"Boys, if mom comes home and finds her kitchen like this she'll kill us." I hear Sara state firmly.

I groan and roll off the couch. When I stand up, a wave of nausea and dizziness hit me and I steady myself with the back of the couch and peer over to see Lindsey in the leather chair. I slowly walk into the kitchen my eyes going wide.

Dishes were overflowing, mail was piled up the electric skillet had grease in it and the kids were dripping pancake batter all over my marble countertops.

"WHAT THE HELL!" I yell

"MOM!" They yell in unison.

"Where's Aunt Lori?" I question.

"Well, Jessie has the flu. They're staying in the condo anyway so it's not that far, I didn't have classes the last two days so I told Aunt Lori she didn't need to worry about coming out here with a sick Jessie to watch the boys." Sara shrugs.

"You've been alone for two days and my kitchen looks like this. I can understand the mail but the dishes and the electric skillet Christ sakes." I look between the three of them.

"Sorry, mom," Sara says sheepishly.

"Okay...Breathe Stevie...breathe. Boys, go get ready for school, Sara you and I have got to start on this kitchen. I'll make the pancakes you clean." I state firmly.

"I really am sorry mom, at least I kept the other rooms clean." She shrugs.

"I know." I sigh.

"So, I thought you'd be home later." Sara looks at me.

"Your dad and I got in at three o'clock," I say looking over and grimacing at the stove clock reading six forty-five.

"Oh momma I'm sorry. Were you sleeping on the couch?" She chuckles.

"Actually yes, your dad is still passed out in his chair. We were too tired to climb the stairs. But you're fine, I have a doctor's appointment at ten anyway. What are today's classes?" I question.

"I have two midterms ten to five. Then I'm going to Sammy's to watch Scary Movies and traumatize Micah's friends. The kids are eleven, they're trick or treating and the when they get back Sam and I have planned some good tricks up our sleeves." There's an evil twinkle in her eyes.

"You be nice to that little boy." I scold.

"We'll try." She laughs.

"You're horrible." I laugh as well.

"Halloween is in my blood. I'm a little disappointed you aren't having our annual Halloween party." Sara pouts.

"I know, there's just a lot going on right now." I sigh leaning against the counter.

"I know. I'm glad you and daddy are touring together again. I know when I was younger I asked dad to quit, but he really despite being a studio rat loves touring and that year you were sick he stopped everything. He had a tour planned but came first." Sara smiles.

"I...didn't know that," I shrug.

"I know." She smiles.

"Are you going to drive the boys or do you want me to?" I ask flipping the pancakes.

"I will. Mom, you've had like three hours of sleep." Sara says.

"I've done it when you were little," I state.

"Just get some more sleep before your appointment," Sara warns.

"Yes, doctor." I chuckle.

"Hey, I'm not there yet, I've still got seven years." Sara kisses my cheek.

"I know but you're well on your way," I explain as the boys walk back in dressed and ready to go.

"Mom, is food ready?" Mason tugs on my arm.

"I have six pancakes made two for each of you. Is that enough?" I question.

"No." Lindsey bellows coming in behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Okay...six more it is," I state.

"You're not eating?" Joshua asks.

"I am but I don't want pancakes. I'm making myself an omelet with cheese, potatoes, and onion." I say my mouth salivating. I must be having early cravings.

"Aw...I want one." Sara pouts.

"If you have time, I'll make you one too." I sigh.

"Make them now. I'll finish the pancakes." Sara shoves me out of the way.

***

Sitting in the exam room with Lindsey, my palms are sweating.

"Stephanie, this must be Mr. Buckingham." My doctor says walking in.

"Nice to meet you Dr..." Lindsey trails.

"Smith, Dr. Smith. Alright, how are you doing Stephanie?" He asks.

"I'm good. Tired all the time, Morning sickness sucks. It's not bad but it's never good. Certain smells trigger it." I explain.

"That means your baby is still growing and developing. Let's take a look. Lay back. We're going to do a transvaginal like last time. It'll be easier to hear the heartbeat.

I hold Lindsey's hand when the wand goes in. There's pressure but it isn't my first one so I can handle it. Very soon an image comes on the screen and I gasp.

"Oh Lindsey look at her," There's a little tiny fetus wiggling around. A big difference than the little sack of cells from last time.

"Her? Steph Its kind of early." Lindsey chuckles.

"I know, I just really want a baby girl. We have two boys and one girl already it's not even. If we're going to be a family of six I want there to be three of each sex. Sara and I have to catch up to you and the boys." I pout.

"Would you like to listen to the heartbeat?" The doctor asks.

"Please?" I beg.

He smiles and flicks a switch. A very fast heartbeat fills the room.

"Oh, Lindsey." I tear up.

He just kisses my head and squeezes my hand.

"Alright, we do have to discuss somethings. Your age. You'll be forty-nine when this baby is possibly born. We're looking at May thirtieth. As you know Babies can come early or late. You can do a natural birth. I don't' see why not, you're looking healthy enough to avoid complications. However, it will do a toll on your body. My suggestion is to schedule a Cesarean Section. It is a major abdominal surgery and you'll require more recovery time. We can schedule it for either May twenty-fourth or May twenty-sixth." He tells us.

"If that's what you suggest I say May twenty-fourth. My birthday is May twenty-six and I'm not big on sharing." I chuckle.

"What happens if this baby decides to come earlier?" Lindsey asks.

"Well, if Stephanie goes into labor naturally and her blood pressure and heartbeat, and breathing are fine, as well as the babies we can do a natural birth. If there's a need for an emergency c, then we will do one but if it's not needed we won't do it. But in the end, no matter what I or any other doctor, midwife, dulah anything, says it's momma's decision." Dr. Smith explains.

"Thank you, Dr." I smile.

"Alright, I can have pictures printed out for you. The prenatal I prescribed has a b12 in it, so I won't have to give you a shot. Everything else looks good. When is the earliest time you can come back?" Dr. Smith asks.

"Lindsey?" I look to him, he knows the schedule better than I do. He planned the damn thing.

"Um well Steph, the earliest I think we could do is the day before Thanksgiving." He sighs.

"That's longer than I want you to go without seeing a doctor. We'll schedule you for an appointment than at ten as well, do you know when you have more than one day off in a row?" Dr. Smith questions. I look back over to Lindsey.

"When we're in Pittsburg we have three days but we'd have to fly from New Mexico, back here then to Pennsylvania. Without luck, we'd be going wheels down the day we're scheduled to perform. That's the thirteenth fourteenth and fifteenth." Lindsey says.

"That works. How about we schedule for the fourteenth at three and if you have to cancel you can cancel." He looks between us.

"That's fine." I smile.

"Great, I'll see you next month. Happy Halloween. Oh and good show at the Forum. My sister-in-law is a big fan of Fleetwood Mac, so the wife and I took her to the concert for her birthday. Don't worry, I didn't tell them I was your OB/GYN." He laughs.

"Good." I laugh right back as he hands us our pictures.

When we get in the car, I look to Lindsey and smile. "Lindsey we're having a baby."

"Yes, we are Angel." He nods. The smile doesn't leave my face as I stare at the alien-looking creature in my stomach. I've had sonograms before but there's something about this one.