Chapter Seventeen

Parker Grimes had slept over at Kyle's place letting his parents stay at his. They would be entertaining the birthday boy and his sisters while his parents got the backyard ready. Deana and James had bought and stuffed the pinata. They would bring that over just before the party. They had bought Hunter a Hot Wheels racetrack even though Aimee and Horatio insisted they didn't have to bring any presents.

"I bet your mom and dad are gonna miss having a baby around the house," Parker said. "She said no more babies, right?"

Kyle laughed. "Yes. Loud and clear." The memory flooded back.

"All right, Honey. His head's out. He's so beautiful. I need you to give me a really, really hard push for the rest of him. Ready?" His dad said to Aimee.

"Get. It. out!"

Squeezing her hand, Kyle had to side with Aimee. He couldn't imagine the pain she were in and tt was the third time she had been told 'one more push.'.

His baby brother was a bigger baby than either of his sisters had been too. Eight pounds by the doctor's estimation on Aimee's final doctor's visit. Kyle wasn't sure if Aimee was trying to reach his father with her free hand, But if she succeeded she might have torn him to shreds. His sympathy went to Aimee however. Hunter's head was in his father's hands. Yes, he saw that from where he stood.

Leading up to this Kyle thought he might get queasy at the sight.

But now he couldn't look away. It was… incredible. Amazing. Beautiful. There was no word for it. Kyle was so glad he ignored all his friends and was right where he was in this moment. To his and he was sure more Aimee's relief, Hunter was born seconds after that.

That was the emotional memory. Then there was the amusing.

Seconds before Hunter made his full entrance to the world, through gritted teeth Aimee told her husband "this is the last time we're doing this. You understand me?"

If his dad didn't understand then he was in danger.

It felt like yesterday that he was taking Aimee to the hospital. For the record, Horatio so could have handled an unplanned homebirth if things would have went that way. As much they would both miss having a tiny baby around their family was complete. Except the dog. According to his wife and oldest son the search for that addition would be starting when Hunter's birthday excitement settled. A litter of five Spaniel-Beagle mix puppies had been abandoned to Kyle's former workplace. The family had already approved to take one as soon as the puppies were old enough. The younger kids didn't know this yet. It was going to be surprise. But the three had decided to call a puppy "Oreo."

So many people in the backyard the afternoon was somewhat chaotic. But everybody had fun especially on the bouncy castle. Even the adults even if they would regret it later. Deana did face painting for the kids. James helped on the grill. The pinata was a huge hit too. Little Ethan Delko managed to break it. The kids ran to gather the scattered goodies. When his twin Evan tried to blow out the candles when the cake came around Eric gently intervened but Hunter said "dat's okay! He can 'elp."

Hunter loved his new toys. He was proud to have a basketball net just like Kyle. He beamed riding in his jeep. The Delkos were the last to leave and Hunter didn't mind giving his two best buddies extra rides before they went home. Daddy promised him that his basketball net and soccer net would be set up in the morning. Andy stayed around to help clean up. Today, he finally got some pressure to have children of his own. Aimee enjoyed watching it. Hunter insisted he and his sisters play with his new Hot Wheels racetrack before bed. Baths could wait for tonight.