Rafe had been gone for two weeks and Evelyn missed him like crazy.

He'd stayed with her as long as he could after he and Danny had come home from China and he'd married her. But now he was gone and she didn't know for how long. And after the dream she'd had about seeing her child, she wanted him home more than before.

She'd felt funny all morning and had talked to Barbara about it. They sat on the back porch with their second cup of coffee and Evelyn told her how she felt. Barbara grinned at her. "Have you forgotten what we learned in nursing school?"

Evelyn looked at her and tried to figure out what she meant.

"Ev, you're probably in labor." Barbara told her matter-of-factly.

"I can't be in labor."

"Think about it. You said yourself it felt like the baby was turning and that you were starting to dilate. Those sound like early signs of labor to me."

"But I haven't had any contractions yet." Evelyn said logically.

"Those will probably come later on. In the meantime, I'll stay with you today if you want."

She smiled at her concerned friend. "And do what? Barbara, this is your day off and I don't want you wasting it babysitting me."

"Even if I told you that I'd feel better if I stayed?"

Evelyn took her hand and smiled. "I'd be more than happy if you stayed."

"Good. To start, you really should go back to bed and rest. First babies usually take awhile and it wouldn't do to wear yourself out."

She smiled. "Getting bossy already? I'll go lie down when I feel I need to because if your right this little one here will take it's time and I want to be able to move around while I can."

"All right Ev. What can I do to help in the meantime?"

Evelyn went about her morning, trying to do what chores she normally did and what she couldn't Barbara did for her. It wasn't long after she and Barbara had finished lunch that Evelyn felt the first real contraction. It wasn't particularly strong but she knew without a doubt that she had finally gone into labor. She had started to pack her suitcase with everything she thought she might need and sighed because she also knew without a doubt that Rafe was not going to be home. She sat down on the bed and started to cry.

Barbara found Evelyn there and sat down next to her. "I know you want him here Ev, but you do have us and we'll see you through this."

Evelyn put her head down on Barbara's shoulder. "I know you will and I'm so glad you're here."

"I wouldn't be anywhere else sweetie."

"We knew this could happen and I was just hoping that the baby would wait." She sighed again.

"I know Ev, I know."

She sat up and wiped away the tears. "Well that's enough of that, don't you think?" And she smiled at Barbara.

"Good girl." Barbara smiled back and stood up and helped Evelyn to stand. "You've been cooped up here all morning Ev, let's go for a walk."

"I like that idea." Evelyn answered and walked out to the living room with Barbara right behind her.

Rafe and Evelyn's house was close to the beach and for that Evelyn was grateful. She loved the feel of the sand between her toes as she walked on the beach and it made her feel closer to Rafe. They had made a habit of going for a walk in the evening and it was then they would talk about how his day had gone, how she felt and what they would do if he had to be gone when she went into labor.

This afternoon it was Barbara she was with and they walked arm in arm down the beach. "Feeling all right?"

Evelyn nodded. "I was just thinking."

"About Rafe?"

She nodded again. "He was so happy when I told him about the baby. It wasn't how we'd planned on things happening, but they did and he didn't hesitate in asking me to plan a wedding."

"You've already told me this Ev, what's wrong?" Barbara asked with concern.

"Don't mind me Barbara, I'm just babbling. I'm about to have a baby, I miss my husband and I'm a little scared."

"I know you are and I wish there were something I could say to help."

It came without warning and Evelyn suddenly stopped. She felt a contraction just before she felt the baby drop a little lower. It wasn't bad, but it was just another reminder that her baby was on the way. "Oh my gosh."

"Ev?"

"I'd feel better if we could start for home."

"Sure thing hon. Let's go." And they turned around and headed for the house.

By the time they got there, the other girls were there. "We thought we would help you with dinner tonight because you don't look so good." Martha said in her usual blunt manner.

"Martha." Sandra admonished her. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm in labor, if that's what you're asking."

"Gosh Ev, why didn't you say something?" Sandra said.

"It's all right. Nothing has really happened yet. And I would sure appreciate your help with dinner, thank you."

She opened the door to let the girls in and they headed to the kitchen. Barbara tried to get Evelyn to sit while she and the other girls got dinner ready, but she insisted on doing her part. It was her kitchen after all.

It was as she stood at the kitchen sink ready to shell a pea pod that her water broke. She stood stock-still and tried not to panic.

Barbara was suddenly behind her and put her hand on her arm. Evelyn looked at her and couldn't help but smile. "I guess this is it."

"Have you had any contractions?" Barbara asked.

"Mild ones, but nothing too bad." Evelyn told her as she put the unshelled pea pod back into the bowl and tried to decide what to do. She looked down at the floor and she felt her face flush. "Oh my gosh."

"Don't worry about this Ev. Go get changed and we'll take care of it."

"Thanks." She left the kitchen and walked down the hall to the bedroom and changed into another dress. She was headed back out to the kitchen when a strong contraction hit her. It took her down to her knees and she knew that the baby was now on the way, of that she had no doubt. "Barbara!" She called to her friend.

Barbara found her on her knees and tried not to panic. She took a deep breath and alerted the nurses. "Sandra, call the hospital and tell them Evelyn's gone into labor. Martha I need your help back here now."

Martha was there in a moment and helped Barbara get Evelyn up on her feet. "You should lie down now."

Evelyn shook her head. "I want to get to the hospital and the sooner the better."

The two girls got Evelyn to stand and she asked Martha to get her suitcase that she had put by the door. She did as her friend asked and helped her to walk out to the living room.

Sandra was putting the receiver down when the three came out. "The hospital knows you're coming and they'll have the doctor waiting for you."

"Thanks Sandra. Could you call the base and see if there's any way to get a message to Rafe? I want him to know about this as soon as possible."

"Sure Ev, I'll try." And she picked up the receiver again and began to dial.

Barbara had her arm around Evelyn. "How you doing sweetie?"

She tried to smile. "I've been better."

"I know honey." She looked at Martha. "I'll take her in her car and you meet us at the hospital after Sandra puts that call through."

"You bet. Good luck Ev." And she kissed her cheek.

"Thanks Martha." And she and Barbara were out the door.

Sandra waited impatiently for a line to get through to the base and when she finally did, nearly shouted. "I need to get a message to Captain Rafe McCawley." Her cheeks started to turn red. "Yes I know he's on a mission but his wife just went into labor and she wants him to know." She looked at Martha and rolled her eyes. "I don't care how you do it, but get a message to him." And she slammed down the receiver. "Idiots!"

Martha stood there in amazement. In all the years she had known Sandra, she had never heard her lose her temper. "Are they going to do it?"

"They said they'd try, but wouldn't make any promises." She frowned.

"That's the Army for you." Was all she said. "Let's get to the hospital. We can try again later to get some word to Rafe."

"All right." Sandra agreed before they left the house and headed for the hospital.