Chapter 10.

"Andi, come here!" Bex chirped as her daughter passed through the living room. "The baby's kicking. Come feel!"

"Yay!" Andi said, hurrying to the couch. Bex was now eight months pregnant, and although Andi still had moments of doubt now and then, they were far and few between. She was warming up to the idea of having a little sister, and actually looking forward to the day she would arrive.

Bex felt her stomach with her own hand, then guided Andi's hand to where to movement was, pressing it against her. "Right there. Do you feel it?"

Andi's eyes widened when the baby rewarded her with a hard kick. "That's so cool," she breathed. "I know there's a baby in there. But wow… there's a whole real person in there."

"I know," she grinned, squeezing Andi with her free hand.

"I can't believe I used to be small enough to fit in there," Andi said, laying her head against her mother, her hand still resting on her belly. "It's so weird to think about."

Bex patted her baby bump. "Yup. This is the original Andi Shack."

Andi laughed. "So, are we going to call the baby 'the baby' forever, or have you guys picked a name yet?"

"That's a good question," Bex said, patting Andi's hand. "I've been thinking, Andi… and I think you should get to name her."

Andi looked up, surprised, "Me?"

"Yeah! Why not?"

"I don't know…" she fretted. "That's a lot of pressure. You and dad should choose the name."

"Why?" Bex asked. "I trust you. You're creative, and you have good taste. I want you to be a part of your sister's life every step of the way. Like I said, she's your baby too."

"Besides," she added. "You'd be doing me a favor. Your father wants to name the baby Hendrix."

"Hendrix?" Andi wrinkled her nose.

"As in Jimi. Please save our baby from embarrassment, Andi," she teased. "I'm afraid his second choice will be Ringo."

"Well, can I think about the name for a while?" she asked.

"Of course," Bex nodded. "Mull it over as long as you need. I'm sure I'll love whatever you pick."

Suddenly Bex's face paled, and she leaned forward, squeezing her eyes shut, as her abdomen clenched with pain.

"Mom, are you okay?" Andi asked, sitting up. "What's wrong?" Her heartbeat sped up with worry. She lay her hand on her shoulder.

Bex took a deep breath through her mouth. Her chest felt a little tight, as if she couldn't get enough air. "I'm fine, Andi. Don't worry."

Andi frowned. "Do you need a drink of water? Or do you want me to rub your back, or something?"

Bex nodded, her eyes stinging. She arched her back trying to relieve the pressure. "Water would be good. Thanks."

Andi hurried to the kitchen and filled a glass, then rushed back to give it to her mom. She sat down, rubbing Bex's back in slow circles, trying to sooth her.

"Thanks, Andiman." Bex took a sip, trying to calm herself, without alarming Andi any more than she already had. But even as the pain eased and disappeared, she wished Bowie were home.

When the pain returned a few minutes later, though, she knew she couldn't ignore it. "Andi, call your dad," she gasped. "I think the baby's coming."

"Hey, Shnoo," Ham said, sitting down next to Andi. Bowie had called him and Celia to come to the hospital. He'd volunteered to sit with Andi in the emergency room waiting room, while his wife and son-in-law were with Bex.

Andi looked up at her grandfather. "Hey Pops."

"How's my girl?" he asked, studying her sad face. "Are you okay?"

Andi shook her head. "I'm just worried about mom. It's too soon for the baby to come. What if something happens to them?" Her eyes filled with tears. "I'm scared." Even though she hadn't been thrilled about getting a new sister before, she would be devastated if anything happened to her. And she would be completely broken if anything happened to Bex. She wouldn't want to go on without either of them.

Ham wrapped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her. "Your mom is going to be okay, honey. I know she is. Bex has always had a will of her own. She's a fighter." He kissed the side of her head. "So don't you worry. It might not even be anything serious at all."

Andi rested her head against Ham's arm. Her grandfather could always comfort her when she was afraid. "Thanks Pops."

Finally, after what felt like hours, Bowie came back to the waiting room. Andi sat up straight. "What happened? Where's mom?"

Bowie sat down next to Andi. "She's going to be fine, baby," he assured her, giving her a hug. "She's okay. It was just Braxton Hicks."

"What's that?" Andi asked shakily. "Is the baby okay?"

"The baby is fine," he nodded. "It's just her body practicing for real labor. It's perfectly normal. She had to use the bathroom, but she'll be out in a minute." He looked back at the doorway. "In fact, here she comes now."

Bex walked into the waiting room with Cece holding her by the arm. She seemed perfectly healthy. Andi exhaled a deep sigh of relief. "Mom!" she cried. She jumped up to hug Bex as if she'd never let her go.

"I'm sorry I scared you, kiddo," Bex said, taking her daughter's face between her hands. "I didn't mean to."

"I don't care," Andi told her, burying her face in her shoulder. "I'm just glad you're okay."

"I'm not only okay, I'm starving!" Bex smiled, tousling Andi's hair. "Who's up for pizza?"

Andi and her parents were just picking up their take-out pizza when Andi's cell phone rang. She looked at the screen. It was Amber. Why would Amber be calling her? "Hello?" she said, answering the call.

"Andi," Amber said. Her voice had an odd edge to it. "Is Avery at your house?"

"I'm not at home," Andi told her. "We had to take my mom to the emergency room, and we're getting dinner. Why?"

"I can't find her anywhere," Amber explained in a rush. "I thought she might have went to visit you."

"Well, I'm on my way home," Andi replied. "I'm sure she didn't go far. I'll help you find her."

"Please hurry," Amber said, before hanging up.

Andi ended the call and turned to her mom and dad. "I have to get home. Amber can't find Avery."