THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD

© Katrina99
CH 19

"I feel like I could pop any day." Rodelyn slowly walked over to the picnic table and put her dish down before Marlene could get to her.

"Now you know one of us could have brought that in for you Rodelyn." She took her arm and led her over to a comfortable chair so she could watch everyone. It had taken her almost 20 minutes to reach the picnic table with everyone stopping her to feel the baby and ask her health and generally talk to her. She'd laughed feeling like a celebrity or a long lost family member. It was 4th of July and she was 7 months pregnant. It seemed like she grew every day and it was getting harder for her to do anything anymore. She still insisted on going to work even though Jackie had begged her to take maternity leave. Rodelyn was adamant though, she wanted to save all her time for Jordan and the baby after the he was born. It was going to be a boy and she was overjoyed when she called Jordan and told him. He'd been in Las Vegas. He smiled on the other side of the phone when she told him and told her how much he loved both of them. He told her he'd met her friend Katrina. Rod made him swear that he would look her up when he got to Vegas and the two had had a long friendly chat. Jordan liked her a lot, she was cool, and funny and he could tell how much she really cared about Rodelyn. Now as she sat at the park with his family she smiled again. Everything was going well. His tour was ending the beginning of September, she was due the 26th. Jonathan and Chris moved her into Jordan's Condo awhile back and even the baby's room was set. All three of Jordan's brothers came over one day to put together the baby's crib. A beautiful oak one with country carvings all over it. The room was painted in country tones and everything was just perfect.

"So how are you holding up mommy?" Sharon came over and sat by her.

"Pretty good considering. But I'm not planning on joining any volleyball games or anything."

"Well at least you have an excuse, I know I'm going to be pulled in by one of the guys." The two women laughed and talked for awhile and before she knew it they were all eating and joking and having fun. Someone had brought a television so the family could watch Jordan's televised concert. It was wonderful. He looked so healthy and happy and Rodelyn almost got jealous. "He should be here with us." She thought stubbornly but if this was the way to mend himself, she was going to have to let it be.

"Stop looking like that girl. He misses you too." Jonathan sat down and put his arm around her. He had a slice of cake in his hand and he put it down in front of her.

"That obvious huh?" She laughed.

"Pretty much. You're making us feel bad. We thought we were getting your mind off of him, but you're sitting here looking like your world is ending."

"Are you always so insightful Jon?" She took a bite of the cake and looked at him quizzically.

"Only with people I know and love, and ones that have no reason to look the way that you just did."

"I'm glad you're looking over me big brother. We're going to have to get you married one day so you can start looking out for yourself. Not that I just don't enjoy all of your attention."

"Well you said you had the perfect person for me, but she has the perfect person for her already."

"Yeah well, I guess if I'd moved over here sooner, you could have had her. By the way, Jordan met her." She licked her tongue out at him comically.

"Oh that's just great, he gets to meet my soulmate. Why is life so not fair."

"Stop whining, there is a woman out there that will make you so extremely happy, you've just got to get out there and find her. Don't you know what a good catch you are?" She cupped his chin in her hands. "There are millions of unlucky women out there that'll never get the chance at you."

"Stop, you're making me blush."

"Not a very manly trait is that. Maybe that's your problem." She loved talking to him, he was such a funny and sweet person and he just had the best caring personality. She knew she was right, the women who didn't end up with him were going to be the unlucky ones.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "And that is it!" With a flourish Jordan walked into the party and found Miguel and his friends sitting down. The crew had rented out a club in Florida to celebrate the successful tour and its end. Miguel handed Jordan his Gin and Tonic and they toasted to the success, and Jordan's impending fatherhood. For a second there was a shadow over his eyes that Miguel noticed but it disappeared. This tour really had done him well. He was almost back to his normal self. Miguel doubted he'd ever be the same, but he could handle the current Jordan Knight.

"I swear I won't bother you for at least six months."

"Make it a year and we've got a deal." He wanted to spend all of his time with Rodelyn and their son after he was born. He didn't want to tour, record, make any appearances, nothing. He didn't want to miss any of the firsts.

"Well talk, hows that?"

All of a sudden, the music stopped and most of the crowd gathered around Jordan's table. "What the." He looked around and saw a bright glow making its way across the club. The people parted and a couple of chefs rolled a gigantic cake Jordan's way with candles all over it.

"Okay everyone. We've to a few things to toast to, and a special announcement." Miguel stood up on his chair and addressed the crowd. "First of all, great job to everyone, you all were spectacular in carrying off this tour in such short notice. We are lucky to have each and every one of you on as the crew." The 'here heres' could be heard throughout the crowd. "Second of all, you all know that pretty soon there's going to be another addition to the family with Jordan's baby being born." Miguel wanted to say 2nd child but no one knew about Evan but his closest friends and family. "So let's all toast to a healthy and happy birth." The glasses went up again. "And finally, this is a complete surprise to our star because I only found out earlier today and what better way to announce it than the anti-climax�" The crowd laughed. "Jordan, did you know that your CD has now, officially, gone double Platinum?" A couple of girls carried forth Jordans DP plaque with the announcement on it and to say the least, Jordan was shocked. He got up and hugged his friend, tears in his eyes and took the plaque looking at it like he'd never seen one. Finally he stood up again and took the floor.

"I don't know what to say that Miguel hasn't said. Thank you all. Now this�.is the climax!" He pointed to the plaque and got a round of applause. "It has been a privilege working with every single one of you and we'll do it again, in about a year if you're up to it. I'm going to take some time off and be a daddy now, and relish in all this." He smiled and toasted the crew happily.

Back in his room he quickly got on the phone to Rodelyn, he knew it was after 10:00 p.m. but he just had to talk to her. He told her about the party and his record sales and she seemed so happy, but she was listless and tired. She was cramping and could hardly lay on her back anymore. She wanted him home, now.

"So you're flight is all set babe?" She asked him.

"Yep all set, I'll be home tomorrow and you won't be able to get rid of me, sorry."

"I wouldn't even try. I'll just be glad to see your face, and I'll be damn glad when this baby is out."

"You aren't working anymore are you?"

"Well�"

"Woman, will you take it easy, you need to rest before labor. I don't want anything happening�" he trailed off.

"I'm taking it careful, the doctor doesn't see why I can't work up until the due date." She knew he was worried and wanted his son healthy, and she couldn't blame him but she hated to just sit around and do nothing.

"We'll see about that. You need to get some sleep Rods." She agreed with him.

"I'm going to let you go. I will see you tomorrow. I love you so much honey." Jordan hung up the phone thinking how much happier he was now than he'd been when he left. He still thought about Evan every single hour of every day but now the pain was diminishing a bit. Evan was always going to be his first born but now he had to be there for his second son, and eventually his wife.

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