Angela Goes to the Hospital
As always, all the credit goes to the WTB writers, producers, staff and crew. A spoof of 'I Love Lucy,' the episode titled Lucy Goes to the Hospital. So additional credit goes to the crew, writers and staff of I Love Lucy as I took some of the lines directly from the episode. And lastly, a huge shout out to Sherry's Season 9 prompting post!!
Tony was busy straightening up the living room. A big pile of baby items filled the corner of the living room, still not put away from Angela's baby shower two weeks earlier. He figured he would spend the weekend putting everything in the nursery. They had just finished putting the final touches on the baby's room, choosing to redecorate Tony's old room. There were still times he couldn't believe his life was his life- coming back from Iowa, getting re-engaged to Angela followed by a small wedding a few weeks later, finding another teaching job at a local college. Out of all the changes, nothing could have prepared him for the biggest change in their lives when they found out Angela was pregnant. The past nine months brought more changes to their relationship than the past nine years, but he wouldn't have changed it for the world. They had two more weeks until the newest little Micelli was due to make their appearance.
"Eh oh, oh eh Angela we have to go! Your appointment is in fifteen minutes! Are you ready?" he yelled up the stairs. A few moments later, a very pregnant Angela came around the corner and slowly waddled her way down the stairs.
"You try moving fast Tony when you're nine months pregnant and in the bathroom every five minutes! Not to mention I haven't slept for more than two hours at a time in weeks and this back pain is getting worse by the day!" she said as she burst into tears.
"Oh sweetheart! Come here! It's alright! We've got two weeks left and then this little one will be here! How about when we get back, I'll give you a nice, long back and foot rub?" he said as he started to rub her bulging stomach.
"Oh Tony… these two weeks can't come fast enough! I'm miserable! I don't remember feeling like this with Jonathan! Maybe I'll get good news today that this little one wants to come early…" she said as she too rubbed her belly.
"Eh oh, oh eh! No way! I've got too much to do before he or she comes! That huge pile of gifts still has to be gone through, some final touches to the nursery and we have to still pick out a name! No, no, no! Two more weeks!" he said as he went to go get their coats. All Angela could do was roll her eyes and allow Tony to help her into her coat as they walked out the door.
Later in the day, Jonathan walked into the living room with a snack and some of his textbooks. He sat down and opened up his books as Mona and Samantha walked in the door, each holding multiple shopping bags in their hands.
"Hey dweeb! What's for dinner? Are Dad and Angela around?" she asked as she dropped her bags by the front door.
"How should I know? I just got home. I didn't see Tony's jeep in the driveway so I'm guessing they aren't home yet. Didn't Mom have a doctor's appointment?" he asked as he continued to eat his snack. Mona came over and took his plate, finishing up his snack, much to his protest.
"That sounds about right… if I were paying attention…" said Mona.
Just then, Angela walked through the door, looking a bit flushed. Tony was right behind her, practically being her shadow. He was coming close to hyperventilating as he grabbed their coats and threw them somewhere by the coat rack, quickly holding onto Angela as she moved into the living room. Mona, Samantha and Jonathan all looked over at them with questioning looks.
"Tony? Could you go upstairs and get our bags? Pack two more onesies and blankets in the baby's bag okay?" said Angela. Tony couldn't formulate any words, just some uttering as he stumbled up the stairs, tripping half way up. Angela took a seat on the side chair, trying to be as graceful as possible at nine months pregnant.
"What's up with Dad?" asked Samantha.
"So the doctor told us that this little one is getting ready to make his or her appearance sooner rather than later. I've had a few contractions since we left the house earlier and I'm already dilated 3cm. It still could be a few hours or even days until true labor begins, but Tony is freaking out. He almost hyperventilated at the doctor's office and I almost had to drive us home. I need all of your help to keep him as calm as possible. Don't make a big deal about it when he comes down okay? Act natural…" she said as she cut herself off as Tony bounded down the stairs, carrying their bags and suitcase plus a whole bunch of baby gear.
"Okay Angela I think I've got everything. Any more contractions? That last one in the car on the way home was intense! Remember what the doctor said- once they are under ten minutes apart we have to go to the hospital. I really think it should be sooner than that though! What if we don't make it in time? What if I have to deliver the baby in the house? Or the car? Forget what he said, we need to go now Angela!" he shouted as he went to grab the bags and headed for the door.
"Tony! Relax! We will have plenty of time to get there when it is time… I promise!" said Angela in a calming voice.
"But you're going to have a baby!" shouted Tony.
"What's so amazing about that? It's a perfectly natural thing. Babies are born every day. It's not like it's your first kid…" said Mona.
"You knew it would happen sooner or later" said Jonathan.
"How about we turn on the television and watch a show" said Samantha as she turned on the television. "Oooh look! I Love Lucy! I love that show!" she said.
"Relax? It will be fine? Watch television? Did you not tell them Angela? The baby is coming! Like today! How are you all not ready to jump into action?" shouted Tony.
"Because they know when the time comes, we will all be ready. There's no reason to get worked up. Come over here Tony and try and relax!" said Angela.
Tony begrudgingly sat down on the edge of the sofa next to Mona and Jonathan. Samantha was already sitting on the opposite side chair.
"See? That's not so bad right? Oh I love this episode! The chocolate factory is one of my favorites!" said Angela. She became engrossed in the show, so much so she missed the slow, but not so subtle movements of her family. Four sets of eyes became fixated on Angela, anxiety growing by the minute, staring at her like she was going to explode. They all started to sit up straighter in their seats, involuntarily leaning towards Angela. During the first commercial break, Angela finally looked up at her family staring back at her and jumped.
"Is it really going to happen today? Like any minute?" exclaimed Samantha.
"Are you sure you are alright Mom?" asked Jonathan in a worried, panicky voice.
"How do you feel Angela?" asked Mona, surprisingly with a sense of panic in her voice as well.
All Angela could do was roll her eyes. The family's questions came in rapid succession and she didn't have the energy to answer them all.
"What we need is a rehearsal! A rehearsal for when you get the signal so everything should go like clockwork. I don't want to lose a minute getting you to the hospital!" said Tony.
"Wasn't this an episode of I Love Lucy?" asked Samantha.
"A rehearsal Tony? Really? Oh well whatever you all want to do. Split it up anyway you want. I'm going to go lie down" said Angela as Tony helped her up off the chair and she headed up the stairs.
"Now listen… I'll tell you how we ought to do this…" started Tony.
"Now wait a minute… isn't this taking things a bit too far?" asked Mona.
"No! We have to be prepared! I'm going to assign roles for everyone. After all, I am the baby's father!" Tony said proudly.
"Oh brother… this is going to be fun…" said Jonathan sarcastically.
"Okay so when Angela comes down and says 'the time has come…" Tony started to say.
"She's not going to say it like that Dad" said Samantha as she rolled her eyes.
"Whatever… she lets us know it's time to go to the hospital alright? The main thing we need to remember is that we need to stay calm so we don't get Angela excited. Okay so Mona you need to call the doctor's office and let them know we are heading to the hospital. Next, Jonathan you go and start the car. Samantha, you grab the luggage and bring it to the car. I'll help Angela into her coat and then out the door. I think that covers it. Let's do a rehearsal!" exclaimed Tony.
"Fat chance Tony. This is ridiculous. You've assigned us all a role, I think we can handle it…" said Mona.
"Please! Just one go through and then I'll stop alright?" pleaded Tony.
"Alright Dad… then maybe you can relax a bit?" said Samantha.
"Yes, yes definitely! Okay ready! Angela comes down stairs and lets us know it's time… and go!" he shouted.
Jonathan got an imaginary pair of car keys and headed out the front door. Samantha grabbed all the bags and followed Jonathan. Tony pretended to walk Angela out the front door. Mona pretended to pick up the phone but decided to mess with Tony.
"Hello, I need to contact Mrs. Micelli's doctor. She's the first ever woman who is in labor and ready to head to the hospital. Besides this office, should I notify the National Guard? The President? The Pope? Or just have her husband committed? Oh thank you… goodbye…" said Mona.
"Mona!" yelled Tony as Jonathan and Samantha were practically doubled over laughing. They all managed to control themselves as they sat back down on the sofa and chairs. The end credits for 'I Love Lucy' came on, the theme song playing as the family tried to settle in.
"Just think… at this time tomorrow, or even maybe sooner, I'm going to be a father again!" smiled Tony.
"Yeah and I'll get to be a big sister, again" said Samantha as she messed up Jonathan's hair.
"Yeah and I'll finally move out of the youngest child position and get to boss someone else around… well eventually" laughed Jonathan.
"And I'll be on a date again… maybe sooner…" said Mona.
As another episode of 'I Love Lucy' came on, Angela made her way downstairs to the living room.
"Tony, my water broke! We have to go now!" said Angela with some urgency in her voice.
All four family members were silent for a few seconds, taking the time to process Angela's words. All of a sudden, they all jumped up, finally processing the situation, chaos beginning to ensue. They all ended up going in the same direction as they got up from their seats, Tony falling back into the chair.
"Can someone please call my doctor and let him know we are going to the hospital?" asked Angela as she took a few steps back from the chaos.
"Call the doctor!" yelled Tony as all four of them ran over to the phone, fighting over it once they got there.
"That's my job! You go put the luggage in the car and start it!" yelled Mona as she wrestled free the phone. Tony, Jonathan and Samantha made a beeline to the luggage, Jonathan falling over the bags and onto the floor, in the process opening up one of the small suitcases. Baby blankets, clothing and other accessories lay strewn across the living room floor.
"Could someone start the car? We have to hurry Tony!" said Angela as she tried to focus on her breathing.
"We have to hurry!" yelled Tony.
"Go start the car!" they all yelled at once as they went back to trying to shove all the contents of the suitcase back inside.
"Fine I'll go start the car!" yelled Jonathan as he left. Samantha quickly grabbed the suitcase and bags and headed out to the car. Mona grabbed her purse and coat and followed them outside. Tony also grabbed his coat and wallet and headed out the door, shutting it behind him, leaving Angela alone in the house.
"Hey! Wait for me!" yelled Angela, going by the coat rack to grab her own purse and coat. Just then, Tony barged in the front door, narrowly missing Angela.
"Angela? Angela! This is no time to play games! We have to go!" yelled Tony in a frantic voice as he looked all over the living room for her, finally turning around to see Angela by the coat rack, trying to put on her own coat.
"Oh there you are! C'mon we have to go!" he said as she came to the other side of the door. He helped her into her coat and quickly out the door.
The hospital maternity floor entrance fifteen minutes later…
Mona helped Angela walk into the maternity floor. Samantha was right next to them, carrying the bags and suitcase. A few moments later, Tony was brought into the room in a wheelchair being pushed by Jonathan, a nurse fretting over him.
"Sir, are you sure you are alright?" asked the nurse.
"Yes I'm alright, I'm alright. I just got a little dizzy that's all. Please my wife is in labor and needs this more than I do!" he shouted as he tried to stand up. Jonathan grabbed his arm to help steady him as he got his balance. He turned to Angela and helped her sit down in the wheelchair.
"Tony, are you sure you are okay?" asked Angela, as another contraction hit her, causing her wince in pain.
"Yes I am Angela. Just breathe sweetheart!" he said as he helped her focus through the contraction. He finally seemed to be under control and was able to fill out the admission's paperwork.
"Okay Mrs. Micelli, let's get you to a room" said a nurse as she took hold of the wheelchair. The family gave them both hugs and wished them luck as they headed through the double doors to the maternity rooms.
Mona, Jonathan and Samantha made themselves as comfortable as possible in the maternity waiting room. Each took turns pacing up and down, getting more and more anxious as each family received news of their new bundles of joy. Hank came a short while later and joined in the waiting. Finally, after what seemed like forever, but was in reality only a few short hours, a nurse came out to waiting room.
"The Micelli family?" asked the nurse.
"Yes that is us. Did Angela have the baby?" asked Samantha.
"Yes she did… both mother and baby… and father are doing very well. They asked that you be taken back to their room. Please follow me" she said as the family jumped up excitedly and followed her down the hall. She led them to a room at the end of the hallway. They walked in to see Angela sitting up on the bed with Tony sitting half on, half off the bed next to her. She was holding a small, sleeping baby wrapped in a blue blanket. Tony and Angela had tears in their eyes but smiles on their faces that lit up the room.
"Hi everyone… come meet the newest member of the family. Robert Matthew Micelli, born at 5:32pm, weighing a whopping six pounds, ten ounces, twenty inches long. He's absolutely perfect!" said Tony as he grabbed the baby's little hand in his own.
The family came over and gushed at the newborn. They congratulated Tony and Angela, Angela for bringing the baby into the world, Tony for managing to not pass out. They each took turns holding Robert until he started to fuss and was handed back to Angela. She quieted him back down and he was soon back asleep. The family hugged the new parents and headed out to get dinner, making a point to come back tomorrow morning. Tony and Angela snuggled into one another, bringing the baby as close to them as possible. They each kissed Robert's tiny head and then entered into a passionate kiss, sealing the start of their brand new life.
The End