GEN IV: Chapter 8

Birthday Setup

 The birthday party was set and ready to go in early morning. Jennifer's new toys were all laid out for her to play with. She got a new sandbox installed in the backyard, a new doll to play with and a rocking horse as well. Little Jennifer was being spoiled by her doting parents.

Rachel, being pretty far into her pregnancy, had a tough time carrying around her first born angel - but she did it. Jennifer knew how to walk and did it well, but she preferred to keep her feet off of the floor. Dylan was the first to arrive and didn't hesitate to play the piano for some entertainment.

 Johanna came in and started dancing with Brian right away. She seemed very happy.

Pretty soon Rachel brought Jennifer out and announced that it was time for cake and growing.

"Our little girls getting so big - it's time we celebrate that." She told her family.

Rachel, even with the protruding baby bump, held onto Jennifer and helped her blow out the candles. Jennifer giggled at the flames puffing out leaving a small trail of smoke.

"Cake!" She squealed

"Yes, but you have to get bigger for that." Rachel smiled at Jennifer. "Then after cake you can play with your new toys, or swim, or check out your new room - whatever you want Jenn." It was kind of breaking her heart to see her baby girl getting so big, so quickly, but she knew it wouldn't last forever. She sniffled and stood up to give Jennifer some room.

Jennifer grew to a lovely little girl and the first thing she did was grab her first slice of cake. Pure sugar. Every kids dream.

Brian was the second to get to the sweets, then Rachel, and Johanna. Dylan passed. He was on a pretty strict diet, since he hadn't given up his Martial arts training, he had to watch what he ate.

While the adults ate their cake, Jennifer went upstairs to change into a bathing suit.

After the family had their fill, and a short swim, everyone came inside for more music and dancing. It wasn't long before Johanna turned to Jennifer and wished her happy birthday.

"I'm sorry I can't stay longer dear, but I'm really tired for some reason." Johanna said.

"It's getting late anyway, you'll need to get to bed soon honey. You'll be sleeping in your new bed tonight you know." Brian added to Jennifer.

Johanna smiled and went to find Rachel to say goodnight.

As Johanna walked out, Brian passed by and did a double take. She was walking a little odd, and he had only seen that walk one other time. Was she pregnant? Nah, she would have said something. Unless of course she didn't know.

"By Johanna. Have a good night." Brian said as he waved. His mind was of course on trying to figure out whether Johanna was pregnant or not. It was difficult to determine at that time, if she was it was still really early. She would tell him - he was her favorite brother growing up. If she hadn't told him yet, then she didn't know.

"Night, thanks for inviting me Brian." Johanna said as she walked out.

Very early one morning, about 3am, Brian woke to his wife mumbling something about "Better get me some strong drugs." He didn't quite catch everything she said in his grogginess.

"Brian honey, get up. It's time for the baby to come."

That got him out of the bed pretty quick. He got up to tend to her, though unsure of what to do when she started making the bed.

"What are you doing? We don't have time to make the bed! Let's go let's go, the baby's on the way!"

"Oh shush, we have plenty of time." That is what she said, but she was wrong. Another contraction hit as she was changing clothes, and another just after. She threw her hair up in her usual pigtails and started toward the bedroom door.

"Maybe I was wrong, the pains coming faster now. That means it's time." She told the worrying Brian.

Just two steps and she felt her water break, with that came more pain - lots of it. So much pain she couldn't move, not even stand - she crumpled to the floor.

Brian felt helpless - he stared at her in shock. "Why is it happening so fast? We need to get to the hospital!"

"No... time... " She panted.

In no time at all a small baby boy was born. A 6 lb 8 oz beautiful angel. He was a little on the small side - but seemed perfectly healthy. Brian helped clean the little one off and get him wrapped up before it actually hit him that he had a son. A little man to call his own, and teach him everything he knows.

"Wow." Brian said.

Rachel giggled. She stared at the baby in wonder, "He's adorable. So perfect."

"He's got your eyes." Brian remarked with the biggest smile on his face.

"We never really discussed names to much. What do you think about a name for your baby boy?" Rachel asked Brian.

"Uh. Oh yeah. I guess he does need a name huh?" He laughed.

"Well, I really think we need to keep Charlie as his middle, as we had thought about before Jenn was born." Rachel said. "You know, I've always been a fan of the name 'James' like your middle name."

"Nah, that names been in the family quite a while, as has 'Charlie'. He's already got one family name, lets not saddle him with two." Brian smiled. "How about 'Logan'? I like it for him actually."

Rachel looked at the baby in her arms. "Logan? Yeah, I like it too. That's what it'll be then. Logan." Her voice got a little softer as she addressed their boy. "Hey Logan, is that your name little man?"

As if to answer his mommy the infant's mouth twitched into the smallest smile anyone in the room had seen before. Then he passed gas.

Brian and Rachel laughed loudly, at the end of their hysterics the two of them gazed at each other, still smiling.

"Here, take him." Rachel gave the baby to Brian. "I need to change anyway, and you need to hold your boy."

Brian took Logan gently in his arms. He felt as if he would break him, but knew better. He had handled Jennifer, she was fine. While Rachel washed up and changed into something a little more comfortable, Brian fed the baby his first bottle.

This was as close to heaven as any man could get.