The Unexpected III

Two aides were waiting in the room and came over to assist Dee to get out of the wheelchair and into the bed.

In satisfaction, Ryo noted the soothing music being played at a comfortable level. Everything looked in order to Dee’s specifications when he made out the birth plan, including Vanessa Mae’s ’The Violin Player’. The air was scented with an oil blend Dee had picked out from a list of what was beneficial for births.

“I’ll go get some ice chips,” one of the aids said to Ryo and rushed out of the room.

“Looks like they’re ready for you, Dee,” Ryo said with a smile, taking Dee’s hand and brushing stray locks of wet hair off his husband’s face with the other.

A male nurse came over with a cool cloth to wipe Dee’s face with before handing it over to Ryo, indicating a basin on the bedside table. The bed was not a true operating table, nor a normal bed. It was something in between, called a birthing bed for Carriers. Most Carriers preferred it to assimilate as close to nature childbirth as possible, rather than a sterile standard operating table. In a world of more career women working a planned birth into their busy schedules, more and more women also chose to set a C-section date rather than wait until labor. The birthing bed had gained popularity in the last few years.

Ryo glanced around the room again as he wiped Dee’s face down. Dee had made some choices that surprised Ryo at first. He did support Dee completely, especially after his husband explained his choices were not exclusively picked on personal tastes only. Dee had also considered what both he and Ryo felt was the best atmosphere they wanted their baby to come into the world in.

While there was the option of more family in the room during the C-section, the only member besides Ryo they considered was Bikky, who had begged no. He would stay with them until then, but not during. Mother and Elena were to see Dee immediately after, but others would wait until Dee was comfortably settled in his recovery room.

They had chosen for someone to stand discreetly to the side to video tape the proceedings in the room, but not close up of the actual operation.

The aide returned with the ice chips, handing the cup to Ryo. Ryo put the cloth down to feed Dee a couple of chip before putting down the cup and going back to wiping him down with the cool cloth. A male nurse came over, carrying a hospital gown. Ryo placed the rag into the basin again to start taking Dee’s shoes and socks off.

The nurse looked at Bikky, who stood anxiously next to the bed watching both his dads. His gaze went to Ryo, who placed Dee’s shoes, with socks tucked inside, on a chair. At Dee’s request, Ryo gave Dee more ice.

“I’m not sure if you want your son here for this part,” the nurse said to Ryo. The man smiled gently at him.

Bikky folded his arms, looking affronted. His eyes on Dee, he grumped noisily. “Bad enough I’m going to have to wait outside while the baby’s being born.”

“That was your choice, Bikky,” Ryo stated.

“Not too late to change your mind, rugrat,” Dee added.

Bikky shook his head. “Oh no way! Yuck! But I really want to stay as long as I can before then. Please? I’ll be in the corner, out of the way. Just like we planned.”

Ryo studied Bikky. “If you’re sure.”

Bikky nodded, then mumbled, “Not like I’ve never seen him naked before,” he snorted.

“That’s because you don’t knock at times,” Ryo chuckled. “Okay. As long as it’s okay with Dee.”

The nurse who wheeled Dee to the room poked her head in. “Dr. Siworski is on his way up,” he announced.

“Thank you,” Ryo sighed.

As Dee started to sit up with Ryo’s help to get changed for surgery, he was hit again with a contraction. He ended up leaning against Ryo, crying out. He felt Ryo hold him tight in the protective embrace he had come to know and love in the last seven months.

“It’s okay,” Ryo murmured close to Dee’s ear. He stroked the dark, sweat drenched hair, until he felt Dee start to relax. He released Dee, helping him to sit up. He gave Dee more ice, then grabbed the washcloth again.

While Ryo’s back was turned, rinsing out the cloth, the male nurse started to lift Dee’s tank top to take it off.

Dee laughed weakly. “Ryo, some strange man is taking my clothes off.”

Ryo turned, looking amused as the nurse placed the tank top to the side. The top was also drenched with sweat. He laughed at Dee’s face, as the nurse patted Dee’s shoulder, indicating he move to make taking off his shorts easier.

“It’s okay,” Ryo said with a smile. He started to wipe Dee’s forehead. “I’ll let him live.” The cloth swept down to Dee’s neck and shoulders, then he went to rinse the cloth to wipe down Dee’s chest, which was glistening with sweat.

The male nurse laughed too. Smiling he said, “That’s what my husband says about every guy I have to do this to.” He winked at Ryo, who laughed again.

The nurse got Dee changed into the hospital gown with Ryo’s help, then administered the painkillers Vince had prescribed to ease the pain of the contractions.

Dee was changed into the hospital gown and settled back on the bed. Ryo fed him ice chips and wiped Dee’s face and neck with the cool cloth. He noted with satisfaction that while Dee still seemed to be feeling some discomfort, the painkillers eased most of the pain. It did not prevent Dee from dropping his head back, crying out when the worst of the latest contractions hit.

Bikky stood close by and with Ryo talked to Dee, until he excused himself to head off to the restroom. He opened the door to the room, about the step out when he looked up, realizing someone was blocking his way.

“Oh! Hi, Doc Vince,” Bikky greeted.

Ryo’s head whipped around to look in their direction. He smiled with relief as he watched the doctor ruffle Bikky’s hair while entering the room.

“Dee Laytner-MacLean,” his deep voice boomed across the room. “If after tonight I never hear from you again, I swear I’m going to feel neglected.” He stopped next to Ryo, alongside the bed.

Ryo broke out in laughter at the doctor’s greeting. “Hey Vince. Sorry to interrupt your evening,” Ryo greeted.

Vince was already in operating scrubs, minus the head covering.

“Yeah. Hope we really didn’t interrupt anything interesting,” Dee said with a grin.

Ryo winked at Vince. “He was in the shower when I called,” he said to Dee.

“Oh. Alone, I hope, or I might actually feel guilty,” Dee replied.

Ryo laughed at Dee’s comment, running a finger lightly along Dee’s cheek.

Vince snorted. “And tell me why David and I stopped at two kids.”

Dee laughed again, before gritting his teeth again. “How long before we can…?”

Vince was already starting his check up on Dee. “Relax, tough guy,” Vince remarked. “In no time, you’ll be under the local and definitely feeling no pain.”

“Now? Please?” Dee whimpered, clenching onto Ryo’s hand.

Ryo squeezed Dee’s hand assuredly. “Relax, baby,” Ryo softly said. “It’s going to be soon.”

“Definitely soon,” Vince announced as some residents entered the room, also dressed in scrubs, ready for surgery.

Ryo felt an icy chill run through him for a split moment. It took all his will not to let it show. Now that the moment was at hand, he experienced a moment of panic. No matter how routine and normal it was, the C-section was still surgery. While the chances of anything going wrong were slim, there was always the possibility. Ryo could not help feeling concerned.

Dee started to pant heavily, indicating the contractions were starting again.

“Easy love,” Ryo said, stroking Dee’s hair as Vince continued his examination.

“Please… S-she feels like she’s going to rip right out,” Dee whimpered. He gulped and took a deep breath at Ryo’s prompting.

Vince chuckled. “It’s call labor, Dee. Especially Carrier labor, which is why we try to avoid it. But we’re in no danger here. Now if you think about it, it’s not nearly as bad as Settling, is it?”

“You told me that earlier, Dee,” Bikky reminded the laboring man.

“And you lived through that, so it’s all good,” Ryo added.

“Dee said that too,” Bikky said.

Dee glared first at Vince, then to his husband and son. “Damn you.” To Ryo, he added, “But you only had to carry me from the bathroom to the bed that time,” Dee pointed out. “Not from the lobby into the car.”

“Well, everything seems to be in order here, Dee. I checked if we could perhaps stop the labor again, but you’re right. Your little one wants to be with her daddies tonight,” Vince said. “She’s definitely active, which is a good thing. I’d worry more if you didn’t feel her kicking along with the contractions. So to ease your minds, it’s only a baby deciding to be born a little early. There’s nothing wrong with Koko, or you Dee. Relax now. My assistants are going to administer the local – unless you changed your mind about staying awake?”

“HELL NO!” Dee exclaimed. “I want to see my baby born.”

Vince laughed as Ryo smiled at the determination on Dee’s face. Ryo could not help lightly kiss Dee’s lips.

“Okay then,” Vince said. “I’m going to go over there to the prep area with my trusty assistants who will help me out during this procedure and....” The doctor gave both Ryo and Dee a wicked grin. “You gentlemen can kiss sleeping at night goodbye for a few months.” Vince chuckled as Dee groaned.

Ryo experienced panic surge number two at that moment – he was about to become a father to an infant. Somehow a little of that panic slipped through.

Dee chuckled, squeezing Ryo’s hand much the same way Ryo had been doing to Dee since they arrived at the hospital. “Relax. We’ll take turns just like we worked out.”

Ryo was not surprised Dee read the panic for what it was. He gave Dee a rueful grin and shrugged.

“You’re going to be a great Papa, Ryo,” Dee continued, smiling lovingly.

“I hope so,” Ryo replied, giving Dee a nervous smile.

Vince laughed. “Too late to back out now, Ryo.” He gave Ryo a friendly slap on his back.

“Back out?!?” Ryo exclaimed. “Oh hell no. I might be nervous, but I can’t wait to have our baby girl with us.” He smiled at Dee.

“I’ll be back in a few, you two. You can assure each other of your fears while Dee gets numb.” Vince smiled and moved from the bed so one of the residents could administer the local on Dee.

Ryo held Dee’s hand as the resident worked.

Bikky stood by anxiously, standing next to Ryo, watching his dads. He put a hand on Ryo’s shoulder, wanting to be as much a part of things as possible.

“Bikky, right?” the resident asked the teen when he was finished.

“Yeah.” Bikky nodded his head.

“Why don’t you give your dad some ice chips while we wait?” the man suggested.

“Sure.”

Ryo smiled as Bikky grabbed the cup and gave Dee an ice chip.

More than to confer with the other doctors, Vince always preferred to give his patients a few extra minutes to savor the monumental moment upon them. Even if he still felt some discomfort from the labor, Vince knew Dee will have this time included in his future reflections of his baby’s birth. He knew Ryo and Bikky enough to know it will be equally important to them. The best time was while waiting for the local to kick in.

A nurse knocked on the door and poked her head in. Vince waved her in and she came over to him. “Mr. MacLean’s mother and some friends are here,” she informed him. “They’re in the Waiting Room.”

“Thank you, Sandy,” Vince said with a smile. “I’ll let them know.”

“I’ll see if they need drinks and assure them all is well so far,” Sandy said. At Vince’s nod, she left the room.

Ready for surgery, he walked over to the bed, “Okay folks. Showtime,” he announced. “Bikky, if you’re not going to stay, then this is the time to go meet with your grandma.”

“I heard that Mother’s here?” Dee asked.

Vince smiled. “That’s what we’ve been told. And now that Sandy has seen all is proceeding nicely, she can assure your mother that all’s well and to make her comfortable while she waits to become a grandma again.” He flashed a devilish grin at Dee. “It’s cutting time.”

Ryo smiled warmly at Bikky, pulling him close for a tight hug. “Go wait for your sister at the nursery window, okay?”

Bikky nodded, also smiling. “I guess I should keep Penguin company too, huh?”

Ryo nodded. He leaned over to kiss Bikky’s forehead. “Now kiss your father and scat,” he said, turning their son toward Dee.

Bikky made a mock frown. “Okay, if I have to.” Dee made a face back at him, and they both laughed. Bikky hugged Dee, kissing his cheek. “Good luck, Dad.” He grinned widely. “I’m going to be a brother!”

Dee attempted to hug Bikky back from the position he was in, laying on his back with his head raised slightly. Aides were setting up the screening to place around Dee’s belly. It made the hug awkward. “Yeah,” Dee smiled. “Next time I see you, you’re going to be a big brother.”

Bikky turned to Vince. “Take good care of them now.” He winked and left the room.

Ryo smiled at Dee. “Just you, me, and Vince now, baby.”

Shrewdly, Dee pointed out the aides and residents who were busy setting up around him. His eyes went to the corner where a man with a camcorder sat waiting. “Plus them,” he laughed, then kissed the hand he was holding.

Ryo smiled as he returned the gesture. “You know what I meant, silly,” he chuckled.

Vince stood on the other side of the bed from Ryo. “Oh, before I forget, David said he’ll be by tomorrow to say hello to your little girl. He wanted to come tonight, but we couldn’t find a babysitter.”

Ryo was still smiling as he nodded. “Our little girl,” he reverently said. “Oh my God, Dee! Soon we’ll see our baby girl.” His voice cracked as he started to get choked up.

“Yeah,” Dee drawled out lazily.

Ryo studied his husband and noted the other man looked more relaxed than Ryo had seen him in weeks, despite being about to give birth. “You okay, beautiful?”

“This feels weird,” Dee said.

“It’s going to feel really weird when you first realize you’re no longer pregnant,” Vince remarked, doing something behind the screening that was now set up. “All righty, Dee. I want you to take a deep breath and savor being pregnant, because these are your last minutes. Believe it or not, you’ll find you’ll actually miss it for a while.

“I think I will,” Dee replied with a gentle smile. “But every time I look at our chibi, I’ll remember how she got here.”

Ryo sighed happily. “Feeling better, Dee? That’s wonderful,” he stated, realizing Dee was no longer even feeling the discomfort as much as before.

Vince laughed. “Definitely no pain. I’ve been poking and prodding and testing, and now I’m all ready to make my cut.”

“Huh?” Dee asked.

Ryo let out a laugh and kissed Dee’s hand.

Vince grabbed Dee’s free hand and moved the screening on that side a little. “One more rub of this to say goodbye, Dee.”

“Aw,” Ryo remarked, as he watched Dee touch his very swollen belly in awe. He could not stop himself from giving one last quick belly rub, which Vince encouraged. “Soon, Koko,” Ryo said softly to Dee’s belly. “We’ll see you soon, sweetheart.” His voice cracked again, overwhelmed with the moment upon them.

Dee’s dark green eyes were glistening as they met Ryo’s.

Vince settled the screen in place. “Ready, gentlemen?”

Still gazing at Ryo, Dee said, “This is it.”

With a warm, loving smile, Ryo nodded, feeling his eyes sting with unshed tears of joy.

“Sure is,” Vince said. He went back to whatever he was doing, his hands once again hidden behind the screening, his attention on Dee’s belly. “So today was another scorcher, huh? I’ll bet you’ll be glad when your body goes back to normal temperature.”

Ryo smiled warmly, stroking Dee’s wet hair. “My poor baby’s been swimming in sweat.”

Dee nodded. “I just can’t get cool enough.” He sighed, looking up at Ryo again.

“Ryo, feel free to wipe Dee down,” Vince stated. “Someone refresh the water please. Just no more ice for a while now.” The basin was taken away by one of the aides and replaced with another. Ryo dipped the soft cloth in the water and went back to wiping Dee’s face, unable to stop smiling.

Dee sighed at the tender way Ryo touched him with the cloth.

“It’s the worst time of the year to be toward the end of pregnancy,” Vince continued to speak. “If it makes you feel any better, Jason was born in early September. That August heat. Horrible. You should be glad you’re avoiding it.” The doctor grinned wickedly, sparing a quick glance at Dee. “Unless you want to try for a September baby next time.”

Dee’s eyes went from Ryo to the doctor. “Hey Vince, just deliver this one, please.” He tried frowning, but found it hard to do so.

Ryo chuckled, leaning to kiss Dee’s nose.

“While we’re at it, when do you plan to start?” Dee asked.

Vince laughed, his assistants joining him. “I already have. Well now, speaking of this little one…. Well, hello there, little chibi,” he greeted, looking down.

Dee’s eyes were wide as Ryo straightened up in his seat to stare at Vince.

“Wha? You mean…,” Dee gasped in amazement.

Vince still looked down, smiling. “C’mon sweetheart. You were anxious enough to come out….”

Dee lifted his head off the pillow, anxiously trying to see around the screen. “Ryo…,” he sighed, breathlessly.

Ryo’s smile widened as he looked at Dee. The very soon-to-be Papa’s breath caught as he realized at any second their baby was going to be born. He slipped his hand under Dee’s neck to support it. “Hey beautiful,” he whispered softly to Dee, “Koko is on her way out.”

Dee’s eyes met Ryo’s again. “Yeah.”

“And…” Vince announced.

Dee realized Vince was right. Something did feel strange. His breath caught as he realized what it signified. It was a moment he knew he’ll have frozen in his memories for the rest of his life.

His baby was no longer inside him.

“Oh my God, Ryo,” he breathed, overcome with the moment. Tears were leaking out from his eyes as he realized he had just given birth.

“Dee,” Ryo sighed blissfully, resting his head against Dee’s. Ryo had both of Dee’s hands in his.

Together they watched as one of the other doctors joined Vince. They heard something like a vacuum but not as loud or powerful.

“Just removing the mucus from the little one’s passageways,” Vince informed them, smiling.

No sooner the Vince stop speaking, a baby’s cry filled the room. To the two men with their heads huddled together, there was no music sweeter than the sound.

Vince’s smile grew. “Nice set of lungs on this one. Quiet nights are definitely a thing of the past,” he quipped.

Tears were streaming down both their faces. Ryo lifted his head to kiss Dee’s lips. “Thank you, Dee,” he whispered, then turned to anxiously see his newborn daughter.

Dee was staring straight ahead at Vince in complete awe.

“We have a beautiful baby girl here,” Vince exclaimed happily, taking a moment to note the time. He handed the baby to a nurse who stood alongside him.

With a sweet smile, she placed the squirming baby on Dee’s chest. “Say hello to your baby daughter,” she said.

Dee gasped, wide eyes fixed on the tiny baby, aware of her weight resting on his chest. He ran a finger lightly down the tiny arm, smiling.

Ryo’s eyes were wide, his grin even larger as he softly touched his daughter’s back. “Koko,” he sighed happily.

Dee kissed the head with downy soft brown hair. “Hello, my precious one,” he greeted his daughter into the world.

Despite the joy of the moment, something was nagging at Dee. Something did not feel right. He could not explain why, so he tried to push it away, not wanting his imagination to ruin the beautiful moment. He watched as Ryo kissed the little head.

“Oh shit,” Vince cursed, startling the two new daddies. “Nurse, please remove Koko… STAT!”

Ryo sat up abruptly, frowning as Koko was removed from Dee’s chest. “What?” he demanded, feeling as if it was a rude intrusion on the moment.

Vince shook his head. “Jesus… Dee, Ryo… I am so sorry,” Vince remarked, then set to action behind the screen.

Ryo froze, that icy chill returning and holding him in his grip. If their daughter was healthy then it had to be something with Dee. He grasped onto Dee’s hand, as if the action itself would keep Dee with him always and he would never lose him. They had not come this far in keeping Dee safe to lose him now.

Dee knew it was not his imagination. He knew he was not supposed to be feeling the way he was.

“Oh God, Ryo,” he cried out in fear. “Something’s wrong.”