(Natalie's POV)

"I'm sorry we have to cut dinner short," Billy apologized. "Will we see you at the hospital?"

"Jacob probably," I answered. "I'm not going. I have to watch the girls. It's too much for them to be in the hospital."
"Maybe Jacob will come get you once the baby is born."
Did he really believe I wanted to see Rachel's baby?

"I'll wait until she brings the baby home," I replied.

Billy left one hundred dollars for dinner and left with Rebecca. Jacob and I staid a little longer.

Jacob broke the silence. "I'm sorry."

I shook my head. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

"I know it hurts you."
"Yeah, well he chose Rachel over me," I sighed. "There's not much I can do about that. It's not like the baby can be undone and Paul would magically come back to me."
"I understand." He let out a loud breath. "If you want, I won't go to the hospital."

"No." I shook my head. "You're her brother. You need to be there."

"Okay." He ran a hand through his hair. "Well, I'll drop you and the girls off at home. You'll be okay to put them to bed alone?"

I snorted. "You think it's the first time I've done it?"

"No."

The waiter came with the check, and Jacob only needed a couple more dollars for the tip. We packed the girls up and got them settled into Jacob's truck. It was silent, like I had expected. What was Jacob supposed to say? It was obvious he was happy for his sister, but he knew it hurt me that Paul was having a baby with another woman. There wasn't much he could say.

Jacob helped get the girls out of the car when we got home, but he left right after. I got Tianna out of her car seat first and placed her in the new playpen Billy had bought for us. I took Taylor out next, but I didn't put her in the playpen. I went to the fridge to get a bottle for her. I rocked her in my arms as she sucked on the bottle. Within five minutes she fell asleep.

I put her in her crib and then went back to Tianna, who had started crying when she saw me leave. I picked her up and shushed her for a few seconds before she calmed down. I then sat on the couch and fed her. She ended up falling asleep as well.

With both of the girls asleep, there wasn't much I could do. I wasn't tired; my mind was racing. I sat back down on the couch after tucking Tianna in and turned on the TV. It was nine at night, so there had to be something good on that would get my mind off this whole situation.

I found Chelsea Lately on E! and decided to watch it. I lay down on my side and held one of the throw pillows to my chest. It took everything not to cry. Paul was going to have his perfect life, and I wasn't. Nothing in my life would ever be how I imagined, and I despised myself for it. There was no way in hell I would ever give up my girls, but I always wondered what my life would be like without them. Without them, could I get over Paul? Without them, would I get to have my child with the man I loved?

Tears started dripping down my cheeks as Chelsea Handler made some stupid joke. I was trying to laugh, but, every time I laughed, I cried harder. My mind was going crazy.

And so was I.

(Paul's POV)

The hospital had gotten Rachel a bed immediately. We tried to put the hospital off as much as possible, but, when we got there, Rachel was already six centimeters dilated. The doctors told us the baby would be coming at any point.

Rebecca was the only one to come in.

"Jacob and Billy are waiting in the other room," she announced. She grabbed Rachel's hand and ran a hand through her hair. "How are you doing?"

"It hurts!" she cried.

"The nurse is bringing in the epidural," I told her. "Just relax."

As soon as I said that, the nurse came in and gave her the epidural. She seemed a little better, but she was still in pain. She had a death grip on my hand that got tighter every time she had a contraction.

The doctor came in and told us it was time to push. Rebecca held one foot, and I held the other. The pushing began, and I was sweating. My baby was finally coming.

After four long hours, our baby was born. James Michael Reece was brought into this world by the love of my life, and I would never be more thankful. The nurse immediately put him onto Rachel's chest. She was crying, and I started to as well. I cut the umbilical cord, and they took James away to administer a few tests. I reached over and kissed Rachel on the head. I had never been so happy in my entire life. I had a son, and I was so thankful.

The doctor said it was okay to bring family in, so I walked to the waiting room. My mom and dad were there with Billy and Jacob.

"It's a boy," I whispered. "We can go see him."
They followed me into the room. My mom went immediately to Rachel's side. James was back on her chest, his little fingers reaching out.

"He's so handsome," she cooed. "May I hold him?"

Rachel gave approval, and my mom took James in her arms. She was so happy, and I was happy too. She thought James was her first grandchild; I never told her about the girls.

After a few minutes she handed James to me. It felt so surreal to have my newborn baby in my arms. I learned a little from taking care of the girls, but not much. My mom helped me, though, and took pictures of me holding him.

Rebecca took James from me and sat down. She rocked him back and forth. It was obvious she would be a good mother one day.

"Is Natalie coming?" Rachel asked.

I was surprised she would even ask that question.

Jacob shook his head. "No. She said she would wait until you guys bring him home."
"Oh." She sighed. "I'd like to see her."
"I'll see if I can get her down here. She's probably asleep."
"You should get back to her."

Jacob nodded. "Yeah, I should. Give me a call when you take him home, okay?"

Rachel nodded as he kissed her forehead.

"Good luck," he said, and then left.

I didn't want Natalie there, and I didn't understand why Rachel wanted her there either.

(Jacob's POV)

I drove as quick as I could back home, anxious to see Natalie and the girls. Even though I wasn't the father of the girls, it felt like I was, and I needed to be there for them and their mother.

When I got home, all the lights were off, but the TV was glowing. I walked inside and saw Natalie sleeping soundly on the couch. I didn't want to disturb her, but I didn't want her to sleep on the couch. I picked her up as carefully as I could, but she woke up.

She looked up at me with tired eyes. "Did I fall asleep?"
I nodded. "I'm taking you to bed."

"Did they have a boy or a girl?" she asked.

"A boy." He sighed. "Rachel wants to see you."

Her eyes closed again. "Maybe tomorrow."

I walked us into my room and lay us both in bed. She crawled under the covers and cuddled to my chest.

"I love you Jacob," she yawned.

I kissed her forehead. "I love you too, sweety. Now go back to sleep."
She did, and so did I.