~Precious Cargo~

-12:00 a.m. -

Deena's Father still hadn't come home, so Joann decided to go over and persuade him back home. It was the truth though; he is at his Mother's place. However, after their discussion she knew it would be a task getting him to come back.

Back at Deena's house, she is alone at the moment because Pauly has gone to the store. Deena has a tremendous headache and she sent him to see if there was anything she could take that would help.

Deena had been leaky all day and there was slight blood on her pad when she would go to the bathroom. She phoned her Doctor and she said it is all normal but if she starts to get contractions close together, to call her and she will determine from the timing of them if she needs to come in or not.

Now, Deena is fooling around in the Nursery positioning things and checking her hospital bag. She smiles as she places Jenni and Nicole's gifts by her small luggage bag.

When Deena stands back up, it gets hot all of a sudden and she fans herself. The next things she knows the middle of her back gets achy. Deena decides to take it easy and wait in bed for Pauly to get back. She hopes it's soon and that he found something.

Fifteen minutes later, the pain in Deena's back has worsened and she finds it no longer comfortable to lie in bed. She gets up and moves slowly out of the bed. As soon as her feet hit the floor, a shocking pain runs up her legs making it unbearable to move. Deena's breath hitches and as soon as she can breathe, she goes for the phone but her cell ends up playing anyway.

She slowly goes over to it on the nightstand and answers it.

Exhaling, "Hello?"

It is Nicole. She pauses and responds.

"Deena? What's wrong?"

Deena, "What makes you think anything is wrong?"

Nicole, "For one thing, you sound out of breath."

Deena gets her bearings after another pain and she responds.

"I'm just having some pains is all."

Nicole, "Like you're having the baby?"

Deena shakes her head, "I've had all this achiness before. I really just think it's like this because of how close I am to deliver."

Nicole, "Did you call your Doctor?"

Deena, "She said to call her if my contractions get closer together."

Nicole, "Are they?"

Deena, "I don't know. I'm not really having contractions, just pain in my back and legs."

As soon as Deena says that, her body tightens up just about all over.

Deena gasps, "Oh God…"

The last time Nicole heard Deena say that, she ended up in the Hospital. This time sounds worse than that time.

"Deena, you are fucking scaring me…what is going on?"

When Deena can respond she tries not to sound panicked but she knows this is something different.

Deena, "I'll call you back Nicole."

Nicole threatens her if she doesn't and Deena hangs up from her to call her Doctor.

Deena's Doctor tells her that her contractions have started and to now monitor the time that each one comes. She says for her not to let them get closer than five minutes apart before making her way to the Hospital. She'll need the time to get there.

Deena didn't understand the last statement but she goes back over to her bed and calls Nicole back. Nicole picks up almost immediately.

Nicole, "So what's going on?"

Deena, "Basically my contractions have started."

Nicole squeals. "Oh my God, oh my God…We're having a baby tonight?"

Deena breathes, "I guess so. I need you to do me a favor and stay on the phone with me. I need to know every time in between me having a contraction. I'll tell you every time I have one and you give me the time on it."

Nicole doesn't question it. "Okay."

-BTSTH-

Deena grips the covers and gasps into the phone.

"How long was that Nicole?"

She responds, "That was like six minutes apart from the last one Dee'…I think you should go get Pauly and have him get you guys ready to go."

Deena, "Mm-mn…"

Nicole, "What do you mean?"

Deena breathes in and out, "He's not here."

Nicole nearly screams, "He's not there! Where the hell is he?!"

Deena replies, "Don't get mad. I sent him to the store to pick me up something for my headache. I had no idea I would go into labor."

Nicole, "How long has he been gone?"

Deena thinks about it, "…. It has to have been close to a half an hour, if not more."

Nicole, "It takes that long to go to a store? You'd better call him and tell him to get back there."

Deena, "You're right. Let me call you back."

Deena now gets worried. It shouldn't have taken him this long. Suddenly, her phone plays. It's her Mom. She picks up.

"Hey Mom."

Joann, "Hey honey. I just called to tell you that your Father and I might be staying the night at Nanna's. You should be fine with Pauly there right?"

Deena is confused, "Why are you staying there?"

Joann, "…It's like a blizzard outside. Haven't you looked?"

Deena is struck in her core, "No…"

In the next motion, Deena gets out of bed and goes slowly upstairs to look out a window. Sure enough, it is like The Day after Tomorrow.

She instantly feels sick. She sent Pauly out there. Now, she has to get in touch with him not only to see if he is all right but because she has another issue at the moment. She must let her Mom know in case she has to take her.

Deena starts off, "Mom…"

Noting the tone in her voice, "What is it Deena (pausing)…? Don't tell me you're in labor."

Deena starts to get emotional.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know it would be this bad, and I sent him out- and now you're there and can't get out…"

Joann cuts her off, "Relax Deena. These things always happen like this. You just need to get your things together and head on to the Hospital. Don't panic because you'll get Pauly all nervous. Your Father and I will find a way to get there. Okay?"

Deena, "No, no you don't understand…Pauly's not here."

Joann tries not to hit the roof, "What do you mean he's not there!?"

Deena should have known not to say it like that from the same reaction she got from Nicole.

Deena clears that up, "I sent him to the store…"

Joann cuts her off, "For food Deena Nicole?! I have food for you at the house, not to mention you ate everything possible for dinner. I told you not to be so greedy…"

Well it's good to know how she feels. Deena gets called her first and middle name. She stops her mother before she can blow a gasket.

Deena, "He went to the store to get me something for my headache not for food Mom."

Joann, "Oh…(going back to a state of calm, or so it seems) well, call him and make sure he's on his way and I'll tell your Father. (Smacking her lips) You know this is not going to go over well with him enough as it is…Alright sweetie, we're coming."

A/N: I'm back...and on Tax Day! I should start taxing people every time they do not read an update, lol. JK. Seriously, there's a lot of tragedy going on in the world today and my thoughts go out to those experiencing just that. Hopefully escaping here serves as a positive distraction for the time being. (The questions still remain: Boy or Girl? I've read hopes for a boy...How about Names?) Not long now Peeps :-) It can always be sooner...