The Birth

Charlie's concern for her and the baby in her baby sac touched her heart. She always knew he had a soft tender side; she liked the fact he didn't hide it. In a week Doctor Grant reassured Charlie.

"The baby's heartrate is 135; its head is in the right position and probably weighs almost six pounds. Emily's blood pressure is perfect and her ankles are still only slightly swollen. Charlie, I see every one of my pregnant patients once a week as they approach their due date."

"Emily told me she thought it was routine. I suppose I'm old-fashioned. I needed to hear it for myself."

"I'm happy you're concerned. It means you're going to be a good father. I do need you to stop at the hospital and complete the registration process. They'll be expecting you."

"Is it the one we saw right before the Fourteenth street Bridge?"

"Yes, Hayes Memorial Hospital has a fine reputation for excellent care."

"We're on our way to visit my mom and dad. We'll stop on the way home."

Maryann was like her son; she had been concerned too. Now it was Charlie who reassured her. She changed the subject.

"Have you thought of possible names for this baby?"

"We have. We both like Michelle if it's a girl."

"And what about for a boy?"

"We chose the masculine form of Michelle, Michael."

"I like both of them. Now we need to go on a shopping spree for all the baby's things. There are several stores not far from here; I'm sure some of them have items for a newborn. When is your mom's last day at the Embassy?"

"She's training her replacement today."

"Then the three of us can do this together."

"And soon, please, I don't want to be without things if this baby comes a little early."

Emily got her request. And Maryann had a lesson in translating Emily and Elizabeth's words for all these items. Charlie came too; but grandfather-to-be Earl had to work.

They were leisurely walking along the street with all the stores when Elizabeth asked. "Do you have the list we made?"

"I do Mum. I'm so glad we don't need to buy a cot."

Maryann abruptly stopped. "Why do you need a cot?"

"Maryann, the baby needs a place to sleep."

"The baby will roll off a cot; it needs a crib."

Her son answered her; he had had the same reaction when Emily had first used it.

"Mom, cot is the British word for crib. Sarah gave us the one she used. Raymond told me he will help me put it together."

"I see. I suppose there are others different words for baby things."

"There are, Maryann. Mum and I will translate for you."

Soon they entered the first store. "Maryann, we need to buy three dozen nappies, muslin to clean-up posset, at least one papoose, several gowns, a couple of sleeping bags, at least six wrapping blankets and a couple of dummies."

Maryann laughed. "Charlie, did you understand her?"

"I did. She gave me a translation. Let me see if I remember."

By now a salesclerk was standing near them. She wanted to know too.

Charlie began. "Nappies are diapers. Posset refers to baby spit-up. It needs a special rag to wipe it up, that's what muslin is for. Dummies are those rubber things Americans call pacifiers. And a papoose is a device which a mother wears so she can hold the baby close to her but her hands are free. They're great for when Emily goes shopping.

"Emily didn't mention a biscuit is our cookie and the bassinet we need to buy is a Moses Basket. I tried to Americanize her but in reality she Britishized me."

Emily smiled. "I think we are both half American and half British."

The salesclerk spoke up. "Now that I know what you need, I can help you find all those things."

All those things and clothing items for the baby were sent to the Madison's apartment. Maryann would wash everything before she and Earl would bring them to the house. And Emily's checkups with Doctor Grant went well.

It was now the third week in March. Everything was ready for the baby and Emily was ready too but she didn't know it. As a first time mother-to-be she didn't recognize the early stages of preparation for giving birth.

The opening in her baby sac had softened. For days the baby sac had tightened and loosened as the muscle began to pull that opening wider. Emily hadn't noticed; she was a stoic Brit.

But then one night Emily began to feel the pull of that muscle. It had awakened her from a sound sleep.

"Charlie, something's happening."

"What do mean something's happening?"

"Charlie, you need to call Doctor Grant right now."

An expectant woman becomes rather demanding as she senses the urgency of the moment. Charlie heard her loud and clear.

He practically flew down the stairs to the telephone. The paper with the doctor's phone number had been there for days. He turned on the lamp and dialed the number.

All baby doctors sleep with one eye open when they have a woman near to the time of delivery. He answered it on the second ring. He heard.

"Emily tells me something is happening."

"Take her at her word, Charlie. I'll meet you at the hospital."

And Emily hadn't waited for Charlie to return. She didn't bother to dress; she grabbed her robe and slid her feet into her slippers. She was half way down the stairs when Charlie hung up.

And Elizabeth had heard Charlie's voice and dressed in a hurry. "I'm coming with you. Emily and I will get in the car while you dress."

As the car pulled away from the curb, a light went on in the Garfield's house. Sarah had heard the car doors shut; she knew there was only one reason for them to be leaving the house this early in the morning.

Hospital personnel waited outside for their patient. Emily was helped into a wheelchair and whisked away to the baby floor. Charlie and Elizabeth were taken to the waiting room on the same floor.

In a few minutes, Doctor Grant entered the room. "Emily was right, Charlie. She's almost ready to have this baby. She asked to see you."

"I can do that. The signs say for hospital personnel only."

"I know they do. I'll explain later. Come on, she's waiting."

"Charlie I just had to hold you one more time and share a kiss and tell you; you're going to be a daddy soon."

They did share a kiss. "You're amazing sweetheart."

"You need to go tell Mum she's going to be a grandmother very soon."

As soon as Charlie turned to go he heard. "Can I push now?"

He didn't hear the answer. Emily had been given the green light to push. Even Doctor Grant had called her amazing. Emily didn't use up her energy moaning or screaming; she pushed with all her might.

Her bed was wheeled into the Delivery Room. The nurses helped her slid on to the delivery table. She was positioned properly to deliver her baby.

Doctor Grant was now wearing a long water proof gown; he had changed into his designated delivery room shoes. And Emily was about to birth her child.

Doctor Grant's trained hands were properly positioned. "Emily, I need one slow steady push."

Emily did the best she could. Her push was so good, she heard. "Pant Emily."

The experienced doctor did the rest; the baby's head had emerged. "Okay Emily, one more push and the baby's body will be born."

Emily didn't hesitate a second. And in a few seconds the baby's body had emerged and that most beautiful sound to a mother's ears filled the room; the cry of a just born baby.

"It's a girl, Emily."

He raised the still crying baby girl so Emily could see her. Then the doctor separated the baby from her. She was placed in a bassinet where another nurse dried her with a soft towel and wrapped her in a couple of blankets.

She waited for Doctor Grant to complete the delivery and for Emily to be helped on to her bed, then she rested the baby in the crook of Emily's arm. She was crying as all new mothers do.

Doctor Grant had hurried from the delivery room; he had quickly removed his soiled gown and changed his shoes. He now hurried to where Charlie and Elizabeth were waiting.

Charlie's eyes got big when he saw him. "You're a daddy now. The baby's perfect. I'll let Emily tell you its sex. She and the baby are being checked."

Emily had been taken to what was named, the Afterbirth Room. Here she would be observed carefully. Her blood pressure and heartrate would be monitored.

The baby went to the nearby post-delivery nursery. As all babies do, this little girl cried as she was checked and wiped off with warm wet cloths. She was then swaddled in blankets and returned to Emily.

A nurse came to the waiting room. Her appearance told the doctor he could bring Charlie and Elizabeth to see them. It was another thing which was against the rules.

Doctor Grant was attempting to blend his experience of doing home deliveries with the desire of women to have a similar experience but not the mess a delivery creates. The fluid in the baby sac is a fairly large amount.

He also felt that the husband should be with his wife. In all his years of doing home deliveries he had never had a problem with any of them.

"Charlie and Elizabeth, you can see Emily and the baby now."

Emily was waiting for them. "Charlie, come see our daughter."

"We have a daughter, Emily?"

"We do."

Charlie came closer. He kissed Emily. "Thank you for bringing her into the world."

"Charlie, if you sit down, you can hold her."

Emily kissed her newborn before the doctor took the baby from her. She was watching Charlie; his softer side was showing. His eyes were very moist.

The baby girl was still swaddled; all Charlie could see was her tiny face. "She's definitely your baby."

"I see you in her too. She has your chin."

Elizabeth was standing near Charlie. She was looking at her granddaughter's face. "I think she has the face of a cherub. Her head is so perfectly round; her brown wavy hair lies perfectly. Her lips appear to be holding a smile.

"Charlie, is too early to call your parents?"

"No, let me do it now."

Charlie heard his mom loud clear; like when he called her from the hospital in Southampton he had to hold the receiver away from his ear. He barely had time to tell her about the baby when he heard.

"We'll be there in a couple of minutes."

And Charlie needed to make one more call; he hadn't been given leave; he was still on active duty.

His call at seven o'clock was taken by the Petty Officer on duty. "Charlie, I'll tell the admiral the moment I see him."

Charlie had no idea he would do as his mom and dad did; he immediately left for the hospital. And once again Doctor Grant ignored the hospital's rules.

Emily's nurse heard. "Of course they may visit."

And Admiral Jessup acted as another grandfather. He also had an opportunity to hold the baby.

"Charlie, take some time off and enjoy her. The war in Europe is going to be over soon. And I still believe it will take a devastating event to get the Japanese to surrender; that event may not be far away."

By now all the euphoria of the birth began to wear on Emily. The experienced nurse recognized the signs.

"Emily needs a good nap. The baby will be in front of the window in the nursery and Emily will be in room 320; it's a large room. You can all visit her later. Charlie you may stay if you're quiet."

"I need to go home first. After I shower and shave I'll return."

Everyone let Emily get some sleep.

Charlie did return; Elizabeth needed to rest a little longer. She knew there was a bus she could use to return later that afternoon. The Garfield's also visited that afternoon.

Sarah told Charlie and Emily. "I knew you had left the house; I heard the car doors shut. I'm very surprised the baby was born so soon after you arrived here."

"Surprise isn't a strong enough word for my reaction. I was shocked."

"Well, at least you didn't have a long wait. I sat with Sarah for hours before Mathew was born."

The couple's visited ended when the nurse announced it was time for the baby to feed again. Later that afternoon and again in the evening all the other navy personnel visited.

Maryann was at the house when Charlie brought mother and baby home from the hospital. She and Elizabeth had prepared the nursery. And Charlie had a whole week to be at home; he relished every moment. Michelle already occupied a portion of his heart.

Emily's heart was also full; she loved Charlie more than ever. And her love for Michelle filled it even fuller.

And it wouldn't be long before the world would be at peace.