Servo and Crow stayed in the theater and watched the whole movie. They were scared and didn't want to know what was going on with Joel. Gypsy however fearlessly stood at Joel's side as his labor slowly progressed.

"Ouch!" Joel sat upright clutched Mike's hand and his own stomach, feeling the muscles contract and relax under his grip. "Wow... four minutes apart already..."

Mike was shaking a little but he did his best to remain confident. "Okay, then maybe I should... you know..."

"Right..." With Gypsy's help Joel had removed his jumpsuit entirely and had a sheet over his legs. He looked away while Mike checked him.

"Joel?"

"Yes?"

"Not quite."

"Damn." Gypsy was wearing a small nurse's cap and was wiping the sweat from Joel's brow. "Thanks Gypsy."

Gypsy seemed almost too happy to help. "You're welcome!"

Mike sat down on a small stool next to the exam table. "Wonder how that movie went? Servo and Crow stayed in the theater after we left."

"I don't blame them." Joel smirked. "I think if I had a choice I'd shy away from this 'event' too."

"So... Think of a name yet?"

"I actually have two names in mind, but I don't want to say anything until I know for sure if it's a boy or a girl."

"I can't believe you went all this time without knowing the gender. It'd drive me nuts not knowing."

"It gave me something else to look forward to, you know, after the 'joy' of childbirth."

"Speaking of which..." Mike rolled a small table toward Joel's bed. "Want something for the pain?"

Joel thought for a moment before he answered. "No, I think I'll pass."

"Seriously!?"

"Yeah, seriously." He flinched as another contraction hit him, it lasted longer than the previous and he knew it was getting close. He breathed through it and relaxed. "Yup. I'm serious."

"But why?"

"Because unless Dr. Forrester or some other mad scientist uses me as an incubator again, this'll be the only time I'll ever experience childbirth. I guess I don't want to dilute the moment."

"Even if it means enduring mind searing pain?"

"Yup."

"Okay... But if you change your mind..."

"Right." Joel put his hand on his stomach. "Wow, my stomach has gotten pretty flat! I mean, compared to how it has been. I missed seeing my feet!"

"Huh?" Mike looked at Joel's stomach. "Guess that means the baby's really low, ready to be born."

"Hope so. I'd hate to deal with this too much longer-OUCH!" He gripped his stomach again.

Mike checked Joel's progress one more time.

"Joel?"

"Yes."

"It's time."

-next chapter-