Perfect Moment {Jackson}

[emma]

Monday, 5th April, 2010

It was Easter Monday and it had been a rather relaxing and enjoyable weekend for Emma and Jackson. They had been married for almost three months and life couldn’t get much better as far as Emma was concerned. She was due to give birth in the next week or so, Jackson was doing well with his career and Marcus seemed more than happy with his new woman Allison. She hadn’t really had a proper chance to meet Marcus’ girlfriend yet however not for the want of trying but they had all just been so busy with their own lives that a meeting hadn’t eventuated yet. She made a mental note to ask Marcus about meeting up with Allison in the next few days.

Emma had been pottering around all day doing general light cleaning jobs. It was something she was told would happen the closer her due date got, apparently they called it nesting, getting ready for the baby to arrive. She had been getting niggling pains in her back and stomach but had been putting it down to the late stages of pregnancy so thought nothing of it and shrugged it off. She was now in the kitchen and making lunch for her and Jackson when another sharper and stronger pain came over her which made her drop the knife she been using onto the worktop and clutch at her stomach. However she still didn’t think much of it when the pain seemed to go almost as quickly as it had come. She shook her head slightly and continued to make the sandwiches she had been preparing for lunch.

She finally got the sandwiches finished and put them onto a plate and then onto a tray to carry out into the lounge room when she got another pain and had to put the tray back down onto the worktop. This time the pain lasted a little longer and Emma began to wonder if what she was feeling was more than just niggling late pregnancy aches. Then she felt wetness and looked down to see that it was wet on the floor which just confirmed what she had been thinking seconds before, she was in labour. All the pains she had been feeling earlier that day must have been the start of contractions. Emma was feeling surprisingly calm however as she just slowly made her way into the lounge room and stood against the side of the door. “Lunch is going to have to wait Jackson.” She began and then slowly waddled further into the lounge room.

“You’re about to get the best Easter gift, I’ve just gone into bloody labour.” She stated and then put her hand up to her mouth and giggled a little nervously, “We’re going to be parents Jackson.” Then another sharp pain came over her and she put her hands on her stomach and rubbed at it gently and still remaining calm she flopped down onto the lounge knowing that there would be plenty time to get to the hospital and they still had to get her bag for the hospital stay she would have after the baby was born.

[Jackson Poe]

Jackson sat lazily in the lounge room, flicking through today's newspaper. He was kind of glad for the break, as he still have another four days off from the band. Saturday they would be back in the studio to record their next video for the next single to be released. In the back of his mind he knew he should hit the gym in the next couple of days, after all the food he had eaten over the weekend. That thought made him laugh to himself for a few seconds, then scanned the story he had been reading.

His eyes diverted to his wedding ring on his left hand, and he put part of the newspaper down to look at it. He was the luckiest man right then. Jackson had the most gorgeous wife, Emma, who he just adored till no end. And to top it all off, she was carrying their first child which was due any day now. He did wonder how he was going to be with being a father, recalling only about three years earlier that he hadn't been ready at all with Kristy. That thought though was shaken from his head, and he picked up the paper again, turning to the back to read about the sports updates from the weekend.

Jackson glanced towards the kitchen, wondering what Emma was making them for lunch. He was going to make them something, but he saw how she was all day, going about the house, cleaning and so forth, so he let her continue. Jackson had scanned about this section on the internet as he researched the whole pregnancy process, plus the birth. Just reading what women went through scared him a bit, and hoped that he would be okay when the time came.

He soon noticed someone standing at the doorway of the lounge room, and he looked up to see Emma. Jackson gave her a smile, but then it faded slightly, when he looked down and noticed her clothes wet. He felt his eyes grow wide with slight horror, what with thinking only seconds before how he was going to handle the labour and birth. His mouth fell open as Emma spoke about lunch having to wait. Without thinking, Jackson stood up and met Emma as she started to move towards him. His words escaped him as she added about how she had just gone into labour.

Jackson instantly put his hand on her back, and the other on her stomach, and looked at her. He raised an eyebrow as she giggled, and just blinked at her. Inside he was going crazy, absolutely nervous, and could feel his hands shaking slightly with it all. Emma then commented that they were going to be parents, and all Jackson could do was just nod dumbfounded. It was like a dream for him right now, not sure if Emma was just pretending and having a go at him. But then he guessed another pain came, and he watched her put her hand on her stomach, rubbing at it.

Jackson removed his hands as he watched her sit down. "I, uh, I ... you are having the baby now?" He then stood up, and put his hands on top of his head. "But we haven't finished all the classes! And there is the bag to pack! And I don't think..." Jackson then started to slow down, and looked at Emma. "Sorry Em. Just didn't expect it to happen now." He went over to where she was sitting, and knelt down beside her, placing his hand on her stomach. Jackson looked into her eyes, then lent in giving her a kiss on the lips. "I love you Emma Poe. Let's do this okay?" Jackson gave her another kiss, then got up from where he was kneeling. "You wait here and I will go and pack the bag." He waited to see if she wanted to say anything, then headed off to pack the bag which they would have to take with them.

{ooc - lol - I had to have Jackson panic about for a few seconds, found it kind of cute lol}

[emma]

As Emma stood in the doorway of the lounge she soon saw Jackson look at her and give her a smile which she returned only briefly as she saw Jackson’s smile begin to fade as she watched him look down and catch the fact that her clothes were wet. Emma had then said that lunch would have to wait and she watched Jackson’s jaw open slightly. She sure hoped he wasn’t going to start panicking as she felt she was keeping quite calm herself seeing him lose it might not be good for her own nerves. She had then begun to waddle into the lounge and Jackson stood up and came toward her. Emma had then stated the obvious that she had gone into labour but didn’t seem to get much more of a reaction out of Jackson. She did soon feel his hand on her back and one on her stomach and then he looked at her just as she had giggled a little nervously.

When Emma said that they were going to be parents she watched as Jackson nodded his head slightly obviously in some sort of shock, well she had gone into labour quite unexpectedly. Emma then went to sit on the lounge knowing that getting into a panic and rushing around wouldn’t help either of them in this situation. Finally Jackson began to speak and then asked about her having the baby now. Emma just nodded her head, “Well, it would seem so.” She replied as she looked down at the wetness of her clothes. It looked to Emma that she was going to have to remain calm enough for the both of them. She then watched as he stood up putting his hands on his head and started panicking about the fact they hadn’t been to all the classes yet.

Emma just shook her head and looked at Jackson with a bemused smile and raised eyebrow, “Jackson? Jackson if anybody should be like that it should be me. Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of time to get to the hospital, the baby isn’t going to immediately slip out you know.” She shook her head again slightly and couldn’t help but let out a little laugh this time. Watching the way he had reacted was kind of cute but it wasn’t doing her own nerves any good although she was still surprisingly calm. She then watched as Jackson looked at her and then apologised saying he hadn’t expected it to happen now. “And you think I did?” She questioned with another shake of the head, “We knew this was coming Jackson, just a little sooner than first expected but it’s going to be okay.” Well she certainly hoped it was going to be okay.

Her mind drifted back to her accident months ago and for a brief second panic set in on her too as she wondered if the birth would go smoothly, it took her a while to recover from that accident and how she had to learn to walk all over again. She had even given up her skating career, instead becoming a part time coach while she kept working at the veterinary surgery also. She mentally shook the thoughts from her head however, because if there could have been problems surely they would have said something to her at the time?

Emma then snapped back out of her thoughts as she felt Jackson’s hand on her stomach, he was now kneeling down in front of her. She watched him look into her eyes and then soon felt his lips on her own giving her a brief kiss. When he said that he loved her calling her by her new married name she felt positively glowing and then he gave her another kiss stating that they were to do it. Emma nodded her head and smiled brightly at him, “I love you too Jackson Poe and I’m more than ready for us to do this.” Carrying the child as they got bigger had gotten rather tiresome and Emma had to admit that she would feel good to get her figure back for a while not that she was grossed out by her ever growing stomach or anything. Jackson then stood up saying that she was to wait there and he would go and pack the bag. Emma just nodded her head and leant back into the sofa more and kept her hands on her stomach gently rubbing at it every now and then.

Just as Jackson was about to leave the lounge room Emma shouted out, “Oh can you make sure you pack my pink satin dressing gown I hate those paper things oh and my fluffy slippers I absolutely hate those bloody foam things they give you, they’re bloody dangerous I tell you.” She began to laugh a little nervously again and as she continued to rub at her stomach it suddenly began to hit her that in so many hours she would be holding their baby in her arms.

[Jackson Poe]

After Jackson had asked her if she was having the baby now, he heard what Emma said, and watched her look down at her clothes there were wet. Then he had gotten up and started to panic, talking about not attending all the classes, added other things to the list of things that they hadn't done. He saw the look on Emma's face, and swallowed as she spoke. Hearing what she said bout them having plenty of time made him nod. Though when Emma said that the baby wasn't going to immediately slip out, this let to Jackson chuckling nervously for a couple of seconds, feeling a pained look on his face. Wasn't really helping, he could tell.

He had then gotten down and apologised, Emma soon questioned the fact that she didn't expect it. Jackson looked down a little, then heard her say that they knew this was coming, just a little sooner. He nodded, he knew she was right, but still panic was still swimming around inside him. He wanted to say it was new to him, but really it was new to both of them, so there was no need to say it. Jackson had then lent in and kissed Emma briefly, called her by her married now, stating that they were going to do this. Emma agreed also, adding that she loved him too. Jackson sighed a little, looking at his gorgeous wife, then got up, saying that he would go pack the bag.

All Jackson got was a nod from Emma, so he started to move out of the lounge room, when she called out to make sure and pack her pink satin dressing gown, and her fluffy slippers. "Sure Em!" Jackson called out. As he headed towards the bedroom, he shook his head, just thining about what she had just said, in regards to the hospital things that they made you wear. He hadn't been in hospital for anything, unless you count the day he was born. So from watching television shows, he knew what Emma was getting at.

He soon grabbed the overnight bag from the wardrobe in the room, and opened it ready to pack it. Jackson went into the draws and pulled out underwear, a few pairs, as he didn't know how long Emma would be in hospital after the baby was born. He soon found her dressing gown, and also some night dresses. Jackson didn't think she would want to wear those ones that tie at the back, with half of your body hanging out the back. He through in a few toiletries into a bag, placing it into the overnight bag. Jackson then placed a few other things that Emma might need, then zipped it up. He quickly went around to his side of the bed and picked up his wallet, keys, and his phone, then headed back out to Emma.

He placed the bag at the doorway, and heade back over to Emma, sitting down next to her. Jackson put a hand gently on her stomache, starting to feel a little calmer, well trying to be anyway. "How is it going?" Jackson just hoped that it would be a while before Emma had to deliver the baby, so he had plenty of time to get them to the hospital. "I think we should leave now, just in case she decides to come out soon." He had no idea why he called it a she, as he had been so used to calling it Baby Poe, it just slipped out. Maybe he was hoping for a girl. Jackson then extended a hand to help Emma up out of the lounge.

[emma]

Emma couldn’t believe how nervous Jackson was being although maybe a part of her inside could understand it because she had gone into labour slightly earlier than planned but at the same time they had been expecting it to happen. When she had told Jackson that the baby wasn’t going to immediately slip out she heard him chuckle slightly but she could tell that what she had said wasn’t really doing much to pacify Jackson. Goodness she thought, if this is what he’s like now what is he going to be like when I’m far into the labour? She knew that the longer the labour lasted the less strong she would be and she would need Jackson to be strong for her then.

After Emma said that they knew this was coming just a little earlier than planned she watched Jackson nod his head. Somehow Emma could sense that he was still very nervous and she wanted to tell him that there wasn’t going to be anything to worry about, but she couldn’t. What did she know? Most births went without a hitch but what was to say hers would? In a way she could understand why Jackson was being the way he was, it just wasn’t helping her own nerves and yet still being able to remain calm enough for the both of them. After they had both said they loved each other Jackson spoke about packing the bag.

Emma had shouted for him to remember to pack her pink satin gown and fluffy slippers knowing what she would be given at the hospital to wear. She had to smile to herself still rubbing at her stomach gently as Jackson shouted back ‘Sure Em’. Soon enough Jackson was sitting next to her and placed his hand on her stomach and asked her how it was going. Emma turned to him and smiled brightly, as it was early labour it was really a walk in the park just now, “I feel fine right now, but it’s early stages, I dare say it will get more intense the longer the labour goes.” She replied as she lifted one of her hands and placed it over Jackson’s. When Jackson spoke again he said he thought they should leave now in case she came out soon. Emma raised her eyebrow slightly, “Think we’re having a girl do you?” She asked wondering where it had come from although a part of her had a feeling they were having a girl also but she’d kept it to herself.

“I really don’t think there is any big rush, but I’ve heard of females who think that and then suddenly the baby is coming, so I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry.” Emma added with regards to Jackson’s question about making their way to the hospital now. Emma took Jackson’s extended hand and with her other hand on the sofa pushed herself up. She grinned excitedly at Jackson, “I know it’s earlier than expected but I honestly can’t wait to meet our little girl or boy and part of me will be glad to get my figure back even though I wasn’t bothered about being big.” Emma said as she made her way out to the hallway and put her jacket on and then waddled toward the door and opened it making her way out to the car waiting for Jackson to get out and unlock the car so they could make their way to the hospital and then in a few hours, however long that may be, they would finally get to meet their newborn baby.

[Jackson Poe]

After Jackson came back with the bag, he had sat down, placing a hand on Emma's stomache, asking how it was going. He gave her a warm smile, starting to feel less stressed out right now. Jackson nodded to what she said, and he watched her move one hand, placing it over his own. He didn't know where it came from, but when he said 'she', in regards to the baby, he honestly didn't know where it came from. Emma questioned him on what he said, which led to Jackson just shrugging, and giving her a sheepish grin. "I don't know. Would be kind of cool to have a girl."

Emma soon agreed to go to the hospital now, so she took his hand that he had extended out for her to take, helping her up out of the lounge. Jackson then let go of her hand, and placed his arm around her waist as she spoke. "I can't wait to meet him or her either Em." He gave her a quick but soft kiss on the lips, then led the way out to the car. Jackson helped Emma into the car, and then basically threw the bag in the back, quickly making his way around to the driver's side, and soon started the engine.

As he drove them towards the hospital, Jackson kept side glancing at Emma, watching for any signs that she was not doing okay, or she needed him to stop for a moment. He had no idea how this all worked, recalling that they were meant to look at a birthing video that next class, but he sadly wouldn't make that one as he would now be witnessing one for real. Thinking about this made him drive a little faster, in order to get them there quicker.

Jackson soon had them at the hospital, and parked the car, not really looking at who was meant to park there. He got out, grabbing the bag, placing it over his shoulder, then went around and opened Emma's door, extending his hand again to help her out. Once Emma was out, he closed the door and locked the car. Jackson then led them both towards the entrance of the hospital, and all the way to the reception area. He gave the person behind the desk a quick smile, "Hi. My wife has just gone into labour. I, uh, think we need to get her into a room quick!" Jackson felt that he was getting all nervous again, and hoped he hadn't sounded like it too much. The person got out of the chair, and went around to Emma and Jackson. "It's okay sir." The woman turned to Emma, "How long have you been in labor? How far apart are the contractions?"

Once the woman had the information, she placed a clipboard into Jackson's hand. "If you can fill this out. You have plenty of time, by the looks of it. I will just get a nurse to help you get comfortable in a room in a few moments." Jackson nodded, hoping that they would hurry up. He led Emma to a section where there were chairs, and sat down. Jackson looked blankly at the form, then at Emma. "What's your date of birth again?"

[emma]

When Jackson had spoken of the baby and referred it to a she Emma had then questioned Jackson asking him if he thought they were going to have a girl even though she had been secretly thinking the same thing herself. She had to smile when Jackson replied saying he didn’t know but adding that it would be kind of cool to have a girl. Emma gave him a warm smile, “I think so too.” Not that she really cared that much so long as the baby was healthy, but with girls you could get so many nice clothes for them. You could make a baby girl look really cute and pretty, it wasn’t so easy with a baby boy.

Once Jackson had helped her out of the sofa Emma had said that she couldn’t wait to meet their little girl or boy adding that it would be good to get her figure back even though she hadn’t been too bothered about getting big. Feeling comfortable and safe with Jackson’s arm around her he replied saying he couldn’t wait to meet him or her either and then he had kissed her quickly but softly before leading her out to the car. Once Jackson helped her into the car she watched as he threw the bag into the back and then almost ran round to the driver’s side and they were soon on their way to the hospital.

As she sat in the passenger seat with her hand on her stomach gently rubbing it at every so often Emma could see that Jackson kept side glancing toward her. It was kind of cute she thought the way he fussed and cared over her but Emma wouldn’t have it any other way, she was deeply in love with Jackson and that part of him was one of the parts she loved the most. After all who wanted a boyfriend or husband who was seldom at home or seldom with you? Not many she would bet. Once or twice on the way to the hospital she got another pain but she would just take in a deep breath and let it out slowly as well as rubbing at her stomach gently and it seemed to ease off again. The pains were sore, but right now they were only just slightly more intense than period pains, nothing too severe but she knew that it would only get worse the further into the labour she went.

Soon enough they were at the hospital and Jackson had the bag over his shoulder and soon was there with his hand extended to help her out of the car. She had to admit to herself that it was getting more and more difficult to get in and out of the car, so that would be one advantage to the baby bump being gone. She gave him a smile, “Thanks Jackson.” She said not that she knew she needed to say it. Once they were inside and at the reception desk Emma heard Jackson tell the woman that his wife had gone into labour and that he thought they needed to get her to a room quick. Emma shook her head and rolled her eyes slightly but smiling at the same time. The woman however came round to Emma telling Jackson that it was okay and then asked Emma how long she had been in labour and how far apart the contractions were.

Emma tried to think back on time from when her waters broke but she couldn’t pin any sort of length of time for how long she had been in labour for. “I’m not sure to be honest, I was having twinges but was putting it down to late pregnancy aches, and then my waters broke, and I’m slightly early as for how far apart the contractions are about every ten minutes just now I think.” Emma answered the woman hoping that the information she had just given her was right as she hadn’t really been timing them but it certainly didn’t feel like she was having them any more frequently than every ten minutes. Emma then watched as the woman gave Jackson a clipboard with a form on it and asked him to fill it in.

Emma did hear the woman say that it sounded like she had plenty of time and that she would get a nurse to help her get comfortable. Emma nodded her head giving her a smile, “Thank you.” Jackson then led the both of them to where there were seats and sat down and Emma did likewise and then Jackson soon asked what her date of birth was again. “It’s the first of August, nineteen eighty eight.” She replied and gave him a smile as she felt another contraction come over and once again took in a couple of deep breaths and slowly let it out again. Another couple of minutes had probably passed when a nurse approached the both of them. “Hi my name is Sarah; I’ll be the midwife looking after you.” Right behind Sarah was a hospital porter with a wheelchair. Sarah looked at Emma, “Do you want to step into the chair and Joshua will take you to the room in the labour suite of the hospital.” Emma nodded her head and got up from the chair and sat in the wheelchair and once she was comfortable Sarah looked at Jackson, “You can bring that with you and fill the rest of it out in the room we’re going to take you to.” Then waiting for Jackson to get up to follow Joshua and Sarah began to lead the way to the room where it would all happen.

[Jackson Poe]

On the way to the hospital, Jackson had kept glancing in Emma's direction, making sure that she was okay. He had noticed, once at least, Emma rubbing at her stomach. Jackson so wanted to say something to her, like did she want him to stop or something, but he decided not to. It woud be better just to get them there to the hospital quick smart.

Jackson hadn't noticed Emma rolling her eyes, but saw the smile. That smile told Jackson that he was probably getting a little over the odds, but he felt he had to, as it was their first time at doing this, and having a child. The woman had then asked Emma how long she had been in labour and how far apart the contractions were. Jackson just turned to wait for the answer, as he had no idea. Hearing that she said that the contractions were about every ten minutes, he raised an eyebrow a little. Jackson had no idea, so whatever Emma said must be right. The woman then said that it sounded like she had plenty of time, telling them more.

To Jackson Emma sounded calm, and he hoped that he wouldn't be all over the place for however long the whole labour process took. He felt dumn asking Emma for her date of birth, but he had drawn a blank. "Than..." Jackson stopped talking, and placed a hand on her stomache. "Is it bad Em?" He didn't have any idea if it was intense the whole way, or just gradually for Emma right now. Once it seemed like it was over, and Jackson had managed to get a little of the form filled out, a nurse came over, introducing herself. He gave her a small smile. Emma was then asked to step into the wheelchair, which she did. Jackson slowly got up, finishing off another little bit of the form. Sarah looked at Jackson, and said that he could bring the form with him. He nodded, then followed them to where they were got o.

Jackson felt his heart beating a little as they headed towards the room where they were taking Emma to. He reached for Emma's hand, and took it in his own, and looked at her giving her a small smile. They soon reached the room, and when they were inside, Jackson stepped aside to allow them to help Emma to get comfortable on the bed, once she was on there. Sarah spoke to Emma and Jackson, as Jackson headed towards the bed. "I will get you all hooked up to a foetal monitor to see how this little one is going. I will be back in a few moments." She gave them a smile, then headed out the room.

Jackson found a chair, and pushed it towards the bed. As he sat, he placed the clipboard on the bed, almost done with it. "Do you want me to do anything? Get you anything?" Jackson gave her a smile, hoping that he could do something, instead of just sitting there doing not much of anything.

{ooc - I just added a little bit of talking with Sarah to get the post added to.}

[emma]

{ooc - no problem Mel - I should learn to try and do that myself sometimes - add a little bit extra at the end}

Emma couldn’t believe how much of a panic Jackson seemed to be in over her going into labour, then again maybe she could believe it, it was a part of the way he was. She gave him her date of birth when he asked for it knowing that his panic mode had probably made him forget. He made to thank her but or so she thought and then trailed off putting a hand on her stomach and asked her if it was bad. Actually right now it wasn’t that bad, she knew that the less time between the contractions the worse it would get. However it was bad enough to make her want to do her breathing exercises. It was most definitely more intense than her cramp that was for sure. “It’s not too bad right now Jackson, but worse than my period cramps and you know how I used to be with those.” Emma replied honestly trying to give Jackson some sort of idea as to the level of pain she was currently going through.

Soon after the nurse appeared and Emma got into the wheelchair to be taken to the room where it would all happen, where in a few hours they would get to meet their beautiful child. As they made their way to the room Emma felt Jackson take her hand and she looked up at him and gave him one of her typical bright smiles. She noticed that his smile back at her wasn’t one of his usual bright ones and she could tell that he was probably going crazy on the inside for the both of them. She absentmindedly gave his hand a gentle squeeze, feeling unusually calm although she had no idea how she would feel when the pains started to get more intense and she had a feeling that it would start before she knew it. She had said to the nurse that the contractions were every ten minutes, but now she wasn’t too sure as she felt another contraction and somehow she didn’t think it had been ten minutes this time.

It didn’t take them long to reach the room and once inside they soon had Emma in the bed in as comfortable a position as possible. Sarah then spoke saying that she would get the foetal monitor to get Emma hooked up to keep an eye on the baby and that she would be back in a few moments. Emma nodded her head. “Okay.” When Sarah left the room Emma turned to Jackson and gave him a warm smile. “I can’t believe that we’re going to be parents soon, I mean I knew it was going to happen, but now that it is, it’s just so...” That was all she got out when she had to take in some deep breaths and rubbed gently at her stomach again as yet another contraction came over, now that definitely wasn’t ten minutes, it was more like five or just over. When the intensity died down she gave Jackson a much weaker smile. “I might have got the timing wrong with the contractions before, I just took another one and I don’t think it was ten minutes apart.” She said with slight panic in her voice.

Emma watched as Jackson got a chair and pushed it near to the bed and then asked her if he could do anything or get her anything, and she knew that it would be killing him to think that there was nothing he could do, but right at this point there really wasn’t anything he could do. She shook her head and smiled at him, “Not really Jackson, not right at this minute. Maybe in a little while when the pains get more frequent and more intense I’ll need you to hold my hand and maybe rub at my back as I rub at my stomach.” She said and gave him a bigger smile then. Sarah came back into the room then with the monitor she has spoken of and hooked it up to Emma and then gave it a quick check, “Well everything seems to be okay with your baby, looks as if they are very healthy and strong. “ Emma gave Sarah a smile and then looked at Jackson, “That’s good news then isn’t it?” Emma then remembered what she had said to Jackson earlier about getting the timing of the contractions wrong and thought she had best say to Sarah.

“Just one thing I noticed, I think I may have gotten the timing wrong with my contractions, as I just got two in here fairly close together.” She gave Sarah a weak and apologetic smile. Sarah shook her head, “Don’t worry about that Emma, sometimes the contractions suddenly change their pace and intensity with no warning. I will give you a quick examination and see if I can determine how dilated you are.” Emma nodded her head, “Okay then.” She knew that she would have to get herself into a good position for Sarah to check and she did that. Soon enough Sarah had some surgical gloves on and came back and began to have a feel around. “Everything is looking good Emma, as of now I would say you are about half way there, you have about another five centimetres to go and your baby will be making their way into the world. So I can imagine that as of now your contractions are probably around five to six minutes apart which would be about right for this stage. I’ll leave you both alone just now as we still have a bit of a wait, if you feel that you need me at all, you can call me on the buzzer by your bed.” With that Sarah left the room leaving Emma and Jackson alone.

“Bloody hell Jackson, maybe we’re going to meet our baby sooner than I thought.” With that Emma gave a sort of nervous giggle as she put both her hands on her stomach and just sighed contently knowing what was to come and what she would have to endure, but also knowing the great joy there would be at the end of it all.

[Jackson Poe]

When Jackson asked Emma if the pain was bad, she soon told him. Hearing her say that it was worse than her period cramp, adding he knew how she used to be with those. He nodded, somewhat knowing what she might be going through. "Okay." Jackson then thought about what he did to help with those, as he filled out more of the form, so that he might be able to help somehow when they got more intense.

After Jackson took Emma's hand, he had seen her smile brightly at him, but he gave her one that was not like his usual, hoping that she wouldn't see through him. Though that was impossible, as she knew him better than he knew himself sometimes. Emma gave his hand a gentle squeeze, which made Jackson looked at her, and try and give her a better smile, which he felt like he did.

After Sarah left the room to get what she needed, Emma soke to Jackson. He nodded, smiling a bit more bigger now, hearing Emma talk of them being parents soon. It was a good, scary and daunting feeling to think like this now. It seemed just like yesterday that Emma told him that she was pregnant, and now look at them. They were now onto the final stages, and soon enough the baby would be born, or more so in the new few hours. Jackson nodded, as Emma spoke more, but she trailed off. He saw that she was doing the breathing, and rubbing at her stomach. Jackson moved over and rubbed at her back, until the contraction stopped.

He presumed that it was over, when Emma looked at him with a weak smile, and spoke. Jackson moved a little, moving his hand from her back, to look at her more. He coud hear how her voice was, which he took to tell him that she was starting to slightly panic a little. Jackson gave her a small smile, and placed his hand on her shoulder gently, "It's okay Em. I am sure that they will be able to tell us how far along you are with it all."

Jackson had then pulled a chair over and sat down next to the bed. He then asked if he could do anything, or get her anything. Jackson nodded as she shook her head, saying that there was nothing right at that minute. Though hearing her say what he could do later made him feel a bit better. "Sure, I can do that." He brightened up a bit, as his head went down to finish off the form. And in no time the form was filled out, and ready to hand back, just when Sarah came back into the room.

The monitor was soon hooked up to monitor the baby, and hearing Sarah say that everything seemed to be okay, and that they are healthy and strong was great. Jackson gave Emma a bright smile back, and nodded at what she asked, "Definately Em. The best news to start off the rest of the journey." Just seeing the monitor say the heartbeat was just amazing to Jackson, more so of how fast the heartbeat was going. Emma then spoke to Sarah about the contractions, and how she may have gotten the timing wrong. Sarah explained it to them, then said she would check to see how Emma was going with a quick examination. Jackson stood up, and stood near the top of the bed, right near Emma as Sarah examined her.

Jackson had to stop himself from gasping at what Sarah said. His mouth fell open, but he quickly closed it, not wanting to alarm Emma with his reaction. Sarah finished up saying that she would leave them alone, stating to call the buzzer if they needed her. Jackson nodded, and then watched Sarah leave them alone in the room. He slowly sat down in the chair, kind of dumbfounded of what was said. Emma soon commented, and he had to come out of his own little world, and chuckle a little as she said the word 'bloody'. His eyebrows raised a little, and nodded, feeling slightly giddy with the prospect of their baby coming any time now. "I know." He then got up, and kissed Emma on the forehead, "And I can't wait to meet her."

[emma]

Emma had been in the middle of telling Jackson how wonderful it was that they were going to meet their baby soon when another contraction had come over and she had stopped mid sentence to take in some deep breaths and rub at her stomach. Jackson had soon shifted to rub at her back which she had been grateful for. She had then taken a mental thought that it hadn’t been ten minutes apart. Emma had then said as much to Jackson with slight panic in her voice and soon his hand was on her shoulder telling her that it was okay and that he was sure they would be able to tell them how far along she was with it. Emma gave him a smile then with the panic dying down, “You’re right, of course you are.” She replied and gave him a bit of a brighter smile. The last thing she wanted was to get too wound up too soon.

When Emma had replied to Jackson saying that she didn’t need anything right at that moment but to maybe hold her hand and rub at her back when the pains got more intense. Jackson replied saying sure adding that he could do that. Emma gave him another bright smile, “We’ll get through this together, I know there might be some very intense moments, and I know as I’ve been told that I might shout at you telling you that it’s all your fault, but if I do, please don’t let it get to you because you know how much I want this baby and how much I love you.” Emma said hoping that she wouldn’t get like that, but she had read many stories about countless women who had indeed spoken to their partners like that.

When Sarah had said that everything was looking good and that the baby was strong and healthy Emma had said that it was great news. Jackson replied to that more or less agreeing with her, saying that it was the best news to start off the rest of the journey. Emma gave Jackson a bright smile again and could feel the emotions building in her as a stray tear fell from her eye. She wiped at it and laughed a little, “Goodness, look at me.” She said and then laughed as she felt yet another one fall and wiped it away too. It was just such a great feeling to know that the baby she had been carrying for the past nine, well almost nine months, she was a bit premature, was getting ready to make their entrance into the world.

Emma had then spoken up about the possibility of getting the timing wrong between contractions to Sarah and after an explanation from Sarah she gave Emma an examination and soon told her where she was at. Emma couldn’t believe that she was half way through the labour already because really the first half hadn’t really seemed so bad to Emma. She knew that it might not last that way for much longer as the more frequent they got she knew the more intense they would get. Sarah had then said if they needed her to call on the buzzer and left them both alone. When Emma had spoken to Jackson and followed it through with a nervous giggle, she saw Jackson’s eyebrows rise slightly at her use of the word ‘bloody’ no doubt as she knew that it always got to him and he replied saying he knew and then stood up and kissed Emma on the forehead which made her close her eyes briefly and then Jackson said he couldn’t wait to meet her.

Emma opened her eyes again, “You really are determined that we’re having a girl aren’t you?” Emma asked and giggled a little but somewhere deep inside she had been thinking the same thing herself for weeks now. “I have to admit that I tend to agree with you, I don’t know why, but just have this feeling, which I suppose is what you have.” Emma added and placed her hands on her stomach and just smiling.

**** 5 hours later ****

Most of the time so far during Emma’s labour she had been able to doze off to sleep through the contractions and her breathing and rubbing of her stomach and the odd rubbing of her back from Jackson had helped to make it smoother than it may have been. However, about five hours had passed now and the labour pains were becoming more intense and Emma found she could no longer rest as the contractions were now about two minutes apart. All she found she could do was close her eyes briefly before another contraction came over. They were now getting very intense and every time she had one she would sit up and squeeze at Jackson’s hand tightly and rub at her stomach with her other hand and breathe in and out deeply. She hadn’t felt the need to call for Sarah although Sarah had been in and out of the room during the time anyway just checking on things and making sure that the baby wasn’t becoming distressed or had moved into a breech position.

Sarah was in the room again just now, “I’m just going to see how far dilated you are now Emma, because I can see that your contractions are about two minutes apart now, so you should be around eight centimetres dilated.” Emma just nodded her head as she began to breathe in and out deeply again as another contraction came over her. Sarah was soon finished checking and she looked at Emma and then to Jackson, “As I thought, two centimetres to go. You’re doing very well Emma, I should think that you will be meeting your baby within the next two hours, maybe earlier.” Sarah marked up some observations on a chart and left them alone again.

“It’s getting really bad now Jack....” She trailed off as the contraction this time was one of the worst yet and she screamed out in agony and already she felt like she wanted to push and knew that she wouldn’t be allowed to do that until she was ten centimetres dilated, it wasn’t fair. She took in some deep breaths and turned to him, “I’m not having another, this is too much like hard work.” She said but she didn’t mean it, not really and no sooner had she said the words she regretted them hearing her mum’s voice in her head saying that childbirth was the worst pain imaginable but the easiest pain to forget. “I’m sorry.” She managed to say before she had to scream out in pain again as another contraction came over her.

[Jackson Poe]

After Jackson had said that he could do what Emma asked of him, she replied. He nodded, and understood what she was saying. After she was finished, he took her hand in his own, and brought the back of it up to his lips and kissed it softly. "I love you so much Em, and I won't take anything you say to heart." Jackson gave her a warm smile, then kissed the back of her hand again, before placing it back on the bed gently.

After Jackson had said to Emma that the news of the baby being strong and healthy was great news to start off with, he saw her smile at him, but then saw the tear fall. He grinned, then shook his head slightly at her comment. "No need to do that, but I do understand how you are feeling. I can see myself shedding a few tears later on. Probably not during the labour, but at the end." He knew that even the toughest guys could get emotional, and he knew that he was goign to be like that at the end, just seeing that baby in Emma's arms.

When Emma had been examed, and she made a comment about how far along she was. Jackson had been in shock over it, and knew what she was saying. After he kissed her, he again commented that he couldn't wait to meet her, referring to the baby. When Emma made a comment about him saying 'her', he nodded. It was just his gut feeling for a while now, and he knew that whatever sex the baby was it would be loved regardless. Hearing Emma continue to talk, stating that she had this feeling about it too, and supposed that it was what he had too. Jackson nodded again, and placed is hand over her own, "I think I do." He then sat back down in the chair next to Emma's bed.

**** 5 hours later ****

To Jackson the last five hours felt like a lifetime, or much more than the time he soon saw it was on his watch. He opened his eyes wide, not believing that it was like getting onto seven o'clock. Jackson had been keeping a close eye on Emma when he could, between nodding off in the chair, that he had forgotten to eat, or even ask if Emma wanted anything, despite not knowin if she was able to eat. But eating was the last of his worries right now, he wanted to make sure that he was here for Emma every step of the way. When Jackson wasn't asleep, he would be there for Emma, rubbing at her back, and giving his hand over for her to take with each contraction.

Jackson was going to suggest to Emma if she wanted to walk around for a bit to see if it would help, in the room mainly, when Sarah came in. She checked on Emma, despite her having another contraction. Jackson kept a hold of her hand, and placed his hand on her stomach, as he wouldn't be able to rub at her back. Sarah soon confirmed what she thought, and all Jackson could do was nod. As soon as Sarah did some writing on Emma's chart, she left them alone.

Emma spoke to him then, and he nodded, though what more could he say, as he had no idea how bad it was getting for her. He was kind of glad that the women did this, and not men, but he dare didn't say it out loud, especially with her enhanced hearing. But she didn't get to finish her sentence as she screamed out, and then took some deep breaths. Emma turned to him, stating that she wasn't having another, adding it was too much work. Jackson nodded, "I am fine with whatever you decide Em, okay?" Jackson knew that one would probably be enough, but he knew that he would have liked more. Emma then said sorry to him, and he shook his head, "It's okay. Let's just concentrate on this one befo..." But that was all Jackson got out when Emma had another contraction, so he concentrated on supporting her as much as he could with holding her hand, and letting her squeeze the life out of it. Now he wished that he had some ability where he wouldn't feel it.

[emma]

When Emma had warned Jackson that she might get a bit nasty with him because it was what she had read can happen to some women and that he wasn’t to take it personally, Jackson took her hand and kissed the back of it. Emma felt her eyes closing as he did that just loving the feel of lips anywhere on her skin. Jackson then spoke saying that he loved her so much and wouldn’t take anything she says to heart. She gave him a smile then before replying, “And I love you so much too.” Emma then felt Jackson kiss the back of her hand again before placing it back on the bed and again she closed her eyes at the feel of it.

Emma’s emotions began to get the better of her and soon there were tears falling and she had made a comment about it laughing slightly. Jackson soon spoke saying that there was no need for the tears but he understood adding that he may be shedding a few himself at the end of it all. Emma knew exactly what he was referring to as she figured that she would do the same thing too once their baby was placed in her arms. “Well, that might just have to be a Kodak moment.” Emma replied and laughed again a little as she wiped at her eyes once more feeling that they were finally coming to a stop.

After Emma said that she had to agree with him about them having a girl adding that it was just a feeling and figured that’s what he had too, Jackson nodded and placed his hand over her own and replied saying I think I do. Meaning that he just had this feeling they were going to have a girl. Emma smiled at him then and then wished that she was holding their baby in her arms already.

**** 5 hours later ****

Sarah had come into the room to check on Emma again just at the point of her having another contraction. Jackson held her hand and placed his other on her stomach because with Emma having to stay laid back for Sarah to examine her there was no way that Jackson could reach her back. Sarah soon told her that she only had two centimetres to go and that she was going very well. Emma just nodded her head and smiled at Sarah feeling a little too out of breath at that point to physically talk to her.

When Emma got a rather severe contraction she spoke to Jackson saying that it was very bad although hadn’t got to finish her sentence. She knew there was nothing Jackson could really do about it but it was just helping her to be slightly vocal about it all. Emma had then in the heat of the moment said that she wasn’t going to have another adding that it was too much hard work. Jackson soon replied to this saying that whatever she decided was okay. However Emma hadn’t really meant to say it and felt bad after it. She shook her head slightly and apologised. Jackson replied saying it was okay and for them just to concentrate on this one but didn’t finish his sentence as she screamed out in pain again but Emma knew what he was going say anyway.

Once the contraction had stopped Emma took in a few deep breaths and then spoke to Jackson again, “Mum told me it’s the easiest pain to forget, I bet when it’s all over with, I’ll be broody again soon enough.” She said giving Jackson a smile having a feeling that she would indeed be broody again in a few months or a year or two. She knew that one child could be plenty but she also knew that she would love to have at least two as it could be lonely for a child without any siblings. The contractions were getting closer and closer together, and as yet another one came over her she felt again like she wanted to push. Again she screamed out and again began to pant with her breathing until it had stopped. But no sooner had it stopped than another one came over her and she had to scream out again feeling like she wasn’t able to catch her breath at all now.

Sarah came back into the room then. “I think that maybe things have moved on again, as I can tell from when I hear you scream out that your contractions are getting closer and closer. We might be ready to deliver your baby soon Emma.” Sarah said and all Emma could do was nod her head as she continued to breathe deeply and could feel the perspiration on her face. Sarah did another examination and soon she was standing looking at Emma. “You are definitely having what we would class as a fairly quick labour, which is good for a first baby.” Sarah said and Emma just gave her a weak smile and nodded and then another contraction came over and once again she screamed out in agony as she pushed herself forward and rubbing at her stomach with her hand. When it was over she fell back onto the bed, “I feel like I want to push now.” Emma said through heavy breaths. Sarah shook her head and gave Emma a sympathetic smile. “Not quite yet Emma, but you only have one centimetre to go now, so definitely soon. And I am going to stay in the room with you now.” Sarah said wanting to constantly check Emma so that she could let her know when she could start pushing.

[Jackson Poe]

Jackson heard what Emma said about the moment that he cried would be a Kodak moment. All he could do was roll his eyes slightly, then chuckle at the thought. Jackson wasn't an emotional guy, but heknew that once that baby was there for them both to see he would be crying happy tears.

**** 5 hours later ****

After another contraction that Emma had, she told Jackson what her mum said about the pain, and how she might be afterwards. He gave her a small smile, "Well if it is true, then more the merrier I say." Jackson laughed then, and rubbed at her stomach a little. "But whatever you want I am cool with, okay?" He lent in and kissed her on the lips gently. As he sat back down on the chair, he kept remembering only about three years previous he thought he wasn't ready for a baby, and now here is was about to have one with Emma, who he loved more than anything.

As he sat with Emma, and doing what he could when she got a contraction, Jackson could tell that there wasn't much of a break in between each contraction. If Emma was sitting forward, he would rub her lower back, or even begin to massage her shoulders slightly, sitting behind her, giving her as much support as he could during this time. Sarah soon came in, stating what she thought to what she had been hearing from Emma. Jackson could see, as Emma nodded, that she was starting to perspire more on her face, and he dipped a hand towel in the cool water that was there beside the bed, and after squeezing some water out of it, wiped at Emma's forehead. He hoped that it was helping her somewhat.

After Sarah examined Emma again, she soon said that she was having what they class as a fairly quick labour. Jackson wondered if that was a good thing, despite Sarah saying that it was good for a first baby. He wondered if it was good for Emma, especially after her accident last year. Another contraction came over Emma again. Jackson moved closer to her again, and rubbed at her lower back again, moving his hand a bit deeper into her back, but not enough to hurt her, just enough to hopefully help.

Jackson moved his hand away, as Emma moved back to lay in the bed. He placed his hand on her stomach, wondering what might be said next. The contractions just kept coming one right after the other, and wondered how much more was to come before Emma was right to deliver the baby. Emma made a comment that she wanted to push, and Jackson instantly looked in Sarah's direction to see what she had to say to that. Hearing that she couldn't and how much more she had to go made Jackson roll his eyes, and then speak to Sarah. "I think it is time for her to have the baby. The contractions are not letting up. Check again!" He heard the demanding way he was with Sarah, then sighed, "Sorry, I didn't mean to be like that." In a way he was glad that Sarah was going to stay in the room, as really it could be minutes before Emma was right to deliver the baby.

Jackson lent over and kissed Emma on the forehead, "Sorry about that, I shouldn't be going off at anyone." He kissed her on the forehead, then on the lips gently, "I love you so much." Jackson then took her hand in his own, and then sat back down, reading for what to come next.

[emma]

When Emma had told Jackson what her mum had said about childbirth pain she had to give him a smile as he replied back to her. It did make her wonder just how many they would have as his words ‘the more the merrier’ went through her head a few times. Would they stop at two, three or four? Who knew although two sounded like a good number to have especially if they had one of each. Her dad said to have one of each, a boy and a girl was classed as a proper gentleman’s family, although she had no idea where that saying came from. She then felt Jackson rub at her stomach a little and commented more saying whatever she wanted he would be cool with. She put her hand over his and nodded her head giving him a smile, “I guess we just wait it out and see what happens after this one has made their entry into the world.” She didn’t want to say yes or no to more children until she had experienced the remainder of the birth. She then felt Jackson kiss her on the lips and she returned it softly.

As the labour continued and the contractions got stronger Emma could feel herself perspire more and more and when Jackson had dabbed at her forehead with a wet towel it felt so good and she had to give him a smile to acknowledge that fact as she felt that it was getting more difficult to talk frequently. After Sarah examined Emma and said that she was having what was classed as a quick labour Emma didn’t really think anything of it until she glanced at Jackson and wondered if he was worrying over it and knowing Jackson as well as she does she wouldn’t have been surprised if he was. It forced her to ask Sarah a question about the quick labour. “Is that a good or bad thing?” Sarah looked at her and gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s more usual for first labours to take longer but it’s not unheard of for a first labour to go quickly. When I examined you everything looked and felt fine so you have nothing to worry about.” Sarah replied and Emma gave her a small smile, “Thanks.” She replied and then looked over at Jackson and gave him a smile as if to tell him that there was nothing to worry about.

When another contraction came over Emma after she had asked the question she felt Jackson do what he could to make it easier on her and she really was very grateful to that. She felt his hand rub a bit deeper and it certainly felt good. However her mum wasn’t wrong when she had said that labour pains were just like period cramps only ten times stronger. To Emma they felt like a hundred times stronger and yet she wondered how it could be the easiest pain to forget but figured that she would soon realise once the baby was born what her mum meant by that.

As the contractions were becoming more frequent Emma felt to herself that she wanted to push and yet knew that she couldn’t until the midwife said she could. After yet another strong contraction she had said to Sarah she felt like she wanted to push and she was told that she still had a centimetre to go and she couldn’t quite yet. It made Emma scream mentally but nodded her head knowing that Sarah would be right. It would seem that Jackson wasn’t going to let it go however and Emma soon heard him tell Sarah to check again in what sounded like a demanding voice. Emma just looked at him and shook her head slightly, “Please don’t worry Jackson, its okay I am sure Sarah knows what she’s...” But that was all she got out before another contraction came over her and it was quite possibly the strongest one yet and she screamed out in agony and as she lay back began to breathe in and out deeply. She didn’t even hear Jackson apologise to Sarah. Sarah looked at Jackson with a sympathetic smile, “It’s alright, and I get this all the time from the expectant fathers who want their wives out of pain. That sounded like a pretty big one, so I will check again.” Sarah replied and began to examine Emma once more.

As Sarah examined her Jackson had leant over and kissed her on the forehead and apologised to her but all Emma could do was shake her head slightly and touch his face with her hand. She took in a few breaths, “its fine Jackson, I want this over with as much as you do.” She then felt him kiss her on the forehead again and then the lips and told her that he loved her so much. Emma gave him a smile, “And I love you so much too Jackson.” When he sat back down holding her hand in his she gave it a gentle squeeze. Sarah who had now finished the examination gave Emma and Jackson a smile each with a slight nod of the head. “It’s time. So Emma the first time you feel like pushing I want you to push with as much as you can okay?” Emma nodded her head and then glanced at Jackson as she bit down on her bottom lip slightly and then said in a soft voice, “This is it.” Meaning this would be when they would meet their beautiful little baby.

{ooc - I left it where I did so that Emma's next post could have pretty much all the pushing}