Chapter 3: The Great Bundle of Joy
After the whole "birds and the bees" fiasco at Lorelei's school and clearing up any misunderstandings with Rory Mitchell's parents, Cameron was forced to take her maternity leave a month earlier than expected. Under Cuddy's suggestion for her wellbeing and to reduce her stress, Cameron spent the rest of her duration of her pregnancy at home handing off all of her duties as head of ER department to a few of her attending doctors in her department. It gave time for her to spend some more quality time with Lorelei which she loved and also save money for hire a temporary replacement nanny to fill in for Anna. During their last visit with the doctor her and Chase discovered that they were expecting a baby boy and both of them were thrilled over the news, especially Chase. They already bought all the things they needed for the nursery as she smiled thinking any day soon the two of them would be able to bring their son home.
Cameron looked at herself in the mirror and it was obvious her figure was big but what can she expect carrying a baby and her stomach sticking out. It was Friday afternoon and Cameron went to pick up Lorelei from school, however due to her condition she was forced to take a taxi cab to her daughter's school. Thank goodness the weekend came as it was pretty taxing these last few weeks cabbing it to her daughter's school just to pick her up.
"Hi mommy!" Lorelei smiled hugging her mother, "Look what bought today at school? The older kids were having a bake sale to raise money for new gym equipment and I got these nice brownies. Do you want one?"
"That is very thoughtful of you sweetie now make sure you don't get your uniform dirty okay?" Cameron and Lorelei started sharing the brownies she bought from the bake sale as the two of them were heading back to the taxi cab. She still admired how cute and adorable her daughter was in her little school uniform wearing her blue plaid checkered dress, the black tie and white shirt and shoes. Of course as parents, Cameron and Chase made the choice of sending their daughter to a private catholic school and Cameron smiled at the thought when it would be time to send their next child off on their first day of school.
"Mommy when will my new baby brother come?"
"Any day now Lori you just have to be patient." A moment later an idea popped in her mind as she really didn't want to waste the start of the weekend doing nothing at home. "Hey Lori...how would you like to surprise daddy at work? That way later on we can go home together with him how does that sound?"
"I like seeing daddy at work and I promise I won't ask Uncle Greg about the birds and the bees," Lorelei smiled as Cameron told the taxi driver to take them to Princeton-Plainsboro Hospital. "I don't want you and daddy to get in trouble with Rory's parents again because Uncle Greg is an idiot as Aunt Lisa puts it."
"Yup you got that right kiddo...Uncle Greg can be full of it but he still loves you because you're his only goddaughter."
"I know and Uncle Greg says that I get to have one third of his cut in the betting pool because he bet with Uncle Eric and Uncle Jimmy a hundred bucks each that the baby is going to be a boy. He only says that if I bet that the baby is going to be a boy. Uncle Greg taught me some cool stuff like how to play poker and bet on things like the baby one night when he was babysitting me."
"Really? So...is there anything else I should know that Uncle Greg teaches you while we're gone?" Cameron watched as her daughter leaned against her arm as they were making their way to the hospital. "Hey Lori...if it's not too much for mommy to ask exactly did you place a bet with Uncle Greg on the baby and what is the actual payout you get?"
Princeton-Plainsboro Hospital...
Chase came out from doing rounds in the ER. In truth, ever since Cameron went on maternity leave Chase found himself helping out in the ER when he wasn't schedule for any surgeries because he didn't trust Cameron's temporary replacement on overseeing the ER. The ER was probably one of the most busiest places in the hospital and chaotic but the day that Cameron became the Senior Attending and head of the ER Department it became more organized and structured. It just amazed him to see just how within weeks since Cameron went on maternity leave it suddenly fell apart without any order or direction.
"Thank goodness Cameron is not around to see just how chaotic her department has become since she went on maternity leave." Foreman came down with Thirteen outside the ER to meet Chase as the three made their way to the lobby.
"Talk about underachieving half the new resident doctors in the ER don't know how to do charts," Chase moaned. "Don't get me started with Dr. Keller. The man can't even run the department as temporary senior attending and almost killed a patient who went into analalytic shock. I mean all he had to do was give her an epi-pen. I don't know what's taxing: dealing with my hormone crazy wife or babysitting her staff just to make sure they don't burn down her department?"
"Cameron seemed like she was running a tight ship but what can the crew do without a captain huh?" Thirteen joked.
"Keller is lucky that I only had one surgery today and the man forgot to assign the interns today for assignments. I'm just thankful that Cameron doesn't have to know about the ER sinking without her leadership."
" Chase am I assuming that my department is sinking like the Titanic without my leadership?" The three turned around and were surprised to see Cameron and Lorelei in the lobby which obviously surprised Chase to see his wife and daughter as Lorelei ran up to him and gave him a hug. "Have you been doing a bit of reckon work for me on my behalf?"
"Ally what are you doing here? Wait...how the heck did my two special girls get here in the first place? The doctor specifically ordered bed rest for you during the rest of the pregnancy and you know me worrying to death if anything happened to you or our son. The last thing I need you to worry about is the ER or...maybe House corrupting our little girl."
"There is no way I'm spending another day at home watching TV or another one of your cousin's care packages with reruns of Neighbors." Cameron replied as she tapped Lorelei's head. "Besides it was worth it to pay $32.50 for a cab ride just to see my sexy head surgeon husband, and easily give into our daughter's persistent demands to see her father at work."
"That's not true you're lying and daddy...it was mommy's idea not me, but I still wanted to see you!" Lorelei replied. "Uncle Eric what does Uncle Greg mean when if I win the betting pool I get a cut in the payment?"
"Hey Lori Pop how about Remy and I take you to the cafeteria to get you something to eat what do you say?" Foreman suddenly replied. "It seems like mommy and daddy want some alone time first."
"You're suppose to tell me what a paycut is in a betting pool because Uncle Greg didn't tell me!"
"Well that's another thing I can cross off my list of things to teach my daughter in her life," Chase teased. "Our daughter is only five years old and being around House exposes her to all his craziness. I still imagine that day you confronted him over the whole birds and the bees fisaco. I still wish I was in the office seeing you go all hormone mad on him for tweeting our story."
"What did I tell you...leave my hormones out of this," Cameron replied. "And I thought you hated being in the ER or did you want to make sure that my department was running on a tight shipping schedule because judging by your posture, your tone I say that the boat is on the verge of mutiny without a captain?"
"Next to our kids, the other baby you have is your department Ally. I know how you like to run your ship and I took the liberty to make sure your ship is still operational. The status is your department is still running on schedule but your ship crew is another story, especially its captain."
"Remy what are they talking about?" Lorelei asked Thirteen, "Why does mommy and daddy keep talking about ships?"
"It's something called a metaphor or a figure of speech Lorelei," Thirteen added as her and Foreman took Lorelei to the cafeteria, "We'll give you two some time alone and don't worry...Foreman and I will make sure to explain what a betting pool paycut is to your daughter."
Cameron and Chase watched Lorelei head off to the cafeteria with Foreman and Thirteen as the two of them made their way towards the elevator hand and hand. She listened as she heard her husband give the full rundown on the status of her department under the care of her temporary replacement which made Cameron laugh, disbelief, and in shock of the stories he was telling her since she went on maternity leave. The elevator stopped on the second floor for a moment and they saw a familiar cane come in between the doors as House walked into the elevator holding a video camera.
"So much you can do with technology huh Chase?" House replied sticking the camera in front of Chase and Cameron. "These Sony video cameras sure become more high-tech and advanced. You got to love those Asians for their high-tech equipment."
"Let me guess you're filming a girls gone wild independent film with shots of Cuddy's boobs?" Chase and Cameron joked with their former boss. "Or did she throw you out of her office over breach of contract?"
"Oh I got another independent film dedicated to ten minute worth of footage on Cuddy which hasn't been edited. Always gracing us with your presence huh Cameron? The last time I saw you I could have swore that the bowling ball didn't look like it blew up," House smirked, "Chameron 2.0 cornered me in the cafeteria trying to hustle her goddaddy on her paycut in the betting pool. She should be thankful she learned some other card games last weekend besides goldfish I tell you Chameron 2.0 is a natural born card shark."
"Yeah always a thrill when you come around to babysit your goddaughter," Cameron scarastically said. "It was nice of you to teach our kid some new card games even if it included poker, blackjack, texas hold'em and even how a betting pool works. House, FYI my daughter is only five years old and plays with barbie dolls and watches the Disney Channel, she's not Rainman. Congratulations on your betting pool I guess you're going to get a hefty payout once our son is born. I know about the betting pool the nurses gossip don't they Robert?"
"Pretty much you already swindled big bucks off of Foreman and Wilson on Wombat 2.0 as you like to call it," Chase smirked. "Did you happen to convince our daughter to join in your little betting pool?"
"I'm hurt why must team Chase and the over bloated second Dr. Cameron-Chase think so negatively about Lorelei's godfather?" House mocked with a fake puppy face, "Between Cuddy and I the two of you should be grateful at least one of her godparents takes an interest in looking after the little Rainman. If it was Cuddy looking after her the kid would be bored out of her mind until I show her one of my Cuddy gone wild videos."
"Great just keep exposing her to the mind of the maverick Dr. Gregory House," Cameron mocked as the elevator stopped. "Besides you''ll probably be the one giving the payout on your betting to the last person you least expect."
The three of them stepped out of the elevator and were heading down the hallway towards the diganostic office but unknownst to Cameron she didn't notice the water dripping underneath. Her and Chase were too distracted cracking scarastic remarks with House and didn't notice until Cameron's face changed from a smile to a look of pain and discomfort. She bit her lip down as her breathing increased and she leaned against the wall clutching her stomach.
"Oh gosh do these janitors ever mop the floor outside my office?" House replied, "Team Chameron are you listening?"
"Ally? Babe are you alright?" Chase turn to his wife worried out of his mind as Cameron's face told him something was up. "Babe what's the matter?"
"Robbie...don't blow a lid if I tell you that we're about three weeks a bit early..."Cameron started breathing hard as she felt what was happening to her the second time around, "Babe...I...my contractions are ten minutes apart...and...I...my water just broke...in front of the front doors of the diagnostics office."
"Wow it looks like the balloon is about to pop don't you say Chase? The wifey here is going to have your little joey." House sarcastically replied as Chase glared at him as he was trying to help Cameron. "What you two should be happy that it's D-Day."
"You're an idiot I'm in labor House!" Cameron was struggling to stay on her feet as she got hit with another contraction and Chase looked at his wife with worry. "Oh god! I think that was another one babe...oh god we're not ready...oh dammit! Why so soon aw!"
"Hey don't worry you'll do fine I promise you I'm with you on this," Chase replied as he helped his wife and called a nurse for a wheelchair. "I know if in case this happened I packed a plan B bag I left in my locker. Just relax breathe in and out like the doctors told you and I'll page the maternity ward and get a delivery room ready. We're going to get through this Ally just hang in there."
''You might wanna wheel your wife faster in that wheelchair Chase and telling by the sweat and labored breathing she just hit another contraction." House commented.
"Can you guys take care of Lorelei for us while Cameron is in labor please? And tell Foreman to get Cameron's emergency bag from my locker will you?" Chase demanded House as he wheeled his wife down the hallway and into the elevator heading for the maternity ward. "Alright babe we'll be there soon I love you."
"Always my sweet Aussie...oh another contraction." Cameron half-smiled through another contraction. "I love you too...dammit another one!"
Three hours later...
It's been three hours and Cameron was now in the maternity ward, in her hospital gown waiting out the pain. She squeezed her eyes shut holding Chase's hand as the pain and contractions increased.
"You know I thought this would be easier the second time around," Cameron sighed.
"How bad is the pain?" Chase asked, still worrying.
"On a scale from one to ten? Maybe about a 6, one point higher when I first had Lorelei. Amazingly it's not that high through the threshold." Cameron's contractions were becoming unbearable more and more each minute.
"It's ok," Chase soothed, taking a cool cloth to her forehead and continuing to hold her hand, "Just think, in a few hours, we'll be parents once again."
"I know and maybe it's not that bad going through hellfire and brimstone once again," Cameron smiled for the first time in three hours since being admitted. "But put it this way babe that we've found our groove the second time around."
"Are you going to miss being pregnant the second time around?"
"Let's see...the part where I was big as a house, the raging pregnancy hormones, the constant yelling...no...but I'm definitely going to hit the gym after all this is done."
"Okay so Dr. Cohen says that it will be soon to administer Cameron with the epidural," Foreman said coming into the room, "I got a page from Thirteen. Taub is looking after Lorelei in the diagnostics office and she even is helping Taub do some rounds. Thirteen is covering some shifts in the ER right now. We figured since you or your husband cannot trust Keller to run your department you might as well tell Cuddy."
"Since Cuddy gave both me and Chase time off after the baby is born it's obvious that my husband cannot keep tabs for me on how my department is running...so tell Cuddy that I don't want Keller running the show till I get back and Thirteen is more reliable to run my department while I'm out on leave."
"Oh Ally you've been admitted for three hours and suddenly you still talking about the welfare of your ship." Chase chuckled. "Even in the midst of labor I can't get my wife to get her mind away from work. And at least Lorelei is in good hands."
"Hey if I'm going to be away from my department at least I want to be sure it's in good hands and Thirteen is a more suitable temporary attending than Keller."
"Yeah and she's been trained by the best and Chameron 2.0 is doing rounds with Taub," House replied barging in the room with a video camera in hand.
"God, House…" Cameron sighed, relieved that she didn't say more. "A video camera come on!"
"So how am I going to explain to my goddaughter where mommy and daddy disappeared to for the last three hours." House smirked recording. "Besides she should see how the great bundle of joy Chameron 2.0 will call baby brother comes into this world."
"No way you're not making a video tape to show to my five year old daughter the true visual effects of the birds and the bees." Chase glared as Cameron raised her hand up. "And my wife seconds that motion."
"And as Lorelei's godmother that's third in motion." Cuddy said walking into the room along with Wilson. "Hey Lorelei's my goddaughter too and I promise her that she'll be able to see the new baby after he arrives. Oh Ally...don't worry I overheard Robert talking about reconsidering your temporary replacement for the ER and Thirteen agreed to takeover till you get back."
"Kids love me and I'm a joy to be around," House smirked.
"Yeah so you can get them while their little minds are young," Wilson teased. "Thank goodness you already have one Chase child to claim as a godchild."
"We also wanted to announce something too," Cameron smiled holding Chase's hand as they turned to Foreman.
"If it's not too much to ask for mate. We talk to Remy about being the godmother to our second child as a returned favor for keeping Allison's department in line." Chase said, "We were hoping...if you can be the godfather?"
"You two are serious? Thirteen and I godparents?" Foreman replied shocked. "Wow...this is huge and I don't know what to say to you two this is an honor."
"It's a huge thing Foreman." Cuddy smiled. "Welcome to the godparents club."
"And now I got to wait in line till it's my turn." Wilson replied. "But I still settle for being an uncle."
"At least being a godfather the first thing I know not to do is tell my godson the unrated version of the birds and the bees," Foreman teased.
"Well at least my goddaughter is a Rainman in the making." House teased back.
"Ahh!" Cameron yelped, breaking the happy mood as perspiration began to form on her forehead and she squeezed Chase's hand. Immediately everyone's attention was drawn to Cameron.
"Hey," Chase said softly, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Cameron breathed, "It's just the contractions… they're-" She winced again, "getting worse."
"Okay just hang tight Cameron I'm going to get help for the epidural," everyone watched as Foreman left the room for a moment.
"So how are the fine parents to be holding up?" House smirked zooming in on the video camera. "Chase must be thrill to have Wombat 2.0 coming into this world huh?"
"Hey if you want me to describe the pain to House maybe it's time I kick you in the nuts and see which is worse," Cameron half-smiled at her remark towards House. "And FYI you ask me again about the pain maybe there is nothing stopping me from kicking you in the nuts, not even Chase for that matter."
"You know that this is making my wife and I really uncomfortable with the thought of you or anyone else watching a video featuring Allison going through childbirth. You actually grown accustomed to us haven't you House?"
"What do you want me to say to team Chameron? Two of my former kids are married and been popping out a bunch of little joeys for the last five years what more do you want me say?" House replied looking at the two of them. "Okay so this video won't make me the next Michael Moore or anything but your little joeys should be lucky to inherit the floppy blonde hair looks from daddy and mommy's dazzling eyes."
"He's being a smartass and saying he's happy that his kids have grown up," Cuddy added. "In Houseland it means that you two have somehow grown on him the day Lorelei was born. You can congratulate him later after you get that baby out of you for developing a soft spot of the Chase family."
"Okay I'm back," Foreman announced coming back into the room accompanied by a nurse. "Being this godchild's father, Chase do your thing and administer the epidural."
Cameron sat up with the assistance of her husband. Immediately, Chase started to prep her for the epidural. He sponged some antibacterial disinfectant on the area and took a deep breath. After a slight distraction from an annoying light coming from House's camera, Chase had already finished the perfectly executed epidural procedure and Cameron was receiving some much-needed relief.
"Finally got the money shot folks," House smirked.
"Yeah found it nerve racking that you added pressure on the poor man by recording Chase administering Cameron the epidural," Wilson added as the doctor arrived.
"Wow it's a packed house in here," Dr. Cohen said. "I trust everything is going well with you Dr. Cameron?"
"Very swell the epidural is easing the pain," Cameron chuckled, "And my husband and I are being the stars of Dr. House's new film."
"Right," Dr. Cohen tried to ease the tense situation in the room, "But to check how far dilated she is… I… she might want some privacy. I'm going to have to ask you all to wait outside." Foreman and Wilson immediately exited the room but House was stalling for a few moments.
"Dr. House!" Cuddy yelled impatiently, "Dammit House that camera is a big distraction for them!"
"What and miss the big money shot!" House smirked as Cameron winced as another contraction hit her.
"Babe can you tell House to get that damn camera out of my face or else I'm will get off this bed and kick him in the nuts!"
"Oh come on quit being such a drama queen Cameron!" House joked as Cuddy yanked him out of the room. "You're ruining my frame shot!"
"Show's over House you already got all the shots you needed," Chase replied as he shut the door. "Finally no more filming just promise me you find a way to get that tape swapped."
"It will be taken care of," Cameron winked with a half-smile. "This is one part of the facts of life our kids can't see yet, well maybe until they're at least being taught sex education in school then that's an exception."
"Well despite the fact you're three weeks earlier it seems everything is in order," Dr. Cohen added, "Seeing as far as you are I think it will will be a little while longer but just for a precaution we want to make sure there are no complications to the baby."
"Just a little while longer babe,'' Chase said softly, taking a cool cloth to his wife's forehead again.
I know," Cameron shrugged, "I'll just ride it out." Chase smiled and kissed her on the cheek.
Eight hours later...
After being in labor for eight hours since she was first admitted, Cameron was in more pain by the second knowing it was time. She was shrieking and probably by now everyone in the hallways of the hospital could hear her screaming but with Chase by her side it seemed to ease the tension. Cameron had a death grip on her husband's hand as she pushed and breathed in between contractions and at times Chase thought he felt his fingers cracking. The pain wasn't as bad compared to what his wife was going through.
"It's almost over," Chase whispered, running his thumb soothingly across Cameron's fingers with her hand in his.
"Ahh!" she shouted.
"C'mon, sweetheart," Chase fortified her efforts, "You're almost there, just a few more pushes and he'll be in your arms."
"One more push Allison," Dr. Cohen instructed, "Almost there. I see his head. He's almost out."
"Robbie…" Cameron breathed weakly.
With an expression only describable as sheer exhaustion, Cameron grabbed both of Chase's hands and pushed with every drop of energy she still had left. Her howling shriek could be heard throughout the entire hospital. Then the sound of a baby's cries filled the room. Cameron exhaled and let herself fall back onto the bed.
"Congratulations...it's a boy," Dr. Cohen grinned, "Dr. Chase you can cut the umbilical cord if you like."
"Ally...he's beautiful we finally did it," Chase smiled with pride as he picked up the scissors and carefully severed cord. "You did great Ally."
"He's handsome." Cameron said softly until a few moments later she suddenly got hit with another unexpected pain. "Okay...this is not normal."
"Babe what's wrong?" Chase asked with worry and confusion. "Ally are you alright?"
"Robbie I'm feeling funny again...ah god what the hell?"
"Just hold up a second nurse can you take him?" Dr. Cohen passed the baby off to one of the nurses as she cleaned up their son and went to check up on Cameron. However, he was confused and now shocked as he looked at Cameron again.
"Dr. Cohen what's happening?" Cameron demanded.
"This seems like an huge error on my part and yet now this will come as a shock to the pair of you right but you need to push Allison!" Dr. Cohen instructed. "I thought the paperwork only required for one baby...didn't expect this little unexpected twist"
"Push? I just had my baby why the hell do I need to push?" Cameron asked as another contraction hit her. "Oh god...doc talk to me! Aww!"
"Just keep pushing Allison because apparently...we didn't realize until just five minutes you were pregnant with twins," Dr. Cohen announced as Chase and Cameron's eyes went wide with shock. This was certainly a huge surprise, and yet a big shock. "Okay you're almost there. I will explain the coincidence to you later but long story short probably we didn't notice the other fetus during the ultrasound...it happens on rare occasions."
"Twins? How the hell did that happen? Talk about rare occasions don't you say doc?" Chase yelled surprised. "Oh god Ally...can you believe this? How we're we suppose to know we were expecting twins until five minutes ago"
"Apparently I'm too busy here to play twenty questions babe...oh dammit that was another one aww!" Cameron howled as she pushed grabbing hold of Chase's hand again. "I thought we only ordered for one baby! You know it makes feel so special and good to know."
"It doesn't matter alright because I don't care if it's one baby or two they're our children and I love you guys no matter what," Chase smiled as he gave her a kiss on the cheek. "This is the big one honey we'll talk about what happened later."
"Okay Allison start pushing again okay?" Dr. Cohen instructed again as she winced one more time pushing again. "Okay you're almost there I can see the head just one more push!"
After a hectic few minutes and a surprising announcement without any rest or argument, Cameron pushed once more with everything she had. As she gripped Chase's hand tight after one more huge push the sounds of another baby crying filled and finally...and hopefully after the second time around, Cameron exhaled and lay back on the bed exhausted and wiped out.
"Well...it's another boy," Dr. Cohen grinned as Chase cut the umbilical cord off the other baby. After the nurse finished cleaning off both their sons, she handed them to their parents. "Congratulations you are the proud parents to two twin boys."
"I can't believe it...this is amazing." Cameron smiled as she sat up despite being tired held one of her sons in her arms while Chase took his place sitting beside her holding their other son. It was one rollercoaster ride for one night and the maternal instincts took over both of them.
"This is unreal instead of one son we have two," Chase said softly, "It couldn't be better. I'm probably guessing maybe twins run in your family then babe?"
"It's possible but this was one heck of a night don't you say?" Cameron replied brushing a finger on both their cheeks. "Their both handsome and something tells me that they'll grow up to be little heartthrobs like their father. They have your eyes Robbie."
"And your cute little noses," Chase grinned running his finger playfully over the bridge of both his sons' noses. "There's two of them...it makes it easier for us to pick a name for each one of them. So what will you call the one in your arms babe?"
"Thatcher," Cameron said softly, pressing a feather-light kiss to her son's forehead, "He looks like a Thatcher."
"Couldn't have said it better myself," he grinned, "How about Henry for is middle name?"
"Thatcher Henry," Cameron repeated as she looked at her other son resting in Chase's arms, "It's adorable. Well we still have one more to name what are you going to call our second little handsome guy?"
"He looks like a Reed," Chase said. "I also like the name Spencer."
"Reed Spencer," Cameron repeated as they swapped babies. "So it's settle then...Reed Spencer Cameron-Chase."
"And Thatcher Henry Cameron-Chase," Chase nodded. "Their both two of a kind...it will be hard to sometimes tell them apart."
"Then it's settled then," Cameron smiled looking down at her sons, "Our perfect little boys...just two of a kind like us."
(Author's Notes: This isn't the end of the story yet people. Sorry I haven't been able to update but I hope you enjoyed the chapter it was a bit longer than expected. I hope you guys send your reviews and try to post up another update soon. Take care!)