Judah walked on the side of Kianna but was just a couple of steps behind her because he loved the way she waddled identical to a penguin due to the belly in front of her that had been growing for a little over nine months now. The little walk was his favorite thing to see.

Today was Valentine's Day, and as he did last year, Kianna woke up to plenty of gifts, balloons, breakfast in bed and money, but for the first time in a while, he didn't know what to buy her outside of newly released purses and shoes.

He wanted to buy her a car, but she now had seven of her own and he couldn't even recall the last time she sat behind a steering wheel. Another car would be pointless, and she had damn near everything that money could buy, so Judah had finally ran out of gift ideas.

After asking her if she was interested in buying something that he hadn't already purchased for her, she told him that she wanted to go on a shopping spree for Princess Kiyanna-their unborn daughter who was already the most spoiled child that Judah knew and she wasn't even out of the womb yet.

Just like her mother, Judah bought his baby something every time he left the house; ranging from shoes to clothes to dollhouses and baby alive dolls-the whole nine yards. She even had plenty of items in kids youth sizes and it would literally be impossible for her to wear any of it until two years from now.

That clearly didn't matter to him though, so of course he was currently with Kianna on a shopping spree at a Gerber Children's stand-alone store, and of course their cart was already more than half full and they'd only been here for half an hour.

Anything for his babies.

"Aweeeee my godddd, how cute is this?!" Kianna childishly whined, grabbing a yellow Pooh Bear fur onesie from the rack, turning it around to show Judah.

"How cute are you?" He chuckled, more interested in the smile on her face than the onesie in front of him; they already had the same onesie in orange with the Tigger character on it, and a gray one with the Eeyore character, too.

"Baby look at it. It matches the other two we have at home." She said, damn near reading his mind.

"It's cute mama. Get it." He kissed her cheek, and she smiled, laying it down in their cart.

"I think we have enough for now. My back is killing me. I wanna get back in the bed." She held on to the cart that he pushed and put her other hand on her hip, blowing out a slow breath.

"Yeah? You sure?" He knew she wouldn't want to do much today-if she wanted to do anything at all-that's why he already had plans for them to chill at home together.

"Mhm. Can I push the cart please?" She asked, and Judah moved out of the way to let her take over. She used it as support for her upper body, leaning over the basket as she pushed it towards the checkout line.

She was so big now, it seemed like every part of her body had grown twice its normal size. She literally had to physically sulk when she walked because her body felt so heavy. She couldn't wait to give birth and get all this excess weight off.

By the time they finally made it home, all Kianna wanted to do was go to sleep.

She felt bad because she knew Judah had a whole day planned for them to celebrate Valentine's Day, but she didn't have the energy to physically do anything; hell, she could barely even walk without feeling as if she'd pass out.

This baby was taking way too long to finish baking in the oven of her belly.

"Kianna," Judah called as he walked into their bedroom, watching her eyes slowly flutter open.

"I'll give you a brownie if you come to the theater with me." He held up two cosmic brownies, causing a faint smile to spread across her lips. He knew her so well.

"You good?" He kissed her cheek and grabbed a handful of her butt at the same time after helping her stand up from the bed.

"Yes. Can I have the brownie please?" She asked, and he gave her only one of them before grabbing her hand to lead her out of the room.

He watched her do a small dance as she happily ate her cosmic brownie while they rode the elevator downstairs, and Kianna watched herself in the mirror designed walls as well, moving her arms in a water wave motion. Brownies were clearly the way to her heart.

"I love when Ma comes and cleans the house for me. It always smells so good when it's her, but when I go buy the same plug ins that she does, it never smells the same." She said as they walked down a hallway, gazing at the strawberry scented plug in connected to the socket on the wall.

"Knowing her she probably pour some of that shit in the mop water." Judah replied, and Kianna laughed because she wouldn't put it past Maria either.

They made it to the theater room where The Croods 2 was playing on the projector wall, and the recliner chairs were all pushed back to make room for a big pallet with plenty of regular pillows, two of her pregnancy pillows, fur blankets, and Kianna's heated blanket, too.

On top of the pallet was two boxes of Dominoes pizza and a small rectangular box of what she assumed was stuffed cheesy bread; her second favorite craving. There was also more brownies, a small cooler with drinks, hot Cheetos, two cartons of buttery popcorn, and two trays of McDonald's French fries; her third favorite craving.

Rose petals surrounded the pallet, and Kianna knew Judah did it himself instead of having someone come over and do as usual because the petals were scattered erratically. She loved him so much.

"You so stinking sweet. Why do you like making me cry all the time?" She looked up at him with a pout on her face, and it turned into a smile when he repeatedly kissed her lips.

"It ain't what I originally had planned but I still wanted to do somethin' for you; somethin' that won't make yo' body hurt. You can take yo' nap down here." He told her, helping her sit down on the floor against the pillows.

"I love you so much baby. I appreciate you a lot. Can I have another kiss?" She tilted her head back for him, then she wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him down on the pallet with her when he gave her what she wanted.

"Yo' tongue tastes like brownies." He chuckled, kissing her cheek again after releasing her from the kiss.

"Speaking of, can I have the other one?" She asked, even though there were some in front of her. He passed her the brownie with a smile that grew when she kissed him yet again.

Judah leaned forward to pull her king sized heated blanket over the two of them, tucking it in on Kianna's side. He hated the blanket because he was always naturally hot, but she stayed under it 24/7 and often made him cuddle with her underneath it.

"What you staring at girl?" He asked as he laid down against the pillows with her.

"I'm so obsessed with you. I literally can't believe you've busted me in my mouth before." She randomly said, laughing when Judah turned his head to look at her with a frown.

"Why you always get so mad when I bring that up like you didn't literally do it? You did it twice, actually." She added.

"I don't know who that man was, really.. he could walk past me on the street and I wouldn't know a thing. Sorry, to that man." He shrugged his shoulders with a smile on his face when she laughed again.

"Me either stink 'cause my stinky handsome sweet baby would never do that to me, huh?" She chuckled, pulling his head down to leave more kisses on his cheeks.

"Never. I'm obsessed with you." He repeated her words from moments ago, causing her smile to return.

"I can't wait to marry you." He said, gently pecking her bottom lip while his face remained in her hands.

"Me either, baby. You make me so happy to just be here, looking at you. You don't even know how much my life has changed since b-well, yes you do because you are literally a stalker and you really do have an insane obsession with me so I don't even have to finish what I was saying." She cut herself off, and now it was his turn to laugh.

"That's true. I still wanna hear it though. Talk to me." He stared at her with a humorous grin, making her eyes playfully roll.

"It's just-I used to be so depressed..not 'cause I was broke or anything, but because it's always just been me. I mean, Mina's been here for a while, but she doesn't see me the way that you do. You put me on a pedestal that's so high-I can't even explain it. I just always feel wanted, you know? And that's like the best feeling ever, I swear."

"I have somebody to do life with now. Somebody I'm about to raise a whole kid with, and start my own family.. I know that's probably everyone's dream but it was never mine until you somehow made me fall in love with you." She shook her head as her smile remained, and Judah's grew.

"You really are obsessed with me but it's my favorite thing in the world. I love being with you." She picked a small speck of lint from his hair, gazing up at him.

"I love you so much. You don't even understand that shit. I do everything for you, my baby. I'm here for you 'til the sun burnout. And when it does I'ma buy another one just for you." Even though that was supposed to be a joke, Kianna knew just how serious he was. He'd do anything and everything for her.

"Me and Princess so lucky to have you. She don't even know how blessed she is yet, having you as a mother." He told her.

"Thank you stinky. That's so fuckin' sweet." Her bottom lip was poked out in a pout as she raised her head for yet another kiss, and he gave her a few of them all over her face.

"Damn. That hurt?" He glanced down at her stomach before looking back at her with concern ridden in his expression after feeling his daughter forcefully kick his hand.

"A lil' bit. She's sitting right on my bladder though-I have to pee really bad. Help me up please." The pout on her face remained, but it was now from pain instead of admiration.

"Naw that's yo' water finna break. I told you she was gon' come today." Judah stood up from the pallet and hooked his arms underneath hers to pick her up from the floor.

"Shut up. Shit, I'm 'bouta piss on myself. Why does she always do this to meeee?" She childishly whined as she waddled to the nearest bathroom as quickly as possible, and Judah followed her with a constantly growing smile.

Thankfully, she made it to the toilet just in the nick of time. She paid Judah no mind as he stood there watching her relieve her bladder that their daughter continuously pushed at as if she knew the result of her actions, and now purposely picked with her mother by doing so.

"Can you get out? I think I have to poop." Kianna looked up at him with tissue wrapped around her hand.

"Nah I'm good." He stayed where he was, making her smack her lips. She knew better than to ask him to leave anyway. He wouldn't know what privacy was if it hit him in the face.

"Maybe she will come. I've been cramping all day but maybe those were contractions? They didn't hurt that bad though. I didn't think anything of them at the time but this cramp right here hurt so bad I can feel it in my butt." She expressed, leaning up from the toilet in an attempt to stop the cramp.

"If she for real come on Valentine's Day that's gon' be wild. The day never gon' be 'bout just you ever again." He chuckled, and she did as well, shrugging her shoulders.

"I wouldn't mind. I want her out of me right now." She wiped herself with tissue and a wet wipe before using the counter to stand up, then pressed the button on top of the toilet to flush it.

"The cramp gone?" He asked, seeing her walking normally to the sink.

"Well it's not in my butt anymore." She shrugged again, and he shook his head at her with a small laugh.

Apparently she spoke too soon because the cramp came right back, and now, she knew it was a contraction. It was ten times stronger than the one she just had, and she almost lost the stability in her legs from how hard it hit her.

"I got you. That's a contraction?" Judah asked, now standing behind her with his arms around her waist to support her, and Kianna nodded her head while hissing at the sharp pain in her stomach.

"Aw, hol' up yo, why I'm getting scared? I was just playing. She don't need to come right now, I still need a few days to prepare." He said after feeling the pace of his heart pick up.

"You better get ready playa. Look and see if I'm tripping-I literally feel like my coochie spreading." She groaned softly while spreading her legs apart, and Judah squatted to look between them after pulling her boxer briefs down.

"Hell nah. I'm 'bouta pass o-,"

"Boy I wish the fuck you would. I'ma make sure yo' ass don't wake back up. Do not piss me off." She cut him off before he could finish, but Judah could literally feel himself become lightheaded.

"Yo I can see her hair. Fuck. Why I'm 'bouta throw up?" He pulled on the shirt that he wore as he became hot at the same time that his mouth watered.

"Deadass? Are you serious?? I didn't even feel her move?" Kianna's voice now had a lighter pitch due to her trying to stop herself from panicking.

"I don't know how 'cause she deadass right there, her ass damn near looking at me. Yo I'm 'bouta pass the fuck o-,"

"Go get my phone and stop pissing me off Judah. How you 'bouta pass out like you the one giving birth? Go call somebody. What are you still standing here for?" The frustration in her tone was evident, but Judah wasn't worried about it at all because he was too busy trying to process the fact that their daughter was actually coming.

"Now, Judah!"

"Aight man. My fault." He stood back up, nervously rubbing over his braids as he headed for the theater where his phone was.

"Please hold on baby. Mommy not ready yet. Please, please wait 'til somebody gets here, oh my god." She pleaded quietly to herself, reaching between her legs to feel her own vagina, and she tried not to panic further after feeling how dilated she was.

When Judah came back in the bathroom a few minutes later, he now had both of their phones in his hand, along with two bottles of water and a small towel.

"Kat and Ma on the way over, but Kat coming from Brooklyn. I didn't know what to bring you so I got you some water. What you want me to do mama?" Judah asked.

"Thank you. I'm sorry for being mean to you." She reached up to wipe her face once she realized that she was crying, making his expression soften.

"It's okay, I ain't mad or nothin'. I'm sorry for being dramatic. That shit really just caught me off guard but I'm good now. I'm ready to help you." He told her.

"Thank you baby. Can you walk me to the living room?" She asked, grabbing his hand when he nodded.

"Do you want me to pick you up?"

"No, I'm ok. The contraction going away now." She mumbled, squeezing his hand lightly as another sharp pain shot through her side before fading away.

Once they made it to the living room, Kianna waited near the couch while Judah went to go run water over the small towel to put on her forehead.

She reached between her legs for the second time, releasing low gasp when she felt how wet her boxers were. She couldn't look down to see them because her stomach was in the way, but her hand and the fabric of her underwear were soaking wet, meaning her water had finally broken.

Kianna walked into the hallway and opened up the storage closet, bending over to grab the big blue box out of it. She dragged it out since it was entirely too heavy for her to carry, only to catch another contraction when she was close to the living room again.

"Watch out, let me get it baby. I got it." Judah said, looking at her with a small frown when she let out a quiet cry, grabbing between her legs again.

"It hurts so bad now. Oh my god. This shit just came out of nowhere." She sniffed, remaining where she was while Judah pulled the box to the living room.

"KJ I don't wanna do this home birth shit no more. Let me take you to the hospital. Kataleya probably won't even make it here in time." He grabbed her hand, helping her walk back over to the couch while referring to her midwife.

"No, no, we can do it. I don't wanna go to the hospital. Just air the pool up for me, please?" She asked, and he stared at her for a moment, clearly not wanting to leave her side.

"Judah, please? The sooner I get in the water, the sooner this pain stops." She said to convince him, and thankfully it worked.

By the time he aired the inflatable birthing tub completely up with an air pump, Maria was rushing through their front door with stuff in her hands, causing instant relief for Judah. He didn't feel like he was doing enough for Kianna, but he knew his mother was here to save the day.

"It's alright baby, I know it hurts, just breathe for me. Breathe." Maria tied Kianna's hair up into a loose bun just to get it out of her face because it was sticking to her forehead from how sweaty she was.

"I'm so scared." Kianna whimpered softly.

"I know, honey. Mommy right here with you, ok? And Judah is too. We're not going anywhere. Everything will be fine." She wiped her forehead with a cold towel, hoping it would help cool her off.

"I love you so much. Thank you."

"I love you very much. Now breathe, baby. Calm yourself down." Maria's tone softened, and Kianna nodded her head, blowing out a slow breath.

She turned her head to look over at Judah who was staring right back at her with red eyes, making her smile. Seeing him crying was always the surprise of a lifetime, but she couldn't deny how happy it made her to know that he was crying because their daughter was finally making her arrival.

"I can sit up mama. I need to go hug my baby." Kianna mumbled, slowly sitting up from the couch. Maria only smile in response, watching her waddle over to Judah without waiting for her to say anything back.

"Hi stinky, what you crying for? She not even here yet." She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he carefully hugged her back, laying his face down on her shoulder.

"I can't believe this shit really happening man. I didn't know how fast it would come." He told her.

"Well, it's happening. You ready?" She chuckled, reaching up to wipe his cheeks that were covered in tear streaks.

"I'm ready for anything as long as I got you." He kissed her forehead, causing her smile to grow stronger.

The process of preparing the birthing pool took a little more than half an hour because after inflating it, Judah had to place the disposable and sterilized liner around the whole thing, then he had to take off the original water hose in the backyard and put a brand new filtering one on before finally being able to fill the pool with water.

Kataleya ended up making it by the time he was done, which relieved them all. She checked Kianna's blood pressure, body temperature, and the rate of her pulse to make sure that everything was normal and safe enough to deliver because Kianna was already dilated enough to push.

"And I'll have the scissors right here when it's time, okay?" Kataleya said to Judah, who nodded, now sitting in the pool between Kianna's legs.

"Is she here yet??" Amina sounded frantic as she walked with Maria into the living room, making Kianna's head turn.

"No best friend. You made it in time." She smiled a very tired smile, exhaustion ridden all in her face and she hadn't even begun pushing yet.

"Ugh, I was about to start crying. You look so tired so I'm not going to badger you with questions or nothing but I love you so much sister. I'm already so proud of the mommy you are. You got this." She leaned over to kiss her cheek, and Kianna returned the same kiss to her cheek in appreciation.

Elijah kissed Kianna's forehead next and gave his brother some words of encouragement before joining Abel near the kitchen to give the couple some privacy once Kianna groaned out in pain, and Maria and Amina stood a few feet away from the birthing pool, recording on Kianna's Canon camera as requested by Kianna herself.

"Kat I can't hold her in any longer. Can I push, please? She's coming so fast." She cried, resting on her hands to elevate her bottom half a bit, able to feel her daughter literally begin to slide out of her.

"Go ahead mama, we're on your time! I'm ready when you are." She had only her feet and hands in the pool to aid Judah with the delivery, but ultimately wanted to make sure the moment belonged solely to them, so she wouldn't intervene unless necessary.

"Ahhhh, fuck! Oh my god I'm sorry mama. This hurts so bad. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god." Kianna's words came out in a mild scream, and Maria smiled at how she was worried about her profanity at a time like this.

"Shit." Judah cursed as well, seeing the head of his daughter slowly make its way through the walls of Kianna's vagina. She had a head full of dark hair already.

He put his hands at the back of her neck once her head was all the way out, instantly kickstarting waterworks. He couldn't believe he was actually touching her. It seemed like he'd been waiting forever, and now, he was really a father.

"Fuck!" Kianna screamed one last time before reaching down to help Judah, guiding her baby's entire body out of her.

"Oh my god." Some of her tears got into her mouth as she laid her head back on the inflatable pool after the loud cries of her daughter sounded throughout the living room.

"Aw, my baby. Look at you. Mommy loves you so much." She sniffed, holding her against her chest while Judah cut the umbilical cord with shaking hands.

"Shit. Shit," Kianna hissed, feeling her body start to push again, and seconds later, out came her placenta.

She looked down at her daughter with a constant flow of tears coming from her eyes, listening to Princess's cries. She was already such an amazing baby; Kianna couldn't believe that her body had actually grew this child.

The moment of realization that she was really here was so intense and emotional.

"I love you so much." Judah held Kianna to his chest, and she sniffed again, finding her comfort in his arms.

Period