Jean Bertier whistled a happy tune as she went about the kitchen, straightening up the cupboards. Not that there was that much to clean. She had to give it to her daughter in law, Emma. Even at seven months pregnant she still kept an impeccable house, Jean thought with a smile as the telephone rang.

"Hello?"

"Mom?"

"Gerry?"

"Hey. What's going on?"

"Nothing much, pumpkin. Just thought I'd come over and have a visit with Emma and see if you guys needed anything. How is physical therapy going?"

"It's going. It's better. Can I talk to Emma please?"

"She's not here."

"Not there?" Gerry asked with a hint of panic in his voice. "What do you mean not there? Where else would she be?"

"Son, my goodness. Calm down before you work yourself up into a stroke", Gerry's mother chuckled.

"Your wife is fine. She just went down to the market to pick up a few things. I am expecting her back at any second."

"Market? Mom...what the...you just let her go by herself?"

"Gerry, she is a grown woman."

"Did she walk or did she drive?"

"It's a nice day and the market is only a few blocks down the street. I believed she wanted to walk..."

"Mom, how could you? What if something happens? What if..."

Jean Bertier could only shake her head and smile. Her only son's behavior was cute if not a little irrational. He had been so excited about the impending birth of his first child and had increasingly become more and more overprotective of his wife. As he was going on and on and on, Jean saw Emma's figure waddling up the front steps. She put the phone face down on the counter and ran to help her daughter in law. Jean hadn't even bothered to tell her son to "hold on". It wouldn't have mattered anyway... he was too wired to listen to logic.

"Emma, let me help you with that dear", Jean offered as she grabbed two grocery bags.

"Oh they're not that heavy."

"Still you shouldn't be doing too much", the older lady warned.

"Thanks. I'm fine though really."

Emma sat the bags on the counter with a sigh as she began unloading the various contents into the cabinets and fridge. She frowned as she nearly knocked the phone to the floor.

"Jean, did you have someone on the line?"

"Whoops", Jean smiled as she put a hand over her mouth. "I forgot. It's your husband."

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing. He was just scolding me for letting you leave the house without a chaperone in your fragile state."

Emma rolled her eyes and picked up the receiver.

"Hi babe...yes...no...okay...I'm fine...right...yeah...uh huh...really...nothing happened...sweetie, it's five blocks if that...alright...no...I'm sure...yes...yes...okay....yes...no...I don't know....okay...yes...I love you, too...see you soon. Bye now."

Jean could only shake her head as both women burst into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.

"That boy..."

"Jean, what am I gonna do with him? I swear it would be cute if it weren't so annoying."

"He's just a nervous first time daddy, that's all. If you think it's bad now wait until little Junior gets here."

Emma smiled as her hands found her burgeoning belly. She could feel their son moving about inside her and the miracle of life never ceased to amaze her. From the beginning it had been a glorious pregnancy. There was little fatigue, morning sickness or spouts of the other horrors of pregnancy. Instead Emma had never felt better and the couple had never been happier. It was beautiful the first time she ever felt the baby's tiny butterfly like movements inside her. It had been surreal the night she and Gerry lay cuddled in bed and the baby had kicked so hard that Gerry had felt it as much as she did. He had joked then and there that she was carrying the next star T.C. Williams Titan quarterback.

Every single moment had been a blessing from God. Each doctor's appointment where they could see the ultrasound of their gorgeous child, each time they were able to listen to the strong heartbeat. And then there was the day of course they found out it was going to be a boy. Gerry had said from the beginning that the sex didn't matter to him just as long as it was a healthy, happy baby but the relief and utter joy etched across his handsome face was evident for all to see once it was announced that the Bertiers were indeed expecting a son. Regardless, Emma was overjoyed. All her dreams were now coming true.

Emma awoke to gentle prodding as Gerry playfully poked her stomach.

"Babe...what are you doing?" her voice asked, still heavy with sleep.

"Playing with Junior", Gerry smiled.

It took a few seconds to register but soon Emma caught on to the game. Gerry would press lightly on her belly and within seconds their son would give a gentle kick back.

"Wow", Emma laughed. "I've got one pushing from the inside and one pushing from the outside."

"Am I hurting you, sugar?"

"No. It's okay."

She stroked his face. He was so handsome and so happy. Even in the darkness it was hard to hide the uninhibited joy displayed on her husband's beautiful face.

"I can't wait, Emma."

"Me too."

She couldn't help but smile as she looked forward to the feel, smell and sight of a newborn. Washing tiny clothes, counting little fingers and toes, singing lullabies...

"Are you scared, sugar?" he asked.

"A little", she truthfully shrugged. "I don't know if scared is the best word but I'm definitely nervous. How about you?"

"I don't know", Gerry sighed. "I've never felt like this before. It's a mix of nerves and being scared out of my mind mixed with a sense of love and happiness I never imagined possible. It's weird when I think about it but everyday, the bigger your stomach gets...I mean, it's beautiful. That's our little baby in there moving around and growing. It's us...an equal part of you me that we created. It really is a miracle, Emma."

"I know", she sighed, running her fingers through his hair.

"It might sound stupid but having this baby, for me...well it feels like being born again."

"Born again?"

"Well yeah. This is my son...our son. This is the boy that's gonna run and play and do Little League and Boy Scouts and he's gonna grow up big and strong and be the star football player. He's going to be everything I'm not, everything I set out to be but never got to finish. Does that make sense?"

Tears filled Emma's eyes as she nodded. Of course it made sense. It made more sense than anything ever had in her young life and it only solidified her notion that her husband was going to make the best father ever. Gerry would always be there...for both of them. He would never leave. He would discipline but still love. He would push their child to be the best but never pressure him. More importantly he would be there to love and guide and protect their little family always.

"I love you, Gerry. I really do. And I know I say it all the time but it's just because I do...I love you so much. I'm so excited about this baby. It's gonna make our family complete. And I know you are going to be the greatest dad ever"

"I'm gonna try, that's for sure. I hope I don't screw up too bad but I can promise you I'll do my best to do right by this kid. Emma, I'm so in love with our child and even though I didn't think it was possible for me to love you any more than I already do...well, I'm even more in love with you for having him. Thank you, sugar. Thank you for this gift. This baby is the best gift I've ever gotten...next to you."

She smiled through happy tears and kissed his lips. As if to agree, their son gave her one last gentle kick for the night. Sighing, they both fell asleep in each other's arms, content and warmed, thanking God for their littlest miracle.