CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE:
TAKING THE FALL

Leera didn't move.

Pleakley raced down the steps, throwing himself on her and sobbing uncontrollably. He was only vaguely aware of the stampeding sound of many feet, followed by gasps and voices demanding to know what had happened. Strong hands seized him by the shoulders and pulled him off Leera's unconscious form. Through a blur of tears he saw the outline of his mother. He saw her lips move, and heard her voice calling to him from far away, but panic had claimed him and he couldn't calm himself long enough to tell her what had happened.

Vay held him firmly while Gidgel, Nani and Kirk crowded around Leera. Gidgel leaned down to listen to her hearts, then brushed the hair out of her face. As he did, he noticed a small trickle of blood at the corner of her mouth. Beside him, Kirk gasped.

"What is it?" Gidgel asked.

Kirk didn't answer. Gidgel looked at him and saw his face go pale. He followed his gaze to see what Kirk was looking at. That's when he saw the blood on Leera's leg.

"She needs medical attention!" Gidgel announced. "Where's Jumba?"

"I think he's out back in the ship," Nani replied. "I'll go get him!" And without a second's hesitation, she ran out the back door.

"What is it?" Vay asked, letting go of Pleakley to move in for a closer look. Gidgel pointed out the blood. Pleakley took one look and shuddered.

"Oh God! The baby…" he reached a hand out toward her belly, then pulled back sharply as if he'd been burned. He started sobbing again, and his sobs quickly turned into hyperventilating as he collapsed in a heap beside his wife. "No — no — oh God, Leera, I'm so sorry! — No! — Please! — Please be alright! — Please!"

Vay knelt beside him and gathered him into her arms. Gidgel looked Leera over, unsure of what to do. He placed both hands on her belly and felt every inch of it for a sign of life from within.

"Feel anything?" Vay asked. "Is it moving at all?"

Gidgel's answer was slow to come. "No. Nothing. Dammit, where's Jumba? Kirk, make yourself useful and go find him! Tell him it's an emergency!"

"Right!" Kirk jumped up and ran out the back door. Seconds later he was back with Nani and Jumba right behind him.

When Pleakley saw Jumba, he sprang to his feet and grabbed the large alien's hand, pulling him to Leera's side.

"Am coming! Am coming! Here, what is problem being?" Jumba demanded. He looked down at Leera. "Why is wife asleep on floor?"

"She's not asleep!" Pleakley shouted, still sobbing uncontrollably. "She's — she's — fell down — unconscious — hurt bad — baby — bleeding — HELP HER!"

"Why are you not saying so?" Jumba exclaimed. He gathered Leera up in his arms as carefully as though she were a newborn and carried her into his bedroom. Pleakley, Vay, Gidgel, Kirk and Nani followed at his heels. He laid her down on the bed, then turned to the others.

"This is being very serious. Could be bad. I am thinking everyone should be staying outside until further notice."

"No," Pleakley said firmly. "She's my wife, and that's my baby, and I'm not leaving, And — " he choked down another sob, "and this is all my fault."

Vay put a hand on his shoulder and he looked back at her. "It was an accident," she whispered. "I know you'd never hurt her."

"But I did!" Pleakley cried. "I did hurt her! I didn't want her to see Gantu again and I told her…" he started sobbing again. Vay wrapped her arms around him and held him close.

"Is time for to be examining wife now," Jumba announced, pulling on a pair of gloves. "I think she would be appreciating some privacy if she were being awake."

Taking their cues, Gidgel, Kirk and Nani left the room. Vay kissed her son on the cheek and took him by the hand.

"C'mon, honey. Maybe it's best if you wait outside."

Pleakley allowed his mother to lead him out of the room. Kirk and Gidgel were waiting out in the hallway. Nani had just gone to pick Lilo up from school.

"It's going to be okay," Vay assured him, closing the door behind them.

"No it isn't," Pleakley whimpered. "Didn't you see the blood? The baby must have been… oh God, what if it's…" he swallowed hard, afraid to go on. He closed his eye tight, squeezing out yet another large tear, and shook his head. Vay took his hand again and led him out to the living room and sat him down on the sofa.

Pleakley took some deep, steadying breaths, then wiped his face on the hem of his dress.

"We shouldn't even be having this baby," he mumbled. "When Leera told me she was pregnant… I just knew it was too good to be true. I was never meant to be a father, and this just proves it. This is all my fault. If we lose this one…"

Vay's hand touched his lips to quiet him, then tilted his chin up so she could look him in the eye. "No. Don't say that. It's going to be okay. Leera and the baby will both be alright, and you're going to be a wonderful father, Wendy. You already are."

Pleakley hugged his mother. "Thanks, Mom. I'm gonna go make some tea now," he said. "Who wants some?"

"I'll take a cup," Gidgel said, then elbowed Kirk, who was sitting next to him.

"Oh yeah. Me too! P-please."

"It's unanimous," said Vay, forcing a smile for her son. Pleakley got up and went into the kitchen to start the tea.

Vay sighed. "At least that'll give him something to do. Poor boy's never been very good at dealing with stress."

Gidgel nodded. Beside him, Kirk looked uncomfortable. After a moment he decided to speak up.

"Umm, I don't like to stick my antenna in where it doesn't belong, but I - uh - I thought Wendy wanted to have this baby."

"He does!" Gidgel replied incredulously. "Wherever did you get the idea that he doesn't?"

Kirk winced. "Well, what with all the talk about not meaning to be a father and - well - he did say they shouldn't even be having a baby. Or did I not hear him correctly?"

"Well, yes and no," Vay answered. "He's very happy about having a baby, but it certainly wasn't expected."

"Oh, so it was an accident, then?"

"Not exactly. I don't think they were doing anything to prevent it, but only because they never expected it to happen."

Kirk stared at her blankly. "I don't get it. Was Leera supposed to be barren or something?"

"Not exactly that, either," Vay replied. "See, Wendy's the one who wasn't supposed to be able to have children. He's been sterile ever since he caught that virus and nearly died. At least, that's what the doctors thought. We were told that there was only a very slim chance that he could ever father a child. That's why this baby means so much to him. It's probably the only one he'll ever have."

"Oh." Kirk glanced toward the kitchen, then back at Vay. "Wow. I didn't know that."

Gidgel smirked at him. "Kinda makes you wish you'd never taken your fertility for granted, huh?"

Kirk blushed and muttered something under his breath. A moment later Pleakley came in with a tea tray and passed out cups and saucers to everyone. He was about to sit down and enjoy some tea himself when Jumba appeared beside the couch.

"I think you will want to be seeing wife now," he announced, pulling off his gloves.

"How is she?" Pleakley squeaked.

"Is bruised and sore, but is in stable condition. Is awake now too, and is wanting to see you."

Pleakley felt a surge of relief wash over him just then, followed by a small twinge of fear. He followed Jumba into the bedroom.

"Are you sure she's alright? And the baby?"

"Eh, I am not one to be counting chickens before they are hatched."

"But the blood! On her leg! Isn't that from — "

"Was only a scratch. For the moment baby is looking fine and is staying where it's at."

Pleakley sighed in relief and walked into the bedroom. Leera was lying on her back on Jumba's bed, a small, thin blanket pulled up to her chest. She was pale, and the area under her eye appeared discolored and slightly swollen. Pleakley rushed to her side and grabbed her hand, kissing it passionately.

"Oh Leera, I'm so sorry! Are you okay? Please say yes!"

"I'm alive," Leera mumbled, pulling her drenched hand away and wiping it on the blanket. "And the baby is, too. It's been giving me hell ever since I woke up. I can't wait till it's out so it can kick you, too."

"Speaking of which," Jumba cut in, "is possible baby might be arriving sooner than expected. After fall like that…you are being very lucky to be Plorginarian, my dear. Physiological structure during gestation has proved very protective for unborn child. Few other sentient species are fortunate to be having such thick layers of fat and amniotic fluid and other tissue to be protecting fetus."

"LEERA!"

At that moment, who should burst through the door but a crazed Lilo and Stitch. The two rushed to the bed and jumped onto it, oblivious to Pleakley's warnings to be careful of the baby.

Lilo threw her arms around Leera. "Are you okay? Nani said you got hurt! Is the baby okay? How did you hurt yourself?"

"Calm down, Lilo," Leera chuckled. "I'm fine. The baby's fine too. I just fell down the stairs."

Lilo looked at her incredulously. "That's it? I thought you got hurt really bad! I fell down the stairs one time, and I just got up and walked away like nothing happened."

"That is not how Jumba is remembering it," Jumba cut in. "If I am recalling correctly, little girl scraped her knee and commenced to crying like banshee until 626 took care of scrape and brought her whole carton of strawberry ice cream."

Lilo folded her arms across her chest and turned her nose up. "Nani always said there were two sides to every story."

Stitch placed his paws on Leera's belly, then put an ear against it to listen. "Ih, gaba chi nooka baby?"

"Yes, baby's okay," Leera assured him, giving him a good scratch behind the ears.