I have kids but I did not have a natural birth, so if any of this sounds far-fetched, I apologise.
Enjoy.
Laura was beginning to stir in his arms, "alright pet, you must be hungry or thirsty by now?"
"Not really love, drip helping with that thanks".
"Listen, I need to get back to the station for an interview, I will get you clothes, is there anything else you want?" kissing her forehead.
"My own bed", smiling at him.
"The only compromise I have for now, is me being here with you, and probably your pyjamas".
"Suppose that is the best offer I'm going to get. You do know I love you?"
"Yes, I do", leaning in for a kiss and placing his hand on her stomach.
I think we need to make a few phone calls, since we got married, I am sure everyone wants a party, but this little person changes things", looking down to where his hand was resting.
"It sure does, big time, can we just invite immediate family for a weekend, to tell them, you need to see if ken can make it?"
"Yes, that would be a good idea pet, listen, I better head, I will be back later, and we can chat then, love you".
"Love you too, see you later".
He went back to do his interview, which went smoothly resulting in an arrest. Innocent was happy the case was concluded.
As he finished up he caught up with Innocent to inform her of Laura's progress leaving out the baby part that could wait till another day.
"This is good news that she is on the mend, how long will she be in for? I will try get up for a visit".
"She could be in for at least another 2 to 3 nights, I will let her know".
"Her things that were at the scene have been left here, she might want this for starters", handing over her phone.
"Great, thanks, better get going", heading out the door.
When Robbie got back to the hospital later on with her clothes, she had already had the drip removed and having some toast, he had not brought her anything to drink, not sure how long the drip would be in her arm for.
She was happy to get into her pyjamas, Robbie sat beside her on the bed, "this is cosy, just lying beside you like this, it will have to do until we get home", she said to him.
"Aye, it will, jean said she might try get up and visit before you go home".
"I hope she doesn't I don't want anyone to find out about the baby until we are ready to tell them".
"Ok".
Laura recovered and got out of the hospital 2 days later. James had got his boot off, he was on the mend and jean had gone for a scan to discover she was roughly six months gone also. Neither had told the other of their family situation.
James and Robbie were going around on cloud 9, each knowing they were going to have a baby to introduce to the other.
Laura's further scan showed no damage to the baby, all was healthy and going according to plan.
As each woman was nearing the end of their pregnancy, they had all met up for the wedding party.
Robbie and Laura stood to make an announcement.
"Thanks for coming everyone, we are happy to have you celebrate with us, but also that we have a new addition joining us in at least 6 weeks", as he placed his hand over Laura's stomach, she placed her hand over his.
Jean and James looked at one another. When jean got to congratulate Laura, "we have a new addition also in 6 weeks", Laura was looking down at jean and hugging her in excitement.
"Oh my god, you would not even think it, you look amazing, oh congrats, how is daddy?" nodding towards James.
"Oh thanks, oh you know, on cloud 9, the hard work has not even started", as they looked towards James who was oblivious to them looking his way.
Robbie came to join Laura, "what did I miss?" looking at jean and Laura both happy, "mammy to be also" Laura said about jean, while Robbie was looking for James.
He found James, "so you are not totally a useless sod?"
"Ha ha, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, thanks", nudging James.
They relaxed to enjoy the rest of their evening before heading to bed, ken had not made it home, so Lyn and Tim stayed with Laura and Robbie, Brad and Kate stayed with jean, Ellen was unable to make it down. Jack had stayed with Tim's parents.
As the weeks went by both women eased off their work load, jean was blooming showing protruding whereas Laura was still petite, you would not even think she was pregnant.
Robbie and Laura were sat at home one evening, she could not settle on the sofa, twisting and turning, "you alright pet, you seem unsettled?"
"Yeah, I think I'm ok, just twinges in my stomach, probably nothing".
"Laura, are they painful?"
"Not really".
"It could be the start, if they get worse tell me, is the baby still hopping about in there?"
"Garr, yes your little footballer is still hopping around".
He took her hand moved her forward to rub her back.
"This may sound funny, when you are in pain, I recall Val dancing around the room to ease the pain".
"I don't think I need to dance", letting out a scream, tears forming in her eyes.
"Hay pet, it's going to be ok".
She got up to use the bathroom, he heard a scream, "ROBBIE", and he went running in, "what happened?"
"I think my waters broke, I think the baby is on the way Robbie, I can feel a head".
He took out his phone, rang Mrs Rawbone to help, then an ambulance, it would be a while before they could get there, but the paramedic talked him through what to do.
As the Mrs Rawbone helped get Laura settled, Robbie ran around getting everything needed. They changed over while Robbie sat with Laura and Mrs Rawbone took over delivering the baby.
She wanted to push, she found it all hard and emotional, and he was talking low to her to reassure her everything would be alright.
"Hay Laura, come on deep breaths, you can do this pet, push when you are ready", he had a hold of her hand, she was squeezing his hand, he felt like it was nearly crushed.
A few more pushes and baby Lewis was born, just then the paramedics arrived, they done checks on both mother and baby, Laura was in shock by the whole experience.
Mother and baby were taken to the hospital to be checked over thoroughly. Laura was so tired she wanted to sleep. Robbie sat beside her in the ambulance, she held the baby, a little boy.
Robbie smiled from ear to ear.
"Laura, he is so perfect out little baby".
"Robbie, what are we going to call him, we didn't settle on any names?"
"We will think about it later, how are you feeling?"
"Like a bowling ball has popped out, just tired love", holding the baby and rested her head on Robbie.
He laughed at her comment, "we got a beautiful bowling ball", and she joined in with his joke.
When they got to the hospital, Laura was taken to a ward to check she was alright, Robbie and baby brought to another room where baby was checked over, then Robbie was allowed to feed him.
"Hay little man, what are we going to call you, I can't think of a name that might suit, nor can mammy, so I think for you are baby Lewis", as he beamed with delight feeding the baby.
After the feed and change of his nappy they were allowed into the room to Laura, she was dozing off, so he sat in the chair, the baby asleep in his cot.
He kissed her on the head letting her sleep. He fell asleep in the chair, he woke when a nurse came into the room to check on Laura and the baby.
"Sorry to wake you Mr Lewis", the nurse noticed Robbie waking up, "no you're ok", he replied.
"There is a drinks machine down the corridor if you want, I think these two might be out for a little longer", indicating to Laura and the baby.
He went to get a drink, it was still dark out not morning just yet. He drank his tea and went back to the room. Baby was waking up and the nurse had a bottle, so Robbie took it to feed the baby.
He was talking away again to the baby when Laura opened her eyes, he did not notice she was awake, she lay there looking at him feeding the baby talking away to him. She was trying to think of names for the baby.
As he was winding the baby, he dribbled on his t-shirt, it looked a right mess, but he didn't care.
"Morning", she said to him.
"Morning, to you too sleeping beauty", as she sat up in the bed.
"I have been thinking of names, tell me what you think?" he moved the chair closer to the bed.
"Ok, go ahead", listening patiently.
"How does Matthew sound, Matthew Robert Lewis?" she saw a tear rolling down his face.
"Mathew Robert Lewis, welcome to the world, yes Laura I like it", smiling at Laura.
This is going to be the start of something new.
Laura was kept in for another night, to give her body time to rest. Robbie was at home making all the arrangements for Laura and the baby to come home.
He had rang her brother, for him and his family to stay and help Laura for a few days and meet the new addition.
Robbie picked Laura and Matthew up from the hospital, she was happy but nervous to be going home.
As they pulled into the drive, Brad, Kate and the twins came out to greet them, Laura was overwhelmed by it all.
"Hay there sis, congrats", hugging her.
"I didn't know you were here", looking towards Robbie.
"He is a good one", Brad said about Robbie.
"Come on, let's get you inside".
The twins helped Robbie with the bags while he carried the baby.
All the twins wanted to do was hold the baby, it was nearing feeding time, and Robbie made a bottle and let Amelia do the feeding.
Robbie took Laura upstairs toile down, she was just worn out, her body adjusting to having a baby.
"Thanks love".
"For what?"
"Bringing Brad up for support and help, and just being you".
"not a problem, when they go home it's just you and me doing this, now rest, I will be back to check on you soon", kissing her helping her into the bed.
He went back downstairs, to see how they were getting on with the feeding. Mathew had finished his bottle and Kate was changing him. He was then put in his pram to sleep.
Brad went to make some tea while Robbie sat down.
"Do you have everything in for the baby?" Kate asked Robbie.
"Yes, I think so".
"Do you have enough nappies, food?" she asked.
"Oh god, I know I need more of them, it went out of my mind worrying about getting them home, I better go the shops", he went to get up.
"Hay you relax, we will go, you go lie down with Laura, we will sort it out."
"Thanks", as he went upstairs.
Brad and Adam went to the shop while Kate and Amelia watched Mathew.
Robbie got in beside Laura who was out for the count. He put his arm around her waist, just being able to lie beside her. He soon drifted off to sleep.