When Arvilla arrived at the hospital she was dilated four centimeters.  It was a nice start, but Arvilla was hoping for more.

She's now been there for two hours.

Arvilla walked back and forth with Joe's picture in her hands.  Arvilla kept focusing on him.  Imagining how he'd be with her.  How he'd help her through each pain.

"Arvilla, drink some water." Margene said interrupting her thoughts.

"Huh?"

"Drink some water, champ."

"Oh.  Thanks.."

"You okay?"

"Heh!  I feel just lovely, Margene." Arvilla says sarcastically.

"I'm sorry, I know you feel terrible."

"But you're doing so great!  Five centimeters!  That's incredible!"

Arvilla gives Carol a death stare.

"I know you wanted them to give you a higher number, but trust me you're doing great!"

"Thanks.. will someone go check on my boys, please?"

"I'll go." Margene says.

"Thanks."

"Arvilla, why don't we try the birthing ball while she's gone?"

"We?  Are you giving birth to one of these babies, Carol?"

"Now Arvilla, be nice.." Margene says.

"I'm aloud to be bitchy, I'm in labor!"

"Language!" Carol says.

"Oh Christ, Carol!  Grow up!" Arvilla makes a face.

**

Margene left the two alone and went to check on the boys just like Arvilla asked.

"Margie!  Has she had the babies yet?!" Miguel runs to Margene.

"Not yet, darlin'."

"Not yet?  Not even one?!"

"No." She chuckles.

"It takes time for babies to be born, Miguel.  How's she doing?" Alan asks.

"She's pushin through!  She's doing great."

Robert walks over. He looked like a worried father.

"How are you holding up, mister?" Margene pats his arm and laughs.

"Heh! Can you tell how worried I am?"

"I can! Don't worry, she's doing great!"

"I know. She's so strong, Margene. I just really hated seeing her in pain.. and now it's even worse because I can't see her! Seeing her is the only thing that could possibly ease my mind even just a little bit."

"Well come on back!"

"No. No, I shouldn't."

"Just come see her!"

"Okay!" Robert said with such eagerness.

Margene laughs and leads the way.

Robert walks off and Miguel turns to his older brother. "I think he loves her."

"Hah! Yeah! That's what a man looks like when he's completely a fool for a woman. You see that weird look in his eyes?"

"Yeah, it's goofy!"

"It's love."

"Did papi ever look at mommy like that?"

Alan immediately gets upset but hides it from his brother. "No.. No, not that I remember at least."

"Oh.." Miguel looks down.

Alan pats his back and sighs. "Let's go find a vending machine and get some snacks. I have a feeling it's going to be a long day."

**

Arvilla's POV.

Arvilla sat on the birthing ball. Her legs spread and her hands holding her large round belly.

"Knock, Knock! You have a visitor!" Margene says.

"Hey!" Robert smiles softly. "Is it okay if I come in just to check on—"

"BOBBY!" Arvilla cries and holds her arms out.

Robert rushes to Arvilla and holds her tight.
He then rubs her back for comfort.

"How ya doin'?"

"Oh I'm hanging in there. I'm still only at five centimeters though.." Arvilla says in a sad voice.

Robert pulls away and takes Arvilla's hands.
"Hey don't make that sound like a bad thing! You're five whole centimeters! You're halfway there, Momma! You're so close to meeting your babies!" He smiles.

Arvilla nods. "I am! It just hurts so bad, Robert. I had no idea it would be this bad.. and I know it'll only get worse... I'm so scared." She cries softly.

Robert wipes her cheeks and pushes back a stray piece of hair. "Arvilla. Remember what you said.. this pain is only temporary. You'll have your babies for the rest of your life after this. It'll be worth it." Robert then places his palm on her cheek.

Arvilla nods softly. "I know."

"You're gonna be a mommy!" Robert smiles.

"Yeah! I hope I'm a good one." She chuckles.

"Oh Arvilla, you're going to be the best mommy ever!"

Arvilla smiled and launched forward for a hug.
Robert held her and shut his eyes.

Just then Arvilla felt a contraction coming on."

"Ohhh.."

"It's okay, sweetie. Breathe."

Arvilla let out tiny moans as she rocked back and forth, still holding onto Robert.

"Look at how sweet they are together." Margene says to Carol.

"They aren't together though.. are they?"

Margene smiles. "Not yet."

**

The doctor came in to check on Arvilla's progress.

Robert kisses her hand and releases it. "I'll give you your privacy."

"Ohh.. okay.." Arvilla looks down.  She didn't want Robert to leave but thought he might be uncomfortable with them checking her.  So Arvilla stayed silent.

Robert smiles. "I'm gonna check on the boys."

"Oh okay!" Arvilla immediately perked up. "Tell then I said Hi!" She giggles.

"I will!
  Now you two monkeys come out soon!  We all want to meet you guys!" Robert holds her belly and kisses it.

Arvilla ran her fingers though his thick dark hair, and her smile grew bigger and brighter.

**

Robert walked out to the waiting room and sighed when he sat down and buried his head in his hands.

"How is she?" Alan asks.

"She's doing great."

"Then why are you sad?" Miguel asks.

"I'm not sad, bud. I just don't want her in any more pain."

"Oh.. Me neither!"

Robert smiles and places his hand on Miguel's back.

Miguel looks up to Robert. "You love her, don't you?"

"Miguel!" Alan says in a loud and shocked tone.

"What?!"

"Be quiet!"

Robert sighs. "It's okay.  The truth.. Yes.  Yes, I do love her.  I love her very very much."

".. Why don't you tell her?" Alan asks.

"She knows."

"She does?"

"Yeah.  Boys, Arvilla just lost her husband nine months ago.  Now she's becoming a mom.. it's a very difficult time for her.  What she needs now is a friend."

"But if you love her.." Miguel looks to Robert with sadness in his eyes.

"I'll always love her.
.. And maybe one day.. she'll love me."