"Ash,' Allison nudged him awake.
"What," Asher groaned.
"Baby boy isn't waiting," Allison replied.
"What,' Asher asked.
"I'm having contractions," Allison replied, "I thought they would stop but they haven't.'
"When did they start,' Asher asked, sitting up.
"An hour ago, I went to the bathroom and got water which helps when I have braxton hicks but it's not helping this time."
"What do you want to do," Asher asked.
"We need to go to the hospital,' Allison replied, getting out of bed.
He stood up and went to hold her. Allison groaned into his shoulder.
"Okay lets time it," Asher replied.
"I don't want to go through labour," she whimpered, "I want my c-section."
"Do you want to call your mom," Asher asked.
Allison nodded.
Asher grabbed her phone and unlocked it before finding Teddy's number. He passed the phone to Allison as it started to ring.
"Allison,' Teddy answered startling awake.
"Mom I'm in labour,' Allison whined.
"Okay I'm coming," Teddy replied, "has your water broken?"
"No," Allison answered, 'but I want my c-section."
"Okay dad and I will come for Ev," Teddy answered, 'you call ahead to the hospital and get that ball rolling. "
Allison called Stephanie first then the hospital.
"They'll be ready," Allison told Asher.
"You doing okay," Asher asked.
"No," Allison panted.
"Deep breaths," Asher coaxed rubbing her back, "Allie breathe. Do you want more water?"
"I don't know with anaesthesia," Allison replied.
"You'll be awake like we planned," Asher asked.
"I think so," Allison replied before gripping his arm and groaning.
"Still 10 minutes apart," Asher replied.
"Getting stronger," Allison replied.
"We'll go as soon as your parents are here," Asher promised, rubbing her back.
"I can't do this," Allison sobbed.
"You can," Asher promised, 'you can do this Allie. We just have to get to the hospital and they're waiting for us with the medications. Andy will be healthy."
"I can't do this again," Allison sobbed into Asher's shoulder.
Teddy let herself into the house and found Allison and Asher in the living room.
'You doing okay baby girl,' Teddy asked.
"This hurts," Allison groaned.
"Eight minutes between we should go," Asher replied, "I'll take the bag to the car and we can go?"
Allison nodded as the contraction ended.
"Strong ones," Teddy questioned.
'Ya," Allison replied, "it's going faster than I remember with Ev. I had braxton hicks yesterday but it started about one AM"
"You go to the hospital," Teddy said, 'Dad and I have Ev and then we'll see you and little man when you're ready."
"I don't want to do this again," Allison complained.
Asher came back and helped her off the couch.
"Shit," Allison hissed as she felt her water break.
"Clean clothes and go," Teddy said, "I'll go get you clean clothes."
"Dad," Allison asked.
"In surgery and will come here when he's done," Teddy promised.
"Everly,' Allison siad, 'mom she doesn't know."
"I will be here when she wakes up, dad will get here as soon as he can and we'll work out tomorrow," Teddy assured, "but you need dry pants and underwear."
"I'm just going to keep leaking," Allison replied, 'under our sink there's adult diapers."
"I'll get one," Teddy assured, "and clean leggings.'
When Asher had helped Allison change they made their way to the car.
"Mom," Everly yelled 15 minutes later, "mommy?"
"Hey princess," Teddy slipped into Everly's room, "whats going on?"
"My legs hurt," Everly whined, "where's mom?"
"They went to the hospital a little while ago," Teddy replied, "you'll meet your brother tomorrow. Do you want medication or a massage?"
"Massage first," Everly said, "mom always does massage first."
"Roll over," Teddy directed.
"When will they come home," Everly asked.
"In a couple days," Teddy replied, "it's a big surgery for your mom."
"What do they do," Everly asked curiously.
"It's called a caesarean section," Teddy replied, 'they're going to make a small side to side cut low down on your mom's abdomen, near her underwear. Then they'll go through the layers of skin, muscles and fascia thats the strong stuff that holds everything together to reach the uterus."
"Andy is in her uterus," Everly replied.
"He is," Teddy smiled hearing the name for the first time, "then the dr will cut open the uterus and amniotic sac to lift Andy out before stitching it all back up."
'How big is the cut," Everly asked.
"Big enough for a baby to come out," Teddy replied, "the incision is different in every surgery because every patient is different."
'Was I born that way,' Everly asked.
"No," Teddy replied, "you were a vaginal birth. Has your mom explained it to you?"
"Kinda," Everly replied.
"I want you to ask her because I'm not sure what she's told you," Teddy replied.
"She said sometimes babys are born that way and come out of the mom's vagina," Everly replied, "does it hurt?"
"It does," Teddy replied, "but not for long and then you get a baby."
"I'll never have a baby," Everly said.
"We don't know that," Teddy replied.
"But no boys like me," Everly answered.
"It is 4 in the morning," Teddy replied, "and your 10. You are too young to date. Let's try to get a couple hours sleep princess. I'll be in the living room."
"Can I have medicine," Everly asked.
"I'll get it," Teddy agreed, "but you need to use the bathroom first."
The pain relief made Everlys sleep a bit deeper than normal and she had had accidents in her sleep when she took it. Teddy wanted to prevent that by sending her to the washroom first.
Once Everly was tucked back in and settled for the night Teddy laid on the living room couch with a book.
Asher helped Allison into the wheelchair and pushed her to the admitting desk in the emergency room. The interns in the ER recognized her right away.
"Dr Blouin," an intern said.
"Admit me to OB and page Dr Mitchell," Allison directed between contractions.
"Dr Blouin," the intern asked again.
"My water broke 45 minutes ago, this is my second child and I'm having strong regular contractions" Allison stated the facts.
"How long and how far apart," the intern asked, "we need to examine you here."
"Straight to OB," Allison replied.
"Four minutes apart, about a minute long," Asher answered for Allison, seeing her start to tense.
"We have to examin you," the intern argued.
Allison growled," no."
"She's scheduled for a C section next week," Asher replied, "it's all in her file. Allison Blouin."
"Who are you," the intern questioned.
"Her husband," Asher replied, "now you can get my wife the treatment she is requesting and scheduled for or I will personally phone the chief of surgery. Megan Hunt will not be happy about this."
"Call Meg," Allison panted.
"We have to follow protocol," the intern replied.
Asher spotted Owen in the ER, "Owen!"
Owen jogged over.
"What's going on," Owen asked.
"Dr hunt Dr Blouin is insisting on being admitted with out an exam," the intern complained.
"Allie," Owen asked.
"Baby boy is coming just send me up to OB," Allison snapped.
"Do you need anything," Owen asked.
"My C-section," Allison snapped before gripping the arm rests and groaning.
"Asher take her up," Owen commanded, "I'll page Stephanie Mitchell. Wilson is up there now."
When they got up to OB Jo checked Allison over herself.
"Allison I know you had an elective C-section planned at your request," Jo said, "but your baby isn't waiting. Your 7cm and fully effaced."
"I can't do this," Allison sobbed.
"I can call for a stat C-section but you and baby are healthy," Jo replied, "we may get bumped from the OR for a trauma or emergency."
"Call it," Allison insisted, "call it now."
Jo called for the next available OR, knowing Allison wasn't emergent enough for it but knowing who she was and that it had to be done.
"Ash something feels weird," Allison gasped when they were alone in the room.
"What," Asher asked.
"I don't know," Allison replied, "something is wrong. Turn the monitors to me."
The monitors showed a steady baby heart rate but increasing contractions.
Allison groaned as the next contraction hit. Asher sat on the bed beside her and held her close as she sobbed.
"You can do this," Asher whispered, "Allie you are so strong. Breathe, deep breath in and out."
He rubbed her lower back.
"My hips feel like their being pulled apart," Allison groaned.
"Do you want me to massage them," Asher asked.
Allison nodded.
A nurse came in to check her vitals.
"When is the OR ready," Asher asked.
"I don't know," the nurse replied, "dr Mitchell just arrived."
Stephanie Mitchell, Annie's old med school roommate came in.
"Allison things are happening sooner and faster than we planned," Stephanie smiled.
"Yes," Allison answered in the lull between contractions.
"Our monitors are showing 2-3 minutes apart and just over a minute long," Stephanie said, "this is for sure active labour. I want to do my own exam and check dilation."
'Okay,' Allison replied, "can we start pain meds when your done?"
"It depends on next steps," Stephanie replied, "if we're prepping you for surgery I'll get some one up here to place a spinal."
Stephanie did her exam as gently and quickly as possible.
"Your at 7," Stephanie said, "Allison you're dilating pretty quickly. I'll check on the OR but we may need to be prepared for a vaginal delivery. All ORs are in use."
"No," Allison replied.
"I know it's not ideal,' Stephanie replied, "and I know your worried about baby boy we will do everything we can. I am going to get anestezia up here and the spinal placed."
As she spoke a nurse came in, "the OR is ready if you move now."
"We're going," Stephanie replied, "I'll scrub and meet you two in there."
"Okay," Asher replied.
Nurses came in to prep and transport Allison to the OR floor.
They quickly prepared her and began the surgery.
"Ash," Allison asked.
"Dad you okay," Stephanie asked.
"This is routine and what we planned," Allison reminded him.
"Okay Allison we're ready," Stephanie replied, "you're going to feel some pressure and tugging. Ready?"
"Yes," Allison replied.
They began to cut into her abdomen and what felt like an eternity later lifted the baby out.
'Here he is a perfect baby boy," Stephanie declared.
On cue the little boy began to cry.
They guided Asher to cut the cord and placed the little boy on Allison's chest, she moved her free hand to hold him close to her tears flowing down her cheeks.
"He cried right away," she whispered.
"He did,' Asher smiled, kissing her forehead.
'What's his name," Stephanie asked.
"Andrew Leo Blouin," Allison whispered to the little boy, "Andy."
"He;s here," Asher smiled.
"We're going to close up and take the three of you to recovery," Stephanie said, "so far this is textbook. Asher, make sure you hold them close and help Allison support Andy."
They took Allison and Andy to the recovery room and the nurses helped Allison sit up so she could nurse the baby.
"Babe,' Asher asked.
"He's good," Allison assured, "I'm still numbed. He's sucking."
"Our second time," Asher smiled.
'He cried right away and he wants to eat now," Allison said, "we had to coax her to eat and she had a hard time latching at first.'
"We were so young and scared," Asher said, "you were so freaked out and inconsolable in labour with Ev."
"What we did with him was enough," Allison replied, "Ash I think were done. Two seems perfect. I know we both have bigger families but this seems perfect.'
"It does,' Asher agreed.
"He's such a sweet little man," Allison smiled at her son. The baby had his eyes open as he calmly nursed.
When they were transferred to a room Asher called Teddy and Owen to bring Ev.
"Is Allie ready," Teddy asked.
"She's okay," Asher assured, "tired but she wants to see Everly and have our kids together. She promised she'll nap after."
'We'll be there soon," Teddy smiled as she hung up.
"Everything okay," Owen asked.
"We have a grandson," Teddy beamed, "Andrew Leo Blouin, he's 7 pounds 4 ounces and perfectly healthy. Asher said they're both doing well. Allie is sore but resting and just wants to snuggle Andy as they're calling him."
"Let's get Ev and go," Owen beamed.
"Everly," Teddy called down the hall, "get ready to go princess."
"Why," Everly called from her room.
Teddy walked down the hall, "you have a brother princess. His name is Andrew Leo Blouin. Him and your mom are doing well and want to see you."
"Can we go now," Everly asked.
"Once you brush your hair and wash your face," Teddy replied.
'Can I have a dress from my closet," Everly asked.
"What's wrong with your pants," Teddy asked.
"I want a dress to meet my brother," Everly replied.
"Do you want me to do your hair quickly as well," Teddy asked.
"Yes please," Everly replied.
Once Everly was ready to go Owen lifted her and her wheelchair into the back seat of the truck.
At the hospital they took the back route up to OB and Allison's room.
"Mom, dad," Everly asked at the door.
"Come meet your brother," Allison called.
Everly rolled across to the hospital bed where Allison sat on the side.
"Would you like to hold him,' Allison asked.
"Can I,' Everly asked wide eyed.
"Dad will put him in your arms,' Allison assured.
Asher lifted the baby from Allison's arms, "Andy this is Everly she's your big sister. Everly this is Andrew Leo Blouin."
"Leo like uncle Leo," Everly asked.
"Yes," Allison assured, "watch his head.'
Asher helped Everly find a good position to hold her brother using the arms of her wheelchair to help support her arms.
"He's so little," Everly whispered in awe, "he's looking at me. What do I do?"
"Smile and talk to him," Allison replied, "he just wants to hear our voices and know he isn't alone."
Asher motioned for Owen and Teddy to join them.
"Mom, dad," Allison smiled, 'meet your grandson."
"He's perfect," Teddy sighed.
"Dad," Allison asked.
"Munchkin can I," Owen asked, reaching for the baby.
"Not yet," Everly said, "I'm not done."
"You will have another turn before you go home," Allison assured, "let grandpa and grandma give him a hug then I thought they could go do their thing for a bit and the four of us would hang out."
"Allie," Teddy asked.
"A couple hours," Allison said, "go get groceries or something."
"We'll take Ev and let you rest," Owen said.
'Dad I want my kids here," Allison replied.
"Ev can I have a turn," Teddy asked.
"Not yet," Everly replied.
"Ev three, two, one," Asher counted down.
Everly knew not to argue at that point. Teddy gently lifted the baby from Everly and held him close.
"Hi little man come to grandma," Teddy cooed.
She smiled looking into his eyes, this never got old, seeing her grandchildren for the first time, holding them close. She loved her time with them and knew she was more present as a grandma with Allison's kids than Annie's due to her own career and how long Everly had lived with them. Annie's kids had visited or stormed her office looking for the treat drawer, Everly spent her first 8 years with them upstairs and part of her day to day routine and life. Teddy and Owen drove Ev to school or activities and babysat in a way they hadn't with Annie's children. For Annie they had been back up with Everly and now Andy they were the first call.
"My turn," Owen smiled, 'grandma baby hog it's my turn."
"They're just so sweet like this," Teddy smiled.
"They are," Owen replied.
"One more cuddle,' Teddy sighed before kissing the little boy's cheek.
Owen picked him up, "hello little man, I'm your grandpa."
Owen smiled at the baby, he was nearly asleep but this is how all of the grandchildren had been welcomed to the world, with love and cuddles from family members and older kids. Even Ellie had been greeted by hugs and kisses from Allison and Leo who were just preschoolers at the time.
"Hey," Leo called from the door.
"Leo come meet him," Allison smiled.
"You gave him Leo as a middle name," Leo said looking over Owen's shoulder at the baby.
"We did," Asher replied.
"Dad," Leo asked.
"No," Everly replied, "my turn Grandma and Grandpa stole Andy."
The baby began to cry and fuss.
"Mine," Allison replied, "I need to feed him. Everyone out, he's still learning to nurse."
"Mom," Everly asked.
"Go grab ice cream and come back," Asher replied.
"You and I will talk about this when I get home," Allison promised, "and we've already talked about how babies eat."
"He sucks on you or has a bottle," Everly replied.
"Yes," Allison replied, "he needs some practice and it's better if the room is quiet. Ev you're going to come back and hang out once he's done eating."
With the baby now crying Leo helped Teddy and Owen lead Everly from the room.
'You okay," Asher asked.
"He needs to eat," Allison replied, "I know it's not milk yet but I feel fuller."
"You've complained about feeling off there for a few days," Asher replied, "let him eat and I'll find you food."
"Text mom or Leo to bring us food," Allison replied, "I need water."
Asher topped off Allison's water bottle and held it so she could hold the baby and drink from the straw.
In the cafeteria Everly asked, "why can't I see Andy eat?"
"I think your mom is really tired," Teddy replied, "she was after you were born. She's just had major surgery and her body is really sore. You know how when you hurt you just want to be with your mom and dad?"
"Ya," Everly replied.
"I think she's in a lot of pain and your dad makes her feel safe and feel better," Teddy replied.
"It's our turn to take care of your mom," Owen said, 'she takes care of you and your dad a lot but for a little while you need to help take care of her. Make sure her water bottle is full, pass her what she needs to feed or change the baby. Listen the first time she tells you to do something. Do your chores without being asked."
An hour later Allison texted for some one to bring Everly back. They all walked her up and Leo took a moment to hold his newest nephew and welcome him before heading home to hang out with Theresa. They would pick Everly up in a couple hours after the family had some time together.
Asher helped Everly climb up onto the hospital bed with Allison. She held her free arm out to her daughter who snuggled close to her mom. Everly began whispering to the baby. Asher sat on the other side with his hand on Andy's back. The baby had fallen asleep after eating and being cleaned up. Even though it had been ten years both felt more confident caring for a newborn. They had done it before and knew that together they would make sure this little one was as happy and healthy as possible.