Eleven: Oh Baby

It really wasn't very long after the wedding that Anastasia began to feel -peculiar.  When she threw up for the third morning in a row, she was a little concerned.  Looking for medication in the bathroom cabinet she pushed aside her Tampax.  Frowning a little, she picked up the little box and began counting days in her head.  She ran through her calculations again.  Then she called in sick.

By evening, she had taken an at-home pregnancy test (being rather careful not to let Alex see) and been to the GP.  She was just back from a jog to clear her head when Alex returned from work.

"Hey Honey" Alex kissed her on the cheek.  He held her at arms length, the better to look at her face.

"What's wrong?" concern was written all over Alex's features. 

"Are you still feeling unwell?"  Alex gave her a look over that took in the flushed skin and tracksuit.

"Um." Ana took a deep breath to steady herself. "About that.. .. I went to the doctor today.  We're still waiting on test results, but we're pretty sure.  Actually I took a test this morning.." Ana's rapid words were tumbling over each other.

"Whoa. Slow down.  What test?" Alex was beginning to look and feel frightened.

"I'm pregnant." Ana burst out, hands spread in the air.

"Really?"

Shock covered Alex's face, then relief, then finally a huge grin.

"That's wonderful." Alex held her tight. "Oh, you had me worried there!"

"I know it's a bit early.  I mean, I was probably pregnant before the wedding; we just didn't know." Ana's voice was hesitant and unsure.

"Hush" Alex said softly; and kissed her.

It was the following evening before Ana could tell her brother the big news.  He enveloped her in a big hug, scrubs and all.  Ana was a bit misty-eyed.

"That's the best news I've heard all day." Jonah stated firmly "And that includes telling Mr Stevens his tumour is benign."

"Huh?" Ana smiled.

"I just wish Mum could be here." Jonah said quietly.  The twins had received the news about eighteen months back.  An aneurysm, sudden and unexpected, that took her in her sleep one night.  They missed her, but they knew they needed to continue to live their lives.  It made Jonah more determined to be a great doctor -though he knew there was nothing anyone could have done.

"Now" Jonah began "Who's your ob/gyn? Are you taking folic acid?  What about work; you can't go into space while you're carrying a baby."

"Jonah?" Ana cut him off

"Yeah?"

"It's under control."

Over the coming months, Ana had a very normal, very healthy pregnancy. 

Baby grew, and so did Ana's appetite.

Alex was always there to comfort her when the hormones got to raging. 

When she would burst into tears, he'd rub her shoulders or even her baby bump and remind her what a wonderful job she was doing.

Sometimes Ana would get so exhausted, she would need to nap. Towards the end she would do this in the spare room because the stairs were just a bit too much several times a day.

Alex loved to talk to the baby about all the things they would do together when he or she finally got here.  He would sometimes talk in funny voices that would make Ana laugh.

They put in a bassinet and a new dresser and stocked up ready for the big day.

And then one afternoon while watching television, Ana cried out and grabbed her stomach.  At first, Alex couldn't remember what to do.  He stood up, hands out as if looking for answers in the air.

He rushed Ana to the hospital, only to later find it was braxton hicks -a false labour.

Two days later, Ana and Alex were just sitting down to a TV dinner.  Ana put the plate down and smiled at Alex as the pain of another contraction subsided.

"I guess it's time."

Alex began to freak out all over again.
"Time?" he asked, clutching his face while hopping side to side and nearly stepping in the plate of spaghetti.

"Yeah" Ana said. "I've had contractions on and off all afternoon.  Take me to the hospital now before they get worse!"

"Okay" Alex responded, galvanised by having a clear course of action. "Hospital."

Alex was much more calm by the time they arrived at the reception desk of OSGH maternity suite.  By now Ana was very uncomfortable and growing waspish.  The kind lady at the desk handed Alex a clipboard with forms to fill out and directed the lady behind them to a delivery room where her sister was waiting.

In due time, Ana was delivered of a healthy baby boy.

They named him Benjamin James Stone.