A/N: Feedback triggers my inspiration, thank you to all and especially to Miss Mapel(guest), I couldn't send you a private message.
Families
Chapter 19
Ben and Meg spent Christmas in Chicago. Meg's mother had said that the could come to their place since it was closer than Ben's parents. But Meg did just want to take it easy, there wasn't long left now before the baby would come. Ben supported Meg as usual and took as many of the calls from her mother as possible, now his own mother he hardly spoke with as most calls when she was close to a phone concerned Meg and the baby and Meg was happy to share with Caroline.
As tradition had the Canadian Consulate held the New Years dance. It was a great opportunity to introduce the new temporary inspector to everyone that mattered in Chicago. Meg got quite well along with Steve and felt that she could take some time off already after the first week of January.
Frannie had planned a baby shower for them on that first Saturday of the year. Meg was happy not to have to do a thing but sit in her comfortable sofa in her own home. Ma Vecchio did all the cooking and everyone in the city that mattered to Meg and Ben were gathered around. One of the most enthusiastic once was Ray, Meg had teased him more than once about fixing him up with someone so he could make a baby of his own.
"Oh Meg don't be spoilsport, let me practice on yours first" Ray said and put a protecting hand on Meg's belly.
Ben have to say whatever he want Meg thought Ray will be their baby's Godfather. "You are crazy Ray" Meg laughed.
"Time for presents" Frannie announced.
"Let me go sit at the table" Meg said and scooted forward as it was easier to get up from the edge of the sofa.
Frannie had helped her make a wish list of things needed that had gone out with the invitation. There were everything, clothes, blankets, bibs all things a new parent needed for their baby.
"This was sent to me last week with instructions to give to you today" Frannie handed Meg a big parcel.
It was from Ben's parents and contained a kind of sleeping bag made out of bearskin to keep the baby warm laying in the pram when they were outside. Ben saw that it was his mother's handiwork and by the tears in Meg eyes he understood she knew it too.
So far the winter had been mild but it could change quickly.
"Your mother is the best" Meg said and kissed Ben on the cheek.
"Your parents present isn't so bad either" Ben referred to the bank account they wanted to open once the baby was born.
"Not as practical though" Meg said.
Ray told them he'd buy them a present when he knew if it was a boy or a girl.
As Meg stopped working she had a lot of time on her hands. She spend some of it reading books about giving birth.
"My dear Meg" Caroline said one time she called her "You will be the most prepared first time mother Chicago have ever met" she said laughing.
"Proper preparation prevents poor performance" Meg had learned that from Bob as a young child.
"Well it will still be a whole lot different than you've read. Are you sure you don't want us to come down?" Caroline asked.
"No, that's not necessary. I've got Ben and besides I know my mother have planned on coming for a stay already a few days before estimated time" Meg said "I've even gotten Ben to carry a cell phone" she said proudly.
"That sounds familiar, Bob refused the radio for a long time" Caroline confessed.
"I better hang up Caroline. I need to fix us something to eat, Ben will be home for lunch" Meg said.
"Kiss my boy from me, and don't hesitate to call. I'll be home for the next week, it's predicted a blizzard" Caroline said.
"I will. Stay safe and say hello to Bob from us all" Meg said and hung up.
Two weeks later a few days after Meg had gone nuts from her mother's talk, she could swear she got worse with time, Meg woke Ben up at three am. She had felt an ache in her back already the previous evening but not thought so much about it but as her sheets were wet she figured this was the real deal.
Rather calmly Ben called the hospital while Meg got dressed in something else that her night gown. The bag that had been packed for the last week was already in the car. The nurse that signed them in said they were lucky Meg's doctor was already at the hospital she had already delivered a baby boy in these early hours.
Meg was happy they had taken some classes as she hated being out of control and that was what she almost felt was happening. Ben was her rock, he didn't show any sign of bulging.
Ben hated to see Meg in pain but she had chosen not to have any drugs since she didn't want to loose control. Over the years as a young boy he had been with his mother in the remote village when women had their babies, even as a young constable he had had to assist himself at childbirth but it was totally different to see the one person closest to him in this pain.
Soon after one in the afternoon their baby girl was born. Meg was exhausted but happy tears ran down her face as she looked at the little person laying on her chest. The nurse took her away to measure and weigh her and swept her up in a blanket before she handed the baby to Ben.
"She is beautiful" Ben said and all Meg could do was nod in agreement. Ben put the baby into Meg's arms.
As the nurses helped Meg clean up and get the baby to nurse Ben went to make some phone calls. First he called his parents and then Meg's mother who was at the hotel. He told her about the visiting hours and that Meg needed to rest until then. He then called Ray.
"Congratulations buddy, a girl you said" Ray said and called out to the bull pen the good news.
Ben heard how everyone called out their congratulations "Tell them all thank you from us both"
"So everything went fine. When did you get in?" Ray asked.
"Meg woke me up at three in the morning so sometime before four we arrived at the hospital" Ben said.
"I bet you want to go be with them again" Ray said and could hear his friend nod "Frannie and I will be by later on. Visiting hours still after four?"
"Yes, I have to warn you Meg's mother will probably be here all evening" Ben said.
"Won't stop me from cuddling your baby, that is if the mother..I mean Meg now, let her go" Ray laughed.
"We have to see. I better go Ray" Ben said and hung up.
Both Meg and Ben dozed off during the afternoon and didn't wake up until Meg's mother knocked on the door to the room promptly at four. The baby was sleeping in a bassinet.
"She's adorable" Sue said "Congratulations to you both"
"Thank you" Meg moved up to sit.
Ben got out of the armchair he had been sitting in "Can I get you anything from the cafeteria?" he asked as he realized he was hungry. All day had run on pure adrenalin.
"I brought some fruit" Sue said.
"And I think they will serve some kind of dinner soon but some juice and water maybe" Meg suggested.
"I'll be back soon" Ben said and bent down to kiss Meg then he kissed the baby's head.
"He really shouldn't disturb the baby if she's sleeping" Sue said.
"I believe Ben only goes on instinct and besides she's been sleeping a while now" Meg said.
Sue handed Meg a parcel and when Meg opened it she told her that the dress was Meg's first and that she had saved it for this day.
"Thank you. I think I remember this from a family photo" Meg said.
The baby woke up and Meg's mother carefully picked her up. She tried to get her to quiet down but there were nothing to do but to give her to Meg. Meg hoped she could get her to quiet down but no such luck until she put her to her breast. The baby ate eagerly.
"She will grow strong" Sue said "She seems like a great eater already"
Meg had no answer for her mother, it was all new to her.
Ben came back with a bit of this and that. He helped Meg pour water into a glass so she could drink.
"Look at that dress" Meg nodded to the small dress laying on her legs "It was my first dress"
"It's beautiful. You have done a great job keeping it" Ben said to his mother-in-law.
"I kept it for an occasion like this. I'm so happy I did pack it to bring here, since you didn't find out before if you had a boy or a girl. The boys did all times" Sue said.
Meg shoot her mother a look, she had no right judging hers and Ben's decisions.
There was a knock on the door and in came Frannie and then Ray "Is it OK to come in?" Frannie asked.
"It sure is" Meg smiled and laid the baby up against her shoulder.
Ray was carrying a big rag-doll.
Both Americans shook hands with Meg's mother. She did indeed remember them from the wedding. Sue stayed a bit more and got a real cuddle with her granddaughter.
"Ben can you take a photo of mother and the baby" Meg said.
"Of course" he said. He took two one where Sue was looking up at the camera and a few minutes later one when she was engrossed in a one side conversation with the baby.
"I better leave, but I will come back tomorrow" Sue said.
"I'd like that" Meg said "Ben need to be at the consulate tomorrow" she added.
"You can't let it go, you're so alike your father" Sue said.
"Well the meeting with the Danish consulate have been planned for a long time" Meg said.
Frannie had taken a hold of the baby. She held her like a professional, it was clear to everyone she had practiced a lot on her niece and nephew. Not without protesting she handed the baby over to Ray. The baby was now sleeping but Ray couldn't stop looking at her.
"You've got all your parents good genes" he said softly.
"You need to find yourself a woman and have a few little ones" Meg laughed at her friend.
"You keep saying that, but you married Ben, Frannie is my sister and Elaine is off the market. All good women are taken" Ray said.
"But Frannie isn't your sister for real" Ben said.
"I bet there is someone out there for you, she's just hiding" Meg said.
"So have you talked about a name for miss beautiful or you will call her Baby Fraser?" Ray asked and looked at Frannie. There were a betting pool going around the precinct.
Ben sat beside Meg on the bed "We have talked about a few names" he said and took Meg's hand "I like them all but I know Meg have a favorite"
"I've always liked Molly" Meg said.
"Molly is a nice name, short and easy to learn to spell" Frannie said thinking about her own full name Francesca.
"That was what I thought too" Meg agreed.
Ray was still mesmerized by the baby "I think she looks like a Molly" he said and carefully handed the baby over to Meg.
"Then Molly it is" Meg said and looked at Ben who nodded "We'd like you two to be her American Godparents, we will chose some Canadians too since we don't know where we'll end up on the next post"
Carefully not to squeeze the baby Frannie hugged Meg "I'm honored"
"Me too" Ray said.
"So you accept then?" Ben asked and both said yes.
There was a knock n the door and it was a nurse checking in on them. She said they'd come with dinner soon and excused it being late. Meg laughed she had no sense on what time of the day it was.
"I guess we better go, but first the lieutenant send a Polaroid camera with us, he wanted a photo of you both and the baby" Frannie said.
"Please take one with our camera too" Ben pointed to the camera on the table.
"Luckily I had a chance to shower before then" Meg said.
"I will stop by tomorrow again" Frannie said.
"Me too I hope, I'm a partner short tomorrow" Ray grinned.
Ben stayed all night sleeping in the armchair. In the morning he went home and dressed for the days meetings with the Danes. As soon as his shift was over he rushed to the hospital to be with Meg and Molly.
"You just missed mother, she's been here a while. We actually had quite a nice conversation" Meg told Ben.
"That's great" Ben looked up at her with a smile on his face.
"You can't help but smiling too when you look at her?" Meg said and Ben nodded. "Frannie called before, she said she'd come by later. I don't know if Ray comes too" Meg went on.
"I doubt it, he called me to ask if I could get off and help him this afternoon and it wold probably be late. When he realized he hadn't thought of me coming here he apologized and said to tell you hi" Ben said.
"OK" Meg said and reached for the camera to take a photo of Ben and Molly. "I told mother we had decided on calling her Molly and she thought it was a nice name"
"That reminds me, mum called me at work, she said to tell you hi and kiss Molly from her and dad. There are also a lot of gifts that's arrived at the consulate today. I thought I'd bring them home instead of here" Ben said.
"Gifts at the consulate, from whom?" Meg asked.
"The other consulates, you're a popular woman Meg Fraser" Ben smiled at his wife.
"Can say the same about you Ben Fraser, you're one popular man" Meg laughed.
Sue Thatcher came for another visit in the evening, she had hoped she could help Meg a bit at home but she had to return to Ottawa the next morning.
"Would you consider using our old dress for Molly's Christening?" Sue asked.
"Why not" Ben said and looked at Meg.
"Is it the one that's been in the family on your side mother?" Meg knew there were two in the family.
"Yes it's been used on all first born girls since 1850 something" Sue said.
"A dress with history, I like that" Ben said "Ours my mother made for my Christening so it's just me, Becky and Sarah that's used it"
"Not Sophia?" Meg asked.
"No they used the Frobisher's then, or if it was the other way around I don't know" Ben said.
"I will send it on the mail then" Sue said "You might have to have it dry cleaned"
"I'm looking forward to seeing it again" Meg said.
"You can come visit anytime you like mother" Meg said with tears in her eyes when Sue hugged her.
"I will take you up on that and take many photos so you can send us of Molly" Sue said "And please take care of my girls" Sue surprised Ben with a hug.
"I will Mrs. Thatcher" Ben had never really been told to say anything different.
"Please Ben call me Sue" she said.
"I will try my best..Sue" Ben said.
"She's melted" Meg said as her mother left.
"I guess she's always had to follow protocol with your father being an Inspector" Ben looked at the nursing baby "But who wouldn't melt when they met Molly"
Meg laughed "You're not the least impartial"
"No, not the least" Ben said "Do you want anything from the cafeteria tonight?" he asked.
Meg shook her head "I was down there myself when mother was here before and besides the doctor checked on us earlier and since Molly is feeding so well they think about sending us home tomorrow" Meg added.
"Already?" Ben looked worried, it was another full day with the Danes the next day.
"Yes already" Meg looked at him "More meetings tomorrow?" Ben nodded "I thought so and said I wanted to stay one extra day" she saw how Ben sighed relived.
"Friday will be much better then we get all weekend together at home" Ben said and sat down beside Meg.
Meg lent her head on Ben's shoulder "I love you" she said quietly.
"I love you too, both of you" Ben returned.
"Doesn't that look cozy" Frannie said as she opened the door.
"Come in Frannie" Meg said.
"If you're sure I'm not disturbing you?" Frannie walked into the room. It was a room for more than one but right now Meg didn't have to share and she was quite happy about that. She had met a couple of other mothers in the common space, some of them she recognized from the course.
"Of course we're sure" Ben said and took the baby who had finished eating in his arms.
"So how's Molly today?" Frannie asked.
"Very satisfied I believe" Meg said and buttoned her shirt.
"And you? Have you gotten any sleep?" Frannie asked.
"Yes, I keep taking naps though, I've not felt tired like this since the Depot" Meg said.
"Are you seriously comparing giving birth to the training to become a Mountie?" Frannie shook her head.
"So Ray couldn't come?" Meg asked in a try to change the subject.
"No, but from what I heard when they reported in I think he'd rather be here than out with the 'duck boys'" Frannie said.
"Detectives Huey and Dewey are special in they're own way but they are great detectives" Ben filled in.
Before Frannie left an hour later she told Meg to call her if she needed anything.
Ben spend the night home alone since he had to get up really early to prepare for more meetings with the Danes. The temporary Inspector was out on his first post and a lot fell on Ben's shoulders.
Disclaimer/Copyright 2014 and forward: I don't own the characters from Due South, but I've written the story and therefore feel I own that. I also want to say I don't know about how the Academy for RCMP or something alike works so I've made it up a nice way to fit my story. I'm also not familiar with names for different kind of people in a village such as the Inuits live in.