JUSTIN: * Autumn is gaining itself a more prominent foothold by now, the leaves of the surrounding forest beginning to shift to all manner of bright, inspiring colors. The baby's room has since been finished completely, painted and fully furnished, and it seems that with this project out of the way, there's little to do for the next few months of Jo's pregnancy but wait. It's a late evening this night, colder than the ones that have passed so far, and Shane and Jo have finished up their dinner not too long ago. Earlier that day Shane promised to read a story -- an activity that the two of them have been engaging in with greater frequency as of late -- and so he finds himself in the library searching for a book, leaving his other half to tend to the fireplace.

JENNA: * Jo isn't far off, opting for the living room rather than trucking all the way upstairs. She's been feeling lazy lately. Starting the fire takes her a little longer than she remembers it doing, but she's nevertheless done with the task by the time Shane returns with the book. She directs him toward the couch as he enters, making her way in that direction herself.

JUSTIN: * Shane follows her lead, moving to the couch across from the warmly glowing fire and positioning himself comfortably by the armrest. "Now then," he pats the cushion beside him and then reaches over to turn up the lamp on the end table. "If you've been paying as much attention during your reading lessons as it seems you have, you should be able to spot some of the words while I'm reading." He smiles up over at her, looking a little guilty. "Not that I'm trying to turn relaxing story by the fire into work, but it /would/ be good training..."

JENNA: * Jo snorts faintly, joining him at the couch, but lying down and resting her head against his leg. "We'll see," she says agreeably, nestling down and turning her eyes to see if she can get a good look at the pages, even though she's honestly more inclined to close them and rest.

JUSTIN: * Shane sets a hand to her head and brushes at her hair tenderly, enjoying the silky feel of it for a moment before he lifts the book and retrieves his hand to open it. If the angle he holds the book at is any indication, he's not inclined to force the impromptu lesson on her unless she's willing to do it of her own volition. He's quite content to keep it a relaxing story by the fire, as well. "I tried to choose something appropriate for the season," he says quietly, turning to the first page and smoothing it out. "Though I suppose it's only loosely related at best." He turns to look down at her with a crooked smile. "A good deal of the story takes place during the autumn, that's about it."

JENNA: "I can hardly argue with that," Jo says, sleepiness and the warmth from the fire making her remarkably agreeable. With the book tilted away from her, she finds it more convenient to let her gaze drift to the fire, and from there let her eyes droop shut, reaching a hand up to squeeze Shane's knee before he begins.

JUSTIN: "Well, I certainly hope so, because I'm too comfortable to get up and find another book." He grins a bit and takes the squeeze as his cue to start, clearing his throat and beginning to read shortly thereafter. The process continues in its usual way, with him starting off somewhat carefully but gaining in dramatic confidence as the pages go by.

JENNA: * Jo listens as well in her usual fashion, content to hear his voice conveying the story to her. In spite of her intentions, however, sleepiness begins to get the better of her, and she's about to drift off when she suddenly goes rigid, and she sits sharply upright instead. Or as sharply as she can in her current condition. It only takes her a moment to relax again, but she's still breathing a little heavily from surprise.

JUSTIN: * Shane stops midsentance and moves the book aside to look down at Jo, face showing both concern and confusion in equal measure. "Jo? Is something wrong?" He sets the book aside for the moment and puts his hand to her head. "You aren't feeling nauseous again, are you? Stomach pains?"

JENNA: * Jo turns her head to look at him blankly, and a flicker of embarrassment crosses her face before she turns back to the fire. "No.. I'm fine. Just.. startled." One hand drifts automatically to her belly, expression still a little dazed. "It.. it moved," she says strangely. "That's all."

JUSTIN: "It?" Shane looks at the fire with an arched eyebrow, but shakes his head quickly, immediately dismissing that as the target of her words. He nearly sits bolt upright when he realizes what she's referring to, and turns toward her excitedly, leaning over to put a hand against her stomach. "The baby moved?! What did it feel like? Was it a... a kick?" He just about holds his breath in expectation, hoping to feel it move a second time.

JENNA: "Maybe.. I don't know." She 'tch's impatiently, catching his hand and pulling it away from her belly. "Stop that -- I'll let you know if it moves again." She kisses his palm gently and releases him, willing to bet it'll go right back to her stomach. She sighs tolerantly and rests her head against him again, deciding she doesn't really mind that much -- but hoping he'll keep reading anyway.

JUSTIN: * Shane does make the attempt, but he stops himself, instead moving his hand to squeeze her leg before retrieving his book. His eyes don't leave her stomach even after it's in hand again, however, and he shifts a bit in anticipation. "What if it stops before I get to feel it?" He looks to her face with innocent eyes, fingers fumbling with the book.

JENNA: "Then I'll poke you in the stomach a few times so you can see how it feels," Jo says drily, wrinkling her nose at him. Then she sighs again and carefully shifts herself upright, leaning against him. "Here ... I'll hold one side --" She takes hold of the book. "And if you really can't stand to miss the action, go ahead." She wrinkles her nose at him again.

JUSTIN: * Shane grins a very boyish, gleeful grin and slips his hand over without a second wasted, nestling it under her shirt to rest right against her warm skin. Before she has the chance to make some wry comment, however, he clears his throat and begins to read again. The thrill of the recent excitement is quite evident in his voice, however, no matter how he tries to mask it.

JENNA: * Jo tuts him softly, but she only leans against him with a drowsy sigh, letting him feel her up as he wishes, as long as he keeps reading. To her surprise, however, it isn't more than a few minutes before the baby moves again, causing her to lurch slightly into Shane, once again startled.

JUSTIN: * Shane stops in the middle of his reading for the second time, fingers twitching reflexively against Jo's stomach at the sudden kick of the baby. "Oh my gosh!" He tosses the book aside again and huddles over Jo's stomach, staring at it as if it's grown a face. "It's really moving... Even more than I was expecting." A grin steals over his face again, and he turns his head to look Jo in the eyes. "I bet it's a girl. I bet she's just like you, trying to get out and explore."

JENNA: "More power to her," Jo grumbles, turning her gaze to her belly for a moment. "I'm just as ready for her to be out as she is to be out." She nudges Shane in the ribs and leans her head against him wearily. "You didn't have to throw the book away -- I doubt this is the only time she.. or he, I guess.. will make herself heard."

JUSTIN: * Shane has the good grace to look a little ashamed of himself for all the fuss, though not particularly guilty for his actions. "Sorry, it's just my first time, you know..." He leans over to reach for the book, which was aimed to land on the end table but toppled off to land on the floor by the couch instead. Snagging it with his fingers, he sits up again with a sigh and dusts the leather cover off (needlessly) before finding their place again. "You will let me know the next time it happens, though, right?"

JENNA: * Jo rolls her eyes briefly heavenward. "If you promise not to throw the book again." She sighs, nestling down again, and waits for him to begin, half closing her eyes. One hand does remain on her belly, however, rubbing slowly as if in an attempt to calm the small being within.

JUSTIN: "I promise," Shane says without much conviction, but he clears his throat and begins to read again anyway. The thought crosses his mind that he is, in a sense, reading to his unborn child as well, and this fills him with a giddy feeling. He keeps the thought to himself, however, as Jo clearly doesn't want him to break from the story to make comments on the baby yet again. It will be his little secret from this point onward.

JENNA: * Jo manages to keep some of her focus on the pages this time around, picking out words here and there as they go along. The baby only interrupts once or twice more, and Jo dutifully lets him know when it happen, faintly amused at his enthusiasm.

JUSTIN: * Shane tries to keep himself under control (he doesn't toss the book), and somehow they manage to get through a good chunk of the slim novel amidst the distractions of Jo's stomach. It's rather late into the night by the time Shane begins to feel his eyelids growing heavy and the words on the page begin to blur. He gently sets the book aside and stretches, resting his cheek against the top of Jo's head and yawning. "Enough story-telling for one night?"

JENNA: * Jo nods, more than a little drowsy. "I think.. we're ready for sleep." The baby hasn't moved in some time, to her relief -- the activity was beginning to get a little painful. She swings her legs down, preparing to get to her feet. "And hopefully.. neither of us will wake up early."

JUSTIN: "I always hope that, Jo," Shane kisses her cheek and gets to his feet, waiting for her to likewise gain her footing before turning off the lamp. He takes her by the waist and leads her toward their bedroom, tired eyes eager for some rest. "Although," he says in afterthought, "with the amount of work that always seems to present itself, sleeping in isn't something I get to enjoy as much as I thought I would from having a house again."

JENNA: "You'd be bored if you didn't have anything to do," Jo says agreeably, though on one level she admittedly isn't sure. She knows she would be. "But I can let you sleep in tomorrow, if I actually do wake up." On a couple of levels, she hopes she doesn't. Competing with the baby for energy just doesn't seem to be working out her way, in spite of how lazy she feels just resting.

JUSTIN: * Shane grins a little, moving his hand to ruffle her hair. "Only if you promise not to do any work without me." Though he's sure feeding the animals isn't particularly strenuous, he'd rather she not exert herself, especially if he's not around. He steps into the bedroom ahead of her to turn on a lamp on one of the nightstands, then sits down while he works the buttons on his shirt.

JENNA: * Jo sheds her trousers in her usual fashion, ambling after him and settling on the bed as comfortably as she can. She rolls to look at him drowsily and absently reaches out to tug at his shirt as he works at the buttons. She grins faintly, reminiscing for a moment, then lets her hand drop and sighs sleepily.

JUSTIN: * Shane gives her a teasing smirk over his shoulder at her tug, and he soon finishes with the buttons and slips out of the clothing. "A little too tired for that, I think." He leans over to kiss her neck sweetly. "A shame, to be sure." He makes short work of his pants, wiggling out of them before rolling over into the bed and slipping under the blankets.

JENNA: * Jo arches an eyebrow and shakes her head, nestling closer to him and prodding him in the belly. "That's not what I meant, dummy," she mutters, burrowing against him. "Really, what do you think you're saying in front of the kid?" She yawns loudly and expressively, then settles again, wrapping an arm around him.

JUSTIN: "As far as the kid is concerned, it might as well be gibberish." Shane puts his arm around her in return, hugging her in as close as her protruding midsection will allow. "It doesn't understand me, so I can talk as dirty as I please." He places a kiss against her temple and squeezes.

JENNA: * Jo rolls her eyes and sighs. "If you say so ..." She prods him gently. "Still, some things just aren't fit for a kid's ears.. not that I'd really know." She traces her fingers boredly over his back, mind drifting somewhat as she gets ready to go to sleep.

JUSTIN: * Shane snorts quietly, moving his hand to trace his fingers up and down her side. "You didn't seem particularly concerned about what the kid would think the other night," he reminds her with a smile, nibbling gently at her earlobe for a few seconds. He lays his hand flat and not-so-slyly sneaks it over to her stomach, where it remains, as if waiting for something.

JENNA: "Nice try," Jo mumbles drowsily. "The kid's asleep." She opens one eye to peer at him, then catches his mouth in a long, drowsy kiss. "Sometimes," she says upon breaking it, "sacrifices have to be made." She kisses him again. "I didn't hear you complaining then."

JUSTIN: * Shane puts on an innocent smile that manages to look anything but. "Well, it's hard to complain when you're doing something so... pleasant." He tilts his head to give her another kiss, wiggling a little further down in the bed to easier facilitate the action. "If you were trying to make me hate it, you did a rather lousy job." His hand slides back up from her belly, mission failed, and returns to stroking her side.

JENNA: "Mm, good. I'm not complaining if you're not." She kisses him a final time before nuzzling into his chest, giving him a slight squeeze as she does so. Though her intent is clearly to go to sleep, she doesn't do so, giving another, soft sigh and staring vaguely off into space.

JUSTIN: * Shane leans over to turn out the lamp and then settles into Jo and into his pillow, fairly content and certainly sleepy. However, much like his silent partner, he doesn't actually do much sleep. Minutes tick away while he stares into the dark, mind eventually wandering far from their brief conversation of the previous night's events. The obvious buldge of her stomach, the newly finished nursery, bedtime stories read to their unborn baby. His thoughts have been occupied with the child a lot lately, as Jo gets closer and closer to the end of her nine months. One particular thought comes to mind suddenly and he shifts, moving to prop himself up on his elbow. "Hey, Jo, I was wondering... what are we going to name the baby?"

JENNA: * Jo stirs groggily, a little disgruntled at being woken from near sleep. "Mnh?" she asks, processing the question only slowly before leaning back and peering at him in silent puzzlement. "I.. don't know.." she says vaguely, once she's realized what he asked. Then she pauses. "Oh. That's.. ... I really don't know."

JUSTIN: * Shane wiggles a bit in his place, seeming suddenly eager -- if tempered slightly by weariness. "I've been thinking about it the last couple of weeks, but I didn't want to decide on anything without your input..." He stares back at her with wide-eyed curiousity. "You didn't have any ideas at all?"

JENNA: * Jo looks faintly embarrassed. "No.." Some defensiveness creeps into her tone as she continues. "I'm not.. very good at naming things," she says, then shrugs slightly, looking at him again. "What.. what did you think of?" she asks, wanting to turn the topic away from her own peculiar incompetence.

JUSTIN: * Shane doesn't seem too apalled by her lack of ideas on the matter. Instead, he looks eager. And a fair deal embarrassed, though why isn't readily apparent. "Well, I mean, you know... I've been thinking about it for a little while, so I had a couple..." He runs his hand through his hair and rubs at the back of his head, smiling in an odd fashion. "Which do you want to hear first? The boy name, or the girl name?"

JENNA: "Mm.. you're so dead set on it being a girl.. let's hear that name first." She doesn't care too much, but her bet is that he'll make her choose either way -- she just hopes it's nothing outlandish. She runs her hand comfortably up to knead at his shoulders as she listens, watching him silently.

JUSTIN: * Shane nods his head in agreement, grinning like he's about to let out some big secret. "All right, girl's name first, then. I put a bit of thought into this one." He pauses for dramatic effect, watching Jo's eyes for any sort of reaction. "...Solina. It's strong, but feminine. Just like you. What do you think?"

JENNA: * Jo isn't entirely certain what he means by 'strong but feminine', but she nods anyway. "It sounds fine to me," she says, tilting her head. "I haven't heard it before, though." She doesn't seem bothered by that fact, but her tone does become slightly more curious.

JUSTIN: * Shane looks fairly proud of himself at this point of her observation, and he smiles slyly. "I made it up myself," he says, then looks suddenly scholarly, much the way he does when tutoring her with her reading. "I figured... the baby is half of you and half of me, right? So why shouldn't the name reflect that, too, yes?" He shifts his weight, rolling onto his back and staring up at the ceiling while he explains his master work. "See, I took letters from both of our names in order... 's' from me, 'o' from you for the beginning, then 'n' from me and 'a' from you at the end..." He fidgets and ends up on his side again, facing her with a grin. "I just used 'l' and 'i' in the middle because I thought it sounded pretty."

JENNA: * Jo looks at him blankly for a moment, surprised and almost alarmed at the amount of thought that went into it. "I.. see." She hesitates, not wanting to rain on his parade, then smiles wanly and scratches her cheek. "So.. what did you come up with for a boy?"

JUSTIN: "Oh, a boy--" Shane looks like he almost forgot about that part, some of the excitement draining from his face. He shrugs his shoulders lightly and smiles. "Jacen. I... sort of used the same technique. It worked pretty well the first time, you know?" He rubs at the back of his head and turns her a weak smile. It's fairly obvious that he's more proud of the other name.

JENNA: * Jo nods. "Okay," she says agreeably, settling against him again. "They're both nice," she adds after a moment, patting his shoulder gently, and she smiles faintly. "At least we're.. prepared, either way." Even though they were nothing if unprepared for the pregnancy to begin with.

JUSTIN: * Shane seems to be content with this response for the time being, and he settles back into the bed again, slipping an arm around to cuddle into her. "I like to be prepared," he says with a quiet yawn, letting his eyes shut as he nestles into his pillow. "I'm glad you approve, though." He tilts his head to place a kiss against her forehead, as best he can with his eyes closed.

JENNA: "No problem," Jo mumbles, tugging him closer and sighing again with great contentment -- and sleepiness. Even if it was a minor crisis -- and one she had yet to think of -- not having a name would likely have been awkward in a month or three. She yawns, giving him a final squeeze, and lets her head droop, this time seriously intent on catching some sleep.

JUSTIN: * Shane can't think of anything else that needs Jo's immediate attention, and so -- likely to her great appreciation -- he manages to stay quiet and let the woman sleep. No matter the amount of thoughts running through his head, it isn't too long before he slips into unconsciousness himself, weight slumping comfortably against Jo -- but not before his hand manages to strategically position itself by her stomach.

JENNA: * The days continue to pass, as they're prone to do, and the next few months go by without much notice, aside from Jo's still-expanding belly. As she isn't much inclined to mark things on a calendar, the day and month don't mean much to Jo, and she continues about her activities as usual, seated up in the loft and absently messing with her weaving. The month and day, at least, don't mean anything to her until she's struck by a violent spasm of pain that startles her into dropping her work entirely.

JUSTIN: * Shane has not been keeping as close a watch on the date as would be prudent, and as such it hasn't occured to him that the day is coming anytime other than "soon" -- a soon that has remained happily unspecific for the last month or so. He's in the library, as usual for late afternoons, reading one of his many books in the comfort of a large armchair, completely unaware of his girlfriend's plight.

JENNA: * Jo doesn't seem terribly concerned by his lack of attention, instead getting carefully to her feet and walking to the stairs, which she makes her way down cautiously and steadily, lest another spasm hit her on the way down. One does, in fact, and she pauses before continuing, expression irritable. "Shane!" she barks as she reaches the bottom, glancing toward the library and debating a moment whether she actually wants to start walking that direction.

JUSTIN: * She doesn't need to come to him. At the (startling) sound of his name being yelled from the other room, Shane drops his books and fumbles his way to his feet, rushing out the door and skidding over to the stairs. He stops himself with a hand on the railing, eyeing Jo with an expression that doesn't know whether to be concerned or annoyed. After all, since getting pregnant, she's been prone to mood swings and making odd requests. "What? What's wrong?"

JENNA: "Time to go," Jo answers him comfortably, as if this should be all the explanation he requires. And, really, it should be. "My guest is getting a little bit impatient," she adds anyway, smiling politely at his curious mixture of expressions. She then starts idly for the door, trying to be as unconcerned as possible while at the same time feeling quite ill.

JUSTIN: * Shane doesn't register what she means initially, her calm and collected demeanor throwing him off. When it does hit home, however, it's like a ball of energy just exploded in the middle of the living room. "Oh my gods! The baby is coming now?! Oh -- oh no. Oh no, we need to get you to the doctor right away!" He bolts for the bedroom to collect anything he thinks they'll need, including his coat and a couple travel cloaks, as well as towels and pillows (because you never know), then rushes back again with everything in hand. "You wait right here and put on your cloak, I'll... I'll go get one of the birds and... and the cart. Yes."

JENNA: * Jo stares at him silently for a long moment, sighing and quietly making her way outside to wait for the cart, as she's well aware it won't do her any good to argue. She does toy with the notion of tossing some of his 'necessities' out the back once they've started off, though.

JUSTIN: * In his haste, Shane nearly hitches the small wagon to the peco wrong, and because of this error it takes him an extra minute to finally get everything set. He takes a few more seconds to sweep out some left over hay, but finally gives up and marches the bewildered animal around to the front of the house. He immediately grabs one of the cloaks and throws it down over the wooden surface of the cart to protect Jo from splinters, then hastily attempts to secure the second one around her shoulders. "It's chilly out, Jo! You don't want to catch cold," he says by way of explanation, turning to snag his coat and yank it on.

JENNA: "I'm /fine/, Shane," Jo says irritably, making her way to the cart and wishing she could just ride a damn peco. She starts to climb very awkwardly into the back, also wishing she could do that with the grace she used to be able to. She also wishes the pain would stop, because with each wave comes a similar wave of panic, and the last thing she needs is to lose her head.

JUSTIN: * Shane dismisses her statement without a word, tossing things into the back of the cart before moving to help her up, whether she likes it or not. "I'll try to keep the trip as smooth as possible, but you know how bumpy the forest path is," he says quickly, waiting until he's certain she's settled before running around to leap into the saddle of his bird.

JENNA: * Jo bites down on the strong urge to snarl at him, then has to pass on the equally tempting notion of flinging something at the back of his head. Instead, she settles in as best as she can and turns her gaze skyward, hoping the whole process will go quickly, smoothly, and without too much more pain. She sincerely doubts the last bit, though.

JUSTIN: * Shane gives Jo another few seconds to get comfortable, as much time as he's willing to spare, and then sets the peco off at a brisk trot. Once they've started down the path fruther into the forest, however, he's forced to slow down a bit to keep the cart from bouncing around. He gnaws at his lips in concern, hoping they reach town before things get too far along.

JENNA: * Jo is less concerned with this and more concerned with keeping herself calm, as she's sure pitching a fit will only make things worse. She loses track of time as they rattle along, even though she feels every minute of it, staring at the sky as blankly as she can.

JUSTIN: * Even with the peco pulling the wagon, it's at least fifteen minutes of silent rumbling along before they break from the forest and their trail leads down toward the small town. Once they're on the smoother road, Shane doesn't have any reservations about picking up the speed, even if it's only another few dozen meters or so from the village edge to the doctor's office. If their odd means of arrival gets them any stares or strange looks, he's too preoccupied to notice, steering around the corner of the street and making himself a parking spot right in front of the building.

JENNA: * Jo attempts to struggle to her feet before Shane can swing down and help her, but she doesn't have much luck with it, only managing to get to her knees. She does start scooting for the edge, though, as it gives her something to concentrate on besides pain and worry. She's somewhat relieved when most of the village appears to be out of the streets.

JUSTIN: * Shane manages to get down from his saddle and around to the back of the cart in time to finish helping Jo down from edge. He doesn't stick around long enough to hear any complaints she might have, quickly mounting the steps to the door before engaging in an enthusiastic bout of knocking. Before the door can be answered he's back down again to get Jo, guiding her up the walk as much as she'll allow him to.

JENNA: "It's a clinic, you know," the doctor says flatly, yanking the door open. "You don't have to knock. Just come in." He arches a brow at the sight of Shane helping Jo up the steps, and he barks an order to his assistant, pulling the door wider to let them in. "Quick now --"

JUSTIN: * Shane does his best to be quick, hoping that Jo won't fuss when doing so requires him to take an even more hands-on approach to assisting her. Regardless, the two of them make it through the front door and Shane continues to lead her along, unsure which of the rooms the doctor will want them in but too high-strung and worried to just stop and wait for direction. "Which... which room?" He finally asks, only after making it halfway down the hall.

JENNA: * The doctor gives him a weary look, then walks over and gestures toward the nearest door. Jo, in the meantime, smacks irritably at Shane's hands. "For godsakes, Shane, I can walk --" She gives him a highly aggravated look, and the doctor shifts over to open the door for them. "Come on, in. We'll tend to her there."

JUSTIN: * Shane ignores Jo's complaints (physical and vocal) as a matter of course, not letting go of her as he steers around and enters the room the doctor's indicated. Only once he's helped her up onto the padded operating bed does he let her go, though he doesn't stray far from her side.

JENNA: * The doctor gives him another, weary look, then glances at his assistant, who has arrived with supplies. He directs Jo to lie down, and she does so without much prompting, then he turns to Shane. "Young man, you're going to do me a favor -- stay right there, do not move, and do not speak. If you can do these things, you may stay. If not, get out to the waiting room." Jo glances at Shane, amusement finally warring with aggravation.

JUSTIN: * Shane sputters, looking finally as though he's being ganged up on. "But... but I can't leave her side! Not now! She needs me!" He looks particularly distraught at the notion he won't be allowed to offer said support, and he grips at Jo's hand quite firmly, turning puppydog eyes to her in a plea for her support.

JENNA: * Jo flops her head back with a sigh and rolls her eyes heavenward. "That's why he told you to be still and be quiet, Shane ..." She flinches at another wave of pain, then turns a stern stare at him. "He means stay right where you are and don't bother him, all right?" The doctor grunts in qualified agreement, then sets about ignoring them both, unless he needs input from Jo -- or needs to tell her to do something.

JUSTIN: "I wasn't going to!" Shane says in his defense, looking wholly unappreciated. He yanks over a stool that's sitting by the corner and seats himself beside the head of the bed, reclaiming Jo's hand quickly. It would seem he's quite a deal more panicked about this entire affair than she is, even though she's the one about to give birth. He feels a sudden pang of guilt, realizing he's not setting a very good example. How will she be comforted by his presence if he's a wreck himself?

JENNA: * Jo doesn't bother arguing with him, nor does she say anything else, as her concentration is now almost entirely on the process she's undergoing. During that process, her silence is broken (violently) on numerous occasions, and she very quickly loses track of where she is and whose arm she's wrenching off, instead focusing (as best as she can) on the pain she's in and what needs to be done to stop it. It's several extremely long hours later, somewhere around midnight, when things finally come to a close, and she sags back exhaustedly.

JUSTIN: * Shane's sense of time is almost as shot as Jo's, having his own pain and hysteria to deal with while simultaneously attempting (with little affect) to aid her in dealing with hers. He almost doesn't realize it's over even after Jo slumps back, and he's busy attempting to encourage her when the cries of the newborn baby reach his ears. He sits up sharply and turns to look, face going from stressed to awed in as little time as it takes for the child to come into focus.

JENNA: * Jo's eyes open again vaguely when the doctor finally speaks, having tended to the baby before bringing it over. "Congratulations," he says in his usual, brusque fashion. "A girl," he adds, then bends to entrust the child to Jo, who looks sincerely curious as she takes it.

JUSTIN: * Shane tries his best to let Jo have her moment with the baby uninterrupted, but he inevitably draws in for a closer look, wholly enraptured. His hand -- still locked with Jo's and weak from injury -- does its best to give the woman's own a squeeze, and he leans over to kiss her cheek. "Little Solina," he says with great affection, turning to lay his cheek against the pillow and watch the baby squirming toward the warmth of her mother's arms. "If she's even half as tough as her mother, I think we'll have our hands full for a good long time."

JENNA: * Jo manages a faint, weak smile, but she hasn't mustered the strength to speak before the doctor does, looking at them with unsurprising sternness. "Of course, I'll have to talk to you both about a few things, but for now let's just say things went very smoothly -- relatively speaking -- and we can get to anything else after you've all three had some rest." Jo nods absently, releasing Shane and reaching over to touch the child's cheek briefly before letting her hand drop again.

JUSTIN: * Shane nods also, muttering out something that might be a "thank you", but it's hard to tell. He's wholly focused on the small person laying on Jo's chest, finding the entire experience to be incredibly satisfying like he never would have believed. He reaches a hand out to very gently brush back the lonely few strands of barely-there hair. "She's got my hair color," he says quietly, finding this realization is quite pleasing.

JENNA: "Mmm," is all Jo can manage in response, gaze drifting over the girl again with a slightly more observant eye. While she does, in fact, share her father's hair color, her skin color is more like her mother's. Any other similarities or differences are hard to discern, but they're bound to be there. Jo leans back again with a sleepy and somewhat contented sigh.

JUSTIN: * Shane gathers up some of the nearby blanket to carefully wrap around the baby until he thinks she looks comfortable and warm, then spends a good chunk of the next hour or so simply watching and petting, smiling fondly. He doesn't realize how late it is, nor how tired he is, until he eventually slumps over against the edge of Jo's bed and falls asleep on her pillow, looking very peaceful despite his position.

JENNA: * Jo is asleep not long after, though she manages to stay awake long enough for the attendant to come and take the baby somewhere slightly more secure. She turns her gaze briefly to Shane and then to the ceiling, and she dozes off thinking how very strange it's going to be to have a family -- not, of course, that it's a bad thing.