Like the other girls, Sandra had mixed feelings about Martha going back to New York. But she also knew that her friend hadn't been happy since she returned to Hawaii. And as much as she didn't want to see her go, it was what was best for Martha.

Barbara and Dennis planned to marry in March and Evelyn told her that their friend worried Martha wouldn't be able to come back for the wedding because it was important to Barbara that everyone be there with her when she finally got married.

For Sandra though, she wasn't focused on March or anyone's wedding. The baby was due at any time and she was more than ready to have him or her. Deep down she hoped it was going to be a him. She loved her girls with all of her heart and knew that Danny did too, but she wanted her husband to have a son. He'd never said as much to her, but knew he was a little envious of the fact that Rafe had two boys. It was only right that he have a son of his own.

She'd find out soon enough.

Sandra was fixing dinner one early January evening and as she tossed the salad greens felt a contraction. She stopped and tried to relax as it intensified before it finally subsided. They had started out mildly enough that morning after she'd gotten the girls up and dressed. She took them with her to Ev's where the two women had their morning coffee and it was then that she felt the first twinge.

They had gotten stronger and closer together as the day progressed and that prompted her to pack a suitcase and put it by the bedroom door to be ready at a moment's notice. She called Danny to tell him that she was in labor but that it wasn't time to go to the hospital yet and he made her promise to call him as soon as she felt it was time to go.

Evelyn stayed with her through most of the day to help her with the girls and to keep them distracted when she would have a contraction. It got harder to do as the day wore on because the more intense they became Evelyn would stop to talk to her and talk her through it.

She finally called Danny to come home because the girls were starting to get a little scared and felt that they needed their father. He was home within minutes and after she made sure that Sandra would be all right with Danny there, she went home. She did make Sandra promise to call her if she needed anything.

So there she was with the salad tongs in her trembling hand and the contraction passed.

She breathed a sigh of relief that she'd gotten through it and as she continued to toss the salad she felt her water break. She sighed again because she knew that the hard work was about to begin but she also knew that she had some time before the baby would come. She put the salad tongs down on the counter before she walked out to the living room.

Danny was playing with the girls and she caught his eye before she told him softly, "My water just broke."

She could see him tense but he seemed to follow her lead and remained calm in front of Ann and Shelby. "Is your suitcase packed?"

"It's by the bedroom door." She answered. "I need to change my clothes so I'll bring it back out with me."

He nodded in understanding. "I'll take care of things in the kitchen."

She smiled at him before she headed to the bedroom. "Thank you."

It didn't take her long to change and she picked up her suitcase on her way back out to the living room. Danny met her at the end of the hallway and took the suitcase out of her hand to set it by the front door. "I called the hospital to tell them what happened. I happened to get Barbara and she's goin' to call the doctor and have him meet us there."

"What are we going to do about the girls? They've never been very far away from either one of us and I don't want them to be scared."

"If we talk to Barbara, she'd probably let them stay with me." He told her. "I ain't too crazy about the idea of leavin' them alone either."

She nodded. "I think I'm ready to go now."

"All right honey." He answered as he picked Shelby up with one arm and picked up the suitcase with his other hand. "Let's get you to the hospital."

Sandra took Ann by the hand and after they'd stepped out on the porch, closed the door behind them. She walked carefully to the car because as she moved, she felt the baby shift and move down and knew that it was getting ready.

Danny sat the girls down in the back seat of the car and put the suitcase on the floor before he opened the passenger door for her and helped her sit down.

No sooner was she settled that she felt another contraction and it was stronger than the last one. Danny sat down and started the motor. She leaned over and said quietly, "The quicker you can get us there the better."

"Contraction?" He frowned in concern.

She nodded. "And it was stronger than the last one."

"That makes them about ten minutes apart now, don't it?"

Sandra nodded again.

"Hang in there honey, I'll get you there." He said as he put the car into gear and backed out of the driveway. He started up the street and Sandra saw Evelyn sitting out on the front porch. She always waited there for Rafe at the end of his shift while the children finished their homework before dinner.

Danny stopped the car as Sandra saw Evelyn stand up and run down the front walk to met them. "Do you want to leave the girls with us?"

She leaned over and smiled. "Thanks Ev, but Danny would like to keep them with him."

Evelyn nodded and smiled in return. "I understand. I'll tell Rafe and have him meet you over at the hospital." She told Danny.

"Thanks Evelyn, I'd sure appreciate that." And as Evelyn stepped away from the car, Danny put it back in gear and headed to the hospital.

When they got there, Danny pulled up in front of the hospital and Barbara was there waiting. He got out and went around to help Sandra out of the car and get her into the wheelchair that Barbara had at the ready.

She sat there and looked up at him and for reasons she didn't understand, she began to cry.

He crouched down in front of her and took her hands. "Why you cryin'?"

"I don't exactly know. Maybe because we're about to bring another life into the world and I want it to be a boy so you can have a son." It made sense to her.

"It don't matter to me Sandra, it really don't. As long as you come through this all right that's all I care about." He reassured her.

"And that's why I love you so much."

He stood up and then leaned over to kiss her. "I love you too and we'll be waitin' to hear what we're goin' to get."

"Come on sweetie, I don't know how long that kid is going to wait." Barbara joked as she wheeled Sandra into the hospital and then leaned over. "You're a lucky girl Sandra."

She looked up and Barbara and smiled. "Don't I know it."

And her friend wheeled her away.