The Captain's Lady (22 page)

Pushing up and away from the chair, he ran annoyed fingers through his hair, trying to comprehend what she was saying. “You were trying to help me? How?"

Taking a deep breath, and then smiling weakly, she said, “I was trying to find out what's going on, what you weren't telling me. And I did.” Ungracefully, she managed to get out of the chair, then waddled over to him, as a gray shadow fell over her face, betraying her frayed emotions. “Why didn't you tell me Gail filed charges against you for sexual harassment?"

He closed his eyes and turned away, shaking his head, feeling the sting of the impending rejection he was sure was coming.

It was the way he crossed those solid arms and then turned away. It was then, that instant flicker deep inside, that warned her of his confusion. He did not believe she would stand by him, let alone believe him. “Eric,” she said softly and touched the solid arm. He finally turned, the pain clear in those stark brown eyes. “I don't believe the charge for a minute, God how could I? You're not capable of something like that."

"Abby, how do you know I didn't do it? You don't know me that well."

The pain in his voice was heartbreaking. Reaching up she stroked his cheek. “We haven't known each other long, but I feel it right here.” She motioned with a hand to her heart. “I don't believe you're capable of it. You have more honor in you than a man has a right to. You're honest, maybe a little arrogant,” she shrugged, “but I've never met a man so secure in who he is."

He was someone she'd prayed for her whole life.

She lowered her hand, grasped his arms, then felt a wave of determination cross her features. “I knew there was something wrong with her the first time I met her. Remember the day you sat with me while I fell asleep? Well, I woke up when you got up to leave and I remember her coming in. The look on her face was pure trouble, like she was declaring war on you. I may not be very experienced, but I do know how deceitful some women can be: game players, manipulators. And she's definitely one of them."

His face softened finally and he reached out to pull her into his embrace, holding her tight. “Oh Abby, what am I going to do with you?"

Smiling, she whispered, “Please don't shut me out."

After a few moments, Eric released her. Then, not allowing any room for argument, he walked Abby back to sickbay. “I want you to get some rest. I'll see you in the morning; maybe I'll take you to see the bridge in the afternoon. If the doc says it's okay, that is. Would you like that?"

Grinning, Abby could not help but shake her head at this now-cocky attitude. “I think you already know I would like that.” The steady smile transformed into a grimace. Reaching back she supported her lower back with her hand. Eric sat beside her and replaced her hand with his, massaging her spine.

"Sometimes I think this baby is going to kick its way out of me. Don't worry, I'm getting used to this."

"Let me call the doc and have him check you out."

"No! I'm fine really; it was just a twinge. I have a lot of them lately. Besides, he already told me it's normal at this stage of my pregnancy. I'll be fine, really."

Eric stood up. “Are you sure? I would feel better if he looked at you."

Abby laughed. “I'm fine ... really."

Leaning over, Eric gave Abby a gentle kiss on her lips and whispered against them. “Get some rest, my girl; I'm going to get the doc in spite of what you say.” With that he left and closed the door behind him.

Smiling like a silly schoolgirl, Abby touched her lips with trembling fingers at the exact spot where he had kissed her so light and loving. This was the first time he'd kissed her so intimately. A glimmer of hope flickered and then dimmed when she remembered that in a few more days he was sending her to Bahrain. Propping herself up on her side with three pillows piled up behind her, she lay down and closed her eyes. She allowed herself to dream of Eric while feeling the movement of the ship as if it was now a part of her.

She breathed deep and relaxed as the heavy, weighted eyes closed, and the sudden weariness of the morning caught up with her. It was only a few moments before she drifted off to sleep, the imprint of the smile lingering on her face.

Abby awoke with a start, a cramp seizing her belly. She clutched the bed frame until the pain passed. The cramp's intensity was surprising and left her a little breathless. Wondering if she might be in labor, she struggled to rise and started to make her way to the bathroom. Another cramp shot across the hardening belly. She stopped in her tracks, and reached out, groping for the back of a chair. Breathing in, Abby gripped her belly, feeling the tightening increase. The pain grew in intensity, pulling tighter, tighter. Then, just as rapid as it had come on, it eased.

Alone in sickbay, she could not stop the sudden panic that rose up. It was late; it had been several hours since the doctor last checked on her before retiring for the evening. She took a shaky breath, feeling an overpowering need to have the captain with her right now. The power of that thought helped her change direction. As soon as she could move, she turned back to her bed, putting on the clothes at its foot between the contractions. Then with a steadfast resolve, she headed for the captain's cabin. Although she had never been there, she was aware of where it was located.

Closing the door of sickbay, she looked at the empty spot where the guard had been, now removed from his post since yesterday, right after the JAG officer came aboard. No reason or explanation was given to Abby and she didn't ask, sensing protocol, or something more, was at play.

This time of night it was quiet. Although most of the crew had long since retired for the evening, there were still a fair number on duty. The passageway was calm and she encountered no one on her way. Then she remembered the phone. Why hadn't she used it?

It's too late now, just keep going, she told herself. Twice she stopped along the way, startled by the force of each contraction as it ripped through her, leaving her shaky and out of breath. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead and upper lip, making Abby almost laugh at the thought of the term ‘labor'. “Oh, there's a word, if ever I heard one, that is definitely an understatement."

Eric sat behind his desk reviewing the day's reports, trying to catch up on the endless paperwork. He could not help smiling as he remembered Abby on her knees scrubbing the floor. Shaking his head, he could still remember the curious looks from both Joan and Joe when he finally joined them in his office. It was undeniable, those two worked well together. So far the investigation was impressive. Joan had brought up a number of inconsistencies in Gail's statement, advising them both that she was going to do some follow-up on them.

Then poor Seaman Taylor, who had let Abby help him in the passageway, appeared exactly when requested. Eric could not help but wince; the poor kid was almost in tears. A
h, and maybe he had been too hard on him
. Instead, he shook his head. Someone needed to teach the kid some values when it came to women. He listened when the seaman tried to explain how Abby just appeared, offering to help. He had refused, of course, but she would not take
no
for an answer. Instead she picked up a scrub brush and just started to clean. And that was when the captain came along. The poor kid was visibly shaken and after Eric gave him an upbraiding and a lecture on letting pregnant women, who were not in the navy, help him in his duties, Eric dismissed him.

No, Abby wouldn't have taken no for an answer. The poor kid hadn't stood a chance. But he would make sure during her remaining days on the ship that she didn't pull that again. Smiling, he wondered if he was starting to go soft.

Stretching, he felt the weariness sink in, then decided he would turn in for the night. Gathering the papers together, he heard a soft knock on the cabin door. Taking a quick glance at his watch, he was shocked to realize it was just after midnight. Annoyed at the late hour, he wondered who would be disturbing him at this time a night. “What!” he barked.

The door opened and stopped halfway. He could not believe his eyes. Abby stood clutching the knob, hunched over and grasping her belly. Reaching her in a few quick strides, he did not need any doctor to tell him she was in active labor.

As she struggled for breath, he scooped her up, knocking the door closed with the heel of his boot. Eric headed for his private quarters, opening the door as he juggled her in his arms. At the bed, he tried to lay her down, but she clutched wildly to his shirt. He put his hands over hers and waited for the contraction to pass. Finally she inhaled a deep breath. The haze of pain faded and she focused on him.

"I think I'm in labor,” she said, out of breath.

Stunned, Eric swept back her hair with his hand and chuckled. “My dear, I think you're right. Do you know how far apart the contractions are?"

She shook her head and replied in a breathless panic, “I don't know. Maybe two or three minutes. I'm just guessing.” Her voice shook, then rose as renewed panic took hold of her.

He had to take quick control or she would be inconsolable. The unknown fear in the glimmering eyes widened as another contraction seized her. Then, holding her breath, she curled on her side, both arms gripped around her middle. He grabbed her chin in his cupped hand and turned her face to look at him. “Look at me, Abby. Open your eyes now. Don't hold your breath, it just makes the pain worse. Come on, that's it, take a deep breath. In ... let it out. Breathe through the pain.” He knew his tone was stern, but it was what she needed right now. No kind words, they would not help her at this moment. The information was still retained from earlier training, but more recent was the information on childbirth and labor that the doctor shared with him. Larry did a fair bit of reading, brushing up on whatever medical topic was relevant at the time.

She responded by locking her eyes on his, seeking out, and following the stern instructions. Putting a hand on her belly, he felt it tightening again. The poor thing, the pain seemed to go on and on. When there was a slight loosening of her muscles and he knew the contraction was easing off.

"That's it, look at me, breath in and out. You've got it. Good girl."

Just then there was a gush of water as Abby's water broke. It soaked her pants and the blankets. Eric hurried to pull her up. “Sit up I need to get you undressed."

He helped her out of the damp clothes, grabbing one of his shirts and slipping it over her shoulder. Just as he was buttoning it up another contraction doubled her over. She snatched at him. Gasps escaped as another pain tore through her.

Eric took a firm hold on the groping hands, holding tight to provide support, talking her through the pain, forcing her to breathe regularly. Once it finished, he moved her to a nearby chair and hurried to strip off the wet blankets and toss them in the corner. Grabbing some extra blankets from a shelf in the locker by the bed, he laid one over the bed, and then eased Abby back down. Her contractions were almost on top of one another and the realization struck that this baby was going to make an appearance very soon. “Abby, let me call the doc. I'll be right back."

Her fingers turned into talons. She began to cry. “Please don't leave me. I'm scared."

Holding the soft rosy cheeks in a firm grasp, the stern voice was sharp and direct. “Abby, look at me now. I'm not leaving you; I'm going to the other room to phone the doc. I'll be back in less than a minute. Okay?"

A weary nod, then with reluctance she released the hold on his arm. He hurried out to the phone, listening as she moaned in pain. “Petey find the Doc and get him here now. Abby's having contractions and they are a little less than a minute apart."

Eric hurried back to her. Sitting up, Abby struggled through another contraction. “Oh no, I have to go to the bathroom, please help me."

He threw her a look that said
I don't think so
, and made her lie back down, flat on her back.

Abby felt him spread her legs and those strong hands on her when she was struck with an overwhelming pressure to push. She hadn't realized it was possible, but the pain's intensity was speeding up. His fierce tone broke through the cloud of agony. “Don't you dare push yet. Stop holding your breath, let it out."

Grabbing some towels from the bathroom he lifted her bottom and placed the towels underneath to absorb the fluid. Her membranes had ruptured. There was a fair bit of blood now. Where was the doc? He tried to mentally hurry him here, but knew this baby wasn't going to wait.

"Okay, Abby, on the next contraction, I want you to push. Look at me.” The sternness in his tone allowed no room for argument. Helping her get the shaky knees up he pushed her legs wide.

The next contraction was there. Abby stopped fighting the urge to push, but strained, and screeched as her body took the lead. She groped at the air trying to reach for Eric's hand. When he took it in his, she anchored herself, pushing.

The door to the outside cabin flew open and the doctor rushed in. “Oh shit, how far apart are the contractions? Okay ... I got it, help her up,” the doctor shouted.

Eric moved to Abby's side, lifting up her shoulders so he could sit behind her to support and give her the leverage she needed to push. Grasping her hand as the hold tightened with ferocity, with a stern steadiness in his voice, he guided her. “Almost done. Come on, your baby's almost here."

Another contraction shot through and she tried to push.

The doctor yelled, “Stop. No more pushing, the head's out! Pant like a dog. That's it, blow out. You're doing good."

Groaning she clutched the proffered hand—her lifeline right now—with a fierce strength.

"Okay, Abby, a little push. We're almost there ... the baby's shoulders are out. That's it."

She wasn't sure who said what, but the next thing she heard was a baby's soft first breath, then a howling cry. The captain moved out from behind her, putting a couple of pillows in his place, and lowered her head and shoulders onto the stacked pillows, just as her legs began trembling.

"It's a girl. A beautiful girl.” The excitement beamed in Eric's voice as the doctor cut and tied the cord then carefully wrapped the baby in a towel.