After-Birth....

After being in labor all evening, all night, and most of the early morning, it's now down to the last minutes of meeting little Phoenix. Exhausted and tired, Laura musters all of her energy for one last push.

She pulls at Luke's shirt baring down and closing her eyes focusing on this last one.

As she pushing Dr.Kelly is ready and gently cradles the baby as he comes forward and out.

Cynthia gets up from where she was sitting on the couch to get a better view. Scott gets his phone ready to take pictures of little Phoenix.

Krystal is speechless, she gasps for air and tears start rolling. She is overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of her very first grandchild.

Dr. Kelly takes little Phoenix and assists him with taking his first breathe. Then the hushed silence that had been building for so long is forever changed when he gasps for air and begins to cry. 

 

Dr. Kelly finishes with the help of the nurses who flank her and then little Phoenix is placed into the arms of the woman who carried him for 9 long months. Laura is now officially a mother and changing their lives forever.

 While the nurses continue to assist Dr. Kelly with the afterbirth, everyone else who is in the room gathers around so they can meet the newest member of the family.

Scott leans in to take pictures, capturing Phoenix's first few moments in Laura's arms. Luke and Laura are both in awe of their little boy and just take in his face and his tiny little features. 

*Krystal* "He is just precious!"

Phoenix softly squirms and fusses, still adjusting to his new surroundings 

*Laura* "I think he looks like you, Luke..."

 Cynthia walks around to stand by Krystal.

*Krystal* "It's amazing isn't it?"

*Cynthia* "Yeah, it really is. he is so perfect! Even his little cry is adorable..."

Laura turns to look at Luke and he leans down to kiss her forehead.

*Luke* "I'm proud of you, Babe....he is amazing."
Laura smiles at him, she is exhausted, starving hungry, and sleepy as well.
Dr. Kelly finishes up and one of the nurses turns to get ready to examine little Phoenix.

Everyone is still gathered around taking in the sight of him before he is scooped up and away, so the nurse can finish her job.

Laura is now able to partially sick back up, Dr. Kelly congratulates them on their new baby. 
The nurses meanwhile, measure, weigh, and take care of little Phoenix.

*Nurse* "He is 7 pounds 15 ounces, and 20 inches long..."
*Dr. Kelly* "He's nearly 8 pounds! That's a big boy...."

Across the other side of the room all the new Grandparents are looking at the pictures Scott just took. Dr. Kelly finishes talking to Luke and Laura then excuses herself and lets the nurses finish up.

Once done with his little checkup, the nurse hands him back over to Laura.  Until it is time to move her upstairs to a recovery room, then Phoenix will be sent to the nursery for the rest of his checkup.

Everyone gathers around and just takes in the sweet little bundle of joy.
A few minutes later Michelle and Benjamin come in to get a look at Phoenix.

Scott walks across the room to greet his other daughter and to say hello to Benjamin.

*Benjamin* "Hey! So do we call you Grandpa now?"
*Scott laughs* "Sure why not....Hard to believe he's finally here."
While they chat for a moment Michelle gets a good look at the baby.

*Michelle* "Ohmygosh! He is so tiny and so cute!"
*Krystal* "Your officially an aunt now Sweetie...."
*Michelle* "Yeah! If you ever need a babysitter, let me know."
*Laura smiles* "I'm sure we will eventually..."

*Cynthia* "I'm proud of you two. I know it was a wild moment when you both found out but he is so precious. I am so glad that I was here with you..."
*Luke laughs* "I'm glad you were here too Mom....
Then Laura turns her attention to Luke and Krystal.
*Laura* "Luke, you going to hold your son?"

*Cynthia* "Yes, of course he is! I want to see you hold him before I go home and get some much needed sleep."
*Luke* "I've never held a baby before."
*Laura* "It's not hard, it's just like holding a football."

Laura carefully moves Phoenix from her arms and into Luke's.
*Cynthia* "Just relax sweetie, you doing fine."
 *Luke* "He's just so tiny and fragile feeling..."

*Krystal* "Babies are quite resilient, Luke...Like your mother said your doing just fine." 
*Cynthia* "He looks like you a lot."
*Luke* "You think so?"

Almost everyone agrees that Phoenix looks like his daddy.
*Luke* "You want to hold him?"
*Cynthia* "Of course!..."
Luke passes him to his mother and she takes him with open arms.

 *Scott* "Don't worry I was nervous when Laura was born, it's easier with the second one..."*Krystal* "Scott!...."
 *Laura* "Yeah, but that won't be anytime soon..."

Everyone quietly talks while Phoenix gets passed from one set of arms to the next until he finally ends up in Krystal's.
*Krystal* "Feeling like you want one of your own now?"

*Michelle* "Mom!..."
*Krystal* "Oh don't get embarrassed."
*Michelle* "You know I want to wait till I get settled in my career."
 Krystal lets it go and turns her attention to the baby in her arms.

*Krystal* "He's finally here Honey, after everything our little girl went through."
*Scott* "He's perfect Darlin', I'm just glad him and Laura are here safe and sound."
Michelle and Benjamin congratulate Luke and Laura and then say their goodbyes. Everyone is tired it's been a long night and morning.

*Michelle* "I'll see you later this week...."
*Laura* "Okay..."
Michelle and Benjamin leave and Cynthia too also decides to head on home.

*Cynthia* "Bye, Sweetie.....Call me when you three get home safe and sound tomorrow."
*Luke* "I will...."
Krystal and Scott also say their goodbyes.
*Krystal* "You should try and nurse him before they come and take him to the nursery. Then while he is up there you can get some sleep."

*Scott* "You should go home and get some rest too, Luke. Your gonna need to drive these two home tomorrow."
*Luke* "I will as soon as they get her settled into her new room."
Krystal and Scott kiss their daughter goodbye and let them have some time alone with their new baby. Luke climbs into the bed and Laura sits up trying to get Phoenix to nurse.

*Luke* "Is he doing it?"
*Laura* "No....His mouth is so little. I don't know how to..."
*Luke* "Don't worry...you and him will get adjusted."

*Laura* "I know....Oh! He's trying!"
*Luke starting to get sleepy* "That's good..."
After Laura tried a few more times she ended up giving up for the moment. Then the nurse comes in with breakfast for Laura.

*Nurse* "Hi! I brought you some breakfast. As soon as your done eating I'll take you up to recovery."
*Laura* "Okay..."
The nurse takes Phoenix up to the nursery and Laura digs into her breakfast.

*Laura* "Luke, don't forget to bring the car seat with you tomorrow..."
*Luke dozing off* "Mmmm what?"

*Laura* "The car seat....you need to bring it with you tomorrow."
*Luke* "Yeah, I know...."
Luke falls asleep while Laura finishes her breakfast. He didn't sleep much the night before and is now feeling it.
The nurse comes back to take Laura to her new room and Luke follows so he knows where to go when he comes back later in the afternoon.
Since Phoenix is still being cared for over in the nursery Laura takes the time to get some much need sleep.

 When she wakes up Luke is standing looking down at Phoenix in his little nursery crib.
*Laura* "Hand him over to me...and don't forget to support his head."

*Luke* "You're making me nervous...."
*Laura* "Sorry...just go slow, take your time..."
Luke gets him scooped up and placed into Laura arms.

Laura takes his tiny little hand in hers and just relishes the moment.

Luke leans down and kisses her forehead, feeling overwhelmed by his feelings as well.

*Luke* "I love you, Babe....and our baby boy."
*Laura* "I love you too, Baby. Did you take a nap?"
*Luke* "A little bit...."
Phoenix starts to fuss and they turn their attention back to him...

The End
^_^