Chapter 12: Family is with you even through struggles
Author: zeusfluff
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Blue Blood's characters. They belong to CBS. I do own all originals though. Date Started: 9/11/24. Date Finished: 9/12/24. Enjoy!
October 11th, 1913
Readling Household
Bay Ridge, New York
"I thought you could use some coffee."
Jack looked up from his stack of papers in front of him.
"Thank-you darling. You should sit down. You don't look well. Are you feeling alright?"
Ethel sat down heavily in the chair. Her eyes roamed over to the grandfather clock in the corner of the office. She watched as the clock ticked away and shifted in the chair uncomfortably. She didn't answer and kept shifting uncomfortably, which made Jack worry.
"Eth? What's wrong?"
Ethel shook her head and looked up at Jack with tears forming in her eyes.
"Jack, the baby has not moved in at least a day or two."
Jack swallowed thickly and shook his head.
"I'll telephone Doctor Fredericson. Try not to move."
Ethel frowned and looked at Jack.
"Jack, maybe the baby is coming?"
Paling, Jack opened up the office door and went out into the hallway to call Doctor Fredericson. Ethel took a breath in and let it out. Pain was surging through her body. Gripping the armrest of the chair, she managed to get to her feet. Working through the pain she was feeling, she made it to the hallway and looked to Jack as he hung up the phone.
"Jack!"
Jack rushed to be by her side.
"Eth, It's alright. I've got you. Can you make it up the stairs?"
Ethel nodded but hunched over in pain.
"I think I can. Jack I'm frightened. What if something may be wrong?"
Jack ran a hand through Ethel's hair and shook his head.
"Don't fret dear. Everything will be fine. I promise."
Helping Ethel up the stairs, Jack got her to the bedroom and she let out a cry of pain. He felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.
"Jack, I need to lie down…"
Jack nodded and helped her sit on the bed.
"Alright darling. First let's change into your nightgown. Which drawer?"
Ethel pointed to the second to the top one on the dresser they shared.
"That one."
Jack nodded and pulled it out of her drawer. Closing it, he walked back over to the bed and sat down next to Ethel.
"Alright, let's get you out of that dress."
Ethel looked over at Jack and smirked.
"Admit it, you love taking care of me."
Jack was serious.
"I just want to make sure you're well darling."
This solicited a warning look from Ethel.
"I will be once I have our son. Where is Doctor Fredericson?"
Jack helped Ethel out of her dress and into her nightgown. He helped her lie back in the bed and get comfortable. Another wave of pain ripped through Ethel and Jack held onto her hand and kissed her forehead.
"I am right here darling. I am not going anywhere. Doctor Fredericson is on his way. Take a breath and relax."
Ethel only glared at Jack.
"This hurts alright!? I am doing my best. Please stay with me Jack. I do not want to be alone this time."
Jack nodded his head and kept running his hand through Ethel's blond locks.
"I will try. But they might throw me out of the room. For your privacy."
Ethel rolled her eyes as the pain began to subside.
"Do they think you haven't seen me in a state of undress before? What are they frightened of?"
Jack sighed and kissed her forehead again.
"They consider this a woman's business. Men cannot be present in the room during childbirth."
Ethel shook her head, then the couple heard a sharp knock on the bedroom door. Jack answered.
"Enter."
The bedroom door opened to reveal Doctor Fredericson and several nurses. One of which was Jack's sister, Hazel. Jack could only stare at her for a few brief moments.
"Hazel? I wasn't expecting you here."
Hazel gave her little brother a look.
"Have you not gotten any of my letters? I have been under Doctor Fredericson's employ for the last year. Now please, exit the room, or I will have you thrown out."
Jack kept his place in the chair next to the bed.
"I will do no such thing Hazel. Ethel is my wife, and I will remain by her side. I would prefer to see my son come into the world."
Hazel relented and nodded her head and then whispered something into Doctor Fredericson's ear. Jack saw Doctor Fredericson nods his head and he turned his attention to him.
"Are you certain you would like to be present for your son's birth?"
Jack nodded and swallowed.
"I think I can be brave for the both of us."
Ethel looked to Jack and gripped his hand.
"You are brave Jack. I have you by my side, I am not alone."
Jack could feel the tension in the room. He watched his sister and the other nurses scurry around the room, getting various things ready. Ethel had tears in his eyes, and Jack tried to reassure her.
"It will be alright Eth. I am right here. Nothing is going to happen. I promise."
Doctor Fredericson looked at Ethel and went through his bag.
"I am just going to check and see how this little one is doing. Try and relax."
Ethel looked at Jack and took a breath in and let it. Doctor Fredericson placed the bell of his stethoscope up against her belly and listened. He kept his conversation going.
"Strong heartbeat. You said you have not felt movement from the baby in a day or two?"
Ethel nodded and looked Doctor Fredericson in the eye.
"Yes. Is my baby alright?"
Doctor Fredericson kept asking her questions.
"Have you felt the need to relieve yourself?"
Ethel's face turned red.
"Actually, right as you came in."
Doctor Fredericson nodded his head and motioned for Hazel to approach the bed and gave Ethel's hand a squeeze.
"Alright, your child is in the way."
Ethel nodded and gripped Jack's hand.
"I am not sure I can do this."
Jack nodded and kissed her forehead.
"I have faith in you darling."
Ethel felt pain again and Doctor Fredericson nodded to her.
"Alright Ethel, I want you to push. That's it. Focus on your breath. That's it. Keep pushing. Alright. One more. Keep pushing. One more. You have a handsome boy!"
Jack felt shell shocked for a moment and then recovered as Hazel took the screaming little boy in his arms after Doctor Fredericson cut the umbilical cord. Ethel was in tears as Hazel placed him in her arms. Jack and Ethel spoke.
"Oscar."
The two leaned their foreheads against one another and soaked in the moment of bliss.
To Be Continued…
A/N: So, what'd you think?