Disclaimer: Don't own them sorry. Don't read unless you've read the other six or it won't make sense. Please review.
Ann insisted that even though she was close to her due date that they spent the holidays out at Chris and Mary's like the year before. She reminded Ezra that Rain would be there and she was a doctor so he had nothing to worry about.
"That's what was said last year." He reminded her of her arm.
"Yes but I won't be skating this year." She grinned up at him from her chair at their small house just outside of Denver about ten minutes from Chris's. He threw up his hands and gave in, actually he was glad to be going, he hated to miss a holiday with his new family, and his six brothers. After all what could possibly go wrong?
Once again the office was given an extra week off as a gift. Ann was almost ready to take her maternity leave so she was grateful for an extra week tacked on to it. The ride was uneventful she slept most of the way while Ezra played classic Christmas music. According to the book he'd been reading classical was the best, though she had asked if he could at least once play the parody CD JD had created earlier that week.
That night as they put up the tree Chris's weather alert began beeping. A blizzard was on its way and coming fast. Chris shook his head he had prepared inevitably a blizzard happened at least once there and he was ready.
However what happened Christmas Eve morning they were not ready for.
It snowed for three days straight up to Christmas Eve morning and showed no sign of stopping or slowing down. Ann began complaining of a back ache which sent Ezra into a fit.
"Ezra I am fine. My back is sore is all. If you had to carry an extra twenty pounds you would hurt to. Now calm down and please stop pacing." Ezra stopped and watched as Rain looked her over again in their room.
"You're sure no other pains?"
Ann looked a bit sheepish. "Ann." Ezra said slowly.
"A few stomach cramps a few minutes ago but they went away."
"Have any more?" She nodded.
Rain jumped up and threw open the bed room door. "Alright boys lets get this show on the road. Nathan you know what to do looks like Ezra and Ann are getting a Christmas present from the stork."
"What?" Buck asked dropping his hot cocoa.
'Your sure?" Ezra asked following Rain out.
"All the signs are there. Back ache, stomach pains that are getting stronger. I'd say by late tonight we'll have a new Standish under the tree."
Ezra was stunned when Ann yelled for him. "Yep get things boiling Nathan it's going to be a long day."
Long day it was. The six remaining members of team seven paced outside the Standish bed room, only pausing when Ann cried out, then they continued their walk. The women just shook their heads and continued preparing for the next day they could do nothing but wait.
Well past midnight a cry was heard from the room. "That wasn't Ann." Vin said softly. Soon it was followed by more crying causing all the men to grin. Rain walked out. "It's a little girl."
Ezra sat carefully on the edge of the bed holding his precious gift for a few minutes before passing her to Ann. Ezra wrapped both arms around them kissing Ann who couldn't stop smiling. "What should we name her?"
"Grace." Ezra said softly, "It was my grandmothers name."
She nodded ."Grace Ruth."
A soft nock caused them to look up. Rain peeked in, "Do you feel up to some company? Six uncles out here are dying to see their niece."
Ann nodded handing Grace to Ezra who stood up while everyone filed in. "Gentlemen meet Grace Ruth." He handed her first to Vin. Ezra reclaimed his seat beside Ann and watched as the full grown me oohed and ahed at the baby.
"Merry Christmas Ezra."
"Merry Christmas Ann."
