Title: Feelings Uncovered 1?

Rating: M (for Now)

Author: Jess

Summary: Sara and Nick had a drunken one-night stand together whilst Nick was going out with a woman named Bree. Sara found out she was pregnant and so she moved up to Miami to live near her friend Ami, so she wouldn’t ruin Nick’s life. She is now living in an apartment block just around the corner from Ami and Danny's house.

Part 1!

Sara was sitting on the couch in her new apartment. She had bought a new 2-bedroom apartment, as she had gotten sick of living in such a small place. About 6 months ago she had quit her job in Las Vegas and moved to San Francisco to live closer to her parents and her best friend Ami. The two of them were very close, as they had grown up together. Ami pulled a few strings and got her a job at a local Police Station and she had made friends with all of the people she was working with. She had also made friends with all of her new neighbours in the few months she had been living in her new apartment. She was especially keen on Jerry who lived in the apartment next to hers.

“Where do you want me to put this?” Ami asked as she walked in carrying a box of Sara’s things that had just been shipped up from Mt Thomas.

“In the second bedroom.” Sara replied. “I’ll sort it out later.”

“OK.” Ami left the room and returned a few moments later without the box.

“This place looks amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many decorations.”

“It’s amazing what you can do when you’re home all day every day.” Sara laughed. “Not that it took much effort anyway. I had Jerry my neighbour help me out hanging the tinsel and things on the roof.”

“Well it still looks great even if you didn’t do it by yourself.”

“Thanks.” Sara replied. “So did you want a cuppa or something?”

“Yeah that’d be great.” Ami replied.

“Ok. Just give me a second to get up.” Sara struggled to get halfway up before she fell back down again. “Dam I hate being FAT!” She cried.

“Here I’ll help you.” Ami grabbed Sara’s hands and pulled her up. “You’re not fat you’re pregnant. There is a difference.” She smiled.

“Thanks. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Let’s not find out.” Ami replied as she helped Sara into the kitchen.

“You know I’m glad you’re here for me. I couldn’t go through this without you.” Sara told Ami as she sat down on one of the kitchen chairs.

“I’m glad I’m here too. I mean it is my god daughter/son you’re carrying. And you know that everyone else at the station is going to be there for you too. Even though you are on Maternity leave.”

“Yeah I have been for almost a month now and it is really starting to piss me off.” She rubbed her sore back. “Plus the pain is horrible.”

“Hey. You’ll get used to it after a while. It took me forever to get used to it when I had Jamie. But trust me the pain is definitely worth it.” Ami replied.

“Yeah. How is Jamie by the way?” Sara asked.

“She’s doing great. She started walking yesterday. She took her first steps when we were at the supermarket. I guess she just wanted the chocolate so bad she was willing to make an effort for it.” Ami explained.

“Yeah. She’s gorgeous. I hope my baby is just as good as her.”

“I’m sure it will be. When are you due again?”

“Two weeks. But the doctor said it would vary. The baby could come early or it could come late.” Sara explained. “Dr Kelly told me that I’m very healthy. Apparently I am a very fit mother. Can’t say much about the father though.” Sara sighed.

“Sara you’ve got to stop blaming him for this. It’s your fault as much as his. He didn’t plan on you getting pregnant.”

“Neither did I. But that didn’t stop me. The least he could do is actually give a dam about his baby. I mean I know he’s getting married but that’s no excuse to cut this baby out of his life. He is still the father no matter what he does and I think it’s about time he started taking responsibility for his actions.”

“I know Sara. It’s all right. Calm down. You know what the doctor said about your stress levels. It could harm the baby.” Ami warned.

“I know Ami I’m sorry.” Sara sighed. “Why is my life so horrible? What did I do to deserve this?” Sara sighed again. “Ah!” She cried.

“What is it?” Ami asked.

“Nothing. Just a cramp.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah I’m fine. You’d better get back to work. Wouldn’t want Horatio to get angry.” Sara laughed. “You know what he does when he’s angry.”

“Very funny. I’ll leave you to it. If you need anything just call and I’ll be straight over.”

“Thanks.” Ami kissed her on the cheek and left.

Later that night Sara sat alone and wondered if this is the way her life was meant to turn out. She didn’t have anyone but Ami to help her with the baby she was going to have any day now. The father of her baby had slept with her a few times then dumped her when someone better had come along. Now he’s having a baby with some other woman who he is married to. (Well that’s the story she heard anyway.) She switched on the television. She checked the Cable channels. Nothing. So she grabbed the remote and switched on the stereo. One of her favourite Christmas songs was playing so she turned it up a little and fell asleep listening to the lyrics.

“Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Let your heart be light

From now on your troubles will be out of sight, yeah

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Make the Yuletide gay

From now on your troubles will be miles away, oh

Here we are as in olden days

Happy golden days of yore, ah

Faithful friends who are dear to us

They gather near to us once more, ooh

Through the years we all will be together and

If the fates allow

Hang a shining star upon the highest bow, oh yeah, oh

And have yourself a merry little Christmas now, oh, oh

Faithful friends who are dear to us

They gather near to us once more, oh, oh

Through the years we all will be together and

If the fates allow, oh yeah

But 'til then we'll have to muddle through somehow,

Oh yeah, oh, oh

And have yourself a merry little Christmas now”

She woke up ½ hour later with stomach cramps.

“Eeww. What is that?” She felt the couch, which was now damp. “Oh Hell No!” She tried getting up but she couldn’t. So she reached for the phone. “Aaaahhhhhhh!” She screamed as she pulled her hand back and grabbed her stomach. “I’ve been told how painful this is…but I never imagined it to be this bad!” Once the contraction was finished she tried again to reach for the phone. She tried as hard as she could but the excess weight on her stomach was making it hard for her to move. She reached once again and succeeded in making herself roll off the couch onto the floor.

“Ouch!’ She cried and she rubbed her stomach as she rolled over onto her back. “Ok remember what the doctor said. DON’T FORGET TO BREATHE!” She started her breathing exercises as her next contraction came along.

“Hey Sara?” Jerry asked knocking on the door. “Are you Ok? I heard screaming.”

“Jerry you gotta help me. I think I’m in labour!” She cried hoping he could hear her through the closed door.

“Ok just stay clam. I’ll go get the spare key from Greg.”

“Hurry!’ Sara cried and then she started her breathing again.

5 minutes later Jerry and Greg (the super intendant) rushed up the stairs to Sara’s apartment and Jerry fumbled with the keys and unlocked her door.

Jerry rushed to her side and grabbed her hand.

“Are you OK?” He asked.

“Call an ambulance!’ Sara cried. “Please.”

“Ok. Calm down. Greg Call an ambulance.” Greg grabbed his mobile and dialled the emergency number.

A while later the ambulance still hadn’t arrived and Sara’s contractions were getting closer, she was lying on the living room floor in pain sweating really badly.

“It hurts Jerry!’ She screamed.

“I know Sara. It’s ok. I’ve called Ami and she’s on her way.” Jerry explained. “I didn’t think you’d want her to miss this.”

“Thankyou.”

“And Dr Kelly is on his way to the hospital now so he should be there waiting when you get there.” Greg explained.

“Thanks guys.” Sara said with a smile. Which then turned to a grimace as she had yet another contraction.

“How far apart are they now?” Jerry asked.

“About two minutes why?” Greg asked.

“Do you mind if I check to see how much you’ve dilated?” Jerry asked nervously.

“Do whatever you can I just want this thing out of me!’ Sara cried.

“Only one cm to go.” Jerry cried. “That ambulance better get here soon.”

“And what if it doesn’t get here in time?” Greg asked already knowing what the answer would be.

“We’re going to have to deliver the baby ourselves.”

“That’s what I was afraid you’d say.” Greg gulped.

“Hey it’s ok. You wont have to do much. Go and find some towels or something.” Jerry told him.

“Ok.” Greg replied and he set off on his mission.

“How are you doing?” Jerry asked looking at a very pale-faced Sara.

“Not so good.” Sara replied. “It hurts way too much.”

“It’s ok. Just think at the end of all the pain you’ll have a little baby to hold in your arms.” Jerry smiled.

“That’s very…” She stopped talking as she had another contraction.

“Ok contractions are getting closer.” Jerry smiled. “We’re almost there.”

“That’s reassuring.” She forced a laugh. “How close is ‘almost there’?”

“I don’t know. It depends. If you’re dilated enough then you’ll have to push. If not then we’ll have to wait a bit longer.”

“Oh great.” Sara sighed.

“OK. It looks like we’re ready. When the next contraction comes along I need you to push.” Jerry told her.

“Since when did you know so much about delivering babies?”

“Sara I used to work in a children’s hospital.”

“Oh.” Sara replied.

“Ok get ready to push.” Jerry said. Sara was just about to start pushing when Ami burst through the door.

“I came as soon as I could. What did I…? Oh.” Ami cried when she saw Sara on the ground doing her breathing exercises and Jerry helping her to give birth.

“Sara are you OK?”

“Does it look like I’m ok to you?’ She cried.

“Ok Sara push 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. And breathe.”

“Whew. This is harder than I thought.” Ami laughed at Sara’s comment.

“And again.” Jerry cried. “Push 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 and breathe.”

“I found some towels!” Greg cried as he walked back into the room.

“Hey Greg.” Ami smiled at him.

“Ami.” He nodded his head.

“Thanks.” Jerry grabbed a towel off Greg and placed it onto the floor between Sara’s legs.

“Ok and again. Push 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 and breathe. I’ve got a head.” He cried.

A smiled came across Sara’s face.

“Ok another push and we should have it.” Jerry told her. “Take a deep breath in and Push”

“Congratulations. You have a beautiful baby girl.” Jerry said and he wrapped her in a towel. He cleared the blood away from her mouth so she could breathe.

“She’s gorgeous.” Ami commented.

“Why isn’t she crying?” Sara asked starting to panic. ‘Is she breathing?”

“She’s fine Sara. She’s perfectly fine.” Jerry was backed up when the baby started screaming.

“See she’s fine.” Ami commented. “She definitely has strong lungs.” Sara laughed.

“Come here baby girl.” Jerry handed her the baby that was wrapped in a towel, tears were streaming down her face.

“You were right the pain was definitely worth it.” She kissed the baby on the head.

Sara started crying. “She’s beautiful.”

“You did it Sara. You did it.” Ami whispered and kissed Sara’s Cheek. Then she grabbed the baby’s hand. “She’s the perfect Christmas gift.” Ami smiled.

“She’s my beautiful baby girl.”

“The ambulance is here.” Greg commented.

“Bit late.” Ami scoffed. Sara didn’t say anything. She just sat staring at her baby girl.

The paramedics rushed in with a stretcher and picked Sara up. They put her onto the stretcher and wheeled her out to the ambulance.

“I want you to come.” Sara whispered to Ami.

“I know.” Ami replied. “But I’m not allowed to. I’ll see you when I get to the hospital though ok.”

“Bye.” Sara cried and Ami watched as the Ambulance doors closed and Sara was driven away.

“She’s beautiful.” Ami commented as she looked at the baby Sara was holding.

“I know.” Sara replied with a huge grin.

“Have you decided what to call her yet?”

“Yeah. Ariel. Ariel Joanna Sidle.”

“A beautiful name for a beautiful baby.” Ami smiled.

“Have you heard from my parents yet?”

“Yeah. Their flight was delayed. They should be here by tomorrow afternoon.” Ami explained.

“Thanks. For everything.”

“No probs. I’ve got to go Call in at the station. They’ll want to know the good news.” Ami said.

“Yeah go ahead.” Sara smiled. “Just don’t let them all come in at once. I don’t think the hospital staff would like that very much.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll let them know.”

“Ok well I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“Ok. Bye.” Sara watched as Ami walked out of her room. She sighed and kissed Ariel’s head.

“It’s you and me from now on baby girl. I’m going to make sure nothing ever happens to you. I promise.” She held her close and breathed in the smell of her new baby.

Well that's all i've got for now. review and you'll get the next chapter...right now i have to go and work on another fic that nat keeps begging me for!

Ciao!