Chapter 5

The beginning of June was upon them and the McCord family was gearing up for the summer. Stevie would be finishing pre-school soon. Henry had just finished for the year and Allie was spending her final day at the UVA Day Care.

Elizabeth dropped her off and a part of her was sad to say goodbye to the teachers but the other part was glad Allie would no longer need to go there anymore. Janie would be starting as their new nanny in September. Right around the time of the baby coming so it worked out well for Elizabeth to have her there for a few months before she went back to work.

Allie looked up at her as they walked in. Her pigtails were really starting to grow in. She looked adorable in her pink dress. Allie always preferred dresses to shorts or pants. She smiled up at Elizabeth and said, "I'm happy!"

Elizabeth smiled right back at her, "Me too. Are you excited for your summer with Daddy and Stevie?"

"I am," she said skipping along holding her mother's hand. Her vocabulary was really growing for a 2 year old.

Elizabeth dropped her off with a big hug and a kiss to her head. She got back in her car and sped home to get Henry.

"That was quick," he said to her rolling his eyes.

"I wanted to get back so we wouldn't be late," she threw her keys on the counter, defending his complaint that she always drove to fast.

He moved around the kitchen aimlessly.

"You're nervous?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"Babe, if you were having surgery down there. You'd be a little nervous too."

"True" she went over and put her hands up around his neck, playing with the back of his hair. "But, just think once you get through this, no more worries."

He placed his hands on her waist, which remarkably hadn't become that big this pregnancy. She was all baby. "I don't have a problem making more babies with you."

"Yeah, well, you are not the one carrying them and puking everyday," she said back giving him a little smack on his chest.

"For the record, I think you are incredibly hot when carrying our babies," he started to go for the sweet spot on her neck.

She pushed him back laughing, "Henry, that is one of your worst come-on lines ever! And you are not getting out of this today. This is it. Three is good."

Henry gave her a frown.

She smiled that smile which was only for him. He knew that look and checked his watch. "We have about 15 minutes."

They were up the stairs in no time. The sun was streaming through the windows. Henry loved these moments, when daylight hit her body just right.

Her tan had begun to set in on her skin just a week or so ago. He ran his hand down her arm, just brushing over the inner part of her elbow that sent a tingle through her body. He spooned himself over to the back of her body.

She felt his warmth envelope her. The same warmth that felt like home since their first time they ever shared a bed. She moved onto her back and he ran his hand over her now growing belly. She felt like it was getting bigger everyday.

He looked into her eyes and said, "I'm going to miss seeing you like this."

She said back to him, "There are times where I think I will miss being pregnant."

Henry stared down at her belly, "I still find the whole miracle of it the most beautiful times of our marriage. This doesn't have to be the last."

"Henry, stop!" she was being serious but laughing through it. "We are so busy. A fourth child, or God forbid, a fifth comes with it would be impossible. Besides, I'm not getting any younger."

She reached up to pull him down to kiss her. They rolled over and made love like it was the most important thing they did that day. Well, to them it actually was.

About an hour later, she was waddling her way into the Outpatient Surgery clinic. They both laughed as she said, "This is kind of embarrassing."

Henry answered her. "I'm sure we are not the first and we won't be the last." He led her into the clinic with his hand on her lower back letting her go first through the door.

The staff looked up as they walked in laughing together. The receptionist who was single said to her co-worker, "They are such a happy couple. I need to get myself a man who still looks at me like that when I am very pregnant."

The procedure didn't take very long. In no time, they were back home.

Elizabeth handed Henry a glass of water and a bag of frozen peas.

"You going to be okay, Captain?"

He half-smiled back at her. "In a few days, I will. You just keep your gorgeous self clothed and we'll be just fine." He winked at her.