Sheriff vs. Agent
Chapter 29 Julie Ann Deeks
UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
Claudia Roberts hustles into the hospital at 10:00 promptly. Her first stop is the administrator's office. She and James are major donors to the medical center. She has asked for 10 minutes of time; she is welcomed warmly. She chats for a moment, talking about her God-daughter; then she requests 2 courtesy cards. 1 For herself and 1 for Marty; to grant them visiting privileges outside normal visiting hours. Having succeeded, she goes up to the nursery.
She looks in the window and sees a marvelous sight. Marty is sittin in a rocker, wearing a hospital gown and mas. He is holding Julie Ann up to his chest. He is giving her a feeding of formula. When he sees Claudia, he breaks out into the biggest grin she has ever seen.
She motions to a nurse and holds up her iPad. The nurse nods and comes to the door.
"Please take a couple pictures for me?" The God-mother asks. The nurse nods and takes the device. She goes back inside, has Marty arrange Julie Ann so her face can be seen, and takes 3 pictures.
She comes back to the door and hands the iPad back.
"May I return after Marty leaves and come in and hold my God-daughter?"
"Absolutely, Mrs. Roberts," the nurse smiles.
"You know me?"
"Mr. Deeks told us about your help with getting Mrs. Deeks to the hospital. Thank you so much!" She gives Claudia a hug.
"I was delighted to help!" Claudia hustles off to the ICU.
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ICU BED-8
Claire has just awakened from a nap. She is sore, so sore. But she feels so good. Marty had slept by her side last night; in a special recliner placed at her bedside. They had held hands all night thru. He had explained the need for the hysterectomy, a procedure she wished was not necessary; but she understood and didn't question his decision. They trusted each other implicitly. To quibble (or flat-out argue) over a life-and-death decision of your spouse served no useful purpose. If you didn't trust s/he that much, why the hell are you married?
Marty had described their daughter's wisps of red hair and green eyes; the spitting image of her beautiful mommy! Julie Ann's parents were ecstatic; love for each other and their little one was overflowing!
When Claudia arrived, she was met by an ICU nurse. She walked thru the instructions for visitors; she washed her hands, put on a gown and mask as well as shoe covers. She then entered and was shown to bed-8.
Claire was partially sitting up and smiled broadly when she saw her visitor. Claudia stepped to the bedside and grasped Claire's hands.
"My dear, I'm so glad to see that you are doing so well. I waited with Marty during your surgery, and was thrilled at the news of success."
With misty eyes Claire responded; "Thank you so much for your assistance. Marty and I are so grateful. Have you seen Julie Ann?"
"Yes, I stopped by the nursery. I have some pictures." She turned on her iPad and showed mommy pictures of her beautiful daughter. Mother & God-mother looked at father/daughter with awe and love.
"He will be such a good daddy!" Claire whispered.
"That he will," Claudia agreed.
"Can you send a picture to a few people for us, please?"
"Surely."
Claire hands her cell to Claudia so she can get the contact # for Kensi and Hetty. Claudia sends all 3 pictures that she has to those 2 cherished contacts.
They chat a while until a nurse comes in and informs them that Marty is waiting his turn to visit Claire. After a final good-by, Claudia exits. She gives Marty a hug then proceeds to the nursery.
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NCIS-OSP LOS ANGELES
Hetty's cell chirps, her message notification. She unlocks the device, retrieves the message and opens it. Her face breaks into the largest grin possible – for her! She sees 3 pictures and a caption:
JULIE ANN DEEKS
8 LBS 2 OZ / 20 INCHES
PROUR PARENTS CLAIRE & MARTY
GOD-MOTHER CLAUDIA ROBERTS
Hetty climbs the steps to Ops, she hands her cell to Eric.
"Mr. Beale, please retrieve the pictures attached to my last TXT message. Put them on the big screen."
He does.
Nell gasps, then cheers. "Isn't she beautiful! And Marty . . . I've never seen him happier and prouder."
"Indeed . . . indeed," Hetty whispers.
"Mr. Beale, please send one of those pictures and the caption to all workstations/staff. You and Ms. Jones may pick which picture to send."
"May we send all 3?" Nell inquires.
"If you wish."
Soon clapping, cheering & CONGRATULATIONS could be heard from all over the building.
The bullpen was conspicuously silent.
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MIDDLEBURY
Both Kensi and Roger printed a copy of the pictures; they kept a copy on their persons and showed them to people as they interacted with the community. The people were almost uniformly happy for their sheriff, his wife and new daughter. This good-will would come in very handy soon.
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UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA
Claire had been in much danger when she arrived at the hospital. Her rapid transport had quite possibly been life-saving. Added to that was the post-op bleeding; fortunately, quick and correct decisions had been made and carried through producing a good outcome for mother and child.
When Marty first saw his wife, he was dismayed. Her blood loss had left her with a pronounced pallor. He gently held her hand in support and softly, silently wept. As the days passed, she gradually gained ground. She was kept in the ICU for 3 days, then was moved to a private suite.
She was allowed to attempt breast feeding one day 1; because of the stress she had endured, her milk did not start to come in until day 3. Julie Ann was fed formula while this process was going on. By discharge on day 7, Claire's milk was sufficient for the baby. While she had never thought she would do breast feeding, Claire immediately recognized the bonding effects that the process produced. To have your child gazing up at you while s/he suckled at your breast was an absolutely amazing experience! Claire would never do it any other way. Unless it was impossible. Dad was slightly jealous, but he totally understood. He did get to feed Julie Ann a bottle once in a while during the night. Claire would sometimes pump her milk when her supply exceeded the babies needs to produce such bottles.
During Claire's last 2 days in the hospital, Marty spent in Middlebury interviewing nanny candidates. He narrowed it down to 2 Amish teenagers. He prepared a dossier folder for each girl; he had a picture, summary of qualifications and a statement written by each girl in a folder for Claire to peruse. When she got home, she interviewed both girls and made her final choice.
Margaret Arnholt, age 16, was Claire's choice. Maggie was delighted, and came on board just in time to travel with the family to Vincennes.
FOR THE WEDDING!
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TBC