Carl was on his way to visit his sister Ginger and her husband Darren. His visits became more frequent especially when he learned he was gonna be an uncle. He always had a desire for a niece or nephew. Someone to play sports with or help become a tomboy. Carl and Ginger also became closer since Ginger got married. Sometimes Carl wished it had been that way when they were growing up, but he was also happy that he was making up for lost time. Carl put his job as a reporter on hold to move closer to Ginger and Darren, but he didn't mind, he was having trouble finding a juicy story lately anyway. Carl would help Ginger with the cooking and cleaning when Darren wasn't around to do so. Luckily for him, today was a social visit and he couldn't have been more relieved. Carl knew Ginger was getting close to her due date, and he couldn't wait for the baby to be born, for both his sake and Ginger's. Carl couldn't imagine the annoying things Ginger was suffering from being pregnant for nine months. Swollen ankles, mood swings and weird cravings. Carl never felt more glad that he was born a boy. Carl finally arrived at Ginger and Darren's house and knocked on the door.
"It's opened." Ginger's voice called out.
Carl opened the door and found a funny sight. Ginger was laying on the couch, barefooted, watching TV, with a bowl of popcorn on top of her belly and an iced tea in her hand. Carl suppressed a snicker. Ginger looked up and frowned.
"If you're laughing, Carl..."
"No way sis. Just got something in my throat." Carl said, hanging up his jacket.
"Right. So anyway, what are you doing here today? Don't need you for anything. Did you finally come up with a story for the tabloids?" Ginger guessed.
"Nah. Still nothing. Just came by to see ya and Darren since I got nothing else better to do." Carl said, sitting on the couch.
"Must be a bummer not coming up with a story yet." Ginger said, stretching.
"Nope. No deadline helps get my brain juice flowing." Carl said, taking the bowl of popcorn.
"Well, just remember, you got aces up your sleeve. Never forget that." Ginger assured, touching Carl's shoulder.
"Yeah, enough with the mushy stuff." Carl said, waving her off.
"You know you love me and are excited to be an uncle." Ginger said, nudging Carl playfully.
"Do I know it? Yep, I do. How is my little gal or guy doing in there?" Carl asked, gazing down at Ginger's belly.
"Why don't you say "hello" and find out?" Ginger said, rubbing her belly.
Carl placed his hand on Ginger's belly and soon felt his niece or nephew's feet press against his palm.
"Hey little guy or little princess. Give your mama a hard time now, she needs it. Sure beats sitting around watching Dr. Fondfeelings all day, don't it?" Carl muttered to Ginger's belly.
"I'm right here, you know." Ginger reminded, flicking Carl on the forehead.
"You know it's just a joke, sis." Carl said, continuing to rub Ginger's belly.
"I just hope he or she doesn't pick up your sarcasm." Ginger said, crossing her arms.
"Know you love me, remember?"
Ginger threw a pillow at Carl's head and laughed. Sometimes she could hardly believe how close she and Carl had gotten. They were like inseparable now.
"Hey, how is Noelle doing by the way?" Ginger asked.
"Oh, you know the missus, all work and no play at the museum of weird and gross things. But hey, we are also having talks about having a little not root of our own." Carl said, smiling.
"Carl, that's great. Really happy for you." Ginger said, hugging Carl.
"Well, I better vamoose outta here. Anything ya need before I hit it?" Carl asked.
"Can you make me a sandwich? My stomach's been growling throughout our conversation." Ginger said, giggling sheepishly.
"Chef Carl on the job. You just sit it out." Carl said, hopping off the couch and going into the kitchen.
As Carl made Ginger's sandwich, Ginger turned the TV back on. Just when she was about to take a sip of her iced tea, she felt a twinge of pain in her back and belly but as quickly as it came it went away. Ginger relaxed and resumed watching TV but only seconds later, the pain came back and it was stronger this time. Ginger gasped in pain and looked down on the floor and saw a puddle of water.
"Carl!" Ginger called out.
Carl hummed and was just bringing out Ginger's sandwich when he saw his sister doubled over and the puddle of water on the floor. He dropped the plate and rushed at her side.
"What's going on, sis?" Carl asked, looking concerned.
"The baby's coming. You need to call Darren and get him to take me to the hospital." Ginger said, biting back a moan.
Carl nodded and hurried over to the phone while keeping an eye on Ginger as well. He dialed Darren's work number but found the line was busy. Darren must have had another person on the line. Carl cursed under his breath and hung up. He returned to Ginger's side.
"Bad news, sis. Darren's line is busy. He's a no show right now." Carl said, shaking his head.
"Then you'll have to take me. Do you think you can do that, Carl?"
Carl nodded and help Ginger lean on him and led her to his car. He then sped off to the hospital. Whenever Ginger had a contraction, Carl would offer his hand and Ginger would squeeze it as badly as she wanted to. Carl would also help her with her breathing. They finally arrived at the hospital and a nurse came out with a wheelchair, she and Carl helped Ginger in it. Carl wheeled Ginger inside the hospital lobby and another nurse came along.
"Mrs. Patterson, right on schedule. Let's see if we can find somewhere to squeeze you in." The nurse said, grabbing Ginger's chart off the desk.
Ginger was given a room and was soon prepped for labor and delivery. Carl continued coaching Ginger or holding her hand through the contractions.
"I wish Darren was here doing all this instead of you, Carl. You know you don't have to do this." Ginger pointed out.
"Happy to do this, sis. And don't worry, I finally got a hold of Darren while you were getting ready. Should be here in no time." Carl said, mopping off Ginger's forehead.
Ginger smiled in relief but it was short lived when she felt another contraction. She squeezed Carl's hand till it turned violet but Carl didn't mind, he was too worried about Ginger in the first place. When the contraction passed, the doctor came in to check on her. She observed the machines first then checked Ginger. She looked up, smiling.
"Good news, Ginger. Give it an hour and you'll be ready to push." The doctor said.
"That's good to know. Don't know how much more I can take." Ginger chuckled painfully.
The doctor left the room and Ginger continued to get through the contractions with Carl at her side. Carl's cellphone went off a few minutes later.
"Gotta take this. Will you be all right?" Carl asked, touching Ginger's shoulder.
Ginger nodded. Carl smiled and rubbed Ginger's shoulder then went outside to take his call. It was Darren.
"Bout time." Carl muttered.
Carl clicked on the call button and took the call.
"Darren, where the heck are ya? Ginger's almost ready to have the baby." Carl whispered.
"Bad news, Carl. I'm almost at the hospital but I'm stuck in traffic in one lane. Afraid I'm not gonna make it in time. Do you think you can continue being Ginger's coach?" Darren asked.
"Affirmative but Ginger's not gonna be happy with you." Carl said.
"Just keep at it Carl. I'm starting to get bad reception. I gotta go." Darren said, hanging up.
Carl groaned. What was he gonna tell Ginger? Carl suddenly heard Ginger yell in pain and hurried back into the room. Carl took Ginger's hand and she squeezed it.
"Carl, I think it's time." Ginger groaned.
"But it hasn't been an hour yet." Carl said, worriedly.
"Carl, just get the doctor!" Ginger yelled.
Carl went down the hall to get the doctor. He found her talking to some nurses. When he told her what was going on, the two rushed back to Ginger's hospital room. The doctor checked the machines and her eyes grew wide.
"Ginger, the baby is getting stressed. You have to push now." The doctor said, snapping on her gloves.
"But my husband isn't here and-"
"There's no time for that. It has to be now." The doctor said, getting ready to catch the baby.
"Carl..."
"Right here, sis. Don't worry, I'm not leaving." Carl assured, grabbing Ginger's hand.
"Ginger, you ready? Put your chin on your chest and start pushing." The doctor instructed.
Ginger nodded and began to push and push while squeezing Carl's hand as he mopped off her forehead or kept encouraging her. Ginger continued to push some more till she finally gave one big final push and yell and the sounds of a newborn could be heard. The doctor took the baby away to clean it up which worried Ginger for a moment till she turned around, holding the baby in a pink blanket.
"It's a girl." The doctor announced.
The baby was given to Ginger as she admired and fawned over her. Ginger looked up at Carl.
"Look at her, Carl. Isn't she just the cutest?" Ginger asked, cuddling the baby close to her chest.
"She had to be to take after such awesome parents." Carl said, smiling.
"Do you want to hold her?" Ginger asked.
"Nah. This should be more of a Darren/Ginger moment thing." Carl said, waving her off.
"No. It's a Ginger/Darren/Carl moment too. You did help out after all." Ginger said.
Carl finally nodded and picked up the baby. When he looked down at her, his heart instantly melted. The baby was beautiful. Red hair like Ginger with brown-white skin. Carl felt tears forming in his eyes. He gently kissed the baby's forehead and in response she yawned. Carl chuckled and continued to cuddle her till the two heard a knock on the door. The door opened and it was Darren with a bouquet of flowers in his hands.
"Darren!" Ginger said, happily.
Darren walked over and kissed Ginger. He then saw Carl holding the baby.
"Aw, Ginger, she's beautiful. I'm sorry I didn't get here in time though." Darren apologized, looking down.
"But you're here now and I totally forgive you. Do you want to hold her?" Ginger asked.
Darren nodded and Carl handed the baby over to him. The two parents admired their baby while Carl quietly stepped out of the room, leaving the two alone. He had a niece. He couldn't believe it. He had a niece! He only wished there was something else he could do to make this moment more awesome. He then had an idea and hurried out of the hospital.