CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
This is it, Martha thought to herself. It was starting. The baby was coming.
She was still standing in the same spot and the others were also just standing there watching her. Delayed reaction; Martha guessed. Sally then ran over to the desk; grabbing her hand bag and car keys. "We have to get you to the hospital," she said.
Alf then rushed towards Martha and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Let's go love," he urged.
Martha was in a bit of daze and not really sure about what was going on around her. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion. But she soon snapped out of it and started to panic.
"I want Jack," she cried.
"Just calm down love," Alf told her.
"Cassie, I want you to watch Pippa while I'm gone. And Ric, I want you to call Tony and tell him that we're on our way to the hospital. Tell him to go to Martha's place and grab her bag," Sally started giving out orders. "And call Jack. Tell him to get to the hospital," she added.
"But I want to go to the hospital," Ric said.
"Yeah, me too," Cassie exclaimed.
"No," Sally shook her head. "Martha doesn't need dozens of people hanging around. It would be best if you stayed here. I'll call you later to tell you what's going on," she promised.
Alf and Sally then started to help Martha out to the car.
"I want Jack. I can't do this without him," Martha cried again.
"Don't worry love. Ric is going to call him and he'll be by your side in no time," Alf reassured her.
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Martha was sitting up in the hospital bed. Alf was sitting beside her; holding her hand. She'd just had her first contraction only a few minutes before, and Alf, Sally and Flynn had been with her. It had hurt a bit, but she knew that they were going to get worse. Sally was standing at the end of her bed talking to Flynn; who had popped in to see how she was going.
"Dr Morgan has been paged, and she'll be here as soon as possible," Flynn told her. "But I'd better go now. I've got some patients to see, but I'll drop in later and see how you're going," he promised.
"Thanks," Martha smiled.
Just as Flynn was leaving, Tony and Lucas rushed in with Beth and Matilda coming in close behind them.
"I might go grab a coffee and give Ric a quick ring," Sally said.
"Yeah, I'll come with you," Alf stood up. "I'll be back soon," he told Martha.
After they left, Tony and Beth moved in closer to her bed, while Lucas and Matilda sat up on the end of the bed. "How are you feeling?" Tony asked.
"I'm okay. For now," Martha answered.
"We brought your bag," Lucas pointed out.
"Thanks," Martha smiled. "I'd much prefer to wear my own stuff. I hate these gross hospital gowns," she wrinkled her nose up.
"I can't believe the baby will be here soon," Matilda sighed happily. "This is so exciting," she said.
"For you maybe, but I'm the one who's going to be in pain," Martha laughed. "I get to lay here and do all the hard work, while you guys can just come along later and lavish the kid in kisses and cuddles," she smiled.
"You're going to be fine sweet. You'll do great," Beth assured her.
Martha sat in silence for a few moments before talking again. "Where's Jack?" she asked.
Tony sighed. "We've tried his mobile a few times, but there's been no answer. We've called the station aswell, but he's on a call out with Harper somewhere," he started. "But McGrath promised to do all he could to get in contact with Jack," he explained.
"He has to be here," Martha frowned. "I need him to be here. I can't do this without him," she cried.
"Don't worry, he'll be here," Tony said as he brushed her hair out of her face. "He wouldn't miss this for the world," he assured her.
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"This really sucks," Martha cried through clenched teeth; as she battled her way through another contraction.
"You're doing great Martha. Just stay calm and keep breathing," Dr Morgan told her. She'd arrived about ten minutes beforehand to check on Martha. "Now, you're only about a centimeter dilated and from what you've told me, you're contractions are still about thirty minutes apart. So, you've still got a long way ahead of you," she explained.
"Great," Martha groaned. "I just want this to be over with," she growled.
Dr Morgan laughed. "I'm going to leave you for a while, but I'll keep coming back to check on you every now and again. But, if you need me, just press your buzzer and I'll be here ASAP," she promised before walking out.
"A friggin centimeter," Martha exclaimed. "That's nothing," she said.
Alf and Sally laughed at her. "Patience my dear," Alf said to her. Alf and Sally had joined her again after Tony and the others decided to head to the hospital café to get a drink.
"Tony seemed pretty happy," Sally said.
"It's his first grandchild," Alf pointed out.
"And this is your first great grandchild," Martha laughed.
"It makes me feel old when you put it that way," Alf chuckled.
"Well, you aren't exactly young, are you grandad?" Martha said cheekily.
"Hey, watch your mouth young lady," Alf said with a smile.
Martha smiled and rested her head back on the pillow. She felt really tired. She could probably just fall asleep.
"You tired love?" Alf asked.
Martha nodded. "A bit," she answered.
"Well, just close your eyes and rest. If you want to nod off for a while, you can," Alf told her. "I'll be here. I'm not going anywhere," he said.
Martha sighed. She kept thinking about Jack. He should have been there with her.
"Where is he grandad?" Martha asked.
"I don't know. But I'm sure he'll be here soon," Alf tried to comfort her.
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Jack groaned as he and Harper walked back into the station. They'd got called out to some stupid disturbance. A women had rang and said that her boyfriend was going nuts and that he had a knife and was waving it around.
Jack and Harper had rushed out there straight away, and the guy started waving the knife at them. They'd ended up being stuck out there with the moron for two hours. He had made them switch off their radios, so that they couldn't call for help, and he'd made them chuck their guns out on the lawn.
After about two hours the girlfriend convinced him to put down the knife, and she forgave him. They ended up making out in front of him and Harper. She didn't want to press charges, but they still had to bring him down to the station for questioning.
Jack was just about to sit down at his desk when McGrath came out of his office. "Where the hell have you been?" he asked Jack.
"We had a little problem, but it's handled now. So don't worry," Jack told him.
"We've been trying to contact you for the last two hours or so," McGrath said.
"We had a problem with our radios," Jack said. "What did you want me for?" he wanted to know.
"You're family has been calling," McGrath said.
"Why? What's going on?" Jack asked.
"They've taken Martha to the hospital. She's in labour," McGrath exclaimed.
"What?" Jack yelled as he jumped.
"Yeah, so I suggest you grab your jacket and get your butt over there," McGrath started. "She'll make you suffer for the rest of your life if you miss the birth of your first child. Trust me, I know," he added.
"Thanks boss," Jack called out as he ran out the door.
He felt a surge of excitement run through his body. The baby was coming. He just hoped that it hadn't come yet. If he missed it; Martha would be pissed. He'd promised her that he would be by her side all the way through. If he broke it; he'd never forgive himself.
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NEXT CHAPTER: Is it a boy or a girl?
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