Hey guys, thanks for reading and taking interest in my story. Thanks for all the follows, favorites and viewers. I really appreciate it.
There is going to be a time jump in this chapter just to move the chapter along. Please review and let me know what you think.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chapter 13- Baby Casey
Mia stayed with Adam all the way up to recovery. When they got him settled, she walked out with Connor to update the kids. She didn't know that his mom had come.
Once they got to the lobby, the kids immediately got up and met her at the desk. "Dr. C, this is Adams mom" Jenni said as she pointed to Mrs. Coletti.
"Nice to meet you, I am sorry it was under these circumstances" Mia said.
"How's my son?" Natalie asked.
Mia looked at Connor and nodded, "the surgery was rough but informative. The way that Adam got hit, the vertebrae got affected which is why he felt the leg numbness. From the scans and surgery, we have determined that the leg numbness is temporary. He should be able to regain feeling in his legs in a few hours when he regains consciousness. We have taped his ribs as they are badly bruised" Connor explained.
"What does that mean? Is my son going to be okay or not?" she asked.
Mia smiled at her, "he is going to be just fine, he got very lucky" Mia replied.
The kids started cheering. They were happy for their friend. Mia led them back to see him now that he was more awake and settled into a normal room.
"Hey man, glad you are okay" Jacob said as they all piled into the room and greeted him.
"Thanks man, Sorry for getting hurt on your favorite holiday month" Adam teased.
Mia squeezed him, "that's okay Adam. But you do know who was looking out for you right? Because you got very lucky" she replied.
They all looked at her confused, "what do you mean Dr. C?" Cole asked.
"Well, proving my point about the power in believing and this being the month of February, you have St. Valentine to thank for watching out for you while Connor and I were doing surgery" she stated with full conviction. From past experiences, Mia completely believed in those things.
They all looked at her and started laughing, "Hey, it hurts to laugh, besides, it was Cole who dissed Valentine's Day, not me" he replied.
She got her point across. She cheered him up a little and changed the subject off the hospital. Being a doctor who was a patient, she knew that being in the hospital was pretty scary. She was glad to cheer him up and keep his spirits up.
Mia was feeling more and more pregnant. It was getting harder for her to do her daily activities. Things were moving along fast. Mia was 8 months pregnant and things were progressing beautifully.
She could barely sleep at all, she was going crazy all over the house all the time, all over the firehouse. They were as clean as ever and organized as can be. Mia has gotten so bored the past few months, she's been baking up a storm.
It was like a bakery in the Casey household. Tommy couldn't wait for the baby to be born, at least then he wouldn't have to work out 3 times a day so he wouldn't look like a balloon.
Tommy walked into the common room and dropped 3 trays of cookies and cakes on the table before handing Jamie a bag full of containers. "Here you go guys, have at it" he called out.
The men all jumped up and over to grab whatever Lt. Casey just dropped. They knew how good Mia's food and sweets are. "MHMMHMMM" Angelo moaned as he bit into a chocolate peanut butter swirl.
"Oh God…these are heavenly" he added.
At that, Rich grabbed one of each kind. Billy came in and couldn't help but laugh at the scene before him. He walked over and clapped Tommy on the back.
"She can't sleep huh? I remember when my wife was like that" he stated.
Tommy nodded, "yeah. She already knows all the infomercials by heart, our house is so clean we can eat off the floor, so all that's left to do is bake" he informed them.
"Don't you want any?" Victoria asked.
Tommy laughed and shook his head, "Mia's been trying combinations of cookie and brownie recipes. I've been eating all the rejects for days. If I eat one more cookie, you are going to have to roll me out of here" he refused to eat the sweets.
"Well this combo is a hit" Joe said with a mouth full of sweets.
"When have you ever known Mrs. Casey to miss anything?" Kathy teased.
"God, I can't wait for that kid to come out. Mia won't have time to bake, clean the house, organize the house, and turn back to normal" he groaned.
Billy and Victoria laughed. "Knowing Mia, having that kid won't change a thing. You better be ready Casey" Billy teased.
"Exactly, be careful what you wish for lieutenant" Joe said.
Everyone knew that Mia was a good cook. It only got better now that she was pregnant. She had time to work on things. If she wasn't baking, she was cooking. The guys from the firehouse and the hospital where always over when it came time for dinner.
There was a revolving door at the Casey household when it came time to eat. Tommy walked over and plopped down at the squad table. "You're really not eating at all?" Joe asked.
Tommy laughed and shook his head, "no way, I have eaten enough in the last 24 hours to last me for a lifetime. God, what I wouldn't give for pizza and a beer" he groaned.
"Oh there will be plenty of that when the baby is born. Your life is going to change forever" Billy advised.
Tommy smiled, "yeah I can't wait. I am so excited" he replied.
Lucky for her spring time was approaching and the weather was getting nicer. It was perfect time for baby time.
Tommy was doing the nursery for the baby, so he got the boys from the firehouse, all their friends and family were here for them, helping them move things and get things in order. With her being pregnant, no one wanted her going overboard.
She loved decorating and organizing things. Tommy planned to make the nursery all Disney and superheroes.
The guys helped Tommy carry boxes in from the truck. They had ordered furniture from the store and all the decorations. The girls helped Mia with the food and getting a dinner ready. They were going to have a bbq.
She wanted to set up the room like a Disney wonderland. "Mia, what the hell are you doing? You shouldn't be carrying anything" Tommy argued.
"Tommy, it's a lamp. They are decorations. It's not heavy. Besides, I'm pregnant, not invalid" she replied.
"Humor me please; don't carry anything. Just sit there and supervise. Let your sister and Sofia do stuff" Tommy said as they continued to carry things in and out of the room.
"Fine, can I make food or am I banned from the kitchen too?" she teased.
Mia walked outside and saw her neighbors sitting on their porch across the street. She couldn't do anything at home, so she walked over to talk to them.
"Hi Mr. Mendoza, how are you doing?" she asked.
"I'm doing okay, how are you and Tommy doing? Doing some remodeling?" he asked referring to the trucks and furniture in her driveway.
"We are doing well. No my brother and sister and our family are helping Tommy set up the nursery for the baby. We got new furniture to match the Disney theme we got going on. We aren't bothering you are we?" she asked.
"Oh no honey. I enjoy all the action. I don't get to do much these days" he said.
Mia squeezed his shoulder, "how are you feeling Mr. Mendoza? Is the medicine working?" she asked referring to his illness.
He sighed and shrugged. "I suppose, I fight for my Anna" he said referring to his wife.
Mia smiled and leaned over to give him a hug, "I am sure everything is going to be okay. You just keep fighting okay. And if you ever need anything, I want you to call us. Me and Tommy, we are always going to be here for you" she said.
He smiled and nodded, "thank you my dear" he replied.
Tommy walked around the house looking for his wife. He told her to sit back and relax while they did all the work, but now he couldn't find her.
He walked outside to see if she didn't listen and went out to the trucks. He looked out and saw her with their neighbor.
"Mia, the food is ready" he called before waving to his neighbor, "Hey Mr. Mendoza"
Mia gave her neighbor a kiss on his cheek before saying goodbye and joining her husband. "Be good to this one Tommy" Mr. Mendoza said.
Tommy smiled and wrapped his arm around Mia's shoulders and pulled her into his side, kissing the top of her head, "always" he replied before waving goodbye.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ever since they got the baby room ready, Tommy was getting more and more excited. Mia was starting to get more restless. She was ready to have the baby.
Leah, Sofia and the girls invited Mia and Tommy to a sibling's lunch at Victoria's family's pub. It was a cute little place.
Mia made them a bunch of treats for desert. It wasn't like she could sleep anyway. Tommy helped Mia out of the car and grabbed the cooler of treats from the bag before wrapping an arm around her shoulders as she leaned into him.
It was getting hard for her to get around with her due date fast approaching and her feeling as big as a house.
As they walked up the sidewalk, Mia suddenly froze and grabbed her stomach. Tommy panicked beside her. He put down the bag and immediately turned to her.
"What is it? What's wrong? Is it the baby? Do have to get to the hospital?" he rambled padding himself for his keys, a complete and utter mess.
Mia grabbed his hands and stopped his rambling, "babe it's not that I promise. It's just the baby is moving and kicking really hard" she explained.
It took a minute for Tommy to recover from the near heart attack she just gave him. "Jesus Mia, you just gave me a heart attack" he said before crouching down so he was face to face with her stomach.
"Hi buddy, its daddy. Look I know it's pretty tight in there and you want to move around and get out but you almost gave your dear old dad a heart attack, so give us a break okay" he kissed her stomach.
Mia laughed as the baby kicked again, "I will take that as a response" she teased.
He grabbed the bag smiling as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to him. "Don't be a smartass" he replied with a kiss to the top of her head.
The pub was quiet when they walked in and the whole place was dark. "Tommy are you sure they are here?" she asked trying to look around.
"Sofia called me this morning and pretty much demanded out presence" he replied.
They walked through the door and stopped in the doorway, "Hello! Anyone there?" Mia called out.
"SURPRISE!"
Everyone jumped up and called out as the lights turned on. "Oh My God" Mia and Tommy looked around at all their family and friends among the baby decorations.
"Happy Baby Shower" Leah squealed as she and Sofia stepped forward along with the Casey and Severide siblings.
"OMG! You guys did all this? Thank you so much but why the surprise? I would have helped you" Mia replied as she hugged her sister and sister-in-law.
"Because we didn't want you to stress and go all crazy type A on us" Leah teased her sister.
"Funny" Mia nudged her sister.
The whole shower was so much fun. They played baby games, had cake and a bunch of different baby themed deserts and most fun was the amount of gifts they got. Everyone knew they had just done the nursery a few weeks ago, they wanted to get them things to decorate and make things nice for their nephew.
Mia spent the rest of the time up to her due date decorating the nursery with all their new gifts and getting everything set up for the baby.
Tommy had to work on her due date and he was nervous to leave. He didn't want to be on shift when she had the baby.
Mia walked him to the door and handed him his lunch and coat. "Have a good shift today and be careful" she said.
"Can you please take your own advice and be careful today. Just take it easy okay. No cleaning, no laundry, no stressing…just relax and watch TV all day okay. Sit on the couch, put your feet up and just read magazines all day or something" he said.
She smiled and cupped his face to kiss him. "Maybe you should be the one who sits home and watched TV all day. Tommy I am a doctor. I know what's going on and what to do when things are happening. You need to relax before you have a panic attack" she teased.
Tommy took his stuff from her and glared at her, "can you just humor me please. If anything happens, please call me first. Don't try and take it on by yourself. If we are on a call and I don't answer, Leah and Sofia have their phones on. The boys said that they would keep their phones on. Joey is on call, so he can get you there with sirens on. If you can't reach any of us, call the firehouse or put it over the air" he said.
He didn't want to miss his kids being born. Mia smirked, "why don't I just call the National Guard and they can fly me to the hospital" she joked.
He pretended to laugh, "You are not remotely funny" he gave her another kiss before leaving. She stood in the doorway and watched him load the care and leave, "I am serious Mia, be careful" he called out before he got in the car and left.
When Tommy got to the firehouse, he was on edge. He kept his phone on and put it in his jacket. Joann walked up to him with a cup of coffee, "how are you doing dad?" she teased.
Tommy let out a breath and wiped a hand over his face before taking a gulp of coffee, "I am nervous as hell. I just don't want to miss this" he replied.
Joann squeezed his shoulder, "it'll be alright. You won't miss anything. We all have our numbers on" she said.
The firehouse was really busy that day. They were in and out of the house all day. Mia on the other hand, had the complete opposite day. It was very peaceful and calm.
She cleaned around the house a little and got the last of her hospital bag ready. She watched some reality TV and relaxed by the TV.
Around lunch, Mia's stomach pains had increased. She had been feeling weird all day, but she was starting to feel worse around the middle of the day.
She was starting to feel like it was being hugged by a python. She got up to the bathroom because she was starting to feel pressure. She ignored it for a while, thinking it was Braxton hicks.
It wasn't until her water broke while watching General Hospital that she knew it was baby time. She wasn't as panicked as Tommy because she knew that she had time before she was fully dilated.
She changed into a pair of yoga pants and grabbed her hospital bag. She grabbed her phone to call Tommy.
Casey was in the middle of a call when she called. It went straight to voicemail. She didn't want to worry him, so she didn't leave a voicemail.
Mia couldn't reach Tommy, so she tried Joanna and Andy. When she couldn't reach anyone from the firehouse, she couldn't help but laugh and rub her belly. Tommy had stressed and panicked all week about not being there when she went into labor and it was happening.
"It seems like daddy and your firehouse family are all on a call. Don't worry kiddo, I have a plan. You have many more family members" she said.
She knew her brother was on call, so she called him at home. She wanted to catch him before he got called into work.
"This is Severide" he answered his phone.
"Joe, it's me. It is baby time. Tommy's not answering so I need you to pick me up and take me to the hospital" she informed.
Joey whooped and cheered in the background, "Okay, don't worry. I am on my way. Do you want me to call an ambo or something? Are you okay?" he asked.
She couldn't help but laugh, "Joey, I'm fine. I promise, it's going to be a little bit before the baby comes. I don't need an ambo. Just get here okay" she replied.
He smiled, "I'm on my way. Just breathe and stay calm" Joey said internally freaking out. He knew there was a chance that she would call him when Tommy was on shift, but he honestly didn't think it would be him.
Mia laughed at the excitement, "Okay, I'm waiting for you. Be careful and drive safe. Do not put the sirens on. I am okay" she emphasized.
On the way to Mia's, Joey called the hospital to warn them of their arrival. He wanted everything to be ready for them when Mia arrived. Then he called the firehouse and left a message for Tommy. He figured they were all on a call and Mia didn't want to put it on the radio, so he was subtle.
"Hey Julia, its Joey Severide. I am on my way to the hospital. The baby is coming and I am on my way to pick up Mia. Send him over to the hospital" he said.
As soon as he got to Mia's, he left the car on and ran in to get his sister. He was stressing like he was the one having the baby.
"Mia" he called as he walked in.
"Kitchen" she replied.
Mia was sitting at the table having some ice tea when Joey ran in like a man on a mission. "You ready to do this? What are you doing? We have to go, it's baby time" he said.
Mia smiled and got up, "Joey, you need to relax. My water just broke like an hour ago" she replied as she put her cup away and grabbing her purse.
Joey wrapped his arm around his sister and grabbed the baby bag on the way out. She was starting to hurt really badly, so he slowly helped her in the car.
"I am going to help you through this okay. I called the hospital, so Leah is waiting and dad is on his way. They guys from the firehouse are still on call, but I already called and left Tommy a message to get his ass to hospital ASAP" he said.
She smiled and squeezed his hand, "Thanks Joe" she panted as she tried to control her breathing as the contractions started getting worse.
Joey put the sirens on in his jeep and hauled ass to the hospital. Mia kept telling him that she still had time before it was time for her to have to the baby, but he wasn't hearing it.
Once they got to the hospital, Leah, Angelina and Connor was waiting for her in the lobby. Angelina wheeled the wheelchair over and locked it as Joey helped her into the chair.
"Are you ready to be a mama?" Angie asked with a smile.
They were all waiting for her and were there to support her. Mia sat there with Joey beside her with the baby bag with a smile on his face.
"Don't you all have patients of your own?" she teased.
Grace and Leah got her registered as Angie and Joey walked with her to the room. "Are you serious? No way are you diverting attention. The patients can wait. My work wife is having our baby. After everything you and this kid have gone through, no way we are missing this" Connor teased as he wheeled her into the maternity room.
The staff on the maternity floor were shocked to see so many people from the ED. They don't usually cross paths, so it was surprising to see everyone from the ED accompany Mia up.
Joey and Connor wrapped their arms around her to help her get on the bed. Leah and Grace hooked her up to the machines, got an IV and some fluids going, while Angie got her hooked to all the baby machines to keep track of the baby.
"Thanks guys. Can someone call Tommy and see where he's at. I don't want him to miss this" she said through gritted teeth as another contraction hit.
"I already called and left a message. I saw a thing on the news that there was a big MVC, so the chances of him getting here are rare. Don't worry about that, Tommy will be here as soon as he can. In the meantime, you have me and Leah here to help you" Joey said.
Mia laughed between tears, "I can't believe I have to do this without Tommy. You know he's been freaking out all week about missing this, and now he is" he cried.
Joey walked over to the bed and sat on the edge next to her. He grabbed her hand and squeezed. "Mia, listen to me. You are my little sister and I am not going to leave you. Tommy may not be here, but me and Leah are. We are going to be here for you. We aren't going anywhere until my nephew is born okay" he reassured her.
She smiled and let her head hang back and let out a breath. She nodded, "okay, I can do this" she said, encouraging herself.
Joey nodded and turned to his sister and the rest of the ED staff. "Okay then, Leah what do we do next?" he asked completely out of his element.
Leah looked to Angelina, "Angie, let's get the epidural" she said.
She looked to Mia who nodded. Angie nodded, "Okay, how about we have Leah help Mia into a gown. We'll get you set up on a heart monitor, while I check your dilation. Connor, why don't you set up the epidural kit" Angie said.
Connor was more excited than anyone. Mia was really close to him. They always helped each other when they were working and they had a teasing personality with each other.
Angie set up a drape so Leah and Grace could help Mia change into a gown. Once she was changed, they got the IV fluids going. Angie got the epidural procedure equipment ready.
Mia moved to the side of the bed so she was able to hide in her brother's chest for support. Joey wrapped his arms around her and held her head close to him, running his fingers through her hair. She rested her head against his chest.
He sat down in the chair in front of her and wrapped his arm around her as she buried her head in his neck. They had numbed the area little, but she still felt pressure and the contractions didn't help.
"You're okay, just breathe" he rubbed her back in comfort.
Leah was watching them insert the epidural and had her brother's eye the whole time. "It's almost over Mia, you are doing good" she said giving her brother a look.
"You're doing real good Mia. Just breathe through it okay" he said as he felt her tense once Angie pushed in the epidural.
It took Mia and Angie a few minutes before she got the epidural in and all set up. Mia took a few breaths to calm down and grabbed onto Joey as he helped her get adjusted, "Thanks Joe" she said.
About 20 minutes later, Matt, Gabby and Kelly arrived to the hospital. Leah staid with her sister as Joey went out to update the parents.
"Joey, how's your sister?" Kelly asked as soon as he saw his son. They got the message from headquarters and rushed right over from the firehouse.
"She's okay. Leah said she was dilated but she's got a little while before she has the baby. She's doing okay. Angie gave her the epidural so she's getting calm. The contractions are getting really bad though" he explained.
Before he could say anything else, Grace popped her head out, "Joey, it's time. She's dilated 10cm and she wants you with her" she said.
Joey nodded and turned to the parents. Kelly squeezed his son's shoulder, "it is okay Joe, go be with your sister. We aren't going anywhere" he said.
Joey nodded and ran back in the room. He ran right up to Mia and grabbed her hand on the opposite side of Leah. They were going to see their sister through this.
Angie and Grace were setting everything up. Mia groaned and screamed as the contractions hit her. Joey just followed Leah's lead on what to do with Mia.
"Okay Mia, on the next contraction I want you to push" Angie said.
Mia nodded and waited. It didn't take long for her to be ready to push when the next contraction came along.
"That's it"
"Push Mia"
"Good Job Mia"
"You're doing so good"
"You're almost there"
Her siblings were with her the whole 2 hours it took for her to have the baby. The baby was finally born.
"Congratulations Mia, you have a beautiful baby boy" Angelina said.
Mia couldn't help but smile and cry. She just had a baby. Her baby boy was born. Joey went to update the parents and followed the baby to the nursery to get cleaned up while Mia delivered the placenta.
Leah cleaned her up and helped her get settled as the parents made their way into the room.
Kelly walked up to his daughter and wrapped her in a hug, "congratulations princess" he kissed the top of her head.
"Thanks grandpa" she teased as she kissed his cheek.
"Congratulations sweetheart" Matt and Gabby took their turns congratulating her.
When Tommy got back to the firehouse, Sarah was waiting for him in the truck bay. "Lieutenant Casey, you need to get to the hospital. Mia had the baby tonight" she said.
Tommy froze. "She had the baby? I missed it" he groaned. He really wanted to be there.
"Yes, around 10pm this evening. Joey called. He and Leah were with her so she wasn't alone" she replied.
Clarke and Joann came over and clapped him on the back, "You go and be with your family. We will follow after shift. You tell Mia congratulations" Chief Clarke said.
Tommy nodded and took off to the locker room. He didn't bother changing, he grabbed is keys, wallet and made his way to the hospital. Joann sent Leah a text that Tommy was on his way so she had the heads up.
Leah smiled and turned to her sister, who was surrounded by her family. "Tommy's on his way. I am going to meet him at desk before he gives himself a panic attack" she teased as she walked out.
Tommy ran up to the maternity ward like a man on a mission. He was pissed that he missed the birth, so he wanted to haul ass to get to the hospital and see Mia and his baby boy.
Leah smiled when she saw him. "Congratulations Daddy" she greeted him with a hug.
Tommy smiled and squeezed her in a hug, "thank you so much for being here Leah. Are they okay? How was the birth?" he asked.
Leah pulled back and smiled while nodding, "she's doing good. Mom and baby boy are perfect. The whole thing took about 2 hours. The epidural was rough for her, but she was okay. Me and Joey were there the whole time. Your baby boy was born at 10:15 this evening and he was perfect" she informed as she led him back into the room.
Everyone was already there, crowding the small hospital room. Mia was on the bed holding the baby when she looked up and saw Tommy.
She smiled at him and froze in the door way. There was his whole life, sitting on the bed in front of him. "Hi daddy, come meet your son" she said.
Tommy walked over still in his uniform, leaned to kiss her forehead. "Sorry I missed it princess. You did so good. I am so proud of you" he mumbled against her skin.
She giggled, "It's not like you could help it Tommy. You're here now" she said handing him his son.
Tommy sat down next to her on the bed and just stared at his little boy. "Hi little man, it's your dad. You and your mom, you two are my little miracles. I'm going to be honest, I was really nervous and anxious for you to get here. Now I've never done this before, but you have a lot of people to support you and love you. Your Uncles Johnny, Andy and Joey. Your Aunts Leah and Sofia. All our family and friends at the hospital and firehouse. They couldn't wait to meet you" he informed.
Mia smiled at him interacting with his son, "so what's the name?" Mia asked.
Tommy smiled, "we agreed on the one boy name. Robert Daniel Casey" he said.
The family smiled, "that's beautiful honey" Gabby said as she admired her grandson.
Grace came in about 5 minutes later, "excuse me Dr. Casey, but your kids are here" she said.
Mia smiled and waved them in. Her students piled into the room, each with balloons, flowers, and gifts. "Hey Dr. C, Congratulations" Adam said as he put down the flowers and balloons.
"Thank you all for coming, you didn't have to do this" she said as they all stepped up to give her hugs.
"Of course we did Dr. C. How are you feeling? How's the little guy?" Faith asked.
Mia smiled, "He's doing good. I'm okay, just tired. I really appreciate all of you for coming" she repeated.
The kids stayed for a little while before they left. They didn't want to bother her and crowd her so soon after she had the baby.
Leah took the baby from Tommy. "Aren't you a beautiful baby," she replied, smiling when Bobby opened her eyes to look at her, "yes I am talking about you little man. It's your Aunt Leah and I am going to spoil you rotten. Yes I am. I'll teach you all about being a gentlemen and what to do on dates, how to treat girls okay. You come to me" Leah teased smiling when the baby giggled.
Tommy froze and glared at his sister-in-law, "don't give him any ideas. He's a few hours old" he said.
"Don't worry about your dad, I have your mom on my side" she said kissing his nose.
After a couple hours, the family left so the Casey's were on their own. Mia crashed from the fatigue and left Tommy with the baby in the carrier.
"Sorry for staring little man, I just can't believe you're here. You know, I never really saw myself as a dad, or a husband for that matter. I was more of a free spirit let's say. But that all changed when I met your mom. She was like an angel. She kept me focused and I realized that I needed to shape up and be there for her. She became my whole life, my whole world. I love her more than life its self. Your Uncle Andy wasn't exactly happy when I started dating his sister" he chuckled as he looked at Mia asleep ono the bed, "but he got over it when he saw how happy your mom is. Then she told me she was pregnant with you and I admit, I was scared at first…." He faded.
"My relationship with your mom is a life saver. She saved me. She made me change and I promise that I will always be there for you. We are going to have fun. We are going to go to baseball games, sports, watch action movies, and do boy stuff okay, I promise" he said kissing Bobby on his forehead.