Thanksgiving was quickly followed by Christmas ('A tree in the house?' Lynn had puzzled. 'And why all these presents?') And, then, shortly after New Year's Day, Hotch and Maureen had gotten together and talked to Lynn about her taking the city bus.
"It is just too dangerous," they explained to her. "All those people jostling you around; you could lose your balance and fall. And, all the germs when you haven't been immunized. It's just not safe for you and the baby."
"I'm on desk duty until I start paternity leave," Hotch added. "And, three mornings a week I can take Jacob to his class. I've already spoken to Reid and he will bring him home in time for lunch. Of course, you may end up feeding Reid, too." He smiled at Lynn.
"Spencer did say that he likes my tuna salad," Lynn gave a weak smile. "And I have been working on expanding my repertoire. Maybe he can be my taste tester."
"I'm sure he will enjoy that" Hotch carefully replied. He tried not to grimace as he remembered several not-to-successful culinary experiments she had recently served him.
"And, you can spend the mornings studying for your GED exam," he suggested. "That way when you're ready you can attend the university as a regular student rather than just auditing classes."
"Penelope did set me up on the computer to begin studying for the exam," Lynn said thoughtfully. "And, from what I have seen, I should be able to get through most of it without any difficulty. A lot of it is stuff I already know."
"So, everything is all set," Maureen observed cheerfully. "Now, let me get on with my weekly exam of you and the baby. I suspect it won't be much longer now."
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
It was a snowy, blowy day in mid-January when Hotch got the phone call. "I just spoke with Maureen and, as soon as she's finished up where she is, she's on her way over," Lynn told him. "She suggested you do the same. It seems that the weather is expected to get worse and she thought everyone should be at the house rather than out driving."
"I'm on my way," Hotch was standing up at his desk, gathering his papers. "What about Jacob? Do I need to get him?"
"Spencer just called and due to the weather they are ending the program early today," Lynn reported. "He's already on the way over here with Jacob."
"Okay. Let me check on the schools," Hotch was wrestling with his coat. "I may stop and pick up Jack. How are we set for food for the next couple of days?"
"Everything is all set. Dave took care of that," Lynn told him. "Just drive carefully, okay?"
When Hotch arrived at Jack's school, he found that classes were being dismissed early and all the students were being sent home. It didn't take him long to locate Jack.
"Call your Aunt Jessica," he instructed his son once they were in his car. "Tell her that you are coming home with me."
"She's not going to like that," Jack warned. "It's not your day. She'll probably show up at the house demanding that I go with her."
"Well, if she shows up at the house, she'll have to get in line," Hotch told him grimly. "I just spoke with Lynn and she's in labor. Reid is bringing Jacob home and the midwife is on her way. If Jessica wants to talk with me, she is just going to have to wait. I have other concerns on my mind."
"I'm not going to have to watch the baby being born or anything like that, am I?" Jack worried as he pulled out his cell phone. "My friend Mitch said that he had to watch his baby brother being born and that it was really yucky. And his mother kept screaming and swearing and everything."
"It's not going to be anything like that," Hotch promised him. "You and Jacob can wait somewhere else in the house and just come in to see the baby afterwards."
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
When Hotch arrived home, he found that Reid and Jacob had arrived only minutes before him. "It's snowing out – Look at all the snow!" Jacob cheered excitedly. "Uncle Spencer said we could go out and play in it once it is done falling. Maybe we can build a snowman!"
"Where's Lynn?" Hotch immediately asked Reid.
"And, that sounds like a lot of fun, Buddy," he added to Jacob. "But, right now, why don't you and Jack take off your boots and jackets and hang them up and then we'll see about lunch?"
"She's upstairs lying down," Reid replied. "It seems that Maureen was on the other side of town with another of her patients and it may be some time before she gets here. I offered to check on the baby's progress, but she wants to wait a while."
"Did you explain to her that Doctor Reid has also had experience delivering babies?" Hotch asked archly.
"I started to but she had another contraction and told me to just take care of Jacob," Reid replied as he glanced at his watch. "If I'm right, the contractions are coming at about six minutes apart. Hotch, I really think she should be checked." He looked anxiously at the expectant father.
"Let me talk to her," Hotch replied. "I'll explain everything and then come get you. In the meantime, if you could get started feeding the boys lunch - ?"
"Not a problem," Reid told him. "Just let me know when she's ready."
When Hotch got to the second floor, he first looked in the baby's room, which had been prepared for use as the delivery room. When Lynn wasn't there, he moved on to check their bedroom where he found her curled up in bed.
"Lynn, Honey," he said. "If the baby is coming, shouldn't you be in the other room? Here, let me help you move."
"I am not moving!" Lynn told him defiantly. "I am all set here."
"But, Lynn, the other room has been set up for the delivery," Hotch gently reminded her.
"We can move anything we need in here," Lynn replied. "I am comfortable here and I want to have this baby in my own bed!" She glared angrily at him.
"But, Lynn," Hotch began. "This is our bed – " He was interrupted by a loud groan, followed by a muffled scream.
"I had better get Reid," he decided. "And, just so you know, he has successfully delivered at least one baby that I know of and I strongly suspect that he has memorized every childbirth manual in existence. You need to let him take a look at you."
"Okay," Lynn panted. "He can look. But he is doing it in here – I'm not moving!"
"If that's what you want," Hotch was halfway out the bedroom door.
"REID!" he shouted down the hallway. "Come up here – NOW!"