Part 359: The Birth of . . . . .

July 13th, 2005

Mandy cried from the pain that her baby was giving her. She had been in labor for the past four hours and four hours was enough. She knew the baby was ready to come in the world and she was looking forward to playing mother to her and Boone’s child. How she wished he was here with her to share the joy. However, she was still thankful to be with her family that she did have. Taylor gently rubbed her forehead with the cold rag to help ease the pain in some way. “I want this over.” She muttered.

“Sooner or later, darlin, “ McKay said, standing by, “It will be.”

“McKay . .where . . .where is Alexander?” she mumbled.

“He’s outside on the balcony, Mandy,” Taylor smiled, “Standing guard.”

“Standing . . .what? What is he doing?”

“Don’t you remember his vow on the Island, Mandy?” the Australian smiled, “He vowed for you sake and to honor Boone, he would protect the baby at all costs.”

“He thinks that the Liberation will come to take the baby away, like they did to his tribal sisters back on the Island,” Taylor said, dabbing more water into the rag, “ Even thought they won’t, we decided to let him do what he feels he most. So he stays out of the way of the doctors.”

“Okay,” Mandy said, drifting in and out of consciousness, “ He’s . .such a good . .boy . .I love him.”

“We all do,” McKay smiled.

The Australian wondered if Mandy meant a little more than that. Even though they had all been living under the same roof for the past 7 months, had Mandy grown to love Alexander like she did Boone in their brief time together? He didn’t know; but it wasn’t no mystery how the lost boy felt about Mandy. McKay strolled over to the balcony and opened it up, seeing the young man perched on the railing of the balcony. Any normal human would have fallen off but Alexander’s enhanced agility allowed him to do things most normal humans couldn’t. “Any sign yet, boy?” McKay asked him.

“No sigh of Liberation,” Alexander looked at him, “You sure hallway is safe?”

“Don’t worry about.” The Australian replied, “If they were coming through the hallway, then they’d have to past the guys in the waiting room and you know they won’t let them near her.”

“Yes,” the lost boy agreed, “You are right. Good thinking, Uncle McKay.”

“I try,” he smirked as he closed the door to the balcony.

As McKay entered, the door to the room opened and in stepped their favorite, not to mention personal doctor. “How is she?” Jack asked.

“She’s still in pain,” Taylor mentioned.

“Oh, God, Jack, make it stop.” The blonde cried.

“It’s to be expected, Mandy,” he assured her, patting her knee, “You should be getting closer. So let’s take a look, shall we?”

Jack scooted the stool toward her and gently raised her legs. Taylor rubbed her forehead as she continued to cry from the pain. McKay looked at her, hoping that it would all be over soon. The doctor then gently let the blanket down and smiled. “Good news,” he smirked, “She’s ready.”

“She’s . . .she’s ready?” gasped McKay.

“Yeah, her dilation is at the perfect diameter. I’ll get the nurses to come get her and we’ll induce labor.”

“She’s ready?” the Australian repeated.

Taylor quickly grabbed his wrist. “Honey, don’t faint.” She giggled.

“Mandy, do you want McKay or Taylor to come with you in the OR?” Jack asked.

“Both,” she cried, “I want . .both of them.”

“Uh . .Mandy we usually only let one come in there with you, so who-“

“BLOW IT OUT YOUR ASS, JACK!!!” Mandy screamed at the top of her lungs, “Either they both come with me or this baby isn’t coming!!!!”

Jack stared at her flabbergasted for a second, then tried to refrain from laughing. He took no offense, it wasn’t the first patient that screamed at him. But Mandy was more than that; she was a friend and they even called him their to make sure the birth would go according to plan. He looked at the married couple and they seemed to have grins of their own. “I’ll . .uh . .make sure they bring gowns for you both.” He smiled.

“Thank you, Jack,” Taylor slightly giggled.

“It’s not . . funny . .you . .bitch,” she cried.

“Okay, now I know she is doped up.” Her best friend smiled.

“All right, “ Jack clapped his hands, “Let me call the nurses and get the baby into the world.”



Out in the waiting room, the majority of the survivors were gathered as friends and supporters to Mandy. Tony and Marita were there, as were John and Mia. Barbara was there with Jilly and Eddie came along too; if only to see Tony and Marita again. He was having fun telling them about his 11th birthday. Tony teased him, saying he’ll be a grown man before they know it.

Shanna was hanging with Tanya, as they had become good friends in the past month. Mia was hanging out in the couch with them, pointing to John’s appearance in Men’s Health Magazine. The archer smirked, knowing full well they were talking about him. John then laughed as little Aaron came over, grabbing his leg. “Hey, buddy!” John laughed as he picked him up.

Claire was talking with Barbara so it was fun to see her son knowing who the fellow survivors were. Mia also enjoyed watching John play with the young baby, as she longed to see him doing it with their own children. The Lakota girl then went back to her conversation with Tanya and Shanna, like the others; awaiting the arrival of Mandy’s baby.


Outside on a bench sat Hurley, Seth and Charlie. The three friends were staring blankly at the flowerbed before them. The large man gently leaned up and sipped on his Lipton Tea. Charlie moaned slightly; rubbing his face from being there all morning. Seth sighed, scratching his the side of his forehead. “You’re absolutely wrong, you know that?” Seth mentioned.

“You are such a sodding git sometimes, you know that?” Charlie immediately retorted.

“Uh . .dude . .the more I think about it, the more I think he’s right.” Hurley mentioned.

“Oh, great, now Hurley turns on me.” The musician buried his face in his hand.

“Charlie, look at it,” Seth leaned forward, “The monster is coated in METAL. There is no way he could survive a knock down, drag out brawl if he is hitting freaking metal!”

“But that’s just it! He won’t give up. He’ll use buildings or trees or rocks. Rocks can hurt metal, Seth!”

“Then why does Rock beat Scissors?” Seth pointed, raising his eyebrows.

“Scissors?” Charlie winced, shaking his head, “Where did . . .What do scissors have do with . . . .wait, what are we talking about now?”

“Oh, Dear God in heaven,” John mentioned behind them.

The trio looked toward the doorway that led into the building just outside of the area where they were sitting. The archer was looking at them with a slightly disapproving glare; not to mention an annoyed stare too. “What the hell is it about this time?” John asked, “Monthra Versus Voltron? Mighty Mouse Versus Underdog? What is it this time??”

The three friends shied away from John’s menacing glare. Hurley sipped his tea and looked elsewhere. Charlie just continued to stare at the ground, scuffing his feet on the concrete walkway. Seth finally sighed and looked up at the archer. “Uh . . .Kong and uh . .MechaKong.” the singer finally confessed.

“Oh . .that’s . .just great,” John sighed, “Well, Trio Dorkos, I just wanted to let you know Mandy has done into the delivery room.”

“She’s having the baby?” Charlie gasped.

“Technically, she’s been HAVING the baby all morning. He/She is about to come into the world, in probably the next ten minutes.”

“Thanks, John,” Seth said, standing up with the others.

“No problem,” the Archer was about to go back into the building but stopped.

Seth stood there, holding the door; wondering why John wasn’t moving. “What?” he asked.

“There was . . .a MechaKong?” John asked, confused.


-----------------------------,

Mandy screamed at the top of her lungs, as she continued to push. Taylor held onto her right hand while McKay held onto her left hand. The Australian winced in pain, as he realized she was crushing his hand. All the rumors he had heard that mothers have increased adrenaline during child birth were true. Jack continued to stay with her, surrounded by nurses. “Keep pushing, Mandy!” he told her, “I can see the head of the baby, you are almost there!”

“AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!” she screamed.

Mandy gasped for air, after he last push. She could hear the nurses and Jack talking but they all of a sudden became mumbled. Even Taylor and McKay were not making clear noises. The blonde then looked into the distance of the delivery room, and gasped.

Boone was smiling at her from the corner.

He was just standing there, smiling her. He had his usual confident swagger about him, with his hand tucked inside his khacki pants. Mandy looked at him and then smiled; feeling all the pain go away. She loved him so much and missed him even more. Boone stared at her and then stared at something else. He chuckled slightly as tears started to form in his eyes. He then looked back toward her and whispered the words, “I’ll always love you.”

A nurse walked past her field of vision and Boone disappeared. Then the sound of the delivery room flooded her ears yet again. McKay and Taylor were laughing. The older Australian leaned his head on hers, crying from joy. “McKay?” she coughed, “What’s happening? The pain . .is gone.”

“Mandy, we have the baby,” Jack laughed, as he held up the newborn.


John, Mia, Shanna, Tony and Marita waited in the hallway. They knew Mandy went into the delivery room about 15 minutes. No one yet but they knew someone would come out eventually. Then at the far end of the hallway, John saw movement. He looked up into the distance and saw McKay slowly walking out of the double doors. He had on the typical doctor gown for someone going into the delivery room. Even Tony was able to detect his presence. The two friends immediately began to walk down the hallway to meet him, followed by their wives and friends. McKay saw them and he looked exhausted. John and Tony met up with him, and the Australian leaned on them for support; laughing and slightly crying at the same time. “McKay, what news?” Tony asked his friend.

McKay gripped onto their shirts as he took a deep breath. “It’s a girl,” he laughed.

The group then laughed and cheered; not expecting to have a girl brought into the world. Tony and John laughed, hugging their friend at the same time. Marita giggled and kissed him on the cheek, telling him he’s going to have his hands full with Taylor, Mandy and the new little female addition. Mia even joked that McKay will have screen her boyfriends when she gets older. “Oh, please, God,” he laughed, “I can’t think of that right now.”


The group gathered at the viewing area where they placed the babies. The little was getting cleaned and checked by the nurses in the distance. The group smiled and laughed as they watched the newest addition to their large family. Then Tony turned after he could smell a certain type of cologne. Jack came out in his normal scrubs and smiled at everybody. Hurley was the first to greet him with a bear hug. Joscelyn giggled at the sight of it. John shook his hand and so did Tony.

Another successful birth with them.


Later that evening, Mandy was in her room. She was sleeping off the rest of the day. She slowly looked toward her right to the small crib and saw Alexander standing over her daughter. The lost boy was looking down on the sleeping child, gently crying. “Alex,” Mandy whispered.

The young man turned around and looked at her. He walked over to and kneeled down. He gently took her hand, kissing it. “She’s beautiful,” he smiled, “As are you.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere.” She grinned.

Then the door to the room slowly opened. Shannon and Sayid slowly walked into the room, quietly as possible. The Iraqi looked toward his right as and saw McKay and Taylor past out on the couch in the room. The middle easterner quietly chuckled when he saw that McKay had a bag of ice over his hand. The Australian then slowly opened his eyes and smiled. “Sayid,” he grinned, happy to see his friend.

“Did I not warn you to give her your weaker hand?” he smiled, shaking his other hand.

Shannon smiled and then looked over toward Mandy. The blonde then raised up as she heard voices. When the former pregnant woman saw her dear friend, her eyes lit up and she smiled brightly. “Auntie Shannon,” she giggled.

“Mandy,” the tall blonde crossed the room toward her, placing the teddy bear on the side, “I’m so sorry I didn’t make it hear in time.”

“Shhhhh,” she said, taking her friend’s hand, “What are you talking about? You arrived just in time.”

“But . . I should have been hear during the birth. You deserved that.”

“Shhhh. You’re here and that’s enough.”

Shannon wiped her tears, happy Mandy wasn’t upset that she didn’t make it for the birthing. She leaned down and kissed her tear friend on the forehead. “So, where is he?” she asked.

Mandy giggled. “SHE . . .is over there.” She pointed to the crib.

“She?” Shannon gasped.

The tall blonde walked over to the crib, meeting Sayid along the way. The couple stared down at Mandy and Boone’s child. The baby was fast asleep, wrapped in her pink blanket. Shannon immediately started to cry. Sayid smiled, putting his arm around her and pulling her close. “She’s beautiful.” Shannon wept.

“What is her name?” Sayid asked Alexander.

“Bridget,” he smiled, “Bridget Carlyle.”

Shannon stopped crying and sniffed. “Carlyle?” she gasped, looking at Mandy.

The blonde smiled. “We’re always going to see Boone in her,” she grinned, “Why not give her the honor of his last name?”

“Oh, Mandy,” the tall blonde said, overcome with joy.

The small family stood together huddled in the darkness of the room late at night; watching down over Bridget, the newest member of their make-shift. Even though they were barely related by blood, it was a family to them none-the-less.

And the future was already looking brighter.