Chapter Three:

"Uhh!" Sue yawned.

As she opened her eyes the sunlight flooded her line of vision, as her eyes became more accustomed to the light she began to come around.

She sat up in her bed, and noticed that Bob was gone. The imprint of his figure left in the bed sheets and pillows.

Sue breathed hard and looked around the room.

It was a mess as usual.

She let her bare feet touch the solid cold floor and stood up. She walked over to the closet and pulled out her robe. After she put it on, she relieved herself and walked out into the hallway.

Looking into Freddie and Susan's bedroom she saw two figures still asleep in their beds, snuggled up against their pillows and covered with their blankets.

She then peaked inside Tim's room and discovered that he was not there, but a note posted on the wall next to the door, explained it. It Read:

Dear Sue,

I've taken Tim to work with me today because I need an assistant! I'm short of people working today and he seems willing to help me. Seems he overheard our conversation about Mr. Scrooge, and was up and early before I was out of bed. I couldn't say no, so we'll see you tonight!

Love Bob.

"Well, our boy certainly has recovered!" Sue thought to herself as she placed the note next to her heart.

She then made her way down the stairs to prepare breakfast for Freddie and Susan. They would be up in an hour or so as she looked at the clock.

***Years Back****

Bob looked up at the clock, it was around 8:00 pm. He had just finished sweeping and mopping the floor of the grocery store after the customers had left.

"I'm gonna need something a bit better than this. Being a janitor is harder than I thought it would be." Bob thought.

He grabbed his coat, put it on and wandered out of the store, locking the shop up before he left.

He then walked about four blocks down to his house, the stars were shining brightly and a crescent moon hung overhead. Feeling good about himself for the days work he looked forward to a nice evening with his wife Sue.

As he walked in the door he was surprised to find someone he knew.

"Bob!" Fred greeted him.

"Fred, what are you doing here?" Bob asked.

"She's gone into labor, Becky and the doctor are up there right now!" Fred explained.

Bob's heart skipped a beat.

"Wha...is she alright?!" Bob asked in a frantic voice.

"Well..." Fred started.

"OOOOHHHHH!" A loud yell sounded from upstairs.

"Sue!" Bob cried rushing up the stairs.

"Bob wait!" Fred yelled following him up the steps urging him to stay out of the doctor's way.

But he was too late, Bob had already made his way up the stairs and turned than barged his way into their bedroom where the yell had come from.

There was his wife, Sue Cratchit laying on the bed with Becky by her side and the doctor getting ready to deliver the baby.

"Bob!" Sue cried, her forehead covered with sweat.

Bob rushed over to her side and held her hand, their rings touching once again.

"Are you alright darling?" Bob asked.

"Yes....I'm just....OOOOHHH!" Sue moaned.

"Mame, try and take slow deep breathes!" The doctor calmly advised.

"And lets settle down, please." The doctor instructed further.

"Oh, sorry doctor." Fred said.

"Ah, sir could you please go get me some towels? Were going to need them to wrap the baby in." The doctor asked Fred.

"Oh, sure." Fred agreed and left the room.

"Ah, Mame could you please help him too? I think this is something just for these two." The doctor suggested.

"Oh, alright. Good luck Sue." Becky said kissing her forehead and leaving the room closing the door behind her.

She then met Fred in the hall coming back with the towels.

"Shhh!" Becky whispered with one finger held to her lips.

"Is it almost time?" Fred whispered.

"I think so." Becky replied.

They both waited outside the door, listening.

"Mrs. Cratchit, I think your contractions are far enough apart now, so you can start pushing." The doctor instructed.

Sue squeezed her husband's hand tightly as she began to push.

Before long a baby's cry was heard in the Cratchit household.

"Well, Mr. and Mrs. Cratchit....it's a boy!" The doctor said as he finished delivering the baby.

When the cry was heard, Becky opened the door and Fred gave the towels to the doctor who clean the child off and then gave the baby to Sue's awaiting arms.

"Ooh...Look at him..." Sue said in awestruck as she held her child for the first time.

"He's beautiful Sue." Bob smiled.

"Waaaa!" The baby cried.

The Cratchit household had now welcomed a new member of the family.

About two hours later, Fred and Becky left, congratulating the Cratchits and wishing them well.

The doctor was about to leave, but had a few suggestions for Bob.

"Keep the baby warm, I'll be back tomorrow morning to check up on the mother and the child. I also want you to come down to my office sometime in the week to get the paper work and birth certificate taken care of." The doctor said.

"Thank you sir." Bob said as the doctor left.

He then closed the door and went upstairs.

Sue was still holding the baby as Bob walked in.

"You must be exhausted...let me have him." Bob said in a soft whisper

Sue gently handed the baby to Bob, she then turned over and rested her head on the pillow.

Bob walked over to the window and looked up in the star filled sky. With his son in his arms he began to sing.

"You who dwell in the shelter of the lord, who abided his shadow for life...say to the lord my refuge...my rock in whom I trust. And he will raise you up...on eagles wings....bear you on the breath of dawn...make you to shine like the sun...and hold you in the palm of his hand." Bob whispered.

"I didn't know you could sing that well." Sue whispered.

"Well, I can." Bob replied.

He then placed his son, in the crib which lay right beside the widow.

"Sleep tight." Bob said as he covered his son up with the blanket covers.

The baby was breathing and sound asleep.

Bob then turned his attention to Sue.

"Well, that was quite an adventure." Bob remarked.

"Yes, it sure was." Sue replied.

Bob then began to get undressed and after he had gotten ready, got over on his side of the bed into Sue's waiting grasp.

She rested her head on his chest while he propped himself up on his pillow and let his left arm hold his wife.

Their loving gaze turned to the new life that lay resting in the crib.

"What should we call him?" Bob asked.

"I think we should name him in Fred's honor." Sue suggested.

"Oh?" Bob asked.

"He was here when I went into labor to begin with...after he helped me into

bed, he ran and got Becky, than went to get the doctor." Sue explained.

"Well, what was he doing here to begin with?" Bob asked.

"Well....he was just stopping by wondering if you were here, and you weren't, that's when I went into labor." Sue explained.

"Well, I guess we owe Fred a debt than. How about we name him Freddie?" Bob suggested.

"Freddie Marcus Cratchit?" Sue added.

"Freddie Marcus Cratchit, it will be." Bob replied.

Sue sat up straight and putting her arms around her husband, kissed him passionately.

End of Chapter 3