September 23, 1998
"Thomas. Focus," Theo said as Thomas was thrown into a wall by one of the rangers. Normally Thomas gave them a run for their money, but something had been off since he had stepped into the gym today. "Let's take five. What's going on?"
"I don't know, something just feels…" Thomas trailed off as he rubbed his chest and tried to get over the pain he was feeling. "I'm sure I'm just worried about her."
"She have another rough night?" Theo asked as Thomas nodded. He had been up with Kimberly for more than half the night with braxton-hicks contractions. She had stayed out of class today to rest, but had insisted that he come in to work out. "Go home, Thomas. Your wife needs you more than you need practice."
"Thanks," Thomas said as he jogged off, finally feeling some relief from the pain that had been growing.
Thomas quietly closed the door behind him, hoping that Kimberly was still resting. She had been exhausted after last night and when they called her doctor this morning, he had suggested that she get some rest. It was the only reason that they hadn't gone to the hospital. He walked into their bedroom and saw that she was sitting on the edge of the bed, eyes closed.
"Hey babe, you need something?" Thomas asked as he walked past her, placing his shoes and bag in the closet. She didn't move and he looked over to see that she was gritting her teeth. "Kim…how far apart are they?"
"Ten minutes," Kimberly said as she opened her eyes and he nodded. He felt her fear, but also felt a jolt of excitement. "Can you walk with me? I just…I need to move."
"Whatever you need," Thomas said as she put her arms around his neck and he helped her to stand. They paced around their bedroom for the next several minutes before another contraction hit and he looped his arms around her and supported her as she rocked back and forth. He felt something hit his feet and he looked down, realizing that her water must have broken. She shook as it seemed like the pain increased and he closed his eyes. "Kim…"
"Shhhh…don't talk…just hold me," Kimberly whispered as he nodded. He kept an eye on how long this contraction lasted and clocked it at just under a minute. It was going to be a long day.
"You can't head to the hospital," Dr. Mitzburg said as Thomas stood on the other end and stared ahead, trying to keep his facial expression blank. "There's massive flooding, a landslide. It's not safe for you to leave your home."
"Can't we teleport there?" Thomas asked and he heard the sigh on the other end of the line.
"Normally, yes, but the teleportation grid is being used to move people out of life threatening situations right now. Your situation is not life threatening. I believe the Ranger Academy prepared you for these sorts of things. I would use that training now," Dr. Mitzburg said as she hung up and Thomas looked over at Kimberly and let out a sigh. He had heard the rain throughout the afternoon, but had no idea that it was this bad.
"Can we go?" Kimberly asked as he opened his eyes and shook his head. "Why not?"
"Apparently there's flooding and it's too dangerous to leave the house. We're…I'm not going anywhere," Thomas comforted and she locked eyes with him as she realized what he was saying. "I'm so sorry."
"We have time, I just hit the time when I'm supposed to head to the hospital, maybe things will go slow," Kimberly hedged as he looked at her and she shook her head. "I ignored this one."
"You ignored what?" Thomas asked as another contraction hit and she leaned into him, settling her feet wide, trying to relieve any of the pressure she was feeling. She groaned as the pain spiked, but then released.
"This prophecy," Kimberly answered as he froze and she forced a smile. "It seemed too ridiculous to believe that it was true."
"Well…it looks like it is. How about a bath?" Thomas asked and she nodded. Her entire body was tired and she needed something to just help her relax. "Give me a few minutes and I'll get you in there."
"Tommy…" Kimberly said as he stopped at their bedroom door and she smiled at him. "If it's any comfort, you do amazing with today."
"If you've got any play by plays for me- I could sure use it," Thomas said with a smile as she shook her head and he then disappeared. She heard the water switch on and rubbed her belly, feeling another contraction starting.
"You're in a hurry to meet your Daddy, aren't you?" Kimberly whispered as she leaned forward and let out a pain filled cry. How had her contractions gone from five minutes apart to two?
"Okay, can you walk?" Thomas asked as he appeared in front of her and she rocked back and forth into him. Tears streamed down her face and he let out a shaky breath, something had changed in the few minutes he was gone. "Beautiful."
"Carry me. Please," Kim forced out as she locked eyes with him and he nodded before gently picking her up. Her fingernails dug into his skin and he ignored it. His priority was to get her some relief, in any way possible. "I think…I think it's time for me to lose your sweats and…"
"Okay," Thomas said as he squatted down in front of her and slowly helped her out of his pants. She steadied herself against his shoulders and he used his free hand to hold her steady. "Where do you want me?"
"With me," Kim responded as he just nodded. He helped her into the tub and he had never been so glad that they had a deep tub. She leaned against the side of the tub while he stripped down to his boxers and climbed in with her. He pressed against her back and she let out another sigh of relief. "They're much closer now…I…I don't know how much longer."
"Shhh…just relax. I've got you," Thomas whispered as she leaned her face against the cool tile and he saw the sweat that was rolling down her body. She was exhausted and he was worried. What made her so confident that he would be able to do this?
"It's going to go quick now, Tommy. I can feel it," Kim muttered before she let out a scream and he applied more pressure to her back, which seemed to make the pain bearable. "I'm really glad you insisted on the home birth emergency kit."
"I never thought we'd use it," Thomas replied as she looked back at him and puckered her lips. He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. While he could tell that her pain was much higher, he could also tell that she had finally relaxed into what was happening. "Just…just tell me when you feel like you need to push."
"Don't worry- I think it'll be obvious," Kim said as he closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath. Hopefully the teleportation grid would clear up in time that they didn't have to have this baby at home.
"Tommy…I can't…I can't do this…I just…" Kim sobbed into his neck as he came back from calling the hospital again. The teleportation grid was still being overrun by real emergencies, he couldn't even get through to Robert or Theo. "I'm not strong enough."
"Yes you are," Thomas whispered as he locked eyes with her and all he saw was pain. So much pain. He knew that she must be so close, but he had to get her over this hump. "You are the strongest person I know. You are the bravest person I know. You came into my life and have taken everything that being my soulmate has thrown at you. You can do this…you're so close."
"How do you know that?" Kim asked as he gave her a weak smile as another contraction hit and he reached behind her to rub her back.
"Because you saw it. And you've never been wrong before," Thomas said as the contraction waned and he saw her determination kick in. He felt her other muscles tense and then loosen. "Babe?"
"Get back in here, I need to push," Kim whispered and he met her gaze.
He lost track of time as Kimberly moaned, screamed, and shook in his arms. He ran more warm water and helped her as she moved into different positions to push. He heard another scream and then felt her relax. She pushed his hands down between her thighs and he felt their baby's head. He locked eyes with her as she pushed again and he felt their baby slip into her hands before she sunk back against the wall side of the tub. He lifted their son onto her chest and he let out a cry.
"You…you did great…" Thomas whispered, his voice thick, before he leaned over and gave her a kiss. He heard his communicator buzz and he shook his head. Talk about horrible timing. "Yeah."
"Don't you 'yeah' me. We've been trying to get in touch with you for hours. We need all cadets at the Academy," Mitch growled and Thomas gritted his teeth. Of course. Every former ranger and current cadet would be activated for this kind of disaster. "I'm teleporting you now."
"No, you're not. If they couldn't teleport us to the hospital for Kimberly to give birth, you can deal without me while I take care of her," Thomas said as he cut the connection and started to take off his communicator as it buzzed again. "What?"
"Thomas? I'm glad we finally got you. We need you back here," Theo said as Thomas let out a groan. "What? What's going on?"
Theo heard a baby crying in the background as Thomas held the frequency open and Theo snapped his head over to Mitch. He had only brought him in because of the protocol. Now he wondered if he had been denying Thomas a teleport all of this time.
"We'll get someone to you. How are they?" Theo asked as Thomas let out a sigh.
"Tired, but baby is healthy and I'm going to get Mom up and into bed as soon as she's up to it," Thomas replied as Theo smiled on the other end. Today had been a hell of a day, but at least…at least this bit of good had come out of it.