A BOB-WHITE BABY

Summary: A new Bob-White baby is about to born!

Disclaimer: All character names and trademarks associated with the Trixie Belden series are the intellectual property of Golden Books, Random House's Children Books and Random House, Inc. The following story is a work of fan fiction intended solely as an intellectual exercise without profit motive. No infringement of copyright is intended or should be implied.

Author's Note: This story takes place in the same universe as Junior Year: New Beginnings. It just takes place eleven or twelve years later. I didn't want an 'M' rating so I tried to tell the story without going into detail about labor.

Chapter One: Labor

Jim Frayne was annoyed. The snowstorm besieging Sleepyside could not have come at a more inopportune time. The sleet had changed to snow on his way into town to meet with his local attorney. By the time their three-hour conference was over, there was six inches of snow on the ground with more piling up every minute. He looked up at the sky in frustration and realized that he was not going to make it to his meeting in the City. Of course, considering the weather, no one else was going to make it either. He sighed, deciding to return to the Manor House.

As he walked toward his car, Jim heard another vehicle coming down the street. He glanced toward it and saw a familiar truck pull into a parking space in front of the medical center. The engine shut off and the door to the cab opened. Slowly, carefully, a woman climbed out of the pick-up truck. She was small-framed and her large belly seemed to throw her off balance as she stepped onto the ice and snow-covered street.

"MacKensie," he yelled. "What the hell are you doing?"

The young woman looked up when she heard him call her name and the simple movement caused her to slip and fall. She threw herself backward and grabbed her stomach, trying to protect the baby cradled within her body. Landing on her backside in the snow, she winced in pain.

Jim slipped and slid down the street toward her. When he reached her, he crouched down. His face was pale, fear for her displayed in his intensely-green eyes.

"God, Kensie, you scared the shit out of me," he said, his voice hoarse. "Are you okay?"

As he stared into her eyes, Jim thought that she had to be one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. Of course, he knew her well enough to know that she hated how she looked—hated that many people mockingly refered to her as a 'Barbie doll.' Her looks had hindered her career since many of her superiors and colleagues assumed that she had gotten where she was because she was beautiful. Even though it wasn't true, he knew that she often wondered if they were right, struggling with feelings of inferiority—feelings that she wasn't as smart or talented as her co-workers.

Pregnant, she was lovelier than ever. Her classically-beautiful features—wide blue eyes, a small, straight nose and a lush and full mouth—were accentuated by the glow that most pregnant women exuded. Today, her face was free from make-up and her long, straight blonde hair was pulled up in a ponytail.

As he kneeled beside her, Kensie's blue eyes met his, angry fire dancing in their depths. "Oh, yeah, Jim, I'm just fine. We're just fine. I fall on my butt all the time. The baby is used to it." She snapped hostilely. "And do you kiss your momma with that mouth?" Her southern drawl was magnified by her fury.

Struggling to hide his smile, he reached around her and carefully pulled her to her feet. She was as intolerant of curse words as the other women in his life were. "I'm sorry I startled you but you scared me. What are you doing in town? The roads are dangerous."

Kensie looked around at the feather-like snowflakes. "No kidding. I'm…" She began, her voice sarcastic, and then trailed off, grimacing in pain. One of her hands flew to her back and she breathed, slowly and deeply.

"You're having the baby now?" He asked loudly. Staring at her incredulously, he told her, "You can't have the baby right now! Your obstetrician is in White Plains! The hospital is in White Plains!"

The contraction had eased and Kensie looked at him with contempt, "You wanna tell the baby that? Gosh, Jim, you are such a man."

Her disgruntled words were overheard by an elderly gentleman making his way down the icy sidewalk. He cackled and shook his cane at her. "That's what got that baby in your belly, young lady. Him being a man and all."

Both Jim and Kensie opened their mouths to respond but the old man held up his cane again. "Don't worry, sonny. They're all like that when they're in labor—mean as hornets—but as soon as the doctor puts that baby in her arms, she'll be as sweet as honey."

With another cackle, he continued on his way, leaving the young couple staring after him. Her eyes glistening with ire, Kensie turned toward Jim. He raised his arms in self-defense.

"It's not worth it and you know it," he told her seriously. "Besides we need to get you inside so we can call the rescue squad."

Kensie looked at him solemnly. As she bit her bottom lip, he thought he saw worry in her eyes. It disconcerted him. In her professional life, she was fearless, facing down kidnappers and serial killers with the calm the FBI had engrained in her but Kensie was different when she was among her family and friends. Even though she opened up and laughed more, she never showed anxiety or fear. He didn't think that it was in her.

"There was a twenty-three car pile-up on the Interstate. According to the radio, all available law enforcement, fire department and rescue squad personnel have been dispatched to the crash. I tried to call Dan to see what he thought I should do but my stupid phone wouldn't work."

"Maybe we should call dispatch…"

"No, I already tried the non-emergency number. There was no answer," she said despondently. "The deejay said the wreck is really bad and that EMS and law enforcement are stretched thin. There were several fatalities and a lot of people were seriously injured." Chewing her bottom lip, she asked him, "Have you heard from Mart and Di today? Weren't they going into the City?"

Jim nodded slowly and he looked at her reassuringly. "I'm sure that they're fine. Mart knew it was going to snow and said that he wasn't going to go if the forecast didn't change. Besides, we need to focus on you right now. Brian will be able to…"

"Brian Belden is not touching me," Kensie told him forcefully. With a sniff, she said, "Dr. Taylor will deliver my baby. He's very nice."

"And ancient. Come on, Kens, Dr. Taylor has got to be ninety years-old," the red-haired man told her, his voice frustrated and his face concerned. She was headstrong and once she made her mind, there was no swaying her.

Kensie pulled away from him and moved slowly toward the stairs leading up to the Sleepyside Medical Center. Most of the town's residents considered the small hospital a 'band-aid' station. The facility and its doctors were more than capable of handling small emergencies but individuals with serious injuries or illnesses were stabilized and transferred to the hospital in White Plains.

"Well, I guess he's had a lot of experience then," she told him with a toss of her head. "Dr. Taylor has probably delivered hundreds of babies." As she finished speaking, she lost her balance. Reaching out, Jim caught her before she fell again.

"I can do this myself," she stormed at him.

"No, you can't," Jim retorted reasonably. Wrapping a musclar arm around her waist, he carefully led her up to the door of the medical center.

Warmth assailed them as they entered the building and Kensie unthinkingly admitted, "I didn't realize I was so cold."

Jim frowned at her. He continued to hold her as they made their way slowly across the eerily-vacant lobby to the registration desk. A young women whose name badge said 'Christy' handed Jim a clipboard. When Kensie removed her insurance card and driver's license from her wallet, he took them and told her to go sit down. She rolled her eyes at the order and looked at the lady manning the desk, "I want to see Dr. Taylor."

The young woman smiled but shook her head, "He's already left for the day but don't worry. Dr. Evans and Dr. Belden are both on duty."

"I want to see Dr. Evans. I do not—under any circumstance—want to see Dr. Belden. He is not touching me. Do you understand?" At Kensie's pronouncement, the woman nodded at her, trying not to laugh when Jim rolled his eyes.

"I said I'll take care of the paperwork, Kens. Go sit down," he repeated his earlier command, somewhat surprised when she obeyed him without an argument. Rapidly, he filled out the documents and handed them to the registration clerk. In a whisper, he told her, "I want to see Dr. Belden."

The clerk had immediately recognized both of them and knew that they were Dr. Belden's friends. With a smile, she nodded and replied, "I'll let him know that you're here, Mr. Frayne. Someone will be out to get you in a few minutes."

Jim thanked her and walked over to Kensie. She was sitting in an uncomfortable plastic chair, flipping through a ten year-old Highlights magazine. When she didn't acknowledge him, he sighed and sat down beside her. Grabbing the outdated magazine out of her hands, he tossed it on a table and handed her the cards that he had used to fill out the medical center's forms. She sighed loudly and picked up her purse. Grinning, he watched her put the documents away, pull out her cell phone and dial a number. When she dumped the phone back in her purse, he asked, "No answer? Want me to try?"

She shook her head abruptly and stared out the glass windows facing the street. The snow was coming down harder.

"Why are you mad at me, Kensie?"

She ignored him, her expression mutinous.

"Is it because of Trixie?"

She refused to acknowledge him.

"It is, isn't it?" he asked, disbelief in his voice. "You can't be serious! That was years ago! Trixie was still in high school!"

Again, she didn't respond.

"Come on, Kensie. Give me a…" He trailed off as she gasped in pain and grabbed her stomach.

She finally looked at him, her blue eyes wide. "They're getting worse. A lot worse."

"Shit." As he stood up, she grabbed his arm.

"Try to call first," she said desperately. When he hesitated, she whispered, "Please, Jim." He took out his phone, dialed the familiar number and then shook his head in frustration.

"Nothing," he growled as he pocketed the phone. He strode quickly across the room to the girl at the reception desk. "I want to see Brian now. I don't want her to have the baby in the lobby."

The girl nodded and picked up the phone as Jim went back to Kensie. As he reached her, the secured door to the examination rooms opened and Brian Belden stepped through it.

When Kensie saw him, she glared at him with narrowed, blue eyes. In a haughty voice, she informed him, "You are not touching me."

Brian's professional mask dissolved at her words and a grin split his handsome face. His brown eyes twinkled as he replied, "Christy already told me that. No touching you under any circumstances, I believe?" His voice grew serious as he continued, "Dr. Evans is with another patient, Kensie. I thought I could check your and the baby's vitals while you wait for him."

She agreed with a small nod and then told him worriedly, "I fell outside. The snow cushioned my fall. My backside's sore and I feel okay but…" she trailed off and bit her bottom lip before she rushed on, "Brian, I haven't felt the baby move lately. That's normal, isn't it?"

"It is normal. I'm sure the baby's fine, Kensie," he said reassuringly. "But I know you'll feel better after we check it out."

Slowly, she stood up. When Jim put his arm around her waist, she shot him a dirty look but let him guide her across the empty lobby.

Brian led them to an examination room and told Kensie to have a seat in the visitor's chair. "Let's listen to the baby's heartbeat before you change."

He kneeled in front of her and placed his stethoscope against her swollen belly. He moved it several times before he looked up at her and smiled. "Sounds good. I think the baby's just resting. It's got a big trip ahead of it."

Kensie smiled with relief.

"I want you to put this on. Take off all of your bottoms. No underwear." He told her as he handed her a hospital gown. "We'll be out in the hall. Let us know when you're ready. Okay?"

The pregnant girl nodded as she took the gown from him.

"Do you want me to get a nurse to help you?"

She shook her head. "I'll be fine."

When the two men left the room, Brian turned toward Jim. He knew how much his friend hated hospitals—how he avoided them at all costs. For the last several years of his mother's life, Jim had virtually lived in a hospital and he still associated them with loneliness, loss and death.

"How are you doing, buddy?" Brian asked, worried about the tension in his friend's eyes.

"It's my fault. I startled her, Brian, and she lost her balance," Jim said, running a hand through his hair. "If anything happens to her or the baby…"

"Nothing is going to happen to either of them. I told you the baby's heartbeat is fine and you can see for yourself that Kensie is her normal, sassy self."

"But…"

"But nothing. Stop worrying. We're gonna have another Bob-White baby in a couple of hours," Brian said reassuringly and then shook his head in amusement, "You know, you're acting like you're…" He trailed off as a nurse approached them.

"There's a technician from the electric company in the lobby waiting to speak to you, Dr. Belden. He said that he needs to check the generators. The electric company is expecting a power failure."

Brian looked at his friend, "I'll be back in a minute. I need to find out what's going on."

Jim nodded and paced back and forth. Finally, Kensie opened the door. He followed her into the room and closed the door behind him. When he turned back to her, she looked young and frightened, sitting on the side of the bed with her hands folded in her lap.

"My baby is going to be a Yankee," she whispered despondently.

Jim bit back a smile. "Come on, Kens, you knew that. Living in New York and all…"

"I don't want it to be a Yankee. I want to go home," she said tearfully and then admitted, "I want my mom."

He reached out and tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "I don't think the baby's going to wait to be born," he told her softly.

She met his eyes. "Then, I want your mom. Or Brian's mom. Or Di's. Just somebody's mom." Sniffing, she dashed away her tears away. "I'm afraid, Jim. I know I'm being stupid but none of this is going the way we planned. Maybe that means something…"

"It doesn't mean anything," he assured her as he pulled up a chair. "Hey, you face down criminals every day. One small baby isn't going to be a problem."

She made a sound that was something between a laugh and a sob. "One small baby."

He took her hand and squeezed it gently. "Tell me how to make you feel better. I'll do anything you want…" Jim trailed off as Dr. Evans and a nurse came into the room.

"I hear we're having a baby," the man said jovially. "Let's see how far along we are." He looked at Jim. "Are you staying?"

The younger man shook his head vehemently. "I'll be outside." Quickly, he headed to the door, desperate to escape now that the doctor was with her.

"Jim…" Kensie called out from behind him. When he turned toward her, her eyes were pleading. "You said anything..." She stopped, knowing that she was asking the impossible and then hurried on because it was important to her. "I want my husband with me when my baby is born."

His green eyes met hers and he hesitated. He didn't know if he could do it. "I'll try."

An hour later, Kensie was in the delivery room with two nurses and the doctor. The medical center's power had gone out but the generator had kicked in. It was a bit cool but she didn't care. As she struggled to control her breathing, she felt scared and alone.

When the doctor told her to relax, she slumped back against the bed. Biting her lip, she let go of the bed rail and wiped away the lone tear rushing down her face. She nodded tiredly when he looked up at her and said, "You're doing fine—we're almost there."

She pushed back the blonde tendrils that had escaped her ponytail and then, jumped when the delivery room door flew open.

"What the hell?" Dr. Evans snapped. "Get out of here. This is…" He trailed off when he saw the glint of the gold badge clipped to the intruder's belt. The man ignored him and strode across the room. When he reached the bed, he sat down beside the laboring young woman. Carefully, he leaned over and gently kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry, Kensie. I..."

She placed her fingers on his lips. Smiling, she reassured him softly, tears streaming down her face. "It doesn't matter, Dan. You're here now."