Chapter 3

Its A Girl!

"Toema (mother), what are you going to name the baby?" asked a five-year-old Richard to his very prenent mother.

"If it's a boy the name will be Bali and if it's a girl then it's going to be Ocean," Ivey answered with a smile, "What do you think?"

"I like those names."

"I'm...Oh!"

"Toema (mother)?"

"Go get your Toepa (father)! Hurry!"

Richard nodded his head and ran off to find his father. Fnding him in his study; Richard burst in yellping, "Toepa (father)! Toema (mother) is dying!"

"What?" Squid stood up so quickly that he nocked down his chair. He swam out of his study and into the family room. He found his wife spralled on the floor breathing heavily. "Ivey?" Squid swam to his wife's side. He knelt down beside her.

"It's too early," Ivey whispered, "They're coming too early."

"Richard, call the healers, quickly," Squid said calmly.

Richard swam off to do what he was told. Within minutes Healer Bay and Stormy had arrived. They did not allow Squid nor Richard to be presnet for the birth.

Richard sat in his father's chair in the study swinging his feet back and forth while his father paced nurvously.

"Toepa (father), what's wrong?" Richard asked in wonder.

"Nothing, son, I'm just worried," Squid answered.

"Why?"

"Because it's way too early for the baby to come."

"Oh."

In the family room Healer Bay and Healer Stormy moved Ivey to the couch.

"It's too early," Ivey whispered paniced, "too early."

Healer Bay, the head healer, felt Ivey's abdoman to "see" what was going on.

"It looks like you're ready to give birth," Healer Bay stated to his companion.

A couple hours later Squid and Richard were finally able to see Ivey. She layed comfortably on the couch with two infints resting on her chest. Squid and Richard tip-toed over to the couch to get a better look. Ivey smiled at her son and said, "Richard, I want you to meet your two new baby sisters," Ivey stated, "This one is Ora." She kissed the babe on the right, "She's the oldest and this one is Ocean." She kissed the babe on the left.

Richard gave his parents a great big smile, "I am a bit brover."