Bed rest wasn't so bad. The first 4 days had been just about sleeping basically. Her daily activities consisted in going from their bed to the couch and from the couch back to their bed. Well, not exactly, she had also spent many hours of her days in their bathroom for the very obvious reason of her current predicament. Despite all the inconvenience, the discomfort, the sacrifices she had to make for that late in life pregnancy, she was enjoying every second of it. Sharon couldn't be more thrilled to have the privilege to create life once again no matter how hard it was on her.

And how could she not love it when she saw Andy so happy. They had come to take about half an hour each night when he finally came home to have their "Daddy-baby talk" as he loved to call it. Andy's special moment with their baby. As he was back to work and missing a lot on the baby's evolution, he had introduced that new routine and she couldn't be happier about it. All Sharon had to do was lay down and watch. Andy would always position himself as close as he could to her middle, his head right above her belly button. And there he went telling the little one funny stories, to be strong and hang in there, he would feel the baby's kicks, watch them carefully, observe every movement he could decipher at the surface of her skin. Heart melting. It was magical to see his eyes lighten up every time he saw and felt the baby move, as if it was the very first time.

There was also "culture night" and that would be when Andy wanted to start early his baby's education mostly in musical culture. She always had to hold her laugh while she would watch him play a good old song and then dance to it, repeating a hundred times how good it was and how he or she would love it later. Her Andy was to die for, really. She couldn't resist the wide and goofy smile he harbored seeing the baby react to his voice and to the music. He would definitely be the best father to their baby. He already was.

The end of their "Daddy-baby talk" would usually be the same way: her hand would end up in his hair, massaging his scalp and by the time her hand fell back on the mattress, he knew she had sunk in for the night or at least for a few hours. So he would enjoy a few more minutes of alone time with their baby, especially asking him or her to let mamma sleep as long as possible. Her nights seemed to have slightly improved ever since she was on bed rest, probably because her stress level was much lower due to being away from work.

/

Throughout the day, the program was very different depending on who was "babysitting" her. Emily usually planned anything baby clothing related. She used all her free time to explore the web and find the best and cutest outfits for the baby. As Sharon couldn't go shopping just yet, Emily was determined to list all the places they had to go to, to make the baby's future dressing. They had much fun talking about the baby. She was definitely looking forward to being a big sister again. Sharing the role with Nicole didn't seem to bother her. Much to the opposite actually. She was happy to have found a sister whose excitement was comparable to hers concerning the new sibling in the family. Emily and Nicole even paired sometimes to plot against Sharon and take her to the spa or to the hairdresser as it wasn't a long activity and wouldn't exhaust her too much.

When Ricky was at service, the activities were completely different. How funny to see her boy taking the lead and taking care of his old pregnant mother. He had probably never hoped for a little brother or sister. Maybe he had even felt jealous at first of a new sibling possibly stealing from him the attention the youngest usually got. But he seemed to have wrapped himself around the idea pretty easily now although his initial reaction had worried her.

He had taken the initiative to work with Andy in finding quality furniture for the baby. He was especially into picking the crib. He wanted something neat but strong and reliable for the baby to sleep in. How adorable to see him so invested in helping make something secure for the baby. Sharon had once tried to bring up a more heart to heart conversation about all the changes their family had been through recently. Rusty was now temporarily an addition, and a newborn would be there soon too. She was worried about her children having some issues with adjusting to a family of 8 people. For a very long time it had only been the three of them and she had managed to make her children feel secure in their small unit. Now that unit had stretched out quite a bit and she wanted to make sure everyone was feeling safe, loved and seen. She could currently be facing some health issues and a very demanding pregnancy, but she wouldn't forget about any of her grown babies also needing reassurance from their mother.

Ricky had sounded pretty okay although she was sure he had appreciated the tight hug he had received from his mother, assuring him everything would be alright. He was scared for her though. Obviously he knew a pregnancy this late in life could entail some serious risks and things could get really ugly, if not fatal. He struggled to imagine his life without any parents if things came to that. He'd have Andy, of course, but it wouldn't be the same. Sharon couldn't lie to him or promise him she would make it for sure. But what she could promise him was to fight the hardest she could and she would pray hard for her life and her baby's to be spared from any kind of disaster until the end of her pregnancy.

She still had a full trimester to go but everyone seemed to join forces to put the nursery together and support the parents-to-be. They had picked the closest bedroom to theirs. Andy had started freshening up the walls by painting them in a very sweet and creamy color. Rusty had volunteered to help Andy and Ricky with putting the changing table together. Even the team had taken part in the process.

There was no rush in putting it all together. Nonetheless they couldn't ignore the fact that a high-risk pregnancy could mean that she wouldn't be able to carry the baby to term. She could even end up giving birth throughout her seventh or eighth month should things get bad. They were hoping for their little miracle to at least wait for the 34th week to show up, to make sure it would have every chance to be as healthy as a baby carried to term.

/

A whole week had gone by and Sharon couldn't be more excited. Andy had promised her a huge surprise for her second week of rest, one that he had said she would love dearly. She just had absolutely no idea about what it could possibly be, but she couldn't hide the excitement at the thought of Andy getting her a surprise. Gently into "zucchini week", the proud Mrs Flynn was reaching half of the sixth month of her pregnancy. Her middle was getting rounder and rounder, each day feeling like her little one was more and more lacking space. Her skin was stretching, her body adjusting to the new life growing inside her. When she thought she had bought what she needed to finally fit comfortably into her pregnancy clothes, it seemed like she had already expanded and needed a bigger size. She thought maybe Andy had gotten her some nice new clothes? Hopefully he had asked for advice to either Emily or Nicole. She loved her husband dearly but she couldn't ignore the fact that she had way better taste than him at least on clothing matters. She made an inside chuckle at the thought of him lost like a puppy in the middle of the clothing alleys in the shopping mall they loved.

She was supposed to get her special moment over Sunday's family brunch. She obviously picked a particularly nice and flowery outfit for the occasion, her face beaming with joy. While she was contemplating her changing figure in their bedroom mirror, Andy wrapped her in his arms from behind, his hands landing on the sides of her stomach. He dropped a kiss on her cheek before saying:

- How did I get so lucky? he looked at her through the mirror. My wife is breathtaking… he was in awe.

Sharon laid her left hand against his cheek and turned her head to have a taste of his lips.

- We're the lucky ones, her cheeks flushed while her eyes looked down at their little one where their hands were already resting.

How could she feel so happy, her heart fuller than she had ever believed possible? When one knew how hard it had been to reach that point, it was truly overwhelming to think about how it all had fallen into place somehow. Miracles did exist.

They naturally started swaying as if their song was playing in the background. Her back against his chest and cheek to cheek, they slowly danced for a few minutes. Andy suddenly interrupted their dance as he felt the muscles of her stomach tense under his fingers.

- What's happening? Are you okay? he asked completely panicked.

- It's alright, honey. It's a practice contraction, she explained fully relaxed.

- A contraction?! Andy was confused.

- Yes, she chuckled. It's okay, Andy. It's a contraction but not one that indicates labor. Practice contractions can happen throughout the pregnancy and are not even painful. It's the body practicing for the big day basically. I've been having those for a few weeks now. It's completely normal, don't worry, she kissed his cheek delicately.

- It can happen that early on? he asked suddenly curious.

- Well, it depends on people and on the pregnancies. In my case, I've always had them quite early on and considering the risky nature of my pregnancy, it probably explains why my body is practicing so many weeks before labor.

- But you sure you feel alright? Otherwise we can brunch here so that you can be off your feet.

- No, don't worry, honey! I'm really just fine and so excited about our brunch! I promise I'm not overdoing it. The baby's fine, she added trying to reassure him.

The poor thing was definitely traumatized. He had seen her in such bad shape that now a slight thing would have him all nervous and panicky. She could tell with his delicate touches that he didn't fully believe her, still scared that something might be off. He had never really been involved in his ex-wife's two pregnancies and had probably never noticed or asked about it. It was weird to imagine him uninvolved as the Andy she knew was the exact opposite of a not-caring husband. But she knew that not being with the right person could play tricks on people and make them act unlike themselves. After all it was also a familiar feeling she had experienced in the past.

For a minute she lost herself in her thoughts, her mind diving into old memories. She barely recalled how things had ended up so badly, Andy getting married with Charlotte and her getting married to Jack. She didn't even know if she had once felt truly in love with the man. She wasn't the kind of person to pick someone for no reason but all she remembered was thinking Andy would never have her back anyways so she had to move on in a way or another. Thinking back, she didn't know if she had made the right decision as things with Jack had never even come close to the feelings she had always felt for Andy. But without him she wouldn't have her two beautiful children and just for them it was worth it to have stayed married to Jack for over a decade despite things ending pretty badly between them.

/

The day was lovely. The weather was pleasant, neither too hot nor too cool, just the right temperature for Sharon to wear her very nice flowery dress. It was a spring outfit, very flowy from the middle to the bottom, meant for her to feel fresh all day. The top was tighter around her chest, underlining her now very generous cleavage, and then fell large and loose around her belly. As she walked from the car to the little café they were to meet with their children, her hand was in Andy's and their steps synchronized. She still had no clue as to what her promised surprise could possibly be but the proud look in his eyes was priceless. He had been preparing this for days and she couldn't feel more loved seeing him so happy and determined to set something up to the only purpose of making her smile.

Finally reaching the door, Andy grabbed the handle before she could do it, stopping her from getting into the little café.

- Now, Mrs Flynn, please close your eyes… he murmured, willing for the suspense to last a little longer.

- Oh come on! she protested.

- I know, I know grumpy girl. A little more patience! he was more satisfied than ever, having his girl so desperate to finally get her big surprise.

She closed her eyes still complaining under her breath and grabbing firmly Andy's hand.

- Lieutenant, don't you dare let me fall or bump into something, she threatened using her Darth Raydor voice for more effect.

- At your service, Captain. You're in good hands Milady, he went along, doing his best to contain a chuckle.

Eyes closed and carefully guided to the table Andy had ceremoniously booked for their family, Sharon was getting closer and closer to where everyone was wisely sat around the brunch table. Time had seemed to stop for a moment as she was impatiently waiting for him to give her the green light to finally open her eyes. He whispered in her ear and she peeked, looking around to find her well deserved present. She had thought of so many possible things but her mind was so far from expecting to see what was in front of her, or who appeared in front of her. Sharon's eyebrows shot up, her eyes wide as was her smile. She spread her arms to welcome whom she had so missed for the past years.