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"They’re early"

"How’d you find out Teri was in labor?" she asked, curious to learn who had contacted Rachel

"I phoned her," Jaer able to support her, Rachel staggered to a chair and sat down

Christie crouched beside her "Are you okay?"

Rachel pressed her hand to her heart "I…I thought I was going to pass out"

Teri’s friend looked ill When she closed her eyes, Christie glanced at James, who nodded, obviously aware of what she meant He left and came back a few minutes later with a nurse

"I’h she see but fine

The nurse escorted her into an exaain James and Christie were alone

"I feel like I’ve worked an eight-hour shift," Christie said, suddenly exhausted

"I do, too" His so home and make a few phone calls" But Christie didn’t want to leave

Jao"

Indecision kept her silent

"Not yet," he cajoled "Stay a bit longer"

"I would like to see the babies," she murmured That was true, but it wasn’t the only reason she felt inclined to linger

"Little Ji wildly

Jaht her even closer to his side

They walked down the corridor like that, and after a long sigh, Christie looked up at Jaain, I’ll…I don’t knohat I’ll do, but I guarantee you it won’t be pleasant Furtherain," James broke in

"I’m serious, James I can’t take the pain"

He faced her and set his hands squarely on her shoulders His eyes grew dark and grave "I’"

"I’ll do everything I can to help you achieve your dreams, Christie A man does that for the wouaze steadily held his "I want babies of my own"

"Babies of our own And I’reeable," she snapped "It confuses ht there in the hospital hallway Christie’s arms slid up his chest and looped around his neck as she returned his kiss

"Three?" he asked in a husky voice when they drew apart

Christie nestled into his eht, she ht not be so bad

Jath of her back "We’ll have beautiful babies"

She remembered his remark about beautiful babies the day he’d come to the tavern It hy she’d run after him…"Yes, ill," she murmured

He kissed the tip of he nose "But they won’t play chess"

"They can if they want to," she countered

"Okay," he agreed, "if they want to play, they can"

The nurse who’d led Rachel away returned "I’ve called your friend’s husband," she said

"Is everything okay?" Christie asked anxiously

"No, it isn’t," Rachel said, a few steps behind the other wo?" Christie hurried after her into the waiting room

Rachel sat down and buried her face in her hands "This can’t be true It just can’t"

"What can’t?"

Teri’s friend dropped her hands and glanced up "I’nant," she wailed

"But that’s wonderful news," Christie said "Isn’t it?"

"It should be," Rachel said "I should be happy, but…we’d decided not to have a baby right away and then there’s Jolene She isn’t ready to deal with this We pro one on the pill, but I didn’t" Looking from Christie to James, she shook her head "This is what happens I told Bruce ere playing Russian roulette, but he was so sure ere safe…"

"So what you’re saying is--"

"Sex!" Rachel exclaimed "This is what happens when you have the most wonderful sex…in theat noon--oh, you wouldn’t understand"

Jarip on Christie and whispered, "Is it noon yet?"

Despite herself, despite her worry about Rachel, Christie smiled