A/N: Read and enjoy!

Chapter 8. The Party

James shoved his hands in his pockets and made his way to the infirmary and Juliet.

"Hey Jim." Someone called and he turned to see Horace hurrying in his direction.

Just great. What now? Horace was panting by the time he caught up with him. Least he wasn't that unfit yet or as fat. Horace needed to join the gym. He had lasted a whole week. Juliet had been unusually supportive and encouraging of late with the whole gym thing. He couldn't understand it.

'You said you didn't care how I looked,' he mumbled, pulling the pillow closer to himself and snuggling under the doona. He was tired, the gym could wait.

She prodded him in the side, making him wince.

'Oww what was that for?' he snapped glaring at her.

She was sitting up in bed, hair all messy looking all cute and kind of irresistible and he reached out a hand, caressing her arm.

'C'mon baby, chill out, come lie here next to me.'

But she was having none of it.

'Jin will be waiting for you,' she said, folding her arms over her belly, which made him smile.

'What are you smirking at," she frowned, all defensive now.

She was funny about the baby bump, always complaining that she's huge and going to have a freaking 10 pound baby or some such shit.

'Nothing, you look cute that's all.'

She was still frowning. He heaved himself into a sitting position and was about to reach for her but she was already out of bed.

'Dammit Blondie where are ya going?'

She picked up his stinky gym t-shirt, wriggled up her nose and threw it at him.

'You need to wash that thing.'

It does smell bad and he chucked it back on the ground.

'I'll get a clean top," he grumbled getting out of bed now.

Juliet had straightened herself to full height, hands on hips.

'You going to leave that on the floor for me to pick up," she snapped.

'I like watching you bend over,' he joked.

She wasn't smiling.

'Alright,' he grumbled picking the top up and shoving it in the laundry basket. 'Happy now.'

'You're already late for the gym and Jin ...' she began.

'Lives at the gym,' he finished for her.

He pulled his shorts on.

'Anyway,' he frowned, 'why are ya so pushy with this gym thing all of a sudden?'

'I'm just trying to motivate you,' she smiled, so sweetly and innocently. 'You know the whole supportive wife thing.'

He's not sure what to make of it.

James looked at Horace's flushed face.

"What'cha want Boss?" he asked.

"Miles said you're not having a 40th birthday," he exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief as if he'd committed the unthinkable.

Bloody Miles.

"It's your 40th, you have to have a party, it's the island rules," Horace persisted.

Screw the rules. "Since when?"

"Since I'm the boss and you're having a 40th Jim, I'm arranging it whether you like it or not."

Horace could be stubborn. James knew he had little choice. He'd look a right dick if he didn't show up at his own 40th.

"Yeah alright," he sighed.

Soon as Miles rocked up for monopoly night James confronted him at the door.

"Ya just had to say something to Horace didn't ya."

Miles smiled, patted him on the back.

"C'mon man it's your 40th and you don't want to be a stick in the mud, they'll be calling you a grumpy old man soon."

Miles made his way straight to the fridge. James followed. Juliet was sitting at the table shelling peas. Jin was making a special Korean meal that smelt too delicious and made his mouth water.

"I think you should have a disco party," Juliet suggested as he sat down next to her, pinching a few peas out of the bowl.

Miles eyes lit up as he flipped the tab off his can of beer.

"Hey yeah they're the in thing now," he exclaimed, "that'll be fun."

James wasn't thrilled. "Uh I don't think so," he said.

Juliet turned to him.

"It'll be fun James."

"No way I'm wearing platform shoes and flared pants," he snorted.

Miles gave an exasperated sigh. "Gee Jim you really have forgotten to have fun now your turning 40, maybe you should be turning 70."

James shrugged.

Miles pulled up a chair next to him.

"What if I end the bet," he suggested, "you don't have to keep the mullet for the next six months."

James folded his hands behind his head. Now they were getting somewhere.

"I don't mind it, gotten use to it," he returned.

He was feeling pleased with himself now, Miles was open to negotiation.

"How about the bottle of scotch," he continued.

Miles sighed. "Okay you can have the bottle of scotch back."

James glanced at him and can't hide the lingering smile.

"And half the chocolate."

Miles quickly glanced at Juliet. What was with that? What were these two brewing up now? He made a mental note to question her about it later.

"Alright," Miles muttered, "but you've got to do the whole disco thing, platform shoes, three piece suit and slicked back hair."

"I ain't slicking back my hair," he frowned.

"I'll give you back three bottles of red wine."

James mulled it over before nodding his head. "Okay you've got a deal."

Later that night Juliet was lying back on bed when James climbed into bed next to her looking pleased with himself.

"Why are you so happy?" she asked.

He looked at her, the smile still plastered on his face.

"Getting my stuff back," he replied, "I would have dressed up anyway."

"You were playing Miles?"

His smile widened. "Yep."

She was impressed. "That's smart."

"Yeah well it's known to happen from time," he replied and kissed her lightly on the lips before lying back on the bed.

Juliet lay down alongside him.

"And I get rid of this ridiculous haircut."

"I like it," she protested, "you're not going to cut it all off are you."

He gave her an incredulous look. "Shit yeah."

Miles dumped the chocolate on the bench. He didn't look happy.

"It's not the party yet," he protested.

"He's 40 today and the party is in three days," she returned.

"Alright," he muttered shoving his hands in his pocket. "Should have known the vain bastard would have stuck the gym out, I should have teased him less."

Juliet smiled and leaning forward she planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

"Yeah thank's for that support Miles," she quipped.

Juliet was preparing dinner when James comes home.

"What is with all the chocolate?" he asked, draping his towel over the back of the chair, dropping a kiss on the back of her neck. "What are you trying to fatten me up? You all jealous now Blondie, now that I'm starting to look hot again."

His breath tickled her neck. She turned her head and gave him the once over, seeing the mischievous light in his eyes. Okay so he's hot but she's not about to let him know that.

"You scrub up alright for an old man but there is still a bit of this," she continued and went to pinch his side. Only there was nothing there anymore.

He just smirked.

Not fair. Stupid bet and now she had all this chocolate.

"You're holding it in?" she said, glaring.

"No I'm not," he protested.

She tried to tickle him. He moved away laughing.

"Control yourself woman."

Picking up a candy bar from the bench he waved it in her face.

"You still craving these," he teased and then he frowned.

"I didn't think a shipment of chocolate had come in yet?"

Juliet bit down on her lip and he looked at her, questioning.

"Miles and I had a bet," she mumbled.

"About what?" he asked, a frown crossing his face.

"Well he said you wouldn't last a week at the gym and I said you would make it to your 40th birthday."

He looked at her in disbelief and shook his head.

"You placed a bet on that! On me sticking it out at the gym?"

"Well it worked."

"And if it hadn't?"

"I'd let him beat me in all the Atari games."

James ran a hand through his hair. "The son of a bitch."

He glanced back at her in annoyance. "You're as bad as him."

She weaved her arms around his neck, planting little kisses there.

"Yeah but you still love me," she murmured in his hair, "and I don't bet silly things like dorky haircuts."

"It's not dorky anymore," he protested having had it cut short at the back the other week much to her disappointment.

'I couldn't handle it anymore Juliet,' he'd stated when he'd come to see her at lunch, looking stressed, harried and shorn. 'It'll grow back.'

His hair grew fast. His fringe was almost hanging in his eyes again. Besides she had bigger pressing issues to contend with, like what the hell was she going to wear to the party now she was the side of a house? No way was she wearing some unflattering tent dress. She had rummaged through what was left in her wardrobe, that fit her, and it came to her in a flash. Why not start her own pregnancy design clothing. She spent the whole day and night drawing up all these designs, searching for material at the clothing store and getting Amy to sew for her. One thing she never did get to learn.

"Every woman can sew, we had to do it at school but my mother taught me," Amy chattered as she looked at the designs.

Yeah maybe back in your day, Juliet mused, but not hers.

"She learnt it from her mother," Amy continued, "you know my mother was the best seamstress in our town."

Juliet just nodded, pretending to be very interested but not caring. She hated sewing, was always poking herself with needles.

"Butter fingers," her grandmother used to say.

Maybe that is what had put her off it in the first place. Every second Saturday afternoon spent at grandma's learning how to sew, her and Rachel. Of course Rachel's outfits always ending up so perfect and hers were ... well they weren't really all that discernible.

Juliet was happy with the final results. A soft white halter neck dress that kind of accentuated her breasts maybe more than she would have liked before flowing loosely around her body, reaching mid thigh length. Who said you couldn't look hot pregnant, she mused as she applied her makeup in the mirror, piled her hair on top of her head, loose curls tumbling over her shoulders. Now for the shoes. She looked down at them in her hand. Strappy looking things, maybe she should get James to put them on for her. She found him lying on the couch watching television, still in his overalls.

"What are you doing?" she demanded giving him a disbelieving look, "you should be getting ready for the party."

"Plenty of time," he said with a dismissive wave of the hand, "it's not as if I have to put on a whole face of makeup."

She walked over to the couch and he looked up at her and she didn't miss seeing the male appreciation in his eyes. She smiled, nervously.

"Is this okay?" she asked.

He slowly sat up his eyes wandering over her body before lingering on her breasts making her temperature shoot up 10 degrees.

"Holy shit Blondie you'll blind a man out with those knockers."

She looked down at her breasts and tried tugging the top part of the dress up.

"They're not that big are they?"

"They're huge," he exclaimed getting to his feet.

She looked up at him, seeing the amusement in his eyes. She narrowed her eyes. He pulled her into his arms.

"You look beautiful," he murmured catching a strand of hair in his hand, wrapping a loose curl around his fingers.

She just melted in his arms. But they didn't have all day and she remembered the shoes.

Pulling back she shoved them at him.

"Can you put these on for me?"

James looked down at them a dubious look crossing his face.

"You sure ya should wear these shoes?"

He was holding one of them up, inspecting it, frowning.

"Of course."

"Yeah but look how high the heels are ..." he began, glancing back at her, "and in case you hadn't noticed babe but you are eight months pregnant."

She gave him a quelling look.

"Eight and half months and I'm wearing these shoes James."

"Yeah alright don't get ya knickers in a knot," he muttered, "still think it's not very sensible."

He was still muttering about her being unpractical as he tried to figure out where the straps go.

"They cross over the top part of my foot and strap around the ankle," she advised.

"What if ya slip?" he demanded, glancing at her.

She can't believe he's going on so much about this?

"I won't slip."

He just raised an eyebrow. "Because you know you are a bit top heavy," he joked patting her belly and she smacks his hand away.

The dress just wouldn't look right with any other shoes.

Once he had finished putting them on for her, she got to her feet and walked around the lounge room.

"You see I can walk fine in these," she said doing a little twirl and just about tripping over the rug.

James caught her in his arms.

"You're a crazy woman," he muttered, his face softening.

He looked good. Too damn good and it wasn't fair when she felt like a beached whale. She couldn't take her eyes off him at the party, watching him chat with the guys. Everyone is dressed in disco clothing. It seemed so surreal, like she was stuck in a bad 70's movie, only it was real.

"Wow you look beautiful," Amy exclaimed, "I must say whoever sewed that dress knew what they were doing."

Juliet smiled at her.

"Yeah she's the best in all of Dharmaville."

This seemed to please Amy.

"Not long now," Amy continued, patting Juliet's belly. "Oh I can't wait to see the baby."

"You and me both."

It could be anywhere from three weeks to seven weeks depending on whether the baby decided to come two weeks earlier or two weeks later. She really hoped it wasn't the later. The aching hips at night were starting to get to her.

"Jim looks great as well, you wouldn't think he was 40, has he lost weight," Amy continued.

"He's been going to the gym," Juliet replied her eyes focused on him.

As if sensing her watching him he looked up at her and gave her a brief wave. She waved back.

Miles was already half pissed and she was surprised that James wasn't yet. He worried too much about her and knew that was the reason why.

Miles was now dancing rather outrageously on the dance floor, tying to impress Barbara. Juliet slipped her camera out of her bag and took some photos. These would look really good pinned up on the board in the recreation room. She was chuckling to herself, when James sidled up next to her.

"I can't wait to see those," he grinned.

"Why aren't you up there dancing?"

"I'm not pissed enough yet," he returned.

Juliet couldn't put her finger on it but she felt odd. The Braxton Hicks contractions had been happening for months but they seemed stronger and more frequent tonight of all nights. It was happening again and she clutched his hand.

"What is it?" he asked suddenly, looking alarmed.

"It's just another one of those Braxton hicks contractions."

"You sure because that's some strong grip ya have there."

She saw the concern in his eyes. She didn't want him worrying at his 40th party.

As for the ridiculous shoes, her feet were killing her.

"I have to take these shoes off," she muttered and finding a seat she slipped them off her feet and sighed in contentment.

"I told you not to wear them," James said and she glanced up at him.

"Okay so you were right."

He must have felt sorry for her and sitting down in the seat next to her he leant over and lifted one of her feet into his lap.

"James," she protested making sure her dress covered her thighs, "I don't think this is really the time or place ..."

His long supple fingers worked magic on her feet and she found herself inwardly moaning. It felt so good, what did it matter what anyone else thought? He was sweet. It still amazed her that beneath the tough facade he presented was this man with his warm generous heart. They never would have found each other if wasn't for the island. As much as she hated living in the 70's away from her sister, she wouldn't want to be without him.

"What are ya thinking Blondie?" he asked, his gaze fixed on her face.

Raising a hand she touched his face.

"I'm thinking about you," she murmured, "how lucky I am to have you."

His face went a tinge of red. She couldn't believe after all this time that he'd still blush whenever she paid him a compliment. Then, with a pang, she remembered his childhood. This broken but beautiful man, beneath his jadedness there deep down was himself, still intact, protected, who he really was lying there dormant, waiting to be awakened.

He peered at her from beneath his eyelashes.

"I think ya got that the wrong way around," he said with a shake of his head.

She wished for once that he would just take the compliment. Surely by now he could think himself worthwhile of her love?

"No I got it the right way around," she stated, emphatically.

He stopped massaging her feet and their eyes met, the warmth in his making her heart melt.

"Let's get out of here," he breathed, lowering her foot to the ground, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"B-But my shoes ..." she began.

He had already pulled her to feet.

"Don't worry about shoes," he grinned, "I like ya barefoot and pregnant."

She should smack him out for that comment, but that smile of his was just too irresistible and he was pulling her towards the door before she could say anything more.

"Oh no you don't," Miles said, stumbling there way, "you two are staying right here, no nooky for you, you can do that any night."

Now it was turn for Juliet's face to go red, the embarrassment. Too many pairs of eyes were on them, so much for slipping out unnoticed. She could imagine what they were all thinking; sex ... in your condition? She bit down on her lip.

"You have to dance first," Miles continued, oblivious to her discomfort, "c'mon Jules dance with me."

Was he out of his mind, she had no shoes on. No way! She gave James a desperate pleading look.

"I'll dance with ya then but Juliet ain't up to it," James said and she sighed in relief.

"You slip through the door I'll meet ya there soon," he whispered in her ear.

This seem to make Miles happy considering he was plastered by now. But Juliet couldn't help herself. She had to watch James dance and slipped behind a bookcase. It was so funny to watch and she snuck the camera out of her bag. He would kill her, ah but she couldn't help it. Whenever would she get the chance to see this again?

"Tsk, tsk," a voice spoke from behind startling her and she turned to see Jin.

"C'mon Jin this is going to be a favourite on that pin up board for months and I might even win the most funniest photo award."

"You're too competitive Juliet," he said with a shake of his head but he was smiling.

"You must admit this is hilarious," she smiled.

He chuckled. "Very."

She narrowed her eyes. "Why aren't you out there?"

"I'm not stupid."

Jin was way too smart and wise to get caught up in all the shenanigans.

"I hear it's your 40th next year ..." she began when a sharp sudden pain clutched her abdomen. Her voice faltered and she bended over, clutching onto the side of the bookshelf for support, almost dropping the camera.

Jin caught the camera and his face clouded with concern.

"What is wrong?"

It couldn't be labour, way too early Juliet reasoned. The pain subsided and she straightened up.

"I'm alright," she gasped, taking a deep breath.

Jin didn't look convinced.

"You should sit down," Jin suggested but she shook her head.

James said he'd meet her outside and maybe the cool night air would clear her head.

"I'll just get some fresh air."

Jin refused to leave her side and followed her outside. She took in several deep breaths of fresh air. All was okay now. Her hands rested on the top of her belly, the baby was moving, a reassuring sign. Sometimes it didn't seem real. Her about to have a baby, becoming a mother. There were times when she had vowed, not her, it would never be her. But here she was. She turned slightly and noticed the wistful look on Jin's face. Sometimes they forgot that Jin had lost Sun, that he had been here with them for the last three and half years, alone, on this island. In all that time she hadn't seen him go out with another woman. He must really miss Sun. Sun would have had their child, did he think of that? He never talked much about it. Only on the odd occasion, like Christmas and then she would find him apart from everyone else staring up at the sky and the millions of stars. And she would think how hard this must be for him.

"You miss her?" she spoke without meaning too.

He nodded, his eyes clouding with an emotion she couldn't describe. The thought of being apart from James didn't bear thinking about, to be alive but in different times, would be hell. Just the thought made her heart ache.

She lightly touched Jin's arm in a sympathetic gesture.

"I'm sorry," she murmured.

Another sharp pain, so sudden, gripped low in her abdomen causing her to double over and gasp. It was stronger than the last, more intense but no sooner had it started when it stopped.

"Juliet," Jin exclaimed beside her, gripping her by the arm.

"I-It's okay," she stuttered, "could be nothing, a false labour."

Jin still looked worried. "I should go get James."

Juliet protested. "No he will be here soon enough, let him have some fun, I don't want to ruin his 40th."

"You sure?"

"Yes, let's walk for a bit."

They strolled around the play ground, through the gazebo, the contractions making her stop every five minutes. She counted how long they lasted for. They were regular maybe it wasn't a false labour, but she was still several weeks early, was it possible? She didn't want to get her hopes up, but then she was worried all the same. The baby was 36 weeks old, old enough to be born even if a few weeks early, it shouldn't be a problem, right? Even if she were in labour, it could go on for hours, maybe even peter out, no need to worry anyone yet and then the strangest sensation, like something rupturing. Clear fluid trickled down her legs, slowly at first before gathering momentum. She stood there stupefied.

Oh shit. Her waters were breaking. That wasn't a good sign ... then the cramps hit, more intense, causing her to cry out in pain and double over, scaring the hell out of Jin, his face pale in the darkness.

"I-I think," she gasped, "I think you better get James."

A/N: I know not fair, how mean of me to end it there! Writing the birth scene could be tricky and I didn't know how long it would take which is why I ended it here. This chapter was already getting too long. No hard feelings, I hope. And I'm sure you would all like to know how Juliet and James fare after they have the baby. Let me know?

Cheers

Carol