April 5, 1953
Drew and Elizabeth woke up with smiles on their faces.
"Why do I have a feeling this is going to be one of the greatest days of my life?" Elizabeth beamed.
"Some days, you just know. Today is one of them." Drew smiled.
Drew and Elizabeth attended the Easter sunrise service with Elizabeth's parents, siblings, and their families. Everyone went to John and Olivia's to eat. After eating, Drew spoke up.
"John, we have some good news to share. May we?"
John smiled. "Go ahead, Son."
Drew smiled. "The first great news is that I have my wife back. Elizabeth is feeling a lot better, so I'm very thankful for that. Through being at the hospital, the doctor re-examined Elizabeth and discovered that her condition is a more long-lasting one than the flu. By longer-lasting, I mean nine months."
Olivia gasped. Smiles spread across everyone's face.
"I'm pregnant!" Elizabeth squealed.
Everyone showered the couple with hugs, kisses, and tears.
"I never thought I'd say those words. God has been good to us. We get to meet a little miracle in October."
"Oh Elizabeth," Olivia had tears in her eyes. "Wouldn't that be so sweet if you and your son or daughter shared a birthday?"
Elizabeth smiled. "I've thought about that. It would be really fun, but all I care about right now is that he or she is healthy."
"We do too. I'm going to give you the biggest shower." Olivia beamed. "I can't believe it!" She hugged Elizabeth again.
Over the next couple weeks, Elizabeth still didn't feel good, but she was excited, knowing that good things were happening.
August 28, 1953
Drew and Elizabeth were eating supper with Isaac and Joy.
"We wanted to have you over to talk, but we also had something to tell you." Joy smiled. "I went to the doctor the other day because I hadn't been feeling good. I found out that Isaac and I will be parents next Spring!"
Drew and Elizabeth hugged them.
"This will be so fun!" Elizabeth smiled. "Cousins who will be in the same grade and the same age."
"They'll be best friends!" Joy added.
October 31, 1953
Halloween fell on a Saturday night this year.
John and the younger couples took the children trick-or-treating. Drew and Elizabeth as well as Isaac and Joy came.
"How are you doing Elizabeth?" Joy asked. "You look really uncomfortable."
Joy was only in her second trimester, while Elizabeth would give birth any day. Elizabeth was due on the 27th, but no baby yet.
"I had contractions yesterday, but as you can see, nothing came of them. I'd be lying if I didn't say I wanted to have this baby out. But I guess it's maybe the Lord's way of making me more patient."
Joy laughed. "Well assuming you don't go into labor between now and then, would you like to take a walk with me tomorrow afternoon? I read somewhere that a good long walk can get labor started."
"I'd like that very much." Elizabeth said with a smile.
"Then it's a date?"
"It's a date, Little Sister."
Joy hugged Elizabeth. Then the pointed her finger at Elizabeth's stomach. "Now listen here, Little Man or Little Miss, your Aunt Joy is excited to meet you so you need to come out soon."
The sisters laughed as they went to catch up with the others.
November 1, 1953
The following afternoon, Elizabeth and Joy went for a walk. The breeze was chilly, but the girls enjoyed the fresh air and each other's company.
"Winter will be here before we know it." Elizabeth said.
"Oh don't say that." Joy laughed. "I'm not ready for it at all. At least you will be done with your pregnancy by that point. You won't have to worry about being extra careful on the ice and trying to get a thick Winter jacket over your large stomach."
"You're right." Elizabeth smiled.
"But I'm excited." Joy said. "This Winter will be so fun for me and Isaac, getting ready for the baby and all. Plus our anniversary is in February."
Elizabeth smiled. "Do you think I'll be a good mom, Joy?"
Joy looked directly into Elizabeth's brown eyes. "With all sincerity, yes. I see how you've taken care of your nieces and nephews. I remember how you took care of me when I was little. Yes, Elizabeth, you will be a wonderful mother."
"Thank you." Elizabeth smiled. "I hope so. Because this little one already has an amazing daddy. I just hope I can be as wonderful as he is."
"You definitely will be."
November 2, 1953
Elizabeth and Drew ate supper after Drew came home from work at John and Olivia's. After eating, it was about 8:00. Elizabeth began washing the dishes. Drew dried for her. While doing this, Elizabeth doubled over.
"OHHH!" she screamed.
Drew rushed to her side.
"I haven't had contractions since Friday." She said through gasps.
"Do you think this is the real thing?" Drew asked.
"Either way, you'd better get me to the hospital." She said.
Drew gently guided Elizabeth out to their truck. He made sure she was as comfortable as she could be.
"I'll be right back, Honey. Can I call my parents and your parents quickly?"
Elizabeth nodded.
"I'll be right back Sweetheart."
Drew ran back inside and grabbed the suitcase Elizabeth had packed a few weeks prior. Then he called his parents, Edward and Jane Cutler. He also called John and Olivia.
"John, it's Drew. Elizabeth's in labor. I'm taking her to Charlottesville."
"We'll be there as soon as we can Son. This is great news! Bye now."
Drew rushed back to the vehicle. Elizabeth was groaning.
"OH! AWWWWW!" she screamed.
"Hold on, Baby. We'll be there in a few minutes."
Once at the hospital, the nurse got a wheelchair for Elizabeth.
"I guess we'll be a family of three the next time I see you." Drew said, holding Elizabeth's hand.
Elizabeth smiled. "These past six years with you have been the best six years of my life. And I know we'll just love being parents. I can't wait to see you as a daddy, taking care of our little one."
Drew smiled. He kissed Elizabeth's hand. "I love you Baby."
"I love you." She said.
The nurse pushed Elizabeth back to the labor and maternity floor.
Drew restlessly sat down. About ten minutes later, John and Olivia arrived.
"We got here about 15 minutes ago. They already have Elizabeth back in the labor room."
Olivia smiled. "Would you like us to sit with you, Drew?"
"We've sat through many a birth of a grandchild. We're pretty good at it by now." John winked at his son-in-law.
Drew smiled. "I'd love it if you two sat with me."
So they did.
Soon Edward and Jane showed up as well. Members of the Walton clan came too: John-Boy, Jen, John, Isaac, Jason, Jonesy, Mary Ellen, John Curtis, Ashley, Erin, Ben, Cindy, Jim Bob, Isaac, and Joy. Jenny, Toni and Patsy stayed at home to watch the younger children.
Back in the delivery room, Elizabeth was miserable. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" she screamed. "THIS HURTS SO MUCH!"
"I know, Honey. Just bear down. Breathe." The doctor gently coaxed.
At eleven o'clock, the nurse came out.
"Your wife is in a hard labor. She's in a lot of pain."
Drew looked at the ground and nodded.
"I'll let you know if anything changes, I'm just letting you know that you may want to brace yourself for a long night."
"Thank you." Drew said.
Olivia hugged her son-in-law.
"I know it's tough, Son. I'm sorry."
"Thanks." Drew whispered.
He looked around at his family. Many of them were asleep.
"I'm gonna go get some coffee. Would either of you like any?"
"No thank you Honey." Olivia said.
"I will. Do you mind if I come along?" John said.
"Company would be nice." Drew smiled.
Elizabeth was screaming back in the delivery room.
"AWWWWWWWW! Aw! Aw! AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!" she wailed.
She squeezed the nurse's hand. "You're doing great, Honey." The nurse smiled.
"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Elizabeth screamed.
November 3, 1953
It was now 4 a.m. and Elizabeth had been in labor for nearly eight hours.
"I just wanna be done!" Elizabeth said to the nurse, tears running down her face.
"I know Honey. It gets tough, but you've gotta keep going for your baby." The nurse said. "I'm right here." She squeezed Elizabeth's hand.
"Push again, Sweetheart." The doctor said.
Elizabeth gulped in air and once again pushed.
"OWWWWWWWWWWW!" she screamed.
At 7:30 a.m., Elizabeth was exhausted.
"I can't." she whispered. And she began to cry.
"You can." The nurse said. "Your baby is almost here. The doctor needs you to push just a little more."
"You can do it, Sweetheart." The doctor said.
Elizabeth pushed again.
Drew sat with his parents, drinking coffee. Everyone else was asleep.
At 7:58, Elizabeth was screaming.
"AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"
"You've got it Honey, you've got it. I can see the baby's head now."
Elizabeth nodded. She squeezed the nurse's hand. "AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"
"Once more, Sweetheart, once more!" the doctor smiled.
"AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"
She panted, out of air.
The doctor cut the cord. The baby began to cry. Elizabeth covered her face with her hands and sobbed. The nurse, Amy, who had been her nurse for many years, hugged her.
"You did it, Sweet Girl. After six years, you finally have a child!" Amy was nears tears as well.
The doctor smiled. "Congratulations Elizabeth, you have a beautiful daughter."
Elizabeth opened her arms and cradled her newborn daughter.
Elizabeth began to cry again. "Sweetheart," she choked out. "I waited six years for you. You have no idea how loved you are. Your daddy is just gonna cry when he see you. You were sure worth the wait."
Amy smiled.
"Can Drew come back yet?" Elizabeth asked.
"Let me get one of the other nurses to help me. We'll wheel you right into a patient room. Drew can come see you then."
Elizabeth nodded.
Amy and another nurse wheeled Elizabeth into the room. They went back and wheeled the crib with Baby Cutler into the room with Elizabeth.
"I'll go get Drew." Smiled Amy.
"Thank you Amy." Elizabeth smiled.
Amy went out to get Drew.
"Drew, congratulations Daddy! You have a little girl!"
At these words, Drew dropped into a chair and began to sob. Olivia cried too. She hugged him.
"Thank you, Nurse. It's been a really long night. This is the best news ever!" John smiled.
Amy smiled, trying to keep from crying herself.
It took nearly ten minutes for Drew to stop crying.
He looked at Olivia. "I'd better go see Elizabeth and our baby."
Olivia brushed the tears off his cheeks. "I think you should." She choked out.
He stood up and went back to the nurse's desk.
"They're in room 112." Amy smiled.
"Thank you." Drew smiled.
He went back to room 112. The door was open. He peeked in.
"Drew!" Elizabeth squealed.
He ran to her. "I love you Baby!"
"I love you!" she smiled.
"Where's our daughter?"
"Right over in the crib." Elizabeth grinned.
Drew walked over to the crib. He picked up his baby. He held her close to him. A tear rolled down his cheek. "This is the child we've prayed for Elizabeth, for six years. She's here now."
Elizabeth swallowed, trying not to cry again. "I know. God is amazing."
"Yes He is." Drew smiled. "I love you Honey." He spoke to his daughter. "I love you so much!"
Elizabeth melted watching them.
"What is her name?" Drew asked.
"Are you okay with the girl name we had picked?" Elizabeth asked.
Drew smiled and nodded.
"Then you are holding Judith Olivia Cutler."
Drew smiled. "I love you Judith." He kissed his baby's forehead.
After a while, everyone came back to see the new Walton family member. She was adored and loved by everyone.
We will always remember that Fall day, the day that after six years, my sister and her husband became parents. Not every day we witnessed a miracle. But on November 3, 1953, we not only witnessed a miracle, but we were able to hold one as well, the miracle of Judith Olivia Cutler.