Nobody Understands

Chapter 10 – Part of the family

A/N: Sorry for the long wait – been busy with college and stuff. Anyhoo, thanks for all the great reviews guys, I absolutely love them! Keep them coming and I'll keep the story coming.

'M-Mum?' My teeth chattered with cold and I turned my head to look at her. Her breathing had become shallower and her skin was turning blue. 'Mum, we've got to get up and start walking.'

'I-I don't think I can.' Mum sounded vague and distant. This wasn't good, Mum was giving up and she never did that. I needed to help her.

'Yes you can, Mum, yes you can. You can't give up now – you've got Dad, me and a baby who love you so much and....' I trailed off when I saw her looking at me. 'What?'

'You said you loved me.'

I grinned, realising that I did. 'Yea, I do.' I said softly but then stopped smiling and frowned at her. 'But only if you get up and start walking. NOW!'

I got up and then helped Mum up. Putting our arms around each other we slowly made our way back towards the road and away from unstable ground.

I was also looking for a suitable place to stop so that we could see if Mum's phone still worked. We finally reached a small cluster of fir trees and made our way inside. It was considerably warmer so we pulled a load of branches off the trees and sat on them, preventing us from getting even colder. Mum opened her bag and pulled her phone out.

'Any luck?' I asked.

'Nope, shouldn't be surprised though.' She snapped it shut and put it back in her bag. 'AAARRGGH!' Mum screamed out in pain as another contraction washed over her. This was one of the worst labours ever. She wouldn't have any pain relief, she was in the middle of the snow and the baby was coming early. I felt terrible but I knew how to help her. Grabbing her hand I patted it gently to get her attention.

'Mum, Mum...breathe!' She stopped hyperventilating and started to take deep breaths – in through the nose and out through the mouth. 'That's it – breathe, breathe....breathe....Feel better now?' I asked when the contraction had finished.

Mum smiled, 'Yes, thank you. I don't know how much longer I can hold out.'

I was about to tell her that I was sure it would be after someone rescued us when another contraction started up.

'Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!' Mum repeated over and over. She was leaning against the tree with her chin on her chest and her legs drawn up, almost as if by making herself small it would stop it from hurting so much. I could tell that it wasn't going to be much longer and I think Mum did too.

'Honey, I think – I think the baby is coming.' She gasped, almost apologetically.

'I know, Mum. You can do this.' I said encouragingly. In any other situation this would have been embarrassing but now wasn't the time. I had to do this. 'Come on Mum, push...push! That's it...come on. It's nearly out...You've done it!'

Mum sighed in relief and leaned back against the tree as her new baby began to cry. I cut the cord with my penknife and pulled my coat off and then my jumper. Wrapping the baby in the jumper I handed it to Mum.

'Hello, little one.' Mum said cradling the baby close, I could see the tears dripping down her cheeks and landing on the baby's head.

'Careful, you're making him all wet.' I joked.

'Did you say "him"?' She asked and I nodded. Mum gave me a small smile and then continued to stare at her new son. I didn't blame her really; he was rather cute...for a boy anyway.

'MONICA! MADDIE!' We both jumped, startled from our revere. The voice sounded like it belonged to Dad. Scrambling to my feet I rushed around the trees to find myself face to face with my father. His shirt was undone and his tie pulled away from his neck. His hair was scruffy and he looked like he'd been crying.

For a few moments we just stared at each other, not entirely sure what to do. The emotions of the day must of caught up with me because I broke down into tears and ran into his arms.

'It's ok, baby...I've got you.' He pulled me close, enjoying the moment as he was probably unsure if he would ever get the chance again.

'I'm sorry, Dad,' I wailed, 'it's my entire fault. If I had never pestered Mum to take me out we wouldn't have been driving up the hill and we wouldn't be here now!'

'Sweetheart, I don't blame you – I'm just so glad that the two of you are safe.'

I broke away from him; I had completely forgotten that he didn't know about his new child.

'Er...Dad? You might wanna make that three.'

Dad's face paled. 'S-She...She's had the baby?'

'Yep, a boy.'

Dad started tearing again and quickly walked in the direction of the trees. I decided to give them a few minutes.

Sitting down on a rock I took a few deep breaths. I had no idea what was happening to me. I was starting to feel something for my parents and my little brother. I wasn't sure about it but I was very glad that it was finally happening.

I rounded the tree to find Dad sitting next to Mum, now cradling the baby. There were two paramedics with them now. I must have been so deep in thought as I did not see them arrive. They looked so happy now, their family was finally coming together.

This was getting just a bit too mushy for me. 'Look, guys...when he's wrecking my room, I will need to know what to yell at him!'

Mum grinned and glanced sideways at Dad. 'His name is Connor Daniel Bing.'

I nodded approvingly then grabbed a camera. This was a perfect shot.

'Smile guys!' I said and the two adults grinned at the camera.

'Honey, is that your main camera?' Mum asked me.

'Er, no...I must have left it in the car.'

'Sorry, darling...that had all your pictures on.'

'No biggie – I'd much rather enter the adult competition in about 7 years. I've got a really good idea for a subject.'

And I really did.

A/N: Ok, guys – next one will be the last so get reviewing!