Who: Cosette, Marius, Trixie, Frank and Courfeyrac (and little Fantine) What: Cosette gives birth When: Late last night/early this morning Where: Mostly the infirmary Rating: Not high, but there is some medical stuff with preemie labour. Status: Closed
Cosette was feeling a little odd. She had been having some pain on and off during the day but it was starting to get worse and slightly more frequent and she wasn’t sure if it was just false labor anymore or not. She didn’t want to worry Marius unnecessarily if it was.
--
Marius set down his book and moved over to Cosette. “Would you like tea, my darling?” he asked. His brow furrowed as he noticed she seemed … tense.
“Darling? Are you all right? Do you need me to get you anything?”
--
She shook her head and tried to smile. “No, thank you,” she said. She bit her lip as she felt the pain again and she tensed.
“I think… I do not wish to alarm you but I may be having contractions.” She had learned from Trixie what they were. “But it is quite early so it is possibly just false labor.”
--
Marius’ eyes widened. “You could?” But then he paused. He had read about that, too. He bit his lip. “Should we… ask Trixie? Frank is just across the hall and I would imagine she’s there.” He got to his feet and reached down to help her up.
--
“Yes, it couldn’t do any harm to ask, I imagine,” she said. She got to her feet with his help and started to walk toward the door, her hand moving to rest on her bump.
--
He supported her as they walked through the room, trying not to worry or panic too much. Everything had been going fine, and Trixie would be able to tell them there was nothing to worry about.
He kept an arm around Cosette’s waist as he knocked on Frank’s door. He smiled nervously when he answered.
“Hello Frank. Sorry to intrude, but … do you happen to have a midwife in your room?” he asked, awkwardly.
--
Frank looked at them both and his eyes widened a little. Was Cosette in labor? “Yes, I do,” he said, promptly stepping back to allow them into the room. He glanced back at Trixie, eyes still wide.
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Trixie smiled at the somewhat frantic look on Frank’s face. “He certainly does. What’s the matter, Cosette?” She stepped forward, taking in the tense way she was standing. But she stayed calm. She reached out to touch her arm gently.
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“I believe I have been experiencing some contractions but I am not sure if it is just false labor. It seems too soon. She isn’t due for a few weeks yet,” she said, rubbing her bump slightly.
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Trixie nodded. “No, she isn’t.” She reached out and placed her hand on Cosette’s bump. “False labour is very common, it could just be your body getting ready for the real thing. Have they been sporadic or are they regular?”
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“They have become more regular. Every few minutes,” Cosette said. Frank watched them, glancing between them and wondering what that meant.
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Marius’ brow furrowed. “Is that bad?”
Trixie’s face stayed calm as she smiled up at him, her hands sliding over Cosette’s bump. As she did, she could feel another come on and she looked up at Cosette. “Goodness, they are strong.” She looked Cosette in the eye. “Now, I don’t want you to panic, but I think you may be in labour. They feel like proper contractions to me.”
Marius’ eyes widened. “But - but - it’s early. She can’t - it’s too early!”
Trixie smiled at him. “We must tell baby that. She’s very impatient. Now depending on how far along this is, we might be able to slow it down. We have wonderful ways of doing it. But we need to get her to the infirmary.”
She looked back at Frank, worried by how much Marius’ hand seemed to be shaking. “Will you come? Just to make sure Marius is all right while I look after Cosette…”
--
Cosette nodded her head. “Okay.” She was trying hard not to worry. She really wanted this baby to be okay. But she knew that Trixie knew what she was doing and that she would take good care of her and Fantine.
She wished she could do or say something to reassure Marius. “It will be alright,” she said. She knew that that probably wouldn’t be enough though.
Frank nodded his head. “Yes, of course. Anything you need.”
--
Trixie smiled brightly. “Well, then. Come on, Cosette, we’ll get you tucked up in the infirmary and see just why baby is so impatient.” She guided her towards the door, supporting her other side. Marius gripped her side tightly, and he held her up, not liking how this was going at all.
“And yes, Marius, don’t you worry. They are in very safe hands.” She glanced back. “Frank, send Chummy and Patsy a message as we walk, would you? I could do with an extra pair of hands.”
--
Cosette took a deep breath and nodded, letting them guide her out the door and down toward the infirmary.
“Yes, of course,” Frank said, grabbing his iPad before they left the room and he tapped out a quick message to Chummy and Patsy.
Cosette stopped suddenly as there was a sudden gush of water that went all over the floor.
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Marius paused too, looking down with wide eyes and then back up at Trixie. “That’s - her waters are broken…”
Trixie nodded. “Yes. It means baby is definitely on her way now, but it will be fine.”
Marius was frozen to the spot, his arm still around Cosette tightly.
“Marius. We need to get to the infirmary as quickly as we can now. Come on, help Cosette walk. You’re doing wonderfully Cosette, and baby is quite far along so I don’t want you to worry, all right? I’m going to look after you both.”
Marius blinked, nodding as he felt something icy grip him. He took a step forward, clinging to Cosette as panic rose inside him.
--
“Alright,” Cosette said, nodding her head at Trixie.
She started to walk again. She felt more of an urgency to get there now that she knew she was actually having the baby.
She glanced at Marius, who didn’t seem to be taking this well. She wished she could help him somehow. She felt bad that she couldn’t.
--
They reached the infirmary and Trixie led Cosette into an exam room. “Marius, help Cosette off with her dress and get her settled on the bed, I’m going to gather what I’ll need.”
Marius swallowed, nodding and fumbling with the buttons on the back of Cosette’s dress.
She led Frank out of the room. “Thanks, darling, can you stay out here? I might need to ask Marius to leave if he’s very nervous and I’d like if someone was here for him.”
--
Cosette let Marius help her with the dress she was wearing. “It will be alright, my love,” she said.
Frank nodded his head. “Yes, of course. I will stay right here.”
--
Marius nodded, his hands shaking as he wrapped them around her, holding her close but not squeezing too tightly. “I - it’s early and …”
Trixie came back in, wearing a paper gown and with a hat holding back her hair. She’d washed her hands too, and smiled. “Right. Hop up here, Cosette, and we’ll see just how much of a hurry baby is in.”
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Cosette leaned back against him for a moment. “It is. But we are both in excellent hands.”
She did as Trixie said and hopped up on the bed, moving to lay down so Trixie could exam her.
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Trixie bit her lip. “Right. Little Madmoiselle Pontmercy is in a very big hurry. You’re fully dilated, Cosette, and you’re going to be feeling the urge to push very soon.” She sat beside her on the bed. “Take deep breaths through the contractions for now.” She glanced to the side. No sign of Chummy or Patsy and there wouldn’t be time to send for them. She couldn’t ask Marius for help, either. He seemed to be clinging to Cosette, his arm around her shoulder.
“I don’t want you to worry. Either of you. Baby is early, but she has been looking very healthy all along. I’m going to get Frank to help me, and you are going to meet her very soon. All right?” She met Cosette’s eyes.
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Cosette nodded her head, trying to relax. She took a few deep breaths to get through the contractions, her hands gripping the sheets as the pain started to get more intense.
She nodded her head again, willing herself to just relax and breathe.
--
Trixie was calm as she walked into the waiting room, then let out a deep breath. “Right, we don’t have time. Chummy and Patsy might get here on time, but I don’t know if they will. She’s very, very close. Can you … I need you to help, Frank.” She looked him in the eye. “I’d ask Marius, but he’s not very willing to leave Cosette’s side. Baby will be small and I’m not sure how Cosette will be afterward.”
“Can you help?”
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Frank nodded his head. “Yes, of course. What do you need me to do?” he asked. He wasn’t feeling very calm himself but he needed to keep it together for Trixie. “Just… the sight of blood make me vomit.”
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Trixie smiled. “Well, there may be a little blood. But not a lot.” Hopefully not, anyway. “Okay, wash your hands and grab a gown and a hat, then in that room there’s an incubator. Take it, and lots of blankets, and bring them in to us.” She kissed his cheek. “Thank you, darling.”
She stepped back into the room, as Cosette was breathing through a contraction. Marius had given her his hand, and was paling as she squeezed it. “Good, Cosette. Keep breathing, you’re doing wonderfully. I’m going to get you some gas and air, and you can use it to keep the edge off the pain, okay.” She wheeled the machine over, and held out the mask. “Bring it to your mouth when you feel the contraction coming, and take a deep breath.”
She moved down again to check the progress. “When you feel the urge, you can push. You’re doing splendidly.”
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Frank nodded. “Okay, yes. I can do that,” he said. He walked into the room to put on a gown and hat and then he washed his hands.
Cosette brought the mask to her mouth when she felt the next contraction coming on and she started to push when she felt the urge to, just as cosette had said.
Frank walked into the room with the incubator and lots of blankets, as Trixie had asked.
--
Trixie stroked her legs. “That’s it, that’s it. Good, Cosette, very good.”
She glanced back. “Thanks, Frank. Leave the blankets in there for now, let them get warm, but I’ll want you to take one to me when baby gets here.”
She talked Cosette through a few more contractions. Marius clung to her, looking at the strange machine Frank had brought in, thinking about how small the baby would be, how much pain Cosette was in. He rested his cheek against her head, holding her close.
Trixie smiled up at them. “I can see baby’s head, Cosette. She’s almost here. I need a big push the next time, and you’ll have delivered the head.”
--
Frank put the blankets in the incubator and stood back a little, not sure what else to do.
Cosette nodded and screwed her eyes shut as she tried her best to give a big push as Trixie had said.
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“Perfect, Cosette, just perfect. Small breaths now, pant like this.” She demonstrated. The baby was small, of course. She glanced over her shoulder at Frank.
“Bring me the blankets now?”
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Cosette panted as Trixie demonstrated to her.
Frank nodded and grabbed one of the blankets quickly, bringing it over to her.
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“Perfect, perfect. One last push and she’ll be here, Cosette.” She took the blanket with a smile at Frank and turned straight back to Cosette.
Marius gripped Cosette’s hand tightly. She was so wonderful. So wonderful. He wished he could speak to tell her that. His throat felt stuck.
--
Cosette gave one last push and the baby was out. She leaned back a little, tears in her eyes from everything and she looked at Marius.
--
Marius leaned in to kiss her forehead almost fiercely.
Trixie wrapped the baby in a blanket, rubbing it’s back firmly. “There we go. Shake a leg, Mademoiselle. It’s your birthday.” Her brow furrowed and she scooped up the baby, holding it to her chest. “Frank. That drawer, there’s a long tube attached to a little device, bring it to me.”
Marius looked up, feeling what little blood he had left drain from his face. She hadn’t cried yet. “The baby….”
“Just a moment, Marius.” Trixie set the baby on her side, and rubbed her back again.
--
Cosette leaned in toward Marius when he kissed her forehead.
Frank rushed to the drawer to grab the tube she had asked for. The sight of the blood was making him a little squeamish but there wasn’t a whole lot, and Trixie needed him to keep it together so he focused on the task at hand.
Cosette looked at Trixie worriedly. She bit on her lower lip, more tears welling in her eyes.
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Trixie took the tube. “Frank, rub her back, like I have been. Don’t be very gentle, we need to get her to take a nice big breath.”
She set to work attaching the tube to the baby’s nose, and sucked gently, willing the baby to start breathing. Her lungs would be the biggest danger, and it was starting to look a little worrying.
--
Frank moved around to rub the baby’s back. He really hoped that she would be okay. he knew that Marius and Cosette would make amazing parents and he would hate to think of their little baby not being okay.
Cosette wasn’t even sure what to feel or how to act. She just waited, hoping that their little girl would be okay.
--
There was the tiniest little cough, followed by a little wail, and Trixie’s shoulders slumped in relief. She released the tube. “There we are. Go on, have a proper cry. Scream about it. It’s not very nice, is it?” She smiled, rubbing the baby’s back along with Frank. She looked over her shoulder at Cosette and Marius.
“She’s fine. She’s fine,” she said, smiling at them. She met Frank’s eyes, so relieved. “Thank you.” She reached down to scoop her up. Her wails were getting stronger, but she was still very little. “Yes, good girl. I’ll take you back to mummy.”
Marius let out a breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding as he saw the baby, heard her cry. He was shaking as he leaned against Cosette.
“Lower your slip, Cosette, hold her right against her skin to keep her warm. We might have to have her in the incubator for a bit, and get the doctor to check out her little lungs.” --
Frank was very relieved too. He knew that Trixie knew what she was doing and he never doubted her abilities for a moment. She was completely amazing. He smiled at her.
Cosette felt the relief flood her body when she had heard the wail. She did as Trixie said and lowered her slip. “It is okay if I hold her?” she asked. She didn’t want to do anything that would harm her in the long run. She wanted to hold her, but not if it meant causing her any harm.
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Trixie nodded. “Yes, it’s fine. We’ll need to make sure she’s warm, but right against your skin is probably warmer than the incubator for the moment.” She placed the baby against Cosette’s chest, draping the blankets securely over her back.
Marius swallowed. “She’s … she’s tiny.”
Trixie smiled. “She is. Very little. Which is why she’ll get cold easy - she hasn’t built up layers of fat to keep her warm. But aside from that and checking her lungs are okay, she should be fine. She isn’t early enough to have very many issues.”
--
Cosette moved her hands and placed them on Fantine’s back, rubbing her through the blanket.
“She’s… beautiful,” she said, smiling. She looked at Marius. “Our baby girl, my love.”
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Marius nodded. “Yes. Our - our daughter.” He wrapped his arm tightly around Cosette’s shoulder.
Trixie smiled. “Congratulations.” She got to her feet, stretching slightly. She smiled at Frank. “You were wonderful.” She kissed his cheek. “Can you go get Dr Watson? We should make sure she’s doing all right first. And then maybe tell Chummy and Patsy in person that all is well, but ask one of them to relieve me in a few hours.”
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Frank smiled widely at Trixie. “Oh no, you were the wonderful one. Watching you work…. You were amazing. So amazing.” He nodded his head. “Yes, I’ll go find him. And I’ll talk to Chummy and Patsy.” He gave her a quick kiss and then turned to leave.
Cosette smiled and kissed the top of Fantine’s head, gently. “Welcome to the world, Fantine Eponine Pontmercy.”
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Trixie smiled. “All in a day’s work.” She smiled and turned back to them. “What a beautiful name.”
“Right, Cosette. Just going to make sure you’re doing as well as your daughter. You’re almost done.” She was much more relaxed now.
The afterbirth was delivered safely, and Marius held the baby against his chest for a little while too before Dr Watson arrived. He seemed to think Fantine’s lungs were fine but would need a little monitoring just in case, and so they moved her to the incubator and got her set up.
Trixie tucked Cosette back into bed with fresh sheets, patting her arm. “You must be exhausted.”
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Cosette nodded her head. She looked over at Fantine in the incubator for a moment. She couldn't do anything for her right now. "Would it be alright if I slept for a little while?"
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Trixie nodded. "Yes. Highly recommended actually. When she sleeps, you should try to sleep too." She smiled.
Marius stroked cosette's hair. "Sleep, my love. We'll be here."
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Cosette smiled at Marius and then closed her eyes. It didn't take long for her to drift off, despite everything. She was exhausted.
--
Marius kissed her hair again, then moved over to the incubator. She was so very small.
Trixie stood behind him. "I'm just going to step outside for a moment. I'll be just out there."
Marius nodded. "Thank you. For everything."
Trixie smiled. "All in a day's work." She made her way into the waiting room, grinning when she saw Frank. "Hello you. I didn't think you'd still be here." She crossed over to kiss him.
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Frank smiled at Trixie. "I didn't want to just leave you. And seeing you work was.... You are so incredible and I am so lucky to have you in my life. You are the most amazing person I've ever met." He kissed her back deeply.
--
Trixie smiled against his lips. "Oh, darling. Thank you. But you were wonderful too." She stroked his cheek. "I love you."
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He shook his head. "I didn't do much. That was all you. And I love you too, so very much."
--
She smiled. "You kept your head. More than most people would. And no vomiting," she said teasingly. She nuzzled his cheek.
Inside, Marius watched fantine, the twitch of her little fingers as she lay connected to so many strange machines. He was so grateful for them. They were making sure she was well. He slid his hand in the little hatch, touching her tiny hand with his finger. They were almost the same size. She seemed impossibly small. How would he keep her safe? He moved his finger back in case he hurt her.
She would be well. They were monitoring her and the doctor had said it was mostly precautionary, that even after a slow start her lungs seemed healthy. Still, it had been close. If it hadn't been for Trixie... They were lucky to be here.
He felt the blood drain from his face as the meaning of that sunk in. If they had been at home, she would have died. Cosette would have died. He would have lost them. They were all he had left after the barricade and ... He would have lost them too.
He was having. He found it difficult to breathe and a sob slipped from his lips. He glanced at cosette, not wanting to wake her. Or worry her. He got to his feet and hurried towards the door.
Outside, Trixie was stroking Frank's hair. "But you don't have to wait up. I'll be here until morning, then Chummy is taking over."
Marius stumbled from the room, looking shaken. Trixie stood up quickly. "Marius? Is she all right?"
Marius shuddered. "I - yes. I just - if you hadn't - they would have died." He was struggling for breath.
Trixie moved to stroke his back. "They're fine. They're fine, marius. Both very healthy. Deep breaths, there's a good chap."
--
Frank smiled. "I don't mind waiting with you," he said. He looked at Marius when he came out and his brow furrowed. He seemed so panicked. Frank knew he probably needed someone. He grabbed his iPad and tapped out a quick message to Courfeyrac, asking him to come down, that Marius was in a panic and needed someone to help calm him down. But that the baby was fine.
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Marius shook. "At home - they were all - all I had. My friends - and if - if we had been there ..." He sobbed.
Trixie rubbed his back. "Shh. It's okay. You're here. You're not at home and they're in such good hands. And your friends are here too. Enjolras and Grantaire and Combeferre and courfeyrac and jehan..."
--
Frank wasn't sure what else he could do to help. He hoped that Courfeyrac got here soon. He might know what to do.
--
Courfeyrac hurried to the infirmary. He could see how it would panic marius. He'd lost so much. And cosette and the baby were so important to him.
"Marius," he said warmly but gently. "Marius, all is well." He smiled and slid an arm around his friends waist. Trixie looked confused. Courfeyrac nodded to Frank. "He contacted me. I'll take him."
Trixie beamed at Frank. "Clever. So clever." She kissed his cheek.
Marius clung to courfeyrac, shaking. "I can't - I can't lose them."
"And you won't. They're here. They're safe."
"But - I would have - at home -"
Courfeyrac shook his head. "You aren't at home. You won't go back there either. You'll come with us. Where there are doctors and nurses as wonderful as Trixie and your girls will be well taken care of."
--
Frank was glad when Courfeyrac showed up. He would make sure that Marius was alright. He smiled at Trixie. It was the least he could do, really. "Yes, they are both just fine," he said to Marius.
--
Marius sniffed, still shaking. "Can I? Can we come with you?"
"Of course. You didn't think we were going to forbid it? Mademoiselle Pontmercy will need her godfather. And all her other uncles. Though I know who will be her favourite."
Marius sniffled and laughed slightly at the same time. "The future. Where - where they'll be safe."
Courfeyrac nodded. "Yes. She will have the best doctors we can find. And I'm sure Combeferre can become one of them. Give him oh, a month or two."
Trixie smiled. "Marius, fantine is small. But she'll catch up. Her lungs are a little weak but I'm sure in a few days she'll be out of the incubator. She'll take a little while to catch up with other babies but there's nothing to suggest she'll need long-term care."
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Frank nodded his head. "Yes, I am quite sure that Uncle Enjolras would not mind you going with them." He would miss all of them when he went to London with Trixie but he would have his own family there.
--
Trixie leaned against Frank. He'd been so wonderful.
Marius nodded, sniffling. "Sorry."
"Don't apologise. All is well." Courfeyrac smiled. "Fantine?"
Marius nodded. "Fantine Eponine."
Courfeyrac smiled wider. "Congratulations, my friend. Can I meet her?"
Marius looked to Trixie, who nodded. "Of course." She opened the door, and let them in. She turned to Frank.
"Thank you for that. Poor marius. No wonder he froze."
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Frank put his arm around Trixie when she leaned against him. "It was no trouble, I assure you. I had a feeling he would need someone. He was the only one of them to survive at the barricade and.... I am so glad they are all here."
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Trixie nodded. "Especially cosette and the baby. He's not wrong you know. If they were in 1832..." She shook her head. "He has all of them close now. He'll be fine."
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"Yes, and all thanks to you. You are just.... I love you so much, Trixie," Frank said.
--
Trixie shrugged. "All in a day's work. And I had an excellent assistant. She nuzzled his cheek. "I love you too. And you should go get some sleep. I'll be here for the night, but I'll come to collapse into your bed when chummy relieves me."
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"Are you sure? I can stay and keep you company if you'd like."
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Trixie shook her head. "I'll be spending most of it with the baby. I'll be fine. Go back and keep the bed warm for me." She winked at him.
--
"Okay, I will," he said. He gave her a kiss and then started to walk back to the room.
--
She smiled fondly as she watched him go. He was wonderful. And when they returned home she would have that to look forward to after every night shift.
In the room, Courfeyrac was kneeling beside the incubator, smiling as he stared at the baby. "She is beautiful Marius. Of course. With parents like yours you will be. Yes. Hello little Fantine. I'm uncle Courfeyrac. I'm going to be your favourite uncle."
Marius smiled. "She will be. Just like her mother." He shook his head, glancing over at Cosette. "She was wonderful Courfeyrac. So strong. So brave."
Courfeyrac smiled. "You must be so proud."
Marius nodded. "Yes." He slid his hand in and stroked Fantine's arm again. "She'll be strong like her mother too." He smiled slightly. "She already is."