A/N: Sorry for the delay guys. Mojo has taken a long walk and RL has been a tough haul lately. But at last, here is the next chapter. Time to bite those nails. Will Sara make it through birth? Can Grissom keep his cool? Let's hope Evil hat can stay out of it. Eeeep.
Thank you to calim for the beta and help. I did struggle a bit with this, and I'm not too afraid to admit it. Hopefully it all came out okay. Please let me know what you think :)
Chapter 169
Once stripped of her clothing, Sara was quickly dressed in a night shirt. Sitting up against the pillows, her head tipped back as Laura placed a wet cloth on her forehead. She was burning up, her cheeks already tinged with a crimson blossom.
Taking her left arm, Marcia checked Sara's pulse.
"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" Laura asked, rubbing Sara's shoulder.
"Scared," Sara whimpered.
Laura smiled. Well, she tried. "I know," she replied softly. "But keep nice and calm, listen to Marcia and we'll have that baby in your arms before you know it."
Sara looked around. "Where's Gil?" she asked. The last thing she remembered was his hand slipping from hers. Every second after that was just a haze.
"He's just outside."
"Why is he out there?" Sara blubbered.
"Honey, you know why," Laura said, rubbing her shoulder again. "We've already been through that. If we need him, I can call him but I know you're strong."
Sara didn't have chance to argue, her eyes closing as a harsh cry escaped her lips when another contraction hit.
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On the other side of the door, Grissom paced back and forth, thumb in his mouth, his nail chewed almost down to the flesh. Upon hearing another cry from his wife he stopped and cringed. He hated not being there to comfort her.
"Gil, you should try and relax," the captain urged.
Turning to face the older man, Grissom's eyes narrowed. "Relax? How do you propose I do that?"
Sighing, the captain's shoulders slumped. "I don't know," he replied with a defeated tone. "I'm just…trying to make it easier. This could be a very long day and you're going to wear a hole in the floor if you carry on the way you are."
Grissom replicated the captain's sigh, a shaky hand rubbing over his chin. Hearing footsteps he turned to see Nicolas returning, a helper behind him, both of them carrying chairs. Gregory followed, a tray in his hands holding brandy, water and glasses.
Stepping out of their way, Grissom leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, barely listening to the captain as he said something to the group. All he could hear was his own heartbeat as it strummed in his chest.
"Gil."
Did he just hear his name?
"Gil?"
Opening his eyes, Grissom saw the captain right in front of him, holding out a glass of brandy. He flicked a glance up and down the corridor to see they were now alone.
"Where did the boys go?" he asked quietly.
"Away," the captain replied. "They don't need to be in your hair right now. Here, take this."
He edged the glass closer and Grissom just stared at it then shook his head. "I'm fine."
"It will calm you down."
"I appreciate your…thought," Grissom said, a little sarcastically, feeling himself getting more wound up by the second. "But, I'm fine."
The captain didn't seem to want to take no for an answer. "Come now…"
"I said Idon't want it!" Grissom snapped.
He gritted his teeth to keep from saying anything else and watched the captain take a step back, a bemused look on his face. Sighing heavily, Grissom held up a hand then walked towards the landing.
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Contraction over, Marcia let go of Sara's hand and knelt on the bed.
"I'm going to take a look and see how we're doing, okay?" she asked. "Depending how dilated you are will give me a rough idea of where we're at." Breathing deeply, Sara's eyes opened and she nodded. "I need you to raise your knees up for me and spread your legs. Think you can do that?"
Puffing out her cheeks and nodding again, Sara did as Marcia asked, watching as the midwife leaned forward, placing a hand on her knee and taking a look at her most intimate place.
"Okay, Sara," Marcia said, tapping her knee. "You can relax."
Dropping her legs back to the bed, Sara winced and tried to sit up a bit. Laura and Rana came quickly to her aid.
"So?" Sara asked. "How…am I doing?"
"We're heading in the right direction," Marcia answered.
Sara tried to think but everything Marcia had taught her flew right out of the window and her mind was suddenly a blank. "That means…the baby is coming, right?"
Marcia smiled. "It's certainly coming but it's still going to be some time before it makes a personal appearance."
Looking deflated by that comment, Sara's head tipped in her mother's direction. "How long?"
"A while yet, honey. Probably several hours at least." Smiling, Laura took her daughter's hand. "And because it's your first child means it usually takes that little bit longer."
An uneasy breath fell from Sara's lips. "How long were you in labor with me?"
Laura's smile faltered a little. "Almost nine hours," she admitted.
Sara's eyes widened. "Nine hours?" she screeched but her head fell back and she growled when a contraction came.
"It doesn't mean your labor will last that long," Marcia said. "But you need to be strong and be ready to fight because the pain is just going to get worse."
Grimacing, Sara pulled her hand free from her mother's to press both into her tummy. "I don't know if I can do this," she whimpered.
"Yes, you can," Laura insisted. "There's no turning back now."
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Grissom kept walking and didn't look back. He wasn't entirely sure where he was going. He certainly wouldn't go far and didn't, stopping at the top of the stairs and leaning over the landing railing. However, what he saw below, he didn't expect. At least a dozen staff were crowded around the base of the stairs, all looking up at him, expectant looks on their faces.
Straightening out, he swallowed hard and then jumped when he felt something touch his shoulder. Spinning around, he came face to face with the captain and half expected to be reprimanded for his disrespect but instead the older man just placed his hand on his shoulder and squeezed.
"Take a breath," he began, "and then come and sit down."
Breathing in deep then biting his lip, Grissom nodded, following the captain as he headed back towards the bedroom. Clearing his throat, he sat next to the captain, his eyes downcast.
"It looks like the entire house has come to a standstill," he whispered.
The captain smiled. "That's because they care," he answered. "Sara means a lot to them and so do you. Only one thing matters to all of us right now."
"I'm sorry for snapping," Grissom apologized, raising his head and looking his father-in-law in the eye. "I just…want to keep a clear head in case I'm needed and alcohol won't help my cause. And…I really wasn't expecting this. Not today. I thought we had a few weeks still so it's…hard." The captain nodded his understanding but left it at that and watched as Grissom glanced to the bedroom door. "Do you think she's okay?"
Squeezing Grissom's shoulder, the captain stood and headed to the door, lightly tapping his knuckles upon the wood.
The knock was heard inside the room and Laura glanced to the door. "Keep her cool," she directed Rana."
"Yes Ma'am," Rana agreed, taking the cloth and dropping it into a bowl.
"I'll be right back, sweetheart," Laura said. "Okay?"
Closing her eyes as she felt the coolness of the cloth on her forehead, Sara nodded and Laura headed for the door. Opening it, she came face to face with her husband, spying Grissom over her shoulder looking right at her.
"How is she?" the captain asked. "Gil's keen for any information he can get."
"She's doing okay so far," Laura told him. "We've got a long way to go so it may be challenging controlling her frustration but, so far so good. How's Gil doing?"
"Feeling a little helpless."
Reaching out, Laura squeezed his arm. "Just look after him and keep him calm."
"I'll do my best."
"I know you will," Laura answered, pointing over her shoulder. "I need to get back to her."
Nodding the captain stepped back and she closed the door. Rejoining Grissom, he sat beside him.
"She's doing all right," the captain said.
Grissom sighed with relief. "Yeah?"
"Yeah," the older man confirmed. "She's doing just fine."
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6 hours later
"Gahhhhhhhhhhhh!" Sara screamed, slamming her fists down by her sides before panting over and over.
"That's it," Marcia said, reaching for her hand. "Breathe. Nice soft pants."
Pulling her hand away, Sara glared at the midwife. "I know…how to…breathe," she growled, batting her mother's hand away as she attempted to dab the sweat from her forehead.
Laura swallowed as her daughter's frustration was becoming harder and harder to deal with.
Rocking her head from side to side, Sara tried to push herself up. "I'm so uncomfortable," she complained. "Everything hurts. Why isn't my baby here yet?"
"I'm going to take another look, Sara, okay?" Marcia said and Sara just rolled her eyes, lifting her knees and watching as the older woman did her check again.
"We're nearly there," Marcia informed everyone. "How about we get up and take a walk?"
Sara's panting increased. "Walk?" she questioned with uncertainty.
"Ugh huh," Marcia answered with a smile. "Being upright will encourage the baby to move and incite the little one to come out."
Sara blinked. "And...why didn't…you mention…this before?" she panted.
Snorting, Marcia moved to the head of the bed. "Do you think you could have been on your feet for five hours? Now you're just over eight centimeters I think it's a good time for a little persuasion."
Without hesitation, Sara held out her arms, flapping her hands through the air. "Anything to get the baby out. Help me up."
Laura laughed, not quite expecting that reaction and hurried around the bed as both Marcia and Rana helped Sara up.
"Nice and easy, sweetheart," Laura said, swinging an arm around Sara's waist to support her, while Rana stood close by just in case she was needed. "Okay?" she asked, as Sara's eyes closed.
Inhaling several deep breaths, Sara willed her legs to stop shaking, her eyes slowly opening before she nodded. Puffing out her rosy cheeks, she dropped her arm under her belly before she started walking. It hurt to move and a contraction hit as soon as she did. Her eyes shot to the ceiling and a loud cry passed through her lips.
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Outside, Grissom rubbed his tired eyes. He'd lost count of the amount of cries that had come now. "How much longer?" he whimpered, getting up from the chair and pacing back and forth again.
"It shouldn't be too long now," the captain answered. "First babies can take a long time."
A servant came down the corridor, replenishing the water for the third time as well as leaving a tray of food.
The captain looked at the food. "Do you want to try and eat something?" he suggested.
Grissom shook his head, turning back to him. "I'm not hungry," he answered, sighing and pulling his watch from his pocket. It was almost 8pm and would be getting dark soon.
"What are you thinking?" the captain asked.
Looking up, Grissom put his watch away and shrugged. "It's getting late. Birth by candlelight seems… complicated."
"My boy," the captain began, stepping close and dropping an arm over Grissom's shoulders, pulling him close, "whether it is night or day it won't change the care, love or attention that Sara is given. And whether the baby comes by the sun, moon or stars, it will arrive safe and sound." The captain frowned as Grissom gave him a rather odd smile. "Why are you smiling at me like that?"
"I don't think I've ever heard you sound so sentimental," Grissom said.
The captain smirked. "Well," he began, blushing and clearing his throat, "let's just keep that between me and you. Okay?"
Grissom smirked back. "Okay."
After receiving a pat on the back, Grissom returned to the chair and slumped back down, eyes falling upon the bedroom door. Dropping his hands to his knees, his fingernails clawed into his pants. He wasn't sure if he'd ever felt so helpless and he didn't know how long he'd be able to just sit there. Every scream from his wife tore away another piece of his soul.
He should be in there.
His eyes flicked to the captain and he wondered how close he could get to the door before his father-in-law tackled him. If he got the chance, Grissom would take it.
Closing his eyes, his thoughts flicked to his mother. She was a woman he'd never known yet she gave her life so he could live. Rubbing a shaky hand over his chin, he sighed. Sara would be okay.
She had to be.
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About half an hour later, and very much to the surprise of all in the room, Sara was still walking around. Her breathing was now full on panting, quick and short in single second intervals. Marcia knew the time was pretty much upon them when the next contraction was so strong, she nearly keeled over.
"Sara, I think we should sit you in the birthing chair now, okay?" she suggested.
With her cheeks puffing in and out, Sara glanced at the chair sitting by the far wall, straw scattered underneath it and around the floor. From the second she'd seen that thing it gave her the willies. Made of hard wood with a half-moon cut out seat and two feet supports sticking out at the bottom, the thing certainly didn't look comfortable.
"Okay," she breathed, both Laura and Rana supporting her now as she slowly moved across the room.
Once seated in the chair, Sara's hands coiled around the arms, gripping on tightly, her panting continuing.
Marcia sat in front of her on a stool. "I'm going to pop your feet into the supports, honey, okay?"
Unable to answer when a heavy contraction hit, Sara shrieked, all in the room wincing at the pitch of it. Hastily moving, both Laura and Marcia managed to get her legs into the supports while Rana moved to the back of the chair to be ready to support Sara once the baby began to show.
Lifting her nightshirt above her thighs, Marcia took another look and flicked up a smile. "We're ready," she said.
It was as if the entire world had just fallen upon her shoulders when those words filtered through her brain. This was where things could go so very wrong.
"Sara, I need you to listen very carefully," Marcia said as Sara nodded. "Soon, you'll feel the baby's head low down in your pelvis, if you can't already. When a contraction comes, I need you to push. Listen to your body, okay? Follow the urges you feel. The harder and more often you can push the quicker we'll have that little one in your arms. Just make sure you breathe between pushing."
After a deep breath, Sara nodded again, shuffling her butt to get as comfortable as she could. "Okay," she whispered. "I think."
Laura crouched down and took her hand. "I know you're scared but you do can this."
Sara managed a small smile. "I know."
And that was all she said because a contraction came, her eyes squeezed shut and she pushed. "Gah…." she cried, tightly squeezing her mother's hand.
"That's it," Laura encouraged. "Push and breathe, push and breathe."
Nodding furiously, Sara tried her hardest to do just that almost tipping forwards and was thankful Rana's swift arms coiled around her to keep her steady. She managed to push three times before relaxing as the contraction faded.
"Really good, Sara," Marcia praised.
Opening her eyes, Sara licked her lips. Sweat oozed down her face and Laura quickly rushed to grab water and a cloth before returning.
"If you can keep that up," she said, dabbing Sara's cheeks, "it will be over sooner than you know it."
"I hope so," Sara mumbled. "I hope so."
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Grissom was pacing again and the captain watched him, wondering how long it would take for him to wear a hole in the floor.
"Gil!" came Sara's desperate voice through the wooden door.
That was it. Grissom couldn't hold back any longer and he rushed the door, the captain instantly grabbing hold of him.
"Don't, Gil!"
Without hesitating, he pushed against the captain and burst through the door only to stumble to a stop as he heard Sara's voice.
"I can't do it anymore," she cried. "Hurts too much."
"Yes, you can," Laura began, her eyes shifting quickly to Grissom standing frozen by the door. "Yes, you can."
"Sara, I can see the head," Marcia said quickly, her hands softly resting on Sara's thighs.
Sara's drowsy eyes shot open, her world spinning so much she was oblivious to her husband's entrance. "Huh?" she whimpered.
Marcia nodded, smiled and tried to stay focused, her eyes only springing to Grissom for a second. "I can see the head, honey."
When Grissom heard Marcia's words, his heart began pounding so fast he felt like it could burst.
"Oh, Jesus," the captain mumbled as he entered the room, his gaze falling on his daughter. Quickly, he turned around.
Laura slowly stood. "Be right back," she said before rushing across the room, trying to block off Grissom's view but alas, her height didn't help. Cupping his cheeks in her hands, she pulled down his head to look him in the eyes.
"We're at the most critical point here, Gil," she said calmly. "So now's not the best time for an interruption."
"But she's been calling for me," he began, his chin trembling.
"I don't have time to argue. You said you trusted me so now I really need you to do that and leave. Every second is essential."
Not giving him any chance to argue, Laura took his arm with one hand and her husband's with the other, tugging both overwhelmed men to the door and guiding them through it.
"I'll bring news as soon as I have it," was all she said before closing the door.
Grissom watched the door close and swallowed hard. Feeling the captain's hand on his shoulder he looked at him, mouth opening but no words would come out.
Sighing, the captain smiled weakly and urged him back to the chair.
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"I need you to just relax for a minute, Sara," Marcia said. "Short panting breaths, nice and easy. Don't push on the next contraction. We need the baby to come slowly and gently to prevent tearing."
The midwife glanced at Laura as she returned and crouched down beside them reaching out for her daughter. Feeling her mother's hand rubbing her arm, Sara looked at her.
"You can do it," Laura encouraged. "You're almost there."
Some relief spilled through Sara. If Marcia could see the head then the baby's position was right. But, this really was going to be the hardest part and she knew that. With her energy and willpower almost gone it seemed impossible. But deep down, she knew her mother was right. She could do this. Sending out a silent prayer, she begged for her child to be safely delivered into this world.
Scooting as close as she could, Marcia waited for the next contraction and when Sara growled, she knew it was coming.
"Don't push, Sara," she insisted, her hands lifting, getting ready to take the baby's head when another contraction came. "Just breathe."
Sara blew, short and fast, eyes clenching as the contraction ripped through her body. It was so hard not to push.
"Well done," Marcia commended. "Now when the next one comes, I want you to push as hard as you can this time. Can you do that?"
"I'll try," Sara gasped, gritting her teeth and leaning forwards, Rana's arms slipping under hers and holding tightly.
It took just over a minute for the next contraction to begin. Taking a deep breath, she pushed down as hard as she could, pain like she'd never felt before tearing through her. It was almost as if someone was ripping her open with hands made of fire, pulling out a cry so loud everyone in the house heard it.
"Push, Sara, push," Marcia commanded, fingers edging close to her opening as the head ever so slowly began working its way through.
"AAAGGGGHHHHHH!" Sara hollered and Laura almost replicated that scream, the grip of her daughter's hand upon her own so fierce she feared her fingers may break.
"Keep going, Sara," Marcia said. "Push…push."
She did for a few seconds more, then slumped back, unable to push anymore. She could barely even breathe now.
Looking up at Laura, Marcia nodded. "I've got the head," she said happily and that got Sara's attention, her eyes opening and zoning in on the midwife. "Your almost there," she told her. "One more big push, okay? Whenever you're ready."
Sara's heart was pounding, head spinning, every pore in her body tingling with the most unbearable pain she had ever encountered but the words 'one more' spurred her on. It was almost over.
Taking a gasping breath, she nodded. "I'm ready."
Marcia nodded back. "Then let's say hello to your baby."
Releasing her mother's hand, much to Laura's relief, Sara gripped onto the chair arms and braced herself, focusing every single ounce of strength she had left into this one last push. Or at least she hoped it was the last push. Slamming her eyes closed, she pushed and pushed and pushed, screams like no other bellowing from her lungs.
"Come on, Sara," Laura whispered. "Keep going."
Slowly, the baby slipped into Marcia's hands, first the shoulders and then the body.
"Almost there, Sara, keep pushing."
And she did. She pushed as hard as she could, her screams continuing until she heard Marcia say stop then fell back against the chair, completely exhaused. The room fell silent apart from Sara's gasps to try and catch her breath.
Laura quickly grabbed a small pair of scissors and the string sitting on the dressing table then crouched by the midwife. At her nod, she cut the umbilical cord and tied it off.
"Just relax, Ma'am," Rana whispered to Sara, eyes shifting toward the baby in Marcia's arms. She frowned. "Keep nice and still."
"Hmmmm…" Sara mumbled, her eyes closed, barely able to move.
Marcia quickly rose, placing the baby onto a waiting towel. Picking up a wet cloth, she gently whisked it over the little one's forehead and placed a hand over its chest.
"Not breathing," she mouthed.
Laura's hand clasped over her mouth, masking the sob which came. This just could not be happening.
The sudden silence within the room left those outside the doors startled. Pushing himself up from the chair, Grissom's heart drummed a thousand beats as he slowly touched the door. Feeling the captain coming up beside him, his eyes slowly drew to him.
"Why is it so quiet?" he asked.
*** - "I turned her gently over, placed my hands upon her breast to calm her and keep her down, and looked into her face. Her eyes were dilated and wild, and she constantly uttered piercing shrieks, and repeated the words, 'My husband, my father and then counted up to twelve, and said, 'Hush!' For an instant, and no more, she would pause to listen, and then the piercing shrieks would begin again, and she would repeat the cry, 'My husband, my father!' and would count up to twelve, and say, 'Hush!' There was no variation in the order, or the manner. There was no cessation, but the regular moment's pause, in the utterance of these sounds."
*** - Extract taken from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (adapted)
A/N: Ugh oh...