Chapter Text
12:00 PM
The Pitt was busy, yet not as chaotic today. Heather was thankful for that, as there were fewer people to witness what she was trying to do.
Heather groaned, reaching out to pick up a pen she had dropped. It was taunting her, rolling around on the white floor. But extra weight she was carrying made it harder to be as agile as she usually was.
"Well, that lives there now." She muttered to herself. Being 40 weeks pregnant was not fun in the slightest.
Dana had looked at her disapprovingly. "Robby is gonna lose his shit. You are supposed to be at home, mama." She scolded. She picked up the pen for her but Heather refused to accept it.
“There is nothing to do at home. And I can finish up some notes here.” She may have snuck out after Robbie kissed her goodbye that morning.
Robby, putting on his glasses, frowned when he saw Heather. She was supposed to be at home, her feet up, balancing a pack of oreos on her stomach.
"Now, you don't work here for another two months." He said, leaning over the desk, “What are you doing?”
“Patient notes,” Heather said defensively. She was checking notes from the night shift. She wasn’t allowed to be on active duty but she could do admin.
Robby was not convinced and frowned, “Go home. Go for a walk. Go, anywhere else.”
“The nursery is done. I have my bag - and yours. If I stay at home, I will end up changing the floors in the living room.” She was going stir crazy. She had already made Robby rearrange the furniture in their bedroom last weekend. Abbott and Langdon had been called over when she decided to change the nursery - again. She remembered reading about nesting, but she never thought she would be the kind of person who was looking at animal-shaped throw cushions.
“Why would we change the floors?” Robby asked, confused and then sighed. He knew who he was with. Asking her to take maternity leave was hard enough, “You feeling okay?” He asked softly.
"You knocked me up. I need to pee every five seconds, my feet hurt, this baby is taking her time,” Heather listed, “But I am glowing, right?”
"Oh, you are radiant." Robby agreed. He leaned down and gently kissed her cheek, making her smile. PDA was not exactly their thing, especially at work but she didn't mind and technically, she was on maternity, so no rules were broken.
“But you can’t stay long.” Robby said in her ear “I will drive you home. Whittaker!”
He called over the still skittish student who immediately ran over to them.
“Keep an eye on Dr Collins today. You're shadowing her.” Robby ordered.
“He needs to learn, not babysit me.” Heather retorted, sending an apologetic look to Denis. Robby was already walking away and Heather glared at his back.
“I don't mind, Dr Collins.” Denis said kindly, “What do you need?”
“Antacids. A lot.” Heather replied, “And gummy bears.”
Denis frowned, “I don't think that's a great combination.” But his argument fell flat when he saw his superior’s glare, “But antacids and gummy bears sound great.”
14:00
In the break room, Heather was listening to Mel tell her about her patient that morning and then her visit with her sister a few days ago.
“You should bring her for a team night out.” Heather encouraged, “We're too tired to do anything too wild.”
Mel smiled, bashful as she always seemed to be, “Yeah. I mean, she's been to paint and sip with myself and Samira. Dr Langdon too.”
Heather smiled. Mel was clearly even shyer than Denis was, so she was glad that she was making friends
Langdon popped his head into the room, “Mel, we got a patient.” He said and looked at Heather, a shit eating grin on his face, “Hey there, Mama. Still carrying extra baggage?
“Bite me, Pretty Boy.” Heather replied and Frank grinned and winked. Even if he wasn't the same as he was before, he seemed better and that's what mattered.
Left alone, Heather shifted in her seat, feeling some pain. Her back had been killing her all morning. Cassie came in, heading to the fridge with a huff, clearly needing a break.
“Why are you still here?” McKay asked, “When I was pregnant, I didn’t want to be near a hospital until my due date.”
“This one is taking her time.” Heather complained, “God, my back is fucking killing me.”
“I remember that all too well.” Cassie said emphatically, “Worth it, it's so worth it. Is she moving?”
“Not as much. Finally.” Heather sighed.
“Uh, and your back hurts?”
Heather noticed Cassie's concern and frowned, “What?” She asked urgently.
“Nothing! It's just that, you might be in labour.” Cassie told her.
Heather shook her head. She had felt twinges all morning. It was one of the reasons she came to the Pitt, to distract from that. She would know if she was in labour.
“I am not in labour. I have a few days until my due date.” Heather argued.
“Yes, you are.” Cassie insisted, “When was your last twinge?”
“Maybe a couple minutes ago.”
“Yeah, we should get you upstairs,” Cassie said, and helped Heather stand.
All of a sudden, Heather felt a gush of wetness in her pants. They both looked down at a growing dark stain and she knew had not just peed herself.
“Okay, fine. I’m in labour.” Heather sighed. Suddenly, it was real.
Whittaker came into the break room, looking for Heather and was glad he did.
"Denis, can you go to my car? I need my bag.” Heather asked.
16:00
“Heather, you are not delivering this baby yourself.”
Dr Julia Hill, a gynecologist who Heather had known for years, was scolding her. She had been checked in upstairs by Robby who she kicked out before the first exam. Sitting on the bed, Heather folded her arms, trying to relax. It was hard to. Fifty percent effaced, contractions kept coming. She really didn't want an epidural.
Robby returned, holding a large water bottle, “Hey, how are you feeling?”
She had told him to go back down to the Pitt. His presence annoyed her when he hovered. She also always wanted him close. Heather huffed, placing her hands on her stomach.
“Your big-headed baby is taking her time.” Heather groaned, and he held her hand through another contraction. She let out a low groan, shaking her head.
“You know, we should really give her a name other than ‘my big headed baby.’ Robby pointed out, “It'll look terrible on a birthday certificate.”
“What were we at?” They had a list, having fun with late night debates.
“Cecily?”
"No."
“Eleanor?”
"Maybe."
“Gia?”
“We're not Italian.”
"Leah?"
Heather shook her head then took a deep breath, feeling another contraction. Robby hopped in bed behind her, gently massaging her lower back in an effort to help.
She was terrified. She had miscarried before. Having a baby at thirty-nine was risky. Shutting her eyes, Heather took a deep breath, trying not to panic.
“Get out of your head.” Robby said softly.
“Hypocrite.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not in labour.” Robby replied cleverly. He glanced over at the monitor, “Heart rates look good.” He muttered.
“We should have stayed at that Lamaze class.” Heather said. Robby scoffed and she pinched his arm.
“The one with the hippy who said that microwaves were dangerous?”
“She had good tips, if you ignore her anti-vax tendencies.” Heather replied, inhaling and exhaling. She moaned softly when he massaged her lower back again, “All those books pay off?”
Robby chuckled, “We are doctors.”
“Michael.” She said firmly. One of the very few people to call him by his name. She turned her head, looking at him.
“Hey, it's okay.” Robby assured, “Everything looks good.” He would not lie to her about this, not their child.
Heather leaned back and pressed her forehead to his chin, “I hate Leah. My ex best friend was named Leah.” She sighed and he chuckled.
18:00
The day shift was ending, but Robby knew his night was just beginning. He was going to grab his own go bag and the extra baby clothes in the car. He'd need to check the car seat too.
“How's our girl doing?” Dana asked meeting Robby at the elevator.
“She's good. She kicked me out.” Robby told her.
“I would too.” Dana snarked, and he rolled his eyes with a smile, “I'm gonna head out. You want anything? My daughter's put together some sandwiches. I can come by later.”
Robby smiled, “You don't need to do that but thank you.”
Dana stopped and hugged him, “You guys are gonna be great.” She said with all the certainty in the world.
The rookies were standing with Frank at the desks, finishing charts, waiting for their dismissal. But instead he was first met with Mel handing him a teddy bear with a bow around it's neck.
“How is Dr Collins?” Mel asked eagerly.
“She's good, Mel, thanks.” Robby replied, “Gonna be a different kind of long night.”
“Most labours take 8-18 hours.” Javadi offered.
Santos let out a low whistle, “I do not envy her. At all.” Everyone looked at her, “I mean the labour part. The baby part is great!” She quickly added, looking sheepishly at Robby.
They all said their good night's and good lucks, and Frank hung back. The two were not as close as they used to be.
“Tanner was 9 and a half.” Frank offered, “Ava was three. It's, uh, hell waiting but great at the end.”
“Yeah.” Robby agreed, “You have great kids. Uh, they good? Abby?”
“They're all good.” Frank replied evenly, “Good luck tonight.” He said with a nod, before walking away.
19:00
Heather was leaning over her bed, groaning. She was still not nearly effaced enough. The door opened and she was glad to see Samira.
“Mohan, hey.”
“Hey, I'm on night shift. Thought I'd check in.” Samira offered a gentle smile, “How are you doing?”
“I do not recommend it.” Heather groaned, letting Samira help her stand up, “Can you check my effacement? I remember you did some maternity training.”
“First year of my residency. Then I switched to ED.” Samira told her. She plucked some gloves from the box on the side board.
Heather sat back on the bed and Samira picked up the blanket and sheet, doing her check.
“I'm not an expert but I'd say, around eighty percent, so not long now.” Samira told her, head under the sheet.
At that moment, Robby came in, still in his hoodie and scrubs and raised his eyebrows at the scene. Samira stood up and smiled sheepishly.
“Hey Robby.”
“Hey Mohan. Aren't you supposed to be downstairs and not in Heather's cervix?” Robby asked, amused more than anything.
Samira discarded the gloves, “I know, I know. I'll check in with Abbott.” She looked at Heather and smiled at her, “Good luck! You'll be fine!”
She smiled at Robby once more before leaving the two.
Heather smiled at Robby, relief flooded through her, only to be cut off by the intensity of her next contraction. But Robby was ready, holding her hand and letting her squeeze the life out of it for fifty-six seconds.
“Sorry that I keep kicking you out.” Heather apologised.
“Don't worry about it.” Robby said, “It's like a lot of our relationship.” He quipped and she weakly tried to whack him but missed.
“I just… I don't want you to worry.’ She told him,
“I always worry about you two.” Robby said, kissing her forehead. He was a mess, he was scared of what could happen and really scared about fucking up their kid.
But those worries melt away when Heather holds his hand, “Don't go away again.”
“Never.”
20:06
“Baby's crowning.” Hill announced, “Come on, Collins. Another push!”
Heather feels like she's been pushing for hours. Robby is behind her, cheering her on. She fell back against him.
“I can’t.” Heather protested, shaking her head.
“Yes, you can. Sweetheart, you can push.” Robby encouraged.
She groaned and pushed with all her might, bearing down. At 20:08, their baby came into the world with a loud shrieking cry.
Heather fell back against Robby who whispered how well she did in her ear but she is far too out of it to pay attention.
Then the baby, their little girl, with her light brown skin and small tuft of dark curls is placed in her arms. She was wrapped in one of the hospital standard blankets but she has that unique baby smell, cleaned up by the hospital and her cries are now whimpers.
“Holy shit.” Heather whispered, as she held the baby to her chest. She felt Robby press kiss after kiss to the back of her head, a laugh escaping him.
Robby looked down at the bundle. His daughter. Their daughter. They had a baby. A beautiful, wrinkled little brown baby.
“Hi there.” He whispered, voice thick, “God, she's…she's so beautiful, Heather.”
“She's here. Michael…” Heather whispered, voice thick with emotion, “Amelia.” She decided. She looked like an Amelia.
“Amelia.” Robby agreed quietly.
“Okay, Robby. Can you take the baby whilst we deliver the afterbirth?” Julian asked.
Robby's eyes widened but he let Heather transfer the baby into his arms. He tucked her into the crook of his arm, supporting the precious thing she was,
Amelia's tiny hands curled into fists as she lets out a soft sigh. Robby could feel the tears coming to his eyes but for once didn't mind.
After the chaos of cleaning and afterbirth, Heather is back in bed, in a new set of pyjamas. Robby was still cradling their daughter, having followed the midwife to the nursery and back.
“Can I hold her or are you gonna hog her?” Heather asked with a tired smile.
Robby chuckled, “I might just hog her.” He carefully transferred her to her arms.
“She has your eyes.” Heather said quietly, “God, I'm only doing that once. I mean, she's amazing but…”
They both laughed and Heather turned to kiss Robby who smiled against her lips, pressing another gentle kiss.
“You going down to the Pitt?” Heather wondered. It was odd to think that the chaos of the Pitt could calm him down after this.
“Nah, I'm really happy here.” Robby whispered, joining his girls on the cot.