waiting for a response, Molly and the aide left the room.
As the door closed, Sam pulled another chair close to the one Jules was in. Reaching out, he brushed a few fingers along the tiny cheek peeking out from under the blanket. Tears streaming down his face, Sam was totally mesmerized by how much love he had for such a tiny person.
"Hi baby. It's your daddy. You are so loved." Turning to Jules, he kissed her on the side of her head. "She is beautiful. You are the most amazing woman I have ever met. You did so good."
Sam pulled out his phone and took a few pictures of the baby and of Jules holding the baby. He wanted to capture these moments forever. Sam was just about to put his phone away when suddenly the tiny human opened her eyes. Sam snapped a picture and held his breath hoping their daughter would remain calm so Jules could continue to hold the baby.
Jules glanced down and saw the tiny eyes looking up at her. Tears flowed even faster down her cheeks. "Hello little one…You are the most beautiful baby I have ever seen. You are so sweet and so loved. I am lucky to be your mama." Jules kissed the top of the baby's head, her lips lingering as she savored the moment.
Eventually Jules looked over at Sam and sighed. "We never did pick a middle name for her…" She trailed off waiting to see what Sam would suggest.
"Louise." There was no hesitation from Sam on the middle name. Jules and Lou were close friends, and Lou was a very important part to Team One.
"Sadie Louise Braddock… It's perfect."
Sam leaned in and gave Jules a long, slow kiss. When he pulled back he could see that Jules was exhausted. He straightened up and went to grab the nurse. He didn't want to leave but Jules also needed her rest.
A slight knock was heard on the door which startled Sam from his light dozing on the long couch in Jules' room. He got up and went to the door to see who had stopped by as Jules was still asleep.
When he opened the door, Sam found Greg and Marina waiting outside. A large gift basket was in Marina's hands and Sam could see through the plastic cellophane wrapping that it contained extremely tiny baby clothes, blankets, swaddles, and more.
Sam gave a hug to both Greg and Marina, then he heard Jules call out his name. He opened the door wide enough so Jules could see who was visiting her. Cursing her still raging hormones, Jules swiped the liquid welling in her eyes. "Boss?"
Greg limped slowly into the room and up to the bed and gave Jules a hug. "Juliana Callaghan, you do me proud." His voice hitching at the end, he sniffled trying to keep his body from going into an emotional break down.
Sam pulled up a chair for Greg to sit in next to the bed, and placed the large gift onto Jules's rolling table. Marina came and stood behind Greg, resting a hand on his shoulder to let him know she was there.
"Boss? What are you doing here?"
Laughing, Greg answered Jules. "I'm here to see how you are doing. I also want to know how Baby Braddock is doing."
Jules smiled as Sam handed her his phone so that she could show them the pictures of Sadie they took only a few hours earlier.
Greg and Marina fawned over the tiny baby in the pictures, with constant commentary on how cute and how little Sadie was. Once they got to the end of the pictures, Greg handed the phone back to Jules and asked the question everyone had been waiting to hear… the name of the baby.
"Jules, you know I gotta ask… Have you guys picked a name for her yet?"
Sam gingerly sat down on the edge of Jules' hospital bed and looked at her with a sly smile. "Should we tell them? I don't think its all that important honestly."
Jules gave Sam a light whack on his chest and in a flippant tone responded. "Sam, knock it off!" Ending her remark with a small laugh, she looked up into Sam's sapphire blue eyes and gave him a big smile.
Looking back at Greg, the two new parents said the name in unison. "Sadie Louise Braddock."
His eyes misting up, Greg spoke, emotion thick in his voice. "That is a beautiful name, and a beautiful way to honor Lou. I can't wait to meet her."
After Greg and Marina visited for a little longer, They could see Jules was fading fast and needed to get some rest. They said their goodbyes and congratulations, and promised they wouldn't tell anyone the name they chose for the baby.
Eight weeks later…
Sam buckled Sadie into her car seat adjusting the straps and making sure they were snug. Jules double checked the room to make sure they had gathered everything they had acquired over their NICU stay. Countless cards from Wordy's daughters, stuffed animals from Spike and various other little items.
Looking over to his wife who had recovered remarkably well after being shot and having a baby all in the same day. "Jules, you ready to go sweetheart?"
Misty eyed, Jules nodded in response. "I think so. You?"
Leaving the car seat on the bed, Sam approached Jules and pulled her close and kissed her forehead. "What's wrong Jules?"
"Nothing. I don't even know why I'm crying. We finally get to take her home, and this is supposed to be happy."
Pulling back slightly so Sam could look Jules in the eye, he let out a small sigh. "I know what you mean. Sadie is finally coming home after a long two months. I'm happy she is, but at the same time, I'm kind of scared."
Confusion evident, Jules questioned Sam without saying a word.
"Yeah, Jules, I'm scared. She is still so tiny, and what happens if she gets sick? Or what if we drop her? Or what if something happens and we don't know what to do? But I know that we can do this, together."
Standing up on her tippy toes, Jules placed a kiss on Sam's lips. "Samuel Braddock, you are the most amazing man I have ever met and I love you so much."
Sam gave his famous half smile and turned and picked up the car seat containing a soundly sleeping Sadie. Jules and Sam walked out of the room and down the hallway hand-in-hand, passing many of the nurses who cared for Sadie over the past two months.
The nurses had lined the hallway for Sadie's "graduation" from the NICU. The NICU staff clapped as the two very happy parents walked to the elevators with their baby girl. Jules leaned into Sam's side once the doors had closed and the elevator had began to descend.
When they reached the lobby, another surprise was waiting for them. Flashing red and blue lights on blacked out SUV's were waiting outside, two in front of Sam's truck, and one behind. In the lobby was all of Team One fully dressed in tactical gear. Spike and Leah held a sign reading "Welcome to the team, Sadie Louise!"
The waterworks renewed for Jules. Ed approached and pulled her into a hug. "Did you think you guys were going to get to leave here without an escort?"
Colt appeared by Jules's side and took the large bag from her that had all of their personal items in it. Spike, bouncing up and down slightly, eagerly asked Sam a question. "Can I carry her to the car."
Ed cut in before Sam and Jules could answer. "Spikey, Tac plan change. You are on door duty. Samo is now on baby duty."
Spike opened his mouth in protest when Sam laughed and chimed in. "Sorry Spike. You know what happens when you're a democratically elected team leader right?"
All of Team One spoke in unison. "You get to make autocratic decisions."
The entire group walked the new parents out to the waiting vehicles. Sam securing the car seat into its base and helping Jules into the back seat to sit next to their daughter. Once he was in the drivers seat, the convoy left the hospital parking lot. Lights flashing, sirens wailing. Neither Sam nor Jules noticed, but the last SUV in the convoy had a sign on the back. "Our newest rookie is headed home!"
Eventually when the vehicles arrived at the Callaghan-Braddock home, inside would be every person that had worked on Team One, including those no longer with SRU. Wives and children would be there as well with lots of food, and a nursery that was completely set up and ready for its occupant.
As they drove, Sam glanced in the rear view mirror, his eyes meeting with Jules'. Both hearts exploding, in complete awe and full of love at the life they have created together, knowing their daughter would always be safe and loved.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who stuck with this story! I couldn't leave off with everyone still in the hospital, but this story isn't focused on Sadie. I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Reviews are my favorite thing ever. Let me know if you want more Flashpoint stories- either team-centered or Jam, message me some ideas and I will see what I can do!