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The Proud Parents
by Lori Anderson

Chapter 1

Toni Hobson felt a little sick as she was getting ready to go to work.  "Oh boy.  Gary, could you get me a glass of water please?  My stomach's a little funny this morning," she asked her husband as she sat down.

Gary put the paper down and went towards their kitchen.  "Not feeling well today honey?," he asked.

Toni nodded.  "I don't know what's wrong, but I suddenly feel sick to my stomach for some reason."

"Maybe you'd better not go in to work today.  I'm sure your boss would understand."

"I have some important work to finish today, but I'll make an appointment to see my doctor sometime during lunch.  I felt fine last night.  Why do I feel sick right now?"

Gary handed her a glass of water.  "Here.  Drink this.  It'll help you feel better."

"Thanks."  Toni took a sip of her water, and felt a little better.  "That helped a little.  I'll call Dr. Smith at work, and make an appointment to see him during lunch.  I'll let you know what he finds out later."

"Take it easy today Toni.  You sure you don't want to call in sick and stay home?"

Toni smiled as she stood up.  "Honey, I'll be fine.  Paul and I have to wrap up all the loose ends of this one case we've been working on.  You be careful with what you find in the paper, and I'll see you later."

"Okay.  I love you."

"I love you too.  Bye. See you this afternoon after work."  She kissed him and went towards the door.

Gary followed her down the stairs and towards the door of the bar to make sure she was alright.

"Call me if you decide to come home early.  Have a good day," he said.

"You got it handsome.  See you later.  Bye Marissa," Toni replied, and went outside to her car.

Marissa could sense that Gary was worried about his wife.  "Bragatti not feeling well today for some reason Gary?  I can sense that you're worried about her," she said.

"She said she felt a little sick to her stomach.  I gave her a glass of water to drink to see if it would help.  She's going to see to her doctor during lunch today, and let me know what he finds out," Gary replied.

"I'm sure it's nothing real serious.  Anything interesting in the paper today?"

Gary sighed.  He looked in the first page, found nothing, and then went to the second page.

"Man Falls Down Two Flights of Steps and Breaks His Arm.  Mr. Jones, a lawyer, was walking down the stairs from his office in city hall to get some exercise when he tripped and fell.  He broke his right arm when he landed on it after his fall," Gary read as Marissa sipped her coffee.

"Lawyer huh?  This should be interesting.  When does it happen?"

"At ten this morning which gives me enough time to go over there and find him.  See you later."

Chapter 2

Gary ran towards the courthouse as fast as he could hoping he wouldn't get stuck in traffic.

He arrived at the courthouse around 9:30, and went inside to the reception desk.

"Excuse me.  Could you please tell me which staircase Mr. Jones, the lawyer uses?," he asked.

"I believe he uses the stairs to my right.  Why are you asking me this for?" the receptionist replied.

"Because I have a feeling that he's going to trip and break his right arm, and I want to make sure that doesn't happen.  I'd hate to have him sue the place where he works."

Phil, the security guard Gary had seen before, ( Spolier: The Quality of Mercy) came towards him.

"You again.  Didn't you learn your lesson the last time you were here?," he asked.

"Im not here to cause trouble sir.  I just want to prevent one of your lawyers from breaking his arm."

"He thinks that Mr. Jones is going to fall down the stairs and break his right arm," the receptionist said.

"Oh.  Just what time is supposed to happen if it does?"

Gary looked at his watch.  "In about twenty mintes.  At ten," he replied.

Phil looked at the clock on the wall.  "Okay buddy.  Let's just go up and tell him what you just said."

The guard and Gary went to the third floor where the lawyer's office was located at.

Mr. Jones was surprized to see them both at his door.  "What's going on Phil?," he asked.

"This man has something to tell you sir," Phil replied indicating Gary.

The lawyer turned to Gary.  "Well, out with it.  What do you have to tell me?"

"I just want to tell you to please be careful going down the stairs today sir.  You might trip and fall," Gary told Mr. Jones.  "I wouldn't want you to break your arm or anything."

"I apprieicate your concern Mr...."

"Hobson.  Gary Hobson."

"Mr. Hobson.  Is there any reason you think I'd fall down the stairs today?"

"You never know if something will happen sir.  You might accidently miss a step."

The lawyer sighed.  "Alright.  I'll be careful going down the stairs."

Gary was relieved to hear it and walked back down the stairs with Phil.

Outside, he took out the paper and the headline was gone.  He has succeeded in preventing an accident.

At the police station, Toni was on the phone with her doctor.  "That's right doctor.  I want to see you during my lunch hour.  My stomach's been feeling a little strange this morning.  You'll see me at noon?  Good.  I'll be there.  Thanks.  Goodbye," she said writing down the time on her notepad, and hung up her phone.

Paul Armstrong looked up from his desk.  "If you're not feeling well Bragatti, you shouldn't be here," he said.

"I'm fine Paul.  Just having a problem with my stomach this morning.  I wanted to finish the paper work on the robbery case we've been working on for weeks now."

"I can finish the paperwork.  You should go home after seeing your doctor."

Toni smiled.  "You sound like Gary.  He thought I should stay home too."

"How is your husband today?"

"He's fine.  I'm so glad you two are friends.  You do now realize that he was innocent of that murder."

Armstrong nodded.  "Yeah.  It took a while, but I know he didn't do it. Hobson sure is one strange man."

"Watch it Paul.  That's my husband you're talking about."

"Take it easy Toni.  I meant it in a nice way.  Good luck with the doctor today."

"Thanks.  Let's get this paperwork finished."

Chapter 3

Toni Hobson left the police station at noon and drove towards her doctor's office for her appointment.

"Toni Hobson to see Dr. Smith," she told the repectionist when she entered the office.

"Please take a seat Mrs. Hobson.  He'll be with you in a minute," the repectionist said.

Toni went over to one of the sofas and sat down.  She removed her jacket and hung up it.

Five minutes later, the nurse came out.  "Mrs. Hobson," she said picking up Toni's file.

Toni followed the nurse into one of the rooms and sat down on the table.

"You say that you're having stomach troubles.  How long has this been goingon?," the nurse asked.

"Off and on. Sometimes it happens at night, but it goes away after a while," Toni replied.

The nurse wrote it down on her file and nodded.  "I'll tell the doctor about it.  He'll be in shortly."

She left the room and Toni wondered what the doctor would tell her when he found out about her problem.

Dr. Smith entered the room.  "Good afternoon Mrs. Hobson.  I hear that you've been having stomach problems lately.  When was the latest occurance of it?," he said smiling at Toni.

"This morning.  Before I went to work," Toni replied.

"Hmmm."  The doctor went over, and put his stechoscope on her chest, asking her to breathe.

Toni did, and her doctor checked everypart of her with it that he could.

"Tell me Mrs. Hobson, have you been having any strange cravings recently?"

Toni nodded.  "I've been craving chocolate ice cream and pizza at times."

"I see.  Mrs. Hobson, from what you're told me, it's clear to me what your trouble is.  You are pregnant."

"Pregnant?!  Are you sure doctor?"

Doctor Smith nodded.  "I can do the usual test if you like, but I'm sure you're pregnant.  Your stomach problems are merely morning sickness that every woman goes through when they're pregnant.  Cravings are a part of it too.  Have you been throwing up at all?"

"Not yet.  So you're telling me that I'm pregnant.  How far along am I?

"You're in the first stages of it.  It'll show more each month."

Toni was both surprised and happy.  She was going to be a mother, and Gary was going to be a father.

"Doctor, may I use your phone please?  I want to tell my husband about this."

"Of course.  Congrulations!"

Toni hopped off the table and went to front desk to ask to use the phone.

She dialed Mc Ginty's number and hopped Gary would be there to answer it.

"Mc Gintys," Gary said answering the phone from behind the bar.

"Gary, it's Toni.  I'm at the doctor's office, and I've got some good news for you," she told him.

"What did he say honey?  Everything's alright I hope."

"Couldn't be better.  You're going to be a daddy."

Gary almost dropped the phone he was so shocked.  "What did you say?"

"I said that you're going to be a daddy.  I'm pregnant."

"That's terrific Toni!  I want you to come straight home from the doctor's office.  Forget about work for the rest of the day.  You should rest after finding this out."

"Okay.  I"m sure that my boss will understand.  See you later."

"See you when you get here.  Good bye."

Gary hung up the phone and turned to Marissa and Emmit, a huge smile on his face.

"I'm going to be a father!  Toni's pregnant." he told them with pride.

"That's wonderful Gary!  Congrulations!," Marissa said happy for him and Toni.

"Congrulations to you both.  You're going to make a wonderful father Gary," Emmit told him.

"Thanks.  Drinks are on the house.  Excuse me.  I'm going to call my parents and tell them the good news."

Gary went inside his office and dialed his parent's number in Hickory.

"Hobson residence.  Lois speaking," Lois said answering the phone.

"Hi Mom.  It's Gary," Gary told her over his phone.

"Gary!  What a wonderful surprize!  How are things with you and Toni?"

"Glad you asked.  You'd better sit down.  I've got some good news to tell you and Dad."

Lois sat down in one of the chairs wondering what her son had to tell her.

"Okay. I'm sitting down.  What's the news you have to tell us?"

"You and Dad are going to be grandparents.  Toni's pregnant."

Lois squealed with joy.  "That is good news!  Oh, I'm so happy for you. When did she find out?"

"Just a few minutes ago at the doctor's office."

"I'll tell your father about this when he gets in.  I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks Mom. "

"Give Toni our love."

"I will.  Talk to you later.  Good bye."

"Bye son."  Lois hung up the phone, her eyes almost filling with tears of joy from his news.

Chapter 4

Bernie Hobson entered his house after being iniside the shed to build his wife more selves.

"Got your selves almost done Lois," he said looking at her, and then saw a glow in her eyes.

"Bernie, I've got some wonderful news for you.  We're going to be grandparents!," Lois told her.

"What?  You're kidding Lois.  Right?."

Lois shook her head.  "Gary just called and told me that Toni is pregnant. She went to the doctor, and he told her that she's pregnant.  She told Gary, and Gary called me a few minutes ago, and told me."

Bernie couldn't believe it.  He was going to be a grandfather.  "Wow!  Lois, this is great news!"

"I knew you'd see it that way.  I'm so happy for them both."

"Yeah.  So am I.  Do they know yet what the baby is yet?"

"No.  Too soon to tell.  When they find out, they'll tell us."

Back in Chicago, Toni called the station and told them that she was taking the rest of the day off.

"That's right Paul.  You'll have to finish the paperwork without me.  I'm pregnant, and the doctor wants me t go home and take it easy for the rest  of the day," she told Armstrong.

Paul smiled.  "You go right ahead and do what he told you.  Congrulations," he said.

"Thanks.  I'll call you later.  Bye for now."

Toni Hobson drove her car from the doctor's office straight to McGinty's.

She parked it out front, got out, and went inside the building towards the bar where Gary was waiting.

"Doctor's orders.  Stay home for the rest of the day.  I called the station, and told Paul that he was going to have to finish the rest of the paper work without me," she told Gary.

Gary nodded.  "You sit down and relax.  I'm going to fix you a glass of ginger ale," he said.

"I'm sitting down right here.  We have to dicusss something very important now that we're going to be parents, honey.  You know what I'm talking about."

Gary poured a glass of ginger ale and set it down in front of Toni.  "I know what you mean.  The paper."

Toni took a sip of her drink and nodded.  "Yes."

Gary took a sip of his beer and looked at his wife.  "I can promise you that the paper isn't going to get in my way of being there for our child.  I'm going to make sure of that.  Right now, you're the most important thing in my life.  You and our child.  You look so beautiful when you're pregnant."

"Have you told your parents about our news yet?"

"Yeah. I just got done calling my mom a while ago.  She's going to tell my father when he gets in."

Toni took another sip of her soda and sighed.  "We have something else to discuss that concerns the baby.  I'd rather discuss it in private in your office sweetheart," she said.

"Okay.  Emmit, would you watch the bar for me please?"

"Sure Gary," Emmit replied smiling.

Gary and Toni went into his office where they could talk in private.

"Okay.  Here it is.  Do we want to know what the baby is going to be now, or do we wait until it's born?," Toni asked Gary, her blue eyes looking into his mud puddle green ones.

Gary thought for a minute.  "That's hard to decide right now honey.  What do you want to do?," he replied.

"Whatever you decide is fine with me.  I'm asking you since you're the daddy."

Gary took a sip of his beer and sighed.  "They do an ultrasound to make sure the baby's doing alright.  We can find out then when I take you in for it what the baby is going to be.  All I really want is a healthy baby.  "

"That's what I want too.  I think I know you want a boy, though."

Gary laughed.  "Now what makes you think that?"

"Because that's what most men want their first child to be, and I'd like the idea of having a son as well.  We can name him Gary Hobson Jr."

"Let's just wait and see what the ultrasounds revails.  Then, we can decide what to name the baby, boy or girl."

"Agreed.  You're going to be a wonderful father Gary."

"You're going to be a terffic mother Toni my love."

Chapter 5

Gary called Chuck to tell him the good news about him and Toni upstairs in his loft on his phone.

"Chuck, it's Gary.  I've got some news to tell you and Amber about," he said on the phone.

"I can tell by the tone in your voice Gar that it's important.  Go ahead," Chuck told his friend.

"I'm going to be a father.  Toni's pregnant."

Chuck almost dropped his phone.  "That's terrific news Gar!  I'm so happy for you both."

"Thanks Chuck.  You can be the baby's godfather when it's born."

"I'd be honored to be your baby's godfather.  Amber's going to be thrilled when I tell her."

"How is it going with you two by the way?"

Chuck looked at his wife and smiled.  "Just great.  Marriage is agreeing with me."

"I'm glad.  Well, I gotta go for  now.  Just wanted you to know the news."

"I'm glad you called and told me.  Let me know when she'd due, and we'll come to Chicago."

"Will do.  Talk to you later.  Good bye," and Gary hung up his phone.

Toni shook her head.  "I still don't see what your friend saw in that woman. Marissa told him everything about Amber and he still wanted to marry her. It takes all kinds I guess," she said.

Gary smiled and sat down besides his wife on the couch.  "Let's not talk about that, okay.  I'm going to make sure you follow the doctor's instructions, and don't give me any agruments either."

"I wasn't going to.  I'd beter see what I can fix for dinner."

"Uh uh.  You stay put on the couch.  I'm going to fix dinner.  You just
relax."

Toni eyed him suspciously.  "You're going to fix dinner?  Just order pizza tonight."

"I have a better idea.  Why don't we go out and celebrate our good news? I'll make the reservations."

"Sounds good.  Make the call."

Gary picked up the phone and dialed the local resturant.  "This is Gary Hobson.  I want to make reservations for my wife and I for tonight.  It's a specail occasion," he said to the person who took the reservations.

"Very well sir.  I can put you both in a private booth where you can be alone if you wish.  About what time will you and your wife be arriving?," the head waiter asked.

"We'll be there at six."

The waiter wrote it down in his book.  "Your reservations are set.  We'll beexpecting you at six."

"We'll be there.  Thank you.  Good bye."

Gary hung up the phone and turned to Toni.  "We're alset for six oclock."

"Good.  Now, I can relax before we go to the resturant."

"Do you want me to massage your feet honey?"

Toni nodded.  "Yeah.  I could use a good massage.  Go ahead lover."

Gary removed her socks and took her feet in his hands.  "Okay.  Just close your eyes and unwind."

Toni closed her eyes and Gary started to massage her left foot first, and then moved to her right foot.

Chapter Six

Gary and Toni arrived at the resturant at six o clock, and Gary went around to the passenger's side of the van.

He opened the door for his wife and helped her out of the seat like a gentleman.

"I'll wait for you inside while you find a place to park the van," Toni said smiling at him.

"Okay.  I'll be right back.  Go inside and sit down," Gary told her as he went over to the driver's side.

He got in, and drove it to the parking lot out back and found a close spot by the door.

After parking the van and locking the door, Gary went to join his wife who was inside waiting for him.

The matre-d came towards them smiling with two menus in his hands.

"Mr. & Mrs. Gary Hobson.  Please follow me.  Your booth is already for you," he told them.

They followed the matre-d to their booth and Gary helped Toni to sit down, and then he sat down.

"What would you like to drink?" the waiter asked them handing them the menus.

Toni found a non acholoic beer on the menu and ordered it.

"I'll have the same please.  What's the special tonight?," Gary replied looking at his own menu.

"It's Steak Number Five.  Steak how you like it, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, and cheesecake for desert. "

Gary looked over at Toni.  "Does that sound good to you honey?" he asked.

Toni nodded.  "Yeah.  I'll take it," she replied.

"Two number fives please.  Well done."

"Very good sir."  The waiter took their orders and left their booth to go to the kitchen.

Toni decided to get something off her chest while they were alone and the waiter was gone.

"Gary, I am sorry for hitting you those times on your jaw, but I had good reason.  I was so mad for you at lying to me about Jade and everything else. I love you, but I am a police detective too.  I did what I did as part of my job.  You are my husband and I make you this promise here and now: When our baby is born, I will quit my job and be a stay at home wife and mother.  I'm going to be the kind of wife you have always wanted."

Gary could feel a lump in his throat as he listened to Toni.  "You'd really quit your job for me and our child?  Just like that without a second thought?  Are you sure about this?," he asked her.

Toni reached over and touched his hand.  "Would I make that promise if I wasn't serious?  I married you because I love you, and I know what you wanted your wife to be.  I intend to keep my promise."

Gary felt tears in his eyes and Toni reached up and gently wiped them from his check.

"You've made me a very happy man.  I knew you were the one for me when I first met you."

"Here comes our drinks."

The waiter came towards them and put their beers down in front of them.

"Have you told your parents about the baby yet?," Gary asked as soon as the waiter had left.

"Not yet.  I will later tonight when we're back home.  I give you fair warning right now.  You're going to have to put up with my strange cravings from time to time, and I don't mean pickles and ice cream either."

"Whatever you want, I'll get.  I know that woman like yourself have cravings when they're pregnant."

"We also have morning sickness too.  Just be prepared for that as well."

"Don't worry.  I know what to expect as you're going through this."

Chapter 7

"Did you enjoy your dinner sweetheart?," Gary asked Toni after they were done with their dinner.

Toni nodded.  "It was delicious.  I can see that you enjoyed yours as well by the smile on your face," she replied sipping her water as she looked at her husband sitting across from her in the booth.

"It was good.  No more beers until after the baby's born.  That was on the doctor's list of what not to drink."

"Relax honey.  I intend to do just what he said like I promised I would. "

"Good.  I hope you're not planning to work until our baby's born."

Toni sighed.  She knew it was coming, but didn't think he'd ask her so soon.

"Gary, I'm a detective.  I have my job to do, but I promise not to do anything dangerous."

Gary frowned.  "Maybe we should see what the doctors says about this Toni. I think you should take a leave of absence.  That's our child you're carrying inside you, and I don't want anything to happen to either one of you."

"Alright.  I'll call him and ask him what I should do when we get home."

"Sounds fair.  Here, let me help out of the booth."

Gary went over to where his wife sat and helped her slide gently out of her seat.

He went to pay their ticket as she went to the lady's room before going home.

When they got home, Toni sat down on the sofa, opened her purse, and took out her doctor's card.

She dailed his home number. "Dr. Smith.  This is Toni Hobson.  Sorry to bother you at home, but my husband thinks I should take a pregnacy leave from my job until after the baby's born.  What do you think I should do?."

Dr. Smith thought for a minute. "Your husband is right.  I strongly advise you to take a leave of absence from your work Mrs. Hobson.   Your babies health depend on it," he replied.

"Babies?  You mean I'm carrying two inside me?"

"Yes.  I forgot to tell you earlier.  You are carrying twins Mrs. Hobson."

"Twins?!  Are you sure doctor?"

"I'm very sure.  Your test results showed signs of twins inside you."

"Thank you doctor.  I'll tell my husband, and I will do as you say,  Good night."

Toni was stunned as she hung up her phone.  She turned to Gary who could tell that something was up.

"You're not going to believe this.  My doctor just told me that I'm pregnant with twins," she told him.

Gary was shocked and pleased at the same time.  He sat down besides her on the sofa.

"Twins,huh?  Now I know you're taking a leave from your work.  My parents are going to be thrilled about this news when I tell them.  I didn't expect twins, though, but that's great anyway," he said.

"I 'd better tell my parents about this too.  After we have the ultrasound done of course."

"You'd better make the appointment soon."

Toni nodded.  "I will.  I'm so happy about this now."

"That makes two of us, honey.  That makes two of us."


Chapter 8

During her fifth month of her pregnacy, Toni made her appointment for her ultrasound.

"Tomorrow at nine.  We'll be there.  Thank you doctor.  See you then," she said to her doctor.

Toni hung up the phone just as Gary came into the loft a little out of breath from a recent save.

"We've got an appointment tomorow morning at nine at the doctor's for the ultrasound.  Get yourself something to drink, sit down and relax honey," she told him .

Gary went over to the refrigerator and took out two sodas, one for him and one for his wife.

"Here's a soda for you.  Nine tomorrow morning.  Okay.  Got it," he said taking a sip of his soda.

"Hard save today lover?"

Gary nodded.  "Had to save an old lady from being mugged in the parking lot of the store.  After I prevented her from being mugged, I had to walk her home to make sure no one tried it again.  I ran all the way back."

Toni took a sip of her drink.  "Was this lady wearing a polka dot dress and carried a big handbag?"

"Yeah.  Why?  Do you know her?"

Toni nodded.  "I see her everyday when I go to work.  Always carrying that big handbag with her.  Name's Lola.  She's harmless, but the stores owners keep complaining about her.  Says that she scares their customers at times

Off the subject now.  Our first Lamaze class is tomorrow night."

"Lamaze class?  Oh boy.  No problem."

The next morning, Gary and Toni went to the doctor's office at nine for their appointment.

Toni laid down on the bed and the doctor put the ultrasound wand on her stomach while Gary watched.

There on the screen were two baby images, one a girl, and the other, a boy.

"You're doing excellent so far Mrs. Hobson.  Your twins are looking in perfect health so far," he said.

"Thank you doctor.  I always take care of myself," Toni replied.

Gary looked at the images of his children with pride on the screen.  "I've always wanted a son," he said.

"Well, now you have one, and a daughter too.  Are you signed up for Lamaze classes?"

Toni nodded.  "Yes.  We start tonight at seven with the other expectant parents."

"Have you two decided on any names for your twins?"

Gary shook his head.  "Not yet.  We wanted to make sure what the babies were before we chose names for them.  Now, that we know, we can start looking through baby books for names."

The doctor switched off the machine.  "Congrualtions you two.  I want you to come back in two months for a rountine check up just to make sure everything's fine with your babies."

Toni sat up and pulled her gown down.  "We'll be here doctor.  Anytime you want us to come?," she asked.

Doctor Smith smiled.  "Set it up with my receponist," he replied.

"Thank you doctor," Gary said shaking his hand.

They went to the receptionist desk to set Toni's next appointment.

"Let's see.  2 O clock on the 14th of July alright with you?," the woman asked them.

"Sounds good," Toni replied.

The receptionist wrote it down in her book and gave Gary one of the appointment cards.

"See you on the 14th of July at 2:00."

Gary and Toni left the doctor's office and went back to the bar.

"How did it go at the doctor's?," Marissa asked sipping her coffee.

"It went great Marissa.  I've got a son and a daughter.  Twins," Gary replied smiling proudly.

"Twins!  A boy and a girl.  That's wonderful Gary!  You're finally getting what you always wanted."

"I know, and I'm the proudest and happiest man on earth right now."

"You should be.  I'm happy for you both and so will Emmit.  He's coming over for dinner tonight."

"Gary, I'm going upstairs to rest for a while," Toni said.

"Okay,  I'll be up in a while honey."

Chapter 9

Lamaze class was something that Gary would never forget for the rest of his life as he and Toni sat on their place on the floor with their instructor and the other expectant parents in the room.

"Okay class.  Tonight, we will pratice on your breathing and focus point.

Find something on your husband that you will know will help you focus when the time comes for your baby to arrive," the instructor told them.

Toni already knew what her focus point on Gary was: his eyes.  "Get in front of me honey," she said.

Gary got in front of her so he could face her .  "Got something on me for your focus point?," he asked.

Toni nodded.  "Your eyes."

"Now, that you've got your focus point ladies use it to help you with your breathing.  Men, your job will be to help your wife to push your baby out by coaching her.  Ready?  Let's begin."

Toni looked at Gary's eyes and started her breathing exercise.

"That's it honey.  Breathe and push.  Nice and slow.  Just look in my eyes and you'll do alright."

The instructor watched her class and went around to see how each of them were doing.

'Very good Mrs. Hobson.  You're doing a good job of breathing.  What is your focus point?," she asked.

"Gary's eyes," Toni replied during a break in her pratice.

Gary almost blushed.  "My wife loves the color of my eyes," he explained.

"I understand Mr. Hobson.  They are nice looking.  Keep up the good work."

At eight, the class was over, and everyone got ready to leave.

"Very good tonight everyone.  I'll expect you back here tomorrow night at the same time."

Gary helped Toni on with her jacket.  "You did really good tonight sweetheart," he told her.

"You weren't bad as my coach either.  I'm tired.  Let's go home," Toni replied.

"Okay.  See you tomorrow night Mrs.Wilson."

Gary and Toni walked down the hall to the exit door, went outside, and over to the van.

Gary opened the passenger door for Toni and helped her get inside.  He shut the door after she was inside, and then, went around to the driver's side. He got in, fastened his seat belt, started the engine, and drove away from the hospital.

When they got to McGinty's, Gary helped Toni inside and greeted Marissa and Emmit.

"Hello Marissa.  Emmit.  I'm going to take Toni upstairs.  She's tired from class tonight," he said.

"Sure Gary.  Go ahead.  We'll watch things here for you," Emmit told him.

Gary and Toni went up the stairs to their loft, Gary turning on the light and shutting the door.

"Okay.  We're home.  Sit down on the bed, and I'll help you take your shoes off," he told her.

"My hero.  One of these day's I'm not going to know I have shoes on," Toni said as she sat down.

Gary knealt and started to remove her left shoe first, and then took her right off afterwards.

"I've been thinking about names for our twins Gary.  I've got the perfect name for a girl."

"Oh.  Tell me what we should name our daughter then."

Toni looked into his muddle puddle eyes and smiled.  "Rose."

"Sounds like a good name.  Rose is it.  What about our son?  Any name for him yet?"

"I'll let you pick the name for our son.  Whatever you decide is fine with me."

Gary though for a minute.  "Jeff.  How about that for a name?"

"Sounds good.  I like it. Rose and Jeff.  Good names for our twins."

"Yeah.  I'll tell my parents about their names when I tell them about the twins."

"And I'll do the same with my parents."

Chapter 10

As her babies grew inside her, Toni followed her doctor's orders to take it easy as she sat in her chair.

"Honey, you should sit on the sofa.  You'd be more comfortable," Gary told her one morning.

"I'm fine lover.  You should relax yourself.  You're about to wear a hole in the carpet with your pacing," she said.

Gary ran his hand over his hair.  "I'm just excited about being a father for the first time."

"Come and sit beside me right now.  If I have to, I'll handcuff your wrist to mine."

Gary laughed and went over to sit down besides his wife now seven months pregnant.

He gently touched her belly and felt his twins inside her.  "I can feel them moving."

"We need to think about finding a house Gary.  The loft is okay for us, but not for our kids.  We need to find a house where we can raise our children ," Toni told him looking him straight in his eyes.

Gary felt a lump in his throat.  He knew she was right, but he was so used to the loft that thinking about leaving it was hard.  He wished he could think of a way to stay in the loft and make a room for his children.

"I know.  It's just that this place has always been my home and yours for so long now."

'You can still run the bar, but we can't live up here anymore.  Not unless we can make a space for the twins' cribs and beds later on someplace in here."

Gary looked around the loft thinking of what he could get rid of to make room for the twins's cribs.

"I can sell my pinball game and use that space for their cribs." he said.

"What?  You love that game.  Don't give something up unless you really want to."

Gary sighed.  "Okay.  We can find a house when the twins are ready for their own rooms.  Until then, I can make a space for them here, and I know where to start."

Two months later, at seven o clock at night, Toni felt her water break and gasped.

"Gary!  Get me to the hospital!  Now!  It's time," she told him.

Gary grabbed her coat, purse, and suitcase that she had already packed to go.

"Okay, easy going down the stairs now.  The van's parked right outside close by," he said.

When they got downstairs, Gary turned to Marissa at the bar.  "Marissa, call the hospital!  Toni's about ready to go into labor, and I"ve got to get her there in time.  Have her doctor meet us there.  Hurry!"

"Okay!  I'll call them right now," Marissa said reaching for the phone.

By the time Gary and Toni arrived at the hospital, Dr. Smith was there waiting .

"Nurse!  Get Mrs. Hobson into a deliverly room!  Mr. Hobson, please follow me," he said.

Toni was wheeled to the closest delievery room while Gary was putting on the scrubs to go inside.

"I'm right here honey.  Just do like we praticed in class.  Focus on my eyes and breathe," he told her.

"Uh! Oh my gosh!  This pain is killing me!," Toni wailed as a contraction hit her.

Dr. Smith stood at the end of the table ready to deliever the first baby.

"Okay, Mrs. Hobson.  When I say push, I want you to push with everything you have.  Ready?  Push!," he told her.

Toni pushed hard and squezeed Gary's hand almost breaking his fingers.  "Ah! Ah!," she moaned.

"You can do it honey!  Push!  Just look at my eyes and push."

Toni pushed again as another contraction came, and Dr. Smith smiled as he reached in to grab the baby.

"I can feel the head.  One more push Mrs. Hobson."

Toni pushed, and Dr. Smith took out a baby girl.  "Here's your daughter!."

He spanked her, and the wail was the most beautiful thing she and Gary ever heard.

"Oh Gary!  Isn't she beautiful!," Toni said looking at her baby.

Gary nodded.  "Rose Hobson.  She's as beautiful as her mother," he replied.

Toni felt another contraction hit, and pushed again.  This time, the doctor removed a baby boy.

"Our son sweetheart.  Jeff Hobson," Gary said looking at his son with tears in his eyes.

The nurse cleaned the babies off, and gently put them in Toni's arms on the bed.

"Congrulations!  A boy and a girl," she said smiling at the parents.

"You may hold your son or daughter Mr. Hobson," the doctor told Gary.

Gary held his son very carefully in his hands.  "He has your smile Toni, and my eyes."

"So does Rose.  How does it feel to be a daddy?"

"Just great!  I love you!"  Gary leaned down and kissed his wife on her head.
 

Email the author:  Lori Anderson
 
 

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