Generation 2, Chapter 22 Part 1

Evelyn had been keeping the fact she'd been throwing up in the mornings to herself. At first she thought it was just the stomach flu but as the days went by she had to concede that she might be pregnant. After work she bought a pregnancy test, locked herself in the bathroom staring at the positive result, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

The incessant pounding on the bathroom door roused her from her daze. She quickly washed her face and unlocked the door. "It's about time," Patricia said as she rushed passed her closing the door behind her.

Evelyn sighed looking around the tiny space they called home. She wondered where they'd be able to fit a crib into it.

"Honey what's wrong?" Shon asked looking up from the laptop.

"Nothing," she lied as she wiped tears from her eyes.

Getting up, Shon drew her close to him. "This doesn't look like nothing," he said as he wiped tears from her cheeks. Touching his forhead to hers "Evie tell me what's wrong."

Looking into his concerned eyes she smiled "I'm pregnant."

Smiling broadly he laughed, picking her up and swung her around in his excitement. "That's wonderful."

"Shon, Shon please stop. I need, oh no ..." she put a hand to her mouth. She tried for the bathroom but the door was locked, she ran outside with Shon following close behind.

"Honey I'm sorry, I didn't realize," he said rubbing her back as she knelt on the ground.

Taking his hand she shook her head, "it's alright. I've been getting sick for a while. I thought it was just the stomach flu but it never went away. Now I know it's morning sickness, except in my case it's more like all day sickness."

"What can I do to help?" Shon asked wanting to make this easier for her. All the while his brain was struggling with the idea of being a dad.

"Tell me it's going to be ok," she pleaded. "I know we planned on waiting until we had our own place. We can't afford a baby right now and we definitely don't have room."

"We'll figure it out," Shon said smoothing her hair as he held her tight. "We'll make it work somehow."

They waited to tell the family until they were altogether to celebrate Gene's and Beverly's graduation from high school. Everyone was happy at the progress Gene had made over the last couple of  years. His ability to stick with something and accomplish his goal of staying clean, sober and getting his diploma were something to celebrate. Beverly's understanding and willingness to share the limelight with him showed how much she had grown as a person.

Before everyone left that evening they gathered everyone together.  Shon cleared his throat saying loudly "I would like to say something," he stopped at a loss for words.

Evelyn smiled at him taking his hand he continued "I along with the rest of the family are proud of the accomplishments you've made this year. Gene for sticking with something and seeing the results of a job well done and Beverly for being both smart and beautiful and knowing the difference. Here's to the future and wishing that you both accomplish everything you set out to do." Looking at Evelyn before continuing he smiled as she nodded. "Speaking of the future I'm happy to announce Evelyn and I are having a baby."

"Now I know why you've been hogging the bathroom," Patricia said running up to hug Evelyn. Turning to Shon "I'm so happy for you," she said hugging him too.

"Congratulations son," William said hugging Shon and his daughter. "I was hoping you wouldn't make me a grandfather so soon though."

"Sorry Dad, it wasn't planned," she whispered too him.

"Some of the best things in life are unplanned," William told her giving her another hug.

Later they discussed where they would put the baby crib. Robert spoke up saying "Let's face it the only spot is in the living room. It'll be a little tight but it'll only be for a little while. We almost have enough saved for the addition to the house we've been saving for."

"I was thinking we should probably move," Shon suggested reluctant to be the first one to say it.

"What? No," Patricia said sounding upset. "Rob and I could help you when the baby comes."

"We don't want to put you guys out," Evelyn protested.

"If we had a problem with it, we'd have told you," Robert told her hoping she and Shon would stay. He knew they couldn't afford a place of their own and staying, while crowded would benefit all of them.

"It's settled then," Patricia said "tomorrow we go shopping for baby things."

Everyone was looking forward to the arrival of the baby as the months went by. Shon was growing nervous at the thought of being a father. His old fears of becoming like his father came back to haunt his dreams.

More than once he would wake in the middle of the night drenched in sweat.  He was thankful that Evelyn would be there to calm him, when all he wanted to do was run away.

One evening while he and Evelyn were discussing baby names, Robert and Patricia joined them. Holding hands they looked at each other and giggled. Shon looked up at them and asked "What's up?"

"We have something to tell you," Robert began. Only to be cut off by Patricia excitedly announcing "I'm pregnant!"

Evelyn got up and gave her a hug asking "How far along?"

"About six weeks the doctor said," Patricia beamed "I hope it's a girl."

"How about you Rob? What do you want?" Shon asked curious.

"A girl would be nice," he said. "If it's a girl I wouldn't have to worry about it being abducted by aliens."

"Even if it's a boy doesn't mean the aliens will come and take him," Shon said attempting to reassure him.

"Yeah I know but it's still a very real threat and concern," he smiled at Patricia. "However we'll deal with it if and when it happens. I won't beg trouble from tomorrow. I'll be happy with whatever we have."

"Now we really have no space," Evelyn said looking around. "I guess a crib could go their," pointing to the only spot left in the room.

Four months later Evelyn was putting the finishing touch to the refurbished cribs she and Patricia found to match. Standing back to admire their hard work Evelyn felt a sharp pain, then another followed soon after the first.

"Pat, I think the baby's coming," she said holding her stomach.

"I'll call Robert and Shon to meet us at the hospital," she said trying to be calm. "Ok they're on their way. You have everything?"

"Uh huh," Evelyn panted.

They arrived at the hospital shortly before the guys did. As they took Evelyn back to the delivery room, Patricia waited for Shon to arrive. Shon almost ran past her, as she reached out and grabbed him before he shot past.

"Take a deep breath," Patricia encouraged him. "That nurse over there will take you to Evelyn."

He nodded his head as he followed the nurse. Robert came in a few minutes later and they went to sit in the waiting room.

"Do you think we should call Dad and let him know the baby's on the way?" Robert asked for the hundreth time.

"No, we discussed this. We'll call when the baby's here. There's no room for the entire family to wait in here."

"You're right," he smiled at her "I'm just nervous."

Getting up  Robert wrapped his arms around her.  "She'll be alright, baby's are born all the time," Patricia smiled at him trying to put his mind at ease. "It's all those books you've been reading. I told you they would only make you anxious."

"I know but ..." he looked up as a nurse come over to them saying "You can come back now."

"What did she have?" Patricia asked.

"They want to tell you themselves."

They followed the nurse into a room where Evelyn was sitting up holding a tiny baby. She smiled at them "meet your nephew, Robert Shon Olivia."

Stunned Robert was speechless that they named their son after him. Unable to think of something to say he asked "where's Shon?"

Evelyn laughed "getting stitches." At their concerned faces she explained "he feinted in the delivery room. He smacked in face into a table when he went down."

 

They all burst into laughter when a nurse wheeled Shon into the room. "It's not funny," he grumbled. "Just wait, it's your turn next Rob."

Choking on a giggle, Robert asked "would you like to hold your son?" he held the baby out to Shon to take.

Blinking back tears Shon looked into the eyes of his son saying softly "he's perfect."