I was five months along and sitting down having lunch with the family on a Saturday afternoon when I felt the baby kick really hard. I had felt movement before but this time it was strong enough to feel from the outside of my stomach. "He kicked hard! I think that you can feel it now!" I exclaimed. I grabbed hands on either side of me and placed it on my stomach. Right on cue the baby kicked again. The look of excitement on Jake and Wyatt's faces would be forever etched into my brain. The others got up and my whole stomach was covered by hands wanting to feel the kicking also. It took almost a full minute of waiting until he kicked again. When he did, Lexine shrieked and then started giggling, "The baby kicks hard." she said.  They all agreed with her and thrilled over the experience. After that, whenever I sat down someone would reach over and place a hand on my stomach.

Easter came around and I marveled at how much my life had changed for the better. Last year, I scrounged together enough money to buy some cheap plastic eggs and candy for a egg hunt for Lexine. Instead of an Easter basket, she used a grocery bag but not once did she complain and right now she held a white woven basket with yellow lace trim. This year was much better. We were at a local park where other families also gathered with their kids to hunt for eggs. It was an Academy run event and so it was safe for all the children. Jenny was also there so she and Lexine hunted together and split their eggs evenly. They looked adorable dressed up, Lexine who wore a pale yellow dress trimmed with white lace and big yellow bows in her hair and Jenny who wore a pink and white polka dotted dress.

I sat in a picnic sports chair as did Preston and Chase. I leaned back and relaxed as I watched my girl run around happily. Brady was one of the guys running the BBQ grill while Jake was helping to set up the salads. Wyatt was helping monitor the children along with a Jenny's two dads and mom. Just as I was feeling comfortable, the baby managed to kick me right in the bladder and that of course made me have to go pee. I moved to stand up, Preston and Chase were up like a shot helping me to stand. I gave them a wry grin and said, "Sorry guys but the baby's insisting that I go pee." They laughed and escorted me over the small building where the bathrooms were at the side of the park. I opened one stall and saw something black at the back edge of the toilet bowl, so I wisely went to the next one. After draining my bladder, I decided to check on the toilet that I had passed up. Maybe we could put an out of order sign on it or something so that the little girls would have to use it.

As I took a closer look at it, I realized that it wasn't fecal matter but a tiny black thing which looked electronic. I gasped aloud when it struck me that this could be a camera. "Delphine, darling? Are you ok? I heard you gasp and I wanted to make sure that you are ok." Preston said from outside the doorway. "Can you come in here and see this please? There isn't anyone else here." I told him.  He stepped inside and looked at me curiously. I motioned for him to come closer and we switched places so that he could get a better look at what it was. He bent over peering at it and then straightened up with a disgusted look on his face. "It is what's known as a toilet cam. Go outside and wait with Chase. I'm calling Wyatt since this is his area of expertise." I nodded and then went outside. Chase looked at me curiously and I filled him in while Wyatt came running up and joined Preston inside the bathroom.

"Let's get you back over to sit down sweetie. They'll take care of it." Chase said to me as he escorted me back. A couple of other Academy men with one woman passed us with nods as they headed to join Preston and Wyatt. I was curious as to how they would handle it but I knew that later Preston and Wyatt would update me. The food was ready so we brought out the hand sanitizer and made sure that the kids "washed" their hands before they got their food. Jake fixed me a plate and set it on the tray that was attached to my chair. I opened a bottle of orange soda to drink with it and started to eat a barbequed chicken leg and some green salad. About ten minutes later, the guys were done doing their thing in the ladies room and were back to eat. They too sanitized their hands before eating. Preston praised me for finding the camera and said that they had coordinated with someone Academy that was also a detective in the local PD. "It was short range transmission and we were able to track it to an address a couple of blocks away. They have enough evidence along with fingerprints on the camera and transmitter to make an arrest." Wyatt said. I smiled, "Good, I'm glad that it's taken care of. One more criminal out of commission," I said lightly. "That's right buttercup." Brady said from behind me and dropped a hand on top of my head to rub it affectionately.

Lexine practically inhaled her food and went back to play with Jenny, leaving her basket with us. There was a game of playing with a big bouncy ball that they joined in with. I tried to help with the cleanup but was ordered to sit back down. "Infuriating, aren't they?" Mavis said with a smirk as she sat down next to me. I giggled and agreed, "They are a handful, but I do love them." She laughed and patted my arm, "Let me tell you about another time that they got into trouble." I nearly fell out of my chair with laughter when she told me about busting them watching a porno when they were about 15, 16 and 17. "Phil sat down with them and grabbed the remote control and pressed play. I went into the kitchen and brought out some popcorn, cookies and drinks. I even sat down and watched some it myself and made some comments about the flexibility of younger people. Those poor boys couldn't look me in the eye for couple of months." I glanced up to see that Preston was nearby and had overheard what story that Mavis was telling me. His cheeks were tinged pink and it amused me to see him less than composed. I threw him a wink which made him grin at me and then go back to help the clean up process. How could life get any better, I wondered...

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Late August

It was late afternoon and I waddled my way from the kitchen to the living room holding a cup of ice water. I definitely felt less than graceful as I attempted to sit down without spilling my cup. With an amused look, Brady reached out and helped me settle down. "You look ready to pop Buttercup." he said to me. "I know," I groaned, "I'm in the home stretch though. You heard what the doctor said, Any time now." Just then the baby karate kicked my rib again and I winced. Brady was on alert immediately, "Was that a contraction? Is it time?" I shook my head no, "Just another kick in the same spot. This baby is trying to kick his way out." Brady looked sympathetic, "I feel so sorry for you. If it was possible, I'd go through this for you." I smiled and teased him, "If men had to give birth, the human race would die out." He chuckled, "That's true, women are so much stronger than men are." The guys were all on full alert since my doctor made that decree of anytime now. Any leg cramp or baby kicking me too hard had them in a tizzy. The memory of the Braxton Hicks contractions that freaked them out made me smile.

I yawned and Brady reclined my seat, then covered me with a throw blanket. "Take a nap Buttercup. I'll stay close by just in case." I nodded then closed my eyes to rest. For a while there, they had felt that I was safe enough by myself and it was nice to feel independent again with my car even though I knew that they could track my location with it. The last few weeks though, they had made sure that somebody was with me at all times and I was grateful for it. My biggest fear was going into labor with nobody else around. I must have drifted off for a couple of hours and I heard hushed voices talking which roused me. Everyone had come home for dinner and I smelled pizza. Everyone had been living on takeout since, my stomach was too big to for me to reach things easily which made cooking impossible.

Jake noticed that I was awake and came over with a smile. He helped me up and kissed my forehead. I excused myself to the bathroom and told them to sit down and start eating dinner. After I was done in there, I headed back to the dining room. For some reason, I felt rather anxious. Dismissing the feeling, I sat down to eat dinner with them. I couldn't manage more than a slice though and I felt like pacing instead. Chase was watching me and I gave him a sweet smile to reassure him that I as fine. I don't think that he was buying it though. He got out of his chair and came over to me, "Tell me what you are feeling right now." My eyes met his, "I feel a little anxious and I want to walk around." He nodded and held out his hand to help me up.  The others looked a little concerned but his silent conversation with them seemed to be reassuring. I walked all around the first floor with Chase until I felt better. "Is it ok if I sleep downstairs tonight Chase? I just don't feel like taking the stairs and I really am too big to carry now." I asked him. He agreed with my request, "That's probably a good idea sweetie. I'm going to stay down here with you though." Just then my baby boy kicked again, right in the rib and I winced placing a hand over the spot. Chase placed his hand there too and wanted to know how sore I was there. "Let's do a quick check up and see how you are."

He took me to his office and I sat on his couch and let him take my vitals. He gently pressed my ribcage to see how sore I was. I told him it wasn't too bad but it was definitely sore and got more so every time the baby kicked. "Hmm... it looks like you are just  a little bruised here. I'm worried that if the baby kicks too hard, he might crack a rib." he said with concern. I widened my eyes, "That can actually happen?" Chase gave me a quick kiss, "That's the worst case scenario but I think that delivery might be soon." I nodded in agreement, "I think so too." He helped me back up and I slowly walked back to the living room while Chase went upstairs to get some blankets and pillows for us to spend the night downstairs. I explained to everyone else what the game plan was and they all agreed that the stairs were a bad idea right now.

Then it was bedtime and while Chase set up the couch for himself, I opted for the recliner. Brady got me one of his tee shirts to wear as a nightie and we already had travel packs of toothbrushes that were in the downstairs bathroom. We brushed our teeth and I changed in the shirt and settled down in the recliner. I slept fitfully, waking up every couple of hours. Around two in the morning, I got up to pace around again. I couldn't explain it but I felt like I was anticipating something and I was restless as all hell. Chase watched me like a hawk and I felt bad for waking him up. "I'm so sorry for waking you up Chase. You need your sleep, you're always working so hard." I said to him apologetically. He shook his head, "Don't worry about it sweetie. There's no way I can sleep when you need me." An hour later I managed to sit down and fall asleep again.

 My eyes popped open and I rushed to the bathroom and sat down on the toilet. Fluid gushed from me, it felt like gallons and I knew that my water had broken. I started to yell for Chase but he was already standing there in the open doorway. In my haste, I didn't even shut it. I stared at him in surprise, "My water broke." He nodded seriously and said, "I was expecting this. Stay there for a minute while I get the rest of them up and we will get you to the hospital." Thank God that they were in such good shape because Chase was upstairs in just a few seconds. I heard him tell the guys that it was time. There was some commotion as they all scrambled to get dressed and I wondered what we were going to do with Lexine when the doorbell rang. Chase had called for Mavis and she was here to stay with Lexine.

Chase was in the bathroom with me again holding a large adult diaper. "It's just until you get to the hospital sweetie." I had no intention of arguing with him about it as long as it kept things dry in the car. Chase helped me put it on, put slippers on my feet and wrapped a light blanket around me.  My bag had already been packed and it was put into the car as I slowly walked to the car. Everyone but Chase was in a tizzy around me and I felt amused until a contraction hit me. I doubled over and tried to breath. I heard Preston bark out directions and Brady scooped me up and placed me in the car. Wyatt buckled me in as soon as that was done, the car took off. Preston was driving and Wyatt was busy with a mini laptop. Chase was at my side and timing my contractions. Despite everything going on, I noticed that we weren't having to stop for any red lights. Immediately I knew that Wyatt had something to do with that.

We were at the hospital in no time and pulled up to the ER where an orderly was waiting with a wheelchair for us. I was lifted out of the car and into the wheelchair. Chase pushed it while Jake followed us with my bag. The others were going to park the car and then join us. They shouted reassurances at me as I was wheeled away. Waiting for the elevator seemed to irritate Jake who kept muttering curses at it. I giggled until another contraction hit me. I gripped the armrests and tried not to make any noise because I was sure that Jake would flip out right then. They got me upstairs and into a room where they helped me into a bed. Chase had a nurse help him put a special absorbent square pad underneath me. Elastic straps were wrapped around my stomach holding monitors in place and I was hooked up to an IV. Dr. Ivers came in with her breezy smile, "Good morning Delphine, it's a great day to have a baby! Let's see how far along you are." she said as she scrubbed her hands in the sink. While she snapped on some rubber gloves, Chase updated her on the time my water broke and how far apart the contractions were. Dr. Ivers did her examination and I winced at she tried to see how much I had dilated. Withdrawing her hand and taking off the gloves she spoke, "Well, it looks like we have a little while to go still, you are at a 3 but it seems like things are progressing at a steady pace. I'll come and check on you again in a few hours." I nodded and smiled at her until another contraction came along.

Jake held my hand and let me squeeze his hand hard. The nurse introduced herself to me as Belinda and told me to go ahead and call her with the button if I needed her. "But I'm sure that Dr. Roberts here knows what he is doing." she said with a friendly grin at Chase. He grinned back, "I think that I might have clue." He turned his attention back to me as she left and said, "Belinda is one of my favorite nurses to work with. She gets thing done right." Before I could respond, the rest of the guys trooped in. Thankfully the room that we were in was big enough for all of us and then some. They dragged in some more chairs so that all of them could sit down. Another contraction hit me and breathed through it. If I wasn't in pain, I would have laughed at their sympathetic faces wincing along with me. They all took turns holding my hand and about half an hour later the pain was starting to get worse. Chase asked if I wanted an epidural and I quickly said yes to that. He left to go talk to my doctor about ordering one for me. My guys were so good to me, rubbing my feet and fussing over me. An anesthesiologist arrived and had me change into a hospital gown. Chase stood in front of me holding my to his chest as I sat on the edge of the bed. The anesthesiologist prepped my back with something cold and I barely felt the pinch of the needle. Within minutes I started to feel relief and the pain slowly disappeared.

The next couple of hours were spent with us chatting quietly as I rested in bed and Belinda checked in with us a couple of times. Dr. Ivers popped in again as she had promised to check on me. My bottom half was on display constantly and if I hadn't given birth before, I would have been horribly embarrassed. "It looks like you are at a 6 now and it's all progressing nicely!" she paused as she took a look at the baby's vital on the monitor. "The baby is holding up nicely. If things keep going this well, we will have a newborn baby boy by tonight!" I couldn't help but smile at that. After she left to look in on her other patients, I looked at the clock on the wall and realized that nobody had eaten breakfast yet.  "You guys need to eat breakfast." I said to them in a no nonsense voice. Brady tried to object and I cut him off. "I know that I can't eat right now but if you guys intend on staying with me, you are going to need to eat and keep your strength up. No telling how long this baby will take! Brady, Preston and Wyatt, you guys go to the cafeteria and get enough food for all of you guys and bring it back up here to eat it."

Wyatt asked me, "Wouldn't it bother you if we ate in front of you?" I shook my head, "No, I'm really not hungry and I just feel better with all of you around me." Their eyes softened and then they did as I asked. "You are just too cute when you are ordering us around." Jake said to me fondly as he brushed back my hair from my face. The rest of the morning passed in to lunch time and then it was late afternoon before I was at a 9 1/2. "I'll check back in about half an hour to see if we've reached a 10." Dr. Ivers said with a big grin.  Jake had already pulled out my over night bag and found the baby's bring home clothes, holding them up. The nursery at home was all set up and ready to be used. Twenty minutes later, I started to feel a strong pressure and let Chase know. He sprang into action and quickly scrubbed up and snapped on some gloves to check me. His eyes widened during the exam and he pulled his hand out and ripped off the gloves, "Sweetie, you are at a 10 and the baby is ready. The pressure is your body wanting to push. Just hold off for a minute while I get Dr. Ivers!" he shouted over his shoulder as he rushed out of the room.

A couple minutes later he came back with Belinda and a pediatrician and another nurse. "Little change of plans sweetie. Dr. Ivers has an emergency C section and the on call OB is delivering another baby right now so I'm stepping in," he paused and then smiled, "Let's deliver our baby." With Brady holding one leg, Wyatt the other and Preston and Jake holding my hands, I pushed for all I was worth. It took about twenty minutes but the effort was worth it when my baby was out of me and squalling angrily. I lay back exhausted, watching as Jake cut the cord. Preston passed off the baby to the pediatrician and nurse while Belinda and Chase attended to me and the afterbirth. They cleaned both of us up and the baby's doctor called out that the baby's Apgar score was 10. "8 pounds 6 ounces and 21 inches long!" The nurse called out to us.

After all the activity, everything was all taken care of, the pediatrician asked, "OK who is holding baby first?" I was about to say Jake but instead he said, "I think that the person who did all the hard work deserves to hold him first." and pointed at me. I was touched and eagerly held out my arms. The precious bundle was laid in my arms and I kissed his forehead and said, "I love you." I heard a sniffle and looks up to see all my guys looking tearful and happy. Our little boy had stopped crying and was blinking, trying to see who was talking to him. His blond fuzz on top of his head was just like Jake's hair. His