Chapter 12

Dear all, actually the story should end with the last chapter, but somehow I couldn't do that. So here is the 'new' last chapter for you:-)

cu Smarties

Eighteen months later

"Good morning, Doctor."

Steve placed the tray of breakfast on the bed.

"Good morning, Commander."

Tiredly, she blinked at him.

"What's this going to be?"

"This is going to be the special Mel pampering program. Starting with decaffeinated coffee and Coco Puffs."

"Urgs, that junk again. Will I be glad when I get to drink decent coffee again."

He gave her an affectionate kiss and his hand settled on her bulging belly.

"I guess you'll have to be patient a bit longer. Is Mini-Mel awake yet, too?"

Then his eyes began to light up as he felt the baby pressing against his hand in Mel's belly.

"Yes, she is. She's been tangoing since five o'clock."

Without taking his hand off Mel's belly, he lay I back in bed with her and kissed Mel's neck. Mel's top had ridden up a bit and for a moment Steve's gaze lingered on the long scar on her belly. His pulse quickened as he was reminded of how he had lost not only their first child together, but almost his wife on their wedding day. And as if both his wives knew exactly what was going on inside him, Mel put her hand on his hand, which was still on her belly, and Steve felt the pressure of the little body from inside getting a little stronger, too.

Again he kissed his wife, then straightened up and kissed her belly in the place where he had just felt Mini-Mel. Then he stood up.

"I'm afraid I have to go, you two. Have a great day."

"Wait Steve."

Mel reached for his hand and pulled him down once more to give him a long kiss.

"I love you. Take good care of yourself."

Steve smiled.

"I love you, too. And take good care of yourselves."

Then he disappeared through the door.

Mel sat up in bed, picked up the cup of coffee and took a sip. Her other hand was on her stomach and Mini-Mel snuggled up to hers this time. A slight smile was on Mel's face. After the Cocopuff disappeared inside her, Mel stood under the shower and let the warm water run over her.

She was about to put her clothes back on when she felt her stomach tighten and a pain shot up her back. Mel gasped. What was this now? This was too soon, her due date wasn't for another two weeks.

Mel tried to calm down, but when the water started running down her leg, she knew it was serious. As quickly as she could on crutches, she made her way back to the bedroom and reached for her cell phone as the next contraction rolled over her. Gasping, she propped herself up on her bed and tried to get her breath back.

She had already forgotten that she wanted to call someone. With difficulty she got onto her bed and tried to stay in a quadruped position, which she only managed moderately. Everything happened so quickly that she hardly had time to think. The next contraction was already rolling in, and shortly afterwards they came one after the other so quickly that they merged seamlessly. Mel had trouble breathing, because everything she had learned in the birth preparation course didn't apply here. Then the downward pressure became stronger and stronger and Mel had no other chance than to give in to it. Shortly after, Mini-Mel was lying on her quilt. Breathing heavily, Mel took the newborn in her arms and checked her breathing and tied off the umbilical cord. Exhausted and sweaty, she lay down on her back, Mini-Mel on her chest, and covered them both. She closed her eyes. This was not how she had imagined it.

When she had caught her breath a bit, it came back to her that she wanted to call for help. She dialed her midwife's number and then called Steve, who arrived before the midwife and came rushing anxiously into the bedroom.

"What are you two doing?"

He pressed a kiss to Mel's forehead and then checked on his little girl, gently stroking the red fuzz on her head.

"If you get a pair of sterile scissors from my doctor's bag, you can cut the umbilical cord."

Steve immediately ran and then followed his wife's instructions.

Then her midwife arrived, who first ordered Steve back to the bedroom to tend to mother and baby. Mini-Mel was thoroughly examined, measured and weighed, carefully washed a bit, and then briefly placed in a towel-lined basket so the midwife could tend to the mother.

After Mel was back in a freshly made bed, the midwife put Mini-Mel back on her chest and covered them both up. Satisfied, she looked at them both.

"You two did a good job. I'll send daddy to you. If you need anything, call me, anytime."

"Thanks Sue."

The midwife stroked Mini-Mel's head again, gave Mel a quick hug and left the room. A moment later, Steve poked his head back in. Mel smiled and patted the bed beside her.

"Come join us."

Steve joined them both on the bed, putting his arm around his wife and looking at the little miracle on her chest.

"She's beautiful."

Mel looked at him.

"Take your shirt off."

"What?"

"Go ahead."

Confused, Steve did as Mel said and Mel placed Mini-Mel on his chest and covered them both. Totally enamored, Steve looked at his daughter and gently stroked her covered back.

"Why was she in such a hurry all of a sudden?"

"I have no idea. Sue doesn't have an explanation either. She says, though, that it happens sometimes, especially when you've carried a child before."

"And, we haven't even picked out a name for our mini-Mel yet."

"What do you think of Éimhear."

"That sounds nice, what does it mean?"

Mel laughed, "The quick one."

Steve joined in her laughter.

"Yeah, that fits. Éimhear," he whispered in the baby's ear, "I love you."

Mel pulled out her cell phone and quickly snapped a photo of dad and daughter. Then Éimhear grew restless and her little head wandered searchingly back and forth.

"What is she doing?"

Mel smiled, "Someone's hungry. Wait, I'll take her from you."

Carefully, Mel took the newborn back to her and laid her on her chest again. Not long and Éimhear had found the food source. But Mel's stomach growled as well.

"I could use some, too."

Steve was about to get up, but she held him back.

"Stay there. We'll just order something. Alternatively, you can send the picture here to Danny."

She sent him the picture with him and his daughter.

"Then he'll be right here on the doorstep."

"Exactly, then he can bring us some food right away."

Steve laughed and looked at her.

"Do you know how much I love you?"

He bent over Mel carefully so as not to crush Éimhear and gave her a long kiss. Then he sent the picture to Danny. It wasn't two seconds before Steve's cell phone rang.

"Shh, Danny, don't make such a racket."

"Sorry. But how did that happen, you just left an hour or so ago."

"Éimhear was in a bit of a hurry."

Steve heard Danny hesitate.

"Well come on over, but bring us some food."

Questioningly, he looked at Mel.

"I'd like a pizza."

"Pizza for three please."

"Deal, I'll be right there."