A/N: Instead of holding out on y'all I am gonna start introducing Jimel's eventual children. Enjoy xx Mariah

Faith - 60
Jim - 30
Delia - 28
Melinda - 26
Ned - 3

Their daughter was supposed to be an August baby.

That was Melinda's due date- August first. It was what the doctor had assured them on multiple occasions, anyway. And yet, here it was July eighteenth and she was hunched over the sofa as a contraction ripped through her body, but going into early labor wasn't her only problem.

Her husband was nowhere to be found. Logically she knew he was at the grocery store, but why wasn't he answering the phone? Leave it to Jim to not answer his phone on the day of their first child's birth.

"Oh, God," Melinda hissed as the beginnings of a fresh contraction rippled through her lower back. "No! I can't have this happen to me right now. This baby isn't supposed to come for another two weeks!"

"Mel, your contractions are five minutes apart," Delia warned her, checking her watch. "It's time. We really should get you to the hospital before they get any closer."

"No," she gritted through her teeth. "I need Jim to be here. He has to be on his way home."

The pain was too consuming to say anything more, but she was fine. She had plenty of time yet before the baby was going to come if her contractions were still five minutes apart.

Delia huffed exasperatedly and reached for her cell phone for the umpteenth time. Just like each call before, it rang several times, but there was no answer on the other end. At the sound of the beep, her friend left what must be her twentieth voicemail. "I swear to god, Jim Clancy, your wife is in labor, and if you don't answer your phone. I will personally hunt you down and drag you here by your hair!" Delia slammed her finger on the end call button and threw the phone on the couch.

"It's probably the rain, Delia. It's interfering with reception," she said through panting breaths as the pain died down. "He's just grocery shopping. You know how long he can be, sometimes."

"All the more reason to leave now. Who knows how long it's going to take to drive in this all this rain." Delia tried reasoning, but she shook her head again.

She couldn't leave now. Jim wasn't here and she wasn't ready. The crib wasn't even set up yet, and most of the gifts she'd received at her baby shower last week were still in gift bags.

"Ten minutes," Delia said, standing up. "I am giving you ten minutes, and if Jim doesn't call in that time, I'll wrestle you into the car myself." The look on Delia's face was shockingly stern for her best friend. Melinda knew she'd make good on the threat and prayed that Jim would call. "Ned, sweetie. I need you to get your rain boots on."

The little boy had been coloring for most of the last hour, determined to draw the baby its first picture.

"I'm almost done, mommy," Ned muttered and grabbed a fresh crayon, settling for purple since Melinda and Jim were having a baby girl. "There. Do you think she'll like it?" The little boy scrambled to his feet, holding the picture out to her, who'd since sat back down on the couch. She looked down at the butterfly the four-year-old had drawn and smiled. "I saw the butterflies in her room on the walls."

"I am sure she'll love it, Ned." She smiled at the little boy, hugging him. He was such a sweet boy. "Thank you for drawing such a beautiful picture, sweetie."

Ned nodded and scurried over to the door where Delia was, pulling on his rain boots before letting his mother put his coat on. Delia was already ready to walk out the door, grabbing Melinda's packed hospital bag that they'd readied earlier.

"I'll be back," Delia said to her. "Try and call Jim again one more time."

Melinda put her hand in the air with a thumbs up and was already pressing her phone to her ear.

Meanwhile, Jim waded through the sea of people doing their grocery shopping. He had gotten everything Melinda had put on the list, but he figured while he was here he should pick up a few other things. Her pregnancy had been rough on her lately and she deserved some of her favorite comfort foods.

By the time he made it through the line to the checkout, he'd been in the store for over two hours. He was loading the last of the groceries into the car when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out to see his phone screen lit up with many notifications.

Twenty missed calls from Melinda. Four from Delia.

Why hadn't his phone buzzed until now?

He clicked on the most recent voicemail from five o'clock.

Melinda's hysterical voice was on the other end and his heart skipped a beat, his mind listing every possible thing that could be wrong before her voice explained everything to her.

When he heard the words "I'm in labor you son of a bitch. Where are you?" the last thing from the cart, a carton of milk, slipped from his grasp and split open when it hit the concrete, spilling over his shoes.

"We're about to leave for the hospital. Please, please, please call me back Jim. I need you." Her voice was desperate and she was near tears as she breathed through a contraction. "I need you to be here with me, Jim. Please call me back."

Shaking the sticky mess off his shoes, he shut the backdoor, climbed into the truck, and sped out of the parking lot. There was no way in hell he was missing the birth of his child over some stupid spilled milk. He had to be there for this.

"Delia, slow down!" Melinda yelled

The roads were slicker than ever with the increasing rainstorm and there were hardly more than five feet of visibility in front of the headlights, but Delia was still driving above the speed limit instead of driving a little under to be safe with the rain.

"I am not going to give birth in your car. My contractions are still four minutes apart so please just go the speed limit. It's Grandview for God's sake." Another contraction hit her just then, leaving her words there as she grasped the armrest. "They are getting stronger," she cried out, clenching her teeth.

"I know, honey. That's why I'm driving this fast and look we're almost to the hospital, Melinda," Delia said, extending a hand to rub her friend's back. "We'll be there soon. Take deep breaths and try to breathe through them."

"Jim hasn't called me back," she panted, yelling as the contraction burned through her. "I can't do this without him..."

Delia hesitated. "He still hasn't called, but I know Jim and he's killing himself to be there for you and the baby once he hears our voicemails. He'll be there, Melinda. Let's just focus on getting you there in one piece, okay?"

Melinda nodded as the contraction started to lessen in its strength, she released the breath she'd been holding in. "Both hands on the wheel, Delia." She reminded her.

"Okay, okay," Delia said, putting her hand back on the wheel.

Jim slammed his hand on the horn.

"Move!" he yelled, fully aware that the person in the car in front of him had no chance of hearing him.

Not that the little old lady could hear anyway. True, the roads were terrible with all this rain, but that didn't mean grandma in front of him couldn't speed it up a little. He tried, yet again, to call Delia and Melinda to no avail.

Both of their cells kept going straight to voicemail. He supposed it must be the storm knocking out cell towers. He punched the horn again in frustration.

Throwing caution to the wind, he swerved around the old lady and gunned it. Almost immediately, one of his tires hit a particularly slippery patch and he skidded down the road for several heart-stopping seconds before he could gain back control of the vehicle. His heart pounded wildly, pumping a hearty dose of relief through his veins.

"Calm down," he told himself, releasing the grip he had on the wheel. "Just drive carefully and get there. Melinda needs you. Your daughter needs you."

It would do no good to land himself in the hospital when he should be there with Melinda right now. At least she had Delia. Delia knew what she was doing. Still, it was killing Jim not knowing anything.

How far apart were the contractions? Was she in that much pain? Had they even reached the hospital yet? Were they okay? Or were they still stuck on the road in this damn rainstorm?

The endless list of questions circled his brain, playing on a torturous loop, the most troubling of which he could not bear voice out loud: What if he didn't make it there in time?

"No, I don't need any ice chips. Another nurse just brought me some." She said to the nurse, smiling softly. "Thank you though."

"I was just wanting to check on you," the nurse, a kindly older woman with a smile that reminded her of her grandmother, said. "Are you feeling comfortable?"

"As comfortable as I can be without my husband here yet." She sighed, relaxing further into the pillows behind her.

The hospital bed may not have been the comfiest, but it was nothing short of relaxing, especially with the pillow Delia had brought from home for her. She'd also brought a blanket, one she hadn't thought Delia would have known to look for.

It was the blanket her grandmother had given her for her sixteenth birthday, hand-knitted fleece in all of its glory. It was her favorite blanket but it was tucked away for the winter. Delia must've grabbed it from the top shelf of the linen closet, knowing how cold the hospital could get even in July.

"Your husband will be here soon," a new nurse said, trying to reassure her. "I am sure of it."

There were so many nurses coming in and out of here that she didn't know who was who. "I hope so too," she replied with a sigh, eyes glued to her stomach as she ran her hands over it. "I would hate for him to miss this."

"He won't," the woman said, her words suddenly starting to confuse Melinda. "You have many people on your side looking out for you to make sure he gets here in time."

"I don't understand," she whispered, turning her head up to look at the woman better. She didn't recognize her face or anything about her. Who was she? "Who are you?"

"That is not important now," the woman replied with the shake of her hand. "Right now, you need to focus on this little girl of yours. Your husband will be here in time." Her hand touched her stomach and she felt a small pain in her lower back, a contraction starting. "Your daughter will do many good things in her life for other people just like you have, but she will always keep you on your toes. You shouldn't worry so much, you will have a beautiful relationship with her."

"Who sent you?" She asked, crying out as her contraction burned through her entire body. It was gone a second later. She couldn't stop her mind from spinning."How do you know so much? How can I trust what you say about my child is true?"

"It is true," the woman laughed and stood up.

"What?" She asked, grabbing a few ice chips to suck on.

"You ask a lot of questions." The woman looked through the doorway next and Melinda sighed, seeing it was empty. "Since you won't stop asking, just know that your grandmother sent me. She's always watching over you. She told me to tell you that you picked the greatest man. He loves you very much. Now, your husband should be here any minute. Good luck."

She nodded, seeing her disappear as Jim ran through the door. He slid his jacket from his shoulder, leaving it on the chair Delia had sat in and was by her side in a second, hugging her, kissing her, apologizing over and over.

"It's okay," she breathed, kissing his lips amid the tears that flowed over her cheeks. "We just got here like twenty minutes ago. I'm not mad."

"I swear I didn't hear my phone ring," he sighed into her neck and held her tighter. "I am so sorry I am late, Melinda. I should have been here the whole time."

"I know, Jim. Don't worry about it. You're here now," she said and patted a space next to her. He moved to lay down next to her, his arm around her as she laid her head on his chest, breathing his scent in and kissing his shoulder. "You should try and call your mom to let her know what's going on."

"I already did while I was on my way here," he said and kissed her forehead. "She said it's not raining where she is yet and is gonna take a cab from the city. I told her to just wait for the storm to clear and that she can come by train in the morning, but she refused. She said there was no way she was missing the birth of her first grandchild, let alone her granddaughter."

"I expected nothing less from Faith," she laughed, seeing Delia walk in with Ned. "Hey you two, did you take a trip to the cafeteria?"

"Yeah, I got you something," Delia said, sneakily pulling a piece of pizza wrapped in a napkin for her. "I know you're not supposed to eat solids the day you give birth, but I remember how hungry I was."

"I love you so much for this, Delia," Melinda said and took the pizza from her friend's hands, taking a bite into the salty and savory food. "This is so good. Thank you."

Delia sat in the chair beside the bed, Ned in her lap. The boy was tired, now laying his head on his mother's chest.

Melinda smiled, remembering the ghost's words. She wondered just how good her relationship would be with her daughter. And she couldn't wait to find out. She quickly finished the pizza, licking her fingers and rolling her eyes at Jim's teasing. He only kissed her in return as Dr. Morrison, the obstetrician, entered the room at that moment for a check-in.

"Well, I am glad to see Jim has arrived." The doctor smiled, closing the door behind her. "Let's see where you're at." Melinda felt the woman's hands as she parted her legs to get a better look and she relaxed into Jim, feeling his lips kiss her head. "You're about eight centimeters dilated now, so good process," the woman said after a quick examination. "This is going to be a fast night for you two. At this rate, your daughter will be here within an hour or two."

She nodded, wanting this to just be over so she could hold her daughter. "Anything to end this pain and have her here," she groaned and tried her best to relax in her condition.

"I should call my mom and the station. I don't want to have to be working in the morning." He said, sliding out from under her and fishing his phone from his jacket that he'd shed earlier. "Do you need anything?" He turned back toward her and ran his hand through her sweaty hair. "I'll get you anything you need."

She shook her head and smiled at him. "I'm fine, honey. Go make your phone calls."

An hour trickled by and Faith had since arrived, while Delia had left to bring Ned home. Her mother-in-law had always wanted a daughter of her own and Melinda was the only chance she got, and although Faith could be a tad overbearing, she loved her dearly. The contractions were stronger and more excruciating than ever. With each progressive one, she felt as though she were being split into two.

Everyone said childbirth was the most painful experience, but she hadn't believed them until now. She wished she would've gotten to the hospital early enough to get an epidural. It was too late now. Dr. Morrison began prepping for the delivery. The woman calmly gave her a lot of instructions, but she did not hear most of them.

Jim's voice was the only one in her head, and he was currently sitting behind her, wiping her forehead with a wet washcloth. "It's going to be okay, Mel. You can do this." He whispered to her. "Just breathe, okay?"

"I can't," she cried. "I can't do this."

"Yes, you can." Faith grabbed her free hand, kissing it. "Just breathe, sweetheart... it's all in the breathing. Mind over matter."

She nodded, following Faith's breathing as she held her hand. "Mind over matter," she reminded herself with a little chuckle.

"Good, just like that." Faith said, smiling. "Have you two picked out a name?"

"Not yet," she said, breathing in and out in short breaths, trying to prepare herself for her next contraction. "We want to be sure about it first."

"You'll pick something great," Faith said with a smile. "I just know it."

The doctor seated herself at the end of the bed. "Alright, Melinda. On the next contraction, I need you to bear down and start pushing." Dr. Morrison instructed.

Jim's lips pressed into her sweaty neck, not caring even a little. "Are you ready for this?"

She took a deep breath, turning to look back at him as she nodded. "Even if I wasn't this is already happening," she said with a chuckle. "I love you," she said as the tightening in her abdomen was beginning her again, the pain of it taking her breath away. Her brief respite from the contractions was over and it was time, but he was right there with her, and that was all she needed. They would figure everything else out later. "I'm ready."

Melinda looked at the little girl in her arms, pressing a tearful kiss to her forehead. The infant slept comfortably in her arms, only rousing to eat now and again. It was a dream come true to hold the sweet little girl in her arms. She could hardly believe it was true. Their daughter was perfect.

Jim had just stepped back into the room when he sat beside her. "Hey you," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead before glancing down at their daughter. His hand came out to cup the top of her head slowly as he leaned down to kiss her forehead as well. "How's my girl doing?"

"She is doing pretty good. I just fed her and now she's fast asleep again," she told him, kissing his lips with a smile on her face.

"I meant you, silly." He remarked, chuckling. "Though I am glad our daughter is settling into the world nicely I want to know how are you feeling."

"Oh... I'm feeling pretty good," she said, shrugging. "For just having pushed a baby out of me a few hours ago."

Leaning forward, he looked at their little girl's sleeping face. "Looks like our girl is pretty comfortable as well," he said, smiling as he met her eyes again. "You have made me the happiest man alive today. How did I end up with not only the beautiful Melinda Gordon but a daughter now too?" he asked, his hand sliding around to hold her face. He kissed her lips and then looked down at their daughter again.

"I guess whisking me away from a burning fire worked out in your favor, huh?" She responded by tracing her finger across the little girl's chin. "Still one of the scariest yet best moments of my life. Although sadly, she might have just stolen the top moment."

Leaning over, he gave her another kiss. "I'm okay with that, Melinda. Our daughter can have whatever she wants," he said happily.

She looked at the man in front of her, unshaven and exhausted, and smiled. "I love you."

He grinned tiredly, moving to sit in the lounge chair to the side of her. "I love you, too." He looked like he could fall asleep right there and she hoped he would. He deserved it. "Have you thought of a name for her yet?"

"I was thinking of all the names we'd talked about," she nodded, looking back down to her little girl. "But none of them sound right when I look at her."

"What about Amelia?" He suggested, sitting up a little. "Or Amanda?"

"Mmm... I have always loved Katherine," she said, looking over at him as the little girl stirred in her arms, her head moving from side to side as she licked her lips and yawned. "Oh, why hello there little one. You must be so tired." The little girl cooed back at her mother, a small cry catching in her lungs before she sneezed. "Oh! You're okay... that was quite the sneeze for a baby." For only being a few hours old, the little girl was quite alert, looking up at her mother with such curious brown eyes as she spoke to her. "But mommy and daddy still haven't picked a name, have we, daddy?"

Jim moved to the bed, kissing her cheek as she talked to their daughter, her voice soft. "We haven't, sweet girl," he said, tracing his finger against the little girl's cheek. "I do like Katherine though. We could call her Katie."

"I did want to incorporate my grandma somehow," she cooed, smiling down at the girl in her arms. "What do you think we could do?"

"Katherine Ann," he suggested against her ear.

"Yes," she settled against him, her mind made up. "That's perfect."

"Just like her," he said, pressing a kiss at the crown of their daughter's head.

Born on July 18th at 6:57 P.M was Katherine Ann Clancy, the first of five.