The Same Last Name

A/N I have a surprise for all of you. I've decided to add a couple more chapters before I give you the epilogue. I realized I had a few more ideas to add. Any who, on with the chapter. This will pick up 7 months after the last chapter...

Chapter 20

Vincent crept into their bedroom at 2am, having just gotten off a double shift. Catherine was due in 2 weeks, and Vincent was trying to get in as much time as he could. After their son was born, Vincent planned on staying home for a couple months, to help Catherine.

Catherine was lying on her side, a pillow wedged between her legs, a staple she had been using for the last few months. It allowed her some semblance of sleeping comfortably. Vincent could hear her steady, even breathing. He smiled, and then yawned broadly as exhaustion settled over him. He took off his shoes, and landed on top of the sheets, still in his scrubs. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

He woke up to Catherine shaking him. "Mmmmmmm...not now, baby. Can it wait till morning?"

He heard her melodious laugh. "It could, but I would much prefer to be in the hospital when our son comes out."

"Mmmmmm...okay..." he mumbled, already falling back asleep. Suddenly, her words hit him. He bolted upright, his eyes wide. He was now wide awake. "You're in labor? There is still 2 weeks!"

"Vincent...you know as well as I do that babies come when they want to. I have no control over that," she chuckled. Vincent scowled at her.

"I know that!" he growled at her. Catherine only laughed harder. Just then, a contraction hit her, and her laughter died to a moan. Vincent instantly wrapped his arms around her, supporting her body. Finally, she relaxed against him, rubbing her belly.

"Oh, that was stronger than the last one. Closer, too."

"How long have you been in labor?" he questioned her. Glancing at the clock, he saw it read 6:15.

"I woke up around 3:45 to a mild contraction. They are only about 15 minutes apart."

Vincent jumped up, and grabbed her bag, which was sitting by the bed. He had his cell in hand and was heading out the door when he heard, "Uh...Vincent? Aren't you forgetting someone?"

He jerked to a stop, pivoting around to see Catherine standing in the door of their bedroom, clutching her belly. He backtracked, and swept Catherine into his arms. "Sorry, my love," he murmured. She snuggled against him, resting her head on his shoulder.

They reached the hospital just as another contraction hit Catherine. She gripped the edge of the seat, panting. By the time it ended, Vincent had rounded the car, pulled her door open, and was pulling her into his arms again. She mumbled, "It hurts..."

"I know, sweetheart. Soon, it will all be over and our baby boy will be here," he said, as he carried her into the hospital. An orderly saw them coming and grabbed a wheelchair. Vincent lowered Catherine into it, and they took off. They made it to the Maternity Ward as yet another contraction hit Catherine. Vincent calculated and realized that his son would likely be born within the next hour.

Catherine was put in a room, and she got into a gown while Vincent hovered, ready to assist her. Another contraction hit her, and with that one, her water broke. She looked at him, her eyes wide. "I got the floor wet," she said, a comical look on her face.

"It's okay. Comes with the territory," he assured her. He assisted her into the bed as her doctor came in.

"Looks like someone is in a hurry," he chuckled. Catherine growled. Another contraction hit her.

"I want drugs!" she bellowed. The doctor bent down between her legs, checking her progress. He sat back up and sighed.

"I'm afraid drugs aren't gonna help you. You are already at 9 cm. You'll be delivering very soon."

Catherine reached out, and with more strength than he knew she had, grasped Vincent's shirt and pulled him toward her. "You are never touching me again!" she growled.

Vincent tried to pry her fingers from his shirt, but she gripped it in an iron fist. Nothing short of breaking her fingers would make her release her hold.

"That's just the pain talking, sweetheart. You are doing great, really," he told her soothingly. Catherine yanked harder. His eyes widened as his face lined up with hers.

"You feel what I am feeling, and then tell me I'm doing great!"

"Alright, sweetheart. Alright. I'm sorry."

Catherine began feeling a burning sensation between her legs. The urge to push was strong. She followed that urge. "Vincent! The baby is coming!" she screeched.

The doctor heard her, and came running. He checked, and said, "Catherine, you are fully dilated and the baby is crowning already. You need to stop pushing!"

"But, it hurts..."she whined. Vincent took her hand.

"Squeeze my hand," he offered. Immediately he winced, as she squeezed with almost inhuman strength.

"Alright Catherine, go ahead and...PUSH!" the doctor ordered. Catherine grunted and strained her body, as Vincent held her from behind, supporting her back and neck. A couple more strong pushes and Catherine felt the baby slide out. Immediately, she felt relief. A minute later, they heard the wail of their newborn son fill the air. Both looked at the other, tears in both their eyes.

The doctor held up the newborn. He was red and wrinkly. His face was scrunched up as he wailed his displeasure. "It's a boy!" he said, smiling. The doctor handed the baby off to a nurse so he could deliver the afterbirth.

Vincent wandered over to where his son lay squirming on the table. He reached out and gently touched the baby's wizen little cheek. Immediately, the baby opened his eyes and Vincent swore the baby locked eyes with him. Vincent knelt down, so he was eye level with his son. He whispered, "Little one, you have no idea just how loved you are."

"Congratulations, Dr. Keller. My, he is a big boy. 8lbs, 3 ozs, and 20 1/2" long," the nurse told Vincent, as he grinned from ear to ear. He looked back at Catherine, who was resting against the pillows. Her eyes were closed.

Once the baby was washed and diapered and swaddled, the nurse gave the baby to Vincent to hold him. The baby looked like a little red sparrow in his father's large hands. He rocked the little one back and forth, as he stared down at him with awe and fatherly pride. Glancing up, he caught Catherine watching him, a serene smile on her face.

Vincent walked over, and laid the baby in her arms. Catherine looked at Vincent, and patted the bed next to her. Vincent climbed in carefully, and the little family was now complete.

"Welcome, Vincent Michael Keller. You have no idea the journey your parents had to take to get you. But, it was certainly worth it, and we'll be sure to tell you when you are older," Catherine promised. She pushed the little cap back that covered his head, and gently fingered the dark, downy hair on top of his head. "He looks just like you Vincent!" she exclaimed. Vincent chuckled lightly.

"Poor kid..." he deadpanned. Catherine reached over, cuffing him on the shoulder. He winced and rubbed his injury. Looking at the baby, he said, "Apparently, your mother is trying to pay me back for putting her through childbirth, kiddo. She isn't usually this violent."

"Shame on you, Vincent. Our son is going to grow up and be as handsome as his daddy, and I happen to like the way you look, Dr. Keller. Our son will be a heartbreaker..." Catherine said.

Vincent leaned closer. "Well, I happen to love the way that you look, so there, Mrs. Keller! I hope the next one is a girl and she looks just like you. I love you, Catherine. Thank you for our son."

Catherine smiled and tried to stifle a yawn. She leaned against Vincent and closed her eyes, as their son nuzzled into Catherine's chest, dozing off. Vincent laid his head back on the pillow. He closed his eyes...

When a nurse came in a short while later, she smiled at the sight that greeted her. Everyone was asleep on the bed, the baby laying on Catherine's chest, and Catherine leaning on Vincent's shoulder. His head was on the pillow, his arm curled around his wife and son. The nurse backed out quietly, not wanting to intrude. But not before she giggled to herself. Vincent was shoe less.

The trio slept on, oblivious.

A/N Well...? Review!