Authors’ Note: Hello all! Hope everyone is having a great post Holiday week! Here is the final installment of our Christmas story! @rauliskafan and I are loving your feedback and are so excited to bring you this next chapter! Enjoy!
Time was ticking away; Rafael began to feel a little helpless. They had no word on Maggie, and Natalia was still in the delivery room along with Dodds. His girls drifted in and out of sleep while the rest of the group paced up and down the hallway hoping to hear anything at all. Then again, no news was good news… right?
Authors’ Note: Happy Wednesday, wonderful readers!!! Thank you all sooo much for your lovely comments last night!!! You gave @vintagemichelle91 and I a very Merry Christmas!!! As Maggie’s labor continues, what surprises lie in store? Read on, and we hope that you enjoy!!!
“Merry Christmas, mi hermosa flor.”
As Natalia wearily turned the corner, having checked on Maggie for what felt like the thousandth time, she encountered her husband with two cups of coffee in hand.
“Same to you, Atticus,” she said after a small sip. “Thanks. I needed this.”
“I figured as much. Any news?”
Natalia simply shook her head.
“She must be climbing the walls,” Rafael said.
“And breaking every bone in Mike’s hand.”
“Here you said she was so calm when he showed up.”
“That was a hundred hours ago, Atticus.”
“And still no baby.”
Peering over her husband’s shoulder, seeing their girls trying to stay awake in anticipation of someone other than Santa, Natalia clicked her tongue and rubbed Rafael’s arm.
“What do you need?” he immediately asked.
“You to make my apologies for that party that wasn’t,” she started.
“Hermosa, stop. No one’s even thinking about that.”
“I know. You’re right.”
“So no worries there.”
“What about the girls?”
Rafael turned his head, and together they stared at their quartet until he released a heavy sigh.
“I should take them home.”
“As if they would let you,” Natalia argued. “Plus we need a game plan before even thinking about that.”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“Did you stop home before coming here today?”
“No. Why?”
“So Santa never put any gifts under the tree.”
Nodding his head in understanding, Rafael slumped on a nearby bench, and Natalia followed suit, inching closer to his side.
“I never even thought of that,” he admitted.
“Don’t feel bad. It only occurred to me when Mike mentioned it.”
“He did?” Rafael asked.
“And then Maggie started to cry, and he had to talk her down…”
“Sounds like the real party is in the delivery room,” Rafael said, trying for a joke.
“We really should’ve thought of it sooner.”
“We could ask Carisi or Fin to put them up for the night,” Rafael suggested.
“But the girls will want to make a beeline for home.”
“Because Santa is magic and by this point the gifts would already be there.”
“Don’t want to smash their illusions when they’re this young,” Natalia said as she failed to stifle a yawn.
“I’ll go,” he finally said, standing and stretching slowly. “Then I can come back. Get them home.”
“I’m sorry,” Natalia murmured, rising to meet his lips.
“For what?” he asked against her lingering kiss.
“That’s so much running around for you.”
“But for a good cause,” he said. “Our chicas guapas.”
“Such a good Papi,” Natalia said. She offered to walk Rafael to the street in search of a cab when Dodds suddenly raced into view, calling out Natalia’s name and catching the attention of everyone waiting for something in the way of an update.
“Mike?” Natalia asked. “What’s the matter?”
“Something they missed,” he said, his speech coming fast, his eyes wide, and his face an as of yet undiscovered shade of pale.
“Missed?” Rafael echoed. He barely nodded, and Natalia noticed Dodds’ lower lip just start to tremble as she reached for the sergeant’s hand.
“What do you need me to do?” she asked in the calmest voice she could muster.
“She’s asking for you,” he said as he stared into her eyes. “She needs you. I… I need you, too.”
“I’m coming,” Natalia promised. “Just one second.”
Dodds tried to take off again, his father and Trevor cornering him for a quick word. Looking from Rafael to her girls and back again, Natalia started to speak when her husband pressed two long fingers to her lips.
“Go,” he said.
“But you can’t go now,” Natalia whispered. “The girls will have so many questions. You have to---”
“I’ll figure it out,” he assured his wife as Dodds motioned for Natalia to follow. “Go to your sister. Give her a kiss. Tell her I love her. And that it’s going to be alright.”
“Are you sure?” Natalia asked.
“It has to be, hermosa.”
“How the hell did this happen?” Dodds demanded.
After scrubbing her hands clean, Natalia entered the room. Maggie sat up in the bed, leaning over her knees, her face the color of damp ivory as her golden locks stuck to her brow, her cheeks, and her own trembling lips. Once at the bedside, Natalia hardly had the chance to take her sister’s hand when Maggie let out an anguished sob.
“Natty. Why?”
“What’s wrong?” Natalia asked after managing to lace her fingers with Maggie’s, her free hand wiping the sweat from her fearful face.
“Aren’t you supposed to be able to notice this kind of thing?” Dodds yelled as Dr. Parks stood up and removed his mask. Only then did Natalia notice that the man’s mouth was also fixed in a nervous frown.
“Mr. Dodds,” Dr. Parks started. “I’m sorry. Even with modern medicine there are surprises.”
“Surprises?” Natalia asked, and Dodds started to speak again when Maggie gripped her sister’s hand tighter, causing Natalia to meet the ballerina’s teary eyes.
“The baby’s in a breech position,” Maggie said, her voice cracking on every word of the sentence. “That’s why it was taking so long.”
Swallowing hard and stroking her sister’s face, Natalia inhaled a shaky breath. A million articles that she had perused during her own pregnancies ran through her mind at lightening speed. Yes, this was supposed to be caught far earlier than the moments leading up to the grand finale. In lieu of that, weren’t there invasive options to explore?
“The thing is,” Dr. Parks continued, “we’ve past the point of surgery.”
“So what do we do then?” Dodds practically hissed.
“A natural birth is our best option,” he said. “Maggie’s body will tell her what to do. We’ll adopt a hands-off approach and intervene once the baby’s lower half appears.”
“Hands off?” Dodds challenged. “No. That won’t work.”
“Sir, from my experience I can tell you that---”
“And from my experience I say you’re a public servant!” Dodds bellowed. “You don’t get to sit by on the sidelines and just---”
Maggie cried out again, her face twisting in agony as Dodds appeared to forget his fight to hurry to her other side.
“Babe?” he said. “What?”
“I think… I think it’s time. But… it’s all wrong. I’m so scared and…”
Her voice trailed off in a stream of fresh tears and Dodds looked ready to go on the attack again when Natalia waved for him to be still. Only when she was sure that he would obey the order did she look to her sister.
“Maggie, listen to me,” she started. Catching what she could of her breath, Maggie did just that, and Natalia kissed her cheek.
“You can do this. I believe you can do anything. But this? You’ve never wanted anything more. And you will know… you’ll feel what you need to do to see your son.”
“But, Natty, I---”
“Maggie. Rafael says it’s going to be alright. He would never lie to you. To either one of us.”
Something in those words seemed to set Maggie’s rattled mind at ease. With a quick look at her husband, she gritted her teeth and nodded her head.
“Okay. Okay. I’m… I’m ready.”
Leaning forward a little more, Maggie tried to keep her breaths even as she tucked her chin to her chest. Natalia rubbed small circles into her back and watched Maggie’s eyes narrow in a stare of supreme focus.
“I’m right here,” Dodds assured her.
“We all are,” Natalia chimed in. “Think of ringing in the New Year with your beautiful boy. Think of my girls fussing over him at Easter.”
“I am,” Maggie said weakly when she had to take a break and fell back against the pillows. Dodds offered her a few ice chips and let her rest until she shot up again, needing to push.
“Okay,” Dr. Parks said with his nurse at his side, wearing his mask once more. “I can see the lower half. Just a little more and then we can---”
He had no chance to finish his statement when Maggie clung to her sister’s hand as if for dear life. Dr. Parks’ words of encouragement mingled with Dodds’, and the sisters locked eyes.
“Think of Halloween,” Natalia continued. “Dressing him up like a little lion. Because he’s so strong. Or a cub. Because he has the world’s best Mama Bear. And come Thanksgiving we’ll be so grateful. And when it’s next Christmas and his birthday, we---”
Maggie yelled again, and Dr. Parks declared that the baby was out.
“Maggie!” Natalia cried out happily as Dodds kissed her. “You did it! I just knew you could!”
Somehow her sister returned the smile, and as Natalia started to picture even more perfect moments for the baby, more good wishes to send her sister’s way, she took note of the silence.
“Natty?”
With her hand on her sister’s shoulders and her eyes wide, Natalia watched Dr. Parks and the nurse examine the baby, saying nothing, and finally exchanging an anxious glance.
“I saw that,” Maggie exclaimed. Despite her exhaustion, she tried to wiggle away from her husband’s and her sister’s hold. “What’s wrong with him?
“Mrs. Dodds, please.”
“No!” Maggie yelled. “He’s supposed to be crying. Why isn’t he crying? What’s the matter with my baby?”
Authors’ Note: Happy Christmas to one and all! @vintagemichelle91 and I thank you so much for your amazing comments last night!!! They were the best gift ever!!! Now with Maggie’s baby on the way, the family starts to gather. Read on for more and enjoy!!! :)
“Yes, Mike. It’s time. Well, no. No, not this exact instant. But soon. Yes. You need to hurry. I know but… yes. See what you can do to make that happen.”
Ending the call, Natalia paced the waiting room. Ashtonja sat with the twins, Hazel narrowing her eyes at every doctor, nurse, and orderly that passed by while Holly nibbled her little nails.
“Mami?”
Glancing down, Natalia saw Violetta, felt her tugging at the hem of her skirt.
“Yes, sweet pea?” she asked as she scooped the girl up into her arms.
“Will the baby really be born in time for Christmas?”
Natalia started to answer but suddenly stopped herself short. Despite her own firstborn’s somewhat rapid arrival, she knew all too well that Maggie’s boy could take some time before making his grand entrance on the world’s stage. Still, it was barely afternoon on Christmas Eve. And by the time night rolled around…
“I hope so, sweet pea,” Natalia finally replied. “Wouldn’t that just be the best present ever?”
“Yes,” Violetta stated. “It would be nice…”
The little girl’s voice trailed off, and Natalia could sense her wanting to say something else and waited for the rest of her words.
“But?” Natalia prompted.
“Well, as much as I want a cousin, I also want the book with the lock and key.”
Only recently Violetta had gotten it into her head that she simply had to have a diary, preferably one with a unicorn adorning the cover so that she could record her most private musings… and keep the thoughts away from her younger sisters’ ever-prying eyes.
“Something tells me Santa can manage that and a bouncing baby boy,” Natalia assured her daughter.
“But doesn’t the stork bring the baby?” Violetta asked. Before Natalia had a chance to respond, she heard the sound of her parents’ voices
“Natty!” Alessia approached with flowers in hand as Trevor balanced a giant blue teddy bear sporting a yellow bowtie, a plush pal to rival Harold in size.
“How is she?” Trevor asked. “How’s the baby?”
“The baby not here yet,” Violetta stressed with a roll of her eyes even as she reached forward to hug her grandparents.
“Not yet?” Trevor asked. “Is there a problem?”
“No problem,” Natalia said. “But there is a little thing called labor.”
“I tried to tell him as much,” Alessia chimed in.
“But she is fine, right?” Trevor asked.
“Of course,” Natalia said. “And a little waiting gives Mike a chance to get here.”
“He’s not here yet?” Trevor asked. “Is he alright?”
“Just stuck in traffic,” Natalia said.
“Can’t he just use his siren?” Trevor asked, and Natalia tilted her head to one side. “What? Isn’t that part of his gig?”
“Lots of people driving to the city from New Jersey on Christmas Eve,” Natalia said. “And it’s not like he suddenly has access to the Batmobile. We can’t all be super spies.”
The Brit blushed, and Natalia handed Violetta over to her mother as Ashtonja took the flowers.
“But I’ll call him again,” Natalia continued. She took a few steps away from the others and barely began dialing when she felt a warm hand on her arm.
“Hey.”
“Atticus!”
Forgetting the call for a few seconds, Natalia winded her arms around her husband’s neck and bestowed a quick kiss on his lips.
“How is she?” Rafael asked.
“Complained the whole way here,” Natalia said.
“Why am I not surprised?”
“She’s the most impatient mommy-to-be that I’ve ever seen.”
“Hopefully she won’t have to wait too much longer,” Rafael said.
“And at least she got the time and place right.”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“Meaning she made it to the hospital and had the good sense not to get the ball rolling right before a wedding reception.”
Natalia gave her husband a wink, and Rafael sighed as he pulled her closer.
“Our girls were originals from the start,” he said. “But a hospital birth should be a nice change of pace.”
“Agreed. Of course, it might take a little rearranging for our Christmas.”
“Which you know you can do with your hands tied behind your back,” he said.
“Oh, absolutely. I’ll commandeer the cafeteria for my goose if I have to.”
“We’re having goose?” he asked. “Did your grocery order get mixed up with Bob Cratchit’s?”
“Just trying something new, Ebenezer Barba,” she teased, lightly kissing him again when she spied the Chief out of the corner of her eye.
“Bill!” she called out, greeting him as Liv followed closely behind. “I was just about to call Mike again. He’ll be glad to know you’re here.”
“Mike?” the Chief asked. “Wait. He’s not here?”
“He’s coming back from New Jersey with Rollins,” Liv said. “I told you as much.”
“Maybe we should send an escort to pick him up or something,” the Chief suggested.
“My point exactly,” Trevor concurred.
“Hold on a second,” Liv cut in.
“Why?” Trevor asked.
“It’s Jersey,” Liv said. “Not Mars. And you both know how this works.”
“He doesn’t,” Violetta said, hugging her father as she pointed to Trevor. “He thought the baby would be here as soon as he walked in.”
“I did not think that,” Trevor said.
“But it could be any time,” the Chief argued. “And if Mike misses it, he---”
“Guys, guys, guys!” Natalia cried out, waving her hands in the air. “There is still time. Let’s just all calm down.”
The waiting room quieted, and Natalia squeezed Rafael’s hand before walking down the hallway to check on her sister.
“What do you mean he’s not here yet?! I need him now. You of all people know that I need my husband.”
“But Liv says that---”
“I don’t care!” Maggie practically screamed. “Get him here at once!”
Knowing this wasn’t the time to argue, Natalia backed away from the room and found Liv.
“Can Bill call in a favor?” Natalia asked. “Last thing we want is Maggie arrested for a noise complaint on this most happiest of days.”
With a small smirk, Liv patted her arm.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“I’m here!”
Dodds practically slid into the waiting room accompanied by Rollins. Carisi and Fin had already arrived, and the sergeant flew past the group before turning on his heel. He looked to the others and finally focused on Natalia.
“Where is she?” Dodds asked his sister-in-law, wobbling where he stood.
“Third door on the left,” Natalia said. “But just so you don’t get lost…”
She started to guide him away when the Chief moved forward and slapped his son’s back.
“So glad you made it,” he said. “Perks of the shield, right?”
“Chopper was fast,” Dodds agreed.
“And it’s not like he got sick or anything,” Rollins said, glaring at the stains on her shoes. As if on cue, Dodds lost what was left of his lunch, causing Holly to screech as Natalia and the Chief tried to steady the sergeant.
“Kid, you okay?” the Chief nervously asked.
“On me,” Dodds said. “Told the pilot to go faster.”
“That he did,” Rollins muttered, retreating to the restroom as Dodds was finally led to his wife’s side.
“You’re here!” Maggie said, her hands on her belly, her breaths coming a little harder as she met his eyes. “And you… you don’t look so great.”
“I’m fine, Maggie,” Dodds promised.
“I don’t think so,” Maggie said. “Is it the flu? Do you need to lie down?”
“No flu, Maggie,” Natalia said. Jutting her chin towards the Chief, she worked with the older man to bring the sergeant to rest in the narrow bed at the ballerina’s side.
“Mike?” Maggie whispered, stroking his face.
“I’m fine,” he said. “Just tried to set a new airspeed record to get to you in time.”
“That sounds dangerous,” Maggie said. “What if something had happened to you?”
He swallowed a few times, and Natalia held her breath until Dodds eyes focused on his wife’s, and he cupped her face in his hands.
“Nothing is happening to any one of us,” he said. “And before the day is out, we’re getting the best Christmas present in all of Manhattan.”
“Amen,” Maggie murmured, a tranquil wave overtaking her face as she smiled and nuzzled her nose to his.
“It’ll be nice to have a new member of the family at the table for Christmas dinner,” Carisi said as he brought Rollins a cup of coffee.
“Tio Sonny?”
“Yes, Little V?”
“You do know that the baby will not be able to eat Mami’s food or sit up as soon he’s born, right?”
Rafael chuckled. To Carisi’s credit, he simply nodded, and the ADA kissed the top of his daughter’s head before beckoning to Natalia so the pair could step aside.
“You doing okay?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
“How long has it been now?”
“Almost eleven hours,” Natalia said.
“And is there a happy ending in sight?”
“Atticus, not you, too!”
“No, no, no,” Rafael said, lifting her hands to his lips and kissing each one in turn. “Contrary to current popular opinion, the Harvard graduate in me comprehends the biology of the moment.”
“But?” Natalia asked.
“The big brother wants his little sister to have her baby in her arms already.”
Smiling through a soft haze of tears, Natalia hugged him and pressed her lips to his ear.
I hope you are all having a lovely time with your family or however you are spending it! Thank you for all your wonderful feedback on last night’s little lesson chapter!! More to come tonight so stay tuned! ✨💕☺️
I would like to take the time to thank you for your patience with me, especially @rauliskafan. I took some time off to focus on my final semester of school and it paid off! My senior project came together and now all I’m waiting for is my final grade and my graduation that is February 1st! It feels good to start coming back to what I love doing and I’m hoping to bring on more this coming new year!
Happy Holidays to all, especially @vintagemichelle91!!! 💕💕💕She is the world’s best writing partner and always worth the wait!!! Wishing everyone a wonderful day and stay tuned for more of our latest Little Lesson tonight!!!
Authors’ Note: Heeelloooooooo everyone!!! It feels so great to be back! Merry Christmas Eve! Behold! A new little lesson just in time for Christmas!!! @rauliskafan and I are back, ready to get back into the swing of things! Here is chapter one to our four part christmas little lesson and we so hope you enjoy! Thank you again for your continued support and for being so patient with us!
Christmas was close, and the Barba household was in full swing preparation mode for a Christmas Eve party. Natalia happily moved about the kitchen, humming along to festive music as it radiated from the speaker in the corner. The twins, Hazel and Holly, excitedly played the roles of “helper elves.” As she watched over the girls patting the cookie dough this way and that, Natalia couldn’t help but see their little personalities blossom. Hazel wanted to churn out as many cookies as she could, while Holly took her time and made sure each treat was perfectly formed.
We’re back!!! @vintagemichelle91 and I are already blown away by your warm and wonderful comments!!! You guys are the absolute best!!! Read on for the start of a new Barba family adventure. And stay tuned... more to come soon!!!
In this Galician folktale, Raul Esparza (Law and Order: SVU, Bojack Horseman, Ferdinand) stars as an aspiring musician who dreams of making the whole world dance.
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