4 am:

"Okay! We are going! We're going!" Sam says quickly getting out of bed.

Everyone in the house woke up and ran to Jessica's room. She was in the bed and her water had just broke and it was everywhere. She was softly crying but with a smile on her face.

Sam loaded up all of the bags for the hospital into the car while Dorthy and Jane helped Jessica change.

"This is really it." Jessica smiles

"Next time you come home you'll have your little girl." Dorthy smiles

"You're having a baby! Holy shit!" Jane says

"I know! I know!" Jessica cries

"Just relax. We will meet you two at the hospital, okay? After the kids get to school I'll be right here."

"I'm not going to school!" Jane says

"Okay, fine!" Dorthy says

"Someone has to call Ann... and Sam's parents... and-" then she goes quite when thinking of her father.

"Don't worry about him. Just yourself." Dorthy says rubbing her tears away.

"Okay...can someone help me to the car." She moans

"I'm here!" Sam says running in.

It's almost as if Sam swept Jessica off her feet and helped her down the stairs.

"We will see you soon!" Dorthy cries as Jessica gets in the car.

Jessica smiles as Dorthy puts her hand on her chest.

"I love you" Dorthy says softly as they drive away.

She comes back into the house sobbing. She couldn't believe the time was here. All she wanted to do was be at Jessica's side.

"Mom, you go on. I'll make sure that George gets to school."

Jane could see how nervous Dorthy was. She understood that she wanted to be with Jessica and didn't want anything to hold them back.

"Are you sure I shouldn't give them space?"

"Jessica wants you there. Now go!" Jane giggles

"Alright, I will, thank you!"

//-//

When Sam and Jessica got to the hospital they wheeled her up to her room and had her change. Jessica's nerves were through the roof, and so were Sam's, but this is it. This is the beginning of it all.

"Don't make fun of me when you see my gown." Jessica says hiding behind the curtains.

"Okay." Sam says

Jessica walks out. She felt bigger than ever and felt super swollen and very tired.

"I think you look sexy." He says helping her into bed.

"Really? I do?" She laughs

"Yes."

Then, Dorthy comes running into the room.

"Mom? You're here! Thank god!" Jessica says with happiness

"I can't be away from you right now... I was too scared." Dorthy cries

"It's okay, I'm fine... the doctor just came in. I'm four centimeters!" She smiles

"We are glad you're here." Sam smiles

"Did you two call everyone?" Dorthy asks

"Yep. I called Ann and she'll be here around nine. Sam called his parents and they will come around eight." Jessica says breathlessly

"Have you decided who you want in the room?"

Jessica sighs and looks at Sam. "I think just the two of us. It may be too overwhelming." She says. She felt guilty not asking anyone else to be in the room, but she wanted to share this moment with him.

"I'm sorry..." Sam says

"No! No! This is your day! I understand. But I don't plan on leaving!" Dorthy chuckles

"Okay" Jessica smiles

//-//

10 o'clock ;

After eight this morning, Jessica did not have much progress and was stuck at six centimeters. She still refused the epidural and was having lots of pain. But she stood by her birth plan and didn't want it any other way.

By now, everyone was at the hospital. Sam's parents came to visit for a while before Sam's dad had to go to work. Everyone was on call throughout the day and were ready whenever the baby was ready. For now it was a waiting game. Jane, Sam's mother, Dorthy, Ann and Jane were there as well. They came in and out of the room and gave Jessica and Sam space whenever they needed it.

Sam didn't leave the room. He stayed by Jessica's side through everything.

Every time the doctor came in to check on Jessica, Sam stayed behind while everyone went back into the waiting room.

While Ann and Jane were going to pick up some food for everyone, Sam's mother and Dorthy stayed at the hospital.

The two mothers walked down to the cafeteria to grab some coffee and talk.

"Can you believe it, Dorthy? Our granddaughter is going to be here today!" Jane says

Dorthy nods and smiles "I know. Our babies are having a baby." She says

"It's scary. When I first found out I was so angry but I realized that it wouldn't do any good to be angry. Now here we are. I think I can say the both of us are already in love with Eloise." Jane smiles

"I am very excited. It is crazy to see how much they have changed."

"For the better I believe. Jessica always kept Sam grounded and Sam always protected Jessica. Dorthy, I know it son may make a few mistakes along the way, but I can promise you that he loves his girls more than anything."

"Sam's a good kid. I'm glad Jessica has him."

//-//

"Oh fuck! This one really hurts! So so bad!" Jessica cries as another big contraction hits her

"Breathe... Breathe." Sam says holding her hips together and she moans in pain.

"We are back! Another contraction?" Dorthy says coming in with Jane.

"Yeah... can you hold my hand?" Jessica asks quietly

"Of course sweetheart."

"It's almost over babe... just take those deep breaths." Sam says coaching her through it.

Sam was doing so well with helping Jessica. She really couldn't have done it without him. He made her feel confident and ready. He hyped her up for the big moment too. She was so grateful for him.

"Here, Sammy, get this blanket, wrap it under her hips and hold it up. It will make the pain a little bit more tolerable." Jane says helping assist her son.

Sam did exactly what his mother said and a lot of relief came from it.

"Keeping doing that. It helps." Jessica pants

As Dorthy held her arm Jane assisted Sam.

When the contraction was over Jessica let out a deep breath. "You did amazing." Sam says kissing her forehead. He got the cold towel and put it on her forehead to cool her down.

"Brief intermission." Jessica says

Jane and Dorthy laugh then sit down next to the couple.

"How are you feeling? Any progress?" Dorthy asks

"The doctor should be here soon to check." Sam says

"I hope it's not six anymore. I've been doing at this for more than twelve hours." Jessica sighs

"You got this." Sam smiles

"It seems like you have it pretty good." Dorthy smiles

"I do... he's the best." Jessica smirks

"Do you need anything? Do you want us to leave?" Jane asks

"No, no. Stay here." Jessica says

//-//

6 o'clock

After being stuck at six centimeters, everything was starting to go faster now. Jessica was officially eight centimeters dilated. It has been almost twenty four hours of labor for her and she felt more weak than before. Jessica was scared that she wouldn't have enough energy to push. Without the epidural, Jessica was awake this whole time taking on each painful contraction. They were becoming closer together and more painful as the day went on.

Everyone was still at the hospital now including George and Samuel. The whole family was there supporting Jessica and Sam. They anxiously await the birth of little Eloise.

"I can't do this!" Jessica cries softly as she goes through another painful contraction.

Everyone surrounded the bed and helped support her. She felt a bit crowded but didn't mind.

"You got this!" Ann says to her little sister

Sam held her hands as she moves side to side on the yoga ball. Ann was behind her rubber her shoulders and Jane held a cold down on her forehead.

"She's so close to being here, babe. This won't last much longer." Sam smiles as he looks into her eyes.

"I know... I know. I just want to see her now." Jessica cries

"I'm sorry. I wish I could make this pain go away but you're being so strong." Her sister Jane says

"Owe... owe! Wait! Sam! Something is wrong!" Jessica panics

"What? What's wrong?" He says

"I feel like I can feel her!" Jessica cries

"I'll go get the doctor! It may be time!" Dorthy says running out of the room

Sam and Jessica's sisters slowly help her get back into bed.

"Sam! Look!" Jessica says sternly

"Look? Look at your?"

"Oh please! You've seen it before! Tell me if you see her!"

The amount of pressure that Jessica felt almost felt as if the baby was making her way out now.

Jessica opens her legs and Sam looks inside.
"I don't know... it looks like..."

"Jessica, it seems to me that you're getting very close." The doctor says coming up behind Sam.

Sam moves away and goes to Jessica's side. Everyone had their fingers crossed that this was it.

The doctor checked Jessica and declared that she was officially ten centimeters.

"Okay, Jessica. I want you to hang tight. I'm going to go call in our nurse and you are gonna start pushing." The doctor smiles

"Really? She's coming? Right now?" Jessica cries

"Yep! She's ready to make her appearance." The doctor says as she gets up and heads to get ready.

"Okay honey... this is it. We are gonna go. Give me a kiss." Dorthy cries as she holds Jessica in her arms

Everyone cried a little bit. It was very emotional in the room. Jessica and Sam were beyond scared yet excited and everyone else just prayed that it went well and smoothly for Jessica.

Jessica got nervous as her mom starting walking away.

"We love you, Jessie." Ann and Jane say kissing their sister

"I love you all." Jessica cries

"Don't cry, sweetie. She's gonna be in your arms and it will all feel better." Jane says to her son and Jessica.

"You got this." George smiles

"Thank you..."

"We will be out there waiting." Sam's dad says as they start leaving. All of a sudden nurses were coming in and setting it all up for when Eloise came.

Once everyone was gone Jessica took Sam's hand and looked deep into his eyes. "I love you." She says

"I love you too, baby." Sam smiles

"We are having a baby together." She whispers

"I know... you have amazed me every step of the way."

"It hurt a lot... but I'm glad I didn't take the epidural." She says

"I'm proud of you. I can't wait to tell our little girl what a bad ass her mommy is."

"We have to stop swearing, remember?" Jessica giggles

"Oh yeah. And the only exception is when you are pushing her out."

"Right." Jessica giggles

Sam leans in and gives Jessica a lot passionate kiss.

Then, a contraction slowly creeped in. The nurses prepared Jessica for birth. They put the baby blanket on her chest, set up her position, then the doctor sat down.

"Okay Jessica. You have a contraction coming up.... now, when I say go, I want you to push as hard as you can. Count to ten for every push. When I tell you to stop pushing, no matter how badly you want to do it, you have to stop, okay?" The doctor says

Jessica shakes her head then grabs one of the nurses arms and then Sam's. She leans forward as the doctor says "go"

"1...2....3....4....5..." the nurse says as Jessica stops

"That's alright, Jessica. It's your first push. Let's try another, on 1!"

"1... 2....3....4....5....6....7!" Sam says

"Okay stop!"

Jessica throws her head back with discouragement and cries. "Sam, I need them." Jessica sobs

"Need who baby?"

"My mom and sisters."

"Oh course! I'll go run and get them." He says happily

"Please be fast!" She says as Sam runs out the door

Sam leaves the room and races to the waiting room. When they seem Sam panicked they all get scared and stand up.

"Dorthy, Ann. Jane, Jessica wants you guys."

"Oh! Okay!" Dorthy says as the three of them run towards Sam.

Sam's mother stops him and gives him a quick kiss. "Go be the best dad." Jane smiles

"I will." Sam says running back

When they get back into the room Jessica was sobbing as the nurses tried to calm her down.

"It's okay, honey. They are all here,see?" Sam says taking Jessica's hand.

"Okay, dad, grandma, aunties, we are going to reposition her. Dad, grandma, each take one leg." Jessica holds onto Sam with his empty arm as she holds back on of her legs.

"Sisters, you two can either come look down here for stay up there with Jessica.

"I think we have a good view from here." Jane says as she stands close to Jessica.

"Alright then... here comes another one. I want a big push, to ten Jessica!" The doctor insists

"Okay.. okay!" Jessica pants

The nurses count to ten. Jessica was able to make it all the way to ten.

"I see her head, Jessica! Wonderful! This is gonna be easy!" The doctor smiles

Jessica breathes healthy and cries. She was filled with a lot of emotions. She was scared, happy, tired, but excited. The pain really put her through the ringer.

"Fuck! AHHH!" Jessica says as she goes in for another push.

"To ten, Jessica." The doctor says

Jessica gets every last drop of energy and strength left in her to give the biggest push ever. Her face got red and she was sweating down her face.

Sam and Dorthy watched as the little baby made her way out of Jessica and they held her hands and her legs.

"Baby, I see her! I see her!" Sam says

"Oh Jessica, she has a lot of hair!" Dorthy giggles

"Okay stop! Stop!" The doctor says sternly

"Is everything okay? Is the baby okay?" Jessica panics

The room grew quite as the doctor looked at the screens.

"What's going on!" Sam yells

"Jessica, your baby is losing some oxygen, so we really have to get her out on this last push.

"Okay... okay. Is she going to be okay?"

"Yes. Push on three. 1...2...3."

"Come on! You got this! Push!" Sam says

"Push Jessie, come on she is almost here."

And then suddenly, her daughter was brought into this world. "Baby Shepard, 7:36 pm, April 29th." The doctor says holding up the baby.

Jessica pants and chuckles at the same time as they place her little girl on her chest.

"Hi baby girl. Welcome to the world." Jessica cries as she looks down at her beautiful daughter.

"Sam, she's here." Jessica smiles

"I love you. Thank you so much." Sam says kissing Jessica and looking at his baby.

"Is she okay?" Dorthy asks

"She's good now. She just needed out." The nurse giggles

"Jessica she's so cute!" Ann cries

"Look at her little fingers!" Jane giggles

"She's just precious." Dorthy says

"Dad, want to cut the cord?" The doctor says

"Yes!" Sam says proudly

Jane snaps a picture of the moment then turns back to the baby.

The doctors took her back to clean her up, weigh her, then swaddle her.

"You did so well." Dorthy says as Sam, Jane and Ann go to see the baby being weight.

Jessica let's out a deep breath and smiles. "She was all worth it. I'm so happy."

//-//