Hey everyone! *nervous wave* Sorry for the delay. Life has been hectic. Also, this was a difficult chapter to write. I rewrote it like four times before I decided which one I liked and it's still not perfect but whatever. Probably not even 90% accurate to how things would happen in a delivery room, but I'm tired of working on this chapter, so please don't critique too harshly.

The next chapter is at least 85% done. After that, who knows what will happen. I'm not sure how to end this story and don't want to stretch it out too much longer, it's already my longest story.

Anyways, Enjoy!

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Chapter 26

*Same day, a few hours later, hospital*

Sharon leaned against the wall in the hallway as another contraction subsided. "Lassie, if I give you a million dollars, will you shoot me in the foot? Maybe that will distract me from the contractions."

"No." Carlton shook his head. "You don't even have a million dollars."

"That's what you think."

"Monopoly money doesn't count."

"Damn, too bad." Sharon mumbled.

He checked his watch. "Are you ready to keep walking?"

"I'm thinking about it. Any chance you'll carry me?"

"I'm not going to carry you. We are barely two rooms away. Either you keep walking, or I'll flag down a nurse to bring a wheelchair."

"Okay okay." She took a deep breath as she grabbed her IV stand and started shuffling down the hall. "I thought walking was supposed to help with the contractions? I think it's making them last longer."

"You were the one who was restless and wanted to walk."

"You should know better than to listen to me. Besides, how was I supposed to know that it takes a long time for the contractions to do their work. If they weren't so intense, I could get a nap or two in." As they entered her hospital room, she asked, "When did the doc say I can get the epidural?"

"Not until you're almost fully dilated. They don't want to risk the epidural slowing things down and making you wait longer."

"But at least then I will be in less pain. Can I put in a request for some laughing gas?"

Nurse Susie entered as Sharon sat on the bed. "Hey Sharon, how's it going?"

"I think the pain meds are wearing off. Can I get a sedative or something to help me sleep."

Susie smiled as she helped Sharon lay down and hooked Sharon back up to the monitors. "The doctor should be in soon to check your progress."

Sharon groaned, "Lassie, remind me to leave a negative Yelp review about how slow the service is here. One star."

Carlton rolled his eyes as he took out his phone. "Only if you remind me not to hang out with you the next time you're in labor."

"Trust me, this is never happening again." Sharon rolled onto her side.

"Should I get that in writing?"

"Naw, I'll just make sure you never have sexy times with me ever again."

"Or you can use birth control like a responsible adult."

"It takes two to tango, Lassie-bear. How about you get yourself snipped?"

"Why don't you?"

"I just might." Sharon huffed as the nurse laughed.

Carlton shook his head, "This is not a conversation I ever want to be having; especially not while I'm trying to text your father."

"Is my mom here yet?"

"No, but she did just board a plane. She should be here in a few hours."

"Good."

The door opened and two doctors entered. "Hello Sharon." Doctor Jen greeted.

"Doc Jen!" Sharon smiled. "Can you override the staff here and give me an epidural?"

Jen laughed, "No, unfortunately I don't have the authority for that. I'm mostly just here as an observer and to offer advice."

"Then can you strongly advise them that I need an epidural A-SAP?! Or at least knock me out and do a c-section? I don't think I can stand another few hours of labor pains."

The other doctor, Doctor Marilyn, stepped forward after conferring with the nurse. "Sharon, I would like to see how far you are dilated now. Is that okay?"

"If it means we can finally get this show on the road, then yes, please!" Sharon slowly rolled over onto her back.

As the doctors and nurse got everything in place, Carlton stepped closer and held Sharon's hand. "Hey, you're doing great."

Sharon snorted, "I'm not really doing much, except complaining every other minute."

"I've heard that labor pains are some of the worst pains imaginable; even worse than a bullet to the stomach."

"Not helping, Lassie." She flinched as she felt the doctor's hands on her.

Doctor Marilyn smiled at Sharon. "I'm about to check now, so just remember to breathe."

Sharon nodded as she closed her eyes and squeezed Carlton's hand.

"Okay, looks like you're about 7cm." Marilyn stood up and took off her gloves. "So I'm going to ask the anesthesiologist to come in for the epidural. Then it shouldn't be more than another hour or two before you're pushing your baby out. How does that sound?"

"Two hours seem very far away, but I'm really looking forward to that epidural."

"She's been asking since the ambulance picked us up." Carlton commented.

Jen smiled, "I can only imagine."

"She's almost as bad as a broken record."

"Hey! Leave the poor pregnant lady alone!" Sharon scolded before moaning. "Crap, here's another one."

"You're doing wonderfully, Sharon!" Jen said as she checked the monitors.

Sharon just whined as she tried to muffle her screams.

After a minute, Carlton shook his head. "I'm surprised that she hasn't lost her voice yet with all the screaming."

"That usually happens near the end of labor, depending on how long it lasts." Doctor Marilyn said. "We advise patients to rest their voice as much as possible during the few days after giving birth."

With a groan, Sharon collapsed back into the mattress. "I'm ready for my shot, Docs."

Marilyn smiled, "I had Nurse Susie page the anesthesiologist. Luckily, they don't have many patients at the moment, so they should be here within 10 minutes."

"About damn time." Sharon mumbled as she closed her eyes. "I'ma just take a quick nap while we wait."

"Sounds good. I'll be back in a half hour to check on you." Doctor Marilyn smiled.

"Thanks, doctor." Carton nodded as he checked his phone again.

"My pleasure."

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*90 minutes later*

"GAAAAHHHHH!" Sharon screamed as she pushed during a contraction.

"Keep going!" Doctor Marilyn encouraged.

"AHHH!" Sharon squeezed her eyes shut until the contraction finally subsided.

"Good, now take a break before the next contraction." The doctor said before turning to the nurses.

"Lassie!" Sharon sobbed as she leaned back onto the bed. "I can't do this."

"Yes, you can." Carlton grabbed a cloth and dabbed her sweaty forehead. "We're almost there."

"We?! I don't see you doing any of the work!"

"I can always go sit outside with your family if you would prefer."

"No! Don't leave me!" She took hold of his hand again and squeezed it tight.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Okay, Sharon." Doctor Marilyn interrupted. "The baby is in position. It should only take a few more contractions to get them out. Are you ready to meet your new baby?"

"I've been ready since last night!" Sharon whined the last word as another contraction started. "LASSIE!"

"I know," Carlton soothed as he wiped her forehead. "Just breathe through it."

"And push!" The doctor added.

"GAHH! LASSIE, I HATE YOU!"

"No, you don't. Come on, you're almost there."

"SUCK IT, CARLTON!"

"Keep pushing." The doctor encouraged her. "The head is crowning."

"GAAHHHH!" Sharon screamed before collapsing back onto the bed. "Is it over yet?"

"Not quite." The doctor smiled. "Why don't you relax for a few minutes before the next part."

Sharon laughed shakily, "I don't think *gasp* I can really relax right now."

"Just focus on your breathing. You're almost there."

"I don't *gasp* think I have the energy to keep *gasp* keep going."

"If needed, we can give you a shot of adrenaline, but it will be a while before it leaves your system."

"No thanks, doc. Next time, *gasp* scheduled me for a C-section."

Carlton shook his head, "I thought you said that there wasn't going to be a next time?"

"True. But accidents happen." Sharon whimpered. "Come on, baby, hurry up."

"Sharon," The doctor began. "This is probably the most painful one, but I need you to push as hard as you can for as long as you can so we can get your baby's head out."

Sharon just nodded as she squeezed Carlton's hand.

"And…push!"

"Gaaa-AAAAHHHHHH!"

"Keep going!"

"Keep breathing." Doc Jen added.

Sharon closed her eyes as she kept screaming.

"Alright! The head is out! Nurse! Sharon, just relax. Just one more big push should do it."

"Okay." Sharon huffed as she took deep breaths. "I'm sorry, Lassie. *Gasp* I didn't mean it. It just hurts, *gasp* hurts so much and I'm so damn tired."

"I know. You're almost done, okay? Then you can take a nap."

"You must be *gasp* tired too. It's what, 4am?"

"Yeah, but I'm used to staying up all night for cases. I just need some coffee and I'll be fine for a few more hours."

"Mmm, don't talk to me about coffee. I've missed it so much." Sharon groaned as the next contractions started. "You owe me a coffee date."

"I'll put it on my calendar." Carlton smiled.

"Alright," The doctor said as she checked the monitor. "Here we go. We need to get the shoulders out. Just one or two big pushes and then your baby will be here."

"GAAHHHH! DAMN IT ALLLL!" Sharon screamed through the contraction.

"And here she is! Your beautiful baby girl!" The doctor held up the baby for Sharon to see.

Sharon frowned as she analyzed the baby. "Why …. isn't she crying?" She panted

"Some babies need a little bit of help, especially if an epidural was used or they're premature. Nurse?"

A nurse gently wrapped the baby in a blanket and gave her to Sharon. Sharon held her tightly and whispered, "Lassie, she's here."

"Yeah."

"She's so small."

"She'll get bigger."

The nurse cleared her throat. "Dad, do you want to cut the cord?"

"I, ah…. Sure." Carlton stuttered as he reached for the scissors.

"Right between the clamps." The nurse pointed out and smiled as Carlton followed directions. "Good job. You'd be surprised how many first time parents cut in the wrong spot."

"She's still… not crying." Sharon said as she tried catching her breath.

Doc Jen looked the baby over. "Sometimes they just need to be cleaned up first. Nurse?"

The nurse stepped forward. "I'm just going to borrow your little one for a few minutes as we clean her up and check her over. We'll be right over there."

"Okay," Sharon whispered as she let the baby go. "Lassie? Can you go over there with them?"

"I think we should give them some space."

Sharon bit her lip and grabbed Carlton's hand. After a minute, they both visibly relaxed when they heard the baby cry. "About damn time," Sharon choked out as a few tears escaped.

"Hey, you did good." Carlton reassured her as they watched the doctor pick up the baby and come back over to them.

"Here you go, mama." Doctor Marilyn smiled as she handed over the baby. "Your beautiful, healthy baby girl. Be careful of some of the monitoring chords."

Sharon laughed as she held her baby across her chest. "I'm glad she's a baby girl and not an adult woman, because that would have hurt even more to push her out."

"Really?" Carlton rolled his eyes. "Can't you take anything seriously?!"

"Of course not, Lassie." Sharon smiled as she touched various parts of the baby. "Look at this cute little nose and these cute little fingers! She's so tiny! And her cute little ears!"

"She is a month early." The Doctor smiled as she wrote on the clipboard.

"But I wasn't expecting her to be this small! Lassie, we might have to get her a bubble to keep her safe."

"Not happening." He leaned closer and ran a hand over the baby's head. "I wasn't expecting so much hair."

"Lassie! She's not a puppy, you don't have to pet her!" Sharon laughed as she brushed the baby's hair back.

Doc Jen held up a Polaroid camera. "Do you mind if I take a few pictures?"

"I guess, although I'm not looking my best." Sharon shrugged.

"You look perfect for just having a baby. Carlton, you get in there too."

"Yes ma'am." Carlton cleared his throat as he bent down slightly so he was closer to Sharon.

"First we'll get one of you looking at the camera, and then one looking at your baby."

"I didn't realize we were doing a whole photo shoot." Sharon joked as she held the baby closer.

"Nah, that happens when you bring your baby home." She snapped the first photo and handed it to a nurse. "Okay, next one."

As she snapped the second photo, a beeping sound started. Sharon frowned, "What's that?!"

"Just the monitor." The doctor said as she motioned to the nurse. "Your baby's lungs aren't quite ready to work on their own yet, so we need to hook her up to some oxygen."

The nurse came forward and placed an oxygen mask on the baby. "You can keep holding her for a little while longer."

The doctor asked, "Do you have a name picked out?"

"Izzy!" Sharon smiled.

"Isabella." Carlton corrected.

"Right, officially: Isabella." Sharon agreed. "Isabella Marie Lassiter."

"Lassiter?" Carlton frowned. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, yes I am. She needs at least one parent she can be proud of."

"Hey, you are a good person and you'll be a great…parent."

"Hmm, agree to disagree."

"Sharon," Doc Jen interrupted. "You don't have to decide on a name right now. You have until your baby is released before you have to make it official."

"Thanks, Doc Jen, but I'm pretty certain about this. Besides, she can always change her name when she's older if she wants." Sharon smiled. "Whatever our little princess wants, she'll get."