Merry Christmas everyone! I'm sorry it's been such a long wait, but I hope this will be worth it. This chapter isn't festive in the slightest, sorry about that too! But I think you'll like it.

Chapter 17

"Sorry, sorry. Am I late?" Antonio ran down the corridor and came to a stop beside Sylvie, breathless.

"No, they haven't called me in yet." She was jittery, and couldn't decide whether to sit or stand.

"Good" Antonio said. "Hey."

"Hey." She kissed him, holding his face, then let her hands fall back down to her side. Sylvie resumed fiddling with the sleeve of her overcoat and fidgeted from foot to foot. "Where have you been?"

"At work. But don't worry, I've told them not to disturb me for the rest of the day. Nothing will spoil this." Antonio took Sylvie's hands to calm her and lead her to the sofa in the waiting room. She looked so lost for a moment that Antonio pulled her in for a hug.

Antonio missed out on this moment the last time. He wasn't with Sylvie the first time she saw Matty and Gabe on the ultrasound screen and he had regretted it ever since, there was no way that anything was getting in the way of it this time. "I can't wait to see this little lone ranger in here." He put his hand on Sylvie's perfectly flat belly.

Sylvie batted his hand away. "You better hope it's a lone ranger. If you've put two babies inside me again I'm never letting you near me." Sylvie laughed nervously. She was joking. Mostly.

They settled back on the sofa and Sylvie put her head on Antonio's shoulder. As excited as they were, they were also nervous. Neither of them said it aloud, but they each knew the other was feeling the same. The reason their last pregnancy had ended in heartache would forever be a mystery, but what if something was wrong this time too?

It was funny, Sylvie thought, when she found out she was pregnant the first time, all her immediate worries were related to how Antonio would react. Then later, once their relationship had settled and the twins grew inside her, her anxiety was over whether or not she would be a good mother. Up until the day she went into labour, it rarely occurred to her that something might go wrong, that her body would let her down in some way and her babies wouldn't be okay. But now that's all she could think about.

The receptionist placed down the receiver of her phone and looked up. "Sylvie Dawson? You can go through. Dr Marks is ready for you."

"Good morning" Dr Marks said warmly as they entered the room. She put down her pen and stood up to greet them.

Sylvie was nervous, and she was doing a bad job at hiding it, but she looked at Antonio and decided not to concentrate on her own anxiety but to focus on the fact that they were sharing this moment together, something which they hadn't got to experience with the twins. Sylvie hopped up onto the bed. Dr Marks must have sensed her nerves because she lay a hand gently on Sylvie's arm to try and calm her.

"I was wondering if I might see you back in my office one day" Dr Marks said as she set up the equipment. "How are your twins doing?"

It was Antonio that answered. Sylvie wasn't in the mood to make conversation with the doctor, not until her mind was at ease. "They're great. They'll be three in a month. Time flies."

Antonio talked to Dr Marks about the twins, about his and Sylvie's jobs and family life at home. But Sylvie wasn't listening. She lay back and stared at the ceiling, concentrating on breathing in and out.

Antonio noticed she was quiet and stopped his ramble abruptly. "Are you okay, Babe?" He asked, and stroked Sylvie's hair. There was a chair next to the bed but he didn't sit down, instead he learnt over Sylvie offering his comfort.

"I just want to know if everything's okay" Sylvie said in a whisper. Outside in the waiting area she had cracked jokes to distract her from her worries but now they were in the room there was no escape.

Dr Marks was sympathetic. She knew what had happened of course, it was all in Sylvie's notes, but she was tactful enough not to bring it up. She had dealt with plenty of anxious parents in her career, she knew how to handle it. "Alright, we won't waste any time. Lift your sweater for me please Sylvie, and we'll get started."

She did as she was told but continued to stare at the ceiling. She didn't turn towards the doctor or the screen, she was afraid. Antonio watched Sylvie curiously, then brought his hand up to stroke her hair in an effort to encourage her to look at him. When she finally did, Antonio could tell Sylvie was frightened. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

Sylvie tried to ignore the cold gel and the feel of the probe on her stomach. What if there was no heartbeat? What if they'd lose this pregnancy too? She was trying so hard to block out the doctor and the exam room, that she didn't even notice the soft pulsing sound of a tiny heartbeat until she saw Antonio smile and felt him squeeze her hand.

"Sylvie, look."

She turned towards the screen for the first time with trepidation. Seeing the squirmy little blip that was their baby on the screen made her inhale sharply and squeeze Antonio's hand back.

"Well doc? If everything alright?" Antonio asked.

After a second, Dr Marks looked up. "Your baby looks good. Congratulations."

Sylvie studied the screen, not quite daring to believe what Dr Marks had just said. "Just one this time?" she asked. Her voice wavered.

The doctor smiled. "Just one."

Sylvie allowed herself a tiny little smile, but hear heart was still thudding in her chest. She felt Antonio kiss her cheek and then hug her shoulders with excitement. Inexplicably, tears sprang to Sylvie's eyes. This was a special moment, and she tried her best to push her fear away.

Antonio held Sylvie's hand as they rode the elevator down to the ground floor and walked out to the parking lot. Inside, he felt like he might burst from excitement, but when he looked over at his wife he could tell she was troubled and his own excitement was dampened. He didn't need to ask what was wrong, he knew. They reached their car but before Antonio unlocked it, he took hold of both of Sylvie's hands and turned to face her.

"Babe, you're allowed to be excited."

Sylvie smiled at him sadly. She felt bad for spoiling this moment for him. "I am, it's just…"

"I know. But look, you had the boys and everything was fine. This time will be too, I can feel it. And if it's not, we'll get through it. You can't let what might happen take over your life, if you make yourself sick with worry that wouldn't be good for either of you." Antonio let go of one of Sylvie's hands and placed his palm on Sylvie's stomach.

Sylvie relaxed, just a little. She so badly wanted to believe Antonio.

When he looked up again and saw that she was smiling, his joy was plain to see. "We're having another baby" he said, and grinned back.

Sylvie nodded. "We are. But listen, I don't think we should tell anyone just yet, I don't want to jinx it."

"Not even the kids?"

Sylvie shook her head. "I'm not ready. I need to get my head around it first. We will soon, I promise."

"Whatever you want." Antonio kissed the side of her head. "As long as you stop worrying and let yourself be happy."

"I am happy" Sylvie said in a whisper, gazing up at Antonio. "You have no idea."

Antonio wrapped his arms around her. "I think I do."

They stood for a long time in the middle of the parking lot in their embrace. Eventually, they pulled apart.

"So you have the whole day off?" Sylvie smiled.

"Yes. What do you want to do?"

Sylvie picked up Antonio's wrist to take a look at his watch. "We have to go and pick up Ruby" she said. "But then, I want cake."

Matt was out of town on a camping weekend with Severide, and Gabby had asked Sylvie if she could take Ruby for the day. Gabby was mysterious about what her appointment was and had checked about ten times that it was alright for Sylvie to spend her day off caring for Ruby. Of course it was alright, Sylvie promised. Looking after Ruby was not even close to a chore. She was a joyful, smiley baby who made everybody laugh. Right now, she was sitting in Sylvie's lap licking frosting from her fingers.

Sylvie and Antonio sat in the corner of the café by the window enjoying the luxury of free time. It was just what Sylvie needed. Quiet time with her husband, and a last calorie filled treat of hot chocolate and a cupcake before 7 months of healthy eating began. She reached around her squirming niece for a forkful of cake.

"Let's get the twins from day care early and go to the park. It's a beautiful day."

Antonio took a gulp of his coffee and grinned at Sylvie across the table. "Sounds perfect." He looked at Ruby and his smile grew wider. "What do you think? Do you want to play with your cousins?"

Ruby shrieked happily and reached a sticky hand towards her uncle. Sylvie laughed and had to pull her back to prevent her knocking everything on the table over. "Absolutely. She would follow the boys anywhere."

An hour later, Sylvie's theory proved to be true. Ruby was trying her best to crawl up the climbing frame after Matty. Sylvie swooped in and scooped her up in case she hurt herself. Knowing how headstrong the little girl was, she would probably find a way to make it to the very top despite barely being able to walk. She was Gabby and Matt's daughter after all.

"Weeeeee!" Matty said as he slid down the slide for the twentieth time and landed with a soft bump at the bottom.

Gabe didn't want to join in with his brother. Gabe didn't want to do anything but go around and around on the roundabout and had dragged Antonio on too. Antonio didn't look very well.

Antonio caught sight of Sylvie smirking at the fed up look on his face and wasn't impressed. "Surely it's time to swap" he said. "I'll take two for one."

"Not a chance. Besides, I'm already nauseous enough."

"Right. That's enough buddy." Antonio put his foot down on the tarmac and the roundabout came to a halt. "I've eaten too much cake for this."

"Daddy, no!"

Both of his parents had seen that particular look on Gabriel's face many times before and were well practiced in preventing his stubborn pout escalating into a full-blown tantrum. Stubbornness. Another Dawson trait.

"Yes" Antonio said, picking up his son. "It's time to go."

It was late into the afternoon and Sylvie was exhausted. It had been a long day. Although, Sylvie thought with a knowing smile, she'd have to get used to chasing three kids around on a daily basis soon, she might as well get some practice in now. When she opened the front door holding Ruby, she was surprised to find Eva standing in the hallway with a strange look on her face.

"That's a guilty look if every I saw one." Sylvie said. She pushed the door open wider and the twins ran past her into the house.

Eva came forward and stroked Ruby's head to greet her, but was distracted. "Where's Dad?"

"He's getting the groceries from the car. We're having a family dinner tonight."

Eva nodded, but didn't say another word.

"What is it?"

Eva opened her mouth about to speak when Antonio walked in the door, his arms full. "Home made burgers tonight, what do you think?" He dumped the bags on the table in the hall and shrugged off his jacket. When he turned to face his daughter, he too instantly knew something was up. The fact he could read his teenage daughter like an open book was a relief, honestly, and his life was far less stressful because of it.

"Dad, don't be mad…"

Most of the time. Those were four words no parent ever wanted to hear.

"Kitty!"

And that was another.

In the living room, Matteo and Gabriel were leaning far over a cardboard box on the coffee table, peering inside and jumping up and down in unison.

"Before you say anything, just listen. I found her in a dumpster, I couldn't just leave her there." Eva rushed past Antonio and Sylvie and stood between them and the cardboard box, her arms up as a shield.

Antonio and Sylvie shared a glance and walked cautiously into the room. Now all six of them were crowded around the table, staring at a small tabby kitten in a nest of blankets. The creature gazed up at them with big green eyes and meowed softly. Eva leant over and picked her up, cradling the kitten and looking pleadingly at her father. The twins pulled at Eva's sweater, trying to get closer.

"Eva, what are shelters for?"

Eva hugged the cat to her body. "They kill those animals if they're not re-homed, Dad."

"What if it has fleas?"

"She doesn't have fleas." Eva held the kitten up to her face and lifted one little pink paw, making it wave at her reluctant father. "Hi."

Antonio grinned but quickly tried to wipe it from his face. It didn't work though, Eva saw, and a look of triumph settled on her face.

Sylvie watched all this with amusement. She bounced Ruby on her hip. "What do you think?" she said to the little girl. "She's pretty cute, huh?" Sylvie reached out to pet the kitten.

"Not you too" Antonio said, throwing up his hands. He knew the battle was lost.

Sylvie stroked the cat, then Eva crouched down so her excited brothers could take a closer look. "I named her Pixie. I'm taking her to the vet tomorrow." She looked up at Antonio, launching into the speech she had been practicing in her head all afternoon. "I'll get a job, I'll pay for food and vet bills and everything, you don't have to worry about that."

Antonio's arms were folded. "And when you go off to college who do you think will be stuck looking after it, hey?"

"Me." Sylvie raised her hand and smiled. She stood up and went to her husband. "Come on."

"Won't we have enough to deal with soon?"

Sylvie looped her free arm around his waist but raised a warning eyebrow at the same time. They would break the news tonight, but not at this moment. She turned back to Eva. She had sat down, the kitten in her lap, and Matty and Gabe had climbed up onto the couch either side of her.

"Gently" Sylvie warned her sons, but she didn't need to. They were stroking the tiny animal so softly that her heart melted. They'll be great big brothers, Sylvie thought to herself. Antonio hugged her silently. She reached up and gave him a peck on the cheek.

They heard a key turn in the front door, and Diego's voice asking "did someone mention burgers for dinner?" He walked into the house, hand in hand with his girlfriend and stopped in the doorway. "What's going on?"

Antonio sighed, and turned to face his oldest son. "Apparently we now have a cat."

"Diego, we were supposed to be having a family dinner" Antonio said in a hushed voice.

Diego paused in the doorway carrying a bowl of sliced tomatoes through to the dining room and turned back around. "I'm sorry, Dad. I didn't think…"

"Don't be silly" Sylvie said. She closed the refrigerator door and shot her husband a stern look. "Of course Olivia's welcome, any time."

Diego's brow furrowed and he looked apprehensively at his father. "Ok, if you're sure."

"Absolutely" Sylvie said with a smile, and Diego left the room. "What was that?" She said to Antonio sharply.

Antonio put down the spatula he was holding. "I know what you said, but I thought you might want to tell the kids tonight after all?" he said.

"Antonio, I told you I wasn't ready." She sighed. "I know you're excited, but there's no rush. This baby isn't going anywhere." The true meaning of Sylvie's words was not lost on Antonio but he let it go.

"You're right. I'm sorry."

"You should apologise to Diego."

When Diego came back into the kitchen to fetch the plates, Sylvie grabbed the spatula from the counter and nudged Antonio away from his spot at the grill.

"Diego, I'm sorry. I'm just a bit on edge, I didn't mean to sound like Olivia wasn't welcome in our home."

Diego smiled. "It's okay. I'm sorry, I should have checked it was okay before bringing her round."

The doorbell rang. "That will be Gabby" Sylvie said. She gave the spatula back to Antonio on her way out of the kitchen and went to open the door.

"I'm sorry I'm late" Gabby said.

"Not at all" Sylvie said, inviting Gabby in. "Ruby was as good as gold." They walked into the living room where Eva, Olivia and the three little ones were sat in a circle on the rug, the kitten rolling around in the middle of them.

"Oh, what's this?" Gabby asked, grinning. She crouched down behind her daughter and kissed her on the head.

"Hi Aunt Gabby" Eva said. "We got a pet."

Gabby raised her eyebrow. "Who got a pet?"

Eva looked away. "I got a pet."

"There we go" Gabby said, satisfied. She knew her niece too well. "So, what's the story?"

"She was abandoned" Eva explained, pulling a piece of string along the carpet which the kitten obediently chased.

Sylvie watched her friend. She could tell she was hiding something. "Never mind that" she said, "what's the story with you?" Gabby took her eyes off the kitten and looked at Sylvie. "Where were you today?" Sylvie asked.

Gabby picked up Ruby and stood up. Ruby protested at being torn abruptly away from her cousins and new fluffy toy but Gabby paid no attention. Out in the hall, Gabby sighed. "I've been at the CPD academy most of the day" she explained in a hushed voice, "seeing about a job."

"Teaching?"

Gabby nodded. Sylvie laughed.

"What?" Gabby asked, incredulous, but smiled too, knowing what Sylvie must be thinking.

"After all the headaches you caused when you were an EMT, they agreed to let you loose teaching new recruits all your bad habits?"

"I have no doubt they'll be keeping a very close eye on me." Gabby turned to Ruby in her arms. "What do you think, can Mommy go back to work?"

Ruby's answer was a frustrated pout as she strained in Gabby's arms in the direction of all the fun that was going on in the livingroom without her.

"Congratulations Gabby" Sylvie hugged her friend. "I'm happy for you." The irony of her words was not lost on Sylvie. After her morning appointment, it should be Gabby saying those exact words to her. "Do you want to stay for dinner? We have plenty of food."

"No, some other time. I should get this one to bed."

Sylvie turned to pick up Ruby's bag from the hall bench and paused, deciding something. "I'll help you out to the car with the stroller" Sylvie said, as a pre-text to getting out of the house. "I have some news to share with you too."

"Just a moment" Gabby said, "I better go and say hi to my brother." Sylvie watched Gabby disappear into the kitchen and took a deep breath.

"You got out of cooking" Diego said to his sister, "that means you have to do the dishes." Eva opened her mouth to protest but Diego cut her off. "It's only fair."

"He's right" Antonio said, reaching for the ketchup. "Just because you've brought another chore into the house doesn't mean you can get out of helping with everything else."

"This is delicious. Thank you for having me Mr Dawson." Olivia smiled and took a bite of her burger.

"You're welcome, Liv" Antonio said. He watched Diego grin at his girlfriend and squeeze her hand under the table where he thought no one could see. But he was soon distracted by Matteo, next to him in his high chair, throwing a french fry across the table. "They're supposed to go into your mouth, champ" he said, gently taking hold of the toddler's arm to stop him waving them around.

"Sorry" Matty said, and picked up another handful of fries from his plate.

Across the table, Sylvie watched her family eating their meal and chatting amongst themselves and felt calmer and happier than she had all day. As excited as she was at the ultrasound appointment she has also been extremely nervous. She'd enjoyed hanging out with Gabriel, Matteo and Ruby in the park, and spending an entire day with her husband, but she hadn't been able to escape the nervous feeling that had bubbled in the pit of her stomach for weeks. Until now.

"Mommy?"

Beside her, Gabe called her name. "Yes darling?"

"Can I have Sugarpuffs please?"

"Now?" Gabe nodded, very seriously. Sylvie brushed his hair from his face affectionately. "Not now, we're having burgers that Daddy made. Maybe for breakfast tomorrow."

Unbelievably, Gabriel only shrugged and gazed thoughtfully at his plate. Tentatively, he picked up a little piece of beef burger and popped it in his mouth. Sylvie sat back in her chair smiling, her own meal forgotten.

"Can I check on Pixie?" Eva asked.

Antonio wiped ketchup from Matty's face and shook his head. "The cat will be fine for half an hour Eva, you can go and check on her when everyone's finished eating."

"She's part of the family now" Eva protested. "Come on Dad."

"She won't be the only new member of the family for long" Sylvie said. Antonio looked from Eva to Sylvie sharply and was met with a huge grin and a slight, almost imperceptible nod. Antonio raised an eyebrow as if to say 'are you sure?' and in response Sylvie put down her cutlery, the bright smile still on her face.

"You what?" Diego asked, his words slipping out before he could stop them.

Sylvie laughed and stood up. She walked around the table to where Antonio sat and draped her arms around his shoulders. She rested her chin on the top of his head and watched the faces of the other people around the table, waiting.

"You better not the joking!" Eva said, her kitten momentarily forgotten. "Are you serious?"

Antonio looked up at his wife. The smile on his face mirrored Sylvie's. "It's true, we're having another baby."

Eva squealed and had run around the table in half a second to throw her arms around her Dad and Step-Mom. Diego's reaction was less animated but no less genuine, a smile stretched across his face from ear to ear. Olivia was also smiling, shyly, perhaps feeling a little out of place intruding on this special family moment.

"Congratulations" Liv said quietly, and Diego put his arm around her.

"Yeah, congratulations."

"It's still early days" Antonio said. "You can't tell anyone else yet."

"Erm" Sylvie said. "I might have told Gabby. Sorry." Sylvie kissed Antonio before he could say anything.

Sylvie glanced at the twins, trying to gauge how much of this conversation they were grasping. She knew they would probably have a battle on their hands trying to get them used to the idea of having a new baby sibling, she was hoping for a bit more time to think about how to handle it. Luckily, they seemed oblivious. Matty was busy chasing peas around his plate with a fork.

There was a clatter of plastic hitting the wooden floor and everyone immediately turned their attention to Gabriel. "Oops" he said. His dinner was on the floor.

Sylvie sighed and stood up straight, letting go of Antonio. "I'll get the Sugarpuffs."