Two weeks later...
Charlie met Jordan for lunch in the university cafeteria. A few of Charlie's students were there having lunch, and they noticed their professor's pregnant wife. They grinned in amusement as they walked by.
Charlie's cell phone rang. It was the doctor's office.
"Dr. Eppes, we have the results of the test.", the nurse told him.
Charlie leaned across the table, grasping Jordan's hand. He looked into her wide blue grey eyes. She sucked in her breath.
"Yes?", he asked nervously.
"Dr. Eppes, the baby is fine."
Charlie could scarcely believe what he was hearing. "Yes!" Charlie shouted. He got up and pulled Jordan up from the table. He hugged her. The students all turned and stared at him with amusement.
"The baby is okay." He whispered to Jordan. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Dr. Eppes?", the voice on the phone continued. "It's a girl."
"Thank you!" Charlie hung up the phone.
Jordan put her arms around Charlie and wept with relief. He held her tightly, letting her cry. He blinked back happy tears. "Jordan?" he said quietly. He put his hand under her chin so she would look up at him. He grinned at her. "It's a girl.", he told her happily. She grinned back at him and kissed him. The students were watching, and they cheered. Charlie and Jordan both blushed and laughed.
Charlie couldn't wait to call his dad and Don to tell them the good news.
Four months later...
Jordan stood in the nursery. Charlie had decorated it for her. He'd painted it light green. Charlie had a long chalkboard attached to one wall, low enough that a small child could use it. The book shelf was filled with books, puzzles, and, much to Jordan's amusement, flash cards. This was the only baby she knew who would have geometrical flash cards.
Jordan walked out of the nursery and slowly came down the stairs. She wasn't feeling well, and her back ached. Her eyes fell on the scattered papers on the dining room table. Charlie's papers.
Charlie was really on her nerves. She knew he was just concerned. Trying to be a sweet, loving husband. But it was aggravating. Alan was no better. He was constantly trying to make her eat.
The day before, she'd walked out to feed the koi. Charlie had freaked out, insisting that she could have easily fallen into the koi pond. Jordan was irritated, and told him with amused sarcasm, that falling into the koi pond was his department, not hers.
Now her back was killing her. Alan had been watching her, and he looked at her worriedly as he handed her the phone. "Do me a favor. Please? Call the doctor." He looked at her with concern.
Jordan sighed, and reluctantly dialed.
"Sounds like you're in labor.", the doctor told her. "Come on in."
Jordan looked at Alan. "I'm calling Charlie. It's time."
Alan grinned happily and went upstairs to get Jordan's suitcase.
Jordan dialed Charlie's cell. He answered on the first ring. "Jordan?"
"How did you know it was me?"
She could practically hear him grinning over the phone. "I knew it would be today..." and with that, Charlie started going into what she now referred to as 'the labor equation' mode."
"Charlie!" Jordan interrupted him. "Tell me later, okay?" She couldn't help but laugh.
Charlie stopped, "Oh, I'm sorry. Okay, I'm on my way. I love you!"
Alan was watching Jordan, and was laughing. She eyed her father-in-law. "So help me Alan, if your son starts with his equations while I'm giving birth, I'll kill him!"
Alan laughed. "I wouldn't blame you one bit."
Charlie walked into the waiting room and grinned happily at Alan. "The doctor is with Jordan now. She is definitely in labor. Will you call Don and Larry?"
"Of course I will." Alan immediately pulled out his cell phone.
Charlie grinned at him and went back to be with his wife.
Jordan was nervous. The pain was getting worse. Charlie held her hand.
Jordan looked into his dark brown eyes. Eyes she loved and trusted. "Charlie, I'm scared."
Charlie brought her hand up and pressed it to his lips. He gently reached over and smoothed her hair back. "Everything will be fine." he promised.
Don arrived at the hospital. He bought coffees and sat down with Alan. Larry arrived.
Time passed slowly.
A tired Charlie came out. Alan, Don, and Larry all stood up when he walked in. "Not yet." Charlie told them, and headed for the coffee pot. He smelled the stale coffee, and grimaced.
"I'll go get you one," Don offered. "How is Jordan?"
"Still in labor. They, umm, made me leave for a few minutes." Charlie shook his head and looked down, embarrassed.
"Are you alright Charlie?" Alan looked at his youngest with concern.
"Oh, I'm fine Dad."
Don rolled his eyes. "You didn't eat breakfast today, did you? Let's go get a sandwich. You are not doing Jordan any good if you get in there and pass out."
The four men headed to the sandwich shop. Charlie ate fast. He wanted to get back to Jordan.
Four hours later, Charlie walked into the waiting room. He grinned at Alan. "Hi Grandpa."
Alan, Don, and Larry all jumped up. Alan hugged Charlie. "Congratulations, Charlie!"
Don grabbed Charlie and hugged him. "Congratulations, Bro!" Charlie grinned happily.
"Charles, how is your bride? Is she feeling alright?" Larry smiled proudly at his friend.
"She's fine. Just really tired." Charlie smiled. "Come see them for yourself."
They followed Charlie to Jordan's room. The nurse was waiting on them. "Five minutes only.", she instructed. They walked in.
Jordan was sitting up in bed. She held a tiny bundle in her arms. She looked very tired, but smiled happily at them. "Here you go Grandpa.", she said, carefully passing the baby to Alan.
Charlie smiled at his dad, watching him hold his granddaughter for the first time. "Dad, meet your granddaughter, Riley Margaret Eppes."
Alan looked down at her tiny face. Tears welled up in his eyes. He was speechless. He wished Margaret could have been here to see her first grandchild. He kissed the baby, and carefully handed her to Don.
Don was nervous, but happily accepted his tiny niece. Charlie was immediately next to Don, smiling at him. "Say hi to Uncle Donnie.", he told the baby.
Don looked down at the baby, and then at Charlie. "You did good." He smiled. Charlie grinned proudly.
Larry placed his hands over his nose and mouth, and leaned over as far as he could to get a good look at the baby, yet not breathe on her. "Charles, she is exquisite." Charlie beamed.
The nurse came in. Alan and Don both kissed Jordan on the cheek and congratulated her before the nurse made them leave. Larry squeezed Jordan's hand. "I couldn't be happier for you and Charles." he told her.
The nurse took the baby to the nursery.
Charlie sat on the edge of Jordan's bed. He leaned down to kiss her. "I am so proud of you." he said quietly. She smiled sweetly at him. "I'm proud of you too. I never heard one equation." He looked stunned, and she laughed. She reached up and put her hand on his cheek. "Charlie, I'm just teasing you." she paused, and looked at him meaningfully. "Thank you for staying with me," she paused, "and for putting up with me." He smiled at her and kissed her.