Present

"Okay, one more push Milly. You can do this!"

Dr. Weaver coaxed her. The delivery was actually taking longer than expected. Even though the baby was crowning, it was taking a little bit longer than just two more pushes. Milly had lost count of how many times she was pushing. The drugs were wearing off, and the pressure of the baby coming out of her was starting to hurt worse than anything she ever experienced. She had delivered children, but all were only a few months along. This was a full term baby, and she was sure feeling it. She had cried out several times from the pain, her face flushed and sweaty as she bore down, squeezing Eric's hand, leaning down and screaming. She kept looking up at the baby's heartrate on the scene, praying she could get him out without any problems. Finally Eric joined Dr. Weaver down between her two spread legs, before Dr. Weaver smiled.

"Okay Milly, I'm sorry he took his time, but one more push and we can meet this beautiful baby okay?"

Milly leaned against the nurse, completely drained. She tried to catch her breath, crying as she shook her head.

"I can't!"

Dr. Weaver smirked.

"One more, let's go. You can do this!"

Milly looked down at Eric, who seemed anxious, but his eyes met hers and he nodded, showing her she could do this. Milly took a second, before she thought all the way back to Jet, and thought of what Marshall would look like. A tall, handsome, athletic looking boy with Eric's eyes. Suddenly, she thought of all the miscarriages, the heartache, the blood, the D&Cs, the deliverys to lifeless tiny dead babies. She wanted to do this for all of her dead children...mostly Jet and Lucky. She was going to bring their brother into the world. Leaning forward, squeezing the nurse's hand, before she took three deep breaths, and leaned forward, focused, and pushed as hard as she could.

She suddenly felt strange pressure, before feeling a huge relief, as the baby slid out of her. Milly fell back, completely drained, before the sweet sound she never thought she would hear echoed in the room.

The sounds of a baby crying.

Laying there, she stared up at the ceiling, almost in a trance. She couldn't believe it. Half of the time she was pushing she kept waiting for something to go wrong. For the baby's monitor to flatline, for Dr. Weaver to apologize that the baby was stillborn, or the cord wrapped around his neck. Instead, the crying continued loud and healthy, and very much alive. She heard Dr. Weaver, and the nurse say how beautiful he was, and Dr. Weaver telling Eric how to cut the cord. She laid there completely exhausted, and in total shock that this had really happened. She heard the nurse say the baby was eight pounds, two ounces. Seconds later, the nurse was there, holding the baby, which was now cleaned up, wrapped in a blanket, wrapped up, wearing a blue cap. She hadn't laid eyes on him yet, almost afraid if she did he would stop breathing or something. Dr. Weaver was still between her legs, pushing down on her stomach, and delivering her placenta. Laying there, she slowly scooted up, after Dr. Weaver said she could. She ignored whatever she was doing down there, and instead simply just sat up and looked at the nurse holding the baby.

"Here's your little boy Milly. He's beautiful!"

Milly looked up with wide eyes.

"He's...okay?"

Dr. Weaver smiled from between her legs. Milly had felt herself push the placenta out, and the sensation of it sliding out of her had been weird. Dr. Weaver smiled up at her.

"He's perfect."

"Nothing is...wrong? He's...okay?"

Dr. Weaver warmly stared up at her and patted her knee.

"Milly. You did it. He's fine, now hold your son. You worked your ass off for him to be here."

Milly looked up with wide eyes as the nurse carefully placed the baby in her hands. Milly stared down, and couldn't believe it. The baby had settled down, now only making tiny cooing sounds. Looking down at him, she couldn't believe it. He was really here. Looking down at him, tears rolling down her face she laughed before his tiny little arm poked out from the blanket and waved back and forth. Milly touched his tiny hand with her finger and kept crying and laughing.

"Hi Marshall!. It's so nice to meet you."

She softly said, before leaning down and kissing his little hand. He was absolutely perfect in every single way. He had a round little face, no hair, but dark eyes. She smiled, still crying, before she looked up at Eric who stood by in complete wonder. His eyes were big, and he looked completely amazed. Milly smiled and looked over at him.

"Come hold your son Eric. He wants to meet his daddy."

Carefully Milly handed the baby over to Eric, who took the baby naturally as if he had been holding babies his whole life. He held him, and looked down, his own eyes filling with tears of relief and joy. He laughed silently, before looking down at him. Leaning down, he softly kissed the baby's head, before smiling. Looking at Milly, he sighed before he struggled and said...

"T...T...Thank you...f...for...himm...M...M..Milly."

Milly laughed and shook her head.

"No...Thank you for him."

February 1989

Alex was gone. It was certainly awkward at school after what happened the day of the snowstorm. Milly and Eric saw him in the halls, and every single time Milly saw him looking straight at her. His eyes were clearly heartbroken. Of course Geneva was a total wreck, calling Milly and sobbing that Alex had broken up with her, and was moving away. That he wouldn't even consider long distance, which ended up into a huge fight, leaving Geneva devastated. Milly ended up inviting her over for a girl's sleepover, buying plenty of snacks and ice cream so Geneva could basically eat her feelings. She was a total wreck, and when she came over, eyes were puffy, even her mother hugged her. Milly stood in the living room, watching them, and faintly feeling jealous. Her mother's more tender moments with her were few and far apart. watching, listening as her mother explained to Geneva that she knew it hurt, but there was a guy out there who was much better for her. Milly kept thinking back on all of the times her mother made remarks about Eric and her, and she hated that when it really came down to it, her mother just wanted her to date a "normal" guy. She sighed, gathering the snacks, before her mother told them she would order them a pizza later. Together, Milly and Geneva went up into her bedroom. Milly turned on her mini TV, playing MTV, and set everything down. She had bought some Tiger Beat magazines, along with new nail polish. She set everything down, before Geneva sat hard down on her bed, and brought her hands up to her face and began to cry. Milly sighed, joining her, and putting her arms around her, pulling her in close for a hug. The truth was, besides a few other girls around school, Geneva really was her best friend, and she felt she had been very lucky to find her. The same way she felt about Eric. She had seen him earlier, and explained that she was having a sleepover with Geneva to cheer her up. Eric was making paper airplanes in his bedroom, as Blizzard chirped in his cage. She sighed, shaking her head.

"I just feel so terrible. Maybe I can cheer her up..."

Eric looked up, in the middle of folding one of the paper airplanes, before he smirked and began to sign...

"She say anything?"

Milly shrugged.

"Just a lot of crying, and that Alex doesn't want to do long distance. This seriously sucks!"

Milly said in a huff, sitting down beside Eric. He looked over at her, putting down the paper airplane before he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

At the sleepover, she allowed Geneva to vent for hours. Basically hearing the same sobbing things over and over again. Milly sympathized with her, sitting cross legged across from her, listening to her, and trying her hardest to cheer her up.

At school she kept seeing him, and hated that she was thinking this way, but she was counting down the weeks until Christmas break so she wouldn't have to see him again. It depressed her, but she knew after what happened that night, and what he confessed, nothing could ever be the same. Then, just two days before Christmas break it happened. Milly was on her way to hand some papers from Mr. Gustien to the office to make copies. She had a period where she was an "office assistant" where she ran copies, and went down to the storage room to bring supplies to classrooms. She was pretty excited for Christmas Break. She had finished all her Christmas shopping, and her mother had actually been in a pretty good mood. Garry and her were going away for a few days this winter, and Luis was actually behaving, and seemed to be sweet on a girl from his class. Lucy Spader. She had come over twice to watch movies, and seemed really sweet. It was crazy to Milly that her brother was going to be a teenager soon, and wasn't the same little boy who buried her GI Joe figures in the backyard. She had been doing great in school, and so hadn't Eric. He proudly showed her and Mrs. Sherman yesterday that he got an A- on his sign language exam. Both were completely thrilled. Wearing a baby blue sweater, and black jeans, Milly gave the papers to Ms. Treeport, one of the ladies in the office, who then asked if she didn't mind bringing up more copy paper from the supply room? She handed her the ring of keys, and Milly smiled taking them. She took the stairs to the basement, which usually seemed pretty creepy. There was the janitor's office, the boiler room, and the huge supply room, which seemed to stretch on for miles. It was dark, and smelled runny, and had shelves upon shelves of supplies and old furniture from the school. Milly took the key, and unlocked the door, and blindly felt for the switch on the wall. She flicked on all of the dim hanging lights, and entered, walking down the hard cement floor, going straight to where the paper was kept.

That's when she heard her name.

"Milly?"

Millu turned, and froze. Alex stood there in his letterman jacket and jeans. He had his hands in his pockets, and sighed. Milly stared at her, suddenly feeling nervous. Eric was three floors up in speech. She never wanted him more at her side than now. She knew Alex was harmless, but she honestly didn't want to talk. Sighing, she nervously crossed her arms.

"What are you doing here?"

Alex nervously smirked.

"I followed you. Sorry for being such a creep, it's just...I needed to talk to you alone. You're always with Eric."

Milly shot him a look.

"That's because he's my boyfriend."

Alex nodded sadly.

"Listen, I just need to talk to you. It will only take a minute. Then you'll never see me again."

"You hurt Geneva."

"I know, and I hate myself for that."

"What do you want?"

He sighed, and leaned against the wall.

"I always thought you were cute. In a harmless kinda way. I knew you were with Eric, and I was with Geneva. So many of those assholes on my team gave me shit for dating a 'fat' girl. But I never once saw her like that. Once I got to know her I thought she was funny, clever, and really cool, and I truly cared for her. Then the night of the lake happened when you nearly drowned. I remember never feeling so scared before in my entire life. I was so scared. Afterwards when we thought you were really gone and Eric started freaking out...I think it hit me right then and there that I loved you. That a harmless little crush had turned into something else. Then you were okay, and I started having these feelings I tried to push away. I was with Geneva and I was happy I swear to God, and you were with Eric and the whole school knows you guys are inseparable. I knew I could never act on these feelings or I would screw everything up. It killed me. You started being on my mind all the time. It killed me having to start to pretend, and watch you and Eric...I shouldn't have kissed you, I know that. I should have just kept my mouth shut and just moved away. I'm sorry. I like Eric a lot, and he was a great friend. I see how hard you work with him, and it's amazing. I'm just wondering...where do you see you two going?"

Milly blinked confused.

"What?"

"Eric and you. Where do you see it going?"

Milly shrugged, annoyed.

"I don't know..."

Alex then stepped forward.

"I'm sorry for everything Milly. Please believe that."

Milly nodded.

"Okay, you've said you're sorry enough. Let's just leave it be okay?"

Alex nodded, before Milly turned and walked to the shelf where the reams of paper were kept. She hoped Alex would just leave. But she knew he was just standing there. Reaching on her tiptoes, she tried to reach up and grab the copy paper which was kept up too high. Her fingertips lightly brushed them, when she heard Alex walk up behind her, reach with ease and grab it for her. Milly sighed, slightly uncomfortable, before she turned.

Alex stood less than a few inches away from her. He handed her the paper, which she took quickly. She stood up against the shelf, and stared up at him.

"Goodbye Alex."

Alex then without any warning leaned forward and softly kissed her lips. It was a soft kiss, but Milly felt absolutely nothing. Alex stood back, as Milly, now her face flushed with color, glaring up at him. He looked uncomfortable as well, before he nodded, turned, and walked out of the storage room. She breathed a sigh of relief, before roughly wiping her mouth with her sleeve, feeling sorry for Alex, as well as angry that he kissed her again. She sighed, knowing she could never tell Eric. Shaking her head, she ventured back upstairs.

Later...

It was at the end of the day and the bell signaled for everyone to head home. The hallways became crowded as lockers slammed open and closed, and everyone headed out. Milly was waiting by her locker for Eric, when she spotted Andy. He was a nice enough guy she vaguely knew, who was always nice to Eric, and she remembered him from this past Halloween when he tried to ask Geneva to dance. Smirking, she wandered across to where his locker was, where he was putting some books away. Milly smiled and walked over to him.

"Hey Andy."

Andy looked over and smiled.

"Hey Milly, what's up? You outta here?"

"No, just waiting on Eric. Listen, I have a question. You remember my friend Geneva from the Halloween party."

Andy smirked.

"How could I forget. What a firecracker. She goes to that private school right?"

"Yeah. She asked about you the other day."

Andy raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

Milly nodded, smiling and clutching her Trapper Keeper.

"Yeah. I'll talk to her again and see. You know Alex York just broke up with her."

"Yeah he's moving. Bummer. She's upset?"

"Well, she seemed to be okay since she asked about you. I wouldn't try to call her until after Alex is gone, but do you want me to give her your number, and you can have hers?"

Andy grinned.

"Sure, hold on..."

He grabbed a pen from the top of his locker, before Milly opened her Trapper Keeper, and Andy wrote down his number, before grinning as Milly wrote down Geneva's, and ripped the bottom of the piece of paper, and handed it over. He looked at the piece of paper and smiled, before she closed Trapper Keeper, and Eric walked over, just in the middle of zipping up his jacket. Milly smiled and turned.

"Hey!" She leaned over and kissed his cheek. Andy smiled.

"Hey Eric."

He held up his hand for a high five. If this was a few years ago, Eric would have just looked at his hand puzzled. Instead, he got what he was doing, smiled, and gave him a high five. Andy grinned and held the piece of paper.

"I'll give her a call in a few weeks. Thanks Milly."

"Don't mention it."

Andy laughed, slammed the locker closed, before heading down the hallway.

Eric turned and signed...

"What was that about?"

Milly smiled and leaned up against him.

"Trying to slowly get Geneva to move on."

Eric grinned.

That night while she was on the phone with Geneva, both just gossiping. Milly was telling Geneva about the day Eric and her were having sex in her bedroom, and how her mother had nearly caught Eric. Geneva howled with laughter, which made Milly feel better. She was trying her best to cheer her up. Lately she seemed okay, but seemed bothered that Alex hadn't really wanted to see her.

"How did you sneak him out of there?!"

Milly quickly lied that Garry and her mother were busy in the kitchen, so she sneaked him through the front door. Geneva kept laughing, telling her she was lucky, before Milly laughed and then casually asked Geneva what she thought about Andy from her school. It took Geneva a second to remember him, but then it clicked.

"Oh yeah, the creep."

Milly laughed.

"You don't think he's really a creep. He's kinda cute right?

"Yeah, sorta...I guess."

Milly knew Geneva, and knew she really meant it.

"Well he was asking about you."

Instantly she heard Geneva's voice perk up.

"He was?!"

With that, Milly hoped her plan was slowly starting to come together.

The holidays came and went. Milly enjoyed herself, and a few days after New Years, the York's moved away. Milly and Eric were playing a boardgame in Eric's kitchen when she spotted the moving truck outside through the window. She sadly smiled, but knew it was meant to be. After what, the house stood empty, with a for sale sign posted up front. Her mother had mentioned she heard a woman from her office was actually looking at it with her husband. January was freezing cold, and instead of snow, they got freezing rain that usually turned to black ice. Garry had offered Milly to take his car a few times to school as long as she was careful since the roads weren't always great. As always she took her time, dropping Luis off at school, and then using the school parking lot once she drove herself and Eric to the high school. Classes had been okay, but Milly was honestly done with the cold. She just wanted spring to come so the old frozen snow would melt, and the warm weather would come. She had tons of plans in store form for Eric and her, but decided she wasn't going to go to jr prom. She had the dress Eric had given her, but figured the real prom would be the senior one, and since dances weren't really her or Eric's scene, she decided to save the dress for next year.

Today was Valentine's Day.

Eric and Milly sat across from each other at Skip's. Both were sipping on strawberry milkshakes despite how cold it was outside. Her and his little tradition every year on the 14th. It was a Tuesday, and they got out of school, and after dropping off their stuff at home, and exchanging gifts, they headed here. Milly had gotten a dozen of the pink and white roses she loved so much, along with a pair of pretty earrings Uncle Hugo and Eric had brought at the mall. They were tiny sparkling hearts that were absolutely beautiful, and she put them on instantly. For Eric, Milly had gotten him a pair of silver colored aviator sunglasses. In the card, she remarked they were for sunny days coming up, which she couldn't wait for. He slipped them on smiling, and Milly laughed telling him tomorrow she wanted to take pictures of him wearing them. They kissed, before getting their jackets back on, and heading to Skips. They had burgers, before finishing, and having their traditional milkshakes. What made the night even better was that Geneva and Andy were further down in their own booth having their very first date. It took a lot of convincing with Milly to Geneva to actually start calling Andy after Alex, but it went off smoothly, and Milly felt a million times better. When they spotted them, they simply smiled and waved, before minding their own business. Sipping their shakes, Milly stared deeply into Eric's deep brown eyes.

She loved that his hair was longer now, and nearly almost down to his ears. It was beautiful, and wavy. He sat there in a black turtleneck, and smiled back at her. He had been signing the entire time, talking with her, and making her laugh. She even told him that next month she was going to try and get his permit and asked if she would take him? Milly smiled from ear to ear smiling and said of course. Once the shakes were done, they grabbed their jackets, and Eric insisted on paying. Uncle Hugo was now giving him an allowance, and he had saved up for this. Milly felt touched, and together they walked out of the restaurant, before Milly blinked at Geneva who looked thrilled sitting with Andy. Walking out, bracing the freezing cold, they began to walk down the sidewalk, when suddenly Milly walked over a small patch of black ice, and her boots slipped.

Nearly falling forward, Eric smoothly grabbed her, just like the time he caught the baseball, and football before it hit her. She slipped forward, before Eric's arms firmly wrapped around her, catching her and holding her in his arms. Milly looked up surprised, before she looked up at Eric and smiled. He smiled down at her, before lifting her up, both closely facing each other. Smiling, they locked eyes, before they tilted their heads and softly kissed.

Later...

Milly and Eric laid naked together in Eric's attic. A comforter wrapped around them. Milly still had another few hours before curfew, and both had fooled around up in the attic, before softly playing music and making love. Eric laid there, holding her closely, and Milly gently ran her fingers through his hair.

"I love how you're growing your hair out. You look very handsome."

Eric smirked, clearly tired from tonight's activities, before he leaned forward and softly kissed her. Smiling, Milly used her thumb to fidget with her gold ring. Snuggling in close, she laid her head against Eric's chest, and silently thought of the spring and summer coming up, and how much she wanted Eric to take her flying. Smiling, she kissed his chest and listened to the music.

Present

Milly slept in her hospital bed exhausted. She had quite the day. After she was cleaned up and taken to her room, she was given something from her IV which made her feel pretty high. Dr. Weaver explained she could try nursing the baby tomorrow since she had been quite the delivery, and Dr. Weaver still wanted to monitor her since her blood pressure had gotten so high. Milly was frustrated that she couldn't start nursing instantly. Dr. Weaver reassured her that Marshall would be fine with the formula, and checked him over saying that he was absolutely perfect. Geneva and Andy came to see her, and later Garry who brought flowers. He held the baby proudly, and didn't mention her mother once, which she was grateful for. He told her how proud he was of her, and that Marshall was the most beautiful baby he had ever seen.

A few more people stopped by, even some of the guys from the hardware store. Her publishing house sent flowers, and finally by the end of the day Milly was exhausted. The drugs made her soupy, and she kept sleeping. Whenever she was alert enough, she stared at the baby in total amazement. He really was perfect. Her heart broke looking at Eric's face who hadn't stopped holding Marshall all day. He proudly showed the baby off, and looked nervous anytime any visitor came in to hold him. All of the nurses remarked how adorable he looked with the baby, and clearly it was love at first sight. When the nurse came in to take him to the nursery, Eric's eyes looked filled with panic, before Milly softly smiled.

"It's okay Eric."

Eric sighed, before looking down at the baby, before finally handing him over. The nurse said she would bring the baby first thing in the morning. Once she was gone, Eric sighed and sat down on the edge of Milly's bed. Milly gently patted his arm.

"He'll be okay. I know you'll be down there in a few minutes looking in on him anyways."

Eric smirked, knowing she was right. Gently, he took her hand, and kissed it.

He then signed...

"You okay?"

Milly shrugged.

"Whatever they are giving me is making me feel high as Hell...but after that delivery I'll take it."

Eric frowned.

"How bad was it?"

Milly made a face.

"Intense, but worth it. He's gorgeous...just like his daddy."

Eric smiled, before Milly reached up and cupped the side of his face.

"We did it Eric. He's finally here."

Eric smiled before leaning forward and deeply kissing his wife.

Downstairs their baby was wheeled in with his name card on the front of his plastic crib.

Marshall Jet Lucky Gibb.