Disclaimer: I don't own them
*Italic indicates thought
Chapter Forty-Eight: The Miracle of Life
A/N: I've finally worked on this story! Yay!
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." -Robert Frost
It was 2:30 am when Kevin's phone started ringing. He moaned and rolled over, silently willing it to shut off. Thankfully it did and his eyes drifted shut again. Only to open three seconds later when his phone started going off again. With a sigh and a groan, he pushed himself into a sitting position and answered it. "Hell-"
"About time you picked up!" Jeff snapped.
Kevin groaned again. "Jeff...it's 2:30 in the morning."
"I'm aware of the time."
"Then why are you calling?!"
"Brooke's in labor." That woke Kevin up.
"Labor?!" He turned on the light and almost blinded himself. Scrambling out of bed, he ran to the calendar on the wall in his kitchen. "She's not due for another-"
"Another six weeks, I know."
"Are you sure she's in labor?"
"Not a doubt in my mind. We're already at the hospital and the doctors have confirmed it."
"Which one?"
"Panorama General."
"I'm on my way." Kevin was halfway to Antonio's room before he remembered his friend wasn't there. He quickly pulled up Antonio's number while he ran to get dressed. "Come on, come on, come on..." he mumbled as he tugged a blue t-shirt over his head. "Pick, pick up, pick-"
"Hola?" Antonio answered sleepily and very confused.
"Antonio, Brooke's in labor."
"Qué?"
"My dad's out of town, so I was wondering if you'd come down to the hospital with me?"
"So no more mi amigo. Which one?"
"Panorama General."
"Be there in a flash Kev. Remeber to breathe."
Kevin rolled his eyes as he pulled his shoes on. Remember to breathe. What is he- Once he stood up he froze because it just hit him that his pants were on backward. Ok, he thought, taking a deep breath as he took his shoes off and fixed his pants. Breathe. Breathing wasn't fixing everything though since he almost forgot his key on the way out. My son's being born today, he thought as he took the stairs four a time to the first floor of his building. Today's the day! Today's the day!
- Samurai Ranger Life -
When he got to the hospital, Kevin realized he didn't actually know where to go. It didn't matter though. He ran straight up to the receptionist's desk, just barely able to stop before he actually ran into it. "Um...I have a baby who's being born..." he said uncertainly.
She smiled at him good-naturedly. "Maternity ward is on the third floor. East wing. Take the elevator and follow the signs."
"Thank you!" Kevin took off running to the elevators. He pushed the button erratically as if that would cause the elevator to get to him faster. As soon as the door opened he hopped inside and hit the number 3. The doors slid closed and Kevin bounced on the balls of his feet as the metal box quickly ascended. As soon as the doors opened again he ran out, using his sharp ranger reflexes to read the signs as he ran. The double doors that lead into the maternity ward closed softly behind him. He was met with a waiting room with chairs arranged against the walls and in a square in the center. Off on the right corner was another receptionist. He was just about to go up to her when someone called his name.
"Kevin!" Kevin turned around and saw Jeff walking towards him.
"Jeff. Where's Brooke? Is she still-"
"In labor? Yes. Come on." He followed Jeff through another set of swinging double doors. They walked down the hall, then took a left. Brooke was laying in a bed with a heart monitor beeping next to her. She was sweaty and clearly in pain.
"Look who finally showed up," she muttered when Kevin walked in.
"Don't mind her, she's been like this since midnight."
"You've been in labor for two hours and you just now called me?!" Kevin demanded.
"You're lucky I didn't just call you once he's born."
Kevin sighed, but let it go. He didn't want fighting to be the first thing his son heard when he came into the world. "Any idea how much longer it will be?"
"Not soon enough."
Jeff put a hand on her shoulder. "The doctors' are saying it could be anywhere from several hours to a couple of days," he said.
"Days?! Why would it take days?!"
"I don't know, I'm not a doctor."
Kevin sat in a chair off to one side. Who knows how long it could be, he thought. His son's birth had always felt so far away. Now, sitting here with Brooke in labor, the baby actually ready to be born, he couldn't believe it. In a few hours, I'll be a dad. Or days. Whatever. The outcome's the same. Another sigh and he rested his head on his hands. The minutes seemed to tick by as nurses came and went, checking on Brooke every so often. Jeff kept her entertained by telling her stories about people the two of them apparently knew, but he didn't. After about an hour his phone rang. A look from Brooke made him silence it before he looked at the text.
Antonio: In the waiting room with Lauren and Jay. Em and Mia are on the way.
Kevin: Why so many people?
Antonio: Amigo...Mia and Em would never forgive you if they weren't here to share in the special day.
Kevin: Touché
Antonio: Mike's driving down. Probs breaking all the speed limits
Kevin: ?
Antonio: Kev ur family. Course we're gonna be here for you.
Kevin smiled. I honestly shouldn't have expected anything different.
- Samurai Ranger Life -
Out in the waiting room, Jayden was stretched out in a chair with his hands folded over his stomach. Antonio was sitting across from him, holding Lauren's hand. "How long do you think it'll be?" he asked, voice sounding too loud in the silent waiting room.
Antonio shrugged. "Who knows."
"Its hard to believe," Lauren said. "Kevin's going to be a dad."
"If anyone among us is ready it's him."
Jayden nodded. "Still can't believe it's so soon though," he replied, stifling a yawn. "Did the baby really have to pick so early in the morning though."
"Don't think it made the conscious decision to be born this early."
"Is that what you're going to tell your kid if he's born this early?"
"I just might."
Antonio grinned. "You guys planning any mini-samurai anytime soon?" He chuckled quietly as Jayden tried to kick him.
"Be nice," Lauren admonished him.
"We aren't even married yet," Jayden said, giving his best friend a look. "We haven't even set a date yet. We're still in the process of moving into the Shiba House."
"Tick tock," Antonio teased. "You're not getting any younger." Jayden tried to kick him again as the double doors on the far wall swung open. Emily walked in, followed closely by Mia.
"Has it happened yet?" Mia asked excitedly.
"Do you guys not sleep?" Antonio asked with a yawn.
"How can you sleep at a time like this?!" They sat down on either side of Jayden. "Kevin's having a baby."
"Techniquely, isn't Brooke the one having the baby?"
"Hush you."
"I'm so excited for him," Emily smiled. "Just think, next time he goes home he'll have a baby with him."
"Hope he has a crib," Antonio muttered.
"You're still living with him, you tell us," Mia smiled.
"No, I'm not. I moved out last week. I'm living with Lauren again."
"Why don't you boys ever tell us anything? You're living with Lauren again, Mike's opening a dojo-"
"Mike's opening a dojo?" Lauren and Jayden asked at the same time. Their faces were mirror images of confusion.
Emily smiled at Mia. "Looks like we're not the only ones being kept out of the loop," she said. "Seriously though, we need to do better at keeping each other in the loop about these things."
"At least we're all here for the birth of Kevin's child," Mia said. "Well...almost all of us."
"Mike will be here soon. If he doesn't get arrested."
"I suppose that's the best we can hope for." They lapsed into silence for a few minutes.
They lapsed into silence for a few minutes.
"Do you think Kev's nervous?" Antonio asked suddenly.
"Wouldn't you be?" Lauren asked him.
"Nervous? I'd be terrified. Can you imagine me raising a kid?"
"I'd hopefully be there too."
"Oh no, you'd be wonderful amor. It's me we'd have to worry about."
Lauren laughed. "You do realize we'd have someone helping us raise the kid right? I am the lady of the Shiba Clan."
"Are you sure Ji would be down with that?" Emily asked her. Lauren and Antonio showed and knowing look. "Seriously, what are you two planning?"
"Right now is about Kevin, not us."
"Nothing's even set in stone yet anyways-" Antonio began, but Lauren nudged him. She shook her head.
"It's nothing anyone needs to worry about. When there's something to tell, we'll tell you. We promise."
"You'd better."
- Samurai Ranger Life -
Kevin's head suddenly snapped up when he saw the sun starting to come up. He yawned and stood up. "What's the status?" he asked.
"We're due for the nurse to come back," Jeff replied. "Have a good nap?"
"I was only asleep for like ten minutes."
"Knock knock," a nurse said, rapping lightly on the doorframe. "How's our mother to be feeling?"
"Tired," Brooke admitted.
"Well, we're just going to take a look." She disappeared under the blanket over Brooke's covered legs. Kevin looked away awkwardly as if he hadn't already had sex with this woman. "Good news, it looks like you're ready."
"Wha- ready?!" Kevin stammered. "As in...the baby's coming?! Now?!"
"Yes now. I'll go page, Dr. Goodwin."
"Thank you." Once the nurse left, Kevin looked at Brooke. "It's time."
She nodded. "It is. The baby's coming."
Kevin rubbed his hands together nervously. "Yeah... Yeah..."
"How's everyone doing this fine morning?" Dr. Goodwin asked, followed by a team of nurses. "Are we ready to have a baby?"
"Of course," Brooke replied, exhaustion evident in her voice.
"Looks like everything's good here. I think you're ready to start pushing."
"Ok." Jeff helped prop her up, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"You got this babe," he assured her.
"Ok Brooke," Dr. Goodwin said. "Push."
Kevin blocked out almost everything. The nurses. Jeff. Brooke. The only thing he was focused on was the doctor's hands. His eyes never left the man's hands. He waited with baited breath. "Is...Is that the head?"
"It is indeed." The elongated melon was so tiny. Kevin's breath was caught in his throat. THe baby was so small he fit int he doctor's two hands. Kevin frowned suddenly.
"He-he's not crying..." he whispered. "He's not crying... Shouldn't-shouldn't he be crying?"
Dr. Goodwin handed the baby off to the nurses. "Put an oxygen pump on him, then get him to the NICU, right away."
"Dr. Goodwin, what's wrong with him?" Kevin tried to follow the nurses, but the doctor put a hand on his chest. "Why-why isn't he crying?"
"I'm going to do everything I can to help your son. Now, I must go."
"Please-"
"Let me work." Dr. Goodwin left, leaving Kevin confused and alone. He turned to Brooke, who was being attended to by nurses. Jeff was kissing her head and whispering to her quietly. Feeling as though he was intruding on their private moment, he left silently. Wandering absentmindedly, he found his way into the waiting room. His friends all jumped to their feet when they saw him.
"What's the good news?!" Mike asked with a smile. Kevin didn't say anything as he wandered towards them. "Kevin?"
"Kevin, what's wrong?" Lauren asked, growing concerned. Jayden and Antonio helped him sit down.
"He wasn't crying..." Kevin whispered, looking at the floor. "Babies- They cry when they're born...right?" The others looked at each other.
"Generally..." Mia said. "Kev what's going on?"
"He-he wasn't crying. Why wasn't he crying?"
Everyone looked at each other again as they gathered around their dazed friend. Mia and Emily sat in chairs on either side of him, while Mike, Lauren, and Jayden sat on the floor in front of him. Kevin leaned forward and put his head in his hands. "I'm sure everything is fine," Lauren assured him.
"Absolutely," Antonio agreed. "This...This happens all the time. I'm sure of it."
"Probably nothing to worry about," Mike nodded. "Nothing at all he's just... Of course, he didn't cry. He's your son. Of course, he didn't cry. I mean...if any baby was going to be born not crying...it'd be yours..."
Kevin knew his friends meant well, but their words weren't bringing him any comfort. He simply shook his head. Something was wrong. He could feel it in his bones. Something was wrong.
- Samurai Ranger Life -
It was a few hours before Dr. Goodwin came out to see him. Kevin jumped to his feet and practically ran over to the doctor. "Is my son ok?!" he asked hurriedly. "Is he alive?"
"Your son is very much alive," Dr. Goodwin assured him. "I need you to come with me." Kevin nodded and followed without question.
"Something's wrong with him, isn't there? THere's a reason why my son wasn't crying?"
"I'm afraid your son was born just a little too early. His lings weren't ready to take on any kind of air capacity yet."
"He can't breathe?"
"Couldn't breathe. He's in the neonatal ICU for now. We've had to put him on a ventilator to aid i his breathing until his lungs are stronger."
"A ventilator?! But he's only three hours old!"
"I understand your fears, but this is what is necessary. Your son is also anemic, so he's receiving medication from an IV that should boost his iron levels."
"He can't breathe and he's anemic?"
"I know this is a lot. I'm confident that if your son shows stronger vitals within the next 24 hours, his stay in the NICU will be short." They walked through another set of doors and Kevin was lead into another room. Dr. Goodwin led him to what looked like an incubator. Kevin's breath as forced from his lings when he looked inside. His baby was laying there with a ventilator tube in his throat. Someone had placed a tiny diaper on him. The wires that were hooked up to him in various places worried Kevin.
What are all the wires for? Why does he need so many?
"Would you like to touch him?"
"I can touch him?"
"Of course. We find that babies like it when you place your hand over them. Makes them feel secure."
Kevin nodded mutely. Moving slowly, he walked towards the incubator and gently placed his shaking hands inside. He's so warm, was his first thought as he settled his hand around his son's tiny body. So small and fragile. The rising and falling of the baby's chest comforted him. His son hadn't been crying, but he was breathing now.
"I'll leave you two alone for a few minutes."
Kevin didn't say anything for a few minutes. He stayed silent as he felt his son's breathing, surrounded by the machines as they beeped. All the machines that were monitoring his son and keeping him alive. "Hey there," he whispered. "I'm your dad." He swallowed. "Listen...kid...I know I have no idea what I'm doing, but I promise you, I'm gonna be the best dad I can be. I'll teach you how to swim and how to fight. My dad, your grandfather, he's going to love you. And my friends... All your crazy aunts and uncles... It's a strange family kid, but it's ours. That why you gotta get stronger and fast. So we can be a family." He smiled a little bit. "I'll be right here son. I promise. I'm not going anywhere."
