Here's chapter ten.
I hope everybody's okay with it, 'cause feedback means a lot to me.
Anyway, on with the story.
Once again, I've sped things up a little.
(I added a little light humor with Billy/Kat! Well, I think it's funny anyway- y'all don't have to, LOL)!
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(The Cranston Household)
(The third week of January- Tuesday evening)
"I'm going crazy, Tanya," Kat said. The blonde- who was nine months pregnant and a little over a week overdue- was sitting in the den of her and Billy's house, talking on the phone to her best friend. Billy- who was a computer engineer- hadn't gotten home yet.
Anyway, Kat had been more than a little anxious and cranky lately. Totally understandable since she was overdue! A little fact she never failed to remind Billy of everyday. Her friends found her crankiness amusing.
Kat looked down at her at huge belly and shook her head. "I have no idea where this little girl gets her stubbornness from," she said. They'd decided to name their daughter Amber. Amber Lynn Cranston.
Katherine heard the door open and close. "Billy's home now, Tanya," the former pink ranger said. "I'll call you back. Okay. Bye."
Billy stepped into the den and gave his wife a slightly wary look. His sweet, gentle Katherine hadn't been so sweet and gentle lately! She was frustrated and irritable.
He cleared his throat. "Hi, honey," he said lightly. Should he kiss her? 'Not if I wanna keep my lips,' he thought. Okay, maybe he was being ridiculous, but, Kat's behavior these days...
"Hi," Kat said listlessly, rubbing her belly.
He slowly made his way up to her and sat down on the couch- he made sure not to sit too close. "Do you wanna order Chinese food for dinner?" he asked carefully.
"That's fine, I guess," she said dully. "Why are you talking like that?"
"Like what?" he asked warily.
"Like you expect me to bite your nose off or something any second now," she said, looking at her husband.
He had no idea what to say. The former blue ranger looked around- an attempt to appear casual.
Kat growled and rolled her eyes. "Why can't kids ever do what they're supposed to? Why isn't she here yet? Is she trying to torture us already?" she said irritably. She was so passionately sick of being pregnant and she was also anxious to see her baby.
Billy felt a surge of sympathy. "Don't worry, sweetheart. She'll be making an appearance soon," he said in a soothing tone.
Kat gave him an annoyed look. "And you know this how, Billy? Did she tell you? Is it a prediction? Men. You'll never get it," she said, shaking her head.
"You're right. Men can't possibly understand," he agreed, trying to calm the waters. He figured just going along with it all would help.
"Will you stop that?" she said.
"Stop what, honey?" he asked calmly.
"That! Being so rational and patient! I hate that," Kat said in irritation.
Billy simply nodded. He wasn't angry, though. He knew that Kat wouldn't be, well, normal until she delivered. Of course, he wasn't idiotic enough to say that.
Kat looked around the room with a disapproving frown. "I hate this room. I wanna redecorate," she said.
"Whatever makes you happy," he said before he knew it. Never mind the fact she'd just had it redecorated two months ago. No, he wasn't gonna mention that.
"Happy?" she said, cocking a brow. She let out a half-laugh, half-sigh. "You know what would make me happy?"
'I don't even need three guesses,' he thought.
"I'd be happy to see my feet again! Oh, and wear my jeans. Oh, what is with this kid?" Kat said, throwing her hands up.
Billy decided answering the question would probably be life-threatening, so, he leaned forward to grab the cordless phone off the coffee table. "I think I'll order the food now. What would you like- the usual?" he asked.
"I'd like to be in a hospital bed pushing a human being outta my body," Kat said dryly.
'I'll take that as a yes,' he decided silently as he began dialing the number they both had come to know by heart.
Kat gasped suddenly and her eyes widened. She instantly gripped Billy's hand.
Concern and wariness filled him. "What's the matter?" he asked cautiously.
She looked at him and a grin began slowly spreading across her lovely face. "My water broke," she said happily.
Relief filled Billy. "Oh, thank God!" he said, hugging her.
"It's almost over!" she said joyfully.
He grinned, then, remembered they weren't supposed to be just sitting here, grinning like a couple loons. He sprang to his feet. "We've gotta get to the hospital. I'll get your bag," he said, then, practically dashed from the room.
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(The Scott Household)
(The same day)
Kim stood in the doorway of the kitchen, watching Jason cook dinner. Jade was in her room, playing. Kim rubbed her belly- she was now six months pregnant. With a boy and girl. Meaning she'd won their little bet. She hadn't come up with any names yet. But she was thinking. She'd also been thinking of much more important things.
"Jase?" she said.
He looked over at her. "What's up?" he asked.
Kim took a deep breath and walked over to the table. "We really need to talk- about money," she said, taking a seat.
He joined her at the table. "Money?"
"Yeah. I know we've been coasting along just fine these last few months, but, pretty soon, we're gonna have to really start tightening up," she said.
"Yeah, I've been thinking about that, too," he said, rubbing his chin. She was right. After all, they had twins coming. Serious budgeting ahead.
Kim nodded, not even a little bit shocked that Jason- one of the most responsible people she knew- had been thinking about the financial situation. "I mean, my savings won't last forever and I wanna help out around here. I'm not gonna burden you like that. I know you're used to looking after a family, but, these are my kids, too. And since I'm living here, I'm gonna pull my weight. After the twins are born, I'm gonna get a job."
Jason's dark eyebrows almost vanished under his hairline. "I thought you were gonna eventually return to teaching gymnastics. Kim, no matter what happens, I don't want you to give up on-" he was saying.
"Jase, it's cool. Really. I'm not locking the door on gymnastics forever. I just wanna do something non-physical for awhile, you know?" she said.
"I hear ya. What do you have in mind?" he asked curiously.
"At the moment, I have no idea. But I know I want it to be the opposite of gymnastics," she said.
"Well, you know I'll support whatever you choose to do. I'll help in any way I can. But you've gotta promise me that you'll try not to worry so much because you really don't need it right now," he said.
"I'll try. But, I refuse to just sit back and let you take on everything. It's so not right," she said, shaking her head.
He placed his hand over hers. "Don't you worry about me," he said. He didn't want her to have any pregnancy complications. He'd already been worried about her delivery- because of her size. But, he wasn't gonna let her in on that because he wanted to at least try to make things stress-free for her. Okay, he knew he wasn't Superman, but, he was gonna try to make sure Kim, his kids and himself never went hungry.
"You may be fantastic, Jase, but, you're still human," she said seriously.
Before he could reply, the phone rang. "I'll get that," he said, standing and heading over towards the counter. He grabbed the cordless phone and answered without bothering to check the caller ID. "Hello?"
"Jase, it's me," came Adam's voice.
"Hey, man. What's up?" Jason asked. He'd just seen Adam. He hoped nothing was wrong.
"Billy just called a couple minutes ago. Kat's gone into labor," the second black ranger said.
"Oh, yeah? That's great. I know she's happy the day finally came," Jason said with a grin. Kat had been hilarious lately.
"You said it. Well, I just wanted to give you the info. I'm gonna call the others," Adam said.
"Okay. I'll see ya around, man," Jason said, then, hung up the phone.
"What's happening?" Kim asked.
"Kat's in labor," Jason replied.
Kim's eyes widened a little. "That's great! I bet she wishes she can do a few cartwheels right about now," she said with a laugh.
"No kidding. It seems like she was pregnant for the last decade," Jason said, shaking his head. Then, he looked over at Kimberly. "Hey."
"Yeah?" she asked.
He walked over to her, knelt down and cupped her face. "Believe this. No matter what happens, we're gonna be all right. I know it won't be all sunshine and cotton candy all the time- I know this. But, we are gonna be fine," he said.
She just leaned forward and curled her arms around his neck and closed her eyes.
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Kim and Jason aren't exactly done discussing finances, of course. You gotta inject realism sometimes, right? And I'm not sure what job I want her to have after the babies are born. If anybody has any ideas, FEEL FREE TO SHARE THEM! Anyway, I hope ya liked this chapter and plz stay tuned. Cya. ;-)
