It was a bright and sunny day in January when the girls recieved their joint baby shower. The weather was surprisingly quite warm and everything seemed to be going as good as planned. Amanda and Claudia Joy were clocking in at 7 months precisely and right on target with weight and fetal development. Claudia Joy's anger had slipped through the cracks and instead she decided to make peace with Amanda and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience. Michael tried to be happy for Amanda, but he still was in pain. This was not the life he envisioned for his first born daughter. Jeremy had enlisted and proposed to Amanda on Christmas Eve. They were in the process of moving into a house on post and set to have a healthy baby girl arriving on March the 4th. Amanda hadn't gone to college and instead was working as a teachers aid for a local pre-school. He had to admit that they were actually doing pretty well for the given circumstances but he was still unhappy. He was sitting in his office contemplating the recent events when he looked up to see Jeremy standing at the door.

"Mr. Holden, sir"

"Come on in Jeremy, have a seat"

"Thank you sir. Look I just came over here to tell you that I love your daughter with all my heart and I am going to provide for her and take care of her for the rest of my life. And I appreciate the support you've shown Amanda during all this"

"Jeremy lets get a few things clear. I am not thrilled about you getting my daughter pregnant or going and marrying her at 18. The cards are stacked against the both of you. Your gonna struggle and their will be hardships. That's not to say this can't work though. But your going to have to work at it. Listen to me good because I am only going to say this once. You have one shot Jeremy. Do not screw it up. If I ever hear that you have hurt my daughter I will kill you with my bare hands. I will find you and I will kill you is that understood?"

"Yes sir"

"Good now go join your fiancé for the party"

---

"Roland I'm so glad you could make it" Pamela said as she walked up and gave him a hug.

"Remind me why I always come to these ladies only events?" He asked jokingly

"Because you love us" Roxy said as she walked up with gifts in her arms.

"Hey Roland its good to see you"

"You too Roxy"

The afternoon turned out to be a complete hit and once again though he was the only man at the party, Roland had a great time. Amanda and Claudia Joy both recieved bountiful amounts of gifts from their friends. Claudia Joy knew her daughter and soon to be son-in-law were living a fantastic life for two 18 year olds but she still felt disappointment knowing that her daughter would never become more than the title of an army wife. It wasn't that she didn't love her life as an army wife, she had just hoped for more for her daughter just as all mothers do. As she stared off into space, something caught her eye. She looked over and watched as Jeremy took Amanda in his arms and began dancing with her to "When the stars go blue" Claudia Joy could not remember the last time she had seen Amanda look so happy. She knew then at that moment that everything was going to be okay. The two were in love and they would make it through.

------

2 Months later...

"Is everything okay?" He asked after he felt Amanda stir in bed for the past five minutes. She finally rested on her back and sighed.

"I can't sleep. This damn belly is getting in the way of everything. I'm a day overdue if this child does not come out soon I swear I will reach my hand up and bring her out myself. Its time to come out!"

"Babe relax your a day overdue my mom told me some women can be up to two weeks overdue" She looked over at him and glared.

"I mean of course you most definitely will not be that late" He said reassuring her.

"My back is killing me I think I'm just gonna go take a bath or something" She suggested.

"Its 11:45" Jeremy pointed out. She got up anyway and walked into the bathroom lighting some candles and running the water. She slipped in and immediately felt relief. Everything relaxed instantly and Jeremy went back to sleep. About 20 minutes later, she jumped out throwing a robe on and ran over to the bed shaking Jeremy as hard as she could.

"Wake up wake up wake up wake up!!" She yelled. He jumped up from sleep immediately.

"What?! What is it what's wrong??" He asked

"I think this is it I'm getting contractions we gotta go to the hospital" She explained to him being a typical first time mother and totally jumping the gun.

"Now?"

"If you do not get your ass into the car I will drive myself!" She told him letting him know she was completely serious. He nodded his head and threw some clothes on. She grabbed a pair of pajamas and threw her hair in a bun. They grabbed her bag and got into the car calling Claudia Joy and Michael along the way.

"Hello?" She answered; her voice groggy from sleep

"Claudia Joy its Jeremy"

"Jeremy oh Jeremy what's wrong is everything alright?" She asked as she sat up in bed.

"Everything's fine Amanda and I are on our way to the hospital contractions are about 8 minutes apart."

"Oh great oh that's wonderful we'll meet you at the hospital" She said with excitement in her voice. She hung up the phone and she and Michael began getting ready, grabbed Emmalin and were out the door ready for whatever the night was gonna throw at them.