Picket Fences! Part 54



There were two babies born in Buford Falls this week.



Over at Jonathan's place . . .



Jonathan and his three sons held their breath as they watched . . .



Shannan give birth to a baby girl.



The baby has her mother's skin, eyes and blonde hair.



They named their daughter Lauren.



The next afternoon at the church parsonage . . .


Rev. Spain and his wife Gwen were cuddling on the sofa.



When she got up he asked "Where are you going sweetheat?"



"I'm not going anywhere. The baby's coming", she said.





Then she delivered a baby boy.



"Michael, we have a son", she said, as she handed him the baby.



The baby has green eyes and blonde hair like his father. They named their son Jacob




After he fed Jacob a bottle of milk and put him in his crib . . .



The pastor thanked God for giving them a healthy son.



Then Gwen joined her husband in prayer.


Jennifer Custer moved into this house on Crumbletop Lane a few days later.



Nick Carras from next door came over that morning to welcome her to the neighborhood.







"Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee? I just made a fresh pot. I can't seem to get going in the morning until I've had my coffee", she said.



"You sound like me. I feel the same way", said Nick, "Thanks, I'd love a cup."



Nick went into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee. Jennifer poured herself a cup and joined him.



"Where did you live before you moved here?", he asked.



"I've lived in Buford Falls all my life. I was a Townie until recently. When I got pregnant, as I'm sure you noticed, the baby's grandfather found me this house to live in", she said, "His son isn't going to marry me and make me a decent woman, in case you're wondering ."


"I did notice, but I wasn't going to say anything. You seem pretty decent to me. A wedding ring isn't going to make you a better person", he said.



"Thank you for saying that. I think I'm better off being an unwed mother, than having to force the baby's father to marry me", she said.



"I enjoyed the coffee and your company even more", said Nick.

"I enjoyed chatting with you, too", she said.





"Bye Jennifer, I'll be seeing you again", he said, as he left to go home.



"What a nice man and he doesn't even mind me being pregnant by someone else", Jennifer thought to herself.


On the other side of town at Claudia Alan's house . . .



Claudia called Rhys and said "I'm having a birthday party for Noah when he gets home from school this afternoon. Can you, Ryan and Kevin come over?"



"Sure, we'll be there", said Rhys.

"Good, I'll call Nathan and invite him, too", she said.





Rhys, Kevin and Ryan soon arrived.


"I'm glad y'all could come", she said.

"I wouldn't miss my son's birthday", said Rhys.





A few minutes later Noah came home from school.



He brought Carrie Edwards home with him on the bus.



When it was time, Noah came to his cake and started growing up before he could blow out the candles.


Carrie started tickling Ryan.



He smiled that beautiful smile just for her or so she thought.





Then he playfully tickled her back.



Rhys tickled Claudia.


But instead of tickling him back, she ran to the bathroom and threw up in the toilet.




When she came out of the bathroom Rhys asked "Can me and you have a sleepover tonight?"

"Yes, you're welcome to stay", said Claudia.



Carrie . . .



Kevin . . .



And Nathan and Ryan left to go home.



"I'm going on to bed", said Noah, "I want to get down to the recruiting office early in the morning."

"So you're serious about joining the Navy?", asked Claudia.

"Yeah, that's what I want to do Mom", he said.



Noah hugged his dad goodnight.





He got into bed and was soon sound asleep.


"Are you ready to go to bed? We ain't got to do nothing if you're too tired", said Rhys.

"It'll be alright", she said.

"Wait for me. I got something to do first", he said.


Rhys came out of the house and walked down the sidewalk.



Then he disappeared off the lot.



He returned a few minutes later and . . .



The Gnome appeared in front of him on the sidewalk.



When he went back into the house . . .


And joined Claudia who was relaxing on the bed.



"Noah's going to the Navy recuiting office in the morning. He's determined that's what he wants to do", she said.

"He's an adult now. It ain't nothing we can do to stop him", said Rhys.



"We should be proud that he wants to serve his country", said Rhys.

"Yes, I guess you're right", said Claudia.



"Is that what you wanted to talk about?", he asked.



"No, there's something else", she said.

"What is it?", he asked.


"Rhys, I'm going to have another baby", she said.



"Well, that's another thing we can't do nothing about. It ain't something we planned on happening, but it just happens sometimes", he said.



"I thought you might be upset. You know, me getting pregnant a second time", she said.

"You didn't get that way all by yourself. I think I helped a little", he said.



Then he gave her a romantic kiss.



They madeout.



"You want to do woo hoo?", she asked.

"Yeah, sure", he said.


Woo Hoo!



"I love you", she said.



"Yeah, I . . . love you, too", he said.



Having finally hearing Rhys say "I love you", Claudia was happier than she'd ever been in her whole life.



He stayed with her the whole night. That's all that mattered for now.

To be continued . . .