Author: GemmaGemroForever
Title: Big Surprise
Fandom: Sons Of Anarchy
Main Pairing(s):Gemro [Gemma/Nero]
Background Couples:Jax/Wendy
Summary: Gemma & Nero are together, but they are in for an unexpected surprise.
Rating: M
Disclaimer: No characters belong to me they belong to Kurt Sutter & FX.
Author's Notes: See chapter 1 for full notes.
I own nothing, but my OC's which are as follows: Gemma's O.B. Allison Shyer, receptionist Shelly, nurse Melissa, Lucius's caregiver Kayla, Trisha the other receptionist, Dr. Jamie Booker, Dr. Samantha Booker. Dr. Carla Becker (pediatric cardiologist), Dr. Ramona Jessup (one of the NICU nurses, Amy (Atalaya's primary nurse)
A few notes for this chapter: There's will be sexual content in this chapter *read at your own risk*
Anyway enough of my talking, on with the story...enjoy!
Previously On Big Surprise:
St. Thomas Hospital – October 18th 3pm
As Nero drives to the hospital, he notices Gemma gasping in pain "I think I'm in labor!" she exclaims; Nero holds her hand as he continues to drive "Hold on, Mama we'll be there a few minutes" Another surge of pain grips Gemma "Oh!" she squeezes Nero's hand as the pain gets more intense "uh babe, that's my hand your squeezing" he exclaims as she lets go saying "sorry" minutes later they arrive at the hospital; Nero jumps out of the car going around to Gemma's side he helps her out of the car wrapping his arms around he guides her slowly into the hospital "Oh!" she gasps "I gotta sit down" Nero nods "Okay hang on" Nero runs up to the receptionist Shelly whose filling out paperwork at the desk "Can I help you, sir?" She asks looking up at him "Yeah, my wife Gemma I think she's in labor" Shelly quickly gets up from the chair rushing over to Gemma who is bent over in pain "Gemma, are you having contractions?" nodding "I think so" the younger woman responds with her next question "Okay, how far along are you?" gasping as another contraction comes she whispers "27th weeks, contractions are coming five minutes apart" Hearing that Shelly runs to get a wheelchair quickly returning to the couple she gently sits Gemma into it three rush Gemma up to the O.B. floor inside Nero's really hoping she's not in labor though because he doesn't want this baby coming earlier than it should.
Chapter 15: A New Start, A Tiny Miracle
Moments later Gemma is on the O.B. floor, her doctor has been paged as Shelly and Nero help her onto the examining table, then hooks her up to the fetal monitor; Shelly comments "The baby's heart rate is strong that's good, Dr. Shyer will be in a few minutes" she then leaves the room seconds later Gemma and Nero hear a knock at the door it's Dr. Shyer "Okay Gemma, let's see what trouble your into now" Gemma rolls her eyes at the comment, but doesn't say anything Nero helps her lay down on the table as Dr. Shyer drapes a blue cover over her from the waist down. Nero takes her hand into his as Allison goes to the sink to quickly wash her hands then pulls a stool over and sits down, snapping on her gloves, peering over, Allison announces "Gemma, I have to look inside you to get an idea of what's going on the baby okay" She whispers "Okay" as more pain grips her body as she puts her legs up opening them, Dr. Shyer puts some gel into her fingers then places them inside, Gemma grimaces uncomfortably as the doctors fingers continue moving inside her finally after some tense moments they are removed "Sorry, Gemma" Allison says as she snaps off her gloves throwing them into the waste bin "You are in labor, dilated 4 centimeters so we are going to try and stop your contractions with medicine called magnesium sulfate, I'll have the nurse come in and administrator it, just so you know it might make you queasy so I'll get you an emesis basin" She groans in annoyance leaning back against the pillow as Allison comes back with the basin handing it to Gemma as she takes from her putting it into her lap just then nurse Shelly comes back into the room, puts the I.V. into Gemma's arm placing the medicine into the port of the I.V. as Gemma waits for it to take effect while Nero sat beside her keeping her company.
At the clubhouse Jax and Wendy are in the bed still naked after their love making, Jax wraps his arms around Wendy kissing her on the lips "That was amazing" She nods "Yeah it was" a ringing from Jax's phone interrupts them, Jax looks at the caller ID Nero Jax picks up on the 2nd ring"Hey Nero, what's up?" He questions looking over at Wendy; Nero clears his throat "Listen your mom's in the hospital she started having contractions, but she's okay for now" hearing this Jax quickly rushes out of bed putting his clothes back on "Shit, I'll be right there" Jax hangs up his phone turns to Wendy "Mom's in the hospital she's in labor" Wendy quickly gets her clothes on as well "Do you want me to come with you?" Jax nods "No, you stay here Abel" Wendy walks over to him kissing him "Okay be careful and call me when you get there" Jax runs out of the clubhouse and heads off to the hospital on his motorcycle.
Back at the hospital, Gemma's contractions are still there even with the medication going, she's also pretty nauseous at the moment she's thrown up three times already, Nero's been trying to comfort her the best that he can. A knock at the door startles them, Jax comes in "Hey Ma, Nero called me and told me you were here" Gemma glares at him "Hey Mama, he's your son I had to tell him" he holds his hands up, he kisses her on the forehead "You two talk okay I'm gonna go home to get your hospital bag just in case" She smiles whispering "Okay, hurry back, baby" he whispers back "I will"
Once Nero is gone Jax sat on the bed next to his mother "You okay?" Gemma groans shaking her head "No, I'm really nauseous right now" he makes a disgusted face "They gave me some medicine to stop the contractions and so far it's not working, but they are supposed to up it again soon so hopefully that will make them stop" seconds later Gemma gasps in pain "Ma, you okay?" Jax looks at the monitor as Gemma says through the pain "contraction" Jax grabs her hand "Ma, squeeze my hand and breathe through it okay" he instructed her as he continues looking at the monitor gasping in pain as she squeezes his hand the numbers on monitor slowly go down after a few minutes, Gemma lets go of his hand remarking "shit these contractions hurt like hell" Jax nods in understanding "I can see that" she glares up at her son still breathing heavily.
It's now 20 minutes later nurse Shelly is back in the room to up Gemma's medication the door opens once again Nero walks in with Gemma's bag in his hand "Hey Jax" he greets him giving him a hug, he walks over to Gemma kissing her "Hey Mama, you doin' okay?" She smirks "What do you think?" she growled in pain Jax stands there just watching them from afar, they are whispering to each other and kissing when Jax spoke up "You two want me to leave?" both look over at him and start to laugh with Nero chiming in "No, but if you want to you can" with that Jax decides to get some coffee from the cafeteria "I'll be back..gonna get some to drink" he says having one last look at his mother and Nero shaking his head.
Gemma and Nero look at each other and smile, Gemma's smile fades as a contraction hits her, she holds her stomach in pain "Mama..hey you alright?" She shakes her her head "No, another contraction..Oh!" Nero speaks calmly "Take my hand and squeeze, stay calm and concentrate on something" Gemma doesn't say anything, shakes her head in a quick motion as she looks at something squeezing Nero's hand tightly, he grimaces a bit as the contraction gets more intense; she takes some deep breathes finally after a few minutes the contraction stops, Nero wipes the sweat from Gemma's forehead "I think that one's over" letting go of Nero's hand he kisses her on the lips "I'm glad"
Moments later Nero walks over putting her hospital bag onto the chair, then walks back to his wife wrapping his arms around her rubbing her arm nurse Shelly has now left "Are you still nauseous?" he asks, she nods groaning "Anything I can do to make you feel better?" She shrugs her shoulders whispering hoarsely "Hold me" He does as they lay down in the bed together within seconds Gemma falls asleep, Nero's glad for that because she needs it.
An hour later Jax has left while Nero's flipping through the channels on the TV that's when Gemma bolts up from the bed quickly grabbing the emesis basin and starts throwing up hearing this Nero sits up rubbing her back soothingly after a few tense moments Gemma stops gasping and coughing "You okay, Mama?" groaning she whispers "I think so" Nero continues rubbing her back "I'm gonna get a nurse maybe they can give you some medicine for the nausea" Gemma just nods, Nero leaves returning moments later with nurse Shelly by his side "Gemma, Nero tells me your still having nausea" she comments; Gemma nods "Yeah" Shelly speaks putting her arm on the older woman's "Okay, well I'm going to give you something to help with that a medication called compazine" Shelly then injects the compazine into Gemma's line smiling "This should make you feel a lot better, but fair warning it may wear off if it does let me know" Gemma nods "Okay, I think my contractions have stopped for now" Shelly comments with relief "Good, I'm glad to hear that, if that changes let me know as well" Gemma smiles "Okay" Shelly leaves the room with the medication now administered Gemma's hoping her nausea is at bay now.
A few days later Gemma has been released from the hospital, but still on bed rest, Nero has been taking care of her like usual. Nero is sitting next to his wife while she's reading her book, he's got his arms around her holding her rubbing her belly talking to their baby, Gemma smiles kissing him on the lips "I can't wait to see and hold her" Nero nods "me too, she's going to be so beautiful like you" Nero puts his head on her shoulder as they both become quiet enjoying each other.
A Few Weeks Later: November 2nd 2pm
Gemma has made it to 30 weeks (8 months) in her pregnancy she's no longer in the hospital, her contractions have stopped for now, but she's still on bed rest; Nero is home for the day taking care of her while Lucius is at Kayla's house for the day after doing a bit of laundry Nero comes back over to join his wife in their bed "Hey Mama" she smiles at him "Hey, you know that hospital stay was scary for me" he kisses her on the lips "I know, me too I was praying you wouldn't have her early" Gemma replies truthfully "Well it worked..for now" Nero glares at her "Mama, don't go there I can't take anymore drama" Gemma smacks him on the arm "Hey, how do you think I feel?"
Nero is in the kitchen making Gemma some lunch, while she's in the room watching TV, moments later she looks up to see Nero coming into the room with the tray of food "Hey baby, here's your lunch" She smiles "Thanks" Gemma takes the tray from him setting it on her lap she starts eating while Nero reads a book; after an half hour Gemma's done eating she hands the tray to Nero "I'm done" she announces, nodding he takes the tray from her putting it into the kitchen, he then walks back into their bedroom to lay back down next to his wife, suddenly Gemma grabs his face kissing him on the lips, Nero looks at her with confusion "What was that for?" he asks curiously "It was just to say I love you" he smiles kissing her back slipping his tongue into her mouth a passionate moan escapes her the two slide down onto the pillows Nero hands roam under his wife's shirt cupping her breasts with his fingers gently squeezing her hardened nipples, Gemma moans in pleasure as he roams her body as Gemma turns on her right side grimaces in pain "Mama, what's wrong?" he asks concerned; she gasps "My back hurts" he asks "Where?" breathing deeply trying to get the pain to subside she replies "lower back" Nero reaches around to Gemma's lower back and starts to rub it soothingly Gemma moans contently "That feels so good!" She exclaims as Nero kisses her passionately, cupping her face smiling sliding onto top of her carefully she can feel his hardened erect member through his pants which arouses her, she whimpers whispering "I need you inside me, baby" he obliges his wife pulling off his pants then boxers, he unbuttons her jeans pulling them off her leaving only her panties his fingers automatically go into them feeling around her opening he can feel the wetness circling her clit, Gemma's back arches back as his two fingers enter into her "Please..baby" she begs, Nero quickly takes his fingers out sliding himself inside her gasping and moaning, Nero moves in and out gently "Oh god!" She cries out in pleasure "Baby, don't stop!" she swallows hard, biting her lip pulling him close to her kissing him "I love you" she whispers, he whispers back "I love you too, Mama"; her legs wrap around his torso with each thrust Gemma's moans get more intense, he knows she's close within moments Gemma climaxes, Nero pulls out of her gently breathing heavily laying his head on her chest, she strokes his hair with her fingers as her breathing starts to calm down as did Nero's their heartbeats are still beating fast, but they are starting to come down now.
Gemma and Nero are still naked under the covers from their love making, Nero has his eyes closed as Gemma throws the covers off of herself grabs her robe putting it on and starts to slowly get up from the bed, Nero pulls her back to him "Where you are going, Mama?" She smiles replying "I gotta pee, do you mind getting me some ice cream from the kitchen?" he shakes his head "Nah, baby I'll get it, what kind?" thinking for a few minutes she says "vanilla and chocolate" Gemma again gets up with Nero's help and walks to the bathroom while Nero put back on his boxers and heads to the kitchen to get the ice cream looking in the fridge he spots the strawberries getting them out he puts a few on a plate, he walks to the silverware drawer to get some spoons then heads back to their bedroom where Gemma is there waiting for him, she smiles at him as he handed her the cartons of ice cream and spoons, her eyes fall on the strawberries in his hand questioning "What's with the strawberries, baby?" he chuckles getting back into the bed with her "I thought you might want some with the ice cream" Gemma responds pleasurably "ooh!" taking a few strawberries from the plate into her hand she starts to eat them as she opens the cartons of vanilla and chocolate ice cream, peering into them she dips the strawberries into both of the ice creams she glares lovingly over at her husband "Do you want some?" Nero shakes his head "No Mama, I'll just watch you eat them" she smirks "Okay, well it's your loss"
Monday: November 10th 12pm
Jax smiles at her, they kiss "I love you, Wendy" he whispers "I love you too, Jax" she takes his hand holding it as they stay that way for the next few minutes while Abel is napping in his carrier on the floor beside the bed.
One Week Later: November 14th 9pm
At the Padilla residence, Gemma and Nero have just put Lucius to bed, they walk back into their bedroom together getting into the bed under the covers they cuddle with each other talking, Nero notices Gemma looking at him as if she wants to say something so he asks curiously "What is it, Mama?" she hesitates playing nervously with her hands, but then blurts out "I want to adopt Lucius" Nero looks at her surprised "Really?" she smiles nodding "Yeah, I love him, he loves me and I'm already his stepmother so I'd like to make it official" He kisses her "I think it's a great idea" Gemma clears her throat "I'll talk to Lowen see if she can help me with it" yawning tiredly the couple turns off the lights on each side of their sides of the bed and goes to sleep.
3am:
Nero suddenly awakes from a sound sleep turning over on his side his hand automatically goes to his wife's side of the bed, it's cold and empty, getting up from the bed Nero pads his way through the house looking for her, he looks in the bathroom, nursery, and the kitchen finally spotting her in the living room gazing out the window, he walks over to the window wrapping his arms around her, she leans into his touch "Hey, you okay?" he whispers placing a kiss on her neck taking a deep breathe still looking out the window she replies groggily "Can't sleep" Nero murmurs "You nauseous?" he rubs her arms gently she replies "No" Nero asks curiously "Then what's wrong?" She speaks emotionally, tracing her finger over the scar on his chest " I'm scared for our baby I don't want anything to be wrong with her, we both have heart conditions" he whispers "Hey she'll be okay Mama, she's strong just like you and even if there is something wrong with her we'll love her even more I know it" sniffling she wipes the tears from her eyes as she turns into his body crying softly "Shh, Shh" he soothes her rubbing her back comfortingly whispering in her ear "We'll get through this together I promise"
After a few emotional moments, Gemma looks at him, his hands cup her face he smiles kissing her on the lips "We're gonna be okay" she gives him a hug whispering "Thank you" his hands wrap around her body, seconds later they let go of each other, Gemma looks at him speaking up "You always know how to make me feel better" Nero puts his arms around his wife whispering "Come on, let's go back to bed okay" she nods as they walk back to the bedroom helping his wife back into bed then he gets onto his side and under the covers Gemma is already under them, she rolls over on her side as Nero holds her close resting his hand on her stomach while she puts her hand on top of his as she's finally able to fall back asleep with Nero following quickly after.
Jax and Wendy's House: Morning November 15th 9am
Over at Jax's house Jax and Wendy are still asleep in the bed, crying from the nursery wakes Wendy up, opening her eyes slowly she rises from the bed swinging her legs over, she walks into the nursery "Hi!" she replies holding out her arms to Abel who is crawling around his crib, picking up the baby she carries him into the kitchen putting him into his highchair while she makes his morning bottle after placing the water and formula into the bottle she puts the bottle into microwave to warm it up within a few seconds it beeps indicating it's done taking out the bottle Wendy tests it on her wrist making sure it's not too hot "Ouch!" yelling in pain to cool it she off grabs a pan pouring in some cold water into it, sticking the bottle into it for a few minutes, after about 5 minutes Wendy takes the bottle out once again testing it on her wrist this time it's not too hot anymore, it's not she begins feeding her son his bottle. A few moments later Jax comes into the living room, Wendy smiles at them "Good morning, baby" Jax kisses her on the lips "Hey"
Padilla Residence: Morning November 15th 9:30am
Nero is the first one awake he stirs opening his eyes slowly they fall on his wife who is sleep peacefully beside him, knowing she's had a rough night he lets her sleep, he kisses her on the forehead, then gets up from the bed careful not wake her and goes into the kitchen for some coffee meanwhile back in the bedroom Gemma stirs as the smell of coffee wakes her up she sits up, but as she does a sharp pain grips her stomach, she exclaims painfully "Ooh!" placing her hand on her belly pausing a bit she takes some deep breaths trying to get the pain to stop because she doesn't want to worry her husband finally the pain does stop after a few moments Gemma composes herself and gets up slowly from the bed putting her hand to the small of her back and walks to the kitchen "Good morning, baby" she remarks kissing him on his lips "Hey yourself" he smiled at her "I'm surprised to see you up so early" She chuckles softly "Yeah, well the smell of coffee woke me up"
Nero helps his wife sit down at the table, he pours her some orange juice handing it to her "Here you go, baby" she takes it from him "Thanks" Gemma yawns rubbing her eyes of sleep as Nero disappears into their bedroom to get her pills for her, he returns with the bottles handing them to her "Here's your pills, babe" taking them she opens up the bottles popping her heart pill and her two pre-natal vitamins into her mouth she swallows them with the orange juice groaning bitterly as the pills slide down her throat.
Moments later, Gemma announces "I'm going to the bathroom" Nero replies "Okay" he once again helps her up from the table while she's gone Nero makes her some breakfast he decides to make her something simple: cereal five minutes later Gemma returns to the kitchen, Nero hands her the cereal "I made you some breakfast, Mama" she smiles kissing him on the cheek responding sweetly "Aww thanks, baby" sitting back down at the table she starts eating her cereal in between drinking her juice, Nero sits down beside her watching her eat after a few more minutes Gemma finishes, Nero puts her dishes into the sink then helps her up from the chair sighing she announces "I'm going to go into work today" Nero looks at her concerned "You sure, Mama?" she nods "Yeah...I'm gonna go get dressed now" he replies "Okay, let me know if you need any help and I'll drive you I'm going into work myself" adding "I'll call Kayla to come over to watch Lucius" Gemma just nodded disappearing into their bedroom opening her drawer she takes out a pair of maternity jeans and t-shirt being 8 months pregnant it's now difficult for her get dressed "Babe, can you give me a hand in here?!" Gemma yells from the bedroom, Putting down his coffee Nero runs into the room to help her "What do you help with?" Gemma smirks "my shoes I can't put them on nor tie them" Nero puts on her shoes for her and ties them "Thank you" she says thankfully, standing up Gemma cups his face giving him a kiss on his lips remarking "I will be so happy when I can see my feet again and wear my boots" Nero laughs "Me too" she smacks him on his shoulder "Ouch!" he replies painfully rubbing his shoulder as Gemma responds irritated "It's not funny you asshole!" Nero dials Kayla's number asking her to come over to watch Lucius he hangs up his phone "she'll be here in a few minutes" Gemma nods "Okay, while we are waiting can you grab my purse for me?" adding "It's in the other room" Nero replies "Yeah, sure" he returns with her purse when she suddenly starts crying "Hey, Hey Mama, what's wrong?" sniffling she replies emotionally "I'm sorry for hitting you my hormones are going crazy I didn't mean it" he smiles wrapping his arms around her "I know, I forgive you and I love you" still crying Nero tries to console her "Shh, it's okay" he holds her rubbing her back just then there's a knock at the door "I'll get the door and come back to hold you more"
10am
Nero walks over to the door opening it, Kayla smiles at him "Hey Nero, is Lucius awake yet?" she asks as she hangs her coat and purse on the coat rack, he shakes his head "No, you'll have to get him up" Kayla nods "Okay that's fine" Kayla whispers "What's going with Gemma over there?" she asks noticing the older woman's tear stained face, he whispers back "pregnancy hormones" the young woman looked at him somberly "Oh my..that sucks" Nero shakes his head "Yeah it does, I feel bad for her" With that Nero goes back to Gemma holding her once more, she's now wiping the tears away from her eyes trying to compose herself after a few minutes and some deep breaths she is calmer, she walks over to Kayla giving her a hug "Hey, sweetheart" Kayla smiles wrapping her arms around Gemma "Hey, well we should get to work now call us if you need anything or have any problems" Kayla replies "I will you guys have a good day, I'll give Lucius a kiss for you two" Gemma and Nero say " thanks bye" in unison and head out to the car and to work.
10:15am
Five minutes later Nero pulls into T.M. Walking around to the other side he helps Gemma out of the car, Nero walks a bit ahead of Gemma who has her eyes still half shut so tired is walking slowly behind him remarking "This walking to the door was supposed to help wake me up" she mumbles trying stifle back a yawn, but can't hearing this Nero stops walking turning around facing his wife "Well is it?" he asked curiously, she shakes her head "No, I'm not going to make it" she whines, starting to cry softly, looking at her sympathetically he walks over to his wife putting his arm around her waist kissing her on her lips "You'll make it Mama, I promise" without another word the couple arrives in the office, Gemma sniffles wiping her eyes as they say their goodbye's and Nero leaves for Disoa.
A Few Hours Later: T.M.
It's now 2pm in the afternoon, Gemma is still at work, she's had severe back pain all morning she tries to get work done, but her pain so bad that she can't do much of anything just when she thinks it can't get any worse pain grips her stomach, she gasps in pain "Oh!" Hearing Gemma Tig comes rushes into the office concerned "Gemma, what's wrong?" she looks at him, but can't even talk as her hands grip her desk Tig tries to comfort her "Gem, can you move?" Gemma shakes her head no, Tig then asks another question "Are you in labor?" more pain seethes Gemma's abdomen "I think so, I'm having contractions, 3 minutes apart" he helps her stand up and go over to the couch to sit down "Gem, I'm gonna call Nero okay" Tig quickly grabbed Gemma's phone dialing Nero's number, he picks up on the first ring "Gemma?" Tig answers in somewhat of a panic "No it's Tig, I think Gem's in labor for real this time" the older man nearly drops the phone at the news "Tig, are you sure man?" Tig responds back calmly "Yeah, I'm sure she's been having back pain all morning now she's having contractions, they are 3 minutes apart" Nero goes silent takes some deep breaths then replies "Alright, I'll be right there, thanks, Tig" Before rushing to T.M. Nero drives home to pick up Gemma's hospital bag he unzips it making sure everything's there including the blanket, booties and hat that Gemma made are in there they are, but just when he's about to leave Kayla comes running into the the bedroom with a confused look on her face "Nero?" she questions adding "what are you doing back here I thought you were at work?" Nero replies in a rush "I was, but I got a call that Gemma's in labor I have to take her to the hospital" Kayla's eyes go wide in shock "Oh my god, well okay I'll still watch Lucius then, call me if you need anything, good luck" Nero smiles at her putting his hand on her shoulder "Thanks" he then briskly leaves for T.M the door slamming shut behind him.
Moments later, Nero arrives at T.M. running into the office, where he sees Gemma on the couch in severe pain "Baby" he coos looking at her she holds onto him "Nero, I'm in labor..I'm sure of it" he helped her up from the couch guiding her out of the office and to the car as she can barely walk, Nero puts her into the car, buckling her seatbelt then rushes around to the drivers side getting in quickly putting on his seatbelt and races off to the hospital.
While in the car, Gemma's contractions are coming closer together. "Oh!" she exclaims painfully.
"Babe, can you hurry?" she asks, breathing heavily.
"I'm trying, Mama it's the traffic, I can't drive through it" he said, truthfully.
"Oh god!" she shouted, clutching her stomach.
"Breathe, baby, breathe" he says, taking her hand.
"I'm getting nauseous" she said, trying to take some breaths to calm the nausea.
"Hold on Mama, don't throw up in here okay and we'll be there in a few minutes" he says as she squeezes his hand tightly as the next contraction comes. "Oooh!"
St. Thomas Hospital: November 15th 2:30pm
10 minutes later Gemma and Nero arrive at the hospital, he quickly grabs Gemma's hospital bag with one hand and the other he puts his arm around Gemma's waist to help her out of the car she suddenly throws up on the ground, Nero rubs her back soothingly and they continue slowly making their way into the hospital together, moments later the couple finally arrive inside, Nero sat his wife down in a chair while he goes up to the reception desk nurse Shelly asks "Can I help you, Sir?" Nero replies panicked "my wife is in labor, Gemma Teller for Dr. Shyer" Shelly understands "Okay sir, I'll page her and get you a wheelchair" Seconds later Shelly returns with a wheelchair she and Nero help Gemma into the chair then move quickly up to the 4th floor they arrive where Dr. Shyer is waiting for them "Hey Gemma, how are you doing?" she gasps in pain "Ooh!" Dr. Shyer just nods "Okay, let's get you into a room and see what's going on" Gemma slowly gets up from the wheelchair to walk the remaining few steps into the examining room with Nero holding onto her, Dr. Shyer helps her onto the bed, she lays back as Allison presses on her belly, Gemma grimaces "Sorry" she apologizes adding "I'm going to do a pelvic exam to see if you are in labor and if so how far along you are" Gemma puts her legs up opening them as Dr. Shyer puts on some gloves then puts gel onto her fingers pressing them into Gemma's opening she moves around uncomfortably as the doctors fingers continue to be in her opening finally she removes them snapping off her gloves "Well you are definitely in labor 6 centimeters dilated and 60 percent effaced, but your water hasn't broken yet so that's good we might have break it for you"she looked at the doctor in shock. "It's too early!" Allison put her hand on Gemma's, speaking somberly."I know, but the baby doesn't know that, there's nothing more we can do now you're going to have this baby today" Dr. Shyer hooks Gemma up to a fetal monitor which says a number of 140 and nurse Shelly comes into the room to put an I.V. in her arm and a hospital bracelet on her wrist which displayed her name on it and putting her into a gown.
An hour later, Gemma's water has broken on it's own and it's clear, her contractions are getting more intense and closer together and Nero is holding his wife's hand through them "Breathe baby, breathe through it" he encourages, watching the monitor as meter goes down, he pats Gemma's forehead which is beating with sweat she's now very uncomfortable as Dr. Shyer returns to the room "Okay you two let's see how we are doing, Gemma I have to check you again" Allison again puts on some gloves and gel onto her two fingers put them into Gemma's opening seconds later she takes out her fingers announcing to the couple "Your at 8 centimeters and 100 percent effaced so you're almost there just a few more hours and you'll have your baby" taking a shakily breath she asks, "Can I deliver vaginally?" Allison smiles "I don't see why not, but I'm bringing you to the O.R. because you are high risk with your conditions and anything can happen" Gemma moans painfully as another contraction hits her she squeezes Nero's hand tightly he grimaces "Mama, that's my hand" she lets go apologizing "Sorry, Sweetheart" finally after a few seconds the meter on the monitor goes down, Nero wipes his wife's forehead with the sponge "Oh, these contractions are horrible, baby" he nods agreement "I know, but soon they'll be over and we'll have our little girl in the world" they kiss softly.
4pm
Two more hours later, Gemma's finally 10 centimeters dilated, she couldn't get any pain medicine because she was too far dilated by the time she came to the hospital, Dr. Shyer rushes Gemma to the O.R. while Nero washes his hands and gowns up to go in, he walks into the O.R. moments later, Gemma's on the gurney taking deep breaths through a contraction, Nero takes her hand into his "I gotta push!" she yells to Dr. Shyer "Okay Gemma hold on, let me put on my gloves and gown up" while Allison is washing her hands and getting ready, nurse Shelly puts nasal oxygen on Gemma, and the pulse ox probe on her index finger. Seconds later Dr. Shyer is ready "Alright Gemma, you can push now" she instructed pressing her two fingers against Gemma's vagina to keep her from tearing Gemma pushes for a few seconds moaning and gasping "Oh, shit it hurts!" she exclaimed painfully as Dr. Shyer starts counting "I, 2, 3...come on Gemma push again" she directed Gemma swallows hard, grabbing Nero's hand as she pushes again hard finally the baby's head comes out Dr. Shyer announces "Okay stop pushing the baby's head is out" Gemma's panting and breathing is heavy as she collapses back down onto the bed "I'm so tired" she says, weakly as Nero kisses her on her forehead "I know Mama, it's almost over" Dr. Shyer looks at the monitor keeping track of Gemma's blood pressure it reads 120/90 which is good "Gemma a couple more pushes and your baby girl will be born" Allison says as Gemma sat up again pushing a few more times seconds later the baby is out she's very tiny and not breathing on her own "She's out" Dr. Shyer announces as Nero cuts the umbilical cord then Allison hands the tiny baby over to the NICU team they place her carefully onto the bed and quickly suction out her nose and mouth with the bulb syringe while at the same time gently wiping off her body with a towel and get a weight "2 pounds 5 oz's" announces Dr. Ramona Jessup one of the NICU doctors she quickly takes the baby off the scale adding "Apgar is 3 out of 10" Dr. Shyer looks back to her patient instructing "Gemma, you need to push again to deliver the placenta" She nods giving a few light pushes, after a few seconds the placenta comes out as Gemma looks at her baby girl starting to cry while asking "Is she okay?" Allison shakes her head "No, she's not breathing on her own so we are going to have to put a breathing tube down her throat and put her in an incubator for a while, she's very premature" she adds "Also we have to check out her heart as well I didn't see anything on the ultrasounds, but sometimes things like this don't show up until after the baby is born" Gemma holds onto Nero tightly as she continues to cry, whispering to herself. "This is all my fault"
The NICU team stabilizes the baby by putting the breathing tube down her throat and giving her medication to help her lungs open up, then they check out her heart with the doppler as she's looking at the monitor she spots a problem and calls down the pediatric cardiologist Dr. Carla Becker to confirmed what Dr. Shyer has seen on the monitor, Dr. Becker comes down "You paged me?" she asks walking over to the other woman "Yeah, I need to you confirm what I'm seeing on the monitor with this little baby she was just born a few minutes ago" Dr. Becker nods "Okay sure" the two doctors walk over the baby who is still in the bed, Dr. Becker brings over ultrasound machine she places the doppler on the heart moving it around "I see the problem, this little girl has a hole in her heart, we're going to have to do surgery to fix it" Allison sighs heavily "Oh man that's what I was afraid of" Dr. Becker puts the doppler back on it's cradle looking over at the Allison "Do you want me to talk with the parents?" Allison shook her head "No, I'll do it she has already been through this before with her other two children especially her youngest and both have heart conditions so I'm not surprised by this finding" Dr. Becker puts her hand on her friends shoulder "Oh I'm sorry" Dr. Shyer just nods "Yeah, thanks" the doctor smiles somberly "I'll be around if you need anything else" Dr. Becker walks away. The NICU team places the tiny baby in an incubator, and a bracelet on baby's ankle then rushed her off to the neonatal intensive care unit.
Gemma is now back her private room, Dr. Shyer arrives in the room the couple looks at her, Allison notices Gemma's tear stained face the doctor sits down on Gemma's bed clearing her throat she tries to figure out how to tell Gemma about her baby girl's condition taking a deep breath she starts "Gemma, Nero..." she takes Gemma's hand speaking again "Your baby girl is stable, but in critical condition we put a breathing tube down her throat because she can't breathe on her own at this time and we've also given her medication called surfactant to open up her lungs" Gemma starts crying again as Nero takes her hand into his "Shh, it's okay Mama" Gemma wipes tears from her eyes, Dr. Shyer continues "We looked at her heart on the monitor and I'm sorry she has a hole in it and needs open heart surgery to fix it" Gemma looks down putting her hand on her forehead then over her mouth whispering "Oh god" she sniffles taking a deep breath, Dr. Shyer apologizes "I'm so sorry, but we are going to have to do it sooner rather than later most likely tomorrow or the day after" Gemma nods asking "Can we see her?" Dr. Shyer smiles "Sure, she's in the NICU, I'll get you a wheelchair" Nero gets up from the bed stopping her "I'll get it" Dr. Shyer nods "Okay sure, again I'm very sorry, if you guys need anything have the nurse page me alright" Allison walks out of the room leaving the couple alone to give them some space.
Nero returns with a wheelchair minutes later, he helps her into it and wheels her down to the NICU they arrive there within a few minutes, Nero presses the button for the intercom "Can I help you?" a voice says "Yeah, here for baby girl Padilla" the buzzer rings letting them in as Nero pushes Gemma through the NICU she looks sadly at all of the babies trying to find where hers is finally she spots a name tag on the outside window of an incubator in the way back saying "Baby girl Padilla" Gemma gasps at the first sight of her baby while Nero has tears in his eyes he's never seen a baby so small before just then a young blonde nurse walks over to them she smiles speaking up "Hi there I'm Amy, your baby's primary care nurse" Gemma looks at the other woman somberly sniffling "Hi" Nero somberly says "Hi" pausing Amy speaks up "Don't be afraid to talk to her" adding "Does she have a name?" Gemma and Nero both nod with Gemma speaking barely above a whisper "Atalaya Bennett Padilla"
To Be Continued...