You're the most beautiful thing these eyes have seen -- 2 July 2000 (DONE)

I invited Lucy over because she seemed extremely stressed.  I made some fresh pastries from scratch for us to eat with our tea.  Dona started to fuss over the monitor; someone was up from he rnap.  I went to her bedroom and gabbed my almost one year old daughter.   By the time I had her in the highchair eating some homemade mixture of fruits for my precious littl girl, the door bell rang.  I always had an array of yummies for Sedona.  I walked to the door and let Lucy in, giving he ra hug.  "II have to get back to the kitchen... Sedona is eating in her highchair," I said, heading back in that direction.  I saw that she had only made a small mess, surprisingy enough.

I had no problem moving from the living room to keep an eye on little Sedona.  I smiled at the happy girl.  "Oh, thanks," I said when Addison had put a cup of tea and the pastries on the table for me.  "How's everything going here?" I asked, hoping that there would be some normality going on.  I hated not having my mum with me during my last months of pregnancy.  I really wished that I would have DAd, but he refused to act like one.  I was not sure how much longer I could handle a pain in the arse father I had right now.

I wiped my daughter's hands and mouth.  Putting her in the playpen, I turned to lucy and shrugged.  "It's going.  Things are pretty hectic having Sedona walking and starting to talk now.  There's never a dull moment to say the least," I told her, sitting back down and taking a sip of tea.  As if to prove my point, Dona started babbling away while playing and I could not help but laugh and shake my head.

I grinned.  "I can't wait for my little guy to get here," I said, a hand on my stomach.  I could not help but sigh, though.  "I just wish taht my dad would act like one and that I had Mum with me to go through all of this with," I confided in my friend.  I just was not sure how much longer I could handle being without my parents.  They were so close yet so far away at the same time.

I reached across the table and put a hand on Lucy's arm.  "I know you miss them... I can't imagine not having my parents.  It's hard enough wiht them being in a different country let alone the way yours are," I said.  "But, Lu, you can't be this stressed all the time.  You'll cause yourself to go into early labor."  Sedona was a high risk pregnancy due to my miscarriage before.  They told me to be as stress free as possible to help reduce early labor plus bedrest.  We both knew bedrest was out of the question.  Me and Lucy were both too stubborn for that.

I nodded and pushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear.  "I know... but I can't help but worry.  I keep thinking that Mum might not wake up and meet her grandson.  And tthat I've lost Daddy completely..."  I felt tears well in my eyes.  I hated crying about the what ifs, but I could not help it.  They sucked... I had to talk to someone about them, too.  I just did not have the heart to confide in Ayden about one more troubled thought.  He was already dealing with so much.

I could not help but smile; Lucy was always a worrier.  "Lucy... thinking about the what ifs ar enormal.  But don't let them rule your life... especially with a little boy about to arrive," I told her, squeezing her hand.  I could nto fathom what she was going through -- and Will.  He had finally been happy... anad then this happens with his parents.  I wish I could be more of a help to Lucy.

Of course Addison was right.  I should not let them rule my life. "I know... but I just can't get them out of my head," I explained.  I drank some tea to help me calm down.  It reminded me of my mum -- which is what made me feel better here talking with Addie about everything.  "And it doesn't help that I can't sleep that well anyways.  Which I've read is normal, though I wish I could ask mum if she had insonia with me or Will."

Ah, yes... I remember having difficulties sleeping.  It drove Dean nuts.  "Well, I can tell you that my last month or two of being pregnant wiht Dona that Dean ended u sleepign on the couch," I said, chukcling.

I furrowed my brow slightly.  "Why did he do that?" I questioned.  If Addie was the one who was antsy, why wasn't Dean in bed sleeping?  But then again, I had to force my own husband to sleep in general.

I laughed.  "Well, he didn't want me to have an achy back or anything just because I coulnd't fall asleep... he wanted me to continue to rest," I explained.  "The docors just wanted me on bed rest... and Dean made sure I listened."  I could only shake my head at my husband's actions when I had been pregnant.

I nodded, getting the full picture now.  I was glad that Addie had been restless, too.  At least it was not just me.  "Thank you, Addie.  You're helping me more than you know," I assured her.  I wanted her to know how much she was helping me cope with everything going on.

I smiled at her and nodded.  "Lucy, I understand how much I'm helping.  It's hwy I invited you over.  You looked like you needed some girl time," I replied.  I figured it was the least I could do.  She was stressing like crazy, but she did look extremely uncomfortable.  "Are you okay?" I asked, getting a bit concerned.

I grabbed at my stomach.  I stared at Addison.  "I think I need to go to St. Mungo's," I said, clenching my jaw a little bit in pain.  I was only seven months or so along, I should not be going into contractions now.  It was early... too early.

I stood up and grabbed my daughter.  I hoisted her onto my hip.  I grabbed Lucy's and I got us to St. Mungo's.  I would get a hold o Ayden once I knew Lucy was getting looked at.  I gave my friend a quick hug and told her I would be with her as soon as I got word to Ayden what was going on.  I was going to let Remus know as well.  It was his grandchild after all.  I was not sure if these were just Braxonhick's contractions or the real deal.  Once I sent the word, I found which room they put Lucy in and sat down trying to keep Sedona quiet.  She really should nto be in here, but there is no way I could get anyone to watch her on such short notice.  "So waht did they say?  Ayden will be here soon, I' sure," I told Lucy.