Just to clarify a couple of chapters ago, I wrote that Derek was the oldest of the Morgan children. Maybe he is - maybe he isn't. That is one of the wonderful things about creative license: you can set the character to fit the scene…any scene for any story. As for why I stopped where I did…well, as I kept writing, the story took a different turn than what I had planned, so I chose to break it in two.
My Girl
"Boss…"
"Don't 'Boss' me, Garcia. I want you to push that baby out. That's an order. Don't make me write you up when they get you out of there," Dave ordered in a tone no one had ever heard before. "Do I make myself clear? Don't make me come down there!"
"Yes, Boss."
"When Derek and Reid tell you to push, I want you to give it all you can. Do you hear me?" Dave asked.
"Yes, Boss."
Stunned silent the trio waited for a moment.
"You heard Rossi," Derek said, breaking the silence, "let's get this baby out. Come on, Pen, give it all you got. I know you can do it."
Pen swallowed hard. "Okay," she nodded.
"On the next contraction, push. I mean really push," Reid directed.
"Okay. Here it comes."
"I wish I had a light to work with," Derek mumbled under his breath. He didn't care about the elevator not moving, but he needed to see what he was doing. "Please God," he prayed in a whispered tone, "give us some light to work with."
"On three," Reid encouraged. "One. Two. Three."
"I feel something," Derek called out as his hand blindly felt the mass slide out of Pen's body. Slimy and warm - maybe it was his years of playing football - instinctively he caught the baby. "She's here! She's here!" Unashamed, he let the tears roll down his cheeks. The loud cheering from upstairs filtered through the phone.
Suddenly the lights came on. Blinking from the harsh light that shone down from the ceiling, it took a moment for them to get their bearings.
Looking down at the tiny human in his hands, Derek stared for a moment. "Reid," he called out. One word in one desperate tone said everything. In a moment the young doctor was beside the new father.
Pushing herself up on her elbows, Pen looked at the men. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Why isn't Amanda crying?"
"It's okay," Derek assured though his heart was pounding so loud he could barely hear what he said.
"Why isn't my baby crying?" Pen repeated. She tried to hold the tears back as fear spread through her body.
"Derek," Dave called out. "Talk to me. What is going on?"
"The cord's wrapped around Amanda's neck," Derek choked out. He held the baby as Reid quickly removed the umbilical cord.
"Derek…" Pen cried. Her eyes searched her husband's for an answer.
Immediately his FBI and police training kicked in. Pushing the fear down, Derek covered Amanda's nose and mouth and breathed into her lungs. Lifting his head, he counted to five and repeated the process. The seconds ticked by slowly. "Come on, Amanda," he whispered in her ear. "Show me what you got." One more breath.
As if she heard her daddy's plea, Amanda's body tensed up and then she let out a wail that could be heard through out the Hoover Building.
Derek openly wept. "There you go, little one. Let it out. Let it out."
"Hold her while I tie off the cord," Reid ordered. Reaching down, he unlaced his shoes. Quickly he tied two knots in the long cord. Satisfied, he picked up the shirt lying over Pen's knees. "Here," he offered and wrapped the baby snugly. Amanda continued to voice her anger and frustration.
"Let me see her," Pen pleaded.
"You want the honours?" Derek asked Reid. Before the doctor could speak, Derek placed the bundle in his arms.
Moving back over to Pen, Reid handed the wailing baby over to her. "Here you go."
Reaching up. Pen took the baby. Parting the cotton material, she looked down at the beautiful face of her newborn daughter. The start had been rough, but now the cries seemed like the sound of angels singing.
"Hey there," Pen greeted through her tears. "Hi Amanda," she cooed. Hearing her mother's voice, Amanda settled down. Opening her eyes, she tried to focus on the face of where the voice came from.
"Hi Precious," Pen continued. "So, you're the one who's been using my kidneys as her personal punching bag."
A huge jolt shook the elevator.
"Derek! What's happening?" Pen cried out.
"I think they got this thing working," he replied. "Reid, when this thing stops, go out and tell them what happened."
"Got it."
Suddenly the elevator stopped.
"Not again," Derek groaned.
Long torturous moments later the doors pulled open.
"Derek!" Hotch called out. "Is the baby okay?"
"She's fine, Hotch. We are going to need paramedics."
"They're right here." Hotch knelt down beside Pen. "How are you doing?" he asked.
"I'm good."
"We're going to get you both to the hospital, okay?"
Pen nodded. Reid quickly filled the paramedics in about Amanda's delivery.
Within seconds the elevator was filled with paramedics. One person took Amanda, while another fitted Pen with an IV. Quickly they loaded her on a stretcher. After being in the hot box, the cool air caused her to shiver uncontrollably. Someone covered her with a blanket.
"Where are they taking my baby?" Pen asked as she watched two people wheel a plastic see thru box on to the elevator next to where the event had gone down.
"They are going to take her via helicopter to GW. We're going to meet them there," Derek replied. Instinctively he grabbed Pen's hand and held it tight. He looked down at the woman who was now the mother of his child. Her eyes were tired, her hair hung in limp strings, and tear tracks ran down her flushed cheeks, but never had she been so beautiful.
"Okay."
"Do you want JJ to go with you?" Hotch asked.
Pen looked at the Unit Chief and then at her husband. "Can I take Reid instead?"
Hotch patted her shoulder. "Sure." He turned toward the young agent. "Good job Reid."
Reid looked down and then up. "Thanks Hotch."
"We have to move her," the first responder commented.
"Go ahead. We'll meet you at the hospital later." Hotch turned on his heel and walked away. A wide smile was on his face and tears were in his eyes.
Carefully the stretcher was wheeled into the empty elevator. As the button was pushed, the trio held their breath.
"Reid?" Pen asked tiredly. Her hand reached for his. Grabbing it, she held on tight.
"Yes, Garcia?"
"Thank you," she whispered vaguely. She was so tired.
Looking up, Reid's eyes met Derek's.
"Thank you," Derek repeated in a choked whisper.
Swallowing the lump in his throat, Reid tried to think of a reply but his brain came up empty. Looking at the sleeping woman who held his hand, and the man who was his best friend, he nodded.
"You're welcome."