Chapter 2
Without traffic they made it to the hospital in twenty minutes being met by a team of one doctor and two nurses waiting with a wheelchair. "She's been having contractions all day but they're closer together and her water broke about a half hour ago," Jamie helped Eddie out first, handing her over to the team do he could get the girls out.
Taking the girls hands they followed the doctor inside to an empty room pre-prepped for Eddie to give birth. The girls sat in chairs occupied with books while Jamie helped Eddie into a hospital robe then back into bed. Dr Bennett smiled, "Okay Eddie, let's see how we're doing."
Jamie stood beside the bed taking Eddie's hand while the doctor examined her. "Okay Eddie you are dilated at about eight centimeters so we have to wait until your at 10 to start pushing. If the pain becomes unbearable I can order some medication that will help all right? Try and relax and I'll come back to check on you in a little while."
"Thanks doctor we'll let you know." Jamie gave the back of Eddie's hand a kiss attention turned to her. "How are you doing Eddie?"
She sighed quietly giving him the truth knowing he could tell if she was lying or not. "They're getting stronger and my lower back really hurts. Hopefully he doesn't take his time coming out like Lily did. " Eddie lay her head back against the pillow to rest inhaling slow, deep breaths.
A soft tapped once loud enough to get the occupants attention without bothering them in case they were busy. Frank took a single step inside smiling, "Hey, just wanted to let you know we're all here in the waiting room. How are you feeling Eddie?"
"Having some pain otherwise hanging in, hoping the baby comes soon. You can bring everyone in Frank don't think I'm going anywhere for awhile."
Giving her a nodding smile
Frank disappeared for a minute, coming back with the family in tow all wearing the same concerned smiled. "How are you feeling sweetheart," Henry piped up from beside Jamie.
"I'll be okay once the baby is here," Eddie tightened her grip on Jamie's hand, face pinched tight. She met Jamie's eyes needing his support while taking in deep breaths, using him as a visual until the contraction finally passed. Letting out one more breath more relaxed since the pain subsided Eddie replaced her head on the pillow.
Danny patted Jamie's shoulder gently smiling at his brother, "You take good care of her and my god son kid. We'll go outside so Eddie can rest a bit then check back in a little while okay? Hey girls why don't you show me what good readers you are." Lily and Mira happily jumped off their chairs to join him and the others wanting to show how big they were.
The room fell quiet again with only Jamie and Eddie left inside while the others gave them privacy. "Why don't you rest a little Eddie so you'll be ready when it's time. You need your energy."
"I am but I'm actually really hungry for some pizza with pineapples from that little place two blocks down. Oh and a root beer too that sounds really good," Eddie rounded her eyes at him.
"I'll have the nurse bring you some food soon as you're finished," Jamie soothed softly. She nodded rubbing her belly and panting slightly. "Good, keep breathing Eddie. You shod rest up save some energy when it's time."
"I've done this sort of thing before," she replied and licked her lips.
Jamie smiled, "Yeah, I know you have. Hang on I'll ask the nurse for some ice chips." He pecked her head quickly and flagged the first nurse he found.
In only a few minutes, Jamie was placing the ice on Eddie's tongue. "Where are our girls?"
"Outside showing the family what good readers they are. Wonder who they'll drive crazy first," Jamie grinned as he tended to Eddie. His right arm looped around her in a modified hug, stroking her hair again slowly as he did while they waited for the birth of their girls.
"Definately Danny first, he has patience up to a point."
Taking a seat on the bed beside her Jamie smiled. "He only doesn't hve patience with his siblings more me then Joe or Erin. He'll probably send them to Pop or dad for awhile."
"Your dad is terrific with them," Eddie smiled.
"He loves being a grandpa, he's thrilled at having family around, "Jamie held the cup at her side ready if she needed another. "Dad won't admit it but he missed having kids around the house. It's good for the girls to hear stories too from dad and pop."
Eddie smiled as the monitor indicated another contraction. She arched, tensing her body while sucking in deep breaths and cried out. Her hand squeezed Jamie's fingers tightly together. "I'm here, I'm right here my love. That's a girl..."
Eddie's face pinched as she breathed through the latest contraction, gasping once it subsided. She lay her head back wordlessly taking a deep breath.
This labor was easier and more focused than the other two. While Eddie rested Jamie went to check on the girls. As they had predicted Mira cuddled beside her great grandfather and Lily by her grandpa while Danny paced the floor. "How's Eddie doing?"
"Okay she's a little over half way there," Jamie replied. "How you doing Mira?"
Mira smiled at him, holding the book on her lap. "Daddy I'm reading so good like you and mommy showed me. Is our brother here yet? I want to make him a picture."
"You can start making it now," Jamie replied. "He should be here in a few hours."
Mira set her book aside to happily bring the box of crayons and paper to share with her sister. Frank joined his youngest son, placing a supportive hand on Jamie's shoulder. "How you holding up son?"
Jamie smiled, "I'm not the one getting ready to push a baby out. We've gone through this twice before but seeing how much pain Eddie is in and knowing I can't make it go away.
"You can be there for her," Frank soothed. "You can help her, don't sorry about the girls."
Noding Jamie knew the family would watch the girls so he wouldnt worry about them.
"Thanks dad I know you do." He smiled at Henry joining them.
Henry gave a smile of his own shooing him back into the room. Jamie walked back to Eddie's side, "Take one guess who the girls were with when I went out." He cupped her hand, raising it to place a kiss smiling at her.
Eddie laughed, "Mira by Pop and Lilly by Dad," she laughed. "We have good children. Are you nervous about it being a boy?"
He let a breath out slowly still amazed at how Eddie could read him like a book. "I guess a little bit. Raising boys is different and we're used to having girls. I want him to be a gentleman you know, polite and."
"Well, if he's anything like you, he will be," Eddie beamed. Holding her hand gently Jamie gave the top of her head a gentle kiss wordlessly.
Slowly, Eddie's labor progressed. She got up and walked the halls pausing for contractions. Staying by her side Jamie kept his arm around her waist watching carefully always there with a quiet show of support. She would lean into him, breathe deeply and let his warmth soothe her. When the pain subsided Jamie gave her stomach a slow rub until she was ready to walk again.
"Take it slow Eddie, we can stop and rest when you need to," Jamie offered. Her body leaned into him with every contraction that hit while he comforted her and kept time on how long each lasted and how far in between they came.
With no choice Eddie turned around back to her room just settling in when the pain hit again. "Jamie," she grimaced, squeezing his hand tight in between long breaths through the contraction.
Eddie lay back and continued breathing even after it finished looking to Jamie tiredly. "I'm going to have a nurse page the doctor so she can check you. You're doing great Eddie just keep breathing. I'm still right here." He took a step out of the room for only a second to ask the first nurse who came by if she can page the doctor.
Quickly returning to Eddie's side he cupped her hand again gently. "Jamie, I need you," Eddie's blue eyes widened at him worried with active labor coming soon.
"I'm not going anywhere Eddie. I'm staying right here by your side the whole time until our son arrives. You can do this Eddie, you're strong." Jamie dipped his head for a kiss, using his free hand to stroke a finger over her cheek