This is my first time responding to a challange.

Let It Snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It doesn't show signsof stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

When we finally kissgoodnight
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
But if you'll really hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm

The fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still goodbying
But as long as you love me so
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!


The tinny broadcast of the popular carol was certainly appropriate for their own weather forecast. It didn’t show signs of stopping. Traffic was snarled, planes grounded and trains overcrowded as potential travelers were forced to put their holidays on hold. There was no doubt; they wouldn’t be getting through tonight. They’d have to make the best of it here and try again in the morning. Turning to his companion he smiled apologetically and said…

“Well darling looks like we’ll be going to Myles and Tara’s after all,” Jack told his wife of two years.

Sue Hudson sighed, trying not to look as disappointed as she felt. “Well that will be great for Tara. She’s still bedridden.”

Jack took a hold of his wife’s hand. “No doubt where you should be,” he said and placed a hand on Sue’s very large stomach. Sue was almost eight months pregnant and Jack wanted to kick himself for even suggesting they fly to Ohio to visit Sue’s family. Yes, he loved his in-laws very much, but he couldn’t risk the health of his wife and child.

“Will you stop,” Sue snapped, growing increasingly irritated at Jack’s constant nagging. “The doctor said I was fine to travel. She took Jack’s hands and placed them firmly on the wheel. “Now drive. It’s only a few blocks to Tara’s.”

Jack sighed. He knew not to argue with Sue. She was so stubborn. “Do you think Tara will be up to visitors? She’s due any day.” It still astounded Jack that they were referring to the same Myles and Tara that worked in their unit at the FBI. Two years ago the two had been at each others throats, but now were happily married with a child on the way. Due to Tara’s small stature, her pregnancy was high risk and she’d been bedridden for the last month. Needless to say, she was going crazy and as much as Jack didn’t want to admit it, he knew that Sue’s presence would be just what Tara would need to lift her spirits. “Don’t answer that,” he continued.

“I’ll page Tara and tell her that we’re coming,” Sue said and took out her blackberry. She tried to page Tara several times but each time she couldn’t get a signal. “I’m not getting anything,” she said.

“Me either,” Jack answered as he slammed his phone shut and put it back into his pocket. He glanced over at his wife. “I know you really wanted to see your family this Christmas.”

“I did, but you’re right. It would be better if we waited. I don’t want to cause harm to be or the baby.” She put a hand to her stomach when she felt a sudden jolt. “Though I don’t’ think our little one is too happy about the change of plans.” She smiled over at her husband. “He/she is kicking like crazy.” Sue looked out the window. The snow was coming down harder now, making it nearly impossible to see anything. But finally, after what seemed like years, the couple finally reached the Leland home.

Myles was the one who answered the door, and seemed surprised to find Sue and Jack on his doorstep. “I thought you two would be half way to Ohio by now,” he said as he let his friends into the house and closed the door.

“Our plane was grounded,” Jack said as he helped Sue with her coat. He hung it on the coat rack. “The snow was too bad. No one is going anywhere tonight. Speaking of which, Sue and I will need to crash here for the night. I don’t want to get her out in the weather more than necessary.”

“Jack, you don’t even have to ask that,” Myles told his co-worker. “Of course you can stay here.” He turned to Sue. “Tara will be very pleased to see you. She’s about to go crazy.”

“I’ll see what I can do to change that,” Sue said with a smile. She patted her husband on the back. “Go talk guy stuff with Myles while I visit with Tara.” And with that, Sue slowly walked down the hall and to her friend’s bedroom. “Knock, knock,” she said as she poked her head into the opened doorway.

Tara looked up from the book she’d been reading and a huge smile spread across her face when she noticed Sue standing in the doorway. “I thought I heard your voice out in the hall,” she said. She closed the book and put it on the bedside table. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be half way to Ohio by now.”

“More or less,” Sue commented as she came into the room. She sat down in the chair that had been placed beside the bed. “All planes and trains are grounded for the night. Jack and I are actually going to be your houseguests.”

“Hey, anything to keep me from going nuts,” Tara said. “I am about ready to yank this kid out myself.”

Sue reached over and put a comforting hand on Tara’s arm. “Just hang in there. He/she will be here before you know it. Then you’ll be wishing he/she was still inside you when you’re up at two a.m. feeding.”

Tara laughed. “I just hope the snow goes away before I go into labor. I’m so scared I won’t be able to get to the hospital.” She looked at her friend. “Speaking of baby, how are you feeling?”

“I’m actually doing OK,” Sue said. “I feel better then I thought I would at this stage.”

Tara nodded. “Well I’m afraid the cable is out and so is the Internet but we could watch a movie.”

“I think I’d rather just talk. I’ve been feeling really tired lately,” Sue told her friend. “I fell asleep at like eight-thirty last night. It’s pathetic.”

“It’s called being pregnant,” Tara said with a laugh. She sighed happily. “I still can’t believe I’m married to Myles. I never thought I could fall for someone like him.”

“Me either,” Sue said with a laugh. “When I first came to the FBI, Myles was the first one to show me the door. He hated me.”

“He didn’t hate you, he just didn’t know how act around someone, well different,” Tara told her friend.

Sue nodded. “Myles’s treatment toward me wasn’t anything I wasn’t used to. I’d been ridiculed my entire life.” She smiled shyly. “To be honest, I was a little surprised when Myles started being nice to me. I think it was after he got shot and he had a panic attack.”

“He had a panic attack?” Tara asked. “I never knew that.”

“Well it was something that was kept between us,” Sue said. She twisted her mouth to the side like she always did when she was in thought. “Sp please keep this between us.”

Tara nodded. “Of course.”

While the women were chatting, Jack and Myles were sitting on the couch, listening to the radio and discussing their upcoming roles as fathers.

“I feel for Tara,” Myles was saying. “I pray every night that this pregnancy goes smoothly. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost her.”

Jack nodded. “I worry about the same thing. Sue is everything to me.”

Suddenly the lights flickered and then finally went out, drowning the house in darkness.

“I’ll get some candles,” Myles said and made his way to the drawer where the flashlights were kept. He handed one to Jack.

“Thanks,” Jack said gratefully. “I’d better check on Sue. She gets nervous in the dark.” Jack made his way to Tara’s bedroom. “Tara?” he asked as she shined the light into the room.

“It’s OK Jack,” Tara replied. “We’re fine.”

Jack came over to Sue and gently touched her shoulder. “OKAY YOU?” he signed.

Sue nodded. “Yes. Just tired.”

“Jack,” Tara whispered. Pain shot through her like a knife. “Please go get Myles.”

“What’s wrong?” Sue asked her friend.

Tara’s eyes grew large. “I’m having contractions. I think I’ve gone into labor.”

Sue looked at Jack, a sudden fear gripping her. The storm was getting worse by the minute and there was no way Tara was going to get to a hospital in time. There was only one thing to do. “Jack,” she said, “go get Myles and get some fresh towels.”

Jack just stared at her. “Sue, what are you going to do?”

Sue stared at her husband in the eye, her expression stern. “I’m going to deliver Tara’s baby. Now go and tell Myles to get as many candles and flashlights as possible. I need as much light as possible.” She turned to her friend, who was still experiencing a contraction. “We’re going to get you through this,” she said gently.

Tara looked up at her friend. “No offense but do you know anything about delivering a baby?”

“We used to have a neighbor friend who was a nurse. She let me observe in the ER with her one time and I got to watch a baby being delivered.” Sue put a hand on Tara’s shoulder. “You can trust me. I’m not going to let you down.”

Tara nodded. “I trust you. Just get this kid out of me,” she snapped as another contraction hit.

Sue grabbed the chair that had been sitting by the bed and dragged it to the end. By the time Tara was situated, Myles was in the room with her, holding tightly to her hand.

“Myles I know we’ve had our differences in the past,” Sue said to the blonde agent. “but I need you to trust me. I’m going to get you though this but you have to trust me.” Sue took a deep breath as a wave of nervousness began overtaking her. Tara as well as the baby’s life was in her hands now. She sounded braver then she actually felt.

“Just don’t let anything happen to my wife or child,” Myles said as he rubbed Tara’s now sweaty forehead.

“Okay Tara,” Sue said. “I need you to push for me.”

Tara began pushing.

“Okay good,” Sue said. “When another contraction hits you push, okay?”

Tara nodded and a seconds later began pushing again. “I can’t do this anymore,” she said tiredly as she collapsed back onto the pillow.

“Yes, you can,” Myles said. “Sue’s going to get you through this.” Myles continued rubbing his wife’s forehead and held her hand as another contraction hit.

“Okay Tara just one more push and you’ll be able to meet your child,” Sue said. She smiled up at her friend. “You can do this, Tara.”

Tara nodded and with all her might began pushing.

“Okay stop,” Sue said. A few seconds later she had the baby in her arms, crying its lungs out. “it’s a girl!” she announced. She quickly wrapped the baby in a blanket and handed the wailing infant to its anxious parents. “She’s perfect.”

Tears rolled down Tara’s cheeks as she looked down at her daughter. “Hello little one,” she cooed. “I’m your Mommy.” She looked back at her friend and smiled gratefully. “Thank you,” she signed.

Sue nodded, smiling broadly. “Myles, would you like to cut the cord?”

Myles looked at his wife and after a few moments, looked back over at Sue. “CUT CORD YOU,” he signed.

Sue nodded. “I’d be honored.”

A few minutes later the baby was asleep in her mother’s arms and Sue was sitting on the couch, giving the new parents some time alone with their child.

“You know, delivering a baby is just as exhausting as actually doing the pushing,” Sue told her husband as Jack came to sit down next to her. “I’m exhausted.”

Jack took Sue’s hand into his own and looked into her eyes. The power was still not yet restored but candles were everywhere, providing enough light for Sue to read lips. “You were incredible in there,” he said. “I never knew you had that in you. You saved Tara’s life tonight.”

Sue turned away, feeling embarrassed by all this attention. “I did what I had to do, Jack.” She rested her head on Jack’s shoulder. “Hopefully we can deliver our baby in an actual hospital.”

Jack laughed and lifted Sue’s chin toward his. “You bet,” he said.

Just then, Myles came into the room. “I just wanted to let you know that we picked out a name for the baby.”

“And?” Sue asked with wide curious eyes.

“We picked the name Marie,” Myles answered. “Marie Lynn Leland.”

Sue smiled. “NAME LIKE,” she signed. She rubbed her tummy. “You’re not coming out until I say so,” she scolded her unborn child.

Jack laughed and turned his wife toward him. “You are going to make a wonderful mother.”

Sue smiled, and signed, “Thank you. You are going to make a wonderful father.”

Jack glanced out the window. “Hey, it stopped snowing.” He helped Sue to her feet and the couple went over to the window.

“It’s like a winter wonderland.”

Jack nodded. “It’s a night of miracles.”

The End

Wow!! so much has happened in so little time!
I enjoyed Myles protectivness towards his wife and child.

Very nicely done! Set a few years forward. J/S and M/T is good. The flight at eight months scarey but do able. Jack being uber protective and wanting Sue in bed, a bit overdone, but so totally Jack.

The birth scene played well and all are safe.

Nicely done, 101.

Wow! They should all be very glad the Hudson's plane was grounded! For a minute there I was afraid that Sue would deliver too - but who was gonna help her?!!!

Wonderful scene, F.B.Eyefan101!!

Lovely story and wonderful written

Very nice story ... beautiful name

Thank you !

That was so sweet....

A lovely story. I really enjoyed reading it, I don't know how I missed it! Obviously need my eyes testing!

Thank you for sharing.

Sairs

Such a sweet story. You said so much in so little time.

F.B.Eyefan, don't know how I missed your story before, but glad I caught it now!!

What a beautiful story - Sue delivering Tara's baby - how wonderful is that!!!

Thanks for sharing your talent with us!!!

Joy

It may have been short but I liked it!

aww glad sue was there to deliver tara's baby
lol loved her telling her own unborn child not to come out without permission so cute