"Peter, can I ask a favor of you?"

The one and only Masbeth looked up at his master after helping him sort some papers in the back room of the constabulary (another ridiculous request by people pushing overtime work on Ichabod). "Yes sir, what is it?"

"Well, as you know Katrina's in her ninth month of pregnancy."

"Yes, that means she's very far along, right?"

"Yes, And when she went to see her midwife yesterday she said that the baby could come any time now. So I was wondering if you would mind staying with Katrina at home in case she goes into labor during the day."

Peter smiled at his master who was clearly hoping he would say yes. He worried so much about Katrina now that she was pregnant. "Yes sir, I would be happy to do that for you."

Ichabod smiled at him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, Peter."

Peter looked back at the memory, half regretting that he said yes. It wasn't that he wanted to leave Katrina alone while she could go into labor, but it was just so…………boring. He had made a few close friends since he had arrived in New York and he admitted to himself that he would rather be with them then locked in a house all day. Katrina had to rest most of the time, so she couldn't do as much as she normally could, so pretty much all he could do was read. It was too cold to do anything outside as it was late November, but it was still so temping.

"Peter, are you alright?"

He jumped, startled at the sudden noise. "Katrina, you should be in bed. You need to be resting."

She smiled and touched his cheek. "I think I can manage getting a glass of water on my own Peter."

He looked at her uncertainly. She looked weak and frail, more so then he had ever seen her. He turned back to the window and watched as the last of the autumn leaves blew out into the street.

Katrina saw his expression and smiled. "You can go out for a while if you'd like. I'll be fine here."

Peter looked at her and shook his head. "That's very kind of you, but you know I need to stay here. You could go into labor anytime now, you know that."

"I suppose you're right. I do appreciate you staying with me. It makes me feel a lot more secure."

"It's really no problem."

Katrina smiled up at him, admiring his constant sweetness and kindness as always. But suddenly she was wrenched out of her good mood by a sudden searing pain. She gasped and held herself to remain sturdy.

"Katrina, what's wrong?"

She started breathing heavily and looked up at him. "Sp…speak of the devil……..I think I'm going into labor!"

Peter's eyes shot wide open and he rushed over to her to help keep her sturdy. "Katrina, are….are you sure?"

"Oh yes, I am definitely sure!" she said, clutching her stomach.

"Oh! Um, uh……….what do I do?"

Katrina looked up at him, a wild look in her eyes. "Get Mrs. Potter, get the midwife. Bring her here. AHH!"

"Katrina, here, follow me. You need to lie down."

She didn't resist as he led her to her bed. She lied down, her face already beaded with sweat and she clutched her stomach breathing uncontrollably.

"Is there, uh….something you need, or….."

Katrina grabbed him by his shoulder. "Get the damn midwife, Peter!"

"Yes, I'll be back!" he yelled, so that Katrina would loosen his death grip on her shoulder. He ran outside and ran down the road that would lead him to Mrs. Potter's.

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Mrs. Potter was covered in blood as Peter burst in. He gasped at the sight and Mrs. Potter looked up at him with a sad look in her eyes. "Sorry about my state, boy. I just had to get a miscarriage out of a woman's stomach." Seeing the confused look on his face she added "That's when a baby dies inside of their mother."

That wasn't what Peter needed to calm his nerves.

"Boy, what is it? Why are you here? Did someone you know go into labor?"

"Yes. I'm here for Lady Katrina Crane, miss."

"Oh, then I'll wash up quickly and grab my bag." Peter calmed then, slightly, knowing that he successfully accomplished what he was designated to do. Soon Mrs. Potter was ready and they headed over to look after Katrina.

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They could hear Katrina struggling in pain all the way from the front of the house. "Peter? Mrs. Potter?"

"We're here child." Mrs. Potter shouted calmly. "Please show me to where she is Young Masbeth." He cringed slightly at the use of his proper title but he led her to the large bedroom where Katrina was struggling on the bed.

Mrs. Potter swooped down and examined her. "Alright, it looks like your water has broken. It will still be a long time before you can deliver though."

Katrina looked like she had just been told the world was going to end. "Why does labor have to take so damn long?"

"Children take a long time to be ready for their trip out into the world. Now try to breathe deeply and stay calm, even though I know that sounds impossible."

Katrina just nodded her head and said nothing. At Mrs. Potter's request Peter went to fetch a cool rag and started to dab her face with it. She looked up at him, still breathing heavily.

"Where……where's Ichabod? I want Ichabod."

"Oh that's right, I almost forgot! Does Constable Crane know his wife's in labor?"

Peter groaned at his own stupidity, realizing he also forgot about him. "No, he doesn't know. At this time of day he's usually at work."

"Well I suggest you go and find him. No doubt he'll want to be there for the birth of his first child."

"Yes, get him! I want to see-AH! AH! OH GOD!"

"Shhhhh, calm down dear, I know the contractions hurt. Go on boy, go and find him. Katrina, you should get out of this dress, you don't want to ruin it."

Peter blushed as Mrs. Potter helped Katrina up to put a nightgown on her. He quickly left the room and ran out to find Ichabod.

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It was a slow day for the constables of New York City. Ichabod sat at a desk idly sorting and signing some papers, finding himself quite bored. Then he heard someone knocking against the door of the office.

"Yes?"

The voice of the attendant came through the door. "There is a young man here to see you by the name of Masbeth."

"Oh! Yes, send him in." he told him and the door opened to a very distressed looking Peter Masbeth. Ichabod could not help but be annoyed with him.

"Peter, what are you doing here? I told you to stay with Katrina!"

Peter's eyes darted from left to right and then he looked up at him. "Sir, that's why I'm here! She's in labor, the midwife is with her and everything!"

Ichabod's eyes widened to the size of saucers. "Oh………" was all he could manage to say. His mind started to cloud over and he felt his knees go weak but he was quickly shaken out of it by Peter.

"Master, I know that usually you would faint at something like this, but right now we really don't have the time. Katrina's in a lot of pain and she wants you."

Ichabod ran his hand through his hair, waking from his almost-fainting spell. "Yes. Alright, let's get out of here."

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When they opened the door Katrina's cries were even louder then they had been before. Ichabod's already worried expression switched to terrified as he heard his wife's cries. He knew it was a natural part of giving birth, but he didn't like to hear Katrina in such pain.

"Where is she? In the bedroom?"

"Yes, with Mrs. Potter." Peter said as he walked with Ichabod towards the bedroom. Mrs. Potter acknowledged their arrival but did not stop from trying to soothe Katrina as best as she could. Katrina didn't even notice them coming in. Her eyes were squeezed closed in pain and her heavy breathing and cries filled the room. Ichabod removed his coat and placed it on one of the posters of the bed before going over and taking Katrina's hand. She sensed the sudden touch. It was a hand she held many times but now she had it in more like a crushing grip.

"Ichabod?"

He smiled down at her. "Yes my love, I'm here. How are you feeling?"

She squeezed his hand even harder. "How the hell does it look like I'm feeling?"

Mrs. Potter laughed and placed a hand on Katrina's forehead. "You're doing fine my dear. Your contractions are getting closer together so it shouldn't be terribly long now."

"Good! I'm-AHHH! AHHH! Damn it! Ichabod, I hate our child!"

Ichabod couldn't help but be amused. "You're going to regret saying that later on Katrina."

Katrina just gave a curt nod, trying to cope with the pains of labor. Ichabod stroked her hair noticing that it seemed to slightly calm her. He looked up at Mrs. Potter. "How much longer should it be?"

Mrs. Potter shrugged. "It could be in a few minutes or it could be in a few hours. Labor is very unpredictable."

Katrina groaned and turned to Ichabod. "Why did you have to get me pregnant?"

He smiled, amused again. "Well, you seemed keen on the idea earlier."

Katrina managed a quick smile but another contraction brought rage back into her face. Ichabod just kept stroking her hair and Peter sat at the foot of the bed, looking on anxiously.

Mrs. Potter couldn't help but smile. It really wasn't proper for men to be present while a woman was giving birth, but it was clear that neither the constable nor the young ward were going to leave anytime soon.

"What a strange family!" she thought to herself. "A loving one, but still a strange one."

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It was almost an hour and a half later. Mrs. Potter went to prepare her instruments for when Katrina was ready to give birth while Peter assisted her and Ichabod was still beside Katrina, his hand now numb and painful from her squeezing.

"Here my dear, let's look at you." Mrs. Potter felt her stomach while Katrina flinched at the touch and Mrs. Potter pondered for a moment.

"Judging by how far the baby has dropped and how close together your contractions are I'd say it's time."

"THANK GOD!" Katrina yelled while Ichabod had a small panic attack. It was here. The moment was finally here………..

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"Katrina, I need you to push now!" Mrs. Potter sternly told her.

"Ah…I can't…"

"My love you have to! You're almost done!"

Grudgingly Katrina gave the strongest push that she could.

"Alright, I can see the baby's head. Push again."

Katrina yelped as she pushed again with all her might.

"One more!"

"No, no more, I don't think I can do it!"

"My love please, I know you're stronger than that!" Ichabod told her as he squeezed her hand as hard as she did now. Peter just looked on, not really sure of his place there.

"My love, please!"

Katrina screamed and gave one final push. They both looked up with wide eyes as they heard the cries of their child.

Katrina went from anguished to happy almost instantly and Ichabod only had eyes for his new baby that Mrs. Potter was cleaning and wrapping in blankets.

"My dear, you've given birth to a healthy baby girl!" she said as she placed the now calm baby in her arms. Ichabod stared at the baby with a look of wonder in his eyes as did Peter.

"I'll leave you all alone for a while. I'll check back later. Young Masbeth, why don't you come with me?"

"No, he can stay." Katrina said. "I want him here." Ichabod smiled at the young boy who came to sit at the end of the bed again.

Mrs. Potter smiled again at the improper nature of the family and walked out the door.

"Katrina, she's beautiful." He kissed her cheek and gazed down at his newborn child. "She's absolutely beautiful."

Katrina smiled and she slipped the baby into his arms. He held her as if she was the most precious thing in the world, as if she could break at any moment. She opened her eyes and looked around for a moment and Ichabod got another rush.

"She….she has my eyes……"

Katrina laid her head against his shoulder. "And your hair." she added, stroking a few dark hairs that were on the baby's head. "She's already showing your high cheekbones as well. It seems like she got your looks after all."

"Well, she has your nose and mouth. That counts for something." Ichabod kissed his daughter's forehead and could scarcely believe how lucky he was.

Peter looked on, sneaking looks at the baby from the foot of the bed. Ichabod took notice and smiled at him.

"Peter, would you like to hold her?"

He looked startled. "No, that's alright, I shouldn't-"

Katrina chuckled. "Nonsense Peter, she's practically your sister!"

He smiled and gently took the little girl from Ichabod's arms. She yawned quietly and shifted slightly in his hold. He couldn't help but smile broader. She was very, very cute.

"What are you going to call her?" Peter asked.

Katrina looked at her daughter, thinking deeply. "I'm not sure, to be honest."

Ichabod looked at the newborn and said without thinking "Isabelle."

Peter and Katrina looked up at him. "That was fast." Katrina commented.

He blushed slightly. "It's just the name of a character from a novel I once read. I don't know, I guess it just sounded nice."

She smiled at him. That was so like Ichabod, to get a name from a novel. "It does Ichabod. It's a lovely name. Isabelle………..Isabelle Rose, how about that?" Katrina said as she took back little Isabelle who had started to fuss.

"It sounds perfect." Ichabod said as he hushed his daughter.

THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you read this, thanks a bunch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Reviews are appreciated, just so you know!