Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. They belong to Cecily von Zeigesar and The CW.
It's time…
"Wake up, my beautiful wife, its Valentine's Day," Chuck whispered as he brushed the petals of the reddest rose he could find along her cheek, "I bought you a little something. It's sparkly."
"It better be more than a little something," she grumbled as she opened her eyes. There was no joy in her eyes that the holiday would usually bring. She was beyond miserable, and her eyes reflected that.
"Did you sleep well?" he inquired.
"Did you?" she glared at him. Of course neither of them had slept well with having to work in tandem to get her up and down for her many trips to the bathroom throughout the night.
"Open it," Chuck encouraged her as he handed over the jewelry box from Tiffany's.
"You're lucky it's from Tiffany's," she glared at him as she opened the box, resisting the temptation to throw the lid at his head. Inside was a diamond and pearl butterfly broach. She gave the faintest hint of a smile as she admired the gift, her first glimpse of a smile in a week.
"Is that a smile?" he teased, "I think I see a smile."
"Don't press your luck," she shifted back to her menacing stare before she pulled the broach from the box to admire it. "Chuck, this is beautiful."
"Doesn't compare to you," he replied as he kissed her lips lightly.
Suddenly the gift was cast aside as Blair fisted his shirt in her hands and brought him to her, "Chuck, I can't take it anymore. We have to get this baby out of me."
"You still have another week until the baby is due," he told her calmly as he tried to loosen her grip without success.
"I don't care," she replied, "I'm so uncomfortable. I can't get up or sit down without help. I look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame when I try to put underwear on. I haven't seen my feet in weeks. I have to go to the bathroom every five minutes."
"I know you're uncomfortable," he told her gently, "And I'm sorry that I can't make it any easier for you, but there isn't anything we can do."
"Yes, there is," she moaned, "We can try more spicy foods. There's that tea I can drink, or maybe if we took a walk somewhere."
"We've tried the spicy food and the tea," he reminded her, "And we've started that walk several times, but you had to go the bathroom as soon as we left the house."
"Please, Chuck," she pouted, "Even if I'm due in a week, there is no guarantee that I'll go into labor then. This could drag on another couple of weeks."
"There was something that I read," he stated hesitantly, "But I don't think you'll be up for it."
"I'm up for anything, Chuck," she told him.
"Sex," he stated.
"What!" she exclaimed.
"I've read that sex can sometimes start a woman's labor," he replied, "And the doctor told us that we shouldn't be having sex anymore because it could induce you before you were ready."
"You're just horny," she growled as she released his shirt and pushed him away.
"You have no idea how much that is true," he head bobbed up and down as he gave his honest reply, "But I would never suggest it merely to satisfy my own lust."
"Chuck, if you attached me to some string I could float down the streets of New York during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," she replied, "How could you possibly even consider wanting to have sex with me?"
"Because I love you, and even though you think you look like a blimp, I think you are the most beautiful woman in the world," he explained calmly, "There hasn't been a day during this pregnancy that I haven't wanted to make love to you."
"Flattery is not going to convince me," she glared at him.
"Fine," he replied with a casual shrug, "We'll just wait the little tiger out."
Blair grabbed hold of his shirt again and tugged him towards her, mashing her lips against his suddenly with such force that he knew he'd be bruised. His brain struggled to catch up as she tore his shirt open. "You'd better be ready for me," she growled as she fiddled with his trousers, trying to get them open as quickly as possible. A month long drought had Chuck ready much quicker than he'd anticipated as he shifted into the position.
Blair felt something peculiar just as Chuck slid inside her.
"Chuck, stop," Blair gasped as she pushed on his shoulder.
"What's wrong?" he whispered as he froze, "Am I hurting you?"
"I…ah…" Blair fumbled for an answer as she pushed him away completely. "I…um…" Suddenly it happened. "Oh god, my water just broke."
"What!" Chuck exclaimed.
"I'm definitely in labor," she replied as the panic set in.
"Okay, don't panic," he stated, "We're prepared for this. Your suitcase is downstairs by the front door. Arthur has been forbidden to move the limo for a week. Let's get a nightgown and some shoes on you and get you downstairs."
"Oh god, I'm not ready for this," she continued to panic as she grasped his hand tightly when he tried to pull away, "Chuck, make it stop."
"Hey, look at me," he gently coaxed her eyes to lock with his, "Yes, you are. You can do this. You are the strongest, most courageous person that I've ever met. You can do this."
"Okay," she nodded slightly. She still didn't believe she could give birth, but the thought that he believed in her made her at least want to try.
"Let me go get you a nightgown, and then we'll go," he stated. She nodded again as she released his hand so he could leave the bed. She watched him shed his ruined clothes as he went. She'd nearly torn his clothes from his body in her haste to make love to him. He reappeared moments later, fully dressed with a cotton nightgown in his hands. It was the one that she had selected weeks earlier for just this event.
"Ready?" Chuck inquired once she was in her nightgown.
She nodded as he helped her out of bed.
"We're having a baby," he told her as he kissed her lips softly before he ushered her out of the room.
"Mrs. Bass, you're at eight centimeters," her doctor examined her upon arrival, "We still have a little bit of time. Relax as much as you can. I'll be back to check on you shortly."
"Relax as much as you can," Blair mocked her doctor once it was just her and her husband left in the room, "Easy for her to say, she doesn't have a watermelon wanting to squirt out of her vagina."
Chuck bit his lip to keep from laughing.
"You called everyone, didn't you?" Blair asked.
"I called Lily," Chuck replied, "She assured me that she'd take care of calling everyone. They're probably already in the waiting room."
"Will you go check?" she asked, "And get me some ice chips on the way back."
"Of course," he nodded as he kissed her temple.
"My earrings, Chuck, I need my earrings," she stated as she touched her bare lobes, "You brought my earrings, didn't you?"
"They are in your bag," Chuck assured her as he reached into her bag and produced the box she needed. "I'll be right back."
"Chuck, don't take too long," she called out to him as he reached the door to her room.
"I'll be right back," he vowed once more as he returned to her side for a moment to kiss her forehead.
"How is she, Charles?" Eleanor inquired as Chuck appeared in the waiting room in the set of scrubs he'd been given when they'd first arrived.
"Uncomfortable, anxious, scared," Chuck admitted, "She's masking it with her special brand of bitchiness, but I can see it in her eyes."
"She needs you, Charles," Eleanor stated as she grasped her son-in-law's hand, "She needs you to be strong for her."
"I know," he nodded, "I'm going to be there every step of the way. The doctor says that it might be awhile, so I guess you all should get comfortable."
"If you need anything, even if it's a few minutes to catch your breath, come find us," Lily added as she rubbed his shoulder to offer him some comfort. She knew her son. She knew how difficult this was on him; she also knew that he couldn't show his fear.
"I will," he nodded.
"Chuck, tell Blair that we love her and that we can't wait to greet the newest member of our family," Serena added.
"I will," he repeated with another nod.
"Be strong for her, Charles," Eleanor stated a second time.
Chuck continued nodding as Eleanor released his hand. He returned to Blair with a strengthened resolve.
"Everyone is here and anxiously waiting to meet our little bundle of joy," Chuck announced as he returned with the ice chips. Blair was in the midst of a contraction. Chuck rushed to her side and grasped her hand, coaching her through her breathing.
"That was the strongest one yet," Blair announced as she relaxed against the bed once the sensation had subsided.
"I'm sorry I took so long," he apologized as he filled a cup with the ice chips and handed it to her.
"It's probably Serena's fault," she snorted, "She was likely talking your ear off."
"I see you managed to get my mother's earrings in before the contraction hit," he changed the subject as he kissed her lobe lightly.
"I want your parents close to us today," she explained, "I know they are looking out for us. They won't let anything bad happen."
Chuck nodded as he kissed her cheek softly.
"We have time on our hands," Blair stated, "Any ideas on filling it?"
"I brought the chess board," he smirked.
"Loser has to have this baby," Blair laid down her stakes.
"I wish I could," Chuck replied as he kissed her hands.
"Well, you can't," she hissed, "So set up the board and make the first move."
Blair's labor progressed slowly. She went up to nine centimeters dilated, then to nine and a half, then back to nine. As each hour passed, Blair's frustration increased. The chessboard was put away and then taken back out. Chuck tried valiantly to keep Blair mind occupied, but the steady interruption of contractions made his attempts pointless.
"This baby is never coming out," Blair groaned in frustration as Serena and Eleanor joined her in her private room to give Chuck time to walk the floor to burn off the nervous energy that was building.
"Yes, he will," Eleanor assured her as she wiped Blair's forehead, "He just doesn't want to leave the safety that you provided for almost nine months. You weren't in much of a hurry either."
"I'm sorry," Blair gasped as another contraction hit.
"It's okay, Sweetie," her mother assured her as she took a hold of Blair's hand and helped her along. "It's not your fault. Babies come in their own time. I promise the effort is worth it."
"It has to be," Blair nodded as she fought through the contraction.
"You're getting close," Eleanor announced. She could feel it. The contractions were coming quicker. They were stronger. "You're almost there. You just have to be a little more patient. Can you do that, Blair?"
"Yes," she nodded as she crushed Serena's hand with her own, almost bringing the blonde to her knees, as she tried to tolerate the pain, "Whatever it takes."
"You're doing great, B," Serena added as she tried not to show how much pain she was in.
"I need Chuck," Blair demanded.
"Okay," Serena nodded as she peeled Blair's fingers away from her hand, "I'll get him."
"And the doctor," Eleanor added.
"I'll get Chuck and the doctor," Serena stated as she flew out of the room.
"I have to push," Blair panted.
"Not yet, Sweetheart," Eleanor stated, "You have to wait."
"No," Blair shook her head.
"Blair, look at me," Eleanor demanded as Blair continued to insist on pushing, "You have to wait."
Chuck flew into the room with her doctor hot on his heels.
"Alright, Mrs. Bass, it's time," the doctor announced after a very brief examination, "We're moving you into delivery."
"Finally," Blair fell back against the bed in relief as the orderlies came in to wheel her out.
"Chuck, stay strong," Eleanor instructed her daughter's husband one final time.
"Thank you, Eleanor," Chuck nodded as he grasped Blair's hand and jogged alongside her gurney as she was wheeled into the delivery room.
"Okay, Blair, when you feel the next contraction starting, I need for you to take a deep breath and begin pushing," the doctor announced once everyone was situated in the room with the necessary staff members all around ready to do their part. "And Daddy, you need to help Mommy, okay."
Chuck and Blair both nodded as their eyes locked.
"Ready?" Chuck asked her.
"As ready as I can be," Blair nodded. Chuck kissed her forehead just as the first contraction took hold. Blair cried out in pain as she pushed as hard as she could.
"Good, Blair, you're doing well," the doctor told her dutifully between each contraction. "The baby's head is crowning. Dad, if you want you can take a peek before the next contraction?"
"I'll think I'll stay up here," Chuck shook the doctor's suggestion off.
"Okay, Blair, the next push and the head should be out," the doctor stated as the next contraction began, "Another big push."
Blair groaned in pain as she pushed through the contraction as it hit.
"Okay, now for the shoulders," the doctor stated as Blair fell back against the bed after pushing with all her might. "Come on, Blair, all I need is the shoulders and then you're done. That's one final push."
"One more push," Chuck echoed.
Blair nodded as the next contraction built. She screamed out in pain as she pushed as hard as she could while her eyes locked with Chuck's. She could hear his words of praise through the commotion. The pain was nearly unbearable, but Chuck's voice kept her grounded. Suddenly he was telling her to relax. She was done.
"Do you see him?" Blair asked.
"Yes, I see him," Chuck nodded as he laid eyes on his son for the first time as the tears stung his eyes, "He's beautiful. He's covered in a lot of goo, but he's beautiful."
"He's not crying, Chuck," Blair gasped in panic as she clutched his hand tighter than she had even during the most painful moment of labor, "Why isn't he crying? Is there something wrong?"
"It's just the fluid in his lungs, Blair," the doctor assured her, "The nurse has to clear it out. It can take a moment."
"Chuck," Blair gasped in panic. She felt her heart stop just before she heard the most wonderful sound she'd ever hear in her life as their son began to wail. "Thank god," Blair sighed in relief as she slumped back against the bed.
"Did you want to cut the cord, Dad?" the nurse asked.
"I'll be right back," Chuck told Blair as he kissed her sweaty forehead.
Blair tried to look around everyone in the room to get her first glimpse of her son, but there were too many people in the way. The few moments Chuck was away were pure torture. She could hear their son, but she couldn't see him.
"Yes, I know," Chuck babbled to the still wailing infant as he stepped towards Blair with their son in his arms, "I know how upset you are having to leave Mommy like that. That would make me very upset too."
Blair laughed softly as he bounced from side to side with their son in his arms. She was exhausted, her body felt like jelly, but she willed her arms to hold their son as Chuck lowered him to her.
"Hi there," Blair laughed as she kissed her son's forehead as the warmth of his body took over her. She was in love. She never thought it was possible, but she found a love stronger than what she felt for her husband. "Grandma was right. The exhaustion is worth it."
"Thank you, Blair," Chuck whispered as he bent down to kiss her forehead.
"He's perfect, isn't he," Blair marveled as she soaked in his tiny little features, taking the time to count each little finger and each little toe.
"All the best of you and me," Chuck agreed, "More you than me."
"I'm so tired, Chuck," she confessed as she pressed her cheek to that of her little boy.
"I know. You just pushed an eight pound, eight ounce baby out of your body," he nodded.
"Eight is a lucky number if you believe Chinese legend," Blair smiled.
"Then we're doubly lucky," he replied, "And I promise you can sleep soon."
"I don't want to give him up, but will you take him? My entire body feels like jelly," Blair requested as she lifted their son up slightly.
Chuck cradled the little boy in his arms.
The chaos continued all around them, but Blair and Chuck were focused solely on their perfect little boy, nestled safely in his father's arms, giving his lungs a good first workout. For the moment, the baby's cries were the sweetest sound they could hear.
TBC. . .
I have to thank my splendorific beta, Lori2279 and all of you readers. Fear not, we have a few more chapters in this little fic left. Stay tuned.