Sunny Side Up - JJ Maybank

7

I was two days over my due date and my waters hadn't broken yet. I looked like I was about to burst and I couldn't even walk.

JJ was rubbing my stomach and singing softly to the baby inside, it had become a habit throughout my pregnancy and I knew he had baby fever bad. To be honest I was surprised he hadn't knocked up a chick already, with the amount of sexual escapades he'd had in the past. I'd noticed that he'd been sleeping around less since I got pregnant and I couldn't remember the last time he'd told me about a girl.

"JJ it hurts," I whined, ready for my labour to start so I could push this baby out.

"I know, sweetheart, but she's on her way."

"She?"

"O-or he...I just have a feeling it's a girl."

Part of me had always wanted a little girl, I'd never planned on getting pregnant at eighteen obviously, but I knew I always wanted to have children. JJ and I always said we'd have children together when we were just kids ourselves, and spent hours thinking of baby names.

I didn't want to move from the sofa, so I slept there that night, Kiara and JJ on blankets next to me just in case.

I woke up soaking wet, at first thinking it was sweat from a nightmare, but when the contractions started I knew I had gone into labour.

"Kie, I'm having a baby," I whispered, shaking the sleeping girl.

"I know, Sunny, you've been pregnant forever," she mumbled.

"No Kie – I'm having a baby right now!"

She sat up quickly, kicking JJ who shot up wide awake, concerned.

"She's gone into labour, get the others!"

Kiara helped me sit up as JJ woke up the other Pogues and Sarah, who had all been sleeping at the Chateau for the last week in case my baby came early.

John B was utterly useless so Sarah sent him outside with Pope to start the RV and lay towels in the backseat so I didn't make a mess everywhere. She grabbed my overnight bag to take to the hospital as Kiara and JJ helped me to my feet. The five of them led me to the van, piling in after me. We arrived at the hospital and I was hurried towards a gurney, JJ grabbing my hand the entire time.

"I'm sorry, we can only let family in for the birth," the nurse told my friends who were trying to follow me into the birthing suite.

"They are my family," I groaned.

"You can only bring one person in ma'am."

"JJ I want JJ!" I was in so much pain as the baby was ready to rip me in half, so I waved at the others and dragged JJ with me.

"You're doing amazing, sunshine, just keep pushing," he encouraged, letting me crush his knuckles as I tried to stay conscious.

"The baby's coming, Miss, just carry on as you are."

After what felt like an eternity, a tiny cry filled the room and I slumped back on the pillows in relief, JJ still holding my hand.

"It's a baby girl, and she's beautiful. She's got her father's eyes," the nurse told me, and JJ blushed, even though he wasn't the father.

"Can I hold her?"

Cradling my child, I tried to stop the tears as I looked into her big blue eyes.

"Flora. Her name is Flora."