(March)
It's two in the morning. The house is quiet. Everyone is asleep, except a petite woman with shoulder length blonde hair, who is tossing and turning, trying unsuccessfully to get comfortable in bed as a small contraction comes and goes. Her very swollen abdomen is making it very difficult for her to be comfortable. Should she lay on her back? No, it's hard to breathe. How 'bout on the left side? No, then I'll have heartburn. How 'bout on the right side? No, then my shoulder will go numb. She sighs and then looks at the clock. It reads 2:00.
"Today or tonight, I'm going to become a mother for the third, or umm, fourth time," she chuckles to herself as another contraction starts as a twinge in the small of her back, radiating around her sides as it grows into a full-blown crushing contraction. "YIKES!" she hisses, causing her husband to stir. The blonde-headed woman begins to pant, through the contraction so as not to awaken her husband, who is facing away from her; she'll need him later, she might as well let him sleep right now.
She begins to take deep breaths as the contraction begins to subside. "That one was fierce," she whispers as she tries to make herself more comfortable in bed. She looks over at her husband and smiles. "Soon we'll go from a family of four to a family of six. I love you," she whispers as she lightly fingers a lock of his hair.
After a bout of tossing and turning, she decides being comfortable in bed is futile, she gingerly hoists herself up beside the bed. Placing a hand on the nightstand, she balances herself as another contraction flows through her body. She looks at the clock. 3:00. "Three contractions in an hour, I think. It's not time to go to the hospital yet." She quietly walks out of the bedroom and down the hallway to the first doorway.
She opens the door just a bit to reveal a thirteen year old boy with spiked brown hair. "I love you, kiddo. Sweet dreams." She notices he's shivering, so she silently enters his room and tucks the comforter around her little boy's shoulders and places a light kiss on his cheek. She exits his room before the next contraction hits. "Whew! That was close!" she sighs in relief. She looks back at her son's bedroom door and smiles. Her son's hoping that at least one of the babies is a boy; he doesn't want to be stuck in a sea of girls. She remembers telling her husband once when discussing baby names that she wouldn't be surprised if he might contemplate running away if the twins were girls.
Then, she looks down the hallway to her fifteen year old daughter's bedroom. Her daughter hopes the twins are both girls. She's not sure she thinks her daughter wants sisters because she really wants sisters or because she wants to tease her brother. She walks down the hallway to check on her eldest child. She opens the door and sees that her daughter is reading a book. Her daughter looks up at her mother, "Mom?"
"Do you know what time it is?" She asks, leaning against the threshold.
"I'm almost finished with this chapter. It's really good!"
"What are you reading?"
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
"I thought you weren't interested in Harry Potter books."
"I wasn't, but Gordo loaned it to me."
"Well, finish that chapter. You've got school tomo..." She can't finish the sentence.
Lizzie grows concerned. "Mom?" She gets up and rushes to her mother's side.
Jo waves her off as her body is released from the contraction's grip. She exhales and then replies, "I'm okay."
"I'm gonna get dad," she replies in a panic as she starts down the hall.
"Lizzie, stop."
Lizzie does as told and walks back to her mother. "But mom," she protests, "aren't you in labour? Don't you need to go to the hospital?"
Jo looks over at her daughter's clock, which reads 3:30; two contractions in half an hour. They're getting closer. "I am in labour, but I don't need to go to the hospital yet. The contractions aren't close together enough."
Lizzie looks confused.
Jo continues, "When they're about five minutes apart, then I'll have your dad take me to the hospital. Until then, I'm gonna let him sleep. There's no sense both of us being up."
"Why don't you get some sleep?"
"There's no way these little ones are gonna let me get any rest right now," Jo chuckles as she puts a loving hand over her abdomen. "I'm gonna go downstairs and rest in the recliner. Finish the chapter and get some sleep."
"Okay. I'll tell dad if he asks. Good night."
Jo kisses her daughter on the cheek and Lizzie returns a kiss on her mother's cheek. Then, she descends the stairs to the living room and settles into the recliner. "Oh, sweethearts," she sighs, "What a journey this has been!"
-Flashback-
(Spring 2001; Two years ago)
Sam and Jo are in bed the night of Lizzie's rhythmic gymnastics competition. Jo is beaming with pride and Sam notices.
"Lizzie did great today," Sam remarks.
"She did," Jo replies, beaming. "I can't believe that was my little girl out there. She looked so grown up."
"She was wonderful out there. Too bad she didn't enjoy it; she's really good."
"Yeah," she absently replies, lost in thought. A lump begins growing in her throat and a tear rolls down her cheek.
"Hey, what is it?" He tenderly wipes the tear away with the side of his index finger.
"My baby girl," she cries between sniffs, "my baby girl's growing up!"
Sam puts his arm around his wife. "Aww, come here. What prompted this?"
"I...I don't know."
"Sure you do. You can tell me."
Jo reaches over to the nightstand, grabs a tissue, blows her nose, and continues, "Lizzie's thirteen now. She's not a little girl anymore! I...I guess it dawned on me when she asked us if she could go to Danny Kessler's pool party at the first of the school year." She sighs, takes another tissue, and continues, "She doesn't seem to need me as much anymore."
"She needs you," he assures.
"Yeah, but not like she used to. She was so sweet when she was little and I loved doing all those mommy daughter things we used to do."
"Well, no. She's a teenager now. She'll be getting into all those, ahem teenager things, like uhh, dating and boys and stuff." Sam begins coughing at the thought of his daughter dating.
"And then there's Matt..."
"Matt?" he asks, with growing curiosity as to where this conversation is going.
"I miss the cuddlebug he used to be. It seems like both our kids would rather hang out with their friends than their mom; at least Matt still does things with you."
"Hardly!" Sam snorts. "With the exception of Scouts, he's usually out with his friends." He pauses and studies his wife. "You're shaking. What's wrong?"
"I...I was thinking...I...I...I wanna..." She turns away from her husband.
"What? You wanna what?" Sam rubs her back in gentle circles.
"I wanna have another baby."
Sam studies his wife before he replies. "Are you sure you want another baby or are you missing the kids as babies?"
"I...I don't know. All I know is that I want to have another baby."
Sam pauses and lets everything sink in.
Jo continues, "I miss being pregnant and feeling the baby move and kick. I miss rocking my baby to sleep, watching my baby grow and seeing my baby's personality develop..."
"You know, Jo," he begins, "if we did have another baby, he or she would also grow up, and let's say we had one next year, we'd be in our fifties when this one was a teenager. Would you want another one when he or she was a teen?"
"No," Jo states, offended. "I wouldn't. I just know what I want now."
Sam sighs. "I'm content with my life and our family just the way it is. The kids are becoming more and more self-sufficient and we'll have more time for each other. I really don't want to start over." Jo begins to cry. "I'm sorry, Jo. Do you understand?"
"Yeah," she replies, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. "But do you understand my position? I really want another baby."
"Tell ya what," Sam begins, "can we put this on hold for a few months, and if you still really want a baby, then we can try for a baby."
"Really?" Jo questions. "You'd try for a baby even though you're not thrilled with the idea of another baby?"
"Yes, really. If it means that much to you and you still want a baby, then, yes, we'll try for another baby."
"I love you!" The petite blonde giggles and embraces her husband.
-Back to the present-
Jo tosses and turns in the recliner as another contraction grips her body. As it releases, she looks over at the clock. 3:40. They haven't gotten much closer together. "Sweeties, I still can't believe you're on your way. I can't wait to meet you both." She sees her son walking down the stairs heading into the kitchen. "Matt?"
He startles. "Mom?"
"What are you doing up?"
Matt grabs a glass from the cabinet. "I'm thirsty, so I thought I'd come downstairs and get me something to drink." He opens the refrigerator. "Do we have any more Powerade?"
"It's on the second shelf behind the milk, but you really need to have either milk, water or juice, not Powerade."
"'Kay." He grabs some orange juice and pours him a glass. "Want some?"
"No, but could you fix me a cup of water?" Matt starts to grab a glass, but Jo stops him. "No, not a glass, a cup, please."
"Ice or no ice?"
"Ice, please."
Matt pours her a cup of water and brings it to his mother. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."
"Are the babies coming?"
"They'll be here within the next day or so," she replies, smiling.
A wave of panic crosses Matt. "D...do...do I need to g...ge...get dad?"
"No. I'm fine. It's not time yet." She stretches her arms out. Matt bends down so his mother can give him a kiss on the cheek. "Go back to bed. Good night."
"Good night."
"I love you, son."
"Love you too, mom." Matt goes back upstairs and Jo settles back into the recliner.
-Flashback-
(Back to Spring 2002)
Matt discovers that the family's watching Fredo the chimp while his owners are out of town for a few days. He decides to lay down the law with the primate.
"All right. You don't like me, I don't like you. We're stuck together for a few days, so here's how it's gonna work. You stay on your half of the house, and I'll stay on my half of the house."
Sam and Jo enter the living room as Matt is taping the couch.
Jo stops her son, "Matt, you are not dividing the house. Why can't you get along with this little guy?"
"Because he's a demon in a chimp form," he protests.
Sam adds, "Son, you know, you can have a lot of fun with Fredo. He could be like, you know, your little brother."
"I guess if i can put up with Lizzie, I can put up with a chimp," Matt begins, "It might be fun having a little brother. I'm not getting one from you guys any time soon, am I?"
Jo and Sam look at each other in horror and then quickly change the subject by redirecting Matt into being friends with Fredo. Matt hugs the chimp. "That's my kid!" Jo replies in relief.
While Matt plays with Fredo, Sam whispers to Jo, "Let's go on a walk while they're playing nicely together."
The couple takes a walk and finds a park bench in a secluded spot in the nearby park. Sam looks at Jo. "What is it, Sam?" she asks, curious.
"I'm curious. When Matt asked if he was getting a little brother from us any time soon, you looked horrified at the thought. Have you changed your mind about having another baby, or was that just a cover?"
A wide smile spreads across Jo's face. "I have been thinking about it, especially since Lizzie's been talking nonstop about going to high school this fall and about how much fun she, Gordo and Miranda are going to have fun in Rome after school lets out. And that got me to thinking she'll be in college in four years and Matt's not long behind her. After that, we'll have the house to ourselves."
"So, what you're saying," Sam begins.
"I don't think I want to try for another baby," Jo finishes.
"Are you sure?" he asks.
"Yeah. I love my family just the way it is." She puts her head on her husband's shoulder as he brings her into an embrace. "It feels complete."
-Back to the present-
"Ouch!" Jo startles awake. 3:50. Another ten minutes. Things are moving. "So kids, I'll need to let your daddy know soon, won't I?" She decides that it may be best to go back upstairs. She finds the lever on the side of the chair to let the foot of the recliner down, put her hands on left chair arm and pushed herself out of the chair. After she regains her balance, she makes her way back upstairs and into the bedroom. Sam is still fast asleep as she slips back in bed. She knows she won't be able to get comfortable, so she decides to lay on her right side so she can have as much room in the bed as possible. She drapes her left arm around her abdomen, cradling her babies and closes her eyes.
-Flashback-
(Mid-July 2002; Seven and a half months ago)
Jo pulls up into the driveway in a state of shock. She can't believe the news. Sure, she's happy, but at the same time, she had decided that her family was complete. Now, she and Sam are adding to it again. What would Sam say? He never wanted a third child. She gets out of the car, walks up to the door and pauses. She knows Sam's home because he decided to work at home today. The kids are out with their friends, so they'll have the house to themselves. This means she can go ahead and tell him. She inhales, turns the doorknob, exhales, and then walks into the house. "Here it goes," she thinks to herself.
"Honey, is that you?" Sam calls out from his study.
"Hi!" She walks into the study and kisses her beloved.
"How was your appointment?"
"It went well," she answers as she sits down beside him. "You remember that night when Lizzie was in Rome and Matt was away at camp?" She begins amorously.
Sam grins, playing along, "You mean, the night when we had the candlelight dinner and the rose petals and satin sheets on the bed?"
"Uh huh," she purrs.
"Yeah," he answers, his lip curling in curiosity.
"Well," she leans forward, taking his hands in hers, coaxing him forward, "we've got a little souvenir of that night."
Her words do not register; Sam is concentrating on the sultry tone of her voice.
Jo continues, planting feather light kisses on her husband's cheeks and neck. "Actually [KISS] we've got [KISS] two souvenirs [KISS] of that night [KISS]. We're expecting twins." She plants a romantic kiss on his lips and pulls him into a deep embrace.
Suddenly, Sam realizes what she just said. He stiffens and breaks the embrace. "You're pregnant with twins? We're having twins and it happened that night?"
"Yes," Jo smiles.
"Really?" Sam laughs.
She's laughing too. "Yes!"
"Jo!" While still laughing, he envelops his wife in an embrace.
"I know you didn't want to have anymore kids."
"I don't care about that, Jo. What did the doctor say?"
"The babies and I are healthy and I'm due in March. I'm six weeks along."
"I love you so much, Jo, and you've made me the happiest man in the world."
The couple embrace.
-Back to the present-
4:00, 4:05, 4:10. After the contraction finishes, she rolls over and shakes her husband. "Sam! It's time!" He doesn't stir. She feels another one begin, so she takes her pillow and hits him on the shoulder, startling him awake.
"Hey!" Sam protests.
"It's time!" she hisses as another contraction peaks.
"What?" He darts out of bed, quickly changing his clothes. "Should I wake the kids?"
"Let Lizzie know so she'll know she'll either have to find a ride to school or ride the bus."
"Okay." He grabs Jo's bag and heads to Lizzie's room. He knocks on the door. "Lizzie?"
Lizzie opens the door and sees her dad at the door and her mother at the staircase in the middle of the contraction, "You're taking mom to the hospital."
"Yeah," he replies.
"Okay, I'll call Miranda to see if her mom can take us to school instead and I'll get Matt off to school too."
"See you later." Sam walks back down the hall to see after his wife.
Matt opens his door as he heard his parents, "Good luck. I love you, mom."
Jo manages to smile at her children. Then the kids close their bedroom doors and return to bed as Sam and Jo leave for the hospital.
-End (of this chapter)- A/N-Yes, I meant to make the identity of the blonde woman nebulous at the beginning. This may be a two-shot instead of an extremely long story. I don't have time to write long stories. I've got one incomplete story as it is (Touched By an Angel story). I've missed writing for Lizzie McGuire, so I had to write for this fandom again. I like reviews, but I wrote it more for an exercise in creativity, but I do hope you read and review anyway! Thanks!