Surprises
Chapter 13-7 months later
Mike smiled as he finished the crib. They had gone with gender neutral everything but Mike was still convinced that Maddie was carrying a baby girl. He would be happy regardless. The baby's room was close between his and Maddie's room and across from Oliver's. Just then, Oliver came in and smiled at Mike.
"Daddy, why can't the baby sleep in a normal bed?" Oliver asked.
"Well, when the baby is a couple months old, he or she will be able to roll. We don't want the baby to roll off the bed and hurt themselves, right?" Mike asked.
"Right. I rolled off my bed once. It hurt." Oliver said.
"Yeah, it happens. So, the crib is to protect the baby." Mike explained.
"It looks like a cage, like at the zoo." Oliver remarked. Mike looked at the crib and could see the similarities.
"Its just to keep the baby safe, I promise." Mike said. He gave Oliver his hand and led him into the living room, where Maddie was resting. She was now heavily pregnant and was exhausted due to the heat.
"Mommy, Daddy wants to put the baby in a cage to keep it safe." Oliver said.
"Crib, son, crib." Mike clarified.
"It looks like what they keep animals in at the zoo." Oliver remarked.
"Mike…I think we need to go to the hospital. My back has hurt since this morning but now the pressure is in the front and it keeps letting up and then tightening again." Maddie said. Mike took in her pale face and nodded.
"Will you be okay while I take Oliver to Kara?" Mike asked.
"Yeah." Maddie said.
"Okay, I'll hurry back." Mike said. He texted Kara while Oliver kissed his mom goodbye. He quickly deposited the little boy with promises that he could visit in the hospital before going back to his own house to find Maddie had changed clothes and had moved her hospital bag to the front door. Being an experienced father, he also changed into a pair of wind pants and a t-shirt.
Maddie was handling the contractions like a champ but Mike could tell she was in pain. Just as they got to the hospital, her water broke and she was admitted.
In no time; she was in hard labor and Mike did his best to wash her face, hold her hand and encourage her. Finally, she was crowning. Mike got behind her on the bed and let her lean against him.
"C'mon, you can do it." Mike encouraged.
"So, so tired." Maddie sobbed.
"Just one more push, Maddie!" The doctor encouraged. Just then another contraction hit and Maddie began pushing. A moment later, a baby's cry filled the room. "It's a girl and she is perfect." The doctor said. The pediatrician quickly evaluated the baby and she was put on Maddie's chest.
"She's perfect." Mike said. He kissed the back of Maddie's head but decided to keep quiet otherwise, just savoring the moment.
"Would you like to cut the umbilical cord? The doctor asked. Mike took the offered pair of scissors and did what he was told. It gave him a better view of Maddie holding the baby.
While the nurse and pediatrician checked the baby over, the doctor finished with Maddie and they were settled into a regular hospital bed. The baby was now swaddled with a tiny pink stocking cap on. She was the picture of health and Mike didn't even bother looking away as Maddie nursed the baby for the first time.
"We need a name." Mike remarked.
"I still like Gianna Elizabeth." Maddie said. It had been Oliver's choice but Maddie had always been partial to it too.
"Gia for short?" Mike asked.
"Yeah." Maddie answered.
"I'm open to anything." Mike answered. He kissed Maddie's forehead and smiled down at the baby.
"She's done eating. Do you want to hold her? You haven't gotten to yet." Maddie asked.
"I would love to but I am a firm believer that a baby needs its first little bit with its mommy." Mike answered.
"Its your turn. Come here?" Maddie said. Mike sat down next to her on the bed and was handed the baby girl who opened her eyes for a moment and then shut them.
"She looks like her mommy." Mike remarked. Funny thing was, he remembered feeling the same emotions when he held Hannah and Katie the first time. Gia was as much his baby girl as Hannah and Katie were.
"She reminds you a bit of Hannah and Katie, huh?" Maddie asked.
"A bit. The emotions, I suppose." Mike admitted. Maddie reached over and brushed a tear off his cheek.
"Just let yourself feel them all. Gia is small enough to not be worried by tears." Maddie said. She kissed his cheek and they both leaned against the pillows. Gia was cuddled into his chest and was asleep and pretty soon, Maddie fell asleep next to him. While he watched Gia sleep, he remembered Katie and Hannah when they were only a few hours old.