Chief Casey Season 1: Chicago's Newest Chief (Dawsey)

Chapter 118

An Hour Later - Gaffney Chicago Medical Center:
Antonio's POV: As I stood in the NICU at the hospital, I just stared through the window at my newborn daughter, Hannah Sylvia Dawson. She was only 4 lbs 2 oz. The doctors says she has a fighting chance but...it'll be a long road ahead. Feeling nervous as I just stood there, I haven't even been able to process this yet. Sylvie is still out after getting anesthesia when they did an emergency C-Section and I just haven't been able to think about what to tell her. Our first delivery was easy as could be. Well, other than the fact she had to get a miscarried twin taken out of her as well. But this was hard, she never had to see Theo like this. He was stronger. Me on the other hand, I wasn't. Thinking I was alone, I let myself cry a bit when I felt someone walk up to me and rub my back. "How is she man?" Turning to look, I saw it was Jay and Erin.

Turning to look at him, I just went to hug him. "I am freaking out and can't even think straight right now." Jay nodded and agreed. "I wish I knew what to say man. I honestly do. But Olivia wasn't like this when she was born. She was healthy. And our little guy is healthy. So, I am sorry if I am no use right now." I nodded and just looked at him. "You just being here and letting me talk helps. I am scared out of my mind to even show Sylvie what she looks like. I mean, I thought I was ready to do this since this was how Diego was born but...this is just more complicated. I mean, she's so tiny. I mean, she's cute but...she's way too tiny for my comfort."

Erin then looked at me. "What was her weight at birth?" I sighed. "4 lbs 2 oz." Jay nodded and agreed. "That's good." That got me mad. "How is that good!?!" Jay then rubbed my back again. "Listen, I am not a doctor. But, I texted Natalie about how to approach this. She said as long as the baby was above 4 lbs, they have a really good fighting chance. Plus, I mean....look at who her dad is. Her dad's a golden glove boxer! You really think out of all the babies in the world...that this little one here is going to just give up. Not a chance!" I laughed when he said that and nodded. I then looked down at Lucky and then smiled. "God, why do dogs always cheer people up?" Jay smiled and then hugged me. "Here, let's go sit down and you can pet her."

I nodded and agreed as I went to walk away with him so we can sit down. "Thanks so much for coming. I didn't know who to call. Matt and my sister are watching Theo and I didn't want to bother my mom." That's when I heard her come in. "Antonio, it's no bother. How is he? How is Sylvia?" I then got up and looked at her. "It's Sylvie ma. Sylvie! And she's asleep. Meanwhile, little Hannah is right there in her bed." My mom then turned to look at her new granddaughter and was just shocked at how small she was. "Oh, by the way...this is for you and Sylvie later." I then saw it was food and smiled. "I can't even think about food when she's that tiny. God, I am scared to even show Sylvie how small she is. It'll scare the crap out of her."

That's when I heard Maggie Lockhart come upstairs. "Antonio?" Turning to look at her, I smiled. "Maggie." Walking up to me, she then went to hug me. "When I heard it was Sylvie, I had to come upstairs. She's one of my favorite paramedics. Always the most positive ones next to Gabby. I swear, you got some great paramedics in your family." I laughed and nodded. "Yeah. Hey, can you thank Dr. Asher for me? I think she's going to make it. I have to pray." Maggie agreed. "Just to let you know, the chaplain is available here at the hospital if you want to pray. I know you are Catholic so...there's one here. And if you want to do a baptism, then you can definitely do it."

I then sighed. "We haven't even talked about that but, thanks for the offer. Heck, I haven't even thought about how to tell Voight that I need to get off now." Jay then looked at me. "Hey, don't even worry about that. We already told him. You're on paternity leave man. And he's giving you extra time. He's giving you the normal paternity leave starting on the original due date. And you are on leave until the due date." I nodded and agreed. "Sounds good." Erin then smiled. "You need me to tell Matt and Gabby or anything? If you want to just concentrate on Sylvie and Hannah, I can tell them for you?" I shook my head. "No, I'll call her."

Jay then sighed. "Antonio. Do it sooner rather than later okay? I know how Gabby is feeling right now. She needs news." I then looked at him and was furious he said that. "How the hell do you know how my sister is feeling!" I was about to hit him when he stopped me by grabbing my arm. "Because I have anxiety just like her. Well, worse because it's PTSD. Antonio, she's probably freaking out because that's her best friend and it's also her niece. Please man, just hear me out and remember that I know what I am talking about. I know what it's like to be waiting for news as to whether your friend is okay. I lived that every day on the battlefield. It's horrible."

I then took a deep breath and understood. "Right, sorry." Jay then let my arm go and just looked at me. "Here, give me a hug and then let me call her okay? You are obviously dealing with a lot. Just concentrate on Sylvie and let us call her." I then shook my head as I went to hug him. "I got it okay? I will give her a call right now." Jay nodded and agreed as I went to grab my phone and then walked away so that I could call Gabby and Matt to give them news.