Hey! Long time no see, haha. I have been picking at this chapter for months and am honestly tired of it! I finally found the time to read through it one more time, check a fact from a previous chapter, and pick a cutoff point. Apologies for the slight cliffhanger, but I couldn't resist! (I don't know when I'll get the next chapter up since it's barely written and I don't know how to end this). Also, Henry's part in this chapter is awkward but I tired to have him make an appearance.
Reminder that I am not a medical professional, I've done some research, and vaguely remember a story arch in the show ER when they were in the NICU. So it's probably not super accurate but it's a chapter update!
Enjoy!
X
X
X
Chapter 27
*The next morning, Friday October 22nd*
"Knock knock," Madeleine said as she entered the recovery room. "Good Morning, Goose!"
"Mom!" Sharon exclaimed. "You're here!"
"Of course!" Madeleine grinned as she set down some flowers and took off her coat. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."
"I'm here too, kid." Henry announced as he entered with some balloons.
"Dad, you're always around. Mom, when did your flight get in?"
"It landed about the same time Isabella was born, but we decided to let you sleep before getting any visitors."
"Thanks, Mom."
Madeleine came over and brushed Sharon's hair out of her face. "Carlton has been keeping us updated. Have you seen your baby?"
"Of course I have." Sharon mumbled as she pulled the blanket closer around her.
"I mean since she was taken to the NICU?"
"She's in the NICU for a reason, and that means that I can't hold her."
"No, she's there because her lungs just need a little extra help. According to Carlton, the doctor said you can hold her as long as none of her tubes get tangled or disconnected."
Sharon sighed, "I just don't want to hurt her more."
"You won't. She's only a month early, she's not that little. Besides, you might be doing more harm by staying away. The baby needs some skin on skin contact and you need to start breastfeeding soon or it's going to start hurting. You do not want to experience what goes wrong when you don't. If you thought the early leaking was bad, you haven't seen anything yet."
"Ugg, mom! Gross!"
"Would you rather have Carlton or your father talk to you about it?"
"No. *Sigh* Okay, I guess we can go see her. Can you come with me?"
"Of course." Madeleine smiled.
Henry nodded. "How about I give you some privacy and go get some coffee." Henry said as he left the room.
X
X
X
"Hello!" A nurse greeted them cheerfully outside of the NICU. "I'm Helen, the head nurse here. And whose mommy are you?"
"Izzy. I'm here for Izzy."
"Isabella Lassiter? Can I see your bracelet?" She gently checked Sharon's information on the bracelet. "Alright, she's in the back with daddy. We just gotta get the both of you robed up first. Is it okay if I help you, Sharon?" Sharon nodded. "You know, Carlton said that you would be coming down soon, after you got some sleep."
"Yeah, sorry I didn't come earlier."
"It's fine, darling, you needed some rest, labor is exhausting. Most of us down here are parents and can also understand how hard it is when the baby is not quite 100% and makes a stop here. You're here now, that's what matters." Helen finished with Sharon's hair wrap and stepped back. "There, now we're ready."
"You don't need to sanitize the wheelchair or anything?"
"The cleaning staff are good about disinfecting them between uses, so we just need to wipe down the handles. We could always switch wheelchairs, but those are usually reserved for the parents with the super sick babies."
"Well..."
"Sharon." Madeleine warned her. "Stop procrastinating."
Sharon sighed, "Okay. Let's go."
As they moved through the ward, Sharon couldn't help but analyze all the other babies and parents. Some of the babies were very small and had a lot of tubes and wires connected, while a few looked pretty healthy.
Sharon was so distracted that she did not notice Carlton until they were five feet from him. "Lassie! I like the new look. NICU yellow looks good on you!"
"I'm surprised you're not embarrassed that everyone is wearing the exact same thing."
"Maybe a little, but it does hug you in just the right places. Are you up for some necking later?"
He rolled his eyes. "No, for multiple reasons, but especially not until after we have both been able to take showers."
"Together, I hope."
"You know your mother is standing right behind you, right?"
"Eh, she's heard worst."
Madeleine laughed, "Honestly Carlton, it's good to hear her teasing. It means she's feeling more comfortable."
"Mom! Please stop psychoanalyzing me!"
"You know my answer to that."
Helen picked up baby Izzy and nodded to Sharon. "Okay, momma. If you just wanna bend your left arm, I'll place baby Isabella there."
Sharon glanced nervously at her mother before complying. "Are you sure all of these wires are okay?"
"Yes. There's plenty of extra slack, so don't worry about pulling anything out. Just give me a holler if you want to try breastfeeding. I bet she's mighty hungry about now."
"You haven't fed her yet?"
"Of course we have, but breast milk is better. Plus it gives you time to bond."
"Okay." Sharon started to lightly trace some of Izzy's features.
"Oh!" Madeleine exclaimed. "Let me get some pictures!"
Sharon groaned. "Mom! Can we not?!"
"You'll thank me later." Madeleine replied as she held up her camera. "Carlton, get closer."
"Yes ma'am."
Sharon rolled her eyes. "You should be glad that I have a mask on so all you can see is my glare."
"I can tell that you're sticking out your tongue. You should smile with your eyes instead, Goose." Madeleine took a couple of pictures before stepping closer to get some of just the baby.
"What's that beeping noise?" Sharon asked nervously.
"It's the oxygen monitor." Carlton commented as Helen came back.
"Nothing to worry about, dear." Helen said as she adjusted some dials. "Isabella's oxygen levels are a little low, so she needs to go back into the incubator for a while. You can take her out again in about a half hour and we can try breast feeding then, okay?"
"Um, yeah. Sure."
"Do you want to stay here or go for a walk?" Madeleine asked as they watched the nurse place the baby back.
"We can stay here. No point in having to throw out these lovely gowns & put other ones on again so soon."
Helen nodded. "We usually only let two people stay at a time."
"I'll go." Carlton volunteered. "I've been here for a while and I need to eat."
"Thank you, Carlton." Madeleine said. "Henry is still around if you want a ride home or something."
"Yeah, I should probably shower and get a change of clothes."
"Oh! Can you look for my cell phone!" Sharon piped up as Helen left.
"I'll grab it."
"Thanks, Lassie." Sharon whispered as she turned back to Izzy.
"Are you feeling a little better? Now that you've held her and have seen how well she's doing?" Madeleine asked.
"Yeah. I mean, compared to some of the other babies here, Izzy looks to be on the healthier side."
"Do you want to try breastfeeding?"
Sharon laughed, "Not really, but I can give it a try."
"It might be a little uncomfortable at first, but the baby usually knows what to do."
"What if I fail at that too?"
"You won't. Just trust your body."
"Did you forget who you're talking to? Because I kind of already got in trouble for letting my body do its own thing."
"If anything, it proves that your body knows what to do."
"Maybe." Sharon sighed as she watched Izzy's chest move up and down.
X
X
X
*A few hours later, in Sharon's recovery room*
"Gus! Buddy! You made it!" Sharon smiled as she put her fork down
Gus shook his head as he took off his jacket. "Of course I did. It's just that some of us still have to work."
"Eh, who needs work."
"Those of us who have to pay rent and utilities, including for the Psych office?"
"I guess you have a pass then."
"You know that's right." Gus turned towards the door as it opened again. "Hello, Ms Spencer."
"Gus! How are you, sweetie?"
"I'm good, how about you?"
"I couldn't be better. Everyone is healthy, relatively speaking. And I got to meet my new granddaughter." She grinned.
"It must feel good to say that."
"Yes. Part of me wondered if this day would ever come."
"Mom!" Sharon groaned. "I thought you were fine with my life choices."
"I am, Goose. But almost every mother looks forward to being a grandma." She laughed. "Gus, will you be sticking around for a while? I need to go grab some dinner and Carlton isn't back yet."
"Mom!" Sharon groaned. "I don't need a babysitter."
With a shrug, Gus took the chair next to the bed. "It's okay, I have no other plans tonight and I already ate."
"Great!" Madeleine gave Sharon a kiss on the head before heading for the door. "Sharon, I'll be back in about an hour. Finish your dinner and listen to the doctors."
"Yes, mother."
"Be good!"
Sharon rolled her eyes as she turned to Gus. "Have you seen Izzy yet?"
"No, the nurses won't let me into the NICU, but I've seen the photos Lassie shared."
"Doesn't she look so tiny and fragile?"
"She was literally born not even 24hrs ago and she's a month early; of course she's small."
"They had me breast feed her and it was the weirdest feeling! I was afraid of dropping her. They want me to pump a couple of times before leaving the hospital, so that they can make sure that I'm making enough milk for when she comes home."
"TMI Sharon."
Sharon shrugged as she took a bite of a dinner roll. "Who else am I supposed to talk with about these things? My mom? Lassie?!"
"Both of them seem like great options."
"I just *sigh* this happened so fast. I thought I had a few more weeks. I didn't do much reading about what happens after the baby is born, I was more focused on surviving the pregnancy and birth."
"Understandable. Do you want me to bring you some books?"
"Nah. I probably won't have time to read them. Doc Jen said that she wants some tests run on me before I'm released tomorrow afternoon."
"So soon? What about Isabella?"
"Apparently it's normal for a new parent to only be in the hospital for a couple of nights, assuming they're healthy. Izzy will have to stay at least a week, depending on how her lungs are doing."
"That's good. I know your dad took Lassiter home and was going to make sure that everything is ready for you and the baby. Personally, I think it's just an excuse to keep an eye on Lassiter, make sure he doesn't go into work."
Sharon laughed, "Last night, Lassie was texting a lot, claiming he was just keeping everybody updated; but I definitely saw Buzz & Dobson's names a couple of times."
"Juliet said that the Chief has threatened people to keep them from talking to him, and she basically banned Lassiter from the station for the next few months. He can be contacted via email for important case questions; otherwise, if it's urgent, they have to get Chief Vick's permission before calling or texting him about work."
"Harsh. But fair. Maybe I can finally teach Lassie the meaning of vacation time."
"I don't think you all will be going on vacation anytime soon. Babies have a lot of things they need and it's not uncommon for new parents not to travel during the first six months, except to visit relatives."
"And how do you know all of this?"
"As Godfather, I needed to prepare for what the first year is like."
"Speaking of Godparents, where's Jules?"
"She's on a case."
"Does she need any help?"
"Juliet has a whole department, minus a head detective…."
"And Head Psychic!"
"...Juliet can manage. And you accused Lassiter of not knowing how to take time off."
"I was just curious." Sharon pushed her mostly empty food tray away. "Do you want to go see Izzy?"
"Of course."
"Good. But I need to use the bathroom first and I'm gonna need a nurse's help, so you might want to take a 5 minute walk first."
"Thanks for the heads up."
X
X
X
*Next day*
Doc Jen had her notepad out as she sat in the chair next to Sharon's recovery bed. "You mentioned you had a body changing scare right in the middle of your contractions?"
"Yeah, it was like when I first got pregnant, full body pain."
"About how long did it last?"
Sharon shrugged as she wrapped her arms around her chest. "I don't know. Maybe a half hour? It hurt too much to move for a while, and then I finally called Lassie and was talking with him for however long it took for him to get there. After those pains faded, the contractions became more intense."
"Had you experienced them at any other point during your pregnancy?"
"Nope, just at the beginning."
"Okay. I checked the calendar, and yesterday was a full moon."
Sharon visibly paled. "Crap."
"How long did you usually change?"
"For three nights. Which means I might change tomorrow morning!" Sharon started to panic.
"Sharon, it's going to be fine. It's one of the reasons that I pushed for you to be released today. I'm going to ask your parents if one or both of them can be with you in the morning."
"If I change, what will happen to Izzy?! Will I still be able to visit her? I won't be able to breastfeed!"
"Just calm down and take a breath. I will be with you every step. I have made some plans and, without going into the details with the head NICU nurse, I had let them know that there was a possibility of you not being able to breastfeed, so they are prepared. I do want you to try to pump a few times before leaving and again before you go to bed tonight. I'm hopeful that your body will recognize the need to stay as is for at least another month."
"Ju-Just another month?!" Shawn stuttered as she tried to take deep breaths.
"Well, more would be preferred, but we'll take it one step at a time. Okay?"
"Okay." Sharon closed her eyes as she concentrated on breathing.
Once Sharon's breathing slowed down, Doc Jen asked, "Do you have any questions?"
"Yeah, what are the odds of me turning back into Shawn tomorrow?"
"Honestly, I don't know. The other person with your condition that had a baby a few decades ago? While they survived, the baby was a stillborn at seven months."
Sharon laughed nervously, "Well, I guess we already beat those odds."
"That seems to be a habit of yours."
"What can I say, I'm just awesome like that." Sharon shakily smiled
"I'm glad you're in good spirits. Positive outlooks can help the recovery process."
"Well, I'm not so much in good spirits, as trying not to cry over what might or might not happen."
"That's a good attitude. Is there anything that I can do for you? Do you have any other questions?"
"None that you can answer."
"Okay." Doc Jen patted Sharon's hand and checked her watch. "If it's alright with you, I'm going to talk with your parents. And you should go visit Izzy, feed her, hold her. I'll check with the doctor, but they should be releasing you by 8pm tonight."
"Sure. Thanks Doc."
"You're welcome."
X
X
X
*A half hour later*
"Hey Lassie," Sharon greeted as a NICU nurse brought her over to the incubator.
"Sharon." Lassie frowned. "What's wrong?"
Sharon turned to the nurse. "Thank you for the assist, Kevin. Do you mind if I have some privacy with my baby's daddy?"
"Of course. Just press the button if you need anything or if you want to leave."
"Will do."
Once the nurse was out of earshot, Sharon leaned closer to Carlton and whispered, "Shawn might turn up tomorrow."
"Are you sure?" Carlton frowned.
"Not a 100%, but a chance nonetheless with it being a full moon."
"Is that why you're being released tonight?"
"Yeah. Doc Jen thought it would be best. I'm gonna stay with my parents tonight, just in case."
"Do you want me to come over?"
"Thanks but no thanks, Lassie. If it happens, it'll be dawn, so like 7am, and at least one of us should get a good night's sleep. Or at least be ready in case something happens to Izzy."
"Seven isn't that early."
"Maybe not for you, but I doubt I'll sleep at all tonight."
"Well, call me if you need me."
"Thanks." Sharon looked at Izzy. "Can I pick her up yet?"
"Yeah, her O2 levels are good." Carlton got up and picked up the baby.
"They just had me pump, so hopefully Izzy isn't hungry because my tits are sore."
"Ugg, TMI Sharon."
Sharon laughed as she waited for Carlton to place the baby in her arms. "It's not that gross. At least I haven't talked about my swollen and bruised crotch yet."
"Please don't."
"Apparently it's one of the many not-quite-joys of childbirth." Sharon brushed Izzy's hair to the side.
"Please keep any and all of that information between you and your doctor."
"No promises, Lassie. Isn't that right, Izzy! Don't make promises you can't keep!"
"I hope you don't expect her to respond or remember that."
"Of course not, Lassie! But just talking to them is good for babies, especially if it's the one who carried them during the pregnancy. Keeps them calm."
"I need to grab some lunch. Why don't you just tell her a story while I'm gone?"
"Hmm, good idea. But what shall we talk about? How about a Psych case?"
"Preferably nothing embarrassing about me."
"You just told me that she wouldn't remember any of this."
"Doesn't mean the nurses and other parents won't overhear you."
"You mean you don't want me to tell them about all of the times that I've upstaged you at your own crime scenes while looking fabulous and sexy?!"
"Since when is always showing up in t-shirts and jeans considered looking fabulous?"
"Since always. Interesting, you think I always looked sexy?"
"No comment. I'll see you in a half hour." Carlton ducked his head as he headed for the door.
Sharon watched Carlton until he was out of sight. "Izzy, your Daddy is so sexy when he's flustered! And he has a nice ass to look at when he stalks off." Shaking her head, Sharon looked back down at Izzy. "So my little miracle, what case should I tell you about first?"