Disclaimer: They aren't mine! Only what's original...
Author's Note: Last Chapter Folks!
April 14
3:00 a.m.
"Breathe Kate."
"Ahhhhh! God it hurts!" she gritted her teeth and tried to control her breathing.
Jethro's eyes flicked nervously over Kate's laboring form. She had woken him up around midnight saying her water had broken and this baby was on it's way. Half an hour later, they arrived at the hospital.
"Kate, you don't have to do this without drugs." Jethro said. He extracated his hand from hers and shook the life back into it.
"It's...better...for the baby...if...I do this without...drugs." she protested. "Owwwwwww!" she screamed and grabbed onto the rail of the bed.
Dr. Collins came into the room flanked by Jenni, the nurse.
"Let's check your progress. From the looks of these contractions, I'd say you're doing great." the young doctor said, "You're at eight centimeters. Not too much longer."
When Dr. Collins left, Jethro walked out into the hallway to let Alison know what was going on.
"How long do you think?" Alison asked after her dad told her what the doctor said.
"I'd say about an hour." Jethro said to his daughter. "Are you sure you won't change your mind about being in the room?"
"Yeah. I don't want to be in the way." Alison replied
"Allie it's okay."
"I know, but you and mom created that baby and you two should be the ones to welcome him or her into the world."
"Okay." Jethro settled on that and went back into the room to be with Kate.
When Alison showed up on the doorstep three years ago December, Kate had said to her that it was okay for Alison to call her "mom". Alison told Kate she would, but to give it time. Two months ago, while in conversation, Alison slipped and said "mom" instead of Kate, and it stuck.
Alison wandered over to the windows that faced the street-side of the hospital. She stared out at the dark night and thought back over the past couple of years and all the pain and suffering she and her family had gone through had somehow made them stronger. As Alison stared blankly into the night, she didn't notice Tony come up behind her, until he tapped her shoulder and nearly made her jump out of her skin.
"Are you alright?" he asked when Alison finally calmed down.
"I was until you showed up." the girl replied.
"How's Kate?" Tony asked.
"Dad says she's doing fine, althought from the screaming that's coming from that room, I'd say she's in pain. How's Sara?" Alison asked about Tony's fiancee Sara, who had just found out she was pregnant as well.
"Sick and tired." Tony answered, taking a sip of his water. He meant that in the most sincere way he could.
Before Alison could say anything, an earshattering scream could be heard from Kate's room. Alison shuddered.
"I am never having children." she said with a laugh.
"Are you going to watch the birth?" Tony asked.
"No way." Alison put her hands up and backed away.
"Why not?"
"I guess I'm a little scared."
"You, scared? I didn't think that word was in your vocabulary." Tony sipped his water again and looked at his friend.
"Well it is now." Alison replied.
"Alison, I've seen them take scabbed over staples out of your leg without a wince from you. I've seen you fight hard every day to get yourself back where you are, and your telling me you are scared? Alison you are one of the bravest people I know, besides me of course."
"You need a pin, I think your head is getting a little too big there Tony." Alison remarked at Tony's last words.
"Allie, you should go in there, if not for yourself, then do it for Kate and your dad. Let them know you want to give them your support."
"I guess." Alison said, she scuffed her shoe on the tile floor, then looked back up at Tony. "I'm not going to say you are right, because I'm afraid you'd do one of two things, float away with that big giant head of yours, or drop dead due to brain explosion. One death caused by me in my lifetime is enough thank you very much." Alison turned on her heel and walked towards the room. She peeked her head in after knocking.
"Allie, you changed your mind." a weary Kate said. She outstreched her hand and Alison took it and gave it a light squeeze.
"A friend convinced me to come and be a support system." Alison smiled, "Besides, what if dad passes out? Who will be your coach then?"
"Hey." Jethro said. "I won't pass out."
Alison and Kate gave each other a look and laughed.
Kate's laughter was cut short by an intense contraction. Alison backed away, a look of fear crossed her face.
"She's okay." Jethro reassured his daughter. Alison walked over to the other side of the bed and hid behind her father.
Dr. Collins came back into the room a moment later and announced that it was time to begin the final stage of labor.
Half an hour later, a nine pound seven ounce baby girl was laid on Kate's chest. The baby let out a loud hearty cry the moment she was born.
"Congratulations." the nurse said happily as she towled the baby off. "I'm going to take her to the warmer and check her out. Is that the big sister?" the nurse gestured over to Alison.
"Go ahead Alison." Jethro gave Allie a little shove in the nurse's direction. Alison stepped forward and followed the nurse.
"She's a cutie." the nurse said when Alison took a look at her new baby sister.
"Can I touch her?" Alison whispered.
"Sure."
Alison brushed her fingers over the baby's soft hand. The baby girl reached out and grasped Alison's finger in her tiny hand.
"She's so strong." Alison said, when her father appeared beside her.
"You did the same thing when you were born." Jethro said. Alison looked up at her dad and noticed his eyes were a little misty.
"Was I that small?" Alison asked.
"You, Alison Rose, fit in the palm of my hand."
"Really?"
"Yeah really."
"Hey you two, I want to see my baby girl." Kate said from across the room.
"She won't let go of my hand." Alison smiled.
"Bring her over here then." Kate said.
"Me?" Alison panicked for a moment and removed her finger from the baby's grasp. Instantly, the baby girl began to wail again, as if she sensed the tension in Alison's voice. "Okay, okay." Alison gave the baby her hand as the nurse scooped her up and placed her in Alison's arms. Very slowly, Alison made her way over to the bed where Kate was, and very slowly, she placed the new baby in Kate's arms.
"I was right." Alison said when her father joined them. "I knew mom was having a girl."
"Well, your baby sister needs a name."
"We want you to name her." Kate said.
"Me?"
"Yes you. You're her sister." Jethro said.
Alison stared at the baby and thought for a moment.
"How about Grace?" she said, "Grace Danielle."
"Grace Danielle. It's perfect." Kate whispered, her eyes tearing up at the significance of her new daughter's middle name.
"Even though Danny isn't here in the physical sense, he'll always be here." Alison said, her own eyes getting a little teary. "And you, little Grace, will know all about your brother, I gaurentee that." Alison smiled at her little sister and once again the baby grabbed Alison's finger in her tiny fist, as if never to let go.
"Are you all set?" Jethro asked as he slammed the hatchback closed on Alison's car.
"I'm set." Alison replied, her voice filled with mixed emotions. It was late August and soon Alison would start college classes.
"You'll call us when you stop for the night?" Kate asked. She cradled baby Grace in her arms.
"I'll call." Alison promised.
"Is your cell phone on?"
"Yes dad, my cell phone is on and I have a few extra batteries just in case. OnStar is working, I tried it yesterday, and I found the neat little tracking device McGee must have stuck under my seat. I'll be fine dad."
"Still." Jethro began, Alison rolled her eyes and gave him a look.
"You worry to much." she teased.
"You're driving cross country by yourself, I'm allowed to worry."
"Daddy," Alison said, "I'll be back before you know it. Thanksgiving and Christmas are not that far off. You won't even know I'm gone."
"I'll know." Jethro said, giving his oldest daughter a hug.
"Dad, I have to go if I want to put in some decent driving time before dark." Alison pulled away from her father. She turned to Kate and baby Grace.
"You be safe okay?" Kate said as she passed the baby to her husband. She pulled Alison into a hug.
"I will." Alison replied. She turned to her father, who had Grace propped up on his arm. Alison smiled at her sister. "Bye Gracie, you be a good girl okay?" Alison cooed, using the baby girl's nickname. Grace gave her older sister a big grin. Alison reached out and took her sister from her dad. "Ooh, I'll miss you. Don't grow up to fast." She kissed the baby's head and handed her back to their dad.
"Bye Honey-bee." Jethro said, giving his daughter one last hug and kiss before she left.
"Bye dad." Alison whispered, her voice beginning to tremble. She turned to go to her packed car, then stopped and turned back. "I don't think I can do this." she said, tears clouding her blue eyes. Jethro gave the baby back to Kate and walked over to Alison. He took her face in his hands and looked at her.
"You can do this Alison. It'll be hard for a while, but you can do this. I know you can, and you know you can. Alison Rose, you don't have to worry about making me proud, you all ready do that very well. Just be you, and that's all you need to focus on."
"Okay." Alison wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I love you dad." she said, giving her dad one very last hug.
"I love you too Allie." Jethro opened the car door for her and closed it when she was all set. Alison started the car and waved to her family as she drove off down the street, her hand-made "UCLA or Bust" sign was stuck to her rear window. Jethro smiled and waved again.
When he could no longer see the little red two door, he walked back up the driveway.
"Do you think she'll be okay?" Kate asked
"She'll be fine."
"It's weird you know? Welcoming one daughter into the world and sending the other daughter off to college. It kinda makes me feel old in a way." Kate said.
"Makes you feel old? I'm alot older than you are Katie."
"I know." Kate giggled. "Let's go in, it's getting chilly out here."
"I love you Kate."
"I love you too."
The End!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You guys were awesome reviewers! It's the most ever reviews I've ever gotten for a story! I'm really glad you guys liked this story as much as I do. I had alot of fun writing it and now that it's over, it's time to plan the sequel, which I already have in the works. It may be a while though seeing as I promised a "Tate" fic for all you Tate fans. So to all my very "Loyal" reviewers, thank you thank you thank you a million times over for all your kind words and help along the way. I couldn't have done it without you! Annie