Their Love Story is TIMELESS..perhaps best described by Sade's classic
No Ordinary Love...mostly AU though at times the chapter(s) closely
follow the show's script
Ignoring the season 5 'death' of Reade (because IT'S STUPID...SO SO STUPID he and The Love Of His Life-TASHA ZAPATA-are new parents to a honking big baby boy whom both ere in love with months before his birth...Jeller and The 'Throuple are here ()for comic relief)...
Tasha's pregnancy was long but without complications (except that she waited for a touch too long to request an epidural)...with Reade by her side, she soldiered through; he fed her ice chips and coached her through the 'breathing exercises' they learned in Mommy and Me classes, which they attended together. "You can do it, Baby-I got you," he assured her.
14 hours later León Edgar Reade Zapata made his entrance into the world with lots of screaming and not a little mess at 8 pounds 1 ounce and the broad shoulders of his Dad and the dark wavy hair of his Mom. Both fall deeper in love with him the moment he arrives. "You did it, Toots...good job."
"You are actually 'channeling' Rich right now-on what is easily one of the happiest days of my life? she shoots back.
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Not long after the 'Golden Hour'-after a newborn is cleaned up, weighed, etc mother and baby are together (to the extent it is possible so that Mom and baby can get to know one another and as in Tasha's case, breastfeed. Immediately after Jane and Kurt Weller, Patterson, Rich, Boston, and Briana crowd into the suite to get first looks at the little fellow; Mean Ol' Bear Kurt Weller shocks everyone with how he exclaimed over León! Zapata and Reade exchange bemused glances as each of them take their turn holding the tot; ever the jokester cracks "We should think about getting pregnant getting pregnant" to his husband and wife to which Boston replies:
"Of course, you wait until I've begun my current 30 days of birth control before you mention this!"
"He means ME Numb Nuts!" Patterson advised and the laughter intensified, startling the baby. Tasha stares daggers, demanding her son and ordering them all out. It doesn't take long to quiet Leon down again. Reade takes off his shirt and cradles his baby boy against his naked chest (as a maternity nurse had said promoted father and child bonding.
Zapata can't help but smile at her men; she always suspected that he'd be a great Dad. Getting his attention she says to him: "Tu y yo " (You and me/I).
Their eyes meet and he responds "Para siempre ." (Forever).
I fell asleep late last night-And I dreamed that the night...and almost half the day away... I just got up so that-I can hear her say: She's still in love...And no one can take her love away
Oh love wakes me up everyday-And I thought no one would ever make me feel this way...it feels me up every time I hear her say: She's still in love, and no one could take her love away: I WANNA BE LOVED...There's nothing better than love...what in the world Could you ever be thinking of It's better by far; so let yourself reach for that star-and go no matter how far to the one you love to love There's nothing better than love-What in the world could you ever be thinking of: It's better by far...
Tasha shifts the baby into his bassinet, and whispers to the sleeping Reade:
"I don't know if I love you more than you love me, Reade; I mean that I love you more than any of the bad days that are past us and the ones ahead-than any difference of opinion or disagreement that we're sure to have. The time that we were apart only deepened that love, Vida Mia (My Love)...there's is no obstacle that could ever TRY to come between us. I LOVE YOU THE MOST, Reade...you and León are my life. Thank you for the gift of our son." She slips out of HER bed and into his, snuggling close...soon all three of the Reade-Zapatas are fast asleep.
...There's nothing better than love-what in the world could you ever be thinking of...It's better by far...so let yourself reach for that star-and go no matter how far-TO THE ONE YOU LOVE...And I mean all these words I've said: And you don't have to guess What's going on inside my head-Just try to know...All the things that our heart says Listen to love and always; Get love to lead the way...
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When she awoke she found that Reade was already sitting up-watching her with a small smile on his face. After she washed her face brushed her teeth and re-joined him in bed he said "I heard what you said last night and I want to make one thing clear: my love for you is equal to or STRONGER than that of yours for me. And YES...the many obstacles we surmounted, the trials, the pain...the times one or both of us nearly lost our lives only created an already strong bond ironclad."
"How eloquent, Assistant Director!" Tasha giggled. "Ooops-your son's awake!" León's cries are partially muffled by his mother's hospital gown because his little face is pressed against it. "OK OK, mi cielo...ahora le doy leche mi Rey (My everything...I'm giving you milk my King)...in a few deft motions she freed one of her breasts and nudged his questing lips with her nipple which latched onto, still whimpering a few extra seconds before suckling contentedly. While she fed their son Reade took a shower, then ordered breakfast for them. Not long after Their team (including Patterson but sans Rich) arrives for a quick visit.
"Yeah, yeah...I gotta GO, Babe...OK...right...BABE-I gotta go! Love you too, 'bye...yeah, I will." Patterson disconnected the call she was on and announced "Rich sends his love; he's in the lab workin' on something re the tattoos...Ooh, Sweetie, hi!" she cooed to the newborn. "Can I"...
"Not just now," Zapata murmured. "If you guys make it back later and he's awake."
"Looking good, Zapata," said Jane. "I still can't get my head around you not accepting pain meds." She shuddered, having read an article describing what a woman's body endures during childbirth (her hips dislocate and several bones can potentially fracture-see the note below).
"Don't get me wrong; it was BAD: worse than bad, actually but I didn't want the baby affected by anything not natural. And almost as soon as he was out I completely forgot about all the pain, the pooping"-
"Oh HELL NO!" Jane and Patterson yelped at the same time, horrified.
"I remember that! From when Bee was born; not pretty."
"Worth it" Tasha grinned, awarding her newborn several kisses on his head and face.
Medical note: Some women dislocate their hips or their pelvis. Some women pull muscles and then there are even mothers who break bones during giving birth. Even though it is possible to break a bone during labor, it isn't something that you should be terrified about happening. Large babies delivered vaginally are much more likely to cause broken bones. Diabetic mothers and babies larger than 9 lbs are also common causes. A large baby obviously has more potential to cause damage to the mother, especially if the baby is her first. (https://www.babygaga.com)
