Welcome To The Family

New Baby

Four Months Later

I was woken in the middle of the night by the first contraction. I gritted my teeth as I cradled my belly. I sat up and shook Gabe's shoulder. He groaned as he rolled onto his back.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I am having contractions," I said.

"What does that mean?"

"The baby is coming."

Gabe pushed himself up so that he was sitting. He reached over to the lamp and turned it on, filling the room with dim light.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"It doesn't hurt too much yet," I said.

Gabe reached out and brushed my hair off of my face and tucked it behind my ear. I let out a deep breath as I ran my hand over my belly.

"What if it is a girl?" I asked.

"It won't be," he said.

"We thought that about Bonnie."

Gabe bit down on his lip. He kissed my forehead and pulled me into his chest.

"Don't worry about that right now," he said. "Let's focus on keeping you safe and healthy."

My chest tightened as I thought that I may die. I had given birth twice before in this house, but it was a risk every time. There could be complications and either the baby or I may die. I grabbed Gabe and squeezed his arm.

"You don't think something will happen, do you?" I asked.

"Let's go to my parents," he said. "Mom knows what to do."

I nodded and Gabe scrambled to get off of the bed. He hurried and changed. I stayed in my pajamas as I went into Jared's room. He was sleeping and had his thumb in his mouth. I sat on the edge of the bed and ran my fingers through his hair. His eyes fluttered open and he groaned.

"We have to go to Grandpa's," I said. "Your baby brother is coming."

There was a knock on the door and I looked over my shoulder to see Gabe standing in the doorway. I rubbed my belly as I watched him smile.

"Let's go," he said.

I nodded and Jared grabbed my hand. We walked out of the room. Gabe picked up Jared and put him on the hip. I was walking down the stairs as my next contraction hit. I held onto the banister as I hissed out in pain. Gabe stopped and turned to see me try to catch my breath.

"We'll get to Dad's as soon as possible," he said.

I kept walking and followed Gabe to the truck. He put Jared in the back and helped me into the front seat. He sped as fast he could to Noah and Jenny's. He carried Jared out of the truck and held my hand as we walked into the farmhouse. He pulled me up to our old bedroom, which was empty.

"I'm going to get Mom," he said.

He walked out of the room and came back with Jenny. Her greying hair was tied on top of her head and she had on what looked like Noah's clothes. She had a wide smile and she sat down on the edge of the bed. She rested her hand against my knee. Jared was crawling around the bed.

"This is so exciting," Jenny said. "Another grandson."

I swallowed past the lump forming in my throat. I was afraid to speak because I thought that I may start crying. Jenny looked over her shoulder at Gabe.

"Get Emme," she said. "This will be good for her to see. Emme will have her baby in a few months."

Gabe nodded and left the room. I let go of the breath that I was holding onto. I wiped a stray tear off of my cheek.