With Peyton's reassurance that she wasn't going to have the baby between their house and the hospital, Lucas drove the speed limit and didn't break any laws. It gave Peyton time to call Nathan and Haley, Brooke, her dad and brother, and Karen. Brooke and Nathan each assured her that they'd be at the hospital shortly after she got there, and Haley had grumbled that she couldn't be there, but wished her luck and expected someone to phone with updates.
Her dad was out on a job, but would return home as quickly as possible, and Derek had already scheduled to come to town for a couple day the following week, and Peyton insisted that it was fine for him to just wait until then. Karen and Andy were in London, but assured Peyton that they were on the next flight out. It appeared no one had expected the baby to be a week early.
When they arrived at the hospital, after Lucas had parked the car, Peyton reached over and rest her hand on his arm, making him turn to look at her.
"Honey, I need you to stay calm," she said, half sweet, half warning.
"Calm?" he asked with a smile. "This is you and my baby..."
"Lucas, I'm serious. If you start freaking out...more...I'm going to lose it," she said, trying to make him understand.
He sighed and nodded, and then got out of the car and walked to her side to open the door and help her out. He cupped her elbow and held her hand as they walked through the parking lot and through the doors to admittance.
She was promptly given a wheelchair to sit in, and though she would have loved to say she didn't need it, walking was getting more and more difficult. A nurse wheeled her into one of the maternity rooms, with Lucas by her side the whole way. As she was undressing and putting on the hospital gown, Lucas was informed that their OB-GYN was being paged and that she would be there soon to check the progress, and that they had best make themselves comfortable.
Lucas helped Peyton into the bed and held her hand while the nurse hooked up whatever monitors needed to be hooked up, doing his best not to either go crazy or smile like an idiot.
"How are you?" He'd managed not to ask the question until then, though it had been on the tip of his tongue since they'd gotten in the car. They were finally alone in the room, and his shock was beginning to dissipate.
"If I say scared will that freak you out?" she asked with a weak smile. She watched as a grin spread on his face, and he leaned over to kiss her forehead.
"You're gonna do great, baby," he assured her in a whisper.
"I hate waiting," she all but pouted.
"Once Dr. Heymans gets here, we'll know how long you have to wait," he said, trying to stay positive but not patronizing.
"We," she corrected.
"What?"
"How long we have to wait," she said, smiling at him as he pulled the chair closer to the bed.
"I didn't know if you wanted me to be that guy," he laughed. "The we guy."
It was true. He didn't want to just assume that she'd want him to use terms like that, when it was her body going through this. Yes, it was his - their - child, but he didn't want to say anything to make her angry. He'd made her promise in the early stages that she wouldn't be the 'you did this to me' woman while giving birth, and he'd promised not to even try to understand how painful childbirth was going to be.
"You're gonna be a daddy, Luke," she said softly after a few moments, taking his hand in hers.
He raised her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. He was just about to speak, when the door opened and a friendly nurse in purple scrubs poked her head in.
"Mr. and Mrs. Scott, Nathan and Brooke are here, and asked that I let you know," she said in a sweet voice.
"OK. Thank you," Lucas said before turning back to his wife.
"Go," she insisted with a nod.
"No. I'll wait until the doctor comes and I actually have news to pass along," he said, her hand still tucked firmly in his.
"Poor Nathan," she muttered.
"What?" he laughed.
"Dealing with Brooke right now when she realizes you aren't telling her what's going on," she explained. "You should go and...ohhhh!"
She winced in pain and squeezed Lucas' hand tightly as her other hand flew to rest on her stomach.
"OK Peyt," Lucas said, as calmly as he could. "Breathe through it."
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly as the pain subsided, and lay her head back on the pillow.
"Isn't this supposed to go really slowly?" she asked, trying to elicit a laugh from her husband.
"We've been here like, a half hour and I already feel useless," he admitted, shaking his head.
"Lucas..."
"You know me," he said with a shrug. "I see you in pain and I go into 'Protect Peyton Mode'."
"You have a whole mode devoted to me?" she asked teasingly, watching as he laughed. "Babe, that's so sweet!"
The door opened again and Dr. Heymans walked in with a smile on her face and a chart in her hands.
"Hi!" she said happily. "The big day!"
"You are gonna have to dial back the happy," Peyton warned, making both Lucas and Dr. Heymans laugh.
"Fair enough," the doctor conceded, though her smile stayed in place. "So you just got here, but how are things going?"
"You tell me," Peyton said, trying to get comfortable in the bed.
Dr. Heymans nodded and wheeled a stool around to the foot of the bed, and performed a quick exam while Lucas held Peyton's hand.
"OK," the doctor said as she tugged off her latex gloves. "You're at about 4 centimeters right now, and we need to get to 10, so there is still quite a while to go."
"But we got to 4 so fast! Maybe that means we'll get to 10 fast?" Peyton asked hopefully.
"You'd think," Dr. Heyman's said with a smirk. "If you want to put a good spin on it, you're already in the active phase, which usually means less waiting time in the hospital. We'll just have to wait and see. Make yourselves comfortable, and I'll be back in about an hour to check on you."
"Anything we can do in the meantime?" Lucas asked.
"Honey, you say that like we haven't read every pregnancy book ever published," Peyton teased.
"I'll be back," the doctor laughed.
When the door closed again, Lucas looked over at Peyton as she lay with her eyes closed, as though she were trying to sleep until she had to start pushing.
"I'm gonna go talk to Brooke and Nathan real quick, alright?" Lucas said standing from his place.
"OK," she said, opening her eyes and smiling at him. "I'll be alright here. Bring me a snack."
"A snack?" he asked with a laugh.
"Yes. A muffin. And...a fruit salad," she said, her eyes pleading.
"Ice chips?" he inquired jokingly.
"Actually, that sounds amazing," she said, smiling brightly.
"OK, you are like, the most mellow woman in labour ever," he told her before reaching for the door handle.
As soon as he'd stepped into the hallway, Brooke shot up out of her seat. Nathan was more relaxed, since he'd been through this once before, but he did turn his attention towards his brother and look on with a concerned and excited expression.
"It's early. Probably a lot of waiting," he explained easily.
"How is she?" Brooke asked. "I brought a few magazines. Figured it couldn't hurt."
"Thanks, Brooke," Lucas laughed. "She's good. Surprisingly not mean."
"She'll get there," Nathan muttered. "Trust me. Once the contractions start getting closer together, she won't be so happy."
"I thought you said Haley was a champ during labour," Brooke said with a raised brow.
"I did. Because she was sitting right next to me," Nathan laughed. "The one and only time I have ever heard her say the f-word was about hour 12."
The three of them laughed at that piece of information that had never been shared before. Brooke sat back down in her seat and took a sip from the bottle of water she'd been clutching.
"Alright, I'm off to find ice chips and some sort of a snack," Lucas informed them, looking down the hall.
"Down the hall, around the corner, next to the coffee machine," Nathan said nonchalantly.
"Wow, you are a pro at this!" Brooke said with a grin, bumping his shoulder with her own as he laughed.
By the time Lucas got back to the room, Peyton was laying comfortably, reading the latest issue of magazine, making Lucas look at her quizzically.
"Where'd you get that?" he asked, though he was sure he already knew the answer.
"Brooke snuck in while Nathan kept guard at the door," she said, shrugging her shoulders. She didn't look up from the page until she heard him laugh. "Sorry babe. You were just gone for too long."
"I was gone for like, 20 minutes!" he objected and she shrugged again. "Here are your ice chips and fruit salad. They didn't have any muffins you'd like."
"Thank you," she said sweetly, taking the items from him.
"OK, are you alright?" he asked hurriedly as he sat down again in the chair next to her bed.
"Yeah. Why?" She turned to him and furrowed her brow as she smiled.
"You are kind of uncharacteristically...happy right now," he pointed out.
"Lucas Scott," she said with a grin, closing her magazine on her lap and turning to him, "I am having your baby in a matter of hours."
"Exactly why you should be...in pain and cursing me out," he teased, resting his elbows on the side of her bed.
"Luke," she said softly, "I told you before. This is what I've wanted for so long."
"Me too," he whispered.
"And when we get to hold that little baby, none of the pain is going to matter. So I'm just choosing not to focus on that right now," she said, shrugging her shoulders as though that were the simplest plan in the world.
"Those prenatal yoga classes must have been amazing," he teased, sitting back in his chair and watching as she picked up her magazine again. "Brooke didn't happen to put a Sports Illustrated in there or anything, did she?"
"No," she laughed. "But there's an old copy of 1984 in the bag."
"Nice!" he said excitedly. He pulled the book out and examined it. "This is mine!"
"What?" she asked.
"This is my book. She must have had it since high school," he said with a smile. "Amazing."
"Um, Lucas? You might not want to bring up your past relationship with my best friend right now - Oww!" She clutched her stomach again and leaned forward as Lucas stood and reached for her free hand, rubbing her back with his other.
"Alright, baby, just breathe," he said soothingly.
A few moments later, she laid her back against the pillows once more, and reached for the cup of ice chips. She wasn't complaining about how much it hurt, or how she didn't want to do it any more, or how she wished it was just over already. She was just calm.
"Honestly, you're freaking me out right now," Lucas teased, making her laugh. "It's eerie!"
"I told you I need you to stay calm," she said through her giggles. "So just sit there and read your book and wait till I need you to hold my hand again."
"I'm probably the first man to ever wish that his wife was always in labour," he mumbled, making her swat him with her magazine as he laughed.
They spent the next four hours talking and reading and dealing with the contractions as they came. The doctor came and went, and a nurse popped in once or twice. They weren't sure how they'd gotten so lucky, but they'd secured one of the only single occupancy rooms in the hospital, so they didn't have to worry about sharing with another couple.
Lucas had given Brooke and Nathan occasional updates, and he'd been told that Skills was staying at the house with Haley and Jamie while Nathan wasn't there. Peyton had laughed when he told her that, both of them knowing that Haley would be especially moody knowing she couldn't be at the hospital for the birth of her niece or nephew.
When their doctor returned for the third time, Peyton was just finishing getting through another contraction, with Lucas in the position next to the bed that they'd found worked best. The contractions were coming faster and lasting longer, and while Peyton's mood still impressed Lucas, she was becoming less and less happy as the hours passed.
The doctor checked her progress and informed them that she was at 7 centimeters, and she'd told them that this was an incredibly quick labour, given that it was their first baby, and that she had been in labour for 26 hours with her first. Peyton had smiled apologetically, since she now knew and understood what all the complaining was about. It couldn't even be considered complaining; if you asked her, it was all legitimate.
Lucas stepped out into the hall to give a quick update, only to see Brooke on the phone and Nathan sleeping in what looked to be a very uncomfortable position.
"Oh! Luke just came out. Hang on," Brooke said into the phone before thrusting it towards Lucas.
"Hello?" he said timidly, unsure of who was on the other end of the line.
"How is she?" came Haley's voice.
"She's good. She's amazing, actually," Lucas said with a bit of a laugh.
"She's not angry yet?" Haley asked teasingly.
"No, but I'm sure we'll get there," he said.
Nathan stirred to life at the sound of the masculine voice, just in time to hear his brother tell Haley how things were going and how far along they were. She'd shouted into the phone so loudly that Brooke heard her say how unfair it was that things were going so quickly.
"I gotta go, Hales, but stay calm, OK? We don't need you popping out kids today, too," he teased, making her laugh again. "Bye."
He handed the phone back to Brooke and stepped back into the room, and just in time, too. He rushed toward the bed to help his wife through another contraction, only speaking when she was resting again.
"Haley asked how you were," he smiled.
"Tell her I'm pretty sure this is hell," she grumbled.
And there was the moment he was waiting for. This was how he'd expected her to be through the entire process.
"Well, she's got two in there, so..."
"Ha!" Peyton laughed, then quickly covered her mouth. "Sorry. That was mean...but...whatever. I'm allowed."
"You're allowed whatever you want, babe," he assured her, leaning over to kiss her temple.
Another hour, and the contractions were close together and Peyton was exhausted. Lucas was doing his best to keep her as comfortable as possible, but they both knew that it was a futile effort. That certainly didn't mean he was going to stop trying, however.
"You want some more ice chips?" he asked as calmly as he could as she let go of his hand and took a deep breath .
"Yeah, because ice chips are so damn soothing," she bit out sarcastically. He wiped her brow with a damp cloth and smiled down at her, and she just smiled sheepishly, realizing that he didn't deserve her outburst. "Yes, please."
"OK," he said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "I'll be right back."
"I want Nathan!" she called right before he stepped outside.
"What?" he asked, almost laughing, though he realized that would have been the worst possible thing to do.
"I want Nathan while you're gone. Please, Luke," she said.
She looked so tired and scared to be left alone, and there was no way he was going to let her sit there like that for the entire time he was gone, no matter how long or short a time that might be.
"OK," he nodded.
He stepped out into the hall, and Brooke looked terrified. He knew Peyton's voice would have penetrated through the door as she screamed with each contraction, and that Brooke was probably insanely worried about her best friend.
"She's OK. She wants Nathan," he said simply.
"What'd you do?" Nathan asked with a laugh as he stood from his spot.
"Nothing! I just need to get more ice. Get in there," Lucas demanded.
"Take your time, man. I've got her," Nathan said, though he knew his brother wouldn't be taking his time with anything.
Lucas had just walked away when Nathan pushed the door to Peyton's room open, and saw her sitting back on the bed with one arm behind her head and her eyes closed. When she heard the door click open, she turned and looked at him.
"Alright, Sawyer, what do you need?" he said, clapping his hands together and making her laugh.
"I need you to be a stand in Luke," she said in a tired voice.
"How 'bout I just be a Nathan," he said, taking her hand as he stood next to the bed. "How you holding up?"
"OK," she said, laying her head back again. "I'm so tired."
"I know. But you've gotta get this little guy out so he can meet his awesome uncle," Nathan said with a smile, brushing the hair from her sweat-dampened temple with his free hand.
She was about to respond when another contraction came, launching her forward slightly as Nathan draped an arm around her and let her hold his hand as tightly as she needed to. He spoke in a soothing tone and reminded her of her breathing, and when it was over and she made a sound that let him know that she was about to cry, he knew he couldn't let her break down.
"Peyton, you're doing so good," he assured her. "You're rocking this, OK?"
She just nodded weakly and wordlessly rest her head against his chest as he held her.
"You're doing great," he insisted,
"I'm kind of scared," she admitted quietly.
"I know," he said, rubbing circles on her back. "But it's worth it. Trust me."
"How's Luke?" she whispered.
"What? You've been with him all day," Nathan laughed as she slowly sat back against the pillows.
"I know. But I won't let him freak out," she told him, making him laugh.
"He's so excited," Nathan said with a smile. "Like, I've never seen him like this."
"Good," she said, cracking a smile. "How's Brooke?"
"Mortified," he admitted. "She's scared for you. You aren't exactly quiet."
"Sor-ry!" she said sarcastically, stifling a laugh.
"Well, I think this is birth control for her right now," he laughed, making her jaw drop. "Jamie's pretty excited. He can't wait for all these babies."
She laughed again at the thought of the little boy surrounded by newborns, and then another contraction came just as Lucas was stepping through the door. He watched as Nathan assumed the position and helped Peyton through it just like he had been. He knew better than to try to step in, and he was actually just a little bit thankful for the rest, though he knew it was a selfish thing to think, considering what his wife was going through.
Once her head was back on the pillows, Nathan kissed her forehead and whispered something that made her smile, then patted his brother on the back as he passed him and exited the room.
"I think it's time," she said seriously, as her husband took her hand again.
"Should I get the doctor?" he asked, watching as she nodded.
He reached for the button they'd been told to press, and within a matter of about 10 minutes, they had their doctor and two nurses rushing around the room, getting things prepared.
"OK, Peyton," Dr. Heymans said. "On the next contraction, I need you to start pushing."
Peyton nodded and prepared herself for what was to come by clutching Lucas' hand and letting him take the position he'd been told to take in their birthing class. She did as she was told, and began pushing, which brought on a whole new level of pain. Lucas felt absolutely powerless to do anything. He knew that he was helping her just by being there and talking her through it, but it was hard for him to just sit by and watch her hurt so much. He knew that was always one of her favourite things about him - that protectiveness - but he hated it at the moment.
The next half hour was excruciating for her. She felt like she was getting nowhere, though she knew on some level that wasn't the case. Any rational thought was clouded by the toll it was all taking on her body. She lay back again, though Lucas' arm was around her, and she felt absolutely defeated.
"I can't," she cried. "Luke, I can't."
"Peyton, baby, you can," he assured her insistently, wiping her tears with his hand.
"It hurts," she whimpered.
"I know. I know it does," he whispered lovingly. "You're doing so good. He's almost here, OK?"
"OK," she managed, through her sobbing. "You called him 'he'."
"I did, didn't I?" he said, laughing weakly. "Maybe it's a sign."
"Alright, Peyton. This is a big one, OK? I need you to push for me," the doctor instructed.
She did as she was told, but she wasn't quiet about it. She was oblivious to anything anyone was saying to her. She knew this was the last push, somehow, and that she'd be able to see her baby as soon as it was over, so she focused on that instead of the intense pain she was going through.
"One more, Peyton," Dr. Heymans said encouragingly.
And then, moments later, Peyton was done, she rested back against the bed as she heard the sweet sounds of her baby's first cries.
"It's a boy!" the doctor announced
"You did it, baby," Lucas said, resting his forehead against Peyton's. He was unable to hide his emotion, and he began crying alongside his wife and his son. "You did it."
"A boy," she whispered tearfully, locking eyes with Lucas. "You have a son."
"We have a son," he corrected, running his thumb across her knuckles.
The nurse brought over the tiny little boy and lay him in Peyton's arms for the first time, and she felt something so overwhelming, so real, that she started to cry even harder.
"Shhh," she soothed, reaching up to push the blanket away from his red little face. "Shh, it's OK. Hi."
"He's perfect," Lucas said, locking eyes with his wife. "He's beautiful."
"I love him," she said, looking back down at their son. "And I love you."
"I love you, too," he whispered, wiping his eye.
"He has your nose," she said softly. It was a bizarre mix of crying and laughing, that he hadn't ever really heard from her before, but he was loving it. Tears of pain had become tears of joy as soon as that baby was laid in her arms.
He didn't know what to say, so he just stroked Peyton's hair with one hand and placed his other on his son's little tummy as it was wrapped in the blanket. He shared a look with his wife, and they both acknowledged silently, that this was as happy as they'd ever been.