Chapter 14

Rhys, Mark and I have spent the day going through baby stores. It was like taking care of kids. It was when we stepped into the first baby store and I saw the Baby Bjorn that you wear when I knew for sure that I was going to keep my son. I knew I wanted to be there for him when he took his first steps, said his first words, went to kindergarten for the first time, gets in a fight for the first time and all of his firsts. I was going to do this and no one could stop me.

We bought anything and everything that had to do with babies. We got a Baby Bjorn, a crib that changes into a bed for when he grows out of it, a stroller with a detachable car seat, a changing table with lots of storage underneath it, diaper bags, bottles, onesies, baby clothes, blankets, pacifiers, Johnson's bath time set, baby wipes, baby monitors and so many more things. We spend a lot of money but we got everything complete.

We made it back to my apartment and they helped my set everything up. I realize that I may be half way through my pregnancy but I won't be able to do these things much longer. We stopped at home depot on the way home at bought blue and brown paint for the nursery. I couldn't be near the paint fumes since it was bad for the baby so I used Mark and Rhys to my advantage and got them working on it. I sat down on the coach and fell asleep because of exhaustion form this long day.

Twelve weeks later

I just came from my doctor's appointment. I am 32 weeks pregnant. And my son has not stopped moving. Every single time I try and fall asleep he is so active that it keeps me up. It is almost June now which means 2 more months until I can see my son. My stomach has gotten so big that I can't even see my toes when I look down and I can't tie my shoes. I am glad it is warm out no because all I wear are maternity dresses. I think I am prepared and I know that I will never actually be. I spend my free time shopping for my baby and getting things done. You would be surprised with all the stuff I have bought.

I haven't thought of a name for him yet so I have dedicated today to that. I am sitting on the couch with the baby name book resting on top of him and the TV playing in the background. I look to the basket which holds all of the new clothes I bought this week for him, my son is going to have style, and I see a lion hat that I bought because it reminded me of Sam and all of him courage. I have been thinking about his a lot recently. I go back to focusing on the names and try not to let Sam into my mind because I start to think it is a mistake keeping our son from him.

"Hey little guy how about Bonaventure McNally? Call you Bonbon for short. I swear some of these names are hideous, I mean who would name their kid Walworth, I feel sorry for him when he grows up. It doesn't look like we are going to get a name for you today." I look at my watch and rub my belly, I feel him kick where my hand is. Sorry buddy. It's time for Lamaze class."

Two Weeks Later.

Rhys and Mark call me every day and check up on me which I am grateful for. They have been updating me on life in Toronto. I asked them to check on my dad for me, what I was about to hear shocked me. My dad was kicked off the force because he got too involved with a case. It was a teenage girl who ran away and made some wrong friends apparently my dad was trying to protect her but she was shot and it got to him. Rhys says he has been at the Black Penny for weeks now.

I was 34 weeks pregnant and now I can't tell my dad because it would break him. It is the middle of June and school is over. Mark and Rhys have to go to summer school in order to be able to graduate. I have made sure I have everything in order. A couple weeks ago I started a baby book the front cover is going to have a picture of my son and his footprint next to it. I filled out the first couple pages with information about me and Sam. There were spots to fill in about each of us. I placed the photo of us two in there. I felt a pain go through me as I realized my son wouldn't know his father. I closed the book once I filled it out as much as I could.

I got up and decided a trip to the grocery store was in order. I grabbed my purse and headed out. He was really active and kicking today it was a little painful. The extra weight was making my back ache. I walked to the store and went in. My stomach was starting to ache. I walk up to the meat counter and go to order some pork chops.

"Oh my God." I say when I feel a really strong pain go through me. I clutch me stomach. It's happening now, he's coming now.

"Are you alright Ms.?" The man at the meat counter asks me. I shake my head no. "Do you want me to call an ambulance?" I nod. I slide to the ground so I am sitting. A man who was shopping comes to me and checks on me.

"Are you feeling okay? I am a doctor. How far along are you?" The man asked.

"34 weeks." I say. The contraction passed.

"That's good, you can deliver the baby and it will be healthy, now stay calm and breath regularly. I am Dr. Cruise but you can call me Jake. What's your name?"

"Andy." I reply as another contraction hits me. I feel really light headed. I hear the ambulance come up and I feel my self being lifted onto the stretcher. The doctor is staying with me and comes to ride on the ambulance. I feel the ambulance stop but all I can concentrate on is the pain. No one said it would be this painful. My water had broken on the ride over here and they said my labor was progressing quickly. Everything was a rush of nurses and doctors. One minute I was getting an epidural and the next I was being taken into the delivery room. I pushed when the doctors told me to and 15 minutes later my son's cries could be heard through the room. I looked at him being carried away to be cleaned and my eyes started to water. This was one of the best moments of my life.

12 hours later I lie in my bed a little sore. My son is sleeping in my arms. I couldn't help but notice the resemblance to Sam, he was not even a day old but they both looked the same when they slept. The way their eyes would scrunch closed. The nurse came in and put him in the crib beside the bed.

"Hello, Ms. McNally. We need you to fill out the Birth Certificate." She handed me the papers. I looked at it knowing everything I need to do just by looking down at my son I fill it out.

Mother's name: Andrea McNally

Father's name: Samuel Swarek

First Name: Jackson Middle Name: Samuel Swarek Last Name: McNally

Date of Birth: June 10th 2011

Time of Birth: 18h30

Weight: 6 pounds

Length: 18 inches