Chapter 4

The drive back was arduous and still very difficult. Mother nature did not let up at all. The wind was ferocious and the heavy snow just kept on falling. Visibility was still terrible. Throughout the ride, Penelope's contractions continued and were coming closer and closer together. Spencer felt that they could still make it back in time.

The vehicles had just turned into the driveway when Penelope let out a deafening scream. It was by far, the hardest contraction yet. As they pulled up in front of the cabin, they started honking the horn to let the others know of their return. The front door flew open and the ladies rushed out onto the porch grateful that everyone had made it back safely.

Derek was the first one of the SUV, he helped Penelope sit up and she slid out where Derek, picked her up again and started to make his way to the cabin. In the meantime, Spencer already had run up to the porch and told the women that Penelope's water broke and the contractions were only two minutes apart now.

Derek carefully stepped onto the porch and his pace quickened once they made it in the door. He practically sprinted to the staircase and took the steps two at a time. He followed his mother and Spencer to their room which was all set up for them.

Derek gently placed his girl down on the edge of the bed. Fran ran over and started to undress Penelope quickly. While Fran was attending to her daughter-in-law, Penelope screamed out again with another hard contraction rocking her body. Derek and Spencer were removing their coats and boots before jumping into action.

Once the contraction ended, Fran helped Penelope to lie down and get her positioned so she could check out the baby's progress. Derek following his mother's instructions slid up behind Penelope so he could be in a position to help Penelope push when the time came.

Being that Fran was a retired registered nurse and Spencer had delivered a couple of babies in the field, they both would assist with the delivery.

While the activity continued upstairs, the rest of the family eagerly awaited the imminent birth downstairs. To keep the boys distracted, they all decided to have a late light supper. It ended up being hot dogs with some macaroni and cheese, the boy's choice of course.

As they finished eating, they all could hear Penelope crying out and screaming while the labor progressed. The adults explained that Auntie Pen was fine and they soon would get to meet their newest cousin.

Fran remained calm and collected as she readied to deliver the baby very shortly. "You're doing great Penelope. The head is out, just a few more pushes and your baby will be here."

"You hear that Baby Girl, you're almost there. I'm so proud of you! I love you!" He kissed her head and she screamed out, "Ahhhh, here comes another one." Derek helped her up to help with her pushing. She pushed until Fran told her to stop.

"Ok, Penelope the shoulders are out, on the next one push as hard as you can while the rest of body delivers."

Penelope let out a huge shriek as the last contraction hit. "Pushhhh, Penelope, Pushhh!"

With that, she did as she was told. Suddenly, felt the baby slide out and Derek laid her down to rest. Penelope rasped out, "Is the baby okay? Please tell me the baby is fine."

Derek watched his mother and Spencer as they placed the clamps and wiped the baby's mouth and nose.

Then the whole room was filled with the most glorious sound that they ever heard. Baby Morgan let out mighty and boisterous cry. The group let out a collective sigh of relief.

Fran grinned with happy tears sliding down her cheeks. "The baby is fine mommy, just fine. Daddy, do you want to cut the cord?"

Derek also with tears in his eyes, looked down at his beautiful wife and then at Fran. "I'd love to, Momma!"

As he removed himself from his position behind Penelope, he stood up and made his way over to cut the cord. Penelope was also crying and asked again, "You sure everything's alright being the baby was early?"

Fran looked at her and smiled and reassured her. Penelope, he is just fine, I promise."

After Derek cut the cord, he went back to his wife's side and took her hand. "Angelfish, did you hear that? We have a son, a mini Hot Stuff!"

As they all chuckled, Spencer cut in, "Congratulations, mommy and daddy, you have a beautiful baby boy. Let us clean him up for a second and then you can hold him."

Derek leaned down and placed a gentle and loving kiss to her lips. "I love you, mama! Thank you for giving me the best present in the world. We have a son!"

Penelope couldn't help the tears that were steadily flowing down her beautiful face. "I love you too, my prince. Thank you for making me a mommy."

A couple minutes later, Fran stood up and presented their newborn son to them and placed him in his mommy's waiting arms. He was gorgeous, he had a full head of dark brown curly hair and was a few shades lighter than his daddy. He had ten fingers and ten toes and gurgled as she held him. First, Penelope leaned over and kissed him and then Derek followed.

"Ohhh he is handsome, just like his daddy!" Penelope cooed. She continued, "I think he looks just like you, Derek."

"He is perfect, just like you Pen! I think he looks like you, beautiful! We are both lucky and blessed." Derek couldn't take his eyes off of his son and lightly ran his fingers through the baby's curly hair.

Fran spoke up, "I see both of you in him. My grandson is quite the good-looking little guy."

Derek looked up at his mother and Spencer and grinned. "Thank you both for all you did. I'm so glad you were both here to help bring our little man into the world. We love the both of you!"

Penelope was also very grateful. "Yes, thank you both. I don't know what we would have done if you two weren't here. I love you guys!"

Fran replied, "We love you too! It was our honor. I can't wait to show him off!" They all chuckled at that last part.

Spencer stood up and shook Derek's hand. "It was definitely an honor. I love you guys too! I am going to wash up and then let the others know what's going on. Be back soon." He then walked out of the room.

Meanwhile, downstairs the whole family had heard the cries of Baby Morgan and couldn't wait to see all of them and find out how everyone was doing.

Fran stayed with the new parents and the baby, to help deliver the afterbirth and to sew up Penelope the best she could and monitor her for any bleeding or hemorrhaging. While that was all going on, Spencer was making his way down the stairs to the rest of the family.

As soon as he walked into the living room, JJ was the first one to notice him and jumped up and ran over to her husband. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a loving kiss. Before he knew it, he was completely surrounded by everybody and was being crushed with a million and one questions.

He took a deep breath while he readied to answer all their questions. "Okay, okay! Slow down, I will tell you everything. Penelope and Baby Morgan are both fine." He grinned before he continued on, "It's a boy! He is adorable and both mommy and daddy are ecstatic. He has a full head of curly hair and is slightly lighter than Derek. He was born at exactly 9:25pm on Christmas Eve. Almost a Christmas baby, but not quite."

When he finished, all he heard was some oooo's and ahhhh's. Everybody was thrilled and couldn't wait to go upstairs. While they waited for the okay, Spencer had a quick bite to eat and joined in on all the happiness and the excitement that was buzzing throughout the room.

After a little while, Fran made her way downstairs and was met by her loving husband and was immediately pulled into his loving arms. She also reported all was well upstairs, grabbed a quick sandwich and announced they would be able to head up soon. She wanted to give the new little family a chance to bond first.

ONE CHAPTER LEFT