Five months pregnant, newly married, and the reigning lady of the Miramar Playa wasn't something I could have predicted when I'd wandered into the hotel a scant half a year earlier. And I certainly hadn't planned on juggling redecorating the penthouse while working alongside June, who still grew somewhat strained when I attempted to assure her that I felt more than certain that she could handle the details with her discerning eye, on an upcoming event that wasn't something I'd had much of a chance to celebrate while living abroad.

The Fourth of July, Independence Day, wasn't really a huge deal overseas. At least not among anyone other than the expats.

"Not too gaudy," June and I were murmuring as we went over sketches that some of the men who would be decorating brought us their ideas for buntings and lights. "We're known for class, elegance." I reiterated. "The fireworks?" June nodded, pointing across the beach to where structures were being erected. "That's where they'll be let off?"

"Yes, Mrs. Evans." I smiled, feeling the small burn that grew across my cheeks every time my new name was uttered. "Far enough away to keep the guests safe, but close enough so the spectacle will be -"

"A sight to behold," I bit my lip as Ike's deep voice rumbled behind me. The warmth of his fingers sliding around my waist, growing broader by the minute it seemed, and locking in place as his lips found their home against my pulse. "Liz, you look like you've been doing this forever." Rolling my eyes while relaxing into his embrace, I couldn't help but feel pleased. Being Ike's partner in every sense was beyond anything I'd hoped for, when I'd been away at school, learning how to be the perfect wife. This was more than anything any of my schools had considered us having. "You look like you could use a rest though, so I'm calling it."

"You are, are you?" My eyes met June's and I could see how hers sparkled. Ike's care and love for me was something that could have engendered a great deal of jealousy, but instead it mostly just made people wistful for when they'd find it for themselves. I hoped that the men in Miami were taking notes, because Isaac Evans was a tough act to follow. "I suppose I'll allow it." I giggled when I felt his growl against my neck and June's laugh was almost covered by a cough. "You're scandalizing June."

"June's fine, aren't you?" He asked, and she laughed while nodding and assuring me she had everything covered while I rested. "See? Now come along, Mrs. Evans, it's time for your daily siesta."

"Yes, Mr. Evans." I shook my head and turned, taking his hand and walking with him to the elevator, mentally taking bets on how long he'd hold off on kissing the breath out of both of us.

Ike had barely made it until he'd given the elevator operator a break and allowed the doors to shut behind her. Far more time than I'd bet on, I have to say, and then his mouth was hot on mine and I wondered if we'd ever tire of it. The taste, the fever pitch we could feel when we touched? But when we were laying together, naked and sated, his arms around me, his hands soothing our active little one protesting the activity that mommy and daddy had participated in, I felt certain the answer had to be a resounding no. Because even then, tired, deliciously sore, and glistening with sweat, I wanted him and as his caramel colored eyes met mine, I knew he felt it too.

Mimi, after an exhaustive search on her own first, and then with Ike and I accompanying her to appointments with the doctors who made it through her tough paces helped us find a doctor to deliver our baby when the time came. I thought I might break Ike's hand when the white coated man mentioned forceps and drugs, smiling as he spoke about how I'd be conked out and wake up with a bouncing baby no worse for the wear, but there might be a few marks on my infant's head from these metal clamps.

"What happened to natural birth?" I asked, eyes wide, thinking that while the fear of blood and pain was real, so too was being completely insensible while my child drew first breath and missing the entire thing. "Do women no longer push the baby out?"

Mimi was staring at the doctor like she wished she should have possibly gone through the questioning a little deeper, but they all spoke about this new great achievement and I was terrified. Ike pulled me closer to him, lips against my temple, murmuring calming words while his eyes stayed on the doctor.

"Do I have no other choice?" Fear was blossoming, fast and burning, fear that hadn't been there even when I was seemingly alone before. Because if I was unconscious when the baby came, I wouldn't know Ike was with me, and he wouldn't be, not that fathers were allowed in the birthing suite apparently. Alone. I'd be alone when I gave birth to our baby, aside from this ghoul in a lab coat and possibly Mimi. If the hospital allowed her, that is.

Dinner that night was somber. I felt numb. Scared and cold. The baby was as upset as I was, or so it seemed. Not able to get comfortable, kicking, moving constantly, I couldn't get comfortable either. All I could think about was how alone I'd be, and how alone the baby would be. If I was out, completely out, then who would be there with them? No one but a stranger in a lab coat and a nurse, possibly Mimi, but Ike would have to wait in a waiting room and I'd be useless.

"Liz?" I blinked, realizing that Lauren had been calling my name for longer than I'd noticed. "Hey," she looked worried and I felt horrible for being so inside my own head that I'd caused it. "Dad told me that the doctor wasn't a great time." I nearly laughed, but realized that she wanted to help. Looking around I noticed that Ike wasn't in the apartment, I missed him going down to do his rounds as host.

Sighing I held open my arms and she crawled over to snuggle up. Kissing her forehead, I sighed again. "That, my dear girl, is a massive understatement." Her arms worked around so she could hug me and cradle my growing bump, the warmth of her and the soothing feeling of just having her try to help me feel better calmed her sibling down a bit. "Thank you for that."

"You were hissing a little," she giggled, her hand rubbing against the press of a tiny foot. "I thought baby Evans might be in a mood."

"Another understatement," I murmured, smiling. "I'm scared." It slipped out, a whisper.

"I know." She nodded, breathing deeply. "We'll be there, Liz. All of us. Dad will fight to be right beside you, you know that."

I nodded, feeling a tear slip down my cheek.