Chapter 4- The impatient arrival
Downstairs back in the lab Stella was still seated in the chair in the trace lab, and was surrounded by Hawkes, Lindsay, and Adam. She was still breathing a little harder because of the contraction that had just ended. Just then they heard the ding of the elevator as the doors opened. Before the doors were completely open they saw Mac come off the elevator and head straight for the trace lab with Danny in tow. Banging the doors open as he entered the lab Mac rushed to Stella's side. Grabbing Stella's hand as he leaned in and kissed her head Mac said, "Stella, are you sure?" Squeezing his hand in return and a small smile spreading across her face Stella nodded as she said, "Oh yes Mac. I am 100% sure. This baby is finally coming."Hearing this response Mac became a bit paler in the face. Turning to Adam Mac asked, "Adam, are you in the middle of working on any of the evidence from the case?" Seeing Adam shake his head no Mac tossed him the keys he had in his pocket and said, "Go get the Avalanche and bring it around front. We'll meet you there." Catching the keys in his outstretched hand Adam left the lab like he had rockets attached to his feet. To give Adam a head start Mac straightened up and looked to Lindsay, Danny, and Hawkes as he said, "Make sure you keep working on the case. Keep us informed of anything that you find. And keep Flack in the loop as well." Danny e and Mac helped Stella stagger to her feet. Keeping a hand on her back as she waddled to the door Mac asked, "Is there anything you need from your office other than your jacket?" Nodding Stella replied, "My bag is on my desk." Hearing this and still wearing the white lab coat Lindsay made her way ahead of them to Stella's office to grab the designated items. As they neared the office Lindsay came out and helped Stella put her jacket on and gave her bag to her. As she reached for it Stella doubled over in pain from another painful contraction. Danny and Mac both grabbed onto her arms as Stella remained stooped over. Straightening up after the contraction was over Stella looked to Lindsay as she handed her bag over and said, "I remember how painful the contractions were for you when you had Lucy, so I basically already know the answer to my question, but I am going to ask it anyway. These contractions aren't going to get any easier are they?" With raised eyebrows and a hopeful expression Stella waited as Lindsay sighed and replied, "No, but the epidural does make them more tolerable." Rubbing Stella's left arm affectionately Lindsay said, "You'll do fine Stella. You're strong and you'll probably have a quick delivery."Stella smiled at Lindsay as she and Mac headed to the elevator, just before they made it to the elevator Stella turned to Lindsay, and reiterated, "Please keep us updated with what you find in the case." Lindsay, Danny, and Hawkes nodded at the same time, and with a small smile Hawkes said, "Don't worry about Stella, we'll be fine. Now you and Mac get going. I called the hospital and told them that you would be coming. Call and we can keep each other updated as everything progresses." With a curt nod Mac helped Stella into the elevator. When the elevator doors closed Mac put his arms around Stella and held her in an embrace. Her head in the curve of Mac's neck Stella glanced up at the numbers as they slowly deceased. Snuggling deeper into Mac's neck Stella gently rubbed her belly as she asked, "Are you nervous?" Repositioning his chin so it was touching the top of Stella's head Mac replied, "To tell the truth, yes, you?" Not moving her head Stella replied, "Yes." Hearing this Mac placed his hand under Stella's chin and gently pulled her chin back so that he and Stella were looking each other in the face, and said, "Everything will be fine. I will be there with you the entire time. We will do this together…" Stella smiled up at Mac and placed her hand on his cheek as he said, "I love you Stella."Caressing Mac's cheek with her thumb Stella replied, "I love you too Mac." Mac lowered Stella's head and kissed the top of it. At that exact moment Stella grasped her stomach as she was over taken by yet another contraction. Mac rubbed Stella's arms for comfort as he said, "its ok Stella, just breathe deeply, and it will be over in a minute." The contraction over Stella gave a sigh of relief. From the elevator door they heard a high pitched ding followed by the doors sliding open. Noticing this Mac said, "We're at the lobby. Can you walk or do you need me to carry you?" A mischievous grin spread across Stella's face as she said, "ummm…that reminds me of our honeymoon…" Stella smiled an even bigger smile when she saw the love in Mac's eyes and the smile spreading on his face from the same memory. Patting Mac gently on his chest Stella said, "I'm fine, I can walk. But I'll save your request for a later date." Understanding the hidden message in Stella's words Mac replied, "Whenever you want it done I will do it." That said Mac placed his hand on Stella's back as he led her out of the elevator. Reaching the glass front doors Mac and Stella could see Adam standing next to the Avalanche waiting for them to come outside. They had just made it through the doors when Stella groaned in pain and gripped her stomach. Spotting Mac and Stella at the front doors and Stella in pain Adam immediately ran over. With Adam there to help Mac looked to him and said, "Help me get her into the truck." Placing his arms in the same position as Mac's on Stella's other side; the three of them were ready to go. As they slowly neared the truck Adam nodded toward both passenger side doors and asked, "Do you want to put her in the front or the back seat?" Mac wasted little time in answering, "Backseat, she'll be safer there." From between them Stella said, "I'm still here you know. The woman in labor that's extremely painful." With a sigh that sounded like a faint laugh Mac showed a small grin as he looked at Stella and said, "We know Stella. We're getting you into the truck now and then I we'll leave for the hospital right after." Turning back to Adam Mac said, "Let me get into the truck first so I can help her get in and then you can help from the outside." Adam nodded once again and stood next to Stella as Mac quickly opened the door to the back seat and climbed in. Once he was situated in the back seat Mac waved his hand for Adam to help Stella up. A few minutes later Stella was seated and buckled in the back seat. Adam patted her arm as he held the door to close it and said, "Congratulations you guys. See you later." Stella smiled and nodded to him as he shut the door. At the same time Mac yelled, "Thanks Adam!" as he climbed into the driver's seat. In a matter of seconds Mac was speeding down the traffic ridden street on the way to the hospital. As they drove down the congested streets Stella continued to experience more and more painful contractions that became closer and closer together. Being in the driver's seat there wasn't much that Mac could do, but he did extend his right arm into the back seat for Stella to hold and squeeze for comfort. Stopped at a red light four blocks from the hospital Mac heard Stella in the backseat say, "OHHH!...Mac I don't think we're going to make it. The baby is coming." Turning his head around quickly to stare at Stella Mac replied, "Hang in there Stella; we're four blocks from the hospital. You can make it." Shaking her head no Stella replied, "No I won't make it to the hospital. The baby is coming NOW, Mac, RIGHT NOW!" Giving a quick glance accompanied with a frantic expression as he drove through the now green light Mac replied, "It'll be ok Stella. Just hang on and I'll find a place to pull over. I'll call Hawkes and he can talk me through what to do." In the middle of another contraction Stella breathlessly replied, "Ok." Spotting an empty parking spot in a side street parking lot Mac made a quick turn into the spot. The truck in park and the engine still running Mac quickly moved from the driver's seat to the backseat. Cell phone in hand Mac dialed Hawkes's cell number and immediately put it on speaker. As the phone rang Mac unbuckled Stella's seatbelt, this done Mac said, "Ok Stella I need you to turn yourself around so that your back is against the door." Looking down at the foot area Mac noticed that Adam had placed a crime scene kit for them to use. As he opened the kit and began to look at what they had to use, from his phone Mac heard someone say,
"Sheldon Hawkes"
Hearing this voice as he located the box cutter Mac immediately replied,
"Hawkes, its Mac."
"Hey Mac are you and Stella at the hospital already?"
"Not exactly Hawkes, we are parked in a side street parking lot about four blocks from the hospital. Stella says that the baby is coming right now, Hawkes. I need your help."
Not wasting any time Hawkes got right down to business by saying,
"Ok Mac have you positioned Stella in a position to deliver? Now you also need to find something sharp to cut Stella's clothing to see the birth canal and to cut the cord."
Holding the box cutter up to his face Mac replied,
"I found a box cutter in the crime scene kit. It's sharp and it should work."
"Yeah Mac, that will do. Now you need to have Stella bend her legs and spread them apart. Then use the box cutter and cut at the middle seam of her pants. Let me know when you've done that."
Looking to Stella Mac said, "Alright Stella, Hawkes is the doctor, so we should do as he says." Breathing hard from another contraction Stella just nodded as she did as Hawkes had suggested. But when came time to spread her legs apart Stella found that the seat wasn't quite wide enough. Seeing this too Mac scooted closer to Stella and said, "Here Stell, brace your right foot against my leg." With Stella's legs spread apart Mac took the box cutter and seated to cut Stella's pants along the inside seam. As he made the hole Mac heard Hawkes say,
"Now Mac when your cutting the hole make sure that it's big enough for you to see the entire birth canal, both of your hands should be able to fit in it and therefore the baby should be able to fit through it as well."
Keeping all of that in mind Mac continued to cut. Just as he finished making the hole in Stella's pants Mac had a sudden idea, and quickly removed his bulky jacket and his suit jacket m which he placed between Stella's legs. Placing his bulky winter jacket out of the way Mac rolled up his sleeves and picked up the box cutter and finished his task by cutting Stella's underwear. Completing Hawkes's first set of instructions Mac asked,
"What do I do now Hawkes?"
"Check her cervix. Can you see the baby's head?"
Looking down where Hawkes told him to look Mac saw a mass of brown hair that was very low down. Not wasting any time Mac immediately reiterated,
"I can see a mass of brown hair and it is very low."
Before a response could be heard from Hawkes, Stella suddenly exclaimed, "I feel like I have to push!" Not sure what to do Mac turned to his phone and replied,
"Hawkes, did you hear what she said? She feels like she has to push."
In a calm reasonable voice Hawkes replied,
"If Stella feels like she needs to push Mac then let her push."
Looking to Stella with a slightly nervous expression Mac nodded as he said, "Don't resist the urge Stella, PUSH!" Not needing any other instructions than that Stella pushed with all that she had. "Come on Stella, come on. You're doing great," encouraged Mac as Stella continued pushing. After a few minutes of pushing Mac said aloud, "I can really see the head. It's almost out." Unable to contain her curiosity Stella asked, "What does it look like?" Glancing down and then back up to Stella Mac replied, "I see a mess of brown hair at the moment." Smiling Stella continued her laborious pushing. A short time after that Mac exclaimed, "The head is out!" From the phone they heard Hawkes say,
"Ok Mac now make sure to hold the head with both hands and gently pull on it to help the rest of the baby come out of the canal."
Doing as Hawkes instructed Mac watched in amazement as the rest of his and Stella's child was delivered into his arms. As the baby's tiny feet were expelled from the birth canal they heard the sound of a new born baby's high pitched cry. Grinning from ear to ear as he looked up at Stella Mac exclaimed over the loud cries, "It's a girl! We have a baby girl!" Raising his arms Mac showed Stella the beautiful bundle of joy that they had created and brought into the world. With a beaming smile and tears of joy running down her face Stella extended her arms to receive their baby girl that she had been waiting so long to hold. Seeing the anticipation on her face Mac quickly placed the baby on top of his suit jacket and wrapped her tightly inside it with the umbilical cord sticking out. The bundle of a baby in place, Mac gently placed her into Stella's awaiting arms. Looking at Stella as she held their newborn baby Mac picked up his cell phone and said,
"Did you hear what I said Sheldon? A girl, we have a baby girl."
In a voice of pure happiness they heard Hawkes reply,
"That's great Mac. Congratulations. Did you wrap her up in something to keep her warm?"
Not skipping a beat Mac replied,
"I wrapped her tightly in my suit jacket just after she was delivered."
"Good, Mac good. Now you need to tie off the umbilical cord. You can use a shoe string, but you'll need to tie off the cord in two places so I doubt you'll want to use both of your shoe laces. Look in the kit and see if there is anything you can use to tie off the cord."
In a split second Mac had one of his shoes off and was untying the laces. With one lace in hand Mac rummaged through the open kit at his feet. From deep inside the kit Mac extracted a small spool of thick string. Both strings in hand Mac replied,
"Alright Hawkes, I have a shoe lace and some thick string. What do you need me to do with them?"
"Ok Mac, take one of the strings and tie it around the umbilical cord about half the length of your index finger from the baby. Tell me when you have done that."
Very gently Mac did as Hawkes to him to do. After tying off the shoe lace tightly in the right place Mac replied,
"Ok got it tied. Where do you want me to tie the other string?"
"Estimate six inches from the first tie off and then tie it off there as. When you have that tied off you can cut the umbilical cord between the two ties with the box cutter."
After making a few saw like motions Mac was able to cut the cord in two. The act completed Mac turned to his phone and said,
"Ok Hawkes the cord is completely cut. I'm going to hang up and get these two passengers that I have here to the hospital. I'll call and let you know what's going on."
"Alright Mac, I just have one question, do you want me to tell the rest of the team what just happened, and that you had a baby girl? Or did you want to tell them yourselves?"
"You can tell them if you want to Sheldon. Call us if you get any new leads on the case."
"Got it Mac, talk to you later."
Ending the phone call with Hawkes Mac quickly placed his phone back inside his pocket. Ad he did this Mac watched Stella who had a huge smile upon her face as she cradled their baby girl. Mac smiled as well as he looked at his beautiful wife and baby. Still smiling Mac leaned in and kissed Stella on her lips and said, "I love you Stella, so much, and I am so proud of what you did." Looking up from the baby to stare at Mac Stella had tears in her eyes as she replied, "I love you too Mac. I can't believe that we finally have a baby, she is so beautiful." Nodding in agreement as he looked down at the baby girl in Stella's arms Mac said, "She looks a lot like you and just as beautiful. And by the wave in her little bit of hair I'd say that she'll have your curls." Looking from the baby, who was staring back at her with wide blue eyes, to Mac Stella replied, "She may have my curls when she gets older but she has your eyes and light brown hair. And it's all those qualities put together that makes her such a special baby." Smiling in response Mac kissed Stella on the head and then kissed the baby on its head before he exited the backseat and repositioned himself in the driver's seat. As he situated himself Mac watched in the rearview mirror as Stella slowly repositioned herself in the backseat to her normal sitting position. Turning completely around in his seat Mac asked, "Do you need me to help you?" Nodding in response Stella added, "Can you hold her for a sec while I buckle my seat belt?" Grinning from ear to ear Mac replied, "I would love to. It's the one thing that I have wanted to do since she was born." Giving the same exact smile back in return Stella gently placed the baby in Mac's arms. Holding the baby in his arms Mac felt immense pride and joy of finally being a father. He loved the feeling and was already in love with the little girl wiggling in his arms. Right then Stella said, "Ok Mac you can give her back to me, I'm ready." Reluctantly Mac complied and as he began to reposition himself in his seat again Mac said, "After we get to the hospital I call getting a chance to hold her. What I did just then didn't count, it wasn't long enough." With a soft laugh Stella said, "Don't worry Mac you can hold her as many times as you like and for however long you like too." Buckling his own seatbelt and putting the car in drive Mac took one last quick glance at Stella in the rearview mirror as he started to exit the parking lot and back onto the busy street. As he drove down the road Mac had a sudden thought and looked to Stella in the rearview mirror as he said, "Hey what are we going to name her? That is something the hospital will ask us when we get there, so we might as well make the decision now." Starring down at the beautiful baby in her arms as she thought of a name Stella finally replied, "How about Emma Jessica Taylor?" Thinking over the name Mac nodded in approval and said, "I love it, it's perfect. I especially like the middle name that you chose." Nodding down at the baby girl in her arms Stella replied, "I wanted us to use Angell's name somehow, and this way she will always be with us. I hope everyone else loves the name we chose for her." Quickly turning his head to look at Stella Mac replied, "They will all love it. Both the first and middle name…I guess we should ask her if she likes her name." That said Stella looked back down at their daughter and in a cooing voice asked, "What do you think Emma do you like your name? Eh sweetie?" In response Emma gave a high pitched squeal. From the driver's seat Mac said, "I think she likes it." At that moment Mac pulled into the front of the emergency entrance of the hospital. Leaping from the truck Mac ran inside to get help to bring Stella and their daughter inside…