Well this chapter is extra long: the longest chapter I've ever written in my fanfiction writing. It has a few special event in it plus the long awaited answer to the question. "Who does Gloria choose?" although for me, it's not exactly who I would've chosen but for me it was obvious who she chose from about episode 11. Please review and I hope you enjoy this chapter! Also, I have a way to end this story but I don't know if I should wrap it up or continue it. Let me know what you guys think! As always, please read and review. :)
Ten Weeks Later (Approximately Mid-December)…
"Oh boy not again," said Tonya starting to breath hard.
"Another one?" asked Blake looking at the timer on his iPhone. Tonya nodded, "You think this is it?" asked Blake.
"Oh yeah," said Tonya, "Go ahead and call Mom and Denise." ******************************************************************************
The phone rang waking Frank and Denise from their peaceful sleep. Frank rolled over and answered, "Sherwood residence."
"Colonel Sherwood, or Frank," said Blake, "Is Denise there?"
"Yeah she's right here. Hold on Major," said Frank handing Denise the phone.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Hey Denise, Tonya says it's time," said Blake.
Denise lied there confused in her sleepy state for a few moments before it hit her, "Oh. Oh. How long has she been having contractions?"
"Since about midnight so two hours," informed Blake, "Right now they only last 30 seconds or so and they're ten minutes apart so it's slow."
"That's okay," said Denise, "First babies are normally slower than subsequent babies. I'll be over soon. Keep Tonya calm right now that's the most important thing."
"Okay, I'll try my best. See you soon," said Blake and hung up.
Denise slowly started getting dressed and Frank asked, "I take it Tonya went into labor?"
Denise nodded, "About two hours ago. I'm going over to help Blake since it'll take Joyce and awhile. I have the feeling they'll let Emmalin sleep as well."
"What should I tell the Burtons?" asked Frank.
"What do you mean?" asked Denise.
"Colonel Burton's retirement ceremony today," reminded Frank.
"Dangit," whispered Denise.
"Dee, it's okay, I'll tell them you meant well and give them your best but that Tonya's having the baby," said Frank.
"Thank you Frank, I love you," said Denise kissing him.
"I love you too Dee. Tell Tonya I said good luck," he said.
Denise nodded, "Will do." ******************************************************************************
Denise knocked on the door when she arrived at the Hanson house. Blake answered it and let her in, "Thanks for coming so early."
"No problem," said Denise. The TV was on in the living room and Tonya was on the couch," hey Tonya."
Tonya looked up and smiled slightly, "Hi," she said softly.
"How are you feeling?" asked Denise. Tonya grimaced a little, "Hurting?"
"They weren't kidding when they say labor is painful. And contractions aren't even that strong yet," she admitted.
Denise looked at Blake, "Is Joyce on her way?"
Blake nodded, "She's coming up now but they live four hours away so it'll be awhile yet."
"And we're just going to let Emmalin sleep, though we did text her and said I went into labor," said Tonya and tensed a little.
"Don't tense up sweetheart," said Blake crouching down and grabbing her hand, "Good job baby."
Denise's heart ached for Tonya. She could tell Tonya was in a lot of pain. When Tonya's contraction was finished she suddenly said, "Oh no."
"What's wrong honey?" asked Blake squeezing her hand worriedly.
"I just realized Colonel Burton's retirement ceremony is today," said Tonya.
Blake couldn't help but crack a smile. Of all the things that could be going through Tonya's mind at this point, missing a retirement ceremony was one of those things, "Honey, I think Colonel Burton would rather see you give birth to a healthy baby than to attend her ceremony."
"Frank is letting her know you're in labor," said Denise.
"Okay," Tonya nodded. Hours passed and Blake and Denise continued to coach Tonya through contractions, all of them anticipating the rapidly approaching arrival of Julia. ******************************************************************************
Everyone was gathered for Joan's retirement ceremony. Well, everyone minus Denise Emmalin, and the Hansons, "Colonel Burton," said Michael approaching Roland and Joan with Claudia Joy by his side, "Congratulations Joan. You have earned a well-deserved retirement."
"Thank you sir," she said shaking his hand, "It has been an honor."
Frank joined the group as well, "General Holden, Claudia Joy, Colonel Burton, Roland," he greeted everyone.
"Hello Frank," said Claudia Joy.
"Um, where's Denise?" asked Roland.
Frank broke a smile, "She's helping deliver our Goddaughter sir."
"Tonya's in labor?" asked Joan excitedly.
"Affirmative," said Michael, "And from what Emmalin's told us everything is going very well." ******************************************************************************
"Son of a bitch!" That line was the main line that Blake, Joyce, Denise, and Emmalin had become accustomed to hearing every five minutes or so.
"Deep breath honey. Each contraction brings you closer to the baby," said Joyce rubbing Tonya's back.
"Just hurts more than I thought," said Tonya.
"Honey look at me," said Blake, hoping he avoided the 'You did this to me' speech, "You're doing a great job and just think about our little girl being in your arms soon." ******************************************************************************
The crowd had taken their seats either in the audience or on stage for Joan's retirement ceremony, "Good morning ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, fellow soldiers. We all gather here today to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of Colonel Joan Burton, who is retiring from the United States Army after twenty-three years of service to our country. Many of us here are very proud of her and many of us here have been honored to serve alongside her. Joan, I believe you would like to say a few words?" asked Michael as he finished his opening.
Joan nodded and took her place at the podium, "General Holden, General Clarke, Colonel Sherwood, Colonel Richardson, Captain Galassini," she greeted the officers on stage, "Fellow soldiers, family friends, and all in attendance today, "It has been a great honor to serve in the United States Army and to serve alongside some of the most outstanding soldiers. General Holden, I want to thank you for your support during my time at Fort Marshall and for always believing in me. General Clarke, you have shown me what it means to be an outsatning leader. Colonel Sherwood, it was a privilege to serve with you for so many years and you are the definition of an outstanding soldier as well. Colonel Richardson, it was a pleasure to be able to work with you and the United States Air Force and I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Captain Galassini, one of the greatest life lessons you taught me was to be proud of who you are and to live every day like it was your last. Every single solider that served with me and under me taught me something new but we don't have time to address twenty-three years," she said and everyone laughed, "But I would like to give a special acknowledgment to my family. Roland, you always supported me and you traveled around the world with me, sacrificing many things so I could serve. I thank you and I love you. And to my kids, thank you for always loving me and I love that I get to be your mother. But make no mistake kids, Mommy might be changing cars but this train is still moving." David and Sara Elizabeth chuckled. ******************************************************************************
"About four centimeters," said Dr. Lang as she finished examining Tonya.
"Only four? I've been in labor for hours," said Tonya.
"Tonya it's not uncommon for first babies to take a while," said Dr. Lang, "Things should start to speed up from here."
Tonya started breathing through another contraction, "Not soon enough though."
Emmalin grabbed Tonya's hand getting an idea, "Hey Tonya, what's the baby's name again? I forgot."
Tonya said, "Julia Elizabeth."
"And she has a nice nursery right?"
Tonya nodded, "Yeah thanks to the shower especially."
Blake, Denise, Joyce, and Dr. Lang knew what Emmalin was doing. Using conversation to keep Tonya's mind off of the pain. ******************************************************************************
Everyone was conversing after Joan's retirement ceremony, "Colonel Burton," said Charlie as she approached the couple with Nicole and Nicholas, "Good luck in Baltimore. And thank you for everything you've done for us."
"It's no problem Charlie," said Joan, "That's what friends are for."
"Yes, but still, you taught us something," said Nicole, "That the true friends accept you for who you are. You and all of our other friends on post."
Nicole walked away to change to talk to Michael about a few matters and Charlie asked, "By the way, do you think you two could watch Nicholas tonight?"
"Yes of course why?" asked Roland.
"Well despite the fact that Niki has gained her memory back, there was apparently one aspect that took a while to come back," said Charlie.
"Oh really?" asked Joan jokingly picking up on what Charlie meant.
"Listen, she finally feels comfortable enough around me to be intimate again and with a baby in the house…"
"Say no more," said Roland, "We can watch him for the night."
"Thanks I promise I won't make a habit out if this," said Charlie.
"Like I said, that's what friends are for," chuckled Joan. ******************************************************************************
"General Holden! Mrs. Holden!" shout Kat from behind. Michael and Claudia Joy turned around to face Chris and Kat, her twenty-three week belly very noticeable.
"Colonel Richardson, other colonel Richardson," Michael saluted them both.
"Lovely speech sir," said Chris.
"Thank you," said Michael, "But I have the feeling you two want to discuss other matters."
"Well," said Kat, "We honestly want to talk about this guy or girl," said Kat rubbing her abdomen, "Chris and I have been talking. We want you both to be the baby's Godparents."
Michael and Claudia Joy both raised their eyebrows, "Are you sure?" asked Claudia Joy, "If you want Jenny or Jackson or someone…"
"Mrs. Holden," interrupted Chris, "Kat and I thought about this a long time and we want our son or daughter to have good influences in addition to the Anderson/Young/Richardson clan."
"Even though we might be asking for trouble," smirked Kat.
"Well from what I've seen Colonel, trouble doesn't seem to bother you."
"No it doesn't," said Kat.
Michael and Claudia Joy looked at each other and nodded, "Well then we'll have to make sure our Godson or Goddaughter stays out of trouble then won't we?" she said rubbing Kat's bump. ******************************************************************************
Jackie and Patrick were conversing when Jackie called someone over, "Jordan!" Jordan approached the mother and son and Jackie said, "Patrick I'd like you to meet Jordan Young. She's an Army cadet at the Citadel."
Patrick saluted Jordan and shook hands, 'Nice to meet you Jordan."
"You too sir," she said.
"Her mother is the Wing Commander on post, Colonel Kat Richardson," said Jackie.
"Wait your mother and stepfather are Air Force, but you're going Army?" asked Patrick in surprise.
"Yes sir," confirmed Jordan.
"My father would've disowned me if I had done anything besides Army," said Patrick.
"Oh Patrick that's not true!" said Jackie.
"Yeah it is Mom," said Patrick and Jackie sighed knowing her son was right about her husband, "Thankfully I like the Army."
"So do I sir. More every day," said Jordan. ******************************************************************************
Blake couldn't stand to see his wife in pain much longer. Joyce assured him that Tonya was actually handling labor pretty well but it didn't stop him from want to take over even if she only got a break for an hour. Thankfully the water from the pool was keeping Tonya calm.
"I think it's time," Tonya stated confidently.
Blake felt a twigne of excitement, "That's a good sign right?" he asked Denise.
"A very good sign," said Denise. Dr. Lang gave Tonya the go, so Blake crouched down and kissed her on the forehead, "She'll be hear before you know it."
Tonya looked up and kissed, "Just do me a favor, tell me when."
Blake nodded and squeezed her hand, "Okay." ******************************************************************************
"Hey Holly," said Hector approaching Gloria and Holly, "How's Tim doing?"
Holly sighed, "He's okay."
"Yeah? And how about you?" asked Hector.
Holly sighed again, "The same."
"Listen, if you or Tim ever need anything, you call me okay? Because that's my brother. You're family now," said Hector.
Holly nodded, "Okay, thank you Hector," she said and embraced nodded and Holly and Gloria and walked away, "I can see why you married that guy."
"Yeah," said Gloria watching Hector.
Holly walked away and Maggie approached Gloria and asked, "So how's that decision going?"
"I've made up my mind," said Gloria.
"So who did you choose?" asked Maggie.
"I have to tell him first," said Gloria.
"Mags!" yelled Eddie, "I'd like to introduce you to someone!"
"I'll be right back," said Maggie.
Gloria took a deep breath and walked over to him. She just knew she couldn't live without him like Maggie had described. Yes, the other guy was nice, but she didn't see a future with him. Not like she saw with this guy. She tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around to face her, "Gloria?"
She smiled and kissed him hard. She had finally made her decision, "I can't live without you. I love you Hector."
He grinned from ear to ear and kissed her back, "I love you too Gloria." *****************************************************************************
"Push baby push," coached Blake though Tonya was slowly losing hope. It had been almost two hours and there was still no baby.
"I cant get this baby out," said Tonya.
"You're going to get her out honey," said Joyce.
"What if I need a C-Section?" asked Tonya worriedly.
Emmalin looked at Tonya and said, "Look Tonya, I know you're tired. But Dr. Lang says you are progressing. So just focus on the baby and nothing else."
Tonya smiled slightly at Emmalin. Another fifteen minutes later Tonya let out a God almighty scream as her baby left her body but then there she was: the little miracle that Blake and Tonya had been looking forward to meeting for months now.
"Oh thank God!" said Tonya happily cradling her baby for the first time, "Hi there Julia."
Blake kissed his daughter on the head said, "I love you Princess."
Denise managed to snap a picture of Julia when they were weighing her to send to Frank. They handed her back to Tonya and the new parents just laid there with their newest addition, thinking about the joys of parenthood ahead. ******************************************************************************
Frank arrived home from the retirement ceremony and looked around the house and Denise wasn't home so she must've still been with Tonya at the birth. Frank checked his phone and found one text message. It was nothing more than a picture of his Goddaughter and the message, Welcome to the world Julia Elizabeth Hanson!"