(A/N – My writing muses are really burning today! I typed all the way through my standard mid-day nap just to finish up a chapter for posting! Now I'm gonna go eat and sleep and dream about how best to wrap up this story! I write about two chapters ahead. Hope you enjoy!)

Hope, Light and Key Lime Pie – Chapter Nine

"Hmm…very interesting." Izzy said, his fingers flying over his laptop. "Bright beam of light, prophecy fulfilled, and a heavy feeling in your stomach."

"Yeah, what do you make of it, Izzy?" Kari asked, strumming her fingers on the countertop.

"Whoa! Too bizarre." Izzy said, setting his head in his hand as he glared at the screen. "Have you ever had this dream before?"

"Umm…no. Not to my memory."

"Fascinating." Izzy sighed, keying in more commands. "Remember when Gennai told the new guy there was a part of the prophecy that wasn't complete yet?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe it was complete last night." Izzy theorized, looking off into space. "You were probably transported to the digital world in your sleep, something happened to complete the prophecy, and you were sent back to the real world all within a few seconds without anyone knowing it."

"But why didn't Gennai just contact me instead of completing the prophecy in my sleep?" Kari asked, playing with a strand of her hair.

"Maybe he knew that you would be busy with the pregnancy and the kids he didn't want to get in the way or something." Izzy said, continuing to key in commands.

"I hope this is one of the good prophecies." Kari asked, a hand now rubbing her belly. "We've seen our share of the bad ones. I hope I'm not going to give birth to another Myotismon or something."

"If that's the case, then may I recommend some form of birth control in the future for you and TK." Izzy said, dryly, a small grin on his face. "We can't very well have you two creating an all mighty force that can threaten the future of the real and digital worlds."

"Ha, ha." Kari laughed. "But still…"

"Besides, if it was something really and truly important, he would have called us back and our kids wouldn't have missed us for a minute."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Kari said, sighing with relief. "Where's Mimi?"

"Oh, she has the twins and 'Miko today," Izzy sighed, his voice now taking on a definite drained tone. "And my charge cards too."

"May I offer my sympathies beforehand," Kari said, patting Izzy on the back. "On the death of your account balances and credit limit."

"I'm currently accepting donations for the lost cause." Izzy groaned, grinning ruefully.

I swear there are days when I wouldn't mind wearing contacts again. Dr. McKnight thought as he removed and wiped his glasses off for the fifth time that day.

He glanced up at the small, now blurry screen that showing the elevators current position in the building. It was now between the third and fourth floors.

Suddenly the lift gave a shudder and bounce as it ground to a stop. Dr. McKnight gave a small lurch and quickly grabbed the rail that ran around the elevator. The cab was then awash in red light.

He quickly composed himself and pushed his glasses on his face. His eyes quickly shot to the display that was tracking his course through the building.

This looks bad. Dr. McKnight thought as random characters flashed across the screen.

As he reached out to press the emergency alarm the elevator gave another lurch, and Dr. McKnight felt the elevator slowly resume it's ascent. The display panel now flashed the words, "Auxiliary Generator: Online" on the bottom of the screen.

Thank God for small miracles and alternate power sources. He thought as he picked up his wet umbrella as the doors opened up.

"Dr. McKnight, man I'm glad you're here."

Joe held the flashlight up to his face, and pushed one into the African American's hand. A loud clap of thunder resounded through the building as a bright bolt of lightning temporarily illuminated the now-dark waiting room.

"We've been loosing power off and on all day today due to the storm." Joe explained, holding the flashlight out in front of him. "The storm has been playing havoc with our electrical systems."

"What about auxiliary generators and backup batteries?" Dr. McKnight asked, switching on his flashlight as he walked behind the main reception desk. "The elevator backups were working."

"Engineers are working on the generators. Only vital wards are getting the backup battery power: ER, OR and the ICU's."

"We rank somewhere around fifth or so." Dr. McKnight sighed, his fingers tapping a key on a blank computer screen. "We get the leftovers until the generators come back. What's our patient load right now?" he asked, casting his flashlight beam to the now black patient check-in screen.

"Luckily it's pretty light right now." Joe said, picking up a clipboard and shining his light on it. "We only have two pushing and three laboring. Dr. Miles sent all pre and postnatal exams to Shinyaku Memorial."

"Who do we have on deck?" Dr. McKnight asked, picking up a chart and walking down the hallway.

"You, me, Dr. Miles, Steve and Dr. Greystone." Joe replied, keeping up with his pace. "We have a few RN's, but since we weren't going to be busy for a while, she sent a good many home."

"Cool, cool. I'm going to get out of these wet clothes and help out a bit. Let Dr. Miles know that I'm here and that she can take a break when she finishes."

"Oh yeah. Before I forget." Joe said, digging in his back pocket. "Dr. Miles wanted me to give you this." He pulled out a small walkie-talkie and tossed it to him. "Inter-house communications. This floor is assigned channel three, ER is one, ICU is two and OR is five. If you need to get in touch with the engineers, just go to channel twelve."

"Thanks." Dr. McKnight said, turning the knob at the top. The device gave a small chirp in his hands. "I'm gonna go change."

"Okey doke." Joe said, nodding and spinning on his heels back down the dark hallway.

Dr. McKnight pressed the talk button on the front of the device. It gave a soft chirp. "McKnight to Miles."

"Miles here." The voice said from the walkie-talkie. "Josh, is that you? Over."

"Yeah, it's me. I'm just coming on. Where are you? Over."

"LDR suite one. Got a mother in here crowning. Greystone has a mother in two pushing. Over."

"I hear ya. Need any help? Over."

"No, no. I got it. We just need to get together and come up with a game plan. Over."

"Sure thing. I'll join you wen I get out of these wet clothes. Over."

"It's called an umbrella, Doctor. Invest in one. Over."

Dr. McKnight scowled at the device in his hands as he heard the distinct sounds of giggling in the background. "Ha, ha ha." He laughed dryly. "I'll see you later. And tell your patient laughing in the background I hope her kid has a hard head. McKnight out."

The African-american doctor opened his office door and shined the light in the dark room, sighing as he futilely pressed the power button on his computer. He picked up the walkie-talkie again, and tuned into channel twelve. "Maternity Ward to Engineering."

"Engineering here, go ahead."

"Yeah, this is the maternity ward. What is the ETA for us getting any power up here from the backup battery reserves?"

"Sorry, Doc. ER, OR and ICU's get first dibs with the juice until we get power to the aux generators."

"I know, but I have five mother's up here delivering our future. It would kind of help if we could have some power to do it."

"Wish I could help you doc. Sorry."

Dr. McKnight groaned and removed his glasses. "All right. At least try and get us power to our emergency outlets. I have fetal monitors that need the power."

"Can't help you there, doc. I can't reroute battery power through the outlets. Sorry."

"Is there ANYTHING you can give us?" Dr. McKnight said, his patience now clearly at a breaking point.

"We can send up more portable battery packs and UPS systems."

"I would appreciate it. Thank you. Maternity out." Dr. McKnight growled, throwing the walkie-talkie back on the desk.

"Ah, well…no paper work to contend with, anyway."

"Mommy! Daddy!'

"Mommy! Daddy!"

TK and Kari groaned and looked up at the two blurry figures standing in their doorway. "What's wrong, you two?"

"The thunder scared us!" Tamago said, slowly walking up to the bed, Karashi following right behind. "Can we sleep in here with you?"

"Yeah, mommy, please?" Karashi pleaded, sticking out her quibbling lower lip.

Before Kari could answer, a bright burst of light filled the room and a loud crack shattered the momentary silence.

"Ok, kids. You can hop on in." TK said, scooting over a bit in the bed. "Just snuggle in right—Tamago? Karashi?"

"Here we are daddy!" Karashi said, her small brunette head popping up from under the covers next to Kari.

"I'm over here, dad!" Tamago said, a small hand waving over the top of Kari's large round stomach.

TK sighed and slumped back down into bed. Tamago and Karashi snuggled close to their mother, who was already making herself comfortable in the bed again, turning on her side to face the window. For some reason, she was having difficulty getting comfortable in bed that night.

"Mommy?"

"Yes, Tama?" Kari groaned sleepily.

"The bed is wet."

"Oh, Tamago, I thought I told you to go to the bathroom before you—"

"It wasn't me, mommy. I checked."

Kari lifted up the blankets and looked underneath. The sheets underneath her and the blankets were wet.

"Tamago. Scoot over for a second. Mommy has to go to the bathroom for a second." Kari whispered, quickly scooting off the corner of the bed and padding slowly to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

The young boy hopped back into the bed and snuggled in the warm spot where Kari was laying, being careful to avoid the wet spot.

About two minutes later, Tamago hopped up and padded towards the bathroom, Karashi and TK still sound asleep. As he got closer, he heard the sound of slow, steady breathing coming from the closed door.

The dark room glowed with another bolt of lightning. The deep rumbles vibrated Tamago's insides, freezing him in his tracks. For a minute, he considered turning around and jumping back into bed, but he kept on his course towards the door.

He tiptoed closer and closer to the closed door, the breathing sound getting louder. He gulped as he gently knocked on the door. "M-mommy?" The young boy squeaked out, "M-mommy, are you in there?"

"Tama, go wake up daddy and Karashi. I think it's time for the baby to be born." Kari said softly from the other side of the bedroom door.

"Really mommy! It's time!" Tamago said, his eyes widening. "Are you doing it now?"

"Not right now, be a good big brother and go and wake up daddy and Karashi. We have to go to the hospital."

"Okay! I'm on it mommy!" Tamago said, quickly padding back to the bed, shaking TK and Karashi. "Daddy! Karashi! Wake up! Wake up!"

TK slowly opened his eyes, looking at the young boy standing in front of him. "Wha-what's going on?"

"The baby is coming! The baby is coming!" Tamago chanted. Karashi slowly sat up in the bed, eyes puffy with sleep.

"What are you talking about Tama?" Karashi groaned, "How do you know?"

"Mommy went to the bathroom because she wet the bed and I followed her to the bathroom and she told me so!" Tamago said stubbornly.

"Mommy wet the bed?" TK said urgently, scooting out the bed. "Was mommy groaning Tamago?"

"A little. She was breathing hard like she ran a race."

"Oh, good grief. You two stay right here. I'm going to check on mommy." TK said, padding quickly to the bathroom. He rapped on the door. "Kari, it's me. I'm coming in." he opened the door and closed it behind him.

A minute later, TK stepped from the bathroom, a slightly shaky hand combing through his yellow blonde hair. "All right, guys. It's baby time." He announced to the two children. "We have to get ready to go. You guys get dressed for me." TK said, looking out the window as sheets of rain pelted the glass, another flash of light illuminating the room.

The two young kids scrambled out of the room.

Kari emerged from the bathroom, "I'm okay," she panted, holding her stomach. "Just like I remembered."

"The kids are getting ready to go. I'm gonna check the weather forecast." TK said, picking up the remote.

"…as you can see, there's a massive storm over the greater Odabia and Sinjuku areas. We have reports of massive flooding in these areas, along with power outages and downed power lines all throughout the town. Authorities are asking all residents of these areas to stay in their homes and—"

There was an audible click heard around the house as the TV went dark. Out the corner of his eye, he saw the bathroom light turn off, with Kari looking on from the bed.

"DADDY!" Karashi cried from the adjacent room. "The lights went off!"

"Don't worry, baby! Everything is going to be just fine!" Kari called, looking up at TK, a small trace of worry in her eyes. "What are we going to do, TK?"

"I don't know, angel." TK sighed, slumping next to Kari in the bed, pulling her into an embrace. "How are you feeling?"

"Strangely calm." Kari said, wrapping an arm around her husband. "I mean, I feel the pressure, but it's not really hurting."

"Mmm…" TK hummed, nodding slightly, kissing her on the forehead. "We're going to be all right, Kari. We've been through worse."

"Don't I know it."

"Well, I'll get the flashlights and emergency stuff." TK sighed, walking out the bedroom. "And I think I should call Dr. McKnight and let him know that we're stuck here. I wonder if we can get cell service in the storm?"

"Probably. I think I'll get up and fix some breakfast." Kari said, pulling herself to her feet. "I hope the stove still works. What do you want for breakfast?"

TK stared at her in shock as she pulled on a robe. "Are you kidding? You're in labor! You should be laying down or something!"

"TK, I'm not in any pain, and I don't wanna lay here not doing anything." Kari sighed, feeling her way towards the bedroom door. "Besides, remember what we read online?"

"Yeah, but that was for home births and stuff like that."

"Well, unless you have a spare boat in the closet," Kari said, gesturing out at the cloudy black sky, the rain coming down in sheets. "This is a home birth. Now what do you want for breakfast?"

TK gawked at his wife as she passed him to the kitchen. "Errr…umm…an omelet?"

"You got it." Kari said with a wink as she walked out into the dark living room.

To be continued…
(A/N – Yes, I do enjoy leaving these cliffhangers, just for those who are wondering! I spent the time I usually use for napping for working on this story, so I hope you guys appreciate it! Last time, I gave you guys a break; when I said I wanted to get at least 6 reviews, I only got five! What's up with that! But, I decided to give you the benefit of the doubt and post another chapter anyway. This time, seven reviews for the next chapter! So review!)