And so it begins...

Posted on Fri Feb 4th, 2022 @ 4:05am by Lieutenant JG Heather De La Rosa {Kelea-Salik} & Senior Chief Petty Officer Emily Charles {Kelea-Salik} & Commander Sthilg & Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa [Taylor]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Various
2387 words - 4.8 OF Standard Post Measure

{ ON }

Settled onto the sofa in their Quarters following Sthilg’s orders to rest, Heather was reading through one of the many baby books she’d brought herself in an effort to be prepared for the upcoming birth of their son. So far the pregnancy had pretty low key, with the exception of developing pre-eclampsia, but she’d followed instructions to the letter and all was going well.

She’d been feeling a little uncomfortable for the last 24 hours or so putting it down to their son shifting position ready for birth, the weight from her bump had noticeably shifted signalling that their son had indeed turned head down. All normal occurrences up until the stomach pains started.

Being a nurse she knew full well what it could be signalling, so she slowly got to her feet in order to head to Sickbay. As she headed for the bedroom to get her bag, which was already packed, she tapped her comm badge.

=/\= De La Rosa to Sickbay, I think I’m in labour I’m on my way to you now. =/\=

~ Sickbay ~

In Sickbay Emily was on duty she was surprised when Heather’s voice came over the comms. =/\= Understood Heather, I’ll have a private room ready for when you get here. =/\=

Making her way to Sthilg’s Office Emily popped her head in. “Sorry to disturb you Doctor, Heather just called to say she’s coming in. She says she’s in labour.”

Sthilg instantly looked up from his desk. With a swipe of his claw he saved his work standing up as he did so. " Three weeksss early. Let'sss get prepped. " He said heading for the medical changing room.

“Yes Doctor” Emily nodded. “I’ll get a room ready so Heather has some privacy.”


~ Quarters ~

Back in the bedroom Heather paused to tap her comm badge again. =/\= De La Rosa to De La Rosa, Fernando it’s time! I need you. =/\=

In the security department, Fernando heard Heather's call and knew what it meant. He was instantly moving. he yelled to another security officer. "Tell Commander Taylor and Lt. Commander S'hib, Heather needs me, she has gone into labor."

As per their plan Heather waited in their quarters for Fernando to arrive, as the doors opened she greeted him with a worried, yet warm smile. “Imzadi, I thought this might just be false labour pains but...” she shook her head. “My water broke 5 mins ago, it seems our son is eager to be born.”

"Yes, yes. Let us get you to Sickbay Heather.!" WHat? No, no Heather! He must wait. We have to get you to Sickbay!" Fernando said excitedly as he took Heather's arm to help her to Sickbay

“Wait...” She paused holding onto Fernando as her labour pains started again. “I just...need a...minute.” Taking the time she needed to breathe through it she waited until the pain subsided. “Okay...let’s go!”

Fernando practically carried Heather to Sickbay as they arrived in record time.


~ Sickbay ~

Arriving at Sickbay a few minutes later Heather offered the best smile she could muster as they were greeted by Emily.

“Hello Heather, Fernando” Emily smiled warmly. “Come on through, I’ve got a nice private room for you out of the way of main Sickbay.” She lead them through to the rear of Sickbay. “Okay feel free to change into whatever is comfortable for you, Doctor Sthilg will be with you very shortly.” With that she exited letting the door slide shut behind her.

Heather looked at Fernando as she unpacked her cool nightdress and quickly changed into it. “I know this is silly but...I’m scared Fernando!”

"Do not be scared Heather, nervous yes, excited by all means but not scared you know Dr. Sthig and Emily aren't going to let anything happen to you or the baby. besides I'm nervous for both of us!"

Heather nodded. “Just like we planned Okay? I...I’d like to be on my feet as much as I can, let gravity do the work. Just...be here with me. Rub my back, hold my hand, just don’t leave me!”

“Of course heather, whatever you need, I will do. You can count on me." Fernando replied as he began to pace the room.

Heather nodded. “I know.” Finishing folding up her clothing she sat as comfortably as she could on the biobed. Looking towards the door it soon swished open to reveal Sthilg.

In strood the ship's MD in the crimson surgical robes of the fleet doctors. The lizard had a smile on his face as he walked over his arms switch into it's medical scanner mode. " Hello, my dear. Your new arrival coming early?" He said reassuringly running his scanner over her bump.

Heather nodded as she was busy breathing her way through another contraction. Once it passed she offered a relieved smile. “It would seem this little one doesn’t want to wait!”

"is everything alright?" Fernando asked nervously from the side of Heather's biobed where he held her hand with one of his and rubbed her shoulders with the other. "Are Heather and the baby alright?"

The gorn gave a reassuring smile. " Everything is looking fine my friend. Though it could be sssome time it looksss like he'sss in no hurry to leave."

“Any idea how long is long?” Heather gave Sthilg a hopeful look knowing very well baby’s tended to have their own agenda.

"Good, good." Fernando answered nervously as he continued to rub Heather's shoulders.

" I'm afraid it could be asss long asss forty eight hoursss if not longer." The reptilian doctor replied. " You need to lay back, relax until he deciedsss it'sss time."

Heather nodded. Right now she’d have given anything to be the one helping the woman giving birth, instead of being the poor woman who was actually doing it!
“Fernando..” She held out her hand for Fernando to hold.

"Yes my darling?" Fernando asked before seeing Heather holding her hand out to him. When he saw her hand, he grabbed it and held it gently.

~ 24 hours later ~

24 hours in and Heather was back to pacing the room, her contractions were starting to wear her down, her vocalisations we’re getting louder with each contraction she had.

“How much longer!!” She looked at Fernando with tears in her eyes, after a long night without much sleep she was tiring fast. “I’m so tired!!!”

" He'sss coming but very ssslowly." Sthilg replied having spent an uncomfortable night in a chair that was clearly not built for his frame.

Heather moved to lay down on her side, she wanted to try and sleep but with her contractions keep waking her up it wasn’t easy.

Fernando hovered next to her, "Can I get you a glass of water Heather? Or would you prefer me to continue to rub your back?"

“Water, please” Heather offered a tired smile. Her forehead was covered with perspiration. All she really needed was a descent sleep but it didn’t look like she was going to get one anytime soon.

Fernando got a cup of water for Heather and handed it to her, "Sip it sweetie." He told her as he picked up a washcloth and dapped the perspiration off her forehead.

Heather sipped her drink before lying down and closing her eyes, hopefully it wouldn’t be much longer.

~ 60 hours into labour ~

Heather screamed in pain as her contractions came into their strongest, gripping poor Fernando’s hand in a vice like grip. Their son was finally ready to be born.

Rushing into Sthilg’s Office Emily gently woke him. “Doctor, we need you it’s time!”

In Heather's room, Fernando was doing his best to comfort Heather even as she slowly crushed his hand. "Heather my love, the Doc is on the way. Please try to relax and remember your breathing routine." He suggested uselessly.

“I’m trying!!!” Heather relaxed her grip for a moment offering Fernando an apologetic glance. “I’m sorry!! Please forgive me!!” A few moments later she was squeezing the life out of his hand again.

"yes,yes, my love of course I forgive you." Fernando replied as he rubbed Heather's back with one hand and knew his other would be rendered useless from this day forth due to Heather's crushing it.

Sthilg was on his feet and moving data a speed that many would think impossible for his size. " It'sss okay my dear. Now he'sss starting to move. Emily mussscle relaxant. " Sthilg said as he ran his scanner over Heather.

“Coming right up Doctor” Emily quickly fetched the muscle relaxant, handing it to Sthilg as she returned to offer Heather extra support. “Remember your breathing Heather, it won’t be much longer now.” She offered a smile to Fernando.

Fernando just nodded nervously, he felt like a third wheel as the Doc and Emily busied themselves with Heather and the arrival of the baby.

Sthilg was busy being his normal doctor self. Even though he could do this in his sleep he didn't let his guard down. " I can sssee his head. " He said calmly as he extended his hand to be ready to grab him as soon as he could.

Heather smiled but it didn’t last long as a strong contraction kicked in, being a nurse she knew to go with it. Putting her strength behind a powerful push.

Sthilg carefully altered his hand so his figures could firmly grip the small child head. The child started crying even before he was full out bringing a smile to the old doctor's face.

" A fine ssset of lungsss thisss one has." He said holding out a hand for Emily to hand him a towel to wipe off the fluids and blood.

Emily grinned as she handed Sthilg a soft towel. “He’s beautiful Heather! Now just one last push and it’s all over okay?”

Heather was past the point of exhaustion but hearing her son cry spurred her into one last push, before she sank back against the pillows totally worn out.

Fernando caught a glimpse of their son and his face split into a huge smile. He bent down and whispered to Heather, "He's beautiful Heather! Just like his mom." As he kisshed her forehead.

Sthilg warmly smiled as he wiped the child down. It wasn't easy the boy squirmed and kicked with an energy not many newborns had. Giving a prayer to the all mother for another safe delivery he handed the crying child over to Heather. " One healthy child." He said calmly.

Heather smiled as she cradled her son, a few emotional tears running down her cheeks. “Thank you so much Sthilg, and you Emily!” She looked proudly at Fernando. “What name should we give him?”

Fernando looked at Heather and then at Sthilg, "I was thinking if you prove Heather and the Doc doesn't mind we name him Cody Sthilg De La Rosa. What do you think?"

Heather smiled a weary smile and nodded. “Cody...” I like it. “And I can’t think of a better middle name.” She looked at Sthilg.

" I think it would be a wonderful name." The reptilian replied as he sat down on a stool. " Now he’s healthy, but I'd like to keep the two of you here for a few daysss to monitor the two of you." Sthilg said calmly.

Heather looked wearily towards Sthilg, “Maybe I’m just too tired but...why would you need to keep Fernando?”

" Not him." Sthilg said with a chuckle as Cody gurgled slightly. " Yesss I'm talking about you little one." he replied in his grandfatherly voice.

Heather nodded. “See...told you I was tired.” She rested her head back, looking towards Fernando. “Would you like to hold him?”

Fernando nodded and held his son like he was fine china and stared down at with nothing but love and joy in his eyes.

No sooner had Fernando taken hold of his son Heather was out like a light. Stepping up to check Emily smiled as she looked at Fernando. “It’s okay, it’s not unusual for exhaustion to take over at this point. It’ll give you chance to get to know your son. He’ll probably be hungry soon, I’ll bring you some formula as a gap filler.”

Fernando nodded, "Thank you Emily as he found a chair and sat down. He had the two most important people in his life with him Heather and Cody and he said a silent prayer of thanks that both were fine.

Leaving Fernando to it Emily stepped aside with Sthilg for a moment. “Vitals are looking stable, but blood pressure is still high. Should I check vitals more regularly for now?”

" Yesss let'sss ssset up a ssscanner fifteen-minute intervalsss. " Sthilg said feeling the past days on his shoulders. He was very tired.

Emily nodded. “I’ll do that while you go and lie down. You deserve a descent rest, I’ll look after Heather and Cody for you. I promise I’ll call you if you’re needed.”

The gorn nodded and stood to leave the adrenaline leaving his system leaving his eyes very tired. " I'll be in my office if you need me." He replied softly.

Watching Sthilg go Emily turned her attention back to Heather and Cody. Fetching the formula feed for Fernando she smiled as she saw Cody was fast asleep. “Well looks like you’ve got the magic touch, I’ll return this for now just let me know when it’s needed.” She set about setting up the scanner to monitor Heather.

Fernando looked at Emily, "Is everything alright with Heather?"" He asked nervously.

“Heather’s blood pressure is still high, we’re going to monitor it see if it comes down.” Emily smiled reassuringly. “Given that Cody arrived earlier than he should have we’ll just keep them both under observation.”

"It should come down though right?" Fernando asked. "How long will you need to keep them under observation."

“The Doctor said a few days, but you’re welcome to be here as much as you like.” Emily smiled warmly. “Ohh and by the way Congratulations!”

Fernando smiled brilliantly at her, "Thank you so much! This a truly wonderful day."

{OFF}