Just To See Her

~~~~Chapter Fifty Five~~~~


Kathy and Nick walked into the house and Kathy was amazed to see it had been transformed into a Christmas wonderland. "Welcome home!" BJ, Leslie, Angel and Aaron surrounded the couple and the dogs joined in the fun, jumping and yapping at their heels. "Merry Christmas!" Bob and Jane called out as they walked from the kitchen. Kathy and Nick sank gratefully onto the sofa and Kathy described to him what the house looked like. "Thank you so much for doing this for us!" Kathy exclaimed. "It's amazing!" A large tree covered with lights glittered in the corner of the living room and presents were piled beneath it. Small santas and elfs peeped from shelfs and wreaths and bows decorated the walls. Kathy stood with difficulty and hugged Jane. "It's gorgeous. Thank you. I never would have had the time or energy." "It's no problem love, we thought you two would like to have the house decorated for the holidays and knew you wouldn't have time for it." "It's very thoughtful everyone. Thank you for thinking of us." Nick hugged his parents and siblings. "Y'all are being too nice to us though. I think they're trying to get on our good sides to spend time with the baby, what do you think Kath?" "They're on to us!" Bob threw up his hands in a sign of defeat. "Are you hungry? We've got a big supper cooking out here for you!"

"Oh my gosh! I'm stuffed Jane!" Kathy rubbed her stomach. "I can't fit anything else in here!" Nick smiled. "It was delicious as always mom! Thank you!" The family gathered around the fireplace with some after dinner drinks and videos from Aaron and Nick's tours. "Your voice is squeaking Air boy!" Nick taunted. "At least I don't sound whiney!" Aaron launched into his impersonation of Nick at 13. "Very funny!" Nick tossed a pillow in the direction of Aaron's voice. "You are quite the comedian!" Jane pulled Aaron back away from Nick. "Leave your brother alone now, he's tired. Now Kathy, what is that due date again?" "Next week." Kathy winced as the baby gave her a small kick. "Not a day too soon." "Are you excited Nick?" Leslie asked him. "I'm beyond excited, I can't wait!" Nick told them. "It's going to be terrific!"

"Nick? Nick wake up! It's time." Kathy gave Nick's sleeping form a sharp nudge. "Uh? What? Time for what?" Nick shook his head and yawned. "Our...ow...oh God...our baby is on it's way." Kathy got up and stood to pull her clothes on. Another contraction hit hard and she collapsed onto the bed with a yell." "Kath! Are you alright? Is anything wrong?" Nick moved behind her and rubbed her back. "It hurts, but I'm fine. There shouldn't be another contraction for 15 minutes or so." She handed Nick his clothes and made sure her bag was ready. "Are you all set?" She looked over to Nick and smirked as he struggled to snap up his jeans. "Need some help with that?" "My hand must be asleep or something." he mumbled. "Okay, I have my bag, we're dressed, you have your cell phone, I have the car keys." She grabbed Nick's cane and locked the front door behind them. "Let's go!" "Give me the keys." Nick held out his hand. "What did you say?" Kathy looked at him in astonishment. "I need the keys to drive you to the hospital." Nick explained patiently. "Nick you can't drive!" "Well neither can you in your condition!" "Nick!" "It's true! Now give me the keys." Kathy decided to play along with him for the moment and put them in his hand. He was behind the wheel and searching for the ignition when it hit him. He slid out of the seat and handed Kathy the keys. "I can't drive." he said with chagrin. "But you shouldn't! Let me call someone!" he protested. "Nick I'm fine!" "No Kathy!" "Nick we don't have time. By the time AJ gets here, he's the closest, it could be too late." Another contraction caused her to grab Nick's shoulder painfully. "What if that happens while you're driving?" he worried. "Let me ride this one out, they're getting closer together." She glanced at her watch. "10 minutes now. That's about how far away the hospital is." The contraction eased and she struggled into the driver's seat. Nick climbed in beside her and felt for her hand. "Please be careful, Kath."

Nick called his family, Kathy's parents and Alexa, who told him she would call the others and meet them at the hospital. Kathy pulled into a parking spot and leaned her head back as another contraction hit her. "Oh my God, it hurts!" She grabbed Nick's hand and squeezed hard. "Ow that hurt!" he complained. "You have no idea." she muttered. "Let's get this over with!" Taking his arm for support, she picked up her bag and his backpack with their supplies, keys dangling from her fingers, the cane forgotten in her haste. The nursing staff stared in shock as they walked into the emergency waiting area. One nurse ran off to get a wheelchair, while the others tossed Nick hateful looks. "To think he is making her carry everything!" They whispered snidely. They walked to the admittance desk and filled in their forms. When the nurse appeared with the wheelchair, Kathy settled gratefully into it with a sigh. Nick took the handlebars behind her and waited for directions. "At least he's going to push her. There's something." One nurse said. "And look at the sunglasses, probably had too much to drink last night and made her drive too." They shook their heads sadly. Kathy had had it. "Stay here for a minute Nick." She pushed herself out of the chair and walked over to the chattering women. "For your information my husband is blind. He did make me drive, but we considered it to be the safer choice out of the two. I would thank you not to make accusations about people until you know the circumstances."

"Push, Kathy, you can do it." Kathy flung her head back and shook it forcefully. "No, I can't. I can't do anymore!" Nick tenderly pushed her hair out of her eyes. "You're doing great, Kath." She grabbed his hand. "It hurts Nick! I cant!" He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Take a deep breath and push. You can!" Kathy nodded and blew out a breath. "Ahhhh!" she screamed as she pushed with all her might. "There we go!" the doctor exclaimed. "Here comes the head!" "The head Kath! Did you hear that?" Nick asked her excitedly. Kathy smiled grimly and took another breath before she pushed again. "Perfect!" the doctor slipped her hand under the baby's shoulder and eased the rest of it's tiny body out into the world. The baby uttered some mewling noises, before erupting in a loud cry. "It's got your lungs Nick." Kathy teased. A nurse placed the small, wriggling creature on Kathy's chest. "Oh my God Nick, he's perfect." Kathy scooted up a bit and took Nick's hand to place it on their son. "He? It's a...he...I have a boy? We have...a...a son?" His voice quivered with emotion and Kathy looked up to see tears running freely down his face. "A beautiful boy Nick, a gorgeous boy." Nick moved to sit down and an alert nurse pushed a chair under him at the last minute. He ran his hands all over the little body, feeling all his fingers and toes. "He's perfect." he whispered in awe. "So tiny." Nick cupped his son's little head in one of his hands. "I love you so much." Nick and Kathy admired their son for a few minutes before they were interrupted by the doctor. "Would you like to cut the cord, Mr. Carter?" "The cord?" After a brief explanation, Nick agreed and took the scissors in hand. The doctor put Nick's hand in place and told him to go ahead. "Ugh! That right there is something I couldn't have done if I could see it!" Nick laughed. "Okay Mrs. Carter, we have to take him down to be bathed and weighed now, we'll take you back to your room and bring him right back to you." a nurse assured them.

Alexa peeped her head around the doorway. "How's the little family?" Kathy smiled weakly from her bed. "We're pretty happy, can't you tell?" Jane and Bob were standing behind the rocking chair watching Nick with his newborn son. Jane couldn't stop the tears from running down her face and Bob was beaming proudly. Nick rocked the chair gently, stroking his son's face with his large hand. "You're a natural Carter." she smiled. "Alexa! Isn't he beautiful?" Alexa knelt beside the chair and touched the baby's small hand. "He certainly is Nick, he's a beautiful baby." "Did the others make it here?" Kathy asked. "They're here, but they can only come in for a few minutes since it is so late, okay? They're dying to see him."

Jane and Bob promised to return in the morning, after lavishing kisses and hugs on their new grandchild. Brian and Leighanne came in the room as they left and then the others followed behind them. "Oh..how sweet...he's precious!" Leighanne cooed. Kristin put her finger in his small palm. "Absolutely adorable! He looks like you Nick." "Poor kid!" Brian teased. "You did a pretty good job you two!" Howie praised. Kevin clasped Nick's shoulders. "I think you're going to make a good daddy, Nick. You two look very comfortable together." "Thanks Kevin, that means a lot." "Where's AJ, guys?" Kathy asked, just realizing that he hadn't made an appearance. "I'm here, kids make me nervous." "Oh come on, he's just little!" Kathy encouraged him. Alexa pushed him up beside Nick. "He's a cute one alright." AJ sniffed and Kathy caught him brushing a tear away. "Congrats you two!" "Thank you AJ!" Kathy smiled as AJ suddenly looked away. He knew she had seen him crying. "So what's his name?" Brian asked, sitting on the bed and placing a kiss on Kathy's cheek. "We just thought of it this morning." Nick smiled. "Didn't you have any names ready?" Kristin asked in surprise. "Some, but this one just clicked for us." "So what's his name?" Kevin asked. "Andrew Aaron Carter." Nick said proudly. "Nick wanted Aaron in there. He's pretty important to him" Kathy told them. "That's understable." Brian nodded. "It's a perfect name." "Well, I know it's late but," Kevin pulled a bottle of champagne out of a bag as Alexa handed out plastic glasses. "We need to welcome this little one into the world." He made sure everyone had some champagne. "Brian, could you do the honours?" "Me? Well, alright, since the new mother needs her rest I will make this brief." He raised his glass. "Thank you God for blessing Nick and Kathy with little Andrew Aaron. May he bless, love and entertain them for many, many years to come." "Welcome to the world Andrew Aaron!" They all tapped their glasses and cheered quietly as Andrew slept peacefully in his father's arms.


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