~Precious Cargo~

pt.3

-2:45 a.m. -

Deena's contractions got so strong, that it brought her to tears. Turns out, the baby is head down like it should be but also face up. That makes it harder for the baby to pass through the pelvic bone. So Deena is in immense pain.

Deena to Pauly, "I'm gonna puke for sure."

Pauly, "For real?"

Deena can only nod as the saliva builds in her mouth. Pauly springs forward to grab the pail that the Nurse left for her just in case.

Pauly holds it and Deena lets it rip. When she is done. Joann gets up to pour her a glass of water.

Joann, "Here, let her rinse her mouth out."

Pauly takes the glass and Deena does so. He then buzzes for the Nurse to come take the contents away.

She does so and comes back. Deena sniffles and talks to the Nurse.

Deena, "Can I have my epidural now?"

Nurse, "Let me just grab Dr. Zaidi to see if you're ready."

Deena looks at her as if she's crazy. To see if she's ready? She's dying over here!

Deena's Doctor comes in and greets everyone and then pulls up her chair so she can check Deena's progress. Pauly has to help her sit up.

The procedure is the worst pain ever if the cervix cannot be found. For Deena that is the case. Hers is smaller than normal but she's smaller than normal. The Doctor manages to maneuver well and then she reports to Deena.

"All done. Okay, you are at five centimeters just about. I'm going to have Nurse Delany set you up for the epidural, and then when I come back I'll have it done. Alright?"

Deena, "Okay."

About fifteen minutes later, Deena is prepped but everyone has to leave the room. Now it is Joann, Pauly, and Mr. Cortese in the hall. Pauly is on the phone with Vinny, who he hadn't heard from in a while. Nicole called him. He walks off laughing about something and Deena's Father looks disgusted.

To Joann, "Who does this Kid think he is huh?"

Joann gives up. Nothing she says is going to make him quit griping at this point. She ignores him.

Soon enough, the Doctor comes out to the hall.

Dr. Zaidi, "Deena's epidural is done. It should make things much easier from here on out. If you would like to come back in you can but I'd suggest grabbing some refreshments. It's going to be a long wait most likely. The epidural tends to slow the contractions down."

John, "I want some Coffee. You want some?"

Joann, "That would be good. I'm going to go check on Deena though. Could you bring it up?"

John, "Sure."

Before John can walk off Joann walks up to Pauly.

Joann, "Pauly, Mr. Cortese is going down to the lounge to get us some Coffee, would you like something?"

Pauly places his phone on his shoulder, "No thanks. I don't drink Coffee plus I'm not hungry. Is the Doctor done?"

Joann, "Yes. She's given her the epidural. I'm going back in to check on Deena, don't worry."

Pauly nods and Joann goes back down the hall.

After a minute or two, Pauly finishes his conversation with Vinny and then he makes his way into the room as well.

-Twenty Minutes Later-

The mood is much calmer. Deena is drowsy and the Nurse has given her permission to catch a cat-nap.

Deena looks to Pauly, "Can we cuddle?"

Pauly nods and he gets up on the bed as Deena rises up a little. She falls back on his chest and Pauly encircles her in his arms.

Now that they've had their Coffee, Joann decides she and Deena's Father should take a walk around to leave Pauly and Deena to themselves. On the way past John rolls his eyes but no one notices.

Pauly cuts the light off over the bed and it isn't until he listens to Deena's breathing while stroking her shoulder and arm that he realizes how tired he is. He yawns and closes his eyes for a second before he is out too.

It wasn't long before Deena was shaken out of her sleep to be checked. She got stuck at five centimeters, so the Doctor ordered her to start on Pitocin so that things could progress. She didn't want the baby to get lazy.

…and progress it did. Deena starts to push herself up and Pauly looks at her.

"What? What are you doing?"

Deena, "I don't know, I feel…can you look and see what's going on?"

Pauly eyes get wide, (pointing) "You mean down there?"

Deena, "Yes Pauly. Don't be silly, it's nothing you haven't seen before."

Pauly detests, "Ohhh, I'm sure it is. How about I get the Nurse in here."

Deena gets irritated, "Whatever."

Pauly gets the Nurse and when she checks Deena, she gasps.

Pauly and Deena together, "WHAT?!"

She smiles, "The head is right there. You're ready! We've got to get Dr. Zaidi in here."

Pauly is the first to react.

"Holy…"

Deena bites he lower lip to get it to stop quivering. She is so ready for this.

Just then Deena's Parents come back in and the Nurse tells them that it is time. They rush over to Deena and Doctor Zaidi soon makes her appearance.

"Alright. I hear we're having a baby right now. Who's going to be with you Deena?"

Deena looks to her Mom, "My Mom (she then looks to her Dad apologetically) and Pauly."

John was sure that he would be in the room. To hear that he is second to Pauly, didn't really make him mad, he is just disappointed. He figures he has been there for her since the beginning.

Deena is about to apologize when her Father speaks up.

"That's fine hon'. I'll be just outside okay?"

Deena starts, "Dad I…"

He cuts her off with a kiss to the forehead, "It's okay. Just get that baby here, alright?"

Deena tears up and watches her Father leave. She doesn't have time to let her thoughts linger though, because the Nurse is breaking the bed down.

-BTSTH-

Pauly is sure his hand is going to break off. He looks over at Deena's Mother wondering, just how in the hell is she not feeling this?

"Good push now. Come on Deena! ...Two…three…four…"

Deena grits her teeth and then gives a big exhale. The Nurse holds the Mirror up and instructs everyone.

Nurse, "Look Mom and Dad, baby's almost here."

Pauly swallows and feels a gag reflex coming, but he holds it together for Deena. Deena however, gets a burst of energy and when the Doctor instructs her to push again, she gets the job done.

The room fills with a strong cry and Deena's legs are released. She falls back with her face covered. She cannot stop the tears of joy and relief at this point.

At first, Pauly was in a state of trauma but now after seeing his baby come all the way out and now lying in front of them, words cannot describe the feeling he has now. Joann knows though. She kisses Deena's forehead and sheds tears with her.

The Doctor notes the date and time.

"February fourteenth, four-thirty on the dot. (To Pauly) Dad, you want to let Mom know what she had?"

Pauly timidly walks over and looks down. He smiles wide and looks back over at Deena and her Mother who are in anticipation...

A/N: *Smiling* This is it! This is it, the moment of truth! The numbers are in and I am so excited, I hope I don't disappoint. Thnx for all the faves, I'm glad the Story is going in the right direction for many of you. Comments are welcome as usual. This is the last post of the week, unfortunately but I did it b/c of all the support. Make it a good one and I'll see you on the other side!