Meanwhile in the waiting room.

"Guys! I just saw grandma in the hall, mom's pushing!" Sam runs over to his brothers.

"She's pushing?! Now?!" James stands up with wide eyes.

"James, she's okay, bud." George pats his back.

"What if he hurts her?  What if he won't come out?" Michael panics.

"Boys, I love how concerned you are for your mom.  It's really sweet.

But she'll be okay.  It'll hurt like hell, but your mom is tough and she can do this.

If she can do it at fifteen years old with twins, she can do it at thirty two with one."

"Yeah.. I'm just nervous for her.  The pain.. the fact that she doesn't have dad there with her..." James sighs.

"I know... I'm so sorry.  But she's strong, you guys... she can do this."

The boys nod, and Sam says, "I just know it's gonna be hard for her.. when.. when she sees that baby for the first time." His eyes water and he immediately stops talking.

James pats his back and Sam runs his hands through his hair.

"I don't want this to break her."

"It won't.  This baby is good for her."

He nods his head and takes a big gulp.

"Hey!" They hear a small voice.

"Caroline?!  Babe, what are you doing here?" James walks over and hugs his girlfriend.

I saw your text, and I wanted to be here!  How's your mom?  Has she had the baby?"

"She's pushing."

"She's pushing?!  Oh my gosh, this is so exciting!"

"I know!  Can you believe I'm gonna have a baby brother?" James chuckles.

"No, but it's so fun!  I'm happy for you guys!"

"Thanks sweetie.  I'm happy you're here.. thank you so for coming." James wraps his arm around her and kisses the top of her head.

"Oh no problem!  I wanted to be here with you guys.  I was hoping that was okay."

"Of course it's okay!" Albert walks over and shakes her hand.

"Hello Mr. Lange!" She smiles.

"Hey Caroline!" Sarah waves from her seat.

"Hi Sarah!" Caroline waves back.

***

Jessica's POV. after birth.

His birth time is 4:22 am. and he is 8 pounds 14 ounces." The nurse says swaddling the baby in a warm blanket.

"Eight pounds 14 ounces?! Oh Jessie, you have a big boy, don't you?" Dorothy chuckles.

"I do! Aw, come here Grayson!" She reaches for him.

"Oh my goodness!  You're even cuter all clean." She giggles and kisses his forehead.

"Happy Birthday, buddy!

Guess what! You and daddy are birthday buddies!" She smiles and tears up.

"Yep.. He told me that you were gonna be.. Daddy came to mommy in a dream and told me that! Isn't that special?" She speaks in a softy gentle voice.

Dorothy and Jane watch her hold her newborn baby boy in her arms and sooth him.

"Jessica, you can try nursing him now if you want." The nurse says.

"Oh okay."

Dorothy helps her unbutton her gown, and Jessica sticks her nipple in Grayson's mouth.

"Is he doing it?" Dorothy asks.

"He just has it in his mouth, he's not sucking." She chuckles.

Jane and Dorothy laugh, and Jessica says, "Come on, Grayson.. eat, baby!" She moves her nipple from corner to corner on his lips.

Grayson lightly squints, and she giggles.

"Look at that little face!" Jane smiles.

"He's cute, isn't he?"

"He sure is!"

"Thank you! *Smiles*

Come on, Grayson, please?

Suck!"

All of a sudden Grayson starts eating like he's been doing it for ever.

"Well there you go!  You just wanted mommy to beg, didn't you?" She chuckles.

Jessica looks at Grayson and smiles at the seriousness in his face.

"You're so concentrated on eating, aren't you baby boy?"

She gently rubs the back of her finger on his cheek, and softly smiles at him.

"Happy Birthday beautiful boy.

Your day is shared with the most amazing man in the world.. your daddy." A single tear rolls down her face and she places a soft kiss on his cheek.

***

After Jessica was cleaned up, and the baby was fed, Jessica asked Dorothy to bring the boys in.

"Mom, could you go get my babies, please?" She smiles.

"Of course!"

Dorothy walks out to the waiting room and the boys were pacing back and forth.

"Hey!" She smiles.

"Hey!  Is she okay?" Sam asks with wide eyes.

"Did she have him?"

"Is he here?" James and Michael ask.

Dorothy just smiles and asks, "Are you boys ready to meet your baby brother?" 

All three tear up.

"Really?  He's here?" Sam smiles.

"He's here!" Dorothy nods.

"How's mom?" James asks.

"She's doing well.  Your brother is a big guy, so she had a little bit of a hard time, but she did amazing!"

"How much does he weight?"

"He's big, he's almost nine pounds!"

"Really!?" Michael's eyes widen.

"Yeah, he's eight pounds, fourteen ounces."

"Wow!  He's a big boy!"

"I know! *Chuckles* and she's already fed him, so the boobs are all put away for you three to come in."

"Okay!" They laugh.

Dorothy looks towards the ground and smiles, "Boys, he looks so much like your father."

"Really?" James asks.

"Yes!  That baby is gonna be a little Sam, I can already tell."

"I can't handle this." Sam grabs handfuls of his hair and looks down.

"Sweetie, it's okay." Dorothy rubs his back.

"Grandma, this isn't fair!  My dad is gone and his son was just born!"

"I know baby.. I am so so sorry."

"I hate this, I hate this so much!" He cries.

Dorothy hugs him, and he cries into her.

"I don't want mom to see me like this.  We're supposed to be strong for her."

"It's okay to cry, baby.  It's okay to be sad.  I'm here for you.. We all are."

"Thank you, grandma."

***

The boys went in to see their mother and to meet their baby brother.

"Hi!" Jessica smiles as they walk in.

"Hi!" They smile and one by one go over and kiss her cheek.

The boys stare at the baby sleeping peacefully in their mother's arms.

"He's so cute." Michael says.

"Yeah.." Jessica looks down and smiles at the baby.

"How are you boys?  Did you eat?" She looks up at them.

"Heh!  Yes mom, we're fine!  How are you feeling?" James asks.

"Good.  Sore, but I'm good!"

"Well good, we were worried."

"Awe, you guys are so sweet!"

The boys stay in there a while and Grayson starts to wake up.

"Oh he's waking up.  Do you boys wanna hold him?" Jessica asks.

"Of course!"

Sam held him first, and couldn't stop smiling at him.

"Hi little guy!  Wow, you're so cute! 

It's crazy to think that you're the one that's been going insane in Mom's stomach!" He and Jessica both chuckle.

"I still can't believe he has the same birthday as dad.. That's so cool.

You were born on a very special day, little dude." He kisses Grayson's forehead.

"Okay, my turn!" James takes him from Sam.

"Oh wow.. Well hello little guy!

I'm your brother James.  We're gonna be best friends!" He smiles and rubs his nose back and forth on the baby's.

"Okay, times up!" Michael holds his hands out.

Jessica chuckles and smiles as she watches all four of her boys.

There were so many emotions going through her body.  She was so happy to finally have her baby boy, and she was happy to see all of her sons together, but she also had such a deep sadness that constantly remained with her constantly.

"Hey Grayson!  I'm your big brother, Mikey!" He smiles. 

"Awe, my baby's a big brother!" Jessica says touching her chest.

Michael looks at Jessica and chuckles, then looks back down at the baby and says, "I promise to always be there for you.... Always!" He says that last part in a tearful whisper.

Jessica lets a tear roll down her cheek, before she quickly wipes it away.

*Knock knock*

"Can we come in now?!" Ann asks.

"Sure, come in!" Jessica giggles.

Ann, Jane, George, Sarah, Albert, Dorothy, Jane and Caroline all came in.

"Awe! Look at the little guy holding the little guy!" Jane smiles and snaps a picture of Michael hold Grayson.

He smiles and Ann walks over to him.

"Ah, can I hold him?"

"Sure." Michael hands him over.

George walks over to Jessica and wraps his arm her, then kisses her head.

"Good job, kiddo."

"Thanks." She smiles.

"How are you feeling?"

"Exhausted!" She chuckles.

"I bet! You need some rest!"

"I'll rest in about eighteen years." Jessica says as they both laugh.

Albert walks over and George moves aside.

"Hey baby girl!" He kisses her forehead.

"Hi dad."

"I'm proud of you, Jessie."

"Thank you." She smiles.

"Jessie, he is so precious! I can't believe you have one of these!" Ann gushes looking at the baby.

"It's pretty crazy." Jessica giggles.

"Let me see little George, hand him over, Ann." George holds his hands out.

"No way! This is my baby!" Ann's voice goes high.

"Ann! Let me see him!" George whines.

"Alright, fine!"

Ann hands Grayson over and George smiles at him.

"Well hello! It's nice to meet ya, little guy!

You're a cute one, aren't you? Just like your uncle George!"

Jessica laughs and rolls her eyes.

"I'm just playing! You look like a great guy I once knew. His name is Samuel Shepard.. Oh that's your daddy, you say?" George jokes.

Jessica starts to cry and George continues.

"Your dad was a great great man, Grayson. You're lucky enough to share a birthday with him." He kisses his head.

James wipes his eyes and Caroline goes over to comfort him.

Michael goes over to his grandmother Jane, and Sam comforts Jessica.

"Grayson, you are a beautiful blessing to your mama and big brothers.  Your dad always made everyone he talked to smile.. That's what you are. Your daddy sent you here to make everyone smile."

Jessica wipes her tears that were now pouring down her face, and Sam rubs her arm.

***

6:00 am.

"Boys, please go get something to eat and go home and get some rest."

"We're okay, mom."

"No, I want you to go!"

"Okay, but we'll be back as soon possible."

"Don't rush. Rest."

"Okay." Sam chuckles and kisses his mother.

"Mom, Jane, you two go get something to eat."

"I don't wanna leave you, baby."

"Mom, it's okay. I need to get some rest anyway."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay.. Well I'll hurry back."

"No, I want you to get some rest."

"I can't knowing you're alone."

"I'm fine, ma!" She giggles.

"Alright, I'll be back. Call me if you need anything."

"I will." She smiles as her mom kisses her.

***

"Caroline, sweetie, thank you so much for coming! You're so sweet." Jessica smiles.

"No problem, Mrs. Shepard! Grayson is so adorable!"

"Aw, thank you!

I'm glad that James has you. I know today was hard on him.. On all of my boys.. But he really likes you and I know it really meant a lot that you were here."

"Awe! I really care for your son, Mrs. Shepard."

"Well good, me too!" She giggles.

"I only want the best for my babies and you're pretty great." She smiles.

Caroline giggles and says, "Well thank you!"

"Hey Jess, sorry to interrupt!  I'm gonna go home for a little while, then Evan and I will come back." Sarah says.

"You get some rest!"

"You too." Sarah smiles.

***

The sun was shining through Jessica's hospital window, and she held her baby warmly in her arms as he cried.

"Oh baby boy, what's wrong?" Her voice goes high.

"Mama's here, my boy!"

She rocks him lightly and gives him his binkie, and he slowly calms down.

"Oh so you're gonna be a binkie baby, huh?  How cute!" She smiles and kisses his head.

"I can't believe you're here already.  Seems like just yesterday when your daddy and I decided to have you... I just can't believe it happened so fast!

He was so happy I said that we could have another baby.." Jessica smiles softly, as she remembers the day fondly.

"Grayson.. I promise you that I will keep your daddy's spirit alive.  I will tell you all about the amazing man he was.. Because Grayson, he was the best." Tears fill her eyes.

"He loves you so so much, baby boy.

And so does mama.

I'm sorry that things are this way.. I wish it were different, but I promise to be the best mommy I can possibly be.

You and daddy will always have a special bond.. and you will always be Birthday Buddies." She smiles and kisses him as tears roll down her cheeks.