Rushing into her bathroom after a class in the new semester she empties her stomach into the toilet. "Ace, I think it's time," Graham says as she comes back out.

"Time for what?"

"A pregnancy test."

"What?"

"It's been a month since you started getting sick regularly," he points out.

"So."

"Ace," he takes her hands, "remember your vision from years ago. We had a daughter not much younger than your brother."

"I do, it has also been on my mind, but I want to continue with school."

"Whose saying you can't. You are sailing here. You know I struggled last semester. What if I drop out if it comes to it, so we can have insurance. You know how much I love driving around. I can see if there are any bus driving positions open. It would leave a schedule that I can be home every night and summers, and holiday breaks if it's for a school district. If I drive for whatever district she ends up at; she can stay with me."

"I don't want you to have to give up on school. Plus what if we have to leave this building."

"Tegan and Nyssa own it right?"

"Yes, Nyssa's dad is the main owner though since Nyssa didn't have that much credit."

"I know, but if you are, we can use some of the money I got from my mom's death for a small apartment."

"No, that is your money."

"It will also be for our daughter," Mel comes running into the bedroom seeing Graham trying to hold Ace's hand.

"You two can continue this later, that was Liam just called, Mom is in labor," Mel runs out Ace and Graham share a look.

"I'll get a blood test at the hospital, come on Lover Boy," Ace grabs his hand both having that feeling everything is about to change forever. Arriving at the hospital Ace goes to Liam while Mel tries to go behind the doors but is stopped before making it behind.

"My Mom is giving birth," she tells the nurse.

"Your Mom's name."

Zoe Heriot-McShane."

"And your name?"

"Melanie Bush," she rolls her eyes at the reaction from the nurse. "She's having my half-brother. My step siblings are over there."

"Who is that guy rubbing the woman's back?"

"My sister's long term boyfriend. We live together with a group of friends. Now please." Her phone goes off with Jamie's name popping up. "That is my uncle, I should take this." When Mel leaves the nurse to answer the phone Ace walks up to the nurse.

"Ma-am?"

"Yes?"

"Is there a way I could get a blood test or any other pregnancy test?"

"Aren't you a little young?"

"I am, but I have been in one relationship since I was 15, we have been together 4 years and two months. Why do you need to know this?"

"Isn't your dad in there with his Wife about to have a baby."

"Well Ms. Nosey, they are but you know what happens when two people love each other. My boyfriend waited until after graduating. I can bet that if you know anyone in a relationship; they didn't wait almost 4 years to have sex."

"How can you?"

"Do you have a manager?" Graham sees Ace getting angrier.

"Love."

"Oh the man that's probably the reason." He takes her hand and walks away.

"We are going to find someone else to talk to."

"You stay, lie and say I needed the bathroom, I love you." Graham goes to sit back down, sometime later Mel slumps next to him.

"They won't allow me back there, where is Ace?"

"Bathroom. Is your uncle on his way?"

"Yeah, should be here any second. I just don't understand why I can't be back there."

"Maybe she doesn't want you to see her in any type of pain."

"I just."

"Mel, all of us will go to the room once she is ready."

"Even Ace," she raises her eyebrows, red ringlets bouncing as she turns her head when she hears a loud voice.

"See who I found just found walking around in the hallway," Jamie has Ace under his arm, she and Graham make eye contact, Mel gets up to hug her uncle, Ace sits next to Graham, she goes to hold his hand.

"They won't let me in, Ace don't you want to see your baby brother being born?"

"Not really, where's Liam?"

"How should I know, we came together."

"Why don't you call him and get some of that energy out."

"Why don't you, you don't seem to care."

"Maybe because I have some things on my mind."

"Like your family."

"Yes," Mel looks at Ace confused, then to Graham who doesn't meet her eyes.

"What is going on between the two of you," Mel scowls at them.

"Melanie, there are some things that you don't need to know yet. The only person who needs to know right now is Graham."

"Not even Mom and Dad?"

"They are a little busy don't you think?"

"Ace, Mel," Jamie tries to get in between them.

"Jamie, when this happens it's best not to say anything."

"What do you mean by that," Ace turns to him.

"Nothing Dear."

"Graham," her voice lowers; knowing he has to tell the truth.

"Just that you two are strong independent women that love each other so much." She looks at him, he sighs, "and your love for each other sometimes makes you think you both have the right to know everything about the other. You two have been like this since we met."

"Really," she takes her hand out of his.

"Yes."

"Name one case."

"I can do that, your mom talked to me about it, before Mel found out what that horrible woman and that man did to you, you two were fighting about it. Ace, I love you more than life itself. I know you like the back of my own hand."

"I know that Graham." She sighs looking at everyone and grabs her phone, he follows her and waits to talk to her in private. After she hangs up the phone she turns to face him.

"So?"

"The results aren't in yet, since it was a blood test, it doesn't come in immediately."

"Do you know when they will call you?"

"No, but I did tell them about my mom being upstairs giving birth. Graham what will we do if I am."

"We talked about this, I'll drop out of school and get a job."

"But I don't want you too."

"I want us to have insurance for our child."

"We'll talk about it later. Liam is fine with Adric right now."

"Good, how are you? We know Mel is stressed out, your parents are probably tired. Jamie is well just Jamie," he takes her hands and finds a chair.

"Happy, confused, excited about everything. Including what may be happening to us in a few months. You?"

"Happy for your family, us."

"Graham what if I'm not would you be okay with that and continue with school?"

"I don't know, you know I haven't passed a test this semester. I fear I may be close to flunking this one."

"We are only one month in."

"I know, before you came home, I got a call from my consular; I am close to being put on Academic Probation."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Mel came in as I was going to tell you. I didn't want to ruin the mood of another life being brought into the world. You know, sometimes people who excel in high school don't do well in college."

"I do, but I also know you."

"You know me better than anyone in the world, but I just haven't been enjoying school."

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"You have been so happy, minus when at home. I didn't want to make it worse. Your happiness is the most important thing to me."

"Graham," she lays her forehead against his. "Your happiness is equally important to me. How about this, even if I'm not pregnant, you leave school and see if you can find a job that you love." She pecks his lips. "Right now though, we should head back into the main waiting room." She backs up, still holding his hand and they enter the room again.

"Where have you two been," asks Mel.

"I called my brother to see where he was at. Yes, he is a teenager, but I will always worry about him. Just like I do you."

"And I you, that was longer than just talking to your brother."

"Graham and I needed to talk about a few things in private."

"What were they?"

"Mel, please, I can assure you it will mostly impact your sister and I."

"Is everything ok Graham," Jamie who has remained observing everything.

"Not something we should talk about now. It's supposed to be a happy happy time." The two move to sit on the love seat. A few hours later Harry comes out to a scene, one daughter's head is against her uncle, the other is curled against her boyfriend, both have hands resting on her stomach.

"Harry," Jamie, who was slightly awake, says his name.

"It's going to be a few hours. She is not yet 10 centimeters."

"We can wait, I think those two may want to be close to the hospital." Jamie tries to gesture to Ace and Graham without waking up Mel.

"Please tell me you know what is going on?"

"Only that they are treating their relationship very adultlike. Now go be with Zoe, she needs you. I'll call and make sure the Jovankas are ok with bringing Liam tomorrow."

"Thank you," Harry turns and walks back into the room his wife is in. "Our daughters are asleep already, Mel leaning against Jamie and Ace cuddled up against Graham."

"Good for them, get your ass over here before," she breathes in as he hurries to her side as a contraction hits. He takes her hand and she squeezes it. "You are not touching me again." Harry doesn't respond to that. The two go through the motions for the next few hours.

…

The next morning Graham is woken up as Ace starts to move in her sleep. "Manisha?" He looks around to find that both Mel and Jamie are gone, he thinks whether to wake up Ace or not. "Are you sure?" She asks in her sleep. "Will I be a good mother?"

"You will."

" I didn't have one until I was 15." With that the decision is made.

"Ace love, you're talking in your sleep again."

"Huh," she opens her eyes. "Where are we?"

"At the hospital, waiting for your new brother to be born."

"Why did you wake me up?"

"You were talking in your sleep; I didn't think you would want others to hear what you were saying."

"What was I saying?" He is about to answer as a groggy teenager walks into the waiting room. "Tell me later. Liam."

"Ace, why must I be here so early?"

"You are about to become a big brother. Aren't you excited?"

"Does this mean I'll get less sleep, you know crying babies and all."

"Probably, but just think you will have a relationship with someone like we have, or that you have with Mel; this time though you will be that older sibling."

"Yeah though we will have a larger age gap."

"Liam, what makes you so nervous about Steven being born?"

"It was you and I for so long, then we moved in with Dad and Mom and we had Mel too."

"So adding another sibling."

"Sorta."

"That means we will be getting more love. The baby cuddles will be great." Graham is standing back nodding his head not only thinking of Steven, but what cuddles will feel like with their daughter. Mel and Jamie enter with food.

"Whose hungry," asks Jamie.

"I could eat," Graham replies loudly, making Ace laugh.

"You are always hungry Babe." After they all eat the doors open to a smiling but tired Harry.

"Steven Vislor McShane was born at 8:27 in the morning." Everyone jumps up as Ace's phone goes off. Graham looks at her and she shoos him away with her family.

"Hello?"

"Is this Dorothy McShane?"

"It is, are the results for my bloodwork in?"

"Yes they are, may I have a date of birth?"

"August 20th," the year trails off as her mind remembers her dream.

"Ms. McShane, did you hear me?"

"Sorry what?"

"It is positive."

"Thank you."

"Do you need any support? It says here that you are only 19. Is there a father in the picture?"

"He's very much in the picture. I better go before my family wonders where I am at. My baby brother was just born." With that Ace hangs up the phone and follows the back of Graham who was trailing behind everyone. Once in the room Ace and Graham make eye contact.

'Are you pregnant,' he mouths to her, she just nods yes before turning her attention to the newborn in her mom's arms.

"Mom, he's gorgeous."

"Thank you, where were you?"

"Had a phone call that I couldn't miss."

"After Mel holds him, do you want to?"

"Yes please," she moves aside and Mel picks up her baby brother. Graham wraps his arms around Ace, hands resting along her stomach as Harry bends down to kiss Zoe on the forehead.

"You did amazing Sweetheart. He's beautiful and perfect."

"I did a good job didn't I," Zoe, though tired, looks around the room noticing how Graham is now rubbing Ace's stomach while Mel is gushing over the baby.

"Hello Steven, I am your big sister Mel, I'll be your favorite."

"Hey, he has another sister."

"You are already Liam's favorite."

"What if I'm his favorite, since for his first few years I'll be at home. You two will be off at college, starting your lives." Graham's hand stalls for a second knowing that Liam will be an uncle before leaving middle school.

Ace leaves his arms and sits down as Mel hands her the baby. "Hi little Steven, I'm also your big sister. As I promised your brother when he was born, I promise you; I will always protect you and love you. Though I know you are more than safe here." She tries to hold back tears knowing that in a number of months she will be holding her baby.

"I think it's time to let Zoe get some sleep. Jamie, we have some sheets for the couch, Ace, Graham you can sleep in our bed just please only sleep. Mel, your old room is still there as you know. I think it's time for a bigger house so each of our kids and extended family can always have a place to sleep."

"Dad just worry about this little one. Graham and I can always sleep next door if need be," Ace smiles at her father handing her baby brother to Zoe.

The following day Ace, Graham and Mel arrive back home to find Tegan and Nyssa waiting for them. "So how is he," Nyssa jumps up as Mel shows off pictures. Ace takes Graham's hand and they move to their bedroom.

"Ace, can I do something?"

"What?" He bends down and lifts up her shirt.

"This," after kissing her stomach he lays his cheek to it, "hi little one, I'm your Dad. I already love you and can't wait to meet you." He looks up to find Ace's eyes wet with tears trying to fall. Standing up he wraps her in his arms, "what's wrong."

"Nothing, I just know you'll be a great Dad."

"And you." He slowly stands up, wiping her tears away before laying his hands back on her stomach.