McCall and Hunter stepped outside Captain Devane's office and headed toward the parking lot.
"If it's already wearing a cop's uniform?" McCall asked sardonically, raising an eyebrow.
"What? Oh, the kid?" Hunter replied, and paused to lay a hand on McCall's growing belly. "You don't think between the two of us, this kid won't come out kicking ass and taking names?"
McCall smiled. "The kicking part I'd believe. The baby's already started kicking my bladder; all of Juvenile is commenting on how often I visit the bathroom," she joked as she headed toward her car.
"Where are you going, McCall? I thought we were taking my car," Hunter asked.
"Hunter, your car is a wreck. The passenger door doesn't even open. We're taking my car."
"Alright, but I'm driving," Hunter retorted, taking her keys.
McCall shrugged. "Alright, but if you scratch it, you're buying me those dumplings from the Chinese place I like."
Hunter smiled as they got into the car. "Jokes on you. I already called them, so they can make the dumplings in time for dinner."
McCall caressed his cheek as he pulled the car out of the lot. "You're a good man, you know."
"Careful, McCall, I might get ideas. Touch me like that and the next thing I know, you'll be expecting sex or something. I might get pregnant. Then where will we be?"
"Yeah, big boy, then where will we be? On our way to find out if our baby comes complete with it's own little cops uniform, Sergeant stripes and all?"
"Ooh, we'd better be careful. That sounds like it would hurt coming out. Especially the belt, with the gun and handcuffs and everything attached…."
"Yeah, I bet it would," McCall laughed, as they reached the medical clinic, and went inside. They were a little early for the appointment, so they had to wait for a bit before the nurse called McCall's name and led them to the exam room.
"Ok, Sgt. McCall," the nurse said. "It looks like we have an ultrasound scheduled for today. If we could have you change your top to this paper gown, ultrasound tech will be in shortly to do the ultrasound."
McCall took the paper top, and the nurse left, closing the door behind her. "How come they always make you change into these things? They don't cover anything, and you're stuck in a cold exam room in something that offers no warmth," she complained as she removed her work shirt and replaced it with the paper top.
Hunter looked at her sardonically. "Do you want a response, or was that rhetorical?"
There was a knock at the door, saving McCall from responding, and a voice called, "Are we ready?"
"Yes," McCall called.
The tech entered the room. "Hello, Mrs. McCall," he offered his hand to McCall, and she shook it. "And Mr. McCall," he offered his hand to Hunter.
Hunter raised his eyebrow. "Just call me Rick," Hunter said, shaking the tech's hand.
"I'm Sam," the tech introduced himself. He looked at the chart. "So, we're here for a routine ultrasound today," he said. "Mrs. McCall, if you could lay down on the table, we can get started."
Hunter helped her up on the table and Sam positioned the ultrasound machine closer to the table. He pulled the tube of lubricating jelly from a basket attached to the machine. "I'm just going to push the gown to the side here and apply the jelly, ok?"
McCall nodded, and Sam applied the jelly. McCall hissed as the cold liquid hit her skin.
"Sorry," Sam said. "A bit cold, huh?" He watched the ultrasound's monitor as he moved the wand around on McCall's belly. he moved the monitor so McCall and Hunter could see it and pointed to the screen, "Well, here's the head. The shoulder and body curve around here." he moved the wand again. "It looks like baby is developing ok...and we can tell the sex. Would you like to know if you have a little boy or a little girl?"
McCall looked at Hunter, and then at the screen again. She touched the area Sam had pointed out as the head. She looked back at Hunter, and he inclined his head, indicating he'd go with her wishes. "I'd like to know."
"Well, it looks like you have a healthy little girl," Sam smiled. "Would you like a picture?"
McCall nodded. Sam pushed a few buttons on the machine, and the printer slowly started spitting out the picture. He put the ultrasound wand back in its place and cleaned the jelly off McCall's stomach. The printer finished with the picture, and Sam handed it to McCall.
"Well, your doctor will review the ultrasound tape, and give you a call. Do you have any questions?"
McCall shook her head. "As long as she's healthy, I'm good."
"Well, you can change back into your clothes and make an appointment for your next check-up at the front desk."
Sam left.
Hunter looked at McCall. "He called me Mr. McCall."
"Does that bother you?" she asked as she changed back into her work top.
He sighed, and took her hand. "I love you, Dee Dee. I've come close a couple times to thinking maybe I wanted to make some girl Mrs Hunter and it never seemed to work out. Something bad always happened. I don't want to mess things up between us. I don't want to lose you."
McCall sighed, and brought his hand to her lips to kiss. "I'm not going anywhere. You can't get rid of me that easily. I've already had the big wedding with Steve, and that was great until…" she trailed off, swallowing down the surge of grief that hit her even after all these years. "We both have reason to be gun shy in this."
Hunter nodded. "How about we both promise to be there for each other, no matter what," he said, digging into his jacket pocket and pulled out a gaudy plastic ring.
"Hunter, where'd you get that?"
"The prize bin in the waiting room, you know, the one they let the kids root through if they've been good? So what do you think?"
"You are one weird man, Rick Hunter. But, yes, I'll promise, as long as both of us agree to speak up if either of us feels ready to make an honest man out of you."
"I promise," Hunter said, slipping the ring onto McCall's finger.