The Birth: Part I

A Long Chapter for you! Rated M for language!

Aimee had sighed looking at her hugely pregnant figure in the full-length mirror. For the life of her, she couldn't figure how her doting husband still found her beautiful , let alone sexy. But he did. Horatio was too convincing for her not to believe him, especially since the last time they had made love was the night before. Three weeks must have been just a ballpark figure for the time left in her pregnancy. Aimee started to have contractions mid-morning that quickly become regular, just seven days later.

Horatio was at a crime scene when his phone rang. It was his father-in-law, Trey. Aimee was in labor. He and Lacy were about to leave for thehospital with her. Maria was with Cheyenna. Rachel was still at preschool.

"What?" The shock appearing on his face when he answered. "Yeah. I'll meet you guys there. Thank you, Trey."

"What is it, H?" Eric said concerned, seeing the look on his friend's face. "Aimee?"

"Yeah. Hmm. Eric, can you take over here? I have to go," a tiny smile coming to his face.

"No problem, H. Just concentrate on Aimee and that baby. Things are under control here.

"Give him a ride, would ya?" Eric said to an officer in uniform.

"Lights and siren," the officer nodded.

For the brief time they were with their daughter in the hospital Lacy and Trey had a difficult time seeing her in pain. Labor appeared to be excruciating painful and they were at a loss of what to do for her. They were relieved when Horatio arrived as Aimee was being taken to a private room. Aimee had snapped at both a nurse and her mother when each tried to help her out of her clothing and into a hospital gown.

"Don't touch me!" She had hissed as she was standing up, gripping the side of the bed.

The nurse was unfazed by Aimee's behaviour. She had been doing this for nearly 20 years and had give birth twice herself. She could genuinely sympathize with the patient; this was painful. The nurse also knew that the arrival and presence of the husband often had a very calming effect on the mother. The woman also knew personally knew Aimee and Horatio and the exceptionally soothing effect he had on his wife.

"I got it," Horatio told his in-laws quietly when he entered the room. He walked over and gave her a big hug. She buried her face in his shoulder. "Shh. It's all right, sweetheart, you're okay. Let's get you changed and let the nurse have a look at you, all right?"

Aimee nodded.

Her parents left the room so the nurse and Horatio could help out of her clothing and the nurse could examine her.

"I'm sorry," Aimee said to the woman when she was in a gown and resting on the bed before the nurse put on gloves to check her progress.

"Oh, don't you apologize, honey," the nurse replied. "I've done this twice myself. I know exactly how you feel."

Aimee was three centimetres dilated so far. Too soon for an epidural. Aimee was on two minds about getting one this time; in her experience they hurt like hell getting one and if it took, it wore off way too soon. And that was if it took at all. But she wasn't exactly keen on the idea of unmediated childbirth either.

No matter what Horatio was going to be at her side.

"We'll take it one contraction at a time, sweetheart," Horatio whispered to her, stroking her forehead.

Miami-Dade Crime Lab

The place was abuzz. When Eric and Ryan had returned minus Horatio, Calleigh had a good idea where he was but she was excited to hear to hear the news.

"Oh, how exciting!" She said. She, like everybody else was hoping Horatio would call and give someone an update.

Dade Memorial Hospital

Things were going slow. Aimee had been in labor for six hours and was only four centimetres dilated. She had received an epidural. And she wasn't at all surprised that a) it hurt like a bitch to get it and b) it was "fuckin' useless," meaning it didn't take. The doctor had removed the epidural catheter and told Aimee he could try another one in an hour if that was what was what Aimee wanted.

Miami-Dade Crime Lab

Lacy was so upset by hearing her child's cries of pain in the background when talking to Horatio, she called Alexx Woods who was still on duty at the lab. Alexx had to remember although Lacy was Aimee's mother, the woman hadn't given birth. Alexx cringed when she was told that Aimee's epidural hadn't taken.

"Unfortunately, that happens sometimes," The M.E. explained, feeling a ton of sympathy for Aimee, knowing personally what labor was like. "She's in good hands, Lacy. And Horatio is there. Don't worry."

Ryan had come to the morgue just as she was finishing up the call.

"Was that Aimee's mom?" Ryan asked. "What's going on? Everything's going okay?"

Alexx told the update that Horatio given his mother-in-law, telling him to let everyone know when he left the morgue.

"Ouch," Ryan said, making a face. "Poor girl."

The Caine Home

Rachel and Cheyenna Caine were bouncing off the walls with excitement waiting for news of their baby brother. Maria, Aimee's best friend was still there helping out with the girls. Really the adults were just as excited as the children.

Dade Memorial Hospital

On the suggestion of the nurse, Aimee had tried the pool to relieve her pain. She had been willing to try anything. She didn't want to try an epidural again, yet. But the pool hadn't worked either. She was now getting some relief on her hands and knees on the bed, Horatio rubbing the small of her back.

Inside it was killing him to see in some much pain even if it was for a reason. Still he was calm.

"You doing great, sweetheart," Horatio whispered to Aimee, moving a strand of hair from her face. "I'm so proud of you." He instinctively seemed to know when she wanted ice, and fed her more ice chips.

The two still more waiting left.

Sorry for the suspense! The new baby will be here in the next chapter! :)