�I feel good,� Danielle replied. �I feel like I could run a marathon right now.�
�Leave that to the professionals. We�ll stick with the simple stuff.� Danielle smiled and looked back at the baby magazine. �What�s that?�
�I�m trying to get ideas for the nursery.� She pointed to a picture. �I like that crib.�
�Then we shall get it.�
�I was also thinking about Sunn and Nick painting Pooh and Friends on the walls. I think it�d be cute.�
�I�m sure they won�t mind in helping out. I�m sure it�d get Sunn in the mood to have her own with Nick.�
�Then our job will be done and everything will be fine.�
�How�d it go at Dr. Jeffres?�
�Everything�s great.�
�That�s good. Mom called and she�s coming to visit. She wants you two to go out shopping for the baby. She really likes you and I�m so glad.�
�You�re glad? I�m really glad considering I�m your wife.� They kissed.
�Shall I massage your feet?�
�Please.�
�Anything for you.� Danielle got comfortable on the sofa and put her legs on Brian. Brian started massaging her feet and she continued looking at the magazine.
�I like this rocker.� She showed Brian.
�Like I said, anything for you and our baby of course.�
�I want you to like it too. You are the father.�
�Anything�s fine.�
�This whole outfit�s nice, Baby. Don�t ya think?� She showed it to Brian.
�Yeah it is. If ya want it we can get it.� Danielle smiled. �How much?�
�If ya get the whole set, which includes crib, basinet, changing table, rocker, and a dresser, they have it on sale this month for $800.�
�Go ahead and order it.�
�Are ya sure?�
�Yes; our baby�s going to have the best of the best�no matter what the price.�
�The baby�s already spoiled and he�s not even here yet.�
�It should stay that way too unless I say otherwise.�
�Ok, hand me that pen.� Brian leaned over and got the pen off the table. Danielle went to take the pen, but he didn�t give it to her until she kissed him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�Let�s have a baby, Kevin,� Venus said making Kevin stop what he was doing.
�Excuse me?� Kevin said looking at her.
�I�m being serious. We�d make great parents.�
�Maybe so, but we have a wedding to worry about right now. We can talk babies after April.�
�But I think it�d be nice to have one now.�
�Having children is a big decision, Baby. Don�t you want it to be just us for awhile?�
�Well, yeah, but seeing Des and Dani out buying baby things makes me want to have one of my own.�
�Is your biological clock ticking?�
�No, I think a baby, boy or girl, would be a great addition. And you always talk about wanting a family of your own.� Kevin walked over to Venus and put his arms around her. �I want to help make your wish come true.�
�You�re all the family I need right now.� He kissed her. �We can talk about having children after the wedding. I�d be happy to have a family with you someday, but not at the moment. Where�d this come from anyway?�
�It was just a suggestion.�
�A suggestion for after we�re married.� They kissed. �You�re not jealous that Dani and Des are having children are you?�
�Of course not. I�m happy for them, because they�ll make excellent parents and grandparents.�
�Yes they will.�
�Do you still want to go upstairs?� Kevin smiled. �We can do whatever you want.�
�Sounds promising.�
�Then let�s go.� Venus grabbed Kevin�s hand and dragged him upstairs.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�How much more stuff do you have?� Howard asked, as he and Josephine took the last two boxes into Howard�s house.
�The stuff in my room, some boxes in the extra room, some stuff back home, and I think that�s it,� Josephine said. �Why?�
�Just wondering.�
�I don�t even have half the stuff you do so don�t start.� They walked into the parlor and put the boxes down. �Thirsty?�
�Sure.� They walked to the kitchen and Josephine opened the refrigerator. Howard watched her get the pitcher of ice tea and walk over to the bar. He walked over to the refrigerator himself and opened the freezer. �Ice cream?�
�I guess.� Howard got the tub of ice cream from the freezer and joined Josephine at the bar.
Howard got two bowls from the cupboard and said, �All this moving work has gotten me all hot and sweaty. I forgot how hard this moving stuff is.� He walked back over to Josephine and put the bowls down. Josephine watched him as he took his shirt off and throw it out in the hall. �That�s better.� Josephine only looked at Howard�s bare chest and bit her bottom lip, as he scooped the ice cream. She just stared as his muscles flexed and forgot about the ice tea. Howard looked at her smiling and asked, �Are you going to pour us drinks or not?�
�Uh�yeah.� She looked away and Howard only smiled, as he continued with the ice cream. When Josephine was done, she walked back over to the refrigerator unaware that Howard was behind her. When she closed the refrigerator and turned around, she ran right into Howard. Howard only smiled; as Josephine took her hands over his chest then kissed him. She then walked away, as Howard put the ice cream back.
�Would you like whipped cream?�
�Uh-huh.� Howard got the whipped cream from the refrigerator and walked back over to the bar shaking the can. Howard went to put the whipped cream on the ice cream and Josephine stopped him. �Why don�t we forget about this, take this whipped cream, and go upstairs.�
�You�re so naughty, Sweetheart.� Howard kissed her.
�So do you want to? We can take turns.� Howard smiled and picked her up and took her upstairs.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�Destiny, are you sure you�re all right?� Alexander asked concerned and kneeling beside her by the bed.
�I�ll be fine,� Destiny said. �Help me up so I can go to the bathroom.� Alexander did as she requested and Destiny went into the bathroom. He waited on the bed a few moments before Destiny came out saying, �Alex, I think the babies are coming early.�
�What?� He jumped up and ran over to her. �Are ya sure?�
�I think so. My water just broke.�
�Ok, stay calm. To the hospital we go.� Destiny started walking and Alexander grabbed her overnight bag by the door and helped her down the stairs and outside to the car. They got in and Alexander drove to the hospital in ten minutes and took her into the emergency wing yelling, �She�s in labor!�
�How far along is she?� a nurse asked grabbing a wheelchair.
�Only seven months.�
�Who�s her doctor?�
�Dr. Jeffres,� Destiny replied sitting in the wheelchair.
�Lucky for you he was called in for another birth. I�ll get one of the nurses to page him while we get you ready for delivery. Are you having any severe pain?�
�Some bad cramps and I was bleeding when I went to the bathroom.�
�Alright. Willow, page Dr. Jeffres right now and come to ER 5.�
�Yes, Danissa,� the other nurse said.
�ER 5?� Destiny said worried.
�It�s just until we know what�s happening,� Danissa said. �We might have to take the baby��
�Babies,� Alexander interrupted. �It�s twins.�
�Alright,� Danissa said. �If you�re in labor we might have to take the babies here since you�re early.� They got Destiny onto the bed.
�My water did break,� Destiny stated and Danissa nodded. �What happens if they are early?�
�They�ll be put into an incubator and you�ll have to wait and see if they survive,� Danissa explained. �But I�m sure they�ll do just fine.�
�I�m scared, Alex,� Destiny said holding onto him and crying.
�Everything will be fine,� Alexander said comforting her. �They�re strong like their mother.�
�Do any premature babies survive?� Destiny wanted to know.
�Of course they do,� Danissa said. �As long as they get the proper care that they need.�
Dr. Jeffres walked in asking, �Destiny, what�s going on?�
�I think I�m in labor,� Destiny said.
�Well, tell them to wait. I was getting ready to start my vacation.�
�Oh! They ain�t waiting, Doc.�
Dr. Jeffres checked Destiny and said, �You�re right; they ain�t waiting. You�re already eight centimeters. We�re going to have to take the babies here. Get this room ready for delivery and Alex come with me.�
�Yes, doctor,� Willow said and Alexander followed Dr. Jeffres out.
Once outside the room, Alexander asked, �Are they going to be all right, Doc? Be straight with me.�
�Considering she had no problems whatsoever,� Dr. Jeffres began, �Destiny and the babies should be all right. If she�s all right, Destiny can go home in a couple days. The twins on the other hand will have to stay here and hopefully go home soon.� Alexander just looked at him. �Don�t worry, Alex, the staff here is great.� Alexander took a deep breath. �Let�s get you a smock and go deliver some healthy babies.�
�Sounds good,� Alexander said following the doctor.
CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 6
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