And then there were 3.

"So, Nicole. Tell me about when this precious thing came into the world," she said as she nuzzled the baby closer to her face so she could breathe in her scent.

She had hardly been able to put sweet little Clara Adele down since she had gotten there, though Nicole and Sam didn't seem to mind. They had seemed to enjoy getting to spend a little bit of time together without having to change diapers or worry about her every second. And Sookie got to enjoy the baby that she probably would never get to have.

She sighed and kissed Clara's forehead again and snuggled her close as she sat in the rocking chair and moved back and forth.

She sat on the couch beside Sam, her hand resting on his leg and rubbing back and forth gently. Things had gotten a lot better for the two of them since Clara had come into their life.

"Well, I went into labor in the middle of the night. Sam was asleep, I hadn't been able to get comfortable and had finally managed it when all of a sudden there was a flood in the sheets!" She chuckled and shook her head before running a hand through her unkempt hair. "Next thing you know, I was screaming, Sam was screaming and we were taking off to the hospital."

It felt like it was yesterday that they were bringing her into the world. It had been absolutely crazy; neither of them had been sure what they were doing, or where to go. But she wouldn't have traded it for the world.

Turning her head to Sam, she grinned at him. "Sam here thought that the world was ending."

He smirked and shook his head. -Well you'd have thought the same thing if you were there.- he chuckled and remembered it as if it were yesterday when it was a few weeks ago. Proudly beaming, he began.

-I was having the best dream. That dream where it feels real....-

He smiled in his sleep and snuggled against Nicole. Something warm hit his leg and he dreamed he was stepping into a hot tub. That was until Nicole screamed his name and hit his arm. Peeking one eye opened he looked at her. -Sorry, you want to switch sides again or was I snoring?-

She grasped her stomach and let out another yelp before hitting him in the shoulder again.

"Sam," she said between breaths. "It's.... UGH! It's time. Okay? Let's... we have to go. Get the hospital bag." She turned slowly to put her feet on the ground and let out another grunt as her hand went to her back. It felt like her body was being ripped apart.

"Oh God. Oh God Oh God OH GOD!" She groaned and slowly rocked back and forth, trying to get herself off of the bed and onto her feet. This was it. She was going to have their baby! She turned her eyes to Sam who was still in bed staring at her and grit her teeth. "SAM!"

He began to fall asleep again when she hit him and he groaned. Peeking through one eye he heard her cries and shot up. -what? What happened. Are you okay?- Hearing the it's time announcement and her instructions to get their bags had him standing by the bed, staring at her with wide eyes. -Time? It's....time? I...I...it...we...-

He blinked and stared at her. She screamed out in pain and he screamed too. Clutching his head he began to panic...a little. Maybe a lot.

-ITS TIME! Oh oh oh my god. It's time! Bag! I need the bag! And the keys! And and and...- he began rushing around the room and grabbing things. Some things irrelevant to her going have their baby but you never knew when a spatula would be needed.

She looked at him, frustration boiling through her blood and then.... she laughed. She pressed her hands onto her rock hard stomach and doubled over, in pain and laughter. Tears streamed down her face as she turned to him.

"Sam, baby. We just need the bags. The keys are on the table by the door, the bags are in the closet shelf. My shoes are by the door. I'll grab them on our way out."

She shuffled her way over to him and put a hand on his shoulder while the other rubbed at her lower back. "We're going to have our baby, Sam. Clara's going to be here.... really soon." She winced again and started her breathing exercises that she had learned at the Lamaze classes.

He nodded, attempting to calm himself. -Right, bags. Right. Okay.-he nodded again and kissed her lips softly, gently rubbing her back.

Stepping back, he grabbed the bag and looked at her with a smile. -Or Sam Jr if it's a boy...- they still didn't know what they were having, but he was hoping for a boy. Having a daughter gave him anxiety. -we should go-

She stared at him and rubbed her back gently to get rid of the pain that was there. Her contractions weren't very close together, thankfully, so she was hoping that she was going to get to the hospital before they got too bad. She had planned natural before she had gotten further into her pregnancy, but now she wasn't quite sure if she could make it.

"Sam... Baby...." She watched him running around the house and chuckled again before groaning. Should she tell him that he was only wearing boxers? He'd probably appreciate it.

She let out another sigh and moved towards him, reaching out to touch his shoulder. "Sam, you need clothes." She looked him up and down, and even through the pain she still felt a jolt of attraction, but this was no time for that. "You need pants, and a shirt. And shoes. But we gotta hurry."

He looked down at his attire or lack thereof and chuckled a bit. -Oh...that. I uh...yeah. Maybe- He set the bag down and pulled on the closest pair of jeans and a shirt. Slipping shoes on, he grabbed the bag and her hand. -Let's go, cher.- He smiled and helped her down to the jeep.

After making sure she was safe and okay-for now-in the jeep, he got into the driver seat and tried to force himself to remember where the hospital was. It took a moment, but he finally got his head together and began to drive, looking over at her with a smile. -We're gonna have a baby...-

Seeing her go into a contraction, he took her hand. -Squeeze baby, just breathe. We are in this together. Remember your breathing.-

She doubled over in the seat and moaned through the contraction, trying to focus on the pain and make it not as intense. She couldn't wait to get to the hospital and to bring their baby into the world.

"How much longer until we get there?" she asked quietly while rubbing at her stomach. Part of her was so sad that she wouldn't be able to feel her baby kicking her from the inside anymore, but the rest of her was so excited that she would be able to hold her in her arms and let Sam enjoy some of the wonder that she had been enjoying the past nine months.

She reached over and grabbed his hand as another contraction hit her, and she doubled over with another gut deep groan.

-Soon...uh soon-ish.- Good for them that it was almost three in the morning, making the traffic non-existent. He gripped the wheel with one hand and let her squeeze his other as he grunted and pressed his lips together to quell his own pain.

When they pulled into the hospital drive, he thanked the gods that he could release her hand. For someone so tiny, she had a great grip. As he rushed inside to tell them his fiance was in labor, they rushed back with him rolling out a wheel chair and helped her in. "We'll take care of her Mr. Merlotte." One of nurses said and he shook his head.

-Wait I'm coming too!-

She held her hand up as they rolled her towards Labor and Delivery. "We need to set her up first, give us twenty to thirty minutes to get her hooked up to the monitors. One of us will come get you. Please. She's in good hands, I promise."

He sighed hard but nodded to accept it. He took the time to park and grab her overnight bag. In the waiting room, he paced and kept checking his watch.

She looked at him worriedly as they moved her towards Labor and Delivery. Why was he not going with her?

"Sam?!" she cried as another contraction hit her, and she tried to turn around in the wheelchair to look at him. He couldn't stay in the waiting room! He just couldn't! He had to be with her.

"I need....UGH!" She let out another groan as another contraction hit her. They were coming a lot more quickly now, and all she could think was how she didn't have his hand to hold, couldn't hear his calming voice. "I need Sam!" she cried through the pain. This wasn't okay. This wasn't part of her plan!

The time drug on slowly and it took forever for the nurses to say his name, when one did it was like heaven. "Mr. Merlotte?" She smiled and he looked over at her, nerves hitting him. "She's asking for you." He grabbed the bag and followed her to the back. Seeing Nicole laying on the bed with monitors, he almost panicked but the thump thump thump sound of their babies heartbeat caused him to smile and look at the monitors. Setting down the bag, he moved to her side and took her hand.

Rubbing her forehead, he smiled. -How you feeling? Are you okay? How's the baby? Do you need anything?- He rushed out the questions so fast, he chuckled and shook his head. -Sorry. I'm a little nervous.-

She chuckled quietly when he started spitting off questions, and shook her head in answer. She didn't need anything. Not right now at least.

"Would you think I was a huge failure if I were to have the epidural?" she asked quietly. She had been thinking about it, and the pain she was in now was nothing compared to the pain she'd be in when she pushed the baby out. She didn't want to be in pain; she wanted to enjoy the experience and remember it for the happiness, not the pain. But she couldn't bring herself to say yes to the epidural, either.

"I don't want to be weak, Sam," she said before reaching out and gripping his hand. Another contraction was starting to come on and she let out her breath in a whoosh.

He shook his head and ran a hand over her forehead. -No, it won't make you weak. You should get it if the pain is too much. This is your decision Nicole, but I'll stand by whatever you chose. I love you.- He said and kissed her forehead as another contraction came on and her grip tightened. He clenched his jaw and looked at the nurse with wide eyes and she fought back a chuckle.

The nurses asked Nicole is she wanted to get the epidural before it was too late and he watched on as all the monitors beeps and recorded her data. The doctor entered and things began to roll quicker. He continued to run a cool rag over her forehead as he comforted her through this.

She nodded her head and turned to the nurse before saying in a rushed, pained voice, "Please. Give me. The epidural." She wasn't going to let it bother her that she had given in; she wanted to be able to enjoy this experience, not be in pain the entire time. She just hoped it kicked in, and soon.

The nurse nodded at her and proceeded to explain to her what she was going to do, telling her to move to the edge of the bed and bend at the waist with her hands on her knees and head down. Sam moved in front of her, holding onto her arms as she waited for them to do it. It was over more quickly than she had expected it to be, and it wasn't as painful as she had expected either.

She had taken a deep breath and felt a pinch, then a hard pressure in her back, before the nurse said it was done and to lay back, which is what she did. She couldn't wait for it to kick in. The pain was getting to be too much.

"I can't wait for the baby to be here, Sam." She reached for his hand and gave it a soft squeeze. "I love you, Sam Merlotte."

He smiled and held her hand, kissing the back of it. -I love you too, Nicole Merlotte.- He teased her, knowing that one day he would make her his wife. She was all he needed, although unexpected at first, she was the woman he'd given his heart too and now they were having a child. His world was complete.

The contractions began again and she never spoke, the nurse had to alert her what was happening. Epidurals worked apparently. They checked her again and before long it was time to push. He nodded reassuringly to her and smiled. -Remember to breathe, baby. You got this. Before long our baby will be in your arms...come on...push.-

She grinned at him again, barely noticing the warmth that spread through her lower body or when her legs went number. It was a strange sensation, though, once she did realize it. The nurse had told her she was having a contraction, and she didn't believe her at first until she saw the lines on the machine going up and down. Her gaze went to Sam and she gaped, then grinned again.

They were going to have their baby, and soon!

"If I make it through this without hurting someone, we'll get married in a month," she said, half serious and half not. She wasn't sure when or if they'd get married; she wasn't opposed to it though.

The nurse told her that it was time to start pushing and she moved so that her arms were on her legs and she was leaning up ever so slightly.

Push! the nurse said and she did, putting as much pressure as she could into her lower body to help push the baby out. She couldn't wait to hold that precious bundle in her arms.

He watched on and heard her words, his face growing in excitement. She'd been saying that she didn't want to get married because she was knocked up, which he didn't blame her. He hadn't proposed yet because of that reason, but he knew she was the one he wanted to have his last name. He had the ring, he just didn't know when but hearing her say that meant everything to him.

He smiled brightly and rubbed her forehead, giving her a nod. -Whatever you want, baby.- He was just happy to hear her say such a thing, even if it was because of the pain and drugs. The nurse informed them it was time to push and he held her hand, holding her foot in his other. -Come on Nicole, you can do this baby...just breathe.-

After an hour of intense labor, he heard the sound that made his heart swell--their baby cry after gasping to take their first breath. His eyes grew teary and he gave her hand a loving squeeze as she collapsed back in the bed and gathered herself. He smiled and looked down at her, -You did it, baby...we did it!-

"It's a girl!" He heard the nurse exclaim and that's when he broke and the tears fell from his eyes as he kissed Nicole. -A girl!- He kissed her again, -I can't tell you how happy I am right now.- He kissed her forehead-

She felt no pain, but she did feel some pressure. And it was weird knowing she should be hurting, but not. It was all made worth it, though, when she saw Sam's face and heard the cry of their child...

Their daughter.

She let out a quick breath and felt tears fall from her eyes as she looked up at Sam and felt his lips against her forehead. "We're parents!" she cried with a laugh. In mere seconds, the nurse brought their little girl up to her chest and she held her close, not even caring that she was covered in goop. There she was; their baby was perfect.

She held her close and looked up at Sam, reaching for his hand.

He smiled and nodded, looking down at their beautiful daughter nuzzled against Nicole's chest. It was the most beautiful thing and he had to keep blinking away his tears. His life couldn't be more better than right here in this moment. -She's perfect...- He commented on their beautiful baby girl. Looking at Nicole, he smiled. -I love you, Nicole...and our baby girl. So...damn...much...- He whispered as he rested his forehead against hers.

~Present~

He smiled and looked back at Sookie. -And she was amazing, took to it all like a pro. Happiest day of my life.- He said as he smiled and reached over to grab Nicole's hand.

She shook her head and let out a soft chuckle as she looked down at the smiling face in front of her. Clara Adele Merlotte was the picture of perfection; she had caramel colored skin, curls like crazy, and the prettiest little smile.

"Sounds like she did! Good job, Nicole," she added. Clara let out a soft grunt and she chuckled before moving to stand from the chair. "I think she's hungry," she said upon noticing the little girls lips puckering. She walked the little girl to her mom and handed her over gently before placing a hand on Nicole's shoulder. The love surrounding those three was palpable in the air and she couldn't stop smiling.

One day, she kept telling herself. One day this would be her life, too. She just had to keep on waiting.