Ch 14
"I'm out here," Samantha called out. "I'm sorry," she whispered to John as he helped her up.
"No worries, you'll make my wish come true later," he smiled keeping a hold on her as Jessica appeared.
"Stephanie is having contractions but she won't go to the hospital. Uncle Hunter is out of his mind with worry. Can you try to talk to him and calm him down so he stops yelling at her? He's making me jump everytime he yells," Jessica asked then realized she had interrupted something. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to bother you two but Dad has tried talking to Uncle Hunter. Randy is dealing with Dave's drunken antics. I didn't know who else to turn to."
"Its ok, I'm coming," Samantha said seeing the worry and concern in her sister's eyes.
"I'm really sorry John," Jessica apologized to him as he motioned for her to stop.
"You want me to come with you?" John asked as they entered the hallway.
"Yes definitely," Samantha smiled as Jessica went in front of them down the hall that lead to Hunter's and Stephanie's master suite.
"Steph, if you don't come willingly I'm going to pick you up and carry you out of this house," Hunter's voice echoed down the hall.
"I'll scream if you do and refuse to be admitted. You can't have me admitted against my will," Stephanie answered.
"Why are you being so difficult? Do you see a doctor here? We can't deliver this baby here," Hunter pleaded with her as Jessica, Samantha, and John entered the room. Samantha was surprised to see Stephanie lying calmly on her bed flicking through channels while Hunter paced like an animal and Shawn sat in a rocking chair looking terrified.
"What's all the screaming about?" Samantha asked as Stephanie shrugged her shoulders.
"Steph, you're really starting to piss me off and you're acting like a brat," Hunter exclaimed as Stephanie looked at him for a moment then smiled sticking her tongue out.
"Too bad Hunter, I'm not going to the hospital it's not time. I'll tell you when its time," Stephanie cringed slightly feeling another contraction.
"Hunter lets knock her out or something," Shawn said staring at Stephanie hoping she wasn't going to give birth right there.
"Samantha, can you talk some sense into her please," Hunter went to his daughter begging with his eyes for help.
"John, could you do me a favor and take my two Dads here downstairs for a drink to calm their nerves?" Samantha said stunning Hunter with what she said and that she had said her two Dads.
"Sure Sami," he smiled willing to do anything to help her.
"I like that idea," Shawn almost ran out the door while Hunter stayed frozen in one spot staring Samantha down.
"I'm not leaving this room unless its to take my girlfriend to the hospital," Hunter firmly said.
"Dad, don't get tough with me. All I want is for to go downstairs for 15 minutes and have a drink to chill out. I will not let anything happen to Stephanie and the stress of you yelling at her isn't good. If this is false labor, the stress could cause her to go into real labor, do you want that?" Samantha stood her ground.
"Of course not," Hunter softened looking at Stephanie lying peacefully watching TV and ignoring them.
"Please leave for a few minutes. I'll call you if anything happens," Samantha touched his arm.
"Ok I trust you," he started to walk away then turned hugging Samantha. "Thank you for calling me Dad," he whispered in her ear before he let her go and went out the door.
"If you need me just yell," John came towards her wrapping his arms around her waist kissing her softly.
"That is so sweet. I knew you two would hook up," Stephanie said making them both smile.
"I'll be back shortly," John snuck one more kiss before heading after Shawn and Hunter.
"So how far apart are the contractions?" Samantha turned her attention to Stephanie sitting down on the edge of the bed while Jessica sat down in the rocking chair.
"They shortest time was 15 minutes that was about an hour ago now they are every 25 minutes or so. I think its false labor that is why I'm not freaking out," Stephanie ran her hand over her stomach. "I just don't feel like this little one wants to come out yet. Don't you think I would feel when it's the right time?"
"Umm I would guess so. I don't have much experience with this," Samantha softly said looking over at Jessica seeing she was turning green. "Jesse, are you okay?"
"Its just morning well really evening sickness," she didn't want to admit she was terrified of the moment she would go into labor. She was glad it was many months away.
"I hated that. I don't know why they call it morning sickness. It lasts all damn day for about 5 months then the indigestion starts for the rest of the pregnancy," Stephanie said sitting up. "I want ice cream. Do you have any cravings yet?"
"Yes, mint chocolate chip ice cream with chocolate sprinkles," Jessica laughed.
"That sounds good. I've been favoring hot fudge sundaes. I've woken Hunter up at 3am a few times to make me one. He looks at me like I'm crazy but he does it," Stephanie smiled thinking of how great Hunter how treated her through the pregnancy. "I feel bad being rude to him now but he is being a jackass," she said making both Jessica and Samantha laugh.
"You think he is bad you should have seen our Dad when Trish went into labor. He couldn't talk right. He was babbling nonsense. He kept running around the house like a chicken with his head cut off," Jessica's eyes lit up with amusement.
"Remember when he ran into the wall going to their bedroom to get her suitcase. He actually apologized to the wall like it was a person," Samantha reminded her sister making them all laugh.
"Men don't handle the labor scare well. I wonder what Randy will be like?" Jessica softly asked surprised when Stephanie and Samantha both broke out in more laughter.
"He will be even worse then your father and Hunter," Stephanie slowly sat up.
"Why do you say that?" Jessica asked.
"He is still very young and he likes to be in control. Your baby coming he can't control its going to rock his world," Samantha answered making Jessica nod in agreement.
"I just hope he doesn't walk into walls and knock himself out," Jessica frowned making them all laugh again.
"Hello lovely ladies, what's all the giggling about?" Dave's drunken slurred voice took them by surprise.
"Sorry he got away from me for a moment," Randy came into the room and was shocked when they all started to laugh for no reason and giving him a weird look. "Have you all been drinking with him?"
"No sorry sweetie, I'll explain later," Jessica smiled.
"Ouch!" Stephanie exclaimed grabbing Samantha's hand taking her by surprise.
"Oh shit, is she in labor? Should I get Hunter?" Randy almost stumbled going towards the door.
"Cool Steph, I'm here and ready to help deliver," Dave sunk into a chair.
"No thanks Dave. Relax Randy, my little one has decided to kick my ribs and it hurts like hell," Stephanie laid back. "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you Sami," Stephanie apologized.
"He or she is really moving around a lot," Samantha marveled at how Stephanie's stomach seemed to jump slightly.
"Go ahead feel how strong this little one kicks," Stephanie took Samantha's hand placing it on the spot the baby was kicking.
"That's amazing," Samantha felt the strong little kick over and over.
"Pretty soon you'll get to meet your new brother or sister. You can help keep your father from blowing a gasket during my delivery," Stephanie softly said hoping Samantha wouldn't get upset. She wanted Samantha to know that she had accepted that she was Hunter's daughter and Stephanie wanted her to be a part of their lives.
"I will help out anyway I can," Samantha smiled. "Hey little one in there, do me a favor and hold off a few more days so I'll be off these stupid crutches."
"Is everything ok in here?" Hunter quietly came back in happy to see his daughter and Stephanie getting along.
"Yes, except for my ice cream craving," Stephanie winked at him.
"I'll make you a sundae and bring it up," Hunter was able to walk out.
"Dad, you stay with Steph. I'll make the sundae and ask John to bring it up," Samantha got up grabbing her crutches.
"I'll bring it up," Dave swayed as he stood up.
"Are you sure? I don't want ice cream all over the walls," Hunter asked seeing Dave struggle to walk straight.
"I'm fine buddy," Dave went out the door.
"Sami, do me a favor and stick with your idea to have John help you. Hopefully Dave will pass out soon and sleep the booze off," Hunter said seeing a smile form on his daughter's face at the mention of John.
"I will. Do you guys want anything?" Samantha asked Randy and Jessica.
"No, we are going to turn in for the night," Randy took Jessica's hand seeing the exhaustion overtaking her.
"Good night guys," Samantha hugged her sister and Randy good night. "I'll be back in abit. No more yelling at Stephanie. She'll tell you when its time to panic."
"I promise I'm calm now. Shawn on the other hand will probably be drunk by the time you get downstairs. He must have had a real rough time with Trish's delivery. He won't even talk about," Hunter smirked.
"All I'll say was he was quite amusing. Maybe one day I'll tell you the rest," Samantha made her way towards the door.
"Hey little girl, are you coming or what?" Dave called out to her.
"If he doesn't settle down soon, let me know I'll knock him out," Hunter looked down the hall at Dave muttering something incoherent under his breath as he headed towards the stairs.
"I'll definitely keep that in mind. Do you want ice cream too?" Samantha paused in the hall for a moment.
"Sure what the hell I'll gain some sympathy weight," Hunter came towards Samantha lowering his voice. "Thank you for sending me out of the room tonight and for hanging out with Steph."
"No problem," Samantha said heading down the hall giving him a quick hug before he went back to Stephanie. She was almost to the top of the stairs when Dave startled her.
"Boo!" Dave jumped out of one of the guest bedrooms.
"How much have you had to drink tonight?" she asked staring into his glassy eyes.
"Well pretty one after you beat my ass at poker. I downed a couple of beers than I don't know how much vodka. I don't deal well with losing especially to a young lady."
"Obviously not," Samantha started on her way again.
"Did you get a thrill tonight?" Dave put his arm out stopping her.
"Maybe I did, mostly I just wanted to beat you to give my sister peace. If you like tomorrow when you're sober we can play again," Samantha felt slightly nervous at the way he was acting.
"Oh you would love that, wouldn't you? Do you like playing games with me Sami? I know some other games we can play. Wanna play little girl?" he leaned closer to her.
"Dave, she isn't playing anything with you," John's voice was music to Samantha's ears as he came up the stairs. "Sami, I was getting worried about you so I decided to come check on you. Do you need help down the stairs?"
"Yes please," she said as John nudged his way in front of Dave picking her up. John felt the tension leaving her body as she rested her head against his shoulder mouthing thank you and nodding towards Dave. John kissed her softly carrying her down the stairs
"What are you like her boyfriend now?" Dave asked following them.
"Umm," John looked at her seeing her cheeks turning rosy red. He wasn't sure if she wanted people to know they were getting closer. He was about to answer when she put her finger to his lips.
"Yes, I'm dating John now," she answered making John beam with happiness.
"Does your father know?" Dave seemed stunned by what he heard.
"Yes, he does and I have no problem with it," Shawn came out of the family room. "Come on Dave, let's have another drink," Shawn tugged Dave's arm. "Sami, how is Steph?"
"She is fine. You can relax you don't have to assist in any delivery. I'm going to make her a sundae, do you want one?" she asked as John gently put her down.
"No thanks, I'll keep Dave out of your way," Shawn stared at John. "You take care of my little girl or you'll be sorry."
"You know I will take good care of her," John kept a tight hold on her.
"I know. You two have fun. I'll see you in the morning," Shawn went into the family room while John and Samantha headed into the kitchen.
"You okay now? Did Dave scare you?" John gathered her in his arms the moment they were alone.
"I'm fine. He is drunk and being a jerk. I have never seen him like that so it took me by surprise," she sighed.
"I think he has a little crush on you," John ran his fingers along her cheek.
"Whatever his problem is it better go away in the morning," she wrapped her arms around John's neck. "Do you want to help me here then we go back to my room and watch a movie?"
"Sure beautiful," John loved the idea of spending more time with her alone.