Cut Out All the Ropes: Chapter 17
Derek pulled the gown Melissa had handed him over his Henley, reaching behind his neck to tie it. He stopped when Stiles squeaked behind him. Derek rolled his eyes at the way the teen had a shocked look on his face and the way his arms seemed to flail around. Ignoring the boy, Derek pulled on the surgical cap. He let out a sigh when Stiles let out another squeak, gesturing towards Melissa.
"I need a phone!" Stiles giggled. "A phone with a camera. I need this moment captured!" Derek raised a brow at him, shaking his head when he realized Melissa had actually listened and took the picture. Melissa smirked at him before slipping Stiles' phone into the top draw next to his bed.
"Does the epidural make him more loopy than normal?" Derek asked, grinning at the way Stiles glared at him.
"Not the epidural, but probably the drugs in his IV," Melissa began. "But how you can tell the difference between now and usual is beyond me."
The nurse grabbed the bed control and made the head of the bed to sit up to allow Stiles a more comfortable position to be pushing in. Although his legs were already in the stirrups, she helped him move around until his butt was almost completely hanging off the bed as Dr. Jeffers had directed. Stiles flinched slightly when another contraction worked through him, although this one was much less painful with the epidural.
"Okay, Stiles," Dr. Jeffers said, sitting on a stool at the end of the bed as Melissa draped a sheet over Stiles' legs. "You're about ready to start pushing. I'm assuming you watched the video's I suggested to you to prepare?"
Stiles blushed, clearing his throat. "Yeah. Yeah, I watched them."
"Good. Now remember to breath. You shouldn't feel much pain, but there will be a lot of pressure. Just use Derek as your anchor and push through it, okay?" Stiles let out a shaky breath, nodding his head. "Derek, you're going to mirror Melissa's actions, okay? That's right, wrap your arm around Stiles' thigh and when he starts pushing, pull up slightly to give him some leverage."
Derek gulped but nodded, letting his hand lay flat against Stiles' leg. He gave Stiles a small smile, hoping he didn't look as green as he felt. Stiles grinned back at him, wrapping his hand around Derek's wrist.
"Don't pass out on me, Sour Wolf," Stiles murmured, and Derek snorted, nodding his head.
"You ready?" Derek whispered, squeezing Stiles' leg slightly. Stiles nodded, a loopy smile on his face.
"Okay, Stiles. On this next contraction, take a deep breath and push." Stiles nodded. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he pushed himself up against Melissa and Derek's grip.
"Ahhh," he groaned as he pushed, tears filling his eyes as he did so.
"Push!" Dr. Jeffers coaxed.
"I am pushing, damn it!" Stiles yelled back, causing Derek to snort. This was going to be a long process.
Isaac woke slowly, trying to keep as still as possible. He let out a deep breath through his nose when he realized he was no longer bound up by his wrists. Instead, he was in a small cage that was just big enough for him to sit up. His hands were handcuffed behind his back and there was still a gag in his mouth. He whimpered at the blade that was shoved in his right leg. His left leg was clearly broken and he was pretty sure his shoulder was dislocated, too.
The wolf scooted closer to the door, bracing each leg against the gate. He took a deep breath before putting all his weight against the door, screaming in pain against the gag. Isaac pulled back, gasping for air before trying the process again. But the second time he tried to get the gate open, a bolt of electricity rounded the metal cage he was sitting on, shocking him. Isaac let out another scream, curling on his side the best he could with his wrists tied behind his back.
"Ah, I see little wolf is awake and ready to play," a voice called from the stairs, causing the hair on the back of Isaac's neck to stand up. "I'd think a boy with your history would have been able to take more, but apparently your just as weak as the rest of the group you call your pack."
Victoria pushed the button on the sensor she was carrying, causing another round of electricity to rock the cage. Isaac howled against the gag, squeezing his eyes shut. The red head let out a cackle, watching with glee as Isaac trashed in the small cage.
After the shock stopped, she stuck the remote in her pocket and approached the cage slowly. She held Isaac's eyes as she stooped to slip the small key in the lock.
"No funny business, or I leave your head on Derek's doorstep. Do you understand me?" Isaac whimpered, nodding his head. As the door swung open, Victoria grabbed Isaac by his shoulder and dragged him out of the cage. The boy whimpered as he dislocated shoulder protested the move.
Isaac struggled to stay on his feet as Victoria dragged him across the room, the pressure making the broken bone in his left leg break through the skin. He let out a hiss as she pushed him to the ground, his back against a pole covered in spikes. The spikes sunk into his skin as she uncuffed his hands just long enough to lock them around the pole.
"I've notice that you have your fair share of scars," Victoria drawled, dragging the knife in her hand across a deep one on Isaac's side that his dad had left when he was 13. "It doesn't seem right for a parent to leave these on their child. But clearly your father knew the monster you would become." Isaac growled at her, trying to break the cuffs keeping him seated. "It would be such a shame if I couldn't add some more given your new healing powers. Luckily, I have a technique I've been practicing. It should do just the job."
The monotone of her voice had lured Isaac into a false since of security so he couldn't prevent the whimper as another knife was dug into his stomach.
"The key," Victoria continued, pulling on a pair of gloves and bending over a large Rubbermade Tote. The plastic box was a bright pink color, looking out of place in the room. "The key is the right amount of Wolfsbane. While it might not kill you, it'll linger in your skin long enough to leave a mark. And oh do I plan on leaving a mark."
Isaac wiggled against his hold, trying to get clear. Victoria studied him for a moment before stooping to pull a spool of barb wire out of the bag.
"This, little wolf, has been soaking in a very potent solution of Wolfsbane for the past month. The barbs will leave the nicest little cuts. And the more your struggle, the more it will hurt." She stooped forward, cutting off the rest of his torn shirt and doing the same with his pants until he was left sitting naked in the dirt. Victoria started with his ankles, wrapping the wire tight around him, pulling tighter to the barbs cut into his skin. Isaac whimpered, trying to wiggle away as she continued to tightly bind him to the pole with the spikes that dug further into his back.
"It's nothing personal, dear," Victoria drawled as she stepped away, pulling another knife that had been soaking in a jar from the bag. She drug the knife along his cheek, pressing hard enough to draw blood and cause the Wolfsbane to soak into the cuts. "When I'm done with you, you'll be nothing more than a feral wolf. You will have no pack. And I'll prove to Derek that he's only made more monsters like himself."
Isaac whimpered as the knife dug in closer to his eye, the blood dripping into his line of vision. Victoria stood back, watching him with glee as she pulled the remote out of her pocket and hit another button. The pole he was tied to sent another round of electricity through his body and Isaac couldn't help the sob that escaped him.
"Get some sleep, little wolf. You're no phone when you don't fight back," Victoria whispered, the knife in her hand digging deeper in his face and staying there. She took a step back, pulling her phone out of her back pocket. She launched her camera app, the flash illuminating the cuts and blood on Isaac's skin. She gave him a small pat on his head before turning away and leaving Isaac trying to breathe through the pain.
"Do you know what your dad needed Derek for?" Lydia asked, crossing her legs as the lounged in the waiting room. Allison furrowed a brow, shaking her head. "I'm just asking because Derek sent Isaac in his place like yesterday, and I haven't heard from him since."
"Huh," Allison said, furrowing her brow again as she dug through her bag for her phone. She clicked a couple buttons before putting it to her ear. She rolled her eyes at the way Scott, Jackson and Danny all seemed to have their ears trained on Stiles down the hall, wincing every so often.
"Yes, Allison?" Chris answered on the third ring, his voice full of annoyance.
"Hi Dad. We were just wondering how much longer you're going to keep Isaac. Stiles should have the babies pretty soon and I'm sure Isaac wants to be here."
"What are you talking about?" Chris asked, and Allison sat up straight, suddenly concerned.
"Derek said he got a text from you when he got to the hospital saying you needed to see him for something last minute as soon as possible. He sent Isaac in his place, and Isaac's been gone for almost 24 hours."
"Allison, that wasn't me. I got a call from the Harrison clan a couple towns over right after Derek left. I left a note for you at the house but you apparently haven't been home. I have no idea where Isaac is."
"Oh," Allison said, glancing at the rest of the pack who were all staring at her. "Um, okay. Is everything okay with the Harrison's?"
"Just a misunderstanding with a witch. Everything's sorted and I should be on my way back soon. Let me know if you find Isaac. I love you."
"Yeah, okay, thanks Dad. Love you, too," Allison whispered, ending the call. She looked up at the way everyone was staring at her and bit her lip. Scott had already gotten up and dropped himself into the chair next to her.
"What did your dad say?" He asked, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
"He never texted Derek. He said he has no idea where Isaac is, which worries me."
"I'm sure he's fine," Jackson said, giving Lydia a comforting look. "He'll turn up."
The pack all looked at each other and nodded, none of them mentioning how they all immediately texted Isaac.
"Push Stiles, push!" Dr. Jeffers called for what must have been the millionth time in the past two hours.
"I can't! It hurts. Oh God it hurts," Stiles moaned as a nurse wiped the sweat off his forehead.
"Yes you can, sweetheart. Come on, deep breath. And push!" Stiles pushed against the arms holding his legs, pushing with everything he had.
"Ahh no no no no," Stiles screamed, his breath coming out in choked sobs.
"Dr. Jeffers," the nurse who had been monitoring the baby monitors called, motioning to the monitor. The doctor raised a brow. She let out a low sigh, glancing at Stiles' monitor.
"Melissa, can you start him on some oxygen. Dave," she motioned to the man who was in charge of his epidural, "I need you to increase his IV meds."
"What going on?" Stiles asked as Melissa opened a oxygen mask and screwed it into the wall. She gently pulled the string around the back of his head and fitted it against his mouth and nose. Stiles immediately reached out and pulled it away from his mouth, staring at the doctor in concern.
"Dr. Jeffers, what's going on?" Derek asked, keeping his hand on the underside of Stiles' leg to help pull the pain away without anyone seeing. He had an equally worried look on his face and he could smell blood that wasn't normal.
"There's some blockage stopping the babies from getting through the passageway and that's causing the twins some distress which in turn is causing you distress. I need you to stop pushing, okay? Don't push until I tell you to. And leave the mask on, it'll help you breathe through the pain."
Stiles nodded, letting the mask fall back on his face as he let his head fall back. He glanced up at Derek, pain and fear clear in his eyes.
"It's okay," Derek whispered, reaching out and grabbing Stiles' hand. "It's going to be okay." The heart monitor above his head was beating erratically and Stiles breath was coming out in gasps.
"There's going to be some pressure while I try to clear the blockage. Just try not to move and don't push, sweetheart," Dr. Jeffers said gently and Stiles nodded as Melissa gently ran her fingers through his hair and holding the mask to his face.
"Oh God," He moaned as the pressure picked up on top of a contraction and Derek squeezed his hand, mumbling quietly to Stiles.
"You're okay sweetheart," Melissa whispered, giving him a sad smile. "Just keep breathing." Stiles whimpered, nodding his head. He could hear Dr. Jeffers quietly asking for different tools. The pressure gets worse at some points, and Stiles tightened his grip on Derek's hand, whining as he tried to squirm.
Derek squeezed Stiles hand, trying to block out the steady drip of blood he can hear leaking from Stiles body. Moments later, Dr. Jeffers asks for another nurse to call down to the blood bank and ask for a few bags of Stiles blood type.
"I've almost got it," Dr. Jeffers murmured quietly, gently 'shh-ing' Stiles whimpers as she pulled her hand away. "Okay, we're going to try this again. But if there are any further problems, we're going to have to do an emergency c-section. Do you understand, Stiles?" Stiles whimpered again, nodding his head. "Okay. Deep breath and on the next contraction, push."
Stiles took a deep breath as directed, squeezing Derek's hand tightly. Derek moved his other hand back under Stiles' leg, trying to pull some of the pain out.
"It's okay," Derek whispered, squeezing. "You can do this."
"Push, Stiles," Dr. Jeffers called again and Stiles took a deep breath before pushing against Derek and Melissa to get some leverage. He let out a loud yell as everyone gently cheered him on. "Now we're getting somewhere!" Dr. Jeffers said with a grin, gently running her finger around his opening.
"Thank God," Stiles moaned, taking a few deep breaths.
"Okay, deep breath and push again." Stiles did as he was told, squeezing Derek's hand tight enough that the werewolf flinched. "Good. Good, you're crowning. See how easier this is now. You're almost there."
"There's still another one in there," He moaned, his voice muffled under the oxygen max.
"Just a couple more big pushes then you can take a little break," Dr. Jeffers said with a grin and Stiles groaned, sitting up for some more leverage.
"Ahhh!" Stiles yelled, his screams combining with the high pitch cry of an infant.
"Oh thank God," Melissa murmured, giving Stiles a small smile.
"Do you want to cut the cord, Daddy?" The doctor asked, grinning at Derek.
"Hey! I'm Daddy! He's Papa!" Stiles called and Derek snorted as he took the medical scissors and cut where the doctor pointed.
"It's a girl," Dr. Jeffers said, giving Stiles a grin as she handed off the baby to a waiting nurse.
"I want to see her!" Stiles called, trying to reach for the baby, but Melissa caught his arm, gently pushing him back against the bed.
"They've got to clean her up first. And you've still got some work to do. Once they're both here you can see them all you want, Sweetie," Melissa whispered, giving him a small smile. Stiles sighed, nodding.
Derek, who had been straining his neck to peer over at the nurse who was cleaning up his little girl. He reached down, placing a kiss to Stiles' forehead as his breath still came out in gasps.
"She's beautiful," the Alpha whispered and Stiles snorted, giving him a small loopy smile.
"I'm sure she looks great covered and blood and my guts." Derek hushed him, pressing another kiss to Stiles' forehead.
"What are you naming her?" Melissa asked, a small smile on her face.
"Alexis Lauren Hale," Stiles said, flinching when a contraction forced its way through his body.
"That's beautiful," Melissa said with a grin as another nurse wrote the name down on the clipboard.
"Take a little break and then we'll start again," Dr. Jeffers said, patting Stiles' knee. Stiles let his eyes fall shut, taking a few deep breathes before Melissa took a hold of his leg again. He pushed against the hold bearing down in an attempt to get the second baby out as soon as possible. "Can you get your legs a little wider?" Dr. Jeffers asked and Stiles did as she asked.
"Shit," Melissa mumbled as she felt Stiles hip pop out of place in her hands. Stiles let out a whimper, tightening his grip on Derek's hand. "I'm so sorry sweetie."
"Ahhh," Stiles yelled, the pain from his hip not catching up with him yet.
"Here he comes," Dr. Jeffers mumbled, her hands braced below Stiles as he used the last of his energy to push the much smaller baby out. Just as the baby let out a cry, Stiles' eyes crossed before closing completely. "One more cord for you to cut," Dr. Jeffers rushed and Derek did as she asked, glancing at Stiles in worry. "We've got to get him upstairs as soon as possible," she said in a hushed voice, pulling off her gloves and switching them out for a new pair. "He's had a lot of internal bleeding and I'm afraid that if we don't get that stopped as soon as possible, there might be irreversible damage. Dr. Rhoades, my colleague, will look over the twins and make sure everything is okay with them. He'll bring them back here for you to see when he's done, but afterwards we'll put them in the nursery."
"I, yeah, okay." Derek mumbled, looking down at Stiles' unconscious form as they the nurses prepared him for movement.
"His dad was in the waiting room, correct? We need him to sign a few forms since Stiles is under 18." Derek nodded, running a hand through his hair as the nurses quickly rolled Stiles out of the room. Another set of nurses rolled the two baskets containing his children followed shortly after, turning the opposite direction. Derek let out a frustrated groan, throwing the surgical cap he had ripped of his head on a chair on his way out of the room and towards the waiting room.
"Derek," Scott said, climbing to his feet quickly, his eyes wide. He could see Melissa talking quietly to Steve in the corner as Steve signed a bunch of papers as he nodded his head. Derek swayed slightly, letting Jackson grab his arm and lower him into a chair. "What's going on? Is Stiles okay?" Derek cleared his throat several times before glancing up.
"There was some blockage making it impossible for the babies to get out. Dr. Jeffers had to clear it out, but he lost a lot of blood. She said there could be more internal bleeding, so their taking him upstairs to get it stopped before there is irreversible damage. And in the process of pushing against your mom for leverage he dislocated his hip or something. So I assume their fixing that, too."
"Oh, God," Allison whispered, her hand coming to her mouth. She contemplated moving to the chair next to Derek but she knew the man still flinched away from her on good days. "And the babies?"
"They, uh. As far as I know they're okay. Alexis Lauren and Aiden Noah. Alexis was first. Aiden looked a lot smaller than Alexis did. The nurse didn't tell us how big they were, though. A, uh, a different doctor is going to look at them while Dr. Jeffers helps Stiles. They should be brought back down here soon."
"I'm sure their fine, Lydia whispered quietly, patting Derek's arm. "Everything's going to be okay."
"Where's Isaac?" Derek asked, looking around the group and realizing who was missing.
"He's, uh, he's still trying to sort stuff out with dad. He should be back soon," Allison called, trying to keep her voice light and airy. She'd had practice lying to werewolves.
"Okay. Okay good. I just…I just want the pack here, you know?"
"Yeah, we get it," Jackson said, throwing himself back into a chair. "Everything will be fine." Derek nodded, letting his elbows rest against his thighs as he cradled his head in his hands. Nothing could ever be easy, could it?
AN: Hope you liked it! Please review!