Chapter 11 [8:36 PM]

Sol had long sunk toward its western rest. Luna brushed the landscape with her pale light. Chill rustled through the loose leaves.

And at Rivertree, Wait was about to end….

[Penny's Bedroom]

Penny grimaced from another contraction. "Sure wish this would be over already!" She grabbed onto the sheets. "Dang gum!"

"You are doing so well. It will be soon!" Victoria wiped Penny's forehead with another cloth.

"Gosh! I hope so!" Penny looked over to Blue. "You're still…here?"

"I told you. I'm just keeping out of the way is all." He sucked in a deep breath.

Penny nodded. "I feel… I want to push!"

Trinidad stuck her head under the blanket. "I see the head! Blue." She motioned toward the door.

"Sure. Victoria, let me know?" he requested.

"You will be the first." Victoria nodded. "Let us do our work por favor."

"Love you." He told his wife. Then he left the room.

"AHHH!" Penny trembled. "They want to be out of there! COME ON!"

"And they will be." Victoria sucked in a deep breath. "I am ready. Ven a mí, Pequeños. Push!" She muttered one more prayer. She felt the head first. Then she eased the little one out completely. "I have this one!"

"And the other one will not wait!" Trinidad placed her hands underneath the emerging head and body. "This one is fine as well." She made sure the lungs were clear. "¡Doña Victoria, por favor!"

Victoria made sure that baby's lungs were clear. Her heart warmed at her armful's first wails. She looked the baby over. "He's a boy! ¡Bienvenidos!" She kissed his forehead.

Trinidad handed the second baby to Victoria. "Me permitirá." She cut the two cords. "There! You have a boy and a girl."

"A boy…and a girl?" Penny gasped. Joy lit up in her eyes. "BLUE! BLUE!"

"These babies will be washed first! You will be first, Chico." Victoria wiped the older brother off first. "Your sister will be next." Her eyes sparkled into the wailing infant's as she wrapped him in a blanket. "We will not have you cold! No! ¡Nunca!" Her lips stole another kiss off of his small forehead.

"I clean her." Trinidad wiped down the tiny sister. She wrapped the baby in another blanket. "Ahora ellos están listos." She motioned to Blue.

Victoria smiled. Pride swelled within her. Her eyes watered. "Felicidades, Blue. Here is your son. Handle him con cuidado por favor." She placed the fussing infant in his arms. "One hand under his head. That is good!"

"This is su hijita. Felicidades, Señor Blue." Trinidad walked the crying infant over toward him.

"I…I…" Awe struck him dumb. He regarded the little one in his arms. He looked upon the little sister in Trinidad's arms. Responsibility crashed over him much like a tidal wave at that point.

He was a father. .Really he was a father….

"Triny, can you hold her up in front of me? Her brother's kind of got my arms full." He bounced the small bundle in his arms. When he saw his daughter's face, he smiled. "Hi! I'm your Pa! I…I love you both. Hey! Why don't we let your Ma see you?"

"Gosh, Blue. I never thought you'd bring them over." Penny smirked.

"We ain't forgettin' about you." He brought their son over. "Our kids, Penny. Here's your Ma, you Two." He set their son in Penny's arms. Then he accepted their daughter from Trinidad. "Gracias, Triny." He regarded the baby. "And you thought I was going to forget you? Nope! Sure ain't doing that!"

"As we agreed, Blue?" Penny looked to him.

"Yup. This one's going to be James John Cannon. And you, Missy, you're going to be Victoria Anna Cannon." Blue glanced to Victoria. "That okay?"

Victoria put her hand to her chest. "Of course! ¡Muchissimas gracias! Tears dribbled down her face. She wiped them off with her handkerchief.

"Victoria, can you get John? I'd like him up here first," Penny requested.

"I most certainly will!" Victoria turned to hustle downstairs.

"Victoria?" Blue looked up from his daughter's eyes and face. "Thank you for taking care of them."

Victoria nodded. "De nada. Seeing you like this is my greatest joy. I shall let your father know." She smiled and hurried from the room.

"Gracias, Triny. We sure appreciate it." Penny examined her babies' faces and features. "I just can't believe it!"

"You helped to bring Pilar and me back to Sam, Señor Blue. We all be happy." Trinidad nodded to him. "They are healthy and strong."

"Hey, Triny, that was sure our pleasure! I still remember Sam hugging you two. I'm glad we can make each other happy. You know?" He smiled for her as well.

"I know. Muchissimas gracias." Trinidad backed up a step. She allowed the new parents to enjoy the moment.

The next generation was with them at last….