Unexpected Miracles
by Nancy Newman
Station 51 was a buzz with activity as the members of A-shift were working on getting the station house in order on this quiet Saturday morning.
Firemen Chet Kelly and Marco Lopez were out back rolling hose that had been hanging on the hose rack. Engineer Mike Stoker was checking all the gauges on the engine making sure that they were all in working order for the next run. Captain Hank Stanley was in his office getting the logs books and shift paperwork in order.
Paramedic Roy DeSoto had ended up with kitchen duty this morning and he had just finished up mopping the floor.While Roy was putting the bucket and mop away, his partner, John Gage was on the phone for the second time this morning with his very pregnant wife, Maggie, who was 2 weeks past her due date.
Johnny and Maggie had been married a little over a year and they were both anxiously awaiting the birth of their first child.
"Are you sure that you will be okay by yourself?" he asked.
"I'll be fine, if anything happens, you're just a phone call away," Maggie told him, "Besides, Joanne said that she would be over later this morning, so I won't be alone."
"Good," he said, sounding very relived, "That makes me feel a little better, knowing that Joanne will be there to keep you company."
"Johnny, I love you, but you are driving me crazy." "The doctor said it was normal for first babies to be late," Maggie said, clearly exasperated with her nervous hubby. "Dr. Roberts told me if nothing happened by the end of next week, we would decide what to do then." "Please don't worry about me," she pleaded, "I promise I won't go into labor before you get off your shift tomorrow morning."
"Maggie, this isn't something to joke about," Johnny snapped.
"I wasn't joking," she told him, "I'm totally serious." "I want you right here with me when I go into labor, not at the station or out on a run."
"Okay, I'm sorry I snapped at you," he apologized, "I just don't want anything to go wrong."
"Honey, I don't either," she said softly, "I'm just as nervous as you are, I'm just trying to do my best to stay calm." Maggie laughed and told him, "At least you have a little more experience with childbirth than I do since you've delivered babies!"
Johnny started laughing, "Yeah, that's true."
"I should probably get back to work and start pulling my weight around here before I end up with latrine duty for the next 3 shifts," he joked. " Maggie, I love you and our baby," he quietly told her, "I'll see you in the morning."
"I love you too," she said. "See you in the morning. Bye"
"Bye" and he hung up the phone.
"So, how is Maggie?" Roy asked
"As you can tell from my end of the conversation, she's doing better than me," Johnny said as he walked over to the stove for a cup of coffee and then sat down at the table.
"Most first time fathers feel the same way," Roy laughed, "Joanne was ready to kill me by the time the Chris finally arrived."
"Roy, I'll feel much better once Baby Gage gets here." "This waiting is driving me crazy!" Johnny said as he banged his fist on the table.
"I know it is," Roy replied, "but imagine how poor Maggie feels." "She's the one getting bigger and more uncomfortable everyday." Johnny looked at Roy and smiled as he continued."Once the baby gets here, you will forget about how stressed you were and you will just be in awe of this little person who just barreled into your life."
"Thanks partner," Johnny said, "you always have a way of putting things into perspective for me."
"No problem Junior, that's what I'm here for," Roy said patting Johnny on the shoulder.
The stillness in the station was broken by the sound of the tones going off.
"Station 51, MVA at the corner of Bristol and Main." "Bristol and Main, time out 10:30"
Johnny and Roy quickly headed to the squad while the rest of the guys jumped on the engine.
"Station 51, 10-4, KMG-365," replied Stanley. He handed the directions to Roy and quickly made his way to the engine.
They pulled up on the scene to find that Deputy Vince Howard was already there and directing traffic. There was one car involved and the driver appeared to have lost control and smashed into a tree.
"Chet, pull the inch and half and spray that area down," hollered Stanley.
"Ok, Cap."
Roy and Johnny grabbed their equipment from the squad and headed to the car to determine the injuries.
"Roy, I'll check the driver," Johnny said, "you call Rampart."
"I'm on it," Roy responded as he set up the bio-phone.
"Rampart, Squad 51, how do you read?" asked Roy
"Go ahead, 51," came back of the voice of Dr. Kelly Brackett
"Rampart, we have a male victim of a single car accident, approximately 25 years of age." "Victim is still trapped in the car, so I have no vitals at this time, please stand by."
"Ok 51, standing by"
Johnny reached through the shattered window to check the pulse of the driver. He had one, and it was steady and he seemed to be breathing normally. The steering wheel had the driver's armed pined. He also had a laceration on his forehead, where it appeared that he had hit the window.
"Cap," Johnny yelled, "we are going to need the jaws to get this guy out of the car."
"Right," "Marco, get the jaws and help Gage get that guy out of the car," Cap ordered.
"Got ya, Cap."
Marco got the jaws and they got the steering wheel out of the way. Johnny put a c-collar on and began to take the man's vitals, when he regained consciousness.
"Whoa buddy, hang on you've been in an accident," Johnny told him
"Man, my arm is killing me," he said
"We'll get it taken care of in just a minute,"
"Roy, vitals are BP 110/80, pulse 80, reps 20 and pupils equal and reactive. Left humerous is fractured and there is a laceration on the forehead." "Victim was unconscious, but is now alert and pupils are equal and reactive."
"Rampart, vitals are BP 110/80, pulse 80, reps 20." Pupils are equal and reactive." Roy reported. "Victim also has a laceration on his head and a fracture of the left humerous." "Victim is now conscious and talking."
"10-4 51, start an IV D5W, splint the arm and transport as soon as possible," replied Brackett
"10-4 Rampart."
Johnny had the victim on a backboard and out of the vehicle. He started the IV, while Roy splinted the arm. They loaded him on the stretcher and put him in the ambulance and Johnny jumped in to ride along.
Roy closed the door and banged on the back to alert the driver to go.
The ambulance arrived at Rampart and Head Nurse Dixie McCall met them. "Take him to treatment 1, Dr. Brackett is waiting," she told Johnny.
With their patient in the capable hands of Dr. Brackett, Johnny and Roy went to the base station to restock supplies on the squad and talk to Dixie.
"So Johnny," Dixie asked, "how is Maggie doing?"
"Considering that she is two weeks past her due date," he said, "Maggie is a real trooper and handling this better than me." Johnny went on, "I'm the one who is a nervous wreak and she is so calm, it's kind of scary."
Dixie smiled and told Johnny, "I'm sure that you'll be fine when the time comes."
"Yeah, you're right, but I'm just tired of waiting," Johnny said impatiently
"I know it's hard, but the baby will be here before you know it," Dixie said as she smiled at Johnny
"Johnny," Roy said, "we should probably get back to the station before we miss lunch and have to do the dishes."
"See you later, Dix" the guys said.
"Keep me posted about Maggie."
"I will Dixie," Johnny said as he and Roy walked down the hall.
***************
Across town, Maggie was finishing the last of the breakfast dishes when she heard a car pull up in the driveway. She looked out the window and saw Joanne DeSoto and her 5-year-old daughter Katie get out of the car. Maggie wondered where Chris was and then remembered Joanne telling her that he was spending the day with a friend. Wiping her hands on a dishtowel, she went to meet them at the door.
"Hi Aunt Maggie!" squealed Katie
"Hi, sweetie, have you been a good girl for your Mommy today?" asked Maggie.
"Yes, I even helped Mommy pick out this," Katie said as she handed the pretty wrapped package to Maggie.
"Joanne, you didn't need to do that," Maggie said as she took the box from Katie.
"I know, but I wanted too anyway." Joanne smiled.
"Open it, Aunt Maggie," Katie said rather impatiently.
"Okay, let's sit down on the sofa and you can help me open it," Maggie told her as she took the little girl's hand and headed over to the sofa.
Katie sat down next to Maggie and both of them went to work on the package, as Joanne watched. Maggie opened the box to find a beautiful layette set.
"Thanks Joanne," Maggie said, "This is just what I needed for the baby" as she reached over and hugged Joanne.
"Your welcome," Joanne replied, "I remember how it was with the first baby, you need a million things."
"That's so true, " Maggie laughed.
"Katie," Maggie asked, "how would you like to watch cartoons in my room while your Mom and I talk?"
"Can I sit on the big bed?" Katie asked
"You sure can," Maggie told her
"Cool!" Katie hollered as she skipped down the hall to Johnny and Maggie's room
With Katie all settled watching Scooby-Do, Maggie returned to the living room.
"So," Joanne asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Like the proverbial beached whale," Maggie said as both she and Joanne laughed.
"I remember that feeling well," Joanne replied.
"I've had about all I can take," Maggie continued, "If I don't have this baby soon, Johnny is going to drive me crazy!" she exclaimed.
"Roy told me that "Mister, cool, calm paramedic" wasn't dealing well with waiting."
"Joanne, that's the understatement of the century!" Maggie laughed.
"He called me twice within three hours of going to the station this morning." Maggie went on, "It did seem to make him feel better when I told him you were coming by."
"That's good," Joanne told her, "Katie and I can stay awhile, our afternoon is free."
"Thanks, that would be great," Maggie replied, "Having some company will keep me from going stir crazy." Maggie chuckled.
Joanne laughed, "No problem."
*************
Johnny and Roy had a busy afternoon. They had been on five runs since lunch. They were finally back at the station, hopeful that they would have a break before the tones sounded again.
All the guys were watching "Jeopardy", but Johnny was having a hard time concentrating on what Alex was saying, so he got up and went to get a cup of coffee. He was giving serious thought to calling Maggie, but decided against it. He knew that if he did, she would throttle him! He had to admit that she was right, he was only a phone call away if she needed him.
Chet, noticing how distracted Johnny was, got up to see if he could help.
"Hey Gage, how's it going?" Chet asked
"Fine Chet," Johnny answered, "I've just got a lot on my mind."
"I know," he replied, "waiting has to be the pits."
"It is, but I'll manage." "It's going to be nice to have a couple of days off after shift ends tomorrow," Johnny told him.
"I'm surprised that you didn't put in for your vacation with Maggie so close to having the baby," Chet remarked.
"I would have, but Maggie wouldn't let me," Johnny explained. "She told me she would rather have me around after the baby arrives."
"It wouldn't be because you were driving her crazy, would it?" Chet kidded
"Stow it, Kelly!" Johnny snapped as he set his cup down and walked out of the room.
"Sorry Gage, I was only kidding," Chet said to Johnny's retreating back.
**************
Maggie and Joanne had a nice visit. Katie had fallen asleep while watching TV and Joanne went to wake her up while Maggie went in the kitchen to get them all something to drink. Maggie had just gotten the glasses out of the cabinet when she got a sharp pain across her abdomen. It was so severe and startling, that she dropped the glass on the floor.
"Ouch!" she exclaimed as Joanne came running in to see what happened.
"Maggie, are you okay?" she asked
"I'm not sure," Maggie replied nervously, "I think I might have just had a contraction."
"Okay, let's sit down," said Joanne, trying to stay calm as she guided Maggie to the table. They had no sooner reached the table than Maggie had another contraction and her water broke.
"Joanne, I think we have a problem," Maggie said
"Yes, I think you might be right." "Stay put, and I'll call the station and get Johnny and Roy here," Joanne told her
"I'm not going anywhere," Maggie laughed.
Johnny had just walked back into the kitchen when the phone rang. "Station 51, Gage speaking"
"Hi Johnny, its Joanne"
"Hi Joanne, hang on, I'll get Roy"
"No, Johnny, I need to talk to you," Joanne continued, "Maggie has just gone into labor." "You and Roy need to get here right away." "Her water has already broken and the contractions are coming quickly."
"WHAT!" Johnny exclaimed. "We'll be right there," he said as he hung up the phone
"Come on Roy, we've got to go," he explained. "Maggie has gone into labor at the house and Joanne's with her."
"I'm right behind you," Roy said as he hurried to the squad.
"I'll call it in to dispatch and get an ambulance to meet you there," Cap told Johnny.
"Thanks Cap." Johnny said as he got in the squad
"LA, Station 51"
"Go ahead 51," replied the dispatcher
"LA, dispatch an ambulance to 2345 Gridley, cross street South." "We have a still alarm at that location, woman in labor." Stanley reported. "Squad 51 is already enroute."
"10-4 51"
"Maggie, the guys are on the way," Joanne told her.
"It's a good thing, because these contractions are getting closer together," Maggie said as she was hit with another one. Maggie grabbed Joanne's hand as the contraction peaked. As quickly as it hit, it was done.
Suddenly, they heard a small voice behind them. "Mommy, is Aunt Maggie okay?" Katie asked, very frightened. "Katie, honey," Joanne said as she was kneeling down next to her, "Aunt Maggie is going to have her baby." She'll be fine, don't worry," she continued, "Daddy and Uncle Johnny are on their way to help."
Just then, Johnny and Roy came into the room. "Sweetie," Johnny asked, has he knelt next to Maggie, "how far apart are the contractions?"
"About 2 minutes or so," she answered. Then Maggie suddenly grabbed Johnny's arm as she had another contraction. "Johnny, I feel like I have to push," Maggie told him with a look of fear on her face.
"Maggie, don't push," Johnny told her. "We need to get you to the bedroom." "Come on, give me your hand," he said. As she stood up, another much stronger, contraction hit that took her breath away. "Yikes!" she hollered, "they are coming closer together."
"Is there anything I can do?" Joanne asked Roy
"No, not really," he said, "why don't you and Katie wait here for the ambulance," he continued as he looked over at a very confused Katie.
"That's fine," Joanne replied, "Just let me know if I can do anything."
"I will," Roy said as he headed to the bedroom
Johnny got Maggie to the bedroom and tried to make her as comfortable as possible.
"We aren't going to make it to Rampart, are we?" a concerned Maggie asked her equally concerned husband.
"Baby, it doesn't look like it," he told her.
"I was afraid of that," was all Maggie could say.
"It's going to be fine," he reassured her.
"I know, but I just hadn't planned on you having to deliver our baby!"
"I didn't either, but it will be just fine," he told her.
"Johnny!" Maggie screamed, "Here comes another contraction!"
"Roy, I need you in here NOW!" Johnny yelled, just as Roy came into the room.
Roy called Rampart, while Johnny got the OB kit set up.
"Rampart, Squad 51, how do you read? "
"Go ahead 51," answered Dixie
"Rampart, we have a 28 year old female in the final stage of labor. Her water broke prior to our arrival on scene," Roy said. "There is one other thing Rampart," he continued, "it's Maggie and there is no time to get her to the hospital, so Johnny is going to have to deliver the baby."
"Okay, 51," Dixie said, "Keep us posted."
"What is it, Dix?" Kel asked
"It's Johnny and Roy," she explained. "Maggie went into to labor at the house and Johnny is going to have to deliver the baby."
"This isn't the first baby Johnny has delivered," he replied, "He'll do just fine." Kel continued, "Are they leaving the line open?" he asked Dixie.
"Yes, they are," she told him.
Things were going fast and furious at the Gage house. Maggie was now fully dilated and getting ready to push.
"Honey, with the next contraction, push as hard as you can," Johnny told her.
"Here it comes," she told him as she started pushing.
"You're doing great, the baby is crowning, " he told her, "Keep pushing, the contraction is almost over."
The contraction finally ended, giving Maggie and much needed break.
Johnny could see the baby's head; one more good push and the head would be delivered. Maggie's break was over as a much stronger contraction hit her.
"Johnny, I want this over, I can't do this anymore," Maggie said through clenched teeth
"Push Maggie, you can do it," Roy told her.
"That's right Sweetie, you're doing great," Johnny reassured her, "The head's out." "Stop pushing and pant so I can get the shoulders out."
"Okay," she replied as she started panting. Johnny got the left shoulder out just as another contraction hit and Maggie pushed with the last bit of energy that she had, and out popped the baby.
"It's a girl!" Johnny said, through his tears. Maggie fell back on the bed, relieved that is was all over.
Johnny quickly aspirated the baby's nose and mouth and handed his daughter to Maggie, while he cut the cord.
"She so beautiful," Maggie said, with tears streaming down her face.
"She looks just like you," Johnny told Maggie as he gently kissed her on the lips.
Roy was on the bio-phone with Rampart.
"Rampart, this is 51," "we have a beautiful little girl," he reported.
"We heard, 51," replied Dixie, "Give our congratulations to the new parents and transport Mother and daughter as soon as possible."
"10-4 Rampart."
Joanne couldn't stand to wait any longer, so she left Katie in the living room and went back to see what was happening.
"Can I come in?" she asked as she peered around the door.
"Of course," answered Maggie. "Come take a look at our beautiful daughter."
"Does this little cutie have a name?" Joanne asked.
"She sure does," Maggie said as she looked at Johnny and then back at Roy and Joanne.
"Let me introduce you to Elizabeth Joanne Gage."
Joanne was speechless and it took her a moment to compose herself. "Johnny, Maggie," she said, "I'm honored that you want to give this sweet little angel my name."
"We couldn't think of a better person to name our daughter after," Johnny said as he hugged Joanne.
"Congratulations partner," Roy said as he shook his hand and then slapped Johnny on the back.
"Thanks Roy," replied Johnny
Suddenly Maggie let out a little yell and asked Johnny, "Is it normal to feel the need to push after the baby is born?"
Puzzled, Johnny replied, "No, let me take a look."
"Oh, shit!" I see another head!" exclaimed Johnny.
"WHAT!" was the simultaneous reply that came from Maggie, Roy and Joanne.
A flurry of activity had suddenly engulfed the room. Joanne took Elizabeth from Maggie as Roy got on the bio-phone to Rampart.
"Rampart, Squad 51, how do you read?"
"Loud and clear 51, go ahead," replied Kel
"Rampart, it appears that we have a straggler," Roy said. "The patient is on the verge of delivering the second baby."
"10-4, 51," said a surprised Kel, "keep us posted."
"10-4, Rampart"
Maggie was hard at it again. "Come on Honey," Johnny encouraged, "you can do it."
"I know, I'm becoming an old hand at this," she joked.
Johnny laughed, ëYeah you are." "All I need is one more good hard push and the baby will be here."
"Okay, here goes," Maggie told him as she pushed with all her might. With that final hard push, the baby was in the loving arms of its father.
"It's a boy," Johnny said, totally shocked.
"Is he okay?" Maggie asked.
"He's just fine," Johnny told her as the baby let out a huge cry.
"Shh, little guy, Daddy's got you."
Johnny wrapped his son in a clean towel and handed him to Maggie and then he cut the cord.
"Did you have any idea that there were twins?" he asked, as he kissed her forehead and sat down next to her.
"I had no idea," she replied, "He must have been hiding behind his sister."
"51, Rampart, do you read?" came the voice of Dr. Brackett over the radio.
"Rampart, 51 we have a boy," Roy said.
"10-4 51, Congratulations again and transport Mom and babies as soon as possible."
"10-4"
"Johnny, Brackett's right," Roy said, "we really should get these two little guys to the hospital."
"Yeah, that would be a good idea," Johnny responded.
The ambulance attendants came in with the stretcher and Johnny helped Maggie get settled.
Maggie looked down at the sleeping face of her son and softly talked to him. "So little one, how do you feel about the name, John Roderick Gage, Jr.?" Maggie laughed as little John just yawned.
"I guess he approves," said his proud father.
Katie was still waiting in the living room and was surprised when Maggie was wheeled into the room and she saw her Mom holding Elizabeth and Maggie holding John.
"Aunt Maggie, you've got two babies!" she exclaimed
"I sure do, sweetie," Maggie said
"That's neat."
"It sure is Katie," Johnny said.
*******************
Two days later, Maggie and the children were getting ready to be discharged from the hospital. They were all fine considering the less than ideal birthing conditions. Maggie's room was overflowing with flowers. The guys from the station sent a huge bouquet of red roses and the ER staff had also sent a nice arrangement. Johnny was busy taking care of the last minute details so that he could take his family home. He walked back into the room and stopped short; the sight before him brought tears to his eyes as watched Maggie sitting on the bed with the babies.
"Hey, you two," Maggie said softly, "your Daddy and I love you both very much and we are so happy that you are finally here." "Daddy and I are new at this," she continued, "so you need to be patient with us if we don't seem sure of what we are doing." "We'll never let anything happen to you." Then she gently kissed Elizabeth and then John.
John walked up to Maggie unnoticed and put his arm around her and she looked at him.
"Hi Honey," he said as he kissed her cheek.
"Hi," she replied.
"I never thought it was possible to love you more than I already do, but I was wrong," he said as he continued, "watching you with our children, my heart is so full of love for you and them." "They are such little miracles." "Thank you for making my life so full."
"Johnny, I feel the same way," she continued, "I don't ever want to imagine what my life would be like without you, Elizabeth, and John, Jr." "I love you so much, you and our children complete me," she said as she leaned over and kissed Johnny on the lips.
Author's note: This is my first attempt at writing a fan fic, I hope that you all enjoy it. Please let me know what you think. Thanks to Mary Morris for making sure that I had all the medical stuff right, and a big thanks to my best bud Leslie, for all her encouragement and for proof reading my story.
"Unexpected Miracles" ©1999 Nancy Newman. "Emergency!" and its characters © Mark VII Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. No infringement of any copyrights or trademarks is intended or should be inferred. This is a work of fiction, and any similarity to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.
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