Authors' Note: This chapter was slow coming for some reason. Both Terra and Caelum have been busy busy bees and this just didn't come out with the same speed as the last ones. We also had to dig into all our old research on ultrasounds. That was fun.


Standard warnings and disclaimers may apply


Recap:


And before anyone could say anything, much less blink, Riku's mother promptly turned her head…and threw up.


"Ew…"


"Well," Sora said, turning to look at his lover who was hiding his face behind pale hands, "at least we know who you got it from."


A Baby Story


Part One: Stork One


Chapter Three: Doctor

--oOo--


Ring… Ring… "Uh… Make it stop…" Riku rolled over… and promptly fell off the couch.


Thud.

"Babe, you okay?" Sora's head stuck out from behind the kitchen door. His husband wearily shook his head and rushed down the hall, hand over his mouth.

Sora shook his head empathetically as the bathroom door slammed shut.


Ring… Ring… "I'm coming… I'm coming…" Sora reached for the phone. Rin-"Hello?"

"Hello. Is this the Uewasaki residence?" A polite, reserved female voice filtered through the receiver. He shifted his weight, fingering the cooking spoon that he still held in his hand.

"Yes. How may I help you?"

"May I please speak with Riku Uewasaki please?"

"He is…" Sora glanced once more at the shut bathroom door, "…currently unavailable. Who may I ask is calling?"

"This is Doctor Cat Chamberlin from Central Hospital."

"Is there a problem?" Worry laced the brunet's tone as he fidgeted from foot to foot. Oh my god… what if we gave Riku's mother… or father… a heart attack!!

"None whatsoever Mr. Uewasaki. I'm calling in regards to your current… situation." The woman spoke delicately.

"Wh-what?" He promptly dropped the spoon.

-.-.-.-

When Riku made his way out of the bathroom, a little less green in the face, he saw the brunet sitting on the couch with the phone hanging limply from his hand.

"Who was it honey?" The recent queasiness was still evident in his voice. He didn't get sick nearly as often anymore, but it would still pop up at weird times like two in the afternoon or four in the morning.

"That was Cat Chamberlin. Doctor Cat Chamberlin." Aquamarine eyes went wide.

"Doctor? Why!?" Riku got defensive.

"She has requested an appointment. Says that she is interested in our… situation."

"Of course she's fucking interested. What doctor wouldn't be? I'm an anomaly. Boys. Can't. Get. Pregnant." Sora just stared with worried blue eyes as Riku ranted. "The bitch probably wants to study me." Riku was ready to either kill something or throw up. And his stomach was starting to win that battle.

"Maybe it's not such a bad idea? She seemed very professional." Sora tried to reason. "I mean-"

"No. All any doctor will want to do is study me, perform numerous tests, and use me and the baby for press coverage. No. I don't know how it got out but there's no way in hell we're going to meet with her." Riku shook his head furiously, then promptly stopped. Dizziness was not a good thing right now.

"Your mother." Sora said quietly, looking down.

"What?" Riku didn't get it.

"The doctor said that she was referred to us by Toshiko Miyano." Riku stared blankly at the wall. His mother had left their "wedding" silently, without a word to anybody. It had been a couple days and they hadn't heard from her at all since. She… couldn't…

Sora was startled when he looked at his husband. There was fury in his eyes. The elder gave a frustrated yell. The coffee table toppled on its side, sending magazines and a glass of water tumbling the ground.

Riku's face was red and he was furious. And then… his stomach got the better of him, sending him straight to the damned bathroom once again.

Sora quietly righted the coffee table, placing the magazines and glass back. His hand paused over the book Riku had been reading earlier before he fell asleep on the couch. 'You and Your Baby: A guide through pregnancy'.

Once he had sopped up as much water from the carpet as possible, he stood outside the bathroom door, debating on if he should enter or not.

Deciding he should check to see how Riku was fairing, he softly opened the door.

"Ri?" the elder was huddled in the space between the freshly flushed toilet and the tub. Mouthwash was in his hand and tears were running down his face.

Sora rushed forward. He pulled Riku into his arms and made small, unintelligible comfort noises.

"I-hic- will not be some damn science project." Riku clung fiercely to Sora's shoulders, dampening the others tee-shirt.

Sora suddenly felt horrendous for ever suggesting that they meet with her. Even if Riku's mother only gets the best in any situation. This doctor must be something if she picked her. And surely she wouldn't sell out her own son. I hope not.

"We don't need any doctor anyway. Not when we have Merlin and the others. We're flying out to meet them in the next week. Don't worry about it anymore hun." Sora soothed and patted his back. And when he fell asleep, Sora gently picked him up to gently lie him in bed.

Pulling the covers over the slim frame, Sora gently kissed a tear stained cheek. "I won't be able to carry you in too long. So don't get used to that." He whispered lovingly before quietly leaving to throw away his most likely now-burned cookies in the kitchen before the smoke alarm went off.

-.-.-.-

For the next week until they left for Merlin's, the doctor had been calling constantly. Every time, Sora would answer and politely decline. Everytime, Riku would answer with a "No.", "Go Away." or "Fuck off." And promptly slam the phone back down.

Needless to say, any discussions concerning the possibility of sitting down with Doctor Chamberlin were out of the question.

If anything, Sora had been trying to convince himself that they didn't need her. Merlin would know what to do, wouldn't he? And if he didn't, surely Aerith had some sort of pregnancy knowledge they could depend on. Truth be told, Sora was scared to death and professional doctor sounded comforting. At least, to him it did.

Riku just refused to talk about it, think about it, even consider it. He was mortified that his mother would do such a thing, and at Sora's innocent suggestion to call and speak with her about it, he had promptly chucked the phone out of the front door.

Kairi, on the other hand, loved the idea of the doctor. She, like Sora, had begun to think someone's professional help on hand when the baby was born would be excellent and insure the safety of both parent and child. But Sora understood Riku, even if the elder didn't say anything. He was terrified.

When they had once again left for Radiant Garden, Kairi insisted she follow. She had taken it upon herself to be the third party listener, just in case Merlin happened to say something particularly important.

Aerith had welcomed them in, smiling kindly and remarking about how healthy they all looked. Really, Sora looked exhausted, Riku was throwing up, and Kairi…well... she was smiling for the both of them.

When told about the doctor each face in the room looked completely perplexed and outright suspicious. None of them knew Riku's mother, but no one could imagine a mother selling out her own son and grandchild.

"Maybe a professional doctor isn't such a bad idea." Aerith ignored the pointed glare she received from Riku. "Goodness forbid there be any complications, but just in case, Riku needs to have help on their world." Sora flashed a grateful smile at her calm reasoning. "Time will not always allow for a flight all the way here."

"And what? I'll be sold out to every cameraman and news station on the island? I'll pass thanks." Riku bitterly spat out.

"We can always bribe her not to talk! We have enough munny to do it!" Yuffie suggested but Leon's glare told her otherwise. She huffed. "Although maybe Squally here would rather we threaten her?" That comment was met with a thwack on the head.

"How 'bout we not visit at all and save the trouble." Riku muttered, crossing his arms protectively in front of him.

"Perhaps, a single visit to this doctor might be a wise decision, if only to see if she is serious." Merlin suggested from over a cup of hot tea.

Leon nodded in agreement, and let out a low sigh. "Not to mention our attempt at making an ultrasound machine wasn't the most successful," he admitted, giving the couple a slight apologetic look.

"Don't start sayin' shit like that, we haven't even tried it out yet." Cid barked from the other side of the room and stood up, walking over to a covered machine and tugging the tarp off. He signaled for Riku to come over and he did hesitantly, Sora on his heels.

"Lay down here and we'll see if it works," he ordered, a little less gruff than usual.

"But-"

"It ain't gonna blow up, kid, Christ. The worst it's gonna do is well... not fuckin' work, now sit."

Riku sat, and turned so his legs ran along the couch cushions, his eyes never leaving the covered skin of his stomach. Aerith approached him and gave him a warm smile as Sora kneeled by his head, fingers traveling into his hand. Her hands quickly pushed up his shirt to the bottom of his ribs and spread a cold gel over his skin.

The others watched in curious silence as Cid switched the machine to "on" and a quiet hum filled the room. The screen that sat on top turned a static black as he handed an instrument to Aerith that fit into her palm. As she placed it against his skin and moved it gently around, the room filled with the soft, distinct beating of Riku's heart. But the machine stayed black and refused to display anything that rested inside of him.

But for a moment, Riku let himself pretend that it wasn't his heart beating in his ears, but the baby's.

-.-.-.-

The bedside lights had been turned off for awhile, and yet the two still laid in silence. Wide awake silence.

Riku turned on his side, shifting towards Sora as his head fell against the flat plane of his chest and hands were entangled in the tresses closest to his face. Sora smiled and turned so that his hands engulfed Riku's shoulder blades and his lips fell against an awaiting pair.

"I'm sorry baby," Riku murmured as his head fell against Sora's pillow and his eyes turned up to meet soft blue in the darkness.

"For what?" the brunet asked, confused, but just happy Riku was actually talking to him without feeling sick or angry.

Riku shook his head slightly as he let a hand fall from Sora's skin to his own as his fingertips ran over his stomach, almost willing the baby to give him some sort of sign that it was really there.

"I'll go, but only for one visit," he finally piped up, eyes locking with Sora's as the brunet stared at him halfway in shock and halfway relieved.

"What brought this on?" Sora asked, fingers following Riku's in a silent dance over a dimpled belly button and cool skin.

"It will make you feel better, won't it?" Riku questioned, face tilting closer so his lips brushed against Sora's.

"I won't let anything happen, you know that," Sora told him, finger's still moving and touching, gently moving to massage the curves of Riku's hips.

"And you think I will?" the elder countered, smiling at him. Sora loved that smile. The Riku Smile.

Sora tilted his head back and just looked at him. He didn't look any different. A little tired, a little sick, but still the same Riku. But in that moment, their hands entangled over their baby that they couldn't touch but were holding nonetheless, he appeared to glow. Which in turn made Sora glow, too.

In the morning, Riku himself made the call the doctor. She was surprised at first, and he wasn't as polite as he could've been, but she happily made the arrangements for them to meet the next day in the afternoon for a checkup.

-.-.-.-

The waiting room was empty, and yet he still felt like the walls were closing in on him. He couldn't understand why, if there was no one waiting besides them, did they have to wait?

His eyes darted back and forth behind dark sunglasses, furtively looking for any sign of a camera or reporter. Sora just snatched the glasses off his face and pulled the large hat off. "Stop being silly Riku." Riku had decided to go incognito in case his mother had indeed sold him to the mass media. What kind of mother would do that? Ever since he got back she had become distant and cold. Sometimes he wondered why she couldn't be like Sora's mother, who hadn't changed at all, despite their adventures.

Sora was holding up much better than he was, partially because he was happy to actually be seeing a professional doctor, and that Riku had only puked once before leaving.

After waiting for about half an hour, the door opened and out stepped a kind looking woman, young, with golden hair tied into a bun atop her head. She smiled at them, and glanced at her slim watch.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," she walked up to them and Sora stood, Riku resistant, but following.

"You must be Sora. I'm Doctor Chamberlin, but please, call me Cat." She said to the brunet, shaking his hand as he nodded and glanced at Riku who was starring at her stethoscope and not her face.

"It's nice to meet you, Doctor. This is Riku," Sora said quietly, and her face moved towards him. Her eyes softened, just like Merlin's did, and Sora smiled.

"Alright now, please, take a seat gentleman." They did as told, with a bit more grumbling on Riku's part. His eyes flickered around the room, looking for any sign of a hidden camera or recorder.

"I know you're probably wondering how I came to know about your... predicament." Sora nodded politely and Riku just muttered darkly under his breath.

"I was contacted by a Mrs. Miyano." Sora nodded and Riku looked to the side, anger flashing through aquamarine eyes once more, hiding the hurt.

"She was quite the character. I'll have you know that I am under a contract of secrecy. Your mother made sure I signed one before she divulged any information to me. She's quite… fastidious." As if to make her point, she pulled a thick stack of legal papers from her top drawer.

Riku looked it over. It was indeed very thorough; clauses and subparagraphs abounded with so much legal terminology that even he could barely understand it. This was definitely the work of his mother.

…………………….

Dr. Cat Chamberlin looked up in surprise as her office door was opened and a brisk woman walked in, abruptly locking the door behind her. The doctor started to rise from her seat.

"Can I help you mi-"

"You are Doctor Chamberlin I presume?" The woman's tone was curt. All business.

"Yes. What can I help you wi-"

"First, I have some legal documentation that requires your signature." The unapproachable woman dropped the packet with a dull thus onto the wooden table.

"Miss." Doctor Chamberlin was quickly loosing her patience. "Am I being audited or sued?"

"Quite the contrary. Please, read and sign. It is an oath of secrecy. I will not disclose any meaning for my visit unless you have signed. I am also very busy and if this could be taken care of in a quick and professional manner, it will benefit the both of us." The doctor sighed.

"Very well miss. I have to say, I am awfully curious what situation requires such measures. All doctors have a patient confidentiality agreement." And so she sat and pulled the documents toward her.

And so she carefully read the documents under the sharp green gaze of the other woman. This other woman sat board straight in her seat, hands clasped modestly in her lap, whip like eyes watching her. And when she finished the last signature and pushed the documents aside, the other woman began to speak, no hesitation.

"My name is Toshiko Miyano. And I am contacting you because you are one of the best in your field." Before the doctor could mutter a polite "thank you", the woman continued. "I am visiting with you on behalf of my son. He is in a situation that is quite specific and will require medical supervision."

"Miss… you do realize I only deal with women correct?" Those emerald eyes whipped over at her.

"I am well aware of this fact doctor. However, I think you may want to reconsider." And before she could protest, the intimidating woman's next sentence threw all her years of schooling out of the window. "My son is pregnant." And Doctor Cat Chamberlin sat through the most interesting meeting of her whole career.

When the mother rose to leave, collecting her copy of the document, she shook the doctor's hand firmly. "You will set up a meeting with him. Send the bills to my address."

"Yes, miss." She paused at the door.

"By the way." She turned. "I am married."

"What?"

"It's Mrs. Toshiko Miyano. You keep calling me miss. Remember that next time." And she was out the door before anything else could be said.

………

"Yes, you're mother is quite the character. Instructing me on proper grammar. I was always more into science than English myself." The doctor joked, and Sora gave a polite smile. For him and Riku, since his lover seemed to have a permanent scowl set in his features since they set foot in the hospital. The doctor continued on a more professional note. "She instructed that I send all bills to her, so do not worry financially."

Riku scowl lessened at that. Maybe she didn't sell them out. But she still hadn't spoken to them since the wedding. And she was still so cold…

"How far along are you?" Cat asked.

"Um… letssee… when we were at Merlin's he said… six? Um…" Sora tried to count the dates in his head. And as adorable as that "concentrating face" was, Riku was still aggravated.

"You're the doctor, shouldn't you be able to tell us?" He snapped at the blonde. She just smiled.

"Well then Riku, when was your last period." He stared at her blankly. "Yes, that's what I thought." She turned to the more positive brunet. "Would you happen to know the conception date?"

Pink stained across a tan nose and he looked to the side, a little embarrassed to be speaking with someone about their sex life. Riku found it quite endearing and couldn't help but smirk. It was about time someone other than himself started feeling uncomfortable. "Black Friday, dear." He supplied.

The doctor looked at the calendar, her finger pausing on February Third. That would mean you are… 10 weeks and two days pregnant Riku. Congratulations!"

"Yay…" He muttered, unenthused. "10 weeks and two days of puking… what a party."

"Have you experienced any unusal symptoms? Are you having heavy vaginal bleeding? I assure you spotting is quite common." Both sets of eyes stared at her.

"I'm sorry. I hope I didn't offend you, I was sort of on auto-pilot. But, on a medical note are you experiencing bleeding of any sort?" She stared at him curiously. Riku shook his head to the side slowly.

"No, but… he's almost constantly sick." Sora's hand rested on his husband's arm. "I know morning sickness is common, but it happens a lot, even when it's not morning." The doctor stared thoughtfully at Riku, making him feel somewhat uncomfortable and he fidgeted, defiant eyes looking aside for the first time under such scrutiny.

"Although the name is 'morning sickness', I can assure you it can, and will occur at anytime. However, the frequency is a bit unsettling. How often do you eat Riku?"

"Um… some sort of lunch… and maybe a dinner. Eating isn't exactly appealing when you know you are going to be throwing it up anyway."

"That's not good." She scolded. "You need to eat at least every two hours. Trust me, it will really limit your morning sickness." Riku didn't like being scolded. It was like he was in kindergarten all over again, being scolded by the scary, blue haired, uni-brow teacher." She turned to Sora. "You watch him and make him eat. It doesn't have to be big, some crackers or cheese normally do it." He nodded briskly, turning to throw a devious smirk at Riku.

Cat rummaged around her desk. "Here is a list of can and can't foods. The main precaution is caffeine. However, studies have proven that up to three cups of coffee is fine. I wouldn't recommend more than that though. And try to stay away from the soda." Riku rolled his eye. He already knew this. "Spicy foods are alright, but you're likely to get heartburn. Nothing big, just some discomfort. Are there any questions about your pregnant diet?" Both shook their head.

"Have you had an ultrasound yet?"

"No… we tried, but it didn't work." Sora chimed in, looking anxious. Doctor Chamberlin raised an eyebrow. Tried?

"It's a little later than most in unusual situations, but there never is a definite right or wrong time. I am free all afternoon, would you like to do an ultrasound today?"

Sora looked at Riku hesitantly, wondering if Riku would be up for it. "I highly recommend it. It will allow me to check on the health of the baby and look for any abnormalities." Riku hesitated. Then nodded slowly.

"Great, we'll go to the examination room then. Now Riku, is your bladder full?"

"What?" He looked at her incredulously.

"It's easier to get an accurate reading in the early stages of pregnancy when the bladder is full." Riku grumbled and grabbed the bottle of water Sora held out to him with a grin.

"Shaddup." The doctor and Sora continued with small talk as Riku drank the water indignantly. As they waited, she even played a short comedic clip from one of the Maternity real life television shows. The mood swings and bitchiness where all good and funny for Sora. Riku was not amused.

When his bladder was filled, she led them to an examination room that wasn't far from her office. Riku glanced furtively around as they went, down every hall and in every corner, watching everyone they passed with suspicion. "Riku, stop it. You're being paranoid." Sora grabbed Riku's hand in a reassuring hold, squeezing comfortingly.

"And you're too carefree." Riku mumbled, squeezing the others hand in response.

Riku eyed the examination room with mistrust as he sat down cautiously. Pictures of pregnant bellies and what the fetuses inside looked like were posted on the walls. The transition from egg to baby lined the top of the wall above the door. It was all very unsettling in a completely normal way.

"So, Riku. I hear you're in medical school to become a doctor as well."

"Yes." was the curt reply she got, ending the subject. The doctor's cool hands gently lifted his shirt. He started when he felt the hands unbuttoning his pants and stared at her. She simply tugged his pants low on his hips.

"Next time, let's wear elastic pants, hm?" She smiled at him as he glowered at her. He did not like her touching him. Sora petted his hair. Cat turned on the machine and it hummed to life, the black screen flickering lightly. She turned to Sora.

"Would you like to apply the gel Mr. Uewasaki?" Sora rubbed the warm gel between his fingers. Riku relaxed a little. He was much more comfortable having Sora touch him than some stuck up doctor. Sora gently rubbed the clear gel on the smooth expanse of pale skin in front of him. Riku's stomach was still amazingly taunt, no sign that any baby was inside.

"Don't be afraid. Your not going to harm anything by applying some pressure." She instructed him to apply a thicker coating. Riku squirmed. It felt odd. Doctor Cat took the transducer in hand, a microphone-like object attached to the ultrasound machine with a cord. She placed in on his stomach and searched for the baby, all the while watching the screen diligently.

The screen flickered black and white. The white, indicating the skin of his stomach encircled a black space with a tiny white object off to one side. It was hard to see at first. "Hello baby…" Cat cooed at the screen. Riku and Sora tilted their heads to try and make sense of the blob on the screen.

"Everything is looking good so far… CRL is 1.47… I can see a heartbeat." Although Riku couldn't discern much from the image, he looked up at that. A heartbeat was good. "Everything is looking quite healthy. Honestly… I am somewhat amazed that in this… unusual… pregnancy there is not any sign of defects or problems."

Sora smiled down at Riku and gripped his hand tightly. "It's as if you are a completely healthy pregnant woman," she beamed at him as he scowled. The screen appeared somewhat clearer and both boys got a better look at the swimming spot. The head was large, almost larger than the body. They couldn't make out any features, for the baby was turned defiantly away, asleep in the womb.

A large head and tiny, slightly squirming body moved within him, And although images of fetuses were posted all over the room and he had seen his share in medical books, it still nagged at him. Although it was obviously a baby, it didn't register in Riku's mind what a baby should look like, even in early development.

"Would you like to hear the heartbeat." Sora nodded enthusiastically, eyes glued onto the monitor. And Riku couldn't deny that he needed to hear the heartbeat.

Cat flipped a switch and the baby image minimized somewhat to make room for a long bar with squiggling lines, rapidly moving across the screen. Up and down. And with them, the heartbeat. It sounded like nothing they had ever heard before. Almost like the dulled clopping of horse hooves or the sound off and underwater army, marching across a watery land. The beats were rapid like quick fire.

Ku-tunk-ku-tunk-ku-tunk-ku-tunk-ku-tunk

"The heartbeat is normal. Anything over 120 beats per minute is perfectly healthy. The little one is plunking away!" She turned the sound off and they returned to the screen with the big baby head turning away. "The baby is bout the size of a small fruit. And although it's too small to feel any movement now, this little one has been moving for quite sometime, although Baby appears to be sleeping right now."

She turned to watch as both sets of eyes were transfixed on the monitor. Sora had a look of pure wonderment while Riku remained uncertain and uncomfortable. "Would you like to see a 3D ultrasound. It provides an almost movie-like depiction of the little one. They help many mother bond with the baby." Riku stared angrily at her. He was bonding. But couldn't he have some uncertainties?

Sora once again nodded enthusiastically. Riku raised an eyebrow. He wouldn't be so damn enthused if he were the one getting sick left and right. Who is the pregnant one again?

The doctor flipped another switch and the imagery turned from black and white to warm browns and golden honey. Now, they could clearly see the outlining curve of the body. "The baby is about the size of a small plum right now."

Sora smiled at the screen. "Hello, Plum."

Riku watched with a fond smile as Sora couldn't tear his eyes away. "Doofus." He muttered lovingly, squeezing the hand fondly.

"All of the baby's body is practically formed. Now, all that is left is development. There's a little hand right there, and little feet." The doctor pointed. "It's a shame the baby is facing away, the faces are always so wonderful in 3D." Indeed, all they could see was a detailed curve of a little ear and the sloping of the neck as the baby slumbered. This looked more human.

Cat turned of the 3D, returning to the not-so-glamorous black and white. The little blob of a baby, shifting ever so slightly on the monitor.

The 3D was truly amazing. And although he had heard the living, reassuring heartbeat, all Riku could see was a large head and a tiny squirmy body as his mind produced for him an image of glowing yellow eyes and wiggling antennas.

Knocking the doctor out of the way, Riku rushed over to the nearest sink. When he was done, he collapsed back onto the examination table as a cool washcloth wiped his face, and cleaned around his mouth. He opened grateful eyes to thank his husband, but instead was met with Doctor Chamberlin's ice blue eyes.

So startled, and not wanting to be touched by anyone right now, he acted on impulse.

"Ow." The doctor pulled her hand away abruptly and Sora gaped at him.

"Riku! Did you just bite her!?" He demanded. The expecting father looked aside.

"She was touching me…" He muttered.

-.-.-.-

Once back home, nice comforting home, Sora placed the baby's ultrasound images on the fridge along with the no-no food list. With the little magnetic words he kept on the fringe for little notes and sayings, he carefully put together 'Baby s # 1 photo'. It was the closest thing with the words and letters he had to writing 'Baby's first picture'.

"I still can't believe that you bit her, Riku." Sora scolded. "What is with you and biting doctors? Remember the dentist when you were seven?" He shook his head, brown spikes bouncing.

Riku just poured himself a glass of water. "I'm taking a nap." He muttered. Sora's eyes softened.

"All right honey, feel better." He murmured as he kissed a slightly damp forehead, feeling somewhat hurt, but understanding, when Riku pulled out of the way, really not wanting to be touched."

So Riku laid in the dark of their bedroom, glass forgotten on the side table, as he stared at the ceiling, trying to keep images of writhing bodies and golden eyes away. And he told himself, it was only his imagination when the shadows in the corners seemed to move as unwanted tears pricked at the corners of his eyes and rolled slowly down the side of his face and into his sweat dampened hair.

--oOo--

TBC.

This hinted somewhat at the dark thoughts and setting of the next chapter. We wanted it to be in this chapter, but once we figured it all out, there was just no way. Not when the doctor scene was absolutely needed. (Even if we feel it probably could have been shortened somewhat).

A special little shout out goes to Kira Sakura for being a great support during some nastiness on the site. We hope that experience never happens again.

Also, terracaelum now has a livejournal (who would have thunk it?). The link is on our Bio.

It has pictures of Riku's pregnancy progress, so you can see what Baby looks like and what they saw. There are also some interesting youtube videos for ultrasound. Check them out!