The Hospital…Again
"It's okay, Babe," he said soothingly as he stroked her arm.
Emily ground her jaw as she rode through another contraction. "You say that one more time, Rossi, and I'll deck you."
Dave nodded, choking back a chuckle as he glanced across at the nurse. "And you exchange one more glance like that with the nurse and I'll grind your parts into the floor," Emily added.
Nodding again, he kept his eyes on her although he was still biting back the chuckle that threatened to erupt. "I'm sorry, Babe…I know this is tough."
"Tough," she exploded. "Tough! Tough is working a case on no sleep; tough is going on a ten state book tour in four days…You try pushing a basketball the size of your ego out that little small space and then you'll know it is more than just tough."
Dave blinked. "I know, Honey….I'm sorry. I just…."
"Sorry…yeah, you're sorry alright. Just couldn't resist the chance to knock me up again, could you? No…twins weren't enough to show the world what a man you are; you had to go and prove it again…you and your overly inflated ego," she huffed.
"I…." he stopped as another contraction overtook her. Trying to help her, he did the breathing with her. Hell, I'm going to hyperventilate if she keeps this up much longer…
The doctor chose that moment to arrive. "Mrs. Rossi, I'm Dr. Alderson. Your doctor was held up in surgery and has asked me to check in on you and take care of you until she can come."
Emily took one look at the unsuspecting doctor and frowned. "Typical…"
"What, Honey," Dave asked.
"That a man thinks he is any help with this," she growled.
"Really Mrs. Rossi, I've delivered quite a few babies…"
"You delivered nothing…all you did was sit there and catch. It's always the woman who does the work and you men…" she paused as another contraction hit. When it was finished, she continued, "… run around all smiles and cigars like you actually did something."
"Well Babe, as you pointed out…I did have a little something to do with this," Dave pointed out, knowingly taking the heat off the doctor. The loud sound of her hand meeting his face echoed through the room. The nurse turned, stunned. The doctor's mouth gaped open. But Dave sat next to his wife, smirking. "Good one, Babe," he said as he rubbed the side of his face.
Emily glared at him just as another contraction hit. As it ended, she reached for him. "I'm sorry…so, so sorry," she wailed. Dave took her hand and squeezed it. "I know Babe," he said gently.
Then turning to the doctor, Dave grinned. "It's time."
The doctor gawked at Dave. "What? How do you know?"
Shrugging, Dave told him. "It's simple, when she gets to the slapping stage, she's ready to deliver. Although this one wasn't as hard as the last time…but then it was twins so I suppose she had more motivation."
The doctor did a quick exam and looked up. "You're right. Let's see what this little one looks like." Then turning to the nurse, he nodded. "Let's do it."
It wasn't long before the sound of a crying baby, or more a whimpering one, was heard in the room. Nurses quickly cleaned it up and wrapped it in a blanket while the doctor finished with Emily. Then quietly, the nurse stepped over with the little bundle and looked from one parent to the other. "Would you like to hold your daughter?"
Tears rolled down Emily's face as she took the baby in her arms. Dave hovered over her, his smile matching the elation he was feeling. "Our little girl," he whispered emotionally. Emily looked up at him, noticing the still red side of his face. "I'm sorry," she told him softly.
Dave looked into her eyes and smiled. "You can slap me anytime, Babe…if this is the reward" He used his finger to tug the corner of the blanket away from his daughter's face to get a better look. "She's beautiful like her mamma."
"She is beautiful, isn't she?" Emily was in awe.
"So do we have a name?" the doctor asked.
Dave glanced up and then back at his two girls, waiting for Emily to announce their agreed upon name. He was surprised when she spoke however. "Bella," she said happily.
I'm having fun with this. I hope you are too.