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And Baby Makes Four
(From 'The Rosey Malone Series)

by

Sue M

   As she tried to make it to the bathroom before she became sick for the fourth day in a row, Rosey Starsky thought," This is crazy. I have never been this sick in all of my life." Then she realized something. "Please let it be true.

   Rosey was contented with her life. She had everything a woman could possibly want, an adoring husband, LA PD Detective Sergeant David Starsky, a child she and David had just adopted ("DAS") and a job she loved - staying home and taking care of her little family.

   She had only been married one month when her husband and his partner, Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson, had found the baby in a garbage receptacle. The Starskys had fostered the newborn baby and when the opportunity came to adopt him, the Starskys were able to legally make him theirs.

   Now as she thought about the prospect of being pregnant, she knew she was ready. She had watched David interact with their baby. From the first day, she knew that he loved children. It was his idea in the first place to foster the baby.

   She knew he loved the baby as if DAS was his own flesh and blood. Even the first week, he was the first one up some nights to feed the baby. When DAS became their official son, she noticed that David did not treat him any differently. As the baby grew older, and was beginning to interact more with people and becoming a little person, David was more in his life, changing him, feeding him. Rosey laughed when she thought of the first time David fed DAS. Her husband got more strained carrots on himself then he got in the baby.

   Her husband had already gone to work. So when the doctor's office opened at 9, she made an appointment for later that day.

********

   The next day, she waited for the phone call from the doctor. But she already knew the outcome of the tests. Her period, which was usually pretty regular, was late. She also had been feeling a little more tired lately. The phone call came about noon - YOU ARE PREGNANT.

   She decided to tell her husband that night. She could not keep news like that to herself very long. She decided that that the best way was over dinner. They had not really properly celebrated the fact that the adoption had been official She set out to make a special dinner for her husband., and using the pretense that it was the reason. She knew he loved Mexican so she decided that would be the menu.

   With that idea in mind, she set off to the grocery store with the baby in his carriage. She walked down to get all of the things she would need to make tacos. However, she was not going to make it from scratch. There were lots of products she could buy to avoid making them from scratch, such as sauce. All she really needed to buy was the floured tortillas, sour cream, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese and ground beef. She hurried home after she purchased the things to finish her work before he came home from work around 7 p.m.

   The dinner was already when David came in the door. She had put candles on the table. DAS was in his crib sound asleep.

   When she heard the key in the door, she went over to the door. "Hi," she said when he got in the door.

   "Hi, yourself, Lovely Lady. How was your day? " he pulled her in for a quick kiss.

   "Pretty good. How was yours."

   "Not so bad. How is the baby?"

   "He is fine. He had a pretty good day. He is asleep now."

   David went over to the table and noticed that the table was set for a special night.

   "What's going on here?"

   "Well, we didn't really celebrate that the fact that DAS is ours."

   "Sounds great. How about you go and take a shower and I will finish putting the things on the table."

   "David, thanks." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and went to go and take a shower.

   While she was in the shower, he put the rest of the things on the table. She did not make up the tacos herself, but just made up containers of cut up tomatoes, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, and cooked ground beef. She just put the sour cream in another container. She also just put the taco sauce in a small bowl also.

   When she returned, she was wearing a burgundy dress with spaghetti straps that he had always said was a favorite of his.

   After she was finished in the shower, he took his turn. When he returned, she noticed he was wearing one of her favorite outfits on him. About two years before, Starsky and Hutch had posed at drug dealers while undercover and he had to dress the part. It was a white, three piece suit that had him look like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. However, she had always told him that he looked much better than John Travolta ever could. He had worn it several times just at home. He always preferred his jeans and running shoes. but knowing how much it turned her on, he would wear it just for her. He topped it off with a black shirt unbuttoned to his navel.

   When they were at the table, enjoying the tacos, she said to him, "David, I have an announcement to make. I went to the doctor yesterday and I am going to have a baby."

   "Rosey........."

   "You are not mad, are you?"

   "Why should I be.........I am thrilled."

   "But we already have a little one - DAS."

   "Not one that we have produced ourselves."

   "Oh, David."

   He got up from his chair and came over to her chair. He pulled out the chair, and helped her to her feet. He whispered in her ear," You are the greatest. The more the merrier." He put his hand on her stomach. "So we are having a little Starsky in there, eh?"

   She looked into his eyes and could see tears forming in them, "You had better believe it" she said with a lump in her throat.

   He took her in his arms and gave her a big kiss. When they came up for air, he asked her, "Do you mind if I tell Hutch?"

   "No, not at all. I can hardly wait to see the look on his face. What's he up to tonight?"

   "Nothing that I know of. Why don't I give him a buzz and see what he is doing."

   "Sounds good." He went to the phone and called his best friend, LA PD Detective Sergeant Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson. David came back and told her, " He's not doing anything and he will be here in an hour."

   By the time Hutch had arrived at the door, dinner was done and the dishes were done and put away.

   "So, want anything to drink?" Rosey asked the good-looking. blonde police officer when he had settled on the couch.

   "Beer will be fine, Rosey."

   "Well, you know where it is, Hutch." Hutch was really a good friend and he never needed to ask to get his own drinks or food. Starsky and Hutch were more like brothers than just partners on the force.

   "Well, what is with the funny clothes, which you once called 'kinky,' Starsk," Hutch asked after he was back from the fridge with a beer.

   "Because it is a special occasion."

   "What could it be? You guys have only been married nine months. It is not Starsk's birthday. It is not Christmas. It is not Rosey's birthday. I know the adoption went through."

   "Rosey went to the doctor, yesterday."

   "The baby had a good check-up."

   "No Hutch. Rosey is gonna have a little Starsky."

   "Well, Starsk. You are a fast worker. Congrats. " Hutch gave Rosey a big hug. and patted his friend on the back. "I knew you had it in you, Starsk, but not so fast."

   "Thanks, Hutch." David answered.

   "So, how are you feeling, Little Mama?" Hutch turned to Rosey.

   "Thanks, Hutch. Really good. I still have morning sickness. But the doctor says that it will pass soon. I am in my third month."

   Rosey went to the doctor once a month for the first several months. David went whenever he could. The first time they heard the baby's heartbeat, David was there. It was exciting to see the look on his face when he realized that it was a little Starsky and not just a mass of cells.

   As she started to get bigger, she noticed that David was getting even more excited about the baby. When the baby's movements could be felt for the first time, when she was five months pregnant, it was more of an eventful day in David's life.

   Every night when he was not working late, he came home and the first thing he would do was to see how the children were. As DAS got bigger and was toddling around, Rosey kept him up until David came home. The first words DAS said was "Da da." When he would hear the key in the door, DAS would rush to the door to greet Daddy. When he was able to crawl, he would rush to the door on all fours. When he started to toddle, he would use the furniture to steady himself. But all Rosey could hear would be an excited "Da Da Da" and she knew that her husband was home. David would pick the little boy in his arms and swing him around the room causing the baby to laugh gaily knowing that his father and playmate was home

   The evenings that Hutch came over he was also included in the festivities. He was sitting up at the table with the adults when he was almost a year old and sitting up by himself. in his high chair. When Hutch came over, but not for dinner, he was always looking for attention from his Uncle Hutch. Hutch always treated him like he was his real nephew.

   When DAS was old enough to crawl, many times, he would climb up when David was on the couch, lie down on his stomach and fall asleep. It was so cute.

   Soon after Rosey found out about the baby, it became apparent to the Starskys that it was time to move. The family was growing and the house was too small for four people. So David and Rosey came to the decision maybe it was time to get a house of their own. David had always rented and never owned, and it was one of the things he wanted to have was a home of his own. He had saved money from his paycheck each week and also Rosey had inherited a great deal of money when her mother had died several years before.

   So soon after finding out about the new baby, the Starskys visited the real estate office through which David had rented the house. He had always paid his rent on time and had a good credit history. So when their mortgage application was approved by the bank it was another occasion to celebrate in their household.

   Armed with how much they could afford, they started to look around. Soon after the search started, they were able to find a 3-bedroom townhouse both in their neighborhood and their price range. They signed on the dotted line and a few months later, found themselves moving.

********

   "Today's forecast for the Los Angeles area of California is for partially sunny skies and a predicted daytime high of 75 o F. The forecast for tonight is partially cloudy and a forecast low of 65 o F. Tomorrow's forecast is for no rain and a predicted high of 70 o F. All in all, the weather is pretty good for the next few days."

   As the weather came over the radio, Rosey was putting the finishing touches on her husband's lunch. As she accomplished her job, David entered the dining room of their townhouse. DAS was sitting in his high chair getting more of his cereal on the table than in his mouth. David took one look at his wife and put his ear to her bulging stomach, "Well, kid," as he talked to the baby, "you had better behave yourself today and let your Mama get some rest."

   He stood up and said to her, "Time to get going to fight the bad guys. I will give you call later." He kissed her on the forehead. Then he went over to DAS and kissed his son on the forehead, trying to avoid getting cereal on his clothes. She handed him his lunch and he said, "Thanks. See you later. I love you"

   "David, I love you, too." She walked him to the door .

   He gave her stomach a loving pat and said, "Bye to the Little Starsky, too." He pulled her in for a quick kiss and whispered in her ear, "Take care of yourself, Lovely Lady, and I will see you later." He gave her his patented grin.

   "Bye David." she said.

   He closed the door behind him. The next thing she heard was the Striped Tomato starting up and he drove away.

   She went about her day. Rosey was in her ninth month and any day now, there would be another child in the house.

   However, the weather office did not know about a storm cell that was forming off the coast. By midmorning, the cell was headed towards Los Angeles and the latest noon forecast listed the updated forecast with the possibility of severe weather.

   As the morning wore on, Rosey began to feel it was the day for the birth. She had felt cramps and she began to feel some back discomfort.

   David called her at noon, "I am getting some cramps and back discomfort. If it gets worse, you will be the first to know." She told him

   "Okay," he answered. He could not help but wish he could go to her. He and Hutch were not working on any really important cases and Captain Dobey was aware of the situation. He had told the two detectives that if Rosey went into labor, their first priority was to her.

   Later on in the afternoon, the phone rang on David's desk. "Sergeant Starsky, here."

   "David.........."

   "Rosey?"

   "I think it is time. Oooooh, David hurry." Rosey groaned as she felt another contraction.

   "Sweetheart, I am on my way." He hung up the phone. He turned to Hutch, "Come on, I think it is time." They grabbed their coats from the clothes hook.

   "We'd better go tell the Cap'n where we are." Hutch suggested as they left the squad room.

   "Good idea."

   They walked down the hall to Captain Dobey's office and informed him. He told them to get their cans to the Starsky house.

   The rain was starting to fall and the wind was starting to pick up. In the distance, the sound of thunder could be heard and several flashes of lightening could be seen.

   Driving as fast as he could without exceeding the speed limit, David made it home in record time. They raced out of the car. David got his keys out of his pocket. A large clap of thunder could be heard overhead as David opened the door. "Wow, that was close," he commented as he pushed the door open.

   "Rosey, Honey, where are you, Little Lady, it's me."

   "David........" as another contraction and went. Another large clap of thunder could be heard.

   "Come on, Hutch, we have to find her. " David said as they entered the house. "Hutch, you try the kids' rooms and I will go for the kitchen and living room."

   "David, I’m in the living room."

   "Lovely Lady, Hutch and I are here." He rushed over to her. She was lying on the couch.

   "Hutch, I found her. She's in the living room."

   "David........"

   Outside the wind was really starting to howl and the rain was starting to come down in sheets.

   He sat on the edge of the couch and took her hands in his, "I am here. Hutch is here too" By this time, Hutch had come into the living room.

   Do me a favor, will you, Hutch. Go check on DAS."

   "You got it, Starsk," Hutch said.

   "He's probably in his bed."

   Hutch went back into the bedrooms for DAS. He was sound asleep in his bed taking his afternoon nap in his crib. Hutch had a big grin on his face when he returned with his adopted nephew in his arms. DAS was sleepily looking around wondering what was going on. He rubbed his eyes.

   "Say hi to Mommy and Daddy." Hutch leaned over and David gave his son a kiss on the forehead. He looked at David, "How is she, Starsk?"

   "With that storm brewing outside, maybe we should prepare for the worst. Let's move her into the bedroom. That way she will have the whole bed to stretch out on."

   "Sounds good, Starsk," agreed Hutch.

   "Help me get her there." David requested. He lifted her up by the arm. Hutch took her legs and they carried her into the bedroom. Hutch then returned to the living room and retrieved the sleeping DAS. He put the toddler on the floor at the foot of the bed in a cot the Starskys sometimes used for him.

   "I have a funny feeling we are going to have to bring this baby into the world ourselves," David answered as Rosey felt another contraction.

   Hutch smiled, "Miss Scarlet, Miss Scarlet, I don't know nothing about birthing babies." in his worse Butterfly McQueen voice.

   "The first thing we should do is to time the contractions," David said. They waited until the next contraction started, "1, 2, 3, 4, ..... 3 minutes." He felt her stomach. "Well, I guess, kid, you have decided it's time for you to come. And Uncle Hutch is gonna help."

   "Yeah," Hutch said sort of half agreeing.

   "Well, you know she talked about having a home birth, but with a midwife. And we are no Scarlet and Prissy."

   "Why don't we try taking her to the hospital?"

   "I don't think there is time. And with this storm brewing outside, forget it"

   "Good point, Starsky."

   "You, know it is a good thing we talked about labor and delivery at the Academy. Who would have thought all those years ago that I would be bringing my own child into the world."

   "Well, I am here, Starsk. You can count on me to assist in any way."

   "First of all, let's get all the things we need to deliver this baby. If my memory serves me, we will need sheets, towels, boiled water, scissors to cut the cord, a clamp. Come on, Hutch, we have work to do."

   He went over to Rosey, took her hand in his, and whispered in his ear, "Honey, I have to go get some things to help with the baby. Don't worry, I will not be gone too long." Just then she felt another contraction. "Baby, hold on, Hutch and I will be back and we will not leave your side until this is over. I love you." He kissed her on the forehead.

   "David, don't leave me." He could see tears in her eyes.

   "Hutch, stay with her. I know where all the stuff is."

   "Sure, Starsk."

   David rose from the bed and Hutch took his place. Hutch sat down on the bed and he took Rosey's hands in his and he whispered in her ear, "I am here, Little Mama, I will stay with you until Starsk comes back." David was only gone a few minutes, but to Rosey, who was scared, he was gone an eternity.

   "Thanks, Bud." David said to Hutch when he returned. "Time to get this show on the road."

   David took one of the blankets and put it over Rosey. Then he took several of the towels and made a nest under her bottom. He then went to work and undressed his wife. He found a loosely fitting nightgown in the drawer, which he helped Rosey put on.

   Meanwhile, Hutch went into the bathroom and filled a large bowl with lukewarm water and got a washcloth. While it had been agreed that David would do the actual delivery, Hutch took it upon himself to assist him and make sure Rosey was made comfortable.

   Then David helped Rosey lift her legs into a position to deliver the baby. He then looked between her legs as another contraction came and went, this one was more intense than the last one. She started to moan in pain. David leaned over and reassured his wife, "Honey, time to starting breathing between contractions. Okay, come on. If I remember what we learned at the Academy, you need to breathe during each contraction and relax between them."

   "David, please don't leave me."

   He looked into her eyes and said, "Honey, I told you earlier that Hutch and I will stay right here with you during this birth. Do you think I would leave you in a time like this?"

   "Nope," she tried to say as she felt another contraction.

   "Good." He gave her his patented grin. "I love you, Lovely Lady, and I will be here for you as I always have."

   "David, I feel as if I want to push."

   "So soon. Let me just see what is going on."

   "Hey, Hutch, I just remembered. Rosey bought a book a while ago explaining what happens during labor. It is on the shelf over there. Could you get it?"

   "Sure, Starsk."

   Hutch went over to the other side of the room and got the book. David thanked him for it and he opened the back page for the index.

   "We are pretty well doing what it says here in the book. So we are doing good." David went back to check the progress of the baby. He did notice something though, the baby's head was visible. "Guess what, Hutch, I think it is time. I see the baby's head."

   "Okay, Starsk."

   Rosey felt another contraction. "Come on, Honey, do you want to push now?"

   "Yes" Rosey said breathlessly.

   "Okay, Honey, if you feel the need to push. then at the next contraction push. Okay."

   "David.........." as another contraction started.

   "Push, honey, push."

   "OOOOHHHHHH."

   "If you feel the need to scream, don't stop. Honey, whatever makes you most comfortable."

   "DDDDDAAAAAAAAAVVVVVVVVVIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDD"

   "Honey, push some more. Hutch, help us. Whisper in her ear that she is doing a great job. We need your encouragement, too."

   Hutch who had been standing near her the top of the bed, started to whisper in her ear, "Come on Rosey, you are doing great. Keep it up. Come on champ, hang in there. It will soon be over. You can't quit now."

   "Great, Hutch, thanks."

   Another contraction came and went and Rosey kept on pushing, and resting during the contractions. Hutch started to wipe her sweating forehead and started to encourage her more. Several contractions came and went and David announced that he could see a nose. "Come on, Sweetheart, you are almost there."

   Hutch wiped her forehead one more time.

   She pushed when the contractions cane and she rested in between them. "Come on, Big Mamma," David encouraged her, "You are doing beautifully. A few more pushes and our baby will be here." Several more pushed and he could see a shoulder. "Come, my Ridiculously Lovely Lady, you are doing really well. Don't give up." He gently pulled one shoulder and the other shoulder followed. Then all of a sudden, she felt something leave her body. She felt several emotions in the following seconds. One was relief, knowing it was over and no more pushing. Then it was triumph; she had done it, the baby was here. The third emotion was one of incredible joy; she had given her husband something that no other woman had done, given him a child. As the sound of the Little Starsky’s crying filled the room, she struggled to try and get a glimpse of the baby.

   "Rosey, Honey, you did it." David found the scissors and cut the cord. He then knew to remove the placenta from her body. He lifted her up so Mamma could see her newborn daughter. "Mamma, say hello to your daughter." David said as he put the baby on his wife's breast. He had tears in his eyes as he watched her.

   "Hey, Little One, welcome to the world." was all that Rosey could say.

   David leaned over and kissed his wife. "You were terrific, Lovely Lady." David stood up and looked over at Hutch who was still standing at the head of the bed. He looked in his best friend's eyes and he could see tears.

   "Congrats, you did a great job. Didn't even need the catcher's mitt." Hutch said with a laugh as he patted David on the back.

   "Well, everybody survived." David gave Hutch his patented grin.

   "And look at DAS, " Hutch observed. DAS had been asleep in the cot, and had not woken up during all the excitement.

   By the time the storm was over, the newest member of the Starsky household had arrived.

   David used some of the cloths to clean up the baby and get a nice clean diaper on her and a nice clean outfit. He also cleaned up Rosey and got her ready for transportation to the hospital.

   Hutch assisted in getting all of the Starsky clan to Memorial. David took Rosey and the baby in the Striped Tomato and Hutch followed in the Comet with DAS in his car seat.

   Rosey spent several days in the hospital. She did not have any complications because of the emergency birth. David and Hutch had both taken days off work while she was in the hospital and Hutch stayed over with at the Starskys house to help David with DAS.

   The Starskys decided to name their baby BARBARA ELIZABETH ARIEL.

   Barbara was a good baby just like her older brother. When she came home from the hospital, she only cried every few hours to be fed. Soon she settled into a routine of being fed every four hours.

   David and Rosey could not have asked for a better baby.

THE END