AN: I always say I'm going to update on schedule and then I don't, but I'm trying!
Their quiet moment together didn't last long as half of Station 19 rushed into the room a few minutes later. However, they paused when they saw her lying in bed with the baby in her arms. Jo looked up to see Carina and Maya standing in the entryway with wide eyes and open jaws before Carina walked over to the three of them.
"Well Jo it seems as if you've had your baby already," Carina said with a laugh as she stared down at them. "How is the little bambino and their Mama?"
"Her APGAR score is a perfect 10 and Jo's been amazing!" Alex said with pride as he smiled down at them, she didn't think he would stop smiling, and neither could she.
"They're doing great. Jo delivered about ten minutes ago so it hasn't been long," Meredith said as she got up and stepped to the side as Carina came over to her. "Her heart rate was high and a little unsteady during delivery, but it's back to normal and steady, and the baby's doing well, but Jo also tore and she hasn't delivered the placenta, so I've been doing a fundal massage."
Carina nodded as she came over and sat on the bed next to her. Jo popped up her legs again and Carina pulled the blankets up to examine her. The extra paramedics left the room and the ones that stayed averted their eyes and Jo was thankful for the privacy.
"It looks like just a simple second degree tear and it's already stopped bleeding and hopefully the placenta is on its way, thanks to Dr. Gray here," Carina said as she pulled back but continued to massage Jo's belly to try and get the placenta to detach. "Still, we should get you to the hospital."
"Do I have to go to the hospital? I've already had the baby and everything, and you can just stitch me up here," Jo asked looking up at all of them with a pout.
"Yes!" Alex, Meredith, and Carina all said forcefully.
They were a little worried that she would protest, but Jo just sighed and looked down at her baby girl, tracing the dark hairs on her forehead. Besides, the worst part was over and she had her baby. She was too tired to argue with them, no matter how much she wanted to stay and sleep in her own bed. She knew realistically that wouldn't be a possibility, since her bed was currently covered in blood and amniotic fluid. They might have to get a new mattress.
"You guys got a diaper and a car seat for the baby?" Maya asked as she unpacked some supplies for Carina.
"Yeah, there's a car seat in the car and I guess you can just grab a onesie and diaper from the nursery," Alex said with an affectionate smile, not daring to take his eyes off Jo or the baby.
"I'll go grab it," Meredith said with a shake of her head as she stripped off her gloves.
She walked down the hall to the nursery, opening the top dresser drawer to grab a diaper and a regular white onesie and hat that was probably going to get stained with meconium and blood. However, she knew they wouldn't mind. She also grabbed a robe for Jo, knowing she wouldn't want to travel to the hospital naked. Then she returned to the room. Alex was sitting on the bed next to Jo and both of them were staring at their baby girl.
They were completely enamored with their daughter. Carina worked around them and was between Jo's legs, making sure she wasn't bleeding out. Maya was next to her, handing her the things she needed, and Montgomery was placing an IV in Jo's arm. They were all chit-chatting a bit, but Jo and Alex only had eyes for their daughter.
"How does it feel to officially be a girl dad, Alex," Meredith said as she handed him the diaper and onesie.
"It feels good," Alex said as Jo handed the baby over to him and he held his daughter for the first time.
His eyes held profound love for his daughter as he picked her up in such a tender cradle. Her long legs kicked out and she cried in protest of being removed from her mother. But with a gentle pat and a soft sway, Alex soothed her again as she curled up in his arms. The baby was the length of his forearm, although she was quite chubby and Meredith guessed she weighed as much as Helena did, if not more.
Looking at him, Meredith was suddenly reminded of Derek. Alex had the same look on his face that Derek had when he first held Zola and asked Meredith to adopt her; it was one of pure devotion and delight. She pulled out her phone, taking a picture of him and the baby. The picture also captured Jo, looking up at them with as much adoration for her husband and daughter.
"We're about ready to get going," Montgomery said to her as Meredith nodded and put her phone away before she went to get the car seat.
Running down the stairs, Meredith intended to quickly get the car seat but was ambushed by all five kids at the bottom of the stairs.
"What happened to Aunt Jo and the baby?!" Zola demanded as all the kids started talking at the same time, while Luna started to cry.
"Did she have the baby?"
"I want Mama!"
"Is Aunt Jo going to the hospital?"
"Baby 'ere?"
"Why was Uncle Alex so scared?"
"Is Aunt Jo gonna die?"
"Mama!"
Meredith held up her hands and took Luna from Zola's arms. "Nobody is going to die! Your Mama, Aunt Jo, and the baby are okay. Your Daddy, Uncle Alex was just scared because Aunt Jo was in labor. In fact, she was so far along that by the time we got here, I had just enough time to put on a pair of gloves and call Alex back in the room before the baby was born."
"Aunt Jo had her baby?" Ellis asked, as all their faces lit up.
"Yes, and that means, you two," Meredith said, looking at Helena and Luna. "Have a new baby sister."
"I h've a baby!" Helena said as she danced and wiggled excitedly.
"I wan' Mama," Luna said with a pout.
"I know baby, and your Mama is going to come see you in a minute, but then she is going to the hospital for a few days," Meredith said, kissing her cheek and holding her close.
"Are they going to name the baby after me?" Ellis asked as she bounced up and down.
"I don't know, but I need to grab the car seat from the car?" Meredith said, handing Luna back to Zola as Luna protested.
She ran out and grabbed the car seat and ran back inside. Her kids had settled the girls with another movie, although Luna looked over Zola's shoulder at her with a pout and her sad big blue eyes. Meredith gave her a little wave and knew it would be tough for her with Jo in the hospital again, but she would be okay all right.
When she got back upstairs, a few of the Station 19 crew, including Maya, walked past her and told her they were headed back to the station while Warren, Carina, and Hughes would be taking Jo and the baby to the hospital. Alex smiled as he came over and Meredith put the car seat on the footrest of the recliner as Alex carefully strapped the baby in. She fussed a little bit, but Alex was able to soothe her again as he tucked the emergency blanket around her, making sure she was warm. Jo was also wrapped in an emergency blanket again as she was looking a little more pale than before.
Although she still smiled, Jo looked like she could fall asleep at any moment and Meredith wasn't sure that was just the result of her hard labor. "How are the girls? I heard Luna crying?"
"I think she's just tired because she hasn't gotten a nap yet, but Helena was very happy to hear that her baby was here," Meredith said as they all shared a laugh. "Are you still doing okay?"
"She's delivered the placenta with ease, but her heart rate is a little elevated again so I'd like to get going," Carina said with a sure nod that told her Jo was stable for now.
Warren and Hughes stepped up to her with the stretcher, but Alex was quicker and held up his hands to stop them. "I got her."
"Are you sure?" Jo asked him as he put his arms under her back and knees.
"I got you," Alex quietly reassured her as he kissed her forehead before he picked her up.
Carefully, Alex stood up with Jo in his arms and walked over to the stretcher. He set her down before tucking the emergency blankets around her and making sure she was comfortable. Then Warren buckled Jo in and Carina hung her IVs and they were ready to go. After Jo and the baby were secure, everyone carefully made their way downstairs. Warren and Hughes held the stretcher as they brought Jo down first while Alex and Meredith followed with the baby.
The kids were again waiting at the bottom of the stairs, but they moved away for the stretcher. Zola was still holding Luna and Bailey had picked up Helena, while Ellis stood next to them.
"Mama," Luna reached out for her, but Jo only waved.
"Hi baby, I'm sorry I can't hold you right now," Jo said as she waved at Luna who still reached for her and tried to wiggle out of Zola's arms.
"How are you doing Aunt Jo?" Zola asked as she readjusted to hold Luna better.
"I'm okay," Jo smiled at her as Zola let out a breath and smiled too.
"Did you really have a baby upstairs in your bedroom?" Bailey asked with disbelief.
"Yep and she's right here," Alex said as he stepped down and showed off the baby to them. Their baby looked so tiny curled up in their car seat and had a familiar grumpy look as she stared at the people in front of her.
"She looks like Uncle Alex," Bailey said as all the kids smiled and came closer to coo at the baby.
"She's so cute!" Ellis exclaimed as Helena leaned forward to look at the baby.
"D'at my baby," Helena said, reaching out and giving the baby a hug as Alex smiled and nodded.
Meredith captured a few more pictures as Luna hugged the baby too, but still reached out for her Mama. Jo gave in and motioned for Zola to bring her close so she could hug and kiss her. Jo whispered something into her ear and Luna nodded. Alex kissed both of the girls before they all went out to the ambulance. Meredith stayed back with the kids but held Jo's foot as she was getting loaded up.
"Thank you for delivering my baby, Meredith," Jo said, giving her a sleepy smile.
"Of course, I'm just glad you're both safe," Meredith said, as Jo smiled Meredith realized she was still holding her breath and let it out as she knew Jo was in safe hands.
They all got into the ambulance and waved her goodbye. Everybody got settled as Carina and Maya sat next to her and Warren drove. Jo looked over at him as Alex put the seat belt strap over the car seat and made sure it was secure next to him.
"Alex," Jo said, looking up at him, the smile gone from her face as she put a hand over her heart. "My chest hurts."
Alex reached out to hold her hand as his smile dropped too. His eyes glanced up to the heart monitor checking the rise and fall of the heart line, it was still steady, but slower than it should have been. "We'll be at the hospital soon."
"Alright boys, let's light it up and get to the hospital quickly but safely. We got precious cargo," Ben said as he flipped on the lights and they left the driveway.