Title: Hallie

  Authors: Shelby ([email protected]) and Alex ([email protected])

  Rating: PG

  Category: General

  Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to us with the exception of Hallie who is ours, all ours!!! (cue maniacal laughter)

  Notes: This story is part of a series. To fully understand what the hell is going on, we suggest you read the first story, which is the Big Decision. Enjoy!

 

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  Evelyn was in her finally weeks of pregnancy, and more than ready to have this baby. Alex had been easy on her as far as pregnancy went with him; with this baby everything was different, more intense. Her emotions were a mess, and she cried or got angry at the drop of a pin. Right now she sat in her office at home trying to write her latest book, which was on the curse of the Scorpion King, and she was having trouble thinking of where she wanted to go with her story. "Think," she said to herself then sighed as her back started to hurt her again. She got up and rubbed it closing her eyes as she did so.

 

  Rick quietly pushed open the door to her office and walked inside, smiling at the sight of her trying to get some relief from the pain in her back. He went up to her, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head before gently pushing her hands away and beginning to knead her sore muscles. "How are you feeling today?" he murmured.

 

  She sighed as his hands worked their magic on her back. "I would be better if this child of ours would make an appearance, the due date was two days ago, and unlike Alex, this one wants to take its time,” she said. "I was thinking of taking the horse out for a ride just to see if I could get myself to go into labor," she said seriously. She loved that she was pregnant, but she wanted the baby out.

 

  He smiled into her hair, trying to picture her getting up onto the horse in her condition, but kept it to himself, knowing he would get a verbal tongue-lashing if he so much as mentioned it, her mood swings had been that bad lately. He bit back a grin when he remembered the sign that Johnathan had taped to Evie's back which read "WARNING: next mood swing in 3 minutes!" But he loved his wife, mood swings and all and he continued to rub her back, trying to make her feel a little better. 

 

  She sighed. "All right, I feel better. I need to try and get something done on this book before I go crazy, so off with you now,” she said, all seriousness now as she picked up her pen. She wanted to be left alone.

 

  He snaked his arms around her, stroking over her swollen stomach. "But you've been cooped up in here all day," he told her, nuzzling the side of her neck. "And I'd get lonely without you," he added with a smile.

 

  She pushed him away. "I really want to be left alone right now is that too much to ask?" she snapped and moved over to a book shelf selecting a volume from the shelf for research on what she was writing, though there was very little.

 

  He sighed, deciding to leave her to it when she got this agitated. The last time he had insisted upon keeping her company when she didn't want it, he had gotten a book thrown at his head for his efforts. "All right, I'll leave you," he said. "If you want me, I'll be in the parlor with Alex."

 

  She was already reading her book. "Make sure he finishes his project for school," she said and walked back to her desk sitting down to write down some notes, ignoring him completely.

 

  He left the room, pulling the door shut and making his way into the parlor. Alex was sitting on the floor, pens, paper and schoolbooks scattered around him and Rick walked over to sit down heavily on the sofa, putting his head in his hands. "Want some help with your project?" he asked.

 

  He was concentrating hard. "Nope I’m good to go," he said and wrote down more notes. He was doing his paper on Ancient Egypt and Mummification, and had even made a Mummy using one of his stuffed animals for his presentation.

 

  With Rick gone, Evelyn put the book down and lay her head on the desk and began to cry. She felt awful, and she wanted the baby to come out, and she was tired of getting mad at her husband for no reason. She sobbed louder not carrying if anyone heard, she just wanted this baby to be born, and it wouldn't listen to her.

 

  With neither his wife nor his son wanting any help from him, Rick decided to go off and finish up reading the book he'd meant to continue, but had never gotten round to it, what with taking care of Evie all the time. He frowned when he remembered that he'd left it in Evie's office, but decided a quick trip in and out to retrieve it wouldn't be so bad, so he peeked his head around the door, willing to take his chances. What he didn't expect to see though was her sobbing on her desk. He hurried over to her and laid a hand on her back in concern. "Honey, are you all right?" he asked.

 

  She sat up and leaned into his embrace. "Oh, Rick, this baby isn't ever going to be born. I don't know why we decided to have another one because I keep yelling at you, and I cry over any little thing," she said and wrapped her arms around his chest crying harder.

 

  He held her close, rubbing his hands over her back and soothing her. "Ssh, it's okay, sweetheart," he murmured, kissing her forehead. "It's not your fault. The baby will come out when it's ready." He guided her over to sit on her couch, letting her rest against him. "Want to go and lie down upstairs?" he asked. "You've been working on that book all day, maybe it's time for a break."

 

  She nodded. "Stay with me please." She stood up and gasped as she felt her belly tighten and she closed her eyes, squeezing his hand tight until the tightness subsided. "I think I'm in labor," she said and she began to sob more.

 

  "Hey, settle down, Evie," he told her. "Try and stay calm. Let's get you upstairs and into bed, all right? Think you can get up the stairs with my help?" He let her lean heavily on him, rubbing a hand over her stomach. "Come on now, honey, let's go."

 

  She let him guide her upstairs, and all the while she didn't feel anymore than that one contraction. She had on a soft cotton dress, but she wanted that off and sighed. "Rest with me," she pleaded as she got it off and went back into his arms. She needed to feel his comfort.

 

  He helped her onto the bed, laying down beside her and taking her into his arms. "I'm right here, Evie," he told her, running his hands up and down her back in an attempt to soothe her. "I'm going to stay with you, okay?" He kissed her forehead. "How are you feeling right now?" he asked after a while as they both waited for her next contraction.

 

  She sighed. "Like a silly old fool," she replied as she moved to sit up. "One contraction, and then nothing. It’s just wanting to stay in me to make me go mad," she said and then looked at him. "I'm sorry you got stuck with such a crabby wife." She lay back down, resting her head against him. "Maybe sleep will help."

 

  He chuckled softly, stroking his fingers through her hair. "You sleep," he murmured, smiling. "Get some rest." He wasn't tired himself, but he was quite content to lay there with her and also in case she needed him. Like she had said, there had only been one contraction so far, but he didn't want to leave her alone.

 

  ~~~~~~

 

  Time passed by two weeks, making Evelyn’s due date very much past. Her mood was worse than ever and she spent much of her time in bed. Her husband wanted to take her to the hospital but she refused telling him she wanted to have her baby here in their room. Now she lay in bed on her side trying to sleep. She just felt so tired and sick lately and she sighed as he walked in.

 

  Rick smiled slightly at her on the bed. "I really wish you'd reconsider having the baby at the hospital," he said cautiously as he sat on the edge of the bed, not wanting to set her off again. They had argued over this a lot these past few days, but he was concerned about her. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly.

 

  For once she didn't feel inclined to bite his head off for asking. "Tired, very tired," she replied. "Help me up," she said, as she needed to go to the bathroom yet again. "I think this baby has decided permanent attachment to me.”

 

  He laughed at that, holding out an arm for her to grasp as he helped her first to sit up and then stand to her feet. "Well it has to come out sometime," he said as he helped her walk into the bathroom, her leaning most of her weight on him, but he didn't mind. "Yell for me when you're done," he told her. 

 

  One he was out of the bathroom, she lifted her nightgown and as she was starting to sit down, she felt dizzy and she slid to the floor. She closed her eyes. "Rick I need you," she said, though it was almost a whisper. She felt sick to her stomach and she still needed to relieve herself. "Rick, please hurry," she called out and rested her head against her knees.

 

  He pulled open the door when he heard her frantic calls, thankful that she hadn't turned the lock. He knelt down beside her, lifting her chin and making her look at him. "Honey, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly. She looked like she was in pain. "What is it, is the baby coming?"

 

  She felt even worse. "I just suddenly feel so dizzy, and I feel if I tried to stand up I would black out," she replied, knowing that would concern him. "Please, just help me back to bed. I'll be fine after some rest," she said, not ready to face another going to the hospital argument, yet knowing that it was coming 

 

  Rick frowned. "You've been resting all these past couple of weeks and this never happened to you before," he told her, helping her to her feet. She swayed a little and that just worried him even more. He put a hand to her forehead to feel that she was sweating slightly. "I *really* think I should take you to the hospital," he said, guiding her back to the bed.

 

  She let him guide her there. "Rick, please, just drop the whole hospital thing. If I go they won't let you in to be with me and they will take our baby away from me and I don't want that," she said and let go of him, nearly falling over.

 

  He caught her before she could fall and helped her sit down on the bed. He sat down beside her and put his arm around her shoulders, squeezing her gently. "I know you worry about that," he said softly. "And I know that you want to have the baby here, but I just want you to be safe. I worry about you a lot and I don't want anything to happen to you if there are complications."

 

  Evelyn was tired and leaned back against the pillows. "I'll get some sleep and be fine," she said, reaching up to stroke his cheek. "Don't worry so much, I'm just tired is all," she said though she knew it was more than that, yet she refused to let anyone help her. She closed her eyes and soon drifted to sleep.

 

  He watched her sleep for a moment, reaching out a hand to gently smooth her hair from her face. He rose from the bed and walked out of the room, leaving the door open a little so that he could hear her in case she needed him. He made his way back downstairs and into the parlor, sitting down on the sofa and all was quiet until Alex and Johnathan came in from their game of cricket.

 

  "Hello, old boy," said Johnathan in greeting. He frowned at the look on his brother in law's face. "Has she been yelling at you again?" he asked sympathetically. His sister had been short-tempered with everybody lately and he kept out of her way, but he knew Rick couldn't leave her. "How about a drink, eh? That’ll cheer you up."

 

  Rick shook his head. "No thanks, Johnathan, I'm fine."

 

  Alex walked in after his uncle. "I'll have a drink, he said, and his shoes were muddy from their game. "Dad, is she ever going to have the baby or is it going to stay in her for the rest of its life?" he asked, plopping next to his father.

 

  He did smile a little at that. "I don't know when she'll have the baby, Alex. I just hope it will be sooner rather than later, I think your mother's had just about all she can take." He reached out and ruffled his son's hair. "So who won the game then? Did Johnathan cheat like always?"

 

  "I heard that!" Johnathan protested.

 

  Rick rolled his eyes. "I said it loud."

 

  Alex grinned. "I did and he did cheat, but I'm better at it than he is. He's getting too old," he teased, then he sighed. "Is mum going to have the baby at our house or is it going to be born at the hospital?" he asked. Lately he had been asking a lot of questions about the baby.

 

  "Well, she wants to have the baby here, but if anything goes wrong, I'm taking her straight to the hospital," Rick told his son. Whether they had been arguing about it or now, if anything happened to her, he would get her to the hospital as fast as she could and he could beg for forgiveness afterwards. "I'm sure it'll be all right though," he added, trying to reassure his son as much as himself.

 

  Alex nodded and went off to play.

 

~~~~~~

 

  Evelyn woke up feeling thirsty and warm, so she moved the covers off of her, lying there tossing and turning. She sighed and decided she could at least make it to the bathroom. Slowly she sat up and her head throbbed. She felt her stomach do flips as the room seemed to spin. After a moment that stopped and she stood up.

 

  Suddenly, she swayed then fell, though she caught the bedside table and tipped it, knocking the lamp over. It smashed when it hit the ground and she followed, landing hard on her bottom, smacking her head against the table, which made her angry. "Come on, why can't I do a simple task such as walking?" she muttered as she pulled back up on the bed.

 

  Rick looked up when he heard a muffled crash come from upstairs. He went back to his and Evie's room, pushing the door open to see his wife struggling to get to her feet. "What just happened?" he asked, the worry evident in his voice as he helped her back onto the bed. He began to pick up the pieces of the broken lamp, keeping a close eye on her.

 

  She was not in a good mood. "I just wanted to get a drink of water and I might as well have just had a bottle of wine. I'm tired of this. I need to stop laying around and start doing my normal things, maybe then this baby will be born," she said as she stood up again and swayed. She staggered to the bathroom and grasped onto the door, then fell backward again landing on her bottom and that was the last straw.

 

  "I've had it. I want this baby to be born now, right now!" she yelled and she grasped the door, trying to get up. When he moved to help her, she snapped at him. "Just leave me alone. I don't want your help or anyone else’s, I'm fine," she said, though she clearly was not as she couldn’t get off the floor.

 

  Rick sighed and helped her stand, ignoring the way she slapped at him and gave him a dirty look as he did so. "You're so fine you can't even stand up on your own, huh?" he asked wryly, not meaning to anger her further, merely point out to her that she needed help despite what she thought, though he knew she wouldn't see it that way.

 

  She got even angrier. "Ooooh!" she hissed and pulled away from him. "I can manage just fine. What I need to do is just get some fresh air, maybe go back to work," she said, though she wasn't making any sense. She felt terrible; she was also completely at her wits end. "Just get out of my room!” she shouted as he tried to help her. She cried out as her stomach contracted, though it didn't feel like a normal contraction.

 

  He hurried over to the bed, frowning in concern when she hunched over her stomach, an expression of pain on her face. He lifted her chin to look up at him. "What is it? What’s wrong?" he asked worriedly, forgetting about her demands that he should leave. "Was it a contraction?"

 

  She was afraid now, all anger forgotten. "It's the baby. Oh god, Rick, something’s not right, it hurts it hurts," she moaned as she wrapped her arms around him.

 

  He held her in his arms, relieved that she was finally letting him be close to her again, but still worried sick about her. "What's wrong, sweetheart? Where does it hurt?" he asked softly.

 

  She squeezed tighter as another wave of pain hit. "It's where the baby is. Just sharp pains, not like when I had regular contractions with Alex. I just got to upset. I'll just go back to sleep and it will get better," she said. She lay down then cried out as another wave of pain hit.

 

  He shook his head, reaching out to get her a drink of water from her mug at the bedside table when the pain seemed to leave her, at least for the moment. "Drink this," he told her, supporting her head so that she wouldn't spill it over herself. "I think I should call the doctor, I'm really worried now," he admitted. "If you're feeling this way, something can't be right."

 

  She accepted the water and took in another breath, wincing at the pain. "I'm fine, Rick, I just need to sleep it off is all," she said and she rolled away from him. She didn't mind the doctor coming to see her, but she had a feeling they would make her go to the hospital and she didn't want that.

 

  He gently placed a hand on her shoulder when she turned her back on him. "Evie, something is wrong," he told her. "Now I know how you feel about going to the hospital, but at least if I get the doctor out here we'll have help if something bad happens." He squeezed her shoulder slightly. "How about that, hmm?"

 

  She didn't answer him, not wanting to face him or the inevitable fact that they would have to go to the hospital. She wanted to blame him so she kept her back turned and stayed still, thinking if she did that he would leave her alone.

 

  He sighed when she didn't answer him, wishing that she wasn't so stubborn all of the time. But if she weren’t, she wouldn't be Evie, he thought, smiling ruefully. "I'm going to call the doctor," he said decisively. "Will you be all right on your own while I make the call?"

 

  She pulled the covers over her head in response, deciding not to deal with him or this at all.

 

  Rick went downstairs, made a quick phone call to the doctor, and then went back into their bedroom, hoping that nothing had gone wrong while he had been away. "Now I know you're going to hate me for this, but I called the doctor and he's on his way," he told her. "Are you still in pain at all?"

 

  She stayed perfectly still, keeping the covers over her head. Her stomach hurt her and when she had last gone to the bathroom, it had hurt to urinate. She idly wondered if that had anything to do with it, but she wasn't going to talk to him, not until she had to.

 

  He sighed heavily at her silent treatment and sat gingerly down on the bed. "Look, you can't avoid me forever," he said softly. "You're the most stubborn person I've eve met, but I love you so much and I can't bear the thought of anything bad happening to you. You're hurting and you don't want to le me help you, but this is serious, sweetheart. I just want you to know that I'm here for you even if you are ignoring me."

 

  Despite being irritated by him calling the doctor, she was more afraid by what was happening and she pulled the covers away. "Rick, what’s happening to me?" she asked and she let the tears she had been holding back fall, showing that she was afraid and decided to let him help her. "Oh, Rick, just hold me. Please hold me and love me," she sobbed.

 

  He held her in his arms and rocked her, kissing the top of her head. "Sssh, it's okay, I've got you," he murmured. "I'm here for you, Evie. I love you so much. It's okay to be scared, I'm here sweetheart." He rubbed her back soothingly. "Now, let me know where you hurt, that way the doctor can help when we tell him what's wrong with you. Are you starting to have contractions yet, honey?"

 

  She clung to him as if he were her only lifeline. "It hurts. It’s sharp pains, not contractions and when I went to the bathroom, my urine burned and I just fell awful. What if I hurt the baby, Rick, I'd never forgive myself," she said and cried even harder.

 

  He let her cry, hoping it would make her feel at least a little better. "I'm sure the baby will be fine," he said soothingly. "We just have to let the doctor know what's been happening and he'll find a reason. It's not your fault you've been so ill, honey. I think this is just a sign that the baby is finally ready to see the world."

 

  After a few minutes she calmed down, letting his arms and his voice sooth her. "I suppose we have to go to the hospital, but promise me you won't leave me," she said, staring up into his eyes.

 

  He gently caressed her cheek, smiling slightly. "I promise I won't leave you," he told her. "Not even if they try and drag me away, I won't let you go. I promise." He leaned forward and lightly kissed her lips. Are you still in any pain now?"

 

  She nodded. "I just want to have this baby," she told him.

 

  Alex came in with the doctor waiting outside the door. "Dad, the doctor’s here now, do you want him to come in?" he asked, worry evident in his voice.

 

  Rick tore his gaze away from his wife for a moment. "Send him in," he told his son. Before Alex could leave, he called out for him. "It's going to be all right, I promise," he said. "You go and stay with your uncle." He turned back to Evie, smiling a little. "When the doctor asks, be sure to tell him exactly what's wrong, okay, honey?" he said, kissing her forehead.

 

  When he was instructed to, the doctor walked into the room and greeted both of them. "Now what seems to be the problem here?" he asked as he got a few things from his bag. He stuck a thermometer in Evelyn’s mouth and felt her wrist for her pulse as he waited for a response from Rick

 

  Rick held her hand tightly as the doctor went about his business to diagnose what was wrong with her. "First of all, my wife is two weeks past her due date," he began. "But lately, she's been starting to feel pains in her abdomen that aren't contractions, it hurts her to urinate and she just hasn't been feeling well at all. What do you think is wrong with her?"

 

  He finished with taking her pulse and wrote a few things down then looked at the thermometer and frowned. "Have you been having dizzy spells?" he asked.

 

  Evelyn nodded. "For a few days now," she admitted, holding tighter to her husband’s hand and wondering at why the doctor had frowned.

 

  He listened to her heartbeat and then pressed her stomach. "I'll need to get you to the hospital as soon as we can. Sometimes with a prolonged pregnancy, the woman’s body can't handle it. We are not sure why this is, but you have a fever and your blood pressure is elevated. From what you told me about your urine, it sounds like you've got a build up of protein. We will need to induce labor, which means give you medicine to start things moving. Your baby has a strong heart beat, so that’s a good sign. Mr. O'Connell, if you'll get her down to the hospital I will meet you there."

 

  Rick nodded as the doctor left the room and helped Evie to her feet. "Hear that, sweetheart? They just need to induce the labor, the baby will be fine," he said, trying to reassure her. "Think you can make it down the stairs with my help?" he asked, bracing an arm around her waist.

 

  Alex hurried in. "Dad, I want to come too," he said, afraid for his mother. He was worried about her and wanted to be there for her, just like his dad was doing.

 

  Evelyn sighed. "Alex, for now it’s going to be daddy and I," she told him and he came and hugged her, then they left for the hospital

 

  Rick helped her into the backseat of the car, helping her get as comfortable as she possibly could before getting behind the wheel and driving her to the hospital as fast as he could without breaking the speed limit. It wasn't long before they reached the hospital and he got Evie out of the car and into reception, looking around for their doctor.

 

  He greeted them as the entered and led them to a room. "Evelyn, you will need to get this hospital gown on. A nurse will be in shortly to start an IV flush and give you the medicine to start your labor," he said. He left them to go on his rounds.

 

  Evelyn felt tired and afraid and clung to her husband as they went over to the bed. "Rick help me," she said, leaning her head against his chest.

 

  "Ssh, sweetheart, it's all right," he said, unfastening the buttons on her dress and getting her into the hospital gown before helping her to lie back on the bed. He smoothed the hair from her face as they waited from the nurse to arrive. "How are you feeling now?" he asked gently.

 

  She sighed. "It still hurts," she replied and she closed her eyes. The trip from their house to the hospital had exhausted her and she fell asleep.

 

  A little later a nurse walked in. "I'm Laura," she introduced as she procured a bottle of medicine with a tube attached to it. "I will be watching over your wife for the next 24 hours. Hopefully it won't take that long to get the baby born, but sometimes these things take time." She pulled a stand over beside the bed. "You might want to wake her so I won't startle her," she prompted as she got a few things ready.

 

  Rick nodded, gently shaking his wife. "Evie? Evie honey, wake up," he said softly, hating himself for denying her much-needed sleep, but this had to be done. "The nurse is here sweetheart, she needs to see to you." He helped her sit up a little, holding onto her tightly.

 

  Evelyn sat up with his help and rested her head on his chest as the nurse took her arm and cleaned it with Iodine, then hid her eyes when she saw the long needle.

 

  The nurse finished getting the needle in and taped her arm. "This first bottle is just to flush out your system. In a few hours, we will administer the drug, which will start your body into labor.

 

  Evelyn looked up. "Will this hurt my baby?" she asked, feeling afraid.

 

  The nurse smiled and took her head. "No, your baby will be fine, but its important to both of you, for you to rest and stay calm," she said before she left.

 

  Evelyn sighed and felt better, at least for now. "She's nice," she said then closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.

 

  Rick smiled, gently disentangling her from his embrace to lay her down on the bed, pulling the sheet over her and sitting in nearby chair, watching over her, waiting for the baby to start making an entrance.

 

~~~~~~

 

  Time went slowly by and a night passed and part of a day before Evelyn was in strong labor and by then, she was exhausted beyond words. They were down to the last stage, which was pushing and all she wanted to do was rest. "Rick, I just want to sleep," she gasped out as another contraction came and he helped her sit up. She tried to push, but she couldn't.

 

  The doctor was worried for the baby and for its mother. "Evelyn, you need to push. The baby’s head is right at the entry, but it’s going to need your help to push it out," he said.

 

  Rick held her as she cried, pushing the hair back from her face and kissing her sweaty forehead. "Come on, honey, you need to keep pushing," he told her. "You can do it, sweetheart. I know you're tired, but I need you to push right now."

 

  She shook her head. "I can't, I can't," she said and sobbed harder as another contraction came.

 

  The doctor was dismayed. "Mr. O'Connell, you will need to help here. When the next contraction comes, push on her stomach above where the baby is. I think that should get it out far enough for me to help it the rest of the way,” he said.

 

  Evelyn sobbed as another contraction came, trying to push, but her strength was not enough

 

  Rick nodded at the doctor, placing his hand on her stomach above where the baby was and when he was told to on Evie's next contraction, he pushed down on her stomach, hoping that would help. "Is that all right? Can you see the baby?" he called out to the doctor.

 

  She cried out as it was painful to have him push, but she didn't try to stop him and pushed with him as much as she could.

 

  From his hand, the doctor saw the baby’s head immerge and with a few more pushes and help from dad, a girl was born. He held her up by her ankles and smacked her bottom, which got her to cry, but she was coughing and not crying the way he wanted. He handed her to a nurse who took her away.

 

  "She will be fine, Evelyn, I just want to give her a little oxygen in the nursery," he explained and delivered the placenta, and then had the nurses clean her up.

 

  Once they had gone, Evelyn stared to cry. "I told you they would take away my baby," she sobbed. "Rick, go be with her. I will be fine, but I don't want her to be by herself," she said, taking his hand.

 

  He held her hand tightly in his. "She'll be all right, Evie, the nurses are taking care of her, she'll be fine. The one I’m worried about is you, you need some rest after all that." He very gently pushed her back to lie against the pillows. "Settle down now, sweetheart, everything will be fine."

 

  ~~~~~~

 

  It was a few hours later when the nurse came back into the room with the baby. She found Evelyn asleep and her husband on a chair next to her, his head on the bed. Quietly she approached and put a hand on his shoulder.

 

  Rick’s head shot up and his eyes flew open when he felt someone tap his shoulder, but relaxed when he saw that it was only the nurse. He looked up at her, smiling when he caught sight of the tiny bundle she carried in her arms. "Is that her?" he asked softly. "Is that our daughter?"

 

  She smiled. "Yes. She is doing better, but she is hungry. I wasn't sure if you wanted to use a bottle with her or if your wife wanted to feed her," she said as she gently placed the baby in his arms. "She will have to stay in the nursery once she finishes just so we can keep an eye on her. You are welcome to come sit with her and rock her if you would like. I'll be back to check on you in 15 minutes," she added and left.

 

  He held the baby in his arms, cradling her close to his chest, marveling over how tiny she was. "Hey there," he said softly, rocking her a little. She was quiet at first, content to be in his arms, but when she began whimpering a little, he realized that she must want feeding. He reached out with one hand and shook his wife gently. "Evie? Honey, wake up. Someone wants to see you."

 

  She came awake slowly and felt like she had been run over by a train. "Just let me sleep," she muttered then she heard the little noises from the baby and woke up. "I want to hold her. Oh, Rick," she sighed as she got a look at the little face.

 

  He smiled, helping her to sit up with her back against the pillows before carefully handing her their baby. He watched her pull the baby close, soothing her and he reached out to gently touch her face. "God, she's so amazing," he said softly. "What do you think we should call her?"

 

  For the moment, Evelyn was doing all the things a new mother did and right now she was unwrapping her daughter, counting her fingers and toes. "Shh, I know you want my milk, but mummy wants to make sure you’re alright," she said as the baby started to cry. She sighed and pulled the gown over her breasts, then helped her baby latch on and smiled at her husband. "I don't know, what do you think? I got to pick out Alex's so I think you should have a chance for this little girl," she told him.

 

  He smiled as he watched their baby hungrily get at her meal. "I was thinking that maybe we could call her Hallie," he told her. "It's a pretty name for a beautiful little baby. You get to pick out her middle name though," he added. Alex had taken his name as a middle name, so he wanted Evie to pick one out this time.

 

  She smiled as the baby took her fill, not much for a first feeding, but in time, Hallie would get the hang of things. "I like Hallie," she replied as she eased the baby to her shoulder, gently patting her back, and heard her gasp a little. "Shh," she said. "Hallie Jordan?" she asked, thinking of Egypt. She looked up as the nurse returned and smiled.

 

  "How did she do?" asked the nurse, taking her stethoscope off and instructing Evelyn to lay the baby down. Being unwrapped and poked at wasn't anything Hallie liked and she cried loudly while the nurse listened to her heart and coughed a little more. "I'll need to take her back to the nursery so she can lay in the oxygen tent,” she told the new parents.

 

  Evelyn got her wrapped up and kissed her. "Rick, I'm going to sleep, go with them," she said, wanting her baby to have one parent with her.

 

  "All right," he relented. "I'll stay with her for a while, then come back and check on you, okay?" He leaned down and kissed her gently, taking her daughter and lifting her into his arms. She had quieted down now that she wasn't being poked or prodded at and lifting her tiny hand, he made her wave goodbye to Evie before following the nurse down the corridor.

 

~~~~~~

 

  It had been a week since Alex had seen his mum or the new baby. His dad and Uncle had taken shifts at the hospital, but he had not gotten to go because he was a kid and kids had germs. Now he sat building a ship in the parlor while his Uncle drank and played solitaire. "Uncle John, do you think they will ever let them come home?" he asked.

 

  "Of course they'll come home, partner," Johnathan replied, shuffling out his cards before starting a new game. "I'm waiting for your father to phone. He told me that your mother and the baby are starting to feel much better, so let's hope it's good news when he calls, eh?"

 

  He nodded and got back to his war ship. Lately he had been really into building models of different things and he liked the WW1 Warships the best.

 

~~~~~~

 

  Evelyn sat in the back of the car next to the little basket bed that Hallie slept in, feeling wonderful. She had been so pleased when the doctor released them and told Rick not to let Jonathan or Alex know they were going home as to surprise them. "I hope Alex likes her," she said, keeping a hand on the baby to reassure her she wasn't alone.

 

  He glanced over his shoulder at her, smiling. "I'm sure it'll all work out fine," he said reassuringly. It wasn't long before they pulled up outside the house and he opened the door for Evie, letting her get out of the car before taking the basket, motioning for her to walk up to the front door. "Come on, let's surprise them," he whispered.

 

  She smiled and waited for him to catch up with her then knocked on the door and waited.

 

  Inside, Alex heard the knock on the door and looked at his Uncle. “I bet it’ just Petey," he said and he sighed, going to the door. "Who is it?" he asked as he opened it then found his parents there. "Oh, mum!" he exclaimed and hugged her carefully.

 

  "Alex, I’m not going to break. Give me a big hug," she said. He did and she held him for a couple of moments, having missed him terribly.

 

  Alex was so excited that she was home, he forgot about the baby and ran to the Parlor. "Uncle John, they’re here!” he yelled.

 

  Rick made his way into the parlor behind Evie, still holding the little basket with Hallie inside, sound asleep. "I think you've forgotten someone," he told Alex, smiling and sitting down on the sofa so that his son could look inside the basket. "Say hello to your sister, Alex."

 

  Alex walked over to the couch and looked inside the basket. Inside was a tiny bundle all wrapped up in a soft pink blanket. "She looks like a mummy," he commented, wanting to touch her, but not sure about doing so.

 

  Evelyn settled beside her husband. "Babies like to be wrapped up, it makes them feel safe. Since she's inside, we can unwrap her so you can have a look." She gently lifted her daughter out, laying the baby on the sofa and unwrapped her from the blanket.

 

  Rick smiled at Hallie who had decided that she didn't like leaving the security of her blanket and had scrunched her face, wriggling a little. He looked up at his son, wanting to see what his reaction would be. "You can touch her, you know," he said. "She doesn't have teeth yet so she won't bite."

 

  Alex was just about to when she let out a very loud cry for someone so tiny. "I didn't do anything," he said and backed away from her some.

 

  "All right, mummy's sorry," Evelyn said as she wrapped the baby back in the blanket and held her, totally absorbed for the moment to get her to calm down some.

 

  Rick reached out for Alex's hand, tugging on it for him to sit down next to him on the sofa while Evie calmed the baby. "So, how have you been these past few days?" he asked, partly out of curiosity since he had hardly seen his son lately, but also for the fact that he didn't want Alex to feel neglected. "I hope you haven't been getting into too much trouble."

 

  Alex felt better. "Nope, not too much. Well, I suppose you'll find out, but I got in trouble at school because the boys were teasing me again about mum working. I broke Benjamin’s nose, so I’ve been having to stay after school," he said sighing

 

  "Alex, what have I told you about fighting?" Rick said. He sighed. "Never mind, we'll talk about that later and I'll have a word with your teachers about those other boys." He looked over at Johnathan. "Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?"

 

  "Well, I was going to but circumstances being what they were and all..." he was cut off from making excuses by Rick's glare. "Well, you know about it now."

 

  Alex decided mum was safer and he moved to the rocking chair where she was feeding the baby. "Does that hurt?" he asked.

 

  She smiled at him. "No, actually, it makes me feel better," she replied. "Alex, you really need to find other ways to resolve your problems,” she said gently.

 

  He sighed. "I know, I know, but it's not like I could help it or anything," he protested.

 

  "Your mother is right, Alex, but we'll discuss this another time," said Rick. He watched as Evie fed their daughter and he smiled. "So, what do you think of your sister?" he asked.

 

  Alex watched his mother the tiny baby and reached out, touching her little foot, which stuck out of the blanket. "I suppose she's okay. She's awfully tiny though and she isn't all that fun," he added.

 

  "She has to grow first before she can be fun," said Rick, smiling. "But when she's a little older, you'll be able to play together. For now though, she's only a baby so she won't be able to do much of anything."

 

  Once Hallie had gotten her tummy filled and was wrapped in the blanket, Evelyn yawned and handed the baby to her husband. "If you two don't mind watching our little princess, I'm going to go upstairs and take a rest," she said as she stood.

 

  Rick looked up at her. "Need any help?" he asked her. She shook of his concerns and he went back to staring down at Hallie. She was content at just being held now that she'd had her meal and he smiled as her little eyes slipped shut, knowing that she was about ready to fall asleep. 

 

  After his mum went upstairs, Alex watched his dad with the baby. "May I hold her?" he asked, still a little nervous, but more curious than not.

 

  "Sure you can," Rick told him. "Just remember to hold her head just so and be as gentle as you can," he added, showing Alex the correct way to hold her before handing Hallie over to her older brother.

 

  It took a moment, but Alex got the knack of holding her and smiled.  "This is so neat," he said and then he carried her over to his battleship and sat down. "When you get older, I'll show you all about how to make a model ship and I'll tell you all about Egypt too,” he said.

 

  She was content for the moment, but then she started to get restless.

 

  "Uh, dad, take her. I think she's going to cry or something," he said. His nervousness got the baby agitated and she did cry.

 

  Rick smiled, taking Hallie and holding her close, shushing her as he rocked her. "It's okay, Alex," he said. "That was the first time you held her and you did great. Sometimes babies just get a little fussy is all." He stared down at Hallie, humming to her softly. "Sssh, it's okay, sweetheart," he told her.

 

  Once she was in his arms, and being rocked, Hallie calmed down still with her eyes closed.

 

  Alex sighed and went back to his ships. So far his new sister wasn't all that grand and he would be happy for the day when she would do more than cry eat and sleep.

 

  Rick watched his son go back to building his ships, then turned his attentions back to his daughter who was fast falling asleep in his arms. He very gently kissed the top of her little head, then took her upstairs and into their room, intending to put her in her crib when she fell asleep.

 

  Evelyn hadn't been in a deep sleep so when they entered, she sat up a little. "Is she asleep?" she asked, stretching,

 

  "Almost," he replied, walking over to sit on the side of the bed. "Aren't you tired at all?" he asked her, watching Hallie to see when she would fall asleep.

 

  She nodded. "Very tired. Hand her to me and you can lay with me too," she said as she leaned back against the pillows. She took Hallie into her arms and patted his side of the bed.

 

  Rick stretched out beside her and propped himself up on his elbow so that he could gaze down at their baby who was just starting to fall asleep. "She's so perfect," he said softly, not taking his eyes off her.

 

  "She completes us," Evelyn commented, finally looking up at him and unable to stifle a yawn that came. "Let’s get a nap before this one decides its time for another snack," she added and reached out, taking his hand in hers. "I love you, Rick. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful daughter," she whispered.

 

  "You're very welcome," he replied, looking up at her and smiling. He lowered his head to kiss her and then lay back against the pillow, watching his wife and his daughter as they slept.