~Precious Cargo~

pt.2

-12:50 a.m. -

This is bad…really bad. Deena's contractions are now definitely coming closer than five minutes apart and Pauly still is not at the house. She called him and let him know calmly that she is in labor and he said it was taking a while at the pharmacy, as you can imagine being Pauly D, but that he was on his way anyway.

She told him not to rush with the weather getting worse and he said he would be careful but that's all she knows. It probably hasn't been that long but with the pain she's in, this seems endless.

After a minute or two, Deena makes up her mind that she might have to drive herself because this is ridiculous. She goes to the bathroom first. She never does hear anything coming from upstairs.

Upstairs, Pauly comes in like the wind outside. He half expects Deena to be right there at the door waiting for him but when he doesn't see her anywhere upstairs, he goes down to the room.

When he comes in he speaks out right away.

"Deena? You in here?" He waits for a response, but nothing.

Pauly goes to the bathroom having seen the light on. When he opens the door, he is not prepared at all.

Deena is on the toilet for one thing and she is doubled over, one hand on the sink next to her and the other gripping her knee.

Deena's reply, "Ooohhhhhhhhh…!"

She doesn't even notice Pauly until he echoes her but with fear instead of pain.

Pauly, "Ooohhhhhhhhh…"

Deena can't respond. She can only breathe. Pauly snaps out of it and finally speaks.

"What are you doin? Havin the baby in the toilet?"

He cannot see the look she is giving him because her head is down. When she can finally speak she replies.

"I was…getting ready to drive myself…but I had to…go to the bathroom first. (breathing out) That's when another contraction hit."

Pauly shakes his head. "Drive yourself? With that weather outside, are you nuts? Where is your Mom and Dad?"

Deena, "They're at my Grandmother's. My Mom said they are on their way."

Pauly, "Well I'll call 'em and tell them to get to the Hospital. (Whipping out his phone) Unless you want to wait?"

Deena immediately shakes her head, "I can't. They're coming too fast. Go get the bags in the car while I finish up in here."

Pauly (phone now to his ear), "Okay."

Deena yells out while he walks off, "Call Nicole too!"

Pauly yelling back, "Gotcha!"

Deena does her best to get herself together. She moves around to dress herself and gather everything she needs. She has on one of her way too big but not really Ed Hardy tracksuits, a pair of Snooki's Zebra Sneaker house shoes, and her hair in a ponytail. After double-checking the room she leaves after clicking the light off.

She looks back past the rooms. The next time they come back will be with a baby. Through the pain, she still manages to feel excitement.

Upstairs Pauly has moved like lightening. By the time, Deena makes her appearance he is ready to help her to the car.

Pauly, "I got your coat and everything."

Deena utters a small thank you while Pauly helps her bundle up and then to the car. After settling the precious cargo, he gets in the driver's seat.

Before pulling off, "Is it too warm in here?"

Deena, "A little yeah."

He turns the heat down and then buckles up.

Pauly finally smiles in all of this, "We're havin a baby tonight. Yeah buddy, Let's go."

Deena chuckles for the first time. Thank God for Pauly. They're off!

-On the Drive to the Hospital-

Well things were smiles until Deena's contractions started up again, now getting stronger. Deena wails a while and Pauly just stays concentrated on getting them there safely. The roads are awful.

After breathing out a Contraction she rubs her belly responding, "Worst storm to hit Jersey probably ever and you choose to come tonight. It never snows like this."

Pauly, "We'll be there soon."

Deena, in pain, "Not fast enough."

Pauly doesn't bother to respond. He is not speeding.

After cruising awhile, Deena yells out suddenly.

"What are you doing?! That's the Hospital right there!"

Pauly had passed it up, barely being able to see enough as it is. Unfortunately while breaking, the Caddy skids out.

With a curse, Pauly puts his arm muscle into it to gain control. First they skid, then he U-turned, and then they hit a bump nearly sending them into the moonroof.

After coming to a stop, they hear POP!

Deena, "I think you broke something!"

Pauly, "Yeah, probably the axle. Fuck…"

Deena, "Noooo, that's not it…"

Pauly is about to get out when Deena continues.

Deena, "Oh no."

Pauly, "What are you talkin about?"

GUSH!

Pauly looks down and nearly has a heart attack. Deena's water breaks and he can see the water pooling under her.

He responds with a whimper, "Ehhhh…the leather…"

Deena gets an instant contraction.

Yelling out, "Drive!"

Pauly is still in shock, "Okay-okay."

-At the Hospital-

Pauly pulls into Labor and Delivery. They have a special room reserved for Deena. He gets out the car to help Deena inside to get her settled first. Upon arrival, Deena's Mother and Father get there too.

Joann helps Deena get signed in and makes sure she gets to her room while Pauly grabs her bags. He gets those inside and her Father takes them with no exchange of words. Here again Pauly doesn't care; he is grateful because now he can tend to his car.

He opens the front door and looks down.

Sighing, "Look at the Leather."

He works on at least drying it with some towels he keeps in the trunk. He'd have to take it to a shop in the morning after this or something.

Inside, Deena is getting her gown on and her Mother is right there as she gets hooked up to the monitors.

Now that Deena is settled in bed, her nurse goes to work to check on her and Joann goes to check on her husband.

Mr. Cortese is coming down the hall with Deena's bags, frown clearly on his face.

Joann, "What's with you, huh?"

He responds, "I don't know where that boy disappeared to. I'd rather him not be here at all if that's the case."

Joann sets him straight, "Listen. We have to be here for Deena. She will be scared, this being her first Child, and she needs our support. If you're going to be grumpy all night, then wait in the waiting room."

John grumbles but keeps quiet. He places Deena's things in the corner of the room and takes a seat soon thereafter.

Joann walks up to Deena's bed and talks to her.

"Do you need anything honey?"

Deena, "Not right now. I'll let you know."

Joann smiles and places a hand on her cheek, "Okay sweetie."

Before she can walk off, she grabs her Mother's hand.

Deena, "Mommy?"

Joann, "Yes?"

She replies, "Can you stay with me when I deliver?"

Joann is touched. They hadn't really discussed who would be in the room but she wouldn't miss it for the world.

Joann, "Absolutely I will."

Deena seems to relax and Joann goes to take her seat to talk to Deena's Father.

A/N: Wonderful Wednesday Bonus Chapter! These Chaps are so fun to write, especially the car scene. (Smh)Leave it to Pauly to worry about his leather seats at a time like this, lol. N-e-wayz, I'm so excited! I just have to say that the names I have read for the baby are great, there is still time, I am still taking suggestions. I'm pretty inspired to post another Chap before the end of the week! What do you think?