It Started Out With Coffee At Starbucks, chapter 31
When they arrived at the hospital, Billie helped Rachel up to the maternity ward and after she got into a private room, Billie, with help from Rachel filled out the forms he had to.
An hour or so after they had arrived, Billie was sitting in a chair next to Rachel's bed when he said "I'm so not gonna be a good coach later."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, I've only had Joey, Jake, and Jess. And Joey's 13 now, Jake's 10, and Jess is well 5, just like Leilah and Mikey."
Rachel smiled and said "You'll be fine Billie. You'll remember stuff as today goes along. And if you're not helping I'll just be yelling at you."
Billie laughed then Rachel said "Besides...do you actually think Mike's a good coach?"
The two laughed then Billie stopped and said "Oh shit. Neither of them know we're here."
"Who?"
"Adie or Mike."
"Mike's at Brittney's. Don't bother calling him."
"He'd want to be here."
Rachel glared at Billie and said "Well what if I don't him here?"
"Rachel...He's your husband-"
"He's not a very good one. Did you know that you've been better to me throughout this pregnancy than Mike was with Sam? Sure, he cared a bunch with the twins but with Sam, that's when we really began to drift apart. I don't know if I even want to be with him anymore. I think I may actually want a divorce."
"Don't say that Rachel. You know you love Mike, you know he loves you."
"He hasn't said he loves me in almost a year."
"You know he does. He doesn't need to say it. You both can see it in each other's eyes."
Rachel sighed then whispered "Go call Mike and Adie."
"Okay."
Billie stood up and began to walk towards the door then Rachel said "Can you give me my Ipod out of my bag?"
"Sure."
Billie grabbed Rachel's bag off the chair near the door, unzipped it, got her Ipod out of it, walked back over to her, put the bag next to the bed, handed her the Ipod then said "Do you want any magazines when I'm heading back?"
"Yeah, I'd love a few."
"Any in particular?"
"Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, Star, Us, the newest Cosmo if they have it."
"Okay."
Billie kissed Rachel's forehead then said "I'll be back soon doll."
"Kay."
Billie walked out of the room and Rachel put the earphones into her ears, turned on the Ipod and went through her long song list until she found just the song she wanted. Everything I Do (I Do It For You) by Bryan Adams. She loved that song, the only problem was, was that it made her think of Billie, and that made her more emotional then anything. She wasn't supposed to have the feelings she had towards him, for him. He was her husband's bandmate, but even more importantly his bestfriend of 25 years.
Fifteen minutes later, Rachel was listening to Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue when Billie walked back in.
She took out her earphones and Billie said "Mike's leaving Britt's and Adrienne's on her way."
Rachel nodded and Billie sat on the edge of her bed. "How are you feelin?"
"Not too bad considering I'm in labour."
Billie smiled, put his hand over Rachel's and as he leaned in to kiss her, Dr. Daniels walked in the room.
"Hello Rachel."
Billie leaned back and Rachel said "Hi Dr. Daniels. You remember Billie Joe right?"
"Yes, of course. How could I forget the lead singer of Green Day?"
Billie stood up, shook Dr. Daniels' hand then said "Nice to see you again Dr. Daniels."
"You too Mr. Armstrong."
Billie looked at Rachel then said "I'm gonna run down to grab your magazines, I forgot them earlier."
"Oh, okay."
Billie left the room, closing the door behind himself, and Dr. Daniels checked how far along Rachel was.
When Billie returned, carrying 4 of the 5 magazines Rachel had asked for, she had gone back to listening to her Ipod, but now her eyes were closed although, he could see lines from tears running down her cheeks. He quietly walked over to her, wiped the tears off her cheeks and as he did, Rachel's eyes opened. "You know I hate seeing you cry. Except usually it's because of Mike."
"It is..."
"Rachel, I thought we talked about this."
Billie put the magazines on a chair, sat on the bed, brushed Rachel's bangs out of her eyes then she said "I know we did but...but I love you Billie."
"Rachel, I love you too, as a friend."
Billie tucked hair behind Rachel's ear then she batted his hand away and said "That's just it. You love me as a friend, but I love you as more than a friend. You're the father to this little girl that's ready to come out of me. You were always the nicest one of the group. I loved you before I loved Mike...did you know that? Even though you weren't all that cute when I first saw any of your videos. I loved you. Then, I fell for Mike. I met Mike, and you. But I married Mike, when I know I should've married you. And even though, you're married to Adrienne, I can't stop these feelings I have for you."
Rachel sighed, looked at Billie and his lips crashed into her's.
As they passionately kissed, for what seemed like eternity, the worst thing that could happen did. Adrienne and Mike both walked in.
At the site of seeing his best friend kissing his wife, Mike walked across the room and pulled Billie off of Rachel.
"What do you think you're doing Armstrong?"
"Something you don't do much."
Mike pushed Billie into the wall and said "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You think Rachel doesn't tell me stuff? I'm the person she runs to when you yell or walk out. I'm her fucking knight in shining armour."
Mike held Billie tighter against the wall then said "The second that baby is born you're out of my wife's life. And if we weren't bandmates, you'd be outta mine."
Rachel could see the colour in Billie's face changing then she screamed "Mike you're hurting him!"
Mike let go of Billie and turned around to Rachel. "What does it matter to you?"
"I love him. Even if he's married to my best friend, Billie Joe's your best friend, your bandmate, the father of one of my daughters. This is crazy. It's got to stop. Stop being so fucking jealous of him and start being a caring husband to me."
Rachel started to breath heavily and Adrienne rushed over to her. "Rachel, breath okay. Go along with my breathing. Just breath with me kay?"
Rachel nodded and as she began to breath in sync with Adrienne, her breathing pace returned to normal.
When Rachel was calm again, Adrienne looked at her husband and Mike then pointed at the two chairs near them and said "Sit. Both of you."
They obeyed and Adrienne walked over to them. She looked at them then said "In the past, the four of us have all put each other through hell. Now, you two are both gonna be a dad again. Mike, Rachel's your beautiful wife. You two love each other. Nothing could come between you two, you know that. You have got to start caring for her, being there for her. Billie Joe, you're that baby's daddy. I love you so much, but you got to stop rescuing Rachel from the hell she's going through. You two have got to get along. For the sake of mine and Rachel's sanity, for the sake of your friendship, and for the sake of Green Day. Okay?"
Mike and Billie looked from Adrienne to each other then said "Okay," in unison.
"Now hug."
The two best friends stood up, hugged each other, then as they parted Mike said "Dude, I'm sorry about the whole wall thing."
"It's okay."
Two hours later, Mike and Billie were gone to Starbucks, and Adrienne and Rachel were sitting in Rachel's hospital room, when Rachel felt a very painful contraction, placed a hand to her stomach, then said "Adie, you've gotta go get Dr. Daniels."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. Just please go get him."
"Okay."
Adrienne rushed into the hall, and no longer than two minutes later, returned with Dr. Daniels.
Dr. Daniels examined Rachel, as Adrienne waited in the hallway, and as she was still standing there, Billie and Mike returned.
They rushed over to her and said "Why are you out in the hall?"
"Rach had a bad contraction. I had to find Dr. Daniels. He's checking her. I don't know what's going on."
Billie looked worried then Mike said "Bill, chill. Rach always has horrible, crippling contractions when she's getting close to delivering."
"Swear?"
"Would I lie to you?"
"Yes."
Adrienne shook her head then said "Would you two stop it?"
The two looked at their feet then mumbled "Sorry."
As they did, Rachel's hospital room door opened and Dr. Daniels walked out he looked at the three then said "Rachel's ready to start pushing. She'll be heading to the delivery room any minute."
The three nodded and walked into Rachel's room. Rachel looked up then said "So who's coming with me?"
Adrienne looked from her husband to his best friend then said "Well I'm not. I've been through the delivery process enough. It's between you two."
Mike looked at Billie then said "If you wanna be in there, it's fine. It is your baby after all."
"Nah, it's fine. You be with Rach in there. You're her husband."
"No Billie, go. It's your last child. For sure. I still might have one or two more."
Rachel laughed then said "Don't count on it. And for god sake's decide quick. This little rebel ain't gonna stay in me much longer."
The two men were silent for a minute then Billie looked at Mike and said "I really wanna be in there. But, people around here will be suspicious if you're here and I go in."
Mike nodded then Rachel said "Okay it's settled. Mike you're coming with me. And since you two are free, call someone to pick up our kids."
Just as Rachel finished her sentence, a nurse and Dr. Daniels walked in to get her. Rachel was wheeled out of the room, with Mike following her, but before she left Billie kissed her forehead and said "I'll be waiting."
As the next half an hour passed, Billie paced back and forth in the waiting room, waiting to hear something and Adrienne had left to go pick up all the kids and to drop them off with Claudia.
Back in the delivery room, Rachel was pushing with all her might, with Mike coaching her.
At 4:09 pm, Rachel gave one last push and her's and Billie's daughter finally came out. As the little girl screeched, Rachel smiled up at Mike and he leaned down and kissed her.
"You did great."
"Yeah. I did."
Mike laughed as the nurses began to clean his stepdaughter and the doctor began to get Rachel ready to go back to her room.
After she was cleaned, a nurse brought the baby over to Rachel for her to hold. Rachel smiled down at her little girl then looked up at Mike.
"Look at the black hair on her head."
"I know."
Soon, it was 5:00, and Rachel was comfortably sitting in her room, holding her newest daughter, when Billie and Adrienne, carrying Sam walked in. Mike took Sam from Adrienne and as he occupied his little boy, Billie walked over to Rachel, sat on the edge of the bed, looked eager and said "Can I hold her?"
Rachel nodded and Billie held out his arms.
As Rachel placed their little girl in his arms, Adrienne walked over to them and said "So, what's her name gonna be?"
Rachel bit her lip then said "Well, it was going to be Ella Lynn, but I thought of one so much better today."
Billie gave her a confused look then Rachel said "Her name is Rebel. Rebel Olivia Armstrong."
Billie kissed Rebel's forehead then said "Olivia was my mom's-"
"Name. I know Billie."
Rachel kissed Billie's cheek then Adrienne said "I think that's a great way to remember Ollie. Considering today was Ollie's birthday before she passed."
Billie sniffed then whispered "Yeah. She would've love to be here today if she had only lived a few more months."
The two girls saw tears in Billie's eyes begin to form and they hugged him and as the three parted, Adrienne held out her arms and said "So, can I hold my stepdaughter?"
Billie laughed, nodded then placed Rebel in Adie's arms.
As the four plus Sam, admired the little girl time passed. Before long, it was 8:30, and Adrienne, Mike and Sam headed home, leaving Billie at the hospital with Rachel.
Two days later, it was November 12th, and late that afternoon, Rachel and Rebel were released from the hospital, and Rebel was brought home to the Pritchard household.
Over the next month and a half, life was difficult. Rachel was trying to tend to Rebel, while trying to keep her other kids in line, and Mike happy. Billie was being a great dad, but began to regret the fact him and Rachel weren't together so he could be with her night and day to help out. Mike was trying to help Rachel the best he could, but he was still spending more time with Brittney than at home. And Adrienne, seemed to notice how distant her husband was and how he was beginning to care more for Rachel then for her.
Soon it was Christmas Eve, and the Armstrong and Pritchard families were together at the Armstrong house for dinner.
With nine children running around, Rachel soon brang Rebel upstairs for some peace and quiet.
As Rachel sat in the rocking chair in Rebel's nursery, rocking back in forth with an awake but silent Rebel in her arms, Rachel brushed some of Rebel's black hair away from her face and as she looked at her daughter piercing green eyes, she whispered "You look so much like your daddy, little one."
"Maybe she'll play music just as well."
Rachel looked towards the door, and Billie was standing there. He walked over to her and bent down beside the rocking chair.
"Shouldn't you be down with your kids, and godkids? Enjoying the great dinner and dessert your wife slaved over today. And opening presents."
"My little rebel is up here with her mommy though."
"It was too noisy down there. And besides, I don't think I should really be down there."
"You belong down there as much as any of us."
"I know it's just. I feel like I don't belong. Especially around Mike, we've been fighting a lot over the past week or so, mainly about you and Brittney. But it's just getting worse."
"If you need a place to stay, you know you're welcome her."
"Abby..."
"There's room."
"Leilah...Mikey...Sam..."
"We'll figure something out if we need to."
"I can't take them away from Mike. I have to stay with him for better or for worse."
"I brought your gift up here. For you to open."
"All my gifts are home under my tree."
"The one from me isn't."
"You didn't have to get me anything."
"Says you, I felt I needed to."
Billie stood up and pulled and small, square blue velvet box from his pants pocket. Rachel looked at him and said "I don't like the look of this."
Billie bent back down and opened the box. Inside, there was a 4.5 pear cut diamond on a white gold back with diamond chips in the band. "Please no..."
Billie took a deep breath then said "My marriage is over. Me and Adie have tried going to a councellor. Talking about our feelings. Everything in the book. But, it's over. Her Christmas gift to me arrived a week ago."
Rachel gave Billie a questioning look then he said "She handed me divorce papers as I sat out back working on a song."
"So, does this..."
"I want to be with you. Be a family with you and our little girl. You know, you aren't happy."
"Your best friend, is my husband. He's in a band with you."
"Those are just minor details. Mike will get over losing you. Besides, right now he cares way too much about Brittney."
Rachel took a deep breath then said "So, when is this divorce finalized?"
"January 15th. I can call my lawyer on the 27th and get ones done up for you and Mike. If that is what you truly want."
"And if I get divorced and you get divorced..."
"We can get engaged and married whenever you're ready."
"Well I'd want to lose the baby weight."
"I know."
"And I would need tons of time for planning."
"No doubt about it."
"And well our kids..."
"We'll figure something out. Joey and Jake already know."
Rachel took a deep breath and looked at Billie adoringly.
Billie smiled then smiled "Rachel Elizabeth...uh...what name should I say now?"
"Shouldn't we wait...until everything is finalized?"
"Well you could give me your answer now. And we'll just keep the ring in a safe place."
"Okay. And Sawyer. Say Sawyer."
"Okay, Rachel Elizabeth Sawyer...will you marry me? Eventually?"
Rachel giggled and kissed Billie.
"So, that's a yes?"
"Yes."
Rachel hugged Billie with one arm and he closed the box.
He kissed Rachel on the lips, then Rebel on the forehead and whispered "I'm gonna go put this in Blue's case. It's the safest place I know of."
"Kay."
"I'll see ya later doll."
"Bye Billie."
About half an hour later, Rachel laid a sleeping Rebel in her crib and walked downstairs.
As the rest of the festivities that evening took place, Rachel and Billie kept stealing glances towards each other.
Three days later, Billie called his lawyer, and just as Rachel had requested, had divorce papers drawn up for her and Mike.
An hour or so after they had arrived, Billie was sitting in a chair next to Rachel's bed when he said "I'm so not gonna be a good coach later."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, I've only had Joey, Jake, and Jess. And Joey's 13 now, Jake's 10, and Jess is well 5, just like Leilah and Mikey."
Rachel smiled and said "You'll be fine Billie. You'll remember stuff as today goes along. And if you're not helping I'll just be yelling at you."
Billie laughed then Rachel said "Besides...do you actually think Mike's a good coach?"
The two laughed then Billie stopped and said "Oh shit. Neither of them know we're here."
"Who?"
"Adie or Mike."
"Mike's at Brittney's. Don't bother calling him."
"He'd want to be here."
Rachel glared at Billie and said "Well what if I don't him here?"
"Rachel...He's your husband-"
"He's not a very good one. Did you know that you've been better to me throughout this pregnancy than Mike was with Sam? Sure, he cared a bunch with the twins but with Sam, that's when we really began to drift apart. I don't know if I even want to be with him anymore. I think I may actually want a divorce."
"Don't say that Rachel. You know you love Mike, you know he loves you."
"He hasn't said he loves me in almost a year."
"You know he does. He doesn't need to say it. You both can see it in each other's eyes."
Rachel sighed then whispered "Go call Mike and Adie."
"Okay."
Billie stood up and began to walk towards the door then Rachel said "Can you give me my Ipod out of my bag?"
"Sure."
Billie grabbed Rachel's bag off the chair near the door, unzipped it, got her Ipod out of it, walked back over to her, put the bag next to the bed, handed her the Ipod then said "Do you want any magazines when I'm heading back?"
"Yeah, I'd love a few."
"Any in particular?"
"Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, Star, Us, the newest Cosmo if they have it."
"Okay."
Billie kissed Rachel's forehead then said "I'll be back soon doll."
"Kay."
Billie walked out of the room and Rachel put the earphones into her ears, turned on the Ipod and went through her long song list until she found just the song she wanted. Everything I Do (I Do It For You) by Bryan Adams. She loved that song, the only problem was, was that it made her think of Billie, and that made her more emotional then anything. She wasn't supposed to have the feelings she had towards him, for him. He was her husband's bandmate, but even more importantly his bestfriend of 25 years.
Fifteen minutes later, Rachel was listening to Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue when Billie walked back in.
She took out her earphones and Billie said "Mike's leaving Britt's and Adrienne's on her way."
Rachel nodded and Billie sat on the edge of her bed. "How are you feelin?"
"Not too bad considering I'm in labour."
Billie smiled, put his hand over Rachel's and as he leaned in to kiss her, Dr. Daniels walked in the room.
"Hello Rachel."
Billie leaned back and Rachel said "Hi Dr. Daniels. You remember Billie Joe right?"
"Yes, of course. How could I forget the lead singer of Green Day?"
Billie stood up, shook Dr. Daniels' hand then said "Nice to see you again Dr. Daniels."
"You too Mr. Armstrong."
Billie looked at Rachel then said "I'm gonna run down to grab your magazines, I forgot them earlier."
"Oh, okay."
Billie left the room, closing the door behind himself, and Dr. Daniels checked how far along Rachel was.
When Billie returned, carrying 4 of the 5 magazines Rachel had asked for, she had gone back to listening to her Ipod, but now her eyes were closed although, he could see lines from tears running down her cheeks. He quietly walked over to her, wiped the tears off her cheeks and as he did, Rachel's eyes opened. "You know I hate seeing you cry. Except usually it's because of Mike."
"It is..."
"Rachel, I thought we talked about this."
Billie put the magazines on a chair, sat on the bed, brushed Rachel's bangs out of her eyes then she said "I know we did but...but I love you Billie."
"Rachel, I love you too, as a friend."
Billie tucked hair behind Rachel's ear then she batted his hand away and said "That's just it. You love me as a friend, but I love you as more than a friend. You're the father to this little girl that's ready to come out of me. You were always the nicest one of the group. I loved you before I loved Mike...did you know that? Even though you weren't all that cute when I first saw any of your videos. I loved you. Then, I fell for Mike. I met Mike, and you. But I married Mike, when I know I should've married you. And even though, you're married to Adrienne, I can't stop these feelings I have for you."
Rachel sighed, looked at Billie and his lips crashed into her's.
As they passionately kissed, for what seemed like eternity, the worst thing that could happen did. Adrienne and Mike both walked in.
At the site of seeing his best friend kissing his wife, Mike walked across the room and pulled Billie off of Rachel.
"What do you think you're doing Armstrong?"
"Something you don't do much."
Mike pushed Billie into the wall and said "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You think Rachel doesn't tell me stuff? I'm the person she runs to when you yell or walk out. I'm her fucking knight in shining armour."
Mike held Billie tighter against the wall then said "The second that baby is born you're out of my wife's life. And if we weren't bandmates, you'd be outta mine."
Rachel could see the colour in Billie's face changing then she screamed "Mike you're hurting him!"
Mike let go of Billie and turned around to Rachel. "What does it matter to you?"
"I love him. Even if he's married to my best friend, Billie Joe's your best friend, your bandmate, the father of one of my daughters. This is crazy. It's got to stop. Stop being so fucking jealous of him and start being a caring husband to me."
Rachel started to breath heavily and Adrienne rushed over to her. "Rachel, breath okay. Go along with my breathing. Just breath with me kay?"
Rachel nodded and as she began to breath in sync with Adrienne, her breathing pace returned to normal.
When Rachel was calm again, Adrienne looked at her husband and Mike then pointed at the two chairs near them and said "Sit. Both of you."
They obeyed and Adrienne walked over to them. She looked at them then said "In the past, the four of us have all put each other through hell. Now, you two are both gonna be a dad again. Mike, Rachel's your beautiful wife. You two love each other. Nothing could come between you two, you know that. You have got to start caring for her, being there for her. Billie Joe, you're that baby's daddy. I love you so much, but you got to stop rescuing Rachel from the hell she's going through. You two have got to get along. For the sake of mine and Rachel's sanity, for the sake of your friendship, and for the sake of Green Day. Okay?"
Mike and Billie looked from Adrienne to each other then said "Okay," in unison.
"Now hug."
The two best friends stood up, hugged each other, then as they parted Mike said "Dude, I'm sorry about the whole wall thing."
"It's okay."
Two hours later, Mike and Billie were gone to Starbucks, and Adrienne and Rachel were sitting in Rachel's hospital room, when Rachel felt a very painful contraction, placed a hand to her stomach, then said "Adie, you've gotta go get Dr. Daniels."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. Just please go get him."
"Okay."
Adrienne rushed into the hall, and no longer than two minutes later, returned with Dr. Daniels.
Dr. Daniels examined Rachel, as Adrienne waited in the hallway, and as she was still standing there, Billie and Mike returned.
They rushed over to her and said "Why are you out in the hall?"
"Rach had a bad contraction. I had to find Dr. Daniels. He's checking her. I don't know what's going on."
Billie looked worried then Mike said "Bill, chill. Rach always has horrible, crippling contractions when she's getting close to delivering."
"Swear?"
"Would I lie to you?"
"Yes."
Adrienne shook her head then said "Would you two stop it?"
The two looked at their feet then mumbled "Sorry."
As they did, Rachel's hospital room door opened and Dr. Daniels walked out he looked at the three then said "Rachel's ready to start pushing. She'll be heading to the delivery room any minute."
The three nodded and walked into Rachel's room. Rachel looked up then said "So who's coming with me?"
Adrienne looked from her husband to his best friend then said "Well I'm not. I've been through the delivery process enough. It's between you two."
Mike looked at Billie then said "If you wanna be in there, it's fine. It is your baby after all."
"Nah, it's fine. You be with Rach in there. You're her husband."
"No Billie, go. It's your last child. For sure. I still might have one or two more."
Rachel laughed then said "Don't count on it. And for god sake's decide quick. This little rebel ain't gonna stay in me much longer."
The two men were silent for a minute then Billie looked at Mike and said "I really wanna be in there. But, people around here will be suspicious if you're here and I go in."
Mike nodded then Rachel said "Okay it's settled. Mike you're coming with me. And since you two are free, call someone to pick up our kids."
Just as Rachel finished her sentence, a nurse and Dr. Daniels walked in to get her. Rachel was wheeled out of the room, with Mike following her, but before she left Billie kissed her forehead and said "I'll be waiting."
As the next half an hour passed, Billie paced back and forth in the waiting room, waiting to hear something and Adrienne had left to go pick up all the kids and to drop them off with Claudia.
Back in the delivery room, Rachel was pushing with all her might, with Mike coaching her.
At 4:09 pm, Rachel gave one last push and her's and Billie's daughter finally came out. As the little girl screeched, Rachel smiled up at Mike and he leaned down and kissed her.
"You did great."
"Yeah. I did."
Mike laughed as the nurses began to clean his stepdaughter and the doctor began to get Rachel ready to go back to her room.
After she was cleaned, a nurse brought the baby over to Rachel for her to hold. Rachel smiled down at her little girl then looked up at Mike.
"Look at the black hair on her head."
"I know."
Soon, it was 5:00, and Rachel was comfortably sitting in her room, holding her newest daughter, when Billie and Adrienne, carrying Sam walked in. Mike took Sam from Adrienne and as he occupied his little boy, Billie walked over to Rachel, sat on the edge of the bed, looked eager and said "Can I hold her?"
Rachel nodded and Billie held out his arms.
As Rachel placed their little girl in his arms, Adrienne walked over to them and said "So, what's her name gonna be?"
Rachel bit her lip then said "Well, it was going to be Ella Lynn, but I thought of one so much better today."
Billie gave her a confused look then Rachel said "Her name is Rebel. Rebel Olivia Armstrong."
Billie kissed Rebel's forehead then said "Olivia was my mom's-"
"Name. I know Billie."
Rachel kissed Billie's cheek then Adrienne said "I think that's a great way to remember Ollie. Considering today was Ollie's birthday before she passed."
Billie sniffed then whispered "Yeah. She would've love to be here today if she had only lived a few more months."
The two girls saw tears in Billie's eyes begin to form and they hugged him and as the three parted, Adrienne held out her arms and said "So, can I hold my stepdaughter?"
Billie laughed, nodded then placed Rebel in Adie's arms.
As the four plus Sam, admired the little girl time passed. Before long, it was 8:30, and Adrienne, Mike and Sam headed home, leaving Billie at the hospital with Rachel.
Two days later, it was November 12th, and late that afternoon, Rachel and Rebel were released from the hospital, and Rebel was brought home to the Pritchard household.
Over the next month and a half, life was difficult. Rachel was trying to tend to Rebel, while trying to keep her other kids in line, and Mike happy. Billie was being a great dad, but began to regret the fact him and Rachel weren't together so he could be with her night and day to help out. Mike was trying to help Rachel the best he could, but he was still spending more time with Brittney than at home. And Adrienne, seemed to notice how distant her husband was and how he was beginning to care more for Rachel then for her.
Soon it was Christmas Eve, and the Armstrong and Pritchard families were together at the Armstrong house for dinner.
With nine children running around, Rachel soon brang Rebel upstairs for some peace and quiet.
As Rachel sat in the rocking chair in Rebel's nursery, rocking back in forth with an awake but silent Rebel in her arms, Rachel brushed some of Rebel's black hair away from her face and as she looked at her daughter piercing green eyes, she whispered "You look so much like your daddy, little one."
"Maybe she'll play music just as well."
Rachel looked towards the door, and Billie was standing there. He walked over to her and bent down beside the rocking chair.
"Shouldn't you be down with your kids, and godkids? Enjoying the great dinner and dessert your wife slaved over today. And opening presents."
"My little rebel is up here with her mommy though."
"It was too noisy down there. And besides, I don't think I should really be down there."
"You belong down there as much as any of us."
"I know it's just. I feel like I don't belong. Especially around Mike, we've been fighting a lot over the past week or so, mainly about you and Brittney. But it's just getting worse."
"If you need a place to stay, you know you're welcome her."
"Abby..."
"There's room."
"Leilah...Mikey...Sam..."
"We'll figure something out if we need to."
"I can't take them away from Mike. I have to stay with him for better or for worse."
"I brought your gift up here. For you to open."
"All my gifts are home under my tree."
"The one from me isn't."
"You didn't have to get me anything."
"Says you, I felt I needed to."
Billie stood up and pulled and small, square blue velvet box from his pants pocket. Rachel looked at him and said "I don't like the look of this."
Billie bent back down and opened the box. Inside, there was a 4.5 pear cut diamond on a white gold back with diamond chips in the band. "Please no..."
Billie took a deep breath then said "My marriage is over. Me and Adie have tried going to a councellor. Talking about our feelings. Everything in the book. But, it's over. Her Christmas gift to me arrived a week ago."
Rachel gave Billie a questioning look then he said "She handed me divorce papers as I sat out back working on a song."
"So, does this..."
"I want to be with you. Be a family with you and our little girl. You know, you aren't happy."
"Your best friend, is my husband. He's in a band with you."
"Those are just minor details. Mike will get over losing you. Besides, right now he cares way too much about Brittney."
Rachel took a deep breath then said "So, when is this divorce finalized?"
"January 15th. I can call my lawyer on the 27th and get ones done up for you and Mike. If that is what you truly want."
"And if I get divorced and you get divorced..."
"We can get engaged and married whenever you're ready."
"Well I'd want to lose the baby weight."
"I know."
"And I would need tons of time for planning."
"No doubt about it."
"And well our kids..."
"We'll figure something out. Joey and Jake already know."
Rachel took a deep breath and looked at Billie adoringly.
Billie smiled then smiled "Rachel Elizabeth...uh...what name should I say now?"
"Shouldn't we wait...until everything is finalized?"
"Well you could give me your answer now. And we'll just keep the ring in a safe place."
"Okay. And Sawyer. Say Sawyer."
"Okay, Rachel Elizabeth Sawyer...will you marry me? Eventually?"
Rachel giggled and kissed Billie.
"So, that's a yes?"
"Yes."
Rachel hugged Billie with one arm and he closed the box.
He kissed Rachel on the lips, then Rebel on the forehead and whispered "I'm gonna go put this in Blue's case. It's the safest place I know of."
"Kay."
"I'll see ya later doll."
"Bye Billie."
About half an hour later, Rachel laid a sleeping Rebel in her crib and walked downstairs.
As the rest of the festivities that evening took place, Rachel and Billie kept stealing glances towards each other.
Three days later, Billie called his lawyer, and just as Rachel had requested, had divorce papers drawn up for her and Mike.
