The following week she wakes up in the middle of the night. She rolls over, and looks at the clock. She takes a deep breath. She heads down the stairs, and grabs the car keys. She doesn't even bother to wake Zoey. When she arrives at the E.R. is relieved to find that Thor has picked up and extra shift, and he is manning the desk.
"Jackie what are you doing here? It's three o'clock in the morning."
"I am having contractions."
"Maybe they're just Braxton-Hicks," he suggests.
"Thor I think that I know the difference."
"Ok, we'll check things out. How much longer are you supposed to have?"
"Six weeks. This baby is not going to come six weeks early. That is just unacceptable."
Four hours later they have managed to get her contractions stopped. Dr. Cooper enters the E.R. bay.
"Give me your keys," he tells her.
"Thor said I was being discharged," she argues.
"You know we are going to move you upstairs, and keep you over night."
"I'll be fine."
"Do you want a baby tonight, or not?" Coop grills her.
"Not tonight."
"Then you will follow my instructions, no matter how painful it is."
"Fine."
"And I am going to put you on bed rest."
"There is no way," she argues.
"Just until you reach thirty seven weeks. That is only three weeks from now."
"But..."
"Jackie you're lucky I was here. The other doctors would have let you go into labor, and have this baby tonight."
"I know."
"So we're going to take you upstairs. We're going to keep you overnight. I will drive you home. I want you to stay on bed rest the next three weeks. Is that clear?"
"Yes."
The next weeks pass quickly. Jackie hesitantly complies to the bed rest for two weeks. At the end of the two weeks she returns to work, after her doctor's permission. The days fly by.
They watch every move she makes. From inserting an IV to handing someone a Tylenol all eyes are on her. She is in the middle of hanging an IV bag, when her patient looks over at her. Her co-workers stand nearby.
"So when are you due?" the patient asks, innocently.
"Five days ago," Jackie answers.
"You're just pulling my leg, aren't you?" the elderly woman asks, "You don't look like you could possibly be that far along."
"I assure you that I am."
"Then why are you here? You should be off your feet, resting."
"Not if I ever want this baby to come."
"Best of luck," the elderly lady smiles.
"Thanks, I need all the luck I can get."
"Look on the bright side, there is a full moon in three days."
"Three days?" Jackie questions.
"Babies always have a mind of their own."
"That is for sure."
Jackie leaves the E.R. bay. Her colleagues stand around the nurse's station. They argue as she approaches. As she gets close enough to hear them they stop talking. Dr. Cooper initiates rock, paper, scissors. Jackie signs off her chart, and puts it in the pile. She looks at them carefully. Thor, Coop, and Zoey stand there in silence.
"What are the three of you rock, paper, scissoring about?" she questions.
"Nothing," Thor answers quickly.
"Zoey lost," Coop points out.
"I am not going there," Zoey argues.
Gloria walks up behind them, "Going where?" she raises an eyebrow.
"That thing we talked about talking about, earlier," Zoey answers her.
"You still haven't brought it up?" Gloria answers in disbelief.
"Brought what up? What is going on here?" Jackie questions.
"We were thinking," Dr. Cooper starts, but doesn't finish.
Gloria looks her directly in the eye, "Jackie you need to consider induction. You're past you prime."
Jackie shoots her a look, "Absolutely not."
"If it doesn't happen by tomorrow," Zoey begins.
Jackie looks at her watch, "I am done here in twelve minutes. I will go home, and try to naturally induce my labor."
"We would appreciate that," Thor admits.
"Why the Hell isn't your doctor concerned about you being overdue?" Coop wonders, in concern.
Jackie shrugs, "He told me I should get induced last week."
"Why didn't you?" Zoey follows up.
"Everything about," Coop pauses, and waves his hands over her stomach, "this is high risk."
"I need one more day," she insists.
"One more day. Either way you're off the floor after that," Gloria adds.
"Fine," Jackie nods.
Zoey follows Jackie as she leaves the building.
"Where are you going?" Zoey questions as they move towards the sidewalk.
"Home."
"You drove your car this morning," Zoey points out.
"I am walking home, you can drive the car, if you want."
"Why?"
"I am going to stop at a Mexican restaurant on my way home."
"You can do that in the car."
"I am hoping walking helps start labor."
Three hours later they're at home. Jackie has had no success in inducing her labor. She has, however, successfully managed to give herself heartburn. She takes a Tums, and heads up the stairs for bed. She showers, and puts her pajamas on. She flips off the light, and crawls into bed. She's exhausted, and she falls asleep within a few minutes.
She rolls over in the middle of the night, and looks at the clock. 239, is what the red digital numbers tell her. She lays on her left side. Her hand rests on her stomach. She lies there for a few moments in silence.
"You have got to be kidding me."