Oh my goodness, has it really been two years since I last updated this story?! I'm so sorry; I didn't realize it'd been that long. Still, here's a little flash forward, a glimpse into Rose and John's life together as a married couple. (Because, of course, they got married!) Anyway, here it is. Hope you enjoy it :)
Rose gripped her parents' hands as she cried out in pain. Jackie continuously encouraged her, wincing sympathetically every time Rose squeezed her hand. She had been through the same thing herself, giving birth to first Rose and then Tony. She understood what her daughter was going through. Pete, on the other hand, was simply sitting there, brushing back Rose's sweat soaked hair and offering whatever fatherly support he could.
John was crouched at the end of the bed, delivering their child. His stubborn wife had refused to have anyone else but her husband deliver the baby, saying he was the one she trusted. "Just a bit more, Rose. That's it. . .The cervix is fully dilated, so we should be nearly- Oh, oh! I see the head! Almost the-"
"Oh, will you stop with the bloody commentary!" Rose shouted in aggravation. The entire lower half of her body was being torn apart; she didn't need the play by play while she was actually living it.
"Right, right. Sorry." He shook his head wryly, not taking it too personally. He'd seen enough deliveries to know that the misdirected rage was normal while giving birth. Knowing it was time for the final push, the Doctor Noble looked up at his wife. "Well, Mrs. Noble, if you'll permit me to speak ag-"
Wild brown eyes appeared above her knees, glaring at him harshly. "If ya got something to say, just say it already," she shouted, frustrated.
"Last push, Rose. Three, two, one, now!" He couldn't help but cringe as Rose screamed into the final contraction. He wasn't just a doctor, he was her husband. Still, it was hard not to smile as the baby came out. "Oh. . Hello, love." Covered in blood and amniotic fluid, she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen-right next to the exhausted, sweaty, red faced woman lying in the bed before him. John let the nurse take the girl away and he pulled off his gloves, taking Pete's place next to Rose.
Rose's hand immediately grabbed a fistful of his scrubs shirt. "Sorry. . 'bout what I said. 'M sorry," she panted.
"Nah. Typically, most mothers become rather aggressive during delivery, so I didn't take it too personally," he replied jovially.
She chuckled tiredly, eyes shutting. "What- What is it? Boy, girl?" Of course, Rose didn't much care either way, but after nine months, she wanted to know about the little person she'd been carrying. Rose and John had agreed to wait to find out the sex until the baby was born.
"It's a girl," John said gleefully. The nurse came back with a cleaned up bundle of pink, placing her in his arms. "Oh, a beautiful, amazing baby girl. Just look at her, Rose." He leaned against the bed, showing Rose their baby.
Weary eyes opened and immediately filled with tears. "Hello. John, she's- she's-" There wasn't even a word to describe her.
"She's perfect," John said proudly. "Dontcha think so, Jacks?" He looked over to his mother-in-law who was simply beaming.
"She'll do, alright," Jackie cooed softly. "Yeah. She'll do just fine."
Pete leaned over on John's right side, looking at his granddaughter. "Well, would ya just look at that hair. You ever seen hair so red?" he asked lovingly.
"Oh, hush, Pete. She's beautiful. Never mind the color of her hair. But my, it is red. So, whatcha think? You lot picked out a name yet?" She knew they had been playing with a few names, but hadn't heard either of them say what they'd decided on.
As soon as Pete commented on the color of her hair, Rose and John simultaneously had the same name come to mind. A name that had brought them together; a name that came with hair like fire to match the personality. They grinned, knowing the other had the same idea.
"Donna."
Reviews are always appreciated!