Several months later...
Dear Diary!
So much has happened in the last few months that I don't even know where to start. Maybe I'll start in chronological order so I don't forget anything.
So – the last time I reported was about my brother's and Sawyer's wedding, which felt like it happened a long time ago. Both moved to Los Angeles by then. Mom isn't happy about it because she would have loved to see her grandchild grow up here in Tree Hill. But she probably won't have time for that in the near future anyway, because my little sister will be born soon. (I already reported in another entry that mom and dad are having a girl.) But I get off the point...
Sawyer and Justin are in LA now, and just like Mom and Dad, they're waiting for their baby. Apparently it will be a girl too. But since Sawyer sent me the last ultrasound image of the baby, I'm not so sure. I showed it to Lydia, who confirmed my doubts about the gender; it looks more like a boy. I'm curious to see what really comes out in the end. But it will still be a few weeks until then.
Let's move on to Lydia and Davis: The two have been married for almost four months now and are thinking about a brother or sister for Ben. But I can kind of understand them, because my nephew really is a cutie who you could just cuddle all day long! How time has flown! It won't be long before he takes his first steps. He's already crawling around the house like a world champion, and nothing is safe from him. I love babies, but Brandon and I have decided together that we're going to take our time with that. First of all, it is more important for us to finish school and then persue a career. At 16 there are more important things to worry about, like what to wear to the homecoming prom night... But that's another topic that I'll do a separate entry for.
Let's get to Jude and Tracy: Yes, they are still together, although there had been a crisis between the two in the meantime. But that happens to a lot of couples. Brandon and I also broke up for a few weeks, but then we got back together. We both know what we have in each other.
Officially, I'm not even allowed to know, but Lydia got it from Davis, who probably found out from Jude: Tracy is no longer a virgin! Wow! That was THE gossip among us siblings! But I promised I wouldn't tell anyone; except for Brandon of course. We have no secrets from each other. He wasn't too thrilled about the news, but has vowed he wouldn't tell his parents about it. It's actually none of their business; Jude and Tracy are both of legal age. But you don't stop feeling responsible for the children. At least that's what Mom always says.
Speaking of Mom... She's called me twice already. Better for me to call it a day and see what she wants. After all, I promised Dad I'd help Mom around the house while he was in LA. Some kind of new film project is planned. He's there all the time. Hopefully he'll be back in time for the baby's birth. Mom's doctor told her it could happen at any time.
"Izzy!"
I closed my journal and put it back in my drawer. I would write more about it later. Ever since I was 12, I've been writing down what was happening in my family and about my feelings on a regular basis. In the weeks that Brandon and I had been apart, it had been the only way for me to let my emotions run free. "I'm coming!" I shouted, jumping up from the chair. I hurriedly opened the door and ran down the stairs. Mom stood by the stove, rubbing her lower back, and forced a smile. Not for the first time I noticed how huge her belly had become. Lydia and Davis had already joked that there might be twins after all. But the ultrasound had clearly shown only one baby. "How can I help you?" I asked, rubbing my hands on my pants.
"Could you pick up the laundry? I've been to the laundry room twice now and can hardly get up the stairs," she said, smiling sheepishly.
"You're not supposed to climb stairs anymore," I scolded her. "Your doctor said to take it easy."
"I feel so useless doing nothing," she wailed. "And I wasn't lifting heavy or anything. I just put the laundry in the machine and turned it on."
"Okay." I gently grabbed her arm. "But now it's enough. Now go over to the living room and sit down on the sofa," I ordered sternly. Mom nodded, and I was really concerned that she gave in so quickly, without a word. That wasn't usually her style. Climbing the stairs really seemed to have exhausted her. She walked very slowly while massaging her lower back again and again.
"Is it bad?" I asked worriedly.
She nodded. "I didn't sleep that well last night because my back was hurting," she confessed quietly.
I suddenly panicked. "Where are the others?" Only now did I notice how quiet it was in the house.
"Davis and Jude are to practice, and Lydia had an appointment with Ben at the pediatrician," Mom said.
"We're alone?" My voice suddenly didn't sound so confident anymore.
"Yes, why?" Mom frowned.
I was about to answer her when she suddenly groaned loudly and doubled over, clutching her belly. A few seconds later I heard a loud "splash". Horrified, I looked at the puddle that was slowly spreading on the tiled floor beneath her. Mom voiced what was on my mind.
"My water broke..." she stammered. "The baby is coming...!"
