Chapter 11: The Waiting Game

Author's note: First off, I'd like to apologize if this seems late to some people. Some personal 'situations', if you will, have popped up in my life. So my attention is on that right now. And ultimately, my time to write has been put on hold. However, as you can probably tell, I found some time to write up the next chapter.

We time lapsed and now we're 8 months ahead from where we were. If there are typos, misspellings, yadda yadda, please do your best to ignore it. Read on and enjoy, vigor-drinkers.

Lone Reaper-068: Wow, you just gave me a buffet of names. Thank you! I will definitely put those into consideration. :)
TearfulFriend18: Thank you so much, that really means a lot to me. I'm glad that you like it, hope you like the update. :)
halocon720: Thank you. :)
DatReader: Hi there, I'm really glad you like the story. Thank you for coming back and trying the story out. It really means a lot. I hope my creativity never ends wither! Have a lovely day. :)
Kelly: Hi Kelly, I'm happy that you've continued to read it! I like Eleanor, very old fashioned and Bioshock appropriate. It's in consideration. Best wishes. :)
TheSilencedVigor: The end is near, sadly. :( Well, thank you. One-shot's would be a lot easier than full stories, so maybe I can try. But we shall see! You should drink milk of the poppy, while I pray to the seven for your quick recovery. :)
bren97122: Psh, of course I'm going to name the kid JackAndrewDelta Dewitt! :P Oooohhh, my bad… Sorry! I've always been bad about assuming, but I fixed it. I refer to you as a guy in the shout out now. :)
YOY: Haha, more like extremely taboo. :P Great, I hope you like the post chapters after the first! :)
Justsomegirl17: I should just start putting up 'You may feel sympathy for these characters' as a warning for each story. Miscarriage? Oh, you mean about Anna. It was actually fairly hard for me to put that in there, but it was the most meaningful and obvious way to include Anna without making her Elizabeth. =/ What are you talking about, I love seeing your name everywhere! :P Thanks so much! Arrivederci, baby cakes! :)
Larom: Either you didn't read the second chapter correctly or you didn't type your review right. Either way, as I say to this type of comment, there are plenty of stories on this site. Go enjoy those.

-Sarai

April 11th, 1915

Sweat trickled down Booker's temple as the screams got louder and louder on the other side of the door he paced by. Collette Bisset's voice could be heard, nearly shouting to be heard over the screams coming from Elizabeth in the room. Robert and Rosalind whined at the door, pawing with weak attempts. They knew they weren't allowed into the bedroom, just as Booker wasn't allowed either.

An earsplitting scream filled the entire home, making Booker rush towards the door. He stopped his movements when everything went completely silent. All that was heard was the dog's whimpers, Booker's heavy breaths and the thump sound in his chest. His grip on the brass knob was freed when the door flung open and Collette stood there, looking up at him, and blocking his entry and view inside the room. His organs knotted together in worry and his heart felt like a good sharp dagger had impaled it. He gulped hard as Collette wiped her hands clean with a towel, her face tired and her frown in a thin line.

(5 hours earlier)

Elizabeth bit her bottom lip, staring at the playing cards in front of her. She looked to Collette sitting across from her, feeling intimidation as the older woman tapped her foot and resting her chin in her hand. Collette yawned, using the playing cards in her hand to hide her mouth. She sighed, starring at Elizabeth.

"Have you decided, dear?" she inquired.

"Uh, I think," Elizabeth mumbled, choosing a seven of hearts and a seven of clubs from her hand, and laying them down on the table with hesitant hands. She peeked up at Collette, waiting for her reaction.

"That is quite good, my dear," the older woman said in thick French accent, "But not as good as mine." She smiled widely and laid 5 cards on the table. "A straight," she said with a happy grin.

Elizabeth frowned and studied her cards, "This is pain. We've been playing for days and I still eat dirt."

"Oh darling, don't eat dirt. Not good for the baby," Collette said with a wink. "And do not feel bad, your husband is much worse."

A giggled escaped her lips, "I hope you don't tell him that. His pride would be very hurt."

Collette waved her hand in the air, "I've told him many times and I'll tell him many times more. Mr. Dewitt does not favor me, so I must stoke the fire."

Elizabeth stood, stretched her sore back and walked to the lemonade pitcher on the countertop. She took a good gulp of the sweet and sour beverage, the liquid traveled through her body, relieving some of the heat she felt. She held back an 'oof' sound when a strong kick hit her. She set her hand on her very pregnant belly, "Calm down, baby. We're both hot, give me some slack."

Collette laughed, stood from her seat and walked to Elizabeth. She cupped her hands on her large belly and bent lower until her lips were leveled with her navel. "You must treat your mother well, sweet child. When you come out into the world, you will have much time to kick your father."

Elizabeth laughed aloud at that, "Booker already takes my kicks at night. I think I can take the baby's kicks."

"If you say so," Collette said with a shrug. Just as she was finished talking, a familiar sound of gravel and dirt being crushed and moved could be heard. "Speaking of the devil," Collette muttered as she looked out the window from the kitchen to see Booker pulling up to the house.

A small smile grew on Elizabeth's lips as she straightened out her light blue dress and smoothed her hair that had now grown to her shoulders. She took small steps, almost wobbling, to the door and waited on the porch as Booker made his way to her.

Striding quickly, Booker admired his pregnant wife. Her skin glowed like porcelain, her blue eyes shined brightly, her hair shiny in the sun, and her lips rosy red. When he finally made it her, he had to lean over her belly to kiss her. He felt the baby in her belly kick against his abdomen. Getting down on one knee, he kissed her belly as well.

"How's my little girl doing?" he asked the baby, "Treating mommy well?"

Elizabeth had let it go a long time ago whenever he called their baby a girl, even though she believed otherwise. She was just so happy to see him attached to the child inside her just as much as she was. "He's been kicking a lot today," she spoke softly, looking down at Booker.

He kissed her belly once more and stood tall, leading her back into the house, "It's because she's ready to come out." When he was closing the door, he heard the shuffling of cards. He turned to look in the kitchen and sure enough, Collette was there.

"Good day, Mr. Dewitt," she greeted him.

"Good day, Mrs. Bisset," he said in a gruff voice.

The older woman smiled at the sound of his voice. She placed the deck neatly on the table and scrutinized the man, "How is my husband today?"

Booker wielded off an overly excited, full grown Robert. He held back an annoyed sigh, "Why don't go home and ask him?"

"Booker!" Elizabeth shouted at him.

He rolled his eyes as Collette raised her hands at Elizabeth. "Don't worry, my dear. Your husband is just grumpy as always," she said with a calm tone. Her eyes narrowed at Booker, "I would go home to my own husband, but for your wife's sake, I am here. So you're welcome."

For the past week, Collette had been staying at the Dewitt household. Elizabeth was a week late past her estimated due date, so she stayed with her in case she went into labor. She had been serving as Elizabeth's midwife and she needed to be near when contractions would start. It was just a matter of waiting when that happened.

Booker wanted to say some not so nice words to the know-it-all woman, but for his wife's sake, he held it back. He started loosening his tie as he walked into his bedroom, Elizabeth following. She closed the door behind her and helped to undo his tie.

"You should be more kind to her, Booker," she said quietly, "She is a lot of help here."

He sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead in frustration and sitting at the edge of the bed, "She just gets on my nerves."

Elizabeth nodded and took a seat next to him, going much slower because of her weight. Booker started laughing as he watched her. She smacked his arm, "It's not funny! You try having all this weight on her stomach."

"I-I know," he stuttered out, trying to stifle his laughs, "You just move like an old lady."

She put as much strength in her punch as she hit him, "Stop it! It's not funny!"

Booker grasped his arm, but when she pouted at him, he couldn't hold back the laughter any longer. He looked the other way, her expression making him want to laugh more. He could feel her shift around and when he looked at her, he grabbed onto her hand. She was standing, well trying to stand. Booker held back the laughs and pulled her to him.

"Don't try to stand," he said in a light voice, "It'll make me laugh more."

She glared at him and crossed her arms over her belly, "Meanie."

He did his best to hold back the laughter, but a few 'ha's would escape him. He snorted when she frowned at him, her hair covering half her face. He pushed her hair away and brought him to look at him. He smiled when she stuck her tongue at him.

"Making fun of your wife who is carrying you child," she mumbled, brushing her nose against his, "Shame on you."

He closed the space between them and pressed his lips to hers. "Shame on me," he whispered against her lips, tracing his tongue on her lower lip. He started leaning her down onto the bed, still kissing her. He stayed lying on his side while his hand started pulling the ties on the front of her dress. After the dress was open, he slipped a hand in and kneaded her chest. Her breasts had gotten larger with pregnancy, and ultimately, more sensitive; making her react to his touch much faster.

She moaned against the kiss, clawing at his vest. She pulled him closer as their tongues danced with one another. She was undoing the last button of his vest when a sudden harsh pain struck her. She pulled away and cried in pain.

Booker quickly sat up, and as he was about to touch her belly, she cried out again. His hands hovered over her frantically, "What did I do?"

"You did nothing," she assured him, the pain slowly going away, "I'm alright."

"Elizabeth, this isn't good," he said quickly, "What's wrong?"

He helped her sit up, but just as she did, her eyes went wide. He asked around five times what was wrong, but she just sat there with surprised eyes. She looked down and the front of her dress was wet. Not with arousal, but something else. She looked up at Booker, "Get Collette."

He was hesitant at first, scared to leave her, but when he didn't move, she shouted it. He was up, nearly running for Collette. He leaned outside the bedroom doorway, and yelled for her, "Collette! Hurry, it's Elizabeth!"

Collette was in the room within a few seconds. She walked to Elizabeth, inspecting her closely. Elizabeth cried out again, making Collette stand straight and turn to Booker. "I need you to get plenty of towels and sheets, lots of water, and make sure those dog's don't get in here," she listed off to him. When he didn't move, she grasped his chin and made him look at her, "Make haste, Dewitt! The child is coming!"

He nodded to the older woman and looked at Elizabeth, "I'll be right back, Elizabeth, I promise."

And he was off, retrieving what Collette had ordered from him. Within five minutes, he was in the bedroom again, handing over what was needed to Collette. While he was on the scavenger hunt, she had moved Elizabeth back onto the bed and had her leaning against a large pile of pillows. She was gripping on the sheets around her and her eyes shut tight.

Booker began to stride to her when Collette raised hand to his chest and held him back, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dewitt, but you need to wait out there."

"I'm staying in here," he declared instantly, "I'm not leaving her."

"You won't be leaving her. It needs to be me and her. You'll just rile everyone up with your new father antics. So please, for Elizabeth's sake, wait out there."

He was about to shove her hand away when Elizabeth spoke up, "Booker, don't worry, everything will be fine. Collette will get—"

She was cut off when another sharp pain struck her. Collette fought with him, "Give me space, man! The baby is coming rather quickly and I need to tend to your wife, so let me get to work."

After the pain left once again, Elizabeth slumped back onto the pillows. Booker took a step back towards the door, and when Collette lowered her hand, he quickly side stepped and dashed for Elizabeth's side. He held her hand and brushed her hair off her sweaty forehead, "I can't let you go through this alone."

"I won't be going through this alone," she said, turning her head to look at him. "Everything will be fine. I want you with me, too, but Collette just needs the space. When it's all over, you'll be in here in no time."

"Promise me. Promise me you'll still be here when this is over."

She gave him a weak smile and leaned to him. She placed a soft kiss on his forehead, "I promise, Booker. We'll both be here, alive and healthy. I promise."

He captured her lips and kissed her deeply. After a few seconds, he pulled away and pecked her forehead. Very reluctantly, he stepped backwards to the door. He went quicker when Collette led him out. When he stood outside the door, she patted his arm gently.

"Don't worry, Mr. Dewitt," she said firmly, "I've done this before, and everything will go smoothly."

She was gone before he could say anything, closing the door. Now he was alone with the dogs, playing the waiting game.

Collette stood in front of Booker, cleaning her hands on the linen cloth. She sighed heavily, sweeping her hair off her face, and looking up at the man. She was sure she had never seen a husband with such a worried and scared expression, and she had birthed a good amount of babies. He tried getting around her, but she kept a hand to his chest, holding him back.

Booker gulped hard. He grew nervous that she was holding him back. What was she holding him back from? Had something gone wrong? Before he could ask his questions aloud, she spoke first.

"Mr. Dewitt," she started with a flat voice, "You need to be quiet and calm. You might scare the child and Elizabeth."

"They're alive?!" he almost shouted.

Collette covered his mouth with her hand and pointed a finger, "I told you to be quite." She removed her hand when he nodded. "Yes, she is alive and so is the child. Congratulations, Mr. Dewitt. You are now the father to a healthy baby girl."

She quickly took a step away from the doorway and he nearly stomped over her. He burst into the room, and held his breath when he caught sight of the most perfect moment that ever occurred. Elizabeth was sitting up, leaning against the bed frame with a particularly small bundle in her arms. She looked up with watery eyes and a bright smile.

Booker slowly stepped towards them. He was afraid that maybe they were a mirage and someone was playing a cruel joke on him. But when he sat down on the bed next to Elizabeth and saw his daughter for the first time, he knew that this was real. He studied the infant closely, tilting his head to get a better look. She was a red little thing. She looked like a potato with a scrunched up face. Dark wispy hair poked out from her small head, going in every direction. Sucking on her tongue, she shifted a little in the tightly wrapped blanket.

He pushed back the tears that dared to spill over, trying to stay strong in front of his daughter. His gaze moved to the baby's mother. Elizabeth looked tired and worn out, but to Booker, she had never looked more beautiful. Her eyelids were heavy, but her eyes were bright. Her lips were curved into a gentle smile.

"You were right." When he arched an eyebrow, she leaned her head on his shoulder. "We had a girl."

He chuckled softly, "I told you. She's perfect." He wrapped an arm around her and with his free hand he brushed his fingertips on the baby's forehead. The pad of his forefinger was the size of her nose. He looked to Elizabeth when she spoke again.

"What should we name her?" she inquired.

"Hmm," he thought for a small while. "What do you think of Constance?"

"That was your mother's name, wasn't it? I think it's perfect," she leaned down and laid a soft kiss on the baby's fuzzy head. "Hello, Connie. I'm your mother and this is your father."

Booker could feel his heart beat a little faster when Elizabeth introduced him. His mind rushed trying to come up with something to say. He smiled when Constance made bubbles with her lips and made a 'coo' sound. He couldn't hold back the small tear that left his eye, and it landed on the baby's forehead. He was quick to wipe it away, "Sorry, kiddo." She made another nose when he traced his finger on her nose.

After a long while, Elizabeth handed Connie over to him. He was nervous at first, but as he got used to her light weight and the tininess that was her, he wanted to hold her all the time. He rocked her in his arms, humming to her, stealing soft kisses on her forehead, and a few sniffles coming from him.

Elizabeth had fallen asleep after a while, lulled to sleep by Booker's sweet words and humming for their baby girl. She was so exhausted from the birth. Connie had come so quickly and it stole all the energy from her.

Booker held Connie for over two hours. When that two hour mark passed, his body felt lighter. His wife and baby were alive, healthy, and here with him. He couldn't ask for any more. He had everything he could have ever wanted and needed. Life was being good to him right now, and no matter what was going to come his way, he was going to make sure that Connie and Elizabeth were always going to be safe and healthy. Because they were his world and life was perfect at that moment.

Author's note: Fist pump for finishing that in one sitting. The vote for the baby's gender was dominated by the votes for a girl. The name Constance comes from a reader, Lone Reaper-068, so thanks so much for the suggestion! I think Connie Dewitt sounds so nice.

I hope you all enjoyed. Please review and favorite. I think the next chapter will be the last and it's going to be an epilogue. I can put a lemon in there if enough people want it. I'll do my best to type the next chapter up soon, but that's up to my schedule right now. Talk to you all (hopefully) very soon. -Sarai