Chapter 10

Saturday rolls around and Jo and Lizzie are at the spa. Mother and daughter indulge themselves with massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, and herbal wraps. The pair is relaxing in their wraps. "Ahh," Jo sighs contentedly, "this is just what I needed." She sinks down further.

"Me, too!" A strange sensation travels throughout her body and she gasps.

"What's wrong, Lizzie?" her mother asks, concerned.

"Nothing. In fact, everything's perfect." She sinks further into her wrap. "Thanks mom, for everything this week. I love my suite!"

"You're welcome. I'm glad you like it, although I miss you being upstairs."

"In a couple months, there will be two new babies in my old room. It won't seem so lonely then."

"No, it won't, that's for sure."

"And besides, you can come visit me in my suite, and of course, I'll help out with the twins."

The attendant comes into the room, "Are you ready to get out, ladies?"

"A few more minutes, please," Jo begs.

"I'm sorry. Time's up." She helps the pair out of their wraps so they can get dressed, and then leaves.

"Mom, I want to take you to dinner. It's our last night without the guys. Where do you want to go?"

"How about the Italian restaurant around the corner?"

"That sounds great! I love their Tiramisu. After dinner, let's rent a couple chick flicks and watch them down in my suite?"

"What are we waiting for, Lizzie?" Jo beams, "Let's go!"

----After Dinner-----

After dinner, Jo and Lizzie rent a couple movies, return home, and snuggle on Lizzie's couch.

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Tell me about when I was born."

"You were about six weeks early. Your father and I were coming home from a weekend chess tournament..."

Lizzie makes a face. "What's up with dad and chess?"

"Anyway, it was around midnight, and I was asleep in the front seat..."

-----FLASHBACK SEQUENCE BEGINS-----

Sam and Jo are traveling down a two lane winding highway. Sam is singing along to old tunes, and Jo is asleep. Jo begins to grimace, and eventually stirs awake.

Sam: Have a nice nap?

Jo: I don't feel so good.

Sam: Are you feeling sick?

Jo: I don't know. How much longer before we get home?

Sam: Oh, probably another hour.

Jo: Oh.

Sam: Do we need to stop somewhere? We can, you know.

Jo: No, I'll just try to get some more sleep. She closes her eyes.

Half an hour passes, and Jo appears to be in pain, but is still asleep. She moans a few times, and awakens.

Sam: Jo, what's wrong?

Jo: I don't know. Ohhhhh! looking surprised Sam, I think I'm in labor.

Sam: Now? looks flustered.

Jo: Yes, now! experiencing a contraction

The car lurches.

Sam: Uhh! experiencing panic.

The car lurches again.

Jo: Sam! What's going on? Aaahh!

Sam: I don't know!

Jo: Do something! Aaahh!

The car stops and steam billows from underneath the hood.

Sam: looks underneath the hood, and begins tinkering underneath Argh! he burns his hand, and slams the hood down

Jo: What's the verdict?

Sam: I'm sorry, we're not going anywhere.

Jo: WHAT? SAAAM! I'VE GOT TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL! AAAHHHHHHH!

Sam: I'm sorry, Jo. What do you want me to do? he replies, with a bit of exasperation The car WON'T run. The cell phone has no reception, so I can't call. We're stuck out here. I'm sorry.

Jo: begins crying I know. I'm out in the middle of nowhere, in labor with my first baby, and I'm scared she replies between sobs

Sam: puts his hands on her shoulders and looks her directly in her eyes I know you're scared. I'm scared, too. Let me help you. First, let me get help you into the back seat, so you'll be more comfortable. he helps her into the back seat, with her back against the back driver's side door, and positions pillows and blankets to make Jo more comfortable Does it feel like the baby is coming any time soon?

Jo: I don't think so. Ungh!

Sam: Okay, why don't you try to get some more sleep?

Jo: Okay. She pulls the blanket up to her chin and settles down into the seat. Eventually, she falls asleep. Sam settles into the front seat and sleeps as well.

A couple hours later, around 3 a.m., Jo awakens.

Jo: Sam! Help me! Owwww! she doubles over in pain

Sam: startles awake I'm coming, Jo. he gets out of the front passenger seat, and opens the back passenger car door

Jo: The, the, the baby's coming. she states between gasps Help me, Sam! I've gotta push! Aaargnh! her eyes widen

Sam: Let me slip off your pants. he slips them off and sees the top of the baby's head I see the baby's head!

Jo: Oh my gosh!

Sam: Push, Jo!

Jo: pushes Gaaah, it hurts!

Sam: The head's coming out. Push!

Jo: I am! Owwww!

Sam: The head's almost out! Push again!

Jo: pushes I am pushing, dammit!

Sam: The head's out. suddenly looks alarmed Don't push!

Jo: Wha? I have to push!

Sam: The cord's wrapped around the neck. Pant, like this! he pants

Jo: mirrors her husband Sam, help!

Sam: It's not tight. I'm getting it off. unwrapping the cord Okay, it's off. Give me another push. Jo pushes I've got the shoulders. Push, again!

Jo: I can't! So tired!

Sam: The baby's almost out. Don't quit now! Push, dammit! Jo pushes again One more push, and the baby will be out.

Jo: I caaaaaaannnnn't! She gives a big push

Sam catches the baby and flicks it on the foot. The baby cries.

Jo: tears up Sam, is she all right?

Sam: wraps the baby in a blanket It's a girl. She's perfect! presents the baby to Jo

Jo: Sam, she's beautiful! admires the baby Elizabeth Brooke McGuire. looks at Sam Sam, I love you!

Sam: I love you, too! kisses her on the lips

-------SEQUENCE ENDS-----

Lizzie sits mesmerized, as her mother concludes the story, "Shortly after your father handed me the baby, an ambulance pulls up beside us. Your dad had set up flares, and someone called an ambulance. You and I were taken to the hospital, while your dad accompanied the tow truck to the shop. The mechanic was kind enough to drive your dad to the hospital."

"Wow! Mom, that was amazing! I didn't know dad delivered me."

"That's why he has such a strong bond with you."

"So, what about Matt? Tell me about how he was born."

"Matt was late. I thought he would never come out. I think he enjoyed sitting on my sciatic nerve." Jo giggles.

Lizzie giggles in response. "Tell me about it, please!"

"Your father and I were watching a horror movie on TV," Jo begins.

"That explains a lot!" Lizzie quips.

"I thought I had indigestion, and felt bad all night. I snuggled up against your father and was on the verge of falling asleep. Suddenly, a particularly scarcy scene popped up, and I jumped. Then, a contraction hit, big time..."

-----FLASHBACK SEQUENCE BEGINS-------

Jo: Startles AAAAHHH! clings on to Sam's arm

Sam: laughs It's not that scary.

Jo: her face falls Uh, oh.

Sam: What is it, Jo?

Jo: Get the bags and wake mom. My water just broke.

He grabs the bags, wakes up Jo's mom and drives Jo to the hospital.

-------SEQUENCE ENDS-------

"So, mom, how long were you in labor with Matt?"

"About 10 hours. I was about 4 centimeters when we arrived at the hospital, so I got my epidural right away."

"I bet that was nice." Lizzie comments.

"It was nice to be in labor in a hospital bed with an epidural..." Jo begins.

"What, rather than in the back seat of a car in the middle of nowhere in excruciating pain?" Lizzie finishes.

"Anyway, everything was going well until it was time to push."

------FLASHBACK SEQUENCE BEGINS-------

Jo: alarmed Something's wrong! Ouch!

Dr James: Jo, stay calm. The baby's breech. He's coming out butt first.

Jo: What! squeezes Sam's hand

Dr. James: It's okay. Push!

Jo: Ouch! squeezes Sam's hand harder. Sam shrieks.

Dr. James: The posterior's out. Push again! Jo pushes The baby's almost out. Push again. Jo pushes Okay, stop. Pant, Jo.

Jo: Pants Owww! squeezes Sam's hand

Sam: OW! OW! OW! OW! My hand, it's broken!

Dr. James: I've got the head. One last push and you'll have your baby. Jo pushes. The baby comes out. Dr. James flips the bottom of a foot, and the baby cries It's a healthy boy!

Jo: Matthew James! the doctor places Matt on Jo's abdomen Oh Sam, he looks just like you! I love you, Sam!

-----SEQUENCE ENDS-------

"So," Lizzie begins, "Matt made his appearance by mooning the doctor!" Jo cracks up. Lizzie continues, "Mabye these babies will make their appearance smoothly." Lizzie places her hand on her mother's abdomen.

"Me, too!" Jo grins. "I love you sweetheart."

"Did you REALLY break dad's hand?"

"Actually, yes, in three places!"

"Oh, my gosh!"

"He hasn't let me live it down yet." She yawns, "I think I need to get some sleep. Your dad and brother will be back tomorrow." She starts to leave.

"Mom, take my bedroom. I'll take the couch."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, mom. I'm sure."