Chapter Twelve

By the next morning, one of Rudy's patients had lost his patience. "That doesn't strike me as 'bed rest', Austin!" Jaime called to Steve, who was puttering in the kitchen. "Rudy's gonna be here any minute, and -"

"And I'll be right here, waiting for him," Steve said, climbing back into bed and handing Jaime a cup of tea with a gallant flourish. "You look exceptionally beautiful this morning, Sweetheart."

Jaime laughed. "If you're trying to butter me up not to tell him, I think the tea cup's a dead giveaway."

"Yeah, but maybe you can put in a good word for me – tell him to let me be up and around -"

"It's still a couple of days too early," Jaime pointed out.

"Maybe, but I feel fine...and you and the twins need the extra room."

"Will you stop it!"

"Is he giving you trouble?" Rudy scolded, on his way down the hall. Neither Austin had heard him come in. He saw the tea cup right away and frowned. "Which one of you was out of bed? And I don't mean the bathroom – I mean the kitchen."

"Guilty," Steve admitted.

"In his defense," Jaime pleaded lightly, "I was really thirsty...."

"Uh-huh." Rudy shook his head with mock consternation. "There's no keeping you in bed, is there?" he scolded.

"I feel fine," Steve insisted. "Okay – a little sore. Sometimes a lot sore, but I can be equally as sore in the kitchen or in bed."

"You got your MD....where?" Rudy questioned.

"A cup of tea – or even a sandwich – isn't exactly exerting myself, Doc."

"Alright....okay. You win. But no further than the kitchen or the living room, no heavy lifting – no work of any kind. Got it? And Jaime...."

"I know," she sighed. "In bed for the duration."

"Gotta keep the babies safe," Steve agreed.

"Rudy! Tell him!"

"Actually, Honey," Rudy began, already examining the baby bump, "I'd like to schedule you for an ultrasound."

"Is that safe?" Steve wondered.

"Perfectly safe – for Mom and baby. Bethesda's got a new machine; I'll arrange for you to be seen this morning and Doctor Jeffries can meet us there."

---

"That is cold!" Jaime protested as Doctor Jeffries rubbed gel on her bare stomach. She looked over at the machine and thought how much it looked like a modern-day miniature torture machine.

Steve felt her squeeze his hand and picked up her anxiety. "This won't hurt her...or the babies...will it?" he asked.

"There is absolutely no electrical current making contact with her body – it's all done with sound waves," Jeffries explained. "Pretty soon, you'll see your baby for the very first time."

Rudy leaned in closer as Jeffries picked up the transducer and placed it against Jaime's skin. At first, the screen was filled with what looked like a mass of wavy lines, then.....very slowly....a tiny form came into view. Jaime's eyes filled with tears. "Is that...?"

"Say hello to your baby," Jeffries said with a grin.

Steve and Jaime were speechless at the sight of the tiny, perfectly-formed infant. They could see arms, hands...even fingers. Jaime kissed her fingers and held them up toward the screen, and when she turned she felt that beloved thump to her ribcage. Doctor Jeffries frowned slightly and shifted the transducer.

"Can you lie flat on your back for me?" he requested, shifting the instrument again. He looked at Rudy, who raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Steve caught the look, although Jaime, lying flat, did not. "What is it?" he asked nervously. "Is something wrong?"

Rudy stepped over to the screen and pointed. "See that?"

"I'm not sure..." Steve really didn't know what he was looking at.

Jaime figured it out almost immediately. "Oh, no – is that a -?"

"It sure is," Rudy answered, smiling.

"Will someone please tell me?" Steve demanded.

Jeffries finally answered him. "That, Daddy, is another leg."

"Our baby...has three legs?"

"Nope," Jaime told him. "Looks like we're renegotiating that contract."

Steve still didn't get it.

Rudy patted him on the back. "It means you need two cribs," he chuckled.

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