Chapter Twenty-Two

"You handled that situation with your Mom very well."

"The thing to remember is to be firm and not yell. She had enough of that from my Dad and my brother, but that was minor compared to some of them. One time about five years ago, she started and I threatened that I would walk out, and I did. Needless to say she was surprised."

"She seems happy about the baby."

"She is very happy but afraid at the same time."

"She thinks you're going to forget about her."

He nods his head as he says, "Yes."

"That's silly."

"It might seem that way to you but it is understandable."

"After all the two of you have been through how could she honestly think that you would just abandon her?"

"She's preparing herself. After all, people have been leaving her all her life. I just want her to be happy." He takes her hand in his and kisses her hand. "And you, I think I can take care of the two……three of you."

"I have no doubt about that."

One Police Plaza

Three Weeks later

Captain Deakins says as he sees Bobby enter the squad room, "Goren welcome back. How's the hand?"

"I still have physical therapy to do but it's almost as strong as before."

"Before this week is over you have to get to the shooting range."

"I know." He nods his head. "I will."

"Maybe it will be an easy day," Deakins says as he walks back to his office.

Coffee in hand Bobby sits down. "Place looks the same."

Bobby finishes his coffee and is just about to get up from his chair to another cup when the Captain returns. "We have a murder victim. His body was discovered outside his apartment building. You guys ever hear of Wilson Lincoln?"

Alex says, "The over priced. Get my rich defendants off, even if they are guilty lawyer."

Deakins points in Alex's direction, "That's him."

He hands Bobby the note with the address. Bobby takes the note from his hand, "Here we go. Some things never change." He gets up quickly and starts for the elevator, thinking that Alex is right behind him. "Do you," he turns.

Alex is still sitting at her desk, "Eames you coming."

She slowly moves her head in his direction, "Eames. What the hell is that?"

He smiles as he walks back toward her, "I'm sorry, it's this place, Alex you coming."

"Yeah," she says, but remains in her chair.

He is now standing next to her desk, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," she says shaking her head.

"You wouldn't lie to me now, would you?"

"No I wouldn't. When you said some things never change, you are so right. Not that you would ever wish harm on anyone but the look you get on your face. Yea, let's go get those bad guys." She pauses as she puts her head down. "I'm sorry."

Bobby puts his hands on her desk as he bends down, "For what?"

"For thinking that was all you were. You remember what I said, he's like my partner just wants to be left alone to do what he does best, catch bad guys. You are so much more than that."

"It's alright it was a long time ago."

"It bothered you when I said that, didn't it?"

He hesitates before he answers, "At the time it did, yes."

She stands almost ready to hug him but then they look around quickly and remember where they are. Alex whispers, "I owe you a hug." He smiles and puts his hand on her back, "Come on, let's go."

They start to walk toward the elevator. Alex pushes the button. "Don't get to close to anyone."

"I can take care of myself Bobby." The elevator door opens, "I know that, humor me ok?"

Doctor Marcia Paulsen's Office

Friday Afternoon

Alex whispers, "Bobby are you ok?"

"Yeah I'm ok. I just feel a little weird."

"Why? There are other guys here."

"No, that's not it, they all look so young."

"Oh please, Marcia told me that she has at least six patients who are over forty and having their first child."

"She should schedule all of the older ones at the same time."

Alex hooks her arm in his. "I'll bet you that the people in here are all at least thirty to thirty-five."

"How do you know? Did you ask them?"

"No I didn't, they look at least that old." She lets go of his arm and sits back in the chair. "Besides I'm a police detective I know."

"Yeah, so am I. And I say that they are younger than that."

"Alright that's enough, can we drop this now." She pats his thigh. "Don't worry about it, what's the old saying. You're as young as you feel."

"Yeah and sitting in this room with these kids I feel like……………"

"Alex Eames," says a nurse.

Alex stands, "Come on."

They follow the nurse down the hall, the first stop the scale. Alex says, "Don't look."

He turns around, "Ok I won't."

Little jots in the chart and they follow the nurse in an examination room. "The doctor will be right with you."

Alex sits in one the chairs as Bobby starts to pace around the little room. "Bobby don't open any drawers."

"I won't. What happens next?"

"The doctor will check my blood pressure and we will probably hear the baby's heartbeat."

"Really, The baby's heartbeat," he smiles.

A few minutes pass and they hear a knock on the door. "Good morning Alex."

"Morning, Marcia, I'd like you to meet Bobby, Bobby this is Doctor Paulsen."

Bobby extends his hand, "It's nice to meet you Doctor."

"Finally a face to go with the name, it's nice to meet you Bobby."

"Alex please will you get up on the table."

Marcia reads over the information in the file. "Your weight gain is minimal, that's good. Remember eat healthy, but eat, when you feel hungry stop and eat."

"I will, I do."

"Are you two still partners?"

"For the time being yes we are," Bobby says.

"Good, make sure she eats. Don't worry about gaining some weight, Alex. I emphasize the word some weight it's healthy for you and the baby."

"Let's check your blood pressure. Alex please roll up your sleeve."

Marcia checks her blood pressure. "120 over 60, very good," she says.

Marcia asks, "Bobby should I take yours?"

He just smiles and shakes his head nervously. Alex and Marcia can't help but laugh.

"Alex, will you please lie down?"

Alex lies down and as Marcia is examining her, she asks questions, "Any discomfort?"

"No. No morning sickness this time."

"Trouble sleeping?"

"No."

"Good, that's good."

"Let's take a listen to the baby's heartbeat." Marcia turns to open a drawer and retrieves a Fetal Doppler. She applies a little jelly over Alex's stomach. Within a few minutes, the baby's heartbeat fills the room. Bobby says, "It's awfully fast."

"It's supposed to be, it's very strong and the beat is sound."

Marcia wipes up the gel and places the Doppler back in the drawer. "Bobby I have some pamphlets outside that you should read."

Alex says, "He has read at least twenty internet articles about pregnancy and child birth along with three books he got from the library as far as the pamphlets, he's read some of them and the rest are in his pocket." Marcia smiles, "How about you Alex, have you read any of them?"

"Read them? I'm living it." They all laugh.

"Alex I have the schedule for the birthing classes if you would like to attend them. I know you attended the last time you were pregnant. I'm not saying you have to go again but if you decide to go…………anyway here is the schedule."

"Thanks Marcia."

"Ok Alex, Bobby I will see you in a month. Remember Alex, if you have any questions or feel any discomfort do not hesitate to call…………something tells me if any of that happens that Bobby will call."

"Thanks Doctor, it was nice meeting you."

"You too Bobby, take care of her. Ah I know you will."

She opens the door and leaves the room. "Are we going to that class?"

"No………….. Yeah maybe we should, I'll call tomorrow and sign us up."

He helps her off the table, "You call your Doctor by her first name?"

"Yes. She has been my doctor since I was eighteen. It started about five maybe six years ago. As I recall she insisted on it."

He takes her hand as he opens the door, "She said something that we haven't even discussed yet."

"I know," Alex says, "Our partnership."

"You……..we had better tell the Captain soon. I think after awhile he will notice something different about you."

One Police Plaza

Monday Early Evening

Bobby and Alex have just returned from an interview with two of the victim's employees. The captain sees them enter the squad room and inquires about the results. They fill him in on the progress of the case.

As he turns to leave, Alex says, "Captain, could we have a word with you before you leave for the night."

"Sure, we can talk now."

Alex tilts her head at Bobby and he nods. They get up from their chairs and follow the Captain into his office. Alex sits while Bobby stands next to the window.

"Alright you're already making me nervous, Goren has been in the room a minute and he hasn't said anything, what's wrong?"

They look at each other waiting for the other to start talking. "Ok this is what's going on," Bobby says as he walks closer to the Captain's desk. "Alex and I, as you already know are…………"

"I'm pregnant Captain and this time I'm keeping it, I'm due in March and if you haven't figured it out by now, Bobby is the father and we've been living together for over a month now."

Bobby points to Alex, "Yeah that's it."

Deakins does not speak but he has a smile on his face as wide as the ocean. "I think that is wonderful, I really do." He stands up and extends his arms to Alex. She takes a hold of his hands and gets up from the chair. He kisses her cheek. "Congratulations Alex, I wish you the best." He turns and Bobby backs up. "Don't worry Bobby. I'm not going to kiss you." They all laugh as the men shake hands.

"We would, if it's alright with you and whoever upstairs to remain partners until I go on maternity leave."

"You can work the street up until your sixth month, after that I have to put you on desk duty, so maybe in the next couple of months I'll bring in your substitute, so he or she can get their feet wet."

"You mean get use to him," Alex says as she points toward Bobby.

"I couldn't have said it any better myself."

"That's very funny."

"That would be fine Captain and thank you."

"Thanks Captain," Bobby says as he reaches for the doorknob. "Goodnight."

"See you, tomorrow."

Alex and Bobby walk toward the elevator. It is very quiet in the squad room. Most of the detectives have left for the evening. "That wasn't so hard." Bobby says as he pushes the down button on the elevator.

The Baby's Sonogram

Boy Or Girl?

"What is that," Bobby says as he points to a blob on the screen. "Right there, is that what I think it is or does the baby have an extra finger."

"Yes it's a boy."

Alex smiles at the look on his face, and takes his hand.

The technician says. "Have you guys picked any names yet?"

Bobby says, "No, we can't seem to agree on any name boy or girl."

"Well at least now we only have to agree on a boys' name," Alex says.

Bobby asks, "Are you ok?"

"Of course boy or girl it doesn't matter just as long as it's healthy."

"Maybe you guys should get a book of baby names."

Bobby reaches for his leather case and opens it. He takes out a book of baby names and shakes it front of the technician. She smiles, "Never mind."

"The book has made it worse, more names to choose from. First, he says to me, pick a name. I pick one and then he says I don't like that name it reminds me of somebody from somewhere. So then, I tell him all right you pick one, and what does he say. I can't think of any."

Alex's Eighth Month

Alex is sitting on the couch reading a book when the urge to pee hits her. She wiggles and wiggles to get up but she can't stand up. "Bobby!"

"What?"

"Help!"

"Are you stuck in the couch again?"

"Yes."

He walks into the room and smiles at her. "Why don't you try to roll out?" She gives him a look instead of saying the words, "If looks could kill." He extends his arm and with one easy pull, she is standing. "Alex if you're going to sit on this couch you have to remember." He tosses three pillows where she was sitting, "To put the pillows behind your back."

"Yes I know, I know, I forgot."

"What if you sit here and you forget the pillows and I'm not here, you'd be stuck here for God's knows how long."

"Bobby please I know." She walks toward the stairs, stops and looks up. "We need to get a bathroom downstairs." He laughs. "I use to say that to my Dad all the time."

Two Weeks Till The Due Date

Alex is having another sonogram and after this one, Doctor Paulsen is notified, "The baby is breech and in my experience the reality of him turning at this time is very rare."

Bobby asks, "Does it ever happen?"

"Yes it has, but not to any of my patients."

"What do we do?"

"We will have to perform a C-section."

Bobby and Alex look at each other and then the doctor. Alex asks, "It's painful isn't it?"

"Alex there will be discomfort, no doubt about that. It's an operation and your recovery time will be three to four days in the hospital maybe longer depending on your healing time and at least ten days to two weeks at home. The more help you can get to take care of the baby the better. Your mobility will be slow and breastfeeding may be difficult, you may want to use a nursing pillow or start pumping."

Bobby is very quiet. "Bobby any questions?"

"Will you be performing the surgery?"

"Yes I will."

"She has to be in there alone?"

"No. You are allowed to go in the operating room, decked out in scrubs and a mask."

A broad smile crosses both their faces. She hands them a calendar. "You're due in two weeks, so pick your baby's birthday."

Bobby looks at Alex and she looks at him. "Go ahead, you pick," he says.

"Monday, Monday is good day."

"No. Monday's are horrible, Tuesday is better."

She looks at the doctor, "Didn't he just tell me to pick the day."

Doctor Paulsen just nods her head and smiles.

"Bobby here," She hands him pamphlets on C-sections."

He smiles, "Thanks."

"Ok I will meet you at the hospital Tuesday morning nine am. Any questions please do not hesitate to call."

"Thank you Marcia," Alex says.

"Everything will be just fine."

"Good night Doc….Marcia."

Monday Evening

Alex wakes from a familiar pain. A labor pain, she slowly gets out of bed and walks down the stairs. She checks the clock it is eleven-thirty five. The pains increases and the contractions get closer and closer with each passing hour.

They were due to check into the hospital at nine am this morning for the C-section.

Tuesday Morning

A quick check of the clock it is now four AM. She walks back up the stairs, "Bobby." She shakes him. "Bobby."

"Yeah," he says.

"I have to go now."

"Ok see ya."

"Oh Jesus," She shakes him harder. "Bobby wake up we have to go to the hospital now."

He lifts himself up and checks the time. "Alex it's too early to leave for the hospital I know traffic can be brutal but it's not going to take four and half hours to get to the hospital."

"Bobby believe me, we have to go now."

"It's not time." He lies back down in the bed. "Tell that to the baby," Alex says.

He gives her a puzzled look. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm in labor. I have been since after eleven."

"Ok, ok." He slowly gets out of bed and walks into the bathroom, a quick splash of water on his face, and a gargle, he then returns to the bedroom. "Where is the bag you packed?"

She points, "Over there." He picks up her bag. "You'll need a coat its cold outside."

"I'll get a coat." She looks him up and down. "If you get some pants on."

"What." He looks down. "Oh crap," he says.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes I'm just tired. I don't suppose you can drive?" he steps back from the look on her face. "Gees where did all these dirty looks come from, I hope they fade……….never mind."

"Do you want me to call the doctor?"

"I called her before I woke you up."

"How about your family, should I call them?"

"No. Not until the baby comes."

"Are you sure, you don't want your Mom or sister there?"

She links her arm in his and lightly tugs on him, "Why would I need them, I have you. Now come on let's go."

TBC

Help I need some suggestions for the baby's name--