Sorry it took me so long to update this story. I hope you enjoy this chapter and the ones that follow.

Chapter Twenty

* 4 hours later*

"Steve, tell me this is all going to be worth it," Catherine let out a wail, then finished her statement, "That all this pain is going to be worth it. 'Cause, Steve, I've been shot, and blown up, but nothing has ever felt this excruciating." I don't know if I have the strength to make it through this.

"It is going to be totally worth it. We are going to have a son," Steve smiled, "You are so strong doing this without any drugs. I love you so much. You can do this." If anyone can do this, Catherine can. I'm so in awe of her right now. Steve leaned over and gave Catherine a long, drawn-out kiss on her lips which was interrupted by Catherine's sudden contraction. Oh no! She had a hold of Steve's hair when the contraction became stronger. This caused Steve to howl out in pain at a similar decibel to Catherine. At that priceless moment, Danny walked back into the room, and burst into laughter. "Danny, don't say a word," Steve said after he removed himself from Catherine's vice grip.

"I wasn't going to say anything, Steven," Danny lied as remnants of giggles escaped from his mouth

"Shut-up, Danny," Steve reprimanded curtly.

"My lips are sealed, babe," Danny claimed as he sauntered up to Catherine's bedside, and dropped a kiss on her moist forehead. "How ya doin' babe?"

"It hurts like hell, but I'm managing it."

"You know how much longer?"

"Well, I'm dilated 7 centimeters, so the doctor said it could be another four hours or so before it's time for me to push."

"You're a trooper babe. I may have a lot of animosity toward Rachel, but I have a lot of respect for her when it comes to our baby girl. She was in labor for 20 hours before she had Gracie."

"Oh my God," Catherine exclaimed as another contraction wracked her body.

"Danny, you're not helping the situation," Steve scowled.

Catherine's face glistened with sweat, and the rims of her eyes reflected the intense pain that had radiated through her body for the past ten hours. However, all this discomfort was almost over because now was the moment of truth.

"Catherine, I need you to push one more time, and you're little guy will be here," Dr. Reed encouraged.

Catherine clenched Steve's hand in preparation for her final push.

"I'm not ready," Catherine unsteadily whispered. I'm so not ready.

Steve's anxious glare met Catherine's uncertain one as he stated, "Yes, you are. You are the strongest person I know. You can do this." Steve paused. "We can do this." We can do anything! At that moment, Catherine gave it her all, and the sound of a baby crying filled the room.

"Awww, Catherine he's perfect." Just like his mother.

"You wanna cut the cord, Dad?"

"Absolutely!" Steve said excitedly.

The doctor took the baby to clean him up, and immediately brought him back to Catherine. As she held her son, Catherine's cheeks became wet as a flood of tears rolled down her face.

"Hi, John Daniel McGarrett. I'm your mom," she uttered as the words caught in her throat. Wow, I can't believe I'm a mom. "And I'm your dad," Steve whispered as he completed Catherine's sentence. Wow, I can't believe I'm a dad.

"Cath, you did an amazing job," Steve said as placed his hand on the side of Catherine's face in order to wipe away a tear that had escaped her eye. Soon tears rimmed Steve's eyes while he peered down in adoration at his family. Steve then placed a soft kiss on Catherine's lips, and later on his son's head.

"Steve, we're a family now." He simply responded with a face splitting smile.