Generation 2, Chapter 22 Part 2

The next four months were hectic as the new parents adjusted to having a baby. Patricia was becoming anxious over the arrival of their baby. She woke late one night to terrible cramps, she laid their hoping it wasn't what she knew it was. She couldn't help but think she wasn't ready to be a mom yet. Rolling over she nudged Robert "Rob wake up, the baby's coming."

"Huh?" Robert groaned sleepily, his tired mind not quite comprehending what he heard. "Oh my God the baby's coming!" he shouted with a jerk that sent him jumping from the bed. "Where's the bag? Keys, I can't find my keys," he ran in circles accomplishing nothing.

"Honey calm down," Patricia laughed. "We have time for you to get dressed."

Racing back into the room, Robert threw some clothes on. Brushing against Shon's bed he woke him up "What's going on?"

"The baby's coming," Robert said as he rushed out of the room. Shon followed, finding Evelyn holding the baby and laughing silently. "Do you think we should follow?"

"In a bit," she replied still laughing "get dressed while I feed Robbie and arrange for a sitter."

Patricia was rushed to the delivery room as soon as they arrived at the hospital. Several hours later the baby still hadn't arrived. Robert observed the worried glances the doctors and nurses exchanged. Leaving Patricia's side he approached one of the nurses "what's wrong?"

Looking up at him the nurse explained "The baby's heart beat isn't returning to normal, it's slowing down. We're prepping her for an emergency c-section."

His mind racing he numbly went to hold Patricia's hand. Her eyes searched his, creasing in worry she asked "what's wrong?"

Robert squeezed her hand while he gently rubbed her face with the other. "It's going to be alright," he tried to reassure her.

"Something's wrong with the baby isn't there?" she asked starting to panic.

Sighing Robert wished there was something he could do to eliviate her fear. "Honey they're prepping to do a c-section. The baby's heartbeat is slowing down..." Before Robert could finish, Patricia screamed as another contraction hit her.

The doctors and nurses all rushed over as she began to push. "The baby's crowning." The doctor looked up and smiled at them. "You're about to be parents."

When the baby came out one of the nurses exclaimed "doctor take a look at this."

"Well that explains why the baby had such a difficult time turning," the doctor said. Becoming curious Robert went over to them, seeing him approach the doctor continued "the umbilical cord was too short and the baby couldn't turn."

"But the baby's ok?" he asked watching the nurse carrying his baby.

The nurse smiled "you have a beautiful baby girl papa," she said as she handed the baby to Patricia.

"Hi little one," Patricia cooed. "I'm your mama."

Robert smiled as he walked over to his girls "So mama what are we going to name our little girl?"

Staring into the eyes of her daughter Patricia smiled. All the months of arguing over baby names she knew instantly the name that best suited their little angel, "Jennifer Willow Bennett."

******

The following months were filled with happy memories of baby firsts and parental mistakes. Somehow they all survived and the addition to the house was in progress by the time Shon and Evelyn were planning Robbie's first birthday party. Shon was finding it difficult to share in the joy of the moment. He was missing his Gramma and wishing she were around to share in this moment with him. He was sure she would have been happy to see him married, a father, he wished more than anything that she could have seen her first great grandchild.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't keep from dwelling on the things he didn't have. Like parents who loved and cared for him. His mother walked out of his life and never looked back and his father threatened his wife and family. In the back of his mind he nawed on that threat, wondering when his father would strike.

"Honey is anything wrong?" Evelyn asked pulling him out of his thoughts.

Smiling he shook his head "No, just thinking things I'd be better off not dwelling on."

"Like what?" she asked in concern.

Shrugging Shon replied "I can't help but wonder when my father will show up again. Make good on his threats." He looked into her eyes saying "I don't know what I'd do if anything would happen to you or Robbie."

Taking his face tenderly in her hands she pulled him close "Nothing's going to happen," at his mumbled protest she gently kissed him, "at least not today. We'll handle it if something happens, as long as we have each other, we can handle anything."

Leaning into her Shon breathed deeply "I just don't know what I'd do if he ever hurt you. He's dangerous and capable of anything."

"I know but we can't live in fear," Evelyn smiled trying to give him some peace of mind. "Isn't that what you keep telling me about the aliens. We can't live in fear that they'll come back and destroy my family. The same principle applies to your father. I won't live in fear and neither will you, it gives him too much power."

Shon hugged her tight "I know you're right." Smiling as he pulled away "I'll try I promise."

"Good we have guests due to arrive any minute and a son anxious to eat cake." Evelyn told him kissing his cheek.

 

******

 

Four months later it was Jennifer's birthday. Patricia was running in circles trying to make sure everything was done.

 

"Calm down, it doesn't have to be perfect," Robert said coming up beside her.

"I can't help it. I want everything to be perfect," Patricia replied looking up at him.

Chuckling a little, Robert smiled "don't kill yourself doing it. There will be other birthdays and milestones that will require a certain amount of perfection. This one just isn't one of them. Wait until she can at least remember it."

"I'm not that bad, am I?" she asked crossing her arms.

"Yes you are," Robert said kissing her nose. You've already chased Evelyn out of the house and Shon's afraid to come out of the bedroom. Ease up a bit and I'm sure things will run a lot smoother."

"Ok, Ok," Patricia sighed "tell my subjects the queen is sorry for being a tyrant."

After the party wound down and the kids were asleep they stood around in the kitchen talking. "Thank you," Patricia said "for helping with the party and for putting up with me."

 

"You're welcome," Evelyn said giving her a hug. "Everyone get's a little crazy sometimes."

"I'm sorry," Patricia told them "I hadn't realized I was so bad until Rob told me to cool it."

"Well your forgiven," Shon told "besides it's not everyday we get to celebrate my neices birthday."

"Thank you," Patricia said giving him a hug. "What would I do without you?"

"Good question. I'm a hard act to follow," Shon said with a cheeky grin.

"You're impossible," Evelyn told him.

"But you love me anyway," Shon said giving her a kiss.

"Debatable, very debatable," Evelyn said laughing as she leaned into him, enjoying the feel of his arms wrapped around her. Pulling apart when Patricia's voice intruded upon their thoughts.

"Do you know where Robert is?"

Still looking at Evelyn, Shon replied "he took the garbage out."

"But..." Patricia started then stopped to peer out the window "that was over twenty minutes ago. What could be taking him that long?" She bit her lip as she tried to remain calm.

"I'll go look for him," Shon offered and walked outside. The yard was small and he could tell Robert wasn't anywhere around. Shon found the trash laying beside the trash can. Looking carefully, Shon found Roberts footprints where they seemed to stop suddenly and disappear.

With a sinking heart he pulled his phone out "Anderson, do me a favor and check to see if there has been any alien activity tonight." Shon waited while his collegue checked and called him back. Answering his phone he nodded gripping the phone as he listened to the answer. Shon sighed turning towards the house he saw two anxious faces looking back at him.

How could he tell them? Shon wondered, searching for the strength to see them through this ordeal. They came running out of the house, Evelyn took one look at his face before saying "they came back."

Shon nodded his head wanting to comfort her but before he was able to move to her, Patricia grabbed him. "They who?" she asked in confusion. Shon watched as the answer hit her and her eyes glazed over. "No, no, no they can't. Get him back," she cried falling to her knees. "I want him back." Kneeling beside her Shon held her as she sobbed.