SIX MONTHS LATER
Jamie, a very pregnant Eddie and the rest of the Reagan clan sat down for their weekly Sunday dinner.
Eddie loved being pregnant, she loved the idea that she could bring her and Jamie's child into the world. But she didn't love Braxton-Hicks.
Squirming in her seat at the strange pain, she winced as she reached for the potatoes. The pain subsided but not too soon after, another took its place.
Linda gave her a warning look. As her OB, she immediately recognized Eddie's pain.
"It's just Braxton-Hicks. Guys, I'm fine, I sw—ear." She's barely able to get her sentence out and Frank just stares at his daughter-in-law. It's his serious face but he actually has some emotion behind it.
"Sweetie, something tells me those aren't Braxton-Hicks. Jamie, you should start timing these." Linda says kindly. She knew how nervous Eddie was about this delivery. She was a first time mom, it was normal.
A few moments later, another practice contraction took over. This one was stronger than the others, causing her whole body to seize up. Jamie checked his watch and then offered his hand. As Eddie breathed through the contraction, his hand was white with pressure.
It was total silence, as the family had stopped eating and was looking up at the duo.
"Please, everyone just eat." Eddie shows a small smile, "Jamie, you don't have to time them, they're not real. And talking helps."
Linda gives another look and Jamie says, "Seven minutes."
Seven seemed to be a magical number as she smirked at the couple, "Finish eating and we'll get you over to the hospital. You are having this baby tonight."
Through the cheers, Eddie gasped, "No! I can't! I'm only thirty-two weeks! It's too early!"
"Sweetie, it's going to be ok. I've delivered babies way earlier than this." Linda came around the table, helping Eddie to her feet.
"I think I turned out ok." Jack says, trying to lighten the mood, "I think I was born at thirty-two, right Mom?"
"As a matter of fact, you were. See Eddie, everything's going to be fine." Linda consoles, and then her own hand suddenly turns the same white shade Jamie's did earlier. Another dang contraction.
"These are getting really annoying." Eddie chuckles,
Eventually at the hospital and hooked up to more wires and monitors than she'd ever seen before, she waited.
She and Jamie talked about baby names and nursery colors. They hadn't exactly finished everything quite yet and with their little one coming, it kinda put them on a clock. They didn't know the gender and they preferred to keep it that way, despite their families opinions.
Erin, Nicky and occasionally Linda were in the room, chatting and trying to get her thoughts off the inevitable. The rest of the clan was down in the waiting room, probably taking up all the seats.
The pain was practically unbearable now. The contractions were a minute apart and this baby was coming now.
"Hello," A tall, handsome doctor walked into the room, "I'm Dr. Austin. I'm the neonatologist that will oversee your baby—"
"Stop!" Eddie and Jamie exclaimed quickly, "We don't want to know the gender!"
"Oh, ok, surprise it is. But I will be delivering your baby and getting him or her to the NICU. I don't expect anything major based off your ultrasounds but just to be on the safe side. NICU is just able to give advanced care as baby Reagan needs it." Dr. Austin explains,
"Ok." It's all Eddie can get out, the contractions washing over her in an indescribable feeling.
"Congratulations! You have a beautiful baby boy!" Dr. Austin hands the baby to Eddie momentarily,
"Hi sweet boy, hello little Landon." Eddie says in awe of the little life in her arms.
"Alright, Mr. Landon needs to head on over with the nurses, I'll have one of our volunteers wheel you down later." Unfortunately, Eddie is forced to hand Landon back over to a waiting nurse and he is whisked away.
A few hours later, the Reagan clan filled up her room.
Although still in a state of delirious euphoria and fatigue, she and Jamie were able to answer everyone's questions.
"Landon Joseph Reagan, seven pounds three ounces, eighteen inches and has all of his fingers and toes." Jamie announces, looking down at Eddie and taking her hand. "I went down to NICU for a few moments and I snapped a picture."
"There is no way this is your baby. It's too cute! Sorry Jamie, you're not this cute." Danny chuckles, doting over the newborn in the photo.
"Dead to rights, I saw it happen. This is our baby." Jamie smiles,
"Trust me, it's ours, I felt it all." Eddie says, the sarcasm he fell in love with comes back out.
"I get babysitting dibs, that's all I'm saying." Nicky says, and you can see her radiating pure joy and excitement over her new cousin.
"Uh, no! I get babysitting dibs!" Erin replies, shooting down her daughter's suggestion,
"I think we all get dibs. And there's now ten of us and one baby; I'm sure we can work something out." Frank's gruff voice wins out.
It's a glorious sight to see the family huddled over Jamie and Eddie, so grateful the duo decided not to wait another five years to become a family.