Chapter Eighteen

For long moments she cried while Rex just held her, quietly and tightly. She felt safe in his arms and never wanted him to let go of her. Until they heard a voice entering the room. “Oh, excuse me, I’m sorry…” A voice said.
Pulling back from the hug, they both looked up to see an older man in blue scrubs. “We’re sorry.”
“Under Sheriff Adams, it’s nice to see you. Is this your wife?” The man said.
“Oh, no…” Rex smiled and looked down at Jayme, then returned his attention to the man. “Oh, she’s a very close friend.” Rex said.
“I’m Dr. Walker.” The man introduced himself. “You probably don’t remember me.”
“Dr. Walker, of course I remember you, Dennis.” Rex said and reached his hand out to shake.
Dr. Walker shook Rex’s hand. “I’m waiting for re-election she we can vote you sheriff. I know a handful of friends that will vote for you as well.”
“Well, election will be held next year. I’ve thought about running.”
“I’ll help support your campaign.”
“Well thank you, Dennis. I appreciate the support.” Rex said.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am at work and I have a job to do.” Dr. Walker said and turned to Jayme.
“You’re a little early, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” Jayme answered..
“I’m going to examine you, see what’s going on.” Dr. Walker said as he slipped on a pair of rubber gloves.
“I think I’ll step out of the room…” Rex said and headed for the door.
“Rex, call my parents, please?” Jayme said. Rex nodded his head and disappeared out the door.
Waiting until Rex had left the room, Dr. Walker stood at Jayme’s bedside. “Just relax…” He said as he lifted the covers. Upon the physical examination, Dr. Walker discovered that Jayme was dilated to three centimeters. “Yes, you are definitely in labor. I’m not sure if we can stop it but we’re going to try. If that doesn’t work, I guess this baby will be born.”
Removing the rubber gloves, Dr. Walker went to the sink and washed his hands before leaving the room. Rex slipped back in as the doctor walked out.
“What did he say?” Rex asked as he walked up to her bed.
“He said I’m dilated to three but he’s going to try and stop the labor.”
“Oh.” Rex said. “While I was waiting in the hallway, I called in and reported your situation. They’re calling it out, over the radio, to be on the lookout.
“I feel so stupid.” Jayme said. “That’s what I get for dating so close to my husbands death.”
“No, Jayme, don’t you do that. None of this is your fault.” Rex said, taking her hand. “You didn’t do any of this and you don’t deserve any of this. But know that I will be right by your side.”
Jayme felt another pain coming on as she turned to see a nurse come into the room. She smiled and stuck a needle into the tubing of her IV. “This is something to help stop your labor. We’ll see how well it works.” Shannon said. “Is there anything I can get you, do you need another pillow or blanket?”
“Actually, I think I may need new sheets as well as new pads. I’m pretty soaked.” Jayme said as her pain continued to worsen.
“Ok.” Shannon said and went to the cupboards beneath the sink and pulled out clean linens. Laying a pad in the chair, Shannon instructed Jayme to sit in the chair so she could change her bedding. Rex pulled the chair closer to the machines, instead of Jayme stretching out the connected cords.
Soon after Shannon left, Paige and Simon entered the room. They too, were inquisitive about what had happened to Jayme and why she left the house like that. Jayme explained what had happened and where Jim had taken her. She told them how she jumped out of the window and injured her ankle.
After an hour of the labor progressing, Dr. Walker knew the labor could not be stopped. Ordering other medications to suppress labor and progress growth, Dr. Walker physically examined her again. She was dilated to five centimeters. He asked her about pain relief but Jayme denied wanting anything.
Although Rex wasn’t officially off duty until Seven, he was excused from duty for the remainder of the evening which was merely three hours. He wanted to be there with Jayme for the birth of her first child. It was special to him.
“Have you decided on a name yet?” Rex asked.
“If it’s a boy, Scott Andrew McNally, of course. If it’s a girl, Isabella Renee McNally.” Jayme answered.
“Would you prefer a girl or a boy?” Rex asked.
“Oh no, we’re not going there. I prefer a healthy child. I do not care what it’s gender is, whatever God wants to give me.” Jayme answered.
Rex just looked at her and smiled. Walking to the chair, he pulled it up beside the bed and sat down. Looking at the clock, it was nearly four thirty. Having skipped lunch, he was hungry. But he knew she shouldn’t eat and he wasn’t going to eat in front of her. But he thought he could sneak down to the cafeteria and grab a sandwich.
Leaning down, Rex kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back.”
“Ok.” Jayme said, then looked up at him with a smile.
Leaving her room, Rex wandered downstairs to find the cafeteria. Purchasing a wrapped, cold sandwich, he grabbed a few packets of mayonnaise and a bag of chips to go with it. Grabbing a bottle of pop completed his purchase and he sat down at a table and ate. Making his way to the elevators to return to her room, Rex noticed the gift shop.
Detouring from the elevators, Rex headed for the gift shop. Walking through, he found a large, white Teddy bear that read ‘Babies’ first Teddy bear’. He knew he had to get it for the baby and purchased it, along with a few items for Jayme. Magazines and crossword puzzles were among the items.
Returning to her room, she was laying peacefully and appeared to be asleep. Quietly, Rex sat down in the chair, putting his things on the floor, except the bear, which he sat on his lap. It was mere minutes when he heard Jayme moan. He looked up at her and saw the look on her face and knew she was having another contraction.
Reaching over, Rex took her hand. Instantly, she squeezed it and opened her eyes to look at him. “The contractions are getting pretty painful, huh?”
“Yes…” She blurted out, unintentionally.
“I’ll be right here with you. I’m not going anywhere else…” He said.
Jayme shook her head and managed a slight smile. Rex handed the Teddy bear to Jayme. Looking at it, she shared a large smile and held it against her chest. “Thank you, Rex, this really means a lot to me” Jayme said.
“I saw it and couldn’t resist. I’m proud to be the one to have given your baby their first Teddy bear.” Rex said.
“I’m glad it was you too.” Jayme said, still holding it against her chest.
Jayme had never taken birthing classes to learn how to breathe through labor. And it was Rex’s first time experiencing it as well. As another contraction peaked and relaxed, Jayme let out a long breath. Time seemed to slow down as the contractions got longer, harder and more frequent. Although Jayme was strong, the pain caused her to cry out in pain as it got later in the evening.
Her parents appeared at the hospital, her mother staying by her side. Simon stayed in the waiting room for hours. Simon paced the floors as Paige stayed at Jayme’s side. She would get Jayme what she needed, from a glass of fresh, cold water, to a cool washrag to place on her forehead.
Half an hour before midnight, Jayme was fully dilated felt the strong urge to push. Disassembling the bed, they prepared for the birth. Rex stood up beside Jayme, holding her hand. Paige was on her other side. Connecting props to the bed, they put Jayme’s feet in the stirrups and prepared Jayme for the second stage of labor.
As Jayme pushed with every ounce of energy she had, Rex’s hands were shaking and he was overwhelmed with excitement. With fifteen minutes of intense pushing, a daughter was born at eleven forty five on the night of Halloween. Seven minutes later, she delivered the placenta.
Born at thirty two weeks, Isabella Renee was sixteen and a half inches and weighed just over four pounds. Her lungs seemed to be almost completely developed and her test results were all normal. Although she was healthy, she would need to stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit until she weighed five pounds. They would not release her to go home until then.
One look at the girl and Rex was in love. He didn’t care if it wasn’t his daughter, biologically, he still loved her greatly, already. Just as much as he loved the girls’ mother. They placed the girl on Jayme’s chest as they finished rubbing her and cleaning her off. Jayme was in tears, she didn’t know she could love something so much.
Looking up at Rex, Jayme saw the look in his eye as he stared at the child. He looked like he was about to cry but Jayme knew that look in his eyes. She had seen it before. It was one of deep compassion, love. Reaching up, Jayme grasped his arm. “Rex?” She said.
“Yes, Jayme?”
“Is she beautiful?”
“She is the most beautiful girl in the world, because she looks just like you.” Rex answered.
One of the nurses looked at Rex and smiled but he was looking at Jayme and her new baby. Leaning down, Rex planted a quick kiss on Jayme’s lips. Then they took the child away for testing and measurements. Jayme took a shower immediately after the birth and dressed in a clean gown and the net underwear they provided her. When she was dressed, they transferred her to a room just a few doors away from the nursery.