Chalk Dust to Eternity

by baseballchick1330

This is an AU story & my take on what should have happened with Elizabeth & Jack. Many of the original events of the series will be included, as well as some that I create. Some of the events will be omitted and others will be changed to fit my story. The timeline of the events have also changed to fit what I wanted to tell. This part 2 and picks up where part 1 left off.

302. Chapter 302

TRIGGER WARNING! The delivery is a bit graphic, but there was no other way around it.

Chapter 302 – Delivery of Baby Number 2

Carson and Abigail went over to Faith.

"Faith." Carson said. "Are the instruments ready?"

"Yes." Faith said. "Are those obstetric forceps?"

"Yes." Carson said. "Faith I need you to scrub, clean your hands and arms; fingertips past your elbows. I will talk you through what needs to be done, but I think it will be less traumatic for Elizabeth if you do this since she is so petite. Also we need a sheet. Even though Jack is helping, he shouldn't have to see this."

"I got it." Abigail said.

"Are we ready?" Carson asked.

"Yes." Faith and Abigail said.

Abigail walked over to the doorway and looked at Jack. She didn't have to say anything, he just scooped Elizabeth up in his arms and carried her into the other room. He laid her down on the table.

"Jack." Carson said. "Here is the ether. Very small amounts. I want you to focus on her breathing and not on what we are going to do. No husband should have to see this."

"I am not a normal husband." Jack said. "I am Mountie and I was raised on a ranch. But thank you for your concern."

"Abigail." Carson said, walking over to Elizabeth. "I want you on the other side. You are going to mirror what I do. We will also hold the sheet so Jack doesn't have to see. Faith, is she down far enough to the end of the table for you?"

"Maybe a little closer to me." Faith said.

"Okay." Carson said. "Abigail, cup your hand around Elizabeth's heel, then bring her knee toward her chest. Then we will slide her down until Faith says stop."

Abigail and Carson with a little help from Jack slid Elizabeth into position.

"Better, Faith?" Carson asked.

"Perfect." Faith said.

"Jack." Carson said. "Ether. We just want her to relax."

Jack gave Elizabeth a small amount of ether and Carson felt Elizabeth's leg start to relax.

"Just a little bit more." Carson said. "Then stop for now. Watch her breathing. Abigail, while holding the sheet, I want you to take your left hand and put it on Elizabeth's knee and pull it toward you. We need to open up her hips. I want her knees past the edge of the table if possible."

Abigail and Carson were able to do what he said with ease since Elizabeth had relaxed.

"Okay, Faith." Carson said. "I will talk you through this. Ready?"

"Ready." Faith said, taking a deep breath.

"Okay." Carson said. "You need to slip your hand up in Elizabeth until you feel the umbilical cord. It is going to feel like a pulsing rope."

Faith took a deep breath and slowly did as Carson had instrusted.

"Got it." Faith said.

"Now this is where it gets tricky." Carson said. "I need you to slip your hand past the umbilical cord without compressing it. You need to reach the baby's head and gently push him back up into Elizabeth. The easiest way to do that is start where the head is touching the umbilical cord. Run your finger around the head between the cervix and the head. It will release the suction that is created. You will feel the suction release. Just be mindful of the umbilical cord. That is the only thing supplying oxygen to the baby right now."

Faith worked and Abigail prayed quietly.

"I think I got it." Faith said.

"Good." Carson said. "Now being very careful, can you push the baby back a little."

"Got it." Faith said. "He slipped out of the pelvic bone."

"Good." Carson said. "Now make sure that the cord is back in place. Best to try and get it past the chin."

"Okay." Faith said. "Carson, we have a problem."

"Tell me what is going on." Carson said. "You need to talk to me."

"I think the umbilical was nicked when it was compressed by the pelvic bone." Faith said. "Also it appears that the baby is face up."

"First." Carson said. "Was the cord still pulsing?"

"Yes." Faith said.

"Did you get it out of the birth canal?" Carson asked.

"Yes." Faith said.

"Then we are okay for now." Carson said. "But we need to rotate the baby. Can you get to the left shoulder and turn it toward me? Make sure you don't turn the baby using the head or neck, they could snap. You need to have the shoulder."

"Got it." Faith said. "How far do you want me to rotate it?"

"180 degrees." Carson said. "So the baby is face down."

"Got it." Faith said.

"Faith." Carson said. "Are you comfortable using the forceps to get the baby out?"

"I have only ever read about it." Faith said.

"Then switch with me." Carson said. "Good job, but we are not done yet."

Faith wiped her hand and arm switching with Carson.

"Now." Carson said. "I still need her hips open, but I also will need you to push on Elizabeth's stomach, so if that is going to be easier, hook your right arm under her knee to keep it open. Jack, don't watch what we are doing, but I also need you to back off the ether. Keep watching her breathing and focus on her, not us."

Abigail and Faith got in position as Carson slipped the forceps in and grabbed the baby.

"Everyone ready?" Carson asked.

"Yes." Faith said.

"Then on the count of three." Carson said. "We need to get this baby out. One … two … three."

On three Carson started pulling the baby out while Abigail and Faith pushed on Elizabeth's stomach to encourage the baby out. It took four times to get the baby's head out.

"Stop." Carson said. "The head is out."

Carson removed the forceps and cleaned out the baby's mouth and nose.

"Abigail, get ready with that blanket." Carson said. "Faith ready to mark time."

With that Carson finished delivering the baby.

"Three fifty-nine am." Faith said.

"It's a boy." Carson said.

Carson quickly tied off the cord, cut it, wrapped the baby up and turned away.

"Faith." Carson said. "I need you. Abigail, can you finish."

"Got it." Abigail said.

"Faith suction his nose and mouth." Carson said.

While Abigail tended to Elizabeth, Carson and Faith worked on the baby boy. He was limp and barely breathing but that was because of the ether and Carson knew it. Once Faith was able to suction out as much as she could from his nose and mouth, they got a quick weight.

"Five pounds even." Faith said.

Carson quickly took the baby back, brought him up to his face and although he didn't cover the baby's nose and mouth with his mouth, he breathed into the baby. After a few times of doing that, the little boy let out a small cry. Faith stood there in awe watching Carson work. She had never seen that before and wouldn't have known to do that to help the baby.

"Good." Carson said. "It is going to take a little bit to get the ether out of his system, but he is breathing. Jack, come meet your son."

Jack stood up and walked over to Carson. Carson in turn handed him a wrapped up bundle. While he did that, Faith went back to Elizabeth.

"Jack." Carson said. "Here is your son. He is going to be fine. We just have to watch his breathing for a few hours."

Jack took the small bundle and kissed his forehead. Then the tears came. Carson guided Jack to sit down while holding the baby. He put him right next to where Amber was laying. Carson quickly picked her up and handed her to Jack so he had both of his children.

Then Carson went back to Elizabeth. He knew that she wasn't out of the woods and he had to turn his attention back to her. Carson knew that Faith was more than comfortable handling things, but it was now his responsibility.

"Placenta complete." Faith said. "Elizabeth is still really out of it, but no unexpected bleeding."

"Let me get her to the other room." Carson said. "I think that she will be fine. Sore, but fine. It is going to take a couple hours for the ether to get out of her system."

Carson picked up Elizabeth and carried her back to the bed in the other room. Faith followed and they got Elizabeth settled. When they got back to the other room, Jack was still sitting there looking between his two children. Carson saw the absolute love on Jack's face, he had seen it before and wished he had been able to have that.

"Jack." Carson said. "Go sit with your wife. Take the children if you want. Does the little guy have a name?"

"Can I wait until Elizabeth sees him?" Jack asked. "I named Amber, I think it is only right that she gets to pick his. We had talked about a couple, but nothing was decided for sure between them. I really want her to choose. As long as there is no danger for him right now."

"Sure we can wait." Carson said. "It might be a couple of hours. Faith and I will be here and check on all of you in a bit."

Carson helped Jack to the other room and got him settled. When Carson returned to the other room, Abigail was cleaning things. Carson looked around, but didn't see Faith.

"She stepped out back." Abigail said.

"Thank you." Carson said. "You can leave that stuff. If you bring me a couple fresh hot water bottles, you can get some sleep."

"I don't think I could sleep if I tried right now." Abigail said. "But I will bring water bottles and formula for both twins."

"Sounds good." Carson said. "Please let Frank know everything is good and he can get some sleep."

"I will." Abigail said.

While Abigail headed out the front door, Carson stepped out the back door. Faith was crying and he wanted to pull her into a hug, but he wasn't sure that it would have been appropriate. So instead he just touched her arm. Faith turned and hugged him, almost collapsing in his arms.

"Hey." Carson said, rubbing her back. "Everyone is okay."

"Sorry." Faith said, stepping back. "Normally, I am not that emotional. I just thought for sure that we were going to lose one or both of them. Where did you learn to do that? I have never even read anything like what we did and then the way that you helped him to breathe."

"My mother and grandmother." Carson said. "Take a moment, splash some water on your face and then come help me clean up."

"Thank you." Faith said.

After Carson stepped back into the infirmary, Faith shook her head. She wasn't sure what had come over her, she had never flung herself at a man like that, not even Adam. She also wanted to know more about Carson. He intrigued her and that was something that hadn't happened in a long time. After checking on Faith, Carson went to check on the Thornton family.

"Jack." Carson said. "You must be exhausted. Faith and I can keep an eye on the twins. Amber is going to want to eat again and I think we should try to get the little guy to eat also."

"Just let me know and I will wake Elizabeth." Jack said.

"Jack." Carson said. "She can't breastfeed for twenty-four hours because of the ether. Abigail is fixing bottles for both of them. We actually have been having to use an eyedropper with Amber because she won't suck from the bottle, the nipples are too big for her tiny little mouth. We should be able to get the little guy to take one."

"Elizabeth is going to be devastated." Jack said. "She was an emotional mess when I mentioned bottles."

"It is only one day." Carson said. "Tomorrow, Faith can help her try to get both twins to nurse. I will explain things to her. But understand that she might still be emotional for a bit. Her hormones are all over the place and she has been through a lot. So have you. How are you doing? I am sure that was not how you thought your little one would come into the world."

"Honestly." Jack said. "I was so focused on Elizabeth that I wasn't really paying attention to what you were doing. I caught bits and pieces of it, but I tried not to think about what you were doing."

"Good plan." Carson said. "Elizabeth is going to be sore for a while. Her body has been through a lot. It might take longer to heal than normal. You are going to have to be patient with her about being intimate. And absolutely not for at least six weeks."

"I understand." Jack said. "Won't be easy, but I understand. You get that Elizabeth and I have been married for barely eight months."

Carson just looked at Jack.

"We were married on December twenty-third." Jack said. "Faith figured that Elizabeth got pregnant on our wedding night. We thought it was closer to February, but now, I am leaning more toward what Faith said originally. We had to make a quick trip to Hamilton in January and Elizabeth thought she had her monthly. She was emotional and after a confrontation with family she passed out. We called a doctor and he was sure that it was just emotional stress. He asked Elizabeth if she was pregnant at that time and Elizabeth was adamant that she wasn't. Then when we found out in April that Elizabeth was pregnant after having been sick most of March, it all made sense."

"Wow." Carson said. "I had no idea that you were still newlyweds. I would have thought you had been together for years."

"We meet May third of last year and were married in December." Jack said. "But you are not the first to tell us that. I feel like I know Elizabeth better than I know anyone or have ever known anyone."

"Amber and I were like that." Carson said. "Except that we actually had known each other forever. My grandmother actually delivered Amber. We were married for just over three years before she got sick."

"Carson." Jack said. "I don't know the grief of losing a spouse and I hope I never have to know it, but you are still a young guy. Don't close yourself off. Hope Valley will change you if you let it. There is something magical about this place. When I came here, I had sworn off women and convinced myself that Mounties didn't marry. Elizabeth changed all that. I have seen widows who lost their husband in a horrible accident open their lives back up to love. You have a second chance. Please don't waste it."

"You know you are the second person to say that to me tonight." Carson said.

"Well, it is true." Jack said. "I owe you everything. Because of you, I have my wife and two beautiful children."

"Thank you but Elizabeth did all the hard work." Carson said.

"You can believe that, but we both know that you saved all three of them." Jack said. "I think I will keep the twins here with me."

Carson didn't say anything else, he just went back to the other room to finish cleaning everything up. Abigail was back with hot water bottles and formula shortly afterwards. Abigail went and got the twins. She didn't give Jack a choice. She told him to curl up with his wife and get some sleep as there were people there to help. Jack knew better than to argue with Abigail, so he handed the twins over. When he did, he very clearly saw himself handing her her own baby this winter. Jack shook his head.

"You okay?" Abigail asked.

"Long day." Jack said. "Maybe a nap will be good."

"Good." Abigail said.

Jack couldn't tell her because he knew she absolutely wouldn't believe him. He then gently moved Elizabeth over and laid down with her. He wrapped his arm around her and she snuggled into him and they both fell asleep. Jack wasn't sure that Elizabeth ever fully woke up after the ether, but as long as Carson wasn't worried, Jack was going to relax. Abigail took the twins and went into the other room.