Chapter 20: A long Night
Author: zeusfluff.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Blue Bloods characters. They belong to CBS. But I do own a couple of originals. Date Started: 7/18/23. Date Finished: 7/19/23. Enjoy!
There it was again. Another contraction. It was early morning on September 16th, 2018. Eddie opened her eyes and breathed deeply, grabbing for Jamie's left bicep, gripping it tight. Her eyes locked with his as she saw him wince.
"Jamie… It's time…"
Wiping the sleep from his eyes he slowly sat up.
"Ok, can you stand?"
Eddie held her hands out and Jamie rounded the bed to get to her to help get to her feet. Frowning Eddie continued her conversation.
"Babe, you might want to get dressed. I don't think going out in your boxers would be appropriate."
Jamie looked down at himself and ran a hand over his face.
"Right. Sit tight. Let me get dressed."
Eddie shook her head and held onto Jamie's hand tight.
"Just let me keep your hand Jamie! Ow! Son of a bitch! That hurts!"
Jamie knelt down in front of Eddie and squeezed her hand.
"Keep breathing baby. In and out. In and out. I need my hand for like a minute so I can put a shirt and some pants on ok? I'm not even going to worry about socks. Ok?"
Eddie let Jamie take his hand away, and that hand that held on to his now lie under her belly.
"Hurry up!"
Jamie was now dressed. Nicky had stayed overnight to help Jamie and Eddie with things around the house. Nicky stood in the doorway to their room with a screaming Ellie in her arms.
"It's time?"
Jamie nodded and helped Eddie to her feet. She had slept in her clothes. She had wanted to be ready.
"Yeah. You don't mind staying with Ellie for a little while? Someone will come and take over in awhile. Eddie will be in labor for a while."
Ellie tried to reach out of Eddie, but she was still in so much pain she could barely answer.
"I'm ok baby. Mommy's ok…"
Jamie looked at Nicky.
"Just for tonight only, you can give her a bottle with warm milk. There's a fresh gallon of milk in the fridge."
Nicky nodded and watched them go out the door.
"Good luck Aunt Eddie. Uncle Jamie. Send me pictures."
Jamie helped Eddie out the door, her go bag over his shoulder as they slowly walked to the elevator. When they got to the car in the car garage, Eddie tripped over her left foot and she fell forward, almost catching herself on the hood of the Chevelle. Jamie caught her before her belly could connect with it.
"Easy babe. I've got you. Breathe. In and out. Good. Almost done. Coming down. Ok. All done for now. Let's get you into the car."
Helping Eddie into the car and putting her seat belt on for her, Jamie shut the passenger side door. Then went over to the other side and got into the car, starting the engine. The whole way to the hospital, Jamie kept looking over at Eddie who was in a semi-relaxed sleep and her eyes were closed. She was resting. It wasn't until Jamie helped her out of the car in the emergency entrance that another popped up.
"This is your fault! Ow!"
A nurse came out with a wheelchair and started asking Eddie a flurry of questions.
"How far apart are your contractions ma'am? Did your water break?"
Eddie grit her teeth and glared up at the nurse pushing the wheelchair.
"Do I look like I know!? Jamie!? Where are you going!? Don't leave me!?"
Jamie kissed Eddie's hand and then her forehead. Then placed one on her belly.
"I gotta park the car babe. I'll be right in. Go with the nurse. Breathe baby. Breathe."
Eddie was scared. They were quick to get her into a room on the maternity floor. She was getting anxious as a nurse was helping her into a gown and into bed. Another couple of nurses were organizing various instruments on three different trays, some of which made her nervous. Jamie entered the room just as a nurse inserted an iv into Eddie's hand. Her nervousness slightly disappeared, and now anger replaced it once again.
"What took you so long!"
Jamie stood next to the bed and grabbed for her hand, peppering kisses to her forehead.
"Babe I'm sorry. I had to park all the way up on the 12th floor."
Relaxing a bit, Eddie pulled him in and hugged him tight.
"What parking spot did you get?"
Smirking, Jamie whispered into her ear.
"Number 12."
Pulling away, Eddie gave a tired smile.
"I'd say that's lucky Reagan. What do you think?"
Jamie pressed his forehead against Eddie's.
"I'd say pretty lucky."
Doctor Swanson entered the room and gave Eddie a smile.
"How are we doing in here Eddie?"
Eddie sighed in relief.
"Am I glad to see you Doctor Swanson. Please tell me I'm close to having this baby?"
Doctor Swanson pulled on a pair of gloves and looked at Eddie.
"Ok Eddie, let's have you scoot down towards the bottom of the bed and put your feet up here. There you go. This is going to feel uncomfortable for a few minutes. I want you to take a deep breath in for me. There we go. That's it."
Jamie held Eddie's hand and saw her tense.
"Babe don't tense up. Relax. I'm right here. Just keep breathing."
Eddie winced and kept taking deep shaking breaths in and out. Jamie saw Doctor Swanson's head appear from behind the sheet. She smiled and fixed the sheet over Eddie's legs and helped her put them back down on the bed.
"Well, Eddie, your four centimeters dilated. I'll have the nurse put a catheter in. Just until your water breaks and then we'll take it out."
Eddie put her hand with the iv in it against her forehead and shook her head no.
"4 cent… I hope your joking."
Doctor Swanson shook her head and looked at Eddie seriously.
"Unfortunately, I'm not. A couple of more to go and we'll get you started on an epidural. Ok?"
Eddie continued to shake her head and let out a frustrated cry.
"All this pain and I thought I'd be farther…"
Jamie continued squeezing Eddie's hand. He gave her a sympathetic look as Doctor Swanson tried to assuage her anxiety.
"I'm sorry. I know this is frustrating and you really want to have this baby right now. But we have to let your body do what's natural. Your body knows what its doing. Trust yourself Eddie. I'll be back to check on you in a couple of hours ok? You rest."
Eddie sighed and blew out a breath. She felt a cool cloth against her head. Opening her eyes, she saw the tender look Jamie was giving her.
"I'm right here sweetheart. I'm not going anywhere. Do you want an ice chip?"
Eddie rolled her eyes. She was annoyed.
"An ice chip? I want water."
Jamie shook his head no and rubbed her back with his free right hand.
"I know your thirsty babe. But you can only have ice chips right now. Ok? Doctor Swanson said ice chips because she doesn't want you to have an accident. Another?"
Eddie relented and took another ice chip.
"Ok. That's better."
A knock on the door sounded and Jamie looked up, answering.
"Come in."
The door slowly opened to reveal Erin behind it. Eddie smiled.
"Hi Erin."
Erin made her way over to Eddie and gave her a concerned smile.
"How are you doing Eddie? Jamie called and told me you were in labor."
Eddie gave a tired smile.
"I'm ok. But these contractions they hurt like a son of a bitch."
Erin gave Eddie's hand with the iv in it a squeeze.
"Don't worry, as soon as that baby comes out, you'll forget all about the pain you're in right now. I'd get comfortable if I were you. First time births are usually longer. I was in labor with Nicky for almost 22 hours. Could be longer."
Eddie groaned and plopped her head against the pillow.
"Good to know. Does it get easier?"
Erin sighed and squeezed Eddie's hand again.
"Your going to want to hold onto Jamie tight. The pain will get worse as labor goes on. Ask for that epidural when you get to 6 centimeters. It'll help."
Jamie narrowed his eyes at Erin and pointed his head towards the door. Stepping away for a minute, he frowned.
"What are you doing? She's already scared."
Erin softened her gaze.
"I'm not sugar-coating things. I feel like that's what you're doing."
Jamie only looked at Erin.
"I'm not sugar coating anything. I'm just trying to support my wife. I'm trying to help her focus on anything but the pain."
Erin nodded and pulled Jamie into a hug.
"She's got this Jamie. She's strong."
Jamie knew Erin only meant well. He turned his attention back to Eddie who was now sound asleep. Another knock on the door made him look up.
"Come in."
Behind the door was Danny. He entered the room slowly.
"Hey Eddie. How are you feeling?"
Eddie cracked her eyes opened and gave a smile.
"Hey. I'm ok. Trying to get some rest while I'm in between contractions."
Danny winced and nodded.
"You've got this Eddie. I'll send Linda in to check on you."
Eddie nodded and took a piece of ice from Jamie and chewed on it. Jamie placed a hand on the back of her neck and rubbed it.
"Babe. Don't chew the ice. It's bad for your teeth."
Eddie was about to respond when Linda entered the room.
"Hey. You doing ok in here Eddie?"
Sighing, Eddie placed both of her hands on either side of her belly, rubbing it.
"Ok for now. Taking a rest in between contractions. I want that epidural."
Linda looked through Eddie's chart on the end of the bed, flipping through to the second page.
"As soon as you get to 6 centimeters Eddie. I know this is frustrating. A little tip for you: when you feel a contraction bear down on it. Don't going against it. Also, when you start pushing, put your chin to your chest. It helps. I don't know why, it just does."
Eddie nodded and her eyes wandered over to the monitor the baby was hooked up to.
"Everything's going to be ok baby girl. Please try not hurt me on the way out."
Jamie frowned and kissed Eddie's belly.
"She's going to come out just fine babe."
Eddie was about to respond to Jamie's reassurances when the monitor on the side of the bed began to go off. Taking in a sharp breath, Eddie couldn't seem to breathe. Jamie noticed and rubbed her back.
"Don't hold your breath babe. Take a deep breath in and let it out. Come on. I know you can do it."
Linda watched Eddie for a moment and then shook her head.
"The oxygen in her nose isn't helping Jamie. She'll need oxygen by mask."
Jamie ran a hand through Eddie's hair and kissed her forehead. Linda grabbed for the oxygen mask on on removed the nasal oxygen from Eddie's nose. Placing the oxygen mask over her nose and mouth she looked at Eddie with sympathetic eyes.
"Eddie look at me honey, can you breathe a little better now with the oxygen? Ok good. I want you to bear down on the contraction. Good girl. Ok coming down in 3, 2, 1. How do you feel? Better?"
Eddie nodded and responded.
"Much better thank-you."
Jamie furrowed his eyebrows.
"Babe could you repeat that one more time. It was muffled. I didn't quiet hear you."
Eddie rolled her eyes and took the mask away from her mouth.
"Much better. Thank-you. I'm ok Linda. I can breathe again."
Linda nodded and patted Eddie's knee.
"Don't be afraid to ask for the oxygen again if you really need it. I'm going to put the nasal oxygen back on ok."
Eddie nodded and lie back against the pillows. The oxygen in her nose felt weird.
"This thing stinks. Ugh plastic."
Jamie let out a laugh.
"Yeah, I remember that smell. It does stink. Have a nap babe. I'm not going anywhere."
Eddie took in a breath and let it out. Closing her eyes, she found herself in a semi-peaceful sleep. Jamie placed another kiss to her forehead and stepped away.
"I know you came to check on Eddie, Linda, but are you going to be taking care of her?"
Linda shook her head and washed her hands in the sink. Drying them with a paper towel, she threw it in a garbage can next to the sink and answered.
"Conflict of interest. So, no. But I will come and check on her from time to time. Doctor Swanson has delivered hundreds of babies. She's a very capable doctor. I trust her professionalism and care for her patients. Eddie's in good hands."
Jamie nodded and hugged Linda.
"Thank-you for looking after her all these weeks. Gave me some piece of mind. She's been so miserable lately, I wasn't quite sure what I could do to make her feel better."
Letting go, Linda gave Jamie's shoulder a squeeze.
"You've been doing all the right things Jamie. Right now, she really needs your support. Being with her right now is best for her emotionally and physically. I'll be back in a while. I know she's thirsty. Just keep giving her ice chips."
With that, Linda left, and Jamie and Eddie were alone. It had been several hours since Doctor Swanson had last checked on Eddie. Jamie reached into the plastic cup with ice in it and hand a piece to Eddie. She took it gratefully. The machine next to the bed went off and Eddie's face became red and she tried to breathe despite still have the melting piece of ice in her mouth.
"I'm not ready yet! Jamie! Help me!"
Jamie squeezed her hand and rubbed her back. He held onto her hand tight and encouraged her.
"Bear down on it babe. Breathe. In and out. In and out. There you go. Keep going. Almost there. Almost there."
Jamie kept his focus on Eddie, all while listened to the machine that was monitoring her contractions. The beeping was slowing and soon it became steady once more.
"Ok all done for now. You did good baby. I'm so proud of you."
He wiped the sweat away from Eddie's forehead with a damp cloth and gave her another piece of ice.
"Here you go babe. Another piece of ice. How are you doing?"
Eddie sighed and caught her breath swallowing and nodding her head.
"I'm ok. Just want to get ready for the next one."
Doctor Swanson entered the room with a smile on her face as she went to wash her hands over at the sink.
"How are we doing in here Eddie?"
Eddie felt awkward, but she didn't know why.
"I'm doing ok. It was kind of hard to breathe through the contraction I had before this most recent one."
Doctor Swanson nodded.
"So I heard. Linda filled me in that she gave you some oxygen by mask. Let me know if you need it again when it comes time to push. Sometimes the pain can become so great that it'll take your breath completely away. Down to business. Let's see where we're at shall we?"
Eddie distracted herself with looking at Jamie as he helped put her feet up. He squeezed her hand tight and gave her a comforting smile.
"It's ok babe. Take a deep breath in and relax. There you go. What's the verdict doc?"
Nodding, Doctor Swanson nodded confidently.
"Ok. Your at 6 centimeters. Did you still want that epidural Eddie?"
Eddie nodded her head yes as Doctor Swanson correlated with her chart on the end of the bed.
"Yes please. I want to be as comfortable as possible."
Doctor Swanson nodded her head yes stood up from the stool she'd been sitting in.
"Ok, I'll let the Anesthesiologist know. She'll be down in about 10 minutes. You're doing a great job mom."
Jamie helped put her legs back down again and fixed the blanket.
"You're doing great babe. I know you're having doubts right now, but I've never seen you be braver than you are right now."
Ten minutes went by and an Anesthesiologist came in with a cart wheeled behind her.
"Hi Eddie. I'm Doctor Hastins. I'm going to be giving you your epidural today. I'm going to have your husband Jamie help you sit up and he's going to pull you into a hug, ok? I want you to keep your back nice and round for me."
Eddie shivered as she felt cooler air on her semi-exposed back. Jamie round to the other side of the bed and pulled Eddie towards him.
"It's ok babe. I'm right here. No, don't tense up babe. Relax. Keep your back round. There you go."
Eddie blew out a breath as the machine next to the bed went off. She was doing her best to keep breathing. Jamie continued his conversation while rubbing her upper back.
"Breathe babe. I'm right here. Just breathe."
Eddie let out a scream and shook her head.
"It hurts Jamie! It really hurts!"
Jamie looked up at the ceiling for a moment trying to clear his vision of the tears starting to form in his eyes.
"I know baby. I know. Just keep breathing. It'll be done in just a minute ok?"
Doctor Hastins watched the monitor carefully and made a note in Eddie's chart, putting it back on the end of the bed. Eddie blew out a breath as the contraction came down. She nuzzled her head into Jamie's neck. He held onto Eddie tight.
"Hold on tight babe."
Eddie held on as tight as she could. Doctor Hastins explained what she was doing.
"Ok Eddie, first I'm going to numb the area with local and then I'll give you the epidural."
Jamie watched Doctor Hastins as she gave Eddie the local. As he kept rubbing her back, his eyes widened as he saw another larger needle. He couldn't help his one-word outburst.
"Whoa."
Eddie tried to get a look, but Jamie placed his left hand on the side of her face, making her turn away.
"No don't look."
Holding on tight to Jamie, Eddie heard Doctor Hastins ask her a question.
"Do you feel that Eddie?"
Eddie shook her head no, a confused look on her face.
"No. Just pressure."
Doctor Hastins nodded and fixed the back of Eddie's gown. Jamie helped Eddie lie back against the pillows and fixed the blankets.
"That should help take the edge off the pain Eddie. Not completely but make it bearable. Good luck."
Once Doctor Hastins was out of the room, Eddie looked at Jamie wide-eyed, pulled him towards her startling Jamie slightly.
"How big was that needle, Jamie? Tell me."
Swallowing, Jamie calmly explained.
"Bigger than a normal one they give vaccinations with."
Eddie nodded but seemed to relax.
"As long as it keeps me semi-comfortable. That's all I care about."
Jamie placed a gentle kiss to Eddie's lips and placed his forehead against hers.
"Just think, soon we'll have her in our arms. She'll have your attitude. But look like me."
Eddie gave a tired smile. Neither of them noticed the knock on the door and it slowly opening up, revealing Frank behind it. Eddie saw him first.
"Hi dad."
Jamie pulled away and looked at Frank, giving him a smile.
"Oh hi dad."
Frank gave a smile to Eddie and spoke.
"How are you doing sweetheart?"
Eddie gave another tired smile.
"Better now that I've got this epidural. Doesn't hurt as much anymore."
Frank gave a quiet laugh and looked at Jamie.
"Your mom when she was in labor with you wanted to do a drug-free approach. She changed her mind when the pain got so bad she could barely concentrate. I just wanted to check up on you two. I'll leave the two of you be. Let me know as soon as my granddaughter is here son."
Jamie saw Henry behind the door as Frank opened it.
"Pop."
Henry responded with a nod of his head.
"Francis."
Smiling at Eddie he walked over to the left side of the bed and placed a kiss to her cheek.
"How's my sweet girl doing? Are we getting close?"
Sighing, Eddie stifled a yawn.
"I'm doing better now that I have that epidural. That is a wonder drug."
Jamie held back a snort and shook his head.
"Hey pop. Ignore that. It's the epidural talking. It could be a while. We're barely halfway there."
Henry nodded and gave Eddie's cheek another kiss.
"You're a strong and brave girl Eddie. You've got this. Let me know when my next gg is here."
Eddie smiled and spoke.
"Thanks pop. We will."
Managing to close her eyes, Eddie fell into a light slumber. Jamie caressing her back and rubbing a thumb over the hand with the iv in it. Now he understood about patience during labor. He was always patient though, but this was nerve wracking. He was just hiding it. Eddie's water had broken a while ago and the catheter had been taken out. Jamie felt his eyes closing as he heard the door open. Clearing the sleep from his eyes, he found that it was Doctor Swanson.
"Ok Eddie, let's see where we're at shall we?"
Eddie nodded and did exactly what she was told to do. She shivered and Jamie kept rubbing her upper back. Doctor Swanson smiled and nodded her head.
"Ok mom and dad, it's time. Eddie is at ten centimeters and fully effaced. On the next contraction Eddie I want you to push."
Eddie acknowledged Doctor Swanson and took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She gripped Jamie's hand as the machine next to the bed went off. She let out a cry as she gave a push.
"Good job Eddie. Keep pushing. That's it. You've got this mama. Push! Push! Push! Good girl! Keep going. I'm starting to see the head. Keep pushing!"
Jamie was getting worried. It had been nearly 21 hours since Eddie went into labor and the baby still wasn't here yet. But he kept giving Eddie encouraging words.
"Your doing so good honey. Keep pushing. She's almost here!"
Eddie glared at Jamie, her nose flaring, she grit her teeth.
"You do it! I'm sick of pushing!"
Doctor Swanson redirected Eddie's focus.
"Almost there Eddie! The head is almost out! Keep going! One more push and the head will be out ok? One more. One more."
Eddie leaned forward a little more and she could feel Jamie's hand rubbing her back.
"You've got this babe! Keep going!"
Eddie let another cry out and kept pushing. She felt like she wasn't getting anywhere. Doctor Swanson felt a smile erupt across her face.
"Ok Eddie, the head is out! Push as hard as you can! Three more big pushes and we'll have her! Come on! You've got this mama! Push! Push! Push! Almost there!"
Eddie felt the weight leave her and she was doing her best to catch her breath. Eddie let out another cry as she plopped her head against the pillows. Her and Jamie began to hear a wail filling the room. Jamie had tears in his eyes and now they were falling down his cheeks. Doctor Swanson held out a pair of scissors for Jamie to take.
"Would you like to do the honors dad and cut the cord?"
Jamie nodded and took the scissors from Doctor Swanson and carefully cut the umbilical cord, separating mother and child. Jamie quickly brought the wailing baby over to Eddie and placed her onto her chest. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.
"Jamie! She's beautiful! Hi Isabel. I'm your mommy Eddie. This handsome guy over here is your daddy, Jamie. It's ok honey. I know it's cold out here. I'll keep your warm. Daddy too. Say hi daddy."
Jamie didn't know how he was going to sort out all his emotions, but his tears spoke for themselves. They were happy ones. He placed a kiss on Isabel's tiny head.
"Welcome to the world Isabel Rene Janko-Reagan. You are protected by love. Just like your sister Ellie. I can't wait for you to meet her."
Eddie sat and stared at Isabel in awe. A nurse helped her get situated so that Isabel could have her first meal. Tracing her tiny nose with the hand with the iv in it, Eddie whispered endearments to her.
"You are so beautiful baby girl. Your daddy is right. You and your sister are protected by love. I love you."
Jamie took a moment to soak in what was going on in front of him. He kissed Eddie's forehead.
"You did so good baby. I'm so proud of you. I knew you could do it. I should let the family know she's here."
Eddie shifted, holding Isabel with her right arm and watched her nurse.
"We'll tell them in a while. Let's soak up this moment."
Jamie smiled. He couldn't believe his eyes.
"I can't believe she's here. 22 hours of labor and she's finally here. You ran a marathon babe. I'm going to say it again. I'm so proud of you."
Eddie traced Isabel's eyebrows.
"Totally worth the 22 hours of labor. Now we have her. Thank you for being here for me Jamie. I couldn't have done it without you."
Jamie rubbed the side of right arm.
"We're in this together babe. Now and always."
Eddie smiled continuing to watch as Isabel had her meal.
"I wouldn't give up anything in this world just to stay in this moment forever."
End
A/N: So ends this fic! What did you guys think? This is one of my longest chapters yet. 38 pages. I wanted to make this as close to real life as possible.