Generations: The Long Game

Fortune-Knight Family of Four

AN: Thenurserynursefan1 you made me promise not to return the honor of a namesake. You didn't, however; make any such restriction on any other details. So here is my nod to my closest friend and greatest confidante. Thanks for putting up with all of my crazy. Both creative and otherwise.

The 12th of July 2027

As she woke up in the still dark room, she glanced at the clock. 3:34am. She hated to wake him but also knew he would be upset with her if she didn't. This would be the third night in a row, and he had to go to work in just a few hours. She laid there wincing and letting out low groans sporadically before giving in and waking him. "Winter?" As he stirred, he began to panic. "What? Is it time?" She tried to calm him by placing her hand on his chest. "Shh No, my sweet it isn't that. My back is cramping again. Could you...?" Before she even finished her sentence his hand met with her back, and he started to rub it in deep circles.

When his alarm went off, he slapped it into silence. The weekend had been anything but restful, but he wouldn't really have wanted it any other way unless it meant she wasn't in pain. As he tried to slide out from under her he saw her wince. He furrowed his brow as her eyes fluttered open. "My love, what time is your appointment with the midwife again?"

"It's at half nine. I will call you right after, my sweet." They really needed to get more staff at the nursery. With Marjorie out and Charlotte taking some emergency annual leave it left very little leeway for staff to find cover. Sorscha and Deliah were in the rooms more than they were in the offices as it was.

"I'll get Lili ready while you shower. I am going to pick her up after my appointment. We are going to go visit Marjorie and the children." He nodded and sleepily made his way into the en suite. She groaned as she hoisted herself up to a seated position. As she stood, she felt the pop before she noticed the wet sensation on her legs.

Rather than get him in a panic she gathered a few things and went to the hall bathroom and cleaned herself up before getting Lili ready. As she made her way back down the hallway holding the toddler's hand, a shooting pain took her to her knees. "Go get daddy, Lil." The little girl looked worried and started to tear up. "Look at me Lil. Mummy is okay. Go get daddy."

As he dried his curly hair with a towel, he heard her little voice outside the door. "Dada! Dada!" He smiled to himself and opened the door. "Oh, where is mummy? Aut?" He tightened the towel around his waist and picked the little girl up before heading out of the room. She was just pulling herself up as he turned the corner.

"What? Are you okay?"

"My water broke. I thought we would have some time, but now I think we better go. Can you call Siobhan? We will drop Lili at the nursery on the way, but Siobhan offered to keep her so she will need to pick her up by six. I just can't ask Mia or Reece right now, Wint."

She was the youngest but for now, she bore the weight and knowledge of both her siblings' crises. That had weighed heavy on her heart these last few weeks and Siobhan had offered to help however she could. She had already been helping out in the nursery and even at head office when they needed her.

Winter made the call while gathering their things for the hospital and Lili's bag for the day. Siobhan was fine to pick her up at six and Viv was on an early shift so she would be home as well. They dropped Lili off in the fastest handover Winter had ever done as a parent amid the squeals over his curly hair. He never left the house like this and certainly never came to work that way. Sorscha wished them luck and hugged him on his way out. Deliah would have to come over and cover so she could do a parent meeting later in the day, but for now she would cover the room herself.

Once they were in the room and settled Viv came in to check on them. "So, I hear from my wife that a certain little girl is coming to stay tonight. You alright, Autie?" The brunette forcefully exhaled. "He's the wrong way round just like Lili. I am glad you aren't our nurse because that maneuver is not pleasant, and someone may be injured."

Out of habit Viv checked the readouts from her monitors. "Autie, when was the last time someone was in to check on you?" The look of concern worried both Autumn and Winter. "Maybe an hour. I am not sure. Why? Viv what aren't you telling us?"

"I'll be right back. I promise."

The few minutes it took for her to return seemed like hours to them. Winter had stood and was pacing the floor. Surely, we haven't gotten all the way here just to lose him. We won't survive it this time. She won't survive it this time.

Viv came into the room but was followed by a whole team. The room fell into chaos and the couple was trying to ascertain precisely what was occurring. Baby is in distress. Emergency c-section. Now. They have to go now. If Winter wanted to come he can. Stay out of the way.

His mind was reeling but he followed them down the corridor leaving Viv standing there on her own. She did the only thing she could think of. She called Reece and went back to work. Less than twenty minutes passed before she received a page to return to labor and delivery.

As she turned into the corridor, she saw the blond and redhead straight away. Mia paced the corridor quietly, but Reece spoke a mile a minute. "Viv what do you know? She can't lose him, Viv. She just can't. There has to be something they can do. This family can't... we can't lose another one. We can't handle anymore. Everyone is in crisis mode already. We just can't."

Viv and Mia both moved to him and pulled him into the empty waiting room. Mia spoke first. "Reecy we need you to breathe and stay calm. You're gonna fucking hyperventilate." Viv glared at her. "What? He is. All I mean is we don't know anything yet. Let's wait until we do."

They were all startled when the door swung open with such force it slammed against the wall. Winter stood their breathless as if he ran down the corridor. He was looking straight at Reece. He is born. He has brunette hair like his mum, but it is curly like mine. He's big. I need to get back.

Reece spoke. With a smile finally creeping across his face he asked, "Winter what's he called."

"Benjamin. Benjamin Maxwell."