A/N: So this chapter and the next introduces Aubrey and Jessica's oldest child. This is the beginning of a whole new chapter in the lives of these two best friends. I hope you enjoy and watch for the next chapter, which I hope to have up soon.

Wednesday, August 15th, 2018 was a partly cloudy but warm day. For most people in the Washington DC Metropolitan area, it was their hump day in their countdown to Friday. However, for James Aubrey and Jessica Warren, today had a different meaning.

Today was their baby's due date.

Aubrey had it circled on every calendar in their house, at work, and both had it on their phones. It was a day that they had been looking forward to since Jessica surprised him with the news on Christmas morning. They were scared at first because it was way before they planned to start a family. However, this surprise was the best one they ever had…yet.

Five weeks ago, they finished the nursery. The couple didn't want the stereotypical pink motif and instead decided on a mint green for the room across the hall. They went with Angela's suggestion of a mostly an animal theme, including a mural that the artist painted on the wall with a giraffe, elephant, frog, lion, and other various animals.

However, they wanted their progeny to be exposed to good culture early on as well, so their beloved Star Wars had a presence in the room. The crib was white, but the mobile over it had Luke, Leia, Han, Yoda, C3PO, R2DA, BB8, Rey, and Darth Vader. The sheets were Star Wars as well as the blanket with all characters from the movies.

Once the ultrasound Jessica had in March revealed they were having a daughter, naming her was easy. The redhead readily agreed with Aubrey's request to name her after his late mother, Rachael. The middle name they wanted to be unique but meaningful and after weeks of debate they made their final choice three weeks ago.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

The alarm went off at 6:00 and both groaned. After Aubrey turned off the alarm, he sat up and stretched. Following the routine that they had established several weeks ago, he came around to the other side of the bed. After waiting for Jessica to attempt to get up on her own, he held his hand out and helped her out of bed.

He watched his wife waddle slowly into their en-suite bathroom, her exhaustion obvious. He tried to convince her to start her maternity leave early, but she refused. Jessica's official reason was that her OB said she could work up to her due date if she felt up to it. However, he also knew that she was determined to maximize her maternity leave from the Jeffersonian and American University's graduate school program. He could more than provide for them if she wanted to start early, but Aubrey knew better than to argue. His wife was stubborn, but she would never put their baby at risk.

When he heard the shower start, Aubrey went into the bathroom to join her. He knew that once Rachael was born, their showers together would be limited.

"Better enjoy it while I can." He muttered.

A tired Jessica put on her make up as she tried ignoring her sore back. She was hopeful that she and Aubrey's little Jedi would be born today, so she maintained a positive attitude as much as possible. However, her OB, her friends, and even Nadia advised that she'd probably deliver late.

The redhead looked down on her swollen belly and smiled. She was proud that she kept could keep a special part of her and Aubrey safe with her for nine months. Rachael would be the best example of the love and friendship she shared with her Superman.

But on the other hand, she envied her husband in that he didn't have the stretch marks, the fatigue, or hormones that ran amok.

Finishing her makeup, she looked down at herself again and this time frowned. Aubrey always told her how beautiful she was, even as she was nine months pregnant. She was glad he felt that way, but she didn't feel beautiful at that moment. She felt like a beached whale. It didn't help that this summer was one of the hottest on record and she was miserable these last couple of months.

Coming out of the bathroom, she went into their walk-in closet. Looking through her work outfits, she pulled out one of her favorite maternity dresses. Putting it on, she looked at herself in the mirror. Aubrey said it was incredibly beautiful on her, but she also recalled wearing the dress to a dinner they had with her mother the day she got her ultrasound.

Eleanor was back on her medication after months of depression. She was in town for a deposition and insisted on treating the couple to dinner. When they arrived at their table, Eleanor took one look at Jessica and sighed.

'Horizontal stripes? Really Jessica…why on earth would you bring attention to all that extra weight you're carrying?'

Jessica felt embarrassed, but then she recalled her gallant husband stepping in.

'Jessica is not carrying fat, Eleanor. She is carrying your grandchild and I think she looks beautiful in this dress. Now, shame my wife again about her pregnancy and you can eat dinner all by yourself. I'm sure you don't want that here in this fancy ass restaurant. People will notice.'

Eleanor was polite with gritted teeth the rest of the evening and Aubrey was rewarded well that night. Second trimester sex was the best.

Pushing away her gloomy mood, she put on her lingerie and pulled a nude set of thigh highs out of her drawer. After an embarrassing incident during her sixth month where she couldn't put her favorite purple tights on, she gave up on pantyhose. Sitting down on the bed, she sat down and put them on slowly, using the technique she perfected over the last few weeks. When done, she attempted to move up, but struggled before giving up.

"Aubrey!"

Aubrey dropped his wife off at the lab before arriving at work before 8:00. As he got his coffee, he was met by Booth, who came over and poured coffee into his Steelers mug.

The older man saw his friend's smile and how he could barely contain himself. Playing it cool, he sipped his coffee. "You look happy. Big day today?"

Aubrey shook cinnamon in his cup. "Yep…Rachael's due date. I'm going to be a dad by tonight."

Booth chuckled. "Aubrey, Bones was late with Christine and Hank, Angela was late with Michael Vincent—"

"But she was early with Jeffrey."

The older man nodded. "Yeah, but do you remember what Jeffrey's birthday is?"

"True." Aubrey said with a grimace.

Booth chuckled. "Aubrey, I hate to rain on your parade, but odds are Jessica is going to be late, especially since this is her first pregnancy."

"Nah…" The younger man said with confidence. "Rachael will be here by this time tomorrow. Jess is always punctual."

"Okay, whatever you say." Booth smiled at his friend's naivete. "Well, the Homicide Division isn't going to run on its own, so I'll see you later."

"Bye, Booth." Aubrey said.

Getting a spoon out of the drawer, he stirred his coffee before rinsing it and putting it in the drain rack. Walking the distance to Major Crimes, he enjoyed the quiet of the almost deserted bullpen, knowing there will be a flood of agents under his command arriving shortly.

Peeking inside an office two doors down from his, he saw his ASAC Genevieve Shaw working diligently at her desk. He knocked on her door. "Morning, Genny."

"Morning Boss." The petite woman said when she looked up and saw her supervisor's grin. "You're in a good mood today."

"Yep." Aubrey said with a smile. "Going to be a daddy, today."

Genny smiled. "Boss, I was a week late with Danny and three days late with Emma. I hate to break it to you, but the chances of Jessica going into labor on time are slim to none."

The lanky man was determined to be positive. "Not with us. I'm confident our daughter wants to come into the world when she is supposed to, and we'll have her in our arms by tonight."

The ASAC smiled. "Whatever you say, Boss. Do you want me to do payroll for today?"

"Nah, I've got it." Aubrey said. "Better to keep busy before Jessica calls me."

Genny watched her boss walk out of the office and smiled to herself before going back to work. "Oh Aubrey…so naïve."

At noon, Jessica and Aubrey had lunch at the diner with Booth and Brennan. Between the two of them, there were two cheeseburgers, two orders of French fries, one large order of onion rings, fruit salads, potato soup for Jessica, and two large chocolate shakes along with jalapeno poppers and Frankie's new hummus appetizer. The older couple chuckled at the sheer amount of food shared by the younger couple.

"So, Doctor B, I completed the class's first test. I've also compiled my dissertation research as you requested because it will be on hold while I'm on maternity leave. Is there anything else I can do?"

Brennan took a sip of her coffee. "I should be set for when the class starts next week, Ms. Warren. As we discussed, you will still prepare class materials, grade the first two exams, and anything else you can assist with. However, Dr. Wells will be helping me with the Supplemental Instruction sessions while you're on leave."

"Yeah, I'm glad he's doing so well after what happened last year." Jessica sipped her water. "I'm sorry Wendell couldn't help you."

"It's fine, Ms. Warren. Mr. Bray is busy finishing his dissertation for me as well as assisting Doctor Anderson on her project for his medical anthropology program. This will be also be good for Dr. Wells since this is his first semester back after his rehabilitation. When I talked to him last week, he understood his role and the standards he must abide by, including being careful of his…mercurial disposition. However, I look forward to your return from maternity leave in October."

Aubrey finished his plate of onion rings before starting on his fries. "Booth, so you and Genny talked about your game plan when I start my paternity leave, right?"

The older man chuckled as his friend shoved two fries in his mouth. "Yes, Aubrey. I plan on checking in with her intermittently and be available if there are questions. However, this is not Genny's first rodeo with running Major Crimes. Quit being so anxious. You'll only be gone for two weeks."

Aubrey went to steal a bite of his wife's soup, but the look on her face as she pulled it away told him otherwise. "Jess is due today, Booth—"

"Well, she hasn't started labor yet, Aubrey, so relax." Booth said as he picked up his cheeseburger. "Maybe you need to stop drinking those quad shot cappuccinos and all that other foamy crap stuff you like."

Jessica picked up her chocolate shake. "So, since I'll probably go into labor today, will you be all set at the lab, too Dr. B?"

Brennan smiled at the expectant mother. "Yes, Ms. Warren, but statistically, your fetus will probably not be born today."

"I know…but I'm really excited…and ready for Rachael to be here." Jessica said.

"And we've got Jess's bag packed in my SUV ready to go and one in her Jeep just in case." Aubrey said, ignoring Booth's earlier caution. "We rehearsed last night and all last weekend, too."

"Rehearsed?" Booth asked with a confused face.

"For when she goes into labor, Booth." Aubrey said as he chewed his burger. "I've got to be prepared. Now, I have plotted out all possible routes to the hospital from our house, the Jeffersonian, the Hoover, here, Founding Fathers, and the Cineplex. Daisy is practically next door so it is the same time as our house. Oh and Hodgins—"

"Stop." Booth said. "You need to chill and take a deep breath, Aubrey."

"What? I'm just getting prepared for the unexpected." Aubrey said. "I'm going to be a father, Booth. I have to be ready."

"Well, don't freak out about it." Booth said. "Babies are both to federal agents all the time and they are fine. You'll be fine and Jessica will be fine."

Brennan smirked. "Booth, you constantly hovered over me until Christine was born." Brennan said. "You wouldn't let me eat my noodles because of the sodium, you lied to me about a case to keep me at the Jeffersonian…"

"Bones, you chased Sweets and I down during a tornado—"

Brennan sipped her coffee. "You wanted me to stay in the lab all the time and give birth in a hospital full of germs instead of a nice, controlled home birth."

Booth gave his wife a face. "Bones, you went into labor at a maximum-security prison and you gave birth in a barn. I think my concerns were justified."

When Aubrey laughed, Jessica turned to him before looking at the other couple. "Don't laugh, Superman. Remember freaking out when I was working with the enzyme bath after I began my second trimester—"

The younger man didn't like being put on the spot. "Hey, I didn't know what you put in that stuff to clean the bones. That's my baby in there, too, you know."

"Believe me, Aubrey, I know." Jessica rolled her eyes. "Then there was the time with me and the bone saw—"

"You know what would have happened if you dropped that saw and it hit your stomach?" Aubrey retorted.

"Which I almost did when you scared the shit out of me in the Bone Room." Jessica said before taking her husband's hand and turning to her mentor. "I'm okay with a hospital Dr B. It's the one Daisy gave birth in and I get my own suite, which is nice if family comes to visit."

"Just don't be afraid to kick people out." Booth said. "You need plenty of time with just the three of you."

The friends smiled before going back to their lunch.

Aubrey and an exhausted Jessica had busy afternoons after lunch, so both were happy to go home. As she relaxed on the couch, he fed their cat and made vegetarian lasagna for dinner. Later on, Skinner joined them as they retired to the couch, where the agent rubbed his wife's swollen and tired feet.

After several minutes of peace and quiet, Jessica unhappily sighed. "Superman, I don't think Rachael is coming today."

Aubrey rubbed her feet and nodded in agreement. "Yep, I think you're right. Our little Jedi will be late."

Jessica looked at her husband before tears fell. Worried, Aubrey stopped and took her in his arms and as previous experience showed him, let her cry. When she calmed down, she wiped her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Superman…"

Aubrey gently combed a stray lock of red hair back. "Jessica, I know that she's late but that's okay."

"No, it's not." The redhead said. "I know I'm doing a beautiful thing by keeping our baby safe and warm until she's ready to be born, but I want my body back. I'm tired of being tired…I'm tired of my belly being so big I can't see my swollen ankles…I'm tired of my breasts being sore and mutant huge…my face looks like a chipmunk…"

Aubrey knew he had to tread carefully. Brushing the red hair out of Jessica's eyes, he rubbed her belly. "You're not fat…you're pregnant and beautiful. I don't mind your breasts right now, but I'm sorry they hurt, and your face doesn't look like a chipmunk. Jess, you're glowing. Everything will be fine."

"Are you sure?" Jessica narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Maybe you're tired of me being moody."

Aubrey grinned. "You're not moody…just…feeling lots of different stuff is all."

"Nice save, Aubrey." The anthropologist put her hand on her abdomen as well.

"How about we turn in early?" Aubrey suggested. "I know enough about babies to know that sleep will be a luxury for us once our daughter is born."

"Good idea, Superman."

Aubrey got up and assisted Jessica to stand. Almost immediately, Skinner joined them and the three went upstairs.

Two days later, Jessica was looking over a set of remains in the Bone Room when she felt a hard twinge. After she got over the shock, she calmly set the femur down and pulled off her gloves. When she felt another contraction, she took a deep cleansing breath to ease through the discomfort. Walking across the hall to Angela's office, she encountered the artist and Cam going over evidence.

"Ladies…"

Cam and Angela turned around and words didn't have to be said. "I'll call Aubrey." The pathologist said.

"Come on Sweetie." Angela said as she led Jessica out the door.

Four hours later, Aubrey and Jessica lumbered through their front door. The intern sat down and tried to get her shoes off to no avail. "Superman…"

Aubrey came over quickly and pulled her ballet flats off her feet. Looking up, he saw she was exhausted and frustrated. He didn't say anything, instead rubbing her thigh as he waited her for to collect her thoughts.

"Aubrey…I just want her here."

The agent took his wife's hand. "I know. I do too, Jess. Maybe…we just need to relax and let nature…"

"Fuck nature! I don't want to relax…I just want her out of me!" The redhead retorted, now on the brink of tears.

"Maybe we need a distraction, Jess. You know, Aaron and Nadia invited us to go to the fair with them and the kids tomorrow. Want to go if you're feeling up to it?"

Jessica considered for a moment. "Can I have some butterfly chips?"

"Whatever you want, Jess." Aubrey said, happy his wife was smiling again.

When the anthropologist took her husband's hand, he got up on the couch and snuggled with his wife. Words didn't need to be said as they enjoyed each other's company.

The next day, they attended the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair with Aaron, Nadia, and their nieces and nephews. For a while, the two forgot about their daughter's late arrival as they enjoyed the various games. They also enjoyed the food as they shared butterfly chips drenched with Frank's sauce, elephant ears, sausages with peppers, cotton candy, and deep-fried Oreos with a mojito Shaved Ice.

As Aubrey received the chili and cheese fries, he ordered from another food stand, Jessica looked up at the Zipper ride. "You know, Wendell told me last week how his mother went into labor with him while she was on a roller coaster."

"No! Hell no." Aubrey started until he saw his wife laughing.

"Don't worry, Aubrey. Besides, I have a better idea on how I can try to start labor. Angela suggested it when she called this morning to check on me." The redhead said before stealing one of Aubrey's chili cheese fries.

"What's that?" The agent said before taking a fry of his own.

"It involves us going home after we eat." Jessica said while licking the processed cheese from her fingers.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

"YES SUPERMAN…YES!"

On his back, Aubrey closed his eyes as he came into his wife who was on top. When Jessica recovered, he helped her off him so she could lay onto her left side. When settled, the couple smiled at each other.

"Between the hot sauce and the sex, I'll be in labor in no time, Superman."

Aubrey had finally caught his breath as he caressed Jessica's pregnant stomach. "I'll be ready when she comes."

Unfortunately, by August 21st, Jessica ran out of patience. She kept herself calm while she was at work. Even as she and Aubrey ate Chinese takeout for dinner, she kept her cool. However, after she crawled into bed and struggled to find a comfortable position, she finally expressed her feelings on the matter.

"Auuuuggghhhh, why am I not in labor, Aubrey?!"

The agent came out of the bathroom with his toothbrush. "Jess, maybe we need to lay off the hot sauce and sex for a day or two. You look really stressed out."

"Of course, I'm stressed. I'm a fucking water buffalo." Jessica cried before looking at her pregnant abdomen. "Rachael Honey, you need to come out for Momma…now."

They waited for a moment but no labor. Aubrey decided to speak up. "Jess, can I do anything for you?"

"Can we try sex again?"

Aubrey never thought the day would come when he didn't want to make love with his wife, but he hated how sex was becoming more work instead of pleasure. However, Jessica was exhausted and uncomfortable with waiting for labor to come.

Going back into the bathroom, he finished his teeth. As he came back into the bedroom, he stripped off his shirt before hitting the light. Climbing into bed, they got comfortable and came together.

The next morning, Aubrey was already in the shower when Jessica joined him. They did their routine in silence for a minute before the redhead spoke up.

"Aubrey, I think we're trying too hard to make Rachael come." Hearing her husband sigh in relief, she realized he felt the same way. "You, too?"

"Yeah. I think we need to just let nature take its course. Besides, Dr Moossavi said yesterday at your appointment that if she wasn't born this weekend they would induce labor on Monday morning."

"You're right." Jessica rinsed her hair and handed her husband her cherry vanilla body wash. "I love making love with you Superman….and I love Frank's hot sauce…"

Aubrey began washing his wife. "But you need a break from both?"

"Yeah." Jessica said. "Are you mad?"

"No." Aubrey said as he took her in his arms for a moment. "I just want you comfortable and happy."

Turning around, the redhead gave her husband a kiss before they finished their shower. After breakfast, they made sure Skinner was fed before leaving for the day, each more relaxed than they had been the last few days.

Things would happen when they would happen.