It was June and now Della was now three weeks overdue. Two months earlier, the Traggs' welcomed their daughter, Cassie. She completed their family. The doctor said that at the moment, Della and the twins weren't in danger. If things changed, he'd induce delivery. Della thought it wouldn't be much longer. She thought that every day. That, that day was the day. It never was. "Are you ready for lunch?" Perry asked his wife. When she didn't answer, he looked up. Della was sitting on the couch taking steady breaths. "Della, what's wrong?" he rushed to her side.

"Sorry, sweetheart," she said, "I'm just tired."

"You're not in pain?"

"No more than usual."

"Do you want me to ask Paul to pick up lunch and bring it here?"

"Yes," she said, "I don't think I'd be able to make it to a restaurant."

Perry phoned Paul. He told him what to order and then to order himself something. Forty-five minutes later, Paul walked in and took the lunch to the table. "Okay, mama, lunch is served."

Perry walked over and helped his wife to her feet. She winced as she felt all of her weight on her feet. "Can you make it to the table?"

"I think so."

It was slow, but eventually, Della was seated at the table. "This can't be healthy," Paul said, "what did your doctor say?"

"There's not really anything they can do. I can go on bed rest, but no matter what position I'm in, I'm in pain. I could be induced, but right now the three of us are actually okay."

"I wonder why this one is so much worse than the others? I know you have two in there this time, but you didn't struggle at all the other times."

"No, I didn't," Della said.

"Are you chasing after those kids?"

"Nope," she said, "they're on their own."

"Well, I'm sure Perry helps."

"Are you kidding me? He's usually why they're in trouble."

"I can believe that."

"I'm just spending quality time with my little girls," he smiled. "Keeps them distracted."

Once they were finished with lunch, Paul and Perry cleaned up. While cleaning up they heard a noise. "Perry," Della called.

"Paul, have Gertie call for my car," Perry said as he rushed to his wife.

"I don't think I can walk to the car," Della said. Perry helped his wife to her feet. When it became clear that she couldn't walk, Perry lifted his wife into his arms. "Perry, put me down. You're going to hurt yourself."

"Della, I'm fine," Perry said.

"Just use the chair."

Perry sat his wife in the wheelchair. Gertie grabbed the coats and handed them to Paul who carried them to the car.

It had been three days since Della's water broke and there was still no baby. The doctor pulled Perry aside, "we may have to do a cesarean."

"She doesn't want one."

"Perry, she may not have a choice. She's three weeks overdue and has been in labor for three days. I know Della's strong, but this is taking a toll on her. If we don't do a cesarean, you may lose her."

Perry sighed, "let me talk to her. She's at seven, right?"

"Yes," the doctor said, "I'll be back in a half-hour."

After he left, Perry walked over to his wife, "he wants to do a cesarean, doesn't he?"

"He said it may come to that."

"What happens if I refuse?"

Perry took a deep breath, "you could die."

"Well, he's just full of good news, isn't he?"

"Della, I know you don't want to, and I respect that."

"Perry, if I have to then I have to."

"Really?"

"I can't leave ten children without a mother."

Perry was confused, "with the twins, we'll have eight children."

"I was including you and Paul."

Perry chuckled, "well, the doctor will be by shortly. We'll tell him then. By the way, why have you been so reluctant to be induced and have a cesarean?"

"Well, the recovery time from a cesarean is at least a month. I've been trying to avoid it because it's not the most convenient with our brood." She sighed, "you would think that I'd want to be induced, but all of our children arrived when they were ready. Maureen was two days early, Vivi was on time, Maggie was three days late, and Violet was a week late. I guess I didn't think it would go on this long. It didn't feel right to force it."

The doctor returned a half-hour later and went to check Della. "If you need to do a cesarean, that's fine," Della said.

"I don't have to," the doctor said from his seat, "you're at ten."

"It took three days to get to seven, and a half-hour for the other three?" Perry questioned.

"Labor is a mysterious thing. Every case is different. Let's get you to the delivery room."

A half-hour later, Della felt the first baby slip from her body. A cry was heard. "Congratulations! You finally have a baby boy," the doctor said. The couple was ecstatic. Della held the baby for a moment before handing him to a nurse so she could get ready for the next one.

"Which one is he?" Perry asked.

"Maxwell Phillip," Della said.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm so tired. I don't know if I can do this again. I should have had a cesarean."

Della had a difficult time delivering the second baby. Perry was worried and noticed that everyone else in the room was worried too. Finally, a second cry was heard. "You have another boy," the doctor said, "congratulations."

"Sweetheart, I knew you could do it," Perry turned and saw his wife's head roll to the side. She was deathly pale and the machines were all going off. The nurses rushed Perry out of the room. As the doors closed, Perry saw the puddle of blood.