"You doing okay?" Jack asked quietly, eyeing Lisa, and before she could answer, he watched as she grimaced in pain. "Remember to breathe, Lise," he said, putting his hand on hers there on the console of her car. She gripped it, letting an audible groan escape as another contraction started to subside.
As it did, she slowly let out her breath and nodded, looking to Jack, "I'm fine."
"Obviously, you're not," he chuckled lightly, now, clasping her fingers in his and bringing her hand up to kiss it. "You're doing great Lise. What was that one?"
"Eight minutes," she glanced at her watch as she reset it. "Still the same."
"Okay, we're doing fine with time. I'm here this time, so that's a plus. We'll be at the hospital in about 15 minutes."
"Great, just enough time for a couple more contractions if they stay on the same schedule," she sighed, shifting in her seat as she tried to lean it back. Lisa frowned, glancing as best she could behind her. "Oh, that car seat is pressed up against my seat."
"Sorry," he still had her hand in his and kissed her hand again, nodding. "I told you I'd get you a bigger car."
"And, I've told you I'd get you a newer truck," she looked over at him, her lips pursed. Jack chuckled as he nodded and kissed her hand again.
"Point taken. Hard to believe there's about to be two of them back there," he nodded to where he was looking in the rearview mirror at the car seats that now took up almost every bit of space in the backseat of the car. "Some days I still can't believe it. Just about getting used to one back there," he winked at Lisa.
"I know," she said with a soft smile as she squeezed his hand and glanced back too. "We are completely insane and too old for this."
"Now that we can agree on," he nodded, looking over and winking at her, "but those kids aren't going anywhere, and I suppose we should raise them," he nodded with a small smile. "You know, I have to tell you that I never ever imagined having a son. It's really, ahh," he paused and pursed his lips, "starting to feel real."
"Starting to?" Lisa chuckled slightly, but then tilting her head with a reassuring smile because she knew he was sharing some of his thoughts and feelings right now. "I know," she reached over and put her other hand on his, "It makes me very happy I can give you a son, Jack. I know you think I'm being silly, and I can't explain it, but I am. You've given me more than I ever imagined I would have, and it's a beautiful feeling, a beautiful life we have. Look at us-a few years ago, we were both just taking day after day through life, dealing with our own pasts-divorce for me, death of a spouse for you, and we were lonely deep down. Now," Lisa paused and just nodded.
"It absolutely is a beautiful life we have," he nodded, kissing her hand again. Both of them felt the need to be close to one another on this drive to the hospital, and Lisa eyed him with a small smile. Jack continued, "Speaking of beautiful, you are," he nudged her with a smirk. Lisa put one of her hands, the other still in his hand, up to her face and shook it.
"I'm 41 weeks pregnant, Jack," she started to laugh. "I'm old. I'm so fat right now. There is nothing remotely attractive about me in this state," she gestured to herself. "I am overdue to have this baby, and finally, he's coming. You flatter me, though," she leaned slightly toward him, wincing a little in pain, "still after all of this trying to flirt with me, and here, when we started dating, I thought I was the only one who could flirt."
With the one hand on the wheel and the other still clasping her hand, he leaned slightly toward her, eyes on the road except for the split second he winked at her, "Oh, I can flirt, my love, and you are most definitely beautiful all the time, especially now there as I watch you carrying our son and our daughter before this. You need a lesson in what is attractive, but I hope you know just how beautiful I think you are. I mean," he winked again, "I hope you have seen that these last few weeks especially. I know we've put forth a great deal of effort to do everything to get him here, and I've enjoyed every minute with you, but know all of our efforts were not just to prod that son of mine along. I certainly enjoyed being with you. I love you, Lise," he said, pulling her hand up again and kissing it.
"And I love you too, Cowboy, but," she winched and let out a groan. "I'm in some significant pain. Gosh this hurts."
Jack let go of her hand as she wanted to use it to brace against the dashboard. He continued to glance her way while keeping his eyes on the road, "Breathe, Lise. You need to breathe. Don't hold your breath. You're almost through it." Lisa had dropped her head but nodded. Jack waited for the pain to subside, and then he asked more, "Is that pain getting worse, like you have more pressure or what?"
"Just intense," she said through gritted teeth. "It just feels like this is going to go quickly. I just want to meet him."
"Me too," he nodded. "We're almost there, and he'll be here before we know it, just not before we get to the hospital."
Six hours later, Lisa was still laboring and had not made much progress. It was lunchtime now, Lisa exhausted and hungry, as her labor had started in the middle of the night, but the couple had waited until just after 6AM to leave for the hospital. Marion had called her a couple of times now, Lisa glad for the distraction to talk to Marion and get the morning update on Nora. Sweet Nora. Marion said they'd had a good morning, Nora playing well, eating well, and taking a good nap. The sweet baby had no idea how much her life was about to change with the welcome addition of a baby brother. Lisa and Jack had talked about that a lot, that the idea of two babies so close in age was almost a welcome thing, not that it was at all planned, but they would have each other.
"I suppose, Lise, I like that they won't be alone, not ever. I know they will have us, Marion, the girls, but this is special. They are the same age. There will come a day I'm not here, and you and Marion are the same age too. It gives me comfort to think they have each other. I had my sister even for just a short time-"
"Lise, more ice chips?" Jack had returned to the room after walking down the hallway for a cup of coffee. Lisa looked up and grimaced as another contraction hit her hard. Jack put the cups down and put his arm around her back, helping her brace for the pain. He rubbed at her back and nodded to her as she let out a yelp of pain.
"Jack, I've been at this now almost all night and this morning. I'm so tired," she said, now leaning back and putting her hand to her head.
"You heard the nurse-try to get some rest if you can. I know that probably is out of the question-"
"I just want them to do my epidural. I was only at 5cm when we came in. I have to be progressing more."
He nodded, "I saw the doc down the hall, and he said he would be in soon to see how you are doing. I'm sorry this is not moving along like you wanted." He leaned over and kissed her head, then looking into her eyes frowned, "You know, I think Henry is just so content being there with him mom. He's got it good and knows it. I mean, here he is, a week late-"
"A week and a day now," Lisa pointed to Jack. "I need credit for every day of this pregnancy."
"A week and a day," Jack repeated with a chuckle. He leaned toward Lisa's face, and she put her hand on his face and patted it.
"I love you, but right now, the thought of you ever touching me again-"
Jack chuckled and pecked her lips, winking as he did, "I would do anything to trade places and take away your pain." Lisa pulled him in for a much deeper kiss, and they were interrupted with the good doctor clearing his throat at the door.
"Glad to see the spark is still there," he grinned, Lisa and Marion's favorite "hot doctor" on the scene again today. The check in on the OB floor had been funny, at least to Lisa. Jack hadn't been amused. Once they had arrived at the hospital, Lisa had insisted that Jack park and the two walk in together, convincing him that walking was good for her. He felt terrible making her walk, but at the same time, he wasn't going to argue with her. Once they reached the desk, Lisa still walking, the orderly brought a wheelchair for her, and the nurse looked up to greet them, the same nurse who had been Lisa's main nurse last time.
"Oh, you two again? Wow, I didn't expect to see you both. You two are famous up here."
"Yes, well, so glad we're memorable," Jack rolled his eyes.
"Hi," Lisa said with a sharp pain hitting her. "Yes, the senior citizens are back."
"Another baby," the nurse nodded with a smile.
"Is that what this pain is?" Lisa grimaced as another contraction hit her in the wheelchair. She gripped Jack's had and let out a yelp with hit. As it subsided, she added, "I didn't know I was pregnant-just decided to stop by here and see what this awful pain is."
"Good to see you still laughing, Lise," Jack said, squeezing her hand as he looked over at the nurse. "Lisa Stillman here, and yes, we're here for the last time, promise. I know it probably seems like just a few months ago we were here, and guess what-it was. Surprise to all of us, but I'm sure we're not your first about that. Now, if you can get her to a room, we'd like to meet our son."
"My day just got better," the nurse grinned. "So glad you're back. You guys were fun."
"Okay, Mrs. Stillman, let's have a check again. You've been at this since what, you said about 2AM?"
"Mmm hmm," Lisa closed her eyes in pain and nodded.
"Doc, she wasn't feeling well after dinner, barely ate. Took a hot shower, tried to go to bed, restless. What, did you get maybe an hour of sleep?" Jack looked over at Lisa, and she nodded.
"Yes, I've been up since 2AM, contractions getting stronger. Please tell me the epidural is coming. I don't want to do this without meds. I'm already exhausted, and I really thought he'd be here by now."
The two were quiet while the doctor worked and a nurse stood nearby. He nodded up at her as he stood, "Six centimeters now. You're progressing, just not as fast as you want. I'll get the anesthesiologist up here."
"I'm only at six?" Lisa said, desperate and exhausted as she flung her head back. She rolled it to the side, hair matted to her sweaty forehead as she looked at Jack. "What is going on? This is not how it went last time. It went much smoother than this."
The doctor, hearing this as he noted something on the computer, looked over at her, "You are moving along. Babies take time, and no two deliveries are the same. He's late. Your daughter was early. He's big. I can definitely tell you that. I'll be monitoring that, and if there is any sign of distress for either of you, we're going to a section immediately. I just want you both," he nodded at Jack and Lisa, "to be aware. He's moving along, but it's not going to be anytime soon."
"Doc, what is your best guess on the time? I mean, another five or six hours? I'm not holding you to that, just getting an idea."
The doctor shrugged, "Sometimes an epidural speeds things up. Sometimes, it slows things down. I wanted to see how she was progressing without it. It could really be anywhere-as early as maybe another four hours or even another 12 or more. Let's hope for the best," he nodded at them. "Now, just the ice chips-"
Jack held up the cup he'd retrieved for Lisa and nodded, "Got her more."
"You two hang in there. Mrs. Stillman, once you have that epidural, try to get some rest. You're going to feel like you were hit by a truck." With that, he and the nurse stepped out, leaving Lisa and Jack.
Lisa was about to speak, but they heard the music that played each time a baby was born, "Oh, that's like the fifth one today! Honestly, that should be me."
"It's okay, Lise," Jack said as he sighed and sat on the side of the bed next to Lisa. She shifted to sit up against him, and Jack shifted to hold her at his side. He kissed her head, "You're doing great. I'm sorry it's taking so long, and you are so miserable. Now, let's call Marion and let her know it's going to be hours so that maybe she'll let you get some rest, okay?"
Lisa nodded, taking Jack's hand in hers and holding it. She glanced up at him, "What's today? What's his birthday going to be?"
"October 3," he said with a nod. "Let's hope it's that and not the 4th only because that would put you in labor another 12 hours or so."
She shook her head as she met his gaze, "No, I'm not letting that happen. I'm going to will him here before I go close to 24 hours in labor. That's not going to be me. I hear stories about ladies, and I think that sounds miserable. No, he's going to be born on the earlier side of that, what, four hours or so?" Lisa gave Jack a firm nod, "I'm good at my job, fierce at what I do, and it's going to be the same here."
Jack just chuckled at Lisa's determination, and when she had finished her rant about getting the baby out, Jack winked at her, "Care to make a wager?"
"Oh, you're on," Lisa nodded at him. "What is the bet?"
Jack pursed his lips, "See, I hate betting in a way because it's basically hoping you are in agony longer."
"You have no faith I can get our son here earlier. Fine. I know I can. How about all the diaper duty in the hospital?"
Jack shook his head, "Nope, not betting that. What kind of terrible husband would I be to let you do all of that while I sit. No, I'm doing that anyway, even when I win this bet. I hate betting for you to be in agony longer."
She shrugged, "You suggested it, and you have no faith your son can be timely-"
"He's over a week late already! No question the kid is stubborn. No idea where he gets that," Jack rolled his eyes and the two laughed, enjoying that sweet moment. "No, another bet-"
"Okay, if not at the hospital, loser does all diaper changes with both kids for the first two days at home. You and I both know that is a lot." Jack considered it, and Lisa continued, "Nothing is going to sound fun. It's a bet. Someone has to lose."
"Fine then," Jack put his hand out to shake Lisa's. "Loser has all diaper changes for the first two days we are home. Now, if something happens like a C-section, all bets are off. I'm not going to argue this point."
"I'll agree to that," Lisa narrowed her gaze as she shook his hand, adding with a shake of her head, "but I'm not going to lose, and your vasectomy weeks ago no longer counts as some sort of procedure. You know you're fine from that."
"I'm not arguing that. I'm worried about you. So, diaper duty for two days for two kids," Jack winked. "I honestly hope I lose."
Lisa let a laugh escape, "I know you will, and I'll enjoy those two days very much. Now, let's call Marion before my epidural gets here because once he does that, I am going to rest for an hour or so because after that," she smiled brightly, "he'll be born."
Jack nodded with a wink, "Hope you're right."
Lisa was able to get some rest, unfortunately, more rest than she planned. After she got her epidural, she dozed off and awakened as her pain started to increase. The doctor came in later to check her, and with a hopeful look, both Jack and Lisa eyed him to see if it was time.
"Eight," he said with a frown. "Everything looks good. I know it's not what you want to hear, but you and the baby look good on the monitors. It's just slow going."
Lisa groaned and started to grumble, "I thought second babies, deliveries," she waved her hand, "were faster. That's all I read-"
"Not all. As I said, each is different." He looked to the clock, "It's now almost 9PM. I'm going to be here through all of this, but it's still going to be some time. We've broken your water, and that is what got you to eight."
"Okay," Jack let out his breath and frowned, looking to Lisa. "Can you rest anymore?"
"No," she grimaced. "I know epidurals help, but the pain and pressure is too much. How much longer?"
He shrugged, "The way you are going, another few hours, now maybe middle of the night." He patted her covered leg, "I'll be back to check in. Rest as much as you can."
"Jack," Lisa reached for his hand and frowned, "I'm sorry. You look exhausted. Please get some sleep in that chair."
"I'm fine, Lise," he sighed, sitting down on the side of her bed. He pulled her hand up to kiss it. "You're the trooper here. A few more hours. Okay. He's doing well. That's what is important."
Lisa nodded but was quiet. She sighed and leaned back, running her hand over her stomach, "How big is he going to be?"
Jack eyed her with a slight pursing of his lips, "I'd say over 8lbs."
Lisa looked down at her swollen stomach and nodded, "Really, that much? I know I'm big, but Nora was so tiny, and I was still big. I am thinking 7lbs. I'm dreading pushing him out." At that, Jack started to laugh, and Lisa then laughed too, the two getting a good laugh out as the nurse came in to check on them. The nurse walked to Jack and handed him a pack of peanut butter crackers.
"You need to eat to help her," she nodded at Jack. "We're all impressed with your dedication and how much you two love each other, but eat," she said with a firm nod.
"Yes ma'am," Jack accepted the crackers and looked at Lisa. "So, our bet-"
"It's definitely not midnight," Lisa shook her head. "I'm determined. You should know that when I'm determined, nothing gets in my way."
Jack, opening the crackers, chuckled and winked as he looked at Lisa, "Oh, I know. I'm very well aware, still wondering how I'm sitting here married to you and now saddled with two more kids," he winked, lovingly smiling at her. "I believe it, your determination. I think it was you who refused to let me break up with you because of our ages."
"That was a dumb reason to not date me," she huffed with then a grin at him. Jack chuckled and nodded.
"It was. I was set straight."
"So, Henry's weight-another bet?"
"Lise," Jack sighed as he shook his head. "We're already betting on the diapers, and with the time, you're losing."
She shook her head, "It's not midnight, a few hours to go. No, if he's under eight pounds, I win. Over you win."
"You definitely win if he's under," he winked. "Much easier to push out," and at that, Lisa's jaw dropped, and she swatted at him. "Fine, what did you want to bet? I think he's really big, Lise. I mean, he just swallows your frame."
"Charming," she crossed her arms over her swollen stomach and frowned. "What an eloquent way to say I'm fat."
"You're pregnant, very pregnant! I mean, you're delivering him tonight, overdue. Okay," he winked, "I win, and I get a steak dinner out when you are up to it, my choice. You win, the same because we both like steak." She made a face, and Jack pointed at her, "No babies. That will be part of the deal."
"Fine," she said, extending her hand as they had with the last bet. "Steak dinner for the winner, not that it's really a hardship for the loser."
Jack shifted there on the side of her bed and winked, "Oh, it will be when you have to go to my favorite steak buffet. I can taste it now. Yup, my son is going to be a big one, just you watch."
"I don't have to watch," Lisa smirked. "Even with my epidural, I'm pretty sure I'll feel all of it, his size, so Cowboy, you'd better hope he's small because I'm already dreading that recovery if he's not."
Jack winked, "I'll happily give up my steak buffet if you have an easy delivery, Lise."
"Easy," she huffed, rubbing at her side as another contraction started. "What is it with you Bartlett men? I had to wait on you to figure out I was attracted to you and am now waiting on your son to join our family. Now, I just need to encourage him as I did his dad."
"Encourage away," Jack chuckled, winking again. "We Bartlett men are pretty dense in that area, so I suspect we should settle in for a long night waiting on Henry to arrive."