Part 3
-Inside the Healer's Hut-

Rikku sat impatiently on the examination table, waiting for the healer to arrive. She had been waiting for half an hour, and was already becoming tired. Exhaustion was one of the side effects of pregnancy that Rikku hadn't been ready for. She always had enough energy to go around, but now, she had none left for herself. Six months along, she could barely even walk. Her stomach was huge, and she always felt self-conscious about her weight. The healer had shown concern at the extra weight gain, and was supposed to run some tests today. Supposed to. If she'd ever show up.

Rikku fidgeted with her braids while looking around the room. All types of surgical instruments and medical machina were placed here and there. It was almost scary. Rikku looked away quickly and the door flap parted, revealing the healer.

"I'm so sorry I was late. One of the Aurochs had an accident and I was needed."

"Nothing serious, I hope..."

The healer laughed. "You'd have thought so. No, he only scraped an elbow. But we couldn't tell, the way he was screaming."

Rikku stifled a giggle as the healer pulled up a chair.

"Ok, so today we're gonna weigh you and maybe even listen to the baby's heart beat. That'll be exciting, don't you think?"

The Al Bhed nodded vigorously, braids bobbing back and forth.

"Let's get started then."

Rikku was weighed , poked and prodded like a prize chocobo ready to sell at auction. After a few uncomfortable minutes, she was allowed to sit on the examination table once again.

"Now, we listen to the heart beat." She brought out her heart moniter, a piece of machina that was very fascinating, indeed. A small, round piece of metal was placed on her stomach, and the sound of the baby's heart beat was transferred up the wire into a speaker box of sorts, so that both healer and mother-to-be could hear.

They both listened intently, and, hearing nothing, Rikku began to slightly panic.

"Don't worry! Sometimes we just have to move it around a bit before we find where the baby is. Let me see..."

The cool metal was moved, and a faint, rhythmic sound could be heard.

"Hear that? That's the baby's heart beat."

Rikku felt tears swell in her eyes. She placed both her hands on top of her stomach and stroked it, lovingly. All the self-consciousness, the exhaustion...all of it seemed to melt away as she heard the heart of this little miracle. It was truly a blessing.

"Wait a minute..." The healer cocked her head to the side, a confused look in her eyes. Rikku's good mood began to vanish as she listened intently for whatever the healer had heard.

"Oh my goodness...Do you hear that Rikku!"

"No. What is it? Is something wrong?" Panic was creeping into her voice.

"No dear...nothing's wrong. Listen!"

She calmed herself, and quieted her breathing, all of her attention now focused on the speaker.

And then she heard it.

The faint little heart beat, and just behind it, another faint beating.

"Is that my heart?"

The healer grinned so wide, she could have lit up the room. "No...It's a second baby! Oh, why didn't I see this before? The weight gain should have given it away!"

"Wh-what? Second baby?...You mean...Twins!"

"Yes! You're having twins Rikku! Oh, this is so exciting!"

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Rikku walked back to Yuna's in a daze. Twins...It was unbelievable. She could barely contain her joy as she entered the hut.

Yuna met her at the door, concern written all over her face. "Well? What did the healer say? Is the baby ok? What did she say about your weight gain? Is it normal?"

Rikku's head spun at all the questions her cousin was throwing at her. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Everything's fine."

Yuna visibly relaxed. "Whew! I'm glad!"

"Yuna, could you get everyone else here in the next hour? I've got some news to share with you all."

"What is it?"

Rikku smirked. "You'll just have to wait and find out when everyone else does." She walked to the spare bedroom, leaving Yuna in the living room with her mouth hanging open.

"Ugh! No fair!"

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Everyone was gathered in Yuna and Tidus's living room, waiting patiently while Rikku finished off a pint of ice cream. Yuna was fidgeting in her seat, as she stared at her cousin and wished for the thousandth time that she'd hurry up and tell them all the news.

"Ok, I'm finished...-burp-"

"Ewwwwwwwwwwww!" Both Wakka and Tidus jumped away from the Al Bhed as if she were contagious.

Rikku rolled her eyes. "It's called gas. Pregnant women have to suffer with it. Jeez..."

"Yes, yes, that's all good and well. Now, tell us your news!" Yuna was practically jumping out of her seat.

"Well, when I visited the healer today, she gave me the most wonderful news..."

She took a dramatic pause and looked at the expectant faces of all her friends. When no one said anything, she continued.

"I'm going to have twins!"

A collective gasp was heard, then: "Holy Mother of Yu Yevon! TWINS?...Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Yuna jumped up and began bouncing up and down. Tidus gave her a strange look, but only shook his head and smiled.

"Wow Rikku! Twins, ya? You'll definately have your hands full."

"Well, you'll have plenty of help," beamed 'Uncle' Tidus.

Rikku was barely listening, as Yuna had her in a bear hug and was bouncing her around the room.

"Hey now! All this bouncing is gonna make me part with that delicious ice cream!"

Yuna stopped immediately and gave her a sheepish look. "Sorry! I'm just so excited though! Twins!" A dreamy look came over Yuna and she sighed happily. Tidus waved his hand in front her face for a good five minutes before she finally saw it.

"What are you doing?" she said, giving him a grumpy look.

"You were off in La-La land. Just trying to bring you back to Spira..." The others laughed, and Yuna finally lost her scowl, joining the rest of them in a good-hearted laugh.

Rikku beamed as she looked around at her friends. 'This is the way life's supposed to be...' she thought. She had only recently come to terms with the fact that her child - 'children' she reminded herself mentally - would never have a father, but she was determined that they would know him.

As the night wore on, laughter could be heard filtering out of the ex-summoner's hut. It was just like old times together...And Rikku wanted it to stay that way.

End Part 3

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