"Should we tell her?" Bill whispered to Laura. They were sitting on their back porch watching Venus play, Bill with his arms around Laura, and Laura snuggled up against his chest nursing a cup of peppermint tea. She'd been battling morning sickness all day, and unfortunately Venus had witnessed it.

"I think it's a bit soon." Laura said softly, absentmindedly running her thumbs over the sides of her mug.

"I don't want her to think you're sick."

Laura nodded, understanding where he was coming from. Bill had struggled watching Laura endure cancer, and he didn't want his daughter to go through that, even if it wasn't cancer this time around.

"She won't, Bill. She's three years old, I'm sure long term illness isn't going to be the first conclusion she jumps to." Laura told him quietly. He chuckled and squeezed her a little tighter against him. Suddenly their focuses shifted as Venus came bounding up to them.

"Mommy, I picked you a flower to help you feel better!" She said proudly, handing Laura a daisy.

"Oh, thank you very much sweetheart. Just what I needed!" She smiled and slipped the flower behind her ear.

Venus carefully climbed into her mother's lap, giving her a hug much more gentle than her usual hugs. Maybe Bill was right on this one after all.

"Venus, can mommy and daddy talk to you about something?" Laura asked, kissing her daughter on the top of the head. She nodded and stared up at her parents, hoping she wasn't in trouble. Laura tilted her head back slightly to look at Bill, who gave her a nod of approval. He knew she'd somehow explain it far better than he ever could, especially since she had once been a teacher.

"Are you worried about mommy?" Laura asked, stroking her cheek lightly. She nodded.

"You're sick. I don't want you to be sick."

"Okay, I'm going to tell you why I'm sick, but I don't want you to worry about it anymore, alright?"

"Mmkay." Venus said. She didn't quite understand how to turn the worry off, but she trusted Laura.

"I'm sick because I'm going to have a baby, and sometimes the baby makes me not feel so good," Laura said, attempting to explain it in simple terms.

"That's not nice." Venus replied sternly, frowning at Laura. Bill snickered.

"The baby can't help it, sweetheart." He added, hoping to contribute to the conversation a little.

"Did I make you sick too?" She asked, her voice filled with guilt and concern.

"No, you didn't." Laura told her truthfully. She hadn't experienced morning sickness when she was pregnant with Venus. In fact, her first pregnancy hadn't had any complications aside from a pain in her lower back that Laura was hoping wouldn't return with this pregnancy.

Venus smiled, feeling very relieved and proud of herself.

"So I'm gonna be a big sister?" She asked, trying to wrap her head around the situation.

"Yes, and you're going to be a very good one." Bill chimed in. Laura turned her head as much as she could and gave him one of her winning smiles. He could never resist her smile.

"How are you feeling today? Do you need anything?" Bill asked. Laura blinked sleepily at him and shook her head.

"I'm feeling just fine, but if you're taking requests, a cup of tea would be fantastic." She said, running her fingers through his hair.

He nodded and went off to the kitchen to make the tea. She followed him, taking a seat at the table to watch. Bill inquired about Laura's health every morning, and every morning her answer was the same. She felt great. At six months pregnant, she was amazed at how good she felt. The only problem was her constant back aches, but they were something she was willing to accept. It wasn't just the pregnancy though. Ever since they'd become a more permanent presence in each other's lives, he inquired about her health at least once a day. Sometimes he did it subtly, other times he didn't. Laura knew he just liked to be sure she was in good health, given her past and all, but she wished she could reassure him somehow. She wanted him to know the cancer wasn't coming back and she'd be fine.

"I think your daughter would like to tell you good morning," Laura said with a smile as she felt the baby begin to stir.

Bill knelt beside her and placed his hand on her stomach, his eyes lighting up as he felt the movement Laura had been referring to.

"There's our girl." He whispered, kissing the spot where he'd just felt a tiny foot connect with his palm.

"Three months to go," Laura said, her voice tinged with excitement.

"Are you ready?" Bill asked jokingly. He knew she was. Was he ready was the more important question.

"Yes, sir! I've done all my research, and keep in mind I've had my fair share of experience with small children." She replied.

"You're going to be a wonderful mother, Laura." He said, his tone shifting from joking to loving and serious. Laura felt her eyes filling with tears as she let out a shaky laugh.

"Thank you. You're already a wonderful father."

Bill took one of her hands and kissed it. How had he gotten so lucky?

"I don't wanna take a nap." Venus said, giving her mother an impressive pout. Laura sighed and tried to hide a small smile. Laura and Bill both found it rather amusing when Venus acted stubborn. They knew she got it from both of them.

"Please? Just a little one?" Laura bargained, sitting down on the couch next to Venus.

"You have to take one too."

Laura laughed and put an arm around her daughter. "Why's that?" She asked.

"So baby will stop making you feel bad." She said, snuggling closer to Laura.

"I can't argue with that logic," Laura admitted. She figured lying down couldn't do any harm.

They quickly arranged themselves on the couch so they were laying side by side, something they could easily accomplish since Venus hardly took up any space. That's how Bill found them nearly an hour later when he entered the room. He smiled warmly at his girls curled up together on the couch, thinking he'd never seen anything so perfect in his entire life, but then again, he thought that every time he looked at either of them. He thought it every time he looked at Lee, Kara, and their daughter, he used to think it every time he looked at Zak, and he was certain he'd think it every time he looked at their newest addition.