A/N: Omg hey people! I'm BACK :D! and back with an update! Ok, so I know I already wrote this chapter like a billion years ago, but the whole story is a mess, most of it its written badly, so i'm re-writing it. Removing scenes and characters, but adding in new stuff (:
Props to my amazing beta reader Ahny. I love you (:
Dedicated to: Gwenny! Cause I promised you a dedication & ilu! :D
Please R&R? Comments much appreciated (:
:: Chapter One :: Maybella Maple.
Kick, kick, kick.
"Oh, Norman! The baby's kicking me!"
Kick. Kick. Kick.
"It's a feisty little thing."
Kick. Kick. Kick.
"Come and feel! You don't want to miss this!"
Caroline's hand reached up and swiftly interlocked with her husband's, placing it on her swollen baby bump. She smiled contently; her shining eyes seemed to double in size as they met with her lover's. In return he chuckled lightly, stroking her rounded flesh. A weak kick came in contact with Norman's large hand. A feeling of pride swelled in his chest. His wife was already nine months pregnant, and their baby --whom the sex of remained anonymous-- was due in a couple of weeks. The baby had been kicking ever since it developed legs, which was during the first sixteen to twenty weeks of her pregnancy. Yet, his wife always felt a tinge of excitement every time their unborn child played soccer within her womb.
"It surprises me that this still amazes you. Haven't you gotten used to it by now?" he asked.
She stared up at him, her warm orbs reflecting her happiness and excitement of the given moment. Her lips formed into a smile -- a smile full of pride. She then stared at her baby bump, stroking it lovingly, unable to leave it alone.
"I know, I know," she laughed, averting her gaze back to her husband once again. "I just get overwhelmed knowing my own baby is right here, inside me, and that it's almost time for it to arrive. We're just so lucky."
Norman flashed her an affectionate smile, bringing his hand up from her stomach to her chestnut coloured hair and brushing his fingertips through her glossy strands. He stared down at her from where she was sitting on the sofa. Leaning down, he softly pecked on the the forehead.
"Hmm I know," he murmured. Thinking about the baby's arrival," He paused, and added, "Pretty soon we'll. . .be cuddling our own little baby, and . . . being up all night . . . and of course, changing diapers."
"Yes we will," the lilac-eyed woman said matter-of-factly, unfazed by the baby responsibilities. "But it'll all be worth it. I can't believe our role of being a parent is almost here!"
"Mmhmm, pretty soon we'll be joining Andrew and Maria, sharing play-days, taking the babies out walks together, going to parks . . ." he grinned. Referring to his best friend and his wife --whom also happened to be Carolin'es best friend-- they just had a baby boy six months ago. He was his father's mirror image.
Caroline shifted her weight from side to side, before moving from her lying down position. Slowly she sat up straight and stretched her left arm out to the mahogany coffee table, picking up a photograph. She sighed happily as her eyes stared down at her baby's sonogram, her vision becoming slightly foggy.
"She . . . has such a beautiful head," she said with admiriation.
"She?" Norman repeated, sitting aside her. His cobalt eyes gazing at the black and white photograph. "You think it's a she?"
Caroline stared at him as though he'd just asked if pigs could fly. "Well of course it's a she! Can't you tell? It's so obvious," she rebuttled, taking a hand and patted her stomach, "we deffinatly have ourselves a little girl."
"And . . . you can tell, how?" Norman asked sceptical. He continued to stare at the sonogram, but all he could see was a small baby bundled up inside a uterus; there were no clear signs. "I can't tell by looking at that."
"Well, you're just not in tune," the brunette replied, wrinkling her nose. "I can tell because I'm a mother. It's what we do. I've bonded with our child for nine months. I can just feel that it's a girl."
"But what if it's a boy?"
"Well if it's a boy, I'll love it all the same, but trust me, Norman: I know it's a girl," she gave him a knowing smirk. "I think I know my own baby."
"If you say so, Dearie, if you say so." He shook his head smiling. The young man made his way into the kitchen and opened the fridge, scanning it's contents for food, "So. . . Hunnie," he began, taking out pasta and garlic bread, deciding he'd cook Italian. "Since you're absoloutly sure about the sex of the baby, that means I get to name it if your wrong."
A faint scoff escaped Caroline. She put the sonogram back on the coffee table and replaced it with the book of baby names. She scanned through it, examining the names Norman highlighted for a boy: Kane, McKenzie, Jock --which she had assumed was a dog's name-- Blane, Sebastian --Little Mermaid resemblance?-- Chandler. . .
Horrid names -- absoloutely horrid! There was no way she would agree to calling her son 'Sebastian.' That was child abuse on it's own. She hesitated for a moment; there could be the possibility she was wrong . . . but something inside her told her otherwise. She just knew they were having a baby girl.
"Ok fine," she called from the living area, after finally making her mind up. "But then if I'm right and it is a girl, I get to name her."
"It's a deal, then."
xO ~ . . . ~Xo
The bathroom light flickered on for what seemed the one-hundredth time that night. Grumbling, Caroline half-closed her eyes, the sudden beam irritating them. She groggily walked over to the sink, gazing into the bathroom mirror. Her drowsy eyes stared back at her, blood-shot, and her usually neat brunette locks resembled Medussa.
"Ugh . . . I think this baby thinks my bladder is a squeeze toy," she whined to herself, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
She had been making visits to the bathroom all evening. The baby was certainly having fun sending Caroline back and forth . . . and back again. It was now four-o-clock, Sunday morning. The young brunette was convinced she had not even managed to so much as close her eyes all night, never mind drift off into a peaceful slumber. This had definitely been the worst night of the pregnancy so far.
Her legs began to feel very warm and wet all of a sudden . . .
Staring down at her lower body, noticing it was very. . . damp. "Oh no. . .Oh crap! I didn't!" She cried, appauled.
Yes. Definitely the worst night of pregnancy.
Feeling totally disgusted with herself, she went to fetch a mop from the kitchen. With every step she took, her bladder felt like it was going to burst. Odd she thought. She paused for a moment; thinking.
"How can I . . . didn't I just . . . " she mumbled to herself, then after a few seconds, she caught her breath. Her eyes doubled in size. Her whole body froze as she became alert. Her drowsiness vanishing completely.
"Oh . . my . . . god . . ."
God damnit! There was no accident; her water had just broke.
"Norman! Norman!" she called frantically, rushing to their bedroom while clutching her stomach. "Norman, get up now!"
Her husband stumbled out of bed, hearing the distressed calls. Panic surged through him. He ran out of the bedroom as Caroline made her way towards him. His eyes darted around the hallway, searching for a robber or a stray animal of some sort. Unable to locate such a thing, he took his anxious wife in his arms.
"What's wrong, darling? Is there a burgler? A fire? A skunk? What is it?" he asked desperately, his hands cupping her face.
"Neither," she answered him more calmly. She took both his hands and placed them on her stomach, smiling. "Norman . . . my water just broke. The baby's coming."
"T-t-the b-b-baby's . . . c-coming? N-n-now?!" he choked. His throat ran dry. "A-are you s-sure?"
"Yes I'm positive sweetie," she giggled, kissing his lips tenderly. "You're about to become a father."
A . . .father. He was . . . going to be a . . . father. That, and one million and one other thoughts ran through his mind. Norman's cobalt eyes began to water slightly, he embraced his wife tightly. His hands rubbing up and down her back. His body felt numb with many emotions that couldn't be described. He felt his heart do a double-take as it began to beat faster each second. A wide grin broke out on his handsome face and few tears of happiness trickled down his cheeks. It didn't seem real -- his baby was two weeks early. He pinched his arm to reassure himself that he wasn't dreaming.
"Oh, God. C'mon; we have to take you to the hospital!" Norman ushered, grabbing her hand and gently leading her downstairs and out the door. He stopped on the way, grabbing a travel bag and extra PJs, books and magazines, as well as some food -- anything he thought Caroline would need. His mind was buzzing and he began to grow anxious.
"We have to call my parents! Call your parents! Call Andrew and Maria! Call the doctors!" he cried, frantically.
"Um . . . call a cab?"
"We have to call a cab!"
xO ~ . . . ~ Xo
"Oh! There you are!" A relieved female voice called out. 'Said female' --who was also accompanied by a handsome young man and a baby-- dashed over to Caroline, embraced her tightly. "Oh my god! I can't believe your in labour! Eek! Oh my god, I'm so excited!" she cried happily, and after a few minutes she released her from the hug, grinning widely.
The woman was dressed in silk, lilac PJs with matching Eyor-printed fuzzy slippers. Her long, raven hair was the true definition of "bedhead", tied back into a messy ponytail, though with most strands hanging out; she tried to tame it. She was pale skinned, and appeared to be the average height and weight for a woman. Her body type was slim, but with curves that could put even Beyoncé to shame, and she had stunning hazel eyes that seemed to shine whatever her mood.
"Hey, Maria, glad to see you guys could"--Carolined paused to yawn-- "make it. What took you guys so long, anyway?" The brunette was totally exhausted from her lack of sleep, and her anxiety grew by the second. Her gaze lingered on her stomach for a moment; she gulped, then averted it back to her black-haired friend.
"Well," Maria began, in a dramatic voice, "We got here like half an hour ago, but the stupid nurse at the reception was totally ignoring me, and instead chose her valuable time to talk to her boyfriend on her cellphone and file her nails, which might I add were horribly painted," she bawled her hand into a fist, her voice raising slightly. "Then, when I started to lose my patience with her--I mean, who wouldn't?--she told me to shut up! And that I was ruining her 'important conversation"! Little witch!" she snapped while air-quoting. "I mean, what kinda hospital hires a rude person like that, huh?"
"Well thanks to you, I don't think she'll dare do that again," the male holding the baby from earlier finally spoke. "You totally gave her a showing up she wont forget."
Caroline's tired eyes rested upon him. The male appeared to be in his early twenties such as herself. He was tall, well-built and pale -skinned. His shiny chartreuse locks sat on top of his head in a perfect mess, his bangs occasionally falling over his striking jade eyes. He was very good-looking without a doubt, probably one of the best looking men the brunette had seen in her life--next to Norman, of course. He, too, was dressed in his nightwear: red and blue tartan PJs with a matching blue housecoat and slippers. In his arms, a small child slept peacefully--a baby boy to be precise. The infant was wrapped up in a blue blanket, and his tuffs of green hair just visible; "Making a scene everywhere you go," he murmered, shaking his beautiful head.
"Yeah, damn right I did. Nobody talks to me like that," Maria glared. "Especially when i'm in a hurry! My best friend is in labour for Christ sake!"
"Uh, honey, you might wanna use your inside voice. Otherwise you'll wake Drew. . . again," the green-eyed male spoke once more, narrowing his eyes.
"Oh, right. Crap," she replied, as though gaining awareness of her own son, "So. . . how are you feeling then?" she asked Caroline in a quieter tone.
"Well, I--"
"OK, here you go, honey. I got you ice chips for you to drink, your sound soother to calm you down, and the nurse said she can't give you more drugs as you've already had the limit, but you'll be given other stuff just before you give birth." Norman listed the numerous items as he walked through the door, carrying various things in his hands. "I would have gotten you tea, since that always unnerves you when you're stressed out, but you're only allowed to drink these ice chips, did you know that?" he queried. Then after a few seconds, he finally took notice of the visitors.
". . . I'm fine. So totally fine."
Maria gave the fidgeting brunette a sympathetic smile, "Oh deary, look: I know the thought of childbirth is scary, I mean, I've done it myself, remember?" she coaxed as Norman and her husband chatted. The raven-haired woman embraced her friend for a second time, "But you have every right to be scared, I mean, your basically pushing a person out of a tiny hole thats only dilated ten centimetres, that's practically impossible!"
Caroline narrowed her eyes.
Maria smiled sheepishly, "Um, what I mean is," she continued, "is that, after all the tears and the hard work, your gonna have a newborn baby to take home with you, and look after for the rest of your life. That little baby is gonna be something you're going to cherish forever, and I know that's something you've wanted for a very long time."
"Yeah. . . I guess you're right," the lilac-eyed female sighed, trying to think more positively about the situation, "But still. . . I. . . I need to push a person outta me!" she cried.
"Oh relax, after you've done it, you'll look back on it and say, 'Hey, that wasn't so bad'."
"Yeah, easy for you to say. You've done the hard part; you have your kid! I'm still pregnant and full of hormones."
"I've done the hard part? Lemme tell ya," Maria began. "Drew? Not easy. There are many more hard parts to come. The constant crying, the waking up late every night to feed him, diaper changes, and you don't what's wrong with him cause he can't talk, so you gotta try everything!"
The brunett's colour suddenly drained from her cheeks.
". . . I mean . . . of course the hard part's over! After the birth it gets much easier! I'm just kidding around, y'know how I play with you! Haha," she laughed nervously, looking around for an excuse, "I. . . yeah, um. . . what's that, Andrew? Drew is stirring? Coming!"
Caroline nervously gnawed at her fingernails. After all these months of carrying their child, she never really thought about actually pushing it out. She was too busy pre-occupying herself with baby names, helping to decorate the nursery, buying toys and. . . having mood-swings. She took in a deep breath, trying to remain calm and not let panicked thoughts run through her mind. Exhaling, she took a sip of her ice-chips.
"Sweetie, don't stress about it, you're going to be fine," Norman said in a gentle tone, as though reading her mind. He ran a hand through her messy hair. "I promise you, OK? You'll be fine," he kissed her nose affectionately. Silence fell between them as they gazed into one another's eyes for a few seconds, and within that frame of time, Caroline's nerves seemed to vanish, and all the mutual feelings were replaced by determination and positivity. She smiled at him, the first genuine smile she showed that day.
"There you go," the cobalt-eyed man stroked her cheek. "Just keep thinking about little baby Jock coming into the world."
". . . Jock?" she asked in disbelief. "Oh. . . you were serious about that?"
"Well. . .yes," Norman rubbed his neck akwardly. "I mean it's. . . different."
"Different as in. . . the canine way?"
The young man frowned. "No, different as in the foreign way. I mean, think about it: nobody we know has a kid called Jock; besides, it has a nice Brittish sound to it. Can't you imagine it? Jock Maple? I mean c'mon, how unique is that, huh?" he grinned to her, edging her on, though his wife still seemed sullen about it.
"Oh yes, I can imagine it now." Caroline rolled her eyes. "I'm in the park with him. 'C'mere Jock! C'mere boy!' then someone walks past saying 'Oh your dog?' and I'm like 'No! My kid, you asshole!' Yes, very unique."
Norman looked skeptical, "Oh yeah, as if that would happen."
"It so would happen!" Caroline folded her arms over her chest, her mood suddenly changing. "I'm sorry, Norman, but no, I don't want people confusing my child with a damn scotty dog!"
"Y'know, if you hated it that much, you could have said so earlier."
"Oh really? Well I'm sorry! I've been too busy miraculously gaining an extra five pounds every day, having my own kid treat me like a soccer ball, and having morning sickness! I mean, it must be so hard for you, cause you don't have to experience any of those things!"
"Uh. . ."
"And dammit, I have to push a human out of my lower body any time soon! Do you have to do that? No!" she snapped, glaring at her husband. "I mean, your job of fertilising me was a piece of cake, huh? It was over within ten seconds! Wheras this pregnancy has lasted for nine months!"
From the other side of the room, Andrew and Maria kept quiet. They both watched as Caroline encountered her mood-swing, and Norman failed miserably at calming her down.
"Oh no, more mood-swings? I thought we'd gotten rid of those with you," the green-haired man whispered to his wife, who was currently holding their son. She rolled her eyes at him, busying herself with the baby.
"Well what do you expect? She's in labour right now. Hundreds of things are going through her mind," she whispered back in a curt manner. "Besides, be thankful she's nowhere near as bad as what I was."
Andrew thought back to those times where Maria would suddenly transform into 'The Hulk' over the slightest of things. He bit his tongue, "Don't remind me. . ."
"Oh and you know what else is bothering me?" Caroline grunted. Her breathing became shorter. "My contractions stopped a while ago. . . and are. . .being replaced by a different kind of pain. . . and my body. . . is having a spazm that I can't control. . ." she clutched her husband's hand tightly, her face showing pain. "Ugh. . .what's wrong with me now?"
"Well, honey. . . ow. . . if you let go of my hand. . . ow. . . I'll gladly fetch the--OW."
"Wait, did you just say your contractions stopped?" Maria asked, her face utterly serious. "And your having a spazm? Oh. . . my. . . god! Caroline your pushing! The baby's coming now! Oh, God! Andrew, go get the nurse! Move it!" Maria ordered, pointing to the door. Her husband obeyed and ran to find a nurse.
"What?" Caroline gasped. She felt like she was going to be sick, as she released a few more grunts, "A-are you s-s-sure?"
"Yes, I'm very sure! That happened to me just before I gave birth. You're pushing! Oh my god! Keep pushing! C'mon you can do it!" Maria instructed. "Take deep breaths, too! Like this! Just follow my lead!"
From that point on, everything went by in a blur.
A painful, frightening blur.
She was pretty sure she heard the doctors yell, "It's a girl!". She was definitely sure she heard Norman cry while on the phone to his parents, and she was positive the baby the nurse was washing was hers, but, what she knew for certain was that the pain was over. The desire to push was no longer there. Her body was now relaxing, and her eyelids suddenly felt heavy. She let her eyes close for a second, drifting back and fourth into a peaceful slumber.
But then. . .
The soft cries of her newborn daughter awoken her, as she was placed in her arms for the first time.
xO ~ . . . ~ Xo
Oh my lord. Look at her, she's so . . . beautiful."
"She has your eyes, Norman."
"Oh, yes she does. My baby has my eyes!"
"I . . . "
Too overcome with emotion to even speak, Caroline wiped the tears from her eyes with one hand, while she held her baby in the other. She couldn't stop crying. She gazed down at her daughter, who was wrapped up in a pink, cotton blanket. She then moved her hand over to her tiny head, stroking it ever so gently, afraid of its frailty. Her tufts of brown hair tickled her fingers. The new mother moved her baby up close to her face and kissed her on the forehead, unable to tear away from her bright blue eyes.
She was gorgeous.
"I. . . Oh. . . I," Caroline tried to speak. "I just. . . love her. . ." she smiled, sniffling. Her eyes began to water again.
"She's p-p-perfect," Norman stuttered, beginning to tear up. "Absoloutely. . . perfect."
A comfortable silence formed. All was quiet, except for the baby's gurgling.
"We still have to name her," Norman finally said.
Three pairs of eyes rested on the new mother. She pondered for a few minutes, before smiling and looking at her husband.
"I want to name her after my mom." She then gazed back to her daughter. "Maybella -- Maybella Maple."
"Maybella?" Norman repeated. His eyes firmly locked onto the tiny bundle of joy. He smiled. "Maybella, it is."
All was silent again, until the arrival of both Caroline's and Norman's parents. The room echoed with chatter and celebration as everyone made a fuss over the newborn, taking turns holding her.
The blue blanket currently in Maria's arms moved around, until a head of green hair could be seen. Blinking his sleep away, Caroline watched Drew take in his surroundings. She guessed he was probably confused on why he was here, and where he was, and also he would be pretty hungry too.
"Oh, it's my turn to hold her now," her husband said, extending his arms.
Caroline passed May over to her father, she watched as Drew's eyes flashed with curiosity. The brunette laughed to herself. The infant seemed fasinated by what was wrapped inside the blanket.
"Oh, hey little guy. You're finally awake," his mother cooed to him.
Drew didn't respond to her, not even when she stroked his hair and flashed him a bottle of milk, only because May was now staring at him from across the room. The two youngsters held their gaze on each other for a few moments, before Drew raised a hand and waved at her, smiling.
His first ever smile.
A/N: Yay another chapter done! :D I'm going to update more things during the summer! OMGZ. ITS SUMMER. AARGH :D I'll probably update LRG or something, since it's winning the poll :) thanks to everyone who voted! Oh but you must all know, I wont be able to update after this saturday, cause I go away on holiday for a week :) but never fear! After that i'll be back!
R&R please :P
---Kirsty :)) x