Death Row's All Right with Us

It was confirmed. Jake Berkley, serving the maximum sentence on each count for a total of 25 years for trying to kill Eric Delko was now charged with capital murder for killing another inmate while he was in prison during the trial. The prosecutor told the family that even if Jake were to get convicted on the murder, be sentenced to death but be lucky enough to have that overturned, his sentence for the previous crimes would still be "waiting in the wings" to be served,

Jake Berkley wasn't going anywhere any time soon. The parents-to-be didn't mind Jake's sentence for Eric's attempted murder being the "back-up" reason to keep Jake in prison. Death row or even the sentence of 25 years to life for a capital murder conviction was even reassuring to the couple that they would never again be bothered by this man.

"Oh, one more thing," the district attorney said to the couple, exiting the office with them. "Congratulations on your upcoming new arrival." Calleigh was visibly pregnant now at four months along. The D.A., Jack Raven went over to the sofa in the waiting area where Chloe sat waiting for her parents to emerge.

"You're a really good girl," he said, kneeling in front of her. "Do you like chocolate?"

Chloe nodded.

He handed Chloe a Halloween treat Caramilk bar.

"Thank you," she said, softly.

"I hope that was okay," He said to the parents, standing up.

"Sure," Calleigh said. "She was very good," she said, glancing at Chloe who got off the couch and went over to her father's side.

Eric smiled, looking down at his daughter, touching the child's hair.

"Tan we go to Abuela an' Dedushka's now?" Chloe asked, looking up at him.

The three were planning to go swimming. It was the first time that Chloe had been swimming since Eric was released from the hospital. He had been medically cleared to do so for a while but his parents had to get mandatory repairs and upgrades on the pool which had taken time. Chloe was super-excited about today, even if her mother wasn't looking forward to wearing a bathing suit.

Eric slipped his arms around his fiancée's body, his palms resting on her small belly.

"You're beautiful," he whispered in her ear, placing a tiny, soft kiss below her earlobe.

"You would think so," Calleigh smiled.

"Of course," he said. "You're my woman and you're carryin' our baby."

"Tome on, Daddy!" Chloe called from behind the safety gate.

"I think you'd better go before our lil' fish cracks up with excitement," Calleigh chuckled.

Chloe was ready for the pool wearing a two-piece green bathing suit and water wings.

"Aha! I've got you!" He said, picking up his daughter then tossing her into the air.

Chloe grinned.

"Are 'ou toming, too, mommy?" She said, looking at her mother. The look in her eyes said "please." Even if she wanted to, Calleigh couldn't say no.

Calleigh reminded herself that even if she felt self-conscious in a bathing suit right now her daughter didn't care how mommy thought she looked.

"Yes, sweetpea, I'm coming in, too."

Calleigh left the pool earlier than her fiancé and daughter to help Chlorinda prepare lunch. The older woman always thought pregnancy was beautiful. And she knew her son definitely found wife-to-be gorgeous but she also noticed how self-conscious the pregnant woman was. She remembered that feeling from the four times she had been pregnant, as much as she was wanted to tell Calleigh not to be self-conscious that was easier said than done.

"You know my boy thinks you're the most beautiful woman in the world," the older woman said.

"I do," Calleigh smiled.

It wasn't difficult not to know that when the couple still made love several times a week. So far, they had yet to be walked in on by Chloe.

The secret to this was the new invention called a lock on the bedroom door.

Everyone who knew Chloe said she were a smart kid and like any kid her age, asked a lot of questions, about anything and everything she saw or heard. Both her parents turned red at the thought of the questions Chloe might ask if she ever walked in on them during sex. Calleigh told Alexx Woods that she'd likely die of embarrassment and not be able to answer any of her daughter's inquiries.

Alexx just laughed. "I take it she hasn't asked you or daddy how her baby brother or sister got into your belly, yet?"

"No! She's not even three! Do you think she'd ask that?"

"Most three-year-olds get around to it," Alexx smiled at the young mother's horrified expression. "And knowing your girl, oh, definitely! You guys better start thinking of an answer."

Calleigh had to admit when Chloe asked a question, she usually inquired further on the topic. Mommy hadn't envied daddy an ounce when Eric had Chloe out and she noticed two dogs nearby doing what came naturally during mating season. The girl of course asked what they were doing. Eric heaved a huge sigh of relief when Chloe's attention were just as quickly diverted by a set of infant triplets in a stroller. He did not want to answer this a child's short attention span was a wonderful thing.

Calleigh had laughed at how dramatic Eric had been about telling her about it. This was after she had told him of her conversation with Alexx.

"oh yeah?" He had said. "I almost had to explain dogs and public mating today. Thank god, Chloe saw a set of identical triplets and forget just as fast."

"oh you poor baby!" Calleigh teased. "Are you trying to say that's a mommy question and you almost got trapped with it? I must refresh our child's memory in the morning, just before I leave for the lab and you two have the day alone."

"You wouldn't dare," Eric said.

"Watch me," Calleigh said.