Chapter Thirty Four

Over the next couple of days, Jamie and Eddie seemed to settle down. Things were still strained but they were too happy with the birth coming to continue to push each other away. Across town, another couple was eagerly awaiting the new arrivals as well.

"Hey, sleepyhead," said Lila as she gently rubbed Steven's shoulder. "Time to wake up."

"What? Is it time?" Steven asked as he started to wake. "Are the babies coming?"

"Doesn't look like it yet," said Lila, the dejection in her voice ringing loud and clear. "It was worth a try though, last night I mean."

"Yeah, it was," agreed Steven as he stretched and wiped the sleep from his eyes. "You don't feel anything yet though, huh?"

"Nope." Lila took a deep breath. "However, today is one day past the date the doctor guessed they might come because of them being twins, so God-willing it won't be much longer."

"Well, you know," said Steven with a sneaky smile. "If today doesn't end up being the day..."

Lila smiled back at him. "Steven Tenney, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were just looking for an excuse to have your way with me."

Steven leaned over and kissed Lila tenderly on the lips. "Do I need an excuse?"

"None at all," replied Lila, and they kissed again…and again…

A half hour later, Lila hurriedly fixed Steven's uniform while he showered and dressed. "Well, it may not have been a bad idea, but if you don't walk out of this house in exactly 4 minutes, you won't make roll call and then everyone will wonder if we're having the babies and you'll have to field a million 'we thought maybe you were having the babies' comments in addition to the 'how nice of you to join us' line you'll no doubt get from Captain!"

"I'll make roll call, babe," said Steven as he threw the shower curtain open and jumped out. "Don't worry." He quickly toweled off, ran a comb and a little gel through his wet hair, and got dressed. He knew Lila was a little miffed about the time, she absolutely hated running late, and since their marriage, that pet peeve extended to his running late. She no doubt got that from Jamie. He also knew she didn't really mind that they'd spent a few intimate moments that morning trying to get labor going. She got her practical side from Eddie.

"Are you ready?" she called to Steven as she grabbed his lunch box and thermos

"Yep, see you later tonight" he said as he ran down the hall, threw on his jacket and took the items Lila was offering. With a quick kiss he was off.

Lila sat down on the bed and rubbed her belly, "Come on little ones, Mommy and Daddy are so ready to meet you. It's got to be awfully cramped in there…out here there's a lot of room to kick and stretch and so many people that will love you so much."

Lila got up and got ready for the day. She called a taxi and headed over to her parents' house. It was walking distance most of the time but Lila was so big she didn't choose to walk anywhere, even if it might induce her labor. Today was Sunday and the family would be gathering for their usual dinner, minus Steven. The FDNY didn't make exceptions for family dinners. Henry, Frank, and Jamie always quietly arranged for their relatives to be at the table, Jamie had no such influence over the fire commissioner.

When the cab pulled up outside of the Reagan home, Jamie was waiting outside to meet his daughter. He carefully offered her his right arm and watched protectively as she stood. "Careful, don't rush," he advised. When Lila was free of the cab, Jamie hugged and kissed her, "How are you feeling?"

Lila sighed, "Did Mom have a hard time going into labor?"

Slowly they walked up the steps to the front door. "No, your mom had a hard time getting pregnant. Joey was right on time and you well…you know the story of how you came to us. You're only a day past your due date. They say that twins come faster, but it is your first time…"

"Is everything okay now with you and Mom?" Lila noticed the tension between her parents while she was staying at the house. "I hate seeing her cry and you being so stoic…"

"Mom and I are working it out, don't you worry. Mom and I have had rough patches before, we'll be fine. Be careful going in, you're off balance."

Lila nodded and headed straight for the large recliner. Jamie helped her get settled. Frank handed Lila a small glass of red wine. "Grandpa, I can't…"

"Lila, I know what they all say but each of your uncles, your aunt, and your father came a few days after a luke warm bath and a small glass of wine. It will relax you…"

Lila was willing to try anything, "Well the cabby hit every bump possible on the way here so that might help too."

Jamie stepped into the kitchen to give Eddie a hand. "Poor baby," he sighed lifting the chicken out of the over. "She is so uncomfortable."

"The babies will come when they are ready," Eddie replied. "If Lila isn't feeling any signs it's because they aren't ready. I was at the doctor with her the other day, and wasn't dilated at all not even fully effaced, if she did labor now, she'd be doing it awhile."

Jamie nodded, "Well, maybe Linda will had some ideas when they get here."

"Ideas about what?" Linda asked as she entered the family kitchen.

"Lila was due yesterday and Dad and Jamie are wanting to get her going," Eddie replied. "I think Lila and Steven are anxious too but if they aren't ready…"

"It's unusual to be late with twins," Linda confirmed Jamie's belief. "But on the other hand, Eddie is right, if the babies aren't ready…they won't be born. Patience, Grandpa."

Jamie sighed, usually he was the one ready and willing to wait things out, but this was his little girl and he could see that she didn't feel very well at all. "Go sit with Lila and the guys, try to stay relaxed. If Lila does go into labor today, we have to be with her until Steven is able to get there. She will need her calm and relaxed Dad, not this ball of nervous energy."

"We are making her a ball of nervous energy, she's concerned about us," Jamie replied. "So am I."

"We'll be fine as long as you start keeping promises, but for now we'll just let things be, all right? For Lila's sake if not for our own."

Eddie smacked Jamie with a towel in an attempt to be playful and sent him on his way. When Jamie returned to the living room, Lila was on the telephone.

"Made it with two minutes to spare," said Steven as he spoke to his wife in the corner of the firehouse.

"I'm glad," Lila replied. "My Grandpa is trying to get my labor going. Are you doing that fire safety demo again?

"Yes" said Steven. "If yesterday was any indication, I'll be there all day again today."

"Well" smiled Lila. "You never know. Maybe the babies will get you excused early."

"That'd be really great," Steven laughed. "For all of us! I can only handle so much of that place without wanting to pull out my own fingernails."

"Oh, please don't do that. I need your hands in strong working order during labor!"

"I won't do it!" laughed Steven. "But you got to admit, sometimes it'd be less painful than listening answering the same stupid questions all day long. This assignment is the equivalent of watching paint dry."

"Agreed." They talked a few more minutes before hanging up.

Lila watched the TV with her Dad, Uncle, and Grandpa, dozing off as she had a hard time sleeping especially with the night's activities. Joey arrived about a half hour before dinner. Lila received his hug, "Can you do something for me, please?" she asked.

Joey practically snapped to attention, "Is it time? Do I need to go get the smoke eater?" he asked. "Molly is in the kitchen, she can…"

"Sorry to disappoint you," said Lila, glaring a little bit at her brother. "I just need a bottle of water and I was hoping you'd get it for me."

"Oh, sure I will," Joey replied, the caretaker in him once again coming out. "Are you hungry? Want a snack or anything while we're waiting on dinner?"

"No, thanks," Lila rubbed her belly. "They aren't hungry yet, just the water."

"Yes, Lila" replied Joey with a smile returning quickly with water for his sister. "Here you go, Lil."

"Thanks." Lila took a long sip.

"If you need anything else, just holler. I'm going to give a hand in the kitchen." Joey stroked his little sister's cheek. "I know you must be going crazy waiting like this, so if there's anything I can do to help, I'm here for you."

"That's really sweet of you, Joey. Thanks."

All Lila ended up needing from her big brother that night was a ride home. Steven got stuck on dispatch and wouldn't be home until much later. "You need anything before I leave, Lil?"

"Yeah, I'm hungry again now," Lila replied. "But I'm too tired to go to the diner for what I really want."

"I'll run and grab you a something if you want," offered Joey.

"That sounds great, thanks so much," Lila replied. "BLT on white with tabasco?"

Joey raised his eyebrow, "Molly mentioned that spicy food might make them make up their minds to get moving," Lila explained.

"Coming right up," Joey replied with a sweet smile. He kissed her cheek before leaving for the diner.

A/N: For the moment at least things are better between our favorite couple and Grandpa Frank is doing his best to meet his newest great grandchildren. Thanks to all who have left comments and followed this story.

Next Update – June 18th – It's show time!