Hi! Sorry it's been a while but my daughter has had issues at her school where, apparently, they can't safely handle a medically fragile child without hurting her, so I've had to withdraw her. It's been a long several days. Anywho, now, I have never given birth...that way, so I hope that I got it pretty close to what actually happens. And as an apology to those who waited so long, this chapter is nice and long. Aaaaaand...here it is! Please review! I've been getting a bit down at lack of reviews. I live for em! Thank you so much for reading!
Tishbing
Chapter Fifteen
"I don't know what you think you're doing, Sarah Jane Smith, but I know you aren't supposed to be working!"
Jamie Kirk sighed in irritation at the matronly voice coming from the stairs. She was entering the home stretch of her pregnancy and everyone was on edge, including herself. Christine had been trying to spend more time at home to monitor her but with a flu epidemic hitting the colony it had made her spend more time at the local clinic and hospital than at home. As a result, Jamie's default babysitter had been recruited in the form of elderly Delilah Bartlett.
"I'm not." Kirk lied and added in her latest calculations, watching in excitement as the computer projected the latest hologram version of her hybrid. The basement had been retrofitted into a lab and she was getting close in her research. In another six months she'd hopefully be able to start with practical applications. The four lobed hybrid spun, casting the room in a surreal glow. She was so close she could taste it. She was just adding in the next set of data when she heard the door at the top of the stairs slam open.
"I know you didn't just lie to me, young lady!"
"No, ma'am." Jamie sighed, chastised, and swiped through the hologram, shutting it down and saving her progress. She was ready to send another data packet to Thomas Leighton. She knew that her time was limited and she was feeling immense pressure to get this part of the project finished before the birth.
She pulled off her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose, a headache creeping in because of the long hours she had been working.
"Oh, Sarah. What am I going to do with you?"
Jamie opened her eyes to a frustrated looking Delilah standing in front of her. Even though her tone was stern and she had her hands on her hips, there was nothing but kindness in her eyes.
She gave a crooked smile at her friend. "Continue your quest to turn me into a human apple turnover?"
"Oh, you! Go on then. There's a fresh one on the cooling rack." Jamie's smile widened and Delilah laughed indulgently.
Kirk struggled to get up, her back muscles spasming as her weight redistributed. Placing a hand over her belly, Jamie smiled. The past month she had practically exploded in size, the baby growing in leaps and bounds. Her only irritation was that she had hit the forty-one week mark yesterday but, apparently, Vulcan pregnancies last a total of fifty weeks so Chapel estimated her hybrid pregnancy could last anywhere from another week or even another month even though the baby was safe to be born now but every moment it was inside her gave the baby more time to put on weight. Genetic testing had shown that the little one had very prominent Vulcan genes but was healthy.
"I swear you've gotten bigger since yesterday." Delilah put out a steadying hand as Jamie shuffled up the stairs.
"I feel it, that's for sure." And she did. Her lower back had been a constant source of pain the past twenty-four hours and she swore she could certify as a floatation device with the terrible amount of gas she had.
The smell of cinnamon and apples wafted through the kitchen and Jamie's mouth watered. The older woman skirted around her and quickly put together a plate and a glass of milk for her charge, gently ushering her into the sitting room where she could sit in the large recliner.
Jamie shifted in the plush chair until her back stopped complaining and accepted the plate from Delilah who waited expectantly until Kirk took a large bite of the cake, the flavor a exploding on her tongue. Delilah had taken to spoiling her and motherhenning her in the absence of her own mom. Winona had been busy with her brother, Sam and Aurelean who had just had their own child, Peter. It would have been too suspicious if she had left them to tend to Jamie. She understood but she still missed her mom, especially as of late.
Winter had come with a vengeance to the small colony and it was like the town had been silenced by the snow. Everything was quiet. It was as beautiful as it was eerie.
"It's really coming down out there." Delilah peered out the front windows, her hands nervously fluttering as she straightened an afghan blanket on the couch.
"It's alright if you need to go, Delilah." Jamie told her, knowing she was worried about the roads and being able to safely get home.
"If you're sure..." She hesitated, narrowing her eyes in suspicion at Kirk.
Jamie widened her eyes, trying to look innocent. "I promise, I'll behave."
The older woman didn't look convinced probably because she had six grandchildren that tried the same look but the threat of the storm won out.
She picked up the blanket and covered Jamie, tucking her legs in as if to prevent her movement from the recliner. "Now, I've got a vegetarian lasagne in the stove and have set the computer for it to start cooking in two hours. It'll be ready by six and I've set an alarm."
"Don't worry. I'll be fine. Besides, Christine is supposed to be home tonight."
Delilah's lips pressed into a thin line, worry evident at the thought of people being out in the snow and at the thought of leaving Jamie alone. "If you need anything, Sarah, you'd better call me. Josiah can get out here in a flash."
"Thank you. I'll be fine." She insisted and finally, her caretaker relented.
Nodding, Delilah bent down, pressing a motherly kiss on Kirk's forehead and ruffling her brown hair.
"I'll be back in the morning." She went to the hall but stopped and turned, pointing a scolding finger at Kirk. "And don't think I won't know if you've gone down to that infernal lab when I've left."
Kirk gave her best 'Who? Me?" expression of innocence and saluted. "Yes, ma'am. I promise I'll become a sloth for the night." She ate another bite of the sweet cake to prove herself and Delilah looked pleased as she waved and quickly headed out into the foyer and readied herself for her trek home.
Jamie breathed a small sigh of relief when she heard the door shut and lock. She loved the woman but she was coming to appreciate her solitude lately. Kirk never thought she'd turn into an introvert but her time on Beta Sigma had changed her. The peace of her work and the quiet farming lifestyle had had a profound effect on her. Whereas before, Jamie would have loved the thrill of rock climbing, an adrenaline fueled sport or a party, Jamie had been enjoying the small things like reading a good book or listening to a classical piece from an old composer like Chopin or Bach.
She missed the excitement but the stability here was satisfying in another way. The baby kicked as she drank the cold milk. The forces of the kicks caused her to grimace and shift. Jamie fully expected that she was going to have permanently bruised organs from her.
The wind howled and she shivered sympathetically, burrowing further into her nest and closing her eyes.
It seemed like she had been asleep for only a moment when the beeping of the alarm woke her. The smell of cheese, garlic, pasta and tomatoes was absolutely wonderful and, after three attempts, Jamie got up and moved to the kitchen.
She was pulling out the lasagne when she heard the rumbling of the truck. Kirk smiled. Her friend was home just in time and, looking at the clock, was actually early.
Moving to the foyer, Jamie grabbed her jacket and pulled it on as she opened the door to greet her friend but it wasn't Christine Chapel or their red pick up truck that was in the snowy driveway.
Two figures stepped out of a black flitter and it was the pointed ears as one figure pulled back the hood and looked towards her that caused Jamie's breath to hitch, the air sucked out of her lungs as she saw Sarek. No! She had been found!
Jamie's heart flew into her throat and her legs froze as her body fought to decide fight of flight. The driver of the vehicle pulled his own hood back and she saw Selek. He had betrayed her! The baby kicked hard in her stomach, jolting her from her thoughts that quickly turned from frightened to pure anger. Her instinct to protect her baby causing her to seek out a weapon. She would not allow someone to steal her child!
Her eyes fell on the double barreled shotgun next to the door. It was used for frightening the raccoon-like animals that typically preyed on her small vegetable patch and only had rock-salt in it but it would do. Grabbing the case of bullets, Jamie felt a sense of calm.
She gripped the weapon, hefting it up and aiming at the closer target, Sarek.
"You can't take my baby!" She shouted as she stepped onto the porch, snow swirling gently around her.
"I am not-"
She pulled the trigger, snow erupting barely an inch from where Sarek's booted foot was.
"Bullshit!"
Sarek's eyes widened and he darted behind the flitter next to Selek, who had, likewise, decided to use the vehicle as a shield.
"We are not here for your child, Jim." Selek shouted.
She cocked the weapon for her second shot and waited, nerves fraying as she waited. The pair of vulcans flinched at the sound and she narrowed her eyes to aim.
"Bullshit! Then why is he here?" Shouting back, Jamie straightened her back, determined to maintain her aim. "No comm. No letter. Nothing to indicate a visit. I call bullshit!"
She could see them conferring and it was almost comical how they hid from a heavily pregnant human with a weapon that was nothing more than the equivalent of a child's sling-shot. Rock-salt wouldn't kill but it would sting like a bitch.
Jamie felt a squeezing sensation around her abdomen, painfully stretching down to her pelvis that caused her to gasp and stumble, her weapon lowering and one hand gripping her stomach. Oh, God! Not now! She didn't have time for Braxton Hicks contractions!
The sudden crunch of snow alerted Jamie that her 'visitors' had moved. Snapping up, Kirk re-aimed and shot out at the ground to Sarek's left boot. Both men rolled away from the shot and she lost track of Selek in the snow drifts but Sarek was still in view.
Her back and belly pain ratcheted and Jamie grit her teeth against it, flipping open the barrel and dumping the empty shells to re-load as fast as she could. Right now, she was vulnerable.
She suddenly felt a damp sensation in her pants as another wave of pain crested. It was like a cramp that wouldn't stop. It only got worse and Jamie's hands shook as she tried to pull out the bullets. Her fingers fumbled and the box fell to the floor, metal casings falling everywhere. She knew she was in true labor. Her waters had broke and now, more than ever, she had to protect her child.
"Don't come any closer!" Her shout broke off into a whimper as the cramp continued. She needed to protect her baby. They were going to take her. It was as if someone was squeezing her chest as well as her abdomen, the panic causing her to drop several casings as she went onto all fours scrambling for the casings, her breathing erratic.
A warm hand grabbed hers and Jamie's head flew up, her now green eyes meeting the dark brown of Sarek's. "We are not going to take your child."
She flew back, slipping in the puddle underneath her and into another warm body. Selek. Jamie still had the gun in her hand and swung it out, only for it to be caught easily by the vulcan in front of her. Sarek gently pried her fingers from the weapon while Selek looked her over, snow flecked in his gray hair.
Another wave of pain gripped her and it spurred Jamie to fight like a madwoman, fingers out and clawing at the two men who avoided her attempts to harm them, only carefully gripping her.
"How long have you been in labor?" Sarek's eyes bored into hers as he held her wrists.
"Don't touch me!" She snarled and bucked against their hold, her foot catching Sarek's side making him grunt.
"We are not here to take your child, Miss Kirk. I came here to support you. I was only made aware of the situation recently. No one knows that I am here." Sarek squeezed her wrists gently to emphasize his point and Jamie stilled.
Was it true? Was she still safe? Another painful squeeze stole her breath and Jamie panted and curled in on herself.
"Perhaps we should move inside where it is warmer." Selek leaned over her shoulder. "Can you walk?"
She nodded once she felt more stable and allowed both men to help her stand but her legs buckled quickly. Selek went to pick her up to carry her but Sarek was faster.
The heat of the house after being outside was like needle pinpricks against her skin. Jamie could feel a slight tremble from Sarek and it took a moment to realize that he must be shivering.
He moved quickly and laid her down on the couch. Selek returned, moments later with towels and blankets.
"I need to get to the hospital." She grit out.
Sarek look towards Selek who shook his head. "The roads are too dangerous. The snow is coming down harder and I would not risk you giving birth on the side of the road."
Jamie gripped the fabric under her and groaned through another contraction. It was like her insides were trying to force themselves out. Sarek gently touched her arm. "You have nothing to fear. Women have been giving birth outside of hospitals for millennia with no problems. In fact, Vulcan women still typically choose to undergo a natural birthing process at home and have the ability to control how much pain their minds perceive."
Jamie panted and glared daggers at Sarek who quickly moved back. "Well, bully for them! I had intended to give birth the normal human way! Numb from the waist down!" Her head snapped over to Selek whose lips had pressed into a thin line, his classic thinking look.
He looked to Sarek. "I will attempt to retrieve Dr. Chapel. It will be quicker as I know the way."
Sarek nodded and Jamie felt panic as Selek stood. Her hand struck out and she grabbed his coat sleeve. "You can't leave me alone!"
Sighing, the elder Vulcan's face softened. "You will be safe. Sarek is adequately versed in human labor and delivery practices and I will be much quicker than he would be in locating the doctor." A small smile hinted at his lips as he looked towards Sarek. "He was very thorough in his research when Amanda was pregnant with Spock. I believe that he possibly knew more than the obstetrician."
Sarek straightened, a smug look as he started to remove his coat. "It was only logical to research as Spock's was the first birth of it's kind and the healers weren't as versed in human physiology, anatomy and the potential difficulties associated with a hybrid pregnancy and delivery."
Another contraction ripped through her and both men moved closer, instinctually trying to comfort her. It passed, leaving her gasping. She could feel a tugging sensation in her mind as well, as if she was being pulled in two directions. The first, here trying to give birth and the other, as if she was being pulled somewhere else or trying to pull someone to her. She was very afraid. Selek ran the back of his fingers down her face, a type of paternal vulcan peck on the cheek, to let her know he cared.
"I will be back momentarily." He stood and left even though she pleaded with him to stay. She knew she was being ridiculous but she was still terrified. She felt safe with him. She didn't know Sarek.
She grunted as the pain returned and she started to feel the need to have her jeans off. The wet feeling was irritating and she needed it. She couldn't explain it but with Sarek there...it was unnerving.
Jamie smiled thinly, her focus mostly on trying to not cry with the pain. Soon, she would see her daughter but it was getting to be too much. "There's-" She licked her lips and shifted. "-There's a medical kit that Chris packed specifically for this kind of thing in the hall closet. I need the pain meds and the tricorder can tell you how far I am."
"Of course."
The second he left, Jamie grabbed a blanket and pulled it over herself, pulling off her jeans and wet underwear under the blanket, tossing them to the floor. She knew she was being ridiculous and that there was a high likelihood that he was going to see everything but the illusion of modesty was better than the reality.
Sarek returned and opened the kit, pulling out the tricorder and running over her body. His eyebrow raised in, what Jamie assumed, was surprise.
"It shows that you are at 9 cm dilated and fully effaced. The infant is in the correct position. He pulled out a small sensor and lifted the blanket and her shirt to attach it to her lower abdomen. Quick heartbeats, too fast for a human's, filled the room.
"I need drugs. Now!" Jamie wanted to hit something. Possibly the calm vulcan next to her.
Sarek eyed the hypos in the box. They were clearly labeled and ready to use. "They could slow your labor or have an adverse reaction to the fetus."
Jamie growled and grit her teeth, panting against the waves that seemed almost constant.
"I can't do this. It hurts too much!"
Sarek hesitated, his eyes softening in sympathy as tears fell. "I could assist with managing the pain. A temporary link to block pain receptors."
"Do it!"
Sarek lifted his hand to her face, his fingers settled in the meld position. It was weird. It didn't feel like much. There was a sense of someone tiptoeing around and gently tweaking and tugging. It was almost clinical but there was a warmth to it that she couldn't understand. Before she could analyze it an overwhelming sense of relief flooded her.
She could still feel a hint of pain but now all she felt was pressure. She had to push. She had to push now!
"Sarek! I have to push!"
Brown eyes widened and he nodded, pulling the blanket up to her knees. The urge to push overpowered all sense of dignity and embarrassment. Sarek ran the tricorder over her, only the top of his head was visible between her legs. "You can push...now!"
Jamie tucked her chin down, fully focused on pushing. She felt a large...something but the second she stopped, it seemed to be sucked back up. She felt like crying.
"Push now, Miss Kirk."
She bore down again, remembering Chris's classes. It was the hardest thing she had ever done. Jamie paused for breath and, again, the baby seemed to be sucked back. "Oh, god! It's not working!"
Sarek moved closer and leaned his head to the side where she could see him. "It is working but sometimes it takes several pushes."
The urge came back and she pushed.
It had been thirty minutes of frantic pushing and she felt as if her reserves were failing. Jamie didn't know how other women did it. Her labor had been sudden and short but the delivery was taking a lot of work.
"The head is crowning. One more should do it."
Jamie was crying as she bore down, giving it everything she had, screaming and gripping the towels beneath her. There was a pop and relief.
"The head is out. Now the shoulders."
What the actual fuck! It was never ending! She swore she was going to send her mother an award. She'd done it twice!
She felt the pressure and pushed again while Sarek gently pulled. Silence. "Is she ok?" Jamie tried to move, worry gripping her heart at the silence.
A beat. Two. And then the most beautiful sound. A shivering small cry. Jamie immediately unbuttoned her blouse and bra (thank god for front clasps) and made gripping motions for Sarek to hand her the baby. He moved and laid the child on her chest, covering her with a soft towel.
Jamie tilted her head to get a better look, moving a finger up to touch her head. She was so small. Her eyes were a dark, almost black color, maybe brown but they were shaped more like hers than Spock's or Sarek's. There was a hint of light blonde hair but she was mostly bald. The poor little thing looked bruised and misshapen but, to Jamie, she was the most beautiful thing in the galaxy.
"So you're the culprit who's been kicking me these past few months." Jamie gave a watery laugh and ran a finger up, seeing the tiny ears curled in. She carefully touched the edge and it unfurled, reminding her of an exotic flower coming to bloom.
Sarek moved forward, using the tools in the bag to clamp and cut the cord and sat back on his haunches to see his granddaughter.
"She is beautiful, Miss Kirk." Sarek had a look of wonder that was unmistakable and there was a hint of a smile on his lips.
Jamie laughed tiredly. "I think after all of this, you can call me Jamie." She leaned down and kissed the top of the baby's head. "And you can call her Elizabeth Saavik S'chn T'gai-Kirk."
"Well, that's quite a mouthful!"
Jamie spun, smiling to see Christine Chapel and Selek, both flecked with snow.
"Looks like we missed the show."
Chris immediately went to work helping Jamie deliver the placenta and getting her and the baby cleaned and situated. It was a good few hours later that found Jamie up in her bed feeding tiny Liz. She felt whole.
Chris had assured Jamie that everything had gone textbook even though Elizabeth had decided to make quite an early and dramatic entrance. Liz seemed to crave skin-to-skin contact and it made Jamie feel closer to her. Already, Jamie could feel the beginnings of, what Sarek explained as, a parental bond. It was weak but there. She could feel it best with full contact, almost like a kitten taking up residence in her mind.
Elizabeth's tiny arms grew slack and she stopped suckling, fully asleep. Jamie moved her away, covered herself and carefully burped her before just holding her.
She always thought she'd known what love was but she had been wrong. Everything she'd ever felt before was a pale imitation at best. This was all encompassing, overwhelming, absolutely breathtaking and perfect true love. She smiled down at her daughter and laughed at the contented sigh from her.
A soft click drew her attention. Selek, the sly devil, moved forward with his camera and showed her the image. "You did very well. Sarek is pleased he was able to be here to see his granddaughter be born and especially pleased he could play such an instrumental part."
Jamie's euphoria dipped slightly. "I'm glad he was here, too. I don't think I could have done it without him. Amanda was a lucky woman." The baby shifted in her arms. "I'm still scared, though."
Her eyes drifted to Selek's, verdant green via contacts meeting warm brown. "He is genuine. There is a vulcan saying. "In the family, all is silent." You are a part of the family and he will keep your secrets and only divulge what you wish, if you wish it."
Jamie bit her lip thinking. Spock had missed so much today and over the last month. "Could he...as long as he doesn't say where we are, could he tell Spock about this? Maybe share his experience so that Spock can see our child being born?" Her eyes burned with tears that she tried to force down. Things could have been so very different.
Selek nodded solemnly. "I think he'd appreciate that."
