Ch. 10

"Shit!

Walt was at attention immediately.

"What?"

"I gotta pee again. Tired of having to pee."

Walt dipped his head slightly to cover a smile but she caught it.

"Does that amuse you?"

He shook his head as she pushed up and shuffled, more or less, to the bathroom. Her sense of humor was wearing as thin as her patience these days. Late in pregnancy, she had reached a point where there was simply no relief to be found. A couple of minutes later, she returned and lowered herself gingerly to the couch. Walt eyes roved over her.

"You look tired."

"I am tired."

Her voice was flat. Walt extended his arm and ran it down her back slowly.

"I'm sorry you're uncomfortable."

Vic bowed her head and rested it in her hands.

"It's almost over. Right?"

"Yep. Three more weeks?"

She nodded and leaned back.

"Something like that."

Walt started to speak when headlights flashed across the front of the house. He frowned and rose looking out the front window.

"It's Henry."

He pulled open the door and Henry stepped in. Snow covered his jacket and he brushed it from his black hair.

"Hello, Walt."

His gaze turned to Vic and he smiled warmly.

"Vic, how are you feeling?"

She offered him as much smile as she could manage.

"Fat and tired."

Henry's smile broadened.

"You look well."

He nodded toward the door.

"I have the items you asked me to bring in the truck."

Walt nodded and grabbed his hat and coat. He stepped out into the howling January night. Snow swirled around them as he and Henry grabbed armloads of bags from the truck and carried them inside. Henry followed Walt into the kitchen and hefted the bags onto the counter. He glanced at Vic, who still sat on the couch.

"How is she holding up?"

Walt shrugged as he set about putting groceries up.

"Okay, I guess. Uncomfortable for sure. Thanks for bringing this stuff, Henry. With this storm, I didn't want to leave her."

Henry nodded with a smile.

"You are welcome. The roads are worse than I have seen in a while and she should not be left alone in this weather."

They both looked out the window as another heavy gust of wind creaked against the cabin walls.

"Maybe you should sleep here and leave in the morning."

Henry sighed heavily.

"That sounds like a good idea. The Red Pony is closed so there is nothing to rush back to."

He removed his jacket.

"Is there room for me?"

Walt chuckled.

"You and I can bunk in here."

Vic attracted both their attention when she stood.

"I'm going to lie down."

Both the men nodded.

"Need anything?"

She shook her head at Walt.

"Just sleep."

Vic disappeared into the bedroom, closing the door behind her. Walt turned to Henry.

"I had a hard time convincing her to stay here. She wanted to move her RV now but I was worried about this storm. They're saying it could be the worst one we've seen in years."

Henry sat on the couch.

"How is she really?"

Walt sat next to him.

"I was hoping we would have more decided by now. She's agreed to move the RV here after the baby is born for a few weeks, at least. Beyond that, I don't know."

Henry clapped him on the shoulder.

"I believe it will work out in the end, Walt. I really do. Are you taking some time off."

Walt nodded.

"Yep. Got Ferg and that newer kid is coming along nice. Gonna borrow a deputy or two from Cumberland as needed. I may have to go in some, but I'd like to be here as much as possible."

"You are a good father, Walt. I know you think you have made a lot of mistakes but that is the truth."

Walt smiled at friend.

"I'm trying."

With that, he rose.

"I'm gonna dig us up some blankets. You can have the couch. I'll take the chair.

x

Walt lay in the dark listening to Henry breathe. He would much rather be in the bedroom with Vic, but she had drawn a line and he had tried very hard not to cross it these last few months. The fire crackled away, warming the room. His eyes slowly began to drift shut, despite his lack of a comfortable sleeping position. His chin began to dip into his chest and he finally fell asleep.

Vic twisted and turned in Walt's bed trying to find a position that didn't completely suck. Sleep had almost abandoned her completely these last few weeks. She finally managed to get semi comfortable by working magic with a couple of pillows. Lying and facing the door, she let out a heavy sigh. She hadn't wanted to stay here. Walt had a valid point, however, when he mentioned the storm that was expected to drop a good deal of snow on the entire area. She was still a few weeks away but Walt preferred to air on the side of caution. It was a hard point to argue with so she had agreed to stay at the cabin until the storm had passed. Being this close to him was hard for her. Having his child but not being with him was hard for her. She just wasn't sure she would bounce back from the hurt yet again if it went south.

Feeling a wetness between her legs, Vic struggled to sit up. She tossed back the blankets and looked down. Had she actually wet herself? Lord knows she wouldn't be surprised. Vic reached out and lightly touched the wet sheets. Lifting her fingers to her nose, she smelled. It didn't smell like urine. Nor, did it look like it. Vic looked from her hand to the sheets. She shifted uncomfortably. Her back had been aching all day and it seemed to have ramped up. She was still considering what was happening when she felt a sharp pain sear through her middle.

"Oh shit."

Vic pushed herself up off the bed as fast as she could and made for the door. She grabbed the knob and jerked it open.

"Walt!"

In all the time she had known him and all the emergencies they had responded to, she didn't recall ever having seen him move so quickly. Henry's own reaction from the couch wasn't too far off either. His eyes flew to her and he was wide awake.

"What?"

She knew the look on her face had to be terrified as she searched his eyes.

"I think my water broke."