Stephen was sitting at the kitchen table with his laptop closed in front of him when Nicole came into the room. She said, "I told Kyle and Jessi that we wanted to talk to them." She paused and added, "You're sure about this?"
"Yes," Stephen nodded. "We both want to do it."
Nicole sat down and nervously picked up her tea. Kyle and Jessi came in close behind her with concerned expressions on their faces. They sat down at the table across from Nicole and looked at her, questions obvious on their faces.
Nicole began "Stephen and I have something we want to ask the two of you." She hesitated and added, "I know you have other plans and it's all right if you want to do it differently."
"What is it, Nicole?" Kyle asked.
Nicole looked at Stephen then back to Kyle and Jessi, "We would like to adopt the babies when they get out of their pods." She went on in a slight rush, "We've had experience with the two of you and we understand what we would be getting ourselves into. We know all the background secrets so there would be no problem with that."
Kyle smiled, greatly relieved, "We think you'd make wonderful parents for them."
"We know what you sacrificed to give us a home," Jessi said. "We didn't want to ask any more from you."
"Nicole and I have gotten used to being part of the adventure," Stephen said. "We were beginning to feel that our part was over. This way we can stay involved."
"We are always going to be a part of this family," Kyle assured him, sincerely. "We are always going to stay connected to you." He paused for a moment, "But it would be very nice for us to be able to keep track of the babies. They'll need our help when they reach their teens."
"They'll have to know the truth someday," Nicole said. "Their similarity to the two of you will be obvious."
"But not until they're older," Jessi said. "They'll need to have normal childhoods."
"And parents who'll love them," Nicole agreed. "Stephen and I will."
"So I guess we'll have to get a nursery ready for October then," Stephen said.
"More children without belly buttons," Nicole smiled. "We're used to that too."
"I've been thinking about that," Kyle said. "It should be a simple procedure to create a fake naval. You'd want to wait until they were at least a couple of months out of the pod, first."
"We'd have to find a doctor who would be willing to do that," Nicole cautioned.
Kyle smiled, "I could do it." At Nicole's look of concern he added, "I'd practice first."
"Not on Jessi," Nicole objected.
"No, not on Jessi," Kyle assured her. "Jessi's body is perfect exactly the way it is." He and Jessi exchanged smiles.