Author's Note: Sadie's nickname is Snapper, hybrid of sniper and napper. The affectionate nickname was first introduced in the story 'The Love Offensive'.
Billy was first introduced in the story 'A Pleasant Surprise' and has been a recurring character in many Spike-centric stories. The character Billy Mabo Cameron was an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Expert with the Royal Australian Air Force.
Reunion and Addition
Sadie's birthday celebration brought everyone who meant anything to Sam, Jules and Sadie together. The little girl was the super glue, bonding everyone around her into one super circle of life.
The General and his wife, Nelly Braddock arrived with a trunk load of gifts despite threats of murder. Sam hugged his Dad, whispered cheekily into his ear, "I would have preferred cash." The doting grandfather smiled and responded in jest, "It's in a trust fund and you can't get your filthy fingers on it."
Nelly Braddock overheard him and said, "Darling, you shouldn't challenge your son like that. That's like waving a red flag to a bull."
"What red flag to a bull?" They turned to one direction to find Spike walking next to a beautiful, glowing creature. A sight to behold! Sam came over, ignored Spike and kissed a very pregnant Winnie, "You look gorgeous."
"Thanks," she said amused at the exaggerated gallantry. Spike smirked at the deliberate snub and went over to huddle with the Braddocks. He inquired about Natalie, Mrs Braddock said she's away on duty.
"Away on duty?" replied Spike in surprised.
"You wouldn't believe it but she joined the Military but in an area of her expertise," Mrs Braddock proudly told a disbelieving Spike Scarlatti. "She joined and Canadian Forces Radio and Television. Radiotélévision des Forces canadiennes in French. It's a TV and radio network system broadcast by satellite to members of the Canadian Forces serving overseas."
"Wow, that's amazing."
"Yeah, she loves her job. She's a people person that one. Always has to be the centre of attention. We call her our limelight girl. Now, she fronts up as an anchorwoman and she's loving it." He was honestly extremely happy for Natalie; at the same time relieved he didn't take it any further with her when they had a chance. A limelight girl and a geek? It just won't do. But no doubt, she's now in the right place at the right time.
Not long after, Billy and Raf arrived with Greg and Marina. Their arrival prompted a flurry of handshakes and hugs all around. As expected, Sam and Spike ganged up on Billy. "Here's another one who swallowed a watermelon," remarked Sam. Billy gave him a playful punch on the tummy. The little woman from DownUnder barely tipped 4'11 vertically and looked really cute in her pixie haircut, workman's coverall rolled up to the small of her ankle. Completing her outfit was a pair of plain white converse shoes.
Hugging her affectionately, Spike then said in a rather thoughtless way, "Your belly is taller than you." It earned him a sharp open palm hit on the solar plexus, Winnie clasped her hands to her mouth but couldn't help giggling at his expense. He clutched his chest, coughed and complained to Raf, "She's too violent."
Raf killed himself laughing, "Serves you right. You very well know she comes from a long line of warriors." Sorry for her impulsive reaction, Billy hugged him side-ways and rubbed his chest which he said he finds threatening rather than comforting, earning a laugh from everyone.
"Thanks for the love. I was expecting compassion, you know" he said feigning hurt.
After all the fooling around, he cornered Raf for a one-on-one. "So how's life treating you?"
"Great. I start teaching at the Academy next term. I'm just completing my instructor's qualification then I would be teaching first year recruits."
"That's amazing, man. What about Billy?"
"She's resigned her commission with the RAAF. She'll be staying home with the baby for three months then she'll also complete her instructor's qualification. The Boss has asked her to teach bomb disposal and diffusion."
The bomb tech beamed, "She'll love that... but can you imagine what she'd do to the recruits?" The men had a fit of laughter as they discussed the various ways Billy would torture her students.
On a more serious note, Spike asked, "How's your Dad adjusting to the outside world?"
"Very good." Then Raf sighed, "It's Mom I'm worried about, she's having a hard time. She's used to being the Boss, making all the decisions by herself now she has to learn to consult him and it's driving them batty. The other day they were arguing over the best cut of meat to bar-b-q. I ski-daddled out of their house quicker than Road Runner. But they'll get there," he said hopefully. "They're still very much in love with each other."
The conversations stopped when Jules reappeared with the guest of honour, dressed in a blue jumpsuit and a pair of kiddie sandals.
"Hey, Snapper." Spike homed in on the little girl, lifting her up in the air causing Sadie to squeal with joy. After a few minutes with Spike, she got passed around to everyone for a cuddle.
"Here are the golden couples," announced Sam. Wordy and Shell has arrived without the girls; followed by Ed, Sophie and Izzy.
"Where are the girls?" Jules asked Wordy as she looked around for them.
"They're coming with Leah, she minded them last night. Shell and I went away for our anniversary, which was actually two months ago but we couldn't find the time until last night."
Greg saw them first, "Here they are." The girls ran excitedly towards their parents. Following behind were Leah and her new squeeze. She looked amazing in fitted leather outfit. Amazonian.
The women gave each other surreptitious glances, they were all thinking the same thought, What happened to Fireman James?
One look at their faces, Leah knew what they were thinking, nevertheless she introduced her Latino-looking hunk as "Alberto Escudero". Jules didn't waste anytime, she hooked an arm around Alberto and led him to a mob of women. Leah groaned inwardly but gamely let the girls have their fun. She was sure this would be the last time Alberto was coming to any SRU get-together. No man in his right mind would return for a second serving.
Spike siddled up to Leah, nudged her and asked, "So who's that? And what happened to my brother James? He still alive?"
She elbowed him and whispered, "James is alive and well but we're not together anymore. We're still friends though."
"What happened? You were great together."
"I got cold feet. He wanted to get married. Proposed but... I'm not ready."
"Yeah, I get you... " said Spike. "That's why I think women should do the proposing." The Amazon pushed him away, "Find someone else to annoy." He gave chase, "I was just kidding," he said with a boyish contrite look. Lower lip curled in shame.
Leah stopped, hugged him and said, "I know. I'm just a little frayed around the edges."
"It's ok, I'm here for you," he said. Earning him brownie points with Leah.
Then it was time for a toast. Everyone who was anyone in Sadie's life was present so Sam proposed a toast. They raised their glasses for the little girl who would one day rule the world. Then the second they said, "Cheers" Billy's water broke.
"Oh, oh," she said, looking down, but unable to see passed her belly. She could feel the wetness. It was Wordy's youngest, Ally, who alerted everyone to Billy's plight. "She wetted her pants," she said.
Everyone turned and Billy announced, cool as a cucumber, "Raf, it's time."
"Ok, it's time," he said but appeared to be at a loss on what to do.
Ed was concerned, "Need help, buddy?" They laughed because it seemed to them that it's Raf who needed Billy's support instead of the other way around.
Leah offered to drive them to the hospital but Raf said it's ok, "I can handle this."
"You sure?" said Wordy.
"Isn't it a bit early?" asked Spike concerned.
"No, 36 weeks," said Billy beaming. "Come on, Raf, let's go."
The couple walked to their car, arm in arm. They looked on admiringly as Billy waddled bravely to her destiny. Raf adoringly looked on to his wife, proud as punch to be heading towards fatherhood.
It would be an epic eight hour labour for Billy and Raf.
They walked around the hospital's maternity floor during the first stage of their labour. They discussed this early in their pregnancy as their research showed walking uses the pull of gravity to pull the baby down and put gentle pressure on the cervix to encourage it to dilate. It could also strengthen contractions if they exist already, and help them become more regular. They hoped the walking would shorten their labour.
He stayed close to remind Billy to breathe through her contractions; consulted with the mid-wife, asking for regular updates; was on hand to make sure she was hydrated and nourished and comfortable, whatever comfortable meant in this situation.
During lulls in painful contractions, they sang duets. Their voices blending beautifully, infusing the maternity ward with calm.
The mid-wife checked Billy's dilation now and again and gave them a progress report. On the seventh hour of labour, Billy's contractions were getting closer apart. "It won't be long now," he said, "I wish I can take your place."
"That's nice. So thoughtful."
When the pain was unbearable, he would stand behind her, hugging her, giving encouragement until the pain passed.
The time came for Billy to push, suddenly Raf felt wozzy. A nurse recognised the signs and grabbed a chair, pushed it under him. "Sit," she commanded, "you're about to faint." He sat down just in time. He was out for a couple of minutes, more out of exhaustion. He awoke just in time to witness the head of their baby emerging from the birth canal. Energised, he got up on his feet, held Billy's hand and cooed, "You're doing good, girl. The baby's head is out."
They heard the mid-wife say, "Stop." Billy stopped pushing, she checked the baby's neck for the cord before instructing her patient to push again, and then the baby was out. "It's a boy."
She passed the baby to Raf, who took hold of him. The most beautiful molato wee baby in the world. He kissed the baby's bloody forehead before passing him to Billy. "He's beautiful," he said weeping. Then Billy was crying, too.
The nurse and the mid-wife excused themselves to let the couple savour the moment.
At mid-night, everyone who to meant anything to them, from all over Canada to Australia, received a text message with a photo, introducing Rafael Mabo Rousseau.
Spike looked at the photo and felt a pang of jealousy, he turned to Winnie, rubbed her belly and said, "I can't wait." Winnie laughed. The man-boy is ready. Very ready. She rubbed his back affectionately in return.
.