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They were assembled for a group photo inside the gazebo when it finally happened. Daisy shrieked and quickly moved off to the side. She gripped the wooden banister. “Oh no, no no.”
John rushed to be at her side and Ally signaled Lana that it was finally go time. The town sheriff rushed away toward the street while she rushed over to her friend. “Daisy....”
“My water broke,” Daisy cried. “And I haven’t even got to watch you dance yet.” Her chin trembled and Ally feared it might be from pain and not from incredible sadness.
The ENTs made their way across the lawn with a stretcher. Daisy scoffed at it. “I’m not laying on one of those things in my bride’s maid dress! Are you—.” She grunted and leaned onto the railing.
John took her by the back. “Honey, the baby is going to be born soon. We really need—.”
“No,” Daisy wailed. “No she’s—”
“Honey,” John argued. “I know you’re disappointed but we need to get to the hospital.”
“No.” Daisy shook her head. “There’s no time. She’s coming now. I can feel....The head. I need to push. I need to push right now.” Chin to her chest she made a guttural noise.
Quickly everyone sprung into action. John helped her onto the stretcher. Ally and Mitch stood on either side of her as the ENT moved quickly to get her to the ambulance. As they brought Daisy through the front yard, she sat up and her knees were bent.
She had an intense look of concentration on her face Ally had never seen before. “We’re almost to the ambulance,” Ally said. “Hold on. You can push once you’re inside there.”
“I need to push now,” Daisy said as they carefully lifted her inside. She had John’s hand and Ally’s hand. Ally climbed into the ambulance and stayed with her friend, pushing Daisy’s blond curls away from her neck.
Daisy was breathing fast, blowing out as if it had come naturally to her. Chin to chest she strained and grunted.
“You better get in here too,” John said to Mitch. “Before I faint.”
Ally met Mitch’s eyes as he climbed inside. He looked scared. More afraid than Ally had ever seen him. She couldn’t help but laugh lightly.
So, there they all were. A family. Supporting Daisy as she pushed. Ally held one hand while John held her other. Mitch stood behind, Daisy and rubbed her shoulders as she began to shriek. “I can’t. Oh the pain.” Daisy screamed. She grabbed John’s shirt and pulled him down beside her.
All the while pushing. All the while screaming.
“We’ve got her,” one of the ENT’s said and a moment later, the baby cried. He quickly cleaned her off and put the squirming baby against Daisy’s chest.
Daisy’s hands shook like she couldn’t wait to cradle her baby. John bent over, kissing Daisy with his hand gently pressed against the baby’s back. They both cried. Ally felt honored and wonderful to have been able to witness something so amazing. To be there....And to watch baby Hannah be born.
Ally had never been part of anything that miraculous before.
“Oh Hannah,” Daisy cried. “Maybe you’re worth missing cake for.” For the first time, mother kissed her daughter and Ally thought all was right with the world.
“What stories you’ll tell her, huh?” Mitch said proudly, his face beaming. He stepped up beside his wife and took her hand.
Ally grinned at him. “I think we can find a way to all celebrate with cake.”
“Her birthday will be on your anniversary.” Daisy sniffled.
“It sounds perfect to me,” Ally said and gazed around at her extended family. “And what a party it’ll be!”
******
ALLY GAVE EVERYONE well wishes and good-byes from Daisy and John. She recounted the story of Hannah’s birth more times than she could remember. Everyone from Piper to Flo were so happy to hear Daisy got through the birth healthy and that she and baby were doing fine. Ally couldn’t wait until that was her. She couldn’t wait to have at least a few babies with Mitch.
It would complete everything she had.
She talked with her new in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Dressen and gave them hugs and kisses. Finally, they learned to accept that the Sinclairs weren’t so bad. She briefly met Mr. and Mrs. Taylor before they rushed off to the hospital to meet their granddaughter. Ally hoped it was just the beginning of happy times in Sweet Falls for them and their family.
“Mr. Martin!” Ally rushed across the lawn to greet her producer and new business associate.
“Mrs. Dressen, you look beautiful!”
“I could hear you call me that all day!” Ally grinned and shook his hand. “It’s so nice of you to drop by.”
“I’m headed back to Hamilton Springs to get everything we discussed in order. I’ll be back in two weeks time to get production under way. In two months, we’ll start filming. Recipes location shoots, I’m going to need information from you so we can pull this thing together. Fifteen of your favorite recipes, you think you can get that to me.”
“Oh do I!” Ally said with a beaming smile. “It’ll be my pleasure! I might even have a few surprises saved up for you and for the show. You’ll have to wait and see!”
“Surprises aren’t my favorite but I have a feeling you’re going to surprise me.” He gave her a parting smile and turned to leave.
Mitch stepped up and took Ally’s hand. She clung onto his arm and her forehead gladly took a kiss from him. “You’re quiet, so you must be excited,” Mitch said.
“So excited. I’m going to surprise everyone. This baking show might be the best thing that’s ever happened to Sweet Falls.”
“Nah, you’re the best thing that ever happened to Sweet Falls.”
And Mitch sealed his words with a kiss.