Title: Push (3/X)
Author: Romantique
Email:
Classification: A Gary-centric romance.
Rating: M for suggestive adult situations.
Summary: Sequel to "Play the Cards You've Been Dealt" and "Double Down" Takes place four months later. After marrying the love of his life, Gary and Kate await the arrival of their new family.
Disclaimer: Early Edition fan fiction occurs very in the early third season. This fan fiction would have taken place about 1998-99.
Legal: These characters do not belong to me. I'm just a fan and have not made a dime. Please email me to obtain permission to post.
Northwestern Hospital
Maternity Floor
After Gary's memorable visit with his newborns, the nurse placed the twins back into their bassinette to take them back into the nursery. She explained to Gary that Ezekiel was a little jaundiced, a common problem with newborns, and that he would have to spend some time under special lights. But other than that, she said the twins were doing just great.
The new father pulled off the yellow surgical gown and placed it in the container marked 'Hazardous,' as he was instructed to do. Then, he exited out into the hallway where he found Marissa.
"Marissa?" Gary called to get her attention. "Where are my Mom and Dad?"
Turning towards him, she answered, "The Paper. But they told me you are not to be concerned about it, and they're right. They wouldn't even tell me what it was about so that I couldn't tell you." She let out a deep sigh, expecting an argument. "Can't say I blame them. You have more important things to worry about today. And you can't tell me that you're not tired after all this excitement. I mean, they're not even my babies, and I know I'm going to sleep really well tonight. That was a lot of tension waiting for this day to arrive."
"Boy, I'll say," Gary whole-heartedly agreed. Raking his finger through his hair, he shared, "Last night, I was wound up so tight … I distinctly remember thinking that I didn't' think I could make it, with all the waiting, for even one more day."
At first, Marissa was very surprised when she didn't meet with an argument from him. And second, she laughed. "Well, God must have heard you because these babies didn't mess around today, did they?"
"No kidding," Gary smiled. "Either that or God was trying to tell me something last night … that today would be the day."
Gary glanced at his watch. "I'm going to go and check on Kate," Gary said. "Would you like to come with me?"
"Only if she up for it," Marissa said. "I'll go with you, and we can play it by ear, okay?"
"Sounds good," Gary shook his head. Then, he put out his arm and led Marissa to the Maternity Ward.
"Hey, Gary," Marissa squeezed his arm. "Did you buy your wife some flowers or something?"
"Oh, my gosh," Gary looked astounded. "I had a bracelet engraved especially for this occasion, but I left it at home!" Trying to think on his feet, he said, "Yeah, I better make a stop at the florist, first. Thanks, Marissa. I don't know what I was thinking."
His friend explained, "I've just heard that new moms really like the romantic treatment. It's easy for them to have to take a backseat after being pregnant for 9 months and doing all the heavy lifting."
"I mean it, thanks," he said again. "We better find the florist." And he searched a nearby hospital directory.
Meanwhile, Kate had been awake for a little while. The nurses already had her up and walking the hallway. Afterwards, they even helped her freshen up a little, fix her hair, and put on some makeup for evening visitors.
"Hey," Gary smiled, as he slowly opened the door to his wife's room. His smile became even bigger when he saw with his own eyes how great Kate looked, so much better than the last time he saw her. He was carrying a large glass vase that contained two dozen red roses. "These are for you, Babe."
Kate said, "Oh, Honey, they're beautiful! I can smell them from here." She beamed, visibly touched by the sentiment.
"Not as beautiful as you are," he smiled back at her. "How about I sit them over here?" Gary asked, as he placed the flowers where she could see them. Then, he went over to her bed, leaned down and gave her the softest kiss. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," she smiled. "A lot better."
"You look great," Gary continued to smile. "Your coloring is so much better than it was when I saw you earlier."
He took her hand, as he moved a chair closer to her and took a seat.
"Have you seen the babies?" she asked.
"Oh, yes. They've already been photographed too much by my Dad," he smiled. "Have you?"
Kate pulled the covers over her abdomen. "The nurses brought them up for their first feeding a little while ago. I worry about being able to feed the both of them, but the nurses keep assuring me it will be fine."
Then, she just looked at her husband, feeling herself getting lost in his eyes. "I'm really happy," she said.
"Me, too," he said, looking down, stroking her fingers. "Kate, I don't think I've ever been this happy." Then, he looked up. "I mean, I was the happiest I've ever been when we met. Then, I was the happiest I've ever been when we married. And it happened again when we got pregnant." He paused to collect his thoughts. "And now, I finally have the family I've always wanted. And I look at you. And I've never loved you more than I love you right this minute."
Kate's blue eyes welled with tears.
"And that's the way it's going to be with us, I think," he said, getting misty-eyed himself. He leaned over to her, and they kissed.
Giving her a few more pecks, they languished in the moment. Finally, Gary interrupted it by saying, "Marissa is outside. She's already seen the twins, but I think she wanted to say hello to you. But she said only if you feel like it."
Kate smiled. "Marissa is always thinking of others. Of course, I'd like to see her. Tell her to come in, please."
Gary went out in the hallway and came back with Marissa, and he led her over near the bed and showed her the chair near the bed.
Marissa grabbed out until Kate caught her hands.
"Aunt Marissa," Kate said, giving Marissa a sound to focus on. "Gary said you went to visit the twins."
Marissa smiled. She loved being called 'Aunt Marissa.' "How are you doing, Kate? You've had quite a day."
"It's like I told Gary, I feel much better now than when I arrived," Kate placed her hand over Marissa's. "Are you watching out for Gary, as you always do?"
"But of course," Marissa said with a smile. "As long as we all see to it that he gets food and rest, I think he's the happiest man alive."
Gary smiled, being talked about while he was present.
Looking at the love of her life, Kate said, "By the look on his face, I'd say you're absolutely right, Marissa. He is the happiest man alive."
After a moment, Marissa said, "I don't want to overstay tonight. There will be plenty of time for visiting when you come home."
"Which will probably be tomorrow," Kate announced to Marissa and Gary what the nurses were telling her.
"I'll walk you down and hail you a cab," Gary said to Marissa. "I'll be back, Babe."
The two women then exchanged hug.
About fifteen minutes later, Gary returned to find his wife nursing Zeke, as Zoey slept in the bassinette next to Kate's bed. Gary watched in fascination as his newborn son's cheeks worked and worked to obtain nourishment.
"Have you ever burped a baby?" Kate said softly, so as not to wake Zoey.
"Uh, not exactly," Gary also spoke in a lowered voice, as a smile came over his face. "But I'm game. What do I do?"
"Take one of the cloth diapers over there and place it over your shoulder," she explained. "You do that to protect your clothing from spit up. Babies spit up a lot when they're young." Kate looked down to find Zeke tiring from nursing. She picked up her tiny son and brought him to her covered shoulder and began gently patting and rubbing his back. "And you do this."
Gary cocked his head at the sight. It was a beautiful sight. "I think I can do that."
"Would you please hand Zoey to me? It's her turn to eat," Kate said softly. "And then you can burp Zeke."
Very carefully, Gary picked up his sleeping baby girl, and placed her in her mother's vacant arm. Then, he carefully picked up Zeke, who began whimpering just a bit.
"C'mere, my boy," Gary said as he stood upright, kissing the babe gently on his cheek. He brought him up on his shoulder and began to very gently pat on his back. "There, that's better isn't it?"
The sight of Gary loving his son melted Kate's heart. She then looked down at her sleeping baby girl and rubbed the side of her cheek until she instinctually latched onto Kate's other breast and began nursing in her sleep.
"So far, so good," Gary smiled at their first, joint accomplishment with their twins. They were feeding the babies all by themselves. And best of all, Kate needed him to help her, for there was no way she could handle both of them at once. Not so long as they were this tiny. Gary got a good air bubble out of Zeke, who was soon fast asleep on his Daddy's shoulder.
After about five minutes at the breast, Zoey also tired of nursing. Kate announced, "Here's burping customer number 2."
Gary carefully placed his sleeping son in the bassinette and then, took Zoey from Kate. He proceeded to burp his daughter for the very first time. It took no time at all to get an air bubble out of her, and she went fast to sleep, too. He held her for a little while longer, just to get to know her better.
"Mom says she looks like me when I was a newborn," Gary said. "What do you think?"
"She's going to be the easy one," Kate commented. "I can already tell. She very well could look more like you. Were you an easy child to raise?"
"Gently rocking Zoey," Gary looked up at Kate and softly said, "I don't know about that one. You'd better ask my Mom."
"I have a newborn picture of me from the hospital where I was born. I think Zeke may resemble me," Kate smiled. "But who knows? Baby's and their looks change and change. It will be a wonderful surprise." Kate leaned back against the raised head of her bed and watched her husband fall in love with another girl. But she didn't mind. "You're having fun, aren't you," she said with a smile.
Looking up to catch Kate's gaze, he answered, "Yeah, I really am." Then, his smiled dimmed a little. "I guess this is all second hand to you. I mean, I'm the new father … first child … everything is new to me."
"In a way, but I'm experiencing some firsts, too," she explained. "This is my first time to have a child with you. I've never had a son before now. And I've never had twins! My goodness, I am not an expert on our situation by any means. And, Babe, I'm getting a real kick out watching you with our babies."
"I get a kick out of watching you, too," Gary said, the smile returned returning to his face.
Suddenly, Gary heard a light tap on the door. He walked over with his sleeping Zoey and carefully, slowly opened the door. There was an orderly at the door with a dinner on a cart.
"As part of the birthing program, we provide a candle lit steak dinner for each couple. Would you like me to set it up for you?" The orderly could see the sleeping babe and was very quiet as Gary further opened the door for him.
At the same time, their cell phone began to vibrate. It was Gary's mom.
"I'm going to take this call down the hall," Gary whispered, and left the room so as not to wake the babies.
"Mom?" he answered the call.
"Hi, Gary," Lois said. "I just wanted to call you and let you know that we're not coming up to the hospital again tonight. You're father is already fast asleep. I guess the activity today tired him out. Are you coming back here tonight?"
"No," Gary answered. "I'm going to stay with Kate and the twins. They have a set up where the Dads can stay. But we need to talk about the Paper when it comes in the morning."
"Honey, you need to bring your new family home tomorrow," she began. "Your Dad and I already discussed this. It is your place to bring your family home, not ours. We'll take care of the Paper until you're ready to take it back, okay? That's why your father went to bed early tonight … so he'll be ready."
There was a bit of silence on Gary's end. He didn't like it, but there was nothing he could do about it. "Did everything go okay today?" Gary asked.
"Yes, dear," Lois reiterated again because Gary had asked the same question earlier in the day. "I swear, everything went fine, Honey."
"Well … okay about tomorrow," Gary acquiesced. "And Mom, thank you … to you and to Dad for all your help. I couldn't have taken care of all this without you."
Lois smiled because, as a parent now, Gary would have a new understanding of what she was about to say to her son. "That's what parents are for," she said. "Goodnight son. I love you."
"Love you, too," Gary meant what he said.