Chapter 170

"Your life? Oh, Kris, the transplant worked, didn't it?" tears started to run down Krystal's cheeks as she stared at her sister. Reaching out to hug her she whispered. "I'm so glad, Kris! I couldn't have borne it to lose you again. I love you so very much and now I'll have you and the babies to love. Heck, I have a whole new family that I'd never trade for anything."

Tom, seeing his wife so emotional, came and put his arms around her, "We have a whole new family. I never had one either until you came along and look how lucky AJ's has become. Surely we've all been blessed beyond what we deserve."

"I know I have…a wife, twins, a sister and my best friend is now my brother. May we all live long and healthy lives and be as close as the twins are," AJ said, just before Amie demanded Krista be taken and placed into the bathtub.

"You may carry me, Albert!" Krista announced grandly as she lifted her arms to him with a grin.

"Gladly, my love, lets go see our babies. Come on you two, don't hang back-this is going to be a hell of a sight to see," grinned AJ, carrying Krista into the bathroom and sitting her down. "Want me to help you undress, Darlin'?"

"Uh, maybe we should wait outside, until...uh…you know," stammered Tom.

"Are you going to keep AJ out of the room when I have our babies?" teased Krystal.

"Doesn't sound like a bad idea," whispered Tom.

"Well, in deference to Tom's modesty, how about if I only take off my skirt and leave the top on?" Krista grinned as she did just that before he could turn his head. She stepped into the fragrant water that Amie had prepared for her and pointed out the oils she needed AJ to rub into her tummy to help ease the birth.

Amie got into the tub with Krista and checked how far she was dilated and said, "Oh, my dear, it will be very soon, you're doing so well. We already have one of the heads crowning! Come and look, daddy!"

"Look you two, that's one of the twins. Hell-I wish I'd thought to bring a movie camera so I could have filmed this moment," AJ said, looking the head of his child and smiling at Krista.

Tom and Krystal looked down at the miracle and Tom felt suddenly woozy. Leaning over and holding the bathtub, Krystal saw what was happening. "Tom Boone, get back up here and watch. You've seen battle. The birth of a baby is not going to put you on the floor."

"Yes, Ma'am!" he snapped and rose, keeping his eyes away from what was happening in the tub just a few short feet away. He thanked god that AJ didn't have that camera, or god knew how many times they would be forced to watch this event over and over again!

"Oh, Amie, I feel like I want to push! Is it time yet?" Krista asked breathless.

"Yes, honey, the baby's crowned so you can push anytime. Albert, you get behind her and help her lift up her shoulders when she pushes. Don't push until I tell you to, honey," Amie replied feeling Krista's tummy, waiting for another contraction.

"Here it comes, I can feel the contraction starting!" Krista gasped.

"AJ, push up on her shoulders and, Krista, push as hard as you can honey," Amie ordered. "You two watch this, it won't be long now."

"Oh, Tom, this is so exciting. I can't wait until it's me having the baby," Krystal said throwing herself in his arms.

This caused Tom to turn and get a good look at what was happening. Hey, there really was a baby's head coming out. "Krystal sweetheart, we'll try harder I promise."

"Push, Krista, you can do it Darlin'."

"I know I can do it, dufus!" she teased AJ as she pushed with all her might, happy that she would soon have her baby in her arms. Within moments she felt the baby pass out of her and she fell back into AJ's arms with a tired sigh. Looking up at Amie she asked, "It's a girl isn't it?"

To be continued…