"Honey, do you think maybe you should make the call?"

Julie paced up and down the living room, "I don't know," she paused and looked at Sophie anxiously, "mom what do I do?"

Over the past two weeks the baby began to subtly drop lower and lower even as her belly got bigger and bigger. And despite all the time and care she took to avoid stretch marks she did get a few. Sophie looked at her daughter and noted the last contraction she felt was just over 15 minutes ago.

Julie grabbed her stomach again as another pulsing wave came over her. No matter what position she put herself in there was no relief. Luckily it lasted for a little longer than a minute. But Sophie was already starting to tremble, there was no doubt in her mind that her grandchild was coming today.

"That's 17 minutes since the last one, honey these things can go fast I think you better call him so he has enough time to get here."

"But he has a game tonight, I don't want him to miss it if it's false labor again," because two days ago when he was actually here she thought she was going into labor. She thought her water broke but it was something called a mucus plug instead. They went to the hospital and everything but she wasn't ready just yet.

Sophie grabbed her daughter's shoulders and looked her in the eye, "Sweetheart don't make him miss the birth of his first child, make the call."

Julie nodded and decided to take the phone into the kitchen. Her mom was right and Gunnar even told her that she needed to call him even if it wasn't actually happening. He didn't want to take any chances and really she didn't either.

He picked up right away, "Julie?"

"I think it's happening," she told him, "I've been having mild contractions all day. I'm so sorry I hate to make you miss a game."

"I'd rather miss that than being there with you to meet our son," he was already quickly jogging towards his coach's office. They already had a plan set up for him, as they usually did for their player's that were expecting children. With a nod to his coach he knew he would already have the first flight to Bangor, Maine that was available, "I'm on my way."

"I hope I didn't wait too long, I wanted to be sure."

"Just hang on and keep your legs closed," he teased her even as he hurried out of the arena, luckily the practice hadn't started yet so he didn't have to change, "only open them for me, do you promise?"

She giggled even as she felt the now familiar tightening at the top of her uterus, "Promise," she gasped out in pain as the contraction hit. In the background she heard Gunnar calling out her name. It ended and she noted the last one was 9 minutes ago, "I'll do everything I can to wait."

"I just got to my car; I'll be there as soon as possible. Julie," he paused for a second, "I love you."

"I love you too, see you soon."

She hung up the phone and went to replace it on the receiver. Returning to the living room she saw her mom already had one of the to-go bags they prepared ahead of time. Everything was ready, Gunnar already had all the baby furniture assembled in the nursery and Julie made sure to wash all the baby clothes she received with a gentle detergent. Watching him put the crib together was a special experience, knowing that soon their baby would be sleeping there. It had been an exciting yet terrifying moment and once he finished he held her close, both needing to silently express their fears and excitement.

"Are you ready?"

Julie frowned, "Where's Britta?"

Yes, Gunnar's mother remained behind and stayed with them. The day before she was set to return back home to Iceland, she and Sophie were talking and it came up that Britta really wanted to be there when the baby was born. It was no stretch to offer her to stay, after all she could remain in America for three months without a visa. They did say goodbye to Lilla with a promise to let her know about her nephew as soon as he arrived.

"And I need to call Adam and Connie," Julie sighed.

"My dear, you can call them on the way to the hospital, now come," Britta came down the steps with yet another bag, this time it was the baby's. It truly was a blessing to have both mothers in her life helping these past few weeks. Everything had become uncomfortable, even sitting in the magnificent massage chair wouldn't rid her of the back aches.

Both mothers helped the young woman down the steps of the front porch and into the front seat of the large family vehicle. Just as Sophie was pulling out of the driveway yet another contraction rushed through her stomach. Once it was over she made the call to Adam and then to Connie, just so they knew that today was the day.

They arrived to the hospital and checked in through the emergency department only to immediately be transitioned up to the maternity ward. First they called her doctor to get her on the way over quickly. Within the first half hour Julie's contractions were closing in on 7 minutes apart faithfully. The doctor arrived and right off the bat Julie told her that Gunnar was en route and they needed to somehow figure out a way to wait until he arrived.

To pass the time Britta kept challenging Julie to speak with her in Icelandic. Since the baby shower Julie's base knowledge had really grown with the help of someone there to work with her on the things she needed such as intonation. So the foreign conversation proved to be a good distraction for a little while. After a good amount of time though Julie grew a little restless so her doctor asked her to start walking around the floor but slowly and to breathe deeply in efforts to relax.

With two hours still left before Gunnar could possibly be there, Julie stopped walking and grabbed onto the windowsill she was passing by in shock. David and Carolyn had been with her at the time as they had arrived together after getting the news. Her father was probably scarred for life but Carolyn took one look and knew what it was when all Julie could do was look down. Sure enough, her water broke. And right afterwards a powerful wave of pain rippled across her uterus.

Nurses surrounded her and finally convinced her it was time to lie down. They changed her into another gown and soon the doctor was in asking if she wanted an epidural for the pain in her back. Julie just shook her head no and concentrated on mentally trying to link with her baby's mind and ask him to wait for his father.

Sophie and Britta were on either side of her bed and looked at one another, both worrying that Gunnar may not make it. He had called Sophie's cell phone a few minutes ago to report he'd landed and asked for her room number. Seeing the look on their faces Julie vowed, "We made this baby together and we are welcoming him to this world together."

5 hours and 45 minutes since she called him had taken place and she was told that she was ready to go. Julie shook her head and refused to acknowledge that she was dilated enough to deliver. They didn't wait this long for him to miss it, she promised him! He was almost here! Breathe and concentrate, keep her legs closed, she would do this for him.

"Come on baby just wait a little bit longer," she pleaded in a tight voice.

"Julie," Gunnar suddenly rushed into the room, "I'm here." He grabbed her hand and saw that she was beginning to cry in pure relief, "I'm here beautiful, I'm here."

"Gunnar," her eyes clenched with her most powerful contraction yet.

Her doctor ushered the almost parents apart and handed the young man off to nurses to get him prepped for the delivery. Sophie and Britta returned to the waiting room with David and Carolyn but not after hearing that Julie's blood pressure was alarmingly elevated.

In the delivery room Julie was finally giving in to that urge to push as Gunnar returned dressed in scrubs and dutifully took her hand. He hated to see how much pain she was in and when he found out she turned down any pain medication he looked at her in disbelief.

He wiped at her forehead and brow as it was getting covered in sweat as the doctor called out, "I need you to push Julie, take a few breaths and push some more."

Julie put her all into pushing, fighting and screaming out against the pain only to gasp heavily afterwards. Gunnar kept whispering to her, thanking her for waiting for him, telling her he loved her and was so proud and excited.

"We're almost there, we can see his head. Take deep breaths Julie, come on daddy breathe with her."

Gunnar ignored the numbing sensation in his hand and tried to concentrate on her as she called out his name. Her body was covered in sweat and painful tears were streaming down her cheeks, "I love you Julie. Come on beautiful let's do this, let's meet our son."

"One last push Julie," her doctor ordered, "give me everything you got!"

Julie's face scrunched up and she put every ounce of strength she had left into one final push. Gunnar flinched at the pressure on his hand yet refused to let go of their grip knowing it was just a slice of what she was going through. Julie felt the moment when the baby she had nurtured and carried for so long was pushed from her body. She collapsed onto the bed in complete exhaustion.

"And here he is, a beautiful baby boy!" Her doctor quickly looked him over and removed the plugs in his nose, "Time?"

"9:26 PM, March 20th."

"So dad," the doctor smiled, "do you want to cut the cord?"

Gunnar nodded shakily and was given a pair of small scissors. With the first glance at his son he was so overwhelmed with emotion he nearly fainted, as it was one of the nurses had to grab onto his elbow until he steadied himself. While his baby remained in the hands of the doctor crying his little lungs out Gunnar carefully severed the cord that connected mother and child.

Immediately the doctor moved to Julie's side and asked if she wanted to hold him while they cleaned her up and took care of the after-birth. Tearfully she nodded and Gunnar supported her to sit up as she took their son into her arms for the first time.

She looked down at her baby, taking in how perfectly beautiful he was. She was between crying and laughing in a state of euphoric pain as the baby curled up his tiny legs and arms to steal from her warmth. Gunnar cautiously sat beside them, with one hand he caressed Julie's face and the other her arm that mainly supported their son.

Julie looked up to see that he was smiling and crying too, feeling as happy as she was in this perfect moment. Their eyes connected and they let out a small laugh. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her damp forehead.

"He's perfect Julie," he told her in an awed voice, "thank you so much."

The new family remained close for several tender minutes, the parents falling so deeply in love with the child they made that was finally here. Their baby, their little son, he seemed content now that he was wrapped up snugly in the arms of his mother with his father watching over them. This was a life-changing moment that would never be forgotten.

"Okay mom and dad, we're going to clean him up and check him over, get his weight and height down. I know," the doctor told them, "you just want to hold him forever but let's make sure he's okay first."

Julie nodded and flinched as she was still feeling some pain. One of the nurses asked if she was ready for some pain medication and Gunnar immediately told her to take it. They eyed one another in concern and worry when their baby's hearty screams filled the room as he was properly wiped down and looked over. Their doctor assured that it was normal as the baby was feeling the shock of the cool air on his skin and the brightness of the room. It was something both they and their child were going to have to get used to.

He weighed in at 9 pounds 6 ounces and was 21 ½ inches in length. After everything was done and he was given a clean bill of health the newborn was once more placed in Julie's arms. The nurses and doctor went over a few things such as a feeding schedule and what to expect throughout the first night. They were given a few more minutes to spend time alone before being expected to give the announcement that he was here.

"Here Gunnar, hold your son," Julie told him tiredly though she was smiling as she looked at him.

He seemed a little nervous but carefully maneuvered himself and took his baby into his arms for the first time. "Wow," he laughed a little and briefly glanced over to the woman he loved, "he's amazing." The baby's eyes blinked open a few times to stare up at his father before stretching a little. With that one look Gunnar knew he would never be the same again. "My son," he whispered gently, "I love you."

Julie watched father and son closely with emotional eyes, her heart swelling with pride and love as she witnessed their baby's hand wrap around one of Gunnar's fingers. The young man then softly kissed his child's forehead a few times as she revealed, "Anton."

"What?" Gunnar looked up at her in surprise and a little confusion.

"His name, that's what I had picked out."

"Julie," his eyes conveyed just how touched he felt, "that's my..."

"I know," she told him softly, "and I love it so much, just like I love you and our baby. It's up to you Gunnar. You have final approval remember, so what do you think?"

"What do I think?" He grinned suddenly and looked down to the face of their newborn, "I think it's perfect. Welcome to the world…Anton Julian Stahl."