Author's notes:

First of all, THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU to everyone who's reviewed. Seriously, all your kind words meant a lot to me. I've had a great time writing this, and I hope you've all enjoyed the journey as much as I have.

A slight disclaimer: I know next to nothing about childbirth, so I kind of took a different option with this chapter. Hope it works for everyone.

I might write a sequel to this story at some point in the future, because I feel that there are still stories to be told with these characters.

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Kirsten shifted uncomfortably in her seat, unable to get settled. She was nine months pregnant, which accounted for most of her discomfort, and she wanted to get a good photo of her husband when he accepted his law diploma. She didn't have such a good angle from where she was sitting, but she was sitting on the aisle and perhaps she could get a better shot when the time came.

"Can you believe your daddy's finally graduating?" she whispered, rubbing her big belly. "His mother was supposed to come, but then she had some sort of crisis at work, so she couldn't make it after all. So it's just you and me here, little boy."

Seth kicked her in response. Kirsten laughed softly. "Just between the two of us, I'm not altogether disappointed that I have to wait a little longer to meet her."

She shifted her weight again. Up on the stage, the ceremony was beginning, with the president of the law college making his speech. Kirsten hoped it wouldn't last long, but considering that lawyers loved to hear themselves talk, she had a feeling she was in for a long wait.

Seth kicked her again. "Ow," Kirsten whimpered. "You're not making this any easier."

God, her back was killing her. Probably from carrying a full-grown baby inside of her, she thought tiredly. She would have liked to have stayed at home, stretched out in Sandy's comfy recliner while wearing sweats and watching TV. She would have stayed home, if this had been any other occasion, but Sandy was graduating from law school today and she wanted to be there to see him get his diploma. He hadn't talked much about it, but she knew that he was hurt that his mother hadn't come. It was the story of his life, he'd told her, his voice light but with the slightest trace of hurt. The kids his mother worked with had always come ahead of her own.

The president finally wrapped up his speech, after ten minutes of talking. She faintly hoped that they would start awarding the diplomas, but no, it was time to hear from the student-selected Faculty of the Year. These cramps were hurting more than they had that morning, and Kirsten had the unpleasant thought that she might be going into labor right here at graduation.

"You listen to me, Seth Ezekiel," she hissed at her belly. "You're going to stay right where you are until this graduation is over or there are going to be consequences!"

She was just being paranoid, Kirsten decided. What she needed was something to take her mind off of this. Think happy thoughts. The new house that she and Sandy had moved into two months ago. It was small and it was a little far away from campus, but it was theirs. There were a couple of trees in the backyard, and even a rope swing. They were still unpacking in the master bedroom, but the nursery was finished and ready for Seth when he came home from the hospital. The furniture was second-hand but Sandy had painted the walls himself and the room was bright and cheerful.

Kirsten had finished her three classes last week, and although she'd have to take summer school in subsequent years, this summer she was taking off to spend time with her new family. She was excited and terrified at the thought of finally becoming a mother, but she would have Sandy with her to share the load, and her mother was going to come up for a visit later that summer. Her father said he might be able to come for a weekend to see his new grandson, if his work schedule permitted. Kirsten knew that he still disapproved of Sandy and of the situation she had gotten herself in, but he was trying in his own way. Once Caleb Nichol made his mind up about something or someone, it was hard for him to change. But he was her father, and she still loved him. And Seth deserved a grandfather, especially one that wanted to be involved in his life.

She'd heard through the grapevine that Jimmy and Julie had had their baby last month, a little girl they'd named Marissa. Kirsten had gone out and bought a stuffed animal for the baby, one of those Care Bears that were so popular these days. She didn't hate Jimmy anymore. She felt a little sad when she thought about him, but she supposed that was normal. She had loved him once, but the person she was now would never be happy being Mrs. Jimmy Cooper. Maybe if she'd gone to UCLA with him like they'd planned to, but then again, they might not have worked out anyhow.

The second speech finished, and the president resumed the podium to announce the graduates. Finally, Kirsten thought. She grabbed Sandy's camera from the seat next to her, checked to see that the lens cap was off, and hoisted herself to her feet.

She crept up the aisle and found the perfect spot by the time the B's were finished. The C's were next, and Kirsten hurriedly snapped picture after picture as Sandy crossed the stage, shook hands with the faculty, and accepted his diploma. He looked out into the crowd and blew a kiss to Kirsten as he made his way back to his seat.

Kirsten waved back. "Love you too," she mouthed.

She felt it as soon as she sat down; the warm gush of fluid that soaked her dress and the seat of her chair. For the first time she was glad it was just a cheap folding chair. What was she thinking about the chair for? Her water had broken. The baby was on the way.

Kirsten drew deep breaths, trying to relax. The graduation would be over in another fifteen minutes or so, and then Sandy could drive her to the hospital. Her labor would take hours, maybe even all day. There was nothing to panic about.

The last graduate finally crossed the stage and accepted his diploma. Everyone threw their caps up in the air and graduation was finally, mercifully over. Kirsten hurried as fast as she could (which wasn't very fast at all) towards her husband. When she got to him, Sandy reached for her and hugged her tightly.

"It's over!" he exclaimed happily. "You're now married to a lawyer, my love. What do you think?"

Kirsten didn't waste words. "The baby's coming. We have to go to the hospital."

Sandy's eyes widened. "Here? Now? But you're not due for another week!"

"Sandy," Kirsten pleaded.

"Come on." Her husband put an arm around her shoulders and began to steer her away from the crowd of people. "Let's get this show on the road."

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Sandy rubbed his eyes, finally feeling the last twelve hours catch up to him. He was still wearing his suit from graduation, and the caffeine rush from his last cup of coffee had long gone. Kirsten was asleep in her bed next to him, her blonde hair spread across her pillow. Sandy thought she'd never looked as beautiful as she did at that moment.

During the birth, Kirsten had held his hand so tightly he had begun to bruise. She had called him every foul name he'd ever heard, and some he hadn't. She had quite an impressive vocabulary for a girl from Orange County. Needless to say, Sandy was very glad he hadn't been born a girl.

His son was asleep in his arms, wrapped up in a blue blanket. Seth Ezekiel Cohen, born at eleven forty-five at night, nine pounds five ounces. Sandy would never forget the first time he'd heard his son's shrill cry, or the exact way he'd felt when he'd held him for the first time. He was a father now. His entire life had changed today, and Sandy knew that he'd never take an easy breath again without knowing that his child was safe.

Sandy bent over and kissed Kirsten's forehead. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she gave him a drowsy smile.

"Hi," Sandy whispered. He kissed her softly. "I love you."

"Love you too," Kirsten replied. "Isn't he beautiful, Sandy?"

"He sure is," he agreed.

Kirsten smiled. "He looks like you."

"The Cohen men are well known for their good looks," Sandy grinned. "I wouldn't expect anything less for my son."

"Sandy…" Kirsten reached over and touched the baby's cheek. "I know we didn't plan for any of this to happen, but I wouldn't change it for the world."

"Me either," he agreed, giving her another kiss on the forehead. "You go on and get some sleep now."

Kirsten obediently closed her eyes, and before long her breathing became soft and regular. Soon he and Kirsten would take Seth home where they would feed him and change his diapers, play with him and love him. He would do anything to make sure that his family was safe and happy.

He was a lucky man, he thought, watching his sleeping wife and son. He had everything he'd ever wanted in this room with him.