"Chapter Three

"Eddie laughed when she told Jamie about making a new friend at music He was fine until he heard that it was a man named Mick and not a lady named…well, anything. "He's a nice guy," Eddie laughed as she sipped the herbal tea Jamie made "He's lonely, I don't think there's a wife in the picture, but the little girl is so adorable. She might be a nice little friend for Max and April."

"Jamie smiled, "I'm glad they are branching out." Jamie didn't get any red flags from Eddie, she seemed to like this person and felt comfortable entertaining a friendship with him and with their children. Eddie took Jamie's feet in her "How was work, you're quiet."

"I keep quiet at work because I'm afraid my happiness will spill out!" Jamie replied. "And tonight, sitting here with you, I'm just thinking how lucky I am."

"Eddie rubbed the underside of Jamie's bad foot, "Me too, we are both so blessed. And in eight months, we'll be on this couch with three of our babies sleeping, speaking of which, we need to get a bigger house."

"Jamie laughed, "I was thinking that too. We need a place that is our own here in New York as well as in Montana. There were a couple places in Bay Ridge and Brooklyn heights I thought we'd look at and decide if we want to finance or just buy it. Maybe next week after the doctor we can drive around and look?"

"Kara is going to keep the kids, so yeah that should work…it's all coming together, Jamie. It's all finally coming together…our life is perfect, Jamie. Perfect!"

"The day of the doctor's appointment found Kara babysitting for the kids since they hadn't let anyone in the family know just yet about the new Jamie treated Eddie to lunch at her favorite restaurant, then they went to her OBGYN to confirm and check the pregnancy.

"The waiting room was crowded but not packed easily letting them find seats while Jamie signed in sitting beside Eddie. Smiling at her he reached out and cupped her hand.

"How did Max do at his lesson today?" Jamie asked. He took April to the park while Eddie had Max at his piano private.

"He did all right in his lesson," Eddie replied.' But earlier he kept going off task, playing stuff he heard on TV again. His technique will suffer if he does that."

"Sighing Jamie held Eddie in his arms "He's only three we can help him focus on that. Did his teacher say anything?"

"No, he did it here this morning before we left. He doesn't do it at his lesson so it's hard for me to get her to see," Eddie replied. "I'm so proud of him when he does it but it's not going to help him long term. I know he's just three but..."

"Let's let him be little," Jamie told the worrying mother hen. "When he's five or six and has a better understanding, then maybe we can talk to him about staying on task. For now, let's just be impressed we have such a gifted little boy."

"Eddie accepted that comfort and quickly changed topics. "I can't believe we are doing this!" Eddie squealed. "I'm so excited, this will make it official." Jamie looked around with interest, he hadn't been welcome at Claudia's appointments.

"Women spread around the room some visibly showing, others early on reading magazines. Only Jamie and three other guys accompanied their wives.

"Mrs. Reagan," the nurse called'. "Can you give us a urine sample please, then we'll take you back to see the doctor?"

"Eddie took the container finding the bathroom while Jamie waited outside. She came out minutes after handing the sample over then following the nurse.

"Jamie stood next to Eddie and looked at the pictures on the wall of babies in varying stages of "Ours is microscopic still…but I still love him or her so much. I think it's another girl."

"It's way too soon to tell," Eddie replied. "But why do you think that?"

"I guess because I gave a girl the first time around, Danny gave boys, my Dad mostly boys, my Pop boys but the first time I gave it was a girl."

"As long as it's healthy," Eddie replied. "There's nothing that will change my happiness though. Nothing at all."

"The doctor came in with a huge smile, "How are you feeling Eddie? This test came back a nice, bright positive, I'm just going to check how far along you are."

"Eddie laid back on the table and held Jamie's hand. Neither one of them was totally sure when the baby was conceived but both of them hoped if not on their wedding night, it was at least during the two weeks in The doctor poked Eddie's still flat belly and completed a simple exam, "About six weeks," she smiled. "And hormonally, this is a very healthy pregnancy, this should be easier than it was with April."

"Eddie remembered her morning sickness with April and easy wasn't how she'd describe that. "Thank you, Doctor. We are so happy…" Eddie looked up at Jamie, he had tears running down his cheeks. He wiped his eyes and sniffled softly. Their foreheads touched, "I'm so happy, Eddie. I am so happy and I'm so glad that you will be the mother of my children, of our children, raising them…guiding them. I'm so happy."

"The doctor smiled, she saw Eddie and Jamie's look of love and emotion. Many of the couples she worked with were happy and in love, but this couple was special, they were different. They were clearly soulmates.

"Jamie helped Eddie off the table and they made her next appointment for 12 "We'll hear the heartbeat by then," Eddie reminded him.

"When do you want to tell the kids and the family?" Jamie asked.

"Eddie thought on that a minute, "Is it too selfish to keep it to ourselves for just a little while longer?"

"Not selfish at all," Jamie replied and kissed her head "Let's go pick up our kids and hug each other tight, and relish in this moment. Our baby…made on our honeymoon, close to or on the wedding night. It's our dream, Eddie. Our dream."

"Their night was They had ravioli and sauce and put the kids to bed just a touch They went on the computer and began to browse "I like the brownstone idea," Jamie replied. "It'll be enough rooms but not so many that it feels big. What are you thinking?"

"Same thing," Eddie replied. "And I think being closer to your dad is a good idea too. I feel terrible that he's alone over there so much. It would be different if he had a girlfriend, but…"

"Nope," Jamie shook his head. 'Bad visual. Very bad visual!"

"Eddie laughed, "Oh, look at that Look it has a bay window, I love bay windows, especially during the holidays because you can put an animated Santa inside. Have you seen those?"

"Yes, we had them when I was a kid." Jamie flagged that house for them to look at. "What about this one, it's three blocks from Dad."

"Yeah, that's nice, bay window again, can that be kind of a requirement?"span Eddie asked with big wide eyes.

"Jamie couldn't deny her when she looked like that. "Of course," Jamie replied. "Bay window is a requirement."

"They picked out three more houses and Jamie emailed their preferred realtor to show them the Eddie yawned and stretched. "I am tired, I was exhausted with April and it's no better this time around."

"Jamie held her close, "Shut your eyes, I'm right here, baby. I'm right here. We'll have the most beautiful baby to show for this. Shut your eyes…"

"Eddie yawned again and stretched, she shut her eyes and fell asleep in about five minutes. Jamie smiled, he promised himself he would pick up the slack with the kids and around the house, so that Eddie could grow their little one in comfort and peace. Jamie fell asleep holding onto Eddie, dreaming of their happy life and growing family.

"Eddie suffered from morning sickness and fatigue but bore it with a She took April to Mommy and me class, Max to his piano privates and kinder She took both kids to the park and the mall to ride the carousel, and she continued to befriend Mick.

"They sat together in class and talked about restaurants, the food the kids liked, books they read at night. Mick spoke of his wife's leaving him and their little girl in the middle of the night. Eddie teared up at the story, not even able to fathom ever leaving her "I can't imagine that. I'm sorry that happened to you, Mick," Eddie sympathized.

"Life happens for a reason," Mick replied. "I'm sure there is a reason this happened. There is a woman out there to love me and Ava like we should be loved," he offered a lovely smile.

"Eddie and Mick had lunch with their kids that day after she picked up The three children ate hot dogs while Eddie bit the bullet and joined Mick in a It was good for the baby.

"That Saturday, they were going to tell the kids about their new Eddie suggested a sundae party at home, to break the news to them. She was so worried about that…how they would handle the news.

"Jamie picked up the ice cream after his tour on Friday, all of their favorite flavors, including sprinkles, whipped cream and It would be a truly special memory.

"After pizza and salad, Jamie took out the lazy Susan and the sundae cups while Eddie kept the kids entertained in the living room. "Come on, Mommy and Daddy have a surprise," Eddie told them when Jamie let her know he was finished.

"Both kids were excited for a surprise and even more excited about the ice That was kept as a special "Okay, guys, listen to Mommom and Daddy," Eddie told them. April sat up intently but Max was diving into his ice cream. "Do you remember how we said that Aunt Kara has a baby in belly and it's going to be born and come out so that we can all love it and help it get to be a good little person?"

"They both nodded, but April was listening way more "Well," Jamie smiled. "Mommom is going to have a baby too, and that baby will live with us in our house and be your little brother or sister. Isn't that exciting?"

"Max nodded, "Yeah," and offered a chocolatey smile. But April once again was the surprise, "Nother baby?" She bit her lip. "Baby in here?" She slid off her chair and touched Eddie's belly.

"Yes, the baby is very very tiny right now, but it will grow bigger and Mommom's belly will grow bigger and when the baby is ready, he or she will come out and be a part of our family."

"April turned and climbed back on her chair, she had to think about this. She took a few bites of her ice cream and waited for the table to turn before she asked, "How baby get in?"

"Eddie and Jamie should have anticipated their most intelligent little angel wouldn't take this in her stride, she'd have to understand it. They, instead, were more concerned about Max in his possessiveness of Eddie. He was handling the news well and was now working on Jamie's sundae creation.

"Eddie gave Jamie a look that said, "She's your daughter…" So he took a breath. "Well, Daddy helped put the baby in there," he replied. "You see, mommies and daddies, have a very special kind of love and sometimes, if things are exactly right, a miracle happens and that love becomes a baby in the mommy's belly. That happened to Mommy and Daddy with Maxy, with you, and now with the new baby. Do you understand sweetie?"

"April thought about that and she supposed it made sense, she heard about miracles in her nursey class…"Okay," she replied. "Nice thing." She turned her attention to her ice cream. Eddie and Jamie breathed a sigh of relief.

"That went well," Jamie laughed as he slid into bed with a very full stomach that night. "You were worried for nothing."

"Eddie began to laugh, "I was worried about the wrong thing. April…she's two, not even three yet and she just laid that on us!"

"Jamie spooned up behind Eddie and worked his hands around to her belly, his new favorite "She did, but I think we handled it well, partners, and all…"

"Yeah, partners forever," she whispered and put her hands over his. "Tomorrow we tell the family. You think that's going to go well or…"

"Nikki might make one of her comments, but other than that…" Jamie replied. "My Dad will be so happy. He wants this for us, when he found out about April, he was thrilled. He loves you and he'll love this baby. Danny's been rooting for us since day one…nothing to worry about."

"Eddie smiled lightly and leaned into Jamie. She was so tired, she wanted to stay awake, but the baby drowsiness was pulling her in. "It's all right…we had a big day. Go to sleep, I'll be here all through the night."

"Eddie dozed off with a smile on her face, Jamie could read her so well, they were blessed.

"Jamie woke the next morning to the scent of vanilla, and soft, gentle hands running down his He smiled as he opened his eyes. There was Eddie, kneeling over him, long hair framing her face, ample bosom, swelling with her pregnancy brushing against his hair roughened chest. He knew as their baby grew and subsequently, so did Eddie, his desire for her would grow even more.

"Jamie's arms and hands came up and pulled Eddie against him. His sex was already alive with need for her, their lips met and their tongues danced with each "Oh…" Eddie sighed. Jamie could always drive her crazy, and the cool morning air only heightened their sensation.

"The sheet slipped off Eddie's back, Jamie's hands caressed her soft skin. "Hmm…" Eddie moaned "Jamie…hmmm…"

"He captured her lips again as Eddie moved oved him, teasing his sex with the wet opening of her own. Jamie felt his body tighten and tense even more. "Eddie…" He slid his tongue into her mouth, and drank in the taste of her.

"Eddie slowly slid herself onto Jamie to join their bodies, they sighed in delight at the physical connection supplementing an always there soulful He raised his hips to meet hers, his thrusting up and hers grinding down, a slight difference from their usual roles, but still the same deep satisfaction.

"Their touches were so light and so A feeling of worship more than one of lust…a feeling of superior love and connection as their bodies brushed with their baby between them.