Chapter 2: Rolling Out the Miracles

(New Orleans, Louisiana)

"Mom, are you sure this is the right place to be? I mean, I feel strange just being in this city." Claire moaned feeling a strange sensation washing over her. "Aaron and Sophie are lucky not to be going through this stuff because their magic hasn't manifested."

"Yes, this is the place we need to be right now sweetie. I know your dad and I talked about the possibility when you children's magic will manifest and we feel it's our job to help you guys prepare for it." Kat explained as they walked around the busy streets of the renowned French Quarter. "You're old enough to know that it's not easy growing up knowing there is this part of your life that will be difficult to talk about. However, your dad and I will always be here for you and help you by any means."

"It's strange to understand it mom. I mean daddy wasn't born from a lineage of witches and warlocks unlike you. Is it because of his Ranger powers he is able to practice magic like you? Everyone says that Uncle Tommy and Aunt Kim are the most powerful Rangers ever to exist. What about you and dad? You're both Power Rangers but also witches wouldn't that make you powerful as well?"

"We don't ever elect whose the most powerful among us. We all have our special attributes we contribute to the team." Kat explained. "I know it must be difficult for you to grow up knowing that your parents used to be superheroes that fought monsters as teenagers. As for your dad, we could say that when we got in touch with our Ninjetti powers, think of it as an upgrade. However, us being married well let's say your great-grandmother Lila didn't talk to me much about the perks of someone who marries into a witch family."

"Did daddy know you possessed magic while you were a Power Ranger at the time?" Claire asked curiously. "Will that mean I have to join a coven too?"

"At the time, he didn't and neither did the others. It wasn't until I passed my powers to Cassie and started dating your dad my magic began to manifest. Your dad was supportive of me when I wanted to learn more about my "other heritage" when we went to Westbury a few years ago. Back in the day I thought your great-grandmother use to talk nonsense about all this stuff, even your grandma tried to discourage her from ever bringing it up. I was about her age when I first learned about magic but at first I thought it was all a trick. Once I started dating your dad and my magic manifested, I was afraid your father would reject me so I tried to suppress it, however, I couldn't."

The thought about educating Claire about the supernatural at such a young age was a topic neither she nor Jason wanted their daughter to know very early her age. Their children already had to deal with their lives as Power Rangers and unfortunately found themselves being targeted by the forces of evil. Katherine felt that a trip to one of the most supernatural places in the world would give Claire an insight to the other world they were exposed to. Over the last few years Kat became comfortable and accepting of her magic though it is mind reeling to know that witches and warlocks exist. Thankfully, she had her family and friends to help her through it.

"You're still my mom no matter what and I love you and daddy regardless of who you are or what you do," Claire happily said. "I like knowing that my parents are superheroes and that we can magic like Harry Porter, except it's all real and not fiction. Sometimes I'm scared because the bad guys want to hurt us because we do good things. I remember what that Progeny lady did to me and I don't want to be frightened. I want to be brave and I want to learn how...to use magic to protect myself and fight."

"Katherine? Claire, is that you?" they heard someone calling in the Quarter to them. The two turned around to see Bianca approach them. "Oh my goodness it's you! What are you two doing here in New Orleans?"

"Bianca, always a pleasant sight for bright eyes," Kat smiled giving the Purple Twilight Ranger a hug. "So this is where you've been taking up residence?"

"It felt natural just to stick around for awhile. My father is back in Bucharest with my mother and the Kalderesh tribe. He's basically making up for the last couple of years he went MIA. Luckily, the rest of the tribe were apparently welcoming my dad back into the fold. I was tempted to go back home, but Ash had an offer for me to join him here in New Orleans to help quell some of the local disputes in the area. The supernatural community here is divided up into factions and to my surprise Highlanders act as mediators and sheriffs to keep the factions in line. "

"Wow that's a lot of pressure on both your parts. The reason why we're down here is because Jason and me wanted her to get acquainted with the supernatural world. She's almost ten years old and at this point her magic is making its presence known. So we thought why bring her to America's supernatural capital, New Orleans."

"Oh a newbie witch scenario? If you want I can arrange a meeting with one of the elders from one of the nine covens to help Claire out." Bianca suggested. "Apparently, they've already sense your presence in the Quarter. They say your aura is extremely powerful, pure, and ancient with the various degrees of magic you practice. Oh the witch community does keep tabs on our Ranger exploits and want to meet the woman who single handily eradicated Expression and the Acadian line."

"Mom's a hero to the witches?" Claire asked surprisingly.

"That's right Claire Bear, so do you two believe in the term southern hospitality?" Bianca replied as she led the two for a tour around the Quarter. "There's this nice cafe up the street the current Regent likes to dine for lunch. They sent me out here hoping you accept an afternoon lunch meeting with them? On the contrary, they're looking for a consultation...in regards to some recent activity that has been going on the Quarter that is rattling up the factions."

(NASADA)

Tommy thought it would be a good idea that a drive around the city would ease Kim's stress and get them out of the house. She was already a week overdue but her doctor told her it was common thing to happen. Hearing that she could go into labor at anytime made her tense but the others jokingly teased that the baby was picking the right time to come out. Furthermore, it slipped her mind that today was the twins' birthday and with her and Tommy worrying so much about the pregnancy they unfortunately forgot.

Luckily, thanks to Rosaline she managed to pull together a birthday outing with Elena and Hayden by taking them out for a day and relieving her parents of also looking after Gabriel to give them some time to themselves. However, despite it being a sunny and humid day in Angel Grove, the city was dealing with recurring rolling blackouts during the day causing traffic gridlocks and disruptions in regular business activities.

"Please have someone from maintenance down in the electrical room. Yeah, I know we're still trying to figure out the protocols on how to operate the upgraded backup generators." The couple saw Billy on his comlink when they arrived at NASADA and busy reviewing his tablet. Unfortunately, it was evident that the recurring rolling blackouts was causing major problems for daily operations of NASADA. "Look, I already got IT techs currently resetting the computer systems and security handling cameras and security footage. We need to get the backup generators fully operational because we having difficulty timing these blackouts."

"Let us guess the citywide rolling blackouts didn't leave NASADA exempt did it?" Kimberly smiled hugging her friend.

"Yeah and these new backup generators are still in the process of installation ever since the board signed off on approving for the new maintenance upgrades. The space station has already experience four blackouts today and I got all my departments resetting their systems." Billy sighed in frustration. "New upgrades my ass."

"Wow such a rare occasion to see the brilliant Billy Cranston swear," Tommy slightly teased.

"Today's training schedule was going to give the Rangers in training a sample of our weaponry and Justin and Jason set up this new target simulation drill. However, instead Jason along with Trini and Justin set up our golden dragon's military, body punishing, sweat filled obstacle course for them to train outside. We told him so many times we're not training for the military."

"He's just a little preoccupied right now and Kat and Claire are out of town so he's left looking after Aaron and Sophie." The three of them walked throughout the facility while Kimberly phoned their children to check up on them and inform them they were at NASADA. While Kim was hearing all about the twins' day at the amusement park, she felt a quick stab of pain, which she assumed was the baby kicking. Her hand came across her stomach and began rubbing small circles over it, trying to sooth the baby. By the time they reached the elevators, another sharp stab of pain ripped through her lower abdomen as she grabbed Tommy's wrist getting his attention. This time the pain was stronger and Kimberly could tell this wasn't the baby kicking as the pain didn't immediately go away.

"Kim? Beautiful what is it? Is it the baby?" Tommy looked on with worry as Billy got the hint of what was happening and came to the other side to help support Kimberly.

"Great I'm a week overdue and suddenly the baby decides to start acting up. Guys, help me to the elevator." Growled Kimberly when the pain subsided. The two nodded as they headed into the elevator. The minute Billy hit the eighth floor button for the infirmary, Kimberly stopped when she felt something wet escape her. However, the ride to up to the infirmary was dragging. Although she wanted this baby out as soon as possible, she thought the timing and place was very off. To make matters worse, the elevator started to shake uncontrollably, as the lights started to flicker on and off very quickly until the elevator stopped completely. "Oh come on you got to be kidding me!"

The lights went off and stayed off throwing them into darkness for a few minutes. Moments later, the emergency lights came on. Billy tried to find the emergency phone in the elevator to inform his staff of the situation only to find that it was out of service, angering him more.

"I told these guys to fix the emergency phones last week!" Billy yelled. "Guys don't worry we'll get out of here. They're bound to know where we are,"

"Great another blackout could this get any worst?" Tommy sighed in frustration looking at Kim. "Babe I'm sorry, look everything is going to be alright. Billy, you better pray the others know where the hell we are." The dripping sensation Kimberly felt was bothering her. She looked down, drawing Tommy and Billy's attention and saw her dress was wet and excess water was leaking onto the ground.

"Kim, what is it?" Billy asked as she stared blankly and shockingly at her husband and best friend.

"I think the situation just got worst because my water broke." She said as Tommy's eyes widened.

"You mean, it's time? You're in labor?" he breathed.

"Yes, Tommy that's what 'my water broke' usually means. Gosh this sucks so much I'm stuck in an elevator and in labor on the twins' birthday." After a few moments, the two men realized the dire situation once Kimberly's contractions started beginning fifteen minutes later and the power wasn't coming back soon. She grasped Tommy's hand as another contraction hit her forcing Tommy to gently ease his wife down to the ground. Billy attempted to once again to get the emergency phone to work with no avail.

"Hey, we kept going on for over a week how our baby is prolonging itself." Tommy said gently, continuing to ease Kim's nerves.

"Yeah, our child decides now is the time to come out. Unfortunately picked the worst time possible." She grumbled, being hit with another contraction again. "I wanted this kid out but now I don't know how much longer I can hold up. We're stuck in between two floors and if I have to deliver this baby in an elevator..."

"Damn we're stuck we can't get out and I don't know how long this blackout will be." Billy said with disdained, but at the same time trying to relieve the tension. "Listen to me Kim, you're going to be fine. Tommy is not going to let anything happen to you or this baby and I'm with you guys if the moment comes. Just hang tight okay?"

"Billy's right babe. We're not going to leave you alone and I fulfilled my promise this time." Tommy slightly smiled, soothing her as he sat next to Kim.

"And what promise is that, Handsome?"

"That I was going to be with you to witness our baby being born. I missed out on the delivery of Rosaline and Gabriel, there is no way I'm not here for this one."

"Well we're going to be for a long wait, depending on whether or not we get out of this crap elevator." She groaned as she leaned back towards Tommy's chest while Billy timed Kimberly's contraction. "At least it doesn't suck at all. I got at least two doctors, though not medical to help me through this. Gosh I wish for an epidural because the last birth was delivered via c-section."

"We're right with you Kim," Billy reassured her when he noticed he had his tablet he designed alongside Justin for emergency protocol. If he couldn't access the electrical panel for the overall security system and power for the base, at least he could send out word to the others of the situation. "Given that you're already in labor and I wish there was an epidural I can administer. Unfortunately, this is going to be a classic good old fashion birth. We just have to hang on tight and hope that the power comes back. At least we got one form of contact let's hope Justin can hear us loud and clear."

(Meanwhile)

"Did you really have to pull rank on those Ranger trainees again? I have never seen a group of people so eager to hit the showers after that grueling training course you designed," Trini mumbled as her and Jason walked into the central command area to check up on Justin.

"Come on it was easy and I got some ideas from American Ninja Warrior and Spartan Team Challenge." Jason smirked.

"Yeah except almost a third of these trainees never watched an episode of American Ninja Warrior or Spartan Team Challenge. We set the schedule and training exercises up in accordance to which compound they were from and coincided with the training regiment by their squad leaders."

Unfortunately, Justin was already in full crisis containment mode after another blackout hit NASADA and every department and floor was scrambling to get maintenance and security to restore power to their respective floors. He was desperately trying to get a hold of Billy but to no avail but he notice no one hasn't had any contact with Billy prior to the blackout or with Tommy and Kimberly.

"Okay so no one hasn't seen the director before the blackout?" Justin confirmed through the emergency comlinks. He had his tablet which monitor everything around NASADA that he designed for himself and Billy and were in the process of linking it to the the station's electrical and power grids. "Damnit it's going to be hours before the power comes back and we haven't linked our tablets up to NASADA's electrical and power grid. We tested them out last week by programming them to access the security feeds throughout NASADA."

"We got confirmed reports that Director Cranston boarded service elevator five alongside Mr. & Mrs. Oliver on route to the Infirmary Level on the eighth floor." one of the IT techs reported. "Mr. Stewart, service elevator five stopped between floors seven and eight before the blackout. We have maintenance working trying to reestablish power and reboot the electrical and emergency transformers back up." The minute Jason and Trini heard that their friends were trapped in the elevator it didn't help their situation once the rest of their friends and Tommy and Kim's children arrived at NASADA.

"Wait, you don't think Tommy, Kim and Billy were in that elevator before the blackout?" Jason asked looking worried.

"Well according to the last security feed before the power went out they boarded the elevator to the infirmary." Justin added sounding stressed. "We've been experiencing rolling blackouts throughout the entire day and NASADA picked the worst time to reconfigure the power grids, security systems, and electrical panels. Basically, anything that keeps this station and every department functioning. Don't even get me started on the emergency generators and reserves."

The situation only got worse once Billy was able to get a hold of the others via Justin's tablet to inform them of Kimberly's situation. It must have been the reason why they were traveling to the infirmary only to find themselves trapped in between floors with Kimberly in active labor. Worried about their mom, the Oliver children quickly rushed out of the central command area as Rosaline handed Gabriel over to Rocky and Aisha and rushed to the nearest emergency stairwell. Rosaline and the twins ran up to the eighth floor and located the elevator their parents and Billy were trapped in.

"Mom! Dad! Mom! Dad! It's us are you okay?" Rosaline and the twins yelled. "How is mom? Is she in labor?"

"Kids, how did you get to NASADA so fast?" they heard Tommy reply from inside. "Where are Jason, Justin and the others? How did you know where we were?"

"Justin's tablet and hey everything is chaotic right now with every department trying to reestablish power. You wouldn't believe the traffic just trying to get here because the roads are such a mess. There was a lot of gridlocks and..." Rosaline tried explaining before they heard their mother yelling and grunting.

"Rosie that's nice to hear you all made it in one piece but right now your new sibling picked the worst time possible to finally be born!" Kimberly grumbled from inside the elevator, knowing that she can no longer prolong the delivery.

"Sorry about that mom," the twins replied from outside. "Hey we're here for you that is what matters."

"Elena, Hayden we're sorry about your birthdays being ruined again. We know that this wasn't how you wanted to celebrate officially being thirteen and now teenagers. Your mom and I we do have the worst timing as parents don't we?"

"We know you guys aren't perfect but you're there for us and hey our birthday is not a big deal. Hey we don't mind sharing our birthday with our new sibling."

"At least that's good to hear consider now that April 23rd we're celebrating more than one birthday. We promise we'll make it up to you next year." She groaned when another contraction hit when it finally finished. "How far apart?"

"Still fifteen minutes." Tommy checked his watch. Billy's tablet was the only source of light they had inside the shaft. A little while later, the three of them were informed by the kids that the rest of their friends made their way up to the infirmary but the power was still in the process of being restored. Justin tried to assure his friends that everything will be fine although six hours passed since the blackout and Kimberly went into labor. Trini provided Billy with essential tips of when to indicate Kimberly was fully dilated knowing her training as a registered nurse. With the limited amount of supplies they had in the elevator with them it was a matter of improvisation to ensure a safe delivery for Kimberly. The children refused to leave the elevator doors in order to stay by their parents and the original veterans anticipated the impending arrival of the newest member of the Oliver family.

After six hours since the blackout and of labor, Billy declared that Kimberly was fully dilated and followed Trini's instructions from the outside. The others decided to give their friends some space as Kimberly's groans and grunts could be heard from inside the elevator cart. Despite the lack of reception on their cellphones, Tommy thought it be put to good use for increasing the amount of light inside. Remembering some of the birthing classes they have taken, Tommy settled himself behind Kim to give her support as she pushed.

"Alright Kim, on the next contraction I want you to push okay?" Billy had instructed. She nodded and readied herself knowing her contractions were less than a minute apart. When the next one hit, she cried out, pushing with all her might, and crushing Tommy's fingers in the process as everyone outside the elevator heard her screams.

"That's it you're doing great Kim. The head is crowning. You can do this sis, one more push should do the trick." Billy said a few minutes later after Kimberly had pushed three times already. Finally when the next contraction hit, Kimberly pushed hard and felt the head slip out, the rest coming a lot easier. A loud cry went up in the elevator and also heard from outside as the baby drew breath for the first time. Kim's face cleared, hearing her baby cry and she and Tommy looked at Billy.

"Congratulations you two, it's a beautiful baby girl." Billy said. The couple broke out into wide smiles and Kim slumped against Tommy.

"Another little princess for her daddy to spoil rotten again." She muttered. Tommy chuckled and kissed her on the head, murmuring how awesome she was. They both turned to Billy with appreciation and gratitude. "Thank you so much Billy. We owe you a lot and we will never forget this."

Moments later, the lights flickered back on as power was finally restored and the elevator finally made it to the infirmary on the eighth floor. The doors opened as the trio were greeted by their friends and family while Justin notified the medical staff with a stretcher and supplies on hand. The medical staff quickly rushed Kimberly and the baby to the infirmary with Tommy and Billy following close behind them. Minutes later, Kimberly was already set up in one of the rooms as the doctors cut the umbilical cord and the nurses helped Kim clean up the after birth and change her into a nice clean gown. Once the cord was cut, the baby was cleaned and weighed coming in at a healthy 7lbs and 6oz. The medical staff congratulated their director on assisting on the baby's delivery while they dressed the baby and wrapped her up in a blanket. After Tommy was provided a set of scrubs to change into, they passed the baby to him and walked over to Kim and gently passed his newborn daughter to her mother.

"Eight days overdue but she was worth it." Kim breathed looking around wondering where the rest of their friends went along with the kids. "I wonder where everyone is?"

"Well Billy went to go assess the mess with all of his departments and work with Justin and the others on damage control. The kids are probably around somewhere but knowing them they'll be back." Tommy explained as the doctors and nurses gave the couple some time alone with their baby. "Third times a charm huh?"

"I'm happy you finally got to see one of our children be born." she replied. "What are we gonna name her? We never officially decided on a name yet."

"Elena mentioned her biological mother Sarah's middle name was Cadence. How about Cadence?" Tommy suggested. Kimberly smiled, liking the name.

"How about Hayley for her middle name?" Kimberly added as the two thought about their good deceased friend. "In honor of a good friend who helped hold our family together during the rough times."

"I like it. Her namesake does honor those who had an impact on our lives and our family. I can't wait for the kids to meet their new sister." Shortly after, one of the nurses came in with the documents and forms to fill out the birth certificate and sign the essential documents for processing. "Cadence Hayley Oliver."

(Later On)

A little while later the nurse left to send out the forms while Tommy went to the waiting area to inform his friends and the children about Kimberly and the baby. There were a lot of congratulations and hugs all around and he ended calling his parents to inform them about the birth of their new granddaughter. Jason managed to get a hold of Katherine in New Orleans as she offered her congrats to her longtime friends. Rocky and Aisha arrived to the infirmary floor with Gabriel handing the little boy to his oldest sister. The two told Tommy that they needed to retrieve something in the lobby and promise to come back up later to see Kimberly and the baby.

By the time Kimberly saw Tommy return to her room he was accompanied by an entourage of her best friends and her children. Cadence was passed between the rest of the original veterans who were cooing at the sleeping kids stared at their newest baby sister and laughed at the Gabriel's comment about wanting to take his new baby sister to show and tell at preschool. Hayden was forced to pay up on the bet he made with his sisters to which Tommy found amusing as he shook his head at his kids' antics. The couple noticed that Justin, Trini and Billy were absent as Jason informed his best friends that their former Turbo Blue Ranger wunderkind went to pry Billy away for a minute from his Director duties.

"Thank goodness the power is back," Elena replied taking her turn at holding the baby.

"Probably the best birthday present we got today." Hayden smiled cooing at his little sister while Rosaline continued to carry Gabriel. "It's not bad now sharing my birthday with two of my sisters."

"Huh genius you've been sharing your birthday with Elena since you were born," Rosaline teased while Gabriel laughed. "So Gabe what do you think of your little sister?"

"She's small like a baby doll," Gabriel smiled. "Can the baby come to preschool with me?"

"Well we have to wait a few years on that one buddy," Kimberly replied smiling. "I know how much you want to show off your new sister for show and tell."

"Hey do you have room for a few more guests?" They heard a knock on the door as Justin entered the room with Trini and Billy.

"Look has finally decided to grace us with their presence." Tommy said sitting on the bed next to Kimberly after Elena handed Cadence back to her mom. "I take it everything is back in order with the departments, security and maintenance?"

"Still a work in progress but we got power back for now. Just got to work on initiating a new protocol and review the systematic for the power generators." Billy explained.

"What did you guys name her?" Trini asked while the others continued to crowd into the room.

"Cadence Hayley Oliver." They replied. Their friends quickly approved, their attention never leaving the baby. Finally, Billy separated himself from the group and went to Kimberly, giving her a big hug.

"How are you doing, Kim?" he asked.

"I'm doing good, considering all things. According to the doctors despite Cadence being born eight days late, she's completely healthy. Your medical staff wants to keep me in for observation and then they got in contact with the hospital at Angel Grove. Dana is on duty there for the week so we're going in for a checkup." Billy nodded, happy with that answer.

"Billy, we owe you everything today for what you did for Kim helping her through the delivery." Tommy complimented shaking his hand and then turning to Trini. "And we're also thankful for Trini's assistance in guiding Billy."

"Which is why Tommy and I wanted to ask you both something." The two looked up, giving the couple their full attention. "After everything you did for us and in gratitude we want you two to be Cadence's godparents." Billy and Trini were speechless and it was an amused Jason who answered for them.

"Hey, Kat and I already got our dibs as being Gabriel's godparents. It's fitting since you two helped deliver her into the world, I take up the offer." Jason smiled. Trini and Billy merely nodded and the others had no resentment not being asked to be godparents. The others knew they were part of the group and would be one hundred percent aunts and uncles to Cadence and the rest of Tommy and Kimberly's children. A moment later, Rocky and Aisha joined the rest of the group in the room bringing with them a small package that contained a cake.

"We come baring gifts and cake since technically it's not midnight yet and it's still the twin's birthday," Rocky and Aisha replied.

"Well what's a party without cake?" Rosaline slightly joked looking at Elena and Hayden. Tommy wheeled a tray as Rocky set the cake down and Aisha gave them two candles with the numbers one and three. Tommy and Kimberly were thankful for the gesture not to let the twins' day get lost in the shuffle even though they were now sharing their birthday with Cadence.

"I like the name Cadence, it really suits her mom." Elena complimented knowing its origins.

"Well you two what are you waiting for? It's still your birthday and why don't you two make a wish," Tommy and Kimberly replied smiling. "You're both thirteen now and officially on the verge of being teenagers."

"I think there's nothing else we can wish for because we got everything we asked for," Hayden said as he and Elena blew out the candles while everyone clapped in appreciation. He smiled and then turned to Cadence. "It's not only me and Elena's birthday, but it's also Cadence's now. Happy Birthday...Cadence Hayley Oliver and welcome to the family."