Not Expecting to Collide (COMPLETE) - ABP Fanfiction

Chapter 88 - A New Normal

Bam's first week back was hectic. His job started on the first Monday. Before he was even finished learning what he needed to know, a winter storm hit the southern half of the province burying the city and surrounding areas in several inches of snow. Being on a snow-removal crew, this was great news for Bam - more snow meant more work which meant a bigger paycheque at the end of the month.

Rainy's first week in Calgary was overwhelming. Tuesday afternoon, October drove her to the junior high school where they picked up enrolment documents, school supplies lists and class selection forms. The administration had to request that Rainy's student reports be transferred from the Alaskan school division that had regulated the curriculum that Ami had originally used in Rainy's home-schooling.  Luckily, the school was able to do all the paperwork without a legal guardian's signature. Rainy took all papers home to go through with Bam.

"You must take your core classes of English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science and Phys-Ed. So that's five core courses." October explained while they pored over the papers at the dinner table. "Then you have to choose which two electives you want to take from this list." She pulled a piece of paper out from under the pile and handed it to Rainy.
"Fine arts and CTF." Rainy read aloud. "What's CTF?"
"Career and technology foundations." October explained. "Do you have any idea what you want to do once you graduate?" Rainy shook her head.
"Then just pick which ones look the most interesting to you." Bam said helpfully. "The fine arts choices are Art, Band, Drama or Photography."
Rainy wrinkled her nose. "Band? Like playing a trumpet? No way."
"Okay," Bam continued. "What about drama. Are you interested in acting?"
Rainy shook her head vigorously. "I have had enough of acting with the show. No thank you."
"Photography?" He continued. "I happen to know a very talented and beautiful photographer who might be willing to help you out with homework." He grinned over at October.
"Hey, yeah!" Rainy exclaimed. "That would be so cool! You and me working together!" She turned to October. "Would you?"
October smiled at her enthusiasm. "Of course I will. I would be happy to."
Bam squeezed October's thigh under the table. 
"Last decision you have to make today. Your CTF class. Which one?"
Rainy glanced at the paper in front of her. "That's easy - fashion and design."
Bam blackened in the little box on the form with his pen and signed his name at the bottom with a flourish.
"There. All done. You are ready to start next Monday." He announced.
"Not quite." October interjected. "We still have to go shopping for supplies."
Rainy nodded. "Yeah, October is taking me to the mall tomorrow." She said excitedly.
Bam laughed at her exuberance. "Then you'd better make sure you get a few new things to wear too." He said as he pulled a few bills out of his wallet and slid them across the table to his wife. Rainy jumped up from her chair and flung her arms around his neck. "Thank you, thank you! You're the best!" She cheered and planted a peck on his cheek. "I'm going to pick out my clothes for shopping tomorrow." October laughed as Rainy ran out of the kitchen.
Bam gathered the forms off the table into a neat pile and clipped them together in the folder. He felt October's eyes watching him. "What?" He asked softly, suddenly feeling very self- conscious.
"We'd better be having a boy." She whispered.
"Why?" He stood up and looped his arms around her.
"Because if we have have a girl, you will spoil her."
Bam's lips turned up into a smirk as he moved his hands down to caress her middle. "I won't even bother to argue with you." He dropped to one knee and pressed his lips against her stomach. "Isn't that right princess? Daddy's going to spoil you rotten."
October laughed out loud as Bam continued his one sided conversation with her navel.

~*~

October's first week back was exhausting. Between helping Bam prepare for his new job and setting Rainy up for school, she also had doctor's appointments to catch up on and clients to touch base with. She barely had a minute to think. Add to that the fact that she couldn't sleep for more than two hours at a time before her body would get sore, October was at her wits' end by the end of the first week.

With Rainy's help, all of the last minute jobs for baby's arrival were completed. The nursery was finished and new blankets were folded in the crib. A stack of diapers was fit neatly in the closet. All the little onesies had been laundered and folded into the dresser by Rainy, who had cooed sweetly or each one. October was ready for the baby to come out!

~*~

By their third week in Calgary, everyone had settled into a new normal. They would wake up early in the morning, share breakfast together and then Bam and Rainy would be off to the city. Bam dropped Rainy off at school on his way to work. October would stay home taking care of her online stock photos from there. Any contracts she had lined up were either waiting for after baby was born or, if they were more urgent, subcontracted out to other photographers in her network. Rainy was dismissed from school at three-forty. She would then wait in the school library for Bam to be done work at five, using the extra time to complete her homework assignments or study. Bam was rarely late leaving work. Because they only had October's truck between them, he worried about October being home alone with no means of transportation should an emergency arise.

One Friday night in early February, Bam wanted to take October out for a dinner date. With Rainy around they hadn't had a lot of time alone and he wanted to show his appreciation for how much October had done for Rainy.
"Are you sure Rainy is all right by herself at home?" October asked as they took their seats in the dimly lit restaurant.
"Are you kidding?" Bam responded. "She's got frozen pizza, microwave popcorn, Netflix and a telephone. She is in fourteen-year-old-girl heaven. Now stop worrying. This night is supposed to be about you and me." He reached across the table and intertwined his fingers with hers.  October nodded. "Okay, just you and me, Lover." She smiled. "Tell me about your week."
They fell into easy conversation as the meal progressed. The last three weeks had been so chaotic, Bam was glad they had taken the time to reconnect. Watching October's eyes shine in the candlelight, he thought she was stunning.
The streetlights shone against the winter night sky as Bam maneuvered October's truck away from the city. October snuggled in close to his side and sighed contentedly. "Let's go to bed as soon as we get home." She whispered close to his ear.  Bam brought her hand to his lips. "Are you that tired?"
October laughed softly. "Not that tired." Bam grinned and kissed her palm again without taking his eyes off the road ahead.
When they arrived at home, only the light in the den was on. October took her shoes off at the front door and turned to Bam. "I'm going to go upstairs and change out of this dress into something more comfortable." Bam brought his hands on either side of her face and kissed her deeply. October let out a moan as their tongues danced with each other. Bam pulled away only when he needed air. "I hope something more comfortable has lace." He breathed. October smirked sexily as his eyes darkened. "I'll just check on Rainy and be right up."
October started up the stairs. "Don't be long." She called over her shoulder, already pulling the zipper down the back of her dress.
Bam walked through the hallway past the kitchen into the den without bothering to turn on the lights. Rainy was sleeping soundly on the couch surrounded by a plate of half-eaten pizza, a popcorn bowl and a few empty cans of coke. The TV flickered as Bam found the remote and clicked it off. He pulled the blanket off the back of the could and covered his sister up. Rainy sighed dreamily and snuggled down into the cushions. "Good night Rainy." Bam whispered as he gathered a few dishes to return to the kitchen.
"More." Came her sleepy reply as he left the room. He made a quick stop in the kitchen to deposit the leftover pizza in the fridge and grab a glass of water.
"Bam?" October called from upstairs. Bam grinned to himself at the urgency of her voice. He began to unbutton his shirt before he got to the top step. "Bam, I need you." She called again.
"Damn insatiable woman." He teased as he came through the bedroom door. She was not on the bed. He spotted her hands on the counter of the ensuite bracing herself against the vanity. She gasped as his eyes met hers.
"Bam, my water just broke."