Scarlett's Soldier

Chapter #19

Chapter #19
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Louri’s POV
“LOURI WAKE UP!!” I wake up to the panicked voice of my wife. I look over to see the time. “Scarlett what’s wrong it’s 02:00.” I say as I sit up. “We have to go to the hospital. My water  broke and I can feel the contractions starting.” She says and now I’m panicking internally. “Um ok we already planned for this we have got bags in the truck.” I say as I pick her up without thinking. I run down the stairs with her laughing at my panicked state. “Babe I can walk.” She says. “Huh? Oh yeah I got to get my shoes and keys. WHERE ARE MY KEYS!?” I yell. “Their in your hand Babe.” Scarlett says laughing but her laughter is cut off by a contraction. “Ok maybe you can carry me.” She says clearly in pain. I pick her up after I have my shoes on and she made sure to grab both our phones. I run out to the truck and open the passenger door and help her in and help her get buckled. I run over and get in the drivers seat. “Babe breathe.” Scarlett tells me. “I am breathing it might be heavy but I’m breathing.” I say as we make our way to the hospital Scarlett is calling them and letting them know we are on our way. We get to the hospital and I grab our bags and put one over each shoulder so I can still carry Scarlett. “MAKE WAY PREGNANT LADY IN LABOR COMING THROUGH MAKE A HOLE PEOPLE!!” I scream ok maybe I do need to calm down. “Um hi we called ahead for Johansso-Evans.” I say to the triage nurse at the counter Scarlett still in my arms. “Yes it looks like you booked a private room let me get a wheelchair and I will take you there.” She says kindly. “No need for the wheelchair I’ve got her.” I say to her and she just nods. “Ok this way.” She says as she leads us to an elevator and up to the maternity ward then to our room. “Ok you can just lay her here on the bed and the doctor will be here soon with the epidural.” She says as she leaves closing the door behind her I do as I’m told then I put the bags down in the corner of the room so they are out of the way. “What can I get you or do?” I ask. “Sit down and breathe Babe.” She says pointing to the chair by the bed. “Ok.” I say as I sit. “Here squeeze my hand if you need to when you have a contraction.” I say holding out my hand which she takes. “Oh I should call Ma and Melanie.” I say searching my pockets with my free hand knowing Scarlett slipped it into one of my pockets. “Ah found it.” I say as I go through my contacts and click on Ma’s number. “Sweetie what’s wrong it’s 3am here?” Ma answers I clearly woke her. “It’s time Ma. AGH SHIT THAT HURTS!!” I yell the last bit as Scarlett squeezes my hand. “I’m still half asleep Sweetie please elaborate and what hurts?” Ma says with a yawn. “The baby Ma. Scarlett’s water broke about 30 minutes ago and she had a contraction and squeezed my hand. That's what hurt.” I tell her. “I’m gonna get on the next plane out give Scarlett a kiss. I’ll see you in a couple hours.” Ma says before hanging up. “Ma is getting on the next plane out and told me to give you this.” I say before giving her a quick kiss on the forehead. “Ok sorry about your hand, these contractions hurt like a bitch.” Scarlett says. “Well this should help with that.” Dr. Montgomery  says coming in with an IV and what I assume is the epidural. “I do need you to move though Ma’am so I can administer these.” She says. “Ok. Scarlett I will call your Mom while Dr. Montgomery does her thing.” I say giving her a quick peck on the lips before going to the hallway and pressing Melanie’s number. “What?” A very tired and grumpy Melanie answers. “Hey it’s Louri. Scarlett’s in labor the doc is giving her the epidural right now.” I tell. “St. Francis hospital right?” She asks much more awake and not grumpy. “Yep I will have coffee ready for you when you get here.” I tell her. “Oh thank you I need my coffee in the morning.” She says making me chuckle. “Yeah I figured because Scarlett’s the same way. I’ll see you soon, I've got to get back to Scarlett.” I tell her and she says goodbye before hanging up. “Hey Beautiful what happened to your sweats well my sweats that you stole?” I ask seeing her in a hospital gown when I come back in. “It would be very difficult to deliver the baby if Scarlett is wearing sweats.” Dr. Montgomery deadpans and I just nod. “What did Mom say?” Scarlett asks and I can tell the drugs from the epidural are working already because she doesn’t seem to be in as much pain as before. “She is on her way and just like you when she wakes up I didn’t even get a hello just ‘what?’ when she picked up.” I tell Scarlett, making her chuckle and nod. “That sounds like Mom.” She tells me. “Who else do you want me to call?” I ask as I take hold of her hand. “Just send a mass text to the cast. Then a separate mass text to our family members so when they wake up they know. I just don’t want to be crowded right now.” Scarlett says. “Ok I need your phone to text the cast. I don't have all their numbers.” I say and she hands it to me. After I send the texts I set the phones on the small table by the head of the bed. “What can I do? I have never done this before.” I tell Scarlett. “Well neither have I Babe.” She chuckles at me. “Am I that bad?” I ask. “Yes Babe I’m honestly considering asking for a paper bag for you to breathe in.” She laughs, making me chuckle lightly. “Oh I brought a deck of cards in my bag. Do you want to play cards?” I ask. “Sure that sounds good.” She answers. “How about rummy?” I ask. (A/N if you don’t know what rummy is, it’s a type of card game. There are different versions but it just happens to be my favorite card game.). “Ok how about you deal I can’t shuffle the deck with this stupid IV.” Scarlett says. “No problem.” I say as I shuffle the deck and deal. After a few rounds we hear Melanie. “MAKE A WAY MY BABY’S HAVING A BABY EXCUSE ME!!” Melanie yells out just before opening the door to our room. “Mommy’s here, don’t worry about anything I’ll get anything you two need.” Melanie says giving Scarlett a hug. “I’m glad you’re here Mom. Louri over there is a nervous reck.” She chuckles before crying out as another contraction hits. “Should I get a nurse or Dr. Montgomery?” I say clearly nervous. “Louri dear she is going to be having these a lot till the little one is born and they will get closer and closer apart you can’t panic everytime Scarlett has a contraction dear.” Melanie says putting her hand on my back. “Yeah I knew that and I’m not panicking. Ok I’m panicking but I have good reason.” I defend. “It’s ok dear just sit down. I will go get you and I some coffee. How do you take yours?” She asks. “With cream. If they have the Irish Cream flavor I prefer that thank you Mom.” I say and her eyes tear up. “What’s wrong did I say something wrong?” I ask and she just shakes her head. “That’s the first time you’ve ever called me ‘Mom’ I am just happy that’s all.” She says and I didn’t even think about it, it just came out naturally. She gives me a hug before leaving to get our coffees.
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Scarlett has been in labor for 6 hours now. Ma got here 3 hours ago. Scarlett’s contractions have gotten closer together. Dr. Montgomery said that Scarlett is 8 centimeters dilated whatever that means all I know is it means that the baby is coming faster than what’s normal for your first kid apparently am I a nervous reck still very much so. “GET THIS BABY OUT OF ME!!” Scarlett screams in a low tone as another contraction hits and I’m pretty sure that my hand is broken at this point. “You're doing great Beautiful you heard Dr. Montgomery, he will be here soon.” I say as I rub her back.
A few more hours have gone by and the entire cast and most of our family are in the waiting room. Ma and Mom have taken turns updating them on how Scarlett’s doing. “Alright everyone but Louri has to leave its gonna get crowded in her with me and nurses and soon a little boy.” Dr. Montgomery says and our parents do as they are told. “Ok Scarlett are you ready to push?” Dr. Montgomery asks. “I’m so tired.” Scarlett answers. “I know but it’s time ok Louri please position yourself behind Scarlett so she has more support than just the bed.” She tells me and I do as I’m told and Scarlett rests her head back against my chest as I hold both her hands. “You can do this Baby I’m right here with you. I know you are tired but just think about that you can finally hold Devon in your arms think about that not the pain or the tiredness.” I say to her and she nods.
After 2 hours of Scarlett pushing we hear a cry and it’s not from me or Scarlett. “Let’s get this little one cleaned up then you can hold him.” Dr. Montgomery says as we see her hand him to the nurse next to her. “You can relax now Baby. You did it.” I say as my eyes tear up. “Ok I’m gonna move so you can get more comfortable.” I say as I get out of the bed. “Here’s your son Mama.” A nurse says to me as she hands me my son who is wrapped up in a little blanket with a little hat on. I walk over to a very tired Scarlett but her eyes light up when they land on Devon. I hand him over to her and it next to her on the bed with one arm around her shoulders. “Hi Devon I’m your Mommy.” Scarlett says with tears of joy in her eyes mine well up as well. “Welcome to the world Buddy.” I say to him and I just let my tears fall. “He’s got your nose.” I say. “Yeah he kinda does.” She says trying to suppress a yawn. “Here Scarlett let me take him you get some rest there are a lot of people waiting to meet this little guy.” I say and she nods and gives him a kiss on his tiny head before she hands him over to me. “We will be here when you wake up ok you get some rest you deserve it. I love you Scarlett.” I say giving her a quick kiss. “I love you too Louri.” She says before getting as comfortable as he can considering she just had a baby. I wait till she is asleep which doesn’t take long before I walk out to the waiting room. “Everybody.” I call out catching everyone's attention earning a lot of quiet ‘oh my gods’ and ‘look at them’. “Everyone, I would like to introduce you to Devon Johansson-Evans, our son.” I say my eyes are filled with tears of joy and pride. “He’s so cute.” Lizzie says as she is the closest to me and first to see him. “I have a grandson?” Ma says will tears in her eyes. “Yes you do.” I say without taking my eyes away from the child in my arms. “How is Scarlett?” I her Hunter ask. “She is sleeping. She continues to amaze me more and more everyday with just how strong she is.” I state. “Did you say his name is Devon?” I hear a familar voice say I look up to see Sargent Devon’s Mother Mary standing by my Ma. “Yes Ma’am I hope you don’t mind that we named him after your son.” I say to her. “Devon would be honored to know that you named your son after him and I am so happy for you Captain. I’m here on my Devon's behalf to congratulate you because I know he would if he could.” She says handing me a small bear. “This was Devon’s when he was a baby I think he would want you to have it.” She tells me. “Do you want to hold him?” I ask. “I would love to.” She says holding her hands out so I carefully hand him to her. “I’m going to go put this in my bag so I don’t lose it. Mary why don’t you come with me if Scarlett is awake I want you to meet her.” I say “I would love to meet your wife.” She says with a smile. “Ma, Mom you guys can come too.” I say and they waist no time following me. I open the door softly only to find Scarlett awake and reading ‘Little Women’. “Hey Beautiful, I thought you were sleeping.” I say as I open the door more. “I couldn’t get comfortable wait where is Devon?” She says and you can see her heart rate spike on the monitor. “He’s with someone I would like you to meet and our Moms are with me. Come on in guys.” I say and they enter the room Mary goes straight to Scarlett and hands her Devon Scarlett looks between Mary and I before Mary speaks. “Hello Scarlett it’s nice to meet you. The Captain said it was your idea to name him Devon on our way here from the waiting room.” Mary says. “It was. I’m sorry but I don’t mean to be rude but who are you?” Scarlett asks. “I’m Mary Hawkins. Sargent Devon Hawkins mother.” Mary introduces herself and Scarlett’s facial expression completely changes. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I never got to have the honor of meeting your son but by the way Louri talked about him he sounds like he was a good man and I’m sorry for your loss.” Scarlett says patting the spot next to her indecating for Mary to sit. “Thank you Scarlett. Do you mind if I call you Scarlett?” Mary says sitting on the side of the bed. Ma and Mom sit in the chairs on the other side of the bed and I sit in the chair I was in before. “No, I don't mind at all.” Scarlett tells her. “Scarlett the Captain sorry Louri wanted me to meet you and I am glad I am because I can tell you personally thank you for letting my baby’s memory continue on by naming your son after him you have no idea how much that means to me and Devon would be honored that his Captain and friend that he loved and respected so much named her son after him.” Mary says and I am sobbing silently with my head lowered in an attempt to hide my tears. “I’m so sorry Mary.” I say doing my best not to break down. “Captain Evans, listen to me. I do not blame you for what happened. They let me read the report and I know how hard you fought for him. I know that you took a bullet in the vest just to get him to safety. I know that you tried your best. Do you understand me, Marine?” She says sternly. “Yes Ma’am I understand.” I tell her. “Good because I don’t want you to cry everytime you think of my Devon I want you to smile and remember the good times you had with him and I know you did because he never shut up about how you and him would pull pranks on the rest of the unit all the time.” She says making me chuckle at the memories of pranking everyone. "There you go Captain you're laughing now. Tell me about some of the pranks you two pulled." She says

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A/N
Well get ready to learn more about some of Louri’s past and yay baby. Anygays see you in the next one.