Ch 64

Paul was farthest thing was Mark's and Lisa's mind over the next few months as they prepared for their child to arrive. Lisa continued traveling with Mark till she was almost seven months pregnant and decided it was best for her to stay home. She kept busy while he was away taking care of Kelly and getting the nursery ready. On his breaks, Mark helped her paint the nursery and assemble the crib. He was feeling more and more like Kelly's father everyday as he watched her grow. Kelly had even called him daddy a few times making his heart overjoyed. They were a happy family waiting anxiously for the arrival of the new baby.

Lisa was thirty eight weeks along and feeling like a house when Mark decided he wasn't returning to the road till after she had the baby. He was too worried about letting her down and not being there when she went into labor. Vince was very understanding telling Mark to take as much time as he needed off. Lisa was relieved to have her husband home. She was getting more and more nervous as it got closer to her due date.

The first day of February was chilly and snowy when Lisa woke up early not able to sleep anymore. The baby had been kicking her like crazy all through the night. Even Mark was woken up during the night by the baby's movement as he cuddled his wife feeling the kicks under his arm. Lisa slowly climbed out of bed pulling a robe on as she made her way to the kitchen. She was in the middle of making coffee when she felt Mark's arms go around her.

"How is my beautiful wife this morning?" he kissed her neck running his hands to her stomach. "And how is my little one?" He instantly felt the baby move under his touch making him smile.

"I think this baby is going to kick his or her way out," Lisa smiled.

"It sure felt that way last night. I don't know how you deal with this," Mark caressed her stomach feeling all the movement like the baby was doing somersaults inside of her.

"You get used to it after awhile," Lisa placed her hand over his looking out the window at snow blowing wildly. "It looks like a blizzard out there."

"The news said one might be coming this way. Looks like it's arrived. This is perfect weather to stay in bed all day," Mark kissed the curve of her neck when knocking started.

"You expecting anyone?" Mark asked as she shook her head no. He kissed her cheek going to the door. Lisa stayed in the kitchen waiting for him to come back. "Sweetheart we have a visitor."

"Good morning you look amazing as always," Glen came into the kitchen shaking off the snow before hugging her. He felt the baby kick against him. "Wow strong little guy," he stepped back placing his hand on her stomach feeling another kick.

"It could be a strong little girl," Lisa said not really caring if it was a boy or a girl. She just wanted a healthy happy baby.

"Didn't you guys found out what it was?" Glen asked as they both shook their heads no.

"We decided to leave it a surprise," Mark really wanted to know at their last ultrasound but he respected Lisa's wishes about leaving it as a surprise.

"Its better that way. I almost forget," Glen disappeared into the other room coming back with a huge yellow bunny rabbit and a bouquet of red roses, "this is for the baby and the flowers are for you."

"Thank you, you're so sweet," Lisa hugged him again kissing his cheek.

"Sorry big man I forget to bring you something," Glen grinned at Mark as Lisa started to laugh.

"He can share mine," Lisa couldn't stop laughing as Mark gave her a priceless look rolling his eyes. Mark wrapped his arms around her just as Kelly started to cry.

"You two relax I'll get her," Glen quickly went toward Kelly's room.

"She is probably hungry," Lisa was about to step away from Mark when she felt a contraction grabbing onto him tightly.

"Lisa, are you okay?" Mark held onto to her as she breathed through the contraction.

"Yes, I think so just a contraction," she paused looking into Mark's eyes filled with surprise. He swiftly picked her up carrying towards the front door. "Mark, stop!"

"Darling, I have to get you to the hospital," Mark's mind was racing a mile minute as he tried remembering what they learned in Lamaze classes and if he put her bag in the truck.

"Not yet, wait till I get a few more contractions," Lisa kissed his cheek.

"Did I miss something?" Glen came back into the room with Kelly.

"Yeah, she is in labor," Mark put Lisa down as Glen's mouth dropped.

"Shouldn't you be taking her to the hospital? Neither one of us can deliver a baby and that snow storm is getting worse and worse," Glen was filled with terror.

"Glen, this is my first delivery I could be in labor for a day maybe more. I rather stay here than in a dreary hospital room," Lisa made a sour face as Mark shrugged his shoulders.

"The doc did say to wait till the contractions were close together and coming regularly," Mark sighed. "My truck will be able to get through the storm and the hospital is only a few minutes away. Glen, do you mind staying here till the storm lets up in case we need you to stay with Kelly?"

"I don't mind at all," Glen smiled kissing Kelly's cheek.

"Thanks," Mark patted Glen's shoulder before turning to Lisa. "As for you darling, you better get into bed. I'm going to call your mom to come over here too just in case anything happens."

"I'm not going to bed. I want to stay here," she kissed his cheek. "Kelly, do you want breakfast?" Lisa asked her making Kelly smile happily. She played with Kelly for a few minutes while Mark talked to her mom.

"Your mom will be over shortly. She agrees that it's too early for you to go to the hospital. She wants you to stay off your feet. I'll make breakfast," Mark gently moved her to a chair.

"Mark, I can help," she protested.

"You play with Kelly. I'll help," Glen put Kelly in her lap as she let out a sigh. "You better enjoy this once the baby comes you'll be so busy you'll miss moments like this."

"He is right darling. Just relax," Mark kissed her lightly.

"They don't give me much choice do they?" Lisa smiled talking to Kelly.

"Mama," Kelly laughed wrapping her arms around Lisa's neck.

"Ahh she is trying to cheer you up," Glen loved spending time around Kelly. She was the little ray of sunlight he needed in his life. He just wished Christina would come around and let him in to help her. "She really thinks of you and Lisa as her mom and dad doesn't she?"

"Yeah, Kelly is our daughter as far as we are concerned," Mark said as Lisa took Kelly to the window showing her the snow. "I'm going to be the proud father of two little ones soon."


The rest of the day was peaceful as Lisa had contractions off and on. Her mom and her step father walked over bringing enough things to stay in case something happened. Lisa's mom watched her daughter carefully all day noticing the way Lisa would wince slightly when the contractions came. After dinner, Glen put Kelly to bed while Mark helped Lisa clean up after dinner. Lisa was putting the dishes away when she had another contraction. She tried to deal with it without worrying Mark.

"Breathe through it darling," Mark rested his hands on her shoulders calmly talking to her. "You have been having contractions all through the day haven't you?"

"Yes, but they haven't been close enough to call the doctor," Lisa was glad the contraction passed. "I guess I'm not good at hiding them."

"Do you want to go to the hospital?" Mark caressed her face.

"No, its still snowing and you heard the news all the roads are closed except for emergency vehicles. I don't think the baby will be coming anytime soon. My body is just getting ready," Lisa tried to reassure him.

"Ok darling, but if you start to get worse I'm taking you," Mark kissed her softly. "Come on let's go watch a movie." Mark took her hand leading her into the living room where Glen and her parents were watching the news. Lisa cuddled close to Mark while listening to them talk about the blizzard. The warmth of her husband was lulling her to sleep. She was almost asleep when she felt her water break.

"Oh no," she started to sit up as very strong contraction started.

"Lisa!" Mark grabbed onto her as she tried to breathe through the pain.

"Mark, my water broke," she winced in pain.

"I'll have you to the hospital in no time," Mark went to pick her up as she stopped him.

"There is no time. The baby's coming now!" Lisa tried not to panic feeling there was no time to get the hospital.

"She can't have the baby here!" Glen exclaimed as Mark motioned for him to calm down.

"Glen, go call the ambulance and her doctor. Eric, bring plenty of blankets," Lisa's mom took control as Mark helped Lisa up while Glen ran off to call for help.

"Darling, it's going to be okay. I promise you everything will be okay," Mark kissed her forehead seeing the fear in her eyes. Mark tried to stay calm knowing him getting worked up would only upset Lisa. He gently picked her up moving her into the bedroom in between contractions.

"The ambulance is on the way. The doctor will be calling…" Glen turned white when he saw how much pain Lisa looked like she was in clinging to Mark's hand.

"Glen pull it together, women have babies everyday. When will the doc call?" Lisa's mom looked at him. Lisa felt panic run through her hoping the baby would be alright. She felt bad knowing she probably should have gone to the hospital earlier.

"In about five minutes," Glen tried to keep his cool.

"Shit, that might be too long," Mark looked at his wife seeing the worry filling her face.

"We will help her deliver the baby," Laura calmly said. "Eric, Glen, please go keep a watch for the paramedics." Lisa's step father and Glen quickly left the room glad Laura sent them away.

"Mark!" Lisa let out a scream as he held her hand. "The baby is coming I can feel it."

"Sweetheart just breathe and let the baby come," Mark tried to keep her calm while Laura laid out the blankets readying herself to deliver her grandchild. She had helped deliver a baby before when one of her bed and breakfast guests went into labor in the middle of the night. Laura swallowed hard hoping the paramedics would arrive shortly.

"Oh God!" Mark didn't know what to do as Lisa yelled again as the baby started to come into the world. Laura silently mouthed for him to get Lisa to push.

"Push darling," Mark whispered to her. He was ready to yell in pain himself as Lisa gripped his hand tighter pushing hard with each contraction. Tears were running down Lisa's cheek as the baby's cry filled the room bringing tears to everyone eyes. Lisa collapsed back against Mark waiting to see their baby.

"Congratulations you two have a beautiful baby girl," Laura wrapped her granddaughter. She gently lifted her letting Mark and Lisa see their new daughter as the paramedics came through the door.


The paramedics took care of Lisa and the baby getting them to the hospital. Lisa insisted Mark stay with the baby while they checked her out. Mark was in awe watching his new daughter cry and squirm as they measured, weighed, and checked her all out.

"Mr. Callaway, your daughter is in perfect health," the nurse placed the baby into the bassinet. "Your wife is in room 12C if you would like to take your daughter down for a feeding."

"Thank you I will," Mark slowly rolled his daughter to his wife's room. He opened the door finding Lisa looking better talking with her doctor. "You have a visitor Mommy."

Lisa perked as Mark gently lifted their daughter placing her in Lisa's arms. Lisa looked down into her daughter's pale green eyes running her fingers over her strawberry blonde hair getting tears in her eyes.

"She is beautiful," Lisa sobbed kissing her daughter's fingers.

"The nurse wants to know what her name is," Mark smiled sitting next to his wife as the doctor left.

"How does Rose sound?" Lisa looked at his husband.

"Perfect," Mark kissed her softly. "Hello Rose," he kissed his daughter's forehead feeling intense happiness. He was thankfully his wife and daughter were fine and he planned to keep them happy and safe forever.