Chapter 29 - Modern Dec 17th
For the South the weather surely didn't act like it as the temperatures had taken a nose dive the night before. Luke was awake but even he dreaded getting up and doing chores this morning in the cold. He and Bo had gotten in late from a delivery a couple of counties away. All had went well, they had made it back without incident. Dixie stirred and Luke pulled her closer both enjoying each others warmth. Luke gently began kissing Dixie as his hands began to wander over her familiar body.
In Bo and Beth's room, Bo hadn't even thought about stirring he hated mornings, but hated them even worse when they had a run the night before. The cold temperatures didn't make him want to wake up and start the day any sooner either. Beth of course didn't mind this one bit, she had been worried the whole time Bo was gone afraid he and Luke would get caught. So as soon as he got home she breathed a sigh of relief. The two had went to bed snuggling under the covers the same way they were now with Bo on his side and Beth on hers wrapped in his arms their little one safe in her belly snuggled between them.
Jesse stepped out of his room and promptly knocked on each door as he continued to the kitchen, "Let's get a move on boys."
Luke grimaced at those words but replied, "Yes, Sir." He kissed Dixie and tossed back the covers.
"I'll be right there." Dixie said. The nights the boys made runs were surely short ones. She couldn't, well wouldn't go to sleep until the guys got home.
Luke was dressing and sighed in relief when he noticed there was no gun belt on the bed post or wash basin on the dresser.
Dixie tossed the covers back, slipped on her house shoes, and stood up to get her robe.
Luke rounded the bed and seen Dixie's profile he took a step back looking her up and down his brow creased.
"What's the matter hon?" Dixie asked seeing the look on his face.
"Nothin' darlin'." Luke replied, it was just like the dream he had and Dixie was huge. When had he missed it he wondered. He kissed Dixie and said, "I'll get the chores done as soon as I can."
"Alright." Dixie said. She thought Luke was acting a bit strange this morning. She hoped things had went alright with the run the night before. Luke had said it did when he got home. She hoped he wasn't hiding something trying not to worry her.
Bo groaned pushing back the covers, he knew better than to make Jesse come back to get him up.
Beth swung her feet off the other side of the bed into her slippers, "Maybe we can take a nap later." she said making Bo grin to himself.
As he put on his jeans that were a little tighter than normal right now taking his wife's words as an unspoken promise, "I sure hope so."
As usual, Luke made it to the kitchen just as the coffee was getting done. He took three cups down and pour one for Bo, Jesse and himself.
Jesse asked, "Any trouble last night?"
Luke shook his head 'no'.
Jesse thought Luke was being awfully quiet this morning but let it go for now.
A few minutes later, Bo came in the kitchen, got his coffee barely taking a sip.
"Let's get going, Bo." Luke said, no more happy about the cold temperatures than Bo.
Bo sat his coffee cup down still half full, "What's your hurry?" He grumbled as he followed Luke across the yard toward the barn.
Luke replied, "I ain't got one, just want to get the chores done and back inside where its warm. Is there anything wrong with that?"
Bo sighed shaking his head, "No, reckon not cos I'd rather be there too than out here in the cold."
After the chores were done Bo and Luke went back inside to see Dixie and Beth putting breakfast on the table. They were already dressed for the day as Dixie turned around dressed in jeans and an obvious maternity shirt, "We thought about doing a little Christmas shopping today with Daisy. Can ya'll get away for a little while?"
Luke looked toward Jesse and replied, "Don't see why not unless we have something extra to do."
Jesse shook his head 'no', "I can spare ya a couple of hours."
Beth and Dixie smiled. Beth exclaiming, "Great!" giving Bo a hug, it was no secret that Bo and Luke didn't like shopping but if it made their wives happy then they would go.
Bo would go, glad for a distraction from work at the farm.
As the afternoon progressed the girls waited for the guys to get cleaned up for an afternoon on the town with their husbands.
Jesse said, "I'll join ya'll at the Boar's Nest for a spell after I get done here."
Luke replied, "Alright, we'll be there."
Dixie handed Luke the keys to her car, "Cooter said to come on by and he'd put a sticker on it for me."
Luke let out a sigh. Luther had gotten off with only a fine and kept his license since he hadn't actually been drivin'. Luke found that as long as he and Luther kept their distance these days they got along just fine. Well, maybe not fine, but at least they hadn't came to blows or got into a screaming match in a few months. He could hope Luther would be gone while they were at the garage.
Beth and Bo heard what Dixie told Luke and both of them immediately wondered if Bryan would be there too. Bo had thus far managed not to get into any altercations with Bryan, like Luke had with Luther, but that was partly due to avoiding his father-in-law.
Beth was torn between in hoping her father wasn't there and hoping he was. She'd not seen her parents except for in town or at church but she hadn't really spoken to her father since telling her parents she was pregnant. "Are ya'll ready to go?" Beth asked.
"I am Darlin'." Bo replied taking his wife's hand the four young people left the house waving to Jesse in the yard as they got in Dixie's car leaving for town.
Luke pulled out of the driveway, "Dix, does this thing need anything to pass for a sticker?" Luke didn't drive the Thunderbird regularly and hadn't drove it in awhile.
Dixie knew Luke wanted nothing more than to pull up and Cooter slap a sticker on it, which Cooter likely would. "Well, the front signal light over here is acting up and one of the tag lights is out, but the other one works."
A mere few months back Luke would have pulled right into an empty bay, grabbed the tools and lights, replaced them himself, put the sticker on the car, then wrote up the ticket for the bulbs, stuck it in the register and been done with it. With the tensions between himself and Luther, Luke would not be so bold. He'd let someone there fix it. Luke replied, "Ok."
Dixie said, "No one will ever notice if Cooter just puts a sticker on it."
"No, they won't as long as you are drivin' it. Let Rosco catch me in it without a signal light and he'll impound it sure as he-."
Dixie sighed, she knew he was likely right, "True."
The trip to town was rather uneventful, they met Daisy at the emporium. "Hey Daisy." All four greeted, Bo and Luke giving their cousin a hug as best they could get around her round belly.
"Hey ya'll." Daisy replied giving hugs all around, "Hows it going?"
Bo shrugged, "Right as rain I reckon, ain't had no trouble from Rosco so far today."
Laughing they all went into the store looking around, Beth found a rocking chair and sat down a hand resting on her belly, "This would be nice in a house of our own some day."
Bo made a mental note to himself to look into getting the chair for his wife and child, for now they had nowhere to put it but in their bedroom but that would be ok. After an hour or two of looking around the store with the girls all picking up various unisex baby things since none of them knew for sure whether the babies would be boys or girls. The guys gathered ideas for Christmas presents that they would come back for when the girls weren't with them.
After shopping a while as they all left the store Dixie reminded Luke, "We need to go get that sticker put on and that light fixed on my car."
Luke nodded. He had avoided the garage when they came into town because the wrecker was out front, announcing that Luther was in the garage. Luke hoped by the time they got there that the wrecker would be out on a run. "Let's go. Even if Luther is there, we can leave it and get a bit to eat while Cooter fixes it."
Everyone agreed. They got in and drove to the garage. The wrecker was no where in sight at the time.
Luke pulled up outside and got out.
Cooter met him outside, "Hey guys! What's up?"
Luke replied, "We need a sticker for Dixie's car."
Cooter frowned for a second, wondering what Luke wanted him to do about it. Luke knew where the stickers were. Cooter wasn't sure why Luke had bothered park outside when he saw an open bay. "Help yerself Luke. You know where everything is."
Luke shook his head replying, "I think you'd better do it Cooter, don't want Luther coming back and catching me messing with things. Tag light needs fixing too."
Cooter thought he could be working on other things while Luke did all that but motioned to the empty bay instead, "Got a spot all ready, pull in and we'll get to it."
"Thanks Coot." Luke said going back to the car he got in and pulled forward into the empty bay.
Luther wasn't there. Dixie got out of the car and decided to go grab a cold drink. The morning sickness had eased most of the time but at time she still felt a bit nauseous. Now was one of those times.
Luke told Cooter, "Dixi said one tag light is out and the passenger signal light is acting up. Where is Luther?"
Cooter waved his hand, "He should be busy for a few hours."
Luke nodded and handed Cooter the keys, "Take your time."
Dixie replied, "Yeah, you should be done by the time we're done at Doc's. Are you comin' over for Daisy's appointment?" They had all made a habit of making their appointments together.
Cooter replied, "Yeah, but I'm not gonna try to get this at least partly done before I do."
Dixie nodded sipping her cold drink.
Bo was casually looking into the motor of another car that was in the garage with it's hood raised.
"Has Daddy been by?" Beth asked continuing before Cooter could answer, "I ain't seen him except at church since we all had that talk at Jesse's. I figure he's still peeved, Mama speaks but he goes the other way."
Cooter nodded 'yes', "He's been by a lot. Actually drivin' the wrecker some." Cooter's eyes turned to Luke. Cooter, Luke, Luther and even Bryan himself knew Luke was better with the wrecker than Bryan was.
Luke held up his hands in surrender, "What ever makes them happy, Coot. Just see if you can get a sticker on this thing before we are done at Doc's"
Cooter replied, "Will do. Just give me a call and I'll be over when it's time for Daisy to go in."
Daisy had chosen to walk over and meet them at Doc's since five plus three unborn infants would be a squeeze in the Thunderbird.
"No problem." Dixie replied as the group headed to Doc's office.
The foursome, went into Doc's office the waiting room had only a few patients waiting to be seen. Mary Lynn gave Dixie and Beth a forced smile as they signed their names to the list.
"Have a seat and the doctor will be with you soon." Mary Lynn said automatically.
Beth whispered to Dixie as they found seats, "If her look was any icier we'd be blocks of ice right now."
Dixie took her seat beside where Luke had taken a seat.
Luke automatically put his arm around her while taking the other hand and placing it on her now showing tummy waiting to see if the baby would kick.
Dixie looked up and seen Mary Lynn watching them. She had the good graces to blush at the looks they were receiving and tensed.
Luke felt Dixie tense and looked up at her to see what was wrong.
"People are watching us." Dixie said quietly in answer to Luke's unasked question.
"Since when do you care what people are thinking or saying?" Luke asked.
Dixie shrugged she used to not care but she hadn't been pregnant looking like a balloon about to pop then either.
Beth was sitting on the other side of Dixie and felt the tension radiating off her like a stove, it made Beth's nerves crawl too and she began to watch people watching them.
Luke knew the only person's attention he was getting was Mary Lynn's and that was because she was trying to make him feel uncomfortable. It wasn't working. Luke didn't feel like he was doing anything inappropriate so he wasn't going to stop. He had flatten Dixie's flowing top down to see her belly which left nothing to guess.
Anyone looking at Beth and Dixie would surely figure Dixie to be further along than Beth.
Bo noticed that both girls looked uneasy so he put his arm around Beth. Cooter came in looking around, he'd cleaned up and changed shirts before coming over. He took his seat beside Daisy. He even noticed the tension in the air and the looks Mary Lynn was giving Luke and Dixie.
Mary Lynn checked each girls weight which only peeved Dixie off. She knew that picking up weight meant the baby was growing but still made her feel fat.
Doc finally stepped out of his office and glanced at the three awaiting folders and the due dates. "Mrs. Davenport, Daisy,..." He said, "I'll see you first."
Doc measured this way and that way, checked Daisy's vital signs and listened to the baby's heart beat. Then spoke, "Well, Daisy,... everything looks normal. Unless you have any problems I'll see you next month."
Daisy and Cooter smiled. Daisy replied, "Thank you. I'll see you next month."
When Daisy and Beth came out, Doc was behind them "Duke, Elizabeth." Beth and Bo followed him back. Again Doc measured this way and that, taking Beth's vitals, listening to the baby's heartbeat. "Everything looks good, so I'll be seeing you in a month or so Beth." Beth and Bo followed Doc back out "Thanks, Doc see you then".
Doc followed the couple out, "Mrs. Duke, ... Dixie."
Dixie let out a sigh of relief, glad to get out of the nurses view for a bit and then be done.
Doc looked at the file before him. He flipped back a few pages, then back to the front. He measured Dixie this way and that, took her vitals and then as an after thought said, "Let me just check your weight again."
Dixie shrugged and stepped on the scales. Mary Lynn had actually been fair and given her a lower weight than Doc found.
"Ok, now I just need to check your heart." He checked Dixie's heart, then the baby's rhythm, then back to Dixie's, and finally back to the babies. Something just didn't sound normal. He was hearing a bit of an echo but thought that was all he heard, but just to be safe seeing the added weight gain said, "I'll see you again in two weeks. Everything looks normal, so just keep up the good work and take care of yourself."
Dixie didn't know the other girls had regular monthly appointments, so she replied with a shrug, "OK, see you then Doc."
Dixie and Luke went back out with Doc following them, to pick up the next chart and call the next patient. Out in the waiting room the two other couples waited for them.
Daisy was the first to speak, "How'd it go?"
Dixie replied, "Fine, Doc said everything was good." Dixie continued, "And that he'd see me in two weeks."
This of course caused Daisy and Beth's eyebrows to raise along with Cooter's and Bo's because the other two girls weren't due a checkup for a month.
"What is it?" Dixie asked looking worried at their expressions.
"It's nothin' Sugar. Just surprised me that Doc wanted to see you again so soon, he told me to come back in a month." Daisy said.
"He told me the same thing." Beth replied then continued seeing Dixie's worry grow "I'm sure he has his reasons and everything's fine like he said."
Dixie looked from the others to Luke, wondering why Doc wanted her back so soon and not the others. Daisy was the furthest along after all.
Luke replied, "I'm sure he does Beth. Dix he said everything was fine so don't worry." Luke stepped over to the desk and paid the Doctor visit and said, "Well, Mary Lynn I guess we'll be seein' ya in a couple weeks."
Flippin' her appointment book open she seen that two weeks from now would be New Years Eve. Mary Lynn said and then lowered her voice for only Luke to hear the last part of her statement. "How about four on Thursday the 30th? Two weeks from now is New Years Eve and we're trying not to be here that day. I have plans and I'm sure glad it don't involve a baby or a spouse."
Luke replied leaving no doubt about what he said to the others behind him, "Thursday is just fine. We have plans too and I'm very glad that my plans do include m wife and child."
Dixie shot Mary Lynn a look. She knew Mary Lynn had said something to Luke.
Luke gave Dixie an 'I took care of it look.' "Come on ya'll. The car should be done by now." Luke could only hope so.
Meanwhile at the garage, while Cooter had been at Doc's with Daisy, Luther had came in with Agent Buchannon's car. He had backed the wrecker up putting the car in the empty bay as LB was taking Dixie's signal light apart. Luther went to the control panel to lower the car. The further it was lowered the more water poured out of the agents car. "LB get over here and start blowing this thing out. I got to service the wrecker now." He wound up the cables from towing the car, tossed down a chain with a 'J ' hook on it, stomped into the garage, grabbed a quart of oil and a greasy rag. Only then did he notice who's car LB had been working on. Luther frowned and went back out to the wrecker pouring most of the oil on the wound up cable, then some on the rag and began wiping down the rest of the cables to prevent rust.
LB wasn't sure who was grumbling more Luther servicing the wrecker or the agent watching him check the oil. When LB took out the dipstick it was obvious the oil had water in it as milky as the oil was. "Where did you take this thing swimming? The carburetor and all going had to be redone."
Agent Buchannon grumbled, "Danged runner sent me straight into the pond about dawn this morning up at the Placid County line." Just as he turned around he seen the Duke boys walking across the parking lot of the garage.
Luke seen the water dripping from the wrecker and water running out of the garage. He wondered just what Luther had towed in. He turned to Cooter, "Looks like you're gonna have fun today. I hope ya had Dixie's car done before you came over."
Cooter shook his head 'no', "But LB should have it done by now." Then, he seen the tag light still out of the socket where he'd left it. Stepping inside, Cooter asked, "Is Dixie's car ready?"
LB looked up from the engine of the agent's car, "No, can't get that tag light working."
Luke had seen the 'J' hook but refrained from saying anything.
Bo couldn't help it, "What's this? The 'J' hook looks more like an 'L' hook."
Luther got down from the wrecker, his work pants wet from the knees down. He looked at the two Dukes and glared, "Seems a runner thought it was funny to send the agent in the pond up near Placid. Causin' me to have to service the wrecker and straighten that there hook out to get the car out of the pond."
"You Dukes wouldn't have any idea who that might have been do you?" Agent Buchannon asked from the other side of his car.
Luke groaned, leave it to Bo to open his big mouth.
Cooter replied, "Let me just change shirts and I'll see if I can get that light working."
"Thanks Coot." Luke said in the meantime Luther was talking to Agent Buchannon about how much it was going to cost to fix his car.
Agent Buchannon nodded at Luther. He knew pretty much exactly what it was going to take to get the car back in service, but he hoped to find someone else to pay the bill. "Boys, ya'll still didn't answer my question. You don't have any idea who ran my agent off the road up near the Placid line this morning do you?"
Everyone in the county knew the boys ran shine, but admitting that to an agent wasn't the thing to do.
Bo knew Luke was usually better than him at keepin' a straight face, he looked at Luke.
Beth and Dixie's heart skipped a beat as the agent was looking at their husbands.
Luke replied calmly not admitting anything, "Well, we haven't been to that part of the county in weeks so I know it wasn't us."
Buchannon nodded accepting this answer, whatever else Jesse Duke's boys might be they weren't liars.
Beth and Dixie both let out a silent breath they had been holding. It still to this day impressed Bo how Luke could be so cool at a time like this.
"Dix, you want a cold drink?" Beth asked putting some coins in the change slot of the drink machine.
Dixie nodded, "Yeah sounds good thanks."
Luther came stomping in the garage and tossed the heavy chain with the destroyed 'J' hook on it into the corner. Then picked up another chain with another 'J' hook on it to replace bent one. Other than being muddy the wrecker was back in service once the chain was replaced. Luther wanted to go change boots and pants but thought better of it with the Dukes around the garage.
Cooter came back after he'd changed shirts and picked up a tester to test the light. He frowned as he tested the socket.
Luke watched carefully, "What?"
"No power here." Cooter traced the wire back a bit further and tested again. "Nothing."
Seeing this wasn't going to be just a bulb replacement, Dixie took her drink and a seat at the counter like she normally would have.
Luther eyed his 'baby girl' and noticed she had more difficulty than she wanted to admit getting on the high stool.
Buchannon watched Luke purposely not offering to work on the car that Luke was obviously driving today, "What's with the Thunderbird?"
Luke replied calmly, "Didn't figure the ladies needed to climb through any windows today."
Buchannon for the first time noticed the ladies in question conditions. "Yes, I agree that it wouldn't be the best for them."
Luther mumbled, "Wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for you two danged Duke's."
LB was standing close enough to Luther to hear what he mumbled, thus gave his Uncle a 'look' but kept quiet because a part of him still didn't like the fact that Bo had gotten Beth pregnant.
Buchannon let the others conversation go, "Just thought maybe you had some damage to your Torino or the Charger."
Bo tensed.
Luke replied, "Nothing worth mentioning."
Dixie had seen Luke play cat and mouse before and never liked it.
Buchannon raised his eyebrows, "So there is something wrong with the Torino then?"
"Just something minor, its no big deal." Luke said with a shrug.
Dixie looked over to where Cooter was working on her car and wished he'd hurry up find the problem and get it fixed so they could get back to the farm.
Buchannon pressed further, "It wouldn't have a damaged passenger fender would it?"
Luke knew that was exactly where it was damaged, but not from last night. "It surely would have."
Bo cringed as Luke replied truthfully.
Buchannon was surprised that the Duke had answered truthfully. He went to the back quarter panel of the agents cream colored car. The red pain was obvious. "There's red paint here."
Luke frowned, "You know that could be from any number of cars and could have happened on any given night."
Luther was enjoying the show.
Bo was sweating bullets.
Before Buchannon could ask anymore questions Cooter announced, "I found the problem, it's a loose wire. I can have it fixed in about 10 minutes or so if ya'll got somewhere ya need to go before headin' home."
Dixie almost jumped off the stool and run over hugging her brother for giving them an out before Buchannon asked anymore questions. "Come to think of it I did forget something. Want to come with me?" Dixie asked Luke.
Luke knew what she was doing and knew Buchannon would see right through it. "Nah, you and Beth go on." Luke was casually leaning against the counter.
Dixie's eye nearly popped out of her head wondering what Luke was up to. She knew if she didn't leave it would look strange, but didn't want to leave him with her father and Agent Buhannon.
Beth wasn't happy about leaving Bo right now with Buchannon breathing down their necks.
Again Buchannon tuned out the chit chat among the others and concentrated on the elder Duke, "I ain't never known you boys to drive a car with damage for long."
"Well, we ain't drivin' it and right now I've more important things to spend money on like doctor bills." Luke said calmly.
"Since when have you not had a bill here as long as your arm." Buchannon asked.
Luther had been quiet long enough and said, "Since before he was old was old 'nuff to drive legal."
Now it was no secret or nothing uncommon for youngsters in this part of the territory to drive short distances on the back roads away from the main traffic of busy highways or out in the hay fields. Luke had, had more than his share of mishaps while doing so. Jesse had felt that it was important to teach the boys the value of a dollar early on so had been lettin' them at least partly pay for these 'mishaps' with their own money.
Buchannan nodded, "Thought so."
Cooter spoke up in defense of one of his best friends and brother in law, "Now Dad every young'un round here's been driving since they could reach the pedals and see over the steering wheel at the same time, includin' me!"
Luther, Cooter and Luke were silenced by Buchannon, "So tell me again, why your car ain't fixed if money ain't the object here. Lord knows you've spent more time here than at the farm while trying to get that stock car built." Buchannon was behind the times as far as Luke and Luther being on the outs.
Luke replied, "Well, I reckon I'm just not as welcome around here as I once was. Truth be known, this is the longest I've been here in months."
Buchannon looked from Luke to Luther.
Luther looked at Luke then at Dixie as she was walking back toward the garage, "Got that right! ...Ya ain't, why the he- should ya be, after ya knocked up my baby girl!"
Buchannan being spread thin around several counties couldn't keep up with all the gossip in all of them and it was clear he'd missed a lot here judging by Luther's peeved reply. The wet boots and jeans didn't help Luther's disposition any and the thought that Luke was more than likely the one that knocked the agent off the road causing the current state of his clothing ticked him off even more.
Enos walked in about half way through the conversation, "Agent Buchannon, there is a new procedure that would let you test that there paint on that car against Luke's paint."
Luke would have like to have slapped Enos into next week, but tried to remain calm, "Now Enos, ain't no tellin' how long that there paint has been on that car or how many cars around here have the same red paint I do on the Torino."
Buchannon asked, "So just how long has your car been damaged?"
Luke said hoping she'd not give him away, "About a week or so, me and Dix rode up around the lake and a deer jumped out in front of me. I ditched the car to keep from hitting the deer and the deer doing more damage."
Dixie didn't give him away, she knew what Luke was trying to do, even though they hadn't been anywhere near the lake in a while. "We was home watching a movie on TV last night." was Dixie's reply.
"What movie was it? Might have been the same one my wife was planning to watch last night." Buchannon asked.
Dixie looked at the others praying they'd come up with something because she had her foot in it up to the knee, she had no idea what had been on last night.
Beth replied, "We all watched 'Walking Tall' last night." It was true they had watched it early on, with the guys going out afterwards on a delivery to unknown points.
The guys had a hard time holding straight faces as the girls spun their little tale.
Buchannon said, "Heard my wife mention that it was coming on but she watched '9 to 5' they musta been on at the same time." He didn't know what time either movie had been on he'd been over in Sweetwater until early this morning when he'd got the call from his agent about the car.
"I wouldn't know, we went to bed pretty early last night." Luke raised his eyebrows a couple of times.
Buchannon knew it was useless trying to pin the paint on a car he didn't drive to the Duke boys.
Luther had steam coming out of his ears.
Buchannon had no idea for sure how long the paint had been on the car so he really couldn't pin last night on Luke even if Enos did run that test. "Much obliged for the information Enos." With a heavy sigh Buchannon continued, "I ain't sure how long that paint has been there really cos it ain't my usual car."
Bo and Luke were almost grinning they had managed to outsmart Buchannon, Luther wasn't so happy he'd hoped that Buchannon would have the test run on the paint and that at the very least Luke would get stuck with a hit and run.
Luke replied, "My paint numbers are 1579. I'm sure there are several cans of that on the shelf. And how many cars in the county have that same red on them?"
Luther fumed, "How many go head to head with an agent?"
"Besides I'm drivin' a red car right now." Luke added.
Buchannon replied, "I ain't runnin' nothing. Just don't give me reason to run you in the future."
Cooter came out from under the car, "Someone get in and turn on the lights."
Dixie was more than happy to do so.
Cooter replied, "Fixed. I'll put the sticker on it."
Luke handed him a twenty, "That should cover it. Right?"
Cooter, took the bill with a grin, "Yulp, that'll do it Buddy-roe."
Luther watched Dixie get out of the car, the longer she stayed at the garage the more his blood boiled when he looked at her size and knew WHY she was so big and WHO the culprit was.
Dixie made her way to the passenger side of the car while Cooter put the sticker on the car.
Beth came around and waited for the new sticker to be put on as Bo moved to the drivers side to get in the back with Beth.
Once the new sticker was put on by Cooter Luke took the drivers seat, "Later, ya'll." he said as he backed out of he garage.
Once everyone breathed a sigh of relief Dixie asked, "That was your paint wasn't it?"
Luke replied, "It could have been, but not from last night." He headed toward Jesse and the Boar's Nest.
At the Boar's Nest they all got out going inside where Jesse sat at the bar waiting for them. "Well there ya are I thought you'd done got lost."
"Sorry, we uh got hung up at the garage, Agent Buchannon was there gettin' a car fixed. Had an Agent get run off the road he said." Luke explained.
Jesse raised his eyebrows, "Did he say where the car was run off the road at?"
"Up near Placid County." Luke answered, they all seen the relief pass Jesse's face thus easing the girls mind they knew for sure now the boys hadn't been the ones to do it. Luke continued, "He was concerned that the Agent's car in question had red paint on it. Seemed to think it may be the same red paint on the Torino since I admitted to havin' front passenger side damage. Like I told him, I ain't been in that part of the county in weeks."
Jesse frowned.
"He decided it wasn't worth the trouble to get the paint tested because it could have come from the Torino but no tellin' when." Luke explained hurriedly seeing that Jesse's frown was getting deeper. Picking up his beer as two more were set on the bar along with two cokes.
Jesse said, "Let's find a table a little more private than the bar."
Beth picked up her coke, turning to scan the tables she pointed to the back corner where a booth was empty, "There's a table."
Luke stopped at the booth to let Dixie set to the inside.
Dixie looked at him, "That's not gonna work." She knew that it wouldn't work not just because of the amount of room in the booth but also she figured she'd be back and forth to the rest room.
Luke did not like being on the inside of a booth on a Friday night. He never had liked it but it didn't look like he had much of a choice as he slide to the inside.
Dixie read him like a book, "If you can't get to the fight, maybe you won't be in it."
Luke gave her a sarcastic grin, "Thanks Honey."
Beth waited for Bo to slide to the inside on the other side, and he waited for her. If Luke couldn't get out quick enough he was sure aimin' to.
"Bo if I need out, you'd just have to move and let me out then back in." Beth reasoned sweetly.
Bo grumbled something Beth didn't understand but could guess what it was about, "Like Dixie told Luke if there's a fight maybe you won't be in it sitting there."
Bo grumbled again this time Beth heard him, "Thanks your so helpful." but she didn't comment just waited for him to slide in before sitting down on the outside.
The whole time Jesse was hiding a grin behind his beer mug at the way the girls were handling their husbands. He turned to get a chair from the empty table near the booth and sat at the end of the table.
Daisy had been working the mornings shifts lately, but had gotten off early for her doctors appointment and to run a few errands.
Since Cooter knew the boys were going to the Boar's Nest after leaving the garage he suggested to Daisy as they left the garage to swing by the Boar's Nest for bit. It was after all the Friday night before Christmas and everyone had been working hard.
Daisy agreed as long as they didn't stay too late as she had to work the next day. She seen the devilish look in Cooter's eyes as she agree. Now she wondered what she had done.
Daisy and Cooter showed up at the Boar's Nest a few minutes later, Bo and Luke both grinned when they saw Cooter hoping he'd 'rescue' them from their 'prison' in the inside of the booth.
"Hey ya'll." Cooter grinned at them.
"Hey Coot." they chorused in unison.
"Cooter, Daisy." Uncle Jesse greeted as Daisy came over giving him a kiss on the cheek, he asked, "How'd your appointment go Daisy?"
"Fine, Doc wants to see me again in a month." Daisy responded pulling around a chair from a nearby table so they could talk since the booth wasn't big enough for all of them.
Cooter leaned against the booth behind them with his arm on Daisy's shoulder. He motioned for a waitress, "I'll take a beer and a diet Coke." He turned and seen the guys beers less than half full while Jesse's was nearly full, "Go ahead and bring two more beers."
Dixie and Beth shot Cooter a hard glare as Jesse addressed them.
"That's fine just fine. How about you ladies?" Jesse asked.
Beth replied as she took a sip of her drink, "About the same here. Said everything was fine and he'd see me in a month if I didn't have any problems."
Dixie creased her brow replying, "He said everything was fine but he wants to see me back in 2 weeks. If everything's fine why would he want to see me that soon and not the others?"
Jesse patted Dixie's hand that was resting on the table, "I'm sure he just wants to double check something, some of his equipment may have been messed up he thought, don't worry honey." Jesse hoped he sounded reassuring enough for Dixie not to worry.
The waitress came back a few minutes later handing Cooter his beer, Daisy her coke and setting the other two beers on the table sliding them to Bo and Luke.
The music had started to play a few minutes ago and seeing how worried Dixie was he decided to give her some attention. He bent over to his wife and said, "Want to dance?"
Dixie smiled, "Sure, why not."
Luke finished his first beer as Dixie got out of the booth. They went on the dance floor and began dancing. Luke held his wife ever bit as close as he had before they got married and tighter than most of the dates he'd had in here.
"Look! Would you just look at that! Look at the way he's holding her and her, ...'pregnant'!" The last word was said in disgust by Penny Parker, she'd dated Luke in high school before he'd got with Robin.
Luke was oblivious to anything, no one existed at that moment in time but Dixie as they moved around the dance floor.
"Hey Bo how about a game of pool?" Cooter asked Bo.
"Sounds good." Bo replied looking at Beth, with a deep sigh Beth scooted out of the booth so Bo could get out, thinking to herself 'so much for keeping him where he couldn't get into a fight'.
Daisy took the empty booth seat to face Beth, "They sat here for almost a whole beer. They are gettin' better."
Beth nodded, "Yeah, guess we should have known we couldn't keep them sitting here all night." Beth said, it couldn't be said though that she and Daisy hadn't tried to keep them out of all possible trouble.
Jesse sipped his beer, "Now, girls you got to give them all a bit of credit. They all been workin' real hard and ain't been here hardly none. That's one of the reasons I took tonight off."
Daisy grinned widely, "I know, Uncle Jesse, but it's kinda fun watching the three of them act responsible when it is the furthest thing from what they'd normally do." Daisy paused, "Just look at Luke, ... I ain't never seen him act like that with a girl."
Beth nodded, "We ain't the only ones watchin' them."
Daisy looked to where Beth was looking and saw that Penny Parker was watching the dancing couple real close. "It's eatin' her alive to see Luke like that." Daisy giggled. Then she noticed that Bo and Cooter had some attention of their own, they were so absorbed in their pool game they hadn't noticed that the Jefferson twins were watching them. Daisy looked at Beth, "I think it's time for a little 'damage control'." Daisy slide out of the booth, waiting on Beth, before heading over to the pool table. It was Bo's shot. Daisy walked up behind Cooter and wrapped her arms casually around her husband, knowing the twins were watching her every move.
After Bo's shot, Beth walked over wrapping her arms around him, pulling his head down with one hand she kissed him long and slow, "Nice shot."
Bo kissed her back, he'd wanted to spend some more time at the Boar's Nest but suddenly his body had a different idea completely.
"Oh Lordy." Jesse muttered to himself watching it all from the table.
Dixie and Luke had danced several dances, finally returning to the table for something to drink. Luke heard Jesse mumble something as he sat down and asked, "What is it?"
Jesse pointed to the pool table where Beth and Daisy were with Bo and Cooter. Luke looked to where Jesse pointed and said, "Oh."
Dixie looked too seeing what they saw and then she seen the Jefferson twins watching and grinned now knowing exactly what her cousin and sister in law were up to. Dixie shook her head, "Why won't they just give it up?"
Luke put his arm around her, "Glad most of them have as far as we're concerned."
Jesse said, "Don't be so sure about all that."
Luke frowned at Jesse, "What do you mean?"
"They's just some that won't give up, they's still in hopes that you will leave Dixie high and dry." Jesse answered Luke.
Luke scoffed and kissing Dixie tenderly, "That'll never happen in a million years."
Dixie kissed him back running her fingers through the back of his hair. "Good."
"Glad to hear that, son." Jesse said.
"Hear what?" Bo said returning to the table after the game was over.
Luke glanced at Bo, "That I ain't gonna leave Dixie for none of these others that's been watching us all night."
Bo pulled Beth to his side kissing the top of her head, "That goes double for me."
Beth looked up at Bo with her head resting against his chest her arms wound tightly around his middle.
"You better think twice if you even decide to Luke, or deal with me." Cooter said with the old threat there, but said in a light heart-ed manner tonight. They all wanted to do nothing more than have a couple drinks, a few dances and go home with their wives.
NARRATOR: "But this IS Hazzard County!"
Cooter was leant on the back of the booth again, when he saw Luke tense and even sucked in his breath, turning to see the reason for such a reaction Cooter nearly fell when he saw none other than Beverly whom he'd dated in high school, married and had a child with.
"What's wrong ya'll?" Daisy asked her back was to the door and she hadn't seen Beverly walk in.
Bo had turned in his seat to see who was getting all the looks his eyes nearly falling out of his head, by now Daisy had turned around herself to see the familiar face standing at the bar talking to the bar tender who was handing her a wine glass of something. "That is Beverly? What is she doing here?"
"Yes, that is Bev and I have NO idea." Cooter said honestly but inadvertently used his nick name for his ex-wife. Everyone at the table knew that she was an ex-wife only because her father had the marriage annulled. Before thinking about the consequences Cooter pushed off the booth, "But, I think I'll go find out."
Everyone at the table watched the man make his way across the bar. He stopped a respectable distance away but even then he could smell her familiar expensive perfume, "Bev?" Cooter said almost not able to breath.
Beverly turned around, seen Cooter and stepped toward him. "Cooter."
Cooter's hands reached for her to stop her as she step towards him, but she was too quick and his hands wrapped around her instead.
Everyone at the table had been watching Cooter and Beverly, they all seen him reach for her as she came at him. At least that's what the boys and Jesse saw all three girls though weren't seeing it for what it was, Daisy jumped up heading over to the bar with Dixie hot on her heels neither looking happy.
"Oh boy" Beth muttered getting up to follow them.
"SH-!" Luke exclaimed as he reached for Dixie and missed by a full second. He then fought the booth to get out of it.
Jesse moved back a bit to let Luke out and so he could see the show he knew was bound to happen.
Jesse had moved back and blocked Bo's exit from the booth, he stepped on the table and went out Luke's side.
Cooter hadn't seen the girls trying to get through the crowd, but had regained his senses. He moved Beverly back away from him scolding her, he said, "Beverly." He stepped back away from her, "What are you doing here?"
The girls finally had fought their way through the crowd, Bo and Luke close behind them Luke tried to catch hold of Dixie again but missed as she stepped to Cooter's side arms crossed over her round belly.
"Lady you have got a lot of nerve showing up here after what you did!" Dixie jumped in even before Daisy could say anything.
Beverly looked surprised at the female in front of her after seeing her condition. She had no idea that Dixie was Cooter's sister and she quickly concluded that Dixie was his wife or at least his girlfriend especially if the girl knew who she was.
"What do you mean after what I did? I didn't do a dang thing to you I don't even know who the heck you are so I don't see how you could know anything about me!" Beverly replied.
"Dixie I'll handle this." Cooter said quietly, much calmer than he felt for sure.
By now Bo and Luke were at the front of the crowd but they weren't the least bit interested in breaking anything up it was too much fun standing back and watching the 'show'.
Dixie wasn't being shut up that easily. She pounced never letting Beverly know who she was, "Oh, I know a lot about you. You let Cooter think you loved him, even married him, only to let your father annul it, then you went off to who knows where to that expensive college he bribed you with."
Beverly folded her arms moving to stand toe to toe with Dixie, "I did not let him or anyone bribe me. I wanted to go away to school there!"
Dixie rolled her eyes, Daisy hadn't known any of this being a little younger than Cooter and she planned to ask Cooter about it later but for now, "You still haven't said why you are here, your obviously not the type to visit such establishments."
Beverly replied, "I came to see Cooter. What exactly is it to EITHER of you?"
Dixie and Daisy looked at each other then Daisy looked back at Beverly replying, "I'm his wife." Smirking Daisy watched at Beverly looked dumb founded, turning to Dixie, Beverly waited for her to explain her concern in all this.
Beverly still couldn't figure out what the mouthy brunette had to to with all with all this, at least the pregnant one wasn't his wife. It seemed the other heavy set brunette was Cooter's present wife.
Luke seen it was about to get ugly and moved Bo out of his way so he could get closer to Dixie before she did something stupid.
"I'm his sister!" Dixie said.
"I didn't know he had a sister he sure never mentioned you when we were together." Beverly replied.
"I was away with my mother then, but from what I hear ya'll weren't together long."
"Away with your mother?" Beverly replied. "Well, Cooter told me back then his parents didn't live together because they just couldn't get along and if you were away with her you'd have missed a lot of school. I think it was just a case of your father didn't want you anymore than he wanted your mother." Beverly smirked thinking that would shut the mouthy brunette up
Dixie started to tell the blonde a thing or two about her education, but when she claim Luther didn't want her, Dixie saw no reasoning with her. She drew her right hand back several states,...
Luke seen it coming. He stepped up and wrapped both arms around Dixie just below her rather large breasts being careful not to hurt the baby if she resisted him. Luke was also smart enough to duck as he grabbed his wife! "Dix!"
Dixie wasn't listening though she tried to follow through with the hit but Luke's hold on her was too good.
Cooter stepped up teeth clenched and bared as he spoke to Beverly, "Our father would have had both of us without a moment's hesitation but he felt that Dixie needed a woman's hand growing up." He wasn't going to let someone talk that way about his family no matter what Luther had done or said in the past few months.
Dixie was so mad that she didn't realize that it was Luke who had hold of her and she continued to fight him.
Beverly seen that she may have been out of line with that last comment. She took a sip of her wine and smiled broadly, "That maybe, and from the looks of it he let her be raised by wolves." She didn't let Cooter get in another comment, "So this is the new 'wife'." she sized up Daisy, still not noticing her condition, "I think then we should get a booth. I think we all have a lot to talk about."
Luke had his hands full.
Cooter said, "I don't think so, our marriage was annulled. You haven't been back to Hazzard or in contact with me in any way until now, so we have nothing to talk about."
Dixie hadn't heard the wolf comment thankfully or Beverly would be spitting out teeth regardless of whether or not Dixie was pregnant.
"I think you best finish your drink and get on outta here hussy before you get yourself into a world of trouble." Daisy said, she was about ready to deck the blonde herself.
Beverly replied, "Not until I do what I came to do. I was being generous including you, but I came to talk to Cooter and I will." She turned to look Cooter in the eyes, "It's up to you whether you want the entire County knowing your personal business or not."
Cooter looked at Daisy asking, "Dais?" leaving it up to her whether or not she was willing to let him talk to Beverly alone.
She didn't want to let him out of her sight but replied, "It's ok I'll wait here for you." she knew that whatever Beverly was here to talk about did not involve her and Cooter needed to resolve this on his own so they could be happy together.
"Let's step outside Beverly." Cooter replied heading for the door leaving Beverly to follow.
Beverly finished her wine, set the glass down and followed Cooter outside.
Cooter took in a long deep breath, held it, then let it out before turning to Beverly, "What could you possibly want to talk about?"
"Now that I know you are married again, this should be easier than I figured." Beverly paused, then added, "I too am getting married soon. There is something you need to know first, ..." She opened her pocketbook and took out a picture of a small girl with long blonde hair. Beverly handed the picture to Cooter.
Cooter looked at the picture then back at Beverly, "Who's this?" he asked.
"That is your daughter, Nancy Lou." Beverly replied.
Cooter just looked at her a few long moments he didn't know what to say "M...my...daughter?"
Beverly nodded shaking her head when Cooter tried to hand her the picture back, "Keep it."
"Thank you" Cooter said taking out his wallet slipping the picture in it.
Beverly continued, "As I said, I'm getting married again soon. I'd like her not to be confused. I'm sure you and your wife will have other children and there wouldn't be any need in complicating matters."
Cooter nodded understanding, "We are already expecting a child." he himself knew how things like that could be confusing to a child because of his own parents arrangements.
"I hope you two will be happy and that your child will be healthy when he or she arrives." Beverly said before turning to walk back to her car, as soon as the tail lights were out of sight Cooter went back inside to a group of curious expressions.
Luke had finally gotten Dixie calmed down even though she was eager to get her hands on Beverly and likely would have if she had came back inside.
Cooter said to the group, "She's gone and won't be back." He put his arm around Daisy and said, "She's getting remarried soon." Cooter would explain the rest to Daisy later in private.
Daisy scooted away from Cooter's arm saying sarcastically, "How considerate she's getting remarried and was thoughtful enough to come tell you."
"Daisy she had her reasons, but she's gone now so there's no use worrying about it." Cooter replied thinking about the picture of 'reason' in his wallet. He gently tried to guide her back to their table.
This time Daisy went, but wasn't real happy.
From somewhere behind them a man said, "Hey, ain't that the waitress that is usually working? She surely has put on the weight."
Cooter turned as did both Bo and Luke searching for the owner of the voice but with the bar so crowded it wasn't easy.
Daisy tried to ignore the comment, by marching back to the booth and sat down. She huffed, "Can you believe that idiot thinks I'm just fat?"
Dixie said, "Well, that is a good thing about this,..." She placed her hand on her belly, "There isn't any mistaken him or her."
Beth hadn't said anything through all of this but now she looked at Daisy then Dixie before looking down at herself, "Bo do I look fat to you?"
Bo had already learned if he was going to have a peaceful night to answer these questions carefully, buying himself some time he took a swig of his beer.
"Well, do I?..." Beth repeated when Bo took too long to answer her.
Bo replied, "You look just right. In fact all of you do. It lets us know our youngin's are growing."
Dixie said, "Yeah, just some faster than others."
Luke hugged Dixie, "He or she is growing and healthy that's all that matters."
Bo and Cooter nodded in agreement.
"The fellas are right, so you girls can stop worryin' about how you look. Ya all look like your supposed to, you are all glowing." Jesse said.
Being the last Friday before Christmas Eve, the Boar's Nest was exceptionally crowded by now and the waitresses were busy. Luke reached around the table, picked up the empty glasses and said, "I'll get this round." He said as he started off to the bar.
Dixie had ended up on the inside from habit. She began moving toward the edge of the booth to get up and said, "I'm glad he did that." She headed through the crowd toward the restroom not waiting for the others if they were coming with her.
At the bar, Luke sat the mugs down, "Charlie can you give use another round? Four beers and three Cokes."
Charlie replied, "Sure Luke. Let me get the two beers at the other end and I'll get right on it."
"Appreciate it." Luke said as he stood watching the crowd at the bar.
Ernie had seen Dixie walk by his table. Ernie couldn't resist when he seen Luke at the bar. He walked over to Luke, "Still gonna deny knockin' that up?"
Bo looked up about that time and seen Ernie standing by Luke, "Ut-ohhh."
Cooter turned to see what Bo was looking at. They both knew that Luke and Ernie within a hundred yards of each other was sure trouble. It had been every since they had played football against each other in school. Cooter asked, "Can things get any worse? ... Wait! Don't answer that!"
Luke ignored Ernie, he was trying to be good. There had been enough excitement for one night.
"Hey, ... I asked you a question Duke! It ain't nice to ignore folks when they are talking to ya." Ernie said.
To which Luke calmly replied, "I heard ya Ledbetter. I just ain't gonna dignify trash talk with an answer." Luke knew it was coming before he ever opened his mouth. He had already braced himself because he knew that drunk or sober Ernie did have a heck of a right swing.
Luke didn't have long to wait either before, Ernie's right fist connected with his lip.
Bo and Cooter saw it coming at the same time but there was just no getting there in time before Ernie's fist made contact.
Luke wiped his lip on the back of his hand, he knew if Rosco was around he'd likely regret it but he wasn't going to let Ernie by with what he'd just done. Luke smiled and hauled off and sent Ernie flying against the wall at the end of the bar with a swing from his own right hand.
Ernie pushed off the wall and came back at Luke landing several hard blows to Luke's ribs.
Luke had enough air left to get good right hook under Ernie's chin, he hoped it would be enough to send the mountain of a man into next week.
Jesse slide back, "Don't just stand there. GET over there and stop those fools! and that don't mean getting into trouble ur selves!" Jesse warned.
Beth was trying get out of Bo's way, but wasn't quick enough.
Bo took the now familiar path across the table sending glasses, beer and Coke everywhere.
Beth and Daisy were lucky to have gotten out of the way of the spilling liquids.
Dixie came out of the restroom just in time to see Bo and Cooter parting the crowd trying to get to or away from something. She looked to where they were heading in time to see Luke bleeding and sending Ernie backwards as he connected with his chin. She made it back to Jesse, Beth and Daisy then asked, "What is going on? What did I miss?"
"Luke and Ernie are fighting is all." Daisy answered less than impressed by the fight. Ernie and Luke punching each others lights out was normal for a Friday night.
"I can see that, but WHY? are they fighting?" Dixie asked.
"We don't know exactly but Ernie said something to Luke, Luke said something back, then the fight was on." Jesse answered in more detail than Daisy. He'd been watching closely since he'd seen Ernie approach Luke but he didn't know the full details.
"That's enough. Can't those two be in the same room without fighting just once?" Dixie said.
"No." Jesse, Daisy and Beth asked together.
When Bo and Cooter got to the fight it was a fair fight, one man, one OX. So they didn't jump in but rather tried to break it up each grabbing one of the fighters. Bo wisely chose to grab Luke, while Cooter grabbed Ernie. Both men were trying to stop the man they held to break up the fight. Cooter and Bo finally got Luke and Ernie pulled far enough apart they couldn't even kick each other.
It was just in time too Rosco walked in at that moment seeing both men being held and various cuts and bruises, "Alright! What's going on here?" Nothing was broken but it was obvious there had been a fight from the looks of Luke and Ernie.
Dixie swore when she seen Rosco come in. "That's all we need!"
Bo thought that it was pretty safe to let go of Luke at this point.
Luke brushed his hair back in an attempt to straighten it out, wiped at his busted lip with the back of his hand and attempted to straighten his shirt out. He was glaring at Ernie. Luke was putting this in Ernie's hands, he could be calm and say noting was going on and they would both hopefully walk out of here or Ernie could swing again in front of the Sheriff and they'd both likely be taking a ride with Rosco. Luke hoped for the first option.
Cooter loosened his grip on Ernie.
They had been there before and even Ernie knew what Luke was doing.
Rosco looked between the two again demanding, "Somebody better tell me what's going on here or I might cuff and stuff ya till you do."
Ernie tugged at his shirt straightening it up, ran a hand through his hair then said, "It ain't nothing Rosco everything is fine."
Rosco turned to Bo and Cooter he'd seen them holding each of the battered men as both shrugged, Rosco turned his eyes to the rest of the crowd who shrugged and turned to go back to their tables, "Did you see what happened Clem?" Rosco asked an older man as he passed coming from the restrooms.
"Nope, I was in the John." He replied.
The bartender handed Rosco a glass of buttermilk as he sat down at the bar. "How about you Charlie, what happened?" Rosco asked.
Charlie like most everybody else was a good friend to the Dukes not to mention a co-worker of Daisy he wasn't about to rat out Luke, so he shrugged, "Nothing." was all he said going back to his work at the other end of the bar away from Rosco.
Rosco grumbled, "Well, if nothin' was going on then nothing better go on!" He took a drink of his buttermilk and fumed, "Nothing going on my foot!"
Feeling fortunate about the way things turned up, Luke motioned Bo and Cooter back towards their table as he wiped his lip again. "Come on."
"What was that all about?" Bo asked.
Cooter said, "Yeah, we tried to get there before, but before we could move ya'll was into it."
"Ernie shot off his mouth. What else?" Luke slid into the middle of the booth when Dixie had moved to let him in. He hoped Bo and Cooter wouldn't ask for details he didn't want to say too much in front of the girls.
Beth moved too, letting Bo in this time so he wouldn't try to get back in the same way he'd got out by walking across the table.
Dixie asked, "Are you alright?"
Luke replied, "Yeah." He was still peeved and he knew he was going to be some kind of sore tomorrow.
Charlie had sent Luke's order over to the table.
Cooter shoved Luke's beer toward him, "Here this should help."
"Can't hurt." Luke replied.
Jesse had been in more than his share of fights as a young man, "I wouldn't bet on that Luke."
Luke raised his eyebrows in question as he took a drink of the beer, "Ow!" instantly finding out what Jesse was talking about when even the watered down alcohol burned the split lip.
Jesse's eyes twinkled with mischief, but tried to hide his amusement at Luke's reaction.
Luke sighed, "That wasn't what I meant. I meant the beer wasn't gonna cause me to adjust his attitude and it just might take the edge off." He wasn't gonna let on to Dixie he was hurting but Jesse was sure to know.
Jesse did know that Luke was hurting or at least figured he was.
Luke carefully sipped his beer, then set it down pushing it away when the action hurt his lip too much.
Bo and Cooter gulped down the rest of their beers, Beth standing up when she'd finished her coke, "Ya'll ready to go before any real trouble happens?"
Dixie stood up, "Sounds like a winner to me."
Luke stood up and helped Dixie get her coat on. "Yeah, me too." He seen Rosco still setting at the bar and knew he'd not take anymore from them tonight.
Daisy agreed, "Yes, I've been here too long already and got to be back by 10."
"You know you don't have to be back at all." Cooter said.
"I know, but I want to help as long as I can. Besides, it drives Boss crazy that I'm not wearing the short shorts and skimpy tops anymore and he can't do a thing about it." Daisy grinned a wicked grin. She liked being a thorn in the fat man's side at times.
The three couples got up from the booth and headed for the door, many eyes following them not believing the infamous Duke boys were leaving so early.
"Did you see that? Its 10 o'clock and the Duke boys are leaving" Bessie Sue Hightower said to Minnie May Evans across the table from her.
"I know, wasn't so long ago neither would have left till the place closed or Rosco took them to jail." Minnie replied.
Jesse had to grin as he made his way to the bar. He didn't see taking up the table for just him after the kids left. He figured to have one more beer and give the 'kids' sometime alone before he got home. Maybe he'd been wrong about the boys a couple years ago when he told them the chances of them havin' a family rated right up there with hogs producing beef. 'Yes Sir, maybe, just maybe there was hope for them after all.
Back at the farm Dixie and Luke made their excuses to Bo and Beth. Dixie was wanting to
make sure that that Luke was really alright. Luke had other ideas, since they had the house to themselves with only Bo and Beth for a bit.
In their room Luke shut the door, Dixie reached for the snaps on his shirt. Luke grinned, "I like your thinkin' Mrs. Duke." He was actually finding that he liked this marriage stuff especially after Dixie had for the most part stopped getting sick so much.
Dixie replied, "I was trying to make sure you were alright." As she undid his shirt she could see the bruises forming near his ribs. "Luke..."
"I'm fine. Really. Well, at least I will be,..." Luke reached under her shirt. Lightly fondling Dixie's breasts for a few minutes, Luke then slid his hands around her back rubbing the small of Dixie's back in little circles.
In Bo and Beth's room, Bo gently layed Beth down on the bed leaning over her their lips meeting. Bo smiled thinking how much he'd been enjoying havin' a wife at home with him and not just hoping to get a girl to spend a night or so with him.
Jesse pulled up to the farmhouse sometime later to find only the porch light and small light in the kitchen on, much as he had left it many a night when he had went to bed before the boys returned from their girl chasin'. As he entered the house was still. Jesse turned off the lights and made his way to his own room.
01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01
The birds were singing even before the sun came up. As Luke snuggled back under the covers for just a few more minutes of rest before starting his day it seemed much more like Spring that it did fall or near winter. He felt Dixie move closer to him and that was all it took for all of him to be wide awake as Luke layed on his back with Dixie using his shoulder as her pillow. Luke gently brushed her hair back, hoping she'd wake up before the rest of the house did so they could spend some time together. Dixie took Luke's hand as she turned over causing his hand to rest on her stomach.
Luke's eyes popped wide as he felt Dixie's belly he didn't remember her being this big when they went to bed.
Raising up Luke looked at Dixie in a way that made her ask, "Is something wrong Luke?"
"Nothin' at all Darlin'." Luke replied seeing his mistake instantly. It seemed like only yesterday that she had been wearing Daisy's short shorts and halter tops. Luke moved his hand up and pleasantly found that said halter tops wouldn't make a decent bikini top right now. His wife may have been larger due to carrying his child but she still excited him. Luke enjoyed every part of her body as he made love to his very pregnant wife.
Jesse tapped on the door, "I'll have breakfast by the time you get done in there."
Luke shook his head. He never could get anything by Jesse Duke. "Be right there."
Jesse shook his head smiling as he moved onto Bo and Beth's room tapping on the door, "Breakfast will be ready soon." Bo groaned he didn't want to get up but knew Jesse'd be back if they didn't.
Both the boys were expected up and at it before breakfast was ready, so they hit the kitchen getting coffee before heading to do the chores. The girls always took that extra few minutes to get a bit awake before coming to help fix breakfast. This morning was different. The boys were slower or the girls quicker as they came in the kitchen while the guys were still drinking their coffee.
In bed Luke had thought of how time had flown and it seemed like just yesterday Dixie was a small little thing. He had noticed her increased size, but it didn't do justice to the way she looked as she came in the kitchen with her robe tied below her breast and above her belly. He noticed that even her walk wasn't what he was used to seeing she was nearly waddling.
"... Doc said yesterday that it looks like 'he's' dropped. Sure feels like it." Dixie said. She still was going to see Doc nearly twice as often as Beth and Daisy and Doc still said everything was fine and had not given any reason for the added visits except that he was being careful.
Jesse looked at her sizing her up for himself, "I reckon it won't be too awful much longer before 'he's' ready to say howdy to his Mama and Daddy." Jesse smiled.
Dixie looked worried, "It's still way too early." Dixie replied placing her hand on her belly.
Luke kissed her cheek on his way out the door, "Don't worry so much Darlin' Doc says everythin's fine, if it wasn't he'd tell ya so."
Jesse added, "Oh, it could be anytime now and still be just fine. I think Doc is right you have dropped so it could be anytime."
That news was not so reassuring to Luke. He still wasn't sure about all this but time didn't seem to be slowing down. "Come on Bo. We need to get started."
Bo rolled his eyes at Luke, set his cup down and kissed Beth, "We'll be in soon."
At Daisy and Cooter's they were still cuddled in bed. Daisy asked, "Are you sure you won't mind going to the farm for awhile? I really want Uncle Jesse to be a part of this."
Cooter rubbed a hand over Daisy's belly kissing her cheek, "I don't mind, if it's what you want its fine with me." Truth be told Cooter would be glad to get out of Luther's house for a while, they weren't fighting so much it was just getting on each others nerves at times.
At the Duke farm Beth and Dixie were in Daisy's old room making up the bed getting it ready for Daisy and Cooter.
"It will be good to have Cooter and Daisy around for awhile. Did Daisy say when they were coming ov - er?" Dixie suddenly set down on the just made bed, her hand was on her tummy as she took a couple deep breaths.
"Dixie are you ok?" Beth asked worried.
Dixie nodded after a few more minutes of resting, "Yeah, I'm ok. Baby musta kicked or something had a sharp pain but its gone now."
"I think ya better go rest. I'm gonna go see if I can find Uncle Jesse and Luke." Beth was out the door of the bedroom before Dixie could protest.
Outside she found Jesse and the boys in the barn working since Cooter and Daisy could arrive at anytime.
Dixie called behind Beth, "I fine. Really. Beth!"
Luke looked up and seen Beth not wasting anytime to get to them from the house. Luke dropped the bale of hay he was handing down from the wagon to Bo. It landed on Bo's toes just before Luke had came off the wagon meeting Beth.
"What's wrong?" Luke asked.
"Oweee!" Bo complained only seeing Luke heading for the house. "Luke get back here. What was that called? Where are you going?"
Jesse turned to see why Bo was grumbling.
"Something's going on with Dixie." Jesse said after seeing that Bo was ok and before heading out of the barn toward Beth and Luke.
"What's wrong Beth?" Luke was asking just as Jesse got to them.
Beth replied, "Dixie had a pain in her stomach had to set down on the bed and take some deep breaths."
"You best take some deep breaths yerself girl." Jesse said seeing that Beth was a little flustered and out of breath in her hurry to get to the barn.
Before Beth could tell them that Dixie said she was ok and that she had told Dixie she needed to rest, both men were hurrying toward the house.
Dixie closed her eyes and sighed hearing Luke's boots on the wooden porch as he raced in the house.
"DIX!" Luke called.
"In Daisy's room. I'm fine." Dixie said.
Luke burst through the door.
"Doc said I've been having these for a couple weeks. I just haven't felt them until now. It just took me by surprise." Dixie said.
Jesse came to the door in time to hear her explanation. "Are you havin' any pain?"
"No, not pain exactly." Dixie said trying to figure out how to explain it. Then, she seen she wouldn't have too. She took another couple breaths as she felt the Braxton Hicks contraction begin. She reached out and put Jesse's and Luke's hand on her stomach.
Jessie felt the Braxton Hicks contraction then looked at Luke, "She's fine, ... it's just them Braxton Hicks that I'm sure Doc told ya'll about."
"Yeah, he did mention something about them." Luke replied.
Jesse said, "It's just your body getting ready to help get that little one here."
Dixie said, "That's what Doc said. It just took me by surprise." After a couple breaths, she added, "I'm fine now. Really."
On the porch they heard Bo fuming, "You don't need to run like that Beth. What if you fell?"
Beth folded her arms looking up into Bo's blue eyes. "Somebody had to get Uncle Jesse and Luke and there was only ME to do it."
"You could have hollered, we was in the barn we woulda heard you." Bo fumed more, he was more scared that something might have happened to Beth or their own child than he was angry.
"Bo really it's alright." Beth said. She heard the car and wrecker coming down the drive and was more than happy to see Daisy's car followed by the wrecker. She gave Bo a set of puppy dog eyes and said, "There is Daisy and Cooter."
Bo wasn't through but the puppy dog eyes and the sounds of Daisy car and the wrecker coming forestalled anymore fussing.
When Daisy got parked he met her at the car giving her a hug, "Daisy, how are ya?"
"I'm fine Bo it hasn't been that long since you saw me last, we don't live in horse and buggy days anymore you know." Daisy said lightly.
Bo chuckled at her comment trying not to let on that it made him a little uneasy, a part of him was beginning to think he and Luke weren't just having dreams.
Daisy turned to get her small overnight bag from the back seat of the Road Runner when both Bo and Cooter stopped her jointly saying, "We've got this."
Daisy sighed, "I'm not gonna break guys." Seeing the look from them, Daisy knew she was going to loose and headed to the porch. "Well, Beth do you ya'll think you can put up with us awhile?"
Beth's hand was on her side slowly rubbing her lower abdomen. She replied, "Of course we can. Can you put up with Bo, Luke AND Cooter?"
Daisy nodded 'yes' although she wasn't sure as it was Cooter was driving her nuts at times. "Are ya ok Beth?" Daisy asked, noticing how Beth rubbed her lower abdomen and as luck would have it Bo and Cooter made it to the porch at that moment over hearing Daisy's words.
"See I told ya that sprint the barn wasn't good for ya." Bo said smugly.
"What sprint?" Cooter wanted to know immediately.
"Dixie wasn't feeling well she was having some pains and I went to get Luke and Uncle Jesse. I guess I over did it a little." Beth admitted reluctantly.
Cooter was trying to help to get Beth to set down, "Dixie?" He was now totally torn. "Is SHE alright? Are YOU?"
Hearing the commotion Luke stepped out on the porch just as Cooter was getting excited, "Yes, Dixie is fine. At least her and Uncle Jesse said so. What's wrong with Beth?"
"That little jog she took to the barn ain't settin' well." Bo told Luke before Beth could open her mouth the sprint having escalated to a jog in his telling.
Beth held her hands up to hopefully stop them. She started to stand up, "I'm fine. Just got a bit of a catch in my side."
Luke looked at Cooter, who was looking at him. They were getting used to Daisy and Dixie having these 'catches' as they all had described, but none of the men had heard of Beth having them. They both looked at Bo who was suddenly very pale and looking to them with near pleading eyes.
Luke said, "Dix's been havin' them for a few weeks now Bo."
Cooter nearly frowned, "Daisy has for a bit longer."
Daisy glared at him. "Ya'll act like you don't want this to be over. I'd really like to see my feet again."
Jesse stepped to the door, "Well, it will be soon, Honey."
Daisy sighed, "I sure hope so."
Jesse smiled holding the door open so his neice could enter the house, Daisy stopped in the doorway to give him a hug as she did.
"See told you it was ok Bo, both Daisy and Dix have had the same thing for a while now." Bo didn't look at all convinced that it was 'ok' and furthermore, he wasn't at all sure he was looking forward to this 'being over' as the girls seemed to think. As Luke had told him several months ago, this wasn't going to be over it was only the beginning. The thoughts of being woke up in the middle of the night, the diaper changes, having to share Beth, going back to havin' to be careful again, the thoughts of the failed rubbers all served to totally un-nerve Bo.
Once, Daisy's and Cooter's things were brought inside and put in Daisy's old room, Cooter left for the garage that afternoon to work a few hours at least.
01~~~~~~~~~~01
A few days later and still no babies had come. "I wish the baby would come, I can't wait to hold the little tyke in my arms." Daisy said with a dreamy smile all the girls still having fantasies of sorts what mother hood would be like.
Dixie replied, "I agree. But things are surely gonna be different and I'll admit, I'm a bit scared of the whole process of actually getting them all three here."
"Me too," Beth said, to which Daisy nodded.
Dixie reached behind herself a little, "It'll be nice to be able to get comfortable again though."
"And not to have these awful varicose veins." Beth grumbled holding her legs out so she could see the tops of her feet.
"Trouble with all that is, ... afterwords we're gonna have to be careful. Well, more careful so these little ones, ..." She put her hand on her belly, "Don't have play mates in a about nine months. I just don't think I'd want to have any more real soon and I just couldn't imagine trying to take care of two little ones that close together. That would be almost like raisin' twins!"
Beth and Daisy both agreed wholeheartedly with Dixie, "I don't even want any a close as a year apart." Beth replied.
To which Daisy said, "I don't know about ya'll but even two years apart is too close for me."
Dixie thought back and blushed, "But, I can't deny that I enjoyed making this one." They had been getting ready to go to see the doctor. "Are you all about ready?"
Daisy replied, "I'm ready. I've never been to the Doc this much in my life. I hope this is my last visit."
"Yulp, I'm ready." Beth answered, all of them were more than ready for their last visit but Dixie and Beth knew that they had at least a few more to go because they were a week or so behind Daisy. Going out to Dixie's car they all got in, all the guys were meeting them at the doc's today since they were already going to be in town at the garage. Luther was going to be out of town and Cooter needed the extra help.
At the garage, it was nice for the guys to be able to hang out with each other and not worry about Luther showing up.
The girls pulled up in Dixie's car and hopped out. They too were glad Luther was out of town.
Luke heard the car walked away from the car he was helping work on. Kissing Dixie he said, "Ya'll are early."
"Wanting to get this over with, besides we thought we'd hang out with ya'll a bit." Dixie said.
Luke wrapped his arm around Dixie and as they started back to the garage he saw the Johnson twins setting the park bench in the square. He could see that the girls and himself were the object of their conversation.
Beth and Daisy hadn't seen the twins watching but the look on Luke's face said something must be going on outside the garage, "Somethin' wrong Luke?"
"The Johnson twins are settin' on the park bench in the square and looking this way. No doubt that you ladies and me are the topic of their conversation." Luke replied.
Dixie couldn't help turning to see them talking and laughing. It was a good thing she couldn't hear their conversation.
Across the street Mindy said to Cindy, "I would have never thought a Duke boy to like being around girls that look like that!"
"Oh, I know what you mean. It's such ashamed they got set up like that." Cindy said.
"Maybe it serves them right. The way they treated girls and all. Especially, Luke. Did you notice his wife is larger than the others?" Mindy said.
Cindy nodded 'yes', "She looks 9 months already must be about to pop that baby out any day."
Mindy nodded then the two noticed they were being watched from the garage.
"Wonder what they was saying?" Daisy had come over to look out the garage door, the question was more rhetorical than one that she wanted answered.
"What is who saying Darlin'?" Cooter asked from under the car.
Daisy nearly spat, "The Johnson twins."
Cooter huffed, "Well, it's likely not anything good."
Cindy figured, "She looks like she is nine months, but they haven't been married even six YET!"
"That can only mean one thing, there was a bun in the oven before the wedding, we know why they was in such a rush now." Mindy sneered continuing, "Doesn't surprise me though the way Luke was doing."
Cindy nodded with another glance at the garage. "Well, you should know Mindy." Cindy said knowing that Mindy had went out with Luke more than once and she figured there was more too it than going to the Boar's Nest even though Mindy had denied it adamantly.
Mindy's eyes went wide, "CINDY! You know that I NEVER did that! Ever. Especially not with Luke DUKE!"
Cindy gave her a sh- eating grin and said, "Now Mindy, everybody in three counties know that you don't go out with Luke more than once if you don't 'put out'.
Mindy folded her arms over her chest giving her twin 'the look', "Well, I did NOT 'put out', I assure you sister dear."
Cindy just gave her sister another sh- eating grin but didn't say anything else for a long moment, then asked, "So, ... ummmmmmmmmmm, ... how did you keep his interest up?"
Mindy blushed crimson, "IF you must know we were talking about Bo. We both knew we had nothing much in common but I wanted to get closer to Bo, Luke was helpin' me, ... until, ... well, ... up until all that," she waved her hand at the garage, "happened." She waved her hand toward the garage.
Cindy looked toward the garage to see...
Dixie rubbed her left side as she looked at the clock, "Guess it's about time to go see Doc."
"Yeah," Luke replied. He wanted everything to work out for the best for Dixie and their child, but frankly he was ready for this part to be over.
Bo wrapped his arms around Beth as she leant back against his chest, "Maybe if we go early Doc will see the girls early." he said. Bo wanted this over as soon as possible too.
Beth raised up, taking him by the hand the two couples leaving the garage slowly taking their time it was a nice day and they were in no hurry since they were early they had time to take their time on the walk over to Doc's.
Mindy saw them coming from the garage, giving Cindy's arm a nudge she said, "Look, there they go."
Cindy watched as the four young people made their way slowly in the direction of the doctor's office. "Looks like they are heading to Doc's. We'll have to talk to Mary Lynn later. I'm betting that at least Dixie was knocked up before the wedding."
Mindy replied, "Well, I surely never expected Luke to be the attentive hubby. I wonder if he is 'hen pecked' or just what her secret to 'wrappin' him around her finger is?"
Cindy asked with a slight grin, "Are you jealous?"
Mindy huffed, "OF course not!"
Mary Lynn looked up to see Dixie Daven,... She stopped in thought and corrected, Duke. Dixie Duke walk in. Mary Lynn noticed that Dixie looked much bigger than she had this time last week. She sighed she was nearly as in a hurry to see these weekly visits from Luke's 'wife' end as Dixie was to stop having to come see Doc. Then Mary Lynn saw Luke come through the door at least he was nice eye candy. Then, Beth and Bo came in. Mary Lynn couldn't help notice how much bigger Dixie was than Beth. "Mornin' ya'll. Come on Dixie I'll go ahead and get your weigh."
Dixie bit her tongue to keep from being nasty as she stepped on the scales. As Mary Lynn adjusted the scales Dixie swore to herself as she kept inching the weights upward. Finally the scales balanced out. Looking at the scales Dixie couldn't believe that she weighed that much, then thought about how hard it was getting to get up from a chair or couch and found that she indeed believed it.
Mary Lynn wrote the weight down on a sticky note. "Ok. Beth you're next." Mary Lynn said all too chipper.
Beth stepped up on the scales frowning more and more as Mary Lynn inched the weight over more and more, Beth even looked behind her to see if Mary Lynn had a foot on the scale which wouldn't have surprised her.
"Looks like someone has been eating more than she should lately." Mary Lynn's voice just dripped with sarcastic sweetness making Beth want to punch her lights out even more. Mary Lynn was writing down the weight as Daisy and Cooter came in the office. She left the weights where they were as Beth stepped off the scales. "Come on over Daisy. I'll do this part while I you're here."
Daisy sighed as she looked at Cooter. She hated this part of the visit.
Cooter nodded her on hoping to encourage her. He knew how much she hated these visits especially the weight part.
Stepping up on the scales Daisy waited as patiently as possible while Mary Lynn moved the weight along the top swearing to herself that if the snobbish receptionist/nurse said one word about her weight that the young woman would be eating her own teeth for lunch.
"Alright Daisy, just go have a seat with the others and the Doc will see you shortly." Mary Lynn had had a few run ins with Daisy and wisely kept her snide remarks to herself during this particular weigh in. She purposely left the weights on the scale where they were as she pulled the girls files out and began noting their weights in the charts. She noted that Dixie was a full ten pounds heavier than Beth who had five pounds on Daisy.
Doc came out and flipped through them. Seeing Daisy's due date he called her first. "Daisy come on back."
Daisy and Cooter stood up and followed the Doc to the exam room. "Ok, I'll have Mary Lynn bring you a gown and after you get changed we'll get this last visit out of the way."
Daisy thought maybe she heard him wrong, "Last visit?"
Doc said, "I think it just may be your last visit before you deliver, but I'll know more after the exam." After Daisy changed, Doc had gave her a extensive exam from the outside to the inside. "You have started to dilate, so it could be anytime."
Daisy squeezed Cooter's hand that she was holding. "I've been waiting a long time to hear that Doc."
"I know. The last bit always seems longer. Now, do you still want you Uncle to deliver the baby when it is time?" Doc asked.
Looking at Cooter, who was letting her decide this matter, Daisy said, "Yes, I do."
"Alright, just pack a bag in case there would be complications and call me Cooter. I'll come over just in case you all need anything. Most folks don't do home deliveries anymore and it's been awhile but I know Jesse is the best." Doc said.
Cooter replied, "Thanks Doc. I'll be sure to call you. Uncle Mr. Jesse has been getting things lined out for a couple weeks now."
After Daisy was dressed Doc called, "Beth I'll get you next since I haven't seen you in two weeks."
Beth and Bo went into the exam room that Doc indicated, he came in and sat down looking at the chart, "Beth it looks like you've still got a little ways to go but I'll know more after your exam."
"Alright, I hope it isn't too much longer, I would like to see my feet again!" Beth said making both Bo and Doc chuckle at the last part.
Giving Beth a gown Doc let her change and then examined her from top to bottom, and inside, out, "You aren't dilated any but it shouldn't be too much longer, I'd like to see you back next week."
Beth nodded, after getting dressed she and Bo went back out front.
Doc said, "Ok, Dixie your turn."
Dixie looked at Luke and said as she started to get up, "Here goes nothing." After finally managing to get out of the chair with some degree of difficulty only managing to get up after Luke had helped her up.
Doc seen right away a noticeable drop from Dixie's last visit. He checked the due date again and didn't think she would make it. "Dixie I'm gonna have you change and I'll give you a full exam."
Mary Lynn was coming in the door with a gown and sheet.
After everyone left and Dixie was changing she said, "I really hate these exams."
Luke replied, "I know. But, It will be over soon enough."
"Sometimes I wonder. I feel like I've been pregnant all my life." Dixie said.
"No, you haven't. Remember we did enjoy getting you this way." Luke said.
"That we did right up until we saw that something failed." Dixie reminded.
Luke grinned wickedly and didn't stop when the door opened, "I enjoyed it even after."
Dixie blushed crimson as Mary Lynn stepped through the door.
Mary Lynn stepped through the door, "All ready?"
Dixie sighed nodding, "Yeah, I reckon so."
Mary Lynn left the room and Doc returned a few minutes later, "Alright let's get started." holding onto Luke's hand Dixie stared at the ceiling while Doc did the exam. After a few minutes he looked at the parents to be with a thoughtful look saying, "It looks like you are progressing well. Just let me have a listen." He took the stethoscope and began listening to her heart beat and the baby's heart beat. He moved to Dixie's back and listened long and hard again. He heard it again. The baby's heart beat was so close to Dixie's it actually was echoing her heartbeat. This is what had prompted the additional office visits for her. He'd never heard a heartbeat of a mother and baby so close together.
Dixie waited patiently for Doc to finish listening, "Is everything ok with the baby Doc?" Dixie asked with a bit of a frown the doctor hadn't said anything but the look on his face was a puzzled one.
"Yes, yes of course." Doc smiled reassuringly at Dixie and Luke.
Luke didn't know if he believed it or not, Dixie had had twice the visits both Beth and Daisy had had.
Doc seen the worry and said what he knew, "I'm hearing something a bit different. The baby has such a strong heart beat and since a babies heart rate is faster it actually sounds as if it is an echo of Dixie's heart beat." Knowing Luke Duke would only be more curious he placed the stethoscope on Dixie's tummy, took the ear pieces off, handed Luke the other end, "Listen for yourself."
Luke put the ear pieces in his ears and heard for the first time his wife and child's heart beat.
Doc explained, "The faster is the babies. Dixie's should be lower in the background not as fast."
Luke nodded and grinned as he listened.
Dixie said to Doc a couple minutes later, "I felt like a freak of nature when I came in, now I'm a science experiment. Do I get to hear or what?"
"Yes, yes of course!" Doc said indicating that Luke should pass the ear pieces to his wife.
Luke did so and Dixie put them in her ears smiling softly when she heard the heart beat of hers and Luke's baby. Luke looked at Doc, satisfied that the baby was ok he asked, "What's the big deal about the heartbeat? The baby sounds perfectly healthy to me and I'm not even a doctor."
"I just have never heard anything like it before, but you are right Luke, everything seems to be fine." Doc said taking the ear pieces from Dixie hanging the stethoscope around his neck. "You've dropped some Dixie and that lets me know your time is nearing so I want to see you again in a couple of weeks, ok. But if you have any concerns and want to see me before then please come in and I will check things out."
"Really? A couple of weeks? You mean I don't have to come back next week? This has been an every week thing since the others went to every two weeks." Dixie asked and then realized that she may have hurt Doc's feelings, "I didn't really mean that the way it came out."
Doc smiled patting Dixie's hand, "It's alright Dixie I understand your concern and you are right you should come back next week." Truth was Doc was a little hurt that Dixie would question him on this but he also knew how worried she was. Truth be known he wasn't sure any of them would make it back here next week for their visits. As much as Dixie had dropped she could be calling at anytime. "You can get dressed now."
Dixie looked at the closed door as Doc left, "Luke?"
"Yeah?" Luke replied.
"What do you make of all that?" Dixie asked.
Luke replied with a smile, "Exactly what Doc said. Our baby is doing fine and will be here soon."
After the Dukes and Davenports were gone, Mary Lynn said to Doc, "Doc, I know the due dates and all but did you notice this?" She showed him a sticky noted with the girls names and weights on them. "You are the Doc, but it was strange that Dixie is nearly fifteen pounds heavier than Daisy who is due first."
Doc looked at the notes then at Mary Lynn saying, "All women's pregnancies are different, Mary Lynn."
Mary Lynn muttered, "I suppose so." but she still thought there was something strange about Dixie being so much bigger than Daisy.
Her thoughts were beginning to take the same turn as the Johnson twins had earlier when they saw the Dukes and Davenports at the garage, though she couldn't remember when the couples got married. As best she knew they had a visit a couple weeks after the wedding where all the girls 'surprisingly' turned up pregnant. She checked the due dates all were the beginning of May. This was the last day of April. Their first appointment was just before Thanksgiving in November, not even SIX months ago!" This certainly brought a new light to things and she couldn't wait to talk to her best friends Cindy and Mindy about it. They had all had their suspicions from the beginning but now she was sure those suspicions were right.
Outside the office Luke asked, "So 'Boss', any chance of getting to have lunch with out wives before we go back to work?"
Cooter glared at his friend and brother-in-law, then checked the garage, it was calm. "I think we can do that if we go real quick." As he turned the rest had left him, "CUTE! That was Cute! Really cute!" He said as he started after them.
In the park Mindy said as she watched them head for the dinner, "There they go. Those little so and so's have got those three grown men whipped!"
Cindy nodded, "Yeah they sure do, and they know it!"
Mary Lynn came across the road just then to the park asking her friends, "Whatcha looking at?"
Mindy and Cindy both pointed at the Dukes and Davenports, Mary Lynn looked to where they pointed and saw the direction they three couples were heading in she said, "Would ya'll like to go for a bite of lunch at the diner? I have some things to tell you concerning those three uh women, can't rightly call them ladies." with that the three women followed in the wake of the couples.
At the dinner, Dixie ordered without even seeing a menu, "I'll have a cheeseburger, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, sweet pickles and mild hot peppers and a chocolate shake."
Luke was glad that most of her 'cravin's' had went away. "I'll have a regular cheeseburger and a Coke." Luke looked up as the door opened and he saw who was coming in.
Mary Lynn, Mindy and Cindy took a table close enough to see the Dukes and Davenports but not close enough to be over heard, sitting down at the table Mindy pounced, "Spill it Mary Lynn. What do you know?"
"Well..." was all Mary Lynn got out as a waitress came to take their orders all of them ordered a chicken finger snack and Coke.
At the couples table the waitress looked at Daisy and Cooter her pen poised over her order pad, "What can I getcha?"
"I'll have a cheeseburger too hold the pickles but extra ketchup, mustard and onions and a strawberry shake."
"I'll have the same as Luke." Cooter said.
Bo ordered the same as the other two men, Beth ordered a couple of chili dogs, and chili cheese fries and a rootbeer float.
After the waitress left Mary Lynn began, "You know that if I tell you stuff and give names I can get fired on the spot. SOoooo, lets say, the lady on the right," she indicated Daisy Davenport, "She has the closest due date. They were all seen in mid November. All have due dates in May. Add it up."
Mindy and Cindy looked at each other and then at Mary Lynn their mouths agape, "This weren't no preplanned thing." Mindy said.
Cindy added, "They had to have been at least three months!..."
Mary Lynn nodded she knew how to tell things without actually telling them. "We'll just have to see how close to the dates the, ... " she whispered, "births are."
Luke asked Daisy, "So did everything go well?"
Daisy said a bit embarrassed and not sure why as she was mindlessly rubbing one spot on her side as she talked, "Doc said I should pac a bag in case and that this was likely my last visit to see him in the office."
Luke nodded noticing the way Daisy was rubbing her side, "Are you alright Darlin'?"
"Yeah, I'm fine Luke. Why?" Daisy asked figuring Luke was just being his usual worry wort self.
"You're rubbing your side, thought something might be wrong." this statement got Cooter's attention who looked at his wife brow creased in a worried frown.
"I am fine Luke, really. I just got a twitch in my side probably just the muscles." Daisy replied.
Luke nor Cooter were convinced as Daisy was obviously trying to control her breathing as she had been talking. Luke gave Cooter a look that made Cooter want to slap his friend. The look inferred that Daisy was 'his' wife.
"Dais are you ok?" Cooter asked.
Daisy nodded still taking slow deep breaths, "Yeah, I'm fine."
Before Cooter could say more their orders came, Cooter still wasn't convinced and said, "We should just get take out plates and go home so you can rest."
"I'm fine!" Daisy hissed at her husband. All the constant asking her was she ok that he'd been doing lately was getting on her nerves.
Luke and Bo looked at each other then at Cooter who shrugged, not saying another word as Daisy started to eat.
Dixie asked, "So, are you all going back to the garage after lunch?"
Luke nodded 'yes'.
Before Luke could add anything more, Cooter said, "We've gotten more work done this morning, even with going to Doc's with you all than has been done in that garage in months." He was meaning since Luther found out about Luke and Dixie, maybe even back to before the centennial. "Dad may know his stuff, but we sure can't work 'together'."
Dixie added, "You'd think he'd see that he really needs Luke."
Luke replied, "He'll never admit that."
Across the room Cindy said lowly, "Did you hear that? Dixie's Dad and Luke are on the outs."
Mary Lynn added, "I'd heard that. Wonder why?"
Mindy glanced over at the table where the Dukes and Davenports sat before looking back at her friends, "It should be obvious why they ain't gettin' along Luke Duke knocked up his one and ONLY daughter."
Cindy and Mary Lynn's mouths formed O's as they nodded.
Cindy added, "I'm surprised Luther didn't kill Luke."
Mary Lynn said, "Me too. I knew it had to be pretty bad. Luke worked at the garage since Jr. High."
"I think that classifies as pretty bad in any father's mind." Mindy said.
Luke reached for his wallet seeing the girls in deep conversation, "Are ya'll about ready to get out of here? I'm getting a bit tired of being the topic of lunch crowd."
"Yeah I'm ready." Beth said also now noticing the deep conversation going on at the table where Mary Lynn and the Johnson twins were setting.
Cooter and Bo followed Luke's example getting out their wallets, "We got work to do anyway." Cooter replied.
Dixie got up trying not to look like it took as much effort as it had even with Luke givin' her a hand. She leaned in close for only him to hear, "This is getting to be like work."
Luke grinned and said, "Sorry about that."
"You are NOT. For some reason you love it." Dixie said.
Luke smiled at her not denying for a minute that he did enjoy seeing his wife carrying his child.
As the couples left the diner, Mindy said, "Did you hear that?"
Cindy and Mary Lynn both nodded all three had heard enough between Dixie and Luke to know Luke wasn't entirely miserable about his marriage even if he wasn't getting to play the field anymore.
Mary Lynn replied with a haughty tone, "I guess he likes having someone at his beck and call 24 hours a day."
Cindy said, "From here it looked like he may be ready to answer any of her calls."
That didn't set well with Mindy as she huffed, "What could she possibly do to keep him entertained. She is younger than any of us!"
They watched as the guys helped the girls into the car with several kisses and hugs to go around.
Dixie drove off to the farm and the guys went back to work at the garage.
At the farm, the girls got out of car and headed into the house. Just as Daisy stepped onto the porch a decent pain hit her and she felt her feet become wet as she gasped more in surprise than pain.
"Uhoh." Daisy said causing both Dixie and Beth to look at her.
They said together, "What's wrong Daisy?"
"My water just broke." Daisy replied making her way into the house, "I think I better call Cooter to come home."
Beth took Daisy by the arm, "You better go lay down, we'll call Cooter and get Uncle Jesse."
Dixie was already heading to the phone to call the garage.
Bo, who was the least mechanically minded of the three answered the phone, "Hazzard Garage."
"Bo, can I talk to Luke a second?" Dixie said.
He heard something different in Dixie's voice, "Sure. Is everything alright?"
"Yelp, just need to talk to Luke." Dixie said trying to sound casual but really wanting to hear Luke on the other end of the line.
"Ok, I'm getting him. He's up to his elbows in an engine but he's comin'." Bo said as he had already motioned for Luke to come to the phone.
Taking a second to wipe his hands on a shop rag, Luke took the phone wondering what was up since Dixie wasn't one to call him a lot if he was doing something, "Hey, Hon what's up?"
Dixie tried to sound calm, "Darlin' you know the walls and phones have ears of their own. You need to get that brother of mine home pronto but you bring him."
Luke frowned. He knew Dixie, what she said didn't worry him. It was everything that she wasn't saying that was setting off bells in his head. "Got ya."
Bo seen Luke tense at what ever Dixie had told him.
As Dixie hung up the phone she was trying to figure out where Jesse would be. It was mid afternoon and he was likely up at still sight number three. She knew she could get her car up to the flat. It had been there before, but then there was a 'hike' to the still area from there. She could wait on Luke or go herself. She decided to go as far as the flat area of the site, and call Jesse on the CB from there. She went back to where Beth was sitting with Daisy in her old room Dixie said, "Luke is bringing Cooter. I'm gonna go up to still site #3 and get Uncle Jesse."
"Dixie, Luke will throw a fit if you go up there it's a pretty good 'hike; up to the site from the flat." Daisy said from relaxing in the bed.
"I ain't gonna take that 'hike' I am gonna stop at the flat and call Uncle Jesse on the CB and hope he's listenin'." Dixie replied and added, "I'll be right back."
Daisy knew the still sight as good as the boys. She was starting to feel some pains that were a bit more than a bit uncomfortable as she was used to. "Still, ... say, ... he'll have, ... one more, ... fit." She gasped to get out as she clinched the sheets.
That was more than enough to tell Dixie that she should have already left. Looking to Beth she said, "I'll be back."
At the garage, Luke tossed the shop rag to Cooter, "It don't look like this is gonna get done today Ol' Buddy."
Cooter caught the rag but didn't use it as he asked, "Why not?"
"Looks like you're gonna be a daddy real soon."
With those words Cooter was halfway to the wrecker wiping his hands on the rag, Luke and Bo both took off after him Luke caught up to his friend grabbing his arm, "C'mon let's go in the General me and Bo will take you."
By this time Bo had caught up and the two propelled their mechanic friend to the orange stock car.
Meanwhile, Dixie was almost to the still site. She had turned off the main road and was just topping out at the flat only to see the old pick up setting before her. That meant Jesse wouldn't have a CB with him. She knew the only thing she could do was to walk up to the sight. Parking the car, she got out and began walking as quickly as she dared while trying not to over do it as she walked the hidden path up the mountain toward the still. Coming up to the big oak tree she slowed and looked for the trip line. Stepping carefully over it to keep from alarming Jesse, Dixie again started on up the mountain. She was close enough to see Jesse filling the last of the jugs from his batch. Only then did she speak in a hushed tone in case anyone was around, "Uncle Jesse."
Jesse may have looked like he was busy with his work and didn't hear the things around him but he looked up hearing Dixie's hushed voice and met her halfway, "Dixie what are you doing up here girl?"
"Daisy's water broke not long ago." Dixie explained in a hushed voice still.
Jesse replied nodding, "We've likely got a while if it's just broke." giving Dixie a few more minutes to rest they started back down the hill at the bottom Jesse getting in the pick up and Dixie back in her car.
Dixie hoped Jesse was right, but she actually hoped to beat Luke back to the farm. She doubted it even though she and Jesse were closer to the farm. The guys had the advantage of the General Lee.
Beth heard the General Lee roaring into the yard and knew Bo was driving.
After a screeching halt the three young men came crashing into the house.
Cooter going right to Daisy's side, "Daisy Darlin' are you ok?"
"I'm fine sugar." smiling Daisy replied pulling him to her for a gentle kiss.
Luke looked around then asked, "Where's Dixie?"
Beth bit her lip as she replied, "She went to get Uncle Jesse at the still site."
"She what? Uncle Jesse's working at site #3 today. That's at least a quarter of a mile from the flat to the site!" Luke exclaimed.
Beth said, "She said she was going to the flat and radio Jesse from there."
"He parks at the flat." Luke said tensely.
Before Beth had a chance to say anything else the back door opened and Luke took off in that direction, ignoring Jesse as he passed him, Luke grabbed Dixie by the shoulders when their paths met, "What were you thinking? Uncle Jesse parks at the flat and its a quarter of a mile walk to the still!"
"Someone had to go get him, Daisy needed him and I took it slow." Dixie argued but Luke wasn't having any of it as he sat her in a chair in the living room.
"You shouldn't have went. Bo could have went to get Jesse while I brought Cooter home." Luke stated.
"I noticed 'both' vehicles out there as we pulled up. So I take it that you thought to send Bo for Jesse?" Dixie asked sarcastically. "Besides, exercise happens to be good for us both."
Luke looked at the floor defeatidly. No he hadn't stop to think to send Bo for Jesse, …. and he should have. He dropped down on his knee, "Are you both alright?"
"I'm good. I've walked that hill a couple of times before you know." Dixie said.
Luke nodded, "I remember. You're certain?"
Dixie replied, "My back is just a bit tired. The last time I walked that hill I'll admit I was a bit lighter."
Luke stood back up directing Dixie to the couch, "I'll rub it for you." Sitting down on the couch with Dixie, Luke kissed Dixie's neck as he rubbed her back slowly, "Promise you won't walk that hill again, I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you or the baby."
Dixie sighed the back rub felt so good, "I promise, not to walk the hill again as long as Beth or Daisy don't need Uncle Jesse." She thought it was a fair compromise but Luke didn't agree.
He insisted, "No, not at all Dixie, promise me."
Dixie wasn't in the mood to debate this right now. In fact at the moment she was pretty sure this would be a mute point as she was feeling a lot of pressure in her lower abdomen which was what was making her back hurt. Dixie knew better than to tell Luke all that. She had heard of men taking their pregnant women for rides on bumpy roads to speed up deliveries. She could at least hope the walk may do the same for her. "Ok, I promise at least until after the baby comes. Come on let's go check on Daisy."
Luke got up, pulling Dixie up with him, his irritation at Dixie over shadowed for now by his concern for Daisy, "Alright."
In Daisy's room Jesse was just finishing checking her out, "Well, we will have us company before daybreak but it's still gonna be a while."
"Well, I guess Doc was right then when he said that was my last vis, ... it." Daisy said as a contraction began.
Hearing Doc mentioned, Cooter said, "Doc said we should give him a call and he'd come out just in case..."
"Well, if you're gonna call let him know it's gonna still be awhile." Jesse cautioned.
Cooter nodded as he headed to the phone only to be stopped by Bo, "I'll call. Stay with Daisy."
"Is there anything I can do or get for ya Daisy?" Dixie was looking for a distraction from what she was feeling about now. Her stomach was as hard as a rock at times and the pressure she was feeling as she stood and walked made her sure that her bones were rubbing against each other, yet she really wasn't in any pain and her water hadn't broken.
Daisy shook her head 'no', "No thanks Dixie I'm fine for now."
Bo came back into the room saying, "Doc said give him a call when it was a little closer to time and he'd come out."
A few hours later the excitement was wearing off and the work was about to begin for the Duke household.
Dixie was curled on the couch on Luke's shoulder and was lightly napping while Luke sat watching her. He had his hand on her stomach and could feel the muscle tighten and loosen but apparently Dixie couldn't feel this.
Cooter hadn't left Daisy's side as her pains were getting closer together and harder to manage.
Jesse looked at Cooter as another pain built less than a minute after the last, "It's time to call Doc. I'll tell them to call."
This particular pain took Daisy by surprise. She cried out with the pain.
Bo and Beth were laying on their bed dozing, both of them sat up like being shot out of a cannon when they heard Daisy cry out.
"Something must be about to happen." Bo said getting to his feet hurrying out of the room with Beth following behind as fast as she could manage, going right to Daisy's door Bo asked, "Is something wrong?"
"No, but you better call Doc now, it won't been too much longer." Jesse answered calmly.
Bo turned not realizing that Beth was behind him. He nearly bowled her over as he was going for the phone. Stopping on his tip toes he said, "Sorry Beth. Didn't know you was that close. I got to call Doc!"
Jesse seen Bo's panic, "Bo there is time, just get him coming this way."
Bo nodded, "Right."
Luke was trying to get up to see what was going on but Dixie seemed to be having problems getting up and she was blocking Luke from getting up.
Bo came rushing into the living room and grabbed the phone, ...
Luke said, "Bo I could use a hand here."
Bo replied as he dialed Doc's number, "I can't Luke I got to call Doc."
Now Luke really wanted up, but with Dixie the way she was he couldn't get up and neither could she, so they had to wait for Bo to get off the phone which was only a couple of minutes but seemed like an eternity to Luke before Bo finally gave Luke a hand getting him up so that he could help Dix up. "Thanks Bo, we'll be right there."
Luke held out his hand to help Dixie get off the soft couch that had 'eaten' them.
Dixie took his hand and scooted up to get her feet on the floor finally. Pulling on Luke's hand she was finally able to stand as she attempted to take a step she felt an urgent need to go to the bathroom as well as what felt like her bones rubbing against each other, not to mention her lower back was still killin' her. Dixie was starting to rethink her nature walk earlier up that hill, "I'll be right there." she said heading for the bathroom before Luke could ask if anything was wrong.
"How are ya Daisy?" Luke asked from the doorway of the bedroom, to which Daisy replied trying to control her breathing, "I'm...o...k.".
Luke wasn't so sure she was and come to think of it Cooter didn't look well himself. Luke saw Cooter switch hands and let Daisy hold the right hand as he held the left one down to his side and shake out the kinks Daisy had put in it.
Jesse told Daisy to breath through the contraction. The more he told Daisy to breath the more Cooter was breathing in and out rapidly. Jesse said, "Breath, breath, breath, ..." Seeing the look on Cooter's face, "NOT you Cooter! You're gonna hyperventilate!"
In the bathroom it felt as if Dixie had been there forever and was still going! She almost wondered if her water had broken, but it hadn't. As she walked to Daisy's room she felt as if she were waddling like a duck - a big, ... fat, ... pregnant DUCK!" As soon as Dixie got to Daisy's room they all heard Doc come in the front door without even knocking, Bo had told him just to let himself in. "How are you feeling Daisy?"
"I'm ok Doc." Daisy replied as she breathed through another contraction.
Jesse was at the end of the bed and looked at Doc, "Everything is looking good Doc but go ahead and check for yourself."
Doc smiled taking Jesse's place at the end of the bed, "I'm sure it's all just fine Jesse, your one of the best midwives in the county." Doc replied.
Beth rubbed her lower back, she was beginning to feel a little pressure there but figured she was just needing a rest which she wasn't going to get until after Daisy delivered.
Doc took the opportunity to check Daisy out and said, "Yes, everything looks as if you are progressing just fine. Jesse this is your 'baby' as they say. I'm just here to help or if there is any complications which there shouldn't be. We should have us another little Davenport here oh, by morning anyway."
Daisy said astonished, "By MORNING?"
"Yes, by morning." Doc replied then continued, "The first baby often takes a little longer to arrive than those that come after it."
Daisy still looked astonished she had thought as soon as her water broke it would only be a few hours at most.
Cooter told her, "You're doing just fine, Honey. Everything will be alright."
Daisy said between contractions, "I thought it would be sooner. I've been at this for hours now. And, what do you mean 'those that come after!"
"Daisy just calm down and breath you haven't been at it as long as you think." Jesse spoke to his niece in the calm patient way he was known for.
Daisy tried to do as her Uncle Jesse said as another contraction came.
Doc answered her question with a slight chuckle, "The babies that usually follow the first one in time."
Daisy looked at Cooter her blue eyes glinting seriously, "There won't be anymore Doc."
Cooter knew it was just the pain talking but he wisely kept his mouth shut just the same.
Luke looked at Cooter with a grin that said he 'felt' for his brother-in-law right about now.
Dixie seen the look that Luke gave Cooter. Dixie said in a low voice hoping that no one else in the room heard her other than Luke, but unfortunately she forgot that she can't whisper, "Luke Duke I'll tell you now, if you want a son, you better hope this is it because I agree with Daisy." Dixie heard herself say it and at the moment meant it, even though she was proud to be carrying Luke's child. She wasn't sure where the thought came from.
Cooter returned the look of 'feeling' at Luke to which Bo smirked at the both of them wrapping his arm around Beth only to have it pushed away as she said, "Don't count yourself lucky...yet the jury's still out!" Beth replied giving Bo 'the look' which made him drop his eyes to the floor it seemed all the women were against them now, although he couldn't vouch for Daisy he was certain Dixie had fun getting pregnant and he KNEW Beth had. She added, "And you can wipe that grin off your face too."
Doc and Jesse exchanged a knowing look. They both knew that once the three girls held those babies they would forget not only the pain from the labor but the discomforts of pregnancy and the three households would likely have more than their share of little ones running around before they knew it.
Luke seen that Dixie's hand that had rested on her tummy since even before she confirmed she was pregnant had moved from her tummy and recently her side was now lower as she rubbed her lower abdomen below the baby. He had felt the increased frequency of it tightening as she slept on the couch. "Doc how healthy is exercise in this stage of pregnancy?" He asked with concern.
Dixie glared at him, not realizing that her hand was giving her new feelings away.
"Some exercise is ok, Luke but too much could cause the baby to be born so it is a good idea not to do anything strenuous." Doc said.
Luke nodded then looked at Dixie with an, 'I told you so.' look.
Dixie said, "But Doc I've heard of husbands taking their wives on bumpy rides and long walks to speed up delivery...is that true?"
Doc nodded, "Yes, it is true but that is usually only after the baby is a couple weeks late."
The thought of the babies being late made both Dixie and Beth pale drastically but it made Daisy glad that she was already in labor she didn't think she could have waited much longer.
Doc knew the couples well and asked, "Why do you ask Luke?"
"So a walk up that consisted of a 1/4 mile up a mountain and a 1/4 mile back down would be 'over doing it' to say the least?" Luke asked as Dixie glared at him. Neither would say that Jesse had been at a still and she had went for him there.
Dixie defended, "I took it slow and didn't over do it."
Doc looked at Luke, hoping for more information.
There was no more information forth coming though from the young couple so Doc asked, "Just when did you take this little excursion Dixie?"
Dixie didn't reply right away so Luke decided to answer for her, "It was earlier today Doc."
"Have you had any early symptoms of labor Dixie? I need to know this could be important we might just have two babies by tomorrow night instead of one." Doc explained.
Dixie paled at the thought after seeing what Daisy was going through.
Luke looked at Doc in surprise.
Doc began, "We've talked about the Braxton Hicks contractions and I know you've been having them awhile now..."
Dixie nodded in confirmation.
"Have you had a backache? Any abdominal aches?" Doc asked. He knew about the Braxton Hicks contractions and may be able to add this sudden 'walk in the park' to added extra energy that some women get.
Dixie tried to answer honestly but down play things as much as she could, "My back has been hurting for awhile now. Abdominal aches? No, nothing I've noticed."
Doc looked at Luke as Luke was looking at him. Luke then looked toward her hand on her lower abdomen.
Dixie looked down at her hand on her abdomen then back at Doc, "Not pains exactly Doc but discomfort and it's been a little worse since taking that walk. I went to the bathroom earlier and thought I'd never stop." Dixie blushed a deep red admitting the last in a room full of people.
"Well, since you have this patient all taken care of Jesse, I'll just busy myself with checking out Dixie here." Doc said, "That is if it is Ok with you?"
Luke spoke for her, "Yes, of course it is."
Dixie rolled her eyes at Luke and replied, "Sure Doc, but I'm fine."
After a complete exam, Doc said to Luke, "She is good. You can stop worrying."
To which Dixie promptly stuck out her tongue at Luke, behind Doc's back of course.
"However, since I seen you earlier today I do notice that you have started to dilate quite a bit more than earlier, so while you didn't do any harm with the walk, you have likely set things in motion which is why you are feeling pressure on the ligaments in your abdomen. I also notice quite a bit of swelling in your feet and legs." Doc explained, "I think you can easy much of this as well as the back pain if you find a comfy position with your feet up and relax. Especially, if you want to be around for the birth of your niece or nephew."
"But, Doc." Dixie began to object...
"No buts Dixie." Luke said firmly before Doc could respond, continuing Luke added, "Either you take it easy like Doc suggests or ya can go to bed and miss the birth."
Dixie sighed flopping down on the bed with a pout, "Happy?" she asked Luke sarcastically.
Luke looked at Doc. He had heard what Doc said and knew Dixie was taking it overboard, "No. You heard what Doc said. I know where a nice recliner is in the living room or I'll make you comfy in the rocker in Daisy's room. That is unless you are really that tired and want to try to sleep?"
"No. I'm not tired." Dixie said setting up as quickly as she had layed down. As she stood a rather sharp pain hit her in the muscles and ligaments of her abdomen nearly taking her to her knees as she grabbed the bedpost to keep from falling to her knees.
Both Luke and Doc stepped to steady her.
Both Dixie's hands went to her abdomen as she felt them steady her. She gasped as the muscles tightened.
Doc advised, "Steady. Breath. Just stay calm." He saw a look of fear on Luke's face as he talked to Dixie. "When this passes, we'll get you comfy and your feet up. This should relieve the pressure you're feeling. I really don't think that this is it."
Dixie didn't believe it one bit, how did Doc know anyway it wasn't his body that pains was shooting through like needles. Up until now, Dixie had thought everything was fine and normal, but that last pain got her attention! "How do you know that?" She glared at Doc.
Doc took it in stride as he seen Luke about to say something to his wife, "I don't know it. But, I've been on this side of pregnancy a few more times than you have been on that side of it."
Hearing Doc's scolding words, Dixie was about to apologize when they heard a cry from Daisy in the other room.
Luke more so than Doc was torn between his cousin that was more like his sister and his wife of nearly six months. He looked at Doc for direction.
"Sounds like we're getting closer to some company from Daisy, it's still alright if you want to go rest in the rocking chair, Dixie." Doc replied heading for Daisy's room.
Luke frowned as Dixie started to follow despite doc's comforting words he was still worried and voiced that worry to his wife, "I think you should rest and then you can go in later and see the baby when it gets here."
"You heard Doc, everything is fine." Dixie argued standing up a little straighter heading for Daisy's room.
Luke may not agree with Doc or Dixie's decision, but he went with her to steady her in case another pain hit her. Luke still couldn't figure out why Dixie was having so many 'problems' and Daisy was fine up until her water broke. Beth seemed to be having no problems at all.
Once settled with her feet elevated as Doc wanted Dixie felt better, though she did feel that she resembled a beached whale.
Daisy suddenly got the room's attention, "This is it! It is coming. I've got to push."
Jesse instructed, "Breath Daisy. Just breath until I can check you."
Daisy was trying to follow Jesse's instructions but the overwhelming 'need' to push was over taking her, "I can't do this! I've GOT to PUSH!"
Jesse remained calm, "Breath in your nose and out your mouth. Breath, Blow, Breath, Blow." He instructed as he checked her. "Doc."
Doc was close by and nodded, 'Ok'.
Daisy was adamant, "I can't. I've got to push!"
Jesse finally told her, "Ok, with the next contraction push. Take a deep breath and PUSH"
Daisy had felt nothing as satisfying as when she bared down with the next contraction. As the contraction went away, she took in several hurried breaths before the next pain hit her. "Ahhhh!"
Jesse directed, "Push."
The repeated pushing with the following contractions were not nearly as satisfying as the first had been especially when Daisy realized she would be doing this for sometime yet.
Beth was watching all that was going on in the room, rubbing her abdomen just the thought that she would be going through the same thing in the not so far off future made her hurt.
Bo saw her rubbing her abdomen, his only thought was, 'Oh no all three of them.' he was sure that Beth was going into labor too.
Jesse's next comment got everyone's attention, "I see the head. It won't be long now."
Cooter couldn't help but look as he let Daisy squeeze his now numb hand. At the sight of the top of his child's head nearing the world Cooter suddenly got very woozy and the world around him started to swim but he refused to pass out as he shook his head and sat back again.
Daisy was breathing hard in and out as Jesse had instructed but managed to ask, "How...much...longer?"
"Just a couple of more pushes Daisy girl, you can do it." Jesse sensed the next contraction as Daisy felt it and said, "Push!"
Pushing with all her might, Daisy had the bed sheets wrapped tightly in the other hand.
Sensing that Daisy was close and feeling a bit better, Dixie put her feet down and turned to watch the the birth.
Daisy cried out in anguish as the contraction died and she was not closer to delivery that she was before.
Jesse reached Cooter a glass of shine, "Help her drink this."
Cooter frowned.
Doc nodded, 'yes'. "It will easy her pain and the little one will be here so soon that it won't reach it."
Being thirsty and in need of pain relief Daisy forgot the punch the shine had as she gulped down the contents. She gasped for air like a fish out of water as the contents burnt all the way down. Now feeling a warm tingle through out her body she asked, "Can I have some more?" Then, the next contraction began.
Before, Jesse could answer about the shine, Daisy was baring down again with all her might without even being told to push.
After a few long minutes she relaxed as Jesse said, "Good Daisy, now once more to get the after birth." he handed the baby to Doc to clean off as Daisy pushed again the after birth coming next.
Doc looked at Cooter, "You have yourself a fine little boy here. Do you want to cut the cord?"
Cooter looked from his wife to the tiny bundle in Doc's hands to where the cord entered his wife's body. He replied, "Uh, ... well I'd like to Doc but I don't think I'd better." his hand was still numb from Daisy squeezing it so hard and he wasn't sure he could hold onto anything to cut the cord.
Doc put the scissors in his hand, "Cut right here."
Cooter made the cut as the cords were tied.
Everyone took turns hold and making of the baby as well as congratulating Daisy and Cooter.
It was after dawn before any of the house was settled enough for sleep. Luke held Dixie and kissed her, "I was afraid we was gonna have us a visitor by this time there for awhile."
"Sorry about that." Dixie said. "I don't want to do nothing to put us in danger but I'm ready to get this over with though, seeing what Daisy went through I'm a bit scared."
Luke hugged Dixie to him, kissing her head, "You'll be fine and so will the baby."
Dixie hugged Luke taking a deep breath letting it out slowly another pain going through her.
"Are you alright Darlin?" Luke asked stroking her side.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Dixie replied getting as comfortable as possible after the pain subsided.
Luke layed away a long while waiting for Dix to tell him she needed Jesse or Doc, but it didn't happen. He woke a bit later as Jesse knocked on the door reminding him of the yet undone chores. Luke tore himself away from Dixie, kissed her forehead and dressed for the day. Once in the living room he heard the tiny cries from a hungry baby coming from Daisy's room. Luke smiled to himself as he heard the baby's cries cease to be replaced by Daisy singing quietly as she fed the infant.
In Bo and Beth's room it was taking Bo a little longer to get motivated to start the day as usual, "I don't wanna get up." Bo groaned it seemed like he'd hardly slept any at all.
Beth kissed him deeply for a few seconds then pulled back with a smirk, "How's that get your motor running?"
"C'mere and I'll show you." Bo growled playfully as he gently took Beth in his arms returning the kiss. Bo let his hands wander over his wife's now very pregnant body. He smiled as her body reacted to his touch as his kisses left her mouth and began to move toward her swollen breasts. He was glad that Doc hadn't put a halt to this activity because he knew that after the baby came there would be a 'dry' spell. Bo wasn't looking forward to that as he entered his wife who was being very responsive to his touches. Bo prayed that Jesse nor Luke missed him for at least a few minutes.
Beth was enjoying Bo's touches and needed him nearly as bad as the first time they had made love. She felt her body responding to his touches. Her senses seemed to be more intense, she was nearly over the edge and so was Bo.
Bo worked on hold back until Beth was over the edge. He began kissing her breasts getting a sweet sticky taste in his mouth as he felt Beth tense in pleasure he let himself go only to feel Beth tense with a contraction. Bo cursed as he felt the contraction, he didn't want to hurt Beth or the baby but he couldn't stop not now. Beth's pleasure was interrupted by the contraction as well.
After it was over, Beth gasped, "Maybe this ain't such a good idea until after the baby comes."
Bo nearly cursed again the 'dry' spell he knew was going to come was going to begin a little earlier than he thought and last longer than he had thought. Bo replied, "If that's what you want Darlin', but Doc said we could as long as there was no problems or your water hadn't broken." He squeezed her breast as he kissed it, only now did he realize that what he had tasted was pre-milk.
Luke picked this moment to knock on the door and say, "Bo get a move on."
Bo replied, "Coming." As he was setting up another contraction hit Beth.
These contractions were not hurting badly but she felt she needed to concentrate on relaxing and wasn't able to talk through them as she had been able to in the past.
Bo paused in getting up and getting dressed seeing Beth tense then try to relax as another contraction hit, "I'm gonna stay here with you, Luke and Uncle Jesse can do the chores without me."
Beth shook her head breathing through the last of the contraction then said, "No you got work to do I'm fine, Luke hasn't been staying with Dixie and she's been having 'problems' for a while now."
Bo frowned he didn't like it one bit, although he tried not to show it, Bo worried almost constantly about Beth and the baby which is what had prompted him to ask Doc if it was ok to make love to his wife. "I'm gonna tell Jesse that you are havin' pains and have him come check you."
Beth blushed crimson, "YOU will NOT! Bo I'm taking a shower before anybody knows anything. Got me!" Beth snapped.
Bo didn't say anything to that except, "I better get or Luke'll be in here to get me for chores." Hurrying out the door Bo wasted no time going to the kitchen.
In the kitchen Jesse was frying eggs as Bo came in he looked up, "Its about time you got a move on."
Bo had the good graces to blush, "Uh, ... Uncle Jesse could you check Beth she is having a few contractions."
Jesse nodded flipping an egg, "In just a minute."
Bo didn't want Beth to get the chance to 'get away' so he said, "Can't you do it now?"
Jesse turned off the stove and went to the bedroom with Bo following as they entered Beth was about to go take a shower, "Bo says your having some contractions this morning and he wants me to check ya."
Beth didn't even acknowledge that Jesse had said anything other than to give Bo a deadly look.
Bo ducked at the look his wife had given him. He knew if looks could kill he'd be dead right now.
Jesse seen the exchange between the young couple and asked, "What is going on here?"
Bo and Beth both blushed crimson neither one looking at Jesse.
"Well one of you tell me, I got to finish making breakfast." Jesse fumed.
Bo run his finger around his open collar speaking so low Jesse almost couldn't hear him standing right beside Bo, "We were foolin' around and when we were almost at the end, Beth had a contraction."
Beth wished the floor would open up and swallow her about right now.
In Jesse's time he'd seen and heard a lot. This information wasn't new to him nor the fact that this sort of activity could bring on labor this late in the pregnancy. He understood Beth's embarrassment. "How many pains have you had and how far apart?"
Beth said, "Two pretty strong ones. Maybe ten minutes a, ... parrrtttt. Make, ... that THREE!" She tried to breath through the pain.
Jesse had already pulled out his pocket watch. "Just get comfortable, Beth. I'm gonna time your pains a bit."
Beth really wanted a shower, but thought that maybe if she listened the pains would go away and the milder ones had been doing lately. Satisfied that Beth was not going to have the baby now, Bo went to the kitchen for breakfast and to do the chores.
Beth was not happy about still not getting her shower but, none the less she did as Jesse said and layed quietly in bed, the pains came and went first close together around 5 minutes apart then further apart at 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes then back to 5 minutes again. After some time, Beth wasn't sure when exactly but they had stopped altogether.
In the kitchen, Luke said, "You ready to go and where is Jesse?"
"I'm not ready to leave the house at all, but since I got to I'm gonna do what I can to be close today. Jesse is with Beth, she was havin' pains this morning." Bo paused after letting all that information out far too quickly," Luke I think I might have caused her to go into labor."
Luke frowned, "Bo you can't 'cause' that. What make you think you did?"
Bo looked down at the floor and didn't reply, it was bad enough admitting that to Jesse but he didn't want to tell it a second time.
Luke waited but saw no answer coming so he prompted, "Well, what gives you the silly notion that you caused it?"
Bo blushed answering, "We was foolin' around, Doc said it was ok but I don't think it was."
Luke whistled softly then patted Bo on the shoulder, "If Doc said it was ok, then it's ok, don't worry Bo. They won't have those babies until it is time for them to."
Jesse had noticed the contractions stop for now as Beth was drifting back off to sleep. Being as they had all been up late with Daisy he left her to sleep as he started back through the house and heard the last part of Luke's conversation, "Right! and now that's settled, we can get some work done. Beth is fine. She is asleep now."
Dixie came into the kitchen slowly. Having heard part of the conversation and seeing breakfast not finished, "What's wrong with Beth?" she said as she move to the stove to finish breakfast.
Luke replied, "Jesse said she is fine and back asleep. We'll be close. Just yell if you need us and don't be doing a lot of walking today."
Dixie pretended to be irritated, rolling her eyes, "Ok."
Luke kissed her lightly giving her rear a light swat, "I mean it, take it easy today."
Jesse smiled to himself the young'uns was what kept him feeling young he couldn't be happier about the little one in Daisy's room or the two on the way. It did his heart good to see his boys especially becoming responsible. He always knew Daisy would be alright, but the boys wildness had bothered him. Yet, he had never in a million years seen Daisy with Cooter DAVENPORT, let alone havin' his child. But, if that's what made his girl happy, he couldn't argue. He followed the boys out to get the morning chores done a bit late today.
Things went on as usual for the next few days, Beth and Dixie continued to have pains from time to time but three days later there was still no more new additions to the family, Dixie was beginning to contemplate another walk to speed things up a bit and Beth was more than willing for more than one reason to see if Bo could be successful in starting labor.
The house was quiet as everyone turned in Tuesday night. In Dixie and Luke's room she was having problems getting comfortable. "I feel like a beached whale."
Luke turned to her, "You are not a whale, beached or otherwise."
"But I'm fat." Dixie complained.
"You are not." Luke said kissing her neck.
Dixie took his hands and placed them on her where Luke began exploring. Dixie loved his touch and knew she had started it but said as he started to enter her, "With as much pressure as I've had there I hope there is room for you."
Luke replied, "There will be." As he continued he did notice a change in his wife's body. "You're sure about this? When do you see Doc again?"
"Positive and Friday." Dixie pulled him closer as she wrapped around him.
Several hours later Dixie felt enough discomfort to wake her up. Her stomach was tight, her breathing labored, she had already squirmed enough to have the covers nearly off the bed.
Dixie wasn't the only one not sleeping well, Beth had trouble falling asleep she just couldn't get comfortable and now she was awake and uncomfortable again.
Luke woke as he felt a draft on his body that the cover had been covering, it was enough to rouse him from his slumber. "Dixie what's the matter is it the baby?" Luke asked trying not to panic as his wife's labored breathing pierced his sleep fogged brain.
Dixie gasped, "Yeah... I'm fine...just...having more...of them pains...and...uncomfortable."
Luke sprang to his feet pulling on his underwear, "I'll get Uncle Jesse to come check on ya." Dixie's appointment wasn't until Friday but Doc had said when he was there to see Daisy and the baby that it could be anytime.
Dixie tried to stop Luke, "Don't wake Uncle Jesse up. It's gone. Took me by surprise and woke me up. Let's just wait a bit. I'll turn over. Maybe that will ease them up."
Luke stopped getting dressed, "Ok, but they keep it up I'm getting Jesse."
Dixie said, "I actually wished they wouldn't stop. I'm getting tired of thinking the baby is coming only to be told it's not." The pains did ease as Dixie turned over only to return a while later with a vengeance at least that's what Dixie thought.
Luke woke just before dawn as Dixie curled up in the bed groaning, "I'm getting Jesse." before Dixie could catch her breath and protest Luke was dressed and out the door.
Jesse followed Luke back into the room a few minutes later, "Alright Dixie let's see if this is it." Jesse said calmly trying to get Dixie to roll over on her back.
"You need to roll over on your back honey so Uncle Jesse can check you."
Dixie shook her head breathing in and out, in and out, "I don't think this is it but I wished it was."
Finally Dixie managed to roll over so Jesse could check her, "Not yet." Jesse said to her with an apologetic look as he finished checking her. This was to go on for the remainder of the week some times the pain seeming like nothing at all like before and sometimes even Jesse wasn't sure that it wasn't real labor.
With broken sleep and little rest, by Thursday morning Dixie was anything but pleasant. She was tired, restless, and down right miserable. It was just before dawn when she had to go to the bathroom again. As she walked the pressure in her lower abdomen was much worse than it had been. Wearily, she made her way to the bathroom and turned on the light. After-wards she noticed she had 'spotted', that was at least encouraging, but she wasn't havin' any contractions at all just a constant pressure. As Dixie opened the bathroom door she felt a contraction coming on. Usually they didn't bother her too badly so she started down the hallway. Her stomach was rock hard, her breathing became labored as she stopped to hold onto the wall just outside her bedroom door.
In Cooter and Daisy's room, Daisy was feeding the baby. Cooter had watched for awhile but was heading to the bathroom. He opened the door to see Dixie almost doubled over and breathing very hard her hand resting on her stomach, "Dixie?" Cooter asked in alarm but Dixie couldn't catch her breath long enough to answer. Cooter flung open Luke and Dixie's bedroom door as he carried Dixie inside, "I think ya about to be a Daddy, Lucas."
Luke had been sleeping well, but he was now wide awake seeing Cooter holding a panting Dixie in his arms. "What happened?"
Dixie managed to get out, "Put, ... me down."
Cooter took her to her side of the bed and put her on her feet.
Dixie finally got her breath and moved to the side of the bed attempting to fix the covers that were in disarray.
Luke had managed to get his jeans on after receiving a glared from his brother in law for his choice of sleeping apparel, none. Luke started around the bed, "Honey I'll get this."
Dixie was trying to breath with the pain, she was now clutching the blanket, as she gasped from the sudden pain as she heard the liquid splash on the hardwood floor.
Luke, looked down then back at Cooter, "Go get Uncle Jesse we's likely gonna have us a baby sometime in the real near future."
Cooter nodded and hurried from the room.
"Just lay down here and try to relax." Luke said helping Dixie into bed.
Dixie said after getting her breath, "Not soon enough for me. Ya'll can't tell me this ain't it this time."
Jesse hurried into the room nearly being pushed by Cooter. He checked Dixie, "Ok, Dixie, you're only at a 4 but with your water breaking you're stuck right there in bed until that little one decides to arrive."
It was a good twenty minutes before the next pain hit. In between them she was fine. During them she struggled to breath instead of yelling like she felt like doing.
Luke was by Dixie's side holding her hand through each contraction he was amazed at the grip his wife had in her delicate hand then he remembered all the hours she'd spent working at the garage so of course her strength was built up.
Even though the walls of the house were thin, Bo slept hard. It was unusual that he woke up on his own without Luke or Jesse knocking on the door. It was light enough outside that they should have woke him up by now. He let Beth sleep and started down the hallway.
Just as Bo got even with Luke and Dixie's door her heard Dixie let loose one of the screams she'd been fighting to contain nearly making him jump out of his skin at the unexpectedness of the sound.
"I need to push! Please?" Dixie practically begged Jesse.
Jesse however, took it in stride, shaking his head 'no', "Not just yet." He replied looking up at her from the end of the bed.
Luke asked, "Should I call Doc?"
Jesse knew Dixie was no where close. It was going to be a long day. "I'll do it. Stay with her." Jesse called Doc, "Doc, this is Jesse. Dixie's water broke earlier. She is only at about a 4 so there should be plenty of time."
Doc replied, "Alright, I'll be there in a bit. Call me back if anything changes."
"Thanks Doc." Jesse said. When Jesse came back in, Dixie was complaining of her back hurting. Jesse checked her and said, "If you want to make this go a bit quicker you can get your robe on and Luke will help you take a walk around the house if you feel like it."
"Anything to ease my back." Dixie was reaching for Luke's hand.
Luke gave Dixie his hand, helping her out of the bed and into her robe. "Alright take it slow now." Luke cautioned nearly guiding Dixie who was feeling just a little cranky.
"I'll be fine Luke." Dixie grumbled as Luke tried to guide her, "Why don't you just stick a sign on my back that says wide load!"
Luke looked at Jesse nearly ready to let Dixie walk on her own.
Jesse shook his head 'no'. He was watching his pocket watch and unless he missed his guess,... which he didn't.
Dixie stopped in mid step. She turned to Luke, who was still holding her, and held him tightly nearly as tightly as she was holding her breath.
Jesse coached, "Just take it easy and breath. You've got to breath through these."
Dixie wasn't sure she could breath through them. It felt better to be out of bed but the contraction was putting pressure on her lower back.
Jesse watched Dixie hold onto Luke, and saw her beginning to relax as the contraction eased, "Just keep walking a little and we'll have us another little one real soon."
"I sure hope so, this is helping my back feel a little better until a contraction comes." Dixie replied.
Luke was also wishing it was over for many reasons of his own one being the death grip Dixie had on him every time she had a contraction he felt like she was going to crush his bones.
Jesse said as he moved out the bedroom door ahead of the couple, "Now, just don't over do it. Take you a break now and then or get back in bed. Just stay as comfortable as you can. I'm gonna go finish breakfast and I'll fix you some clear liquids to keep up your strength."
Dixie said in a low voice, "I know he means well, but clear liquids? Yuck!"
Luke hid his smile, "As soon as this is over I'll get ya whatever you want to eat."
Placing her hand on her very pregnant waist line, "I think I'll need to go on a diet when this is over. Could you believe I weighed ten pounds more than Beth and nearly fifteen more that Daisy last week?"
Luke had noticed her weight, but had not associated it with Beth and Daisy's, "Really?"
Dixie nodded "I wonder why that is, Daisy was a week further along than me or Beth. Beth and me should have weighed closer together too, after all before we got pregnant all three of us was sharing clothes."
Luke was surprised by this news he really hadn't payed that much attention to comparing the three girl's weight although he had noticed that Dixie was quite a bit larger than either of the other two. "Well Doc has told you more than once that every woman is different and every pregnancy is different in the same woman so I wouldn't worry about it." Luke consoled kissing Dixie's cheek he would be glad when things were back to normal and she wasn't so concerned with her weight.
"I know, but I don't want to loose you because I'm too fat." Dixie said nearly choking on her tears.
Luke hated her tears, "I'm not going anywhere. Besides, all this, ..." he rubbed his hand over her tummy, "Could be the baby and the rest water. You'll be back to your regular size in no time and even if you're not I like you like this." He felt her tummy tensing even before she did. "Uncle Jesse what time is it?"
Jesse looked at his pocket watch and smiled, "About ten minutes later than the last time you asked." As Jesse had hoped, Dixie's pains were getting closer together, but he knew that with her only dilated to a 4 they had a ways to go.
Beth who had miraculously slept through most of what was going on came into the room rubbing her eyes, "What's going on?"
"We's gonna have us another baby sometime today or tonight." Jesse replied.
This got Beth wide awake in a hurry as did the pain in her side that suddenly made its presence known. She rubbed her side as she said, "Really? That's great."
Dixie had made it into the living room and heard Jesse's comment as well as Beth's, "Tonight? That is NOT great Beth! Uncle Jesse you can't be serious. This can't go on that long can it? I mean my water has already broke shouldn't that mean it will be soon."
"Well, it will be sooner than it has been." Jesse said merrily.
At that moment Dixie could have choked the sweet old man that up until now she had loved and trusted. She felt another pain coming and gripped the arm of the chair that was against the wall, breathing through the pain as best she could.
Beth watched all this and hoped it would be sooner than tonight when Dixie had the baby.
As the pain ended, Luke asked, "Can I get you anything?"
Dixie usually drank Coke up until she had started drinking Sprite when she had morning sickness. She replied, "Yeah, I'm thirsty. A Coke would be good."
Luke said, "Ok, I'll be right back."
In the kitchen Luke reached for a Coke only to be stopped by Jesse and handed a Sprite. Luke said, "She wanted a Coke."
Jesse shook his head 'no', "She's too close. She can have anything as long as it is clear."
Luke knew how well this was going to go over even before he took Dixie the Sprite. Luke brought Dixie the Sprite and as he figured she didn't like not getting what she asked for.
"This is Sprite I asked for a Coke!" Dixie complained.
"You can only have clear fluids until the baby comes, I told Luke to give you the Sprite instead of the Coke," Jesse said hearing Dixie's irritated words.
Bo wasn't looking forward to this part of it with Beth, he hoped the labor wouldn't last too long before the delivery.
Beth rubbed her side again as another pain hit this one a little stronger than the last one she hoped they started getting closer together sooner indicating she was in labor.
Dixie sighed took the Sprite and sipped a couple drinks, then set it down on a coaster on the nearby table. She had made a couple trips around the living room and stopped for another drink of Sprite when she noticed Beth rubbing her side, "Beth?"
Beth looked up, "What?"
"Is there anything wrong?" Dixie asked knowing her cousin pretty well.
"No, I'm fine" Beth lied, not wanting to worry Bo.
Bo however, was instantly on alert and was looking at his wife worriedly, "Are you sure your ok? Your rubbing your side does it hurt?"
Beth nodded 'no', "Just a catch is all. ... Must have moved wrong."
Jesse looked at her. Something in the way she was acting wasn't right. Maybe it was the way she answered Bo. He'd have to remember to keep an eye on her, too.
Bo didn't look convinced himself but just then everyone's attention was drawn back to Dixie when she gasped.
"Ya'll got more to be worried about than me." Beth said watching Dixie closely not at all bothered that the attention of Bo and Jesse had been shifted from her back to Dixie.
Jesse had hoped that Dixie walking had sped things up a bit. "Luke let's get her back to ya'lls room and see what's going on."
As soon as Dixie got her breath they headed back to the bedroom.
Jesse asked after she got back in bed, "So how are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling pressure even without the pains, but it's in my back, before it was here." She indicated her lower abdomen.
Jesse figured that with that information the baby was moving into the birth canal. He checked Dixie and said, "You're doing good. Why don't you try to relax maybe even nap some. I'm going send Luke here for something to relax you."
"I don't think I could sleep or relax." Dixie said.
Jesse said, "Well, I'll just stay here with you and Luke is going out to the barn."
Dixie didn't want Luke to leave but trusted Jesse.
Luke went out in the hallway where Bo was.
Bo asked, "Well?"
"You know Jesse. He ain't sayin' much in front of Dix." Luke replied. "Sent me to go get some shine but I'd like to know what's going on."
Bo turned to Beth, "Sugar can you go set with Dix?
Beth went to Dixie and Jesse came out into the hall where Bo and Luke were.
Jesse knew Luke wanted to know what was going on. "They are both fine. She's just not dilating like I'd like. She getting tired and doesn't need to hear that it's going to be awhile yet. Maybe if we get her to relax things will speed up."
Luke replied "I hope your right."
"You want me to go get some shine Luke that way you can stay with Dix?" Bo offered, knowing Luke didn't really want to go to the barn or anywhere else away from Dixie.
"Thanks Bo 'preciate it." Luke said, Jesse had wanted to get Luke out of the house he'd been with Dixie without a break since she started having pains but he also knew it was futile to try and get him out of the house now.
Bo left them in the hall and went out to the barn to get the shine.
Jesse nodded for Bo to go to the barn, as Luke turned to go back in the bedroom Jesse stopped him. "Luke you need a break. It's past lunch and you've not so much as drank a cup of coffee."
"I'm alright. I drank some of Dix's Sprite." Luke said.
"Luke." Jesse said more in that one word than he could have in a entire conversation.
Luke held up his hands in surrender, "I'm not really hungry but if it'll make you happy."
Jesse smiled, "I know you don't think you are and yes it will make me happy."
In the kitchen, instead of fixin' a plate from the breakfast left overs, Luke took a piece of toast and wrapped it around a couple pieces of bacon. He took a bite as Jesse was telling him how important it was for him to eat so he could be there for Dix.
Jesse watched as he got the second bite down as Jesse put a cup of hot coffee on the table only to see Luke bolt out the back door!
Luke ran to the side of the house and threw up the two bites he'd just ate and supper from the night before as well.
In the meantime, Bo had brought the shine back into the house, pouring Luke a cup Jesse handed it to him as he came in the house, "Drink this."
Luke took one sip from the cup of shine and quickly bolted back out the door, Jesse watched him go it was going to be a long day indeed.
Bo looked after Luke and then back to Jesse. He had never seen Luke act like that even after a weekend of jukin'. "What's wrong with Luke, Uncle Jesse?"
"Nerves." was all Jesse said.
Bo frowned. Luke was always the calm cool one of the two. He never let his nerves or emotions bother him. "That's not like Luke at all."
Jesse shook his head 'no', "Nerves from expectin' the first child will do strange things to a man sometimes." Jesse replied.
When Luke came back in the house he didn't even stop in the kitchen just headed back to his and Dixie's room.
Beth was stretched out on Luke's side of the bed relaxing and talking to Dixie when Luke opened the door. Luke let out a sigh of relief when he seen Dixie relaxing and talking with Beth. He stood quietly in the doorway and let them talk.
Dixie soon felt another pain coming on and turned to see Luke.
As she reached out for him, Luke asked Beth how close the pains were now.
Beth replied, "Still about ten minutes apart."
Luke nodded and tried to comfort Dixie. The pains may not be any closer together but seemed to be getting stronger. Luke nodded with a heavy sigh he hoped it was all over soon. The rest of the day was pretty much the same with Dixie's pains not getting any closer together just stronger, Luke wouldn't leave her side for longer than a few minutes at a time no matter how much Jesse tried to get him to.
Around 10 o'clock that night things started speeding up it seemed as Dixie whimpered, "I need to push!"
Jesse shook his head 'no', "You are dilating real good now Dixie it shouldn't be much longer till you are ready to push."
"I hope not this has been the longest day of my life!" Dixie replied she was feeling some relief now that things seemed to be moving along. The baby had moved and given her some relief. Dixie found relative comfort and relaxed during the break between contractions.
Luke asked, "Do you need anything?"
"Anything cold to drink." Dixie said not wanting to move or be bothered this was the best she had felt in hours.
Beth said, "I'll go, Luke." She went to the kitchen and took down a glass. After putting a lot of ice in it she poured it full of Sprite, then picked the glass up to head back to Dixie.
From the bedroom where everyone had gathered, they heard a crash and glass breaking.
Everyone left the bedroom heading for the kitchen when they heard the crash of breaking glass, "Beth leave it honey I'll clean it up." Bo called knowing Beth would be trying to clean up the mess.
However, the sight that greeted him and the rest of the family when they got to the kitchen was Beth holding into the counter top tightly trying to breath. "Bo get her to bed, Luke get Dixie's sprite, Cooter call Doc and tell him Dixie's getting pretty close now if he wants to come out." Jesse calmly directed.
The three young men sprang into action immediately, Cooter hung up the phone and went to find Jesse had just finished checking Beth, "Doc is on his way."
Jesse replied, "Good. Cause it looks like it just may be a toss up as to who delivers first."
Bo exclaimed, "What?"
"How long have you been havin' pains Beth?" Jesse asked.
Beth replied, "Since earlier before lunch but they've gotten worse in the last couple of hours."
Bo looked at Beth with wide eyes demanding, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I knew you'd be like this and everyone was worried about Dixie and I really did just think it was a catch at first."
Bo humphed trying to look mad but what he was really feeling was fear.
"Bo." Jesse scolded, "Beth you may even be closer to delivery than Dixie is, even though your water hasn't broken yet. I'll get Daisy to get some quilts together. Bo can help her get them under you. I'm gonna see about Dixie while they get you ready."
Beth nodded.
Daisy came in a few minutes later with some quilts. "Bo help Beth up so I can get these quilts on the bed."
Bo nodded, instead of helping Beth stand though he simply scooped her up from the bed in his arms and set her in a chair pointing a finger at his wife, "Sit there and don't move!"
"Ok, ok geesh!" Beth grumbled as Bo turned back to the bed, helping Daisy get the quilts down.
Daisy looked at Bo in total surprise at his outburst. "Bo, Sugar, that wasn't very nice." she said gently.
Bo sighed, "You're right Daisy, I'm sorry Beth I'm just worried but that's no reason to get so bent out of shape at you." Bo apologized kissing Beth as he put her back in the bed.
"I'm sorry I scared you. You're right though I should have said something earlier about the pains when they didn't go away." Beth replied.
Dixie was feeling another pain beginning and no one was there with her which if possible, made her hurt worse. She was worried about what was wrong in the kitchen with Beth but surely the rest of the house could have taken care of it without Luke leaving her too. The pain was more unbearable because she was alone. Dixie knew that was silly, but it was. She was balled up clutching the blanket holding her breath hoping the pain would leave and just as she knew she couldn't take anymore she screamed for Luke.
Luke was just stepping through the door seeing his wife doing everything Jesse had told her not to do. He tried to comfort her and get her calmed down and back into a position that would help the baby move down. "Shhhhhh, I'm here. Calm down and breath. Come on breath with me." he said more calmly than he felt as he began to gently turn her back over.
Jesse came in about that time and seen Luke doing exactly what he needed to do. Jesse stood back and watched letting his oldest be the husband he needed to be.
Once the contraction finally ended, Dixie gasped, "You had better have brought me something to drink after leavin' me like that."
Luke picked up the glass from the nightstand.
After several drinks, Dixie asked, "What happened? Is Beth alright?"
"Beth is fine, she had a contraction and she dropped a glass but she's ok," Luke explained rubbing Dixie's back a little.
"Where is she now?" Dixie asked.
"In bed resting, her water hasn't broken yet but Jesse sent her to bed anyway." Luke replied.
Dixie took a deep breath letting it out slowly as another pain hit.
Jesse looked at his watch, this one was five minutes after the other one.
"I'm not sure I can do this anymore." Dixie said before the contraction peaked.
"Yes, you can." Luke said.
Jesse checked her, "You're doing fine. You are at about a 7 now so we'll have us company real soon." It was then that Jesse heard Bo and Daisy call from the other room.
"I'll be right back." Jesse told Dixie and Luke as he left the room going down the hall to Bo and Beth's.
In Bo and Beth's room Beth was holding onto Bo with all her might, her water had just broke.
"Is everything alright?" Jesse asked.
"Beth's water just broke" Daisy said, while Bo helped get Beth situated so that Jesse could check her.
Jesse Duke was a patient man and loved nothing more than bringing a health youngun into the world, but right now he wasn't at all happy with this turn of events. "Beth you'll be feeling an urge to push real soon. When you feel it I need you to breath through it until I check you."
Cooter was standing back and asked, "How can she be this far along and Dixie not be?"
Jesse replied in a low tone for only Cooter to hear, "Dixie is about at the same phase. I can't guess who will go first here." Annoyed at his nephews, he looked at Bo, "Do you have to do everything your cousin does at the exact same time?"
Bo wisely kept his comments to himself, now was not the time to rile Jesse in any way. Bo looked at Jesse with the question in his eyes wondering what was going on.
Jesse motioned him over to a corner out of Beth's earshot, "Beth's already dilated as much as Dixie, so we could have us two babies real soon, I need you to keep Beth as calm as possible."
Bo nodded 'ok' and went back over to Beth's side.
It was just past midnight when Doc pulled up at the Duke farmhouse. When Cooter opened the door even before he got on the porch, Doc figured things weren't good.
"Doc, Jesse is with Beth, I think." Cooter started.
"Hold it a second, you told me Dixie was getting close." Doc said.
Cooter replied, "She is!"
By now Dixie was insistent that Luke go get Jesse, yet she wasn't letting go of his hand for him to go.
"Sweetheart you have to let go of my hand before I can get Jesse." Luke explained.
Dixie slowly let go of Luke's hand, "Hurry." Dixie pleaded.
Luke nodded as he took his hand back and hurried out the door to end up face to face with Doc. Latching onto his hand Luke began, "Dix has been at this since before dawn. I'm not sure what is going on right now but she wants Jesse. Can you stay with her until I get Jesse?"
Cooter frowned, "I thought Dixie was moving along slowly?"
"Since when have you known your sister to do what is expected of her?" Luke said and he went to Beth's room. "Uncle Jesse, Dix wants you. Doc is with her now."
Jesse looked at Luke with a frown, "If Doc is with her he'll take care of her."
"She wants you though." Luke insisted remembering how she'd reacted to getting Sprite when she'd wanted Coke earlier.
"Ok I'll be right there." Jesse said knowing that Luke would never 'win' at this stage of the game. Luke left going back to his and Dixie's room.
"Jesse will be here in a second." he told Dixie taking her hand again.
When Jesse came in, Dixie nearly pleaded, "I've got to push."
Jesse wondered why Doc hadn't already checked her. Checking her he said, "Looks like you do indeed."
Bo yelled from down the hall, "Uncle Jesse! Beth says it's time!"
Jesse looked at Doc.
Doc was wondering why he had put off his fishin' trip.
"I'll go check on Beth" Doc said leaving the room he went to Bo and Beth's room.
Beth was trying to breathe "Where's Uncle Jesse?"
"He's busy with Dixie, she's ready I just need to check you." Doc explained.
"Ok." Beth conceded and allowed Doc to check her.
In the other room Dixie's next contraction came and Jesse instructed "Push!"
Dixie bared down pushing hard she didn't have to be told twice.
Jesse seen that once things started happening for Dixie they would go quickly. He seen Cooter at the door, "Have Daisy bring me those clean towels. I need you to get that shine in there for me to wash up in quick. I can see the head."
Luke held Dixie's hand, but asked, "You can?"
Jesse nodded, "Anytime now son. Next time she pushes you can see for yourself."
Luke wanted to watch his child be born at least he had thought so until Jesse told him that.
Jesse told Dixie, "Take a deep breath and push."
Luke looked down in time to see his child's shoulders.
Jesse said, "You are doing good the next push and we should have us some company.
"Argh!" Beth screamed from the other room, "When can I push?"
"Soon Beth soon just hold on." Doc replied.
Cooter returned with the shine pouring Luke a cup handing it to him, "Drink that if you can keep it down." He had been told about Luke's earlier episode of getting sick.
Jesse held his hands over the basin rinsing them as Cooter poured the shine over them.
Luke shook his head 'no', "Later."
Cooter had never seen Luke turn down a drink before, ever.
Jesse said as he dried his hands, "Give it to Dixie. She'll need it soon."
Dixie didn't find the words at all encouraging. "Thanks, I think!" Her pains were now less than a minute apart. She shook off the drink, "Another one."
Luke smiled, "Come on you can do this. It's the last one!"
"It better be." Dixie replied then bared down again with the contraction.
"There it is, Luke you got a daughter!" Jesse said then added, "Want to cut the cord?"
For nearly a full minute Luke couldn't answer but took the scissors in his hand as he watched his daughter squirm in his Uncle's hands. At that moment he finally understood Luther's feeling toward him over the last several months.
Jesse said, "One more push and you'll be done."
Dixie nodded tiredly. Dixie was getting ready to push the afterbirth out when another contraction hit, "What is going on?"
Jesse looked astonished as he saw another head crown, "Your having another one." now all the extra weight and the larger size made perfect sense but Jesse wondered why Doc hadn't said anything to anyone especially Dixie. Jesse could see the head of another child not the placenta he expected.
Luke said, "Say WHAT!"
Dixie gasped, "It can't be. I've done this too long now!"
From down the hallway Bo yelled, "Uncle Jesse! Do you have a minute?"
Jesse grumbled then called back, "Just a second Bo!"
"He better hurry." Beth said hearing. Jesse's answer.
Doc moved closer and said, "Beth you can try to wait on Jesse if you like, but you can push at any time."
Beth nodded she wanted to wait on Jesse but she NEEDED to push. "I need to push."
Doc replied, "Then push it's still going to be a little while before you have this baby."
Beth looked at Bo as she felt the next contraction beginning, "I'm sorry."
Bo replied, "Don't be." Bo heard a cry from down the hallway. He saw Cooter at the bedroom door seconds later, "What's going on?"
Cooter smiled, "Dixie just had a baby girl." then wrinkling his brow he continued, "There's another baby coming. Doc why didn't you tell Dixie that she was having twins?"
Doc looked over his shoulder at Cooter, "I wasn't sure what it was actually, I knew the heart sounded different but I wasn't sure it would be twins." He added, Sometimes telling parents there is a possibility of twins is worse when it turns out there is only one than the other way around. Tell Jesse I'll be there if he needs me."
Beth became overly excited, "You're not leavin' me now Doc!"
"No, I'm not leaving you Beth unless Jesse needs me, just relax." Doc reassured.
In the other room Jesse was ready for the second baby, "Alright Dixie one more push and this one is born."
"This better be the last one. There better not be any triplets!" Dixie fussed.
Jesse chuckled quietly, Dixie pushed and the baby came with the final push, "It's another girl."
Luke was relieved that the ordeal was over. At least he hoped it was. He leaned closer as Jesse said, "You should feel you have to push again and it should be the after birth."
"If it's not?" Dixie asked.
Luke could only pray that the next push brought the after birth and not a third child or he was sure he'd be stung up and was sure which body part it would be by.
Dixie felt another contraction and pushed this time feeling an immense relief as the afterbirth came, "That's it Dixie all done, good job." Jesse said as he cleaned up everything.
Dixie lay resting exhausted by the long ordeal until Daisy put her daughter's in her arms and suddenly she wasn't so tired anymore, "Look how sweet Luke, what're we going to name them?"
Luke looked at his daughter's touching a tiny cheek of each with his finger, "I don't know we only picked out one name for a girl guess now we need two though."
Dixie nodded closing her eyes to rest as Beth cried out from the other room.
"Here we go again." Jesse said as he left to check on Beth.
Beth was breathing hard in between contractions, "How's Dixie?" she did manage to get out as Jesse came in the room.
Jesse smiled and reassured her. "She's just fine. We've got a couple of little girls down the hall."
Bo looked at Jesse nearly in shock, "Girls? Twins? Luke had twins? You're kidding right?" He suddenly pictured the General Lee with three car seats in the back and became very pale.
"Bo son are you feelin' ok? You look a little peaked." Jesse said looking concerned at his youngest nephew but before Bo could respond Beth had another contraction when the contraction was over Jesse checked her, "Alright Beth, next contraction, I want you to push again and we'll have us another little one before long."
Bo hadn't heard Jesse ask him if he was Ok. he barely heard him tell Beth they would have another little one soon, but that got his attention. As the contraction hit Beth, Bo looked to see his child come into the world. He never let go of Beth's hand, he saw his child come into the world, then ...
Jesse was there with Doc and received the newborn into the world. He asked, "Bo do you want to cut the cord?"
Bo didn't answer though he was out cold on the floor.
"I think you best do it Jesse and I'll revive the father." Doc said, bending down with some smelling salts passing them under Bo's nose.
Bo couched and sputtered at the smell of the ammonia inhaler.
Doc asked, "Is that anyway to greet you son?"
"Son?" Bo asked, "Son? Really a boy?"
Doc nodded, "A boy."
Bo jumped up with a, "Yeehaw!" grabbing his head as the quick movement made him feel a little queasy.
"Bo hush!" Jesse scolded as he handed the now clean baby to Beth.
Beth looked down at the little bundle, "That's your father. You'll get used to him."
Bo looked at them as the baby started to squirm, he watched as Beth put the little fellow to her breast. He reached out and stroked the baby's blond hair, "He's really ours?"
Beth smiled up at her husband, "He's really ours."
Bo watched the baby nurse he was so little, Beth smiled at their son and asked, "What're we gonna call him?"
"Whatever you want to name him is fine with me Darlin." Bo replied softly. He watched as Beth and his son drifted off to sleep. There was one thing he had to do before going to bed. He walked down the hallway finding the door to his old room open. He saw Luke standing over the bassinet looking at the two bundles that were facing each other. Bo slipped into the room standing beside Luke looking into the bassinet, "Congratulations cousin they're beautiful."
Luke looked at Bo with a soft smile, "Thanks." Luke put his arm around Bo's shoulders he asked, "How is your wife and little one?"
Bo grinned from ear to ear as he announced, "My wife and son are just fine." he stressed the word son too to make sure Luke caught it.
Luke had heard all the jokes about havin' a girl, he replied, "Don't even start with me Bo. I got two for the price of one."
Bo nodded and replied, "That you did cousin. Just think in not so many years you get to deal with them bringing US home."
Luke glared at Bo, "I could have went a lifetime without hearing that!"
Bo smirked but said no more about it only, "Good night Luke."
"Good night Bo." Luke replied when Bo had left the room he joined his sleeping wife in bed drifting to sleep.
Down the hall Bo took one last look at his son before doing the same leaving the Duke house full to the brim and silent.
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