Chapter 95: Changing of the Guard

With the month of August going by in what seemed like a flash for the next month and a half things started to get interesting for Eric and Jackie. While everything seemed like it was going according to plan little did they know that Diana had other thoughts. Thoughts or speeding up her arrival. In fact her plans were revealed when Eric had brought Jackie over to the hospital one day when he was working over at the bakery with her along with Brooke when she was experiencing some pain in her stomach. That pain according to Jackie's doctor was due to Jackie's body being ready to give birth to Diana. A term that she referred to as premature labor. Something that was common and had happened to many others in the past.

With this news came a new set of rules being handed down to Jackie. Rules that she would no longer be allowed to do any manual labor and instead would be put on what she called bed rest. Something that didn't please Jackie one little bit hearing that she would have to rest for the next few weeks inside of her's and Eric's apartment receiving little to almost no interaction with anyone other than Eric for most of the day. But she also knew that it was for a good cause. The cause that she knew would be worth it. To do it for her daughter. To relax and prepare herself for the arrival of her's and Eric's baby girl. Something that gave her the strength on most days to get through the day along with the strength that her husband had given her. The concern and gentleness he had with her when he told her that he was using some of his vacation time to stay home with her.

Now as she lays across the living room couch with a smile across her face while she watches Eric in corner of the room put the finishing touches on a baby crib that he had built a few months ago little did Jackie know that today would be the day. The day Diana would come into this world.

" Okay it's all set. How does it look beautiful?"

Looking over his shoulder a smile forms on Eric's face as he sees Jackie smiling brightly at him.

" It's perfect."

As he sees Jackie attempting to sit up snapping up to his feet Eric makes his way quickly over to the couch before he gently helps Jackie sit up.

" Easy beautiful."

As she feels herself being gently lifted Jackie lets out a groan before she glances back and forth between Eric and the floor as she leans her body into Eric's arms.

" I feel so helpless."

" Hey don't say that."

" But it's true. Ever since Trish told us that Diana was coming sooner than expected and put me on bed rest, I haven't been able to do anything by myself. I mean there are some personal things that i want to be able to do myself. There is literally no more secrets between us anymore."

" Yeah that was an interesting day."

" Maybe interesting for you but it was embarrassing for me. I mean you saw how everything works down there."

" Well it was only fair since you already knew how everything worked for me anyways."

The young couple lets out a small laugh before Jackie leans her head against Eric's shoulder as she lets out a happy moan.

" How do you do it?"

" Do what?"

" Make me happy. Every single time i'm feeling down or am upset about something you make the pain go away and find a way to bring to a smile to my face. How do you do it?"

" Well that is an easy answer. Want to know what it is?"

As he feels Jackie nodding her head reaching over with a smile on his face Eric gently starts to stroke her hair.

" It's because i love you. I love you and will always give you everything that i've got. I will do anything to bring a smile to your face. There is one last secret that i've never told you before. When we first started dating so long ago and even to this very day you are still my role model. You are the sweetest and nicest woman that i will ever meet. Not only are you the most beautiful woman in the world in my eyes but also on the inside as well. And because of this i will do everything in my power to always keep you happy and safe."

Feeling Jackie turning her head Eric looks down to see her looking up towards him with watery eyes before he feels her pressing her lips to his for a passionate kiss.

" I love you so much."

" And i love you too my totally badass ninja warrior princess."

As she lets out a few giggles Jackie reaches up and wipes her eyes before she gives Eric a bright smile.

" Can you help me up? I need to use the bathroom."

With a smile forming on his face Eric gently helps Jackie to her feet before he slowly leads her towards the bathroom. As they pass by the living room couch and slowly start to walk down a small hallway to the bathroom suddenly Eric comes to a stop when he feels resistance coming from Jackie.

" Is everything okay beautiful?"

Looking over his shoulder suddenly the smile across Eric's face vanishes when he sees a look of shock across Jackie's face.

" I think my water just broke."

" Really! Oh god i've got to call my parents! I've got to tell everyone! I've got….."

" Eric! I'm….in….pain….right….now!"

" Oh right. Hold on one sec beautiful!"

Reaching over Eric gently helps Jackie lean up against the hallway wall before he quickly rushes back into the living room to grab the baby bag they had prepared for this given day. Once he had the bag's strap over his shoulder Eric quickly makes his way back to Jackie's side before he slowly leads her out of the apartment as he hears her gritting her teeth.

Within minutes of hearing his wife screaming out in pain throughout the apartment complex Eric slowly helps Jackie into the back seat of the Vista Cruiser before he quickly rushes to get into the driver's seat. As he hears Jackie screaming out in pain Eric fishes into his pocket and takes his car keys out before he starts up the engine as he looks at Jackie through the front mirror.

" Everything okay back there beautiful?"

" Everything's just peachy. Just don't stop until we get to the hospital. Not for anything."

" Yes mam."

Stepping on the gas Eric quickly pulls the Vista Cruiser out of the apartment complex's parking lot before the vehicle is seen taking off down the road at high speeds. After just a couple of miles down the road suddenly Eric's eyes go wide when he sees a pair of police lights shining bright following after him before he looks through the front mirror towards Jackie.

" Eric? What is it?"

As she grits her teeth Jackie slowly sits up and looks out the back of the Vista Cruiser to see a police cruiser following after them with their lights on.

" Oh come on!"

" Beautiful, I have to stop."

Turning her head back forward Jackie gives Eric a nod before within seconds she feels the Vista Cruiser slowly coming to a stop at the side of the road. As she hears Eric putting the car into park reaching over Jackie quickly lowers down the window she is leaning against before she sticks her head out to see the police officer slowly getting out of his police cruiser.

" Let's get this show on the road! Move it piggie! We don't have all day!"

Suddenly Eric's eyes go wide before he turns to see Jackie tapping her right index finger against the door she is leaning against.

" Jackie!"

Glancing over Jackie sees Eric looking at her with a shocked look across her face before she turns her attention back towards an approaching officer she deems to be in his early 20s that is sporting a not so amused look across his face.

" Excuse me? What did you just say young lady?"

" You heard me loud and clear. This baby isn't waiting!"

" Baby?"

As the officer arrives towards the back window his eyes suddenly go wide when he sees Jackie's baby bump before he sees in the corner of his eye Eric looking towards him.

" She is going into labor right now."

Feeling another waive of pain hitting her reaching out Jackie grabs a firm hold of the police officer's shirt before she pulls him to eye level as she sends him a death glare.

" Momma is in pain right now and little Diana will not be a back seat baby! Now how about you run back to your little car and you let us be on our way otherwise i'm going to take that shiny badge of yours and shove it where the sun don't shine. Is that clear!"

With his eyes going wide the police officer quickly nods his head before he feels Jackie releasing her death grip on his shirt.

" Yes mam. Right away mam."

As he sees the police officer running quickly back to his police cruiser with wide eyes Eric looks through the front mirror to the back seat before he takes a gulp when he sees Jackie snap her eyes towards the mirror with a raised right index finger.

" And you! Drive!"

" Yes mam."

With haste Eric quickly takes the Vista Cruiser out of park before he steps down hard on the gas and drives back down the street in the direction of the hospital.

Now just hours later after hearing the news that Jackie had gone into labor by one of her co workers from the hospital Kitty gathered her husband and the rest of the gang with haste and are now found waiting in the waiting room of the hospital for news about what is happening inside of Jackie's hospital room. Awaiting news of what is happening in there. Was everything going okay? Was there any complications and if so what were they? So many questions running through each of their minds until suddenly everyone's thoughts are snapped when they hear the door opening revealing Eric on the other side sporting a wide smile and watery eyes.

" I'm a daddy!"

As everyone lets out a cheer Eric is quickly brought into a hug by every single member of the group as he hears them each congratulating him on becoming a father. Once everyone has given Eric a hug they watch with smiles on their faces as Eric slowly leads them through the waiting room doors and down towards Jackie's hospital room. With anticipation taking over Brooke,Caroline,and Kitty can't help but let out laughs of joy knowing soon they will be getting to see the newest member of their big family until suddenly wide smiles form on their faces when they see her. Little Diana bundled up in a towel sleeping in Jackie's arms. A sight that brings tears to everyone's eyes including Red's as Eric slowly makes his way over towards the bed before within moments they watch as he leans over and gives Jackie a gentle kiss.

Author Notes: And this brings us to the end of this story. I would like to thank everyone that has followed and read this story for over the last almost year now. It was a pleasure writing this story. In the future i might do a sequel that would basically have each chapter be a small short story from 500-1000 words long about some kind of small adventure that takes place. I would again like to thank everyone again. This was a fun ride.

Pootamis