first_in_time | This Can Hardly Wait

Barbara glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. Ian's break time had just started. She knew because he sometimes called her instead of going into the staff room and eating with everyone else. Today, however, she wasn't going to give him the chance to eat for the moment, not with such important news.

The dial tone ws loud and clear as Barbara picked up their telephone, and each number she punched in had it's own sound to make. When she heard the ringing on the other end, her heart sped up and almost leapt from her mouth when a secretary answered.

"Yes, hello. I'd like to speak to Ian Chesterton please. This is his wife."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

first_in_time

"We don't although at this time I think I'd be against any more children. I've never experienced a pain like birth in my life and I'm not sure that I want to again." Other women had told Barbara that she'd soon forget about the pain and try for another child as soon as she was ready but now that she was on the other side she wasn't so sure.

Barbara smiled down at their little son who was still trying to wriggle free of his wrapping and gently stroked his cheek with her finger. "I'm sure that it's worth it all. In the end."

From:

splendid_roman

"I think he's worth it." Ian adjusted John's blanket a bit, although it didn't stop him from wriggling. "But then I didn't have to carry him or give birth to him."

From:

first_in_time

Barbara laid back against the bed to watch Ian and John. "No but you did do everything you could to make if comfortable. I'm grateful for that."

From:

splendid_roman

He smiled at her, but said, "I wish I could have done more. I hate having to stand by and watch."

From:

first_in_time

"You did look as though you weren't terribly happy about it, particularly when I was having contractions." Barbara took in a deep breath and pulled the blanket a little higher. "You'll have to call everyone when you eventually get home and let them know that we've had a beautiful, healthy son. Also you may have to fill out paperwork on your way out since I can't."

From:

splendid_roman

He hadn't been happy about it, but Barbara had been even less happy, being the one having contractions, so he didn't dwell on it.

"I will," he promised. "I'm looking forward to telling them. They'll probably all want to come and visit to see John."

From:

first_in_time

"They're certainly welcome to. If nothing else it will help me get through having little to do each day except read and cuddle John. Not that I'm complaining too much, mind. I could do with the rest."

Another baby being wheeled or walked past the room was screaming at the top of its little lungs, just as John was doing earlier. It was enough to set him off and he started to cry again.

From:

splendid_roman

"It's just another baby, it's nothing to worry about," Ian told him softly. "Sh." He tried rocking him a little, but he seemed determined to cry.

From:

first_in_time

Barbara frowned. "I'm not sure what he wants...his nappy is changed, you're hugging him nicely. Let me see if he's hungry."

From:

splendid_roman

Ian passed him over. John didn't seem to like being handed over and cried harder.

From:

first_in_time

"Shhhh," Barbara tried as she freed herself a little from the gown. She did just as the nurse showed her and at first John was more content to cry but realised what was being offered and decided that it was better than crying. Barbara breathed a sigh of relief.

From:

splendid_roman

Ian was glad he'd stopped crying at least. "I can't believe he was hungry and the other baby crying just happened to remind him." Or maybe he was just thinking that babies thought the same way as adults did.

From:

first_in_time

"Maybe he wasn't hungry and food made him happy," Barbara suggested and glanced up at Ian. "Although I suppose that it has almost been three hours since he was last fed."

From:

splendid_roman

"That is a long time." Ian's stomach rumbled and he checked his watch. "I've gone more than three hours without eating."

From:

first_in_time

"Why don't you go and get something to eat? We'll wait here for you," Barbara suggested, not entirely aware of how long they had been at the hospital for but it did feel like an age.

From:

splendid_roman

"All right." He stood up and smiled at her. He wasn't sure if kissing John would distract him from eating and he didn't want the baby to start crying again. So he just kissed Barbara, then went down to the canteen for some lunch.

When he came back he was sure the nurses were giving him looks and they didn't like him. He was looking forward to Barbara and John being home where he could see them all the time and not see the nurses.

From:

first_in_time

"What did you get?" Barbara asked quietly. John was fast asleep in his little bassonet.

From:

splendid_roman

"Just some sandwiches," Ian said just as quietly, holding them up so she could see. "Would you like one or do they feed you?" he asked, sitting down.

From:

first_in_time

"They feed me but I don't think I could eat just yet. The medication is keeping me quite happy." She smiled at Ian and reached out to place a hand on his leg.

From:

splendid_roman

"That's good." He smiled back and took a bite out of one of his sandwiches, then looked over at John, who was still asleep. "I am looking forward to him being able to smile and play and talk."

From:

first_in_time

"His smile is going to be fantastic," Barbara agreed and joined Ian in looking over at him. "I wonder what he'll be interested in. Will he take an interest in one of our fields or will he do something completely different? I'm excited to find out."

From:

splendid_roman

"I'll make sure he's interested in football," Ian said confidently. "Then we can watch matches together. And comics. I have some of my old comics we can read together."

From:

first_in_time

"Yes. You spent more time reading comics than you did unpacking," Barbara told him through pursed lips but smiled because she wasn't angry at him. "I hope he also likes cooking and sunsets and spending time with his parents."

From:

splendid_roman

Ian chuckled. "Just as long as he doesn't like sunrises. That's too early to be awake."

From:

first_in_time

"Sometimes. We watched a sunrise once, you didn't seem too fussed over it," of course it did help that they had been up all night and then slept all day.