Disclaimer: I own ONLY AnneMarie.

Summary: This is my story, so its written my way =) Happy Reading!

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Gathering Together

2 ½ Months Later

"Come on Kim, breathe . . ." Tommy said as Kimberly squeezed his hand. "Come on Sweetie, you can do it."

"No I can't, it hurts too much!"

"Come on Kim. You can do it, and you know it. Just keep breathing."

"Where's my Mom? I want my Mom!" Kimberly whined, as she squeezed Tommy's hand as hard as she could, trying desperately to get through a contraction.

"She's coming Honey, she'll be here soon."

"Tommy, it hurts!"

"I know Honey, but you can do this."

"I wish Trini were here, she should be here!"

"She is here Sweetie, she's here in spirit. And I'm sure that right now, she is up in heaven, holding the baby, and talking to him, telling him all about his wonderful parents."

"OUCH!!!"

"Shhhhh, just breathe . . .Come on, I know you can do this."

"Where's my Mom!? I want my Mom!!"

"She's coming Honey. I promise, she'll be here soon."

"Hey, how's it going?" Jason asked, as he entered the hospital room.

"Its good. Kimberly is in labor, in pain, and wants her Mom. But other than that, its good!" Tommy answered, slightly mockingly.

"Kim, you need to chill." Jason said with a chuckle.

"Jason . . . . .Call my mom . . .Tell her to hurry up and get here." Kimberly begged as Jason stood next to the bed, with his arms folded across his chest.

"Kim, I'm sure your Mother will be here soon. Just try to relax."

"Jason please." Kimberly begged. "Please call my Mom."

"Ok . . . . . But I want you to do something for me too . . ."

"Jason please."

"Ok, I'll go call. But I want you to promise me that you will relax. You're going to need all the strength you can get, to have this baby. So just relax. Everything is going to be ok."

"I just want my Mom to be here. And I want Trini, but I know I can't have her. But I at least can have my mom. So please Jason, go find her for me." Kimberly said as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Honey, don't cry." Tommy said sighing.

"Sorry Bro! She's your wife! You're the one who got her pregnant!" Jason said shaking his head as Tommy looked toward him for help.

"Kim, come on."

"Kim . . ." Jason said softly, gently stroking her hair. "You really need to calm down. Your Mom will be here any minute. Just try to calm down before you hurt yourself and the baby. You're already making Tommy go crazy!"

"I just want my Mom Jase, is that really too much to ask?" Kimberly asked crying.

"Kimberly, come on. Its just hormones. Calm down. Your Mom will be here any minute." Tommy told her.

"I'll go call her." Jason told them. "But Kim, you really need to calm down. Let Tommy take care of you, ok? I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Thanks Jase." Tommy said as Jason kissed Kimberly's forehead, then turned and left the room. "See Honey. Everything is going to be just fine." Tommy said as he sat down on the bed next to Kimberly. "You just need to relax."

"Tommy . . . I really wanted everything to be totally perfect . . .And they're just so messed up . . . I miss Trini, she was supposed to be here. I want my best friend back . . . . ." Kimberly said crying.

"Oh Baby, I"m so sorry. I wish Trini were here too. But Sweetie, you know she's here in spirit. And she'll always be your best friend. She'll just be watching over you from Heaven, rather than from a few blocks away. You know that Trini loves you Kimberly. We all do. And I know that Trini has always been the one person you always turned to with everything, but she doesn't have to be the only one. I'm sure there are several other people that we know, who would jump at the chance to be your best friend . . . . ."

"What about Me?" a voice asked from the doorway. "Can I be your best friend?"

"AnneMarie . . ." Tommy said looking up to see his little sister standing in the doorway with flowers. "I'm glad you made it."

"I got a message saying to meet you here. Kimberly, are you ok?"

"She just missed Trini a lot. How was school?"

"It was ok. David bailed me out early though, and brought me over here. He said you could probably use me."

"I'm glad you're here." Tommy said reaching out, and pulling AnneMarie into a hug.

"Kimberly? Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Have you seen my Mom?"

"No, not since this morning. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it AnneMarie. Jason will find her." Tommy told her.

"Is there anything I can do? Tell me how I can help."

"You wanna just sit here with us?"

"We're family, aren't we?"

"We're more than just family." Kimberly told her. "AnneMarie . . . . . You know . . . . . I've been really lucky to have you around all the time . . . And I know that technically we're sisters, because Tommy and I are married . . . But you have been such a good friend to me, and . . . . . If you would still like to . . . . . I wold love for you to be my best friend . . . . ."

"You mean it?" AnneMarie asked.

"Of course I mean it. I love you. You're the best sister anybody could ask for."

"Thank you Kimberly, that means a lot to me. You're a great sister too." AnneMarie said, giving Kimberly a hug. "I love you."

"I love you too AnneMarie."

"Kimberly, Honey, Im so sorry I'm late!" Darlene said as she entered the room, and immediately went to her daughter's side.

"Mom!" Kimberly said reaching out for her mother, hugging her tight.

"Baby, I am so sorry! I should have been here sooner. I'm so sorry, my cell phone died."

"Mom, I"m sl glad you're here!"

"How are you Honey? Is there anything I can get you?"

"Other than drugs for all the pain?"

"Sweetie . . ."

"I . . . . . hate . . . . . contractions . . . . ." Kimberly said, squeezing Tommy's hand as tight as she could, as another contraction hit.

"How about some ice? Ice is good!" Darlene offered.

"Good Luck!" Tommy said sarcastically. "I've been trying that one since we got here."

"I . . . hate . . . ice . . ." Kimberly told her.

"Honey, you're going to get dehydrated. You really should have some ice chips."

"I . . . . .Refuse!"

"Can't she have a soda or something?" AnneMarie asked.

"No, its not good for her while she's having the baby." Darlene told them.

"That sucks!" AnneMarie said softly.

"Sweetie, when is the last time the doctor came in?"

"About an hour ago. He said it would be quite a while." Tommy answered.

"How long is a while?"

"A few hours. Kimberly wasn't dilated enough. But he said they would keep checking in."

"Ok . . ."

"Mom, I'm starving!" Kimberly whined.

"I'm sorry Sweetie. I wish I could give you something to eat, but I don't' need anybody killing me. But I'll make you a deal . . . . . If you calm down and relax, and are patient with the doctors while they deliver my grand baby. I'll smuggle you in a pizza or something. In fact, I'll bring you whatever you would like! But you need to calm down and relax. Being upset like this, isn't good for either you, or the baby. Much less for Tommy's sanity."

"See Honey. You just need to relax. I know you're anxious and nervous, and that you're scared out of your mind. But you aren't the only one. I'm scared too." Tommy said as he gently stroked her arm. "Just try to relax. Try to be the calm, laid back Kimberly that we all know and love."

"I wish my Dad was here . . . And Kenny . . . They should be here . . ."

"I'll go call them." Darlene offered. "Try to rest Honey. Let Tommy do all the worrying."

"Thanks Darlene." Tommy said as she kissed Kimberly's forehead, then left the room, passing Tommy's parents on her way out.

"Hey nana! Hi Pappi!" AnneMarie said with a bright smile.

"Hi Sweetie!" Christine said, giving her a hug. "How are you?"

"I'm good. How are you?"

"I'm great! Tommy Sweetie, how are you?"

"I'm good Mom. Thanks for coming."

"Kimberly, Sweetie, how are you doing? Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I wish I could have some food."

"How about some ice chips?'

"You're such a nurse!" Tommy told her.

"But it's a good thing I am, considering how many times I've needed to bandage you up over the years!"

"Well, the good news is that you shouldn't have to anymore. Because my racing career is over."

"You're quitting?" AnneMarie asked.

"I've just decided that my wife and my baby come first in my life, along with my brother and sister. And if I were to get in another accident, I may not be as lucky as I have been in the past. And it would kill me to hurt my family. So I'm giving it all up."

"Tommy, are you sure that's what you want?" Christine asked.

"I've been thinking about it for a long time. And I've talked to Kimberly about it . . . Its what's best for our family."

"As long as you're sure its what you want."

"It is. Kimberly and the baby are all that matter to me anymore. I cold care less what job I have, as long as they are both taken care of."

"I'm proud of you Son!" Daniel said proudly.

"Thanks Dad. For everything!"

"Hi, excuse me, I'm sorry . . ." a nurse started, as she walked in the door. "I'm going to have to ask everyone to leave the room, except for the parents to be."

"Can AnneMarie stay?" Kimberly asked.

"I'm sorry, I just need to check your blood pressure, and do a few tests. She can come back in, in just a few minutes."

"Come on AnneMarie, we'll go get a soda." Christine offered. "We'll be back in a few minutes."

"Tommy, is there anything we can get you?" Daniel asked.

"No thanks. I'll wait until Kimberly can eat too."

"Ok. We'll be back in just a few minutes then." he said, then followed his wife and AnneMarie out the door.





To Be Continued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .