Stumbling through the dark

My Turn!

Jacey just stared back at Niall, stunned. Had he really just proposed? Only a few hours ago, he had been telling her all the reasons why marriage and a baby wasn't a good idea, yet here he was, proposing.

"Niall, look, I know you don't want this. You don't need to do this out of guilt or a misplaced sense of duty or honor, or whatever" Jacey said, her voice firm.

"I want to" Niall responded earnestly " I'm not trying to do it because it's the right thing...well, it is the right thing..but I want to marry you because.....I love you" Niall whispered the last three words, almost in shock that he had said them. He'd finally admitted the truth. "I love you ....and I want you...you and the baby. Please?" his voice took on a pleading tone as he willed Jacey to see it was true.

"Yes...YES!" She shouted and Niall flung his arms around her, a big smile wreathing his face.He pulled her even closer and started to kiss her and soon the only sound was of whispered endearments and soft kisses.

"Looks like we've a wedding to plan" a satisfied voice said, making the kissing couple break apart. "I was wondering if you both would actually get around to finding out what the rest of us have known for some time" Aoife spoke in tones of great satisfaction as she came into the room, holding her baby in her arms. "Da, Jacey, I am so happy for you"

" How long have you been standing there " Niall said, looking very flustered.

"Long enough" Aoife replied "I was beginning to think I'd better leave, it was getting a little steamy there"

You don't mind? You really don't mind?" Niall asked nervously

"No, Da. I really don't mind" Aoife bent down and kissed first him, then Jacey "It's about time you did something good for yourself. You deserve to be happy"

"Umm, Aoife, there's ..ah....something else we need to tell you" Niall was blushing and very hesitant. What if Aoife disapproved. He took a deep breath but Aoife spoke before he had the chance.

"When's the baby due? I'm so excited to have a brother or sister." Aoife looked from Jacey to Niall, smiling to herself when she saw her Dad's red face and Jacey's somewhat stunned expression. "What?" Aoife continued " didn't you think I had put two and two together when Jacey stopped drinking alcohol and was often sick? Come on guys, I recognise the signs of pregnancy. I've had a bit of practise!"

"I don't know what to say" Niall finally said "I mean I just found out myself, yesterday and you...knew?"

"Da, honestly. One day you'll work it all out. Do I really need to give you a lesson on the birds and bees?" Aoife said cheekily. "Jacey, you are going to have to educate the man. And maybe he'll stop blushing at the mention of sex. Now, are we wedding planning or not?"

Looking back, Jacey wondered where the time had gone since the day Niall had proposed. They'd had a quiet wedding with just close friends and family to witness the event. They had both had the big white weddings and didn't feel the need to do it again. Simplicity was what they both craved. Simplicity and privacy, and they had for their special day. Jacey pressed a hand to the small of her back as she stood up. The baby was due almost any day now and she was tired of not seeing her feet. Much as she had enjoyed her pregnancy, she was also ready for the baby to be here. She slowly headed up the stairs to the bedroom where Niall was sleeping.

Niall was enduring a flare up of his MS and, though he tried hard to cover up how he was feeling, Jacey knew, and was worried. Niall was in a great deal of pain, very tired and obviously suffering far more than he would ever admit. The Specialist wanted to hospitalise him but Niall was having none of it, not when the baby was due any day now. Jacey slowly walked into the room and gazed down at her sleeping husband, his face covered with a light sheen of sweat. She brushed his hair off his forehead then bent clumsily to kiss him softly. His blue eyes opened immediately and he gave her a gentle smile.

"How are my babies?" he asked quietly, reaching to rub her tummy tenderly.

"We're just fine. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you" Jacey sat slowly down on the side of the bed, a hand cradling her swollen belly.

"I wasn't sleeping. Just thinking" Niall admitted "Wondering if our baby is a boy or girl"

"We'll know soon enough. I'll glad we didn't ask. There are not many surprises in life, so it's nice to have one. I just hope it happens soon. I've forgotten what my feet look like" Jacey said ruefully.

"You're beautiful" Niall whispered as he placed a hand over the one Jacey had resting on her belly "Both of you" and he pushed himself up to kiss her cheek. "Come snuggle with me....please?" he looked at her with his bright blue eyes and she instantly agreed. He wriggled over and she lay on her side , her back to his chest so he could cradle both her and belly with his arm. He was kissing her neck when she felt him freeze and knew instantly that he was in pain. But she said nothing as she knew he'd deny it. Jacey bit her lip. Yes, the baby needed to come and come soon. Only then would Niall agree to letting the doctors help him. Whether it was the comfort of each others bodies or tiredness, but both of them fell asleep.

Jacey woke to a tight feeling across her belly. She hissed in pain but it soon passed away. She gently eased herself from under Niall's arm and stood up. She was half way to the bathroom when she felt a gush between her legs and realised her waters had broken. She was briefly stationery with shock then acknowledged the truth, Baby Horan was coming. She slowly went into the bathroom and cleaned herself up, pausing only briefly as her belly tightened again. She breathed through it, then dressed before gathering up clothing for Niall. Walking carefully but with purpose, she returned to the bedroom and gently woke her sleeping husband.

"Niall?" she shook his shoulder gently "It's time" she smiled at him as he looked at her with a mixture of alarm and wonder. "Baby is coming" Niall struggled his way out of the bedding and began to dress in the clothes Jacey had for him. He moved slower than normal, his sight and balance not helping him much. Jacey kept an eye on him as she rang Liam who promised he'd be there in minutes. "Calm down, sweetheart" Jacey admonished Niall as he fretted with his shirt. She brushed his hands aside and buttoned it for him, gritting her teeth as another contraction hit, much sooner than she expected.

"When you get the next contraction, I want to to push as hard as you can and for as long as you can" the doctor said and Jacey nodded, too tired to speak. She felt that she had been pushing forever and yet the baby still wasn't born. She felt the contraction start and, as it continued to build, she pushed, crushing Niall's hand as she bore down.

"Good girl, you're doing so well" Niall encouraged her as he gave a small kiss. "Baby is nearly here, love. Not much longer"

"And another push like that" the doctor said and baby will soon be with us". Jacey waited for the contraction then pushed.

"Stop pushing, just pant for me" the doctor instructed.

"What's wrong" Jacey's voice was high pitched with anxiety.

"It's ok, just need to move the cord. Push with the next contraction". Jacey did as she was told then , after a few more big pushes, she felt the baby sliding out into the doctors waiting hands

"Daddy, would you like to cut the cord?" Niall nodded and did so, his hands shaking with the strength of his emotions. The doctor then saved the stem cord blood carefully. Niall noticed and, though he was curious, put it from his mind. His thoughts were all for Jacey and the wonderful gift of a new life she was giving him.

A few seconds later, then an indignant whail was heard and a tiny body was laid on Jacey's chest.

"A son" Niall whispered, awestruck "I have a son"

"Indeed you do" the doctor agreed. She smiled at the couple and allowed them to admire the baby before a nurse came to take the baby to be checked over while Jacey delivered the placenta and was then cleaned up.

Niall sat next to Jacey's bed, cuddling his son. His son. He could hardly believe it. He had been really blessed, he realised, despite everything. He had his Aoife and now he had his precious son. He had named his son in his head but wondered if Jacey would agree. But for now, the title 'son' was enough. Jacey smiled at the expression on Niall's face. She stealthily got her phone and snapped several pictures of her husband and son, to capture that moment.Putting down the phone, she held out her arms towards the baby.

"My turn !"