ATF Universe
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of the Magnificent Seven, Trilogy, Mirsch, MGM, and CBS do. Dr. Haviland is a creation of my own imagination. Mog created the ATF realm this is set in.
Note: This was written as a good luck charm for one of my dearest friends, Renee. Love ya, Nee!
I'm so damn scared. I can just feel the blood running out of my face and judging by Buck's expression he's amazed I can get any whiter. Chris rubs my shoulders promising that everything is going to be all right, but I just don't know. He's been there before though, so if anybody would know how this feels it's him. Damn I'm glad he's here.
"Everything's gonna be just fine, JD. She's gonna pull through, I promise." Chris says reassuringly.
"But what if...Chris, she's in so much pain!" My voice cracks from the anxiety I feel. If anything happens to her I'm never going to forgive myself. I'm the cause of this situation and now they won't even let me see her. What am I gonna do if I lose her?
Chris pats my shoulder and stands up. "It'll be alright kid. Babies are born every day. She's gonna be just fine and in a little while you're gonna have a son or daughter to look after."
I feel sick. I thought I was ready for this. Me and her, we love each other. We'd do anything for each other. That's why we got married.
"Do you, John Daniel Dunne, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" I can still hear the priest.
And my stuttering response. "Y-Ye-Yes Sir, I D-d-ddo." She'd laughed at me that day, smiling that bright smile that absolutely warms me up and makes me feel like I could just fly. I know she loves me. I could see it in her eyes when she told me the news.
"JD! JD, you're not gonna believe it! I'm pregnant! We're gonna have a baby!" Without thinking I'd swung her up in my arms, twirling around the room. She clung to me and we'd both laughed like loons. As soon as the guys found out they began giving advice, even though Chris is the only who's a father.
"Now, Son, make sure she don't decorate the nursery with hearts and flowers. You want this kid to be tough and strong. Make sure he's got a baseball glove right off the bat; he's gotta be ready to learn how to catch. But make sure you let ol' Buck tell him about the birds and the bees. He can't learn from no better than me." Typical Buck, nothin' but sports and women.
The scream pierces the silence and I bolt up from my chair. That's it; no one's keeping me out of that room. I'm going to be with my wife! I burst through the bedroom door and Dr. Haviland completely ignores me. She doesn't though.
"JD!" Tears. That's the first thing I notice. She's been crying. She is crying! I cross the room quickly and grasp her hand. I still feel the anxiety, but I'm where I should be now.
It doesn't take much longer. I'm absolutely fascinated by this, but when I see the pain she's in, I swear, I'm never going to make love to her again! I don't want to ever put her through this again. Oh god, can I actually live without touching her? Can I live without being joined to the other half of myself? I don't know if I can do this! Jesus, why does it have to hurt her so much?
"One more good push!" Dr. Haviland shouts.
She grunts with effort, the grunt turning into a keening shriek. A loud lusty cry joins making the room fill with that joyous music. As soon as Dr. Haviland raises him, her?, I laugh, ignoring the tears that fill my eyes. My child! Possessively I watch as Dr. Haviland wipes and wraps the baby up. The bundle is put into my arms and I can only stare in wonder.
I lean closer to my wife, settling beside her on our bed, and our eyes meet. She's exhausted, but she still wants to see our child. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Dunne. You have a beautiful new daughter."
We're a family! I'm a father. Thank you God for blessing us like this! I look up and see Chris in the doorway. His eyes are glistening and I know he's remembering. After a moment he turns away and I hear Buck, "A girl?! Aw hell, you let ol' Buck teach her what she needs to look out for. Them boys can't be trusted!"
End
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