Seven hours later, four A.M. rolled around and Brock sat an uncomfortable vinyl chair with his chin in his hand by Reba's side. Her doctor had confirmed her being in labor and for the past seven hours, she had just been trying to rest. Every so often, she'd gasp with her contractions and Brock would wake up from his half sleep to help her through them. He held her hand, got her crushed ice, massaged her back, and read to her. Anything to get her mind off the pain.

Brock was just about to doze off for the thousandth time when he heard his wife groan beside him. He jerked up and looked over at her adjusting herself. He immediately scooted his chair closer to her and helped her with her pillows.

"Another one?"

She nodded and held the lower part of her stomach as her facial expression changed from somewhat peaceful to pain.

"Just breathe through it."

She nodded and took several deep breaths, relaxing as it passed.

"That one wasn't too bad." She leaned back onto the pillow and looked up at Brock. "Think we should call Barbra Jean? It's probably gettin' close."

Barbra Jean had gone back to Brock and Reba's house to get a few hours of sleep, but made the two promise they would call her when it was time. Brock, however, wasn't keen on the idea, and wanted to spend the moment his child came into the world with Reba. Not with Reba and Barbra Jean.

"Oh, let's not," He suggested.

"Brock... Like it or not, she's my best friend. What if I want her here?"

"Do you?"

"Boy, I should, shouldn't I?"

Brock chuckled and grasped her hand lightly. "Can we have this moment just the two of us? We won't get to do this again."

"You're darn right, we ain't doin' this again." She shut her eyes as another contraction rolled through her. She gripped his hand and listened to his soothing words, counting the seconds until it was over.

When it ended, there was a knock on the door and the doctor stepped in. He was a kind man. Tall, graying brown hair, been in the business for years. He was very caring and had delivered Cheyenne, Kyra, and Jake years ago.

"How are we doing?" He asked, going to the sink to wash his hands and put on gloves.

"I'm exhausted," Reba told him.

"Contractions very far apart?"

"Getting closer and closer."

He walked over to the bed and looked over the monitors, checking every detail. He was very thorough and Reba liked that about him. She didn't have to worry about being taken care of. Usually a nurse would come in to check on things, but since she was older and it was more of a risky pregnancy, Reba appreciated the doctor himself coming in.

"Her heart-rate is just where we want it to be."

"Everything else alright?"

"Perfect. We'll just check and see how far you are and go from there."

While the doctor did his business, Reba looked up at Brock who was awkwardly standing there with his hands in his pockets.

"You alright?" She asked him, reaching up and looping her hand around his arm.

He took his hand out of his pocket and grasped hers.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

"Well, you weren't, but I'm glad you took the hint. I'm fine."

The doctor rose and discarded his gloves in the nearby trash can, going to wash his hands once more.

"Well, you've dilated completely. You ready to have this kid?"

"Lord, yes." She looked up at Brock. "Ready?"

He squeezed her hand as a nurse appeared in the room, ready to go.

She got through the first push just fine. And the second. And the third.

"Give me a big one," The doctor urged.

She put her chin to her chest and bore down as another contraction began. Brock held onto her hand and counted to ten for her before she let up and went at it again. A moment later, she heard the doctor say, "Head's out."

Reba leaned back and took a few breaths, trying to rest before pushing again.

"Brock."

He looked up at the doctor who was pointing behind him.

"Yeah?"

"Go get some scrubs on. In that drawer over there. Wash your hands and get some gloves. You're gonna deliver this baby."

"Do...what?"

"Come on. Go put 'em on."

Brock looked at Reba who had her eyes closed and let go of her hand to do what the doctor requested. He came back and the doctor stood from the stool he had been sitting on.

"Sit down."

Brock did as he was told and looked up.

"Now what?"

"She pushes." The doctor put a hand on Reba's knee. "You ready?"

She nodded and adjusted herself before baring down. She let the tears that were forming in her eyes fall as she pushed once more. The pain was almost unbearable. She wasn't a sissy by any means, but this was something else. She let out a groan as she let up.

"Shit."

Brock's ears heightened at his wife's use of one of the words she hated most in the world. He figured she had to be in a lot of pain to use it.

"What am I supposed to be doing?" He asked the doctor.

"Gently hold the head. When it comes out, it'll be quick, alright? Hand it to Reba immediately, okay?"

"Alright. What if I drop her?"

"You won't unless you're just jacking around. So pay attention."

Brock nodded, turning his attention to Reba.

"Honey, are you listening?"

The tears were a constant flow now and she was trying to calm her fast breathing. She nodded as Brock continued.

"You're almost through. I can see the baby. I'm touching her. It's almost over, okay? One big push."

She went at it and Brock looked down to see the baby inch forward.

"Good girl. One more. Just one more."

Again, the baby moved forward and the shoulders became visible, then the torso, then the baby girl tumbled into his arms.

Reba gasped and Brock stood, laying his daughter on her mother's chest. With shaky hands, Reba touched her baby's head as the nurse cleaned out her nose and mouth. A gurgled cry came next and warm blankets were placed over her.

"Look at all her hair," Was the first thing Reba said.

Brock smiled and watched as two of the most beautiful girls in the world met for the first time.

A few hours later, Reba fell asleep after being in labor for seven hours. It sure was a change from the fifty-six she endured with Kyra. While Brock was exhausted himself, he promised Reba he'd watch the baby. She told him there was just something special about those first few hours, and that she would rather all three of them be in the same room rather than the little girl be in the nursery.

So Brock sat in the rocking chair and cradled his baby girl in his arms. She was tightly wrapped in a blanket, a pink hat on her head to keep her warm. She had a tiny hospital bracelet that matched Reba's around her wrist, and, like Reba had said, she had a head full of dark brown hair.

Gently rocking back and forth in the chair, Brock looked down at his sleeping daughter. Her tiny eyes were closed and her lips were pursed. She was just so small, weighing in at seven pounds, four ounces.

"Esme Nohr Hart," He said, shaking his head with a smile. "Please don't hate your mama for giving you that name. I was against it. I wanted to name you Kate, but your mom said no." He paused, as if waiting for an answer. "You have a whole bunch of people who can't wait to meet you. Your brother and your sister and your...niece and nephew. Boy, that's odd to say, considering they're older than you." He rubbed his thumb along her cheek. "You're beautiful, you know that? Just like your mama and sisters. You're gonna be a good girl, right?"

Esme yawned and Brock chuckled.

"Good. Now, you go back to sleep, okay? Don't start crying. Mommy's trying to rest." He kissed her tiny forehead and continued to rock her, an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach. He had been having those strange feelings for a while, but never said anything to Reba. He didn't want to worry her. He just shrugged them off like they were nothing. Especially now since he had a brand new baby girl he had to help raise. He was going to enjoy every second of it.

Okay. First and foremost, you pronounce her name like this: Es-may Nor. Okie doke? ;D I figured that since the other two girls had unique names, why not give this one a unique name, too. Review, puh-lease. ((: