World War One

Birth

THIRTY NINE - BIRTH

6 months later

Rose laid on hers and Jack's bed, groaning in pain whilst squeezing Jack'a hand "I can't do this Jack, I can't do it, I can't" she cried "I don't want the baby bad enough to do this" she joked, making Jack laugh "now we both know that's not true... come on Rose... you can do it... I'm right here" he wiped her forehead of sweat. "It hurts Jack, it hurts so bad-" She groaned again "you can do it, Rose... you can do it..."

Jack and Rose had arranged for Grace and the twins to go to a friends house when Rose went in to labour so they wouldn't be around to hear anything. It had taken everything in Jack to persuade the Doctor to allow him in the room with Rose- he refused to miss the birth of his child.

"No Jack, I can't-" she groaned again. "Come on Mrs Dawson, you're not far off now. Soon you'll have your baby in your arms" the Doctor encouraged her. Rose sighed, she wanted nothing more than to give up, she was so tired and just wanted her baby here now... but she was over the hard work of giving birth.

Finally, she gave it one last push, before the room filled with cries "oh my god" she laughed, not believing their baby was really here as she threw her head back against the pillow, truly exhausted. "You did it Rose, you did it" Jack said, kissing her temple and wiping her head. "Congratulations both!" The Doctor grinned "you have a beautiful baby boy" he said as he passed the baby over to Rose "a boy?" She said, still crying, she had secretly wanted a boy for Jack and Harry's sake but hadn't said in case she had a girl. She knew she'd love a daughter all the same but thought it would be nice for Harry to have a brother, and thought it might make the transition easier for Poppy, who was still struggling to accept Rose was having a baby, concerned it would mean Jack and Rose wouldn't want them anymore, despite their constant reassurance. "A boy" Jack confirmed with a huge grin on his face.

Half an hour had passed and the Doctor closed his brief case after checking both Rose and the baby over. "Well, congratulations Mr and Mrs Dawson. I'll be off now and will check in on you in a few days, but please let me know if there is any issues before then" he smiled "thank you so much" Rose smiled at him gently, taking her eyes off her son for only a minute. "I'll show you out" Jack said, leaving his wife alone for a moment. He returned upstairs to hear Rose talking to the baby, he was out of sight so she didn't know he was listening.

"...and your big brother and sisters will always look out for you... especially your big brother, he's going to be so happy you're a boy! and your Daddy, well, he's nothing short of brilliant, he loves us all so much, he always protects us, and you'll be no exception" she said, stroking the baby's cheek "she's right son" Jack said, entering the room. Rose blushed "how long have you been standing there?" "Long enough" he smiled as he sat down beside Rose "do you want to hold him?" She looked up at him but he gave her a nervous look "what?" "I don't want to hurt him" he said a little embarrassed "you won't hurt him Jack..." she looked at him confused "here" she passed the baby over carefully, showing him how to protect his head and neck. "Now, we need a name for him" Rose looked at Jack "hmm" he thought "well what goes with Poppy, Grace and Harry?" He asked "Archie?" Rose asked "Archie Dawson... I like it" he nodded and smiled "how about Archie Fabrizio Dawson?" Rose stroked his cheek "really?" Jack held back tears to which Rose nodded "thank you..." he smiled and kissed her.

—

A few hours passed and Jack went to collect the children. "I'm so happy mum had a boy!" Harry grinned "we knew you would be" Jack chuckled and put a hand on Harry's head as they finished the walk home "what about you Poppy?" Jack asked seen as she hadn't said much "I'm happy too" she smiled.

—

Jack and the children arrived home "remember, nice and quiet when you go up, in case Mum or Archie are asleep" Jack said as he took the twins coats. The 3 of them nodded and walked up the stairs and in to Jack and Rose's bedroom "hey" she grinned at them "is that him?!" Harry grinned, noticing the baby in the crib beside her "I sure hope so" she laughed a little. Poppy and Harry walked round to the crib to see him but Grace went over to Rose "well done" she smiled and hugged her "thank you darling" "can we hold him?" Harry asked "wait for Jack to come up and then you can" Rose smiled. Just as she spoke Jack walked in with a cup of tea for Rose "just what I need, thank you" she smiled taking it from him "please could you get Archie out so they can hold him?" "Of course" Jack smiled and lifted him out of his crib "who wants him first?" Jack asked the children "me please!" Harry grinned, making Jack laugh "OK... sit down on the bed, make sure you hold his head" he said as he passed Archie over.

—

Later that night

The twins had gone to bed around 8.30, followed by Grace at 10. Archie had just slept and fed a little since being born, which suited Rose, it meant she could also sleep.

Rose had been asleep around 45 minutes when Archie's crying woke her up, she rolled over to see Jack walking round the room, rocking him gently "come on buddy, you're going to wake mummy up. She's had a long, hard day bringing you in to the world Mr" Jack smiled at him "he's probably hungry" Rose smiled as she sat up and stretched "hey" Jack smiled and passed Archie over. Archie settled immediately once Rose had began to feed him "just wanted his mummy" Jack said, climbing in to bed beside them "just wanted feeding more like" she chuckled "he has no idea that we're his mum and dad yet" she smiled softly "I just hope he knows we love him" she said, resting in to his side, still feeding Archie "he does... for sure" Jack smiled and kissed her head. Once he'd finished feeding, Rose gently placed him back in his crib before curling in to Jack again "try and get some sleep" Jack said quietly "you've had a hard day, and no doubt he'll be awake again soon" he kissed her hair "you're not wrong there" she chuckled "I love you... and thank you" "thank you?" Jack frowned confused "for what?" "For Archie, for holding my hand when I was in labour, for insisting you be there with me, all of it" she looked up at him "it should be me thanking you! You brought him in to the world, you're the one feeding him, all I did was hold your hand" "that was all I needed" Rose smiled, he lent down and kissed her before she yawned "now really, sleep please" he gave her a serious look, causing her to roll her eyes "yes Sir" she stroked his cheek before laying down and drifting off quickly.

the last chapter will be out tomorrow! i hope everyone's enjoyed it