CHAPTER 12:
On June 22nd, Aubrey and Chad were counting down to the due date while having a look at their old guest room, now converted to a nursery.
"Two more weeks to go," Aubrey calculated.
"Yep! We've already got our baby boy's bedroom set for when he comes," Chad said.
The nursery now had not only the crib that Aubrey and Stacie had bought a few months ago, but it also had the gifts from the baby shower.
On July 4th, Aubrey and Chad were outside viewing fireworks.
"These fireworks are beautiful to look at," Aubrey said looking up at the sky.
"Yeah, they are. Just think if today was the day, it could be a celebration welcoming our new son to the world," Chad thought aloud.
"Two more days to go," Aubrey said as the two leaned in for a kiss. Afterward, Aubrey's phone rang.
"Hey, Chloe. What's up?" Aubrey asked.
"Hey, you getting a good view of the fireworks?" Chloe asked.
"Oh, yeah. Chad and I are out on our back deck. It's not too loud and we can still see them from a distance," Aubrey reported.
"Cool. Beca, Amy, and I are over at the East River checking them out. You wouldn't believe how many people showed up here," Chloe said.
"I'm not surprised. They sure are beautiful to look at," Aubrey said.
"Agreed. Well, I'm going to get back. Happy 4th of July!" Chloe exclaimed.
"Same to you. Later," Aubrey said before she hung up.
After the phone conversation, Aubrey and Chad continued to look up at the fireworks.
On the night of July 6th, Aubrey and a few of the Bellas went out to eat.
"I'm so glad we could have one last hurrah before I officially become a mom," Aubrey said.
"You aren't nervous about the whole thing are you?" Beca asked.
"Beca! Don't jinx it!" Chloe demanded.
"Sorry. I forgot about...well, you know," Beca said.
"If anything, girl, you're going to be a great mom," CR said.
"Agreed. I'm just excited for the possibility of Bella having a playmate," Stacie said.
"Where is Bella right now?" Aubrey asked.
"She's staying with my mom. She's been so helpful ever since Bella was born," Stacie said.
One hour later, as the Bellas finished their dinner, almost all of them got up to leave, but Aubrey and Chloe stayed.
"Chloe, you coming?" Beca asked.
"You go on ahead, Beca. I'm gonna hang here with Aubrey for a bit," Chloe said as the rest of the Bellas left.
"Aubrey, I want to be there with you in the delivery room when you go into labor," Chloe stated.
"Chad will be in there with me," Aubrey said.
"Yeah, but I figured you could also use a friend to help you through it as well," Chloe suggested.
"Well, as much as I'd like to, don't be surprised if the doctor makes you wait outside in the waiting room," Aubrey said - and then a contraction began. "Well, speak of the devil. Chloe...it's time; the baby's coming!"
With that, Aubrey and Chloe left the restaurant immediately. After Aubrey got into Chloe's car, she pleaded with Chloe to hurry as she got into the driver seat. But before Chloe started her car, she called Chad to break the news to him.
Back at Aubrey and Chad's house, Chad was watching "The Breakfast Club." As the song "Don't You (Forget About Me)" was playing on the TV, he got the phone call from Chloe.
"Hey, Chloe. What's up?" Chad asked, answering his phone. "WHAT?! NOW?!" he said both shocked and excited at the same time. "Okay, keep her as calm as possible, I'm on my way," he promised as he quickly went out the door and into his car.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Aubrey and Chloe arrived hoping that Chad would show up soon.
"Alright, we're here," Chloe announced.
"Where's Chad?" Aubrey asked.
"I called him as we left the restaurant, he should be here soon," Chloe said.
"He better be. I don't want him to miss the birth of our son," Aubrey said.
"I can assure you he won't. But what's important right now is that you stay as calm as possible," Chloe advised.
At that point, a nurse directed Aubrey and Chloe to a hospital room. The nurse gave Aubrey a wheelchair and wheeled her to that room. Once inside the hospital room, Chloe called Beca.
Beca picked up her phone, "Hey, Chloe. Where are you?" she asked.
"I'm at the hospital. Aubrey's about to have her baby," Chloe said.
"Already? Is Chad there with you?" Beca asked.
"I don't know where he is. But I'm certain he'll be here soon," Chloe said.
"Alright. Well, I'll see when you get home," Beca said.
"I'll try to be home as soon as I can," Chloe promised before she hung up.
"Who was that?" Aubrey asked.
"I called Beca. I figured she'd be wondering where I am," Chloe explained.
Meanwhile, at the hospital parking garage, Chad had just arrived.
Back in the hospital room..."It's been a half-hour, he should be here by now," Chloe said, starting to worry.
At that moment, Chad arrived at the hospital room. "Aubrey!" Chad said, entering the room.
"Chad. You made it!" Aubrey sighed, feeling relieved.
"Of course. I wouldn't dare miss the birth of our son," Chad said.
Since Chad had just arrived, a nurse told Chloe that she had to step out into the waiting room.
As hours passed, Chad tried to do whatever it took to keep Aubrey calm while her labor progressed.
By 12:05 a.m., Aubrey was on the last few pushes and two minutes later, the baby was finally born.
"Awww," Aubrey and Chad said, gazing affectionately at the new baby.
The nurse took the baby after the cord was cut, cleaned it, and then wrapped it in a blanket. Once Chad got the okay from the nurse, he went out to the waiting room to tell Chloe it was safe for her to come back in to get a first look at the baby.
"He's so cute," Chloe cooed.
"Look at him," Chad said.
"Come here, baby...come to mommy," Aubrey crooned softly, while holding the baby.
"What's his name?" Chloe asked.
"Chad, you picked out the name, why don't you tell her?" Aubrey suggested.
"We're naming him Finn. Finn Edgar Donaldson," Chad said proudly.
"What a cool name," Chloe said.
"Hi, Finn...I'm your mommy," Aubrey said, softly while still holding Finn. "Here, Chad. You want to hold him?"
"Sure," Chad took Finn from Aubrey. "Hi, Finn...I'm your daddy," he said softly while holding the newborn.
"How about a family photo," Chloe suggested.
"Great idea. Aubrey, how about you hold Finn for the photo," Chad suggested as he handed him over to her.
"Okay, everyone get close together," Chloe instructed as Aubrey and Chad leaned in together for the photo. "Smile!" Chloe exclaimed as the two smiled before she took the pic.
"This'll be a great picture. Do you need me to stay any longer?" Chloe asked.
"It's alright, Chloe. You are free to go. I'm sure Beca must be waiting for you," Aubrey said.
"Yeah. Well, before I do, I'm going to text this photo to all the Bellas," Chloe said before doing so. "Good night, guys," she said before leaving.
"See you later, Chloe," Aubrey and Chad said in unison as Chloe left.
"Now that Finn is born, we have lots more memories to make for the next few years. I have a lot of favorite moments in my life. But there's a certain one I'll never forget," Aubrey mused, prompting a flashback.
"And now your 2012 ICCA Champions...The Barden Bellas!"
The Bellas cheered when they heard that they won. As they claimed their trophy, Aubrey dragged Beca aside before admitting something she never thought she would before.
"Beca, I never thought I'd say this, but...we couldn't have done it without you," Aubrey said.
"Aww, thanks Aubrey," Beca said as the two hugged.
"You were right about so many things. I should've listened to you from the beginning and I'm so sorry I didn't," Aubrey said.
"Lesson learned, right?" Beca asked.
"Yep. And since I'm graduating this year, the Bellas are in your hands now. Make me proud!" Aubrey said.
"I will," Beca said.
"I remember when you told me about that national championship during our first date," Chad said.
"And ever since, the great memories keep coming and they just don't stop," Aubrey said.
At 1 a.m., Chloe made it back home to her apartment. As she walked in the front door, she turned on the light and woke up Beca who was asleep on the couch.
"Chloe? Is that you?" Beca asked, half asleep.
"Yeah, I just got home," Chloe said.
"How are Aubrey and Chad doing? Did the new baby arrive?" Beca asked.
"Yep. His name is Finn. I took a family photo before leaving the hospital and I texted it to all the Bellas. Check your phone," Chloe said as Beca did so.
"Awww...he's so cute," Beca cooed.
"I can't wait for all the Bellas to meet him in person one day. But for now, I'm kind of tired so I'm going to get some sleep. Good night," Chloe yawned and waved.
"Good night, Chloe," Beca said as she went back to sleep.
THE END!
AUTHOR'S NOTES: So this story is finally completed. I can easily say this story was a challenge to finish. For those of you wondering what the baby's name would've been if it was a girl, the name would've been Rebecca Chloe Donaldson.