Sorry for the long wait. I had some writer's block. Please review as always!
Four Weeks Later…
"Look out!" shouted Roland as he carried a heavy dresser in the not yet completed nursery. Though Nicole and Joan weren't there, Roland had still volunteered to help Charlie get everything ready, mainly doing all of the work. The walls were painted a pale pink and the cribs and changing tables were already assembled.
"Is there anything I should do Dr. B?" asked Charlie impatiently. She hated not helping him and letting him do all of the work. Okay, she liked ordering him around a little.
"Charlie, if Nicole was here would she let you do anything?" asked Roland.
"Being the worry wart she is, definitely not!" said Charlie.
"Okay then," said Roland, "And until Nicole gets back, you're stuck with me and everyone else."
"Okay then but can we at least stop to eat? The babies are starving," said Charlie rubbing her twenty-four week swell.
"The babies are starving?" questioned Roland raising his eyebrows.
"Okay, maybe the woman carrying them is starving," smirked Charlie.
"Okay, well I guess it would be an idea to stop. I'm getting hungry too," Roland admitted.
"I have leftover gumbo from the Hump in the fridge," said Charlie, "Is that okay?"
"That's fine," said Roland, "And I guess whatever you have to drink."
"Lemonade?"
"Sounds good," said Roland taking the offered glass. After Charlie had reheated the gumbo, the two friends sat down at the dining room table.
"So how have things been for you? I mean without Colonel Burton?" asked Charlie.
Roland took a deep breath and said, "It's been hectic. It's hard raising two kids by yourself. Not to scare you," said Roland.
"Of course not. That's the reality we accepted when we married soldiers," said Charlie, "Where are David and Sara Elizabeth anyways?"
"David's with TJ and Finn Leblanc. Sara Elizabeth's at the Holden house," answered Roland, "How are you doing?"
"Hanging in there. I mean I wish Niki was here but who wouldn't?" said Charlie.
The two of them finished their meals and then headed back upstairs to finish working on the nursery. This time Charlie could help start putting baby clothes away and display the decorations Nicole and she had bought before Nicole deployed.
Charlie looked around the nursery when it was completely finished and said, "Well the only thing missing now is two screaming infants."
"Oh Charlie, they're not always screaming. Eating and sleeping is on their agenda too," joked Roland.
Charlie laughed when her cell phone began to ring, "Hello?"
"Mrs. Mayfield?" asked a voice on the other end.
"I'm sorry who's speaking?" asked Charlie.
"Sophie Clarke," she answered hysterically.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Charlie asked softly fearing the worst.
"Mom's bleeding," said Sophie, "She told me to call you because you were the only one that knows she's pregnant besides me."
"She didn't tell Mrs. Holden or Mrs. Sherwood?" asked Charlie. Roland looked at Charlie worriedly even though he had no idea what was wrong or who was on the other end of the phone.
"No. She was going to tell everyone this weekend," said Sophie.
"Well calm down Sophie. Take Jackie to Mercer and I'm on my way," said Charlie.
"Jackie Clarke?" mouthed Roland. Charlie nodded.
"Promise?" asked Sophie.
"I promise," said Charlie, "Now just try to calm down and keep your mother calm. I'll be there as soon as I can." Charlie hung up the phone.
"What in the name of God is going on with Jackie?" asked Roland.
"We need to get to the hospital. I'll explain on the way," said Charlie.
Mercer…
Roland and Charlie entered the waiting room of the ER and found Sophie sitting there. She stood when she saw them, "Come here Soph," said Charlie embracing her.
"I don't know what happened. Mom's been complaining about back pain and cramps all day. We were eating lunch and she went to the bathroom and then told me she was…" said Sophie starting to cry again.
"Hey it's okay. Everything's okay," said Charlie. Sophie suddenly noticed Roland standing there.
"Does he know?" asked Sophie.
"He didn't before today," said Charlie, "Did you get a hold of your father?"
Sophie nodded, "He's Skyping with Mom before the doctors will come out and talk to me."
"Well, I'm sure we'll know more soon," said Roland, "We'll wait with you until he comes out."
The three of them waited for what seemed like forever until a doctor came out of the back, "Ms. Clarke?"
Sophie stood up upon hearing her name, "How's she doing doctor?"
"She's alive. But I think it's best if she tells you the news herself," said the doctor.