Status: Complete

Risk It All

Almost

With the holidays officially over there was always a breath of relief to be able to go back to your normal everyday routine. There was still hustle and bustle from working class citizens, but at least the damn holiday music had ceased.

It may have been a harsh winter still in Boston, but Nolee had to admit 1999 had been off to a good start. Entering her third trimester had been a little nerve wracking as she was in the 7 month range now more or less. Two more months and the mysterious life in her stomach would be making an appearance.

She tried to keep herself calm and not stress about it. But each time she did, there was a gentle reminder of Murphy's presence a reminder that she was not enduring this journey alone like she had originally planned to. Even if it still was taking some to get used to idea of being physically intimate with someone again, she felt hopeful at the new progress she was making.

Nolee was completely used to seeing the three males in her life at her apartment often at this point. She had also gotten used to cooking for four people instead of one, and even though it was a little overwhelming sometimes, she didn't mind cooking for them. At least they had been appreciative each time and looking at the bright side, it helped her perfect her culinary skills. Although she couldn't help but feel the twin brothers were getting rather spoiled by all her home cooking.

Murphy had been nothing short of amazing in the support department of course. Despite her mood swings getting more unpredictable each day, he hadn't held it against her. She felt the most guilty when the late night cravings had started to bug her and she'd send poor Murphy out to get what she wanted. But hey, that's the price you pay with pregnancy. At least Murphy had been kind of enough to not complain...too much. The only thing she seemed to resent him for was that he hadn't appreciated her 'womb service' joke as much it deserved.

"It says here there's a 1 in 1500 chance a baby is born a hermaphrodite. What if the baby comes out with a dick?!" Kira gasped horrified making the smaller girl sigh and close her eyes in attempt to calm herself. She was starting to resent the fact that Murphy wasn't able to come with her to her doctor's appointment this time because of work, but she knew it wasn't fault so she couldn't be mad at him.

"Can you stop messing with the modules please?" Nolee scolded as they waited for Dr. Garcia to enter the room. "You're worse than a child sometimes."

"Sorry, it's grossly intriguing to be honest. I mean look how big your uterus is going to become when you give birth, I feel sorry for you already."

"Yeah you sound real sorry."

"Speaking of which, are you going to take those classes that teach you about birth and all that jazz? What's it called again, lasagna?" Kira asked furrowing her eyebrows.

"Lamaze class Kira, it's lamaze."

"Oh yeah, that. Are you going to sign up?"

"I already signed up a long time ago, classes get full fast so you have to do it really early. It should be starting next week." Nolee explained.

"I can't believe you're so close to giving birth now. Are you making Murphy go with you?"

"I wasn't going to force him, but since he showed me how nervous he was about it, now I definitely am making him go." Nolee teased.

"You're so cruel...I love it." Kira winked just as Dr. Garcia entered the room.

"Miss Wade, good to see you. Kind of hard to believe you're in the third trimester isn't it? Aww no Murphy this time?" she added realizing he had not been present.

"He had to work." Nolee explained lightly smiling. "But I brought my best friend Kira today."

"I'm the auntie." Kira declared proudly.

"Well welcome in aunt Kira." Dr. Garcia replied amused. "Hope you're practicing your skills often now, the big moment will be here before you know it."

"It's starting to go really fast now, I'm getting nervous." Nolee admitted.

"It's okay to be nervous, but remember things are going to be just fine. You're taking birthing classes aren't you?"

"I am, I start next week."

"Perfect then maybe that'll help you to relax somewhat knowing what to expect when time comes. How are you feeling otherwise?"

"Pretty good other than the fact my bladder is being used as a punching bag and heartburn hurts like hell." Nolee shrugged.

"The sacrifices we make to keep a baby comfortable." Dr. Garcia laughed walking over to her. "You know the drill by now don't you?"

"Yes I do." Nolee nodded as they went through the routine checkup.

"Still looks good. Baby is measuring about 14 inches now and weighing approximately 2-4 pounds."

"My niece is the cutest! I hope she doesn't come out bald though." Kira gushed enthralled at the screen as Nolee couldn't help but laugh at the girl.

"The reason you're feeling more pressure in your bladder is because the baby is starting face downward. If you start to feel braxton hicks, or what seem like mild contractions don't be alarmed, it's normal for it start at this stage. Good news is should you give birth prematurely the baby would have a good chance of surviving this early."

"Good to know."

"Overall you're doing just fine. Although sadly this will be your last ultrasound, we just like to make sure baby's beginning to move in the birthing direction. It's probably a good idea to make sure you're registered to give birth at the hospital at this point, once you reach 36 weeks we'll need to see you every week ater to check cervix dilation. Do you have any questions?"

"I don't think so." Nolee smiled shaking her head.

"Actually doc, can you tell me more about this 1 in 1500 hermaphrodite thing?"

"Damn it Kira..."

_____

"Can you pick up the pace woman?" Kira sighed when they were finished with Nolee's appointment.

"Excuse me I'm waddling as fast I can here. Not everyone was born like you daddy long legs." Nolee retorted with a huff.

"Now that you mention it, I realize you do waddle. It's so cute, you're like a penguin." Kira grinned amused.

"Shut up."

"I'm just teasing, don't get all crabby."

"I'm growing life here, I'll be crabby if I want." Nollee glared pointing a finger at the other girl.

"Yeah, yeah. Will seeing a movie make you feel better? The new Matrix movie just came out with Keanu, hey we could double date!" Kira clapped excitedly.

"Double date as in you going with Connor?"

"Yeah...?"

"I take it things are going well between you too?" Nolee mused.

"For the most part..."

"You've know ever since New Years you've been spending a lot of time with him lately..." Nolee noted raising her eyebrow.

"What, no I haven't." Kira denied as a blush crept on her cheeks. "We just happen to have a lot more in common than I thought. His western movie obsession is a little weird though, but whatever."

"Mhmm sure."

"I'm serious! It's like not we've banged or anything." Kira defended crossing her arms under her chest.

"Oh my god, you really do like him." Nolee gasped surprised. "You've never waited this long to bang someone. Kira I think you're falling in lo-"

"Nope, I can't hear you anymore. La la la la." Kira replied childishly putting her hands over ears.

"Don't deny it Kira Martin." Nolee smirked as the taller girl only shook her head.

"Still can't hear you. La la la."

"You're going to have to admit sooner or later I'm calling it now."

"Whatever you say penguin." Kira retorted as they reached the meat packing plant. The girls both smiled to themselves seeing the twins smoking and arguing in their usual spot like always.

"Hello boys."

"Aye, hello pretty ladies." both brothers smiled in unison.

"So, how did ta appointment go?" Murphy asked curiously.

"It went good, baby is doing just fine. Kira learned about hermaphrodites."

"Uhh t'ats...cool?" Murphy replied while squinting his eyes.

"Yeah your baby could have a dick when she's born." Kira smirked as Murphy's eyes widened making Nolee roll her eyes.

"Don't listen to her."

"Umm well anything else happen?" Murphy questioned uneasy.

"I gained 5 more pounds." Nolee frowned at still trying to adjust to her belly growing.

"Aye, ye still look beautiful ta me lass. If it's any consolation, ye breasts look extra amazin' lately." Murphy noted in satisfaction.

"Really Murphy?"

"I'm sorry love, but it's true. They're...magnificent." Murphy exclaimed as he stared at her chest lovingly.

"Well thank you...I guess." Nolee replied slightly blushing having been used to her boyfriend's unconventional displays of affection.

"Sorry I couldn't make it today." Murphy apologized once more.

"It's okay, I understand." Nolee smiled as their lips met.

"Alright, t'ats quite enough of t'at." Connor chimed in disgust at his twin who in return received a middle finger directed at him. "What's ta plan for tonight?"

"Well I was thinking we could all go see The Matrix. It's supposed to be good." Kira suggested with enthusiasm.

"I suppose t'at sounds fun." Connor shrugged.

"Ye, I wouldn't mind I guess." Murphy added. "What do ye say lass?" he asked turning his attention back to Nolee.

"Actually guys, I think I'm gonna skip this one. I'm not feeling up for a movie anymore." she frowned hating that her energy levels could change so dramatically. The further she got the more tired she seemed to be.

"T'ats okay I can walk you home." Murphy offered as the small girl shook her head.

"No Murphy, you should go see the movie." Nolee protested at her boyfriend.

"Are ye sure love?"

"Yeah, don't miss out on the movie because of me. You guys have fun."

"Are you sure sure?" Kira was the one to question this time.

"Yes you guys, I'll be fine okay. I just want to go home and sleep, sorry I'm a borefest."

"It's okay, I just don't know if I feel comfortable letting ye walk by yourself." Murphy reasoned while Nolee noticed his face softening.

"I'll be fine, I promise." she assured once more wrapping her arms around his neck. "I'll see you later."

"Okay, I'm calling ye later and ye better answer." he declared making her laugh.

"I will. Now get going before you guys miss the next showing."

__

As Kira, Connor, and Murphy went in a separate direction towards the movie theater downtown, Nolee had already made her way to the subway. Part of her was sad to be missing out on yet another event, but the other part knew it was okay to be by herself sometimes. Murphy couldn't always be by her side, after all he had done for her he deserved some fun too.

Sighing with relief as she finally made it to her apartment, she had prepared to draw a hot bath for herself.

'I just need Law and Order...and ice cream.' she thought to herself as her hand twisted the key to unlock her door. When she got inside she sat her purse down where it normally went and walked to the kitchen to grab a glass of water first. Making her way to the bedroom her footsteps had seized as the living room light had suddenly switched on before her. The sound of glass shattering on the floor when the cup slipped from her gasp as her blood had run cold staring at the figure smiling in front of her.

"Welcome home darlin.'