Thank you to Imperfect Being, AdamaGirl, Ilovetoship, ck20 walkerdude1 and the three guests for reviewing, you're all great!
Chapter rating: T
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
All mistakes are my own. I hope you enjoy :)
7th October
"Come in Billy" Laura said smiling, opening the front door and leading him into the kitchen.
"Looks like everything is set up for the baby" Billy stated, looking around the room which was now baby proofed.
"Yes, well it will be any day now, so I've been using the last few days to make sure everything is prepared" Laura said smiling and indicating for Billy to sit at the dining room table.
"So what's the update with the bookstore?" Laura asked once she was seated.
"Good, Tory is working out really well. I've brought the next order list and bills for you to approve" Billy replied pulling out a handful of documents from his bag.
"I'm glad. Okay let's get these out of the way…..OH" Laura said her eyes growing wide.
"What's wrong?" Billy asked confused.
"My water just broke" Laura said looking down at her now soaked dress.
"What should I do um…..should I call Bill?" Billy asked flustered.
"There's no need to hurry, I haven't started contracting yet. Its four o'clock, Bill should be home in an hour, there's no need to worry him just yet, first time labour usually takes a while. I'm going to call Evelyn and Joseph and see if they can come and pick the boys up. Could you please grab the mop in the cupboard over there and fill a bucket up, I'll come mop the mess up in a second"
"Don't worry ma'am I'll do it, you just worry about sorting out the boys" Billy replied smiling.
"Thanks Billy" she said picking up the phone and dialling Bill's parent's number.
"Hi sweetheart" Bill said walking into the living room and sitting on ethe clinch next to where Laura was watching cartoons with the boys.
"Hi honey" she said kissing him on the cheek, "guess what?"
"Are sibling is coming" Zak screamed excitedly from the floor.
"What, how far apart are your contractions?" Bill asked suddenly very alert and nervous.
"Pretty far, they only started around twenty minutes ago, we probably have awhile until it's time to go to the hospital" Laura replied reassuringly.
"Are you sure? Maybe we should call Jane" Bill said worried.
"Don't worry, the contractions barely hurt at the moment, and we probably won't need to go to the hospital for a number of hours. Anyway I called your parents, and they are on their way over. They're going to spend the night here, it'll be less disruptive for the boys" Laura said placing a hand atop his and gently squeezing.
8th October
"How are you feeling?" Bill asked after calling home to check on the boys and say hello before the left for school, upon Laura's insistence they hadn't headed to the hospital until five am, when her contractions became regular and strong.
"Mmmm" was the only sound that came from Laura, as she winced through another contraction, bending over the end of the hospital bed and placing a hand on her back and one on the mattress. The last two hours had been spent pacing around the room, only because it brought her slightly less pain than if she was lying down. She was starting to regret her decision to have a natural birth.
"That one looked stronger, do you want me to get the doctor?" Bill asked concerned.
"I don't know Bill, can you just shut up and be quiet for a while" she replied rolling her eyes.
"Nope, don't you dare look upset about anything I say, while I'm giving birth to your child. So if you can't take it, get out until it's born" she ground out at Bill's stricken look.
Bill nodded and asked "is there anything I can do to help?"
"No" she squeaked out as another contraction seized her. She was exhausted, an hour ago Jane had checked her and declared her to be six centimetres dilated. She pressed the buzzer beside the bed to call the nurse, she needed to find out how much longer it would be.
"Hi Laura, how are you doing?" the nurse asked as she walked into the room.
"Tired, the contractions are getting stronger".
"I'll page Dr Nelson and have her check you again, okay?"
"Frrrraaaaaaaaakkk" she cried out as the strongest contraction yet washed over her. Bill was by her side in a second, thrusting his hand towards her, she squeezed his hand so hard, it was surprising he didn't end up with broken fingers.
"Hi Laura, are the contractions getting worse?" Jane asked as she reached a gloved handed to check Laura's dilation.
"Yes" Laura panted out.
"Okay Laura, it looks like you're nine centimetres now, and nearly fully effaced. You will be ready to push within the next hour, maybe sooner" Jane said snapping off her gloves.
"You're doing great" Bill told her, kissing the top of her head and running his hand soothingly over her forehead.
"I'm so tired Bill, I just want to get it to be over" she replied weakly.
"I know sweetheart, but it's almost over. You're amazing, I know you can do this" Bill told her, looking her directly in the eyes to convey his love and conviction.
"Okay" she whispered kissing him quickly, before another contraction came.
Fifty minutes later she was pushing, using every last bit of energy she had left. "You're nearly there Laura, the head is crowning, give me a big push and count to ten" Dr. Nelson encouraged.
Laura squeezed her eyes shut, and grasped Bill's hand tightly as she bore down hard.
"That's great Laura, the head is out. Just one more big push".
She put her chin to her chest and pushed with all her might, before feeling immediate relief as the baby slid from her body. She slumped back against the pillow, her chest heaving.
"Congratulations Laura, you have a little girl" Jane said smiling, as she lifted the baby and a high pitched squeal filled the room.
"Do you want to cut the cord Dad?" the nurse asked.
"Yes" Bill replied, nervously moving down to the end of the bed and following the nurse's instructions.
"She's beautiful Laura!" Bill said moving back to the head of the bed and leaning over to kiss her several times on the lips.
Jane placed the screaming baby on Laura's bare stomach, and she looked down, with tears in her eyes, at her daughter's face. She was perfect "hello, baby girl" she said running her finger over the baby's soft cheek.
"Time of birth was 9:34am" Jane said, "have you decided on her name yet?"
"Yes Katherine, Katherine Rose" Bill said smiling, "Katie for short".
"That is a beautiful name" the nurse said reaching for Katie, "just give me a moment while I clean her up and get some measurements and then I'll bring her right back Mom".
She could hear her daughter protesting to being poked and prodded, "go to her" Laura told Bill.
A few minutes later, Bill returned beaming with a swaddled baby, "six pounds, eleven ounces and twenty inches" he announced proudly.
She immediately quietened upon being placed in her mother's arm, and Bill sat on the bed next to Laura, gazing down at his little girl. She gently unwrapped the swaddling and ran a finger over the tiny baby, ensuring she had ten fingers and toes. Katie wrapped her tiny hand around Laura's index finger.
"I think we might have another redhead" Bill said running his hand through the sparse strawberry blonde hair atop Katie's head.
"I think you might be right, I hope she has your eyes" Laura replied smiling at Bill.
"I love you Laura, I've always wanted a little girl, and she's amazing, thank you" Bill said before kissing her tenderly on the lips and kissing the top of Katie's head.
"I better go let my parent's know they have a granddaughter" Bill said.
"Well Mom cried she's so excited. Dad says they will bring the boys to the hospital after school, probably best not to disrupt their routine" Bill said as he walked into the hospital room to find Laura sitting up and nursing Katie.
"That sounds good" Laura replied as Katie's lips went slack and Laura lifted her against her shoulder, patting and rubbing circles on her back like the nurse had showed her.
"I can't believe how perfect she is" Bill said staring at Katie and admiring her features, as she turned her head towards him.
"She knows your voice, do you want your Daddy" Laura said smiling and placing the infant in Bill's arms.
Katie yawned and stretched and he knew in that moment that he was hopelessly in love with his daughter. Her eyes were closed as she dozed peacefully, her tiny lips moving up and down in a simulated suckling motion.
"I think I hear them coming" Bill told Laura, who was cradling their daughter.
"Hi Daddy!" Zak said as he ran into the hospital room holding a small pink teddy bear, followed closely by Lee who was carrying pink balloons.
"Hey boys, where are your grandparents?" Bill asked
"Here" Joseph said, as he and Evelyn walked into the room slightly puffed after having to chase the excited boys.
"I missed you Mommy" Zak said running over to hug Laura, "is that our sister?"
"Yep, what do you think of your little sister?" Bill asked the boys.
"She's sleeping" Lee stated, his eyes transfixed on his sister.
"Yeah, she does a lot of that right now" Laura replied smiling.
"She's so small" Zak replied his eye's not leaving his sister's face.
"She is, but she's going to grow quickly" Laura told the boys, "would you like to hold her?"
The boys both nodded their heads. Bill helped them sit on a chair each, and placed their arms on the cushion of the chair, before Laura gently placed Katie first in Lee's and then Zak's arms.
A grin broke out over Zak's face and he said "I think she likes me".
"I think she does too bub" Laura replied kissing the top of his head, and stroking the baby's head.
"Okay, my turn" Evelyn cooed when she saw the novelty of holding a new born was wearing off.
"Oh she's adorable, looks like the perfect combination of her Mommy and Daddy" Evelyn said admiring the baby.
"Congratulations son" Joseph said holding out his hand to Bill.
"Thanks Dad, she's perfect" Bill replied shaking his father's hand.
"When will you and Daddy come home?" Lee asked Laura.
"Tomorrow morning" Laura replied sitting on the bed and patting the spot next to her. Lee hopped on the bed, quickly followed by Zak and she pulled the boys close, kissing the top of their heads.
Katie started fussing in her grandmother's arms, "I think someone's hungry" Evelyn said smiling at the baby, before placing her back in her mother's arms.
Bill looked at towards the bed smiling at the picture of his two sons, new born daughter and fiancé all huddled together. He couldn't believe he'd gotten so lucky.
It's a girl! :) reviews help her grow :p