Tori was roused from a wonderful dream that she had given birth and was holding her precious, beautiful son in her arms with Blake and her family at her side by the early morning sun streaming through the big bay windows of her beach house.

But alas, she awoke alone in bed to her belly greeting her and as if on cue, her lovely son kicked her right in the ribs. in six days she would be 40 weeks, and if labor didn't start then, they were going to induce her. She had been going to appointments bi-weekly because she had been worried something was wrong with the baby, only to be assured that everything was fine, the baby's heartrate was strong and he was still very active (something she already knew painfully well).

"Ugh, you're killing me, you know that, little dude?" She said as she awkwardly rolled into a sitting position on the side of the bed and put her hands over her belly.

just then, her phone rang.

"Good morning, sexy." she said without even looking at the caller ID."

"You know, one day it's gonna be Shane or Dustin calling you and it's gonna be really awkward." Blake's voice said over the line.

"Are you kidding? Those boys don't ever get up before eight in the morning." she said with a laugh.

"How are you doing, Tor? How was the appointment?"

"Fine, everything's normal, the baby is healthy and very active, and the doctor says it could be any day now, he's just ... in no hurry to get here, I guess, though if he hasn't decided to make his appearance by my appointment next week, they're ... gonna induce me." She said.

"I'm held up here because of this damn storm but no matter what it takes, I am GOING to be home for the birth of my son." He said.

"Just be safe, please." She said, worry evident in her voice.

"Don't worry, I have a few favors I can call in." He said as he cut their connection.

Tori looked at her phone, wondering just what he meant by 'favors'.

"Guys, you know I can drive, right? You don't have to come with me to the mall. I know how much you hate it." Tori said as Shane parked the car.

"Are you kidding?! And pass up a chance to pick out stuff for our nephew? No way!" Dustin said as he opened the door and helped her out.

"Besides, look at you, Tori, that little guy's gonna be here any day now, no way we would let you go anywhere by yourself!" Shane said as they each took their place, walking protectively alongside her.

"Well either way, I really do appreciate it." Tori said.

"Still, I know you would rather be with Blake doing this." Dustin said as he playfully nudged her.

"No ... no! I love you guys! you know that."

"I agree, he should be here, instead of flying off to freaking Canada when his first child is due any day." Shane growled

"Shane come on, don't be a dick, Blake gave up riding for his family and took a job that will make him more money with less risk. Give the guy some credit." Dustin chastised him.

Shane blew out a sigh in reply as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

"What are we looking for anyway? you have a crib, car seat, baby supplies ... and a badass nursery curtesy of yours truly!" Dustin said.

"Just bear with me, guys I'm ... nesting ... it's kind of an instinctual thing, besides I do need more baby clothes, you always need more baby clothes." she said.

Suddenly, her grin turned into a grimace as her hands gripped her belly.

"Tor, are you okay?" Shane said, his eyes full of worry as he put his arm around her shoulders.

Just as soon as it had come, it passed and she stood up straight again.

"Okay ... whew! sorry guys I ..." she trailed off as her eyes suddenly went wide.

"Uh ... guys ... I hate to break it to you but ... my water just broke!"

"Oh shit ... oh geeze! this is it! This is the real thing!" Dustin said as he proceeded to freak out.

Shane gripped Dustin's shoulders and gently shook him.

"Dustin get ahold of yourself! we need to get Tori to the car, now! go and flag down a security officer and see if they have an wheelchair we can use!" Shane said.

"Okay ... okay." Dustin said as he dashed out of the department store and down the mall's long hallway.

Tori gritted her teeth as another contraction hit her.

"Christ I hope he waits until get to the hospital!" She managed to say through the pain.

"Don't worry, Tor, we're here for you." Shane said as Dustin returned with a wheelchair.

"Now, let's get to the hospital and have this baby!" Dustin exclaimed excitedly.

Tori laughed in spite of the pain.

"Nurse! Nurse! it's my sister, she's in labor!" Shane said as they burst through the doors, practically carrying Tori, the contractions were so close now, she could barely talk, let alone walk.

The nurses sprang into action, they quickly met them with a wheelchair and gently eased Tori into it just as another strong contraction hit.

"Son of a bitch!" Tori cursed through gritted teeth.

"Mrs Bradley, we've contacted your doctor and she is on her way, we will get you into a room.

"No you don't understand! I can't be having this baby now! My husband has to be here ..." She trailed off as another contraction hit her.

"Well, it seems as though your baby has other ideas." The nurse said with a rueful smile.

"Did you get ahold of Blake?" Dustin asked Shane in a low voice."

"No, it keeps going to voicemail, the bastard. But I've called Hunter and he's on his way."

"Keep trying! there's got to be a good reason why he's not picking up."

"There'd better be." Shane growled in return.

"Thanks, Crane. I owe you one now." Blake said as they taxied to the terminal.

He turned his phone off airplane mode and it immediately blew up with notifications.

"fifty voicemails from Shane, what the hell?!" He said as he listen to them.

"Blake where the hell are you! Your wife is in labor RIGHT NOW! get your ass to Magnolia medical center as soon as you get this!" Shane's voice was so loud he had to hold the phone away from his ear.

"Crane wait! I need just one more favor from you, can you give me a ride to Magnolia medical center ... it's my wife... she's in labor!"

Crane's normally carefree expression turned serious.

"Let's go."

"You've taken great care of her, boys, but we've got it from here." Tori's doctor said as she entered the room.

"Wait! I ... I don't want to do this alone!" Tori said as the nurse ushered Dustin and Shane out.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Bradley, but only the father of the child is allowed in the delivery room.

"Don't worry, Tor, we'll be right outside, you're gonna do great!" Shane said, not wanting to make a scene and upset Tori even more than she already was.

"If Blake ever shows up I'm gonna kick his ass." Shane said as he stalked to the waiting area, Dustin following closely behind as Hunter met up with them.

"I came as soon as I could!" he said, slightly breathless.

I think he's got a good reason, I mean there was a huge snow storm in Canada, he probably got held up by that, they did say all flights to and from most Canadian airports had been canceled." Dustin said as he greeted Hunter.

"He never should've gone in the first place!" Shane countered.

"Oh, so how do you suggest that he make money for the family he's about to have then?" Hunter spat in reply, he was getting really sick of Shane's attitude towards his brother.

"He shouldn't've gone knowing she was so close to delivering! he should've BEEN here!" Shane bellowed.

Dustin opened his mouth to speak as he moved to out himself between Hunter and Shane when they heard a familiar voice.

"You're right, Shane, I screwed up again, I shouldn't have gone, I should've waited, and now because of that I probably missed the birth of my first son, and I'll always hate myself for that."

"Shane, no!" Dustin said, grabbing Shane as he lunged for Blake.

"Good to see you, man, but if I were you, I'd get my ass in there. I'll handle this asshole here." Dustin said with a wink.

"Thanks, man." Blake said as he sprinted down the hall towards Tori's room.

"Hold on to your hats, because this baby's coming now." The doctor said.

"I ... feel like I have to push!" Tori said through gritted teeth.

Suddenly the door swung open and Blake rushed in.

"Blake! oh god!" Tori said as she burst into tears.

"It's okay, Tor, I'm here, I told you I wouldn't let you do this alone, didn't I?" He said with a grin as he took her hand.

Tori looked to the doctor with newfound determination.

"NOW I'm ready."

Oh my god, Tori he's adorbs!" Mara said as she burst into tears.

"Mara please! get ahold of yourself!" Kapri said as she scrubbed a hand over her face.

"He's perfect." Blake said as stroked the baby's mop of dark hair.

"He looks just like his dad." Tori said as she cradled him in her arms.

"But he's got his mother's eyes." Blake replied as he kissed her sweetly.

"I'm sorry I just can't help it! this is so great! you guys are so cute!" Mara wailed.

"Okay, time to go, Mara. Congratulations, guys, he really is a cutie." Kapri said as she ushered a blubbering Mara out of the room.

"Uh ... thanks Kapri." Tori said, shaking her head as Shane and Dustin entered.

"Wow tor, you really do good work." Dustin said as he offered his finger to the baby and he grabbed onto it.

"Wow! little guy's got a grip already!" he said as he elbowed Shane, who had locked eyes with Blake and had been staring him down.

"Ow hey ...! Uh ... yeah, he's awesome, Tor, congratulations, I'm gonna enjoy being an uncle to this guy, I have a feeling he's going to keep all of us on our toes." he said.

"What's his name?" Dustin asked.

"Kai, it's a Hawaiian term for water, primarily salt water." Tori said.

"Of course you would name your first kid after water." Dustin said with a chuckle as the nurse entered.

"Alright boys, visiting hours are over and this new mother needs her rest, now scoot!" She said as she ushered them out.

"I thought I couldn't love you any more than I already did but seeing you now with our son ... I ... it's so great." he said,at a loss for words as he sat on the edge of her bed and pulled her into a hug.

"I'm so happy right now." she replied as they shared a kiss

AN: there likely will be a sequel for this, but I don't know when I will get started on it, so for now, this is the end. I hope you have enjoyed it.