"Mr. Ulmer." Ian said quietly as Erin's father walked in. the man nodded back to Ian and shook his hand before hugging his daughter tightly.
"Erin, are you ok?" he asked. Erin nodded and smiled up at her father as he looked at her stomach.
"That is something little miss. I still can't believe it."
"Well, believe it." she replied laughing. Ian sat down with Erin and her father and Erin grabbed his hand.
"Well," Mr. Ulmer started. "I just wanted to make sure everything was alright. Tonights events were uncalled for....Ian..he shouldn't have even been out of jail." Ian's face paled.
"what?" he asked breathlessly.
"Yes." Mr. Ulmer said sadly, staring hard at the boy.
"Mr. Ulmer, I'm so sorry, I don't know whats happening..."
"Boy, just stay away from him, their putting him back in...but they can only hold him for so long, his time is almost up plus a few months...hmhp...he'll be out in November."
"But Dad that's when the baby's born." Erin immediately replied. Ian nodded, agreeing and Mr. Ulmer sighed.
"Honey I know....but I'm only doing the bets I can."
The nightmares, for Ian, continued on. Every night, waking up from a fitful sleep and crying. Ian's fears seemed to wake the baby also...and minutes later Erin would be up catering to her husband until he fell back asleep. Tonight, was one of the blessed nights everyone slept...and they only woke up at 6:30, to get ready for work or start the day. Erin only had three months left and Ian was getting very jumpy.
"Zip, just relax. Have a good day at work and call me if you need to." Ian nodded.
"Erin, I just worry about you. How's the baby today? You feel alright?"
"Yes, yes yes yes yes yes yes! Jees, man....I'm fine Ian..please just relax, I'll be here when you get back and I'll call you if I need you."
"If you need ANYTHING."
"Yes, if I need anything." Ian kissed her and left.
"Mckinley." the attendant called. The store was having evaluations today. Ian worked for a housing company, they built em' and sold em', and today they were laying three people off.....ten had already gone and no one had been laid off yet...Ian was worried. The tall black man sat across from Ian and sighed.
"Ian...your a great worker....an amazing seller, and you build so quick. I love your attitude because you push people when they can't go anymore and if I need a house built from scratch by tomorrow, you;ll have it done by midnight.....but I'm sorry....because of the recent events our store cannot be linked to any felonies even if it is family members....I'm gonna have to lay you off. You'll get pay for three months after....because your such a good worker....but your done on Friday." Ian nodded, but when he left work for that day he came home with red, puffy eyes.
"what happen babe?" Erin asked quickly. Ian looked at her and sighed.
"I lost my job."
"Oh Ian....what do you wanna do?"
'Well I get pay for three months after but....i need to find something that won't last." Erin nodded.
"Where do you think you want to work?"
"I don't know."
"Well think about it."
"I'm not sure."
"there's gotta be something you like."
"I DON'T KNOW!" Ian yelled, and Erin looked taken aback.
"Ian, I was just asking a question." she replied slowly.
"BUT I DON'T KNOW I TOLD YOU THAT!"
"Ok then. You don't have to yell about it."
"I'm just angry."
"Well yelling is never the answer."
"I FEEL LIKE YELLING!"
"Ian, really, I understand your upset but there is no reason to be screaming."
"ERIN, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! I HAVE NO IDEA HOW I'M GOING TO TAKE CARE OF MY FAMILY, I DON'T HAVE A JOB NOW!"
"I KNOW THAT! AND DON'T TELL ME I DON'T UNDERSTAND. I understand YOU PERFECTLY I LOVE YOU I'VE BEEN WITH YOU FOR FIVE YEARS!"
"I know......Erin I'm just really not in the mood right now."
"Ok then, will you at least help me make dinner? The baby's been kicking horrible all day and it hurts." Ian nodded.
"No problem." he said quietly.
"Are you ok? Is it anything important?"
"Well, I can't be having it its three months early and..." Ian looked over his shoulder ta her an furrowed his eyebrows.
"And?" Erin stared at him.
"Ian."
"Yes?"
"I think its time."
"Time for what?" Erin would've laughed had she not been in so much pain, he was so clueless.
"Time for the baby! I think my water just broke."
"Erin that's not funny." he replied, not fazed in the slightest.
"I'm not trying to be Ian....the baby is coming."
"Its too early though."
"That's too bad."
"But he can't come now he could get hurt. He's to small."
"He doesn't care."
"I do."
"Ian!"
"ok."
"I love you." Erin smiled as Ian kissed her forehead. She was so tired and so stressed, she just wanted her baby. She was right, it was time, but the baby just wasn't coming....the contractions weren't tense enough yet and she wasn't dilated enough. Ian sighed and rubbed his hand over his face.
"Yeah know, I'm really excited for this baby, Pip."
"me too, Ian we're gonna have a family....we're gonna have a baby." he nodded and carried her out to the car.