"Gene, when are you going to give Terri that ring?" Calen asked him.

Sighing, Gene glanced back at Calen and sipped his coffee pensively. They sat in Calen's living room, catching up on the events of the past few months together since their separate paths had taken them in different directions, and this was the first opportunity in a while they had to simply talk.

"I have thought about it, but I promised Paul I'd wait till HE proposed..." Gene said.

"Well you can't wait forever. You told me you wanted to wait for the baby to be born..."

"Well, true," Gene said.

"You aren't backing out on me are you?" Calen asked.

"I do want to give it to her, but I'm not sure how to..." Gene said, looking a bit vulnerable and helpless. "Besides Paul's hasn't made a PEEP about when he's giving his ring to Trynia..."

"Still, that's Paul and not you. And you have a time frame... Terri's going to deliver any DAY now..."

"True..." Gene said slowly.

"Just in case, I think you should take this back with you," Calen said, reaching into a box and pulling out the familiar ring container. She placed it right before Gene, who stared at it thoughtfully.

"It's right there," she said. "Waiting all this time for you."

"I know. But it's a big step. Do you think she'll take it the wrong way..."

"Worst she can do is say no and give it back, Gene," Calen said. "What have you got to lose..."

"But what if she thinks that I mean one thing by this, and in reality I mean another..."

"Only you can decide that, Gene," Calen said. "It's what you want it to mean... but just be clear..."

Just then he heard the shrilling of Calen's phone and jumped when she picked it up.

"Hello?" Calen asked, clicking on the cordless phone. "Yes... calm down... he's here... yes... I'll tell him... no wait I'll BRING him over myself!"

"Who was..."

"It's Terri. She says you'd better get over there now..."

"Uh... is she okay... is she..."

"Come on Gene, let's go," Calen said, taking his hand. Quickly Gene grabbed the ring box and stuffed it into his jacket as Calen got her car keys and her purse.

Anxiously Gene rushed out the door after Calen, his heart pounding very fast. A million questions on his lips made him flustered as he asked, "Is she going into labor... my god I should have been there...'

"She said she was going to drive over to the hospital..." Calen said, opening the car door and climbing inside. Gene crawled into the passenger seat anxiously as she stared up the car.

"We have to get her over there NOW!" Gene cried. "I have to..."

"Hang on, we're only a little bit away, she said she called Shannon in case we don't get there in time..."

"Damn..." Gene muttered.

Without breaking too many traffic laws, they raced to Gene's home. He felt the shrilling of his car phone as Calen headed toward his neighborhood. Depressing the button he said, "Hello?"

"Gene, it's me... where are you?"

"I'm coming honey!" Gene called.

"I'm already on the way there," Terri said.

"Don't tell me you're driving!" Gene cried.

"Actually Shannon is," Trynia said. "She came over earlier today... uh... with the...ohhh... KIDS... get your butt over to that HOSPITAL..."

Gene's stomach tightened at the sound of her moans, "honey just breath... like I told you... remember..."

"I... oh god... it hurts like HELL!" Terri's groan came.

"Calen, go to the HOSPITAL..."

"But Gene..."

"Forget that! She's already her way over... god love SHANNON..." Gene shouted. "Sweetie, BREATHE!"

***

They reached the hospital in record time, threading their way into the parking garage quickly. Gene and Calen clasped hands, running rapidly into the hospital lobby where Shannon was already waiting with Nicholas and Sophie.

"They just admitted her now," said Shannon. "I'm glad you got here when you did..."

"You're glad, damn it I'M GLAD!" Gene said, giving Shannon a kiss on the cheek. "Talk about timing..."

"I figured it was any day now," Shannon laughed. "C'mon, let's get your butt back there and help out your woman!"

Together they rushed back to the maternity unit, where Terri had been transported to a private suite. Nurses and doctors bustled about, preparing what would be necessary for the impending birth. Gene reached her side, rubbing the sweat off his head.

"I'll stay here if you want..." Calen said.

"No... I want everyone to be with her," Gene said. "It's only fair..."

"You sure?" Shannon asked.

"Yeah... I want them to see their new brother... or sister... damn whatever it is it had BETTER be healthy!" Gene said anxiously.

"Chill dad you're getting ME nervous!" Nicholas groaned.

"ARE we going to be in the delivery room?" Sophie asked, anxiously.

"No sweetie we're going to wait outside in the waiting room..."

Terri's groan cut in over all of them, and they ringed her bed. Shannon and Gene reached her first, Gene taking Terri's hand and gently stroking the back of it, Shannon on his other side.

"Just relax... breathe... the first one ALWAYS hurts like hell," Shannon told her, brushing Terri's dark hair from her face. "They always tell you it WON'T... but they're lying.."

"Thank you... oh MAN..." Terri got out, panting as sweat poured down her forehead. Gene wiped it away with a soft cloth, ignoring the nurses who were trying to shoe the family out of the private birthing suite.

"Get lost," Gene muttered at the nurse.

"He's a little nervous," Shannon explained. "Relax Gene..."

"Gene, calm down and let them do their job," Calen urged. "They need to make sure how far apart the contractions are..."

"We can't have your kids back here sir..."

"Bull I want my family to see their new sibling," Gene shot back.

"Maybe it would be better if we waited out here, till things calm down," Shannon offered, taking Nicolas and Sophie and leading them out of the room. "We'll be RIGHT outside, promise..."

Terri moaned again, clutching Gene's hand with grim death. He kissed her forehead, stroking her hair tenderly as he watched Shannon leave with his other two children. Softly he soothed, "It's okay I'm here..."

"I know damn it, you're all but in the damn BED with me," Terri laughed, gritting against another contraction.

"Are you staying with her?" the doctor asked Gene.

"Of course, I'm the damn father aren't I?" Gene asked. "Besides, were' doing it the Lamaze way..."

"OH GOD GET ME A PAINKILLER!" Terri shouted.

"So much for THAT idea," Calen told Gene.

"But we discussed this.. honey..." Gene pleaded.

"FINE then you get in this damn bed and YOU have this baby!" Terri shouted at Gene.

"I'll make the arrangements," the doctor nodded knowingly.

***

Out of the depths of sleep Paul heard the phone shrilling. Mumbling he reached over the soft female body in his arms and fumbled for the receiver. Finally picking it up he muttered, "Hello?"

"Paul, are you awake?" Gene's anxious voice came.

"Huh... Simmons? Do you know what time in the freaking NIGHT It is?"

"It's 12 am," Gene said. "Look, Terri's in delivery..."

"Are you shitting me?" Paul asked, strengthening up and clicking on the light.

"No way Paul, would I kid about that? She went into labor about two in the afternoon!" Gene said. "And I just thought I'd call and let you know!"

"Terri's having her baby?" Paul asked. Trynia blinked and glanced up at Paul leaning over her, and nudged him.

"What's that?"

"Terri's having her baby!" Paul cried. "Do you know what this means Simmons?"

"What?"

"You HAVE to give something VERY special to her..."

"Paul what are you..."

"Well I held up MY end of the deal," Paul laughed.

"You gave it to her?" Gene asked. "What took you so damn long?"

"Right place, right time," Paul laughed aloud. "Holy crap... now you have NO CHOICE MAN..."

"I'd better get back... she's coming out of her rest..."

"Don't let me down Gene," Paul teased, clicking off the phone and turning to Trynia, who looked at him wide eyed with surprise.

"She's having her baby..." Trynia gasped. "My god that's GREAT!"

"Uh huh," Paul laughed. "Which means that he's GOT to give Terri that ring now!"

"Should we go over?" Trynia asked.

"Gene said she was still in labor... but if you want to get a little more rest and head over when he calls again..." Paul stroked her arm.

"Up to you, lover... but I don't think I can sleep..."

"Who said ANYTHING about us sleeping till then, sweetie?" Paul teased, kissing her ear and growling softly into it. Trynia ran her hands through his hair hungrily as Paul rolled her onto her back and lay down on top of her, hot bodies pressed tightly together. Her finger brushed against the substantial ring that tangled into Paul's curly strands.

"Ow," Paul muttered, as something snagged a lock of hair.

"Oops, this expensive ring is getting tangled in your hair I believe, lover," Trynia apologized, working the ring free from Paul's strands. "Rather symbolic wouldn't you say?"

"I would say that, but I'd also say that you can tangle my hair ANYTIME," he chuckled back.

***

Time passed inevitably, and Terri felt as if the hands on the clock were dragging. Another spasm of contraction shot over her, the pain unlike ANYTHING she had ever experienced before. She couldn't describe it, and yet she guessed she had joined the ranks of women who would know exactly what she was talking about.

"Breathe honey, it's al right," Gene urged, wiping away sweat with a cold cloth. He rubbed her shoulders, sitting right next to her on the bed.

"Oh GOD..." she groaned for what seemed the one millionth time.

"Honey, are you sure you want to go through with this?" Gene asked her. Dark circles seemed to have gathered under her eyes, and she felt herself wanting so badly to sleep. If she looked at Gene she saw a similar weariness, his hair mussed and standing on end, his own eyes bloodshot.

"I know you wanted to do Lamaze," she said, wiping a tear from her eyes. "But it's just so hard... I can't..."

"It's all right. You've done enough for now," Gene whispered, kissing her forehead. He grabbed the call button and summoned the nurse.

"Thank you," Terri whispered to Gene.

"You need some rest. So do I," he whispered. "Maybe when you wake up next we'll be a little bit closer baby..."

Someone knocked on the door, and Calen got up from the sofa in the birthing room. It was the nurse, who walked in with a dark haired man behind her, who seemed very familiar. He carried a bouquet of flowers, his soft brown eyes fixing on Calen.

"Mr. Simmons, Ms. Mason you have a visitor... are you well enough to..."

"Billy?" Terri asked.

"Aww Billy you didn't have to come here," Calen said.

"What, and miss bringing flowers to the lovely mother to be?" Billy smiled, going over to Terri and handing Gene the bouquet.

"I'll put these in water... look, could you please bring that epidural for Terri?" Gene asked the nurse.

"Yes, but we'll have to ask you and the others to step out of the room for a moment while we deliver it... the needle's rather... imposing," the nurse whispered to Gene.

"She's serious, it's scary," Billy Zane said. "I've seen enough doctor shows to know..."

"Yeah," Calen nodded.

Billy gripped Terri's hand sympathetically, giving it a squeeze, "Hang in there Terri, you're a trooper..."

"Thanks Billy," she laughed, and moaned. She grabbed Gene's hand in another vise grip, while Calen rescued the flowers. Billy found a pitcher of water and set the flowers inside, finding a nice corner to put them in.

A few more knocks came on the open door, and they saw the nurse return with the doctor and another nurse. Clad in their green and multicolor scrubs, they carried a tray with several inverted bottles. Smiling, Dr. Trandi said, "Terri, how are you holding up? Ready for a little knockout?"

"Oh GOD yes!" Terri cried.

"Mr. Simmons, you might want to leave for a few minutes..."

"I know the drill," Gene sighed. "But you tell me the INSTANT she's numbed up..."

"Sure," Dr. Trandi nodded. She turned to glance at the other two visitors.

"How about we get some coffee while they numb the lovely lady up?" Billy asked Calen. For already Gene was being escorted out to the hall, still anxiously craning his neck to get a glimpse of Terri.

"Gene it's okay," Calen said, taking his arm. "C'mon let's just go with Billy..."

"Terri I'll be back honey!" Gene called, as Calen and Billy bracketed him and whisked him out along with them.

He breathed deeply, lip flaring with frustration when the door closed with a click, leaving them in the pastel painted hallway. Distantly bells dinged and monitors beeped, voices hushed to a dull whisper. Glancing at Calen he sighed, "you'd think I be USED to this by now."

"Well it's the first baby you've had with her, right?" Billy asked. "It's natural for you to be nervous. Hell, I'd be nervous..."

"Billy, you got OUT of a nice warm bed and came all the way here, you're terrible," Calen scolded him.

"I thought as long as I was awake, and in the neighborhood, why not," Billy shrugged with a smile. "And I figured Gene would need some added moral support..."

"You're good at that, according to Calen, aren't you?" Gene teased.

"Behave," Calen warned him.

"It's not like I haven't seen hospitals from the inside either,' Billy shrugged cutely, eyes sparkling with a strange intensity that made Gene stop and think. "Anyway, can you blame me for coming to the rescue of a friend in need? Especially since we were supposed to do dinner..."

"Oh GOD I'm so sorry," Calen sighed. "Let me..."

"I figured that we could have a late dinner together. And please, don't apologize again, Calen. You already did three times on the phone calling me to tell me you were here..." Billy smiled. Calen shivered with delight when Billy wrapped his arm around her shoulder and hugged her close to his side.

"If you guys don't mind I'd rather wait here," Gene said, glancing at the closed door.

"No, why don't you come with us?" Billy offered.

"Gene?" Calen asked. "WE could bring you something..."

"Thanks..." Gene nodded. "Make it a black coffee... no frills okay... and if they have any good looking pastry or donuts..."

"Sure thing Gene, and don't worry,' Calen smiled, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek. He squeezed her in a close hug and smiled.

"Later Gene," Billy nodded, patting his shoulder. "I'm sure Terri will be fine..."

Gene watched them thoughtfully as they walked off arm in arm. Calen seemed so comfortable with Billy, and he was glad to see another man taking an interest in Calen. Perhaps he should have a word with Billy to find out just what the other man's intentions were. Even though Gene knew Billy reasonably well through Calen, he still felt a sense of protectiveness like an older brother.

"Mr. Simmons, you can come back in now," the nurse said, opening the door. Relieved, Gene entered the suite once more to see Terri laying there in her bed. She seemed much more relaxed now, propped up and watching television.

"How you feeling now doll?" Gene asked, moving to her side and leaning over to kiss her forehead. She reached up and pulled Gene into an embrace. He sat down on the bed next to her, taking her hand.

"Much better, man this is actually... well... not so bad..." she laughed a bit.

"Good. Thanks a lot, Doc," Gene said to Dr. Trandi and the nurse who was cleaning up the syringe and other assorted items from the epidural.

"It's not a good idea if you sit on the bed," Dr. Trandi scolded him. Mollified, Gene sat down on the chair instead.

"Uh well, thanks..."

"No problem. Just call us when you really feel like you're ready to push," Dr. Trandi instructed. "Try to get some sleep if you can, Ms. Mason..."

"Thanks..."

"how far along is she?" gene asked.

"Four centimeters. It's going to be a while though I think. Considering it's her first child. But hang in there Ms. Mason, you're doing very well..."

"When it's time, can I have my family in here to watch?" gene asked.

"Your children are 12 and 9 right?" Dr. Trandi said. "I think they're old enough. But it would be easier if they watched from the doorway. So they don't get underfoot..."

"Thanks," Gene smiled. "I'll ring that button the instant Terri says so..."

"If you're still awake,' Terri teased. Gene laughed and watched the Doctor leave. He pulled the curtain closed part of the way, and pulled off his jacket. Slipping out of his boots, he pulled down the railing, and sat on the edge of the bed.

"I don't give a damn what the ob/gyn says. I want to sit next to my baby, both of them," he joked.

"Mmm, it would be hard to sleep without you next to me," she laughed. "As mushy as that sounds..."

"Hospital beds aren't the most comfortable things, but they sure beat the chairs," he joked, swinging one leg up. Terri moved a little to give Gene room to sit next to her on the full sized bed. Slipping his arm under her he pillowed her head on his chest and lay partly on his side.

"I am glad you're here," she whispered, as he stroked her hair. The sheet separated her body from his clothed one, pulled up to her waist. He gently stroked her belly, as she shifted to get more comfortable.

"Try and get some sleep sweetheart,' Gene whispered. "There's going to be a long night of pushing ahead.... and I'll be right here next to you when you're all ready to go..."

Lulled by Gene's heartbeat under her cheek, Terri sighed and curled up. In a few moments she was fast asleep in his arms. For a time he stroked her hair and back, watching the television blare on. Soon he too was fast asleep next to her on the bed.

Gene muttered in the depths of sleep, readjusting himself on the bed. Lights were dimmed, the hospital sliding into a quieter state, still punctuated by distant dinging of call bells, and the beeping of Terri's monitors.

Opposite the bed, on the narrow couch sprawled Calen, head pillowed on Billy's chest. He had a protective arm wrapped around her, his head pillowed against her shoulder. His other hand clasped hers. Nestled together, they oddly mirrored Gene and Terri together in the warm nest of her bed.

Something shifted, spreading slowly like a ripple in a pond through Terri's body. She came to a strange awareness that tumbled her out of sleep into a state of weary wakefulness. A pressure from down below, an urge as old as any that coaxed her to shake off sleep and blink. Push, it seemed to say. Push now.

"Gene..." she gasped, shaking him. He muttered and stirred, blinking to look at her urgent expression.

"You all right baby?"

"It's time... I gotta push... NOW!"

"Hang on!" Gene cried, sitting erect and leaping out of the bed. He stabbed the call button on the remote to call the nursing station. Once that was accomplished he turned back to Terri, taking her hand and stroking her forehead.

"Breath easy love... just relax... oh man... oh man..." he shook his head, adrenaline pounding in his body. "Take my hands.... get ready... bear down... that's it..."

"Gene... aww DAMN! Can't you wait till..."

"That BABY isn't waiting," he muttered grimly.

At the sound of their frantic voices Calen and Billy jolted awake, exchanging an awkward glance. They saw Gene take a position behind Terri, who was gasping to center and breathe, despite the numbing of the pain and feeling the pressure of the contractions again.

"What's..." Billy got out.

"The baby..." Calen realized. "Did you call..."

"Yes..." Gene gritted, Terri grabbing TIGHTLY to his hand with the death grip. Dr. Trandi entered with two nurses, pushing a cart with the necessary supplies.

"You ready to go then," Trandi said, noticing Terri breaking into a fresh sweat. "Get the drapes up, and these people into gowns.

"My kids... I need to let them know!" Gene said.

"I'll go," Billy offered, rushing out into the hallway to fetch Shannon with Nicholas and Sophia.

"Call Paul!" Gene shouted. "He HAS to know!"

Soon the room was partly partitioned off with a large green drapery, and Terri's feet were moved into stirrups that extended from the foot of the bed. Another drape was thrown quickly over her chest to her waist, the doctor moving behind to check the progress.

"She's dilated to 10," Dr. Trandi said.

"Why don't you wipe her forehead off," the nurse said to Gene, and he nodded, while they shoved a green gown onto him quickly as possible. Terri groaned deeply, as Gene turned back and grabbed her hand, standing behind her head to mop her forehead as fresh crops of sweat beaded there.

Calen stood on the other side, familiar with the blood and mess she might soon see. It didn't phase her, and she knew Gene was extremely nervous. Glancing over his shoulder he saw Nicholas and Sophie peering into the room through the doorway. Shannon Tweed stood partly behind them, sharing to some extend in Gene's nervousness.

"All right Ms. Mason... get ready to push... bear down... that's it!"

She scrunched her face, whimpering as she thrust down hard. IT seemed like something was sliding and stretching her muscles to the limit. Thankfully the temperature in the hospital room wasn't too chilly on her bared skin. Water was squirted and wiped over the area between her legs. Gene's hands stroked her head, his hand gripping around hers tightly as she panted and gathered her strength again.

"Push... again..."

"Oh god... I'm tired of this crap," she groaned.

"Push love it will be over soon..."

"I AM PUSHING Dammit!" she shouted at Gene.

"Just a little more... a little more..." Dr. Trandi called from behind the sheet. Terri gritted her teeth, willing muscles that were already complaining to shove their hardest.

"Mommy, is it going to take much longer?" Sophie asked Shannon.

"Shh, she's looking REALLY beat," Nicholas said, craning his neck.

"She's almost there... I hope," Shannon murmured.

"C'mon baby... push... that's it!' Gene urged, whispering in Terri's ear as he continued to push hair from her face.

"Gene.. .oh GOD this is... ugh!" Terri groaned, on her latest push.

"She's crowning... I can see the head... we're ALMOST THERE!" Dr. Trandi shouted. "I need ONE MORE GOOD push Ms. Mason... you're doing GREAT!"

"Oh lord... I'm so damn tired," Terri complained.

"Episiotomy?" one nurse asked.

"Yes... Terri we're going to make an incision..'

"What... what's wrong?" Gene asked.

"Never mind... it's coming through!" the other nurse shouted, and Terri felt hands reaching between her legs, something slithering and wet from her inner being.

"I've got it... yes... the head's out... now one more push!" Dr. Trandi shouted.

"Almost there... love!"

Calen saw the rounded shape of a head, between two rubber gloves. Gently Dr. Trandi twisted it out a bit, the shoulders rotating into view next. Then one second later there was the blue slimy creation that emerged from its source, held in a moment of first life.

"There we go! It's here, we have the baby!!" Dr. Trandi said, whisking it out carefully. Calen noticed the bulbous suction applied to evacuate the mouth, and the twisting curve of the cord extending into the darkness between Terri's legs.

"Oh lord where is it is it okay?" Terri panicked momentarily.

"Get this damn thing out of the way," Gene complained, almost ready to tear down the drapery.

"I'm clamping off the cord... now... lets see the little guy breathe..." Dr. Trandi said, and there came the frantic motion and the gentle slap of flesh on flesh. All Terri could hear was a soft muttering broken by a wailing.

Her baby's cry. Her baby. Gene's hand squeezed her tightly this time, his wrist shaking as she shivered in strange delight. The cry increased in intensity, raw and loud and complaining about coming out into a world of sound and light from where it was so safely nestled.

"It's a boy! Come around and see your new son, Mr. Simmons, Ms. Mason..."

The drapery was dropped, and Gene rushed over, peering at the perfect creature that had emerged. Eyes were fast shut and he saw as they wrapped it in a soft receiving blanket, pinning off the umbilical with hemostats. Anxiously he pulled the squirming mass of baby out of the nurse's arms and peered into the face. Eyes opened and peered up curiously at him, dark and searching.

"Oh man..."

"Gene... is it okay... I have to see!" Terri cried.

"He's FINE!" Gene called, rocking his son. "And he's GORGIOUS!"

"He's wonderful, and healthy,' Calen called. There came a quick snip as he helped cut the cord in two places, and rush over with his precious cargo to Terri.

"He's here... oh man he's here," Gene muttered over and over, his head detaching from his body with strange giddiness he had only known twice before in his life. For Terri it would be a new experience. Gene carried the baby around to Terri, and tilted the bundle up so she could see the face looking into hers, the cry stopping in momentary confusion.

"Oh he's... he's beautiful..." Terri got out. "Oh man... he's REALLY here... and he's mine?"

"He's ours love, you did wonderful," Gene shook his head, kissing Terri's forehead softly and helping position their son into her arms.

"We'll have to clean him off..." Dr. Trandi said.

"The hell with that," Gene waved his hand away. "I want everyone to see him!"

"Oh hi... is that you? Is that my boy really?" she found herself half cooing in strange new motherese. A tiny hand flailed out, one eye open, the other shut as the confusion turned to a yawn and what seemed like a smile.

"Dad, he's got a set of lungs on him!" Nicholas called into the room when the baby resumed its crying. Terri lay her head back wearily, as they removed the baby momentarily for the necessary series of tests. "Please... don't take him away!" Terri cried, unable to fight the tears that formed as they took him away.

"It's okay... it's okay..." Gene urged Terri. "They'll bring it back I promise. Shh easy now love..."

"I know it's stupid... I want him with me, damn it..."

"I know love," Gene laughed, holding Terri close. "I know EXACTLY what you mean."

Billy moved behind Calen, resting a hand on her shoulder as she looked at the process of footprinting and weighing that ensued. Tiny feet kicked and arms flailed, the chest heaving up and down as Gene and Terri's son complained loudly again at being poked and prodded. A slimy mess of afterbirth was cleaned and removed, Terri and her baby restored to some dry cleanly state.

Calen's eyes met Gene's across the room, and she mouthed something. Gene reached into his pocket and fingered the object within, under the gown he wore. Soon they were finished their rituals, handing the complaining baby back to Gene in his receiver and a soft blue hat. With his back to Terri he received his son, holding him close to his chest with one arm. Carefully he extracted the box from his pocket and slipped it into the blanket's fold.

"Where is he, Gene... where's our son?" Terri called plaintively, battling back tears.

"Here love, he's here... and he's fine... I got him, I got him," Gene repeated, carrying him over to her again. Calen moved in with Billy, and Gene motioned for Nicholas and Sophie to enter, while the doctor continued to fill out forms and attend to the post birth duties.

"Oh, he's so cute!" Sophie cried.

"He's all red," Nicholas shook his head.

"They look even better when they first come out," Shannon teased. "Terri he IS beautiful!"

Now Terri felt Gene put the baby in her arms, wrapping her hand around to support the head with his hand on hers. She felt so scared she would do something wrong, but Gene's knowledgeable hands reassured her it was all right. Her son yawned and moved against her, laying his head on her chest as the eyes shut tightly.

"Oh he's going to sleep after all that fuss now?" Terri laughed, wiping away a tear.

"Why not, the little guy's had a big day," Gene laughed. "Why don't you take a look at the rest of him?"

"What are you talking about... what's this?" Terri asked, her fingers brushing something hard in the blanket's fold. Gasping she noticed the velvet box and almost dropped her son in shock if Gene had not steadied her hand.

"Open it," Gene urged. He took his son from Terri as she popped open the box, and her eyes widened in shock. Everyone saw the flash of something contained within, and Terri felt a fresh crop of tears forming in her eyes.

"Gene... you didn't..."

"will you?" Gene asked, shyly as he took the ring out with one hand and passed it to her.

"It's beautiful... oh lord what did you do..."

"Reach out and grab that sucker!" Shannon laughed.

"Wow what a ring," Sophie muttered.

"It was Paul's idea," Gene laughed. "We went shopping together... and well..."

"Gene... we talked about this," Terri began to cry.

"I know it means different things to different people. But what it means to me is this. We made this baby together, and I can't think of not having you in my life for as long as I can imagine. And I want this to mean our life together... and how much you have come to mean to me... I don't want to live without you Terri... so would you please... be with me?"

"Best friends and lovers?" she asked.

"Best friends, partners and lovers," Gene said softly, stroking her cheek with his free hand.

"Yes, absolutely," she whispered. "Best friends, partners and lovers..."

"I love you sweetheart," he whispered in her ear, holding the baby between them. She transferred the dragon ring to her other hand, and held out her hand for Gene to slip the ring on.

"Aww," Calen laughed, wiping a tear out of her eye. Billy's hand tightened on her shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze.

"Way to go dad!" Nicholas grinned.

"That was well done, you scoundrel," Shannon commented with a smile.

"Can I hold him?" Sophie asked.

"You'll get your turn, promise," Gene laughed, wiping a tear from his own eyes as he saw his family and friends around him.

By the time Paul and Trynia rushed into the hospital it was 4 in the morning, and they found the room Terri and Gene occupied. A good sized group stood around the bed, where Terri held the wrapped bundle in her arms. Next to her on the bed Gene said, his arm around Terri. Both were exhausted from their shared ordeal.

Calen and Billy sat on the sofa, Shannon with Nicholas and Sophie on stools and chairs on the other side of the bed. Paul and Trynia moved in quietly, carrying the flowers and a small wooden box with them.

"You guys look beat," Paul commented.

"Stanley, better late then never," Gene laughed, motioning them to come over. "Come on and see our son..."

"He's fast asleep, unlike you guys," Paul joked, moving over to see the baby fast asleep in Terri's arms.

"Eight pounds, one ounce, and 21 inches long," Terri laughed, dark circles under her eyes. "And he came out the old fashioned way. I knew these big hips were good for something..."

"Don't even go there," Trynia laughed, marveling at the ruddy face of the new arrival.

"Cigars anyone?" Paul asked, handing Gene a box. Gene rolled his eyes and groaned.

"Aww you know I hate smoking..."

"Relax, they're chocolate," Paul grinned. "Jeez, you think I don't know you by now!"

"Pass 'em around then," Calen laughed, looking up from Billy's chest. Ripping off the cellophane Gene divvied up the box and let everyone have one, even the kids. Then Paul produced a bottle of champagne and wrestled with it. The cork shot out safely, and plastic glasses were passed all around. Gene was glad the other wrapped bottle contained sparkling grape juice for him and his family to enjoy.

"Damn Paul I should have expected YOU would bring the bubbly," Terri groaned.

"Hey I missed the birth, I gotta celebrate SOMETHING with a bang," Paul grinned.

"I thought you guys already did your banging to celebrate," Gene shot back with a mischievous grin. "Considering the rock on Tryn's finger..."

"Oh my god, you have one too?" Terri gasped as Trynia held up her hand for everyone to see.

"People, I gotta tell you that as of last night, Trynia and I are engaged, OFFICIALLY," Paul said, raising his glass. "And that is sure one hell of a topper to the birth of Gene and Terri's son!"

"Bottoms up, and all that," Trynia laughed. Plastic glasses were clinked and golden bubbling liquids were swished down. As Gene held the baby, Terri waved Trynai over for a big hug. Leaning over Trynia felt Terri's arms wrap around her and tehy both embarced like sisters.Gene and paul shook hands. Gene and Terri's son was passed around for Paul to hold first, followed by Sophie and Nicholas.