Five Weeks Later…
Charlie was ready for the arrival of her babies. The nursery was done, all of the baby clothes were washed and sorted, and she had plenty of supplies ready for the girls. Now the only thing left to do was wait.
Charlie was sound asleep when a pain went through her, but she just assumed it was a Braxton Hicks contraction. She had been getting them off and on her entire third trimester. She fell back asleep only to be woken up by more pain shortly afterwards. Charlie looked at the clock. It had only been ten minutes since the last bout of discomfort. Why would she be having so many contractions in a row?
And then Charlie bolted up, "Oh no," she said more to herself than to anyone in particular. She glanced at the calendar, though she knew she wasn't due for another three weeks, "This can't be happening," she thought, "The troops come home in two weeks. I can't have these babies before Niki gets here." Charlie glanced at the clock. It was 3:30 AM and she had had three contractions. That meant they were ten minutes apart, "Okay who's up at 3:30 in the morning. Oh, Charlotte Mayfield, no one's up at this hour!" Charlie finally headed to the phone in the bedroom and dialed the first person she could think of to call. The phone rang for a few minutes and another contraction began before someone answered.
"General Holden's residence," said Michael on the other end.
"General Holden, it's Charlie. Is Claudia Joy there?" asked Charlie through gritted teeth.
"Charlie, what's wrong?" asked Claudia Joy sleepily.
"I think… I think…" said Charlie.
"Charlie, are you in labor?" asked Claudia Joy.
"A little," Charlie answered, "I mean I can't believe this is happening. I'm not due for another three weeks and Niki's supposed to come home in two weeks and…"
"Hold up Charlie, everything's fine. I'm on my way so you don't have to be alone," said Claudia Joy, "Just do whatever's comfortable for you and continue to time contractions. I'll be there in about fifteen minutes."
"Okay, thank you," said Charlie and hung up the phone. She went downstairs and unlocked the door so Claudia Joy could get in when she arrived. She opened her laptop and tried to Skype Nicole but no one answered on the other end, "Come on Niki pick up." But there was no answer.
Claudia Joy entered at that moment, "Charlie?"
Charlie looked behind her from the couch, "Hi," she smiled.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
Charlie chuckled lightly, "They're not kidding when they say labor's painful. Because God, it hurts!"
"Yeah especially the first time when you don't know what to expect," said Claudia Joy sympathetically, remembering when she gave birth to Amanda and Emmalin.
"And the sad part is contractions aren't even that strong yet," said Charlie lightly but it faded quickly.
"Contraction?" Claudia Joy ventured.
"Yeah," Charlie nodded.
"Just breathe," Claudia Joy coached, "Did you get a hold of Nicole?"
"I tried. Niki didn't answer," said Charlie breathing deeply.
Claudia Joy stood up and said, "I'll call Michael and see if he can do anything."
"It's four in the morning," reminded Charlie.
Claudia Joy chuckled lightly, "Yes I know that, but it's the army. He's used to it." Charlie nodded as Claudia Joy left to call her husband. Several minutes later, Claudia Joy was back at Charlie's side, small smile on her lips.
"Well?" asked Charlie impatiently.
"He's taking care of it," said Claudia Joy only giving half of the truth to Charlie, "What time do you want to go to the hospital?"
"Now would be good," said Charlie only half-jokingly, "But I can't get an epidural until I'm in active labor. Right?"
"Wouldn't know," Claudia Joy admitted, "Call me crazy but I had both Amanda and Emmalin naturally."
"With no pain medication?" asked Charlie incredulously. Claudia Joy shook her head, "I now officially have respect for women who can give birth without being numbed from the waist down."
Hours passed and Claudia Joy coached Charlie through contractions until they arrived at Mercer around 9:00 AM. Denise entered the room to check on Charlie since she had the day shift, "Hey Charlie, how you doing?"
"Better since I got an epidural, thank God," said Charlie, "But I wish Niki was here."
"We know," said Claudia Joy taking Charlie's hand. Claudia Joy's iPhone beeped and she looked down at the message. Claudia Joy looked up at Charlie and smiled, "you have a special visitor."
"Who?" asked Charlie sitting up as there was a knock at the door.
Denise, who also knew the surprise guest, opened the door, "Welcome home soldier."
"Thank you mam," she said.
"Niki!" shouted Charlie in shock.
"Hey baby!" said Nicole coming over and kissing her, "How are you doing?"
"It hurts," Charlie winced, "But the epidural's helping."
"That's good," said Nicole taking Charlie's hand and promptly received a tight squeeze, "It's okay. I'm here."
About an hour later, Dr. Jacobs entered the room and asked, "You ready Charlie?"
Charlie squeezed Nicole's hand and she squeezed back, "Yes, doctor she's ready," said Nicole.
Charlie nodded, "Let's have a couple babies."