Chapter Text
"You feeling okay, sweetheart?"
I asked Abby who was sitting next to me in my arms on the sofa, she had been restless for an hour or so.
"I don't know..."
She moaned as she rubbed circles on her belly.
"What's wrong? What are you feeling right now? Are they more false contractions?"
I leaned up and took my arms from around her, placing my left hand on her lower belly and my right hand cupping her cheek lightly. Abby had been getting false contractions all weekend.
"I can't tell. These feel diff..."
Abby tensed up and drew her knees up and her chest down as she grabbed her belly.
"Ahhhh."
Abby moaned.
"Hospital, now."
I hopped up and rushed to grab the bag for the hospital that sat by the door. Flinging the door open and rushing to the car I threw the bag in the backseat where the baby carrier had been secured for a week now. I ran back inside to find Abby clinging to the sofa cushion for dear life.
"Honey, we need to go. Come on, this is it love."
I reached for her hands and shoulder to help her up.
"No, no not yet...I can't Ben."
Abby teared up and refused to get up, shaking her head.
"We don't have a choice, love. I know you're scared Abby, I'm scared too but sweetheart we've waited years for this day and we will be so happy. Now either get up when this contraction passes or I'll carry you out, we have to go."
I kneeled down beside her and dried her tears.
"I don't want to go to the hospital though."
Abby cried harder, breaking my heart so that tears filled my own eyes briefly.
"I know you don't dear but this is important, you have to go."
I held her hands once again and tried to help her up as slowly as I could. I shook my head to stop my tears, keeping a brave face for her.
"How are you feeling? Can you walk?"
I asked as she got up. She just nodded and held my hand tightly as I wrapped one arm around her waist and walked her out to the car.
"It's done, it's done now we can wait. We don't have to go now."
Abby said as I sat her in the passenger seat, she shook her head and tried to get out again.
"No, we can't, darling. You know just as well as I do that another contraction will come and another and another."
I shook my head and closed her door, rushing around to the drivers side.
"But my water hasn't even broke yet! Can't we wait a little longer?!"
Abby was so frightened.
"Abby. There is nothing to be worried about. I'll be with you all day and I'll help you through this, okay?"
I held her hand and pulled out of the drive and down the street to the hospital.
"Please! Please Benedict take me home! I'm not ready, please..."
She cried hard.
"Hey, hey what has you so scared? I'll be with you all the way through this, I won't leave you Abigail."
I asked as I pulled into the deck at the hospital, her hard sobs were making me tear up now.
"Just please don't make me go in there, Benedict!"
Abby was in full panic mode right now.
"Abby, we have to. You can't have this baby out here."
I got out to grab the bag and get Abby from the passenger side.
"Come on, take my hand."
I opened her door.
"I'm not, you'll have to drag me!"
She cried.
"Abigail, what has gotten into you?!? We need to go, now."
Abby tensed up again and moaned, screamed and cried hard. This grabbed the attention of some hospital aids who brought a wheelchair out.
"Breathe Abby, take deep breaths."
I held her hand and caressed her shoulder. As soon as it was over I pulled her out of the car and into the chair, she tried to get out but I held her hand as the aid pushed her inside quickly.
"Please. I don't want to be here! Just take me home please, Benedict."
Abby screamed. We were getting onto the elevator now to head to the birthing ward. I don't know what's gotten into Abby but she is acting like we are dragging her to her death.
Once we were in our room and I helped Abby into her gown she refused to get in the bed, she paced the floor until a contraction hit and she'd grab on to whatever was closest until I could get to her side.
"Abby, you need to lay in bed."
I tilted her chin up to face me.
"No, I won't, I'm not going to."
She cried again into my chest.
"Hey, what's going on here?"
Abby's doctor came in with a concerned frown on her face.
"She's refusing to get in bed and she wants to leave."
I said over Abby's sobs.
"Abigail, we need to get you in bed so I can examine you and see how the baby is doing. What has you so upset?"
The doctor took a hand and I took another and pulled her to the bed and had to force her into it.
"No! Please let me out! Benedict please."
My god, she was breaking my heart.
"I'm getting ready to examine you Abby, try to calm down."
"Relax darling." I held her hand and stroked the back of it gently with my thumb.
The doctor checked her progress and then cleaned up before asking to speak to me in the hall. I wiped my eyes of tears and stepped outside, Abby begged me not to but I needed to talk to the doctor.
"I'll be right back sweetie, I promise."
I tore myself away from her and into the hallway.
"She's only four centimeters right now and her water hasn't broke yet. Benedict do you have any idea what she's so scared about?"
The doctor asked.
"I don't have a clue. We are both very excited about having this baby but when she had her first big contraction at home she started to freak out, she doesn't want to be here in the hospi...wait, I think I know what this is about."
I had a thought pop into my head right as I said that.
"She doesn't want to be here in the hospital."
I walked back into the room and went to Abby's side as she tried to get out of bed again.
"Going somewhere?"
I frowned and furrowed my brows, pressed her back to the bed and took her hand.
"Home!"
She said, starting to cry again.
"No Mrs. Cumberbatch, you aren't."
I shook my head and frowned.
"Abby I know why you are so upset, well I have a good idea."
I sat on the side of her bed.
"Are you so upset because of your extended stay in the hospital that December?"
I furrowed my brows and looked over her face for clues.
"I told myself then that I never wanted be in a hospital again and when I found out I was pregnant, I knew I'd have to be in one again. It's not the same sure but it's still very scary, Ben, needles and wires, machines and bright lights, doctors and nurses, masks and gloves. When I got my contractions early this morning I didn't say anything because I was scared to death..."
Abby paused and grabbed her stomach again and clenched her teeth. I rubbed her stomach lightly and pressed my hand to her forehead.
"Breathe, sweetie, you're doing great."
I encouraged her and coached her through her contraction.
"Sweetheart, when did your contractions start today?"
I asked, I had no clue until this afternoon.
"Promise you won't be mad?"
She winched.
"Tell me. No I won't get mad."
"Ten this morning."
She wrinkled her nose up to prepare for whatever my response would be.
"Ten? Hmm."
I cleared my throat and calmed my temper.
"Ten o'clock. You waited four hours to tell me that you were having contractions? You could have, SHOULD have told me Abigail. Sweetie, I know you're scared, I know all those weeks you spent in the hospital were frighting, but you have to remember I was awake for much more of that than you were. I hate seeing you in pain, in a hospital, crying and being scared to death, but...but, this time, it's a much happier occasion and you don't have to get any medicines that aren't for the health and safety of you or the baby. If you want to have a natural birth, I'll support you, just like always, I'll stand by your side and guide you. Please sweetheart, please don't be scared of being in here."
I looked into her eyes the entire time I spoke. Abby's emotions are high today, just as mine are, she began to tear up and reached up her arms to me. I wrapped my arms around her and held her close.
"I love you darling. You'll be fine, I won't leave you."
I whispered into her ear and gave her a tender kiss before wiping the tears from her cheeks.
"I love you."
Abby sniffled.
"Are you okay now? Promise you'll behave and follow doctors orders?"
I looked at her sternly.
"Yes yes alright."
I handed a tissue to her and she blew her nose.
"Good. We're settled then. I'm calling our parents to let them know."
I smiled and gave her one more kiss on the forehead before taking a seat in a chair beside the bed. I dialed Abby's parents first since they had a train ride to make before getting here.
"Eve, it's Benedict."
"Ben, how are you? How is Abby?"
She asked cheerfully.
"Well, we are okay now, I have very exciting news to share Eve. Abby is at the hospital in labor."
I heard a gleeful cheer over the line from Eve and George.
"Wonderful! How is she doing!?!"
"We are okay now, she had a bit of nerves but we've settled them and I'm confident she's going to be just fine now. The doctor came in a little bit ago, she said that Abby is four centimeters dilated now, but her water hasn't broke yet so things are still slow. Her contractions started at ten this morning but she didn't bother telling me, I didn't end up finding out until two. She was scared and didn't tell me."
I spoke to Eve but looked to Abby with a raised eyebrow.
"Tell her her father and I are on our way right now."
"Did you want to talk to her yourself? I'm sure she could use a talk with her mum."
I smiled.
"If she's up to it I'd love to."
"Alright, hold on just a moment."
I handed the phone over to Abby.
"Mum?"
Abby's voice was shaky, I took her hand once more, rubbing the back of it in small circles. I couldn't hear what Eve was saying but listened to Abby.
"It hurts so bad mum."
"I don't know yet, we just got here an hour or so ago. I'm being taken care of, Ben, like promised, has not left my side except once to talk with the doctor about my panic attack. Yeah I had one, I'm just so scared of being in the hospital again mum, I don't want to be here. We have elected to go natural though so I don't have to worry about any medicines or needles. Yes ma'am, I know. I love you mum. Tell dad I love him too please."
Abby sniffled.
"I'll see you two later."
She handed the phone to me again.
"Hello?"
I held it to my ear again.
"Ben, is she going to be alright? You know natural is going to be a major pain, I'm not trying to deter you two at all and if it makes her feel better then by all means go for it but Ben, be prepared for lots of screams and curses."
Eve chuckled.
"I will, don't worry. We'll see you guys this evening. Bye."
We hung up and I dialed my parents.
"Mum, it's time!"
I cheered.
"Oh my boy! Your father and I will be right up! I'll call your sister."
My mum hung up before I could say anything else, I laughed and shook my head as I hung the phone up.
"Well, they're excited."
I laughed as I looked back to Abby.
"Your parents on their way?"
Abby asked.
"Yup"
I popped the "p".
"She's calling my sister too. Is there anyone you'd like me to call or text?"
I asked.
"Maybe if you could text our friends, I'm sure Tom, Martin, Amanda, James, Pine, Evans, Agnes and the bunch would love to know."
Abby suggested.
"I'll send a text to them."
I pulled out my phone and sent a group text to our friends.
:Abby and I are at the hospital! 4cm, water hasn't broke yet. Little nervous/scared but we're getting through it. Come if you'd like.:
The text read.
"Done."
I smiled and put my phone away, but not before taking a picture of Abby.
"Delete that or you're dead."
Abby grabbed her stomach again as another contraction came over her.
"Oh! Oh my god."
Abby whipped the sheets off.
"What?!"
I asked, looking at her legs and up to her face and back quickly between.
"My water...it broke."
Abby held my hand tighter.
"Alright, I'll get the nurse."
I pushed the call button and the nurse soon showed up and changed the sheets and got Abby settled again.
"Ben, promise, don't leave me."
Abby cried.
"I'm not going anywhere sweetheart, I love you so much, I'm going to help you through this."
I kissed her forehead.
"Things should be picking up now Mrs. Cumberbatch, we'll be checking you more often and monitoring your contractions closer. They should start coming closer together and growing harder. Let us know if you need anything. You said you wanted a natural birth, is that correct? And is it still the same decision?"
The nurse asked before she left the room.
"It's still the same. Yes, I don't want any medications."
Abby nodded and held my hand.
********
"Knock knock."
A familiar voice came from the short hallway into our room.
"Hey mum, come in."
I replied and my parents walked into the room, both smiling ear to ear happy that the time was here.
"Hello loves. How are we?"
My mum ask as she stepped closer to the bedside.
I stood up and hugged her tight, my smile twice the size of hers.
"Hi Wanda, hanging in there I suppose."
Abby leaned up and hugged mum followed by dad, both giving her a kiss on the cheek and a short back rub before taking a seat on the opposite side of the bed.
"How far along are you now, Abby?"
Mum asked.
"The doctor just checked fifteen minutes ago and I was at six centimeters."
Abby caressed her baby bump gently, soothing our baby girl a little.
"I can't wait to see her, hold her in my arms."
Abby smiled down at her bump then reached her hand out for me to hold.
Entangling my fingers with hers I smiled and brought her hand to my lips, kissing it gently.
"I'm holding her first, you've held her for nine months."
I smiled cheekily at Abby and chuckled when she gave me a look with a raised eyebrow and a strong stern look.
"And god knows how many hours of labor I will be in with her so no, Mr. Cumberbatch, I will be holding her first."
Abby sternly replied and we all chuckled.
I pulled on my pouty face and gave my best puppy dog eyes.
"No..that's not fair now."
I knew Abby couldn't resist my pout and puppy eyes, they melt her heart.
I chuckled and leaned over her, kissing her lips tenderly and smoothing her hair back over her head.
"Okay, you can hold her first."
We all laughed.
********
"Oh god..."
Abby headed into another contraction. We've been here for five hours now and Abby was at six centimeters. I took her hand and rubbed her hair and head with my other hand. My parents were out in the waiting room with my sister and niece, waiting not so patiently for the newest member to come into the world.
"You're doing so good sweetie, keep breathing."
I coached her until the contraction stopped.
"Wooooo."
Abby released a long breath that she had been holding.
"How's your pain?"
I asked.
"Wonderful."
Abby rolled her eyes and collapsed to the bed.
"You are being so brave. I'm proud of you love."
I wiped her sweaty forehead with a cool cloth.
"Would you like an ice chip?"
I asked, taking the cup from the table. Abby opened her mouth and took the chip from the spoon and sucked on it.
*********
A gentle tap at the door signaled a guests arrival.
"Come in."
I said quietly, Abby had managed to drift of to sleep for a moment.
The curtains drew back and Eve and George, Abby's parents walked in.
"Hello love."
Eve whispered and tip toed over to me. I stood and gave her and George both a hug.
"How was the trip up?"
We spoke softly.
"It was just fine, uneventful thankfully and we made it to the hotel to drop our bags off before coming here."
Eve replied.
"How are you hanging in there son?"
George asked as he brought down his strong hand to my shoulder and gave a little squeeze.
"I'm doing alright, watching over Abby and tending to anything she needs. I hate seeing her in pain though."
Just as I said that, Abby jolted awake with a contraction. She groaned and rubbed her stomach in small circles.
I took her hand and she squeezed it tightly. My other hand pressed to her stomach and soothed her.
"That's my girl. You're doing so well sweetie."
I whispered softly to Abby's ear as she moaned and breathed through the pain.
The contraction passed and Abby took a deep breath before she opened her eyes.
Tears welled up and fell when she saw her parent sitting beside the bed. She leaned up to give them both hugs.
"Darling I've never seen you look so beautiful."
Eve said with a giant smile.
"I look like a sweaty mess, mum."
We all chuckled.
"My sweaty mess though dear."
I corrected her and leaned over to give her a peck on the forehead.
*********
"Ben! I need medicine now!"
Abby screamed as she held onto my hand with a death grip.
"Sweetie remember we wanted a natural birth, remember you told me to refuse to give in to your cries for help."
I replied. This particular contraction was horrible. It's going on nine hours here in the hospital and thirteen hours in labor. The last time the doctor checked Abby was eight centimeters, so close yet so far.
"I don't give a flying rats behind what I said! I want pain meds now!"
Abby growled.
"No. Sorry love. You said you would kill me if I gave in. I'd like to make it to see my little girl born."
This made Abby chuckle lightly at the end of her contraction. Abby's parents were waiting with mine out in the waiting room, no doubt all of them were sleeping by now, it was eleven at night after all and Abby and I had been trying to get some sleep ourselves.
"Ow...owie owie owie!"
Abby moaned as she held her stomach and gripped my hand again as another contraction washed over her.
"I want this baby out!"
Abby cried.
"Just a few more hours sweetheart."
"Hours!!"
Abby let her head fall back to the bed and cried.
"You are doing perfect. Just listen to me and breathe, darling."
I tried to distract her from her pain.
"I love you so much honey, I'm so sorry you are in pain but I'm happy, I'm happy that were going to meet our little girl so soon honey, and we are going to be parents. Take a deep breath."
I soothed her. Abby was breathing normally and trying to get some sleep again before the next contraction came on in four minutes.
*********
"I think we're ready Abigail and Ben. Ready to meet your little girl?"
The doctor finished examining Abby.
"You're at ten centimeters now dear! Time to push, time for the hard work."
"I've been working hard all damn day!"
Abby was so tired and exhausted.
"Abby, you're going to do just fine sweetheart. I'm right here."
I held Abby's hand still like I have most of the day. It's now one in the morning and we are all very tired. The doctor set up the table and light and all the necessary equipment, a nursery exam table was wheeled in ready for our newborn to arrive.
"Okay Abigail, with the next contraction I need you to give me a good push right down here."
The doctor pressed where she needed to push at. Abby nodded and then looked to me, fear written over both of our faces.
"I feel another...mmmm..."
Abby got a contraction.
"Great, push down for me."
The doctor said. Abby pulled her knees up slightly as she pushed.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Perfect dear, you did great."
The doctor said.
"Next time I want your chin to your chest and your knees up to your sides, we need several good pushes okay."
She added.
A few minutes passed when another contraction hit then another and another. The baby was so close to crowning now, with every push we could see a bit more of the head appear.
"Oh god!!! BENEDICT!!!"
Abby screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Darling, you're doing great, push for me sweetie, push push push."
I held her knee up and held her hand with mine.
"Oh shit!!! I-I can-can't!"
Abby panted.
"Yes you can, you are doing so good."
I said in her ear over her cries.
"It hurts!!"
Abby sobbed.
"I know baby."
Just then another contraction came and it started again. Knees up, chin down and a count to eight.
"Pull her out!!! I want her out now!!!!!"
Abby wailed.
"Love, we can't do that, you're doing so good Abbs you are perfect."
She was holding my hand so tight I felt it was going to break.
"You did this to me Ben! I hate you!!"
Abby screamed, I knew it was coming, I was warned but it still hurt hearing those words.
"Please baby, I know I did this to you but don't hate me, we both wanted this. You are doing perfect baby. Push push push."
I had a few tears in my eyes now.
"I just want her out..."
Abby cried, I dried her tears and geared up for the next push.
"Just a few more pushes Abigail."
The doctor said as Abby groaned and pushed again. She growled and groaned, panted and cried, uttering curses at me and the doctor.
"No more, no more please! I can't. Ben, I can't do it! I'm not strong enough."
Abby shook her head as tears streamed down her face.
"You can do anything, you're the strongest woman I know!"
I encouraged her. Another contraction hit then and Abby moaned and bore down once again screaming loudly.
"You're beautiful, you're powerful, you are brilliant, you're strong, you're perfect. Good girl."
I said over and over.
"The head is almost out Abby!"
The doctor said over her cries. I looked down and could see the head.
"Come on Abby, come on baby. Push push push!"
I said, pulling her knee back as she pushed hard.
"Okay, okay, gentle pushes now."
The doctor ordered and Abby grunted just a few times.
"It burns!!! Out out out now!!!"
Abby wailed and fanned herself.
"Almost there, just a few more seconds darling."
I said.
"Oh Christ!!"
Abby yelped as the head came out. The doctor suctioned the baby's nose and mouth out and checked for any cord that may be around the baby, it was none thankfully.
"Get it out! Benedict!!! Get.it.out.NOW!!"
Abby cried hard.
"No sweetie, you are doing it, you are doing so well darling."
I cried.
"One more push Abigail and the baby will be out. Push hard for me okay? The shoulders are always hard."
The doctor supported the baby's head as I grabbed Abby's legs and hand again when she pushed.
"B-Ben!!!! Please! Please just pull it out!! Oh oh oh!!! Oh god!! Ahhhhhh!!!"
Abby panted and the baby's shoulders slipped out. We both cried in silence as we waited for the baby's first cries. Just then after a few more suctions our little girl cried, a beautiful sound, like an angel, just like I heard the night I met Abby when she played the piano.
"Abby, love, she's gorgeous. Our baby girl Abby. Our little baby. Thank you."
I broke down as our girl was placed on Abby's stomach, her tiny wails were strong and healthy.
"Thank you so much."
I cried as I rested my forehead on Abby's head, I kissed her forehead several times.
"I love you. I love you so much."
I was blubbering like a baby myself. I waited so so many years for this day and here I am, a father at last. A husband, a father, everything I've ever wanted.
"Dad, did you want to cut the cord?"
The doctor asked and I reached down to cut my princess loose, a part of our world now, we can hold her now, talk to her and see her now. I've never been so happy before in my life except my wedding day.
"Ben..."
Abby was still crying, but now happy tears.
"You did so good sweetie. I love you. That's my girl."
I kissed her on the lips now, her lips were trembling, her whole body shaking from the recent events. Our baby was taken over to get measured and weighed.
"Eighteen and a half inches long...and 6.9lbs!!"
The pediatrician said happily. I walked over and grabbed a few photos while she was cleaned up and Abby was cleaned up. I returned to Abby's side and wiped her tears, kissing her once more and resting my forehead on hers.
"I love you"
I said repeatedly.
"Ben, I'm so sorry!"
Abby cried hard.
"For what honey?"
I furrowed my eyebrows and smoothing her hair out with my hand.
"For saying all those awful things to you. I didn't mean them! It just hurt horribly!"
"Shh, I know you didn't mean it darling, it's alright."
I rubbed her damp hair.
"Will you ever forgive me?"
She sniffled.
"I already do."
I smiled.
"Here you are guys, congratulations."
Nurse handed our baby to Abby. We looked on at the tiny bundle and cried even more.
"Hello little one. You're so perfect. Ben, she's so cute. Our baby is here."
Abby said through tears.
"Hi princess, it's daddy. Mummy and I've waited so long to meet you sweetheart. I've waited years for you to arrive and thanks to your mummy here you are in our arms."
I said, taking my finger to pull her blanket down away from her face a little to see her better. I took a few pictures of Abby and the baby then a nurse took one of all of us.
"She's so tiny."
I remarked.
I took a seat next to Abby on her bed and wrapped my arm around her.
"Wanda Evangeline Cumberbatch."
I smiled down at the tiny bundle in Abby's arms, kissed Abby's head once again and spent the time staring at the newest addition to our family.
**********