*Thank-you for all the reviews on the last chapter. THey were greatly appreciated. Thank-you all so much!
A Month and a half later:
Sitting in mine and Rachel's new bedroom in our brand-new house waiting for Rachel to come out of the bathroom, everything in our lives is starting to return back to normal. Rachel has sought counseling to help her deal with her emotions from being in jail and everything that happened with Briana. She was having nightmares about the events from that day so she thought it was best to go seek some help and therapy has been helping her a lot. She was in a bad place with losing River, killing Briana, going to jail and then being free again in a society that continues to judge her on one bad thing she's ever done in her life. Talking to someone other than me has really helped and day by day she is returning back to the Rachel we all know and love. The kids have adjusted well to the move they love the house and they have adjusted to life as it has been falling back into place. They're happy to get a break from going to school for the summer and are enjoying their time at home swimming and getting ready to take a family vacation shortly after Sky has her baby which is bound to be any day now. Sky and Charlie moved in with us but only for Sky to finish up school and then once she graduates they have their sights set on Pittsburgh to start their life together as a family but not before they get married in Georgia in front of their friends and family before they leave. Everything is starting to fall back into place again and everything is beginning to feel like normal, well normal for us anyway. "You were in the bathroom for a while," I say as Rachel walks out of the bathroom. "Is everything okay?" I ask.
She smiles at me and says, "Everything is great, Baby."
"Okay," I say with a smile as she walks over to the bed. "I just thought since you were in there for a while that you were sick or something."
"No," she says shaking her head. "I'm not sick or anything."
"That's good to know," I say as I kiss her lips softly. "So what is on our agenda for today?"
"I don't know," she says, "I was going to do some grocery shopping so I could get everything for our 4th of July picnic tomorrow. What did you want to eat? We can do crab legs, fish the whole seafood works or we can do pork whichever you prefer."
"We can do seafood and pork if you want to," I say as I look at her. She looks happier today than she has in the last couple months. "What are you so happy about?" I ask as I wrap my arm around her shoulders pulling her closer to me. "You look extremely happy."
"I'm not allowed to be happy?" she asks.
"I'm not saying that. I like seeing your smile," I say as I trace her lips with my finger. "I am glad I am finally seeing it again. I've missed it."
"I forgot what it was like to smile," she says, "I forgot what it was like to be happy."
"So I take it you are happy?"
"Extremely," she says with a smile. "It feels good."
"I know and it feels good seeing you so happy. Would you like to share what you're so happy about?"
"Maybe," she says with an even bigger smile. "What do you think of the month of March?"
"I think March is a very nice month. The weather's not too hot and it's not too cold either. What do you think of the month of March?" I ask with a bit of confusion not sure why she's asking me how I feel about March. It's a pretty random question coming from Rachel but I know deep down she has a reason for the question.
"I think March is a nice month. It's a very nice month and seems to be a good month to have a baby," she says with a smile making a bigger smile cross my face.
"A good month to have a baby?" I ask as I look into her baby blue eyes.
"Yes," she says with a smile.
"Does this mean what I think it means? Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"We're having a baby," she says with a smile. "I'm pregnant."
"Oh my Gosh, Rachel, this is great news. This is what we've been waiting to hear for a couple months now. Are you sure?"
"Well, I have to go to the doctor to get it confirmed but I did just take a test and it said I'm pregnant. We're having a baby, Roman."
"I'm so happy," I say as I wrap her up in my arms and kiss her lips softly. "Another baby," I say. "I can't wait."
"Neither can I. I just hope that everything goes smoothly with this pregnancy and everything works out. I'm a little scared after everything with River."
"I know I'm a little scared too but I'm going to choose to have hope and be positive. I think this is the Rainbow that formed during our storm. This is great Rachel. And by then I should have opened my wrestling school and should have started my training as well as having a couple gyms opened here in Georgia."
"It is the perfect time and for the first time in months, Roman, I'm actually happy. I feel like I have so much more to look forward too. Sky's about to have her baby any day now, I'm halfway through my tell all book about everything with Briana, you're opening your own wrestling school," she says, "everything feels like it's meant to be right now and now we're having a baby. I couldn't have asked for a better Rainbow after this hell storm we just went through."
"I'm glad you're happy," I say with a smile before I kiss her lips softly. "Do you want to celebrate? Summer and Storm are at a friend's house and Rainbow is with your mom so I think we have some time to celebrate."
"Hmm," she says as she cups my face with her hands. "I have no complaints," she says with a smile. "It's funny how far we've come in the last 8 years," she says.
"Yeah?" I ask, "how so?"
"Because the day Skylar showed up in your life you were not ready to be a father and you were not ready to settle down for anything. I made an honest man out of you, Roman Reigns."
"That you did," I say with a smile. "My life with you has been exceptional and I have loved every minute of it."
"Me too," she says with a smile. "I love you so much, Roman."
"I love you too, Baby," I say before I kiss her lips softly and passionately ready to celebrate the news of becoming parents again. It is the best news we have gotten since she was found innocent. This is something we have wanted and needed for a while now.
Just as I lay Rachel down on her back to cover her body with mine our bedroom door flies open. "Shit, Dad," says Sky, "I'm sorry."
"No," I say as I remove myself from Rachel as she sits up. "What's up?"
"I need to go to the hospital," she says.
"Is everything okay?" I ask as I fix my ponytail.
"I think my water broke," she says, "I was just doing some cleaning in the basement and working on Jennifer's crib and when I bent over I just felt a pop and all this wet stuff ran down my leg."
"All right," says Rachel. "It sounds like it. We'll take you to the hospital," she says, "Where's Charlie?"
"He's at work," says Sky. "I'll call him on the way."
"Are you having contractions?" I ask.
"Yes I think so," she says, "I thought they were just cramps. I didn't know they were contractions until all that liquid came out."
"All right," I say. "We'll get you to the hospital and we'll get Charlie there as soon as we can."
"Thanks, Dad," she says with a smile. "Just so you know I'm scared as hell right now."
"You have no reason to be scared," says Rachel as we get out of the bed. "Everything is going to be okay. Do you have your bag packed?"
"Yes," she says.
"Okay," says Rachel, "Sky you are being unbelievably calm about this."
"What's there to freak out about? I'm having a baby it's not the end of the world," she says. "Let's just get to the hospital before Jennifer decides she wants to come now."
"Okay," says Rachel as we get Sky downstairs. I get her bag to put into the car, grab Jennifer's diaper bag and her car seat while Rachel gets into the backseat of the car to work with Sky on her breathing. In all honesty I think Rachel is more panicked than Sky is when it comes to her having the baby. Sky is as calm as a cucumber but I can tell Rachel is holding onto the anxiety that Sky is not. I start the car and back out of the driveway to head to the hospital while Sky calls the hospital to tell them she's coming and to get in touch with Charlie. I'm about to become a grandfather. The thought is a scary one.
SKY's POINT OF VIEW:
"How is everything?" asks Charlie as he runs into the room about a half hour after I have been in the hospital.
"Everything is looking good," I say with a smile. "Jennifer is doing fantastic," I say, "her heartbeat is strong and she's working hard. I'm definitely in labor. The doctor said it wouldn't be long now."
"How did you not realize you were in labor sooner before your water broke?"
"I don't know," I shrug. "I just thought I was cramping because I remember hearing everyone say that contractions hurt worse than cramps but all I felt was cramping like I would with a period. I didn't think much of it and just went on working in Jennifer's nursery then my water just broke."
"You're one strong woman, Mrs. Bennett," he says with a smile. "I'm proud of you," he says as he kisses my lips softly. "So how far along are we till we meet our baby girl?"
"The doctor said I was about 7 cm when we got here so he said it wouldn't be long until it's time for me to push. He said since my water broke that this was going to be a quick delivery."
"That's good," he says, "I'm sorry I wasn't home. I shouldn't have gone to work today."
"It's okay, Baby," I say with a smile. "My mom and dad were home and they were happy to bring me right?"
"Yes," says my dad as he stands up. "Congratulations, Son, this is it. You're about to be a father. How do you feel?"
"Scared and nervous," he says, "but I am ready to meet her."
"I remember the feeling," he says patting him on the back. "You're going to be okay. The moment you see that little life in your arms you are going to fall in love and all the fear and nervousness you're feeling right now is going to disappear. Nothing else is going to matter but that little girl."
"Thanks," says Charlie.
"You're going to make a great dad," says my dad, "just like I know my baby girl is going to be an amazing mom. How are you feeling, Sky?"
"I'm good," I say with a smile. "Scared but I'm ready to hold her in my arms. I can't believe that in the next couple hours I am going to be a mommy. I mean I never expected this in my life. I never expected this to happen but it is. IT's the unexpected things that mean the most to us. I never thought I could love someone I haven't even met yet so much. I can only imagine how much I'm going to love her when she's actually here."
"You're right," he says as he leans down to kiss my head. "The best things in life are the things you never expect. I know all about it too well," he says with a smile. "I can't even imagine where my life would be right now if you never showed up at my door. Sometimes we just need that unexpected push to push us where we are meant to be."
"Dad," I say with a smile. "I love you."
"I love you too," he says as he kisses my forehead. "I'm proud of you, very proud of you."
"Thanks," I say with a smile.
A couple hours later after resting the doctor comes in to check me to see if I am ready to push, "Well, Skylar," he says, "it's time. It's time for you to push."
"Well, I guess I better go," says my dad as he stands up.
"No, Dad," I say. "I don't want you to go. I want you to stay. I want you to see the birth of your first grandchild. Please don't leave me."
"Are you sure, Sky?" he asks.
"I'm sure," I say with a smile. "Please stay."
"Okay," he says but I can tell he is uncomfortable but I couldn't imagine giving birth to my first born child without my father being in the room. He has done so much for me and he is the first guy to steal my heart and the first man I ever loved. He will always be my dad and I want him to share this special moment with us. "Are you sure you don't want Rachel to stay?"
"I'm sure," I say, "I want you to be here. You and Charlie."
"Okay," he says as Rachel makes her way over to me.
"I'm sorry, Mom," I say.
"It's okay," she says with a smile. "I'm glad you want your dad to be here. And I'm sure your mama is here in spirt too."
"She always is," I say with a smile.
"I love you, Sky," she says, "Good luck. I can't wait to meet her."
"Soon," I say. "I love you too," I say with a smile before Rachel leaves the room as the doctor gets ready to deliver my baby girl. I can't even describe the emotions running through me at this moment. I'm scared, I'm anxious, I'm excited, I'm happy and I'm sad because in a way my life as I know it is over but happy because my life is about to get a hundred times better.
"All right, Skylar," says the doctor, "It's time to push. I need you to listen to me," he says. "When I tell you to push I need you to give me a big push. When I tell you to stop I need you to stop. Okay?"
"Okay," I say as Charlie takes one hand and my dad takes the other. My two favorite men in my life are here for me and I couldn't have asked for a better moment in my life. I look at the nurse as she prepares for my little girl. This is it. She's coming and my life is about to change forever. I listen to the doctor as he instructs me on what to do as I cling tightly to my husband's hand and my father's hand on each push that I do.
I don't feel any pain until I feel a burning sensation and hear the doctor say, "The head is right there, Skylar," he says after 20 minutes of pushing. "I just a couple more pushes and your baby will be out okay?"
"Okay," I say with exhaustion.
"You've got this, Baby," says Charlie. "She's almost here. Hang in there," he says. "You're doing so good. Our baby girl is coming!" he says before he kisses my lips softly. "You can do this."
"I love you, Charlie," I say with a smile.
"I love you too," he says before we share another quick kiss before I continue pushing.
I continue to push giving it my all and finally after my 5th push I hear the cries of the most precious thing I have ever laid eyes on. Tears fill my eyes as the doctor lays my daughter onto my chest. She is absolutely perfect and I breathe a sigh of relief as I look at her perfect little face and see that she truly does resemble Charlie. There's no doubt in my mind that she belongs to him. "She's so beautiful," I say with a smile and tears in my eyes.
"She's precious," says Charlie as I look up with him and see the tears in his eyes. "She's so precious."
"She's perfect," says my dad as he has tears in his eyes also.
The nurse takes her from my chest to weigh her, check her out and to make sure everything is okay as well as clean her up. She brings her back over to me wrapped in a pink blanket and places her in my arms. "8 lbs. 9 oz. 21 inches long," she says, "and very healthy."
"Thank-you," I say with a smile as I look at my baby girl. She's perfect. Her head full of black hair, her perfect button nose, her perfect full lips that she inherited from my dad and me, her large hands and her dark eyes as she looks up at me. I lean down and kiss her forehead. "Hello, Jennifer," I say with a smile and tears in my eyes as I stare at the perfect creation Charlie and I created together. "Welcome to the world. I love you so much already. I've been waiting to meet you. I'm your mama and I am going to teach you so many great things but above all I am going to love you more than anything on this Earth. You're so beautiful," I say with a smile as I admire her.
"She looks like Charlie," says my dad.
"I know," I say with a smile. "Charlie, do you want to hold her?"
"Yeah," he says as he chokes on the word. It melts my heart to see him crying over our precious baby girl. "Hello, Jennifer," he says as I can hear the faint cry of joy in his voice. "Welcome to the world, Baby Girl. I'm your daddy and I am sure that you are going to have me wrapped around your finger. I am so blessed to have you in my life and to be your daddy. I love you so much. You're my little princess and you'll always be my little Samoan princess," he says. "I love you, Jennifer," he says as he kisses her little face. "I love you too, Skylar," he says as he bends down and kisses me softly on the lips. "Look at our baby girl," he says proudly.
"I've never seen anything so perfect," I say as I smile as she closes her eyes. "I love her already."
"Me too," he says. "I've never been so proud of something I did in my life as I am of creating this little princess."
"I never knew I could love something so much," I say with a smile. "Dad, do you want to hold her?" I ask.
"Please," he says, "if that's all right with Charlie," he says looking at Charlie for permission.
"Here you go, Papa," he says with a smile as he hands Jennifer to my dad.
"Thanks," says my dad as he takes Jennifer with a smile. "Hello, Jennifer, I'm your Papa and I am going to spoil you like crazy and I am going to love you so much. I love you already. You're so beautiful," he says with a smile. "Welcome to the Reigns family," he says as he kisses her softly. "Congratulations you two," he says to us with a smile.
"Thank-you," we say together as Charlie rubs my back.
"So you're naming her Jennifer Rose Bennett?" he asks.
"Actually," I say as I look at Charlie and then back at my dad. "Charlie and I have been talking about her name. We did want to name her Jennifer Rose Bennett but we decided on something else."
"You're not naming her Jennifer anymore?"
"No, her name is still Jennifer it's just going to be Jennifer Thomas Reigns-Bennett," I say.
"She's going to have three last names?" asks my dad as he rocks her in his arms and I smile at him.
"No," I say with a smile. "She's only going to have a hyphenated last name and one middle name. Thomas is her middle name; I know it's out of the ordinary but we feel it's better to do it that way. We wanted to do Jennifer Rose Thomas Reigns Bennett giving her three last names but we decided that since her name is Jennifer like my mama's she will have the name Jennifer and my mom's maiden name Thomas as a middle name while we hyphenate Reigns with Bennett. I want her to carry on the Reigns name. I think Reigns is a good name for her to carry on and there's a lot of history with that name. She deserves to carry Reigns with her."
"Sky, are you sure I mean the Reigns name isn't actually popular at this time."
"Dad," I say, "I don't care what the world thinks of our family or the Reigns name. There was ONE bad circumstance in our life but that does NOT define us that does not make Reigns a bad name. There is history in the Reigns name not all of it bad. I want her to know and be proud she is part of the Reigns family just like I am changing my name to Skylar Thomas Reigns-Bennett."
"I like it," he says with a smile. "Thank-you, Sky."
"You're welcome," I say with a smile. And just like that the most unexpected thing in my life becomes my entire world and changes my life for the better. I have a little life that will depend on me, and love me; a little life that I love more than anything in the world and someone that just become the center of my world. I couldn't be happier or prouder than I am at this moment.
*A/N: What do you think of Rachel and Roman having another baby? Is this something that they need to help get their lives back on track? Do you think this will make things better for them? What did you think about Sky having her baby girl? Were you surprised when she asked her father to stay? How do you think this will change Charlie's and Sky's lives? What do you think of them naming her Jennifer Thomas Reigns-Bennett? Please review and thank-you for reading.