Callen shot up as he heard Sara's loud cry.
"Honey, what's wrong?" Callen asked panicky.
"I think the baby is coming."
"What? Already? You still have 7 weeks to go."
"I know, but I think it's already coming."
"Alright, don't panic. We'll go to the hospital."
Callen frantically grabbed his clothes and tried to put them on as fast as possible. If Sara wasn't feeling the pain in her stomach she would've laughed at Callen.
Once Callen was dressed he helped Sara up. As she got up she felt something wet running down her legs.
"What's that?" Callen asked concerned
"My water just broke," Sara replied panicky.
"It's gonna be okay Sara. Don't worry, everything will be fine."
Callen helped Sara to the car and drove them to the hospital as quickly as he could. On the way there he called their doctor. She would meet them at the hospital.
"It's okay Sara, breathe honey, just breathe."
"You just watch the road," Sara spat at him.
Callen was at the hospital in record time. He helped Sara out. As soon as one of the nurses saw them she came up to them with a wheelchair.
"Thank you," Callen told her.
Callen took her up to OB and checked her in.
"Hello, Mrs. Ramirez," the doctor spoke as she walked into the room.
"Hello doctor."
"I've heard it's time already."
"Yes, my water broke about 15 minutes ago. Is everything alright with the baby?"
"I know it's early but we'll monitor you two very closely. Since your water is already broken we can't stop it. But don't worry, you are in good hands here."
The doctor put a fetal monitor on Sara's stomach and did an ultrasound to make sure everything was fine. The baby's heart rate was fine and the baby was positioned nicely.
"Everything is fine at the moment, I'm just gonna see how far you're dilated."
Sara pulled her legs up so the doctor could take a look at her. The doctor placed her hand in between Sara's legs.
"You're 2 centimeters dilated right now, so we'll just have to wait until you're fully dilated. Can I get you something for the pain?"
"No, I'm fine right now."
"Alright, I'll be back later to check on you."
The doctor left the room and Callen sat down on the bed next to Sara.
"It's gonna be okay Sara."
"I just hope the baby will be alright, it's too soon."
"Don't worry about that honey. The doctor said everything was fine. Don't worry honey."
"I'm just glad you're here with me."
"I'm here honey, and I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for you. I'll be right here with you."
Callen moved to sit behind Sara, like they had done at the birthing class. Callen rubbed Sara's shoulders and back to help her relax. He held her hand every time a contraction came.
"It's okay honey, just breathe through it, you're doing great," Callen coach her.
In between contractions Sara lay back down against Callen.
8 hours later Sara was fully dilated. Callen was still sitting behind her as the doctor got everything ready.
"Okay, with the next contraction I want you to push okay," the doctor told Sara.
When the next contraction came Sara pushed as hard as she could. She grabbed Callen's hands with full force. It was a bit hurtful for Callen but he didn't mind.
"You're doing great baby."
Sara lay back down and Callen wiped her head with a cloth.
"I love you so much honey, you're doing great."
"Shut up! This is all your doing," Sara snapped at him.
"It's okay honey, you're doing great."
Sara pushed again when the next contraction came. After 3 pushes the head was out.
"Alright, one more push," the doctor told her after the 4th push.
"I can't anymore," Sara cried.
"Yes you can honey, you're the strongest person I know, you can do this honey. I'll be right here with you. You can do it."
Sara mustered all her strength and pushed once more. She screamed with pain as the baby came out. The baby immediately started crying.
"Congratulations, you have a beautiful little boy," the doctor told them as she held the little boy up.
Sara and Callen looked at the little boy with love in their eyes.
"You did great honey," Callen told her and gave her a kiss on her head.
"Would you like to do the honors dad?"
The doctor handed Callen the scissors and Callen cut the umbilical cord.
"Is he okay doctor?" Sara asked concerned.
"I'm just gonna check him out but he looks fine to me."
Callen and Sara looked at the doctor checking their little boy.
"I can't believe we have a little boy," Sara spoke.
"I know, me neither. I'm so happy right now. I love you so much."
"I love you too honey."
Sara turned her head backwards and gave Callen a kiss. The nurse delivered Sara's placenta.
"He is absolutely healthy," the doctor told them as she handed the little boy to Sara.
"Thank you doctor."
"But since he was born 7 weeks to earlier I would like to keep him in the hospital just a little longer, just to make sure. But I wouldn't worry too much, he's doing fine."
"That's fine doctor, thank you."
The doctor and the nursed left to room. Callen was still sitting behind Sara and looked at the little bundle of joy in Sara's arms. He was just absolutely perfect, with his brown hair and his blue eyes. He just looked so beautiful. Sam was right, this is the most beautiful moment there is.
Callen moved his arms around Sara and together they held the baby.
"He's so beautiful," Sara spoke with a crack in her voice.
"Yes he is. Our little boy."
"Yes our little boy. Thank you for making me a mommy again."
"Thank you for making me a daddy again. I'm really glad I was here this time around."
"Me too, I'm glad I didn't have to do this alone."
The baby looked up to them with his beautiful blue eyes.
"Hey there little guy, I'm your mommy."
"And I'm your daddy."
"We love you very much, and I'm sure your sister loves you very much too. You're just the cutest little thing."
A little later the doctor came back. Callen and Sara where still sitting the same.
"How's everything going here?"
"Everything is going absolutely fine."
"Do you have a name for the little boy?"
"Yes, Nick Alexander."
"Alright, I'll go write up his papers."
"Doctor, before you go, could you please take a picture of us?"
"Of course, do you have a camera?"
Callen handed his phone to the doctor and she took a picture.
"Thank you doctor."
They looked at the picture as the doctor left the room. Callen saw he had several missed calls, some from Marisa, some from Sam and some from Hetty.
"I should probably let the others know."
Callen stood up and went to make some calls.
Marisa sat behind her desk when her phone rang. She saw it was Callen.
"Hey dad, is everything alright?" Marisa asked worried. Sam, Kensi and Deeks looked up as they realized it was Callen.
"Yes, I'm fine. I just had to take your mother to the hospital."
"Is she alright?"
"Yes she is fine. She gave birth to your brother about an hour ago."
"Oh my god really?" Marisa reacted surprised. "Hold on dad, I'll put you on speaker."
"Is everything okay G?" Sam asked concerned.
"Yes it is. We have a little boy."
"Congratulations," Kensi spoke first.
"That's awesome G. Is everything alright? She wasn't due for another few weeks."
"Yes, 7 weeks too early, but according to the doctor everything is alright. He's just the cutest little thing."
"I bet. How's Sara?"
"She's fine, tired but fine."
"I'm very happy for both of you G."
"Thank you Sam."
"I'll tell Hetty, dad and I'll stop by as soon as I can."
"That's fine."
"Give my little brother a kiss for me."
"I will."
Marisa hung up the phone and walked to Hetty's office.
"I have a little brother," Marisa told Hetty with a smile on her face.
"Yes I heard Ms. Mathews. That's wonderful news."
"May I go visit them? Considering it's a slow morning."
"I suppose that's alright, but I expect you back in here if we catch a case."
"That's fine Hetty."
Marisa walked back to her desk and grabbed her things.
"Where are you going?" Kensi asked.
"I'm gonna go to the hospital to visit my little brother."
"Tell them we said hi and we'll be by after work," Sam told her.
"I will."
Marisa walked to her car and set a quick text to Zac, informing him of her little brother. She also texted Callen to ask in what room they were.
She stopped by the mall on her way to the hospital.
….
"Would you like to hold him daddy?"
"Of course. Uhm, how do I hold a baby?"
"Just cradle your arms like I do and make sure you support his head."
Sara handed the baby to Callen.
"Hey there little buddy."
The baby looked up to him with his big blue eyes.
"Daddy loves you very much. You're my little boy."
He brought his head down to the baby's and kissed his little head. Sara quickly grabbed the phone and took a picture. She just had taken the picture when the phone chirped.
"It's Marisa," Sara spoke as she opened the message. "She wants to know what room we are in."
"She's coming here?"
"It looks that way."
Sara replied and asked her to pick up some things from the house.
20 minutes later Marisa walked into the room.
"Hey mom, hey dad."
"Hey Marisa."
"Congrats to you both." She hugged her mother and gave her a kiss. "I picked up a little something on my way over here." Marisa handed Sara a gift.
"Thank you Marisa."
Marisa placed the bag she had collected from the house on the chair and walked over to Callen.
"Oh my god, he's just so cute."
"Yes he is."
"Hey there little guy, I'm your sister," Marisa spoke as she moved her finger over his little cheek. "He's so beautiful."
"Yes he is."
Sara opened the gift. It was a light blue shirt with the text: 'No. 1 little brother' and white cotton pair of pants with blue lines on the bottom.
"Oh Marisa, this is just so cute. Look at this G."
"Yes that's really cute. Thank you Marisa."
"How about we put this on him. We didn't have any clothes for him yet with us."
Callen brought Nick over to Sara. Sara placed him on the bed. He already had a diaper on, he had gotten one from the hospital.
"G, could you hand me a romper please?"
Callen looked through the bag and pulled a romper out. He handed it to Sara and watched as she dressed their little boy. Callen was completely in love with his new little boy. Sara held him up once he was dressed.
"Doesn't he look cute?"
"Yes he does mom, he's the cutest. Why don't you and dad sit next to each other, I'll take a picture."
Marisa pulled the camera out of the bag and took a picture of them.
"You look so cute together."
"Would you like to hold him?"
"Of course."
Marisa took Nick from Sara and sat down on the chair.
"Hey little guy, I'm your big sister. You are so cute."
Callen took a picture of Marisa and Nick.
"What's his name?"
"It's Nick Alexander," Callen told her. "We named him after my father."
"That's nice dad, it's a nice name."
He was just the cutest little thing Marisa had ever seen. She wanted one for herself too. After a while Nick started fussing.
"I think he's hungry," Sara spoke.
Marisa handed Nick to Sara. She took a picture with her phone.
"I'll come by later tonight with Zac."
"That's fine Marisa. Thank you for stopping by."
"It's my pleasure, he's really cute."
Marisa gave her dad a hug and she left. Callen watched as Sara breast fed their little boy. He was just the cutest little thing he'd ever seen. He was just perfect. Callen's life was just perfect at this moment.
….
Marisa arrived back at the office 10 minutes later.
"How are they?" Sam asked as she walked in.
"Very good. He's just so cute. I've got a picture here."
Everyone gathered round and looked at the picture on Marisa's cellphone.
"Oh my god, he's really cute," Kensi spoke.
"Maybe we should get you one too Kensilina," Deeks spoke.
"I said he was cute Deeks not that I wanted one."
"We could if you wanted too."
"Ieuw Deeks."
"What? I'm just saying."
"Don't."
"How was G?" Sam asked.
"He was really good. He was very happy with Sara and Nick."
"Is that his name?"
"Yes, Nick Alexander. They named him after my grandfather."
"That's nice."
The day was pretty quiet. The team went home around 5pm. Marisa stopped by the store again on her way to work. She needed some more things to complete the basket she had made for Sara and the baby. She picked up the things she needed and headed home.
Zac was making dinner when she stepped in.
"Hey Zac," Marisa called.
"Hey Mari," Zac called from the kitchen.
Marisa walked into the kitchen and gave Zac a kiss.
"How's your little brother?"
"Hetty let me go see him this morning. He's just the cutest thing I've ever seen. He's so beautiful."
"How's your mom?"
"She's fine, tired but fine. They were both so happy."
"That's good. I can't wait to meet him."
"Yeah, we'll go after dinner."
….
Callen sat on the bed next to Sara, who was holding Nick. He looked down at the perfect little baby lying in his wife's arms. This moment was so beautiful. He was so much in love with the little boy he and Sara created. He wished he had been there when Marisa was born as well. But that was in the past. Here he was now, sitting in the hospital bed with his wife and their newborn son. Life couldn't get any better at this moment. Nick was slowly falling asleep in Sara's arms. Sara gently rocked him in her arms.
Callen looked at her. She was a natural with babies while he had no idea. But he promised himself he would try to be the best dad there was.
Once Nick was asleep Callen took him from Sara and gently placed him in the crib. Callen looked at him as he slept. He was so cute. The little boy was only a few hours old but he loved the little guy so much already. He looked at him for a little while before sitting back down on the bed next to Sara. He sat next to her and pulled her close to him.
"He's so cute," Sara stated.
"Yes he is, we make pretty cute babies together."
"Yes we do." Sara looked up to him and turned his face towards her. "I love you Gabi."
"I love you too Sara." Callen kissed her. "Thank you so much for giving me another baby."
"You're welcome honey and thank you too. I'm really glad we got another change."
"Yeah me too. I'm so happy to have you in my life again and to have Marisa and Nick."
"Yeah, our little family is complete."
"Yes it is."
Sara nestled herself in Callen's arms and fell asleep shortly after that. Callen held her while she slept and he looked at the little boy asleep in the crib next to the bed. He was so happy right now. He was scared though about how it would be when they would bring the baby home. He didn't know anything about raising a baby. Sure he had read some books and asked Sara some things. But I wasn't the same. He was responsible for a little human being. He just hoped he would be a good father and that Nick would grow up in a loving family.
…..
It was just past 7pm when Marisa and Zac walked in.
"Hey guys," Zac greeted them. "Congratulations." He gave Sara a hug and a kiss and shook Callen's hand. He looked over the little boy in the crib. "Aw he's really cute."
"Yes, he is," Marisa added. "By the way mom, I've got you another present."
"Another one? You didn't have to do this."
"I wanted to. I would've brought this to the hospital with me earlier but it wasn't ready yet, since I didn't figure that the baby would be here already. You can open one gift per day."
"Thank you Marisa."
"You're welcome mom."
Sara grabbed the first present out of the basket and opened it. It were two little blue and white baby slippers.
"Aw thank you Marisa, they are really cute."
"You're welcome mom and remember one present per day."
"Yes I know."
A little later the others of the team arrived and they congratulated Sara and Callen as well.
"This is from all of us," Sam spoke as he handed the present over to Sara.
"Thank you."
It was a yellow t-shirt with the text: 'I look funny because daddy dressed me' in black, blue and white letters. Sara couldn't help but laugh as she read the text on the shirt.
"Look at this G. It's really cute and funny."
She turned the shirt so Callen could read the text.
"Nice one guys," Callen replied.
"Michelle saw it and she just couldn't resist," Sam explained.
There also was a short sleeved blouse in the package. It was light blue, blue, black, white and grey checkered. A pair of jeans and a cotton pair of paints, white with yellow and grey stripes.
"Thanks guys, these are really cute. Nick will look beautiful in these I'm sure."
"You're welcome. This is from Michelle and me," Sam told her and handed her another package.
"You guys are too generous, thank you."
Sara handed this one the Callen so he could open it. It was a pajama. It had a white shirt with a grey collar and the end of the sleeves where grey as well, in grey letters there stood the text: 'If I don't sleep' and in black letters under it: 'nobody sleeps'. The pants were grey with white and black stars. There were also a couple pairs of socks and a pair of blue cotton shoes.
"This is really nice, thanks Sam. Look at this pajama honey." Callen showed the pajama top to Sara.
"That's really nice, and probably true," Sara replied with a smile.
A little later Nick woke up and everyone got a change to hold him. He didn't mind being handed over from arm to arm. He was fine lying in anybody's arms.
Just after 8pm everyone left since visiting hours were over. Callen could stay. Sara looked at him as he was holding Nick. He looked so cute with a little baby in his arms. She was so much in love with him and their new little baby. Her life was perfect just now.
A little later Nick started fusing. Callen was afraid he had done something wrong.
"Relax honey, he's just hungry," Sara told him.
"Oh, I thought I did something wrong."
"No, you're doing fine honey, he's just hungry."
Callen gave the baby to Sara and Sara breastfed him.
"How did you know he was hungry?"
"Babies cry differently when they want something, like when they are tired, hungry, have gas. Things like that."
"How can you hear the difference between them?"
"You hear it after a while. I remember it with Marisa. Don't worry honey, you'll get the hang of it."
After Nick was done eating Sara put him over his shoulder for burping. After he had burped he lay peacefully in Sara's arms, sucking on his pacifier.
"You look really cute with a baby," Callen told her.
"So do you."
"I still can't believe we actually have a little boy."
"I know me neither, I wasn't expecting him for another few weeks."
"Yeah me neither. I'm just glad everything is fine with you two. I just wished we could take him home already."
"Yeah me too. But the most important thing is that he's healthy."
"Yes that's true."
A little after he had eaten Nick needed a diaper change.
"Can I try?" Callen asked.
"Sure."
Callen took Nick from Sara and handed over to the changing table. Sara stood up and walked over to them. She looked at them as Callen changed the diaper.
Callen got the pants off and opened the romper at the bottom and tugged it up. He then proceeded in opening the diaper. He was taken aback when he noticed the smell coming from the diaper.
"Phew," Callen spoke and he quickly pulled the diaper off, closed it and tossed it away.
"Oh yes, there's not like the smell of a dirty diaper," Sara joked. "Just make sure you clean him up nicely."
Callen grabbed the baby wipes and proceeded in cleaning the poo from Nick's butt. Once he was done Sara handed him a new diaper and Callen tried to put it on. He was looking at the diaper, trying to figure out how it was supposed to go.
"You put it on like this honey," Sara told him and put the diaper in the right way for Callen to put it on. Callen held Nick up and put the diaper under him. He brought the front part up to Nick's stomach and secured the tape.
"Not bad for a first time," Sara told him.
"Thanks."
Callen dressed him back up and held him in his arms and rocked him gently. When he was asleep Callen placed him in his crib. The nurse came a little later and took him together with Callen and Sara to the NICU for the night.
"Goodnight little guy," Sara told him and gave him a kiss and Callen did the same.
It was hard for Sara to leave him there. She wanted to stay in the NICU but she needed her rest. Callen took her back upstairs and helped her lay down on the bed.
"Can you stay here with me tonight G?"
"Of course."
Callen took his boots off and lay down next to Sara on the bed.
Callen was awake early the next morning. He saw that Sara was still asleep. He quietly got out of bed and put his boots on. He went downstairs to see how Nick was doing.
When he walked into the NICU Nick wasn't in his crib.