Chapter 25

I don't own Lucian.

I know I updated early but I felt like posting today and not tomorrow.

Lucy's POV

Today is our final day together with the whole family. Everyone's flights are for first thing tomorrow since they all have to return to work on Tuesday. Ian and I would love to stay in Tennessee a bit longer, however, we unfortunately cannot because my due date is rapidly approaching. Only 11 more days until our baby girl should arrive. It is mind boggling to comprehend the fact that our little baby girl has been growing inside of me for 9 months and is almost ready to come out. We are so incredibly close I am bouncing with excitement.

Ian is just as anxious as I am when it comes to the arrival of our Princess. He has made sure to keep me off my feet this past week and tend to my every need just like he had when we were back in LA. I have told him he doesn't need to wait on me hand and foot but he insists I relax and don't do too much moving around. Every night since I have entered my 8th month he gives me a heavenly foot massage after I get in bed or as I am falling asleep; his wonderful hands have a mighty way of putting me to sleep. Not to mention when he rubs out all of the stress and tension in my back for me. Mmmmmm just thinking about it wishes he'll give me one now.

Momma, Tim, and Lewis went out to get some more firewood as well as a few groceries before this big snow storm comes in. Apparently they are predicting at least ten inches of snow on Tuesday, they believe it is supposed to start snowing around five or six in the morning and carry on all day long without stopping. I'm sad I'm going to miss the snow as it's been such a long time since I've seen it and actually gotten to play around in it as if I were a little kid. On the other hand I am somewhat pleased it is happening on Tuesday that way we won't have to worry about being snowed in.

I'm not too sure where Ian is at the moment, I think he is off doing something with his parents because I haven't seen them around the house either. Maggie is already in the kitchen warming up the leftover food from Thanksgiving meal for us all to eat for lunch. We only have a little bit left so we were making the remainder of that food as well as some other random food we could find in the fridge.

"I take it dad left early last night?" I ask softly to Maggie.

She nods her head in response whilst taking the plate of turkey out of the microwave and replacing it with the mashed potatoes. "When mom came back alone dad said he should probably head out before you and Ian returned since it was pretty obvious you didn't want to see him and he figured Ian isn't too fond of him right now either."

I chew on the inside of my bottom lip nervously. "I'm sorry, Maggs."

Maggie spins around on her heel to face me directly with a confused look on her face. "Why are you sorry?"

I sigh heavily. "Because, if it weren't for me being pissed at him, he probably would have stayed longer and you would have gotten to see him for more than just a few hours." I feel awful that I cut their time short.

"Lucy, no." Maggie shakes her head in denial. She walks around the counter to wrap her arms around my shoulders. "Dad shouldn't have said what he had to Ian. You had every right to be pissed at him. So what he left earlier than usual? I can see him whenever I like to. You however are the one who doesn't get to just drive on over to see your family at the drop of a hat since you live on the other side of the country."

"Are you sure?" Maggie nods her head in confirmation. I smile softly at her and thank her. She has always been such a wonderful older sister to me throughout my entire life.

"Something smells delicious in here!" Marry's sweet voice rings out. I turn around to see Marry, Stephen, and Ian walking into the kitchen with smiles on their faces.

"We're making lunch. Mom and Lewis should be back from the store any time now." Maggie replies to Marry.

Ian walks up to stand behind me where he wraps his arms around my waist sighing in delight. I lean back into his body accepting the comfort it brings. He runs his fingers along my entire back before residing up on my shoulders to massage the flesh through my long sleeved shirt. I mewl in pleasure at his hands. Ian presses several kisses to my head and temple as well as discretely kissing along the crook of my neck seductively.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Stephen asks to no one specific.

"If you want to set the table I'd really appreciate it." Maggie smiles warmly to Ian's father.

"Where were you guys?" I wonder aloud, just soft enough for Ian to hear me.

"Mom and Dad wanted to talk to me about Baby Harding and offer their support in any way they can. Mom also said she would like pictures and videos of our baby girls once she's born. No matter what the hour may be, we are to wake them up by calling as many times as it takes so they can know they are officially grandparents."

It's been hard for Ian and I to refrain from calling Brea by name seeing as no one knows her name yet—other than my mom. We have caught ourselves many times these past few days almost spilling the beans but soon enough everyone will know her name.

Before long Momma, Tim, and Lewis return just as lunch is ready. We all put the groceries away quickly that way we don't have to wait to eat.

"Hey where did the cake go!" Lewis groans, clearly displeased to see half of the cake gone. He looks around to all of us for an answer but comes up short of response.

"It was like that when I came downstairs. My dad must have snatched some before he left last night." I pass off the idea easily.

Momma shoots me a look of disbelief not to mention disproval of my lying. I simply smile innocently in return and act as if I have no idea as to what she is implying.

"You little liar! You're the one who stole the cake and ate it when you weren't supposed to." Ian whispers playfully in my ear.

I nudge him with my elbow. "Hush!" Ian chuckles in return.

"Oh Lucy, before I forget, there is something I had a question about." Momma says in a nonchalant manner.

"What's up?" I ask her absentmindedly.

"Did you take my car last night or just yesterday when you and Ian were driving home from the bar?"

"Yeah we did, I was craving some Steak N' Shake last night so Ian took me out to get some. Is everything okay?" I wonder curiously.

"Oh yes, fine, just fine. Except you seem to have left your bra in the backseat. Car to explain?" Mom smirks at me thinking she's caught me red handed and she's ready to tease me relentlessly about it. She's getting back at me for lying about the cake.

"Lucy and Ian had sex in Mom's car!" Maggie shrieks as soon as Ian's parents reenter the kitchen.

"Oh god." I bury my head in Ian's chest in embarrassment. My hands toy with the hem of his shirt as a slight distraction.

"We didn't have sex in the car Julie, I assure you of that." Ian says calmly hoping to defuse the situation.

"Son," Ian's dad pats his back to which I don't dare look up from my place buried in his chest. "Your wife is nine months pregnant, why have sex in a small car rather than in a bed or somewhere more comfortable for her? Didn't I raise you better and teach you how to take care of a woman."

"Please for the love of god tell me we are not having this conversation!" I shriek out desperately wishing to forget this whole conversation.

"So what did happen if it wasn't sex? How does one lose her bra in a car, Lucy?" Maggie's teasing voice adds into the discussion.

"Lucy was hungry last night so we went out to get some food. Back in LA Lucy has a tendency to take her bra off because of her sore back from the pregnancy. She did it last night without a second thought. So no, we did not have sex in the car. Now that is cleared up can we please move on before Lucy or myself dies of embarrassment?"

After a few grumbles from a few family members wishing to further tease us we all retreat to the kitchen table. Ian's right hand slips down my back midway and his left hand extends to offer a source of stability for me to stand up from the bar stool. Ian and I walk over to the kitchen table to enjoy lunch. One more day, just one last day until our family won't be under the same roof and have the ability to tease us and embarrass us at every opportunity. They mean well but there is only so much I can take before I wish to curl up and hide from their playful teasing. It especially doesn't help that Ian's parents are here to hear some of the things my family comes up with.

Later that night everyone stayed up until eleven o'clock or so eating cake and ice cream after making sure bags were packed and ready to go for tomorrow. Ian and I are set to fly out at 10:30 in the morning so we have an early day ahead of us. Luckily we managed to schedule our departure flights around the same time as Ian's parents.

Ian is, and has been, fast asleep next to me in bed. He went out like a light not ten minutes after things had gotten a bit heated between us underneath the sheets. I had fallen asleep shortly after him snuggled into his cozy chest. Its 12:30 right now and I have been up for over twenty minutes trying to get Brea to calm down and let me sleep. She keeps moving all about and won't let me go back to sleep.

I roll around on the bed all throughout the night drifting in and out of sleep depending on my discomfort. I couldn't find a comfortable position for more than half an hour at a time. I am extremely irritable and tired, all I want to do is sleep before I have to get up early for our flight home.

"Brea Rose Harding! Settle down in there and let Mommy get some sleep." I say sternly to her, speaking to my stomach. My right hand gently cups the underside of my belly whilst my left hand traces soothing patterns on my stomach. Situating on my side I lay with my back to Ian and scoot back enough to press the backside of my body up against his front.

My stomach continues to stir as I try to fall back into a slumber. I am far too mentally tired to stay up any longer. Finally I find myself falling asleep completely exhausted.

I awake sometime later to an unusual sensation between my legs and a strong cramping in my stomach. I wince and clutch my stomach as soon as I feel another trembling cramp.

"Ian," I whimper desperately. I squeak his name louder and shove at his chest in hopes of waking him up.

"Mmm what are you craving?" Ian mumbles still half asleep.

"Ian!" I whimper yet again causing Ian to jump up in bed and flip on the bedside lamp. "I think I'm going into labor," I heavily pant out to him.

"What? But it's over a week early!" Ian says in disbelief.

"I know, I know. My water broke and I think I'm having—Ahhhh!" I cry out louder this time.

Ian jumps off of the bed, pulls on his clothing, grabs me a fresh pair sweatpants and one of his shirts to wear, and then dresses me. I tell him to go wake up my mom and step dad. Ian helps me down the stairs where I take a seat to wait for Ian as he hurries into mom's room to wake her and Tim. Not five minutes later they are rushing out of the room and out to the car. Ian helps me waddle out to the car as fast as I could. I had Ian wake Maggie as well so if I really am in labor then she can wake up Ian's parents and they can all come down to the hospital.

Once in my mom's car Tim speeds off towards the closest hospital. Ian is in the backseat with me holding me as I cry out in pain at what I'm sure are contractions. After what feels like an eternity we arrive at the hospital. Ian quickly jumps out of the car. Taking me in his arms, he carries me bridal style into the hospital looking for a nurse or a doctor, anyone.

"My wife is going into labor! I need help!" He shouts loudly bring attention to us. I clutch on to Ian's neck when another contraction washes through me and whimper in his neck. God these are really starting to hurt as each passing one comes.

This is going to be a long night.

Surprise! Anyone expecting that? I told you guys Brea was on her way! ;) Okay so since I know I would be mean and evil if I were to make you guys wait a week to see what happens, I decided to do something special for this chapter.

If I get to 675 reviews I will update the next chapter tomorrow.

Who's excited for Brea?