Cassie walked into the kitchen of Silverthorne Manor. It was only days after she learned she was pregnant.
"It's so good to see you," Gerda greeted her giving her a hug.
"It's good to see you to Gerda," Cassie said returning the hug.
"So how's everything going?" Gerda asked.
"Just fine and in fact, I have some news to share," Cassie said.
Gerda said nothing simply waited patiently.
"I'm pregnant," Cassie announced. "I wanted to tell you myself and not over the phone."
"Oh, this is simply wonderful news!" Gerda nearly shouted with excitement. "How long have you known?
"For sure, just a few days," Cassie said. "We had it confirmed by a doctor that Dave knows and who is also a good friend. However, I suspected it was several weeks before that because I was eating way more than I normally do at every meal and also had snacks in between."
"So how far along are you?" Gerda asked.
"Just a couple of months, which is why you can't tell I'm pregnant yet," Cassie said.
"Oh to have the sound of a child's feet running around here again," Gerda said looking wistful.
"Don't worry we'll bring him or her by to see you as often as we can manage," Cassie promised. "I'm sure you'll be a great aunt to them."
Gerda simply beamed at Cassie's words. "I'll look forward to meeting them when they're born. So do you know who's it is?"
"Not for sure," Cassie admitted. "It could be either Dave's or Aaron's. Ducky's going run the appropriate tests once he or she is born. It doesn't matter either way not to me and definitely not to Dave or Aaron. Whoever the father is well that just means that the other man in my life will have a chance to have a child next time. It might be weird to have two men who adore you, but since I love them both so much it doesn't seem all that unusual to me."
"You have a very unique relationship," Gerda said. "And it doesn't matter if others disapprove so long as you are happy."
"Oh I am," Cassie said. "Having a child is just icing."
"With more in the future," Gerda said. "I mean you're young you have time for several more at least before you stop."
"There'll be at least one more as you know, but they'll probably be several more after that we'll see."
"That's sensible, as you have to see how each pregnancy goes before you agree to have anymore. Pregnancy might not be as dangerous nowadays but there're still problems sometimes," Gerda said. "Some women just aren't suited to give birth, though I don't see that being your problem. I'm very excited about the upcoming birth."
"I knew you would be," Cassie said kissing Gerda's cheek affectionately. "I'll be sure to introduce them to you."
"You tell those boys they had better treat you and this child right or they'll be hearing from me," Gerda said seriously.
"You don't need to worry about this they're very excited and looking forward to me giving birth," Cassie promised.
"Good, they should be," Gerda said satisfied.
"You can tell that husband of yours that he can expect a nephew or niece sometime in the next seven months."
"I will, he'll be very excited," Gerda said. "I know he doesn't often show much emotion, but you know he adores children just like me. What about the rest of the staff?"
"Word will filter down to them eventually. You tell me if there's any unusual reactions."
Gerda nodded already knowing what Cassie meant by unusual. She was to look for any signs that the servants weren't happy with the news. Gerda couldn't imagine any of them would harm a child, but it was better to be careful, because the Silverthornes were very wealthy and some people would kidnap the child and demand a ransom.
"I will," Gerda swore. "Nobody will harm your child while I draw breath."
"Hopefully, all these precautions will not be necessary, but as my father always said better to be safe, just in case," Cassie said.
"Truer words have never been spoken. How many tragedies could have been avoided, if only parents were more careful?" Gerda said.
"Probably thousands at least," Cassie said. "I've got to go now, as I promised Dave and Aaron I wouldn't be long, but I just had to share this news with you in person."
"Thank you for coming to tell me. I certainly appreciate it," Gerda said stilling grinning from ear to ear.
"You're quite welcome, Gerda," Cassie said smiling warmly. "I'll tell Dave and Aaron that you sent your regards."
"You do that," Gerda said smiling.
~~~Dave, Monica, Aaron, Cassie~~~
"Welcome back to our home, Ducky," Dave greeted the doctor cordially.
"Thank you for the dinner invitation. It has been a while hasn't it?" Ducky said shaking Dave's hand.
"Yes, it has and that's only because life gets so busy," Dave offered. "You know that we try to keep ourselves busy."
"Yes, as you know I do as well," Ducky agreed.
Dave led Ducky into them very comfortably appointed den.
"So how is your mate doing?" Ducky asked what had a glass of expensive scotch in his hand.
"She's doing fine since the last time you saw her a couple of weeks ago. She's ready to give birth of course."
"Well, she is six months along and her size is likely hampering her ability to get a good night's rest," Ducky said taking a sip of his excellence scotch.
"I know and she's only going to get bigger over the next three months," Dave said taking a sip of his own drink.
"It's going to be a large baby considering her stomach's current size," Ducky said, "so we might have to take them out by C-section."
"Whatever you think best and I'm sure Cassie will sign any paperwork ahead of time," Dave said.
"We can talk about that closer to her giving birth," Ducky said.
"Dinner should be ready in a few minutes and we also have a couple of other guests. I'm telling you just so you're not taken by surprise," Dave said calmly.
"Oh, who?" Ducky asked curiously.
"Cassie's sister Rena and her best friend Teriana or Teri," Dave explained. "They know about us so you don't have to watch what you say."
"That's good," Ducky said taking another sip of this drink.
"You know that we've never invite someone to our home that either wasn't one of our kind or knew about us. This is our sanctuary and we don't need questions being asked why we live so far away from everything. This is where we can relax and not be so on guard."
Ducky nodded in understanding, because his home was also his sanctuary, a place he could be completely himself.
The two old friends chatted until Cassie waddled into the den to tell them that dinner was ready. "We'll be eating in the kitchen if that's alright with you," Cassie said.
"It's what I prefer actually," Ducky said with a smile.
"Good," Cassie said, as she led the way.
"I do remember the way even if it's been a long time since I have enjoyed dinner in such fine company," Ducky said.
"At least a decade," Dave said putting in his two cents worth.
They entered the kitchen and the conversation stopped as they sat down at the table.
"Rena, Teri I want to introduce you to Dr. Donald Mallard, Ducky I want to introduce you to my baby sister Rena and my best friend Teri."
"It's nice to meet you," Ducky said politely from where he was sitting.
"It's nice to meet you to doctor," Rena said with a sharp interest on her face. "So what is your area of practice?"
"I'm a baby doctor and I'm looking after your sister's pregnancy," Ducky answered.
"I was so excited when I learned that Cassie was pregnant," Rena said.
"Having a baby is always exciting, especially a first baby," Ducky answered. "Or at least it should be."
"Unfortunately that's not always the case," Teri who had been listening said. "I, too, was excited when I learned of the pregnancy, as I'm going to be the godmother."
"Quite the honor," Ducky said. "Godparents play an important part in the children's lives."
"Yes, they do," Dave said entering the conversation. "All of us believe that Teri will do a great job in the roll."
"Thank you," Teri said blushing at the compliment.
"You're quite welcome," Dave told Teri warmly.
Everybody enjoyed their food and conversation flowed easily, as they sipped their wine except Cassie who was drinking milk because of her pregnancy.
It was an enjoyable evening and it was clear that Ducky in Rena were becoming fast friends if the way they chatted at each other was any indication.
By the time dinner was over it was quite late and Aaron escorted everybody out so they could head home for the night.
~~~Dave, Monica, Aaron, Cassie~~~
"That dinner party last night was fun, we'll have to do it again sometime," Cassie commented the next morning over breakfast.
"It was good to have the company," Monica said.
"Yeah, it was," Dave agreed. "People who know our background is a rare gift."
"I think I'm beginning to understand that," Cassie said.
She'd had certainly been eating more for breakfast then she had used to when she was on her own. She had used to just have a coffee and toast or had a light breakfast at one of the restaurants near her apartment.
Now that she was pregnant though, she was hungry just about all the time and knew that baby that she was carrying was absorbing it almost faster than she could consume it.
"Well, I'm certainly pleased and that you're eating so well," Monica observed, as she watched Cassie eat a big helping of breakfast. Toast and jam, pancakes, eggs medium, bacon, orange juice and coffee."
"You've been through pregnancy enough times to know that you eat a lot more than you normally would," Cassie said. "I'm only glad that this little character is absorbing most of it, so I won't gain too much weight. I'm not likely to gain more than a few pounds, which I can lose quickly."
"What's important is keeping the baby healthy," Monica said.
"Yes, I want this baby born at a decent weight. Luckily, it won't be much longer, as I'm well into the third trimester," Cassie said finishing the last of her breakfast. "Hopefully that'll hold me at least until lunch."
"If it doesn't, then one of us will just have to fix you something else," Dave said. "Just like we did for Monica when she got to this stage. It doesn't even matter if you get those hunger pains in the middle of the night, as that's the normal way of things."
Cassie gave Dave and Aaron a smile, then sopped up the liquid from the eggs with the last of her toast.
"More?" asked Aaron.
"Not right now," Cassie said. "My stomach is very full, though I know that won't last. Thanks for asking."
"Well if you're done eating for the moment what do you want to do for the rest of the day?" Aaron asked.
"I don't really feel like going out so perhaps just hanging around here," Cassie said. "You two need to get going if you're going to open the shop on time."
"Yeah, we do," Dave said looking at his watch. "We'll just make it if we leave within the next few minutes."
"If there are any problems we'll call," Monica promised, "Being pregnant is normal for a woman and you can't let it disrupt your routine."
"Not unless it's some kind of emergency," Cassie added.
"All good points," Aaron said ruefully.
"We went to work every day when Monica was pregnant as well," Dave said. "At least this time Monica's here to look after you while we are working. I just feel better if someone is here just in case."
"I'll be fine," Cassie assured them again.
"I suppose we'd better get going," Aaron said reluctantly, even as he rose from the table and then headed to finish getting ready. Dave followed just a minute later.
~~~Dave, Monica, Aaron, Cassie~~~
"So this discussion is about baby names. We know it's a girl, so I want all of you to start suggesting names, as I give birth in just two months.
Cassie was absolutely enormous, but then that was to be expected considering how close she was to having the little girl she was carrying within her. They had been putting off discussing baby names but with Cassie so close to giving birth now was the time to do so.
"What about Monique?" Monica suggested.
"That's really pretty actually," Cassie decided.
"Thomasina," Aaron said.
"I will never name my kid Thomasina," Cassie said wrinkling her nose in distaste. "I certainly hope I like her more then to give her a name like that. I won't even use it as a middle name next suggestion."
"It is rather old fashioned," Dave said smirking at Aaron.
"Okay, if you don't like that one what about Clarissa," Aaron suggested.
"That's a lot better Aaron," Cassie said approvingly. "Clarissa is a very pretty name."
Aaron smirked at that.
"So what is your suggestion, Dave," Cassie asked the other man in her life.
"I was thinking Amberlyn," Dave said. "One word and only one N instead of two."
"That's actually my favorite out of all of them," Cassie said. "Where in the world did you come up with it?"
"There are plenty of Internet sites with lots of beautiful names," Dave shrugged. "I just happened to run across it on one of the sites. Amber is the name of a gemstone and we do try to find stone names for our children, since Aaron and I are in the jewelry business. That's not always possible of course."
"No, they're only so many stones, ruby, emerald, diamond, opal, quartz, pearl, topaz, mica, malachite," Cassie listed.
"Not all jewels make good baby names," Monica said. "Not that a few of our children didn't come out with names of gems in the past."
"We haven't done that in quite awhile though," Aaron added.
"Yeah, I know it's not really practical," Dave admitted. "Still, I ran across the name Amberlyn and really liked it and I want to use that baby name, if not this time next time, we have a girl."
"I believe that you're going to get your wish," Cassie told Dave finally after they all suggested a few more names each. "Amberlyn is very pretty and definitely unique. We could always call her Amber or even Lyn as a nickname."
"So what about the middle name?" Monica asked.
"Well, I like that name that Aaron suggested awhile back Clarissa," Cassie said. "What do all of you think of Amberlyn Clarissa for our little girl's name?"
"I rather like it," Monica said.
"So do I," Aaron agreed, "It's very pretty."
"Alright then, we are decided," Dave said. "As per family rules Monica gets to pick at least one name for the next child we have. That way we all get a chance to pick names for our children. Whoever the mother is of course, has to agree to it."
"Sounds good to me," Cassie said rubbing her belly. "I can't wait for this little girl to be born."
"I can't blame you as carrying all that extra weight around isn't for sissies," Monica said. "Your back is bound to be killing you."
"Yes, it's aching, but it's been aching for months now," Cassie said.
"Now that we've decided on a name for our daughter I say we go celebrate," Aaron suggested. "That is if Cassie feels like going out."
"I'm fine," Cassie said waving away Aaron's concern. "The pain is anything I can't handle. I'm assuming we're only going out to dinner so I'll be fine."
"I'll help you get ready," Monica told Cassie. "If you want me to that is. I know how hard it is to get dressed and ready when you're very pregnant. You tend to waddle for one thing, because of all the weight on your front end."
"I'd appreciate that, as I can't even see my feet nowadays," Cassie said accepting Monica's offer. "I'm certainly not moving as gracefully as I usually do."
"And you won't be until Amberlyn is born," Monica said giving Cassie's stomach a pat.
~~~Dave, Monica, Aaron, Cassie~~~
"You look spectacular," Dave told Cassie appreciatively, as Cassie emerged from the bathroom clothed in a silver dress that was off the shoulder and showed off her smooth white skin. Her hair was done up more fancily than she usually kept it and Dave had no doubt that Monica had helped her with it. The dress of course, was made for a pregnant woman in Cassie's condition, but even though it was obvious she was in the family way it still draped becomingly over her enlarged breasts and stomach. She looked every inch the heiress that she was of one of the wealthiest families in the city.
"Yeah, she definitely does," Aaron said, as he entered the master bedroom.
"Thank you," Cassie said blushing at the sincere compliments.
"You're quite welcome Miss Cassie," Aaron told with a smug smile.
"And what is that smug smile for?" Monica asked coming out of the bathroom just then dressed to the nines just like Cassie was. Her dress however, was blue to match her eyes and she wore shoes with heels while Cassie wore flats.
Cassie hadn't worn heels ever since her stomach had started to grow. Ducky had advised against it saying that her balance was already off due to the baby and that heels were designed to lean your body forward, which meant that she could overbalance easier.
Cassie had listened and had switched to the flats she seemed to prefer anyway. It's not like she needed the heels to give her height, as she was already tall, while Monica on the other hand, was quite short and so wore heels to make herself taller.
"I was just imagining other men's reactions when we walk into the restaurant with two of the most beautiful women they're ever likely to see. I can imagine jaws dropping, drooling and glassy eyed stares of lust."
Dave snorted, but he also completely agreed with Aaron that they had two of the most gorgeous women as theirs.
"And that Cassie is pregnant just demonstrates to those men our vitality," Dave added.
"Well, if we are going to awe those men and cause them to bite their tongues and drool we might as well get going," Monica said with a giggle of her own.
"It's always fun to watch men's reactions when a gorgeous woman walks into a room, especially all fancied up," Cassie added and like Monica giggled.
"The woman they're with whether they're girlfriends or wives usually slaps them on the back of the head for staring and that's always amusing."
"It just goes to prove that they don't really love the woman they are with," Dave said with a smirk.
"It's a normal reaction whether you love the woman you're with or not," Monica reminded Dave and Aaron. "Men are just programed that way."
"Let's not argue about it, we need to go if we want to make our reservation. The restaurant was nearly fully booked and I got the last table for the four of us," Dave said.
"Well that you were able to get us into a really fancy place is the last minute shows how lucky we were, so lets go because next time we might have to wait weeks to get another reservation."
Dave said nothing as to how he had bribed the maître d' to get a table.
~~~Dave, Monica, Aaron, Cassie~~~
The four of them walked into the restaurant that Dave had managed to get a reservation at and were immediately shown to their table.
The table was near a window that had a spectacular view. They had a good view of the other diners, as well as the harbor.
"The view is spectacular," Monica said.
"Yes, it is," Cassie agreed, she looked out at the ocean.
They all read the menu, as the waiter brought them the drinks they had ordered. Cassie's of course, had no alcohol but was bristling with colorful fruit. Monica had a glass of white wine, while the men had whiskey.
"Have you decided?" the waiter asked as soon as he had placed the drinks down in front of each of them.
"We'll take the large blooming onion for an appetizer," Aaron said.
"I'll have the fillet mignon medium rare, with collards and corn," Dave added.
"I'll have the pork chops for one," Cassie added. "With fried apples and green beans."
"I'll take the same thing as Cassie, except with squash and spinach, as my sides," Monica decided.
"And I'll have the steak well-done, with mashed potatoes and green beans," Aaron said finally closing his menu and putting it to the side.
"It will be ready shortly," the waiter said taking the menu, that were all stacked together at the edge of the table with him.
"This was a really good idea, Aaron," Monica said, as she took a sip of her wine.
"Yes, it was," Cassie agreed. "All of us needed this night out, especially Monica who does most of the cooking."
"We'll have to do this again soon," Dave said. "You're right you needed the break Monica. I know cooking rather large meals can be rather tiring."
"Larger than you normally do because of Cassie's pregnancy," Aaron added.
"I don't mind," Monica said. "You do help a lot Dave, which I appreciate. Still, you're right, cooking so much is rather tiring."
"Still, it's only until the baby is born," Cassie said. "After that, my appetite should go back to normal."
"Until you get pregnant again that is," Aaron said, in an amused tone throwing Cassie a wink.
"I don't think we need to worry about that for at least a couple years," Dave said. "This one's not even here yet, even if it won't be much longer before she is born. Let's get Amberlyn out of diapers before we consider having anymore."
"It won't be more than a couple years," Cassie commented finishing off her non-alcoholic drink. Yes, I know I'm not..."
Cassie didn't finish her sentence but everyone knew what she meant.
"We have to keep up appearances though at least until we move elsewhere, so I would say no more than four, two for each of you a couple of years apart. We'll have to tell everyone except for those in the know that they're all Dave's of course."
"Or pass them off as Aaron's nephews or nieces if they happen to look more like him," Monica said quietly.
"The only problem is that news is going to get around to those that we don't want to draw the attention of I've been pregnant more than twice, but we can worry about that later," Cassie said.
"We'll work something out," Aaron said.
"Here comes our food. I'm starving," Dave said.
"We're all hungry," Monica said. "Though I know Cassie is more hungry then the rest of us."
"Which is why you should order something else and we can take it home with us for later. That way when you get hungry in the middle the night you can have it for a snack," Aaron said.
"That's actually an excellent idea," Dave said. "It's a lot faster to heat something up in the microwave then to cook.
"I'll do that," Cassie said also thinking it was a good idea, even though there was plenty in the freezer that could be put in the fridge to dethaw.
All of them talked softly until the waiter came back and asked if they wanted dessert. All of them ordered dessert while Cassie also ordered a second meal for later.
All of them lingered over their desserts, which arrived within a few minutes.
"I think it's time for us to pay the check when the waiter comes back with your meal for later Cassie," Monica said. "I know you must be getting tired. Pregnancy might be a natural process but it can be a difficult and tiring one."
"You don't have as much energy for one thing, particularly in the latter stages," Dave said. "All of us know this from experience."
"Yeah, I am pretty tired," Cassie admitted with a tired smile. "Still, it was rather nice to get out of the house, even if it was only for a couple of hours."
"We'll go to bed early so you can get plenty of rest," Dave said.
"I'll be fine," Cassie said. "That's not to say I won't be glad when Amberlyn is born and not only because my energy level will return to normal."
"Because then she'll be here and you'll be learning an entirely new job," Monica said.
"We'll all help with that," Aaron said.
"Yeah, we will, so you get plenty of sleep," Dave said.
"Our little Amberlyn is going to go up spoiled rotten with affection and love. I love it," Cassie said with a grin.
"Really, that's the way it should be," Monica said. "The world would be a better place if more parents knew how to love their children."
"While that's true there's no point in getting involved in such an old discussion. There have been good parents and bad parents throughout time and that's not going to change anytime soon. All we need to be concerned about is the birth of mine and Cassie's little girl."
Dave said this deliberately so that they would not get into a discussion that might be overheard.
The subject was changed with Dave's subtle warning as they waited for the check and for Cassie's take out plate. It was only a few minutes later that both arrived. Dave signed the check, added a hefty tip and handed over his credit card to the waiter.
The waiter left with the card and was back only minutes later.
"I hope you enjoyed your dining experience and will come again," The waiter said.
Dave took his card back along with his copy of the bill and then helped Cassie to her feet, as she had trouble getting up on her own because of her pregnancy.
"We're going to head straight home because you and the baby need to rest, honey," Dave told Cassie loud enough for the waiter to hear. "It won't be long before you give birth."
"No, it won't," Cassie agreed, allowing Dave to take her arm and escort her out of the restaurant.
~~~Dave, Monica, Aaron, Cassie~~~
Epilogue
Ten years later
"Daddy, will you read me a story?" The boy who looked up at Aaron looked more like Cassie then him, which meant he was gorgeous even at only seven.
"Of course, I will," Aaron said smiling down at his son. "It's time for you to be in bed anyway, little man. I'm sure that your mother will be here any second, telling you it's time for bed."
The little boy was dressed in footie pajamas, with Mickey Mouse on the pocket. The pajamas were in a dark blue.
"Garvey Aaron Rossi," Came Cassie's annoyed voice. "It's way past your bedtime young man."
"Yes, mommy I know," Garvey hung his head in apparent contrition.
"He just wanted to ask me to read him a bedtime, love," Aaron put in. "I was just telling him it's way past his bedtime. We were just going to head in that direction."
"Well, that's okay I suppose," Cassie said, even as she patted her very pregnant stomach. "But you head straight to bed young man, no detours," Cassie added. "You need your sleep to grow big and strong."
"Yes, mommy," Garvey said.
"I'll make sure he brushes his teeth and everything, read him a couple of bedtime stories," Aaron promised.
"Okay," Cassie agreed giving her son a kiss on his forehead. "You be a good boy for your daddy."
"Yes, mommy," Garvey said with an innocent expression. Cassie wasn't fooled for a second.
Aaron picked up his son and carried him over his shoulder making Garvey giggle in delight.
Cassie watched them go and rubbed her stomach again. She couldn't wait for this child to be born, another girl, which wouldn't be very long now just a few weeks. This was their fifth and it was Dave's. While they had all agreed originally on four with Paul Gibbons dead, as of last year they felt like they could have at least a couple more. Cassie was very glad that Gibbons was dead, because though they hadn't interacted all that much, he had still been like an evil shadow hanging over their in lives. He was very much present in their home even if he wasn't mentioned very much. On the other hand, he had been such a pest and a pain that it was no wonder. Cassie had seriously thought about suing his butt off, but unfortunately, she didn't have enough for any lawyer to agree to it. Gibbons had been over 90 when he had finally died, even though he was in poor health. Good riddance to bad rubbish, she had said when she had originally heard.
They would soon have, three girls and two boys and it had already been planned to have another one in two years with Aaron and then that would be it for this go around and probably for a great many years.
"Ready to give birth in a few weeks?" came the voice of Dave from behind her.
"Way past ready," Cassie said turning. "I've been ready to get a birth for a couple of months at least."
"Well, we're only going to have one more after this at least for a few decades, as that will give you a chance to relax," Dave said.
"Not for a couple of years," Cassie and we even as she kissed Dave. "I know we agreed on four originally, but with Gibbons dead..."
"I know there's nobody to poke into our lives."
"Yeah, he was an annoyance until the end," Cassie snorted. "I was just thinking that he was like an evil shadow hanging over our lives. Now that he's gone though..."
"You can do what you want," Dave said.
"Yeah, because the others in my set respect my intelligence and that I have a right to run my own life," Cassie said. "Gibbons is just damn lucky that I didn't have enough to sue him."
"Let's just forget about him as he can no longer stress you out, seeing as he's dead," Dave suggested.
"Yeah you're right," Cassie said. "I was just thinking good riddance to bad rubbish."
"So all the kids in bed?" Cassie asked
"Yes, they are," Dave said. "Aaron was just putting Garvey to bed when I came down."
The amusement in Dave's voice was clear.
"Garvey is a rascal," Cassie said shaking her head also very amused.
"Well, so is Amberlyn," Dave said smiling softly.
Amberlyn was the oldest of his children and had been born a little bit less than 10 years ago. Her birthday was coming up in just a few weeks and his daughter was really looking forward to it probably because they always spoiled their children on their birthdays. They had promised their oldest daughter that they would take her to Disney World as a birthday present. She was so excited, Dave smiled fondly. They had already made reservations for after the baby's birth, which would be a week after Amberlyn's birthday. The whole family was going
"Yes, she is," Cassie chuckled.
"Children are supposed to get into trouble," Dave reminded Cassie. "And really, it's only minor mischief. Garvey missing his bedtime by a few minutes will not do him any harm. Children aren't meant to obey the rules all the time."
"They're mostly good kids," Cassie admitted kissing Dave's cheek
"Yes, they are and while they might get into a little minor mischief they know it's very important that they do not reveal that they are not completely human," Dave said.
"Yes, they're mostly very responsible," Cassie said.
"Now, I think it's time for bed since all our children are finally in their own," Dave said.
"And will hopefully stay there," Cassie said with just a little cynicism in her tone.
"I'm sure Aaron and Monica are already in our bedroom, so we'll just go up and join them. Out of all of us, you're the one that needs to sleep the most at least until after our little girl is born," Dave said.
"Yeah, I seem to be so tired of these days," Cassie said rubbing her belly. "I suppose this isn't any different then when I was pregnant with the other four. I always forget how tired I was or how much I ate during each pregnancy."
"If you did remember you might never have agreed to have another," Dave said chuckling.
"Maybe," Cassie conceded.
"Why don't we take the elevator? You don't need to be climbing steps," Dave gently suggested.
"That sounds good," Cassie agreed. She knew better to argue with Dave when he was right. It wouldn't do for her to tumble down the stairs because she was so tired and because her balance was off.
Dave led the way to the elevator, and once the doors opened and they want inside Cassie leaned into Dave's shoulder.
Once the elevator reached the appropriate floor Cassie straightened her body and stepped out. "I just want check on the kids before we go to bed," Cassie told Dave.
Dave nodded in agreement and they checked each of the kids rooms, just by poking their heads in the door to make sure that the kids were sleeping.
Once Cassie was satisfied that all the children were sleeping she allowed Dave to steer her to their bedroom. The two of them did what they did every night to prepare for bed and then climbed in with Aaron and Monica.
"Good night," Monica mumbled softly.
"Good night," Dave and Cassie said at the same time.
It wasn't any time at all before they were all asleep quite content with their family and their lives.
This did not mean that they didn't still have to be careful, if only because of the Order, but at this moment everything was just perfect.