It was two am.
    Kessa rolled over in bed sleepily.  She was a little less than nine months pregnant and she was restless that night.
    Nick was sleeping soundly beside her.  He had had a long day in the recording studio with the guys and he didn’t even stir at her constant movements.
    All of a sudden, a sharp pain shot through her lower stomach. Her eyes opened wide.
    She couldn’t be in labor, could she?
    Trying to forget what she had felt, since it had already disappeared, she sighed and snuggled closer to Nick’s warm body. Fifteen minutes later , she felt it again.
    This time she was sure.  A feeling of dread washed over her, now that the time was here to have their baby, she was scared. She slowly sat up as best she could and shook Nick’s shoulder.
    He yawned and rolled over but didn’t open his eyes.
    “ Nicky! “ she hissed, shaking him a little harder. Nothing.
    “ Nickolas Gene Carter!  Get your ass out of bed now! “ she half yelled at him.
    He sat up with a start, rubbing his eyes and trying to wake up.
    “ What the hell was that for? “ he grumbled, still half asleep.
    “ Nick, it’s time. “ she rubbed the bulge of their unborn baby gently.
    “ Oh shit! “ he exclaimed, his eyes widening and he hopped out of bed, getting dressed in a few minutes. Then he picked up the phone, dialing quickly.
    “ Yes Nickolas, how the hell can I help you at this God forsaken hour? “ Brian answered grumpily.
    “ How’d you know it was me? “ Nick was puzzled.
    “ Because you’re the only person that would call me at two am when normal people are trying to sleep. “ he told him.
    “ Oh. “ Nick sighed. “ Anyway, Kessa’s in labor, we’re going to the hospital, meet us there? “
    “ Yeah Frack, we’ll be there, give me a few minutes to wake Leigh up and get dressed and we’ll be on our way."  Brian assured him.
    “ Thanks. “ Nick said and hung up.
    Kessa had finished getting dressed and she was patiently waiting for Nick. The contractions weren’t that strong yet, but she knew they would be soon.
    He was calling AJ.
    “ Nick!  This is not Superbowl Sunday!  Get me to the freakin hospital!  Or would you prefer if I drove myself? “ she threatened.
    " Bye J! “ Nick slammed down the phone and grabbed the car keys and suitcase, running down the stairs.
    He was back again ten seconds later when he realized he had forgotten his fiancée.
    “ Nicky, calm down.  I’m not dying, I’m just in labor. “ Kessa kissed his cheek. “ But I really would like to get to the hospital before you end up helping me through this right here. “
    “ Okay. “ Nick sighed. “ Let’s go have our baby. “
    Kessa smiled as he helped her down the stairs, but winced when another contraction hit, this one stronger than the last.
    Nick looked worried.
    “ It’s okay. “ she rubbed his back.
    He led her outside and helped her into the passenger seat of the Durango.
   “ I love you. “ he kissed her before racing around to the driver’s side of the car and hopping in, pulling out of the driveway and heading for the hospital.
    Fifteen minutes later, Nick pulled up at the emergency entrance to the hospital.  He got out of the car and quickly flagged down a nurse with a wheelchair.
    He came over and between the two of them, they helped Kessa out of  the car and into the chair.
    “ How far apart are the contractions? “ he asked Kessa.
    “ About fifteen minutes. “ she winced, another hitting her. The orderly smiled.
    “ We’ll get you into a room as soon as we can. “ her assured Kessa.
    Kessa’s obstetrician, Dr. Campbell met them inside the doors.
    “ Nick, hello Kessa. “ he nodded.
    He noticed the terrified expression on Nick’s face.
    “ Is she gonna be okay? “ he asked.
    “ Nick, she’s gonna be fine. “ Dr. Campbell assured him.
    “ It doesn’t feel like it. “ Kessa grimaced and gripped the edge of the chair arms.
    “ You’re doing great Kessa, and in a few hours, you should have a new baby boy or girl and it’ll all be worth it.“
    Nick smiled at that thought.

    Half and hour later, Kessa was settled in a hospital room and Brian and Leighanne were both there. Leighanne was sitting with Kessa and talking with her to keep her calm and Brian was trying to keep Nick from going crazy.
    “ What if something goes wrong Rok? “ he paced back and forth.
    Brian couldn’t take his constant movement and grabbed his arm, holding him still.
    “ Frack, has anything bad ever happened to her in the past nine months? “ he asked Nick. He shook his head.
    “ See, she’ll be fine. “ Brian smiled.  “ So what are you hoping for?  A boy or a girl? “
    Nick grinned.
    “ I’m not sure Rok, I’d be so happy with either one.  I mean, if we have a little boy, we can teach him to play all kinds of sports and everything, but a girl would be just as great.  She can be Daddy’s little girl. “ Nick was already scheming up possibilities.
    Brian laughed.
    “ I can already tell you’re gonna be a great father Nick. “ he patted him on the back.
    “ I hope. “ Nick said. “ I really do. “

    “ Oh god! “ Kessa exclaimed, collapsing back against the pillows of her hospital bed.  She wasn’t ready to go into the delivery room yet, but the contractions were almost painful enough for her to pass out from each one.
Leighanne smiled gently.
    “ The nurse says you’re doing great sweetie. “ she gently wiped her forehead with a cool cloth.
    “ Is it over yet? “ a few tears slipped out of the corner of her eyes.
    “ Not yet Kessa. “ Leighanne told her, brushing her hair back from her face.
    “ But soon you’ll have the baby you’ve always wanted. “
    Kessa smiled weakly.
    “ What about you and Bri?  When are you gonna have a little one? “ she teased.
    “ Lord knows he wants children. “ Leighanne smiled wryly.  “ But we both agreed to wait for a little while. “
    Kessa nodded.
    “ You really love him don’t you. “ Leighanne was referring to Nick. She nodded again.
    “ I really do.  I want to make him so happy. “ Kessa murmured.
    “ You already have. “ Leighanne assured her.
    Kessa was about to say something, but then her face scrunched up.  Leighanne sensed another contraction coming and grabbed Kessa’s hands, helping her get through the worst of it. She collapsed tiredly again after about three minutes. A nurse entered the room again after a little while, checking on Kessa again.
    She looked up with a smile.
    “ Alright Kessa, it’s time for you to bring this baby into the world. “
    Kessa smiled.
    “ Find Nick? “ she asked Leighanne.
    “ You got it, I’ll be right back sweetie. “ she assured Kessa.

    Nick caught up with Kessa just as they were wheeling her into the hallway to the delivery room.  He jogged alongside the gurney, gripping her hand tightly.  He was dressed in the required green hospital scrubs, and had
Kessa not been in so much pain, she would have thought he looked adorable. Leighanne was on her other side, holding tightly to her other hand.
    “ You’ll be fine Kessa. “ she smiled at the scared girl.  “ I’m gonna wait out there with Bri okay? “ Kessa agreed, but turned to Nick, making sure wasn’t leaving her either.
    “ I’m right here baby with you, all the way. “ he assured her.
    Brian was waiting outside with the rest of the guys, anxious to hear the good news.
    “ You’re gonna be fine baby, I love you so much. “ Nick whispered to her, once they reached the delivery room.
    “ I love you too Nicky. “  Kessa told him.
    He leaned down to kiss her gently.
    She kissed him back to the best of her ability.
    “ It won’t hurt that bad. “ Nick rubbed her hand, trying to get her mind off the constant dull pain.
    She nodded.

    A hour later...
    “ Nickolas!  What the hell were you thinking?  Mr. It-won’t-hurt-that-bad!  What possessed you to say something as stupid as that!  You imbecilic males have no clue what this is like! “ Kessa screeched at him.  She could barely
handle the pain from the contractions and it was driving her nuts. Nick grinned weakly, scared to death of Kessa.  He didn’t realize she’d turn into a raving mad woman when she had their baby. Dr. Campbell came over to Nick when he saw that he was staring at Kessa with wide eyes and a confused expression.
    “ She’s doing okay, this usually happens during labor. “ he assured him.
    Nick felt a little bit relieved.
    He was bashed back to reality by the scene in front of him.
    “ Give me drugs. “ Kessa was holding onto Dr. Campbell by the collar of his white coat.
    “ Kessa, I’m sorry.  During labor there’s a certain amount of time where you can be given an epidural.  But now it’s too late and the window has been closed. “ he tried to calm her as best as possible.
    “ Closed!? “ Kessa screeched. “ What do you mean closed?  Open it back up! “
    “ We can’t open it back up Kessa. “ Dr. Campbell was still very calm. Nick figured he’d gone through this a lot.
    “ Have someone throw Nick through it!  I can’t do this by myself. “ she cried
    Nick cringed.
    “ Your gonna have to Kessa, because on this next contraction I want you to push. “ Dr. Campbell gave her a smile.
    She stopped defeated, but looked over at Nick.
    “ I’m scared. “ she whispered, starting to cry.
    “ I know baby. “ he murmured. “ You’ll be just fine.  Here sit up a little bit and hold onto me. “
    “ Alright Kessa, this is it. “ Dr. Campbell told her. “ Push! “
    She pushed as hard as she could, and her scream filled the room.  After a few seconds, she fell back against Nick crying.
    “ I can’t do this. “ she sobbed.
    “ Babygirl, yes you can.  Just a few more.  Come on. “ Nick assured her, smoothing her hair away from her sweat soaked forehead.
    She nodded right before another contraction shot through her and she pushed again. Nick winced every time a pained shriek filled the room.  He hated to see her hurting.
    “ I can see the head, and it’s got blond hair. “ Dr. Campbell smiled.  “ Give me two more good pushes Kessa and you’ll have your baby. “
    On the next two contractions, Kessa did what he asked.
    All of a sudden a thin high wail broke through the commotion.
    Dr. Campbell smiled.
    “ Congratulations, you two have a beautiful baby girl. “ he told them.
    Kessa collapsed back against Nick in exhaustion and happiness.  The tears fell freely down her face.
    Nick was too shocked with happiness.
    As quickly as possible the nurse cleaned up the tiny infant and wrapped her in a pink blanket before handing her to the happy couple.
    Kessa took her new daughter in her arms and held her gently.  She smiled, counting ten fingers and toes and as the baby opened her eyes, Kessa found they were the same shocking blue as Nick’s.  She took hold of the little one’s tiny hand and moved it up and down gently.
    " Say hi to your Daddy. “ she whispered, smiling softly at Nick.
    That was all Nick needed to break down into happy tears.
    “ I love you.” He whispered to the tiny infant and leaning down to kiss the top of her tiny head. “ I love you too."  he kissed Kessa as well.
    “ What are we gonna name her Nick? “ she asked softly.
    “ Alyssa Jane Carter. “ he decided quickly.
    “ Where did that come from? “ Kessa asked him amused.
    “ I don’t know.  I just thought of it. “ he giggled a little.
    “ Well I like it. “ Kessa smiled. “ Hello Alyssa. “
    The baby yawned sleepily and curled her tiny fingers around Nick’s thumb.
    “ See, she already loves her Daddy.  Just as much as I love him. “ Kessa smiled at Nick.
    He kissed her slowly.
    " I’m so proud of you Kessa. “ he murmured.
    She smiled.
    “ Look at our little family Nicky, this is what I’ve always wanted. “ she told him.
    “ All I want ever again is Alyssa and you. “ he told her.
    The tow kissed again.
    Soon enough all the guys knocked on the door softly.
    Nick let them all in to see his beautiful new daughter.
    He looked around at his fiancée, his new daughter, and his friends and he realized that for the first time in his life, he was truly happy.