Disclaimer: I don't own anything affiliated with Disney whatsoever.

Squad Unit 19: Hey, everybody, and welcome to the 9th chapter of this story. I know it's been forever and I sincerely apologize. I hope you enjoy it though.

Squad Unit 19.

THREE HEARTS, ONE LOVE

It was the day after the mice had found out their baby was going to be a little girl, and neither could stop thinking or talking about it. Minnie, still in her 17th week of pregnancy, had nicknamed their baby "Our Little Miracle" and "Our Little Angel", because she was a little miracle and she was their little angel. And now that they knew what their baby would be, it turned things in a new direction for the young couple.

Knowing their baby would be a girl, they needed to paint the baby's room. A common color was pink. But there were other options. A light green or a soft yellow... Minnie couldn't decide which color to paint the room. She loved pink, of course, but she also thought that light green or soft yellow would be like spring and summer colors and would also work for their little one. It took a while, but she finally decided on white for the room. Since it had light brown hardwood floors, the white walls and ceiling would go perfectly with the floor, and it would make the room bright.

Which brought up another matter that the mice had to attend to now; Baby names.

"What about Megan?" Minnie suggested, looking up at her husband. She stood leaning against the wall in the baby's room, a notepad in her left hand and a pencil in her right. She had written down a small list of baby names and was asking Mickey about them as he painted one of the walls.

"I don't know... Whaddaya think?"

"I'm not sure. It's cute but..." she trailed off as she looked at the list again, tapping the eraser against her lips. "How about Morgan?" In the tradition of their names, they had opted to give the baby a name that started with "M". That narrowed the list down by a lot, but they still had plenty of "M" names to choose from.

"Sounds cute, but I'm not sure." He looked toward her. "How 'bout Miranda?"

Minnie gave a little smile. "It's cute, but..."

"Still not sure, huh?" he chuckled.

She giggled and shook her head. "No."

"Don't worry. We still have some time to figure it out," he said.

"Yeah, we do," she agreed, giving a little smile. She stepped over to a chair and sat down, tapping the pencil eraser against her lips. "There's also Michelle." Both chuckled. "We'll figure it out."

"Yeah, we will." Mickey stepped back from his painting. "So how's it lookin'?"

Minnie stood up and looked at the wall, and walked up to her companion, wrapping her arms around his middle as she nuzzled against him. "It looks beautiful, Mickey. You're doing an excellent job."

"Aw, shucks..." he blushed.

"I still wish I could help you paint..." Minnie said.

"I toldja t' just sit back and relax," Mickey reminded her.

"But I wanna do something. I don't like just watching you do all the work. It's not fair."

"And it's not fair for you to be doin' this. You're pregnant, I'm not." He chuckled and she smiled playfully, giving him a light brush with her hips.

"But I'm perfectly capable of helping. Being pregnant doesn't mean I'm immobile." She gave a little smile. "Can't I help you paint just a little?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

He sighed and turned to her. "How long ya gonna keep this up?"

She stood her ground as she placed her hands on her hips. "Until you give in and let me help you." Her smile was a bit cocky, but defiant. "You know I can make you agree to let me help."

It was true, she could, and he knew it. All it'd take is her batting her long lashes at him while smiling that pleading smile as she showed him her big brown irises. "Ahhg... Fine."

"Yay!" Minnie clapped her hands and bounced in excitement. "Thanks, sweetie!" She pecked the side of his lips and quickly grabbed a paint brush.

"But tell me if ya start feeling anything, got it?"

"Yes, sir, Mickey, sir!" She gave a salute. "Promise!"

"So why do ya wanna help anyway?" he asked as he started painting again.

"Because it isn't fair for you to do it all yourself," she explained. "Remember on our honeymoon, what I told you about going on adventures?"

Mickey smiled, thinking back to that night in the motel room. "How could I forget?" He turned to her. "You said you wanted to start coming with me more on adventures."

"Right," she smiled up at him. "I told you I wanted to be there for you, that I wanted to go with you more and be a bigger help to you." She stopped painting as she explained her feelings. "I meant what I said then and I still mean it now. I want to be more than just a stay-at-home-wife. I want to be a bigger part of your life..." Her tone softened as she smiled fondly. "...just like you're such a big part of mine. I want us to be a team, partners, equals..."

"We already are," Mickey told her warmly, and put the brush down so he could wrap her in his arms. "We always have been, and we always will be. Nothing's gonna change that."

Her heart fluttered. And her eyes began to water as she smiled. She wiped her eyes before she continued. "It's just... we've done so much together. And... we made this baby together, our baby. And... I want us to be a family. I want us to be able to work on this room together... to be able to be a part of our baby's life." Her cheeks flushed as she looked away. "Guess that sounds a little cheesy, doesn't it?" Her face was suddenly directed up to his as his finger lifted her chin, making her eyes meet his.

"Cheesy? Maybe. But I feel the same way, so even if it is cheesy, I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Oh, Mickey..." Minnie wiped her eyes as she felt happy tears streak down her cheeks, and she moved her arms around her husband to embrace him, feeling him return her action. "You're wonderful."

"So are you."

She squeezed him a little tighter, then pulled back and wiped her eyes as she sniffed and smiled. "We... we better finish this room."

"Yeah, we don't have long till the baby comes."

She quirked a brow. "You do know we've still got a few good months before the baby comes, right?"

"Yeah, I do, but the baby don't."

"Oh, Mickey..." Minnie chuckled at his silliness, and leaned up to kiss his cheek. It was then that she felt a little movement in her belly. "Ooh..." She placed a hand on her stomach and Mickey placed a hand on hers.

"Ya okay?"

She could hear the worry in his tone, but knew it was nothing. Although she was a first time mother, Minnie knew that their baby was fine. Call it a mother's instinct. "Yeah. Don't worry, sweetie, I'm okay," she said with a smile. "Our little angel just got comfortable." She giggled. Mickey smiled, and left his hand over hers on her belly, feeling the tiny movements together. "You really should stop going nuts over every time the baby moves," she said softly. "I'm only five months pregnant. I'm not gonna have the baby for at least two or three more months."

"Yeah, but th' baby don't know that," he said, and she couldn't help but giggle at his silliness. "As far as she knows, it could be month nine right now!"

"Ha ha! Oh, Mickey... The baby isn't coming out for at least two more months, so don't go stressing yourself out. Okay? We've still got plenty of time. So don't go giving yourself an ulcer. Relax. Chill out. Be cool, dude."

"Heh... Guess I'm gonna be one o' those dads that goes bonkers over the slightest thing right now," Mickey chuckled.

Minnie gave him a look. "You're not gonna be one of those expectant fathers that sleep with their clothes on, are you?"

Mickey gave a light grin. "Oh, no, no." He fibbed. He would be.

"You're lying," she grinned.

"I didn't lie. I just didn't exactly tell the truth." She continued to eye him. "...Probably..." he admitted as his shoulders sunk.

"Mickey, isn't that taking things a little to the extreme?"

"Better to be safe than sorry."

She rolled her eyes. Although she thought he was being way too cautious about this, she loved him and respected him for it. A smile found her lips as she leaned close and pecked his own. "You're silly, but you're cute."

"So how do ya think our folks and friends will respond when they find out it's a girl?" he asked, picking up the paint brush.

Minnie picked hers back up and dipped it in the paint. "Freak out, like they did when they found out I was pregnant." She giggled. "I just want to have some peace and quiet right now, let it just be you and I and the baby."

"So when do ya wanna tell 'em?"

"Soon. But right now, I just wanna take it nice and slow..." She nudged him lightly with her hip, smiling playfully. "...and be with the guy that got me pregnant,
hee hee!"

Over the next couple of days, Minnie and Mickey continued to work on the room, just the two of them, painting and decor planning. They went shopping, looking at cribs and such to go in the room. They also looked at toys and clothes for their little one. While out, they decided to go ahead and tell their family about the news. Both of their parents were overjoyed, and immediately began thinking of things the mice could add to the nursery. When they got back home, the mice opted to just relax.

Soon, Minnie had started her 18th week of pregnancy. Now five and a half months pregnant, Minnie was showing more around her belly. By now the mice had told their friends of the news. All of them were happy for the growing young family. Of course, as a result of Minnie's added weight, she and Mickey decided they should go ahead and tell Clarabelle. She'd find out soon enough anyway...

Minnie was painting gently on a wall while Mickey looked over the instructions to the pink crib they'd bought. He counted the legs on the darn thing but he couldn't find the last one. There's supposed to be four!

"I think there's a leg missin'..."

Minnie glanced over at him, and giggled. "Here, let me help." She put down the brush and walked over to where he sat on the partially finished hardwood floor. He handed her the instructions as he started rummaging inside the box again. She looked at the instructions, then at the pile of parts on the floor. Glancing over, she saw something underneath the makeshift table they had set up. "Mickey."

"Yeah, Min?"

"Here it is."

He stopped, and turned back to see her holding the other leg, grinning lightly.

"Wha... Where'dja find it?"

She giggled. "It rolled under the table."

Mickey smacked his forehead. "Doh..." Minnie giggled, handing him the leg.."Thanks, Min..." he said with a blush, "I don't know what I'd do withoutcha."

Minnie smiled, and pecked his cheek. "You're welcome, sweetie." She giggled, patting his head. "That's why I married you." Just then, the doorbell rang. "There's Clarabelle..." Minnie muttered with a sigh.

"Oh, this is gonna be good..." Mickey said with a roll of his eyes. The two started walking into the hall. "Now the whole town'll know."

"Well, we have to tell her eventually," Minnie said. "I'm surprised we've kept it from her this long. I know she's been getting suspicious. Besides, everyone else knows."

"Yeah..."

"I just hope she doesn't overdo it."

"This is Clarabelle," Mickey deadpanned, "she over does everything."

Minnie giggled. "Ya mean like you."

"Hey, I might overdo things, but I don't gossip like my life depends on it."

Minnie nodded. "True, you don't. And the things you over do and things Clarabelle over does are very different."

Entering the living room, Mickey placed his hand on the doorknob. "Ya ready?"

Minnie sighed. "No. But let's get it over with..."

He sighed and opened the door. "Hey, Clarabelle."

The bovine smiled at the couple. "Well, hello, Mickey, Minnie."

"Hello, Clarabelle," Minnie greeted. "Come on in."

"Oooh, you wouldn't believe what I heard the other day..." the bovine began.

"Here we go..." Mickey muttered.

"Um, Clarabelle, we actually needed/wanted to tell you something," Minnie said.

"You sounded rather secretive on the phone... Is something wrong?" the cow asked as she stepped in.

"Oh, no, everything's fine," Minnie assured, walking over and sitting on the loveseat, Mickey joining her.

Clarabelle looked at the mice. "You know, if you two are having marital problems..."

"We're not!" Minnie spoke quickly as Mickey smacked his forehead. "Everything is fine between Mickey and me."

"Oh, that's a relief. I hear all sorts of stories of young couples who marry too early and develop marital issues later on."

Mickey facepalmed. Again.

Minnie rolled her eyes at Clarabelle's statement. "We're fine, Clarabelle. That's not why I called you over here."

"I heard you two were doing some remodeling." The mice froze, and exchanged looks. How did she know? The bovine continued. "One of my friends said they saw Mickey at Mouston Lumber buying up some plywood and nails."

Jeez, can ya not keep a secret in this town?! Mickey thought. "Yeah, Min and I were adding another room onto the house."

"Didn't you say once, Minnie, that this house was plenty big enough for you and Mickey?" Clarabelle asked.

"Yeah, it is," Minnie answered. "But Mickey and I..." She rubbed a hand across her belly. "...we decided to expand our home." She looked at Mickey, and took his hand before turning back to the bovine. "Mickey and I... We're going to have a baby."

Silence. Dead silence.

Finally, Clarabelle spoke. "Beg pardon?"

"Mickey and I are gonna have our own little bundle of joy," Minnie explained.

"That's why we've been adding another room," Mickey added.

"Well, that's delightful!" Clarabelle exclaimed. "How far along are you?"

"Five and a half months," Minnie replied.

"Five months, fifteen days, sixteen hours and..." Mickey looked at his watch. "...twenty three minutes."

Minnie looked at Mickey first with a look of shock, then a smile formed on her face as she looked at him with admiration, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.

"Do you know if it will be a boy or a girl?"

"Girl," the mice replied in unison, sharing a glance.

"Ooh, this is absolutely wonderful! Have you thought up a name yet?"

"We're..." Mickey started.

"Working on it..." Minnie finished.

"I can get you some ideas if you'd like."

"No thanks, Clarabelle," Minnie answered, "Mickey and I will think of something."

Clarabelle stood up, her mind now buzzing about with ideas. "Oh, the girls are going to want to know about this. This is big news! Everyone will want to know! Mickey and Minnie are having a bundle of joy!" The last part she said as if she was imagining reading it from a newspaper.

The mice exchanged a concerned glance. This is exactly what they were worried about.

"Clarabelle," Minnie tried.

"There should be a big event for this."

"Clarabelle."

"We could have a big dinner at the gymnasium in honor of the event.

"Clarabelle!"

Silence. Save for Mickey's snickers. As Minnie gave him a look, he lost it, falling back onto the couch as he burst into a giggle fit.

"I appreciate that, Clarabelle, but I don't want anything like that," Minnie said.

"But, Minnie, you're having a baby. This is a big and important event! Do you know how many people will want to know?"

"That doesn't matter to me." Minnie took a breath as she rubbed her free hand across her stomach, keeping her other hand grasped in Mickey's. "This is a big occasion, but only for Mickey and me. I don't want a big deal made out of this. I want it to just be our closest family and friends that know. No big party, no gossiping to others about it. I want to just take things slow, and not make a huge deal out of it." She turned to her companion. "Mickey?"

Mickey sat up straight, giving his young wife a gentle squeeze. "Whatever is more comfortable for you, Min, that's what I want. Whatever makes you and the baby happy is fine with me."

Minnie felt her eyes dampen/tear up. "Oh, Mickey..." She nuzzled him affectionately.

"So you don't want to have a party with the girls from my society club?"

The mice shook their heads.

"And we don't want you to gossip about this either," Minnie stated. "Nor do I want unsolicited advise from other mothers."

"And I don't want unsolicited advise from other fathers!" Mickey added.

Clarabelle sighed. "All right. I won't tell a soul about this. Only the people you want me to."

"Thanks, Clarabelle," Minnie said.

"So do you have any books on pregnancy?"

"Lots of 'em," Minnie replied.

Clarabelle turned to Mickey. "Mickey, make sure Minnie doesn't do anything strenuous. Keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't overexert herself."

Minnie chuckled. "Ya don't hafta tell him that. He's already been watching me like a hawk."

"That's good. I can also have Horace come over and help you with the room if you wish."

"Thanks. We could probably use the help," Mickey agreed.

Minnie stood up, a little wobbly, but she stood. "Would you like something to drink?"

Clarabelle nodded. "Some tea would be fine."

Minnie nodded, then turned to her husband. "Can I bring you something too?"

Mickey shook his head. "Nah, I'm good, thanks." He stood up then. "I'll get the tea. You just sit here and take it easy."

"But I can-"

"Sit." He kissed her nose and headed off into the kitchen. Minnie stood for a moment, her cheeks pink, before slowly sitting back down on the loveseat.

Clarabelle watched as Minnie looked off in the direction her companion had gone, and smiled. "Mickey will make a fine father, Minnie."

Minnie smiled as she rubbed a hand across her stomach, feeling the baby moving inside. "Yeah. He will."

To be continued...