I apologize for the long delay in updates. My only excuse and it isn't much of one is I got sucked into other fandoms. Should have another chapter up tonight.

Title: âme soeur
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Lestrade/Molly

Surprised as she was Molly was able to get in to see her OBGYN not only the following week but at a time when Greg could be there as well. It was just before noon when the baby's heartbeat came through the speakers strong and wonderful. Molly felt Greg's right hand tighten around hers. Dr. Michelle Barton smiled as she examined the image on the screen. The blonde woman in her early forties turned to the couple.

"Your baby boy is progressing nicely."Dr. Barton stated simply.

Molly felt happy tears pouring down her face as she reached out with her left hand to touch the screen. A boy...Molly knew she'd have been happy either way but it was nice to know for sure now. Now they could plan and pick out a name. Greg gently turned her face so she was looking at him. She saw his eyes were bright with unshed tears. He leaned down and kissed her and then rested his head on her forehead their hands still tightly entwined.

"A boy, Molly-girl."Greg whispered huskily.

"I'll leave you two for a few minutes."Dr. Barton stated with a smile. "I have another patient to check on."

"Thank you, Doctor."Molly acknowledged tearfully.

Dr. Barton nodded and left.

Greg kissed Molly once more before she eased herself into a sitting postion. She couldn't take her eyes off the screen. They'd had sonograms before of course early on and none had been this clear or this detailed. Molly felt Greg place an arm around her shoulders drawing her close to him.

"It's amazing to think we created him."Greg commented quietly.

Molly placed Greg's right hand on top of her stomach.

"I can't wait to hold him."Molly stated softly.

"Neither can I, Molly-girl."Greg whispered tenderly. "Neither can I."

Three weeks after the ultrasound and just before midnight Molly was awoken to a sharp pain in the right side of her stomach. She did the breathing techniques she'd been taught but still the pain increased. Greg was away testifying at a trial and wouldn't be home for two more days. Molly fought against the nearly overwhelming paniac. She knew it could just be early contractions or false contractions. Even though she hadn't experienced one yet the pain didn't feel like anything she had read about. Fear inched it's way up her spine. Molly forced herself to calm down. Everything was fine, it had to be fine. With shaking hands Molly reached for her cell phone and called for an ambulance. Then she called Greg and then John. As predicted Watson beat the paramedics to Molly's house. By that time Molly barely had the strength to get out of bed to let John in. Once he was inside John ushered her to the sofa.

"When did this start?"John inquired.

"Woke me up about ten minutes ago."Molly explained fearfully. "If this isn't...false labor...it's too soon, John I'm still six weeks away."

Sirens could be heard now and Molly grasped John's left hand as another pain hit. This didn't last as long.

"Have they been close together or random?"Watson asked.

"More..."Molly broke off as she took a deep breath. "Random."

"Try to relax, Molly."John advised as he let the paramedics in.

Molly tried to do what John said. Still all she could feel was the fear. She wanted Greg he always knew how to calm her down. Molly knew he'd be here as soon as he could but it would be like forever for her. She had to be strong for her child. John helped the paramedics ease Molly onto a gunery and soon she was in the ambulance and on the way to the hospital. All Molly could think about was how quickly things could change. She and Greg had been so happy and now everything was hanging on what the doctors would find.

Greg knew he'd broken several speed laws to get to his destination but he couldn't care less. Niether did he care about the parking ticket he was sure to find on his car that was left in a non parking spot as close to the door as possible. Greg ran down the hall to the emergancy room and instantly saw John Watson leaning against the wall near the elevator. Watson started walking towards Greg and met him halfway.

"What happened? How is she?"Greg demanded as John moved them out of the way of foot traffic to the other side of the nurses's station.

"Doctor's still examining her though in my professional opinion it looks like round ligament pain which is just the body's way of stretching. Can be painful but not false labor."John explained placing a reassuring hand on Greg's left shoulder.

"They're really okay?"Greg asked as he sagged with relief against the wall.

"We're about to find out."John stated as they saw a brown haired man about thirty in a lab coat step from behind the curtains and look their way.

"You here for Molly Hooper?"The doctor asked. "I'm Dr. Seaton."

"Yes I'm Greg Lestarde the baby'sfather."Greg confirmed anxiously. "How is she?"

"Both mother and baby are fine and resting comfortably."The ER doctor reported with a smile. "Stomach pains are not unheard of in late pregnancy it's the body's way of adjusting and getting ready."

"Can I see her?"Greg asked.

"Of course. Wait till we've moved her I want to keep her till morning just to be on the safe side."The young doctor replied. "Be about fifteen minutes."

"Thank you, Doctor."Lestrade acknowledged feverently.

Seaton nodded and turned to leave. "I'll have one of the nurses alert you when she's settled."

Molly had never felt such relief as when she heard the words 'your baby is fine'. She now completely understood the protective mother instinct and that it could kick in well before the baby was even born. She thanked the nurses as they helped her into the bed in the private hospital room. Molly had at first insisted that she didn't need to stay but as tired as she was the doctor hadn't needed to do much arguing to change her mind. A good solid eight hours of rest knowing the baby was fine and Greg was near by would do wonders. Molly had been alone only for five perhaps seven minutes when the door opened and Greg stepped in. He was unshaven and his clothes haphazzard and slightly wrinkled but still he was the most welcome sight Molly had seen in a long time.

"Molly-girl."Greg greeted huskily as he closed the door behind him and crossed to the bed.

"I was so scared, Greg."Molly admitted tearfully.

"I was too."Greg confirmed as he sat down next to Molly and she scooted over so he could draw her into an embrace wrapping his arms around her and her large stomach. "All the way here not knowing what was happening. Wondering if you were in pain and hoping to God that you weren't. Been a long time since I prayed and I found myself doing that most of the way here. I love you Molly."

Molly turned so she could face Greg and smiled. "I love you too."

Greg caressed Molly's right cheek with his right hand letting it linger. "I'm grateful you and the baby are alright. Don't know what I'd do if anything happened to either one of you."

Molly heard the hitch in Greg's voice and lowered herself onto his chest. He wrapped his arms tighter around her. Molly fell asleep that way tucked in Greg's arms listening to his heartbeat.