Disclaimer - I own nothing of This Is Us except my original characters. Everything else belongs to their respected owners. 'Nuff said.
A/N: It feels so good to be back into writing! I've missed it! Hope everyone had a good New Year - I did. I got this idea while watching the TV show This Is Us. My first TIU story, so be nice, please. In this story, Kevin and Kate don't have kids and aren't with their partners. Also, Jack is still alive.
Summary: AU: Instead of Randall and Beth fostering Deja, they foster Sara, an orphaned white girl. How will she fit in with the Pearson's? My first This is Us story, so be nice, please. One-shot.
Rating - T
Genre - General
Beth and Randall Pearson sat in Linda's office, watching the other woman type on her computer.
"I don't mean to hurry you, but we need to pick up Annie and Tess from school in about forty-five minutes" Randall said.
"No, I had her file right here, one minute" Linda said, not taking her eyes off the screen, "ah, there it is. We have a foster for you. She's six-months-old and an orphan. Her name is Sara Smith."
Randall smiled, "we wanted a baby and now, we don't have to try for one."
Beth rolled her eyes, then looked at Linda, "Sara sounds like a white person's name. Is she white?"
"She is - I've met her and she is the cutest little thing, a little shy, but very sweet" Linda said, handing the Pearson's a picture of a little white girl with brown hair and big brown eyes.
"You said she's an orphan. What happened to her parents?" Beth asked, looking at the little girl.
"Her father took off when her mother was expecting and her mother died shortly after Sara was born" Linda said, sadness in her voice.
"When can we meet her?" Randall asked.
"Can I bring her by tomorrow around four?" Linda asked.
Beth and Randall nodded. They thanked Linda and went to pick up Annie and Tess from school, explaining on the way home that they would be fostering a white girl named Sara.
"How old is she?" Tess asked, looking out the window in the backseat.
"She's six-months-old" Randall said as he drove.
"Does she have a mommy or daddy?" Annie asked.
"No, sweetie. She doesn't have a mommy or daddy" Beth said from the passenger seat.
"Why?" Tess asked.
"Her dad left when her mom was expecting. Her mom died shortly after Sara was born" Randall said honestly as he pulled into the driveway of their house, "you girls will get to meet Sara tomorrow, so I want you two to clean your rooms throughly - your mom and I will be checking."
The girls headed inside and began cleaning their rooms, helping each other while Randall and Beth cleaned every other inch of the house.
When cleaning was done, Randall ordered a pizza from their favorite pizza place while Beth looked for a movie for all of them to watch.
Exactly at four o'clock the following day, Linda came to the house with Sara.
Sara was dressed in a Beauty and the Beast onesie and was wrapped in a blanket with gold stars on it.
"Mommy, you didn't say she was white" Annie whispered to Beth.
"Yes, she did. You weren't listening" Tess said to her sister.
"Shh" Beth said, smiling at Sara, "hi cutie."
Sara slept in the carrier Linda had her in, looking peaceful.
"Everyone, this is Sara. Sara, this is Randall, Beth, Tess and Annie" Linda said, setting the carrier on the floor.
"I don't think she can understand you, but we'll explain who we are as she gets older" Beth said, taking Sara out of her carrier and held her gently, closing her eyes.
Linda stayed for an hour, just to make sure Sara was okay in the Pearson's home.
Shortly after Linda left, Sara began crying loudly.
Tess covered her ears, "make it stop!"
Randall shot a look at Tess and carefully picked Sara up, "shh, sweetheart. It's okay. You're okay."
Sara cuddled into Randall, sucking on her fist, placing her head on his shoulder.
"Annie, do you want to give Sara a bottle?" Beth asked, getting a bottle and formula ready.
"Why does she get to? I want to help" Tess said.
"You can hold her after Annie gives her the bottle" Randall told his oldest.
Sara kept crying, her stomach gurgling.
"Where's the off switch?" Annie asked, sitting on the couch with Beth and the bottle.
"She's not one of your dolls, sweetie. This is a human being that we need to be gentle with" Beth said, placing Sara in Annie's arms, "support her head and hold her close. Make sure the nipple goes over her tongue. There you go. Hold the bottle up just a little bit. Perfect!"
Tess laughed, "you said nipple."
Randall laughed and grabbed his phone, taking a picture of the girls and Sara.
Sara relaxed in Annie's arms as she drank the bottle. She closed her eyes as she finished the bottle.
"Tess, do you want to burp her?" Beth asked, getting a burp cloth.
Tess nodded, watching her mom put the burp cloth on her left shoulder, "what's that for?"
"In case she spits up" Beth said, helping Tess adjust Sara on her shoulder.
Tess gently tapped Sara's back until the baby let out a little belch. Tess smiled, "mom, can I hold her for a minute?"
"No, I want to!" Annie said a little loudly, waking up Sara.
"WAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Sara cried loudly.
"Quiet voices, girls" Randall said, watching Beth gently rock Sara.
"Shh, honey. It's okay" Beth soothed Sara. She looked at the girls, "once I get her calmed down, Tess will hold Sara first, then Annie. I'm sure your dad wants to hold Sara as well. Once everyone holds the baby, I'm gonna put her to bed, then tomorrow, the two of you can help me bathe her before uncle Kevin, aunt Kate, grandma and grandpa come visit."
The girls and Randall nodded, watching Beth.
True to her word, once everyone held Sara, Beth put Sara to bed, feeling Randall watching her.
"You don't mind we're fostering a white baby?" Randall asked, watching Beth put on Sara's pajamas.
"I don't care about her skin color. She's beautiful" Beth whispered from the nursery, picking Sara up and walked to the rocking chair, watching Randall enter the room, "are we dividing up the midnight feedings and diaper changes, just like we did for the girls?"
Randall nodded, "I'll take the first half."
"Sounds good to me" Beth said, watching Sara's eyes close.
It seemed like Randall and Beth were just about to fall asleep when Sara's cries came over the baby monitor. Randall looked at the clock on the bedside table - it was 10:45 PM.
Randall got out of bed and walked to the nursery, "hey Sara bear. What's wrong, pumpkin?" He carefully picked Sara up and brought her butt to his nose, "you don't need a diaper change. Do you want me to sing to you?"
Sara whimpered as her stomach gurgled.
"Oh, someone's hungry" Randall said, carefully taking Sara downstairs and made her a bottle before going back upstairs, sitting in the rocking chair and gave Sara her bottle, gently singing to her.
Once Sara had her bottle, Randall burped her and put her back in her crib, gently kissing her forehead, "good night, angel. Sleep well."
Sara slept peacefully until 2:15, when she woke up crying. Beth got out of bed and hurried to the nursery, seeing Annie in there.
"Baby, what are you doing?" Beth asked, carefully picking Sara up as Randall ran in.
"What's happening?" Randall asked.
"I wanted to help out with the baby. I couldn't sleep and I wanted to hold her" Annie told her parents, tears in her eyes, "is she okay?"
"She's fine, but you need to get to bed. I'll come tuck you in" Randall said, kissing Beth's cheek, following Annie to her room.
Beth sat in the rocking chair and gently rocked Sara, singing every lullaby she knew. She let out a sigh of relief as Sara fell asleep just as Beth started singing All The Pretty Little Ponies.
The following morning, Beth, Annie and Tess gave Sara a bath while Randall made breakfast for everyone.
"Tess, you can put the diaper on her and Annie, go pick out a onesie" Beth said as she dried Sara off after her bath.
"Okay mommy" Tess and Annie said in unison, going to the nursery to get a diaper, diaper cream, baby powder and a onesie.
"Let's put the pink one on her" Tess said.
"No, mommy said I could pick the outfit and I'm choosing The Little Mermaid onesie" Tess said, getting the onesie that had Ariel on it.
Tess sighed and headed back to where Beth and Sara were, holding the diaper, diaper cream and baby powder.
Annie smiled as she entered the kitchen with the onesie, "I chose the Little Mermaid onesie."
"Let's get her dressed - your grandma just texted. She and grandpa, along with aunt Kate and uncle Kevin are on their way. They'll be here in fifteen minutes" Beth said, looking at Randall, "how's breakfast coming, sweetie?"
"Almost done" Randall said.
Annie, Tess and Beth worked together to get Sara dressed.
"Can I put her in her chair?" Annie asked.
"Gently. Do you want me to help you?" Beth asked.
Annie nodded and watched Beth put Sara in her fun chair.
The doorbell rang exactly fifteen minutes later and Tess went to get it.
"Grandma! Grandpa! Aunt Kate! Uncle Kevin!" Tess said quietly, hugging them all.
"What's with you being quiet, sweetie?" Jack asked his eldest granddaughter.
"Mommy and daddy are fostering a baby and I don't want to wake her up" Tess said, taking her family's coats and put them in the closet.
Kate went to hug Randall, "something smells good."
"I made everyone's favorites" Randall said, hugging Kate back.
Kevin smiled as he saw Beth holding a baby, "is that her?"
Beth nodded, "we're fostering her."
"What's her name?" Jack asked, entering the living room with Kate and Rebecca.
"Sara" Beth said, adjusting Sara's blanket.
"She's beautiful" Rebecca said, looking at the sleeping baby in Beth's arms, "after breakfast, can I hold her?"
Beth nodded, "of course" she laid Sara in the Pack-And-Play near the couch and stood up, "let's eat."
After breakfast, Randall, Tess and Annie worked together to do dishes and put food away while Kevin, Kate, Rebecca and Jack took turns holding Sara. Jack handed out presents to the girls - Annie & Tess got T-shirts saying 'I'm The Big Sister' and Sara got a couple cute onesies, a stuffed hedgehog and a CD full of lullabies Rebecca & Kate wrote.
"Do you think you're going to adopt her?" Rebecca asked as she held Sara.
"I don't know - we really haven't talked about it" Beth said, "plus, Randall and I want to try to have a baby ourselves."
"You have a baby right here that needs a loving home" Jack said, stroking Sara's arm as she slept.
"Before we go, let's get a picture of all of us with Sara" Kate said two hours later.
"That's a great idea!" Annie said.
Everyone gathered on the couch with Rebecca holding Sara while Randall set up the tripod with his iPhone attached.
"What shall we say?" Kevin asked.
"How about Sara?" Jack suggested, sitting next to Rebecca.
Everyone gathered around Rebecca and Sara, looking at the camera.
"On three, everyone say 'Sara'" Randall said.
"Sara!" Everyone said, smiling at the camera.
Two months later
On a cold winter's afternoon, the Pearson family gathered in a courtroom so Beth and Randall could officially welcome Sara into their family.
The judge smiled at the Pearson family and put a stamp of approval on Sara's adoption papers, "she is yours. Welcome to the family Sara Hope Pearson."
To celebrate, everyone went to a nearby diner.
Sara cooed as Randall placed her in a high chair.
Jack and Rebecca smiled at their youngest granddaughter.
"She is so cute" Kate said as she sat in the seat next to Sara, "hi beautiful."
That night, no matter what Randall and Beth did, Sara wouldn't stop crying. It turned out Sara was really sick and needed to go to the hospital.
Beth stayed with the girls while Randall got in the car to take Sara to the hospital.
Randall paced in the waiting room as Sara was taken to the emergency room. He looked up as a female doctor came over.
"Doc, how's my girl? Is she okay?" Randall asked.
"She's going to be fine - she's on some antibiotics and her fever is going down. I just want to keep her overnight for observation" the doctor - Dr. Alma Sayers - said.
"May I stay with her?" Randall asked, wiping tears out of his eyes.
"Of course. She's in room 71 A" Dr. Sayers said, leading the way to where Sara was.
Randall held back tears as he saw his baby girl hooked up to all sorts of beeping, whirring and buzzing machines. He walked over to the incubator she was in, "hi honey. Daddy's here."
Sara slept in the incubator. She was in a onesie that had hearts and stars on it and had blue socks on her feet.
Randall called Beth to let her know what was happening.
"I'm so glad she's going to be all right. The girls and I were so worried. When can she come home?" Beth asked.
"They're gonna keep her overnight for observation and I'm gonna stay with her. The doctor said it was all right" Randall said, "give the girls a hug for me and tell them I love them."
"I will. Give Sara my love" Beth said, "I love you two."
"We love you, too" Randall said, hanging up the phone and sat in a chair, watching Sara sleep.
The following day, Sara came home. She wouldn't let anyone else but Randall hold her and would scream like a banshee when Randall tried putting her in her crib.
"Okay, honey. I'll hold you. I could hold you forever" Randall told Sara, kissing her forehead.
Sara cuddled into Randall, her eyes getting heavy.
"Want me to put her to bed?" Beth asked once both girls were asleep.
"Nah, I got it" Randall said softly, going to the nursery and put Sara in her crib, then quietly snuck out before she could wake up. He walked to the master bedroom and started getting ready for bed.
"When Sara's older, do we wanna try for a baby?" Beth asked as she got ready for bed.
"I've got four amazing girls here and there's so much love to go around, but yes, if you want when she's older we can try" Randall said, putting his pajamas on and got into bed next to Beth.
Beth smiled and kissed Randall's cheek, "you know, we're the complete opposite of your parents - they adopted a black boy and we adopted a white girl."
"Yeah, our roles are somewhat reversed, huh?" Randall said, stifling a yawn.
The following morning, Beth got Annie and Tess ready for school while Randall fed Sara her bottle and worked from home.
Randall was taking a lunch break when his phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, he saw it was Kate, "hey Kate. What's up?"
"I thought that Kevin and I could watch the girls while you and Beth go out for your anniversary dinner" Kate said.
Randall's stomach fell - he forgot it was his and Beth's anniversary.
"Randall, are you still there?" Kate asked.
"Huh? Yeah, I forgot it was our anniversary - I've been so busy with work and the baby" Randall said.
"I'll take you anniversary shopping. I'll be there in an hour" Kate said.
"What about Sara?" Randall asked.
"You can bring her with us" Kate said, "I'm not gonna let my niece be left home alone."
Randall chuckled, "we'll be ready in an hour."
"See you then" Kate said, hanging up the phone.
Randall hung up and finished his lunch before going to check on Sara. He smiled at seeing her fast asleep in her crib. He kissed her cheek and went back to work.
An hour later, Randall got Sara's carseat into Kate's car and got into the front seat. He kissed Kate's cheek.
"How's my favorite sister?" Randall asked.
"I'm your only sister, but I'm doing good. Both Kevin and I, along with mom and dad, are excited to help out tonight" Kate said, driving to a jewelry store nearby.
Kate parked the car and Randall got Sara's carseat. Kate smiled at her niece, "how did she get to be so cute?"
"I don't know, but she is adorable" Randall said, smiling at his youngest daughter.
Sara kept sleeping, looking peaceful.
Randall and Kate were in and out of the jewelry store in forty-five minutes flat. Randall had gotten Beth a beautiful bracelet, necklace and bracelet set with her birthstone as the center piece.
As soon as Beth came home from work, Kate, Kevin, Rebecca and Jack came over and shooed Beth and Randall out the door.
Annie and Tess played board games with Rebecca and Jack while Kate fed Sara some strained peas.
"How does everyone feel about pizza for dinner?" Kevin asked. He looked at Kate, "want me to get a salad for you?"
Kate nodded as everyone else cheered, being quiet for Sara.
After dinner, Kevin put the girls to bed while Jack fed Sara her bottle. Kate and Rebecca cleaned up the kitchen.
"How are you doing, Bug?" Rebecca asked Kate kindly.
"I'm okay. Just missing Toby" Kate said, feeling a tear slip down her face.
Rebecca gently rubbed Kate's shoulder, "I know, but he's in a better place."
"That doesn't make me feel any better, mom" Kate said, looking at her trembling hands.
Toby and Kate had been together for four years before one day, out of the blue, Toby ended his life while Kate was at work.
Kevin came downstairs and smiled at his dad holding Sara, "dad, want me to put her to bed?"
"Yeah, your mom and I should get going anyway. Did Randall and Beth say what time they would be home?" Jack asked, gently handing Sara to Kevin.
Kevin smiled at his niece, holding her close.
"I think they said they would be home around midnight" Kate said, looking at her watch - it was 11:14 PM.
Kevin looked at his twin, "I'm fine staying here if you guys wanna go."
"What if you have to go to the bathroom and Sara's crying and Annie has a nightmare or Tess can't sleep?" Kate asked.
"Maybe you should stay in case that happens" Kevin said, adjusting Sara's positioning in his arms. He looked at his niece, "what's that? You want aunt Kate to stay with us?"
Sara whined and remained sleeping.
"I'll take that as a 'yes'" Kate said, gently rubbing Sara's arm. She said goodbye to Jack and Rebecca and sat on the couch with Kevin.
Kevin put Sara in her Pack-And-Play and turned on the TV, "do you want to watch a movie?"
Kate nodded, "something quiet so we don't wake her up."
Kevin nodded and put on SpaceBalls.
Both Kevin and Kate fell asleep in the middle of the movie, not hearing Randall and Beth enter the house.
"You two can go home now" Randall whispered in Kevin's ear as Beth turned off the TV and picked up Sara.
Kevin and Kate hugged the couple before going to their own houses to sleep.
A Year Later
It was now Sara's year-old birthday and it was a fairy princess theme.
Beth was now eight months pregnant with her and Randall's child - a little boy who was to be named Jack William. Jack had passed away due to a heart attack and William for Randall's real father's name. All three girls were excited to have a little brother.
Rebecca helped Kate, Beth, Annie and Tess make fairy wands while Randall and Kevin kept the birthday girl occupied.
"Hi princess!" Randall cooed to his daughter. She had milk-white skin, brown hair that came to her shoulders and brown eyes. As of the moment, she was wearing a yellow princess dress that came to her knees and a tiara on her head. On her feet, she wore her Princess Jasmine tennis shoes.
"Dadda!" Sara squealed, hugging Randall's leg.
Kevin gently touched Sara's shoulder, "you're it! Come get me, munchkin!"
Sara let go of Randall's leg and toddled after Kevin, squealing and laughing the whole time.
A familiar car pulled into the driveway, making Sara, Kevin and Randall look up.
Rebecca's boyfriend, Miguel, got out of the car, smiling at the birthday girl.
"Gel!" Sara squealed.
"Hi sweetheart! Happy birthday!" Miguel said, holding his arms open for a hug.
Sara toddled over and hugged Miguel.
"She's walking really well these days" Kevin noted to Randall.
"The physical therapy and horseback riding lessons are really helping" Randall said.
Sara was delayed in walking, just like she had been delayed in crawling. Randall and Beth were devastated to learn that Sara had a developmental disability and had enrolled her in horseback riding lessons, along with physical therapy. Other than that, Sara was wicked smart and had a great sense of humor.
Annie and Tess were also horseback riding at the same stable where Sara was going.
Miguel picked up Sara, holding her close, gently kissing her forehead, "how's my girl?"
"I good, Gel" Sara said, cuddling into Miguel.
Miguel smiled as he carried Sara inside, followed by Randall and Kevin.
"Hi sweet girl!" Rebecca said, smiling at her youngest granddaughter.
"Gma!" Sara squealed, getting out of Miguel's arms and went to where Beth, Kate, Annie, Tess and Rebecca were, "ooh pwetty!"
"Pretty. Can you say pretty?" Annie asked her sister.
"Annie, honey, it's okay. She's a year" Beth said, rubbing her large baby bump.
"Mom, she's a year old. You would think she could say her words correctly" Tess said.
"Yeah, the baby talk needs to stop" Annie said.
"Girls, come on. It's your sister's birthday. Let's not have any drama, okay?" Randall said, kissing the tops of Annie and Tess's heads.
An hour later, some girls from Sara's play group were in the backyard. There were five girls - Amber, Jenn, Camilla, Roberta and Lizzy.
There were lots of activities for everyone - face painting, pony rides, princesses, a clown and a magician.
The girls gathered inside for cake and presents. Sara loved all of her presents and made sure to thank everyone.
Once everyone left, Beth went to lay down, saying she wasn't feeling well.
Sara played with her toys while Kate, Kevin, Randall, Tess, Annie, Rebecca and Miguel cleaned up.
"Sara, come help clean up" Annie said.
"Annie" Randall said in a warning tone.
"What?" Annie asked, "she needs to help clean up. She's a spoiled little princess."
"Annie, go to your room. I don't like your attitude" Randall said.
"Dad, it's true. She is spoiled" Tess said.
Sara stopped playing as her bottom lip quivered.
Kate went to Sara, "can I play with you, sweetheart?"
Sara nodded as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Kate sat next to her niece and stroked her back, "it's okay, honey."
Both Annie and Tess stormed to their rooms, slamming the doors loudly behind them.
Randall sighed and looked at the others, "would you guys mind keeping her company while I talk to the girls and check on Beth?"
The adults nodded and played with Sara.
An hour later, Randall came downstairs, sighing, "well, Tess and Annie are not speaking to me and Beth is asleep. How's the birthday girl?"
"She's good" Rebecca said, stroking Sara's back.
Sara was asleep, clutching her new doll in her arms.
"Should I put her to bed?" Miguel asked.
"I'll do it, but thanks" Randall said, carefully picking Sara up, "could someone or someones get her presents?"
"We will" Kate and Kevin said in unison, getting Sara's presents and followed Randall up the stairs to Sara's room.
Randall tucked Sara into bed and kissed her forehead, "happy birthday, beautiful. I love you."
Kate and Kevin put Sara's toys on Sara's desk, except for the stuffed animals and exited Sara's room with Randall.
Randall, Kate, Kevin, Rebecca, Miguel and Beth ended up ordering Italian food for dinner, making sure to order some for the girls.
Tess came downstairs as Rebecca and Miguel were getting ready to leave.
"Hey Tess" Rebecca said, smiling at her oldest grandchild.
"Hi" Tess said, before turning to her parents, "why did we adopt the white girl?"
"I beg your pardon young lady, but you need an attitude check" Beth said, rubbing her belly.
"Yeah - where's this coming from?" Randall asked.
"You ever hear of a show called Webster?" Tess asked.
"About the white family that adopts the black kid. Yes, I'm well-aware of that show. I was called Webster for a while" Randall said, "what about it?"
"Kids are calling me the reverse Webster, whatever that means and I'm sick of it" Tess said, "we can send her back, right?"
"Absolutely not, young lady. Sara's a part of this family, whether you like it or not" Beth said, "I know she has some issues, but that's something that makes her special, just like you and Annie are special in your own ways."
Tess shrugged, "I just want her to go away. I wish we never adopted her in the first place and I hate both of you for doing it!" She angrily stomped upstairs.
"Do you want me to talk to her?" Rebecca asked as Miguel got her coat.
Randall shook his head, "you guys go. She's just a moody teenr" he hugged Rebecca, then Miguel. He walked to Beth, "I'm gonna talk to her."
"Randall, leave her alone" Kate said to her youngest brother, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah. Let her sleep and you guys can talk to her in the morning" Kevin said from the kitchen as he started putting food away.
Kate helped Randall get Beth up the stairs before she and Kevin left.
Beth and Randall settled into bed. They were about to go to bed when Annie came running into the room.
"Honey, what's wrong?" Beth asked, putting her book down.
"Sara - she's having trouble breathing" Annie said.
Randall and Beth got out of bed and went to Sara's room.
Sara was in the middle of her bed, struggling to breathe. She was making a sort of wheezing sound, as if she had the wind knocked out of her.
"Annie, can you get me a glass of water and a warm wash cloth, please?" Randall asked.
Annie nodded and got the two things her father requested, "is she okay?"
"She'll be fine, honey. Go back to bed and stay in your room" Beth said, getting Sara onto her back, "Sara, honey. You're okay. Shhh."
Randall called an ambulance and stood in the hallway, worried about his youngest daughter.
By the time the paramedics came, Sara was crying in Beth's arms.
The paramedics made sure Sara was okay before leaving the Pearson's house. By the time the paramedics left, it was close to three in the morning.
The following morning, Beth called off work and called the daycare where Sara went sometimes. She stayed home with Sara while Randall took Tess & Annie to school before going to work himself.
Beth and Sara did whatever Sara wanted to do all day - they had countless tea parties, watched a lot of movies & TV, had lunch together, played a board game and took a nap together.
Randall and the girls made tacos while Beth went to lay down.
"Dada, when baby come?" Sara asked as she ate dinner with her dad and sisters.
"Not long now, sweetheart" Randall said, smiling at his daughters.
"We make mama card?" Sara asked.
"Yeah. Let's do that after dinner" Annie said.
"Okay. I'll get your craft supplies" Randall said, "Tess, can you clean up?"
"Sure" Tess said, picking up everyone's dishes once they were done eating.
Randall was about to get the girls' craft supplies when Beth's cry of pain caught his ear. He rushed upstairs to the master bedroom, "Beth?"
"My water broke - he's coming now" Beth said in a pained voice.
"But he's not due-" Randall started to say.
"I know when he's due, Randall Pearson, and he's coming now!" Beth snapped, "I'm sorry baby, I'm in a lot of pain."
"I'll call the paramedics, then Kate and Kevin to watch the girls" Randall said, getting his phone and called for an ambulance, then called Kate and Kevin. He turned his attention to Beth, "let's get you downstairs - the ambulance will be here in twenty minutes. Kate and Kevin will be here in ten minutes."
Beth nodded and carefully went down the stairs with Randall, who remembered the hospital bag.
Ten minutes later, Kate and Kevin arrived and twenty minutes later, an ambulance arrived.
Kate and Kevin played with the girls before putting them to bed, making sure to give Sara a bath and read her a bedtime story.
It was close to three in the morning before Kate got a notification on her cell phone.
'He's here! Jack William Pearson is here! He arrived at 12:18 AM! He's perfectly healthy and the right size. Beth is doing well - she's exhausted, both of us are. Hope things are well over there. Give the girls our love and we'll see everyone tomorrow' Randall texted Kate and Kevin. He sent a similar text to his mother and Miguel before falling asleep.
The following day, Randall and Beth brought Jack home. Instantly, all three girls fawned over their little brother.
Tess held her brother first, then Annie, then Sara with Randall's help.
Kate, Kevin, Miguel and Rebecca came to the house around lunchtime.
Randall put Jack down for a nap shortly after lunch.
"Randall, he's perfect" Rebecca said, "your dad would've loved him."
Kate and Kevin nodded, as did Miguel.
The four of them left forty-five minutes later, leaving Randall and Beth alone with their family.
The first night with Jack was rough - he would cry at all hours of the night, wanting one thing or another.
As Randall fell asleep with Beth after putting Jack to bed, he thought of how lucky he was to have not only his loving wife, but his three beautiful daughters.
It was now several years later. Beth, Annie, Tess and Kate were helping Sara get ready for her wedding.
Sara was an actress like her uncle Kevin and it was on the set of the current musical she was in that she met and fell in love with her costar - a handsome African-American man named Sawyer.
From the start, everyone had like Sawyer, even Rebecca, who got to meet him before she passed away.
"I'm so nervous!" Sara said, looking at herself in the mirror. No one but herself and Sawyer knew that Sara was six weeks pregnant with her and Sawyer's baby.
"Baby, you look beautiful" Beth told her youngest daughter, styling her hair into an elegant updo, "and you have nothing to be nervous about."
"Yeah, what mom said" Annie said, smiling at her sister as she did Sara's makeup.
"Don't make me look like a clown" Sara teased her middle sister.
Tess put a necklace around Sara's neck, "for your something new."
"Tess, you're gonna make me cry" Sara said, looking at the necklace in the mirror - it was a shark - her favorite animal.
Tess smiled and hugged her sister from behind, "thanks for making me your Maid of Honor."
"You're welcome" Sara said, performing a secret handshake with Tess, giggling.
"Your groom is waiting for you!" Randall said in a singsong voice.
"We're coming" Sara said, hugging Annie, Tess and Kate, who were her bridesmaids and Maid of Honor.
Sara was now having her daddy/daughter dance with Randall.
"Dad, I'm glad that you and mom adopted me" Sara said, feeling tears in her eyes.
"You're welcome, baby. You look beautiful by the way" Randall said as he danced with Sara, "then again, you always look beautiful."
Sara kissed her dad's cheek as the song ended.
Sara danced with everyone in her family, including her little brother Jack. The two of them had so much fun dancing and laughing, something they enjoyed together as kids.
After the reception, Sara and Sawyer went to their tiny one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment.
"Baby, you look beautiful" Sawyer said, kissing Sara's cheek as he helped her undress, "of course, you always look beautiful."
Sara closed her eyes, letting Sawyer do what he wanted with her, since she was too exhausted to protest.
The two of them made love for four hours straight, then fell asleep in each other's arms, only to wake up at the crack of dawn to shower and get ready for their day.
Sara laid her head on Sawyer's shoulder as the two of them got a cab to the theater they worked at.
"Lovely, we're here" Sawyer whispered in Sara's ear.
Sara moaned and opened her eyes, smiling at the theater.
The two of them exited the cab and entered the back door of the theater, signing their names on the sign-in sheet before going to the rehearsal room.
The entire cast of the musical applauded as Sara and Sawyer entered the rehearsal space.
Sara laughed, "guys, you didn't have to do this."
"Oh, yes we did, honey" Bailey said, kissing Sara's cheek.
"It was all Bailey's idea" Bailey's twin - Riley - said.
"I don't care who's idea it was, this was so sweet" Sara said, hugging the identical twin brothers.
"How're you feeling?" Bailey asked Sara.
"I'm good - really good" Sara said, walking with Bailey, Riley, Sawyer and the others to the piano to do vocal warm ups and sing songs from the musical that needed work.
As the actors took a break, Sara went to use the bathroom. She locked herself in a stall and used the bathroom.
Thank goodness this musical is about a pregnant girl and I'm playing her. I wonder if I'll start showing by the time the Tony's are announced she thought to herself as she finished in the bathroom and washed her hands.
The director kept everyone after rehearsals except for Sara and Sawyer.
Sara got into bed after taking a shower, feeling Sawyer beside her, "hey."
"Hey beautiful" Sawyer said, kissing her cheek, "how's the baby?"
"For being the size of a grape, I think they're doing fine" Sara said, "so, who are you inviting to the premiere next month?"
"My parents and sister. You?" Sawyer asked, kissing Sara's shoulders.
"My parents, sisters, Jack, Kate and Kevin" Sara said, closing her eyes.
"Mmm" Sawyer said.
Nine months later
Sara was now in a hospital bed, getting ready to deliver her and Sawyer's first baby - a little girl that was to be named Zoey Rebecca.
Sawyer stood by Sara's side, gently rubbing her back.
Sawyer and Sara's families were in the waiting room, anxiously waiting any news from either Sawyer or Sara's doctor.
The musical had been a big hit, which meant a huge raise for the cast. Sara and Sawyer had bought a two-bedroom, one bathroom apartment not far from the theater.
Sara was up for a Tony nomination, as was Sawyer both for Best Supporting Actress In a Musical and Best Supporting Actor In a Musical. Sara had won in her category, whereas Sawyer didn't win. The musical had won for best new musical, best book and best director.
Sara was offered one of her dream roles, which she would take once Zoey was six months. She wanted to spend as much time as she could with Zoey before going back to work.
Sawyer had opened a children's theater and was directing a musical version of The Ugly Duckling.
"Push. I can see the head!" The doctor told Sara, looking into her eyes, "you've got this, Sara."
Sara leaned forward and pushed. She looked at Sawyer, who was rubbing her back supportively, "I want my mom" she said, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I'll go get her" a nurse said, exiting the delivery room and went to the waiting room, "Mrs. Pearson?"
"Yes?" Beth said, looking up from reading.
"Your daughter wants you" the nurse said, handing Beth some scrubs, "put these on then come to delivery room three."
Beth nodded and went to the bathroom to put on her scrubs then ran to delivery room three, "I'm here. What's wrong?"
"Mama, I need you!" Sara cried, feeling tears stream down her cheeks.
Sawyer kissed Sara's temple, "I'll go get you some ice chips. You're doing great, baby" he squeezed her shoulder gently and exited the delivery room.
The doctor checked Sara's positing again. He sighed and looked at her, "the baby is stuck in the birth canal, so we're gonna have to do a C-Section. I know you didn't want one, but this will kill both you and your baby if we don't do this."
Sara nodded, squeezing Beth's hand as the doctor and nurses prepped Sara for surgery.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but only medical staff is allowed" the doctor told Beth.
Beth nodded and went to the waiting room, feeling everyone's eyes on her, "the baby is stuck in the birth canal, so Sara's going for a C-Section now."
Everyone hugged Beth as a confused-looking Sawyer came into the waiting room.
"I went to the delivery room and Sara's not there. Where's my love?" Sawyer asked.
"The baby's stuck, so Sara's having a C-Section to get her out" Beth said, sitting down.
Sawyer sighed and sat next to Beth.
Everyone was quiet as the doctor came over.
"Sawyer, come meet your daughter. You can even cut the cord" the doctor said in a kind voice.
Sawyer squealed and followed the doctor to the operating room where Sara was.
A screaming baby was on Sara's chest and Sara looked exhausted.
Sawyer cut the cord and kissed the top of Sara's head, "she's here. Our Zoey Rebecca Paulson is here."
Sara nodded, tears in her eyes.
"What's wrong, honey?" Sawyer asked, holding Sara's hand.
"She had a twin, but the twin died. I didn't know we were having twins until they cut me open" Sara said, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Sawyer held Sara in her hospital bed as Zoey slept in a bassinet at the foot of Sara's hospital bed. He kissed her forehead, "she's here and she's healthy."
A nurse entered the room, "two questions - do you want visitors and do you want her to stay here tonight?"
"Not right now and yes" Sawyer said, holding Sara in his arms.
The nurse nodded and exited the room.
"You try and get some sleep. I'll take care of Z tonight" Sawyer told his beloved, kissing her temple.
Sara was too tired to protest, so she just fell asleep on her back.
Sawyer cared for Zoey all night and into the morning. He finally put Zoey to bed at four in the morning, then fell asleep in the armchair on the other side of the room.
Around seven the following morning, Kate, Kevin, Randall, Beth, Jack, Tess, Annie and Miguel entered the room and put up pink balloons, being extremely quiet as they did so.
Zoey let out a little whine, but didn't wake up.
Randall smiled, "my first grandchild. She's beautiful."
"A perfect combination of her mother and father" Beth said, kissing Randall's cheek.
Kate and Kevin looked at the sleeping baby nearby.
"My first great-grandchild" Miguel said, smiling at the sleeping family.
"How does it feel, grandpa?" Tess asked.
"Wonderful" Miguel said, being mindful to keep his voice down.
Annie and Jack put up pink balloons around the room, helping the adults.
Sara groaned and opened her eyes, "hey guys" she whispered.
"There's my Tony-winning niece and new mom. How do you feel?" Kevin asked, kissing Sara's cheek.
"I'm happy about both" Sara said, struggling to sit up. Both Beth and Kate came over to help.
Sawyer woke up and smiled at the Pearson family, "hey guys" he whispered.
"Sawyer, hello" Kate said, carefully hugging her brother-in-law.
Once everyone was up, Randall ordered room service for everyone.
"Jack, would you like to hold your niece?" Sara asked her little brother.
Jack shook his head, "no thanks. I'd rather watch her sleep."
"Sara, can I hold her?" Kate asked.
"Of course" Sara said, smiling at her aunt.
Kate carefully picked up Zoey and held her close, "what's her name?"
"Zoey Rebecca Paulson" Sara and Sawyer said in unison.
"Welcome to the world, Zoey" Rebecca said, smiling at the baby.
"Um, we have something to tell you guys, but it would be better if Annie and Jack weren't in the room" Sawyer said after breakfast.
"We'll go get something in the gift shop" Annie said, taking Jack to the gift shop.
Beth made sure they were out of the room before turning to Sara and Sawyer, "what's up?"
"Zoey had a twin - a brother - but he didn't make it. We didn't know until I had my C-Section" Sara said, feeling tears slide down her cheeks.
"What's upsetting about - oh" Kate said, looking at Kevin.
"The same thing happened to us. There were supposed to be three of us, but our brother died. Mom left the hospital with three babies, Kate, Randall and myself" Kevin said.
"I never knew that" Sara said, cuddling into Sawyer.
Sawyer kissed the top of Sara's head, "the doctor also said that after Zoey, we probably shouldn't have any more children - they found a cyst on Sara's left ovary, so they removed it while she was under."
Everyone was silent, then carefully hugged Sara one-by-one.
After a while, everyone left, leaving Sara alone with Zoey and Sawyer.
Sara sniffled a bit as she let Sawyer hold her. She looked at Zoey asleep in the bassinet.
"Hey beautiful, everything will be all right. I promise, sweetheart" Sawyer said, holding Sara close.
"Sawyer, I really need to pee" Sara said.
"Okay, I'll help you" Sawyer said, getting off the bed and carefully helped Sara into the bathroom and stayed with her until she was done.
Zoey continued sleeping in her bassinet. She only woke up to be changed, held and be fed. The rest of the time, she slept.
The following day, Sara and Sawyer put Sara's carseat in the back of Kevin's car and climbed in themselves.
"Hi family. Ready to go?" Kevin asked.
"Yup" Sara and Sawyer said in unison.
Kevin smiled as he drove them to his house, since it was bigger and had enough space for all three of them.
"Randall and Beth will be here next week to help out" Kevin said as he helped bring in the diaper and hospital bags.
"That's great. Thanks for doing this for us" Sara said as Sawyer got the carseat out. She smiled at the sleeping baby.
Kevin got the family settled in a room off the family room. He waited for Sawyer and Sara to put Zoey down for a nap before giving the two of them a tour of the house.
"I'm gonna lay down" Sara said, kissing Sawyer's cheek before going to the room that her family was staying in and got under the covers.
Kevin and Sawyer sat in the living room, talking.
"Hey is she okay?" Kevin asked Sawyer.
Sawyer shrugged, "I'm not sure. All through her pregnancy she was excited and now, she's the opposite of excited."
"She might have postpartum depression" Kevin said, taking a sip of his soda.
Sawyer shrugged and drank his water, "I don't know if she's even held Zoey since she's been born."
Kevin frowned, "dude, I'm so sorry."
Sawyer shrugged, frowning, "Kev, do you think she still loves me?"
"She does, but she just had a baby and lost a baby on the same day. Let her recover and she'll come around" Kevin said.
Sara entered the living room an hour later, "I'm hungry."
Sawyer smiled, "I have a solution to your problem. Kevin went to pick up some pizza for us" he kissed her forehead, "you sleep well?"
Sara nodded, "I'm gonna feed Zoey, so just heat up my slice of pizza and I'll have it when I'm done."
"Not if I eat it first" Sawyer teased, seeing Sara smile, "I'll let you feed Zoey. Do you want me to make a bottle for you?"
Sara shook her head, "I'm gonna try nursing her."
"Okay, angel" Sawyer said, watching Sara go into the room that Kevin had set up for them and close the door.
Sara took off her shirt and bra before picking up Zoey and guided her to her left breast. She watched Zoey nurse and started talking softly to her. She couldn't keep her eyes off her beautiful baby girl.
"I could hold you forever, sweet one" Sara whispered to her daughter, running a finger over Zoey's arm, "you are so beautiful."
Zoey kept nursing, showing no signs of slowing down.
"Your grandpa Randall and I were in the same situation - both abandoned by our families. Your daddy and I will never abandon you - we love you too much to do that" Sara whispered to her baby, watching her nurse, "I could hold you forever. I can't wait to watch you grow up and do all the things you want to do. If you want to play in the dirt, I'll join you. If you want to wear dresses and skirts, I will do that with you. We'll play all day - the three of us - you, me and daddy. I can't wait to introduce you to all my favorite traditions and all my favorite foods. Your grandma - daddy's mama - is a really good cook. I'm sure she'll cook you up whatever you want, no questions asked.
I know you'll grow up into a strong, confident, wonderful, person, my Zoey. Don't let the world tell you differently. Do everything with love and respect" Sara told her daughter, hearing a knock on the door, "yeah?"
"Food's here, babe" Sawyer said on the other side of the door.
"I'm almost done in here. Give me fifteen minutes" Sara said, feeling Zoey finish nursing. Sara propped Zoey on her shoulder and rubbed her back until Zoey belched loudly, "that's my girl" she laid Zoey in the Pack-And-Play Kevin had gotten them, put her shirt and bra back on and exited the room, smiling at seeing Kevin and Sawyer sitting in front of the TV.
"You guys didn't start Wheel of Fortune without me, did you?" Sara asked, piling her plate high with pizza and put it in the microwave, since it was still a little cold.
"Nope, just waiting for you" Kevin said, smiling at his niece, "you think when she's older, you guys would want to go on a date?"
"Not right now, but maybe" Sawyer said, "hey babe, are we gonna introduce Zoey to the Super Bowl?"
"Only if the Steelers are playing" Zoey said, getting her food out of the microwave. She then raided Kevin's fridge for a Coke and went to sit down with the guys.
The three of them watched Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and a new game show called Quiz Bee.
Sara had fallen asleep just as the end credits for Quiz Bee rolled.
Sawyer picked her up and carried her to the guest room, hearing Zoey fussing softly, "I'm coming Z. Let me put mommy to bed, then I'm all yours."
Zoey started crying just as Sawyer tucked Sara into bed, sounding irritated.
"I'm coming" Sawyer said, gently picking up Zoey and brought her to the changing table and quickly changed her diaper.
After a while, Sawyer got Zoey back to bed. He climbed into bed next to Sara, holding her close.
When Zoey was six months old, Sara went back to work on Broadway. She auditioned for both musicals and plays and got a supporting role in a play that was still workshopping called Retail.
In the spring, Retail transferred to Broadway and Sara still stayed in her role.
Sara won another Tony for Best Supporting Actress in a Play. She made sure to include all her family in her acceptance speech.
Sara and Sawyer bought a house outside the city where they currently live with their beautiful six-month-old daughter Zoey, along Kate and Kevin, who moved in to be their full-time help.
Randall & Beth bought a small house near Sara's and were over as much as Sara and Sawyer would let them, which was almost every day.
Tess and her partner - a non-binary woman named Alex - lived back in Philly, but would visit once in a while.
Annie and Jack lived on the West Coast and would only make it out for Thanksgiving, Christmas and to spend the summer with their family.
THIS IS US