DISCLAIMER: This (apart from the plot) is not mine. Ann Brashares beat me to it.

I am sorry I have taken so long but I'm back at school and I'm sorry but assignments some before fics. Anyway, tell me what you think.

Chapter 18

Carmen snuggled into her husband. He had fallen asleep a few hours ago and he was now snoozing in the hospital's chairs. Carmen, Lena and Bridget were all going home the day after tomorrow. Carmen hadn't seen Tibby since yesterday but Carmen was looking forward to meet baby Chantelle. Carmen tried to imagine what Tibby's new baby would look like but Lena's description hadn't been the best. All Lena had said was, 'Um… Well she has no hair and a few freckles ad um…"

So Carmen was left to collaborate with Bridget what Chantelle McBrian would look like. Everything seemed to be falling into place now. Only Gilda's future was a little unsteady. But who knew what time would tell?

Lena had become Aetos's true partner. She felt as if she didn't deserve him but little Alexandra and Daemon kept them up and so they had plenty of time to talk. She was smiling to herself as she relived the happy hour she and her husband had down at the local restraints while the nurses took care of the twins. They had time to talk about things they never spoke about before. The most trivial matters like favourite foods weren't even know until then. Lena felt as if she had let Aetos down, as if she didn't really mean her vows. Now the wins were born she and Aetos had grown plenty more closer. She and Aetos should have known these things before they go married. But now she and Aetos were a real couple.

Bridget was standing up. That was a feat within itself. She had been lying in her bed the entire time since baby Dianna came. But now she was standing in her room by the window just… thinking. She thought about Dianna's hair, it was the hair, she had her mothers eyes and nose and mouth. The only part of Dianna's father that showed was her chin. Even if Bridget didn't her ex-husband, she had to admit Dianna was very cute. Just then, a horde of kids bounded in. Bridget's kids hadn't seen baby Dianna yet because Bridget was too tired. She smiled and opened her arms to her children. They rushed straight into them and started talking at once, "Eric is so cool. Can he be our dad?" "Is it really a girl?" "Eric is the awesomest he let us stay up all night."

Bridget looked over at Eric, he looked sheepish and he gave a shifty grin. Bridget beamed back at him and he smiled. Then the mid-wife came in with a little pink bundle. The kids, who were silent, started making noise over again. "It really is a girl." Connor moaned.

There was another uproar from the boys.

"Time Out!" Bridget called, "How 'bout you guys go down to the cafeteria and grab something to eat!" She gave a few dollars to James and said, "Share."

Off the kids bounded. Then it was just Eric and Bridget. He put his hands in his pockets and he fumbled a bit. Then he said the words Bridget would never forget.

He said, "Bee, I know it is not really the time or place but… if I wait much longer I will die waiting. Bridget. I just want to know…" he took a deep breath, "I want to know…will you marry me?"

Tibby was just watching Chantelle breathe. As of an hour, ago Tibby and Brian became the official parents of Chantelle. In Tibby's eyes, she was a thing of beauty. She had sparkly blue eyes and she smiled gappily at everyone. She snuffled in her sleep. It was late. Tibby supposed for a baby. She looked at her watch. Then she jumped. The program on Gildas was going to start in ten minutes. She rushed about the house picking up baby stuff before bundling Chantelle into her capsule. They were not going to miss this show.

A/N: I'm sorry it is so short I just wanted to put a chapter up to quench my guilt. I will try to update ASAP.