Chapter 27

A/N—Sorry for the format flip-flopping. I'll try to keep the formatting consistent from here on out. In addition, I haven't forgotten about my other stories. I will update them as the muse inspires me. Thanks for the kind reviews on all three of them. I appreciate the constructive feedback.

December—school's just about out for the semester. Lizzie is nearly 9 months pregnant and the twins are 6 ½ months old. (It's a Monday) Gordo is living in the McGuire's guest room.

Lizzie, Gordo and Jo are at the doctor's office for Lizzie's appointment. The doctor performs a sonogram.

"Look, Gordo," Lizzie exclaims, "there's our baby!"

"He's amazing," Gordo replies, awestruck.

"You still wanna be surprised?" Dr. James asks.

"Don't tell me. I don't wanna know. Lizzie hasn't told me. I wanna be surprised."

"The baby looks healthy." The doctor continues to run the wand over Lizzie's abdomen.

"So, when will I deliver?"

Dr. James looks at her notes. "It looks like you could go in about a week."

Lizzie looks excited. "So soon? I can't wait to see this baby!" She reaches her hand toward the screen. "Mom, look at your grandchild."

Jo pats her daughter's shoulder and a tear rolls down her cheek.

The doctor finishes her examination and shuts off the machine. "Okay, you can get dressed now." She, Jo and Gordo leave the room while Lizzie gets dressed. They return after Lizzie gives them the okay. The doctor continues, "You're at a 1 to 2, so I don't think you'll go into labor right now."

"Will I be able to take my finals?"

"When are they?"

"Thursday and Friday."

"If you haven't gone into labor by next Tuesday, we'll induce."

"Would I be home by Christmas?"

"If everything goes well, then, yes." Lizzie and Gordo look worried.

"Is there anything to worry about?" Lizzie clutches Gordo's hand tightly.

"No. Everything looks good." Jo nods. "Your mom explained your concerns about Joshua and that you're afraid that what happened to your brother will happen to your baby." The couple nods. "There's no way to know for certain, but I don't foresee any problems."

"Thanks." The trio shakes her hand and leaves the office.

Jo looks at her watch. "Do you guys wanna go for a pizza?"

"Sure, but what about the twins? Don't you need to get back?"

"Mrs. Garrett's babysitting and I've got bottles for them in the 'fridge."

Gordo blushes, which causes Lizzie to crack up. "Get used to it."

LATER THAT EVENING

Gordo and Lizzie are on her couch, watching TV. Lizzie stifles a yawn.

"Hey, it's late. Why don't you get some sleep?"

"I think I will." She yawns and walks to the bedroom. Gordo kisses her and starts to leave. "Stay with me tonight."

"But your folks..."

Lizzie cuts him off. "I know, but I don't want you to go. Please stay?" She bats her eyes. "I'm already pregnant, what more can happen?"

Gordo snickers. "Okay."

They dress for bed and climb in together.

"Hold me, please." He wraps his arms around her. "Can you believe it? Next week, we're gonna have a baby."

"Joshua Daniel Gordon."

"Don't forget, it could be Hailey JoAnne."

"So, it's a girl?"

"I'm not sayin'." Lizzie's upper lip curls in a mischievous smile.

"It's a boy?"

"Nope, not tellin'. You wanted to be surprised." Gordo kisses her on the cheek and Lizzie yawns. "I gotta get some sleep," she states in mid-yawn.

The couple manages to get a few hours' sleep. Lizzie stirs awake, doubling over in pain.

"Gordo!" She shakes him awake. "AAAAHHH!" No response. "Gordo!"

"What!" he mumbles in his sleep, "It's the middle of the night. Go back to sleep."

"GORDO! GET YOUR ASS OUT OF BED! AAAAHHH!"

Gordo sits straight up and sees his fiance in the grips of a contraction.

"Help me, dammit!" Gordo helps Lizzie up the stairs into the living room. "Get mom and dad! AAAAHHH!" She grabs her midsection. Gordo stands, frozen. "Gordo! Now!"

Gordo runs up the stairs and knocks on Sam and Jo's bedroom door. Sam answers. "Lizzie, she's, uh, she's, uhh."

"Slow down, son."

"Sam, what's going on," Jo asks from inside.

"Lizzie's in labor," Gordo blurts out.

"Sam," Jo begins in command mode, "wake Matt and call Mrs. Garrett. Gordo, let's get Lizzie into the car." She rushes downstairs to Lizzie's side. "Lizzie, honey?" She puts a hand on her daughter's shoulder.

"Mommy, it hurts. AAAAHHH!"

"I know it does. Let's get you in the car. Gordo, get her bag." She helps Lizzie into the car. Gordo follows. They wait a few minutes. "Where's your father?" She honks the horn. "C'mon, Sam," she mutters to herself. "How're you doing, Lizzie?"

"Okay," she replies, between breaths. "Owww!"

"Just breathe through it."

Sam runs outside. "Sorry. I gave Matt the heads up. Mrs. Garrett's on her way." He starts the car and drives them to hospital.

"Hurry daddy!" Gordo puts his arm around her shoulder. "Don't touch me! AAAAHHH!"

Sam pulls up to the hospital drop-off. Jo and Gordo get out and help Lizzie inside while Sam parks the car.

Jo runs up to the receptionist's desk and rings the bell. "My daughter's in labor." The triage nurse brings a wheelchair and helps Lizzie sit. Gordo looks lost. "Go with her. I'll get her checked in."

"Is he the father?" the receptionist asks.

"Yes, he is." Gordo stands there. "Gordo, go, now!"

The receptionist looks at Gordo, "Go ahead."

Gordo follows Lizzie and a nurse. Sam rushes in and sees Jo. "Where's Lizzie?"

"She's being admitted. Gordo's with her." Jo replies.

"Who are you?" The receptionist asks.

"I'm the father."

"I thought he was the father." The receptionist points toward the double doors.

"I'm Lizzie's father."

"Oh, okay."

An hour passes. Jo and Sam are in the waiting room. Lizzie and Gordo walk through the double doors. Sam and Jo stand up.

"What happened, honey?" Jo asks concerned.

"False alarm." She replies, disappointed. "I'm sorry for all this trouble."

Sam replies, "It's no trouble at all."

"I had a couple false alarms with you and Josh." Jo reassures, "It's normal, especially in a first pregnancy."

"That's what the nurse said."

"I'll go get the car," Sam replies. He kisses Lizzie on the cheek and leaves.

Jo looks at Gordo. "How are you holding up?" He stays in a daze. "Gordo?" He startles. "How are you holding up?"

"Oh, I'm fine."

"You looked a little lost there."

The three walk out of the hospital as Sam pulls up. It is nearly dawn. They drive home.

Lizzie yawns, as she opens the front door of the house, "I'm beat."

"Why don't you go to bed. I'll call the school. Gordo, you too," Jo suggests. The couple do as they're told.

Matt walks down the stairs. "What, no baby?"

"Not yet," Sam replies, "get ready for school and I'll drop you off on the way to work."

"Is Mrs. Garrett here?" Jo asks.

"Yeah, she's asleep in the guest room."

"I'll go check on the twins. Finish getting ready for school." Jo goes upstairs.

Meanwhile, down in Lizzie's suite:

"I can't believe it was a false alarm," Lizzie moans.

"It happens. That's what the nurse said."

"I know. I just want to meet this little guy." She rubs her abdomen.

"Me, too." He puts his hand on top of Lizzie's, "Hey, little guy. We can't wait to meet you. Err, just wait until daylight hours to make your appearance. Okay?"

Lizzie cracks up. "I think I need to get some sleep."

"Yeah." He kisses her on the lips. "Goodnight."

"Stay with me."

He looks at the door, then back at Lizzie. "Okay."

They go into the bedroom and fall asleep.