Chapter 17

"Ambo 61, woman in labor, 2222 West Palmer, Apartment 1. 2222 West Palmer, Apartment 1."

Brett and Mills made their way to the ambo.

Kelly poked his head in Boden's office. "Chief, that's Parker's apartment-" he started.

"Go," Boden ordered.

Kelly raced to the ambo bay and opened the back door and slipped inside. Mills opened the window.

"Lieutenant?"

"Parker's apartment," he explained.

Kelly jumped out of the back of the ambulance before Brett even had it in Park. He raced up the sidewalk and down to her apartment. "Parker?" he called as he entered her apartment.

"Living room," she said.

Kelly hurried over to the couch, and found her curled up on it. He dropped down beside her head. He ran his hand over her hair, smoothing it. "Hey," he said quietly.

Parker wanted to yell at him, but she had no energy. "Baby's coming," she said stupidly.

"I heard. Mills and Brett are right behind me."

"You didn't have to come, Kelly. Could be hours yet."

Kelly noticed her sucking in her breath. He took her hand. "How far apart?"

"2, 3 minutes, I think."

He heard noise coming down the hall. Brett and Mills were right on time. "In here, Guys," he called.

They entered, Mills taking the lead. He walked over to Parker. He looked down at the mother of Kelly's soon to be born child. "My name's Peter, Ma'am. What's yours?"

"Parker."

"How far along?" he asked.

"39 weeks and 6 days. I'm due tomorrow."

Kelly started to move out of Mills' way.

"Kelly?"

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm just moving so Peter can check you out," he soothed.

Mills got a quick set of vitals. Parker looked around for Kelly.

"Call Grandma?" she asked.

"Already did."

"She coming?"

"She said she would meet us there."

With Parker admitted to Maternity, Mills and Brett waited out in the waiting room along with the rest of 51. Hermann related stories of all five Hermann births. Boden was mum on the subject of Terrance's birth, but everyone expected that since he had gone into respiratory distress shortly after birth. They all took turns starting at the door leading to the maternity ward.

Parker rolled back and forth in the bed, unable to find a comfortable spot. She rolled over on her left side, and a few minutes later, she was sitting up. Kelly watched her, not sure if he should offer to help, or let her continue on as she was. She turned on the TV, then turned it off. She had no interest in the morning talk shows. She got out of bed and walked toward the window, joining Kelly. He seemed deep in thought and didn't want to disturb him. She turned around and started back to the bed. She had taken two steps when Kelly caught her arm.

"Don't go," he said quietly.

"Don't want to disturb."

"Not disturbing. Come here."

She walked back to him. He slid his arms around her, holding her close, but not tight. He rested his cheek on the top of her head. Parker felt his arms around her. She closed her eyes and snuggled into him. She wanted to hate him, but she couldn't.

"You know Grandma and Grandpa raised me," she started.

"She told me," he agreed.

She nodded. She was grateful that he knew. She didn't want to have to explain being orphaned when she was five, and all of the baggage that went with it. She didn't have a bad growing up. It was just different than everyone else's. Everyone else had parents. She didn't. She was terrified about giving birth. She rocked back and forth as another contraction hit.

"Come on, let's get you in bed. The nurse will probably be back to check on you soon."

Parker fell back against the bed. She had been pushing for way too long. Kelly was on one side of the bed, Mary Alice on the other. "I can't do this anymore."

"One more," Kelly encouraged.

"You can do this, Park," Mary Alice reminded.

"Ok, Parker, one more push and the baby should be here. Next contraction give us your best push," the doctor instructed.

The contraction hit. Parker pushed. She heard voices saying something, but she couldn't understand what was being said. Kelly gave her cheek a kiss. He leaned over Parker and kissed Mary Alice's cheek. Parker shook her head to clear it.

She saw the nurse hand Kelly a blanket. Kelly looked down at the baby in his arms. Parker tried to turn her head away, but couldn't. Next thing she knew, Kelly had parked the baby into her arms.

"He's perfect," he said.

"He?" she asked.

"He. We have a son," he said proudly.

He looked over at Mary Alice. She winked.

Parker looked down at the baby. Tears started falling from her eyes. "He looks like you," she said as she looked up at Kelly.

"You think?"

She nodded.

"Parker, we're going to do the DNA and then you can sign the adoption papers," the nurse said.

Kelly started forward, but he noticed Mary Alice waving her hand behind Parker's head. He backed off.

"No papers," Parker said. "I've changed my mind."

She looked over at Mary Alice. "I don't have a damn thing for this baby," she admitted. "No crib, not layette, no diapers, no nothing."

"Don't worry about that," Mary Alice said as she looked at Kelly.

Kelly nodded. He knew what Mary Alice was saying without saying it. "We can worry about that later, Parker. But we really need to think of a name for him."

"Philip," she said automatically.

"Philip?" he asked.

Mary Alice sucked in a breath.

"Philip. After Grandpa."

Kelly looked down at the baby Parker was holding. "Happy Birthday, Philip. Welcome to the world."