Jenny had just reached six months and had her twenty-four week check-up. Jethro hated that he had to miss it but Earl had a doctor's appointment as well and Jethro was needed to run the hardware store. He promised to come straight home from work though. So that they would have time to look at the ultrasound pictures and talk about the appointment. Before Jenny had to leave for her shift at the diner. After school Jethro rode his bike to the hardware store and Jenny caught a ride to the doctors from her friend Carly. Since she was the only girl in the group who had a car. Jenny leaned heavily against the seat of the ancient pick-up truck. Carly had inherited when her dad purchased a new truck the year before. It was getting harder for her to move around and get comfortable. At least Carly's truck was lower and fairly easy to get into. Unlike the ones the boys had that were jacked up on giant all terrain tires so they could take them hunting. The week before when Jethro had ridden out with Earl to a larger hardware store to pick-up some fertilizer for Mr. Johnson who had injured his leg and was unable to drive or tend his farm. It was pouring and the diner closed an hour early. When she couldn't get a hold of Jack or Darla. She ended up getting a ride home from Charlie Erickson an eleventh grader who washed dishes at the diner. She was grateful for the ride but hated that he had to lift her into the truck. Like she was some old lady or disabled. At least there were only three more months. Of course then she would have the baby and that would be even harder.
"How much longer?" Carly asked.
"Fourteen to sixteen weeks." Jenny replied.
"Can't you like have the baby now?" Carly asked.
"I could but it would be really tiny and sick. So I don't want that." Jenny replied.
"Oh cause I was thinking you are really uncomfortable and it would be nice if you could like just have it now. Ya know?" Carly explained.
"I am uncomfortable but I would rather have a healthy baby than be comfortable!" Jenny snapped.
"Jeez Jen I am sorry." Carly replied.
"Yeah how about you try being six months pregnant! Living with your boyfriend and his family because your own disowned you! Oh yeah and your boyfriend's mom is pregnant too! Then see how you feel!" Jenny snapped.
"Jen are you OK?" Carly asked.
"I am tired I can barely sleep. I just want Jethro to be with me." Jenny replied.
"Where is Jethro?" Carly asked.
"Working" Jenny scoffed.
"Why is he working now?" Carly questioned.
"His boss had an appointment and needed him to run the store." Jenny explained.
"That's too bad." Carly replied.
"Yeah but after today I have to go in every other week." Jenny explained.
Jenny lay down on the exam table. This was her first time alone at an appointment. Darla was supposed to meet them there but Tony was sick and Jack was doing inventory at the store. So she had to stay with Abby and Tim. Carly had offered to come in but she was extremely squeamish and backed out at the last-minute. Jenny was sure that with Carly's three little brothers she would be used to seeing an ultrasound. She looked up as Dr. Higgins walked into the room.
"How are you feeling today Miss. Sheppard?" Dr. Higgins asked.
"OK I guess." Jenny replied.
"What's the problem?" Dr. Higgins asked.
"I am just tired. Things are crazy at home." Jenny explained.
"Well that is normal especially since Jethro's step-mother is pregnant as well." Dr. Higgins replied.
"That and baby is keeping me up." Jenny replied.
"Are you sure you don't want to find out the sex?" Dr. Higgins asked.
"No Jethro and I want to be surprised." Jenny replied.
"Speaking of Jethro. Where is he?" Dr. Higgins questioned.
"He couldn't get off of work." Jenny explained.
"That's too bad. Let's take a look at that baby and bring Jethro a new ultrasound." Dr. Higgins replied.
"OK" Jenny replied lifting up her shirt.
"You are a lot more comfortable with this than most girls your age are." Dr. Higgins observed as she flipped on the machine.
"I just want to see my baby." Jenny replied.
"Well there it is and congratulations everything still looks great. Strong heartbeat and growing right on schedule." Dr. Higgins explained showing Jenny the screen.
"Hi baby I can't wait to meet you." Jenny greeted.
"Three more months." Dr. Higgins grinned as she printed out the ultrasound.
"Is there anything I need to know?" Jenny asked.
"Well you can't fly anymore. Other than that I need to see you in two weeks." Dr. Higgins explained.
"OK I just hope that Jethro can come then." Jenny replied.
Jethro hopped on his bike and raced home. He couldn't wait to see Jenny. It killed him that he couldn't make her appointment but he couldn't afford to lose that job. Earl was just like Jack you had better have a damn good excuse to get off work. Normally Earl was just fine with him taking the day off to attend Jenny's appointments but today was different. Ordinarily he would just close the store up or find some other way to get out of it but today was the first time he was left in charge of the store and he had to prove himself. He parked his bike at the side of the house, ran in the front door, and down the stairs to the basement. Jenny was sitting on the couch gluing something in her scrapbook.
"Hey Jenny." Jethro greeted.
"Oh good Jethro your home." Jenny replied.
"Yeah I raced home as soon as I could." Jethro explained.
"How was running the store?" Jenny asked.
"It was weird but I've manned my dad's store lots of times." Jethro explained.
"So your used to it." Jenny commented.
"Yep but that's nothing how was the appointment?" Jethro asked.
"It was weird without you there but everything is great so far." Jenny explained.
"Good" Jethro replied.
"Want to see my ultrasound?" Jenny asked.
"Of course." Jethro replied.
"Here you go." Jenny replied handing Jethro the scrapbook and pointing to the newly glued picture.
"Aw it's so cute. I can't wait to see it for real." Jethro replied.
"Same here." Jenny replied.
A/N: PLEASE vote in the poll for this story. New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.