June 9, 1936

John-Boy and Jenny went to town the following week to get her shot.

"Well Jenny, on Friday, you will officially be in your eighth month. Friday will be the 12th, which means only one more month until baby."

Jenny looked at John-Boy and smiled. He squeezed her hand.

"How are you feeling? Same?"

"I threw up yesterday morning. But so far, today has been pretty good. A mild backache, but those are pretty normal nowadays. Olivia says that when you're carrying extra weight up front, you're bound to have backaches on a pretty regular basis."

Dr. Vance smiled. "She's right. She oughta know. She had eight children."

John-Boy and Jenny chuckled.

"You've been a real trooper through all this Jenny. And just think, only a month to go."

"It's so hard to believe. The nursery is almost ready. We're gonna check around town before we go home and see if there's anything we like."

"The town of Charlottesville is having the annual summer community sale a week from Saturday, June 20th. Gently used items will be sold at discount prices. The sale is always a hit."

"We just might do that. Thank you." John-Boy smiled.

June 12, 1936

John-Boy's eyes fluttered open. The soft light from the hallway lit the alarm clock display.

2:25.

John-Boy saw his wife was missing. John-Boy yawned and stretched, slipped on his slippers and bathrobe, and headed down the hallway. The bathroom door was open and his wife was sitting on the toilet.

"How are you doing, Baby?"

Jenny grunted and held her stomach. "Not good."

"How long have you been up?"

"Half an hour."

"Do you think you're about done?"

"I'd better sit here for a while."

"I'll leave you be."

Jenny managed to smile and nodded. "Thanks."

John-Boy shut the bathroom door and went back to bed.

I can't wait until baby is here so Jenny can feel better again.

June 20, 1936

The following Saturday, John-Boy and Jenny went to town to shop for the nursery. They found two cute lamps and a gently used bedside table at a great price.

"I can't believe we're gonna be parents. It feels so real whenever we shop for the nursery! I can't wait until he or she is here." Jenny smiled.

John-Boy grinned. His wife was at 37 weeks. Only three more weeks to go! They were going to make it!

June 26, 1936

On Friday night, John-Boy and Jenny joined John and Olivia and the rest of the family for supper.

Jenny smiled as she held Joy.

"It won't be long before you have a little one to hold." Olivia smiled. "Our little miss Joy will be an auntie before she's even a year old."

"They'll probably grow up more like siblings than aunt and niece or nephew."

"Do you have any guesses if it's a boy or a girl?"

"I don't. John-Boy and I don't care about the baby's gender. We just want a healthy baby."

"I feel the same. I just want a healthy grandchild."

"My guess is it's a boy." Grandpa smiled. "The first Walton grandchild has been a boy for a long time. My father was the oldest in his family, John was the first in our family, and your husband was the first in John's family. I bet you've got a little bouncing baby boy about to make his appearance."

"No it's a girl." Erin replied. "I just know I'm gonna have a niece. You've just gotta have a girl, Jenny."

"Let's not bug Jenny." Olivia gently coaxed. "The important thing is that he or she is healthy and safe. Other than that, nothing else really matters. We're gonna have another baby in the family. We'll love the baby regardless, boy or girl."

Jenny forced a smile, but she couldn't help but feel a little pressure.

That night, Jenny lay awake in bed. John-Boy crawled under the covers.

"You're quiet tonight."

"I'm sorry. I was just thinking about the baby. I feel like I should start praying for twins now."

John-Boy chuckled. "Why?"

"Because then there might be a baby of each gender. Grandpa wants a boy, Erin and Elizabeth want a girl. I feel like I'm gonna disappoint at least a few people regardless of the outcome."

"Honey, we're talking about a baby, a human being. They're gonna love the baby, no matter the gender. Sure, they might have wishes before the little one gets here, but when the baby gets here, if he or she is healthy, that's all that will really matter."

Jenny smiled. "I'm glad I'm gonna become a parent with you by my side."

"So am I." John-Boy kissed his wife. "Let's get some sleep."

Jenny reached over and turned off the light.

June 30, 1936

Dr. Vance discarded the needle. "Well Jenny, can you believe we're at this point? You're officially at 39 weeks."

Jenny squeezed John-Boy's hand. "It's hard to believe. He or she will be here any day."

"I'm hoping to get you through another week, but there's no danger at this point if you go into labor early. We're past the point that he or she would be born premature."

John-Boy squeezed Jenny's hand. "That's definitely a relief, Doctor. We were nervous when she had the false labor a month ago. I'm glad it stopped."

"So am I." Dr. Vance replied. "Do you have your suitcase for the hospital packed?"

"Oh my gosh, I hadn't even thought to do that yet." Jenny gasped.

"No harm that it's not done yet, but you'll probably want to do it this week. You might regret it if you wait much longer."

"I'll start on packing tonight." Jenny replied.

"All right, do you two have any questions or concerns?"

The couple shook their head.

"All right, I'll plan to see you two on July 7th for what will hopefully be your last shot."

Jenny smiled. "That sounds wonderful. Thank you Dr. Vance."

"No problem. Take care, you two."

July 3, 1936

Olivia had invited John-Boy and Jenny over for supper that night. However, Jenny began having contractions around 4:30 that afternoon.

"John-Boy, I think this is it." Jenny said. She groaned a little. "The suitcase is in the closet. Can you help me to the truck?"

"Of course!" John-Boy helped his wife to the truck. "I'm gonna go grab the suitcase. Then I'll take just a minute to call Ike and ask him to pass the message to Mama that we won't be over tonight."

"All right." Jenny nodded. She grunted.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded. "Just a contraction. I'm fine."

John-Boy ran inside. He grabbed the suitcase. Then on his way out the door, he called the general store.

"Ike, this is John-Boy."

"Hi John-Boy." The friendly storekeeper greeted.

"Ike, could you pass along a message to my mama? She invited Jenny and I over for supper tonight, but Jenny just began labor, so I'm taking her to town."

"Oh John-Boy, it's almost time for the baby!" The storekeeper was excited.

John-Boy couldn't help but smile. "I think so."

"Well I will definitely pass the word along to Olivia. And John-Boy, congratulations Daddy!"

John-Boy grinned. "Thanks Ike." He placed the receiver back.

He let the enthusiasm make him feel giddy for a second. Then he remembered his wife in the truck, probably in pain. He could be excited, but she was the one who was gonna have to hurt to get the baby here.

He quickly called the hospital and then ran back outside.

They drove to town.

Dr. Vance and his nurse were there for them.

"Baby's gonna be about a week early, but that's fine." Dr. Vance said as the nurse helped Jenny onto the bed. "You can wait in the waiting room John-Boy."

Jenny smiled at John-Boy. "This is it. Next time you see me, you're gonna be a daddy."

John-Boy's eyes misted over. He kissed his wife's cheek. "Be brave. I love you, Sweetheart."

"I love you too." She smiled.

"Aren't you scared?" he asked.

"I'm too excited to be scared." She grinned.

John-Boy's heart melted. If his wife could be excited when she knew what childbirth would entail, then he could certainly be brave too.

"I'll see you soon." He smiled.

She smiled and waved as the nurse and Dr. Vance rolled her through the doors to the delivery wing.