Daddy

Chapter One

"Are you supposed to be that big already?" Steve asked, affectionately rubbing Jaime's 'baby bump'.

Jaime swatted at her husband, but her seven-months-pregnant belly – already larger than most full-term 'bumps' – kept her from leaning toward him, and she missed. "I asked Doctor Hammond if he thought we might have twins in there, and he said no – just one very healthy baby."

"Twins?" Steve flashed a mischievous grin. "Looking at you, Sweetheart, I'd say...quadruplets, at least."

"That's it," Jaime said with mock sternness. Putting one hand firmly on each arm of the chair, she hoisted herself to her feet and stood directly in front of Steve. "One remark too many, Austin. I'm just gonna have to shut you up."

"Is that so? And just how do you intend -"
Turning her tummy sideways so she could move closer to him, Jaime silenced Steve with a firm, well-placed kiss.

"You know," he told her, "I'm pretty sure this is what got us into this mess in the first place."

"Don't care," she said, kissing him again.

"I also know," Steve continued, as he lifted her gently in his arms, "that you were told to stay off your feet." He carried her to the huge, over-stuffed sofa and set her down softly, placing pillows behind her back and under her feet.

"I could get used to such service," she giggled. "But it seems kinda silly to put my feet up. It's not like they have actual circulation..."

"No, but the point would be enforced relaxation," he reminded her. The phone rang, and Jaime automatically swung her feet down to the floor, but Steve's voice and his lovingly firm hand stopped her.

"Jaime Lyn...!"

"I was closer," she said with a tiny pout, obediently swinging her legs back onto the pillows as Steve answered the phone.

"Austin Baby Ranch – oh, hi, Oscar." Steve winked at his wife and she rolled her eyes in response. "Been awhile; how are ya?" Steve frowned as he listened, and Jaime's light-hearted mood suddenly vanished. "Oscar, you know that Jaime's...isn't there anyone else...uh-huh, I understand that, but...now?"

Jaime didn't have to hear the other half of the conversation to know what it meant. Her eyes brimmed with involuntary tears. Steve finished the call quickly and crouched down next to the sofa, tenderly wrapping his arms around Jaime in an attempt to comfort her.

"How soon do you have to leave?" she asked in a sad, defeated voice.

"Tonight."

"For...how long?" She was trying her best not to cry.

"Ten days or so – two weeks, tops." Steve had to force back a lump from his own throat at the thought of leaving her. "I'll call Helen to come and stay with you."

Jaime slowly shook her head. "I'll be ok. I don't need to have someone with me; I need you with me."

"Jaime -"

"Just...come home safe...please?" She rubbed her belly as she felt an especially strong kick in the ribs. "This little lady needs her Daddy, too."

Steve kissed her and rose to his feet, his heart breaking. He did not want to go, but knew he had no choice. He forced a brave smile as he agreed with her – somewhat. "He sure does. I'll call you if I can, and if anything happens...if you need me...Oscar can find me," he told her. I hope, he told himself.

- - - - - -

If Steve had been home, Jaime would've put a lot of effort into protesting her doctor's edict, but with her husband gone, she did what she knew he expected and spent most of her time off her feet. The increasingly strong kicks in her mid-section and worry for her husband kept her from getting much sleep, but she rested at all opportunities. She was doing exactly that, three days into solitude – lying on the sofa, enjoying a warm Spring breeze that came through the open windows and screen door - when her ear picked up footsteps on the front walk, and two very familiar voices. She began to struggle to her feet to let Rudy and Oscar in, but they were a step ahead of her as they mounted the front stoop.

"Just sit down, Honey," Rudy called to her. "Ok if we come in?"

"It's open," she answered, smiling warmly at them as they joined her. She was overjoyed to have company. "There's coffee on; can I get you some?" She looked at Rudy. "It's decaf. I'm behaving."

"I'll get it," Oscar said, heading into the kitchen.

Rudy pulled a chair next to the sofa and took a closer look at his patient/friend. He wasn't happy with her pale, drawn face or the heavy bags beneath her eyes. "Why don't you grab some juice for Jaime?" he called to Oscar.

"So," Jaime said brightly, trying to hide the weakness and general malaise she'd been feeling, "where are you sending me this time, Oscar?"

"Very funny," he replied, exchanging a quick, worried glance with Rudy. "The juice," he prompted her, making a light 'get-on-with-it' motion with his hand. Jaime slowly drained the glass. "How are you, Babe – really?"

"I'm...ok. Have you heard from Steve yet?"

"He contacted me this morning; that's what I came to tell you. He's fine, but nowhere near a phone," Oscar explained. Jaime nodded her understanding. She wouldn't get to talk to him. "I can get word to him, if you need anything," he reassured her.

Jaime nodded. I need him, she thought to herself.

- - - - - -