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| "Jimmy would you say whatever you are gonna say and get it over with. OUR breakfast is getting cold." CD grumbled as he rubbed his hand across his mouth to hide the smile on his face; he had a pretty good idea of what it was that Jimmy was going to say. "All right Big Dog...give me a chance will ya. Geez." Jimmy took a deep breath as he pulled Josie up to stand beside him, putting his arm around her waist as he continued, "Well what we wanted to tell you all is...I...I asked Josie to marry me last night...and she said yes." None of them were really all that surprised by Jimmy and Josie's little announcement, they had all been expecting it. Since Josie had come to work for Alex running HOPE, she and Jimmy had hit it off. They had started seeing each other almost immediately, much to everyone's delight. The next few minutes were spent giving congratulations to the newly engaged couple. After all the hand shaking, hugs and kisses where handed out, CD raised his glass of juice in a toast. "You all know that I feel like you are my kids; Alex being like the daughter I always wanted and Cordell and Jimmy here are like sons to me. And soon, we're gonna have a new baby to add to our family also. But now we have the pleasure of another member to add to our little family. We have Josie and we welcome her with open arms. You have made this old man very happy...My children are all happy and healthy and I thank you all for that. So Jimmy and Josie, may you always be as happy as your are right now. CHEERS!" They all touched juice glasses to finish the toast. Managing to somehow finish their breakfast, during all the talk of Jimmy and Josie's engagement, they finally left the table and went their separate ways. Walker and Trivette left heading to the barn to get the horses taken care of, before getting to work on Walker's secret project. CD volunteered to do the dishes and clean the kitchen sending Alex and Josie to finish getting the nursery cleaned up and ready for the baby. As Alex and Josie made their way up the steps, Alex suddenly stopped grabbing her back. Josie placed a steadying arm around her asking if she should go get Walker. Alex shook her head no as she continued slowly on up the stairs and into the nursery. Sitting down on the rocking chair Alex drew in a ragged breath as she leaned forward, massaging her back till the pain passed. Josie knelt down besides her as she asked, "Alex are you all right? Are you having contractions?" "I don't know. I'm not really sure, but I think I might be. I'm fine now though." "I'm going to get the guys." Josie responded as she stood, turning to leave the room. "No Josie, wait." Josie turned to look at her dear friend. She and Alex had grown so close since Alex had started HOPE house almost two years ago. They were really more than just friends or associates, they had grown as close as sisters; a fact that made both of them very happy. Alex extended her hand to her friend, "Please?" Josie moved back to Alex's side as she sat down on the floor. "But Alex, if you are having contractions, shouldn't we at least tell Walker?" "I don't even know for sure if these are contractions yet; the pain was in my back. But I do know that I don't want any of them to know until I'm sure of what the pain is. You know how they all are Josie...they would drive me crazy asking me every five seconds if I was all right or not. We would never get anything done. Besides...the pain is gone now...it could have just been because of my back anyway." Josie thought about Alex's reason for not wanting to say anything, and she was right; it could just be her back acting up from being injured before and the guys would all definitely hover over her. "I guess your right. But how are you going to know for sure if they are contractions or not?" Alex laughed as she answered, "I don't know...I've never been through this before and besides this is only the third time that it has been like the pain I just had. I think I will just wait and see how soon the next one comes, and I'll go from there. Come on...let's get started in here or we are never going to get this room done." Alex and Josie spent the next few hours laughing and talking as they folded baby clothes and arranging the numerous baby items that Alex had received from the huge baby shower that all of her and Walker's associates and friends, along with the woman of HOPE had surprised her with. When the last of the baby clothes were put away and the room was finally arranged the way Alex wanted it, they stepped back to survey their handy work. They both agreed that the room was perfect. Walker had pulled his mother's wooden rocker out of the attic, painting it white to match the two dressers, changing table and the crib that they had picked out together. Not knowing if the baby was a boy or girl, Alex had decided on simple pastel yellow curtains for the windows. A huge dream catcher that Sam Coyote had made for them, hung on the wall above the crib. There was also the six, three and four foot tall stuffed animals that Jimmy had bought, sitting in various spots through out the room. Tired from all their effort from spending all morning in the baby's room, Alex and Josie made their way downstairs in answer to CD's call that lunch was ready. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Walker and Jimmy came through the front door. "You two are just in time. CD just yelled that the meal was ready." Josie said moving to Jimmy's side, kissing him on the cheek. "People in the next county could hear Big Dog's yell." Jimmy laughed. "Let's eat I'm starved." Jimmy finished, putting his arm around Josie, as they moved down the hall to the kitchen. Walker looked at Alex as she leaned against the banister of the stairs, smiling at him. He moved to take her hand saying, "You look tired Alex. Are you over doing it?" "No...I am not overdoing it...at least not anymore. You're right though, I am tired. But, you will be happy to know that the baby's room is totally finished. Now all we need is for this baby to be born." Alex patted her stomach, as it rolled with the movements of their child. Walker placed his hand beside hers, as his gave her a peck on the cheek. "SHE is really active today." Walker chuckled. "Yes, HE certainly is." Alex replied with a playful jab to his ribs. "He's been having a grand time kicking my bladder and ribs all morning. Speaking of which...You go on into lunch...I'll join you all in a few minutes", she said with a smile as she turned to head back up the stairs to the bathroom for what seemed like the hundredth time today. As Alex reached the bathroom door, a pain hit her, taking her breath away. She practiced breathing threw it like they had learned to do in Lamaze class; for she now knew she was indeed in the first stages of labor. As the pain passed, she felt a warm wetness begin to seep out of her. ******** Walker met Alex just as she was coming out of their bedroom. "We wondered what was taking you so long. Is everything all right?" Walker asked, looking at her with concern. "Everything's fine." Walker could tell that something was different about her. As he looked at her closer he noticed that she was in a different outfit. "Why did you change clothes?" Walker replied. Alex smiled as she moved into his arms for a hug. As she snuggled tightly to his chest she whispered excitedly, "Walker, I changed clothes because my water is starting to seep. I am now officially in the first stages of labor." "YOU ARE?" Walker stepped back, his heart beating a hundred miles an hour as he looked deeply into her sparkling blue eyes. Alex nodded her head yes. Walker moved immediately into the bedroom, picking up the phone. "I'll call the doctor, and then we'll get you to the hospital..." "Walker wait." Alex laughed as she followed him into the bedroom. "I already called the doctor. I said I was in the BEGINNING stages of labor. We could have a very long wait until it is time to go to the hospital." "Alex, if your water has broke..." "Walker...My water is seeping, it hasn't broke yet. My contractions aren't even regular yet." "You're having contractions?" Walker grabbed for the phone again. "Walker would you calm down and listen to me." Alex sat down on the edge of the bed, patting it for Walker to sit down beside her. When he had, she continued, "I called the doctor already. I explained to them that apparently I have been having contractions on and off all morning long. I also told them about the seepage. We have to wait to go to the hospital. If we went right now they would just send me home again. They assured me that it is the beginning of labor and that we were to wait until the contractions are regular and a whole lot closer together." "If you were having contractions all morning, why didn't you tell me?" Walker asked, feeling a little upset that Alex would keep all this from him. "Oh Walker," Alex placed her hands lovingly on his face. "I wasn't keeping anything from you. You know I wouldn't do that. I didn't know I was having contractions. I thought it was just a backache, because of the pains being all in my back. I wanted to be sure before I said anything and when I had the last one, I was finally sure. I changed, called the doctor and was coming to tell you." "Are you sure you're all right?" "Yes Walker. I'm fine. Honest. I am really hungry though." "You're always hungry." Walker teased, as he rose to his feet offering his hand to help her up. "OH you...I can't help it. It's your sons fault." Alex replied, as she and Walker moved out into the hallway, making their way down the stairs. "When are we going to let them in on what's going on?" Walker asked quietly, when they reached the kitchen; pausing together to watch their dearest friends unnoticed for a moment. Just as Alex was about to reply, CD caught site of them beckoning to them to join them. Alex looked up at Walker and shrugged as they moved to sit down at the table before them. ******** With what was left of their food put away and the last of the dishes having been done; Alex, Josie and CD moved towards the living room. Walker stopped them in the entry way, telling Alex it was time for her surprise. Trying to peek around him, Alex laughed when he covered her eyes saying, "Oh no you don't. NO peeking" as he guided her into the living room. Stopping in the middle of the room, Walker positioned her just so before he removed his hand from her eyes. The 'Ohhhhh' that escaped Alex's lips brought a huge smile to the red bearded man's face. With her hand against her mouth, and tears in her eyes, Alex moved towards the most beautiful cradle she had ever seen. Dropping to her knees beside the cradle she ran her hand across the newly refinished brown wood, touching all the intricate and detailed carvings that she found there. Raising her tear filled eyes to her husband she asked in a shaky voice, "Walker where did you ever get this? It is so beautiful." Hunkering down beside her, he replied, "Look over here Alex...it will explain everything." Pointing to a spot on the end of the cradle, Alex read out loud with teary eyes... March 10 Cordell John "Firewalker" Walker "Walker...This was your cradle?" Walker nodded, as he wiped tears off of her cheek lovingly. "When Uncle Ray crossed the river and I was cleaning his house out for the new owners, I came across this up in the attic. I didn't even know it was mine until I looked closer and found the engraving on it. I brought it home with me that night and put it up in the loft of the barn, hoping that one day we would have a child of our own that would use it. The day you told me you were pregnant I started working on it every chance I got. If it wouldn't have been for Trivette here though," Walker nodded in his partner's direction with a smile, "I would have never had it refinished in time. Josie made the soft new mattress for the bottom of it and CD went out and bought the quilt for it." The room was silent as Alex absorbed everything that Walker had just told her. The tears flowed freely from her eyes, as she looked around the room at the four beaming faces she found smiling back at her. Emotions swept over her like waves on a beach. No one person could ever feel more loved or could be any happier than she was right now. Reaching for Walker's hand, she slowly stood. As she wrapped her arms around him, she drew his lips to hers, murmuring 'I love you...thank you' against them as she gently kissed him. Stepping away from him, she moved around the room hugging and kissing everyone, making a special point of telling them all just how very much she loved each and everyone of them and how much she loved their surprise gifts. By the time she made her way back to Walker's side, everyone was a little misty eyed. CD cleared his throat, as he took his handkerchief out of his back pocket swiping at his eyes with it before he spoke. "Well now Alex...what we now need to do is decide where are we gonna put this here cradle at? I don't think you want it left in the middle of the room, now do you? Are we going have to lug it upstairs or leave it down here?" "I think we'll leave it down here." Alex replied, as she also dried her tears; trying to get her emotions in check. "Let's move it towards the fire place. We just have to make sure it's not too close." "Good idea Hun." CD moved to pick up the one end of the cradle. Realizing that the cradle was allot heavier than he expected, he cast a glance over his shoulder at Walker and Jimmy. "Well come on you two...don't just stand there...get over here and help me with this...Alex wants this by the fireplace." With a salute and a 'YES SIR BIG DOG SIR' Jimmy moved to help CD. Walker wrapped his arms around Alex as he spoke, "Well you know, there would be an even better place we could put that cradle Alex." Alex tilted her head back to look at him, as he squeezed her gently. When their eyes met, he winked at her slyly. Alex knew right then someone was in for some of Walker's playful razzing. "Where would you put the cradle Walker?" she asked trying to suppress a giggle. "In the kitchen." "The kitchen?" "Yeah the kitchen. We already know that CD is moving in when the baby is born, so if we put the cradle in the kitchen, the baby can watch as CD cooks all our meals for us. God knows he has been stocking our freezer and cupboards with enough food the last few days." "You hush your mouth Cordell, or I might just have to come over there and hush it for you." CD took a step forward, rolling up his sleeves. "I told you before, I ain't too old to whoop your butt..." Jimmy threw his head back with laughter at the expression on CD's face. Walker grinned evilly as he continued, "But then again CD, if Trivette keeps buying all those stuffed animals, you and the baby will both have to sleep in the kitchen...there won't be any room for either of you in her bedroom." "Now you just wait a minute Walker. What's wrong with those stuffed animals?" Trivette said. "Nothing other than they are HUGE Trivette. Couldn't you find smaller ones? The baby is gonna have to be sixteen before she will even be able to pick them up to play with them." Trivette looked at CD. "Come on Big Dog...Let's get him." Together CD and Jimmy both moved towards Walker as he coward behind Alex using her as a shield, laughing loudly at his two best friends. Josie stood off to the side taking everything in as she turned to Alex and asked over the threesomes laughter, "Why are they ALWAYS like this when they're together?" Alex nodded her head answering "I haven't figured that out yet. I guess..." just as a contraction started to twist at her insides. Josie noticed the change in Alex's features. "Alex? What is it? Are you all right?" The laughter that had just filled the room stopped immediately as everyone's attention was directed towards Alex. Everyone was by her side in a blink of an eye. Walker grasped her arm, seating her in the nearest chair to them. "Breath threw it Alex...nice slow breaths...that's it," he coached; rubbing his hand up and down her back, in a soothing motion. After a minute or so Alex said, "It's starting to let up now." "When it's over take the deep cleansing breath, just like we learned." Walker stated. Alex followed his instructions. "OK...it's over. They're getting stronger Walker." All at once, CD and Jimmy were blasting questions at her, in their excitement. "Are you all right? Are you in labor? Isn't it too early for the baby to be coming? Should we call the doctor? Should we get you to the hospital?" Alex smiled, happily at Walker as they waited for the questions to end. When they did, she answered them with reassurance in her voice. "I'm fine. Yes, it was a contraction. Yes, I am in labor. No, I don't need to go to the hospital yet. And yes, I have already talked to the doctor." "Why didn't you tell us you were in labor darlin'...we are the baby's grandpa and uncle you know." CD asked, the hurt in his voice very evident. "CD, I would never hold back on you guys," Alex replied patting his hand, "and we would never forget how important you ALL are going to be to this baby. I wasn't sure about anything until just before I ate lunch. We just hadn't had a chance to tell you yet. And remember...you and Jimmy where the first ones we told about the baby." CD laughed. "You know, it seems like just yesterday that we found out you were expecting darlin'. That's a day this old man will never forget. One of the happiest days of my life, so it was." Jimmy clapped CD on the back as he responded, "I know what you mean Big Dog. That is a day I sure will never forget." ********* Alex and Walker walked into CD's with two gifts under their arms. They looked around and found that the bar was totally empty for this time of day, except for the two men they were looking for at the bar. Their smiles were brighter than the sun that was shining so strongly outside, as they moved towards the end of the bar to where CD and Jimmy were playing checkers. Glancing at each other with excitement dancing in their eyes, Alex said, "Hi guys, whose winning" as she sat on the stool beside Jimmy, looking over his shoulder at the checker board. "Jimmy here is so far. I think I taught him to dang well, but I'll get him in a couple of more moves, don't you worry Hun. Where did you two disappear to all morning and half of the afternoon?" CD asked, not looking up as he made his move. "Well, we had some very enjoyable shopping we had to do." Walker smiled, as he placed his arm around Alex's neck, kissing the top of her head. CD and Jimmy both looked up at Walker's unexpected comment. "YOU went shopping," they said simultaneously. They both knew how much Walker hated the word shopping, let along actually doing it and for him to say that it was enjoyable was beyond belief. Jimmy continued, "I don't believe it. We have to mark this day on the calendar as a day to remember. My partner, Cordell Walker, enjoyed going shopping. OK Alex, you have to tell us the real story. What did he do that was so bad that he needed to suck up to you and willingly went shopping with you? Or did you have to drag him kicking and screaming all the way?" "He didn't do anything Jimmy, and I didn't have to drag him either. Actually it was Walker's idea to go shopping." Alex laughed at the shock on both of their faces. "OH MY DEAR LORD...I don't believe I am hearing this. Cordell WANTED to go shopping." CD shook his head in disbelief. "I know what this is all about...you two know that I had you put in my will and you are trying to give me a heart attack and get rid of me, so you can collect your inheritance and this is the way that you knew you could do it. Yes sir...that's what this is all about. Yep...I feel the heart attack comin' on now." Walker and Alex roared with laughter, at CD's antics of having a heart attack, as he staggered around behind the bar, waving his arms in the air while clutching at his chest, yelling 'HERE COMES THE BIG ONE.' Jimmy had to join in on his mentors little charade by rushing back and pretending to give him CPR and mouth to mouth in a comical fashion. "OK you two. Me going shopping voluntarily is NOT that funny." Walker scolded trying to keep a straight face. Alex was laughing so hard she was holding her sides in pain. Glancing over her shoulder at her husband she couldn't help herself when she replied, "Yes Walker...You going shopping IS that funny. You have to see your face like we do when the word shopping is mentioned around you. You look like a deer that is caught in front of the headlights of a car...trapped with no where to run and hide." "I do not." "OH YES YOU DO!" The threesome replied, as they all; including Walker, went into another fit of laughter. When they finally managed to get themselves somewhat under control, CD; still chuckling asked, "Just what was it that made you two go shopping together anyway?" "We went shopping for something special for you and Trivette. But, the way you two are acting, I don't think I want to give these to you." Walker said, as he picked up the two packages. "Come on Alex, let's take these back to the store." Alex rose from the stool as Walker guided her towards the door. "Come on Walker we were just funnin' with you. Alex, make him give those to us. I wanna see what they are." "Yeah Cordell. We were just razzing you. Can't you take a joke?" Walker and Alex both turned, looking at their friends before they laughed, 'GOTCHA!' CD and Jimmy then began to act like two little kids, rubbing their hands together, chomping at the bit to open their surprise gifts. "Well Alex...what do you say? Should we give them their gifts?" "I guess we have to. We certainly can't use them, that's for sure. And I don't think the store will give us our money back on them." Alex smiled. Moving back to the bar, Walker handed a box to each of them. Putting his arm around Alex's waist, they waited for their happy little surprise to be revealed. They watched as they both shook their packages, trying to figure out what was in them, before they hurriedly began to rip the paper off; throwing it on the counter top. CD and Jimmy both looked questionably at Walker and Alex as they proceeded to open the boxes that were revealed to them. Walker hugged Alex to his side. CD and Jimmy looked up at each other in total shock; their gifts held tightly in their hands. As they turned simultaneously towards the happy couple, Alex and Walker both nodded their heads as they smiled their biggest and brightest smiles. Alex spoke as tears began to well up in her eyes, "Yes...Walker and I found out we are going to have a baby, and we wanted you two to be the first ones to know. We spent the afternoon trying to figure out how to tell you about the baby in a very special way, and this is what we came up with. But more importantly...we wanted you both to know that in Walker's heart and mine, that you CD; well you have always been like a father to both of us," Alex paused as emotion swept over her and her tears began to fall, "and you will always be known lovingly as 'GRANDPA CD' to our baby and that you Jimmy," Alex turned towards him as she continued, "will always be affectionately know as 'UNCLE JIMMY' because you are so much like a brother to both of us. Walker and I just wanted you both to know...that we love you each very, very much...and this baby," Alex patted her still flat stomach, "is going to love you both as much as we do." The air hung silent in the bar as CD and Jimmy took in the happy and unexpected news. Walker beamed as he looked at his two dearest friends and then at the woman whom he loved more than life itself. He truly was a very lucky man to have these three remarkable people in his life. Not being able to stand his friends silence any longer, Walker began to tease the two men that were still standing with their mouths hanging wide open, "We definitely have to mark this day on the calendar now Alex. Today is not only the day we found out you were pregnant, it was also the day that these two were shocked into complete and total silence. I kinda like it, we're going to have to surprise them more often." Alex didn't have a chance to respond because CD and Jimmy finally managed to break out of their trance, as they began to whoop, holler and dance around with their happiness and excitement. They made their way over to where the new parents-to-be stood, congratulating them both. CD and Jimmy both kissed and hugged Alex, before turning to congratulate Walker, with manly pats to his back and by shaking his hand vigorously. The four of them embraced each other in a wonderful group hug. They hadn't noticed the group of Rangers that had just walked in for an early supper of CD's famous chili. As the group of men made their presence know by teasingly owing and awing over the display before them, CD announced loudly "NOW YOU ALL HUSH YOUR MOUTHS...Cordell and Alex here are gonna have a baby!"' Page Three |