Chapter 13

Baby Diaries

Week 18- June 5th 2008

Dear Baby,

You finally kicked! I was sitting relaxing in the gold room reading when suddenly you moved. I couldn't believe it. I called your daddy in straight away. He was so excited. He still reckons you're a boy but I don't think so. Your aunt May Belle is here every day and agrees with me. We'll just have to wait and see. I can't wait to meet you. Your Grandma Judy is spoiling you already.

Love, Mommy xx

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Week 24- July 17th 2008

Dear Baby,

Well you finally have somewhere to sleep when you arrive. Your daddy and Granddads have been busy with your nursery. I hope you like it. I love it. Your daddy has painted the most beautiful pictures on the walls. He says since it's the only thing he can do to help than he's going to do it to the fullest, whatever that means. You also have a basket in our room, which your Grandma Mary gave us. She and Grandma Judy are giving me loads of advice for when you come. May Belle was here again today.

Love, Mommy xx

P.S. You won't stop kicking. I think it's the weirdest thing ever.

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Week 30 - August 28th 2008.

Dear Baby,

Well I didn't get much sleep last night. You were kicking me like mad again. Your daddy seemed to find this amusing until I woke him saying if I'm awake so is he. Have a doctor's appointment tomorrow. Your dad and I start back at school Monday. Your grandparent's promised I could still go to school and they'll look after you while we're there. I can't believe you'll be here in 10 weeks (if you come when your suppose to. Grandma Mary says your daddy was nearly 2 weeks late). My belly is getting really big too. Your daddy reckons this is a good thing. He says now I won't get bumped in the corridor in school that people will part to let me through like Moses and the Red sea. Still haven't thought of a name for you yet! May Belle and I are looking up the baby books.

Love Always Mommy xx

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Week 40- November 6th 2008

Dear Baby,

WHERE ARE YOU? You're supposed to be here today. I was up all last night afraid you were coming. Your daddy is getting really nervous too. I'm just sitting in the Gold room waiting. I had to finish last week incase I went into labour. Please come out quickly! Since I've been off I've been watching those show on the TV about women giving birth and I'm starting to regret it now. I have packed, re-checked and re-packed my hospital bag like 10 times. Your dads at school now and I'm here with your Grandmother whose fussing over me. Your dad and I have spent the last few weeks trying to think of a name for you but he won't look up any girls names convinced you're a boy.

What about Emma or Lucy.

Love Mommy xx

How about Jack or James?

Love Daddy xx

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Week 41- November 13th 2008 9.35 a.m.

WELCOME BABY BURKE-AARONS!

The night before

"When is this baby coming?" Leslie said. She was nearly a week overdue was starting to get impatient. Jess was sitting at the computer smiling to himself. She had asked him this question a hundred time a day since last Thursday.

"It will come when it's ready. A watched kettle never boils you know!" he replied.

"Yeah yeah...I know. It's just...I'm excited, that's all."

He put down his pen and turned to her. Even though she was pregnant and irritated Jess couldn't help but think she was beautiful. Leslie had caught him staring at her a few weeks before and when she asked what the problem was he said this.

"I don't feel beautiful" she said but he assured her she was.

"Look, let's just give the kid the time it needs. If he's not here by next week, then the doctor'll get him. Ok?" He went over and Kissed her forehead. They went down stairs for their dinner. After dinner Leslie felt the baby kick, hard. She ignored it. Then about a half hour later another. She went to bed early. Jess had a shower and went to bed.

At 4a.m. Leslie woke with a strong kick. She sat up as another came. "Please I just want to sleep" she moaned. She decided to get a drink. She went down to the kitchen where she got a class of water. She had just her drink when she felt something. Something hot and wet was running down her leg. Oh my God my waters just broke, she thought and then the pain came. The glass fell from her hand and smashed.

Jess had woke up and turned to see Leslie's side of the bed empty. "Leslie?"

He got up and saw light coming from the landing. Must have gone to get herself a drink! He thought to himself. Getting up he went to the door. He was half way down the stairs when he heard the sound of breaking glass. "Leslie!"

He jumped the last 5steps and went into the kitchen. She was leaning against the counter; the floor around her was wet. "Jess...Jess my waters broke" She panted from the next contraction. He led her to the chair and then ran up the stairs. Banging on Judy and Bill's bedroom door all he shouted was "IT'S TIME!" He threw on the first clothes he could find, grabbed the hospital bag and diary She's going to want to write about this he said to himself. He ran to the locker beside the bed and pulled out the box with the present his father had given him for Leslie. Smiling he ran from the room.

Downstairs Leslie was panting and moaning. Bill and Jess helped her into the car. Bill jumped in the front with Leslie while Jess and Judy jumped in the back. They arrived at the hospital at 5.05 and Leslie was brought into delivery. Saying their good lucks Judy and Bill waited outside. Bill decided to ring the Aarons and tell them what was going on. They said they would be there as soon as possible.

At about 5.45 Leslie was only 5 centimetres and her parents were allowed into see her.

"I'm never having kids again." She said as they came in. They smiled and went to hug her. After a few minutes Jess asked Bill if he could have a word with him. They left the room with quizzing looks from both girls and returned 10 minutes later with big smiles on their faces. Leslie started having stronger contractions so her parents left. Judy turned to Bill "What did Jess want to talk to you about?" he smiled and said "Men stuff"

The Aarons had arrived at 6.30. "How is she?"

"Doing well. She's 8 centimetres. Jess is in with her."

Finally after 5hours. Jess came out at 9.20 and turned to his family.

"Well?" they all said.

"A baby Girl" he smiled. He had never been so happy. "I have a daughter." There was a rush as everyone went to hug Jess. He spotted his father giving Bill 10 dollars looking very annoyed. He said his thank you's and went back in. They all turned to congratulate the other. The girls were crying. The men shook hands and were talking.

Back in the delivery room Leslie was holding the baby. She looked like she would never stop smiling. Jess came in and kissed her and the baby. They were together and nothing else mattered.

"I can't wait to write about this in the book". She said. Jess reached into the hospital and took out the baby book. "I'm a mind reader"

"Now all we need is a name! What do you think?" Leslie asked.

"I don't know. What do you think?"

"I know." She took the pen from the binding and wrote the name. Jess agreed. Leslie handed him the baby. Jess took her and smiled. He had never seen anything so perfect. At that moment the door opened and their families came in. It was a good thing that Leslie was on her own in the room because between the two families there were 11 people in total in the room.

"Oh she's beautiful" Mary and Judy had come up to Jess. They both turned to Leslie. "Well done" giving her a kiss. Jess handed the baby back to Leslie and sat behind her.

"Do you have a name yet?"

"Yes...Terabithia, Terry for short" Leslie said turning to Jess. He smiled and looked at May Belle. "Yeah her name is Terabithia May Aarons. May Belle we want you to be the Godmother, if you want?"

"Oh my God, seriously!" She ran and hugged her brother and Leslie. Jess sat May Belle down and brought Terry May over to her. She started crying, as did Judy and Mary. Everyone had a chance to hold her. Bill was nervous at first. Jack went over and took her.

"She's not made of glass Bill. Here give her to me. There we go, see. I think see likes me" As everyone went to leave awhile later Jess stopped them. "I want you guys here for this" Everyone looked around trying to figure out what was going on. Jack and Bill went to stand by the wall. They both knew what was happening.

Jess turned to Leslie. She gave him an inquiring look. Jess took a deep breath. "Leslie...I love you more than anything. And after everything that's happened over the last four years I know we're meant to be together so..." even though Judy knew where this was going she was still in shock when he got down on one knee. Leslie took in a sharp breath. All the girls looked excited.

"Leslie Burke. I love you. Will you marry me?" he pulled a box from his pocket.

Leslie looked around at everyone. Mary and Judy were holding hands crying. She looked at her father and he smiled and nodded. She looked at Jess. She knew he was the one.

"Yes... Yes of course I will." Jess jumped up and kissed her. "I love you!" He slipped the ring on her finger. Mary recognised it at once. It was Jacks mothers ring. She looked back at him. He looked so happy. He explained to Leslie who it had belonged to.

"Thank you Jack" she said hugging him. "I promise you I'll look after it." They were all told to leave by the doctor saying Leslie needed her rest. "That's why Jess wanted to talk to you" said Judy as they left. He nodded "He asked for my permission"

"They are perfect for each other." She agreed. Terry May Aarons came home the next day.

New year's eve, Leslie turned to Jess. "Let's show Terry where she's named after." Wrapping up against the cold they walked down to the bridge. Leslie looked at her ring on her left hand. She couldn't wait for her wedding day. They had decided not to wait and get married that summer, in Terabithia. "I Love you!" she said. "I love you too".

The creatures and people of Terabithia came out in force on the day of the wedding. Everyone was rushing around getting ready. Brenda and Ellie had taken charge of decorating the woods with the help of Jack and Bill. Leslie was getting dressed with the help of Mary and Judy. Terry was wearing a small white dress. May Belle was bridesmaid and looking after her. Jess was getting dressed when his dad came in. Ever since Terry was born they had become close.

"Ready son?"

"As I'll ever be" he answered walking down the path to the woods. When they got to the Bridge Jess' couldn't believe it. Brenda and Ellie had totally transformed the woods.

"You like it?" they asked as he came in. "It's perfect thank you" he said hugging them. Their relationship was a lot better recently too. He went to talk to the priest and then turned to his dad.

"Dad I know it's short timing but will you be my best man?"

"I'd be honoured son" They hugged briefly and turned to see May Belle carrying Terry in. She had a simple pink dress on and her hair was curled.

But Jess' eyes were on Leslie behind her. She had a white dress on, but in true Leslie tradition there was a splash of colour around her waist and in her hair there was a coloured clip holding it up. When she reached Jess she lifted her dress to show him her shoes Instead of the classic white shoes she had her favourite blur converse on. "Some old and blue" she whispered to him.

After they were pronounced husband and wife there was a huge cheer from the crowd gathered. That night while they were dancing Leslie turned to Jess.

"Any regrets?" she asked.

"None" he smiled and kissed her.

Well that's it I hope you liked the ending. I really enjoyed writing this and I hope to write another soon xx review.