Chapter 35: Optimistic

Author: zeusfluff.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Blue Blood's characters. They belong to CBS. I'm just borrowing them for a little while. I do own all originals though. Date Started: 11/10/23. Date Finished: 11/21/23. Enjoy!

Jamie had learned with his job, being optimistic was key. But then again, 99% was pure joy. Life was too short to take things for granted. He nodded his head as Mara handed him a chart.

"Lara Carnson. Chief complaints: nausea and vomiting. Times three weeks."

Jamie closed Lara's chart as he entered the exam room. Lara smiled nervously up at Jamie.

"Doctor Reagan. It's nice to finally meet you. All my friends say your the best."

Lara's face turned red and she stumbled over her words continuing her train of thought.

"Uh sorry. That came out wrong. What I meant to say was: my friends recommended you and that your an excellent OB."

Jamie remained humble and shook hands with Lara and her husband Rick.

"It's very nice to meet you Lara, you too Rick. So, what brings you in today, Lara?"

Lara shifted nervously on the edge of the exam table.

"Well, I've been feeling kind of off for the past three weeks, so I took a pregnancy test, and it was positive. I just wanted to confirm that with you and to see how far along I am."

Jamie nodded his head and Mara handed Lara a specimen jar.

"Going by your symptoms, it sounds like you are pregnant. But we'll need a urine sample to confirm that. Have you had enough to drink today?"

Lara nodded and headed towards the restroom. She looked towards Jamie with an invisible question mark on her face.

"When will you get the results back?"

Jamie gave her a confident look and smiled.

"In about an hour. Sit tight, I'll be back to check on you in a little bit."

Lara nodded and disappeared into the single restroom. In the span of an hour Jamie was able to deliver two babies and come back to check on Lara. Knocking on the door to the exam room, Jamie heard a quiet answer.

"Come in."

Opening up the door, Jamie held a manila folder in his hand. Setting it on the countertop, he pulled a sheet of paper out and shared the results with Lara and Rick.

"I think congratulations are in order. Lara your pregnant."

Lara turned to her husband Rick and hugged him tight.

"Thank-you Doctor Reagan. You don't know how long we've been waiting to hear news like this. We've been to several different Obstetrician's, specialists, even did a couple of rounds of ivf. Nothing took. I'd say this counts as a miracle."

Jamie nodded in understanding and placed the test results back into the manila folder on the counter top.

"How long have the two of you been trying to get pregnant?"

Lara looked at Jamie nervously and picked at an invisible thread on her shirt.

"Three years. I don't know if its me or my husband, or something else."

Jamie made a note in Lara's chart and asked a few more questions.

"Has anyone in your family had trouble conceiving and carrying a child to term?"

Lara thought on it a minute and answered carefully.

"My aunt. She had several miscarriages. Are there any risk factors to me because of what she went through?"

Jamie spread his hands and shook his head.

"It could be any number of factors. It could be environmental. Or it could just be nature. Before you leave today, I'd like you to stop by the lab and we'll draw some blood. I want to cover all our bases. Now, down to business. Let's check on this little one."

Lara nodded and lay back against the exam table.

"I thought an ultrasound tech, or a nurse would do this?"

Jamie gave Lara a gentle smile.

"I like to give my patient's the news personally. I'm just going to put a little gel on your stomach. Let's see what we have here."

Lara gave a surprised look to Jamie as her eyes became glued to the screen.

"That's actually not cold."

Jamie continued smiling and moved the wand over her belly.

"I had Mara warm it up for you. There is your baby. Do you hear the heartbeat?"

Lara nodded as tears sprung from her eyes.

"That squishing sound is the heart beating?"

Jamie nodded and pointed to the screen with his free hand.

"Yes. Perfectly healthy. Let me just take some measurements really quick. You're 14 weeks along. Would the two of you like to know the sex of your baby? The baby is at just the right angle so I can get a look."

Lara and Rick looked at each other for a moment. She spoke to him in an almost hushed tone.

"Do you want to know babe?"

Rick shook his head no and this prompted Lara to shake her head no in agreement.

"No. We'd like to keep it a surprise."

Mara made a note in her chart and smiled at her.

"I'll have your after-care instructions for you in just a minute. Meanwhile stop downstairs to get your blood drawn and pick up your prenatal vitamins in the pharmacy."

As Jamie helped Lara clean up the gel from her stomach, he added his two cents.

"I want you to eat a healthy, balanced diet, get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids. If you experience any cramping or bleeding, please come back and see me right away."

Lara nodded and shook hands with Jamie.

"Thank-you Doctor Reagan. You really know how to treat women with dignity and respect. Your very professional."

Jamie nodded and gave her a sincere smile.

"All part of my job. You two have a good day. Again, congratulations."

Jamie remained optimistic as he grabbed the next patient's chart.

"Marina Wilson. We'll have to monitor her. Her blood pressure is a trigger point. She said she wanted to deliver naturally, but we may have to switch to an emergency C-section if things start to go south and the baby has more than one late decel."

Mara and Sandy nodded and went ahead of Jamie. Entering Marina's room, he smiled.

"Hi Marina. How are you doing in here?"

Marina gave a tight-lipped smile.

"I'm ok. I've decided I don't want an epidural. I want to experience a drug free approach."

Jamie looked up from Marina's chart and raised his eyebrows. It really was her decision, but he was worried about her blood pressure.

"It's your choice Marina. But we're going to have to monitor you closely. Since your blood pressure's so high."

Marina nodded and licked her lips, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly.

"Maybe its a good idea to have the epidural then. It really hurts."

Jamie gave a sympathetic look to Marina.

"I know it does Marina. Let's just try and work through the contractions. Breathe. In and out. In and out. There you go. In and out and relax. Good. Imagine yourself somewhere calm and tranquil. Where are you?"

Marina had her eyes closed and smiled.

"I'm on a beach with my toes in the sand. It's warm and comfortable. There's a slight warm breeze going too."

Jamie did his best to keep Marina's focus on the scene occupying her mind at the moment.

"Marina, I need to check the position of your baby. It'll be a few minutes. What I need you to do is relax and take a deep breath for me. There you go. Keep focusing on the warm sand and the water lapping at your feet. You said there was a warm breeze, right?"

Marina nodded her head and took another breath.

"Yes. I could go for a fresh coconut water right now. Have you ever drunk straight from the coconut?"

Jamie looked up and over the sheet covering Marina's legs for a moment. Her eyes were still closed.

"Actually, I've never had coconut straight from the coconut itself. Sounds good. I'll have to try some one of these days. My wife loves the coconut water from the bodega near our old place."

Jamie continued his thought and lowered his voice turning towards Mara who sat on a stool to the left of him.

"She's dilated 4 centimeters. Only about 25% effaced. Her blood pressure is holding for now. But if it skyrockets, she could have a seizure, a stoke or fall into a coma. The baby's heart rate could drop drastically. Once she gets to 6 centimeters, I'll put a call in to get Doctor Garris down here. For now, she needs rest."

Jamie remained optimistic even with Marina's condition with her blood pressure. He'd been working with two other doctors to try and figure out the reasoning behind her blood pressure spikes. No conclusions had been drawn and no solutions found. She wasn't suffering from kidney disease. She was a relatively healthy young woman. All Jamie knew, was that he was going to be optimistic and remain determined to bring a healthy baby into the world. His ultimate goal was to deliver 5,000 healthy babies. Without setbacks. But he knew he had to be realistic. There was always bumps in the road. Fixing the blanket over her legs, Jamie looked at Marina.

"Marina, I hate to break into your relaxed state of mind, but I wanted to let you know that your 4 centimeters dilated. I'll come back and check on you in a little while. When you feel a contraction coming, I want you to continue your visualization exercises that you learned in Lamaze class ok?"

Marina nodded and cracked her eyes open for a moment.

"Thank-you Doctor Reagan. I really appreciate the level of care, compassion and empathy you've shown me throughout my whole pregnancy. I don't know what's taking Craig so long to get here. I'm sure he'll be here soon."

Jamie gave Marina's hand a gentle squeeze after Mara and Sandy helped her lie on her left side.

"I'm sure he's on his way. You and your baby are in good hands Marina."

Marina nodded and closed her eyes.

"Thank-you Doctor Reagan. I appreciate all of this."

Jamie nodded silently and gave Marina a sympathetic look. As he, Mara and Sandy exited her room, Mara handed him the next chart and he looked it over as he stepped into the room next door.

"Hi Amelia. How are you feeling?"

Amelia Starnson looked up at Jamie with wide and unsure hazel eyes.

"Uncomfortable and frustrated."

Jamie nodded and gave her a sympathetic look.

"I understand. Your baby will be here before you know it. I want you to lie back and relax. You're in good hands Amelia. I want you to know I won't let anything happen to you or your baby. Ok? I'm going to have Mara and Sandy help you scoot towards the bottom of the bed. Let's get your feet up here. I promise I'll be as quick and gentle as possible. Take a deep breath in for me. Good. One more. That's it. Ok. All done. Looks like your 5 centimeters dilated. The baby's about 60 percent effaced. He or she's head is facing towards your feet. That's the correct position they should be. Your contractions are pretty irregular right now. You should start to feel the baby drop down the farther you progress and the closer your contractions are. I'll come and check on you soon. Would you like an epidural once you get to 6 centimeters?"

Amelia nodded her head and let out a breath.

"Yes please. Thank-you Doctor Reagan."

Jamie nodded and gave her a warm smile.

"You two are in good hands Amelia. Rest."

Leaving the room, he made his way back to Marina's just next door. She let out a scream as he entered the room.

"Doctor Reagan! This baby is between my knees! I think I need to push!"

Jamie remained calm and kept his professional demeanor, reassuring Marina along the way.

"Marina, everything's going to be ok. Just keep breathing. Let me have a quick look to see where your at."

Marina nodded her head vigorously and took in a couple of short breaths/gasps. Jamie continued his thought, giving her encouraging words.

"Take a deep breath Marina. Good. Your right. This baby's coming fast. Her head is almost out. I want you to take another deep breath and give me a push. Good. Keep going. One more push and the head will be out. Your doing great Marina. Give me another push now."

Marina's husband Craig hurriedly came into the room, out of breath so to speak and rushed towards his wife.

"Baby, I am so sorry I'm late! My flight was delayed in Des Moines."

Marina gave out a frustrated sigh and then took in a shaky breath as Jamie refocused her attention.

"Marina, one more push for me and the head will be out. One more for me. Your doing great."

Craig held onto Marina's hand and rubbed her back in large wide strokes.

"Good honey. You're doing so good. Listen to what Doctor Reagan is saying. Before we know it, we'll have Brynna here with us. Keep going honey. You've got this."

Looking up for a brief few seconds, Jamie smiled behind his mask and nodded his head.

"Your doing great Marina. Brynna huh? That's a beautiful name.

Ok Marina, I want you to give me a really big push, here come the shoulders."

Marina shook her head no and leaned into her husband Craig.

"I can't do this Craig! I really can't!"

Mara looked at Jamie and lowered her voice.

"Doctor Reagan, she's tiring out. Her blood pressure is holding, but her oxygen saturation is a little low. Oxygen by mask? 2 percent?"

Nodding his head, Jamie concentrated on what he was doing.

"Yes. Marina. Your almost there, ok? One more big push for me. One more."

Mara removed the nasal oxygen and placed a mask over Marina's nose and mouth.

"Is that better Marina? Can you breathe?"

Marina nodded and scrunched up her face and grunted.

"Yes! Just get this baby out!"

Craig again tried reassuring his wife.

"Almost there baby. Almost there. Just one more big push. Come on. I know you can do it."

Jamie felt a frown come to his face. Looking up briefly, he did his best to keep Marina calm.

"Marina, I need you to stop pushing, ok? Brynna's shoulder is stuck. Everything's going to be just fine. Just keep breathing. I'll have her out in a few minutes. You're going to feel some tugging for a few minutes. Keep breathing ok? Everything's going to be just fine."

Marina tried not to wince and did her best to ignore the need to push. The searing pain was unbearable. She cried out from behind the oxygen mask.

"I wish I'd had that epidural Doctor Reagan!"

Jame was suddenly feeling guilty. But there had been no time. Reining in his confidence, he let out a breath and a smile erupted on his face behind his mask. He'd gotten Brynna's right shoulder free, and she was now in Jamie's arms, belting out a scream as she took her first breath of life.

"Ok Marina! Here's your baby girl Brynna!"

Holding Brynna up over the sheet, Jamie felt like the world was closing in around him, but he wasn't going to let it crush him. He had to remain optimistic. Brynna was safe. She was alive and breathing. Perfectly healthy. Marina let out a sob and pulled the mask down from her face.

"Is she ok Doctor Reagan?"

Jamie nodded and watched as Mara handed Craig a pair of scissors to cut Brynna's umbilical cord.

"She's perfectly healthy and beautiful."

Marina nodded and let out a sob as Mara placed Brynna on her chest. Jamie couldn't help but suddenly feel overwhelmed. His optimistic attitude was waning. He wanted to go home and be with Eddie and Cora. He wasn't about to abandon his patients. He just couldn't. They needed him. He took a solemn oath to ensure the health of mother and baby throughout the whole birthing process. He wasn't about to quit now. Burying the beginnings of his anxiety, which would lead to a panic attack, Jamie concentrated on the last task.

"Marina, I know your tired, but I want you to give me two really big pushes so that you can deliver the placenta alright?"

Marina nodded her head and concentrated. It was over just as quick. Jamie continued his conversation with Marina.

"Ok. Good job Marina. You've earned some well-deserved rest. Your post-partum nurse Sabrina will be down in awhile to take you up to your recovery room and get you settled. If there's anything you ever need Marina, just give me a call."

Jamie handed his card over to Craig, who took it gratefully and stuck it in the pocket of his dress pants. Sticking his hand out, Jamie was pulled into a bear hug instead of getting a handshake from Craig.

"Thank-you Doctor Reagan. For everything you've done for us. We need a picture. Please."

Jamie obliged and inwardly sighed. He'd rather remain humble. He didn't like to boast or brag about how many babies he'd delivered so far in his career. The higher management in the hospital was taking notice though. He wanted to make a name for himself on his own terms. At least here in this hospital, he was just another doctor. Had he followed in his father's, grandfather's, and both of his brother's Joe and Danny's footsteps, he'd be known as 'just another Reagan' with a giant hook at 1PP. He hadn't wanted any of that. This hospital, and his career were his choice. Being a doctor and helping others it what made him happy. Demanding at times, but most of it was joy and he wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. He had his family by his side to support him. These were the days when he missed his mother Mary the most. But he knew that she was proud of him no matter what. Optimism is what fueled him every day. Otherwise he wouldn't be where he was at.

To Be Continued…

A/N: So, here's chapter 35 everyone! How do you guys think I'm doing portraying Jamie's emotions? 3rd person isn't really my strong point. Let me know what you guys think! Thanks!