Here's the first Chapter, I know that this story isn't my usual, but I'm glad at least a few people are willing to take this ride with me.
Thanks to my Beta Mertmidnightangel for getting this chapter back to me so quick. I added a bit more to the end after she sent it to me, so any typos at the end are all on me.
Read on!
Tommy and Jason watched with stony eyes as the ER Doctor pulled back the sheet. Kat lay there, with a grey pallor upon her face. She still looked peaceful, as though she was merely sleeping.
Jason nodded. "Yeah, that's her."
Tommy's heart constricted in his chest. The urge to cry was there too, but he refused to let it win. He took a deep breath and approached her bed.
The Dr. gave them a compassionate look. "I'll just give you boys some alone time. When you're done, I'll be waiting in the hallway."
"Thanks Doc." Jason said while never taking his eyes off his brother.
The man in the white coat nodded and walked out of the room.
Tommy took a deep breath and approached the body. He picked up a hand and flinched just a little bit at how ice cold it was. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, which were in turmoil.
For a moment, he was lost in memory.
Tommy had never planned on Kat being his first. He'd always thought that Kim would be the woman he gave up his virginity to. But here he was…lying in bed and spooning the beautiful blonde. They had spent all weekend shut away in his uncle's cabin. The first time had been sort of awkward as they were both literally feeling their way along….
It wasn't till after passing on their powers to the new rangers that Kat had told him the news.
"Tommy, I'm pregnant."
He'd been shocked when he'd been told, and he'd quietly asked for some time to gather his thoughts, the last thing he wanted to do was react in the moment. Kat had given him a hurt look but had given him space…
"Kat, I'm so sorry. I should never have taken advantage of you. Not when my heart belongs to Kimberly. I guess none of that matters now…since you're gone. All I can do is to promise you that I will be the best father I can be to our son. I'll love him with all my heart and guide him through his life the best I can. I'll tell him, one day when he's old enough to understand, what a great ranger and woman you were." Tommy paused, not sure what else he could say, and then kissed her forehead. "Goodbye Kat, maybe in the next life I'll see you again."
With a slight bow of respect, Jason pulled the sheet over Kat and took another deep breath before turning and following his brother in all things out of the room.
Dr. Belleview was there, just as he said he would be as Tommy followed Jason out the door. "Follow me. The NICU is on the third floor."
The ride on the elevator was quiet but Tommy's mind would not stay quiet…it was in turmoil.
Tommy, you do know that no matter what, I won't leave you hanging. We're bros, and bros stick together? I know the rest of the guys would back me up on that. We'll be the world's most awesome uncles to that baby." Jason's words that he'd spoken later that same day that Kat had told him her news came back to him. He couldn't have asked for a better brother. Especially now.
Tommy glanced up at his brother as they stepped off the elevator. Jason had proven himself over and over. There was no one on the team that he trusted more.
The NICU was a quiet calm place that was in all ways sterile, which was of course necessary to protect the precious lives inside the room.
Both men were given hospital gowns to put over their clothing and were shown to the wash station. When they were as clean as they could be, they were led to the door.
"We normally only allow one visitor in the room, but this time I'm making an exception. I'm sure I don't need to tell you guys how quiet it needs to be in here."
The room was painted in a soothing pallets of pastels and decorated with baby animals everywhere. But the first thing that Tommy's eyes landed on was the incubator against the wall. The baby within was sleeping quietly yet he didn't look sick at all, he was even breathing on his own. There wasn't a single tube or IV in sight. The only thing off was his size, a little smaller than most newborns. He was a preemie, but that was the only issue that could be seen.
His baby looked perfect.
Dr. Belleview walked over to the see-through crib, lifted the lid and carefully picked the tiny infant up. "This is all just a formality, since there are no health problems with this little one, except for his size." Tommy watched with bated breath as the infant was carefully brought over to him. "Congratulations, Mr. Oliver. It's a boy."
Tommy looked at Jason who was giving him an encouraging smile. He took a deep breath and then held out his arms. The moment the baby was placed in his arms, he felt something inside him shift, he looked down at the baby…his baby that was now looking up at him. The child had a soft shock of brown hair like his as well as the high cheekbones, but he also had Kat's eyes. The two looked at each other and then Tommy exhaled softly.
"Mine…my son."
Jason smiled and the doctor looked relieved.
The doctor walked over to the table by the bed and opened a folder. Inside, were two hospital bracelets, one he placed around the baby's ankle and the other, he held out to Tommy who shifted for a moment and held out his wrist.
"There, now it's official. I'll leave you two alone for a few minutes while I bring in the official paper work."
Jason approached Tommy and gazed down at the infant. Tommy looked up at him. "I had no idea it could be like this…that this is how it feels like to be a father. I didn't give much thought beyond Kat giving birth to a baby. But now…it feels incredible. I have a son."
Jason chuckled. "I can see it all on your face. What will you name him? Did you and Kat have anything picked out?"
Tommy blew out a breath. "We discussed a lot of names, but she liked the name Lorcan. It means fierce little one. I thought it was strange that she would chose an Irish name, but apparently it's a popular name in Australia."
"He's a fighter, that's for sure. He's got the Great Power in him, just like his father." Jason stated as he gently touched the baby's head.
"It seems fitting…and it is what Kat wanted. It's the least I can do."
"Lorcan it is, then. Lorcan Thomas Oliver."
"I like it." Tommy said with a smile. "It sort of fits him." He lifted the infant, kissed his forehead, and then looked at Jason. "Would you like to hold your Godson?"
Jason looked for a moment like he would refuse, but then he held out his arms and Tommy handed the infant over. Jason smiled down at the baby. "Hey Lorcan, I'm your godfather."
The infant smiled and kicked his legs.
Jason grinned and then his face fell a moment later. "The others…what are we gonna tell them?"
Tommy sighed, holding out his hands for his son. "The truth. It's gonna upset everyone…but we shouldn't keep them out of the loop. Tanya especially."
Just then, the communicator went off.
"Tanya to Tommy, come in!"
Tommy sighed and looked to his best friend to help. Jason pushed the button on the communicator. "This is Tommy, over."
"I can't get a hold of Kat, and I just saw the news! Is she okay?"
Jason sighed. "Tanya, get the others and meet me in the park. We have a lot to talk about."
"I don't like that way that sounded. You're scaring me."
"I'm sorry Tanya, but it's how things are right now. Just get to the park. I'll be there soon, Jason out."
The two men looked at eachother. Jason looked down at the infant and then at the father. "I'll take care of everything bro. You need to bond with your son."
"Thanks Jase."
Jason squeezed his shoulder in support and then quietly walked out of the room. Tommy looked over at the rocking chair in the corner; a moment later he sat down in it with his son in his arms and held him close.
The baby exhaled softly and Tommy chuckled. "Yeah, I know it. Today's been rough for both of us. But I'm here now, things are gonna be okay."
Angel Grove Park
Jason found his friends at one of the picnic tables. Rocky was the first to look up at him. Tanya was the first to speak.
"Jason, what's going on? Where's Kat?"
The former red ranger took a deep breath.
"Did any of you hear that Amber alert that went out this morning?"
When a few of them nodded, Jason continued. "Kat found herself behind the vehicle with the kidnapped child inside. She sacrificed herself saving the little kid, but the pyscho bitch that kidnapped her…shot her. Kat was DOA to the hospital. They were able to save her baby, but ….she's gone."
Tanya looked shocked for a moment and then the tears came. Adam looked shocked and he pulled his girlfriend close to him, and then she buried her face in his shirt and cried.
Rocky looked at the ground stonily but tears were sliding down his cheek.
Trini got up from her spot and hugged Jason tightly and he wrapped his arms around her.
Zack had no idea what to say or even do, so he just closed his eyes and waited the moment out.
Finally, several minutes over, he felt Jason and Trini sit down next to him and they silently put his arms around him and sat quietly.
After 30 minutes or so passed. Rocky looked up at them. "We should call in Aisha and Kimberly, they need to know."
Zack looked up at Jason. "Where's Tommy? I thought he was with you."
Jason took a deep breath. "He's a new daddy…he's up in the NICU with his son. He's okay for now, but he'll need all of us to help him through this."
Trini nodded. We should go brig him his duffle bag with some change of clothes.
Jason nodded. Adam, you and Tanya gonna be alright?
Adam kissed his girlfriend chastely Yeah, go ahead, I got her."
We'll meet back up at the hospital in about an hour or so."
"Got it. "
Without much more being said, they headed off in the opposite direction.
Back at the Hospital
Tommy looked up as the nurse walked into the room. "Mr. Oliver?"
"Yes?"
"When you're ready, we can move you into your room."
Tommy gave her a look of confusion. "My room?"
The nurse whose name was Jamie nodded. "The doctor has transferred you to a family unit. Thankfully, we're not very busy and the doctor has put you in a clean room for as long as Lorcan is here. It's free of charge too. You won't have to pay a thing to stay there."
Tommy felt waves of gratitude spill over him. "Thank you," he whispered.
Jamie nodded. "Of course, let me know when you're ready, Mr. Oliver."
Later that afternoon, many hours later, Tommy emerged from the private bathroom with a pair of track pants on, and the red tank top in his hands. He'd taken a shower using the special soap the hospital provided and now clean, he paused hearing the baby fussing.
He paused and exhaled. "And so it begins." He walked toward the crib only pausing to put his tank top on the bed and reached into the crib. Moments later, he carefully put the baby against his shoulder and patted the tiny back softly.
Instantly the baby relaxed and even grasped a tendril of his daddy's hair.
"You know, that's a good way to bond with your baby." The doctor said as he walked in. He hand a bottle of infant formula in his hand. "I know it's taboo among some people, but the more you have skin on skin contact, the more you bond, and the more you bond, the better your son will thrive. And that is the key to leaving this hospital sooner."
Tommy nodded and took a deep breath as he held his infant.
"I can't thank you enough for helping me out like this. You won't get in trouble for this will you?"
The Doctor shook his head. "It's the least I can do for a hero. You have friends waiting to see you. Make sure they have the gowns and gloves on. I'll be back to check on you in an hour."
Tommy nodded as the doctor walked out and his friends walked in.
So, everyone still with me? Anyone looking for Justin will see him soon, he just wasn't with the rangers when they gathered at the park. Next chapter, we'll get to see what Kimberly has been up to since that horrible letter. Thank you all again for the reviews, they keep me going!