Several attendees rush to Laura's side, helping her from the podium to a chair by her table. Principal Lindstrom calls for an ambulance, relaying questions from the dispatcher.
"How far apart are your contractions?"
"I'm not sure I'm having any. I felt one pain and that's it."
"Is there any blood?"
"I don't know, can you see any?"
"Do you feel nauseous, or do you have a fever?"
"No."
"Are you sure it's not urine?" Principal Lindstrom asks in a whisper.
"Don't think so. A little comes out every time I move."
"We're supposed to have her lie down somewhere," she informs the people attending to Laura.
"There are some sofas outside this conference room, in the side hallway," a woman says. "Can you walk?"
"I think so. But I might leave a wet trail. I need my phone to call my husband. In my bag," she motions beneath the table. "Please, Principal Lindstrom, will you finish my talk?"
"Once I know you're on your way to the hospital. They said the ambulance should arrive any minute. Is there anyone else I can contact?"
"No, I can make the calls."
Bill sits behind his desk with a pensive look on his face. It's not every day an admiral from Picon drops by unannounced, and not only is his visit unexpected, his reason for being here floors Bill. Saul hadn't warned him which tells him he didn't know about it, either. They've been alone in his office for the past thirty minutes having a private conversation while Saul paces outside, wondering why he's being left out of something so important that involves the cylons. Unless it doesn't involve the cylons, but the only other thing he can think of is that they must have pissed off someone higher up and the admiral is telling Bill to run a tighter ship and maybe even get rid of a few people.
His phone keeps ringing, and he reaches inside his pocket to silence the call each time, not bothering to look at it. After the third call, his phone alerts him to a text. "For frak's sake, what is the damn emergency?" he grumbles, pulling the phone from his pocket.
"I'm trying to reach Bill. It's an emergency,"the text reads.
He immediately calls Laura. "What's happening?"
"I've been trying to call Bill but he's not answering."
"He's in a private meeting with an admiral."
"My water broke. I'm on my way to the hospital."
"Hold on."
His knock at the door is ignored. He knocks a second time even louder, then steps inside. "Sorry to interrupt. Major Adama, your wife is on her way to the hospital. Your baby will be here soon."
"Excuse me, Admiral Emery, I need to go," Bill replies, jumping up from his chair.
"Don't let me keep you, Bill. Congratulations to you and your wife! Give me a call in a week or so."
Saul salutes the admiral, which reminds Bill to do the same, his mind not thinking of military protocol. "Yes, sir," he says snapping off a quick salute, his best friend trying to hide his smirk.
"Laura, I'm going to have Bill call you back. I'm hanging up now," Saul says, jingling some keys in front of his best friend indicating he will drive.
Bill stands motionless, staring at him.
"What's wrong?" Saul asks.
"We don't have the bag."
"What bag?"
"Laura's baby bag for the hospital."
"Where is it?"
"The loft."
"Well, I'm not taking you there. I'll get you to the hospital, then I'll go to your place and get it. Bill, we need to go. Call Laura, follow me to my car, and I'll drive you there, but move, NOW!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Relax, I report to you, not the other way around. Unless the admiral is promoting me over you," he jokes.
"Hmpf, hardly."
On the way to the car, Bill speaks with Laura and assures her he will be at the hospital shortly. She asks him to call their families because once they load her in the ambulance, they won't let her use her phone.
"I'll call them. I love you. I'll be there soon."
His first call is to Dave, who's delighted at the news and promises to let Sandra know. Since it will slow him down to pick up Cheryl, Saul decides to ask Ellen to go to her school. Back when they were trying so hard to get pregnant, they had shopped for baby items including a car seat and Ellen still insists on having it in her car hoping that someday it will be occupied by a child of their own.
While Dave is waiting for Sandra to come to his office from the library, he places a call to Jen.
"I'm surprised to hear from you, Busboy. Are we having dinner with the dean soon?" she says, answering his call.
"Yes, he still wants to have us over, but that's not why I'm calling. Laurie's on her way to the hospital. Her water broke, so the baby should be here soon."
"Ohhhh, have you told Joe and Evelyn?"
"Bill's taking care of that. Will I see you at the hospital?"
"I wouldn't miss this for anything. Dave, thank you for thinking of me."
"Of course. You're part of our family, Jen."
"I'll see you soon."
By the time the entire family arrives at the hospital, Saul and Ellen have gone to the loft to retrieve Laura's hospital bag, and Bill is gowned up in a birthing room with Laura. There's nothing to report yet as she's in the early stages of contractions. The doctor lets her labor for a few hours, monitoring the baby closely.
Since the baby is stable, she lets her labor continue, although it is sluggish. By the time Laura's into her fourth hour, her cervix is only dilated half-way, and there has been a change in the baby's heart rate. After discussing the options with Laura and Bill, they decide to induce to encourage labor and try to deliver the baby naturally, but if at any time the doctor feels mom or the baby are in jeopardy, she will do a c-section. They give permission for the nurse to relay the news to the family.
"But she's going to be okay, right?" Sandra asks her father.
"She should be. Lots of women have c-sections, and the doctor is keeping a close eye on both Laurie and the baby, so we just need to wait and see."
"What's a c-section?" Cheryl asks.
Dave explains how an incision is made in the lower abdomen and the baby removed, which concerns Cheryl. "What if they cut into the baby?"
"They're very careful, that won't happen," he assures her.
"It hurts my tummy to think about it."
"It hurts mine, too. You ladies have all the respect in the world from me because of what you go through to have children. I don't think I could ever do it, and the fact your mother did it three times always amazed me. Being here in this maternity ward brings back a lot of memories."
"I'm hungry. When do we eat?" Cheryl asks, not wanting to hear the story of each of their births again.
"You go from your tummy hurting to hungry in ten seconds?" Sandra asks, looking at her in disbelief.
"Yes," Cheryl replies, not understanding why it's such a leap from one to the other.
Dave opens his wallet and gives Sandra some money, then points the way to the cafeteria. "I'll text you if anything changes."
After they leave, Jen excuses herself from her conversation with Joe and Evelyn, slipping into the chair next to Dave. "How are you?"
"I'm good."
"I saw that look in your eye when you talked about the memories this place brings back. Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine, thank you, Jen," he replies reaching for her hand, then pulling back. "It occurred to me the last time I was here was when Cheryl was born, and it wasn't that long ago. So much has changed."
She nods her head in understanding. In many ways Dave is no different than other men she has known, not really stating what's on his mind but hinting around it. She wraps her hands around his. "Some of those changes are good changes. Soon you'll be holding your little granddaughter, and that miracle of life will melt your heart. Something tells me there will be more grandchildren in your future," she smiles warmly at him, and he returns the gesture. "You're a wonderful man, an outstanding father, and you'll be an amazing grandfather, Dave Roslin."
"You have a knack for knowing what I need to hear," he replies, relaxing to her touch.
"It's not me, hun, it's the therapy. It's been doing wonders for me, don't ya' think?" she asks with a big grin.
"You deserve the credit. You have a good heart, Jen. This is all you, of that I'm certain."
As they continue to chat, occasionally laughing at each other, Evelyn looks over from her magazine to Joe, who has his nose in his phone. She bumps his knee with hers, then nods toward Dave and JJ.
"When do you suppose that happened?" she whispers as he watches them with a pleasant smile on his face.
"I don't know that anything has happened yet, but maybe it will," is his reply, glancing at Evelyn and finding her enthralled with the possibility of Dave and JJ together.
"You seeing anyone right now?" Evelyn asks.
"Nah," he shakes his head.
"Neither am I. Joe, it's been a while…and I miss you. If you'd like to come over later, that would be nice."
With a slow nod of his head, he considers her offer. "I've missed you, too, Evelyn. Are you asking me to stay the night?"
"Yes," she replies cupping his cheek, staring into his blue eyes.
"Squeeze my hand, Laura," Bill says as another contraction hits her body.
"Ahhhhhhhh," she cries out, digging her nails into his palm. She barely catches her breath before another contraction comes.
"You're doing great, you're so strong, honey."
"It…hurts," she gasps.
"Is there something you can give her to help with the pain?" Bill asks the doctor.
"She signed forms saying she doesn't want an epidural. Unless she tells me otherwise, I cannot administer one."
"Laura, this can be easier. Do you want-"
"NO!" she screams at him before the next contraction hits.
"Then breathe with me," he commands, mimicking the breathing rhythm they learned in their birthing class.
"Frakking breathing exercise…frakking joke," she groans as another contraction seizes her body.
"Hey, look at me," he says with his face close to hers. "Look in my eyes, Laura."
Her body goes limp after the contraction and the warmth she sees in his eyes causes her to relax slightly. "This is our baby. Our baby, Bill. She's almost here."
To her surprise, the next contraction isn't as strong. "That wasn't as bad."
The nurse checks her and determines it's time to push. "Ready to meet your daughter?"
"Oh, yes," she breathes, as Bill mops her forehead with a damp cloth. "You ready?" she asks him.
A gentle kiss is placed to her lips, his eyes conveying love, admiration, and a new type of respect for her. "You're amazing," he whispers while gripping her hand, offering her his strength.
When the next contraction comes, the doctor orders her to push. "Ah, I'm so tired," she says, collapsing back on the bed after the contraction subsides.
"You're doing great, Laura," the doctor commends her. "Probably just a few more pushes."
"You can do this, sweetie. I love you so much. Think about our beautiful girl, you can do this."
Her eyes never leave his face the next time she pushes, grunting with her teeth clenched, hoping the baby is almost out.
"Not quite, but we can see her head," the doctor informs her.
"Oh, Gods," she pants, hoping that she was almost done.
"Let's try another," the doctor says. She scrunches her eyes and grits her teeth, pushing with everything she has left, which isn't much.
"So close, Laura," says the doctor. "We're going to need to make an incision to avoid tearing. You probably won't feel a thing."
At this point she doesn't care, doesn't feel it, and only wants to rest.
"One more and I think we'll have her. Make it a good one, Laura," the doctor encourages.
Bill places his cheek next to hers, whispering in her ear, "You've got this. One more big push."
She times a deep breath right before the contraction hits, pushing with all her might, letting out a scream that can be heard all the way down to the waiting room.
"Is that Laurie?" Cheryl asks, her eyes wide with concern.
"I think so, and don't worry, it's part of the process," her father says giving her a hug.
Moments later, they hear the cry of the baby.
"That's Peanut!" Cheryl happily exclaims.
Evelyn and JJ cling to each other, wiping away tears of joy at the sound of the first Adama grandchild.
"Congratulations, you have a healthy baby girl," the doctor states, handing the swaddled infant to Laura.
"Are you sure? You said there was a risk of infection since her water broke before labor," Bill reminds her.
"She has no fever, but we will have your pediatrician stop by soon for a more thorough examination. Are you breastfeeding?"
"Yes," Laura says, still gazing at her daughter, taking in the bright red shock of curls on her head, the tiniest button nose she has ever seen, and plump little cherry-red lips.
"Would you like me to send in a lactation consultant? They recommend you attempt to feed her within the first hour."
"I'd like to try right away," she replies, drawing her index finger around her baby's features.
"Do you want me to inform your family about her vitals and tell them they can visit after the pediatrician does the examination?"
"Hmmm, yes," she replies, almost in a dreamlike trance. "Bill, look at her. She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
"I can't take my eyes off her," he says, placing a gentle kiss to the top of his daughter's head. "She has your hair and lips."
"And your nose."
"Gods help us," he laughs.
"Look! She stuck her tongue out at you."
"Because she just found out she has her daddy's nose."
"I think she's waking up," Laura says, feeling the infant wiggle in her swaddling, then watching her yawn. "I know how you feel, precious. It's been a big day, hasn't it?"
"Knock, knock," a voice calls from outside the room. "With your permission, I'd like to take your baby and do a few quick tests," the pediatrician says stepping inside the birthing suite. "While I'm gone, the nurse will clean you up and transfer you to a bigger bed, remove this one, and bring in a comfortable nursing chair. Bill, this is a good time for you to speak with your family. We'll have your daughter back in about 15 to 20 minutes along with a birth certificate for both of you to sign. Have you chosen a name?"
They reluctantly let go of their bundle of joy and after a loving kiss, Bill leaves Laura with the nurse while he goes to speak with his family. Cheryl is the first to notice him as he steps around the corner beaming from ear to ear.
"When can we see her? When can we see her?" she bounces up and down.
"Soon. They're doing some routine tests right now and getting Laura settled in her room. They suggest we wait until the lactation consultant leaves – fewer distractions that way. Then you can visit, three at a time."
"Can I go first?" Cheryl asks.
"Sweetie, let's have the grandparents go first, then you can go with me and Sandra in the second group," JJ says. "As long as that's okay with everyone."
"Oh, alright," Cheryl replies somewhat disgruntled. "What's her name?"
"We named her Peanut," Bill teases.
"Nuh-uh!"
"Her name is Emilee Elizabeth Adama, and she has curly red hair, pretty red lips, and, unfortunately, the Adama family nose."
"Oh, no," Joe laughs with Evelyn clinging to him, bringing a smirk from JJ.
"If you all would like to get something to eat, by the time you get back, the lactation consultant will probably be done."
After Bill excuses himself, Sandra puts her arms around her father. "Daddy, Emilee Elizabeth. Momma would be so happy they used her name."
The pediatrician presents a glowing report to Bill and Laura, along with an official birth certificate for them to sign, and a keepsake version with Emilee's tiny footprints. The lactation consultant stops in once the pediatrician leaves, and after some maneuvering to find the most comfortable position for both Laura and baby, Emilee Elizabeth latches onto her mother, nursing for several minutes until she falls asleep.
The consultant shows Laura how to remove her from her breast so she doesn't wake her, then helps Bill place her in the crib, which they elect to have in the room since he is staying the night with Laura.
"Let your husband bring her to you until you've been up and around. You may feel like you can walk, but you'll be surprised how woozy you are the first few times. And if you need a nurse, don't hesitate to use the call button," she advises before she leaves.
Evelyn, Joe, and Dave are the first to visit, wishing their granddaughter a happy birthday, each giving Laura and Bill hugs and kisses. Evelyn holds Emilee marveling at how small a newborn is, having forgotten since it was over 29 years ago that Bill was that small.
Emilee rests quietly when it's Joe's turn to hold her, his large hands gently cradling her against his chest. She begins to stir when she's handed to Dave, then breaks into little cries from all the attention.
"It's alright, Emilee," Dave says holding her in the crook of his arm, rocking her in a steady motion like a seasoned pro.
"Daddy's had a lot of practice," Laura quips, smiling at the ease her father has with soothing his granddaughter's cries.
"Seems like yesterday I was doing this with Cheryl."
The nurse stops by to check on them, suggesting that visitors only stay for around ten minutes so that Laura and Emilee aren't overwhelmed. Taking the hint, the three grandparents say their goodbyes and walk back to the waiting area.
"You're a natural with her, Dr. Roslin," the nurse smiles as he passes the nurses' station.
"Thank you," he replies as he glances at her name tag. "Amy. You know who I am?"
"I've read your book. I'm kind of a history buff when I'm not busy being a nurse."
JJ picks Cheryl up so she can gaze into the crib at her sleeping niece.
"She looks like a little doll," Cheryl observes, amazed at how small she is.
"She's prettier than any doll I've ever seen," Sandra remarks. "Oh, sis, I'm so happy for you," she leans down giving Laura a hug. "Free babysitting whenever you want. I'm totally in love with her."
"I'm gonna hold you to that," Laura warns her.
"Oh, Bill, look! She has your eyes, too," JJ coos. "And I don't think that's the Adama nose. That's a combination Adama-Roslin nose."
"I hope you're right," he mutters.
The nurse returns when their ten minutes are up. She recommends that Laura try walking a little bit before turning in for the night.
As the family gathers in the waiting area again, they share photos on their phones of the pictures they snapped while visiting their newest family member. JJ is the first to leave, Dave insisting on walking her to her car in the parking garage since it's after dark.
"Any thoughts?" she asks standing next to her vehicle.
He shrugs his shoulders as he tries to find the words to express what he's feeling. "Pure happiness. Not just for me, for Laurie and Bill, all of us really. Now I get to be a grandfather, and that kind of makes me feel old, to be honest."
"Oh," she sympathizes. "You're not old. Cheryl's keeping you young."
"I suppose she is."
"Speaking of that little genius, she asked me what a lactation consultant was while you were in Laura's room, so I explained that to her. She was surprised that babies feed just like kittens, so I gave her a brief overview of that, too. I hope that's okay."
"I'm more than happy that you handled that," he laughs.
"You might not be very happy with me with this next part, though. While we were visiting Laura, the nurse came in and wanted to check her episiotomy stitches. Cheryl wanted to know what exactly an episiotomy was, so I told her you would explain it to her."
"Great, thank you so much for passing the buck, Jen," he replies, pretending to be angry.
"You're welcome, Dave," she answers, softly touching his arm. "Maybe she'll forget about it by the time you get home?" she asks, hoping that Cheryl will behave like a normal child and drop the subject.
"Probably not. She'll keep asking until I explain in detail."
"Well, I better be going. Dave, I…," she begins, then lets out a tender sigh. After a long pause, she says, "Come here," pulling him into a hug. "A lot happened today. If you need someone to talk to, you know where to find me," she mumbles into his shoulder.
He tightens his grip on her, holding her longer than friends normally should embrace, taking in the sensation of her lithe frame pressed against him, and the floral scent of her perfume. Her silky hair falls against his cheek as he slowly exhales. "Thank you, Jen."
She finally pulls back from him to look into his eyes, neither one of them speaking for several seconds. Something different is reflected in his gaze - an open desire that isn't lustful, a warm familiarity, a safe place inviting her in. There's no uncertainty in his eyes, nor is there deception. The raw honesty in his expression touches her heart and she wonders how much longer she can fight the urge to become more than friends.
"I have to go now," she announces like she's trying to convince herself of this prudent action.
Nodding his head, he takes a small step back. She climbs into her car and drives away, glancing in the rearview mirror to see him rooted in place until she disappears around the corner.
The Roslin family returns home shortly after 9 pm, Dave insisting that Cheryl get ready for bed, promising he will discuss all things episiotomy tomorrow after school. After tucking her in, he leaves Sandra in the living room to study while he works in his upstairs office until 10 pm.
Sandra is still up when he comes down the steps, slipping into his jacket. "Are you leaving?" she asks, astonished he would step out at this hour.
"Just for a little while. Cheryl's sound asleep. Don't wait up for me." He quickly grabs his keys and exits the kitchen into the garage, driving away into the night.
"Hope you have some tissues," she snorts as she sketches another scene for her children's book.
The front entry is dimly lit as he lightly knocks on the door.
"Dave, you got here fast. Come in."
After he steps inside, he slips his jacket off, hanging it on a hook next to the front door.
"Can I get you anything to drink?"
"No, I don't need anything."
A playful smile adorns her face as she steps toward him, rubbing her hands up his chest while she stares into his eyes, then drops her gaze to his lips. A soft lingering kiss follows, then deepens into something more. He tugs at the sash on her satin robe, letting it fall open, then pushing it off her shoulders where it falls into a heap at her feet.
An hour later he's flat on his back on the sofa covered in sweat, fumbling around for his clothing on the floor of her living room.
"You don't have to leave so soon," she says, letting her fingers glide up his leg.
"The girls are home alone, otherwise I'd stay," he explains.
"Okay," she replies looking away.
"That's the truth. I would stay if I could." He drops his shirt on the coffee table so that he can cup her cheek in his hand, hoping she understands he's being sincere.
"Maybe another time?"
"I'll call you. Have a good night, Amy."