Leslie excused herself and was gone; I looked to my Mom and Sister and knew to focus on us as a family tonight. Once we were home, my Mom gathered Roni and me. “I’m so proud of you two. I want to thank you, Sami, for giving us tonight to be family. I’ll thank Leslie tomorrow. I love you two choosing outfits for me. I’ll be delightfully surprised if I have any male admirers.”

Roni spoke up, “Sami and I will think it’s about time.”

Mom’s phone rang. She answered, “Jenn, it’s a surprise that you’re calling so soon. Yes, I’ll listen. What? You’re kidding... No, we’ll be right there…” Mom hung up, “Girls, out to the car, Jenn’s in labor, and we’re taking her to the hospital.”

Sami quickly responded, with her skirt and a different blouse on, she was quickly ready. Roni said, I need a minute to get ready. The next sound was Sami running out of the house. She ran the distance to Jenn’s place, seeing Jenn sitting down with her hospital bag ready. “If you’re okay, I’ll get Sheri ready. Mom and Roni will soon be here.”

Jenn says, “I need you to go in with me to the labor room.”

“Shouldn’t be Mom or Roni?” Sami asked.

“They can take care of Sheri; you’re the one who practiced with me. Sorry, but I’m used to you. I want you by my side, can you do that?”

Sami had Sheri ready. Sheri now likes to walk like a big girl. They were now back to Sheri’s Mom. Sami whispered, “Could Roni take care of her …here? It could be long or short with the baby; Sheri is used to sleeping here.”

Amy drove up with Roni, and they were coming in. Jenn said to Sami, “Okay.”

Sami said to Roni, “Could you stay here with Sheri? We’re afraid the hospital will be too much for her.”

Roni asked, “Why don’t you?” …Sami, “Jenn has asked that I stay with her.”

Roni looked to Jenn, and Jenn confirmed, “Yes, Sami’s being my coach.” Roni looked a little miffed at Sami being asked over her. Mom suggested to Jenn, “Why don’t you and Sami sit in the back seats?” Mom picked up Jenn’s day bag for the hospital.

It took a short trip to the hospital, and nurses came out with a wheelchair. Mom parked her vehicle, and I went with Jenn. Jenn insisted that she tell the registrar to allow me to check her in. Her nurse said, "Enough, we’re taking you to the OB floor."

Once Sami checks with Jenn, Nurse Denise leads her to wash up and put on a mask. Jenn tells Denise, “Sami has been in two of my Lamaze classes in case Matt couldn’t be here.” She smiles and takes Sami’s hand. “You’re comfortable being here, aren’t you?” Sami rolls her eyes.

“I’m honored to be here with you. Please take some cleansing breaths.” The nurse suggests she relax. “She dilated to five, she’ll be ready shortly.” The next check is at eight. Dr. Alexis Sands steps in. She shares niceties with Jenn, “I see you’re training another young woman.” Dr. Sands turns to Sami and asks who she is.

“I’m Sami. My sister was previously her helper. I helped to take care of Sheri as a toddler. Jenn took me into her confidence. I’m learning as we go.”

Jenn closes her eyes as pain builds and then releases its grip. Alexis checks, “Okay, Jenn, you can start pushing.” An hour later, nothing more has happened.

Over the intercom, “A mister Mac Kincaid is here.”

Alexis says, “Denise, choose someone to go and inform them that Mac Kincaid can get ready to come in if he wants, but he can’t come in at this point… Sami, you continue to be Jenn’s helper… Jenn, when the urge comes, push.” It is a short time before the returns.

Sami encourages, “Jenn, relax again, take some cleansing breaths.”

“Young lady, where did you learn this?” Alexis asks.

“Lamaze and from Jenn as we practiced,” Sami says. She uses a damp cloth on Jenn’s forehead. Jenn smiles, Sami asks, “How do you feel?” Sami offers Jenn some water. She takes two sips. She takes a deeper breath as she feels the urge to come again.

Alexis, “Jenn push harder this time.” She watches as Jenn begins to push, “Keep pushing, push, okay, relax, but I expect the call to push will come sooner from now on.” The next time she pushes, Sami’s face grimaces. She changes her hand holding.

Alexis checks Jenn, “The baby’s head is crowning, with each urge push, I may ask you to push harder, or to let up.”

Sami says, “Shouldn’t Mac come in now?” …Denise pats Sami, “You’re doing well; we’re not changing coach. Her smile shows a mix of emotions, but her eyes remain sharp, and her voice to Jenn is soothing. Time is passing, but everyone is too busy to notice.

Alexis says, “Here’s the head, and the left shoulder is coming.”

Jenn says, “I can’t push.” Sami rubs Jenn’s shoulders and says get ready, you can do it!”

Alexis, “Okay, here comes the urge, push and push harder, you’re doing well!” The shoulders are through. Now, a good push and keep it, don’t let up.” Alexis says, “She’s here. Relax for a moment, we don’t know how soon the next baby will want to come.”

Sami, “So there is a twin?”

Mac is allowed in, and he sees the baby, “You’re doing well, Jenn.” It is twenty minutes, and the next baby is ready to come. Mac is ready to step in, Jenn asks, “Let Sami continue.”

The baby girl is wrapped in a warm baby blanket. Mac goes to look at her. Jenn has another sip of cool water. The urge to push start up, Sami is coaxing Jenn. Fifteen minutes and a baby boy comes. Alexis calls for Mac to cut the cord.

Jenn calls, “Sami, thank you; you stayed focused.” Dr. Sands asks, “Sami, can I offer you as a coach for others?” Alexis’ smile conveys that she did well, and others knew it.

Denise brings over the little boy and places him on Jenn. Denise takes Sami to wash up and change into a clean smock. Sami, you are to be commended for how well you did.” They were taking Jenn and the babies to her new room on the OBYN floor. Once Jenn was settled and had some private time with her babies. A nurse, Angela, would be caring for Jenn and the babies only.

Nurse Denise asks Sami to stay with her for a moment. “Your Mom signed allowing you to be in with Jenn. How do you feel about helping your friend to have her twins?”

Surprised and kind of not; she’s strong with her thoughts. I thought she would have gone with my Mom or Roni, but once she chose me. I felt honored that she chose me. It wasn’t as sweet and clean as I thought it would be.”

Denise, “How do you like being treated as a girl?”

“I’ve seen myself as a girl; I know biologically I appear as Sam,” Sami says. “The last seven months, I’ve usually been Sami. It’s like I’m living out how I feel inside. Can I go now?” Denise gave her permission.

Sami finds her way to family in the waiting room on the OB floor. Mom has her arms open to receive Sami, “I hear you did very well as Jenn’s coach?”

“Mom, I wasn’t ready for that, but it was awesome to be there for Jenn. I know I’ll never be able to have a baby, but “I’d still like to be a girl.”

Mom says, “Speak of that, Leslie asked me if it would be okay if she asked you, Samantha, for a date. She said Sami is ok with your nickname. She says you need a regular first name; for now, she’s calling you Samantha. I agreed that it is a good name.”

“Shouldn’t I get to choose my first name?” asks Sami.

Mom, “I am the one who names my children, and I like Samantha, young lady.”

Sami’s phone buzzes, “Hi, Les… Yes, that was exciting… I’m told I did well, but I haven’t gotten in to see Jenn and the babies. I’m excited to know their names. Mac and Sheri are in now. Jenn’s mother won’t be here for two days if she can get a good flight… Hey, my Mom said, you suggested my having Samantha as my girl name. Mom says, it’s a done deal.” They talk some more. Sami puzzled, “I like them, they’re both women singers? I don’t know all the words to their songs.”

“It will be easier once you hear them in concert with all of us singers…”