Unplanned Miracles Chapter 6
A/N: I really shouldn't make promises. I said I would update at least once a week, and I didn't really do that. Oh well. Well with this I'm jumping a couple of months ahead. Mostly because people really want Castle to come into the story and that's what I really want to write but I need to get other stuff out of the way. Someone said they wanted to know how she was paying for everything and that's one of the things I wanted to address with this fanfiction. I will start to address it in this chapter but I just want you to know that the story isn't going to be perfect, not everything will be completely authentic but I am trying.
It took several weeks, but Kate had finally moved into student housing. She lived alone for a while, and kind of enjoyed it. She only had her own rules to worry about, no compromising with a roommate on decorations and organization. She lived on her own for several months, until it was too difficult to move around to be living on her own. Around her ninth month of pregnancy she had to ask Lanie to stay with her, until she had the twins and would be alright living on her own again. Lanie had happily obliged and was a huge help.
The ninth month was not fun. Her stomach was enormous, thanks to that big stomach her back hurt, her ankles were swollen, and she couldn't get herself out of chairs and off of couches anymore. Worst of all she found it hard to get good rest. Tonight was no different, she couldn't get any rest, she was too uncomfortable. But it was something else as well.
Her stomach kept tightening, it was really strange. She had been woken up from her not so restful sleep by her stomach tightening and what felt like bad menstrual cramps. She figured it was Braxton Hicks, the doctor had warned her that in the coming weeks she would start feeling Braxton Hicks contractions. She had asked how she would know when the contractions were real and the doctor had said that her water would break when it was time for the twins to come.
She decided that she would ignore the cramps and tightening and attempt to get comfortable. She had class tomorrow, she needed to get rest. She shifted several times in an attempt to relieve the uncomfortable feelings but they just wouldn't go away. She lay awake for at least half an hour, willing to wait them out. They seemed to be tapering off when she felt a pop and a gush. Her eyes went wide and her breath hitched. Oh God, it really is time. She tried to get her breathing under control and sat up.
"Lanie!" she called.
Lanie came rushing into Kate's room from the living room saying, "What is it what's wrong?"
"I think it's time to have the twins," Kate said breathing deeply and remaining as calm as possible.
"Alright, I'll go gather your stuff. Just stay calm, you still have several hours before you'll have the twins," Lanie said, the veteran of many a births as a nurse in gynecology.
Kate nodded and continued to breathe deeply. Lanie left for the living room to gather both Kate's things and the twins' things for when they came home. Kate swung her legs off of the bed and stood up, very slowly. She wasn't moving so great anymore, thanks to nine months of carrying two little human beings around. She went to her closet and put some shoes and a jacket on. It was now November and very chilly out. She waddled out to the living room where Lanie was busy getting her suitcase and clothes and such for the twins ready. Kate walked toward the living room but stopped as she felt another contraction. She leaned on one of the kitchen chairs and once again breathed deeply. It lasted for a while and then relaxed somewhat. Kate decided to forgo any further trips unless they were absolutely necessary. She took a seat in the kitchen chair and watched Lanie get the stuff together.
"Don't forget the car seats in your car, they won't let us take the twins home unless we have car seats," Kate instructed.
"Oh right," Lanie went and grabbed the car seats and left to put them in her car. She returned about 20 minutes later and asked Kate, "Alright, ready to go?"
"Yes, but I might need help out of this chair," Kate said frowning; she didn't like needing help out of a freaking chair.
"No problem," Lanie said coming and grabbing Kate's hand. She pulled on Kate's arm and helped her raise herself out of the chair. They started for the door and Kate felt another contraction.
"Oh god here's another one," Kate said starting to get nervous, they were getting closer together.
"Kate just stay calm, you don't need to worry. They have to be a lot closer together before you deliver," Lanie assured.
Kate nodded and started to move as the contraction eased. They made it to the car and started for the hospital. On the way there Kate had another contraction; they were now 15 minutes apart. They made their way to the gynecology department and got rushed past the front waiting room with a quick "She's in labor." She was taken to a room and sat on a bed. The nurse got her into a gown and said the doctor would be in quickly to check that she was really in labor.
Dr. Collins came in promptly, like the nurse promised and instructed Kate to put her feet up in the stirrups. After a brief pelvic examination Dr. Collins confirmed that she was indeed in labor.
"How long will it be?" Kate asked.
"It's hard to say, some give birth 3 hours after their water breaks and some don't give birth for another 24 hours. It just depends," Dr. Collins said and started to fill out some paperwork. "A nurse will come in periodically to check dilation, if you need anything just ask her. We'll probably give you pain medication once the contractions get closer together," she said and left.
"Twenty-four hours?" Kate asked Lanie once the doctor had left.
"That's extremely rare, I'm sure you won't last that long. Its 5 A.M. now, I bet you'll be holding your twins by noon," Lanie said.
"Seven hours? What am I supposed to do, just sit here? I need to do something," Kate said.
"I figured that, that's why I put several books in your suitcase. Also some magazines and textbooks for me," Lanie walked over to the duffel bag in the corner and grabbed the books she had stashed. She gave one to Kate and put the rest on the small table beside her bed.
"'Flowers for your Grave,'" Kate said smiling as she saw the cover. She cracked the book open and began to read.
*Several Hours Later*
"I don't think I can last," Kate said as she recovered from another contraction. They were now about 7 minutes apart.
"Do you want the pain medication? You've been refusing it for a half hour," Lanie said retrieving her hand from Kate's death hold.
"I think so. If it will help," Kate said.
The nurse came in for like the 15th time to check dilation. She smiled at Kate and sat at the stool in front of the bed, lifting the blanket they had over her legs and measuring the diameter. She stood up and spoke to Kate, "you're seven centimeters, very close. Do you need anything?"
"Could I get whatever pain medication you're going to give me?" Kate asked.
"Sure, I'll be right back to set up the IV," the nurse said and left. She returned soon and prepped Kate's wrist for the IV. She got it set up and stood up, ready to leave again. "Is there anything else you need?" Kate shook her head with a smile and went to grab her book. The nurse smiled and left.
"Shouldn't be but about an hour now," Lanie assured and stuck her nose in her textbook. Kate tensed when she felt another contraction and was surprised to find that it wasn't as bad as it was the last time, the pain medication was working.
She went on reading and bugging Lanie about the time. Contractions came every 5 minutes and became more and more intense. Eventually Kate had to stop reading and Lanie had to surrender her hand again, to give Kate something to get through the pain.
When the nurse came in again she informed them that Kate was dilated 9 centimeters and that it should only be about 10 minutes before she would have to push. She came over to the IV rack and adjusted the dial so that Kate would get more medication. She gave them one final smile and left them.
"I have to make a quick call," Lanie said, excusing herself. Kate sighed and searched for something to do. She really couldn't read but she had nothing better to do, unless she wanted to stare at a white wall for the remaining ten minutes. Another contraction came and she clamped down on the side rails of her bed, seeing as Lanie wasn't there with her seemingly unbreakable hand. The contraction passed and she was left to stare at the walls.
"Hey I'm back," Lanie said cheerfully as she came into the room.
"You missed one. The bedrails took over your job," Kate said sarcastically.
"To think I could be replaced by a bedrail. Well I guess you don't want ice chips," Lanie said starting for the door again.
"No, I'm kidding. Please don't leave," Kate said.
"I know, here you go," Lanie said putting the bowl of chips on the bedside table and sitting in the chair.
"Who'd you call?" Kate asked taking an ice chip.
"Oh nobody," Lanie deflected, Kate squinted at her unconvinced but Lanie had looked away.
"Okay," Kate said, dropping it. They made conversation about names, Lanie asking yet again if she really wanted to name the kids after her parents. "I'm sure Lanie," Kate said with a laugh. The nurse came in again and checked dilation.
"Ten centimeters, I'll get the doctor. On the next contraction you'll push," the nurse said leaving the room. She returned quickly with the doctor and set everything up. She dragged a small table with several instruments over near the stool and got gloves out for both her and the doctor. Dr. Collins sat down on the stool and smiled up at Kate.
"Don't worry, just keep calm and keep breathing deeply," she said.
"Lanie you're going to have to surrender your hand," Kate said. Lanie sighed and gave it to her. Kate felt the contraction coming and looked to the doctor with wide eyes. Dr. Collins smiled again and nodded. Kate leaned forward and pushed as best she could.
Pain.
That's all she could feel, that and Lanie's hand in hers. She pushed as hard as she could, giving out cries of pain. The doctor exclaimed that she could see the head. Not long after that the contraction ended and Kate relaxed again, taking deep breaths to make up for the lack of breathing while she was pushing. Lanie used the towel on the bedside table to wipe her forehead and cool her off. The doctor kept assuring her that she was doing great and that it wouldn't be long. Soon another contraction came and Kate pushed again.
It was a lot more painful this time. She cried out and screwed her eyes shut. Everyone kept assuring her that she was doing great but it didn't help the pain.
"Just a little more, it's almost out!" Dr. Collins said, finally, something that was truly assuring.
She found new strength and gave it all her might, squeezing Lanie's hand so hard she was sure she had broken a bone. She felt a kind of release and relaxed.
"It's the girl," Dr. Collins said. She cut the umbilical cord and gave her to the nurse, who took her to the station and got her washed off. She weighed and measured her, calling the results to Dr. Collins and preparing her to go to the nursery. Dr. Collins wrote down the time of birth, weight and measurement on the form and got ready to go again.
"I don't think I can go again," Kate said sounding extremely tired.
"Sure you can, just think, after this you can rest," Lanie said wiping her forehead again. Kate closed her eyes and tried to rest, preparing to push again. Yet again she felt a contraction and looked to the doctor who nodded and smiled. She started pushing and immediately cried out. She wasn't sure she had ever felt pain like she was feeling now. It just didn't stop. The harder she tried to push, in order to get it over with, the more pain she felt.
"Keep going I can see the head," Dr. Collins said. Kate complied and gave it all she had. She felt tears streaming down her cheeks and sobs threatening to escape. She held it at bay until she felt the same release and cries as she had with her daughter. When she heard that sound she let out a sob and a laugh at the same time.
She had heard about mothers crying and laughing when their kids were born but she didn't know she would be one to do it. The doctor cut the cord and gave the boy to the nurse, who took him and washed him up. She wrapped him in a hospital blanket and put a blue hat on his head. She weighed and measured him, calling the results over to the doctor, who wrote them down. The doctor helped Kate get her feet out of the stirrups and onto the bed.
"What are their names?" the nurse asked from the station.
"The girl is Johanna Lanie, that's J-o-h-a-n-n-a L-a-n-i-e. And the boy is James Edgar," Kate said.
"Thank you, it's for their birth certificates and hospital tags," the nurse explained.
"We need to check them out in the nursery really quick and then we'll return to give them to you," Dr. Collins informed her and followed the nurse.
"Okay, thank you," Kate said. She lay back on the bed and closed her eyes in exhaustion.
"You did it," Lanie said smiling. Kate smiled as well but didn't open her eyes. "You rest, I'll see if I can get pudding or something," Lanie said and left.
Lanie returned about twenty minutes later with pudding and jello, from the cafeteria. Kate had slept for a while and was now sitting up. "I wasn't sure which one you wanted so I got both," Lanie said holding up the two plastic containers.
"Thank you, and thank you for sticking with me through all of this. I hope I didn't break your hand," Kate said laughing. Lanie came closer and put the pudding and jello on the table along with the plastic spoon.
"No, nothing a little ice won't cure," Lanie said laughing as well and adding, "Your welcome, it was my pleasure."
Kate grabbed the jello and spoon and dug in. She hadn't eaten since last night and was starving. "When will I be able to eat real food?" she asked.
"Another 30 minutes or so," Lanie said.
"When will I go home?"
"Assuming all is well you'll leave in a few hours, they'll want you to recuperate and then do a final checkup and then you'll be free to go."
"It's really convenient to have a friend who worked in this department," Kate said smiling.
"Yeah, you're lucky to have had me as your nurse," Lanie said teasing.
Kate finished the jello and moved on to the pudding. It wasn't long before the nurse came in pushing a cart with the twins. Kate's face lit up and she strained to see them. The nurse picked up the girl and turned to Kate, "I have for you Johanna-" she placed the girl in her arms and turned to retrieve the boy "and James."
"Thank you," Kate said smiling and looking down at the small bundles in her arms. The nurse said "you're welcome" and left her.
"So was it worth it?" Lanie asked.
"Yes," Kate said simply, unable to tear her eyes away from the twins. They rested peacefully in her arms, unaware of anything in the world. They heard a knock at the door and a man entered. Kate's head shot up and her eyes widened as she recognized who it was. "Dad, what are you doing here?" she asked, the twins started fussing some and she rocked them gently to try and calm them.
"Your friend called me and told me the whole situation," Jim Beckett answered quietly, coming closer.
Kate's eyes shot to Lanie, "You called him?" she asked in a hushed voice, trying not to disturb the twins.
"Yes I did. Kate you may not want much help, you may want to fend for yourself but you will not be able to. You now have two human beings depending on you. You've barely been able to cover the hospital bills and stuff we bought, how do you expect to go to college, take care of them, and work to get enough money?" Lanie explained.
"I want to help. I know why you kept this from me but trust me, I won't disappoint you," Jim said.
"Are you sober? I mean completely," Kate said sternly.
"No not yet, but I'm doing better. I've made it three months without a drink," Jim said.
"I don't want them around you if you're drunk," Kate said.
"That's fine. Like I said I just want to help," Jim repeated.
How?" Kate asked.
"Let me pay for your housing and the remaining medical bills," Jim said.
"Alright," Kate said.
"And I want to babysit them when you can't take care of them," Jim added.
"Dad what if you fall off the wagon again?" Kate asked.
"Don't you think seeing my grandkids will motivate me to stay sober?" Jim asked.
"I guess. Alright I've got this daycare program I learned about for when I'm in class and at work. If I have weekends where I can't take care of them then you can take them. IF, you're sober," Kate said after a moment's thought.
"Great, thanks Katie. Can I hold one of them?" he asked tentatively.
"Sure, Dad, meet James Edgar," Kate said holding up her son slightly. He stepped forward to the bed and took James in his arms.
"James?" he asks once he has the boy in his arms. "You named him after me?" he asked.
"Yes, you might not have been there for me recently but you were a great dad when I was growing up," Kate said smiling.
Jim smiled down at his grandson, gently rocking him. "And the little girl, what's her name?" he asked.
"Johanna Lanie, for Mom and Lanie, who's been there for me through all of this," Kate said looking to Lanie with a smile and then down at her daughter.
It was just now hitting her. Her daughter and son, she was a mother. They were beautiful little angels. Filled with innocence and hope, she would be responsible for raising them to be good human beings. She would have to be there when that innocence and hope was lost. When they did things wrong she would have to punish them. When they came home heartbroken she would have to help mend their hearts again. This would be a totally new experience, different from anything that had happened before. She didn't have much of a plan because things weren't always going to agree with a set plan. It was strange for her but she would figure it out.
She needed facts and reason for everything. All of her decisions, at least the big ones, had to have a lot of thinking and lots of reasons behind them. She wasn't really a spur of the moment; go with the flow, lover of surprises kind of girl. At least not since her mom died. When she was a teenager she loved surprises and most nights were filled with spur of the moment plans but ever since her mom died everything had to be planned. Murder isn't planned except by the murderer, the victims are often surprised and the families and friends of the victim are most definitely surprised. All of their future plans are swept away from them, everything they were going to say to them the next time they saw them or the next time they called them was gone. They would never be able to say 'I love you' just one more time. Kate found that ever since that night she couldn't do anything without planning it carefully. She had to have control of everything possibly capable of controlling because it made her feel safer. The therapist she and her dad had been forced to see had said that she needed to let go of the stuff she couldn't control and just focus on the stuff she could control. And that's exactly what she did. Maybe she took it to the extreme a little bit but it was better than dwelling too much on the other stuff that she couldn't control.
Bottom line was that unplanned things freaked her out. Like this pregnancy, she was so freaked out because she hadn't planned it. It was a surprise; it was a spur of the moment thing. It was completely unplanned. Yes it was a miracle but it was unplanned. An unplanned miracle.
A/N: Aaaanndd technically I could end it right there. I've actually considered breaking this up into like three separate stories but nah. So I wanted to keep her dad out until the twins are five so it would be canon but the reviewer that talked about how she had paid for everything got me thinking and I think this will make raising the twins a little more manageable. But remember that this is a fictional story and that not everything will be completely realistic. I try to make it sound authentic but I don't always succeed. I'll try, I'm not promising because I shouldn't, but I'll try to update again before Thursday. I'm going to my grandma's house for a family reunion on Thursday and I won't be back until Tuesday.