Part 200

Jesse closed the photo album and said, "Mommy, when are you gonna get big like Aunt Becca?"

"Soon, sweetie. Would you like to see a picture of the babies?"

"Can I?" asked Jesse amazed.

"Sure, and I ‘m sure the others would enjoy it too," said Howie.

Sarah got up to get the video the doctor had given them and stuck it in the VCR as Nick turned on the TV. She rejoined Howie and Jesse on the couch where Howie put his arm around her again.

The four guys and Jesse stared at the image on the screen in silence while Sarah and Howie watched them. It was as amazing to see their reaction as it was to see the babies.

"God…you’ve got two amazing little miracles inside you!" whispered Kevin.

"Mommy, am I gonna have brothers or sisters?"

"Not sure. It’s still too early to tell."

Brian asked, "Are you going to find out?"

Sarah and Howie looked at each other as Sarah said, "We’ve never really discussed it."

"It doesn’t really matter," said Howie. "It’s not like we can do anything to change it."

Nick smirked, "We could always do the ring test. Better yet…since we did YOUR test on Becca, I say we do MY test for Sarah."

"Which is?" asked Kevin.

Howie remembered his conversation with Nick back in Virginia and spoke quickly, "NO!"

"What test?" asked Sarah.

"NO, Angel…you’re NOT doing it."

"The Drano test and I think it’s only fair," said Nick.

"What’s she gotta do?" asked Brian. "Is it harmful to the babies?"

"I put a spoonful of Drano in a cup and then she has to pee in the cup. It changes colors according to the sex of the baby."

"What if it’s one of each?" asked Alex knowing full well that Howie wasn’t gonna let Sarah do it.

"Good question," said Kevin. "And I bet the BBB can’t answer."

Nick had a confused look on his face. "I hadn’t thought about that."

"Doesn’t matter. Sarah’s NOT gonna do it," reemphasized Howie.

"Mommy, how are the babies gonna get out of your tummy?"

Howie said a silent ‘Thank you’ for Jesse changing the subject.

Brian stopped the tape as Sarah started, "God made a woman’s body so that babies can get out. When it’s time, my body will do what is necessary to let the babies out. I’ll have to go to a hospital…"

A look of sheer terror overtook Jesse’s face and she began to tremble. Howie pulled her closer to him as he felt her little body shaking.

"It’s okay, Princess," whispered Howie.

"I don’t like hospitals, Daddy," cried the little girl as she buried her face in his chest.

All four guys melted at the sight of Jesse crying. They all understood her fear and silently vowed to themselves that never again would ANYTHING or ANYONE ever scare Jesse like that again.

Sarah rubbed Jesse’s back as Howie held her close. She said gently, "Jesse, NOTHING bad is gonna happen at the hospital. The babies are going to need help getting out of my tummy and I’m going to need a doctor to help."

Whimpering, Jesse said, "But you disappeared the last time. I don’t want you to disappear again."

"Princess, I’m not gonna let Mommy go ANYWHERE."

Jesse looked up at Howie. "Promise?" she asked in small voice.

"Cross my heart."

Kevin said, "None of us are gonna ever let anything happen to you or your mother EVER again."

Jesse looked at all four of her ‘uncles’ as tears rolled down her cheeks. She sniffled, "Promise?"

Together, they all said, "Cross our hearts.’

The little girl scooted off Howie’s lap and went to each of the four men wrapping her tiny arms around their necks to hug them tight. Each held her tight and before letting her go, gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Jesse went to Brian last and she clambered into his lap snuggling next to him. He hugged her close, "What ‘cha wanna do, Jesse?"

Jesse yawned, "I wanna watch a movie."

"Which one?" asked Alex.

"Goonies!"

Nick grinned as he grabbed the movie from the pile, "I’m slowly winning her over."

Sarah snuggled next to Howie as he nuzzled her neck. Whispering, he said, "You were awesome, Mama."

As the movie started, Becca made her way out and settled next to Nick. "Did I miss anything?"

"Not a thing, Bec," he said with a straight face as everyone else laughed.

Becca looked back and forth from Nick to Sarah to Howie, but no one budged an inch, so she gave up and settled in to watch the movie.

Part 201        The Dance Index(2)