Chapter 18

~.~

December 13 & 14, 2017

Nine months later, Becky is sitting on the couch in the living room.

It's about 5 in the evening.

Eret, her parents and siblings are sitting with her, waiting for a sign of labor.

Becky has opted for a home water birth. Considering she had a perfect pregnancy (at least according to Dr. Baker and Becky's midwives), it was the way for her to go, if she wanted.

Becky leans on her husband, slowly nodding off before sitting up, hand on her belly, wincing.

Lily is now in front of her.

"Sweetie?"

"Mom, the contractions are getting regular. I think it's time."

"All right, Thorstons, and Eret. I'll call Dr. Baker and the midwife. Frank, start filling up the tub. Tuffnut, you, Eret and Ruffnut stay with Becky, and get her anything she needs. When her water breaks, the contractions are only going to get stronger." The twins and Eret nod.

"Okay, Mom."

"And when she's in the transition phase, she's going to get vicious, but she'll need you."

"Got it."

"Eret, I know you're nervous. But she needs you."

"I'll be there for her as best I can."

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

About an hour passes before Dr. Baker and Jane, the midwife, show up. Monica, Becky's guardian angel, also shows up.

The Thorstons and Nordisks have since eaten.

"Has your water broken yet?"

"Not yet."

A few minutes later...

"My water broke."

"Okay, sweetie. Let's see how dilated you are, okay?" Becky nods, before grimacing.

"We'll wait until this contraction is over."

Becky breathes through the contraction, gripping her sister's hand, and it soon ends, Becky leaning against her sister, exhausted.

"Mom?"

"What do you need, sweetheart?"

"Can you please get my backup sweats?"

"Of course, sweetie." Lily heads into Becky's room to grab the backup pair of sweats, which Becky dubbed for after her water broke.

"Tuff?"

"Whatcha need, sweetie?"

"Ice."

"You got it, sis. You're doing so well. I'm so proud of you." Tuffnut rubs his sister's shoulder before getting up and heading to the kitchen to get ice.

"All right, sweetheart. Let's get you checked out." The midwife checks Becky's dilation.

"Things are looking good. You're about two centimeters dilated. I know that doesn't seem much, but you are moving so smoothly through this. You'll be holding your baby before you know it."

The night goes on, Tuffnut feeding his adoptive sister ice chips, him, Ruffnut and Eret taking turns feeding her ice and helping her during contractions.

The night reaches 1AM.

"You are now four centimeters dilated, sweetheart. You are officially in active labor."

The contractions begin to get stronger and longer.

(Penny's POV)

I hear Mom moan. I really hope she's going to be okay.

Dad has his forehead on hers and I try to push them apart.

"I know you're trying to help your mom, Penny. But she's okay. Your dad's also trying to help her." Ruffnut says, moving me away from them after the pain ends.

A few hours pass, and someone feeds me. But Mom is still in pain.

(Normal POV)

During one of the tougher and longer contractions, Becky has her forehead on Eret's, gripping his forearms, tears streaming down her cheeks.

But no one says anything during the contraction, since Becky had told everyone early on that when the tough contractions begin, she wants total and complete silence, except for breathing. Penny tries to push them apart, but Ruffnut moves her after the contraction ends.

The contraction soon ends with a shaky groan as she leans on her husband, beginning to sob.

"Shhh. Shhhh. You are so amazing. You are doing so well, Becky. You've got this. You've got this."

"Here, sweetie. We need to keep you hydrated." Lily puts a straw in a cup of water up to her daughter's lips.

"Thanks, Mom."

"You're welcome. You are doing so well, sweetheart. I am so proud of you."

"Mom?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"What's delivery like?"

"It hurts like hell. But it's worth it. It's definitely worth it in the end. You're going to be a great mother, Becky. And we will help out as best we can." Lily says, stroking her daughter's hair.

"How you doin', sweetie?" Tuffnut asks, kneeling on the floor next to his brother-in-law.

"It really hurts."

"You'll get through this. You're not alone."

"I need to pee."

Many hours and bathroom trips later, at almost 6AM, Becky is on the couch, leaning on her sister.

"I've got you. Ruffnut's got you, sweetheart. You're so amazing. You are a warrior. You are a goddess."

"You're almost 7 centimeters, and almost into transition after you pass 8 centimeters, sweetheart. You wanna move into the tub?"

Becky nods.

Ruffnut and Eret help her up, but her legs buckle from sitting for too long. Eret catches her.

"I've got you, sweetie." Eret says, holding her up.

"I've got it." Ruffnut begins to massage the back of Becky's legs to get feeling back in them.

A contraction starts and when it ends, Becky sobs into Eret's shoulder.

"Shhhh. Shhhh. I'm here. I've got you, Becky. I promise. Eret's got you."

The moment passes and the Thorstons and Nordisks move to the bathroom.

(Penny's POV)

We move to the potty room and Mom gets in the tub with Dad.

I'm afraid she's going to act like she did all those months ago. But she wouldn't with all these people around, would she?

She starts groaning and moaning again.

I remember those sounds.

From my biological mother.

Mom is having puppies!

I circle as I realize what's going on.

My biological dad wasn't there when my siblings and I were born. But I'm glad my adoptive dad is there for my adoptive mom.

I don't know how painful this is, but it looks like it hurts.

I start pacing outside the potty door.

It's all I can do for now.

I soon lay down, tired of pacing.

(Normal POV)

"All right, sweetheart. Let's get you ready to meet your baby, okay?" Becky nods leaning on Eret.

Becky takes her sweats off, leaving only her tank top.

She gets in the tub, leaning against her husband, her brother and sister by her side.

"It'll be at least a couple more hours, okay? You let us know if we can get you anything. Try to rest if you can. We've got you." Becky nods, closing her eyes.

The first hour goes by slowly, Becky barely getting a moment to rest between contractions.

"You're at eight centimeters, and officially in the transition phase. Just two more to go." Jane says.

Becky leans on Eret as another contraction takes over.

"Just breathe through it, sis. Take it one contraction at a time." Tuffnut says.

Half an hour passes and Jane checks Becky's dilation.

"You're almost at 9 centimeters. Do you feel like you need to push?"

"No. Not yet."

"Okay. That's fine. Try your best to reserve your strength. You'll need all you can get for pushing."

Becky nods, gripping her sister's hands as Eret rubs her back as another contraction comes.

"Oh, gods. I feel like I'm gonna..." Becky proceeds to vomit into a basin predetermined for just this purpose.

"There we go, sweetheart. That's normal. It's okay. You're okay. You're doing amazing." Lily says, brushing her daughter's hair back.

"I can't do this anymore."

"Yes, you can. We're all here for you. You are doing beautifully, sweetheart."

Becky groans as the contractions become more intense and more frequent.

"I'm here, my love. I've got you."

"Monica?" Becky asks.

"You just keep breathing. I'm here." Monica says.

"You're ready. On top of the next contraction, I need you to push." Becky nods and the group waits for the next contraction.

"Push." Becky takes a deep breath in and pushes, almost shrieking.

"Good. Good. Keep pushing, sis. You're doing great." Tuffnut says.

"Keep going, sweetheart. You're doing so well." Ruffnut says.

"Push."

Becky pushes again.

"Keep going!"

She pushes a few more times.

"I can see the head!" Jane says.

"You are absolutely amazing. You are doing so well, my love." Eret says.

"Head's about to start crowning, sweetheart. Breathe. Tiny pushes, Becky." Becky gives tiny pushes while being supported by Eret and Monica.

"Keep going. Keep going. You're doing so well. Forehead's almost out. Push."

"You are amazing. You are so beautiful." Ruffnut says.

"I can't do this. I can't push. I can't push anymore."

"You can. Becky, let God give you the strength to push. You can do this. Father, please give Becky the strength to help get this baby out into the world."

"You are doing so so well, my darling. I am right here. We are right here. You need to push." Eret says, stroking Becky's cheek.

"Come on, Becky. Push." Becky pushes, groaning.

"Excellent. Excellent. Tuffnut, put the heel of your hand at the base of her spine and press down. It'll help her." Jane says. Tuffnut does as he's told.

"You're almost there, sweetheart. Forehead's out. Keep pushing."

Becky keeps pushing.

"Here it comes, sweetie. Breathe. Let the contractions do the work."

"I can't."

"Yes, you can. You can do this. Breathe. Here come the eyes. Slowly, sweetheart. You're doing great. Here's the nose...here it comes, sweetheart. Okay, sweetie. Push a little more and the head should be out."

Becky pushes.

"Good. Good. The head's out, sweetheart! Stop. Stop pushing, sweetie. I need to check for the cord. Pant for me."

Becky pants, facing Eret.

"You've got this. You are a warrior."

"We're good, sweetheart. Push." She pushes.

"Here come the shoulders. Keep pushing."

She pushes again, groaning.

"All right. One more big push should do it. I want you to take a very deep breath and push as hard as you can. Can you do that for me?" Becky nods.

"You're almost there, sweetheart. You've got this. We've got this." Tuffnut says. Becky grips her husband and brother's hands, going to her knees.

"All right. Deep breath in." Becky takes a few deep breaths in.

"Push!" Becky pushes, holding it.

"Keep going! Keep pushing! Keep pushing! Push! Okay. 8:19AM on December 14. Reach down, sweetheart." Becky reaches down, shaking, and takes her baby in her arms.

(Penny's POV)

Then I smell it.

A new smell, something I've never smelled before.

(Normal POV)

Jane suctions the baby's nose and mouth and the baby starts bawling.

(Penny's POV)

Then I hear it. A sound I've never heard before.

Sounds like whining, but more...human.

(Normal POV)

"You did it. You did it, sis. Yeah! That's our Becky! That's our sister!" Tuffnut says.

"Let's get you out of here so you can rest."

"J-Jane?" Becky asks, starting to shiver.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Is it okay if I have hot chocolate?"

"You can have whatever you want, sweetheart. You've earned it."

Becky bursts into tears, but her family can tell that they're happy tears.

"I'm sorry."

"Oh, sweetie. It's okay to get emotional." Lily says, grabbing the fluffiest towel from the closet, ready to wrap her daughter in it.

"Wait...is it a boy or girl?" Becky asks, one foot out of the tub, Ruffnut and Tuffnut keeping her steady.

She looks down.

"It's a girl. It's a girl. I have another daughter." Becky leans on Eret after they both get out of the tub.

"Oh, Becky. Sweetheart, she's beautiful. We are so proud of you." Tuffnut says.

"Hey, I was gonna say that!"

"Guys, don't bicker in front of your niece. She's only a few minutes old." But Becky is beaming.

"Sorry."

"Let's get the cord cut and then we can deliver the afterbirth. And then I can check you and make sure you're physically okay. Then get the baby's stats." Jane says. Becky nods, still shaking.

"You gonna be okay to walk to your bed, sis?" Tuffnut asks.

"I think so...j-just don't let go."

"Don't worry, sweetheart. We won't." Ruffnut says.

The Thorston siblings (and baby) walk the few steps to Becky and Eret's bedroom. Eret follows them. Penny moves out of the way.

"Jane, get in here! Afterbirth's coming!" Ruffnut calls, taking her niece from Becky as Tuffnut supports Becky.

"I've got you, sis. One final push." Jane comes into the room, ready to receive the afterbirth.

"Push." Becky pushes, and the afterbirth is delivered.

"It's over, sweetheart. It is officially over. I'll check you as quick as I can so you can rest." Jane says, moving to cut the cord.

"Wait. Eret should cut the cord." Becky says.

"Eret? She wants you to cut the cord." Jane says.

Eret, albeit shakily, cuts his daughter's cord.

"Why don't you hold her while check on Becky?"

"Jane...I..."

"Eret, it's okay. You can hold her. You are her father after all." Becky says, smiling at her husband.

Monica looks on, proud of her charge. Tess suddenly appears next to her.

"So, angel baby, are you glad the Father put this girl under your care?"

"I am. Oh, Tess, she's quite the fighter. God gave her the strength to bring her and Eret's little girl into the world."

"The Father told me she's ready to dedicate her life to Christ. She just needs the opportunity and a church to go to."

"Oh, that's great, Tess! But can it wait for a while, until after she's recovered from having her baby?"

"Miss Wings, the Father doesn't care whenshe dedicates her life, He just cares thatshe dedicates her life. Sure, it'll be when that little baby is a bit bigger, but I'm sure her husband will encourage her."

"Eret isn't a Christian, is he?"

"He is. He became a Christian after he got his life turned around for the better by those friends of his. All that's left is for Miss Becky here to become a Christian, and, when she gets older, that their little girl be raised to love God. You can come home when you're ready, angel baby." With that, Tess leaves the Nordisk apartment.

Meanwhile, Tuffnut helps Becky into bed after putting a pad down. Eret gently takes his daughter from Jane.

Jane then checks on Becky.

"Everything's looking good, sweetheart. You had a perfect delivery. You could even have more kids in the future."

"For now, I'm okay with just the one." Becky says.

"Congratulations. You try to rest. I'm sure your daughter's aunt, uncle and dad will be watching her closely."

"Thank you." Tuffnut tucks his sister into bed.

"Get some rest, kiddo. You've earned it. I am so proud of you, Becky. I love you so much." Tuffnut says, tearfully, as he kisses his sister's forehead.

"You are absolutely amazing, Becky. I am so unbelievably proud of you. We'll be here if you need us. Love you, sis." Ruffnut says, kissing her sister's forehead and rubbing her sister's arm, tears falling down her cheeks.

"Thank you. Love you guys, too." Becky says, equally tearful. She falls asleep.

Jane checks on the baby, declares her healthy and leaves.

Ruffnut and Tuffnut leave as Eret gets into bed with their daughter in his arms.

"I am so so proud of you, my Becky. She's beautiful."

"Thank you for being there, Eret. I couldn't have done it without you. Or without...without God. Eret...I've been thinking...when we die, you'll be going to Heaven."

"True. What's your point, my love?"

"I...I want to dedicate my life to Christ."

"You do?"

"Yes."

"That's great, my sweetie. I am so proud of you and happy for you."

"Thank you. Got any ideas on what we should name our daughter?"

"Haven't got a clue, love. You?"

"I'm thinking Ruby."

"After my mum?"

"Is that okay?"

"Mum will be thrilled when she hears about her granddaughter being named after her!"

"Is Amora, after my real mom, okay for her middle name?"

"Ruby Amora Nordisk. Perfect name for a perfect girl."

(Penny's POV)

Dad calls my grandparents to tell them the news.

"It's a girl! We've got a baby girl!"

Mom and Dad spend the rest of the morning, staring at and holding their new baby, Mom eventually drifting off to sleep, Dad carefully watching both Mom and the new baby, someone watching the three of them from afar before leaving for home.

Later that day, with Mom, Dad, the new baby and I snoozing in the background, Mom's family quickly and quietly finish up the nursery with some surprise gifts.

(Normal POV)

A few weeks later, Eret and Ruby Amora, Ruby and Eret, Sr. Nordisk, Amalie, Ruffnut, Tuffnut and Lily and Frank Thorston watching from afar, Becky dedicates her life to Christ at a local church, grateful for her family, and her guardian angel.

The Nordisk family of three continues attending church every Sunday.

(Penny's POV)

A few weeks pass and I wonder…

What is a baby, anyway?