A/N: I apologize for the delay in posting this chapter. I've been editing previous chapters hoping to clarify some things, correct grammatical errors and give my characters more depth. Chapters 1- 9 are revised. I hope to edit at least one chapter for every new one I post. Again thanks for reading. Constructive criticism is always appreciated.

Ch. 28

"Jess, you look beautiful." John stated as he entered the Stoker's home.

He wrapped an arm around her and gave her a big hug. She blushed. At twenty-two weeks she didn't feel beautiful. She was amazed at how big her stomach already was. She wondered if she was going to make it to her due date. She made her way to the kitchen. Though she still used crutches her hips had a gentle sway to them. John followed her and placed the dish of fruit salad on the counter. Mike told him Jess craved fruit, so he decided to cater to her instead of the guys. He leaned on his arms against the counter top.

"So do you know what you're having yet?"

She shook her head as she smiled. "Nope, we want it to be a surprise. The guys are out back if you'd like to join them. I'll be out shortly."

"You're having a boy." He replied as he pulled the lid off the Tupperware container.

John reached across the counter, opened the silverware drawer and pulled out a large spoon. He placed a generous serving of fruit on a paper plate. As he pushed to plate to her he cocked his hip and leaned against the counter. Jess stared at him suspiciously.

"How do you know? Did you get Dix or someone to tell you?"

Since they shared a common heritage he felt comfortable telling her some about his vision. He made the mistake one time of telling Roy about one of his dreams. Chet over heard and made fun of him for weeks. He did feet it was important he didn't tell her everything the vision revealed to him.

"Nope, the Great Spirit gave me a dream the other night. In it you delivered a healthy and strong boy. By the way he's absolutely beautiful." He said as he took a strawberry from the bowl.

Jess laughed. It had been a long time since she heard anyone talk of the Great Spirit. She never guessed John still held to the beliefs of his ancestors. Her parents tried to take her to the reservation at least once a year so she could learn about her heritage. Sometimes she enjoyed visiting. Especially on days she got to visit with the tribe's shaman, White Wolf. She picked out some pineapple as she weighed the validity of John's vision. White Wolf told her that all were gifted with different abilities. Some had visions; others like her were talented artists.

"A boy, huh? That will make Michael very happy. He's hoping for a son; but let's not say anything. It will ruin the surprise. Come on, we'd better join the party or he will worry."

Carrying her plate John followed her to the back yard. He felt guilty about not revealing the entire dream, but he didn't want to upset her.

Mike's face lit up as he saw Jess coming out of the house. She flashed him a spirited smile as she took her seat in her favorite lounge chair. After she adjusted both the back of the chair and herself John placed the plate on top of her belly. She laughed.

"Funny Johnny, real funny."

John shrugged and gave her a Gage smile.

"Well I thought you used that as your table. I mean it is right there and all."

"Thanks for the fruit. Now go play with your friends!" She said as she shooed him away.

"Yes, mom!" he replied as he headed off.

Mike chucked as he crossed the lawn carrying a plate full of barbeque, baked beans, and potato salad. Sometimes John still acts like he's ten years old!

"Mind if I join you, gorgeous?" He asked.

He pulled up a lawn chair and handed Jess the plate. She blushed a little as she accepted it. She was slightly embarrassed about the amount of food she's been eating lately. Mike assured her that it was ok. After all she was eating for two now.

"I'm not gorgeous. I feel like a beached whale."

He tenderly caressed her cheek. In his eyes she was the most beautiful person he knew.

"Baby, if I say your gorgeous then you are. You look absolutely radiant. Now eat you dinner."

E!

Mike sat on the bed propped up by pillows reading A Wrinkle in Time. He knit his brows as he read. It was an interesting book to say the least. As he turned the page he heard Jess call from the master bath room.

"Uh, Michael!"

He quickly set the book down on the tan satin sheets and headed to the closed door. He worried about her. The bigger she grew the more unstable she was on her feet. He knocked before slowly opening it.

"Yeah, baby."

The lights were dim and lit candles were placed safely around the room. He inhaled deeply the scent of lavender and vanilla. He turned his eyes to his wife. Jesse sat reclined in the whirlpool tub. A well rounded stomach rose out of the copious amount of bubbles surrounding her. Her wet hair was spiked up and her face though glowing held a discouraged look. She gave him a sad and disappointed look. He turned on the main light and proceeded to extinguish the candles.

"I need help. I can't get out." She said softly as her face became red.

He gave her a half smile as he pulled a soft navy blue towel from the shelf. He sat on the edge of the tub and unfolded the towel.

"I don't know. I may leave you in there." He teased as he threw the towel over his shoulder.

Jess playfully flicked bubbles at him. "You wouldn't dare!"

He gave her another half grin. As he leaned over she placed her arms around his neck and he carefully helped her stand. Mike wrapped an arm around her waist as she stepped up out of the oversized tub. He ran his hand softly across her wet stomach. Between her fuller breasts and the cute well rounded belly he found her new shape very sexy. Before meeting her he would never believe a pregnant woman could be so attractive. She gave him a seductive look as he wrapped the towel around her and lovingly dried her off. She motioned for him to lean closer. She draped an arm across his broad shoulders as she placed her lips inches from his ear.

"I want you." She whispered softly before placing a line of delicate kisses down his neck.

E!

Jess and Mike sat at the breakfast table enjoying a meal together before he headed to work. Jess smiled at him over her mug admiring him. She was glad she wasn't able to get out of the tub last night. It lead to a very passion filled night. Mike's fork stopped halfway. She'd been starting at him all morning.

"What?!"

"Nothing, I'm just thinking about last night and how amazingly hot you are." She replied as she gave a sultry smile.

Mike smiled as he took the last bite. He stretched his broad frame and yawned as he rose out of the chair. He got little sleep last night, but he didn't mind. Expressing his love for her physically was one of his favorite things.

"Are you done?" He asked as he reached down to take her plate.

She nodded as she finished her second mug of hot chocolate. After placing the dishes in the sink he picked up his keys. Jesse rose slowly and followed him to the door. On his way out he softly ran his hand down her cheek and gave her a tender kiss.

"Love you, baby."

"I love you too, sexy. Be safe. Call around dinner if you can."

E!

Mike stood at his locker preparing for another shift. Cap came in and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Mike, how's Jess?"

Mike nodded as he buttoned up his shirt. Jess was doing well considering she was seven months pregnant. The past few months really tried her patience as her mobility became slightly limited.

"She's doing well, Cap. Don't tell her I told you, but I can't believe how big she's gotten. If I didn't know better I'd say she's having twins."

Cap chuckled as he placed his hands on his narrow hips. He couldn't believe it's been seventeen years since his wife was expecting. Sometimes he missed those days.

"Enjoy it, time passes quickly. In the blink of an eye this one will be grown."

Mike agreed. It seemed like yesterday he'd just found out they were having a baby.

Suddenly the Klaxons sounded.

"Engine 10, Station 36, Station 51, explosion at the refinery. 3567 East Sepulveda, 3567 Sepulveda, cross street South Alemeda, Time out 8:45."

Mike gave his Captain a worried look as he drove the engine out of the bay.

"Cap that's the refinery that failed fire inspection last week."

Captain Stanley's eyebrows knit together tightly as his face turned gravely serious.

E!

"Engine 51 lay duels on the east side and aid Engine 36."

Mike pulled the engine along Engine 36 and quickly vacated the engine. Captain Stanley placed a clamp on the main supply line and signaled Roy to charge the line. Mike quickly removed the cap to the pump's intake and placed the supply line on it. Feeling the heat off the involved plant caused him to wipe his face on his jacket.

"Stoker, set the pressures on the two and a half lines. I need you to help Ben with one of them. Don't worry I'll keep an eye on the gauges."

Mike nodded as he charged the two lines. Cap was the only person he trusted with the pump. He wasn't looking forward the handling the straight nozzle with Ben as his lineman. Ben was too reckless. He ran to the younger man and signaled he was taking point. Ben reluctantly handed him the nozzle and took his place behind.

Mike braced himself as he turned on the nozzle. Every once in a while he loved actually fighting the fire instead of running the pumps. He placed one hand under the base of the nozzle and the other on top attempting to steady the stream. He aimed it at the base of the fire. Feeling the line pulling him back he turned to the man behind him.

"Ben! You have to help man. Either push that line forward or I'll find someone who can!"

Ben glared at his superior as he struggled to push the line.

"Fuck Stoker, if you wouldn't place the pressure so high I might be able to handle it."

Mike shook his head. He wouldn't dignify that comment with an answer. He'd been an engineer for seven years now. The pressure in the line was no more than usual.

He's been with the department well over a year; by now he should know how to handle a two and a half inch line.

In Mike's eyes if the rookie couldn't handle it then he was in the wrong line of work. Firefighting is an intensely physical job. He felt the line pulling again. He felt his temper rising.

"Come on Ben! My wife is three inches shorter and at least 50 pounds lighter than you and she could handle a line perfectly."

"Yeah?! Well your wife didn't last in the department very long! What does that tell you?" Ben sneered.

Overhearing Ben's inappropriate comment to Mike caused Chet to shake his head in disbelief. Ben didn't understand what Jess sacrificed so he could live. He also couldn't believe that Ben would try to pick a fight in the middle of fighting fire. Conversations like that needed to be said at the house. He decided to talk with Cap about Ben's reckless behavior. Mike swallowed hard as he tried to control the wrath he felt. He knew better than to handle conflict on the fire ground. He focused on fighting the fire.

Cap watched the pair carefully. He'd placed Mike with Ben hoping the rookie would finally learn something. If Ben would swallow his pride he would learn something from a seasoned fireman like Mike. Seeing Ben not holding up his end of the work caused Cap to shake his head.

"This isn't going to work." He muttered under his breath.

E!

Fighting the chemical laced fire was an arduous task. Mike was getting tired. He not only had to control the stream of water but support weight of the line. Numerous times he asked Ben to help. Ben would help for a short time before loosening his grip on the line leaving Mike once again to handle the line alone.

This has to stop! Handling line is at least a two man job!

The team stood between two rows of pipes. Each row had numerous pipes wrapped around each other. Mike felt slightly nervous as he advanced deeper between the rows. Steam rose rapidly around them as water sprayed on the hot pipes. Mike felt the hair rise on the back of his neck as he smelled the distinct smell of ammonia.

He quickly shut off the nozzle as he yelled. "Ben get the fuck out of here. It's going to blow!"

E!

Jesse sat on the couch eating another plate of mixed fruit. She leisurely flipped through a catalog full of nursery items. She glanced at the clock. It was past time for Mike to call. He called every day he was on shift to check in on her. Normally he called at one, but sometimes it was later if he was on a run. She shrugged figuring he was out on a run.

Hearing the phone ring caused her to smile. She loved hearing about his day. She reached behind her and picked up the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Jesse, this is Captain Stanley…"

Her heart seemed to stop in her chest. Cap never called while on duty. It meant one thing something happened to Michael. She drew in a ragged breath as her eyes began to mist. She prayed this day would never come.

"Jesse, there's been an accident."