defies_gravity (defies_gravity) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-09-15 22:25:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, elphaba thropp, nina pickering |
Who: Nina and Elphaba
What: Getting ready to head home
Where: The hospital
When: Late August
Rating: Low
Status: Complete
Elphaba was happy to be finally leaving the hospital. It had been a long stay and she would be glad to take Maethoriel home for the first time. Dior was excited to see his new sibling and she knew that both she and Luthien would sleep better when they were next to each other. Baby Mae was already much stronger than she had been when she was born and feeding well now, and the doctors seemed sufficiently happy with her own progress as well. Automatically reaching over to grab her sleeping shirt to stuff in her bag, she was caught out by the pain from her stomach where her c-section wound was. Pressing her hand to it, she hissed in frustration.
Nina had been keeping a close eye on Elphie during her stay, managing to pull a few strings so she was always on with her during her shift and trying to help her not go stir crazy. Luckily the baby helped with that too, she was a gorgeous little girl.
Entering the room Nina moved to help, “You’re still going to have to be careful” she said kindly, “Slow movements, a c-section is major surgery, even if it is a routine one nowadays”
Elphaba sighed in frustration. “Sorry, I’m used to being able to do it all for myself,” she gave a shy smile, leaning on the bed while she watched Nina packing the last of her things. She turned her head to look over her shoulder at the baby in the bassinet behind them. Tilting her head, she watched her daughter sleep, a contented smile on her face when a thought occurred to her. “Can I still pick her up?”
“I know, it’ll take a while to adjust but you know it’s not forever. Just enjoy the rest for a little while” Nina said as she finished packing for her friend and patient. “Of course, just be careful, lower the cot to the right level so you don’t pull your stomach and make sure you sit with her when you can. Walking and holding her won’t be overly comfortable for a couple of weeks”
Elphaba chuckled lightly at that, “I don’t think I’ve ever really rested. Always too much to do.” She nodded as she listened to Nina’s advice. “Ok, so Luthien can do the majority of walking and bouncing then,” she smiled. “Ok then,” she said to herself and reached down into the bassinet to pick her baby up. She gave a little wince as she did, but straightened up with Mae in her arms. “I can’t believe it’s real,” she said quietly with a little shake of her head.
“She’s real and you both did so incredibly well Elphaba” Nina told her, “You should be very proud and as long as you’re patient and follow the advice you’ve been given you’ll be running around again in no time”
“Thanks, but in the grand scheme of things I didn’t really do much to actually bring her into the world. That was you and your team, something for which I will be eternally grateful,” Elphaba smiled up at her. “I’ll try my best to follow your advice, I just need to be more mindful as I go about my day,” she bit her lip when she finished. “Truth be told, I’m a little nervous about going home, you know, being on my own with her,” she admitted quietly.
“Hey you were brave and didn’t panic, that means a lot” Nina said before patting Elphaba’s arm, “You are going to be an amazing mother, you’ll be fine and just remember if you need any help you can always call”
“Thanks Nina, I’ll never forget all of your help,” Elphaba smiled. “In fact, could we...get a picture with you? To commemorate our release? I have a baby book that I want to fill with so many pictures!” she grinned and pointed to her phone lying on the bed.
“You’re welcome and of course. I’d love that” Nina smiled picking up Elphaba’s phone and following her instructions to get to the camera, “Okay, I’m bad at selfies so this might take a few tries” she told her with a grin as they posed together.
“That’s ok, me too,” Elphaba smiled at her friend, someone she felt incredibly close to after everything they had experienced in the last few weeks. Posing for a picture with Nina and the baby, she felt much more confident in their future. “You'll come by won't you? And visit?” she asked afterwards.
“Just try and stop me” Nina said, “You'll be sick of me I'm sure when my visits become regular” she grinned.
“That would never happen,” Elphaba smiled at her confidently. “Will you walk with me to the door?” she asked.
“Of course I will, is Luthien collecting you?” she asked, picking up Elphaba’s bag to carry for her so she could focus on holding the baby.
“Yes, she should be here soon,” Elphaba couldn’t help but grin at the mention of Luthien’s name. “Thanks for taking my bag,” she smiled at Nina gratefully.
“You’re welcome, if the baby gets too heavy let me know and I can carry her or find you a wheelchair. After all you do need to take it easy” Nina said.
“Will do, but I’ve got to get used to carrying her sometime,” Elphaba smiled serenely, looking at the baby. “I know, I know, look after myself. I don’t think Luthien’s going to give me much of a choice about that,” she grinned.
“Indeed you do” Nina agreed, but still there was no need to push too hard too soon, that wouldn’t help anybody. “I’m glad, you need to be kept in line” she winked at Elphie as they slowly made their way to the front entrance of the hospital.
“Are you trying to say I’m stubborn and pig-headed?” Elphaba gasped in mock shock as they approached the exit. Spotting Luthien and waving her over in the car, she turned to Nina and gave her a careful one-armed hug. “Thank you again for all your help, Luthien and I will never forget it,” she told her.
“Suggesting it subtly perhaps” Nina teased her, “You are welcome. Now look after yourself and the little one and I will see you both again soon” She returned the hug and made sure Elphaba reached Luthien okay before turning and heading back into the hospital after a little wave.