Chapter 25

Halley's POV

A few days later, the doctor said the baby and I could go home, so Dal came to pick us up in Arya's car. I placed Gabriella in the car seat that was in the back seat. Then I got in the passenger's seat. Dal put my bag in back and climbed in the driver's side.

We arrived back at the house and Dallas grabbed my bag and the car seat. "Do you want me to take something?" I asked.

"No, I got it," he said. He opened the door to the house and when I walked in 'Welcome Back' was yelled. Everyone we knew was in our living room. Dallas went straight into the kitchen for a beer.

"Halley!"

"Emily! It's great to see you. I haven't seen you for a while. What've you been up to?"

"Yeah, I know. I've actually been helping Angela plan her wedding."

"Oh my god. Angela's getting married. No way. Angela, get over here!"

"Hey Halley. Congratulations about the baby," Angela said when she came over. I hugged her.

"Thanks. Why didn't you tell me you were getting married? Who to?"

"Bryon Douglass. He was gonna marry me because I thought that I was pregnant with his kid, but I'm not and he still wants to get married."

"Bryon Douglass, Mark's brother?" I asked.

"Yeah, that's the one."

"That's great Angel. Congratulations."

"So Halley, where is this daughter of yours?" Emily asked.

"Umm…I don't know. She's with Dallas. She should be around here somewhere. There she is," I said as I saw Dallas talking to Tim. "Dallas, come over here." He walked over to us three girls, with Gabriella in his arms.

"Angela, Emily, how ya doin'?" he said when he reached us.

"Just fine, but we wanted to see your daughter."

"Well, here she is."

"Yeah, and here's a sight I thought I'd never see. Dallas Winston with a baby," Angela said.

"Yeah, well get used to it. You're gonna be seein' a lot of me and my daughter around."

"I hope so," I said. He gave the baby to me and walked back over to Tim.

"Halley, she's adorable. She looks just like Dallas though."

"Yeah I know. But that's okay with me, since I love the way her father looks," I said and smiled.

"Me too. He's one very handsome guy," Emily said. I stared at her. "Don't worry. I don't want him, I'm just observing. Plus I want Two-Bit, not Dallas."

"You better be just observing. He's taken," I said jokingly. "Well I guess I should go 'mingle' with everyone else. I'll see you two later," I said and gave them each a hug.

I walked away and saw Tim standing alone by the window. I walked over to him. "Hey Tim," I said and kissed him on the cheek. "Where'd Dallas disappear to?"

"Uhh…I think he's in the kitchen with Soda. Is that the kid?" he said referring to the beautiful baby girl in my arms.

"Yup, it is."

"Looks just like Winston. Poor thing." I playfully hit him in the arm. "Only joking…kinda," he said and smiled.

"Shepard, what're ya doin' with my girls?" Dallas said, walking over to us.

"Makin' fun of you and tryin' to see how this girl here can be your daughter. She's too adorable to be yours. Are you sure she's not mine?"

"She better not be yours," Dal said, getting mad.

"He's kidding Dallas. Calm down, she's yours. Plus she looks just like you. How could she not be yours?"

"I know. Why do ya do stuff like that to me, Shepard?"

"Cause it's fun watchin' ya get mad."

"I oughta punch your he-," Dallas started saying but was interrupted by Soda.

"Hey Halley. I got something to show ya. Come with me."

"Okay Sodapop. Dal, can you take Gabby?"

"Yeah, hand her over," he said, "go with Soda."

"Okay," I said and kissed him before I left. Then I followed Soda to what was to be the baby's room.

"Close your eyes," Soda said. I closed them and I heard a door open. He took my hands and led me into the room. "Okay, open them."

I opened my eyes and gasped. The baby's room was amazing. The walls were the light green that I picked out, with purple and yellow flowers painted on them. On one side of the room was the crib that had been Aubree's when she was a baby. Soda had fixed it up and painted it white. On the wall next to it was a white changing table. That had also been Aubree's and matched the crib. On the same wall as the changing table stood a small, white dresser. In one corner of the room was a large teddy bear, the one Soda had given me while I was on bed rest, surrounded by tons of other, smaller stuffed animals. Then, in the corner by the windows, was the best thing of all. It was a simple white rocking chair, but it was full of memories. My mother had rocked each one of us to sleep in it, read to us in it, and comforted us in it. When I saw it, tears formed in my eyes. I loved it. "Sodapop, I absolutely love it. You really outdid yourself."

"Anything for you Halley. And it wasn't only me. Everyone helped out. Dallas, Steve, and Pony painted the walls. Hannah and Johnny painted the flowers. Darry and me fixed the furniture. Then Two-Bit and Aubree painted it. Arya arranged it in the room. And it was Dallas's idea to put the rocking chair in here. He said you'd love it."

"And I do. It's amazing. Gabby's gonna love it," I said, giving Soda a hug.

"What's goin' on here?" Dallas walked in and said jokingly.

"I'm just thanking Soda for the wonderful room for the baby."

"Yeah that better be all your doin'," he said, putting his arms around my waist.

"Thanks for putting the rocking chair in here. I really appreciate it."

"I knew you'd like it. I know how much it means to you. So where's my thank you like Soda's?"

"You'll get it later. Maybe. So where's Gabriella?"

"In the living room with Johnny and Hannah."

"Oh, okay. Well I guess we better get back to the party. Thanks again Sodapop. I love it," I said and kissed him on the cheek, before taking Dallas's hand in mine and going back to the party.

"Halley gally, Welcome Home," Two-Bit said when I reached the living room. He was holding Gabriella.

"Thanks Two-Bit. How come you have Gabby? I thought Hannah and Johnny were watching her," I said, taking Gabriella from him.

"They were, but then she started crying and Hannah and Johnny were getting a little nervous so I offered to watch her while Soda showed you the room."

"Oh, okay. Well you're free to do as you please. I'll take care of her. But may I suggest talking to Emily, and you better hurry before someone takes her away from you," I said and nodded towards Emily, who was talking to another guy across the room. I knew Two-Bit liked Emily. I wish he'd just admit it to her.

"Yeah, I'll think about it," he said and walked away. A few minutes later, he was standing, on the other side of the room, with Emily, and the other guy was gone.

The party lasted for about an hour more, and then mostly everyone left. That is, except for my family, Dallas, Emily, Angela, Tim, and the gang. "I'll be right back. I'm gonna go put Gabby in her crib," I said. I went into Gabriella's nursery and placed a sleeping Gabby into her crib. I went back into the living room, and everyone was sitting down talking. I went and sat down on Dally's lap and joined in the conversation.

In about an hour, we all ran out of topics. Everyone went home and Arya, Aubree, and Hannah went up to bed. Dallas and I sat in the living room for awhile longer and then headed to bed. I changed into my pajamas, and Dallas stripped down into his boxers. We climbed into bed, and I moved close to him. He wrapped his arm around me, and we fell asleep.

Well, that's the end. There will be a sequel coming sometime, so keep an eye out for it. I hope you enjoyed my first story. Please R&R.