Here's the prequel to "Not Yet." Any comments or input, feel free to express them, either replies to the thread or in a PM. I'm always open for suggestions to make my writing more believable.

Shawn opened the refrigerator door. He looked around at the contents inside: cereal, bread, bananas, peanut butter, etc.

   “Peanut butter sandwich should do.”

He closed the door after placing the bread and jar of peanut butter on the table.

   “Damn…forgot the jam.”

He re-opened the door, and noticed the jelly was on the bottom shelf.

   “Forget it,” he said after a sigh. At 40 weeks with quadruplets, Shawn was in no mood to bend down for anything as of late. The beach ball-sized belly under his custom-made robe made it rather hard for him to get close to anything. Jessica was sleep; he didn’t want to bother her about a jar of jam. He got a spoon from the drawer and proceeded to make his sandwiches.

After finishing the first sandwich, Shawn began to clear his throat while rubbing his belly.

   “I should’ve got some milk.”

Shawn took a glass from the cabinet and sat it on the table before heading to the refrigerator. The jug of milk was waiting for him on the top shelf. He poured, pausing when he heard the phone ring. He continued after hearing Jessica answer it. He took his glass of milk and peanut butter sandwich with him to the bedroom.

Jessica watched Shawn waddle in as she put the phone back on the receiver, noticing the items in his hands.

   “In the mood for breakfast in bed?”

   “What is that?” Jessica asked while looking at the sandwich.

   “Peanut butter sandwich…no jam. It was on the bottom shelf…would’ve been nice though. I made two, but already ate one.”

Shawn held the plate out to Jessica as an offering.

   “Sure,” she said as she took the plate and sat up in bed. Shawn sat by her and started drinking his glass of milk.

   “You want some?” He asked as he leaned his glass towards Jessica. She shook her with decline as she continued to eat her sandwich.

   “You want anything to drink? Some water? Orange juice?”

   “Orange juice would be nice…you sure you don’t want me to go get it while you stay sitting?” Jessica asked as she observed Shawn exhaling as he got off the bed.

   “I’m fine. I’ll go get it.”

Shawn placed his empty glass on the table. He took a clean glass out of the cabinet and sat it on the table. Looking into the refrigerator, he instantly sees the jug of milk. However, he noticed the carton of orange juice is on the lower level towards the back of the refrigerator. He takes the milk out and pours himself a glass. After putting the jug back, Shawn takes a breath as he rubs his belly. He proceeds to bend down, reaching for the carton. Feeling the weight of his babies go down with him, Shawn continues to breathe while reaching for the carton with one hand while his other remained on his belly. His eyes squinted in concentration at the task. As Shawn grabbed the carton and began to stand up, he felt a sharp pain in his belly. He dropped the carton and grabbed his belly with both hands and began to breathe. As soon as Shawn closed the refrigerator and turned to head to the bedroom, another pain hits…this time a gush of water hitting the floor from under his robe.

   “JESS!!!”

Jessica came into the kitchen, instantly noticing Shawn leaning against the refrigerator breathing. Her mouth dropped when she noticed the puddle on the floor.

   “Your water broke?”

Shawn nodded as he continued breathing. His eyes squinted while letting out a moan. Jessica came over to Shawn and pulled a chair out. She led Shawn to the chair.

   “Sit here. Continue breathing. I’m going to call Heidi.”

   “Okay,” he said between breathing.

Jessica grabbed the phone off the receiver.

   “Hello?” Heidi said in a tired voice.

   “Heidi, I think this is it.”

   “How can you be so sure…*yawns*…it’s probably another false alarm.”

   “Because his water broke and his contractions are coming every few minutes.”

   “Oh… okay. You two get ready and I’ll come get you. We’ll just go on to the hospital.”

   “Okay.”

Jessica hung up and went to the bedroom. Shawn watched her.

   “Jess?”

   “Heidi says she’s going to come get us,” Jessica said while pulling some of Shawn’s sweat clothes from a drawer. “Let’s get you into these clothes.”

As soon as Heidi pulled up into her four-door, Jessica and Shawn began to make their way out of the house. Jessica had a bag in tow while she had hold of one of Shawn’s arms. Shawn had both hands holding his back.

   “My goodness…I don’t recall him being that big…” Heidi said to herself as she observed Shawn’s belly. She unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car.

   “You got everything?” Heidi asked as she came over to the other side to meet them.

   “Yeah…I need to go lock the door.”

Heidi opened the front passenger door for Shawn.

   “I wanna sit in the back next to Jessica.”

   “Okay.” Heidi closed the door and opened the back passenger door. Shawn eased his way, sliding over to make room for Jessica. Jessica hopped in right after him. She helped Shawn with his seatbelt as he continued breathing. Heidi got in.

   “How are you, Shawn?” Heidi asked while buckling her seatbelt.

   “Hangin’ in there.”

   “Keep hanging in there.”

Jessica pulled a piece of cloth out of her bag and began wiping Shawn’s face with it.

   "Oh, wow…we’re going to bring home four babies soon,” Jessica said as she stopped and looked at Shawn.

   “Shit!”

   “What’s wrong?” Jessica said with a concerned look towards Heidi.

   “I need to stop for gas. The car won’t make it to the hospital if I don’t.”

   “OOOOOOH…” Shawn moaned out as a contraction hit. He grabbed his stomach, while Jessica began rubbing his arm with concern.

   “Just hang in there, Shawn.” Heidi said while driving. “Awe, here we go. I’ll try and be quick.”

Heidi pulled into a gas station. She parked at one of the empty pumps.

   “Be right back,” she said as she hurried out of her seatbelt and car.

   “Can’t believe she’s low on gas at a time like this…”

   “She probably went low because of those false contractions you were having.”

Shawn leaned his head back onto the seat and closed his eyes. He was taking slow breath.

   “You should’ve sat in the front seat. You could’ve reclined the seat and been able to lay back further.”

   "No, I wanted you right next to me, keeping me dry.”

Jessica smiled at the comment as she wiped Shawn’s face more. Her smile faded as Shawn started to breathe faster while clutching his belly.

   “Tell Heidi we need to go NOW…”

Jessica watched as she saw Heidi leaving the cashier and making her way to the pump.

   “Just keep breathing. She’s starting to pump the gas now.”

Heidi turned her attention from the numbers going up at the pump to the backseat of her car. She noticed Jessica looking back at her with a worried look. She started tapping her feet while watching the numbers and the pump. Shawn reached for the window switch. Jessica leaned over and grabbed his hand.

   “No. You’ll startle her and make a scene. She’s going as fast as she can.”

Shawn’s breathing turned into grunting.

   “ARE YOU PUSHING?”

   “I’m not trying to…”

   “BREATHE, SHAWN…”

   “I’m trying…” Shawn switched from a few breaths to grunting. He looked at Heidi in worry as she made her way to the car. Heidi got in, put her seatbelt on, and started the engine. She glanced back while driving.

   “Don’t push, Shawn.”

   “I’m not doing it on purpose.”

   “Well, that’s good then. It’s okay if your body does it. Don’t put extra effort in helping it along.”

Shawn continued breathing, though the occasional grunt would come along. Jessica wiped his face while rubbing his belly. Suddenly, Shawn curled forward, with his eyes closed and halted breathing.

   “Heidi…”

Heidi observed Shawn in her rear view window. She approached an empty parking lot. There was nothing but grunting coming from Shawn at the moment. He breathed as he laid back, eyes toward the ceiling of the car. Heidi got out of the car and opened the door on Shawn’s side.

   “Move over, Jessica. Shawn, you slide over and turn my way. Let’s get these pants down.”

   “Right here?”

   “I just got a hunch that I need to check you now.”

Heidi pulled her bag that had her kit in it from under her seat. Jessica didn’t say a word as she moved over. Shawn moved over as well, turning his lower body so that he could make more room for his legs. He started taking his sweatpants off; Heidi helped him. As soon as the pants were gone, Heidi could see some of the baby’s head. Shawn leaned back into Jessica and started pushing uncontrollably. Jessica watched over Shawn’s shoulders while rubbing them.

   “Keep going. You’re doing well.”

Shawn gritted his teeth as he bore down. The baby’s head crowned more. Shawn stopped, arching back.

   “Push, Shawn. No stopping now.”

   “It burns like hell…”

   “I know it hurts, but he’s got to come out.”

   “Push, Shawn…” Jessica said in an encouraging tone. Shawn bore down some more, eyes closed as he let out a bit of a whimper through his clenched mouth.

   “Head’s out.” Heidi said, beginning to check for a cord around the baby’s neck. Shawn breathed while Jessica tried her best to hug him from behind.

   “Okay, Shawn. Let’s get the rest of this baby out.”

Shawn closed his eyes as he concentrated on pushing. Jessica continued observing from behind his shoulder, putting her mouth to his shoulder as she was able to view the baby’s head. Heidi supported the head as the shoulders started to come out.

   “Give me one big push, Shawn.”

The final push delivered the rest of the baby. Jessica covered her mouth with her hand while Shawn looked star struck as Heidi put a blanket on the baby and put it close to Shawn. Shawn checked for the gender.

   “It’s a boy.” Shawn said quickly over his shoulder to Jessica. Jessica propped herself onto her knees so that she could get a better view of their son. She gave Shawn a kiss on his right temple. Heidi clamped the cord and continued cleaning everything up.

   “He’s got a nice set of lungs on him.” Heidi said about the wailing baby. She helped Shawn slide back into his sweatpants. Shawn noticed that his belly was a bit smaller, but still big.

   “Is everybody ready?” Heidi asked as she buckled herself into her seat.

   “Almost,” Jessica said as she helped Shawn with his belt. She then fastened her own.

   “We’re ready.”

Heidi started to drive. Jessica leaned on Shawn’s shoulder. They both admired the baby, who was quiet now.

   “He looks like you, Shawn.” Jessica said. She kissed Shawn’s shoulder. She went back to wiping Shawn’s face after noticing him sweating profusely. Shawn kept looking at their son, caressing his head.

   “You okay, Shawn?” asked Heidi as she looked at her rear-view mirror at him.

   “Yeah…”