AN: Hey guys! How's everybody doing? I'm swamped in homework and upcoming tests, so I won't be able to type up new material for my other fics. The chaotic period should end in a few weeks, though. Thankfully, I have stockpiled some chapters of stories on my laptop, so I can post those while you wait. Cheers!
Disclaimer: I do not own Resident Evil, its characters, or Tabasco hot sauce.
~10 months, 1 week = 41 weeks, Late April
"The baby's late," Jill stated as she stared fixedly at the calendar, noting the little red circle she had drawn around her due date. Now it was a week afterward, verging on two, and the baby hadn't arrived yet. This kid was really starting to get on her nerves.
"It's okay, Jill," Rebecca reassured from the kitchen table. The medic had been invited over to keep Jill company while Chris was out chasing a local lead on Umbrella. "The technician may have miscalculated the due date. And lots of women have their babies late. It's normal. Besides, late babies are usually more alert."
"Don't care. I want this kid out of me," Jill complained as she glared at the calendar. If looks could kill, the poor calendar would be in flames by now.
Rebecca bit her lip in anxiety. Ever since the hormones kicked in, Jill was more easily provoked to aggression than usual. Even being in the same room with her was nerve-wracking. "If you feel that strongly," the medic suggested, "we could arrange a C-section."
"Nuh-Uh. No way," the perturbed woman replied, "I do not want to do anything that involves anesthesia, or somebody cutting me open."
Rebecca sighed. Jill was being difficult. "Well, unless you want to wait, there are other methods to induce labor," she suggested.
"Like what?"
The young medic recalled the many ways to naturally induce labor. "Well, there's exercise, castor oil, or eating spicy food might work," she offered.
Jill threw her hands to her sides in an "I don't care" fashion. "I don't have any castor oil on hand. Does cleaning count as exercise?" Jill asked.
Rebecca glanced around. One of the things she had noticed as Jill led her through the house was that everything was spotless. The wood of the floor gleamed with fresh polish, cushions had been fluffed, and the medic was convinced that Jill changed out the halfway empty toilet paper roll with a fresh new one when she wasn't looking. Jill's obsessive cleaning was a marvel to behold, considering that the pregnant woman couldn't stand to be one her feet for hours at a time. "I guess," Rebecca replied.
"It's not working," Jill complained, "Let's try the spicy food." The mother-to-be ignored Rebecca's squeak of protest, marched toward the refrigerator, the dug through its contents before unearthing a bottle of Tabasco hot sauce and setting it aside. "Let's see if we can find anything to spice up in here," the pregnant woman muttered to herself as she continued to raid the fridge, "Rebecca! Help me find something spicy! Or else I'm gonna have to drink that hot sauce straight from the bottle!"
"Uh, I don't think that will be necessary," Rebecca coaxed from her seat.
Jill looked up from the fridge. "Yeah? How so?" she asked, leaning one arm on the door of the open refrigerator.
"Well, most doctors don't let women go beyond two weeks, so there's a little time left before this baby has to come out," Rebecca reasoned, "A few more days won't kill you."
Jill's features softened as she blinked at the medic. "I guess you're right," she sighed, closing the refrigerator door as she made he way to take a seat next to Rebecca. "Has my blood work come back yet?" the mother-to-be asked.
The medic nodded and pulled a medical file from her handbag. "Yes. Everything appears normal, but I found something particularly interesting," she said, "There are some traces of T-virus left over from Raccoon City, and there are specialized antibodies as well." Jill began to protest, only to be silenced by Rebecca. "Don't panic; the virus is in a dormant state. It can't hurt anybody." The medic flipped to another piece of paper. "I'm not sure what this means for your baby, but it could have inherited the antibodies in your system. This kid has half of your DNA, and at one point your immune system was protecting it."
"What's the chance of the baby becoming infected?" Jill asked, unconsciously settling her hand against her stomach. If her daughter turned out to be a monster, it would absolutely break Jill's heart. And having to lie and tell Chris the baby was 'stillborn' would be even worse.
Rebecca sighed and shook her head. "I can't say I know," she replied, "but it's a good thing your baby is spending extra time in there. She'll be strong when she comes out."
Jill leaned back in her chair and exhaled slowly. "Here's hoping," she replied. An errant thought crossed her mind. "Does Chris know about this?"
"Should he?"
Jill sighed, thinking about the circumstances. "It's my burden to bear, and it's nothing I can't deal with on my own," she said, "I know telling him would be the right thing to do, but I don't want him worrying about me. I can take care of myself."
"Then he doesn't have to," Rebecca replied, giving a small smile in consolation, "This will be strictly between us, Jill."
Jill smiled. "Thanks Rebecca," she said, "You're a good friend. Hopefully I'll be seeing you in the hospital sooner than you think. This baby is driving me crazy."