For Disclaimer, please see chapter one. Thanks.

A/N: Hi everyone! Thanks for the reviews! I hope you enjoy reading this chapter! Don't forget to review!

anmechick- because it's "personal information" it cuts off the end of e-mail addresses in reviews, stupid I know. To e-mail you, you need to put it in under "e-mail address" without signing in to review. That way it will show up. Also, the site will automatically e-mail you when i update if you choose "add to author alrert" when you review. Thanks for the review!

For The Moment

Chapter 7: A Joyful Reunion

As soon as Sarah stepped off the plane, she had a rush of adrenalin. She was actually here, in Houston, Texas. She took a deep breath and started for the security check point. As soon as she made it though, she smiled widely at the site of Ruthie, sitting down in one of the small black chairs facing her. She was looking out the window, holding a round stomach. Peter sat next to her, holding her hand. He looked up and smiled when he saw Sarah. He got Ruthie's attention to show her that her sister-in-law had arrived. As soon as she saw here, Ruthie's eyes lit up. She rose and hurried to her, throwing her arms around her when she arrived. Sarah laughed and hugged her back.

"You're here!" Ruthie cried. "Sarah, thank you so much for coming. I've been looking forward to this since you called!" Sarah smiled as Peter approached the women. She hugged him too, then they all looked at one another. "Let's go get your bags and then we can head back to the apartment." Ruthie said. They quickly found Sarah's bright red suitcase, then went to the car. When they arrived at the Petrowski's small apartment, Ruthie looked at Sarah apologetically.

"I know that you and Matt have a big house. I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this small little place." She said. "We set up a bed for you in the to-be-nursery. I feel terrible!" Sarah laughed and waved her hand.

"Don't worry about it! I'm just so glad to be here. I'd be happy sleeping on the floor, really. Don't give it another thought. I'm here to help you, not be pampered." She replied with a smile. Ruthie smiled too and they started inside. Sarah put her things down in the half-blue nursery then came out to the main room where Peter sat watching the news. Ruthie had her hand around her stomach. She smiled when she saw Sarah approaching.

"Feel this." She said, taking Sarah's hand and putting it on her stomach. "He's kicking." Sarah laughed as the memories from her own pregnancies came flooding back to her.

"Oh Ruthie, I'm so happy for you guys." Sarah told her. "You're finally having a baby." She sighed and looked around. "Listen, this weekend is all about you. You don't have to worry about keeping me occupied or going out to dinner or anything like that at all. I'm here to help you with whatever you need…cooking, cleaning, getting groceries, what ever. I know what it's like when you have a stomach out to there. It makes things difficult! I wish I could be here until the birth just to help you out!"

"Thank you. You being here now is more than enough, really." Ruthie said genuinely. "How is everyone doing? Mom and Dad? Matt and the kids? Lucy, Simon, Sam, David?" They walked over to the table so that Ruthie could sit as they talked.

"Everyone's doing well. Eric and Annie are amazing as usual. Hailey turned 15 a few weeks ago and they threw a party for she and Eric at their home after church. It was so much fun! Matt's doing really well. He loves his job. It's hard to have him always on call, but that stuff is his life, and I'm just happy that he enjoys what he does. Plus he was totally supportive of me coming here. It was his idea! The kids are great as well. Kate's entering her teen years relatively well. There's a few attitude problems, but what teen doesn't have those, you know? And Jake's really losing that shyness that he's had for so long. He's branched out a ton this year and has made so many new friends since the school year started. Amanda's still totally shy, but my gosh is that girl sweet. I wish you could see her, Ruthie. And everyone else? Wow let's see here. The Kinkirks are doing well. I don't know how Lucy and Kevin do it; having 6 kids, I mean. But they always have it together. Lucy was so sad that she couldn't come with me to see you. But with Kevin as a police officer, he's not home that much, especially on the weekends, and she still has little ones around the house. She sends her love though, and says to call her if you need anything. Simon and Cecilia are doing well. The boys are crazy like usual, and Grace is spoiled like none other, but she's still a sweetie pie. Sam and Lina are also doing pretty well. They're having a little trouble with Abby though. The kid's only 6 and she is having some major attitude difficulties. And David is good too. Still no thoughts of kids." She said with a laugh. "That won't happen for awhile."

"I'm glad that everyone's OK. Man, I hate being out here away from all of you. But we both love teaching here. The kids are great, and we've formed so many friendships with the people who live around here. And Peter doesn't want to move at all. I mentioned it right after we found out I was pregnant, and he was totally opposed to it." She looked down at the floor. "I know he's right. This is where we're meant to be. It's just hard to have these specific nine months away."

"I understand completely." Sarah told her. "Matt and I still lived in New York when I was pregnant with Kate. I thought I was going to go crazy not having the family around! As soon as I found out that I was going to have another baby, I told Matt that we had to move back to Glen Oak." She squeezed Ruthie's hand. "It's hard to be pregnant with out your family around, and I won't lie, it's hard to have a baby and watch them grow up with out having family to share it with. But I know that you love it here. It's hard, but you'll be able to do it, I know you will." She hugged her as tightly as Ruthie's protruding stomach would allow.

"Yeah…" Ruthie trailed off. "Thanks for being here. Really." She said. Sarah nodded knowingly and stood up.

"I'm going to make you some lunch she said." Ruthie protested for a minute, but finally Sarah won and Ruthie sat back down with a sigh. "What can I get you? How does a turkey sandwich sound?" She asked.

"That sounds great." Ruthie replied and Sarah pulled out the ingredients. After making one for herself as well, she sat down next to Ruthie and they began to eat. After a minute, Ruthie moaned and put her hand on her stomach. "Can you just stop kicking for one second?" She complained. "It's cute every once in awhile, but not now. Just let me eat!" Sarah smiled sadly at her, remembering feeling the same way. They continued eating and finally the Jackson gave the kicking a rest. After Sarah cleaned up their mess, she turned to Ruthie.

"So, what do you feel like doing? Do you need a nap? I know I was always tired during my pregnancies." Ruthie shook her head.

"No, I'm fine right now actually. I have a doctor's appointment in about a half hour though. When it's time to go, would you mind driving me up there?" She asked. "Peter has to go down to school to grade some tests soon."

"Yeah sure I'll drive you down there, no problem!" She said. Ruthie walked into the room that she and her husband shared and changed into a different outfit. As she came back out, Peter walked over.

"I'm going to leave now. I have my pager and my cell if you need anything, ok. Don't hesitate at all." He told her, and she agreed. "I love you." He told her. They kissed and Peter wrapped his arms around his round wife. "Good luck at the doctor's office. Honestly, if anything at all comes up call me and I'll be there. I know you'll be in good hands with Sarah though." He kissed her forehead, said goodbye, and started out the door. Sarah looked over at Ruthie.

"It's nice he's so supportive." She said. "Matt was like insanely into it when I was pregnant, judging that he's an OB/GYN. He was there at every single step. Sometimes it even got annoying!" She said with a laugh. "He knew more about what was happening and how I was feeling than I did!" Ruthie laughed too. "Well, are you ready to go?" She asked.

"Yeah, let me grab my purse." Ruthie replied. She did so then tossed Sarah the keys with a smile. They started out of the apartment and got in the elevator to go to the parking lot. When they reached Ruthie's car, they climbed in and started the short drive to the doctor's office. After she parked, Sarah helped Ruthie out of her seat, and they walked in. Only a few minutes after Ruthie had signed in, her name was called.

"Good luck!" Sarah told her happily. "I'll be here when you come out." After Ruthie went in, Sarah grabbed a magazine from the table next to her and began to read. After about a half hour, Ruthie emerged again from the door she had gone through. "All done?" Sarah asked.

"Yep." Ruthie replied, "Ready to go?"

"Yeah. How did it go? Everything ok?" She asked as they started out the door and across the parking lot.

"Everything's fine. The baby's good, and my check up went well." Ruthie replied. Sarah frowned across at her as they got into the car.

"What's wrong? Are you OK? You don't look so good." Sarah said, sounding worried. Ruthie put her hand on her stomach and shut her eyes for a moment, then looked back at Sarah.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just…I don't feel so good." She said.

"What do you mean?" Sarah said, getting more nervous every second.

"I feel sick." She told her. Sarah leaned across the car and put her hand over Ruthie's forehead, but felt no fever. "Don't worry, I'm fine, go ahead. I think it was just all the talk about me being in the third trimester now. I'm just a little scared I guess."

"It's going to be OK. Listen, we're still here, do you need to go back in?" She asked. Ruthie shook her head and Sarah started the car, driving back to the Petrowski apartment. When they got there, Sarah helped Ruthie out of the car and into the elevator. As soon as they arrived at the apartment, Ruthie laid down on the sofa and moaned. Sarah walked over and knelt next to her.

"Are you sure you're OK?" She asked. "I can call Peter if you want."

"No I'm fine. Don't call Peter. I'm just freaking out. I mean, did you know that only 5 of babies are actually born on their due dates? 5 ! What if I go into labor really early? What if something happens?" Sarah smiled sadly at her sister-in-law.

"It's going to be OK. Trust me. Even if something were to happen, you'd make it through. I mean, even if the worst-case scenario came true, you'd be ok, and you'd have Peter and all of us here for you." She put her hand on Ruthie's stomach and smiled when she felt kicking. "Nothing's going to happen, kiddo." She said. "See, the baby's kicking. The doctor said you and Jackson are doing fine. Rest easy." She said. "Why don't you take a nap. It'll help ease your mind." Sarah helped her up and tucked her into her bed. Ruthie thanked her and Sarah left. Yes, she remembered having the same fears that Ruthie was having, and she knew in her heart that no matter what, everything would be ok.

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