The Favor

Shirley began to notice the effects of this particular pregnancy deep in her back. She definitely was older this time around and it didn't help matters that Reuben was going to be a parent for the first time himself. The doctor had informed Shirley that the baby could come any time in the next two weeks which slightly off put Shirley and put Reuben into a state of shock or so Shirley thought. However Shirley still tried finding ways to soak in this pregnancy because this probably was going to be the last baby she had. She found some new baby clothes and even found herself reading books on infant care now that the crib was added to their room. She sat on the edge of the bed deeply intertwined in one the books she had selected when Reuben entered their room. It didn't take a genius to figure out why he was there. At the beginning of the pregnancy Reuben sure enough was jittery but now that the big day was soon to arrive Reuben began to worry about her as if she were a glass doll ready to break at any sign of a sudden move or bump. This new mood he was in began to drive Shirley up the wall.

Shirley knew that Reuben deeply loved the idea of being a father but what she did not know was that it also deeply terrified him. Shirley had become the embodiment of his fear every move set him straight on edge after they found out the baby could be due any day. Shirley was carrying this new fragile life and it was his responsibility to look out for her.

As Reuben watched Shirley he was caught off guard when she began speaking to him "Reuben you know staring at me like that won't make the baby come any faster right?" Reuben chuckled a bit "Shirley you always joke but you know I am only looking out for you." Reuben brushed off the remark but Shirley was really starting to worry about how much he had been fixating on her well being "Reuben I am fine you know, the baby just moves a little here or there and it makes me a little uncomfortable but that's it." Reuben felt a little relief but the fear that anything could go wrong at any minute was always at the front of his mind "Shirley I know you're fine I just a worry a little too that's all." Shirley inched herself further forward on the edge of the bed as best she could trying not to wind herself. She then took Reuben hand and placed it on her stomach where the baby was kicking and moving around "we're ok I promise. The minute something isn't ok you will be the first person I will tell." She sounded reassuring but Reuben was extremely doubtful "Shirley this is our first baby and I have no idea what I am supposed to do while you are in charge of being the current source of sustaining life." Shirley laughed at Reuben's admission "if you want I can give you several things to do." Reuben became serious "Shirley this is no laughing matter I feel entirely useless watching you go through this worrying that any moment something could go wrong." Shirley could now read Reuben's fear plainly on his face and brought him in for a hug "Reuben. No matter what happens we'll get through it together and worrying is not going to be the first thing that helps any one." Reuben conceded but he kept the worry at the front of his mind "alright Shirley- but only because you know what you're doing." Shirley took the comment as Reuben's surrender but she still needed to find some way to get him focused on something else.

"You know Reuben the kids haven't got to perform the last little while maybe it would be good if we found a venue of some sort." Reuben was surprised a little but could find agreement in the argument "I'll see if I can scrounge something up but Shirley it won't be the same without you preforming." Shirley's mind had managed to let that minor detail slip past "Reuben I can stand on the side cheering them on." Reuben was extremely doubtful "Shirley you know the kids aren't going to let that slide." Shirley gave Reuben a look that made him instantly regret saying it " I think they'll understand this one time Reuben." Shirley's words were always the final ones in these kind of conversations and Reuben knew it so he went along and began looking for new venues nearby so at the very least the family didn't have to make a long length of a journey to ease some of the burden off of Shirley and Keith taking the bus.

Reuben's long hours of searching were eventually fruitful and begrudgingly he took what he found to Shirley "now Shirley these are so decent venues but I am having a little trouble finding anyone that will take the small handful of the band and not the whole band." Shirley instantly could tell this was a ploy of Reuben's to keep her from going through with it "Reuben I am sure what you found will be just fine." Shirley took the list rather forcefully from Reuben and began looking over it what she read only angered her "Reuben. These aren't even close to what the kids are used to preforming in." Reuben shrugged "Shirley you take what you can get and this is what we can get." Shirley folded her arms in front of her and went up to Reuben toe to toe "Reuben Clarence Kincaid. I asked you to find a venue for the kids to preform in and I know you can do better so don't pretend that what I asked you to do was inscrutable because I was very clear and concise on this." Reuben knew he was in huge trouble this time and there would be no wiggle room "Alright, alright." Reuben relented throwing his hands in the air turning away from her "I found a place to preform in but the venue is contingent on me going to look at a new possible talent for the manager." Shirley relaxed slightly although she was still angry with Reuben "so why was that so hard for you to put on the list?" Reuben looked away from Shirley toward's the crib on the far side of the room "I have to go to check out the possible talent while you and the band are at the venue and I did not think it was reasonable to be separated from you with your condition." Shirley decided to douse her anger slightly but she remained firm in her stance "Reuben I want you to go." Reuben felt ignored "Shirley didn't you hear what I said!?" Reuben turned around as Shirley grabbed his arm and took his hand in hers "Reuben I heard you. I also know that I have had five other children and this is no different than when I had any of them. I am going to be perfectly fine. If something happens we'll get you where you need to be ok?" Reuben did not like the sound of it but looking into Shirley's reassuring gaze he surrendered "Alright but the minute something happens I want to be the first one notified." Shirley kissed Reuben and hugged him "Alright the first one.I promise."Reuben smiled at Shirley and broke the silence catching Shirley slightly off guard " You know Shirley? This will be the first time we are going to be apart since we got married." Shirley had not counted that in for a factor but decided to reassure him any ways "I am sure you'll survive the wilds of the public management just fine without me for a day." Reuben sarcastically responded "just feed me to the sharks why don't you." Shirley laughed and sharply responded back with her quick whit "well yeah because then I get to rescue you all for myself and then throw you back for a better fish." Her remark was not unnoticed by Reuben but he held a coy smile on his lips as he embraced her "so much for playing fair Shirley." Shirley bit her lower lip then responded "don't you know I have five kids and you have to learn how to argue these things?" Reuben laughed and with that he began organizing all that he would need for his scouting mission for talent and packed his suitcase.

Shirley on the other hand began prepping her children to get ready for the evening concert at the venue Reuben arranged. She had the children pack their bags and load their instruments onto the bus. Keith and Laurie however were a bit hesitant to be loading the bus which did not get lost from Shirley's attention "Keith, Laurie is there something wrong?" Keith slightly embarrassed shrugged of the question while the ever prepared Laurie asked the question that had been on their minds "Mom are you sure this is such a great idea being that you and Reuben are going to be separated and you could have the baby any day?" Shirley gave Laurie her reassurance "Laurie it's only for a day. I don't think this baby is going anywhere for another few weeks and besides if anything does happen we are prepared we have a route to the hospital and everything is in order. There's nothing to worry about." Keith looked at Laurie with the see I told you look which Laurie turned her nose up at "well I still don't think this is a good idea but if you're sure about this I guess it's ok Mom." Laurie loaded the rest of her equipment and piled into the bus.

One after another all the Partridge's filed into the bus. Shirley gave Reuben a goodbye kiss as he got into his car to leave "remember Shirley the first sign of anything you call me?" Reuben I made you a promise and I intend to keep it. Now I have five antsy children sitting in the bus itching to preform. Good luck with your scouting and I will see you tomorrow morning." as Shirley pulled away to leave and Reuben backed the car out of the driveway he quickly said "I love you" to Shirley which she reciprocated then proceeded to get into the bus and closed the door behind her. Shirley watched in the rear-view mirror of the bus as Reuben pulled away then she slowly regained her composure and began filling more like the Shirley she had been missing since she had been pregnant. She hated to admit it to herself but deep down inside she missed being behind the bus wheel and behind the keyboard singing with her children and now her she was at the forefront once more sure she would not be singing but she was somehow feeling secure a feeling she had not even noticed she had missed.

By the time the Partridges arrived and began preparing to go on stage Shirley settled herself slightly off the stage and to the wings. She watched her children put their all into their performance. She felt so proud watching all of them light up once again with the energy of the audience cascading the overall feeling of the occasion. The feeling soon became over powering as Shirley soon recognized an all too familiar pain. Shirley caught herself by surprise as she gripped the nearest back of a chair and began slowly breathing. Shirley tried to calm her self as she proceeded to think over what was left of the performance. Two songs and the closing. Holding herself composed as the contraction ended Shirley counted the seconds in between the songs hoping for the performance to end quickly. It wasn't long but it sure felt like a lifetime when the performance finally ended.

Shirley felt a sharp pain radiate from the small of her back which caught her off guard but maintaining her composure she caught Keith's attention "Keith would you come here." The tone in Shirley's voice instantly alarmed Keith he instantly ushered himself over to Shirley "Mom what's the matter?" Shirley doubled over with one hand on her midsection and the other on Keith's shoulder "Keith I need you to take me to the hospital.. I'm going into labor." Keith became unnerved "Labor! Now? Um a- Danny!" Danny instantly came around the curtain to find Keith frazzled and Shirley slowly situating herself into a chair "what's the matter Keith? Finally get rejected by Mom as the favorite?" Keith gave Danny a glare "Danny. This is not the time for jokes Mom is in labor!" Danny's eyes became as big as plates "well what are we gonna do?!... Mom can't have a baby here Keith that's awful publicity for the band." Keith rolled his eyes as Shirley moved from her chair and stood between them both "would you two pull yourselves together. I am not going to be having the baby here Danny. Keith see if you can get a hold of Reuben while I go see where Laurie, Chris, and Tracy are so we can all go to the hospital together and sort it out there alright?"Keith stumbled past Shirley to get to the closest telephone backstage while Shirley and Danny rounded up the rest of the Partridges. Keith was deeply on edge there were a lot of people depending on him right now especially his mother. He almost dropped the phone as he began dialing the numbers trying to keep himself calm. After a few minutes which seemed like an eternity Keith finally got a hold of Reuben .

"Hello this is Reuben Kincaid-" Keith cut Reuben off "Reuben I!- Mom- we need you to meet us at the hospital!" Reuben was slightly taken back "Keith I need you to repeat that I am not quite sure I heard you." Keith trying to catch his breath repeated the sentence as best as he could "Reuben- Mom is in labor!" Reuben became instantly panicked "What do you mean she's in labor Keith?! The baby isn't due for another two weeks!" Keith slightly irritated responded "Reuben i'm not a doctor and I have no control over when the kid decides to drop in so just meet us at the hospital!" Keith slammed the phone into it's cradle on the wall and went in search of his mother while Reuben quickly gathered everything he could shoving it into his brief case in the hopes that he could get the hospital on time to be with Shirley "of course she decides to have the baby now!" Reuben mutters as he runs out the door of the office he was interviewing the new talent in and into the elevator with the hopes of catching a cab once he reached the bottom floor of the building.

When Keith finally found Shirley he could tell the contractions were getting worse "Ok Mom we need to get you to a hospital now. So I am going to help you onto the bus and hopefully we can get there quickly." As Keith began to usher Shirley into the bus he was surprised when she stopped in her tracks "Keith what about all the band equipment? We can't just leave it here." Keith could not believe what he was hearing "um... Danny!?" Danny ran as quickly as he could to Keith "Yes Keith?" Keith took Danny by his shoulders "Danny how quickly can you get all the band equipment rounded up and into the bus?" Danny looked directly at Keith "I don't know maybe 10 minutes if I get Laurie to help." Keith nodded at Danny and then slightly shoved him in the direction of the equipment "Good. Hurry! As soon as I get Mom on the bus I will come help as quickly as I can." Danny hurried and began moving the equipment with Laurie as Keith helped Shirley up the steep steps of the bus "Thank You Keith." Shirley said as she gently situated herself on the bus. Keith out of breath responded as he darted out the bus to Danny "No problem Mom." Once he reached Danny and Laurie he managed to help get the rest of the instruments loaded onto the bus.

Keith got everyone on board and began making his way to the hospital while else where Reuben was trying to find a cab willing to speed him to his destination "I need you to step on it my wife is in labor and I need to get to the hospital to be with her!" The cab driver undeterred and monotone was really beginning to get annoyed "Sir I can't rush in rush hour. I will get you where you need to go but I need you to be patient." Reuben was floored "Patient! My wife is having our first baby all by herself with my stepson at the helm." The driver looked back around at Reuben "I am sure he's got it all under control but if you don't pipe down you are more than welcome to walk there." Reuben felt insulted but the good dose of reality calmed him down.

As Keith arrived at the hospital with Shirley he found a wheel chair and wheeled Shirley into the receiving area for patients. Once inside he helped Shirley fill out the paperwork and get her situated "Ok now that you're taken care of i'm going to take the kids home and try to find Reuben." as Keith turned to leave Shirley grabbed his arm softly "Keith just take the kids home Reuben will get here soon enough i'm not worried." Keith nodded.

As Keith turned to leave Shirley realized what a mess she had gotten herself into but Keith on the other hand began preparing himself for the chance possibility of Reuben not being able to make it to the hospital. Once on the bus he got all of the other children home once he arrived at the Partridge Kincaid residence he opened the door to find the main house phone ringing instantly he grabbed the phone from it's plastic cradle "Reuben where are you!?" Reuben was very nervous and utterly an emotional wreck "Keith I am calling from the cab phone I am stuck in traffic and I don't know if I am going to make it there on time." Keith's heart immediately went to his throat he knew what was coming "Reuben what do you need me to do?" Reuben calmed himself to ask Keith to step in for him "Keith I need you to be there with your mother in case I don't make it on time." Keith felt the importance of what Reuben was asking "say no more Reuben I will be there for her." Reuben felt a small sense of relief but not enough to calm him "Keith you take good care of my girl and tell her I love her ok?" Keith promised and hung up the phone quickly snapping into action taking Laurie aside "Laurie I need you to watch everybody while I go to Mom." Laurie nodded "just keep us updated Keith."Keith grabbed the keys and rushed his way back to his mother.

Once he arrived back at the hospital he caught a glimpse of his mother she looked so scared a side of her Keith had never seen. He slowly approached Shirley slightly startling her "Keith! Oh thank goodness! did you find Reuben?" Keith nodded and calmly looked at his Mom confirming her fear "Mom he's stuck in traffic and he has asked me to come here and tell you he loves you and to make sure you get through this." Shirley registered Keith's words as he slowly took her hand to hold it "what do you need me to do Mom?" Shirley looked at Keith and then at her hand in his "don't let go." her words instantly hit Keith's protective nature as he lightly tightened his grip "i'll be right here with you Mom."