Work Text:
February 7, 2028
“Just tell me!”
“No, Trinity. Everyone will find out tomorrow. At the same time!”
“I bet Abbot knows”
“He’s the father. Of course he knows the sex of the baby.”
“But I wanna know”
“Tough shit, Trin. I’ll see you at the baby shower tomorrow.”
“Who even has a baby shower on a Tuesday?"
“Tuesdays are notoriously slow days for Emergency Departments, this way most people can swing by a little bit and both PTMC and Presby can deal with a skeleton crew for a bit.”
“I hate how logical you are being about this.”
“No you don’t, you love it cause it means you get to come to my baby shower.”
—-
February 8, 2028
Samira and Jack were both the kind of people who were more likely to enjoy planning something than actually doing it. It was surprising to them to realize that getting pregnant without any kind of previous discussion, plan or even an inkling of an outline was probably the best thing to happen to them as a couple.
Samira knew that if she had been given the option to plan for a baby she would have gotten stuck on making pro/con lists and trying to determine when the best time to have a baby was, considering she wanted to finish her fellowship, become an attending and publish several research papers. If she had followed that timeline it would have been at the very least another three years before she felt comfortable with beginning to think about trying to get pregnant.
Jack knew that, though he had always wanted to be a dad, there had been too many obstacles in his life that he was now more than a little weary about introducing any person to his life, let alone a baby that would depend on him. He had his grief from becoming a widower, his parents were also gone, he had major depressive episodes that were definitely linked to his PTSD from falling prey to the cancer that is the United States Military Industrial Complex. And also there was the missing leg to account for. And his irregular hours. He also knew that since he had met Samira there was nobody else for him and whatever her plans were he would go along with them, which meant waiting for her to accomplish all she wanted. But that meant that he would have been in his late forties or early fifties by the time she was ready to have a family. Not to mention he had thought all of this before he had even so much as kissed her. So. Much to think about.
It was a good thing then, they both realized, that fate had seemed to intervene and taken the decision out of their hands. The questions now were not of if and when but of how and what. Presented with the reality that they were about to become parents imminently, all the anxieties about timing quieted. There was no use in regret and what ifs and shoulda, coulda, wouldas. They decided to jump in, eyes wide open, and take the bull by the horns, so to speak. Speedrun the relationship as the kids say. The baby was due in a month and somehow deciding to throw a baby shower slash gender reveal party had been the easiest thing. It made sense to them, a way to celebrate the direction their lives had taken, to have all of their loved ones come together and at the same time get over all the questions everyone had at the same time.
Samira had moved in with Jack before Christmas and it was a good thing she did. He lived in a condo near enough to the hospital that it could be deemed a walkable distance but also far enough that ambulances were not really audible at any point in the day. It was also a whole floor and he had both a guest bedroom and an office space that he never really used, so it was perfect for a nursery. Especially considering Samira’s apartment was a glorified studio. The condo also had amenities among which one could find a gym, a pool and a multi-use social area that was perfect for gatherings. Like a baby shower slash gender reveal party.
“Babe, he’s here.” Jack whispered, leaning over to where Samira was sitting with her mom and his sister.
Her eyes widened and she just nodded at him, silently communicating he should get going.
“Amma, Lizzy, I’ll be right back. I need to go get the… um. The things. For the reveal.” Samira said and stood up, struggling a little with the added weight of her belly.
She was very clearly showing now and she was carrying somewhat small but it was still quite a difference from her usual lithe figure. Her mom and Lizzy both immediately wanted to get up to help her but she managed to assuage them saying she could use a brief respite from socializing. As she walked over to the small kitchen area she looked around to see all the people who she had grown to love in her time in Pittsburgh and she couldn’t quite believe how lucky she was.
Everyone seemed to be happy and having a good time, which was good. Because there was about to be a little bit of chaos. She saw Jack and his friend William coming in and she knew it was time, making her way to the front of the room where a little microphone and speaker set was hidden.
“Hello everyone,” There were some mild feedback sounds before she walked a bit further away from the speaker, but it worked in her favor, silencing the room and calling everyone’s attention to her. “Thank you all for being here, this past year has been insane and wonderful and Jack and I are so happy to have you all here to celebrate with us.”
Jack had stood next to her at some point and he took over the mic, “As you all know, we are here to celebrate the up-coming arrival of baby Mohan-Abbot. And we know, you are all very eager to know the gender but first I want to welcome my friend, William Avery. William and I met back in the service and now he is a Justice of the Peace and an ordained minister. Which is why he will be officiating today.”
Chaos indeed. Whoops and screams could be heard all the way down to the lobby of the building. The Pittlings were looking around trying to see if they were being pranked, Parker could be seen grabbing some money from Shen, who looked like he had lost yet another bet. Lizzy Abbot and Divya Mohan were both staring at them with open mouths and tears in their eyes.
“So yes, we are getting married today. We figured it was way more efficient to do it all today and take advantage of the fact that everyone we love is already here.”
William Avery had once been a member of the US Army and he had been Dishonorably discharged when his relationship with one Mr. Joshua Smith had come to light. When he came back to the continent he had decided he would never again be a part of any institution that was meant to tear people apart and would instead dedicate his life to bringing people together. And he had been doing so for almost 20 years. And it showed. He began with a speech that was heartfelt and emotional, but not overly verbose. By the time he asked Jack to take over for the vows there was not a single dry eye in sight.
“I never thought I would get to do this.” Jack began. “I thought I’d had my chance, and it had been beautiful and then it ended and that was that. It left me more broken than I cared to admit. But then you came into my life and it felt like a sign from Annie. She was telling me ‘Jack, here is an angel to take care of you but you have to take care of her back.’ and for four years I watched you flourish and learn and grow and then I thought that a professional mentor was all I was supposed to be for you. But then Dana told me you were looking for me for journal corrections which I immediately knew was bullshit and I thought maybe I had a chance. And then I saw you again and almost had an aneurism when you told me just why you truly were looking for me.” There were laughs all around at that.
“So I know that for some this might feel rushed but you know as well as I do that this has been building for 4 years and it feels right. I love you, Samira, and I cannot wait to start the rest of my life with you.”
“Well, that’s not fair. You could have said anything and pregnancy hormones would have made me cry.” She let out a wet giggle, discretely trying to wipe the tears from her eyes.
“Jack, you’re my best friend. My guiding light. You are the reason why I’ve made it as far as I have, your support has been invaluable to me. When I first came to Pittsburgh I was so alone and though I knew I had all the tools to succeed I didn’t always know how or where to use them. Your example in the ER and your encouragement both in and out of work to let myself come out of my shell. You made me feel seen in a way no one had ever done before and that allowed me to let myself be seen by others. I have a family here now because of you and you have made that possible. I can never thank you enough for that and for catching me when it seemed like everything was falling apart.”
“You are a good man and I am so lucky I get to see you in all of your facets. I cannot wait to see you be an amazing dad to our little,” Samira pauses here, knowing she’s about to drop another bomb. Jack and Samira shared a little mischievous look, before she turned a little to the captive audience in the room. “baby girl.”
Gasps and squeals could be heard all around the room, money exchanging hands once again as bets were settled, and people were high-fiving and jumping up from their seats in excitement.
As the room calmed down Samira continued, “Karishma Mohan-Abbot will never have to doubt how much she is loved and wanted and I am infinitely happy that we get to embark on this journey together.”
Jack and Samira held gazes, huge smiles on both their faces. William took over once again to finish the ceremony, finally turning to the audience.
“If all of you could reach under your chairs two lucky people will have a little plushie taped there. If you have a plushie please come forward.”
“YESSSS yes! I got it!!!” Trinity exclaimed.
Across the room a gruff “Hell yeah!” could be heard from John Shen, who was currently fist pumping the plushie into the air.
“If you are the people who got the plushies, please come up here. You guys will be the witnesses.”
The giddiness in the room was palpable. It seemed this particular couple was enjoying surprising people right, left and center. Shen and Santos high fived when they reached the front.
He had them all sign the paperwork and before anything else could happen William called for the newly minted husband and wife to share a kiss. The room exploded in applause.
It had been a short but sweet ceremony, and Samira knew she’d have to talk to her mom for a more extended event later on that celebrated their culture. She and Jack had discussed this before, knowing how important this was but also understanding that a big party was not necessarily what either of them wanted and they just wanted to be married already. For logistical purposes.
As the event became more sedate after the seemingly impromptu marriage, they both began making the rounds with their friends and family, receiving hugs and hand shakes.
“Samira Mohan, you cannot keep doing this to us!” Cassie said as she hugged Samira.
“Yes, Mohan! Any other surprises you’re keeping from us? I don’t think Robby can handle another shock, you’ll send him into cardiac arrest.” Dana continued.
“I don’t know, I think it’s sweet and I am very happy that you included us all for this.”
“Oh, Mel. Of course I wanted you all here! You guys are the reason I tried so hard to stay in Pittsburgh after all.”
“What?! I thought I was the reason you stayed! I feel betrayed.” Jack’s melodramatic entrance into the conversation drew some laughs. “No but, really. Thank you all for coming. I know it’s a big ask for a bunch of ER docs to be at this kind of thing so truly it is appreciated the lengths you all went to be here with us. Which is why we thought, hey why not roll everything into one event?”
“The Pitt is riddled with locums right now, and it makes me itch a little bit that I am not there to oversee it, but we wouldn’t have missed this for the world. Especially with how this little shindig shook out, man. You guys really know how to rock the boat. Please no more surprises for at least a full calendar year.” Robby said, clapping his hand on Jack’s shoulder, sending a small smile to Samira.
As she looked around the room, Samira couldn’t help but be immensely content. She had not planned for this life, where she had a family that took care of her and a group of friends that looked out for her and her mom was around and she got to be happy with the love of her life. No, she had not planned for this exactly. But as she felt Jack hug her from behind, gently caressing her belly where their daughter now rested and placing his chin on her shoulder, she knew that maybe letting life happen and enjoying the surprises it threw at you every once in a while was just as big a part of living life to the fullest as her carefully coordinated plans and logistics.