CHAPTER 16:

A Few Months Later…

"Oh there it is. There's your baby's heartbeat." Dr. Little told Jen, turning the ultrasound machine's screen towards her and pointing at the screen. Jen smiled, watching the black and white image before her.

"Do you know if it's a boy or girl yet?" Fiona asked. She had continued to go with Jen to her doctor's appointments.

"Yes…I do."

"I don't want to know!" Jen protested. Fiona was taken aback.

"Why not?"

"Because! I want it to be a surprise!" Fiona snorted, shaking her head in disapproval at her. Jen folded her arms across her chest. "James and I decided we wanted to find out when it's born."

"Which, if I'm correct, will be in about three month's time." Dr. Little stated, printing off a snapshot of the ultrasound for Jennifer.

"Oh God, time flies." Jen sighed, rolling down her shirt over her baby bump. It was now completely evident that she was pregnant. She had now resorted to maternal wear as nothing in her closet fit anymore.

"Well…I tell my patients to think of it this way: giving birth may be scary but just think that you won't have to feel like a waddling hippopotamus anymore."

"That day will be a relief." Jen replied, slowly getting off the examining table.

"Trust me, it will come soon enough. You take care of yourself now." Dr. Little said as Jen and Fiona left his office.

"I know I say it every time I come here, but how is that guy gay? He's so…he's so good looking!" Fiona exclaimed. The first time she saw him, she thought he was a different doctor. He was tall, dark haired, had a nice deep voice and Fiona couldn't believe that he didn't like women.

"Oh Fiona…you're being ridiculous." Jen replied as they got into the car. "Besides, whatever happened to that thing you had for Cooper?"

"Wait! How did you know?"

"I didn't, until now." Jen smirked.

"Well…he's married."

"What?"

"To his cars." Fiona retorted, turning the key in the ignition. Her Camaro roared to life. She still had feelings for him but he had his dedications elsewhere.

"I only guessed about you and Cooper, I mean, that whole time when James and I were on our honeymoon, you two were alone. I figured it was a good estimation."

"Yes it was. I kissed him."

"You kissed him? What happened to him not being interested?"

"Well I went to tell him and then I just…I went for the bold move. He didn't pull away though."

"He was probably being polite."

"He could have been but…" Fiona sighed. Jen sensed Fiona was disappointed with still being single, especially being around a married couple.

"Why don't you go out to a bar tonight? I'll be your designated driver, considering I can't drink. Why don't you have some fun? You could meet a charming Englishman…"

"All the guys in bars are so…I don't know, gross."

"That would be the drunkards you're talking about. I'm thinking about this one place, it's across the way from a country club. A lot of those guys who go there own horses, they're rich, and good looking…see where I'm going with this?"

"Oh I don't think I'd want to." Fiona said, turning down Jen's street.

"Fiona Taylor, really, when was the last time you went out and had a good time? And don't say with Marcus Dane because that doesn't count."

"Um…" Fiona actually had to pause and think about it. She could not recall going out and having a great time with someone, besides Marcus before she knew his abusive side.

"See? Besides, you can borrow an outfit of mine, considering I can't fit into anything but elasticised jeans and baggy shirts." Jen chuckled.

"All right, I'll go. No promises though." Fiona said, pulling into the parking garage of Jen's apartment building. "And what do I do if I find some guy? I have nowhere to bring him home."

"Fiona….you go to his house. Just…make sure you are not too drunk, okay? And call me to let me know."

"Yes mom."

The pair of them continued up the elevator in silence. Jen was plotting what to let Fiona wear tonight and Fiona was thinking what she had gotten herself into. By the time they got to the top floor, Jen knew the perfect outfit for Fiona. She opened the door and walked straight into her room and her walk-in closet. She began searching through her things.

"Way to say hello." James said as he appeared from around the corner. Jen paused in her mad digging and pulled out the ultrasound picture. She handed it to him. James grinned, reaching for Jen's belly. He laid his hand on her stomach. Jen clasped her hands over his. "I love you." James whispered softly.

"I love you too." Jen leaned forward and they kissed. "I've convinced Fiona to go out tonight, and I've got this outfit planned for her."

"Ah, well I'll be in the living room." James said as he left Jen in her closet. On his way out of their bedroom, he bumped into Fiona. "Sorry."

"That's all right." Fiona walked over to the closet. "So, what crazy thing do you have for me?"

"Well…here." Jen handed her a polo shirt and a black skirt. She reached behind her and grabbed a pair of heels that weren't too tall but did give one a little height.

"Are you kidding me? Why would I wear this to a pub?"

"Fiona, try it on. Secondly, it's a country club bar; it's a bit fancier than you may think."

"Fine." Fiona sighed, taking the outfit and going into the bathroom to change into it.

Fiona returned a few minutes later. The polo was a straight grey, with a white dress shirt collar on the inside. The skirt was black and it hung mid-thigh on Fiona.

"Don't you think this skirt's a bit too…high?" Fiona asked, looking at herself in the mirror.

"No…it looks fine. I haven't worn that since I was…anyway, it looks fine, but I'm disagreeing with the shirt. Hold on a second." Jen went back into the closet to look for a better shirt. She pulled a white dress shirt, and a white tank top that went under it. "There. That's better."

"It looks like I just got off working at the office."

"That's the idea isn't it? Go, try it on." Fiona sighed again, going back into the bathroom. She returned again.

"Better. Now, here are the shoes."

"I think the shirt's a little um…low cut."

"It's fine. Now shut up and put on the shoes." Jen ordered as she handed the black heels to Fiona. Surprisingly, they fit.

"Okay, happy?"

"You look good, honestly. Now for that hair of yours."