Chapter 22

Carrie

Six Months Later

Things were going well for the whole family. They'd never be the same again, but we were all pushing forward, and things were looking up.

James and Cassie were home with their kids, while Sammie and Parker were spending more time than ever at Sammie's place. Between the two of them, they were doing some amazing things for the kids in our community, and they both loved it. Lance Jr. had been offered full-time work with the military, and he was so damn happy. Lauren was right there helping him, and she was also working on some things with Sammie and Parker as well. Scott and I were hanging out a lot more with Lance and Lucy, and we were enjoying every moment of our time together.

I went back to Michigan with Scott each time he needed to be there, and I stopped to visit my mom and dad as well as Scott's parents every time. No matter how many times we talked about selling our house there, not once had we been able to do it. So, we kept it. We'd both had so many memories in that house, and neither of us was willing to give them up.

Lance was checking in with Cassie every chance he could, and Parker was right there the rest of the time. The poor woman couldn't get a moment to herself, but she was happier than I had ever seen her before.

My mom's birthday was upon me, and I wanted so damn badly to visit her, but Cassie was so pregnant that she was about to burst at any moment. She told me to go, but I couldn't do it. I needed to be there for her, the baby, and my other grandchildren as well. I knew my mom would forgive me. Actually, if I had chosen to visit her over staying with Cassie, she would have surely done something to show me just how pissed she was with my decision. Family was everything to her. That was something we all knew.

I was happier than ever that I'd made the decision I had, when at ten o'clock the morning of my mom's birthday, my phone rang, and a very freaked out Parker was on the other side of the line. He was talking so fast that I couldn't even hear the words he was saying.

“I'll be right over,” I said, as I shoved my feet into my shoes, grabbed my keys, and took off.

As soon as I walked in their door, he was there.

“Her water broke,” he barked out, as he took a deep breath and held his chest.

“Calm down,” I said. “You're not the one having a baby.”

“Doesn't matter,” he said. “This is freaking me out. She told me it's not a big deal, but it is. It's a huge deal. We've got to get to the hospital. I keep telling her that, but she's taking forever. We need to go. The baby is coming.”

“Settle down,” I said. “Her water broke, Parker. That doesn't mean she's going to have her right this moment. Where is she?”

“Upstairs getting ready,” he said, in an aggravated tone. “Can you believe it?”

“Call Lauren and see if her or Lance Jr. can come over and watch the kids,” I said. “I'm going to check on Cassie.”

“Can you please get her ass moving?” he asked. “I want her at the hospital. I want her where there are doctors. They can keep her safe. We need to be there.”

“We'll get there,” I said. “I'll be right back.”

I headed up the stairs to find Cassie doing just what he'd said. She was getting ready, and she wasn't in any hurry.

“Your husband is a mess,” I said. “What are you doing to that poor man?”

“I'm almost ready,” she said. “We'll be fine.”

I sat down on the edge of the bed in their room, and I watched her, as she moved around at a snails pace.

“I can't believe this is really you,” I said.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“You're the same woman that was going crazy the last time she went into labor. You were a mess. You couldn't get there fast enough. Now look at you. What's going on?”

“Nothing,” she answered.

“Don't give me that,” I said.

“Last time I was afraid,” she said. “I was alone. He was gone, and I didn't know if he'd make it in time. I don't have to feel that way now. He's here. He's going to be right there with me. I'm not afraid.”

“I'm happy to hear that,” I said, “but you need to get your ass moving. That poor man is about to lose his shit. You might not be afraid, but he is.”

“Why would he be afraid?” she asked, with a laugh.

“He missed the birth of his first two children, Cassie,” I said. “With the third one, he was at a home game and didn't find out until much later. This time, he's here, just like you said. He will be there for every moment. This is a first for him. Yes, he made it just as you were pushing the last time, but this is different. So, will you please have a little sympathy for your husband, and get moving.”

“I hadn't even thought about that,” she said. “I'm used to him being the strong one. He's so damn bossy that I never even considered him being afraid of anything.”

“Well, he is,” I said.

“Okay,” she said. “Let's go.”

I got up and walked ahead of her, and just before I got to her bedroom door, she grabbed my arm.

“It's her birthday,” she said.

“It is,” I replied.

“She's going to be right there too,” she said. “I bet she's laughing at us right now.”

“I bet you're right,” I said, as I laughed. “I can also bet that she's up there telling you to get your ass moving and have that baby before midnight.”

Cassie let out a laugh and then winced, as she grabbed her stomach.

“Okay,” she said. “We really do need to go.”

I headed to the hospital with Cassie and Parker while Scott waited for Lauren. Then he was on his way as well. Sammie, James, Lance, and Lucy all met us there as well. The nurses were laughing and making comments about the rest of the family, and Parker let them know that the crew would be there as soon as the baby was born. When they warned him, he just narrowed his eyes and told them that his family would be there, every single one of them. Hearing him claim us as his made me smile and feel so much pride for my amazing family.

After eight hours of labor and an extremely stressed out Parker, their little girl was born, and she was beautiful. I held her in my arms, and as soon as she looked up at me, I knew she'd hold a special place in my heart forever. All of my grandchildren did, but there was just something about the precious little girl in my arms.

The crew began arriving, and before it was over, the room was full of bodies and laughter.

“She is so beautiful,” Sammie said, as she held the baby in her arms. “What's her name?”

“Her name is Grace,” Cassie answered.

“She has the same name as grandma,” Jenny said, as she climbed onto Cassie's bed and snuggled in close to her mom.

“She does,” Cassie said. “Did you know that today is grandma's birthday?”

“They share the same birthday,” Jenny said, as she realized Cassie was right.

“They do,” I said, as I walked over to the two of them and wrapped my arms around them both.

“I bet grandma would love that,” Jenny said.

“I bet you're right,” Cassie said, as Sammie handed her back the baby.

“She sure would,” I said, as I thought about the most amazing woman I'd ever know, my mom.

“You ready for this guy to get the snip?” Lance asked Cassie, as he put his hand on Parker's shoulder.

“Sure am,” Cassie answered.

“Not going to happen,” Parker said roughly, looking down at his wife and then over at Lance Jr. and James. “You two might be pussies, but I most definitely am not.”

“Really?” Cassie asked, keeping her eyes on the little bundle in her arms.

“Yes,” he answered sternly. “I don't have a whole ball team yet.”

“Are you crazy?” Cassie snapped, as her eyes shot up to see the smile we were all seeing covering his face. “Not funny, wannabe.”

“You should have seen your face,” he said, as he leaned down and wrapped his arms around her and the baby. “I'm good with seven, but I'm not getting the snip.”

“You had me for a second,” she said, as she wrapped her free arm around his waist when he sat down next to her on her bed.

“Our family is perfect,” he said, as he looked from her and the baby to their six other kids. “I wouldn't change a thing.”

I stood there, looking around at every member of my family, and I knew my mom was proud of every single one of us.

“How you doing?” Scott asked, as he walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around me.

“Just fine,” I said, as I leaned back against him. “I still can't believe this is our family.”

“Neither can I,” he said, and we both burst into laughter.