YOUR phone lite up and started to gently vibrate as it sat on the table beside you.  Shining brightly across your screen was a picture of a short blonde with silver-rimmed glasses that perfectly accented his green eyes and gentle smile.  But you couldn't hear it as you had you head against Tracy's shoulder as the two of you were gently crying as you watched a movie on the TV.  The lead character was holding his wife's hand as she was laying on her bed.  She was giving him a gentle smile as she looked at his straining face as he watched her start to slip away as she laid there dying.

"Hey. You reached (y/n)'s phone.  Sorry I missed your call.  I'm either working, in class, or doing any one of the hundred things that always seem to come up when I lease expect it.  But leave me a message so that I can call you back. K?"  Ignis heard as your phone went to your voice mail.

Ignis dropped his head as his heart sink. 

"BEEP." 

"I was hoping to talk to you and not your voicemail."  Ignis said as he tried to hide the disappointment in his voice.  "We're heading back now and should be in Insomnia in about an hour or so.  But I'll still be up for awhile if you would like to talk.   I hope to hear from you soon, love."

Ignis hung up his phone and just stared at the screen for a moment, as if willing you to respond right away.  But then he looked away from it and out the window as your dad drive the Regalia along the dark road.  His uncle had handed him his phone right after they found him waiting patiently at one of the tables near the front of the restaurant.  The ferry had been early and was mourned up to the pier at Gauldan Quay.  Which was why he had been quietly enjoying a warm cup of Ebony while he waited for them.

"You didn't reach her?"  Paul asked as he looked in the rear view mirror and saw Ignis' disappointed look.

"No."  Ignis said in a flat tone as he continued to look out the window.

"She probable just walked away from her phone or something."  Paul said in a hopeful tone as he tried to comfort Ignis.  "I'm sure that she'll be calling you before you know it.  If I know my daughter, she'll be clutching her phone before to long since she hasn't heard from us yet."

"I hope your right."  Ignis replied in a low tone as he continued to glance out the window.  I would have preferred her to be here now.  But I guess I can wait.

"How about we stop by the house and surprise her?"  Paul asked with one eyebrow raised.  "I know that she has been anxious to see you."

"Perhaps another night."  Korn said.  "I'm sure that Ignis would like to get back home and get a good night sleep in his own room."

Ignis sighed as he slightly dropped his gaze before he looked back out the window.  It will be nice to sleep in my own bed again.  Of course it will be lonely and cold without her.

Suddenly his phone lite up as it started to vibrate and chime in his hand.  He looked down at the screen and saw your smiling face looking back at him.  His heart started to pound as a smile slowly took over and lite up his whole face.  You were still up.  And hopefully just as excited to talk to him as he was to you.

He hit the answer button as he sat back in his seat.  "There you are, love.  I was afraid that you had gone to bed already."

"How can I possible sleep when I know that your on your way back?"  You excited responded as you cradled your phone in your trembling hands.  "I'm sorry I missed your call.  I didn't hear it go off until my voicemail chimed.  It must've been on vibrate or something.  I knew that I shouldn't have put it down."

"It's okay, love."  Ignis calmly said as he heart started to feel light again as he listen to your anxious voice.  "You called back.  That's all that matters."

You closed your eyes as you fought back the tears that were threatening to fall.  Hearing his sweet silky accent again was like listening to your favorite song that you hadn't heard in ages.  And it washed over you like a warm shower.

"Hhh...how are you?" You stumbled as you tried to control your shaking body.

"Better.  Now that I've heard your voice." You heard him quietly respond, which made your heart leap. "How about you?"

"Better then I have felt in a long time." You answered honestly.  "And I'm thrilled to finally hear you again."

"Me too. Are you busy tonight?"

"No!" You quickly responded as you stood up. "Are you going to stop by?"

"Perhaps for a bit. That is.....if you don't mind?"

"I would be more upset if you didn't stop by."  You quickly replied as your heart started to race as you walked into the dining room and started to slowly pace by the table.

"Ignis, are you sure that your up for it?" Ignis heard his uncle say from the front seat.

"I don't think he's got much of a choice." Paul answered with a smile.

"Besides," Paul continued as he glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Ignis' face light up as he started to tell you about his trip back.  "I think they both need to see each other.  This separation hasn't been easy for either of them."

"I suppose your right."  Korn said as he tried to relax.

Paul then gave his boss a slight smile. "And it looks like you could use a short break yourself."

"Why do you say that?" Korn asked as he give him a curious look.

"Because I get that very same look when I'm stressed and need to unwind." Paul said with a smile.

"Is it that obvious?" Korn asked as he slightly smiled as he dropped his gaze.

"Yeah. It kinda is." Paul teased.

"Thanks." Korn said as he slightly rolled his eyes.

"But I think a couple brandies will take care of that." Paul smiled back.

Korn couldn't help but to slightly laugh back in response.

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~

"By the way, Henry sends his regards."  Ignis said to you with a chipper tone.

"Really?" You asked with a smile. "How's he doing?"

"Well he certainly misses you. You left a very high standard for everyone when you left."

"Is that a bad thing?" You nervously asked.

"Not at all." He replied smoothly before his tone got deeper. "In fact it was a good challenge. And one that I loved to match."

"Match, huh?"  You slightly teased back.  "Are you sure that you didn't raise the bar a bit while you were there?"

"Perhaps a little bit."  Ignis said back with a smile.

You couldn't help but to slightly giggle at him.

"I've missed hearing that." You heard Ignis say in a softer voice.

"Hearing what?"

"Your laugh."

"Really?"  You asked as you felt your cheeks start to heat up.

"(Y/n)?"  You heard Tracy's strained voice call from behind you as you stood in the dining room.

You turned around and saw Tracy grabbing her stomach with one hand and the back of the couch with the other.  You could see the pain in her face as she stood there clinching her teeth.  And immediately your heart stopped.  It seemed as if a certain little guy was growing restless in a very active way.

"Is it....time?"  You asked as you slowly started to lower your phone from your ear.

"Yeah.  I...."  Tracy started to say before she let out a deep groan.  "I think it is.  And the contractions are fairly close too."

"Oh shit....oh shit...oh shit."  You slowly repeated as you slowly lower your phone more as shock started to take over for a moment.

"(Y/n)?  What's wrong?"  You barely heard Ignis ask.

"I gotta go.....we gotta go."  You quickly said as you snapped out of it and started to move as you grabbed the overnight bag and the car keys. 

"Go?  Go where?  What's going on?"  Ignis nervously asked as he could now hear the urgency in your voice.

"We have to go to the hospital.  Tracy's going into labor."  You quickly said as you helped Tracy get her jacket and shoes on.  "Tell my dad to head over there once he drops you off."

"What?  Tracy's in labor?"  Ignis quickly said before realizing that the whole car was in suspense until that moment.

"Fuck!"  Paul said as he slammed on the gas.

The momentum forced everyone back into their seat as the car went into overdrive as it quickly pick up speed.  They were still a good distance from the main gates of Insomnia, since they still had to get through the guarded gate that was near Hammerhead.  But Paul knew that if he was quick enough, he could still make it.  And he wasn't about to let Tracy go through this on her own.  At least not if he could help it.

"We gotta go."  You quickly said as you started to help Tracy to the car.  "I'll call you once we get there."

"Okay.  We'll see you soon."  Ignis quickly said before you both hung up.

As you helped Tracy to the car, you could hear your phone starting to go off again.  But you couldn't answer it at the moment.  Even though you had a feeling that it was your dad.  But it was impossible to answer since you had your hands full with getting Tracy into the car before you tossed her bag onto the back seat.

Then you quickly got in yourself and started up the car.  Tracy groaned deeply as she seemed to sink into the seat as she heavily leaned back.  You did a quick glance at Tracy and watched her clinch her teeth as she slowly rubbed her stomach.  Then once you saw that she was starting to calm back down again, you quickly pulled out of the driveway. 

You could tell that she was close to delivering, just based on how little time there was in between the contractions.  But as she fought to stay calm, it seemed that you would have just enough time to get to the hospital.  Of course that was only if you hurried to get there.  Which was why you quickly started to head to the hospital. 

As you started to leave the neighborhood, Tracy's phone started to go off.  You could hear it ringing through the car speakers as you glanced at the screen and saw your dad's name.  And with a quick tap on the phone button on the steering wheel, you answered the phone.  But this time you didn't say anything.

"Hey..."  Tracy strained as she fought to talk.

"Hey baby."  You heard your dad say in a nervous tone through the car speakers.  "How are you feeling?"

"Besides in intense pain."  She groaned at him.  "I feel peachy."

"I'm glad you can still joke with me."  You heard him say as you pulled up to a light.  "How far apart are they?"

"Ummmmggggrrrr."  She started to say before she clamped down on her door handle as another contraction took over.

"Dad."  You said as you gave her a nervous look as the light turned green.  "You might want to hurry.  They are only a few minutes apart."

"Deep breaths baby.  Deep breaths.  Just like in our lemans class.  In your nose and out your mouth."  You heard your dad say as you started to swerve in and out of traffic as you flew to the hospital. 

"Aaaaaaaah fuuuuuuuck."  She cried out as the pain seemed to take over everything from the waist down.

"Breath baby. Breeeeeath!"

Tracy closed her eyes as she fought to control a long quivering exhale as she fought through the pain.  The long breath was providing some relief as it forced her to slow down and not curl up in pain.  She took another long breath and tried to focus on only that as a means of distracting herself.   And slowly the breathing seemed to be helping as the pain slowly started to subside.

"There you go Tracy."  You said to her as you watched her slowly start to relax again.

"That's it, baby."  Your dad said in a calmer voice then you knew that he was feeling.

Because you had a feeling that he was just as freaked out as you, as you raced through the streets as you headed to the hospital.  But you tried to keep a safe speed so that she would stay calm.  You knew that she had been having trouble the last few weeks.  Which led to her working from home for the past couple weeks on doctor's orders.  Which both thrilled and scared your dad at the same time.

Tracy slowly opened her eyes as a wave of pain slowly left her body.  Fuuuuuuuck.

"Are you okay?  Do you need me to stop?"  You asked as you pulled up to the light right near the hospital.

"No."  Tracy said in a low tone as she glanced at the few cars that were out.  "We just need to keep going."

"Right."  You replied as you slightly sighed at how non existent the traffic had been for the most part.

Which was how you had been able to make record time with reaching Main street, which was where Insomnia General was at.  And as you glanced over at Tracy, you saw her give you a relieved look back.  She seemed to be just as grateful as she gave you slight smile.

"Don't worry.  I'll be there soon baby."  You heard your dad say as you heard someone in the background.

"All good sir."

"Are you at the gates?"  Tracy asked as the light turned green and you turned onto the Main Street, and Insomnia General come into view.

"Yeah.  We just got through."  You heard him say as you heard the roar of the engine in the background.

You knew just based on that, that your dad was pushing the Regalia to her limits.  Which you knew was half out of fear and half out of drive to get there.  You just hoped that nothing happened to them before they pulled up to the hospital.  That was definitely the last thing that anyone needed.

"We're pulling up to the hospital now."  You said as you pulled around to the emergency entrance.

"Good girl."  You heard your dad say as you pulled up to the door.  "Stay with her if you can.  We'll be there shortly."

"I will."  You said as you put the car in park.  "See you in a bit dad."

Then you got out of the car and headed inside to grab a wheelchair and an orderly to help get her into the hospital.

"Keep breathing baby.  I'm almost there."  You heard your dad say through the car speakers before you closed the door.

You couldn't help your heart from racing as you dashed through the sliding door and quickly grabbed a wheelchair from just inside the door.  One of the nurses noticed and gave you a curious look.  You gave her a nervous look as you unfolded the chair and started for the door again.

"Do you need help dear?"  The nurse asked.

"Yes please. It's my step-mom.  She's in labor."  You called over your shoulder as you ran back out the door.

"I'll have someone come out and get her."  The nurse said to you as you heard her pick up a phone.

When you got back to the car, Tracy was still sitting in the car, as she waited for you. You could hear her and your dad doing some strange breathing exercises through the car speakers.  Which made you wonder who needed it more, him or her.  Because they both seemed to be benefiting from it.

You opened up her door and positioned the chair beside her door before you locked the wheels in place.  "Okay.  One of the nurses is sending someone out."

"Thank you, honey."  Tracy said with a strained, but relieved look.

"We have to go dad."  You said as you started to help her out of the car.  "I'll call you back once we're in her room."

"We'll be there before then."  You heard him say as you heard the distinct sound of tires sliding across pavement in the background.

Both you and Tracy gave each other a nervous look as you hung up her phone and handed her, her bag and phone.  "I'm going to go park the car.  I'll be right back."

"I'll wait right here for you."  Tracy said with a slight smile as you closed her door.

"Okay."  You said with a smile in return as you walked away from her.

Then you ran around to the other side and got back into the car.  And right as you closed your door, you saw an orderly come out the door and walk up to Tracy.  You quickly pulled away and headed to the parking lot.  The last thing you needed was to be left outside, unsure of where they took her.

You were fortunate enough to find a spot right up front.  And you were able to get back to her before the orderly lost their patience with Tracy, who insisted on waiting for you.  And once you were with her again, the three of you headed inside.  The orderly walked the two of you over to the check-in counter.  Tracy signed herself in and was able to get guest passes for you, your dad, and for Korn and Ignis for when they arrived.  This way they could just go straight up to the maternity ward.

Which all seemed to take longer then you thought it should.  But right as you were getting ready to head upstairs with the orderly pushing the chair, that was when you heard the screeching of tires outside the windows.  The whole room turned and soon saw your dad come running through the doors in an almost panicked state.  Then after a really quick glance around, he spotted the two of you and quickly came right up to her.

"Hey baby."  He said as he leaned into her and gave her a kiss.  "Sorry I'm late."

Tracy couldn't help but to slightly laugh at him.  "Your just lucky that I'm very good at stalling Mister.  And your not late.  You're just in time."

"Hmmmm."  He hummed as he kissed her again.

"Sir, we really need to get her upstairs."  The orderly said as he stood there looking extremely impatient now.

"Yes, of course."  Your dad said as he stood back up.

"Here dad."  You said as you handed him his visitor badge.  "Do I need to park your car too?"

"No, Ignis and Korn are taking care of that.  In fact the two of them should be in shortly."  Your dad replied as the four of you started to head for the elevators.

"I'll wait for them."  You said back with a smile.  "You two need to get going."

"Right."  Your dad said right as another contraction started.

"Ooooooh dear six."  Tracy groaned as she clamped down on the chair arm rests.

"Let's go."  The orderly said as he pushed her onto the elevator.  "The maturity ward in on the fourth floor.  You can wait in waiting room there."

"Got it."  You said as the elevator doors closed in front of you.

Then you nervously took a deep breath as the the elevator headed up.  You were suddenly very glad that your dad had insisted that you stayed home with her.  The thought of her driving there all by herself, and in that much pain, sent a chill through you.  For that certainly wouldn't have been safe for her.

I guess there will still be a few things that my dad can't control.  You thought as you looked down and started to rub your fingers over the three guest passes that were in your hands.  I just hope she's going to be okay.

"Did they go up already?"  You heard Korn's voice say as you felt the presence of two people approached.

You quickly turned around and saw the best sight that you had seen all summer.  And that was Ignis' smile as he walked up with Korn.  Immediately you ran up to Ignis and threw your arms around his neck.  He wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you close as he buried his face in your hair.

Neither of you spoke for a moment as you both closed your eyes and just relished in simply being able to finally hold each other again.  For it seemed like a lifetime had gone by since the last time you had held each other.  And you couldn't help but to tighten up your grip on him as you fought the wave of tears that were threatening to fall.  But as his scent filled up your senses, every bit of anxiety that you had been feeling, simply melted away.  He was home and finally in your arms again.

Ignis turned his head and kissed your cheek.  "Hi, love."

You smiled as a tear escaped and rolled down your cheek.  "Hi."

"Come along you two.  You can catch up as we wait upstairs."  Korn said as the elevator chimed.

"Right."  You both replied simultaneously as you slowly released the other.

Then you both turned and entered the elevator holding hands.

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~

It seemed like hours had gone by as you all nervously waited in the waiting area for someone to come back out to let you know how Tracy and the baby were doing.  But you didn't mind it too much.  Since it gave you time to talk to Ignis about the different things that you had both experienced while sailing on the Atlantis.  And even though Ignis' trip hadn't been anywhere near as exciting as yours, you were glad to hear that the kitchen staff and wardroom officers were just as friendly towards him as they had been towards you while he worked in the galley.

"I'm glad that your trip was smooth sailing."  You said as you sat tucked up under his arm and admired your interlaced fingers as you held his hand in mid-air.

"So am I."  He said before he gave you a kiss on the side of your head.  "But I did want to ask you about something."

"Sure."  You said as you placed your head on his shoulder and gave him a relaxed look as he gazed at you.

"What was up with you and the navigation team?"  Ignis asked as he watched you carefully.  "Well mainly one Quartermaster in particular.  What was his name again? Chris?"

"I thought that we had discussed this already." You said as you dropped your gaze.  "Chris was the guy who helped me out when Keith."

"I understand that part."  Ignis said as he searched your gaze.  "And trust me when I say that I'm grateful for that."

"Then what do you mean?"  You asked as you gave him a curious look.

"Well," he said as he pulled you closer.  "You never told me that you won a navigation contest against all of them."

"Well, I...I wouldn't really call it a contest."  You nervously replied.

"No?"  Ignis asked as he gave you a curious look.  "Then what would you call it?"

"I don't know......I guess," you began as you recalled the stunned look on every one of the Quartermaster's faces. 

All of them had simply stared at you in disbelief since you had beaten every single one of them by having the closest plots to the actually line of travel.  Not one of them had been as accurate as you.  Well, no one except for Chris himself.  Which had been the whole point of the contest.  For whoever got the closest to his plot would be rewarded with a dinner date with him.

Now when you began the contest, you had had no intention of winning.  And you had actually been disappointed when Chris had left you totally by yourself to handle all of it on your own, while he hung out in the chartroom.  You had thought that you were going to be paired up with him so that you could learn about it. Not participating yourself and ultimately winning the whole thing and even beat his previous plot.

".....I guess I would consider it more like a test."  You replied quietly.

"Really?"  Ignis asked as he slightly lifted on eyebrow.  "What kind of test?"

"A test of skill."  You smiled back.  "To which I won."

Ignis couldn't help but to chuckle at you as he pulled you closer to him and gave you a kiss on your hair.  You couldn't help but to smile yourself as you slightly closed your eyes.  You had learned a lot during that little 'test'.  But you still couldn't get over that Chris had wanted something else from you the whole time that you had been onboard.

But before you could think on the matter more, the door to the maternity ward opened up and a nurse came out beaming at everyone.  "(L/n) family?"

The three of you all stood up and walked over to her. 

"That's us."  You replied with a nervous smile.

"Congratulations."  She said as she beamed at the three of you.  "It's a healthy baby boy."

You could feel the wave of relief fill the room as all of you sighed in relief before you let out a cheerful laugh.  Then you each started to hug each other as the tears started to roll down your cheeks.  Even the nurse seemed to be crying as she watched the three of you hugging and smiling at each other before you looked back at her.

"Can we see them now?"  You asked as you smiled at the nurse as you wiped away a couple tears from your cheek.

"Of course.  Just follow me."  She said with a smile before she turned and headed back through the door.

When you walked in, you saw Tracy laying on the bed wearing a hospital gown and looking totally spent but happy.  Your dad was standing on the other side of her holding a small bundle in his arms.  He glanced over as you walked in and beamed at you.  He looked almost as tired as her.  But both of them had a twinkle in their eyes as they looked at you and smiled.

"There's my girl."  Your dad said as you walked up to them.

"Hey."  You said as you stopped at the foot of her bed.  "Are you both okay?  You had us waiting for quite awhile.  It was starting to make me nervous."

"That wait was nothing compared to you kiddo."  Your dad said as he smiled at you before he looked at Tracy.  "And besides, I think he was being just as impatient as someone else I know." 

"You're not funny."  Tracy replied as she gave him a lazy smile as she laid her head back and relaxed against the pillow.

"I wasn't trying to be funny, baby."  Your dad said with a teasing smile as you walked up to him and placed your hand on his arm.

"Can I see?"  You nervously asked.

Your dad looked at you and gave you a gentle smile.  "We can do something better.  How would you like to hold him?"

"Really?  Can I?"  You practically whispered as you looked up at him in surprise.

"Of course."  Your dad beamed back.  "He is your baby brother after all."

You then beamed and bit your bottom lip as your dad handed the small bundle over to you.  You were surprised at how small and light he was as you took your brother in your arms.  He gave a slight coo as he shifted in your arms before he settled back down.  Your whole face lite up as you looked at his tiny little nose, little fingers, and peach fuzz that seemed to cover every inch of him.  He was the cutest thing that you had ever seen in your life.

"So have you decided on a name yet?"  Korn asked as he came up and admired the tiny little surprise in your arms.

"We decided on naming him Nathaniel.  Or Nat for short."  Your dad said with a smile.

"Nathaniel."  Korn said as he smiled at the little guy with his hint of brown hair.  "I suppose that I'll be seeing a lot of you went you get older.  But you better be ready.  You'll have some very big shoes to fill young man.  Your older brother and sister have set the bar pretty high."

You beamed at Korn as you held your brother closer to you.  Ignis then came up and put his arm around you.  You gave him a quick smile before you looked back at your little brother.  Who was sleeping soundly in your arms.

You couldn't help but to wonder what the future would hold for the two of you now, as you held him.  Would it be plain and boring.  Or perhaps a bit exciting, with lots of entertainment.  Or maybe it would be more of a simple life.  You were praying for the lather.  You were over the excitement  and suspense.  Even the plain and boring sounded pretty good to you.

But either way, as you looked at him, you were starting to feel the same love that your brother had given you when he was alive.  And you could swear that you felt your brother's hand on your shoulder as you stood there smiling at your new baby brother.  Which made you smile even more.  For even if he wasn't physically there, you knew that he would support you in every way that he could.

"What say we let these three relax.  I'm sure that they could all do with a well deserved rest."  Korn said as he nodded to your dad and stepmom.  "Meanwhile, why don't we head over to condo so that someone else can get some rest from his long trip."

You looked up and gave Korn a hurt look.  "Do I have to go back to the house by myself?"

"Your more than welcome to stay with us."  Korn said with a nod.

You slowly started to smile before you looked over at your dad and got nervous.  But his smile was reassuring.

"Go ahead kiddo.  We'll be here if you need us."  Your dad said as he reached out his arms for the sleeping bundle in your arms.  "Just leave me the keys in case I have to run to the house and grab anything."

"What about work and school?"  You asked as your dad took your brother from you.

"I would be delighted to take you there myself." Ignis said with a smile.

"Really?"  You asked with huge a smile before you looked at your dad again.  "Are you sure?"

"Of course.  I can't think of a better place for you to stay." Your dad smiled back at you.  "Now go.  Get some sleep.  You have school tomorrow."

Your couldn't help but to beam back at him.  "Okay."

Then you gave him, Tracy and of course Nathaniel, a kiss before you took one last look at your new baby brother.  "Be nice to them bro.  Don't keep them up too late."

Your dad laughed at you, as you left the room with Korn and Ignis.  But you barely heard it over your pounding heart as you walked hand in hand with Ignis as the three of you headed back down to the parking lot.  After the three of you walked out to the Regalia, you and Ignis climbed into the back seat.  Then after a quick stop by your house so that you could feed Snowball and grab your things for the next day, you headed to the condo for the night.

******Author Note******

Didn't see that one coming did you?  Well, maybe you did.  But perhaps not right then.  But either way, I couldn't resist.  I wanted to do that before the wedding.  Of course I was debating on exactly how close to the wedding.

And I hope that no one took offense that I didn't sharing with anyone the beauty and gore of childbirth.  Having done it twice, I can assure you that each person experiences it differently.  And to me it's a very personal thing.  It will either scare you to death or will bring you to tears.  Either way, you will be crying.

But now that Ignis is back in town, at least for a bit, things are looking a lot better for you.  Even if things don't quite go the way that you hoped they would.  Is it too much to ask for some privacy?

Thanks for reading.  :)

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