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“And Joel is doing well at the police academy according to Dave, so it sounds like they’ll both have well-paying jobs soon,” Katrina added.
“And they both have girlfriends now, believe it or not, so they aren’t always hanging around here making a mess,” Annie said.
Maggie walked out to talk to Dave, who looked at the house. Katrina waved to him and with long strides he was at the sunroom door with a concerned look on his face.
“What do you think?” he asked, embracing her.
“I think we might have a baby soon. I’ve only had one contraction, but my back has been killing me again.”
“Okay, let me know when the next one comes.”
She didn’t have another one until two that afternoon, and then they started coming regularly every five minutes.
“I guess we’d better get home and get Luanne in to watch Davie,” Katrina said, her friends petting her and making a fuss over her.
“Let us know what’s happening, every step of the way,” Annie said. “I wish I could be with you like you two have been with me.”
“I’m not going to go to the hospital right away. I just want to get Davie home and the nanny there and get a shower.”
“Gotcha,” Maggie said. “If you need anything, just ask and we’ll be over.”
Baby Charlene came that night. Annie was awake, lying in bed alone while Chris fed Emily when her phone beeped with a text,Do you want to meet your new niece? Can we Facetime?She answeredYes!and sat up in bed.
Katrina texted back,I’ll get Maggie on. Hold on.
A minute later, the phone rang. “Hi!” A radiant Katrina and Dave were on the phone, grinning and happy. “Look who’s here!”
Katrina held up a tiny bundle with ginger feathers on her head, a little pink rosebud mouth, long eyelashes on her chubby cheeks, her fists grasped under her chin.
“Oh, she’s so beautiful. Look at her hair!” Maggie cried.
Justin stuck his head in the camera. “Congratulations!”
“Thank you. Where’s my brother, Chris?” Dave asked.
“I’ll call him,” Annie answered. “If we get disconnected, call me right back.” She pushed some buttons and Chris answered the phone, joining in the group Facetime call.
“Aw, she’s so cute,” Chris said, grinning into the phone. “How are you feeling, mama?”
“I’m wonderful. I’m drugged, but feeling on top of the world. We’ll see you all tomorrow!”
“Absolutely,” Annie cried. “But wait, what’s her name? How much did she weigh? We need all the details.”
“Charlene Chastain,” Dave said proudly. “After Saint Charlene, patron saint of the Cajun people.”
“Wow, that’s beautiful,” Chris said.
“What did she weigh?” Justin asked.
“Well, you won’t believe this. Nine and a half pounds.”
Moans of sympathy from the women echoed over the line. They talked for another minute. After they hung up, Annie lay back on the pillows again when Chris came into the room with the baby.
“We’ll all have two children soon,” she said, looking up at Chris. “I mean the women. I can’t believe you and I have four together which is pretty amazing. I don’t feel like the stepmother to two adult boys.”
Chris sat on the edge of the bed and slid his arms around Annie and the baby. “You’re great with my boys. Thank you so much, Annie. This is my dream family, you and Emily.”
“It’s my dream, too, Chris. We just had to figure out a way to get from point A to point B and I think we did it.”
