As if in the blink of an eye, it was Friday, September 30th. Helen was now thirty weeks along, and she couldn't believe the reflection that was staring back at her in the bathroom mirror. Mercedes had managed to grow substantially over the last three weeks, so much so that Helen had to wonder if there was actually another baby in there that Dr. Meggyesfalvi had somehow managed to overlook during the biweekly ultrasound appointments. Admittedly, this was a ridiculous thought to have, but the urge to even entertain it was tempting.

Were Bitsy's genetics partly the reason their baby girl was so big right now? The Brandenhams weren't exactly the healthiest when it came to genetics, but they certainly could be tall sometimes. Perhaps this would be true for Mercedes as well. Then again, she could grow up and turn out to have dwarfism just like her sire, so there was no way to predict how things would go.

Helen couldn't help but groan to herself as she tried to stretch out her aching back. "Mercedes, you're getting so big. How are you even fitting in there?"

Helen's lower back ached persistently, a deep, throbbing pain that seemed to intensify with each day that passed by. Her legs felt heavy as if they were being weighed down by invisible anchors, and her swollen feet protested every step she took. Even her skin felt like it was being stretched to its limits, tight and itchy across her belly, reminding her constantly of the little life growing within. She readjusted her stance for what must have felt like the hundredth time this morning, trying her best to maintain it while her center of gravity kept pulling her forward.

"Oh, Mercedes, you've put me through so much over these last several months," Helen continued. "You better pay me back for this when you're older."

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, spooking Helen a bit.

"Helen, are you okay?" asked Abby's disembodied voice.

"Yeah, fine," Helen replied. "Just looking at myself in the mirror."

"Okay, because Miss Brandenham's worried that something might have happened to you."

Helen couldn't help but find that touching, but she kept it to herself. "Tell her I'll be out in a minute."

"Alright, will do."

With that, Helen just listened as Abby's footsteps gradually faded off. Once she was certain that Abby had left, Helen took one last look at herself in the mirror and headed out the door.

Later that morning, despite her best efforts, Helen struggled to relax while lying on top of the pillow nest she'd made for herself on Bitsy's bed. Mercedes offered little help, still being as active and lively as ever, and her movements were even stronger and more pronounced now. For all the discomfort Helen felt, though, it was hard not to marvel at how much Mercedes had grown over thirty weeks. It almost made it hard for her to believe how much time was left before the little one would be born. It also scared her somewhat. Would everything go well when it was time for Mercedes to come into the world? Would Bitsy and Helen still have that close bond in the future as they did now? Would they even have a future together? So many questions, but not enough answers. So little answers, but not enough time to answer them.

"Helen?" she suddenly heard Bitsy call out to her.

Helen instantly snapped back to reality and looked over to see Bitsy looking up from beside the bed.

"Bitsy, what are you doing back here?" Helen asked, a little surprised.

"I came in here to tell you that someone finally ordered the côte de boeuf that we've had on the menu forever," Bitsy replied as a smile crept onto her face.

Helen's surprise grew a little more. "Wait, really?"

"Yes, really! I'd never thought I'd see the day when someone would actually buy it. We need to celebrate with a special presentation for them."

"Oh, okay." Helen paused for a moment. "Do you want me to help you?"

"No, you've been working so hard. It wouldn't feel right."

"Are you sure? You've never had to do something like that without me before."

"I insist. I love you too much to want to put your health and the baby's at risk." After saying that, her eyes widened, and she gasped.

Helen just stared at her, equally shocked. "What did you just say?"

"I..." Bitsy trailed off for a few seconds before regaining her train of thought. "I love you."

Helen didn't say anything for a few moments while she tried to process what Bitsy had just told her. Had she heard her right? Did Bitsy actually just say that she loved her?

"Helen?" Bitsy asked after a while. "Are you going to say anything?"

"I..." Helen started to get emotional. She had no idea whether it was because of pregnancy hormones or because she had realized the full extent of Bitsy's feelings for her. "I love you too. You have no idea how long I've waited for you to say that."

"You do?"

Helen quickly nodded while tears of joy threatened to fall from her face.

"Oh my God..." Bitsy trailed off for a moment. "This isn't going to change anything, is it?"

"I hope not." Helen's eyes darted down to her belly. "But it'll probably make raising Mercedes a little easier now."

"Speaking of Mercedes, how is she?"

"Great. Still giving me a hard time as usual." Helen just winced as Mercedes made a strong visible jab right below her navel. "She's really going at it today. Do you want to come up here and feel?"

"Of course I do. Why would I want to stop now?"

"Okay, come on."

Helen struggled for a little bit before eventually pulling Bitsy up onto the bed and right beside her. She then guided Bitsy's hand to where Mercedes's movements were most pronounced. Bitsy's eyes widened with amazement as she felt the tiny but powerful kicks.

"Wow," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. "I can't believe how incredible it is to actually feel her move like this."

"Me neither," Helen replied. "And to think that God was the one to make it all possible. He had a plan for all of us to be here at this moment."

"I wouldn't say that it was all part of God's plan. I'd say-"

Helen cut her off. "I'm actually so proud of you for stepping up to be here for me and Mercedes. I didn't think you had it in you."

"Well, what can I say? I guess I'm just full of surprises."

"You and her both. She's been quite the little acrobat lately." Helen gave an amused smirk as another kick sent a ripple across her belly. "Sometimes it feels like she's doing somersaults in there, and other times it's like she's practicing her soccer skills. It's amazing how something so small can have such a strong presence."

Bitsy nodded, her hand still resting on Helen's belly, feeling the life within. "I get the feeling she's already showing us her personality. God, I can't wait to meet her and see what kind of person she'll become."

"Well, if she's anything like us, we'll have to protect the world from her."

"You're damn right." Soon, Bitsy broke her hand away from Helen's belly and prepared to climb down from the bed. "Okay, I need to go now. Jean-Luc is probably wondering where the hell I am."

"Wait, don't go!" Helen gripped Bitsy's wrist tightly and stared at her with puppy dog eyes. "Can't you stay with us a little while longer?"

"Helen, please. I really need to go. This presentation's important. It needs to be perfect."

"At least promise you'll come back soon."

"Helen, it's not like I'm leaving forever. It'll only be a while."

"I know, but it's more for Mercedes than it is for me." Helen broke out the puppy dog eyes again. "Promise her by kissing my tummy?"

"Fine."

Bitsy proceeded to lean forward and gently kiss Helen's belly, all while whispering sweet assurances to the baby inside. Just as she did so, Mercedes delivered a powerful kick, landing squarely on Bitsy's mouth and prompting a yelp from her.

"Oh my God!" Helen exclaimed. "Are you okay?"

"Fine," Bitsy replied tersely as she rubbed at her lips. "Little turd just kicked me in the mouth. Did it right on the lips, too. Guess now we know what kind of person she'll be."

Helen burst into laughter, unable to contain her amusement at Bitsy's attempt to hide her embarrassment. "Well, she's certainly starting off strong." She gave her belly a gentle pat. "That's our girl, always full of surprises."

"Alright, now I'm leaving." After her false start, Bitsy climbed down the bed and started heading out. "God, whoever ordered the côte de boeuf better make this presentation worth it."

"I'm sure they will."

"Mmm-hmm. I'll believe it was worth it when it happens."

As soon as Bitsy left the room, Helen tried to pick up where she left off and relax on top of her pillow nest. This pregnancy wouldn't be over for a while, but as long as she had Bitsy by her side, she knew that everything would work out in her favor.