In the Blood- Season 5, Episode 1
Prologue
''Steve...I'm FAT!'' Jaime moaned, turning sideways, forward and back again in front of the full length mirror.
Steve embraced his wife from behind, his hands resting on the barely visible bulge in her tummy. ''Sweetheart, you're pregnant - meaning that isn't fat...that's baby. And only four months' worth of baby...so you're gonna get a whole lot fatter!''
Jaime turned around - and slugged him. ''Steve Austin, you just called me fat!'' she laughed.
''No...I just said you'd get fatter...oh.'' He kissed her to silence whatever recriminations might have followed.
Jaime chuckled to herself; he always knew exactly how to get to her - and how to distract her from her troubles. While she might be more emotional than usual (in general), this could be a difficult day...for both of them. A gentle kiss and the opportunity to melt into her husband's arms for at least a few minutes was just what they both needed.
It had taken more legal wrangling than expected - and finally an order from Judge Rafferty - but Michael's blood had been drawn for typing that morning. Any moment now, Jaime and Steve expected to get news from the lab. If Michael's blood type differed from Steve's (and statistically, that would likely be the case), they'd easily be able to tell who the father was when the baby was born...or at least rule out who wasn't the father. They dreaded the knowledge and at times in the last couple of weeks they weren't sure they even wanted to know - they'd gone back and forth - but of course, they had to know!
Either way, Steve knew in his heart that he wouldn't love this baby any less, no matter what the eventual outcome. Jaime had to wonder about that; her husband was still so angry at Michael over what he'd done! That was natural...but would his anger affect his feelings toward the baby...and toward her? And if the blood types were the same, what - exactly - would that mean? Would Steve always look at their baby with an eye toward finding features that resembled his own? It was something every new father did...but even that loving gesture would suddenly take on new meaning if they got no definitive answer from the blood typing. Steve swore it all made no difference - and most of the time, Jaime believed him. They were going to be a family, no matter what the blood tests showed...or didn't show.
When the phone rang, they both jumped from their embrace and stared at the source of the intrusive noise...almost afraid to answer it. Their eyes met for one more loving, reassuring gaze and then Steve picked up the phone. He listened for a moment and then frowned. It wasn't the lab. He held out the receiver to his wife with a disapproving look.
''It's Oscar...for you.''