Born a Willow, not an Oak

(Season 2) A Thundering

*Authors note Hello!!! Thank you so much for reading, I apologize for not updating in a while. I am a Graphic Design college student and my classes have been kicking my ass. I am going to try and do my best to update at least once a week, maybe more if I have the time. Thank you for understanding!! I hope you enjoy the second season of The Journey of the Duttons.*

Blake sits on the front porch her hand on her large belly, she is now eight and a half months along. Everything was difficult for her, she always had to ask for help to get up off the couch. She rubbed the underside of her belly and sighed "Well bud, you ready for daddy to come home? I sure am, I wanna get up." Blake sat there for a little bit longer until she saw her dad, brother, and Ryan walk up the steps, she smiled and felt John rub her shoulder as he walked in. Ryan leaned down in front of her and smiled as he rubbed her belly "How's bubs doing? Didn't kick you too much did he?" Blake smiled and shook her head "No he was good today" She sucked in a breath "But he's kicking now because he can hear his daddy's voice." When Blake was six months pregnant Ryan told her he had loved her for years and wanted to be the father of the child. John was a little worried about it, but his worry faded away when Blake started to have Braxton hicks. Ryan was right there beside her doing anything he could to make the pain go away. Ryan smiled "Calm down bud, Daddy's home now." He helped Blake up walked into the house and helped her settle on the couch, she looked up at him and smiled "Tell me about your day honey." Every day since Blake was told no work Ryan would come in and tell her all about his day so she could know how the ranch was doing. 

Ryan smiled and rubbed his face "Well we rounded up the cattle, Travis showed up to help so the work went by faster. There is a new day worker, he works pretty well he's different but a good worker." Ryan rubs her leg as they talk before Gater tells them that dinner is ready, Blake gets up and sits beside John, and Ryan beside her. Dinner goes by without an incident until Blake gets a sharp pain and drops her fork, all the men in the room jump up and ask if she's okay. Blake takes a breath and nods "J-just the Braxton hicks." She breathed and felt Ryan's hand on her back "I-I'm going to go lay down." She heard Ryan ask if she needed help "No Ry, I'm ok. Please." Ryan nodded and stayed put, he looked at John "I'm worried about her sir. The pains have been getting worse." John nodded "She's going to hate me but I'm going to call in a favor to my buddy Carl." John got up and made the call looking at Ryan "I want to make sure everything is ok, Evelyn had pains like this and Lee was born a few hours later." 

Ryan went up and knocked before opening the door, he saw Blake gripping the bed as she leaned forward. She was making pained sounds until she saw him "G-Get daddy, g-get someone." Ryans walked over and rubbed her back "He already called Carl, he will help I promise baby." Ryan held her until Carl came in, got her on the bed, and held her hand. John went to leave when Blake called out "Daddy wait! Please don't leave." John came on the other side of her and held her hand while Carl checked her out, he looked at her while he took off his gloves. "Well honey you are two centimeters dilated, that's why you're getting the pains. unfortunately, the labor is usually always really long with your first child. Ryan asked the question before Blake could "How long are we talking." Carl looked at Blake "Hours, days, I've had a mama be in labor for a week and a half it all depends hun. We don't have to worry until your water breaks and you're ready to push." Blake held Ryan's hand and rubbed her stomach, John thanked Carl and then looked at Blake "We all need to keep an eye on you, honey, I think someone should be with you at all times." He sighed "I think you should be down by the barn and corral, we can keep an eye on you better." 

Blake smiled at John "I promise to stay away from the horses and stay in a chair." John nodded and looked at Ryan "I'm telling Rip to have you stay and work in the barn and Corral I don't want you very far away from her." Once John left Ryan looked at Blake "Your so close to having the baby, so close darlin'." He kissed her and rubbed her stomach "You've done so well, I'm so proud of you baby." Ryan helped her get up and dressed, they snuggled in bed until Blake fell asleep. The next morning Ryan woke up alone and got up running downstairs to see Blake leaning on John holding her stomach as he softly rocks her back and forth. John seed Ryan and updated him "She came down about an hour ago complaining of the pains, this is all that seems to help right now." Ryan nodded and took John's place "Hey sweet girl, is Bubs giving you hell this morning?" Blake nodded and took a deep breath "He has been kicking me all night in the same place, just over and over again." Ryan kissed her head "Just breathe honey, it will pass." After a few more minutes of pain Blake was finally able to stand up "I hope he hurries up and gets here. Not sure I can take this pain much longer."