So, I've had a very busy weekend in the publishing of my book. Take my word for it; publishing is not as easy as one would think. You find out very quickly that the manuscript you submit does not end up on the written page the way you had hoped. You have to read the entire book and comb it for errors made in the formatting stage, document each error and submit it to be corrected. When the corrections are done…. Guess what? You get to read it all again to see if they corrected the mistakes and if they made any new ones in the process. Kill me now.

The rest of the weekend was spent writing Nate's Diary. I'm on page 49.

I could use a bit of encouragement from my fans.

Oh yeah, one more thing…thank you .Ian for the incredible support. You're amazing!

NEW ARRIVAL

THAT NIGHT, BEFORE WE CURLED UP to go to sleep we went outside to check the status of the snow. There was already about four inches on the ground. I snuggled into my husband's chest and was warm and cozy when I drifted off to sleep. We woke when it was still morning. I opened my eyes and I was lying with my head on Ian's chest and he was stroking my hair.

"Why do I always sleep later than you?"

"Because you're still growing."

"Hmmm."

"Look out the window," he instructed. I rolled away from him and turned towards the window. All I could see was white. I sprang from the bed and vaulted to the window. It looked like a winter wonderland.

"How much do you think is out there?"

"I'm gonna say about twice what was there last night. About eight inches."

"I want to go outside and play!"

"You can't go out wearing that." All I had on was a little short nightie. I wasn't even wearing panties. My butt peaked out as I peered out the window.

"Mmmmmm. Nice view."

"Ian!"

"Hey! I'm just sayin'."

I went to the dresser and grabbed the clothes I had worn briefly yesterday and strode to the bathroom. By the time I came back, Ian was dressed like a lumberjack and sitting on the side of the bed.

"What are you going to wear on your feet? Jimmy Choos aren't going to cut it."

"I have boots. They're in the van."

"That's not going to help you way out here."

I went over and picked up my phone. I dialed Burns's number.

"Hello?"

"Hey. What are you doing?"

"Watching TV."

"Do you think there is anyone over there that might be willing to bring me my new boots out of the van?"

"You know there's eight inches of snow out there, right?"

"Yes, I know there's eight inches of snow out there. That's why I need my boots."

"Hold on." There was silence on the other end for a few minutes.

"Nate says he'll do it but he asks why you didn't tell him yesterday before the snow."

"I didn't think about it yesterday. Tell him I said thank you."

I hung up the phone.

"Don't tell me, Nate is bringing them to you."

"Yes."

"Give me the phone." He took it from me and flipped it open.

"Hello, Nate? Don't worry about bringing them out here. I'll just carry her back to the house. It's silly for you to come all the way out here."…"Yeah, no problem."…"Thanks, man."

He clicked the phone shut. "He's not your errand boy."

"He volunteered!"

"We are not having this discussion. Put on your sneakers…Please!" Ian helped me on with my ski jacket. I put on my gloves and my scarf. Ian tossed another log onto the fire and turned the heater in the bathroom to low. We walked through the house to the front door. "Come on, jump on," he commanded as he bent low enough for me to jump on his back. I jumped on and he grabbed my legs and held them. "Jeez! Are you gaining weight?"

"Ha-ha, funny." I wrapped my arms loosely around his neck and put my chin on his shoulder.

Ian walked slowly and carefully through the deep snow. He picked up the pace at the ball field where there were no hidden branches or rocks for him to trip over. The sun was shining brightly for now but there were clouds on the horizon.

"This is beautiful. The snow is still pristine."

"Babe, would you pull my hat down over my ears?"

The fact that he had called me 'Babe' indicated to me that he wasn't mad at me anymore. I fixed his hat. "I'm glad you're not mad at me anymore."

"Who said I'm not mad? I'm debating right now whether or not to just drop you right here."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Oh, wouldn't I?"

"Ian O'Shea, I am your wife and I order you not to drop me."

"I'm feeling weak. I don't think I can hold you much longer." He acted as though he was struggling to stay on his feet.

"I'm not kidding, Ian."

He dropped to his knees and now my feet were in the snow. "Ian, pick me up!"

He fell to his side in the snow. His eyes were closed and he was unresponsive.

"Ian, this is not funny!" He still didn't move. I started to panic. "Ian! Wake up."

Suddenly he sprang up and pushed me onto my back in the snow. He was laughing but I wasn't. "Ian, stop it!"

"You wanted to play in the snow. I think the angel should make a snow angel. Make an angel for me."

"NO!"

"Oh come on. It will be a pretty angel in the outfield. I'll do one too."

"You're no angel!"

"True, but I still love you." He leaned in and kissed me. I fought him because I was mad but he didn't let up until finally his lips conquered mine and I kissed him back. "Do you still love me?"

"No." I pouted.

He pouted back at me. "It's going to be a long walk back to the house."

"Ian!" I whined.

"Do you love me?"

"I'm freezing!" I said in an effort to get him to pick me up.

He wasn't going to let up. "Do you love me?"

"You're cheating." I said still pouting.

Ian reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. He dialed. "Hey, Nate. You want to come out here and get your girl? She's lying here in the middle of the baseball field. She doesn't love me anymore."

"Ian, I do so love you. Give me that phone." I grabbed it from him and put it to my ear. There was no one there.

He smiled. "You are so gullible."

"You are evil."

"Yeah, but you said you love me." He pulled me to my feet. He let go of me and I ran away from him a few feet and dropped into the snow and made a snow angel. Ian laughed. Then he did it too. When we both were up I climbed back onto his back and he carried me the rest of the way to the house. I was frozen by the time we got there. Some of the kids were in the back yard building a snow fort.

We stepped into the house and Nate, Gina, Burns and Lily were lounging on the couch with several others. Ian blurted out, "Is this where the hot chocolate is?"

I sat on the coffee table and I took off my shoes and socks. My feet were red from the cold. Nate saw my feet. "Jesus, Ian. What did you drag her through the snow?"

"He dropped me." I said giving Nate my puppy dog eyes.

"She dared me," Ian said in his defense. "Don't worry, a nice hot Jacuzzi and you'll feel all better." He crossed to the bathroom and started the water. Then he went to the door of our room. As he grabbed the doorknob, Burns said, "They are in there."

Ian rolled his eyes. "I suppose they are taking a nap."

"I don't know." Burns made a face as he said it.

Ian knocked on the door. "It's Ian. Can I get some clothes?"

It took a minute and the door slowly opened. Kyle looked as though he had been crying. "You okay, man?" Ian asked earnestly.

"Yeah, I'm better now."

"Is Sunny okay?" Ian asked.

"Yeah."

I was worried now. "Can I see Sunny?"

"Sure."

I entered the room and Sunny was half dressed and lying in the bed. I approached her carefully because she too had been crying. "Hey, girl. How are you?"

She smiled a weak smile. "You were right. He doesn't care about Jonathan. I mean he cares, obviously, but he wants to make it work, with or without babies."

"Okay, that's wonderful! I'm so happy for you. So that means you're staying?"

"Yes, I'm staying." I flung my arms around her neck and we hugged. "Maybe one day we'll still be sisters-in-law," she whispered.

"Did you hear? Ian built me a house!"

"I heard. Congratulations."

Ian stuck his head in the door. "Babe, the clothes?"

"Oh right." I got up and went to the dresser and retrieved the warmest clothes I could find for me and Ian to wear. "I'll see you later." My arms were full as I left the bedroom.

The Jacuzzi was a great idea. I warmed up immediately and Ian attacked me. He didn't care that the living room was full of people now that we were married. Maybe it was the fact that Nate was out there, I don't know. I was just happy to be attacked. I tried very hard to keep my mouth shut though. They didn't need to hear my pleasure. When we got out of the water, I took the opportunity to put on makeup which I hadn't done yesterday. I felt like me again. As I bounced merrily out of the bathroom, I noticed that Nate was gone. Ian's parents were there now. I panicked at the thought that they might have heard us. If they had, they didn't let on. Ian had gone out to the van to get my new boots. When he returned he was looking in the box.

"You bought purple boots to match your coat?" he said with disapproval.

"Duh!" I responded.

He put the box on the floor near the door and strode over to the couch. He shook his head back and forth and then plopped into the chair.

"How's married life dear?" his mother asked.

"Expensive. I'm glad souls don't pay for what they want or I'd be in big trouble."

I came over and sat in Ian's lap. "Don't be silly, I'd just cut back."

"I thought you did cut back."

"I'd cut back more." I kissed him on the cheek. A movie was just starting. Ian and I sat and watched the movie. Afterwards we put on our snow gear and went outside.

The kids were out there in numbers now as well as some of the adults. They were choosing up sides for a good old fashioned snow ball fight. Ian and I joined the contest but we insisted the newlyweds had to be on the same side. It was fun. Ian was my protector. I only got hit twice and both times it was my fault because I got brave and left Ian's side. Ian got hit a lot but he hit a lot of people as well especially after we established a system in which I made the snow balls and he threw them. After about an hour outside I started to shiver again. Ian insisted I go inside but he stayed out and played with the kids. He and Blake built an igloo by shoveling a huge mountain of snow and then digging it out from the inside. They poured water on it to help it freeze.

By the time Ian came in I was snuggled on the couch with a blanket. My head was on my father-in-law's chest and my feet were in my brother-in-law's lap. Kyle had his hand on my feet and his other arm around Sunny.

"Aren't we just the cozy family?" Ian observed.

"I've never had a daughter before. It's kinda nice," Tom said.

"I see there's no room for me," Ian remarked.

Kyle answered quickly. "Nope."

I didn't want him to feel unwanted. "Ian, I…"

"It's okay. I'm going in the kitchen to see if I can scrounge up something warm to drink."

"Mom's in there. She'll love you," Kyle said coldly.

After about twenty minutes Ian returned to the living room. He sat in the chair across from the couch. Tom piped up. "Ian, take my place, you're still officially on your honeymoon."

Ian didn't argue. He got up and switched places with his dad. I snuggled into Ian's steel chest and he cradled his massive arm around me and before I knew it I was asleep.

Next thing I knew Ian was waking me up. "Babe, wake up. It's time for dinner. You want to go out to the dining hall and eat with the masses? Then we can go home before the fire goes completely out."

By the time we returned to our home the fire was nearly out and it was cold. Ian immediately went to work on the fire. I was already freezing from the walk home and I didn't like coming into a cold house.

"Babe, you can go in the bathroom and warm up. I'll have this fire going in just a bit."

I didn't argue. I got up and went to the bathroom. It wasn't toasty but it was better than the bedroom. I turned the heater on medium. Just as I got warm Ian came in. "It should be warm in there in a few minutes."

"Ian?

"Yeah, babe."

"You keep calling me 'babe'. What happened to Babydoll?"

"You're a married woman now. You're a babe. Besides I always liked 'babe'."

"Well, I'm still going to call you Superman."

"Sure." He leaned in and kissed me. "You ready for bed?"

"Not yet, but you're gettin' there," I teased.

We spent another loving night with each other. In the morning, we decided to stay in bed and snuggle before getting up to head to the dining hall in time for lunch. Suddenly there was a pounding on the door.

"What the hell?" Ian snapped.

"It must be something bad," I concluded.

Ian jumped out of the bed and threw on his jeans and went to the front door. He came back with Jamie in tow.

He was breathing hard. "It's Melanie. She's in labor. She wants you, Wanda."

"Oh my god!"

"Wanderer, you go. I'll catch up with you in a bit. I need to make sure there is plenty of wood in here."

I stomped through the frozen snow with Jamie as quickly as I could.

"Where is she?"

"She's in the house right now but Doc is setting up the root cellar. He says it's the best place to do a delivery. He said it's private and it will be easier to clean up."

When we got to the house Melanie was pacing the floor.

"Melanie. How are you doing?"

"I'm in labor. How do you think?"

She wasn't in a great mood. I turned to Jared. "How far apart are her contractions?" I knew nothing about babies other than you are supposed to go to the hospital when the contractions are five minutes apart.

"About ten minutes apart. Doc says it's going to be awhile."

"Okay, we could play cards. That way it will be easy to time the contractions because we'll have paper and pencil," I suggested.

Jared looked at Melanie. "Mel, you want to play some gin rummy?"

"Sure whatever."

"Jared, you set up. I'll be right back. I want to touch base with Doc." I grabbed my coat and went to the root cellar. Doc and Candy were setting up. "Hey Doc."

"Why if it isn't Mrs. O'Shea! What brings you here? I thought you were on your honeymoon."

"Melanie is in labor."

"I know that."

"She wants me with her. I don't know anything about birthing babies. What do I do?"

"The main thing is to keep her calm."

"I asked her if she wants to play cards."

"That's a good idea. She's pretty early in her labor. I would say take her for a walk but with the snow and all…"

"What about when she has a contraction?"

"Well there are all different types of breathing exercises but since you are new at this just tell her to blow slowly through the contractions. Remember, if you lose control, so will she. I think Jared will remain calm simply because that is the kind of person he is but I've seen the husband lose it as well."

"Okay."

"Wanda?"

"Yeah?"

"Good luck. Come to me when the contractions are five minutes apart."

"Okay and thanks."

I went back to the house. As I entered Mel was in the middle of a contraction. Jared was trying to talk her through it.

"You're doing good, Mel," he said in a supportive voice.

When the contraction ended Mel straightened up again. "I don't know how long I can do this."

"You'll do it as long as it takes and when it's over there will be a beautiful baby," I chimed in.

"Remind me to say that to you when it's your turn," she snapped.

I smiled. "I will."

I was nervous for her but I didn't dare show it. We sat at the table and played cards. After about a half hour and two more contractions, Ian came in.

"I'm sure you don't want me here but can I please speak with my wife?"

It was oddly comforting to be called his wife.

Melanie barked back at him. "You're right. I don't want anyone here except Jared and Wanda. I would appreciate it if you would please keep your eye on Jamie."

"I can do that."

I got up and left the kitchen with Ian. "How is she doing in there?"

"So far so good. She's a bit cranky but I guess that's to be expected."

"How long are you going to stay?" He looked needy.

"Ian, I'm going to stay till the baby is born unless she sends me away."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Ian, I want you to go hang out with Burns and Kyle and Nate. Play pool or cards. Have a beer."

"You want me to have a beer?" he asked skeptically.

"I didn't say get trashed. One or two beers is okay. I'll check in with you in two hours…if I can."

"What do you mean…'if you can'?" I glared at him without answering. "Okay, okay, I'm going. Can I get a kiss good bye?"

He looked so lost. I leaned up to his lips and he kissed me like I was leaving him to go to the caverns again. "Go, I'll see you soon."

With Ian gone, I returned to the kitchen. Just as I sat down Melanie started another contraction. It had been eight minutes since her last one. She had to get up. She walked over to the sink and leaned over it in pain.

"Just blow through it Mel. You can do it." She started to blow. After a minute the contraction ended.

"It's easier when I'm standing up," she said.

"Okay. Let's turn your chair so when it's time for a contraction we can get you up quickly."

We went on like this for the next two hours. It was late afternoon and the ladies who cook wanted the kitchen back. Melanie started freaking out.

"Maria! How about you and the others take the day off. I'll see if Burns can go to town and get pizzas," I offered in the hopes Mel would be appeased.

I led the ladies out of the house and used the break to check on Ian as well as asking Burns about the pizzas.

Ian spotted me as soon as I came through the door. He rushed to me. "Did she have the baby?"

"No. She's not even close yet."

"I need to go back to the house and check on the fireplace."

"Why don't you do that? Take a nap or something. I need to speak to Burns."

I got Burns to agree to go get pizzas for dinner. He said he would leave in another hour. I told him we really didn't want anyone in the house so he should get everything we needed right down to the paper plates and napkins. He said he would take Ice with him and assured me that no one else would enter the house.

A little while later, Nate came in unannounced and Melanie about blew a gasket. I grabbed Nate and escorted him back out the door.

"Are you crazy? Burns told me that no one would come in here."

"What? Burns isn't even here. He went somewhere. The others told me that Melanie was in labor."

"She is and she doesn't want you here," I scolded.

"What did I do?"

"Nothing. She doesn't want anyone here except me and Jared."

"Where is Ian?"

"I told him to go home and take a nap. Why don't you go check on him?"

"Okay. You sure are bossy now that you're married." He smiled but I wasn't sure if he was joking and right now. I wasn't really in a joking mood.

"Nate. You know I'm not bossy but Melanie is on edge here and so am I. Please respect that."

"Okay Beautiful. I'll go check on your husband."

"Good, keep him company 'cause he's freaking out without me."

When the pizza arrived, Burns called and informed me that he would leave one pie in the living room for me and Jared. We took turns eating because we didn't want to eat in front of Melanie. Melanie had chicken noodle soup. Doc had suggested the soup on one of his visits to see how far along she was. The night went on with Melanie slowly progressing through her labor. I didn't hear from Ian or Nate so I could only assume they were keeping each other company. It wasn't until after ten o'clock in the evening that her contractions were finally five minutes apart. Jared was very supportive and loving. I hoped that when my time came that Ian would be as supportive. Jared and I helped her to the root cellar and I called Burns on the phone to summon Doc and Candy.

Once inside the root cellar, Melanie's labor took on a whole new dimension. Doc checked on her progress and announced that she was ready to go into transitional labor. During this time, her water broke. From that moment things moved very fast.

At twelve fifteen on the morning of December fifteenth, a beautiful baby boy was born. I was amazed at this miracle and I fell in love with Jesse James as soon as I laid my eyes on him.

Ian had fallen asleep on the couch in the living room. Jamie was sleeping in a chair. I went to Ian and gently shook him awake. "It's a boy!" I said quietly.

Ian came to his senses. "She had the baby?"

"Yes, both mother and son appear to be healthy."

"What's his name?"

"Jesse James Howe."

Jamie roused from his sleep.

"Did Mel have the baby?"

"Yes, congratulations, Uncle Jamie."

"Boy or Girl?"

"Boy."

"Yes!" He pumped his fist. "The outlaw Jesse James. That is such a cool name."

I returned my attention to Ian. "Please tell the others while I go back to make sure she doesn't need anything. I'll be back in a bit."

As it turned out Burns and Lily weren't even in the house. They took Mel and Jared's bed in the bunkhouse and left their private room for the new mom and dad and baby.

Ian was eager to get me back to himself. Once Mel and Jared and little Jesse were comfortable in Burns's room, Ian and I went back to our home in the woods. I was exhausted. The house was cold again but I didn't care. I crawled under the covers with my clothes on and immediately fell asleep. Ian didn't even get a kiss good night.

I woke early eager to get back to the baby. Ian was still asleep. I jumped into the shower and was dressed by the time Ian rolled over and saw me.

"Why are you up?"

"Are you kidding? There's a baby that needs me. Melanie has got to be exhausted by now. We don't even have any formula here. I'll probably have to run to town and get supplies."

"Are you leaving now?"

"You don't mind, do you? You can meet me at the house when you're ready." I was out the door without so much as a kiss. My mind was only on the little helpless darling that needed me.

I was grateful to find out when I got to the house that Burns had picked up formula, diapers, powder, and wipes for the little one on his trip to town yesterday, but Jesse had no clothes to speak of. I still needed to make another run to a department store.

I poked my head into the bedroom. Melanie was awake and feeding the baby.

"Hi! Can I come in?"

"Of course you can. Come see your god child."

"You want me to be the god mother?"

"Yes, if anything were to happen to me and Jared, I want you and Ian to raise him."

"I'm so honored that you would trust him to me. Thank you. Can I hold him?"

"Sure, take him carefully."

I lifted him into my arms and my heart nearly exploded. How could Sunny not want this? I wanted it. He looked like a little angel. He looked so much like Melanie but he had Jared's jaw. "Do you want to take a nap? I can watch him while you sleep."

"Really? You would do that? Because I am exhausted."

"Go to sleep, both of you. I won't leave the house with him. I promise. We'll be right in the living room. I'll treat him like he was my own."

I closed the door gently behind me as me and Jesse entered the living room.

I went into the kitchen and made coffee. I returned to the living room and sat on the couch. He didn't finish his bottle but then again I didn't know how much a newborn was supposed to drink. I held him to my shoulder and patted his back until he burped. Then I just stared at him. I could have looked at him all day.

The first person to enter the house was Nate. He couldn't see the baby in my lap when he came in.

"Hey, it's the beautiful Mrs. O'Shea."

"Shhhh."

"What?" He realized I had Jesse now. "You have the baby!" He tiptoed over to the couch and sat next to me.

"Wow. Look at him. He's so perfect."

"I know, right?"

"Soon, it will be your turn."

"You know I wanted to wait until I was eighteen to go off birth control but seeing this; I'm ready to be pregnant tomorrow."

"Would you like some help with that?" he teased.

"I can't do it alone but I'm pretty sure my husband would object."

"Just checking."

"You'll be a father some day."

"Right. And who pray tell would be the mother?" He laid his head on my shoulder.

"Maybe Victoria."

"Bite your tongue woman. We are not in love."

"But you make love to her," I reminded him.

"You know they call it making love, but really it's just sex."

"I disagree. There is a huge difference in making love and sex. See this baby? He is the result of two people making love."

"They had sex," he reiterated.

"They had sex with meaning."

"So are you saying that if you and I had you know…?"

"We would have made love because we love each other. I would have done everything in my power to please you and you, I'm assuming, would have done everything in your power to please me."

"I try to please Victoria when I'm with her but I'm still not in love with her."

"Does she try to please you?"

"You're getting a little personal now aren't you?"

Ian came through the door at that moment and saw me and Nate huddled close together on the couch.

"What the hell?" he growled.

I turned my head towards Ian. "Come see. I have the baby."

As he came around the couch and saw little Jesse lying peacefully in my lap, a smile came over his face. Ian sat next to me on the opposite side of Nate and stared at the baby. "Can I hold him?"

"Sure."

I passed the baby to Ian. He cradled him in his arms and stared at him. "Hey there, little one. You gonna play baseball with Coach?" He touched his hands. "Look at his little fingers."

Nate spoke up. "Where are Mel and Jared?"

"I told them to take a nap while I watched him. Excuse me." I got up and left the living room to go and get a cup of the coffee I had left brewing in the kitchen.

When I came back they were both cooing over Jesse.

"Ian?"

"Yeah, babe?"

"Would you tell Nate the difference between making love and sex?"

"Yeah, there's no difference."

"HA!" Nate bellowed.

"Ian!"

He raised his head to look at me. "Why are you talking to him about that stuff anyway?"

"Just answer the question," I urged.

"I would but you know I have a tendency to exaggerate." He shut me up by shoving my own words down my throat. I wasn't going to fight with him in front of Nate.

I was irritated but I stood my ground. "Well all I can say is when we are playing or when I am trying to be sexy, for me that's sex. It's fun and it's wild but when it starts with a long slow passionate kiss and I'm emotionally invested, then for me it's making love."

"And what would you call this morning?" Ian asked.

I was confused. "We didn't do anything this morning."

"Exactly." He looked at Nate. "She didn't even kiss me good bye."

Nate shook his head. "Sounds like the marriage is over dude."

I was furious. I walked over to the two of them. "Nate would you take the baby, please?"

"You're not going to hit him are you?"

"The baby? No."

"I meant your husband." Nate took the baby from Ian.

I took Ian by the hand and dragged him into the kitchen. "This isn't over, mister." I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him to my lips. I kissed him long and hard. When we finished the kiss I added, "And don't think you're getting sex tonight."

"Oh, come on babe."

"You'll just have to figure out how to make love to me without the sex."

I stormed away from him and went back to the baby. Just seeing his precious little face changed my ugly mood dramatically. Ian came back into the living room looking dejected.

"Why don't you two go chop wood or something," I ordered them.

"Why is she mad at me? I didn't do anything," Nate protested.

Ian narrowed his eyes at Nate "You started this whole thing. I don't know how but somehow…you know what? Let's go chop some wood."

I didn't like the sound of that. "Ian, I expect you to be on your best behavior. You should be thinking about the difference between sex and making love."

"I know the difference," he growled.

"Really," I said sarcastically.

At that moment the baby started to cry. I tried to calm him but he continued.

"He may need a diaper change," Nate suggested.

"I've never done that," I exclaimed.

"Well, check his diaper first," Ian urged. We laid Jesse on the couch and peeled back his diaper. "Oh! Yeah he needs a change. Where is his stuff?" Ian asked.

"In the bedroom."

Nate interrupted, "I'll get it."

"Do it quietly. I don't want to wake them," I ordered.

Nate left the room. Ian took the opportunity to plead his case. "Wanderer, you know that I know when we are just having sex and when we are really making love. During our honeymoon, I've only made love to you."

"I know that. I was trying to make a point to Nate and you didn't back me up."

"It's a guy thing. Guys talk about sex. They don't get all mushy with emotion when talking about it. I'm sorry."

"Nate thinks there is no difference between sex and making love."

"That's because he's never made love to you."

"And he never will!" I said in a shrill voice.

Ian smiled. "That's the best thing I've heard all day."

"Better than I love you?"

"You haven't said that to me today."

I realized that half of the day was gone and I hadn't said 'I love you' to my husband of three days. I felt like crap. "Ian, I love you." I said it with as much sincerity as I could.

"I know you do." He would have kissed me but poor little Jesse was making such a fuss.

Nate returned carrying a few diapers, wipes, and baby powder. It was like the blind leading the blind. The only person who had actually changed a diaper before was Nate. He had changed Priscilla's diaper a few times when she was a baby. It was a team effort but in the end Jesse was wiped, freshly powdered, and diapered. You'd think we had invented the light bulb or something. Once he was changed, Ian took him and rocked him in his arms until he fell asleep. Nate announced that he had things to do and left the house just as Sunny and Kyle emerged from the bedroom.

"It's the baby!" Kyle seemed thrilled with the new edition. He came right over to see Jesse. Sunny held back. She bolted to the bathroom instead. When she came out she went straight to the kitchen. I followed her.

"Good morning Sunshine!" I teased her.

"When was the baby born?" she asked.

"Last night, a little after midnight. A boy. Jesse James Howe."

"An outlaw, that's cute."

"He's very cute. You should come see him. He won't bite and you can't get pregnant by touching him."

"Ha-ha, funny. I'll be out in a few minutes. Let me eat first."

I came back out to the living room and Ian still had the sleeping baby cradled in his arms. He was sitting on the couch and he turned the TV on at a low volume. Jamie and Megan came bounding through the door and it slammed behind them. The baby jumped at the sound and began to cry.

"Jesus, can we put a note on that door or something?" Ian barked. He soothed little Jesse and he fell quickly back to sleep. I wrote a note with the warning: 'Sleeping Baby- Be Quiet' and I hung it on the outside of the door.

Megan and Jamie sat quietly on the couch. "Can we see?" Jamie whispered.

Ian whispered back. "Yes, just be quiet."

The slam of the door must have waked Mel and Jared because they came out of the room. "Is everything okay?" Mel inquired as she moved towards her baby.

Ian smiled brightly at her. "Everything is fine. He's sleeping. We even changed his diaper."

Jared spoke. "Ian, are you practicing?"

"Yep, sure am. You know, this kid is going to be on my team some day. I guess I should get to know him."

"How do you know he'll like baseball?" Melanie asked.

"Well, if he hangs out with my kid, he'll definitely play ball."

I came over and put my hands on Ian's shoulders. "He's got it all figured out."

Sunny came out of the kitchen and peeked at the baby. "He looks so…fragile."

"He is," Ian answered. "That's why we have to love and protect him."

Melanie looked at me. "See, he'll make the perfect godfather."

Ian hadn't heard the earlier conversation. He was hearing it for the first time.

"You want me to be the god father?" he asked.

Jared put his hand on Ian's shoulder. "Are you up for the job?"

"Hell, yeah!" He looked at me. "We're godparents!" He was beaming.

"I know." I smiled. I directed my attention back to Melanie. "You should finish your nap."

"I don't think I can sleep right now. There's too much excitement."

At that moment Maggie, Tom, Maria, and Jeb all came through the door. It was then that I decided it would be a good time for me to do a little shopping for Jesse. After all, he had no clothes. He was wrapped in a blanket.

"Ian, I'm going to go shopping."

Sunny piped up. "I'm coming."

Kyle looked terrified. I, too, was frozen with fear. I tried my best to shake it off to answer her. "Okay…sure…we'll have fun." I said trying unsuccessfully to sound enthusiastic.

"Guys! Don't panic! I'm coming back!" she hollered.

It felt like the whole room breathed a sigh of relief.

Sunny finished getting ready and the O'Shea men walked us out to the car. "When will you be back?" Ian asked.

"I don't know? How long does it take to pick some baby clothes?"

I kissed Ian good bye. "I love you Mr. O'Shea."

"I'll be waiting for you." He replied.

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