Moments in life

Reflections of a new father

Jack POV-

She's perfect. Just like her mother. I can't believe she is finally here. Little Skylar Rey Brinkmen. The newest member of our family. I can't believe I am here holding our child. She looks like a little angel sleeping in my arms.

"I love you Skylar Brinkmen. You are the greatest gift your mother and I have ever received."

I can't help looking up at Gabrielle. She looks so tired and beaten right now. So disheveled and non-Gabrielle like. No makeup, hair everywhere and sticking to her head from sweet. I don't think she has ever looked more beautiful to me then at this moment. I can't help being in awe of my wife. She did this. I have never seen her in so much pain but she just pushed through it. She really is one of the strongest people I know.

I admit she kept her cool about everything a lot better then I did. Cassie didn't lose it until the waiting room so I hear. But when Gabrielle looked at me during dinner and just said...

"Jack, It's time."

I froze for a second when I heard that statement. Then I lost my mind for a minute. I grabbed the bag the keys and was in the car in about 20 seconds. I think I had started it and was about to put it in reverse before Cassie caught up to me.

"Jack, You forgot Gabrielle. She is kind of an important part of the birth you know. Take a breath, calm down and then lets go back inside and help Gabrielle to the car, OK?"

She was so calm I couldn't help but do what she said. I took a couple of deep breaths and tried to calm down. Going crazy right now would not help Gabrielle in this situation. We have a plan. We will follow the plan.

"Thank you Cassie. I guess I kind of lost it for a minute there. Lets go get Gabrielle."

When I came back inside I noticed that Gabrielle was still sitting there. She just looked exasperated at me when I came back in. I couldn't help chuckling a little as I made my way over to her.

"Sorry sweetheart. I lost my head a bit. Cassie brought me back. Let me help you up and we can calmly make our way to the hospital to welcome baby duck. We can call from the car."

"That sound more like our plan Jack. I am not sure I could make it there on my own if you had decided to just drive yourself."

"Ha ha ha. Lets go Gab."

So we made it to the car and then to the hospital. We even managed to remember to call the hospital that we were on our way. Luckily Gabrielle's doctor was already there checking on another of her patients.

When we were waiting for them to get Gabrielle situated in a room, which I will never understand why I couldn't be in there... I mean do they think I have never seen my wife naked or something? To calm myself I started thinking about what was suppose to happen tonight. What were we forgetting. I mean Gabrielle is a week early, but the doctor said that was pretty normal. Oh that was it.

"Cassie can you do me a favor? I need you to remember to call our parents at 8pm. They should be on the ground by then. You know the flight number so you can check to make sure right?"

"Yes, Jack. I will take care of it. Madalyn, Olyvia and Jaycee are going to upset when they find out they will be a couple of days late and miss the birth. Should I call and tell them?"

"Please do Cassie. I don't want them to..."

"Mr. Brinkmen you can come in now. Are you Cassie, Gabrielle's sister?"

"Yes, I am Cassie."

"OK, you will have to wait out here a bit longer before you can see her. The doctor is examining Gabrielle right now. Normally we wouldn't even let you Mr. Brinkmen, but Gabrielle is demanding your presence."