This is The 7th story in the Fire and Rain series. As with the other stories, I have put together a Soundtrack that goes with it. Enjoy the story, and the music!
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I
They didn't have you where I come from
Never knew the best was yet to come
Life began when I saw your face
And I hear your laugh like a serenade
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
I slip in bed when you're asleep
To hold you close and feel your breath on me
Tomorrow there'll be so much to do
So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
As you wander through this troubled world
In search of all things beautiful
You can close your eyes when you're miles away
And hear my voice like a serenade
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
Lullaby, The Chicks
Even though Jo and Blair had moved from Manhattan to Rockville Centre, it hadn't changed their hospital of choice to have the baby. St Mary's Hospital for Children in Bayside, overlooking Little Neck Bay was highly recommended, and close enough from The Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Rockville Centre. Blair's OB-GYN was affiliated with St. Mary's.
Doctor Washington had asked Blair about her contractions, the blonde telling her they were sporadic, about eight minutes apart, and so far were mild. With that information, Dr. Washington advised Blair to go home, relax, even take a shower, and when the contractions hit six minutes, lasting one minute or longer, for one hour or longer, then head from Rockville Centre to Bayside.
Charlie had called Jo at the dealership, Jo giving instructions to Fran and Myles, all of her employees hugging her, wishing Blair good luck and Godspeed, then she hopped on her bike and headed home. She arrived about fifteen minutes before Blair, Charlie, and Rose.
When Blair walked in the door with her in-laws, as she always called them, Jo greeted her with a beaming smile, Blair answering back with the same. "Well, well, it looks like blondie junior is gonna join us soon."
Blair rolled her eyes. "You barbarian." They kissed sweetly, Jo noticing that Blair's blouse and dress were wet.
"Dad told me the water broke, but I don't care, I wanted to give you a big hug and kiss, Princess. How you feeling?"
"Pretty good", Blair said with mild surprise, making Jo smirk back. "I think I'm gonna get these clothes off, then take a warm shower. I think there's some sub sandwiches in the fridge if you want to give them to Grandma and Grandpa."
Rose and Charlie both turned at hearing those words, Rose holding back tears, Charlie smiling proudly.
"You're gonna give them both big heads, Blair, thanks a lot." Everyone laughed, Blair departing for the bathroom.
Jo got the sandwiches out, and some root beer for the three of them. "Thanks for getting Blair home, guys", she said gratefully. "I'm sure she coulda driven home herself, but it takes a load off my mind."
"We were happy to, honey", Charlie said. "Besides, I could get used to driving an SUV like that. That's a nice set of wheels."
"Well, why don'tcha both get new wheels?" Jo actually got a little upset, knowing the baby was coming soon. "You got the money now, start livin' life, will ya?"
Her parents looked mildly hurt, Jo instantly regretting how that had come out. "I'm sorry, Ma, Pa, but you've earned it. Stop hanging out in your little apartments in The Bronx. See the world!"
The two looked at each other, Charlie nodding at Rose. "Actually, honey, we were going to wait to tell you this til after the birth, but since we have you here."
"Tell me what?"
"Well", Rose said, a tentative smile on her face, "your father and I have been talking a lot lately-a lot since you returned a couple years back. That whole nightmare woke both of us to so many things that were important-accepting you for who your, your partnership with Blair, and how good the two of you are for each other. After we sold the stocks we did more talking."
"Jeez, Rose", Charlie said with some exasperation, "the baby'll be born before you finish tellin' her, for cryin' out loud."
"Enough of that, Charlie", Rose said with a stern look. "Anyway, we realize how important you and Blair are to us-you're our family. We think of Blair as our daughter-in-law, and we will never turn our back on you ever again. With all that in mind, your father and I have decided to buy a place in Jericho-it's a five bedroom, five bath place, with a huge, beautiful kitchen and family room, and this beautiful wood-burning fireplace, and..."
"W...wait a sec", Jo said, realizing what her mother had said. "You two are gonna buy a place together?"
Charlie spoke up. "Yeah, Joey, your mom and I have decided to make a go of it together again. Sometimes we've driven each other nuts, but now, being retired, and we can enjoy life, and see some of the world before we get really old? Believe it or not, you and Blair, and how deep your love is for each other, was the clincher. We're family."
Jo got up and ran around the table, both her parents rising, Jo taking them into a back-breaking hug, tears running down her face. "My Ma and Pa, back together again." She leaned into both of them. "You don't know how long I've prayed for this. Next to becoming a mom, I can't think of better news. I love you both."
"It's the strength, devotion, and love that you and Blair have that made us reconsider our lives", Rose declared. "Now, we aren't gonna travel around just yet. We want to get to know our grandchild first before we start globe-trotting." They all laughed.
Jo turned, seeing Blair leaning against the far wall in the living room, tears in her eyes. The look on Blair's face said it all, Jo walking up to her lady. "You knew 'bout this, didntcha, Princess?" The smirk on her face, Blair thought, was so adorable.
"I was sworn to secrecy, Joey, but I'm damn glad I did. I'm so happy for you, love, and your parents."
"This day's just getting better and better." She kissed Blair warmly, hugging her and whispering. "I love you, babe."
"I love you, Joey. Won't be long til we're parents now."
Eight Hours Later
"Joanna Maria Polniaczek", Blair Warner screamed, "I so fucking cannot wait til you have to go through this!"
"C'mon Princess", Jo said, giving Blair some more ice chips as the blonde's contractions became longer and spaced even closer together. "You're doing fine, baby."
"Don't baby me when I'm trying to push a baby out of me, goddammit!" The nurses looked at Jo with knowing eyes, Jo actually wanting to laugh. Had she done so, she was quite sure she wouldn't live to hold their child.
"Just keep your breathin' steady, blondie. That's it, not much longer now, honey."
"You said that three hours ago! Does this kid want an engraved invitation."
"Apparently so", Dr. Washington said deadpan between Blair's legs. That did make Jo snort a laugh, Blair giving her a death glare.
For a moment, the pain subsided, Blair realizing what she had been saying. She looked up at Jo's masked face. "Oh Joey, I shouldn't be talking to you like that. But this is not fun, honey."
"Hey, it's okay, Blair", Jo said lovingly, putting the cool washcloth on her partner's forehead. "You're doing unbelievable."
"Just...stay right here with me, love."
"I ain't going anywhere, sweetie. We're gonna have a baby shortly. I'm stayin' right with you." Jo leaned down with her mask still on and kissed Blair on the cheek. "I love you, Princess."
"I love you too...oh, goddammit!" Another hard contraction struck.
From there, it was a blur for Blair. Fifteen minutes later, Dr. Washington spoke with a firm, loud voice. "Blair, honey, okay, the baby's coming down the birth canal. It hasn't crowned yet, but it's getting close. Push for me, Blair."
Holding Jo's hand, Blair sat partly up after taking short breaths, and pushing, screaming at the pain as her vagina widened for the child.
"Okay, I'm getting a crown, I can see a head of hair."
Blair cried happily, Jo still squeezing her hand.
"Okay, Blair", Dr. Washington commanded, "one more mild push. Don't bear down, or you'll shoot the baby across the room." Everyone laughed, breaking the tension.
Blair looked up at Jo for support. "This is is, Princess, one, nice gentle push, and we'll meet our child."
Blair controlled the urge to push with all her force, and sat up slightly, suddenly feeling less pressure in the birth canal.
"That's enough pushing, Blair, I've got the head and..." In a few moments, the baby slid out, the child not needing a spank to start crying, a high-pitched wail echoing in the room.
Hearing the baby cry, Blair broke down into sobs of joy, Jo leaning into her. "Oh, God Joey, we have our baby. Listen to those lungs."
"Musta heard you making a racket in here, blondie. I'm so proud of you!"
The nurse holding the baby quickly had another nurse cut the umbilical cord, then she cleaned the baby up, the infant still crying mightily. The nurse came around to Blair and Jo.
"Congratulations, ladies-it's a boy."
They both burst out into tears as their child was lowered into Blair's arms for the first time, tears cascading down her smiling face. "Oh Joey, he's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. He's perfect."
Jo couldn't speak for the moment, as she was crying as hard as Blair.
"Hello little man", Blair said gently, kissing her son for the first time on the forehead, "welcome to the World. I'm so glad to finally meet you." She kissed him again. Looking up at Jo, who still couldn't speak, Blair smiled, nodding at her partner.
Jo looked at Blair, understanding her meaning, the brunette bending down and gently picking up their son out of Blair's arms, then standing straight up. The moment overwhelmed Jo Polniaczek. "Hello there, little fella", Jo finally squeaked out. "We haven't figured out what we're gonna call each other, but I'm one of your mom's." Everyone laughed sweetly. "I've just met ya', and already I love you more than anything." She looked down at Blair. "He's got your eyes, blondie. He's perfect."
A few moments later, the baby was taken away temporarily to be examined, weighed and measured, while Blair was cleaned up. She was exhausted, but had never felt so alive in her life. She'd just brought a new life into the world. It awed her.
"So looks like you get to do the naming, Princess", Jo said with a smirk, finally able to take her mask off, kissing Blair's lips.
"I know we were supposed to have several names ready, love, but I came with one, and I knew it was perfect-unless you object to it."
"Don't keep me in suspense, blondie", she chuckled.
"How does David Charles Warner sound to you?"
Jo began to cry again, the name resonating with her immediately. "After both our dad's", she whispered softly. "God, baby, I can't think of a better way to honor your dad, and to include Pa's name in it? I love you so much!"
They hugged tightly, Jo knowing that Blair would have to take a nap soon, and be moved into recovery with their son.
In the waiting room, the whole gang was there: Rose and Charlie, Mrs. Garrett and Tootie had arrived. Natalie would arrive later that night. Richard and Dwight were waiting with their ladies, and Dennis Levine had even arrived to hopefully hear the news.
They were all softly chatting when, after what seemed an eternity, Jo came out of the delivery room, looking tired, her face tear-stained, but a beaming smile on her face.
"It's a boy!" Everyone cheered and took turns hugging and kissing Jo, who held each and everyone of them tightly, having them there meaning everything to both she and Blair.
"You gonna give us the skinny, Jo", Tootie asked, "or hold the info back."
"Okay, Toots, keep your pants on." Everyone laughed warmly. "He's 7 pounds, 5 ounces, 20 inches long." She moved over toward her father to continue. "And we've named him David Charles Warner."
Without fail, everyone shed at least one tear, the significance of the name not lost on any of them. Rose went up to her daughter. "Named after both his grandpa's?"
"What could be better than that, Ma?"
Rose hugged Jo tightly, happy tears on her own face. "I'm sure he's beautiful."
That broke Jo's demeanor again. "Ma, he's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
It would be a couple hours before visitors were allowed, Jo going back into the recovery room to watch Blair feed their son for the first time, Blair falling asleep shortly after that for a well-deserved rest.
Jo had watched with fascination as little David latched on to Blair's nipple, and instinctively began to suck and feed. Blair was exhausted, but the look on her face was one of pure joy and love, softly touching her son's hair and cheek as he fed.
"Lucky kid", Jo said with a wink, making Blair giggle.
"Perv", Blair said, still laughing. "Jo, he's just so perfect. And very hungry."
It's amazin', isn't it? Two hours ago, he was inside you, now he's wondering how the heck he got here, and oh, this is good food."
Blair again giggled. "I see you're gonna be the comedian for him?"
"Trust me, Princess", Jo said, sitting next Blair on the bed, running a hand over tiny legs, "he'll get enough comedy from both of us."
"I think you're right, honey." Blair closed her eyes and took a deep, satisfying breath, her face still glowing. "I'm the luckiest woman on Earth, Joey." She turned to look at her lover. "I've got the most beautiful, sexiest woman as my partner, and a gorgeous, perfect son. It's still sinking in that this little guy came from me."
Jo leaned in, kissing Blair sweetly on the lips. "I've never seen a more beautiful site than what I see now: our son, bonding with her mother. It's beyond priceless."
"You know", Blair suddenly thought, "I know we said we could wait until David is older to figure out our names that he'll use, but we really should start getting in the habit of having separate names for identification."
"I knew you'd come around, blondie", Jo smiled, kissing David's forehead. "I was thinking simply Mama Blair and Mama Jo would do. After all, when I give birth, we have to have everything coordinated. Unless you think of a better combo."
Blair shook her head. "I think that's easy enough." She glanced down at David, who was just finishing his first official meal. She took him over her shoulder, with a rag under David, rubbing his back gently and burping him to clear the excess air during feeding. He dribbled just a little, impressing his mom's.
"Kid even burps loud", Jo said with an amused laugh. "Not bad for your first test drive, David."
Blair brought him off her shoulder, Jo leaning in so they both were looking at their son. "Hey cutie", Blair said, "I'm Mama Blair, and this crazy one next to me is your Mama Jo. Welcome to the family, sweetheart." She kissed him gently on the cheek. "We love you so very much."
Blair handed their son over to Jo, who still looked a little unsure of the whole holding of a baby, but the smile never left her face. "I'm the tough one in the family, kiddo", Jo said, winking over at Blair. "Although you'll find out that Mama Blair is as tough and as brave as anyone." Jo closed her eyes, gently kissing the infant. "You're so beautiful, David. I love you to the moon and back."
After that David was put in his hospital crib, where he fell instantly to sleep, Blair doing the same. Jo remained in the room, for now laying on the inclined bed with Blair, her lover's head on Jo's shoulder. In moments Jo, too, fell into a peaceful nap.