Bonus Story - Labor Day (Patreon)

The world felt like a blur in the hours since Sherri had first awoken in the middle of the night to drastic pain that culminated in a rush to the hospital. The carefully planned ‘go-time’ became an exercise in chaos with carefully packed bags rushed into the car with repeated return trips to pick up vital components for the event that would occur. It was a little earlier than anyone had planned as Sherri’s delivery date was expected to be a few weeks out still however those puppers were determined and Sherri believed that she might have had a hand in their determined attitude. 

The procedure had been thankfully simple for the four of a kind that Sherri had to deliver, the biggest upset was when the family began to pour in. Of course Sherri didn’t mind visitors, even during the procedure, Justin and Hope had quite the connected family and Sherri obviously wanted her family in the room as well. The doctors and nurses dealing with a full house of spectators all clamoring with opinions and words of support that surrounded Sherri almost like a dull white noise that helped to block out the moments of pain. Sherri was so focused that she didn’t even notice Justin’s father proudly showing off his new camcorder and focusing on Sherri as she went through their combined miracle.

Not that Sherri noticed through the mind numbing pain that went through her, although afterwards Sherri had relented in keeping evidence of the ordeal. Ellie advised that it might be something she’d even want to look back on one day.

It wasn’t until the swaddled pups were brought in that Sherri finally felt the adrenaline fall from her veins and she felt the desire to simply sleep. It was mutually agreed by the less immediate parties to simply give her some space and visit the hospital cafeteria and pick up some of the late night food, and bring some back to Sherri who was going to be absolutely starving when she woke up. 

All those months of concern, worry, and preparation felt validated in the moment as four healthy pups were brought into the world. Two placed in Sherri’s arms as she thankfully let Justin and Hope take the other two while she closed her eyes and leaned back against the hospital bed. She held them tightly to her as Justin and Hope settled in close upon the bed resting near her. She wanted to remember this moment, this warmth, she allowed her eyes to peek open for a brief moment and took in the room.

The pups had been born Sunday night into September Monday Morning, the light had not yet cracked through the horizon leaving it dark with the stars leaving their last twinkling moments before the blue sky would obscure them fully. Sherri took in a deep breath and cozied herself against the pillow preparing to let herself fall asleep and wake up to the morning of responsibilities that awaited her.

“You okay, Sher?” Hope leaned her head in and offered a gentle comforting kiss to the top of Sherri’s brow, her tail wrapping atop of Sherri’s lap as Justin’s mirrored her tender act. 

“Yeah,” Sherri smiled gently up to Hope, eyes then turning towards Justin who was doing his best to cradle the pup just like his mom had shown him. “I was just thinking..”

Justin perked his ears immediately, at a moment’s notice ready to bolt towards the nurse’s station and demand whatever little thing Sherri could want, “About?”

“You know, it’s kind of funny,” Sherri smiled and glanced down at the pair of pups in her arms. “Why these little guys were so intent on being born today.” She looked up at Justin, then at Hope with a gentle smirk. “They wanted to be born.. on Labor Day.”