Pregnant again

13

Miranda bounced for a while breathing through the contractions. mmmmfff," she moaned. "Uhhhh god!" Her noises were becoming more intense. Every one of them drove a dagger into Ben's heart. He absolutely hated this for her, he didn't like to see her in pain or crying.

Ben stepped out to get his wife a few ice packs so he could apply them to her back. He looked down at his phone as Rosalind texted him pictures from the party. It was a lot of people there and everyone looked like they were having a good time.

He quickly thanked her and informed her of Miranda's progress.

He entered her labor suite and saw her as he left her. She sat spread eagle on a blue rubber birthing ball, her hips making tiny circles under her weight. Her head rested against her arms, which were folded on the bed. She was very quiet. She had become extremely focused, making less noise than before. Ben crept in, whispering, "I'm back," as not to startle her.

"Mmm," Miranda acknowledged.

Ben resumed his seat on the chair directly behind her, and he picked up an ice pack, pressing it gently into her lower back.

"Thank you," she whispered, feeling the ice on her back. She let out a sigh of relief.

"Here are pictures from the party." Ben showed her.

"Aww what a big turn out." Miranda smiled weakly. "We need to call them and let him know where to get his gift from."

"Okay I'll call them now."

Ben video chatted Joey and was surprised he even answered.

"Hey pops how's Mama Miranda?"

"She doing okay." He said bringing the camera to her.

Miranda grabbed the phone while Ben stood to wipe her face with a wet cloth.

"Hey." Joey smiled looking at his exhausted foster mom.

"Hey." She responded breathing heavily. She smiled when Tuck came into the camera.

"Mom you look tired." Tuck expressed.

"Well I'm currently getting to push a 6 pound baby out and I’m in pain as well." She replied trying to refrain from snapping at him. "How's the party?"

"It's great and really fun. Thanks." Joey replied.

"And here's Pru." Tuck said picking her up.

"Hi baby girl." Miranda cheesed.

"Hi mommy." She smiled wildly.

"Are you having fun in the pool?"

"Yes, Ali is here." Pru expressed.

"That's so good."

"Where are you?"

"Mommy's having your baby sister."

"Out of your belly."

"Yes good girl. Do you want to meet her?"

"Yes."

"I will see you in a little bit okay."

Joey took the phone back and Ben came into the frame with Miranda.

"We were originally calling to tell you where your gift was." Ben said smiling.

"Really where?"

"It's in my office. Top drawer of the filling cabinet."

They watched as he walked inside the house and entered Miranda's office.

Joey pulled the drawer opened and his eyes widened.

"You guys didn't?" He said excitedly pulling out the green box.

"We did."

"I got my first Rolex on graduation." Ben informed. "Figured we would make it a tradition."

"This is the best gift ever." he said taking out the watch. "You're the best parents ever." Joey added.

"Just keep being great." Miranda shrieked through an contraction.

"I hate to cut this conversation short, your mom's in a lot of pain and I need to activate another ice pack."

"Okay no problem. Talk to you guys later."

"Love you." Miranda breathed before they hung up.

Ben put the phone down and got her another ice pack.

They sat in silence for a few more minutes, with Ben continually pressing the ice pack onto the fabric of his wife's hospital gown. He pulled her sweaty hair back every so often. When her hips started moving in larger circles, he knew she was having a another contraction. She moaned quietly. Ben placed his free hand on hers. Although she wasn't as loud as she had been in the car, her titanic grip on his hand told Ben that her contractions were getting much stronger. He silently winced as she squeezed the life out of his fingers.

Miranda was working hard to stay zen and focused as she continued her active labor. She felt the contraction peak, and slowly breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth as it began to fade. She relaxed her hips again. Her eyes fluttered open and she turned her head to look at Ben. He softly smiled down at her.

"I'm so tired," she whispered. It was true; she was having trouble keeping her eyes open, but with pains coming every 4-5 minutes at this point, she was having a hard time finding sleep.

Ben grazed her cheek with his thumb. "Do you want to lay down?" He suggested.

Miranda shook her head. "I can't lay on my back. Hurts too much."

"What about your side? We brought your pillow." Ben referred to the giant u-shaped pillow that Miranda had used most of the 3rd trimester.

Miranda blinked, contemplating the idea. She was losing the energy to remain upright on her birthing ball. "Okay," she replied timidly. She slowly stood up, wincing at the pain in her tailbone. Ben assisted her as best he could. She let out a whimper as her weight shifted to her bottom, before she quickly flipped over to her side and straddled her pillow.

"Try to sleep, baby," Ben whispered in her ear. Once she was comfortable he gently pressed the ice pack back into its spot. Miranda felt comfortable enough, and her heavy eyelids shut. Ben sighed with relief a minute later when he heard the familiar sound of her steady, slumbering breath. He closed his eyes too, hoping for a quick catnap while Miranda was out. They had been up all morning.

A quick, but very precious 30-minutes later, Ben's nap was interrupted when Miranda awoke suddenly with a loud cry. "Mmmm...Aaaaahh-AH!"

Ben's eyes opened quickly. Miranda was clutching her belly as she writhed on her side, riddled with another contraction. "Bennnnn..." she groaned, reaching back for him. Ben jumped up and ran to the other side of the bed to face her. He extended his arm, to which she quickly grasped. She was shaking, like she was freezing; but her face was red with heat.

Ben cleared the hair out of her eyes with his free hand. "Breathe, baby. Remember to breathe. In...and out..." He mimicked her breathing exercises, trying to encourage her to match his own.

"Hhhmmm...hooo...hhmmm..hoooooo.." She puffed. Her eyes remained closed and her hand remained pressed into her contracting abdomen. Her body rocked back and forth against the pillow that was stuffed between her legs. Ben rubbed her upper thigh with ferocity. A minute later, her low moans quieted and her quivering body stilled. Miranda's eyes slowly opened and found Ben's worried gaze.

"Good job, sweetheart," he said, lovingly stroking her cheek. "Are you still comfortable?"

"Get Wilson in here." Miranda stated breathlessly. "I want to be checked. Mmmhhf.." She was still working through the tail end of the pain. He reached over and paged her. Then he reached across her to the washcloth and water pail on the other side of the bed and wet it. He dabbed her full cheeks and hairline.

"How's your back doing?" He asked, his voice shrouded with concern.

Miranda took a deep breath – the contraction now completely over. "It feels okay in this position," she answered. Noticing the worry in her husband's face, she added, "I fell asleep. That was nice."

Ben smiled softly. Just then Wilson hustled in.

"I told you not to go far." Miranda huffed.

"I wasn't I was 2 doors down in a patient room."

"Can you check me please?"

"Okay." She took her seat at the edge of Miranda's bed and put on her examining gloves.

Carina walked in before they got started to check on Miranda's progression.

"I'll do it." She instructed Jo and she nodded moving out the way. Carina put gloves on her hand and took over Jo's seat.

"Deep breath for me, I need you to relax," she instructed. Her right hand slipped into Miranda's widening birth canal and at just about two knuckles deep, her fingers were met with a large, solid mass. Carina smiled.

"Wow, Chief. Bailey You've been doing some good work this last hour. Are you feeling an urge to push yet"

Miranda nodded silently, sweat running down her face.

"Your baby is about this far away from entering the world!" DeLuca showed Miranda with her fingers. "You're at 9 centimeters. Let's get you prepped for delivery."

"Are you serious?" Miranda breathed. "How is that possible? Three centimeters in an hour?"

Carina smiled. "Did you take a nap? Dilation is much easier to do when your body is relaxed."

Miranda nodded. "Can I get off my back, please?" Miranda requested. A small sob escaped her and Ben gave her hand a loving squeeze.

Dr. DeLuca nodded. "Get comfortable. I'm going to scrub up and Wilson is going to set up your squat bar. I'll be back in a few minutes. I need you to relax and breathe until then, okay?" Miranda nodded. "Keep her calm, Warren," she added, pointing to Ben. Then she left the room.

Ben helped Miranda get back on her side. Once she assured him she was as comfortable as possible, he leaned in and gave her a deep kiss.

She grabbed his face and kissed him back passionately, while a contraction came.

Carina walked back in and everyone started setting stuff up.

"Kiss me again." Miranda encouraged. "That actually does work."

"Really?" Ben asked thinking about when Carina first introduced this concept years ago and Arizona was not down for it.

"See I told you." Dr. DeLuca smiled.

Ben kissed his wife again very heavily and she smiled into the kiss.

"Alright alright. Lets get this show on the road she is officially getting evicted." Miranda sneered.

She measured Miranda again, instructing her to breath through the next few contractions to allow full dilation before pushing. With Ben's help, Miranda removed her hospital gown completely, now wearing nothing but a sheet across her breast. He tied her hair up in a messy ponytail for her.

"Your baby is moving further down and your finally at 10 cm."

"That was fast." Ben remarked and Miranda gave him and irritated look.

To a panting Miranda, Dr. DeLuca instructed, "On your next contraction, I want you to bear down. Okay? Your baby is a few inches from crowing, and because of her position in your back she's going to need some extra help from you to get out."

"God she didn't want to make this easier." Miranda huffed. She continued panting - overcome with pain, pressure, and nerves.

Carina pumped some medical lubrication onto her glove and palmed Miranda's swollen vagina. She inserted her fingers, inducing a gasp from the laboring mother, but Miranda rocked her hips and pressed on. Carina moved further inside Miranda's vagina, finding the head of the baby.

"Okay, Bailey," she said calmly. She could feel her vaginal walls beginning to contract. "Push for 10 seconds."

Ben braced his wife's back with his hand.

Miranda felt the instinctual urge to push, and despite the pain, she began to.

"Unnnnnggghh!" She moaned, thrusting slightly to make room for the head. Her teeth clenched as she bore down into her nether regions, willing her baby to crown. She felt a deep painful throb in her backside.

"That's good, Bailey. Keep pushing," she encouraged.

Miranda grunted and bore down again.

Ben felt helpless watching his wife push. He'd never seen her in so much pain. All he could do was squeeze her calf and hold the ice pack to her backside. "Good job, baby," he muttered. In all truth, he could barely open his mouth to speak. The sight of his wife's vagina growing more and more swollen as the head neared made him nauseous. He couldn't imagine her pain, or where she was gathering the strength to push through it. He had seen plenty of woman give birth, but this was different. This was his wife, the love of his life.

"Ungh, ungh, unghh..." Miranda's contraction was subsiding, and she began panting and half-pushing as it ended.

"Great work, Bailey," Carina said. "That was a great push. We'll need some more of those."

"Mmmm...water, Benjamin," Miranda requested.

Ben quickly grabbed the water from her side table and held the straw up to her dry lips. She gratefully sipped it, awaiting the next contraction.

She rolled her head and neck from side to side, trying to undo some of the tension knots building in her shoulders. Ben rubbed her leg and leaned in to kiss her shoulder. He couldn't muster any words.

Meanwhile, Miranda remained transfixed in what was happening deep within her pelvis. The pressure she felt in her nether regions was insurmountable. She felt an animalistic urge to expel whatever was causing it.

Soon, another contraction rolled through her belly and without direction, Miranda grasped the bar and bore down, again.

"Unnnggghh!" She grunted breathlessly."come onnnn." She urged her baby. Her belly visibly morphed as the baby neared its crowning point.

...an hour later, Miranda laid on her side, one leg up – being held up by Ben, as she continued pushing.

"She's right there, Miranda. You're doing great! She's almost here. One more big push and you'll be able to feel her hair," Carina instructed.

Miranda gulped in a big puff of air. Her legs had given out on her about five contractions ago. She was on her back, but However, the first 30 minutes on her back Miranda was begging for another position. So, they rolled her to her side and hitched her leg into Ben's willing arms. Jo was checking vitals of the baby constantly, and both the baby and Miranda remained strong – just taking her time.

"You got this baby," Ben encouraged. He gave her calf a loving squeeze and rubbed her leg.

Miranda grunted, exerting all the force she could muster into her push. Suddenly, she stopped. A fire erupted between her thighs, causing her to gasp.

"Oh god, hoo-oh god, it's burning, what the hell." she moaned.

"Don't stop pushing, Bailey. I know it hurts. You need to push through the burn. Keep going," Carina responded. Sitting at Miranda entrance, her fingers slowly stretched her crowning vagina. A head was finally emerging after over two hours of pushing.

"I thought someone said the second was easy. Tuck's did even hurt this much."

"You reverted back since it's been a while." Carina explained.

"Oooohhh!" Miranda panted. The pain and pressure was peaking and she could barely hold it together through the exhaustion she felt. She grabbed the bed rail, squeezing it to the point of white knuckles.

Ben glanced down and saw the top of his daughter's head, tears forming, and choked up. A mass of chocolate curly hair nearly brought him to his knees. His hands were supporting his wife's leg so he couldn't wipe the couple of tears that escaped.

"I can see her, Miranda. Oh my god, she has so much hair. I can see her!" He exclaimed. He leaned down and kissed her knee.

Miranda tried to peer over her belly but couldn't see anything. Her contraction ended and she tried to wrap her mind around pushing again.

Miranda sighed, tears forming. "Why won't she come out?" She cried.

Ben stood by, feeling helpless. He rubbed her leg and braced her foot. "You're doing so well, baby. You're almost done."

Miranda closed her eyes, trying to slow her breathing. Carina continued stretching her internally. After the short break, another contraction began. Miranda started out with a slow deep moan, inhaling, and then baring down with another steady push. She felt the white-hot discomfort form between her legs again and the baby came to a full crown, stopping just below her nose.

"I can see her face, She's so beautiful!" Ben cried.

Shaking from exertion, Miranda took another breath and pushed down again. Her effort brought the child's head to its widest point as the contraction began to slow down.

"I hate this and right now you Benjamin!" she panted. Ben looked up at her and chuckled. He knew she was at her wits end with this.

"Stop pushing, Bailey." Dr. DeLuca said firmly.

"Ahhh, ah, I-can't," Miranda sobbed. "Oh my God, get her out!" She felt as though she was being ripped apart as her baby's head sat firmly in her bottom, half-in, half-out. "Oh Damn!"

Miranda stopped pushing and put a hand over her face crying. Overwhelmed with emotion wishing she could call her mom. She always knew the right thing to say and this moment she needed more encouragement that the people in this room.

Still holding her leg, Ben leaned over to Miranda and gently whispered, "I know you are tired and in pain, but if anybody can do it you can do it. You are Dr. Miranda Bailey Chief of Surgery. An excellent wife and mother. This is in your control."

She looked up at him and nodded. Ben kissed her lips and she waited for the okay to push again.

"She's gorgeous, Miranda" Ben whispered, leaning over to grab another look at the baby. "She's got a full head of hair." He continued coaching her breathing and rubbing her leg. He felt Miranda tense as she squeezed her eyes shut.

"Mmmmmm," she moaned, signaling another contraction. Slowly, she felt the head emerge more. She inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying to keep herself from pushing.

"Good job, Bailey," Carina encouraged when she came out.

"Oh my god," Miranda exhaled. The head was out. "Thank you, Jesus," she sighed.

Ben stared, in awe of his wife. More tears formed. "You did it, baby," he whispered, unable to come up with any other words.

Carina gave Miranda the okay to push again, and two contractions later, she felt a firm swoosh. Her baby was out. She quickly rolled over to her back, dropping her knees, sweating profusely.

"Here she is!" Carina announced happily, placing the baby directly on Miranda's chest.

Miranda cried hard upon laying eyes on her baby. "Oh my goodness!" She cried, embracing the newborn. "Hi sweetie!" A nurse reached over and gave the baby a rubdown with a washcloth, wiping away excess birthing fluids.

Ben wiped his face, leaning closer to his daughter, quickly stopping at his wife's temple to kiss her. He reached down, rubbing the newborn's back as the baby began squirming.

"Oh my god, I'm so proud of you," he gushed. Miranda smiled up at him, her ear-to-ear grin matching his own, before her eyes darted back down to the baby.

Jo reached over with a suction, swiftly going in and out of the baby's nose and mouth, before a very audible, high-pitched wail filled the room.

The distinct cry of a newly born baby eased both parents' tension as they laughed, and continued inspecting their child.

"Oh I know, that was pretty intense. Wasn't it?" Miranda cooed comforting her, and stroking her baby's hairline. "It's okay honey... mommy's right here."

Ben grinned at Miranda's baby voice. "Welcome to the world Madelyn Elena Bailey-Warren" he echoed. He leaned down and kissed Maddy’s head before resting his forehead against Miranda's.

"She's perfect," he choked out. "Thank you so much."

"Wouldn't be possible with you." She whispered.

Ben cut the cord and after Miranda passed the afterbirth. They just laid staring at their baby. This tiny life in her hands. Her honey brown skin, full curly hair, button nose, and round cheeks."

"We are just going to take her over here to get weighed ,measured, and cleaned up a bit."

Miranda and Ben nodded and they watched the nurses with her the whole time. Her heart started hurting at the cries she was making. What was taking so long? She was probably hungry and stressed. It hurt the both of them for her to come in the world.

"Born at 7:17. She is 6lb, 11oz, and 21 inches long." The nurse informed handing her back to Miranda. Now wrapped in a blanket.

They two parents were in awe of the life they created.

"I love you Benjamin Warren."

"I love you too Miranda Bailey, forever and a day. You're my everything."

Miranda smiled brightly. "She's amazing isn't she?"

"She really is I love her so much already."

"Crazy how that works."

A nurse interrupted the family. "Let's see if we can get her to nurse for a little bit," she suggested, helping Miranda situate the baby on her chest. Miranda pulled the sheet down revealing her breast. She stimulated he nipple a little bit before cradling Madelyn's head and helping her latch on. When she latched on quickly Miranda smiled and rubbed her cheeks. Miranda let out a sigh and she laid her head back down, closing her eyes for a few moments. She was exhausted.

Ben sat and watched in awe as his daughter breastfed. Her eyes slowly opened and he gasped. She looked right at him as she continued to suckle. Her whimpers were dissipating as she fed.

She was beautiful. A spitting image of Miranda. She would definitely be a heartbreaker.

Miranda finished breast feeding her on onside and softly patted her back for a few minutes before switching her to the other.

After being completely done Miranda gestured the baby to Ben. "You want to hold her."

Ben shook his head and reached for her. He cradled the baby in his arms and held onto her like she was fine china and in his eyes she was. Miranda smiled at the sight her heart fluttering.

"She looks like you." She whispered.

"Nope. That's all you. She opened her eyes while you were breastfeeding her and she mastered the Bailey eyes at Birth."

"Really?" Miranda giggled.

"Yeah it was amazing and captivating. She is going to be a heartbreaker." He laughed.

Miranda closed her heavy eyes, getting ready to fall into a deep sleep.

"I'm just going to sleep for a bit. Okay?" Miranda said tiredly.

"Okay. We will be right here." Ben said softly.

It didn't take Miranda long to fall asleep at all and Maddy fell asleep too. Ben stared down at her and he knew that he needed a safer job. He loved being a firefighter, but now he had 4 children to look after, two being little girls. He needed his PRT back. Maybe since they had a new captain he could persuade her. Especially since her now boyfriend ruined it.

Around 9:30 Miranda woke up and looked over at her husband sleep holding their baby. She knew she was going to be spoiled.

"Ben." Miranda whispered and watched as his eyes fluttered open at the sound of her voice.

"Hey, how you feeling?" He questioned.

"Sore, messy, and starving."

"The boys wanted to know if they could come when you got up."

"Yeah great, they can stop to get me something to eat too."

"I'll call them to let them know and then your dad and Rosalind will be here in the morning."

"That's good too." She yawned slightly. "You haven't put her down yet have you?"

"No I just keep looking at her." He said sheepishly.

"She's probably hungry again."

"She was crying not to long ago, but I just rocked her to sleep. I wanted you to rest."

"When she wakes up, I'll nurse her."

"Can I get you anything?" Ben questioned looking at her.

"A shower." Miranda said seriously. "Where did those roses come from?" Miranda asked looking at huge bouquet.

"I bought them." He told her.

"What when?"

"Online on our way to the hospital they were delivered around 4. I had them bring them in while you were asleep."

"Thank you so much." Miranda awed. He was so sweet , one of the many reasons she married him.

"I got you something else too." Ben said standing up. He handed her the baby and walked over to the corner of the room where all their bags was.

Miranda watched him pick up a orange bag with blue handles and she gasped she hadn't paid attention to it earlier, but she new a Louis Vuitton gift bag from anywhere.

He walked over with the bag and Miranda handed him Madelyn back eager to see her new purse.

"Ooh I love this." She awed pulling out her new brown leather tote. Miranda looked on the inside and pulled out a gift card and a ring box.

She read the gift card to a massage place and looked up at him.

"They offer a postnatal massage. Website says that the massage relaxes muscles, increases circulation, provides pain relief and lowers stress hormones, bringing both physical and emotional relief. It also said that it helps with a quick recovery." Ben explained. "I mean I could do it myself, but I don't see that turning out very well."

"Thank you babe seriously. Now give me a kiss." She smiled poking out her lips.

"You'll probably want me to kiss you after the next gift."

"But I want one now." Miranda whined she was spoiled.

Ben laughed and leaned down to peck her lips.

Miranda pulled back from him and opened the ring box.

"Benjamin." Miranda gasped teary eyed. "This is beautiful."

"I know you love your wedding ring so I didn't replace it, I just bought you an enhancer ring." He explained.

Ben handed her back the baby and picked up the box taking the ring out.

Miranda quickly held out her hand and he placed the ring on her finger. She smiled down at the way the diamonds enclosed around her three diamonds of her engagement ring. It fit beautiful with her wedding band too.

"This is gorgeous and I love it. When did you get this?"

"I got it after you told me you were pregnant."

"I love you." Miranda cried poking her lips out.

"I love you too." Ben smiled kissing her lips.