Fall passed in a blur of preparations and planning. The pair had dinner with Doc and Sarah often, and Sarah doted on Bella even more the more pregnant she got. Every night as they lay in bed, James would talk to her belly, telling stories about his childhood, passing on fairy tales and old myths. Anything he could think of to talk about. He told Bella he wanted the baby to know his voice before he arrived.
They had a quiet Christmas, just the two of them. James gave Bella a lovely diamond pendant to match her engagement ring and wedding band. Bella gave James a stunning pair of cufflinks that had been her father's. They laid on the rug in front of the fire for hours, watching it snow and making love to one another. It was a beautiful holiday, one they would always remember as their first and finest.
On a cold January morning, James walked up on the porch, shaking off the snow before walking into the house. He pulled off the big coat that kept him warm each day and hung it on the coat rack along with his hat and a scarf.
"Man, it's coming down out there," he shivered as Cappy trotted up to him. "Not that you'd know, you big wimp," he laughed.
Bella waddled into the kitchen from the living room and smiled up at him. "Cappy doesn't like to be cold and wet."
"Hi baby," he smiled.
She looked up at him. "Your baby says hello, and that he's ready to come out because he's driving mommy crazy!"
"Aw," he smiled, walking up behind her as she stood in front of the sink and hugging her from behind.
She gasped as his ice cold hands made contact with her warm body. "Cold hands!!!" She jumped away with a shiver.
"Oops," he laughed. "Sorry, Belle. Are you ok?"
"Wow," she shuddered once again. "It is cold out there!"
He reached down and grabbed her backside. "Yes," he grinned as she jumped, "it sure is." As he finished, he spun her around and kissed her lips deeply. He sucked her tongue lightly and then groaned, resting his forehead against hers. "Damn it, I want you so bad."
She released an almost musical giggle. "Sorry, love. Nothing goes until something comes out."
He nodded, "I know. It's just been a very long time," he stuck out his lower lip in a pout, looking down into her eyes. He moved his head and began nibbling gently along her ear.
"Well," she smiled. "You can tell him to hurry up, then."
He reached down and carefully poked her stomach. "Hey little man, let's get a move on." As he finished, the baby kicked hard and Bella winced.
"Sorry, love." He grinned down at her. "So what's for lunch?"
"Hmm," she furrowed her brow. "I'm not sure," she spoke as she crossed the kitchen to the icebox.
"I can fix something, honey," he hurried over to her. "You should sit down. Please."
She waved him off. "I'm fine, don't worry. Let's see," she bent to look inside and see what she could fix for James. But as she bent, she gasped loudly.
"Baby?!" James hurried up to her as she looked down. "Are you ok?" he questioned as he followed her gaze, seeing water on the floor.
She glanced up at him with wide eyes. "I think he heard you," she groaned.
"Oh, hell," he muttered. "Baby sit down," he guided her to a chair. "I'll get the wagon."
Bella nodded as she sat with her hands on the sides of her massive belly. James flew out the door to hitch Leo to the wagon, leaving his coat and gloves behind in his haste. Bella closed her eyes in pain and cried out as the first contraction hit. As he pulled the wagon up to the house, he could hear her cries. He grabbed the blankets that he'd had ready for week and then ran into the house to find Bella curled in a ball on the floor, screaming in pain. Cappy whined next to her, licking her face and her tears.
James wrapped her up in the blankets, making sure that she was warm. He whispered soothing words to her as he carried her out and laid her in the back of the wagon. Despite the freezing cold, she was sweating and panting heavily as he nested her in the straw.
"We'll be at Doc's as soon as possible, baby. Just hang on, please," he pleaded as he took in her shaking form.
Just as he jumped into the seat and cracked the whip for Leo to move, Bella's scream pierced the night as the next contraction began. Leo seemed to sense the need for haste and sped up even more, flying down the drive. They hit the corner and turn sharply onto the road, skidding the wagon and flying for town. James drove, shaking the reins and looking back at Bella every few moments.
"Just hang on, love," he called.
