Learning to Love Chapter 134 John Mark
''Do you think Daniel will be released to go back to active duty?'' Amy asked Grace two months later.
''He thinks so. I am of two minds about it. I know he wants and needs to go back to work, to do the job he has trained to do. But..''
''But you like knowing he is safe. I feel you.''
''So Chief, you ready to do this?'' They stand in front of the SEAL's obstacle training course, AKA, the dirty word. It is the first test of Daniel's fitness to return to active duty.
Daniel takes off, running exercising muscles he hadn't fully used in months. He runs the course, zig zagging, as he jumps the barriers. He grabs the rope and scales the wall. He slips over and hits the ground running, grabs another rope and swings over the water, continuing to run.
When he finishes the course, he joins his brothers at the kill house. He then runs five miles followed by swimming for 30 minutes.
Good job Chief. You, and therefore, our Team is back on active status.''
''Okay Team, let's get back to work.''
Shelby, meanwhile, is walking through a local grocery store, stalking up before John Mark is born. She makes it to the check out line before the first pain hits. She successfully gets home and gets the groceries but away between contractions. She then calls Ainsley and Willy.
''Shelby is in labor.'' He reports to Marcus.
He meets her in the maternity floor of the base hospital with Ainsley and Grace.
''How are they?'' He asks Grace when he walks in.
''Both fine. Shelby is at 3cms so it will be awhile.'' He nods and heads over to Shelby's side.
''I am here. Do you need anything?''
''Tropical Blizzard.'' She announces with a laugh.
''Can she have one?:'' he directs towards Ainsley.
''Yes. Nothing greasy but that's fine.''
''Okay. I will be right back.''
'' The hospital doesn't like their maternity patients being feed but labor is hard physical work. So, I let them eat as long as it ius not to heavy or greasy.' ' Ainsley explains to Grave.
''Good.'' Shelby agrees. He is soon back, and for the next few hours, they help her through the increasingly strong contractions.
''I can't do this anymore. '' Shelby is at 7cms and entering the hardest part of labor.
''I know this is hard but, you are doing this. This is the hardest part but also the shortest part. You can do this Shelby.. '''. Ainsley coaches. Grace is acting as a doula, unable to yet practice as a full midwife in the hospital.
''Look at me. Yes you can. Deep cleansing breath. Good. Now breath with me.''
Willy stands too the side helpless to help Shelby get through this. She has no problem with him being in the room. But, hypersensitive, doesn't wish him to speak or touch her, even to take her hand. He can't blame her, seeing what she is going through.
''I have to push!'' Shelby calls out an hour later.
''Okay, let's check you. Yes time to push you. What position do you want to use?''
''Okay. Do you want Willy to support you?''
''Can't Grace?'' She pants through the force of her contraction.
''Are you up for it Grace?'' Grace, three months pregnant, has good and bad days.
''I can. '' she gets behind her and helps support her as she starts to push. She screams as she bears down.
''Try not the scream Shelby.. '' Grace advice's, '' put that energy into pushing.''
''Okay, good job Shelby. Almost there. A few more pushes.''
''Okay,'' she finds a bit more strength.
''Ready to meet your son?' Put your hands down.'' Shelby does and Ainsley guides her hands around the baby as he slips the rest of the way out.
''Oh my God!'' Shelby says as Ainsley helps her lift the baby to her chest. He is screaming and both his parents are crying with him.
''Welcome to the world John Mark.'' Willy officially greets his son a few minutes later when Grace places him in his arms.
''John Mark. That is cute.''
''Please don't tell your friend Grace. We want to tell our families first.'' Shelby requests.
She just nods. She had prayed that more progress would be made in their relationship but that has yet to happen.
Willy stares into I the alert eyes of his new son. He has his mom's blue eyes but his face. His hair is dirty blond, a mixture of his and Shelby's hair colors.
An hour later he leaves to get Amy.
