Reefside
Late June 2006

The early California sun filtered in through the wide windows of Tommy and Kim's bedroom, casting a warm rectangle of light on the bed. Tommy relished in the sensation, the sunlight a gentle contrast to the cool, crisp air from the overworked A/C unit. Its soft hum filled the room, valiantly battling the summer heatwave outside. Kimberly's relentless demand for cooler air had pushed the system to its limits -an unfortunate casualty of her ongoing battle with late pregnancy discomfort.

Tommy didn't mind much. His gaze rested on the love of his life, her swollen belly dominating the space between them. Kim's hands pressed into her skin intermittently, as though trying to coax their daughter away from her ribs. Every so often, she would shift, adjusting her pillows, though each attempt seemed more futile than the last.

Frustration radiated from her, but Tommy smiled quietly, admiring her strength as she navigated this final stretch.

With a sigh, Kim adjusted herself yet again and glared down at her belly. "She's never coming out on her own," she muttered, running her hand over the peak of her bump. "She needs an eviction notice."

Tommy chuckled, his fingers tracing gentle patterns along her stomach, meeting each kick with a soft touch, as if having his own silent conversation with their baby.

Kim glanced at him, her glare half-hearted. "Don't you dare laugh, Tommy. She's been in there a week longer than she's supposed to. I think she's getting too comfortable, kicking at my insides like it's tournament day. Your karate skills must have rubbed off on her already."

Tommy grinned, his hand still resting on her belly. "Hey, she's just practicing. Training is important, you know that. Besides, I've never heard you complain about my karate skills before."

Kim raised an eyebrow, despite her discomfort, her lips twitching into a smile. "Oh, I've definitely complained. Like that time when we were sixteen, and you tried to teach me a spinning roundhouse kick? I ended up flat on my back."

Tommy smirked, his eyes glinting with nostalgia. "I remember it well. You were so determined to get it right, and I certainly didn't mind how long it took you." He leaned in, his voice dropping to a husky murmur. "Pretty sure I enjoyed the trial and error more than the actual lesson."

She rolled her eyes, though she couldn't suppress a grin. "Don't get cute with me, mister. She's a week late, and I'm totally blaming you for it. That 'fashionably late' thing you've perfected over the years? It's genetic."

"Hey," Tommy said, taking her hand and kissing her swollen fingers tenderly. "She must know the importance of a good entrance. Style points."

Kim snorted, though it quickly turned into another groan as another firm kick jabbed her ribs. "Right now, I'd settle for a stylish exit." Her gaze softened as she looked down at her belly, watching the faint outlines of their daughter's movements. "I just… I want to meet her. I want to see what she looks like."

Tommy's expression softened too. "She'll be here soon, Beautiful. You're doing amazing. Just a little longer."

Kim let out a long breath, rubbing slow circles on her belly. "You know, everyone at PRISM is avoiding me like the plague," she said after a pause.

Tommy raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Really? Everyone?"

"Everyone," she confirmed with a dramatic roll of her eyes. "I can't even walk into the building without people scattering like I'm some ticking time bomb."

He laughed, shaking his head. "I can't imagine why."

She swatted him playfully on the arm. "It's not funny! Jason barely made eye contact with me yesterday. I snapped at him for eating the last bearclaw in the breakroom. And Billy? He's been hiding in his lab ever since I told him not to touch the A/C again."

Tommy chuckled again. "Could that be because of how you told him? I heard you weren't exactly… diplomatic about it."

Kim crossed her arms with a huff. "I was just being clear. Clear communication is key when you're CEO."

"Yeah," Tommy leaned back grinning. "Telling Billy that messing with the thermostat would result in 'unthinkable consequences' was a masterclass in office communication. You should write a book."

She narrowed her eyes at him, though her lips twitched. "So? It worked, didn't it. He hasn't gone near it since." She crossed her arms defensively. "Besides, it's not that cold."

"Kim, they're wearing scarves and jackets in the middle of a California heat wave. You've turned PRISM into a ski lodge."

Kim shrugged, completely unbothered. "If I have to to waddle with this bowling ball under my shirt, bruised from the inside out, the least they can do is wear a jacket."

Tommy laughed, shaking his head. "I'm just glad you haven't made me wear a parka yet."

She muttered under her breath, grinning. "I should have done that 9 months ago …"

Tommy leaned in closer, his voice teasing. "Hey now, I remember you being a very enthusiastic participant in that endeavor."

Kim rolled her eyes again, but her expression softened. "You're lucky you're cute." She paused, a thought crossing her mind. "I just hope she takes after me. One of you is enough trouble."

Tommy feigned a wounded look, clutching his chest. "Trouble? Me? I'm a delight."

"A delight," she repeated dryly. "Tell that to my poor, abused kidneys." She frowned briefly, "Though, if she's like me, she'll give us hell when she's a teenager." Tommy laughed again, already imagining it. "If she's anything like you, I don't think even my five Ranger forms will be enough to keep up with her.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to Kim's belly, speaking softly to their daughter. "Hey, baby girl, take it easy on your mom, okay? You've got a lifetime to learn all the cool moves. And trust me, your mom's got plenty of pointers on attitude."

Kim laughed, carding her fingers through Tommy's hair. "I'd be offended, but it's true." She paused, smiling. "I hope she has your hair, though."

Tommy met her gaze, his voice tender. "Your hair is gorgeous, Kim. And no matter whose she gets, she'll be perfect. A healthy mix of attitude and athleticism -with a little tardiness thrown in.

Kim chuckled softly, "Perfect, huh? I don't know, she's already proving to be more stubborn than either of us. That's going to be dangerous."

Tommy kissed her belly one last time, then settled beside her. "Stubborn was probably inevitable, considering her parents. But that just means she'll know what she wants. She'll be unstoppable."

Kim smirked, resting her hand on the bed between them, her eyes filled with affection. "Unstoppable sounds exhausting."

"Oh, I'm sure it will be! But we'll handle it, like we always do." He softened. "After all, we've faced plenty of 'unstoppable' forces together. What's one more?"

She nestled closer to him, tucking her head under his chin with a tired but contented sigh. "Jus as long as she doesn't come with her own evil doppelgänger or world-dominating overlord."

Tommy grinned. "Or minions."

Kim's laugh was soft, warm. "Maybe a minion or two wouldn't be so bad..."

—-

Reefside
July 1st, 2006

The last days of June passed without much change. Outside, the relentless heat scorched everything in sight, while inside, Tommy's hands were slowly turning into popsicles, courtesy of the arctic-level A/C Kim insisted on. Despite the minor inconveniences of near-frostbite, Tommy kept his complaints to a minimum. Kim's comfort -or at least as much comfort as possible at this stage- was priority number one. But when July rolled around and their baby still hadn't shown any signs of an impending arrival, the last of Kim's patience wore out.

After another checkup, the OBGYN handed them a list of natural remedies to help kickstart labor. They were given until the end of the week to try before medical intervention would be necessary. As they walked out of the office, Tommy glanced at the paper in his hand, reading the various tips with a mix of amusement and skepticism.

"Pineapple juice. Jalapeños?" Tommy wrinkled his nose. "Is this a labor-inducing strategy or a grocery list?" He glanced over at Kim, trying to gauge how serious they were taking these suggestions.

Kim was waddling beside him, one hand massaging her back, the other clutching Tommy's arm for balance. Her face, despite the heat and exhaustion, held a spark of humor. "At this point, I'm willing to try just about anything."

Tommy scanned down the list, stopping when he saw what was sixth on the list, his eyebrows lifted. "Well, in that case, I'm partial to number six." He turned the paper slightly towards Kim, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

She leaned in to peek at the list, and when she found number six -sex- she gave him an unamused look, smacking his arm lightly. "Yeah, nope. Not happening. I can't even reach my feet without tipping over, Tommy, and you want to-" She waved her hand vaguely, indicating the impossibility of it all. "Just…no. Besides, number six is what got us here in the first place."

Tommy chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, can't blame a guy for trying. It's on the list. Scientific, doctor-approved," he considered, "well, maybe not scientific…"

"Trust me, you'll live without trying that particular strategy," Kim muttered as they made their way to the car. She sighed, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "Besides, I don't think anything's going to work. She's way too comfortable in there. It's like she's on vacation."

Tommy gave her a sympathetic smile, gently rubbing her back as they reached the car. "You can't blame her for wanting to be close to you, it's an Oliver trait."

Kim snorted, sliding awkwardly into the passenger seat. "Yeah well, she can go to therapy for separation anxiety when she's out. Right now, I'm drinking my weight in pineapple juice." She glanced down at the list again, "and maybe some of those stuffed peppers from the Juice Bar."

Tommy pretended to pout as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Your wish is my command. But you know, I'm still holding out for number six."

Kim rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth lifted slightly as she settled into her seat. "Dream on, Oliver."

—-

Reefside
The night of July 2nd, 2006

When Kim woke him up that night at 3.15 AM, Tommy's brain was barely functioning, still submerged in a fog of sleep. He cracked one eye open, catching sight of her gripping the edge of the mattress, her knuckles white and her breathing heavy. Without thinking, still half-lost in his stupor, he mumbled, "So, I guess number six really did work."

Kim's head snapped towards him, her eyes narrowing into a deadly glare sharp enough to cut steel. "Seriously?" she hissed, her voice tight with pain and incredulity. "That's what you're going with, right the fuck now?"

Tommy, blissfully unaware of the landmine he'd just stepped on, nodded lazily, his head sinking back onto his pillow. "Worked like a charm." he muttered with a sleepy, self-satisfied smile, his eyes drifting shut again, utterly oblivious to the monumental event happening on the other side of their bed.

Kim's patience, already razor-thin, snapped. She shoved at his chest, hard. "Tommy!" she yelled, her voice strained. "Get. Up. Now!"

"Hmm?" Tommy barely grunted, nestling deeper into the comforter, still drifting off as if this were just another early morning wake-up call. Kim's frustration peaked, her pain-fueled irritation breaking through. "I'm in labor!" she shouted, her voice finally slicing through his sleep.

Tommy's eyes flew open, the words hitting him like a sledgehammer. "Wait, what?" he asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and confusion. The gears in his brain finally started turning, sluggishly at first, but then the reality of Kim's words sank in. "Oh. OH!" He jolted upright, the sleepy fog instantly replaced by a chaotic surge of panic. "Right! Labor. The hospital. The baby!"

In a frantic whirlwind, Tommy scrambled out of bed, tripping over the comforter as he tried to get his bearings. "Where's-uh, where are the keys? And your bag?" He darted around the room, picking up random objects -a sock, the remote control- before tossing them aside in his frenzied search. "We definitely need the bag!"

Kim leaned against the bed, her patience stretched beyond its limits, groaning through another contraction. "The keys are where they always are," she hissed, her voice strained. "And the go-bag? It's in the car, Tommy. It's been in the car. For three. Fucking. Weeks."

Tommy froze mid-hop, one leg stuck in his pants, staring at her as if she'd just unlocked the secrets of the universe. "Right! The car!" He scrambled to yank his pants on properly, nearly toppling over as he grabbed his keys from the nightstand. In his rush, he managed to drop them. Twice.

He rushed out the door, thundered halfway down the stairs, then abruptly stopped. His footsteps pounded back up as fast as they'd gone down. Kim, breathing through her nose as another wave of pain washed over her, shot him a pointed look when he reappeared in the doorway.

"Um…" he said sheepishly, "do you need some help?"

Kim rolled her eyes and struggled to get up from the bed. She slapped his hand away when he tried to help, too annoyed by his complete lack of focus. "We spent our teenage years fighting aliens, monsters and Goldar, but you can't even handle getting me to the hospital?"

"Hey! Putties were easy! This? This is the exact opposite of easy."

He knew he'd said the wrong thing the second he saw Kim's expression darkening even more. "You think you've got it hard?" she retorted, her voice rising in anger. "Try being the one who has to push a watermelon through a keyhole, buddy! Then we'll talk about things being hard."

Tommy swallowed heavily, the look on Kim's face enough to make even a seasoned Power Ranger feel like a rookie. As they carefully made their way down the stairs and into the car, Tommy couldn't help but mumble, "This definitely wasn't covered in the Ranger handbook…"

—-

Angel Grove Memorial Hospital
July 2nd, 2006

Sixteen hours later, the initial excitement of meeting their daughter had transformed into pure, unfiltered misery. The fluorescent lights buzzed softly above Kim's head as she paced the cramped hospital room, desperately trying to find a position that would ease her pain, even if just for a moment. The relentless ticking of the clock on the wall grated on her every nerve, each tick dragging her closer to madness. Weeks of eagerly anticipating the baby's arrival -joking about eviction notices and pineapple juice- had devolved into a desperate plea for it all to just stop.

"I take it back," she groaned, gripping the side of the hospital bed as another wave of pain surged through her. Her face scrunched in agony, sweat beading on her brow. "All those weeks complaining about her not coming out? I'm sorry -I take it all back. She can stay in there forever, I don't mind."

Tommy, pacing beside her as a pillar of support, winced at her cries. He felt utterly helpless, wishing he could take her pain away. "You're so strong, Kim. Just a little longer, okay? We'll have our beautiful girl in our arms soon," he said softly, rubbing her back. He expected her to smile, but instead, he was met with an icy glare.

"Soon?" Kim snapped, her voice sharp as she braced against another wave of pain. "I've been here for sixteen hours! 'Soon" isn't soon enough!"

Tommy's mouth opened to respond but thought better of it. There was nothing he could say right now that would make Kim feel better, so he settled for silent support. But as another contraction hit her, she rounded on him, fire blazing in her eyes. "You did this to me," she accused, her voice dripping with frustration. "This is some kind of Green Ranger trick. Like, some leftover evil magic you didn't tell me about?"

Before Tommy could respond,a nurse breezed into the room, her bright smile a stark contrast to the tension hanging in the air. As she checked Kim and the baby's vitals, she spoke a constant stream of cheerful encouragement. "Wow, mom, you're doing so great! Just keep breathing, and your little one should be here in no time."

Kim's eyes darkened like storm clouds at the nurse's words, and Tommy quickly intervened before she could unleash her frustration. "She's in a lot of pain," he told the nurse quietly, his voice apologetic. "Is there any way to get her some pain relief? We know an epidural isn't an option, but there has to be something else?" He sounded nearly desperate.

The nurse nodded, her bright demeanor wavering slightly. "I can check with the doctor, but given her medical history, there might be some limitations. Just keep focusing on your breathing, Kim. You're doing great!"

As soon as the nurse left the room, Kim exploded. "I swear, if one more person tells me to 'breathe through the pain', I'm going to bring back the Power Bow and shoot them." Her voice pinched at the end, her whole body tense with the strain of another contraction.

Tommy raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, no more breathing tips, I got you. Nobody wants to be on the receiving end of that Bow."

"God, I'd never thought I'd say this, but I'd take getting thrown across Angel Grove by Goldar over this any day." Kim huffed, her body relaxing slightly as the contraction passed. Tommy, torn between genuine concern for his girlfriend and a deep-seated need to lift her spirits, smiled nervously.

"I'm pretty sure you tossed Goldar around more than he ever tossed you," he said, trying to lighten the mood.

Kim let out a breathless, humorless laugh, "At least with Goldar I knew what to expect. This? I'm so far out of my depth here. I just want it to be over."

Tommy nodded, his expression serious yet supportive. "I get it, Beautiful. Just remember, Power coin or not, you're still the fucking Pink Ranger. You've faced tougher challenges than this. There's nothing you can't overcome."

With a deep breath, Kim nodded. She returned to the bed, propping herself up against the pillows. "Thanks, Handsome." she sighed, all the anger and frustration seeming to drain out of her. "I just want to hold our baby already."

Tommy's heart swelled. "You will, and I'll be right here with you. Just a little longer, Kim. You're doing amazing. And if you need anything, just say the word."

"Yeah? Right now, I just need you to find me a doctor who can do something about this pain," she begged.

"On it," Tommy said, determination filling his voice. "I'll be right back. Just hold on, alright?"

He stepped out of the room and sighed in relief. He loved Kim more than anything, but the intensity of the past few hours was starting to wear on him. She was in so much pain, and no matter how hard he tried to comfort her, it didn't feel nearly enough.

As he walked down the hallway towards the nurse's station, his phone chimed with an incoming text. He fished it out of his pocket, glancing at the screen.

"Has my little niece graced us with her presence yet?"

Jason. Tommy stared at the words for a moment, considering just shooting off a quick reply. But he hesitated. Jason had gone through this exact thing only months ago, and Tommy needed some instant advice. Without overthinking, he hit the call button. The phone barely rang twice before Jason picked up.

"Is she here?" Jason asked, his voice thick with anticipation.

Tommy winced at the energy in his best friend's tone. "Not yet, man. Kim's in a lot of pain though. After everything she's been through, I don't think she imagined this would be the hardest. She wasn't even phased when the doctor told her an epidural wasn't an option for her. But now… it's getting to her. I can't help. It's been sixteen hours, and I'm trying to keep it together for her, but I feel like I'm failing."

Jason's tone softened, the excitement replaced by understanding. "Yeah, man, that's rough. But you're not failing, trust me. Just being there -that's what she needs. Tri was ready to rip my head off when she had the twins, but she said afterwards that just knowing I was there really helped. Even if it was just to yell at me."

Tommy hummed in doubt. "I hope you're right. Kim's not exactly in the 'I love you for being here' mood right now. More like the 'I will murder you for existing' kind of mood."

Jason chuckled softly on the other end. "Yeah, sounds about right. Tri wasn't too far off from that either. Trust me, man, that phase is temporary. It's the pain talking. Once that little girl is in her arms, everything changes."

Tommy sighed. "I know you're right, but it's really hard to look at it that way right now. I just want to do something. To fix this."

"It's not about fixing, man. Right now, it's about support -letting her crush your hand during a contraction, fetching her ice chips. I know you're always ready for a fight, but you can't kick or punch your way through this."

Tommy leaned against the wall, rubbing his temple. "Yeah, I've come to realize I'm not great at the 'just roll with it' thing. I'm used to tackling problems head-on, not just… standing there."

Jason's voice was steady as he replied, "Don't think of it as just standing there; you're her emotional backup. Trust me, knowing she's not alone in this makes a difference. And sure, she'll probably want to kill you a few times before it's over, but once that little girl's here? None of it will matter anymore."

Tommy let out a small chuckle despite himself. "You make it sound so simple."

Jason laughed. "It's not. But I've never known you to back down from a challenge before."

A smile tugged at the corner of Tommy's lips. "Thanks, Jase. I really needed to hear this."

"No problem, man. And remember, we're all waiting to meet that little girl."

"Thanks. I'll keep you posted," Tommy said, feeling a little lighter as he hung up. He took a deep breath and made his way to the nurse's station ready to do whatever he could to help Kim through this.

—-

Angel Grove Memorial Hospital
July 3nd, 2006

Leah-Louise Oliver was born five minutes after midnight, her first cries filling the room as the clock ticked into a new day. Exactly one year to the day after Tommy had brought Kim back home, they were holding their new beginning in their arms. Kim, exhausted but radiant, cradled the tiny bundle, tears slipping down her cheeks as she gazed down at their daughter.

"You were right," she whispered, her fingers gently stroking the baby's soft cheeks.

Tommy, sitting beside her on the bed, equally enthralled by the little girl, looked questioningly at Kim. "About what?"

Kim beamed at him. 'She's absolutely perfect." His heart swelled as he watched Kim cradle their newborn daughter. He leaned in closer, pressing a gentle kiss to Kim's forehead. "Yeah, she really is." He whispered, his voice thick with emotion. Leah's tiny hand curled around his finger, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

Kim sniffled, laughing softly as she wiped away a tear. "I didn't think it was possible to love someone this much, and we've only known her for five minutes."

Tommy nodded, his eyes locked on their daughter. "Yeah, she's exactly like her mom that way." Kim turned a questioning gaze on him and he elaborated. "I fell in love with you within the first five minutes."

Kim's tired eyes softened, and a slow smile spread across her face. "Smooth, Oliver. Really smooth."

Tommy chuckled, his eyes never leaving Leah. "It's true, though. The moment I met you, everything changed for me. Even at my lowest, you never gave up on me. You saw the good when I couldn't."

Kim shifted slightly, leaning into Tommy's side and resting her head on his shoulder. "You've always been too hard on yourself," she murmured. "But now you've got the two of us to remind you how amazing you are."

"Yeah," he said as he brushed his lips over Kim's temple. "Couldn't ask for a better team. And I've had plenty of them." Kim chuckled, her eyes drooping as she was cocooned in the warmth of her baby and Tommy. "We've got your back, Oliver. Always" she yawned.

Tommy shifted a little further from her, gently lifting the baby from her arms. "Go to sleep, Beautiful. I'll keep watch."

The soft rhythm of Kim's breathing and Leah's gentle sighs filled the space, and for a moment, Tommy allowed himself to just be -surrounded by his family, his heart fuller than he ever thought possible. He leaned back in his chair, keeping a vigilant, loving watch over his girls as the first rays of morning sunlight began to peek through the window.