"Ames!" Jake was struggling to unpack the last set of boxes at the new house. The nine-nine had pitched in and helped in a big way, but they still had to work, and Jake's mom was back in L.A. taking care of her aunt who broke her hip.

"What is it Jake?" The receiver end of the baby monitor they had purchased was coming in handy, Jake was loud enough he could yell from anywhere in there small four-bedroom house to Amy and she could respond through the other unit.

"Do you really need all of these books in the office? It's not that big of a room."

"Yes, that's one of benefits of making our office in the biggest bedroom."

Jake huffed, "I thought it was so we could have our bedroom upstairs next to the baby's room."

"That's the main reason, having room for all of our books is just a benefit of that decision."

After getting the boxes managed as best he could with one arm in a cast, Jake climbed the stairs and walked into their bedroom, Amy had decorated the room well despite being on bed rest and disobeying orders, but Jake couldn't blame her, he was not any better and it had not gone well for him when he got after her.

Amy was reading what Jake thought must have been the two hundredth book she'd read on pregnancy and parenthood. "So, Ames, any groundbreaking revelations in this book?"

"No, but it confirms most of what I've studied, so it's a good affirmation of that."

Jake laid next her on the bed and took some deep breaths, "I think we're close, the squad saved us yesterday, especially Lou and Simmons."

Amy nodded, "they both feel so bad for what happened to me and of course I don't blame them at all, but they're my two best officers, so it weighs heavier on them, like it would if something similar happened to us."

"Yeah, I get it, Simmons could barely look me in the eye, what's his first name, everyone calls him Simmons."

Amy laughed, "Richard."

Jake's jaw dropped, "like the exercise guy, that's cruel, a buff black guy with tons of smarts and he's named after the pasty exercise joker, no wonder, I don't blame him for not want to first name it. Jake thought for another second, "what about Lou?"

"His parents weren't much kinder, he was named Louis after his maternal grandfather and his last name is Lew, but everyone calls him Lou, so his badge reads that. His dad is a math professor at NYU and he calls him Lou squared."

Amy's phone buzzed, she gasped, "holy shit, Jake, our scores are in, for both of us and Terry wants to know if we want him to open them and tell us or bring them over."

Jake felt cold, he had put the scores out of his mind, but now, now it could be real, he didn't expect them so soon, but they had been told the NYPD brass loved them because they never sued despite the terrible things that happened to them and might hurry the process for them. "Yeah, let's get 'em."

Amy quickly texted, her phone almost immediately buzzed, "Mine first, well, I wish he'd given yours first, I got a perfect score, sorry."

"Ames don't be sorry, I love you because you're you, and that means amazing and kick-ass smart."

Her phone buzzed again, "Damn," Jake's heart sunk, "Jake, you got one point less on your sergeant's exam than I did."

Jake blinked, "so like a 99%?"

Amy smiled, "yeah, basically, that's incredible."

Jake still felt numb and then wished he had known Amy in high school and college, but she would have hated him in those days, for sure. He laughed to himself as he thought of angry nose ring Jake meeting nerdy high school Amy, it would have been brief and disastrous.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft passionate kiss from Amy, "babe, I'm so proud of you. You studied, you focused, and you did it for us, I know haven't loved all this, but means so much to me how hard you've worked and tried, for your family."

Jake bit his lip, "honestly, it was seeing my dad, I finally got it, I told you, I saw how he was and I realized that fighting any responsibility and progress was really what he was about, the other things, the women and other stupidity were just part of it, and that's not who I want to be."

Amy grinned, "who do you want to be?"

"I want to be the best detective I can, if that means also being a sergeant so I can help my family, that's okay because who I want to be even than a good cop is a more supportive husband and good father, I'm not saying great because that's a helluva lot of pressure, but I'll settle for good, besides, working with you, that'll be enough."

Amy groaned, half laughing, "oh thanks, put all the pressure on me."

Jake shook his head, "no, not putting pressure, but facing reality. Ames, you put 1000% into everything you do, I know, you'll tell me that's mathematically impossible and inaccurate, but it's true. I know how much I used to tease you about it, but it's why I love you, you don't know how to not give something your all, it's why you're an incredible cop and caring person. The whole package, body, mind and soul."

Amy kissed him again and then pulled back slightly, "I notice you listed body first."

Jake grinned, "well, that's the first thing I noticed about you, then fell in love with the other stuff, but even in your dorkiest outfit, I think you're smokin."

She shook her head, "smokin?"

Jake whistled, "hells yeah, and speaking of smoking, with a g, how's the cravings for the old tobacco monkey on your back going?"

"It's not bad, I crave a stress cigarette at times, but lately, I've been so wrapped up in either working, studying, helping you or preparing for the baby, that it wasn't a problem, at all. The bed rest hasn't been bad, I mean seven months basically without one, I think I'm over it, I hope so, I don't want to set a bad example for JJ."

Jake groaned this time, "don't get me started on that subject, you have one thing for sure, smoking, maybe a little on the stress or competitiveness, but me, I've a got a huge ass list of bad habit stuff. My movies, not great for kids, my shoe addiction, don't want that passed on, my food and soda habits, oh man, this poor kid."

Amy gently stroked his cheek, "you're freaking out for no reason, there will of course be things JJ will have to work on, everyone has that, but he will see how hard you work to be a good father and husband and that will show him, trust me. My dad smoked, had a temper, worked too hard, but I always knew he loved us because of his words and actions and everything he did."

"I guess I had that with my mom, my dad, well you already know that business."

Amy sat up, straining a little, "Jake, he's kicking, feel it, quick!"

Jake situated himself and placed his hand on her stomach, his face turning into a huge smile as he felt the kick, "this never gets old, ever, we did that. You're growing a mini us in you, it's so fucking amazing."

Amy nodded, "I agree, and you forgot to add swearing to your list of bad habits."

Jake chuckled, "true dat, but when you lose your temper, I mean really lose it, he'll hear plenty."

Eight days later, they were getting out of the car to go to doctor's office, Jake's seat was super far forward because the car was loaded with an incredible amount of gifts from a baby shower thrown by the nine-nine. Jake couldn't wait to meet JJ so he could put on the vintage baby adidas and vans Charles had bought for him, and Amy was thrilled that Villegas, a skilled mechanic, had gone in with Simmons, Lou, and Rosa to buy and fix up a Subaru station wagon for Jake. Lou, knowing Jake's love for rims even put on some spinners that Amy didn't like but could tolerate. They both felt overwhelmed by all that the precinct had done for them, Amy had to be in a wheelchair since she was still technically on bed rest, but they both loved the event and it made them more anxious to finally meet their son.

Amy had to go through several scans and tests while Jake waited nervously, when the doctor finally arrived, she was all smiles.

"Amy, Jake, great news, the abruption has nearly healed one hundred percent, I recommend one more week of limited walking and movement, it doesn't have to be bed rest, but after next week's check-up I think you should be fine for light activities, but walking won't be an issue, except maybe for your feet."

Amy sighed, "yeah, they hurt, but it will be worth the pain to move around, I get so bored there in bed all the time."

"I sympathize, but you can't argue with the results, you are looking great and baby Peralta is looking great as well. It is nearly Thanksgiving, I could see this baby coming between Christmas and the New Year, I know that's earlier than expected, but I've gotten pretty good at these things if anyone wants to place money on it."

"Doctor," Amy looked very serious, "now that the partial abruption is healing, we were wondering about the impact of intercourse on it and the baby."

Jake took a sharp breath as he heard her say that and coughed as he struggled to get air, "Ames, really, I can wait."

Amy looked at him, "maybe you can, mama needs some."

Jake felt himself turning read as his palm hit his forehead, "Ames, seriously."

Doctor Gamble laughed, "Jake, it's okay, these are normal questions, believe me. Amy, I don't see sex being an issue or a danger to you, as long as you don't put weight on your stomach. If you are on top, not putting weight on it or Jake is a spooning position from behind."

Jake was now sweating, "Ames, I'm okay, we can wait."

Dr. Gamble had to put a hand to her mouth now as she laughed at Jake's uncomfortable reaction, "Jake, this is normal. Some women feel more sexual desires during certain stages of the pregnancy, some women just need to feel loved and wanted as they deal with their changing bodies, it can be psychological and emotional lift for them, it's very normal."

Amy shook her head, "forget emotional needs, Amy needs to feel good."

Jake couldn't believe this was Amy talking, "Ames, you do know we're not alone, right?"

Amy stared at him, "Jake, relax, she's a doctor, she's dealt with this. We're not in public or around the precinct, so we're fine, you've said worse in public."

Jake wiped the sweat off his brow with his sleeve, "okay, I give, this is perfectly normal."

As Jake brought in the last of the stuff from Amy's car, his old car was being towed away for scrap, also a gift from the squad and his new Subaru was in their driveway, Jake didn't love owning a station wagon, but it had four wheel drive, a good engine and it looked cool, so he conceded and was more than grateful for the generous gift.

He put a few things in the garage and his phone buzzed, it was a text from Amy.

Amy: 911 – bedroom now, hurry

Jake slammed the door down and locked it as he hurried in the house and up the stairs, when he entered the bedroom expecting his wife to be in pain, she was instead naked and smiling. Jake was out of breath, "Ames, the text said 911, I wasn't expecting this."

Amy propped her self up a little, "really? After our doctor's appointment, the term is horny Jake, I'm horny, think four drink Amy without the booze."

Jake kicked of his shoes and nearly fell down as he was undressing quickly, he had wanted this himself, but he would never pressure his pregnant wife on bedrest into anything just for him, no matter how horny he might feel, that just wasn't him, he'd hate himself if was that selfish with all she must be going through physically. As he pulled off his last sock he fell to the bed and was immediately grabbed and pulled towards Amy, her lips crashing, yet softly, against his own, her tongue moving with purpose and passion, her hands forceful yet tender.

"Jake, I need to feel good, really good."

Jake moaned as her hand wrapped around his erection, "shit, Ames, take it easy or I won't last, I haven't been this turned on in a long time."

"I've felt like this for a few days, it sucked because I couldn't do anything, but now, I need to feel good."

"I know, really good." Jake slowly moved his fingers to her slick folds, finding her spot and then slowly rubbing as she pushed his head to her breasts.

"Use your tongue, but softly, my nipples are so sensitive right now, but I need this."

Jake was very careful to be soft yet firm, so his wife could get the release she yearned for and obviously ready for. Amy soon arched her back and moaned, much louder than normal, she turned her back to him and gently led him to her entrance, Jake pushed in and was sure he had never felt her so wet, ever.

As he moved in his wife, every push elicited a sound from Amy, soon he felt himself releasing as she yelled, "fuck, Jake, yes, just like this!"

Amy turned and kissed him tenderly then she laid on her back, she closed her eyes and he wasn't sure, but he thought she may have fallen asleep in just a few seconds. As he watched his exhausted wife, he marveled at her beauty again. Small beads of sweat, he wasn't sure if they belonged to him or her, still lingered on her stomach, her breasts, more perfect than ever, Jake knew he could never love his wife more than he did at that moment, it felt impossible to him.