The Birth: Part II

By the time shift was over, there was no news of the new baby. Eric and Calleigh were driving home, both feeling more sympathy for their friend by the moment. Calleigh suggested that they pick up dinner and go over to visit the Caine girls for a bit.

"Sounds like a plan," Eric said. "I'm in the mood for fried chicken, mashed potatoes and a milkshake."

That was the girls' favorite dish from a local restaurant.

"Sounds like poor Lacy is going to give herself an ulcer knowing what Aimee's labor is like," Calleigh said. "Trey might take her for a drive or somethin'."

Dade Memorial Hospital

The nurse who came on for the second shift was Holly. The one who taught the couple's prenatal class. Finally, after eleven hours and forty-five minutes, Aimee was fully dilated and ready to push. She had foregone the second epidural, now she had no other option but natural childbirth. Considering the fact the baby was going to be large, the doctor was going to do this delivery. Horatio didn't mind, wanting only what was best for Aimee and the baby.

As the head of the bed was being raised so Aimee sit up more and her feet were put in stirrups Nurse Holly mentioned to the doctor how Aimee became more relaxed when her husband held her, as she seemed tense and needed to be as relaxed as possible to have her baby. Horatio was all too glad to hold his wife and got behind her. He nodded when he was told to help Aimee lean forward and hold her legs when she had a contraction. Telling him to encourage her was a no-brainer.

The doctor was surprised in spite of herself seeing how visibly relaxed Aimee become when her husband held her. She was watching them out of the corner of her eye as the room was being set up.

"You're doing wonderful, honey," Horatio whispered to his wife. "I know you can do this. Just rest for a few minutes."

Aimee leaned her head back into Horatio's body. Horatio stroked the side of her head, kissing the temple on the opposite side of her head. Aimee whimpered. She was exhausted and every part of her body was beginning to ache. She just wanted this over. She wanted to be holding their son. The doctor had said the pressure she were feeling in her pelvic region was a good thing. That meant the baby's head was low and the delivery shouldn't take long. Aimee was hoping for that, too. Horatio was hoping for it, just as much, maybe even more. Seeing her in pain like this was killing him.

The Caine Home

Eric and Calleigh were glad they had dropped over to the The Caine home. They were right; the girls were off their heads with excitement and poor Lacy still seemed ill about her daughter, even though she had been assured that what was happening with Aimee was normal. And oh yeah, the girls had little interest in the PB & J sandwiches Maria had made them for dinner. But they seemed happy to eat their favorite kids' meals with milkshakes.

While the children were happily eating in the kitchen and Trey and Lacy were gone for a drive, Trey with his cellphone on, Maria chatted with Horatio's co-workers in the living room. They were now as bad as the kids; all three and most likely Trey had received a text message from Horatio saying "it won't be long!" All knew that meant Aimee must have started pushing.

Dade Memorial Hospital

7:45pm.

Three people were crying; a woman, a man and a newborn baby still covered in fluid.

Horatio buried his face in his wife's neck from behind her, his tears touching Aimee's skin as she held their wailing newborn still attached to the umbilical cord to her bare chest. His wife's body was still shaking from the pain and exertion of pushing the baby out. "You're all right," he whispered. "You did great. I'm right here. I've got you. I'm so proud of you!" Moments before the baby was out the nurse had asked Aimee if she wanted to remove her gown so her baby could have skin-to-skin contact on her chest upon birth. Holding her newborn close now she was glad she hadn't been so modest to say no. It had taken twelve hours and forty minutes but Horatio and Aimee were finally officially the parents of a little boy. "I love you. You were great," Horatio whispered to her. "He's perfect."

Austin Matthew Caine was indeed a copy of his father. He had a full head of strawberry blonde hair and very blue eyes. He had yet to be weighed but he was a large baby. Horatio got to cut the cord before the nurse she was going to weigh the newborn and give him eyedrops, diaper and swaddle him. She told Aimee she would bring him right back. The baby let out a louder cry when taken away from his mother's chest.

"It's okay, sweetie," the nurse cooed. "We'll only be a minute. Do you want daddy to come with you?"

Aimee looked at Horatio and smiled. He kissed her forehead . Horatio carefully sled out from behind his wife and followed the nurse. His eyes were still breaming with happy tears.

"Hey Austin, buddy," Horatio said, kissing the baby's head, when the baby was laid down to be weighed. "Shh. It's okay. Daddy's here. She's not going to hurt you. She's just gonna see how big you are and wrap you in a nice blanket then we'll go back to mommy."

Horatio could barely believe how much his son resembled his own newborn photos.

The number on the digital scale came up.

9.3 lbs.

Austin weighed only a pound less than Horatio had at birth. Aimee had been pleasantly surprised and very glad despite Austin's size she hadn't tore and hadn't had to have an episiotomy. Horatio quickly snapped a picture on the swaddled newborn using his cellphone before picking him up.

7:57pm.

A text message flashed across Eric's, Calleigh's, Maria's and Trey's cellphones;

Meet Austin Caine!

9 Pounds, 3 ounces

Born 7:45pm

The picture of Austin followed.

Maria excitedly called out to the girls and they ran in when they heard there was message from daddy at the hospital.

"Wow!" Rachel said. She couldn't believe she were seeing a picture of her baby brother.

The home phone rang not five minutes later. It was Horatio.

"Hey new daddy," Maria said answering the phone.

"You got my message," Horatio smiling on the other end. "Isn't he beautiful?"

"He sure is. How's mommy's doing?"

"She's exhausted but she's great. She did incredible. She and Austin are about to take their first snooze together."

Aimee was in a fresh gown and Austin was in her arms. The two were just resting together on the bed. Horatio talked to both the girls. Telling them that their baby brother was very cute and what he looked like. If Horatio hadn't called before their bedtimes with the news, getting them to go to bed and go to sleep was going to be a monumental task. But daddy told them that if they got into bed and went to sleep that in the morning they could come to the hospital and meet Austin.

It worked.

Horatio hoped even if the girls met Austin in the hospital in the morning that he could have his wife and baby son home by the same evening.

Hope everyone liked the chapters on the new arrival! R & R!