Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 15:35:08 -0700 To: fkfanfic@merlin.darkmage.net, FKarchiver@fkfanfic.com From: "Nancy A. Taylor" Subject: Archiving "Smiles of Fortune" ----------------------- WARNING ----------------------------- NOTE: There are ADULT passages in this story and it should not be read or downloaded by anyone under 18 years of age. Please download the PG version if you are under 18. Thank you. ------------------------------------------------------------- Permission is granted for archiving at FKFANFIC.COM, the FTP site, and the N&NPack fiction page. DISCLAIMER: The characters of Nick and Co. are not mine. They were created by James Parriott and Barney Cohen and are owned by Sony/TriStar. No copyright infringement was intended. This alternate universe, including Laurene, are my creations. Please ask permission before playing with them. Smiles of Fortune -- Part 1 by Nancy Taylor (c) June, 1998 He brooded quietly in the darkness. Did Nicholas think to hide his condition from his master and mentor? Did he have the audacity to think that their bond had become too weak for his father to detect? He had felt it coming; felt the changes being wrought ever so slowly in his son, but had chosen to bide his time. Nicholas had become complacent, far too comfortable with his life and his mortal family. What he was doing was tantamount to waving a red flag in the face of an angry bull. Would his Nicholas never learn, he wondered? Perhaps it was time for a reminder; a lesson, if you will, in obedience. The door closed quietly behind his dark form, just before Lucien LaCroix took to the night sky. He had felt a vague sense of unease ever since he had gotten up that evening. Standing in the kitchen, tending to the family's dinner, Nicholas Brabant Chevalier shook his head to clear the cobwebs. At just that moment, a paper airplane came sailing through the room and connected squarely with Nick's left temple. Startled out of his reverie, Nick turned swiftly, catching the barest glimpse of a golden head before it disappeared behind the door. Muffled giggles drifted through the air. Smiling, Nick wiped his hands on a towel before moving with his still considerable vampiric speed to snatch the culprit from her hiding place. Lifting the 10-year-old high into the air, Nick spun around, eliciting more giggles from Laurene. "How's my little angel this evening?" Nick asked, setting Laurene back on her feet and leaning down to pick up the airplane from the kitchen floor. He waggled the offending piece of origami under Laurene's nose. Laurene giggled and snatched the plane from her daddy's grasp, planting a kiss firmly on his cheek before replying. "Okay," she piped, looking pointedly at the stovetop. "Whatcha fixing?" she asked, obviously relishing the scents wafting from the burners. "Omelets and hash browns," Nick replied with a sparkle in his eye. He knew his omelets were a favorite of Laurene's. Laurene licked her lips appreciatively. Her daddy's omelets had become legendary at the shelter, and she was very pleased when he decided to make them at home. "When's Mum coming home?" Laurene queried. "She's late!" "Any minute now, Pumpkin," Nick replied, ruffling Laurene's silken curls with his fingers. "But she works so much!" Laurene pouted. "And she doesn't feel good enough to play with me anymore, even when she's home." Laurene scuffed her shoe against the linoleum of the kitchen floor before giving the nearest dinette chair a swift kick. Nick removed the omelet pan from the heat and crouched down in front of his daughter, gathering her into his arms. "It's not her fault, hon," Nick whispered into Laurene's ear as he hugged her tightly and rubbed her back in sympathy. "Things are really hard on your mum right now. She's got a few weeks left working at the clinic before her maternity leave starts and being on her feet so much tires her out. "I know that she misses being able to play with you, but she won't be working much longer. Then the two of you can be together all day." Nick backed away slightly and looked intently into Laurene's large blue eyes. he thought. "If you want to blame someone," Nick continued, "blame me. I'm the one that got your mum pregnant." "It's not your fault," Laurene sniffed. "It's those BABIES! They aren't even born yet and they get more attention than me!" Twisting her way out of Nick's embrace, Laurene turned and ran from the kitchen. "Laurene...!" Nick called, quickly following in his daughter's wake. Rounding the corner into the living room, Nick came to a grinding halt. The sight that greeted his eyes chilled him to the bone. "LaCroix!" Nick exclaimed, suddenly recognizing the source of his earlier discomfiture. The master vampire stood in the middle of the living room, a slight smile gracing his sculptured features. "Good evening, Nicholas. How good of you to join us." Laurene was in his arms, her legs wrapped around his waist and her arms hugging LaCroix's neck. He held her effortlessly, as though she were no more than three. "Look, Daddy!" Laurene exclaimed with obvious delight. "Uncle Lucien came for a visit!" LaCroix smiled indulgently at his granddaughter's enthusiasm, while Nick looked on, worry etching small lines around his eyes. "Why are you here?" he demanded of his maker. "Come now, Nicholas," LaCroix replied, shaking his head ever so slightly. "Since when have I *ever* needed an invitation to visit my son and granddaughter?" "Why are you here?" Nick repeated his question. "You've not visited once since we moved to Montreal, why now?" "You, my dear Nicholas, have abrogated our agreement," LaCroix accused, advancing on Nick until the pair stood toe to toe. "As I recall, when your precious Natalie was pregnant with Laurene, I made a promise to leave your family alone on your oath that you would return to drinking human blood and give up any searching for a cure." LaCroix's cool breath hissed in Nick's ear. Standing his ground, Nick looked defiantly into his master's icy blue eyes. "And I have kept that oath," he began heatedly. "I would beg to differ," LaCroix interrupted. "There have been changes, Nicholas. I have felt the weakening of our bond; do not think that I have not. You are more mortal now than ever before." "Not mortal enough, it would seem," Nick spat back in LaCroix's face. "Not mortal enough to be free of you!" "Careful, Nicholas," LaCroix warned. "We had an agreement," he continued after a pause. "Would you really care to endanger your precious family now? Do you not have another child on the way?" LaCroix's grin was feral, causing Nick to pause. "It wasn't intentional, LaCroix," Nick relented. "Whatever is happening is just *happening*!" He spread his arms in supplication, willing LaCroix to believe him. "Even Natalie doesn't know the cause." Nick sighed, deflating visibly in front of his master. LaCroix took a step backward and studied his child. Nick could feel the thread of their bonding strengthen as the ancient vampire pressed into his mind, into his very soul. After a moment, LaCroix backed down. "I believe that *you* believe what you just told me, but perhaps Natalie is not telling you all she knows. Perhaps she has discovered what she believes to be a cure and is experimenting on you as she would a laboratory rat," he accused. "If she is...." LaCroix's voice trailed off in a veiled threat. "Nicholas, Nicholas," LaCroix continued with a sigh, shaking his head slightly in bemusement, "there *is* no cure. You will remain a vampire for the rest of eternity. Do not let your hopes rise too high." Nick almost thought he felt a genuine fatherly concern from LaCroix. As much as his master wanted to keep him immortal, Nick also knew that LaCroix did not truly want to see him hurt. Shaking his head in gentle defiance, Nick replied, "I have hope, LaCroix. *We* have hope ... in my mortality, in the future. For the first time in a very long time, I have *hope*! And you can't take that away from me." "Just do not let this 'hope' cause you needless suffering," LaCroix admonished as he turned to go. "Mark my words well." He brushed past Nick on his way to the door. Suddenly, pain ripped through Nick's abdomen. Clutching his belly with both arms, Nick doubled over and staggered back against the wall. "Daddy!" Laurene cried, running to Nick's side. "Daddy! Daddy! Are you okay?!" She looked around frantically for help and reassurance as she clung desperately to Nick's arm. Gently, LaCroix pulled her away. "He will be all right," the elder assured the child. "Give him time." Nick lay on the floor, rolled into a knot of pain, gasping for breath at the shock of sensations running through him. Slowly the pain subsided and he sat up, looking even more pale than was usual. "Daddy, are you okay?" Laurene twisted from LaCroix's grasp and ran to Nick's side, kneeling down in front of her father and studying him intently. "I'm okay, now, Pumpkin." Nick smiled weakly at his daughter. "It's over." "What happened?" Laurene pressed, anxious for details. "I ... I don't ... I don't know," Nick answered, still struggling for breath. It had been a long day for Dr. Natalie Chevalier. At 28 weeks pregnant, Natalie was feeling every single minute she spent on her feet. She had promised Nick that she would take her maternity leave starting at 30 weeks, but she was beginning to think that sooner might be better. Glancing at her watch as she climbed into her black Dodge Stratus to drive home, Natalie noted that she was running late ... again. Laurene would be furious. Starting the engine, Natalie pulled out into the heavy evening traffic of downtown Montreal. She turned the radio on to an easy listening station to help get her mind off the bumper to bumper traffic she was crawling through. She loathed driving home this time of night, and was actually looking forward to taking her leave for three months. As she slowly wove her way through the mass of commuters, Natalie allowed her mind to drive on 'auto pilot' while she considered her doctor's words from earlier that morning. Natalie's blood pressure was inching up, and her ankles were terribly swollen by the end of the day. Perhaps she should be considering turning in her notice as soon as possible, she mused. She breathed a sigh of relief as she left the heavy downtown traffic behind, turning onto a narrow residential road that led toward home and loved ones. It happened so quickly that Natalie barely had time to react. The car came screeching around the corner, bearing down on Natalie's Stratus and weaving across the road with a drunken disregard for other traffic. Natalie wrenched the steering wheel to the right in a desperate effort to avoid a head-on collision. Her car skidded to the side and kept going, up and over the curb. Natalie prayed as she jammed on the brakes and turned into the skid. Her car came to a grinding halt against a substantial oak tree, activating the automobile's airbag and throwing Natalie against the steering wheel. For several minutes Natalie sat, stunned, by the side of the road. Then she picked up her cell phone and dialed. "Nick...." Smiles of Fortune -- Part 2 LaCroix watched as Laurene peered out the front door, watching as her father drove off to the hospital. After the Caddy had disappeared from sight, Laurene closed the door and turned toward LaCroix. Twin tears traced tracks down both cheeks as she stood there looking lost and very alone. "Ah, ma petit ange," LaCroix crooned, gathering the child into his arms. "All will be well, you'll see," he assured her. "What's wrong with my mum?" Laurene sniffled. "That I do not know," LaCroix answered her. "But your father will undoubtedly call us with the news when he can." "What happened to Daddy?" she continued. "How did you know he was okay?" "He is still a vampire, my dear, despite his current condition. While we can feel pain, it does no real damage," LaCroix explained. "And though I do not know the reason for Nicholas' collapse, I do know that no harm was done." "I'm glad you're here, Uncle Lucien," Laurene declared, sniffing back the last of her tears. "What would you like to do for entertainment this evening?" LaCroix asked her, switching to a lighter subject to keep Laurene's mind off her parents. "How about 'Twister'?" Laurene asked, a mischievous grin curving her lips. LaCroix rolled his eyes toward the heavens. It was going to be another *long* evening.... Nick fussed and paced in the waiting area of the hospital's emergency room. Nick wondered, as he looked down at his watch for the umpteenth time in the past thirty minutes. Finally a doctor appeared and guided Nick to the pastel walls of the maternity floor where Natalie was resting in a comfortably appointed labor/delivery room, an external fetal monitor strapped to her belly. "We just brought her back from having an ultrasound," the doctor explained. "In cases like this, with trauma to the abdominal area, we like to check for signs of abruption of the placenta." "And...?" Nick queried, feeling edgy, like something was going to go terribly wrong. He hurried to Natalie's side, stroking his fingers through her hair and kissing her forehead lightly. He looked directly into her large blue eyes, he thought, and searched for signs that she was all right. Natalie smiled up at him reassuringly. "And we found no signs of abruption," the doctor assured the couple. "As I have already explained to Natalie here," he went on, "we need to keep her on the fetal monitor for four continuous hours." "That's an awfully long time," Nick protested, pacing from the head of the bed to the foot and, turning abruptly on his heel, back to the head end again. "It's okay, Nick," Natalie grinned at her husband's nervous fidgeting. "They need to monitor the well-being of the fetuses, and check to make sure I'm not having premature contractions." "Are you sure you're okay?" Nick asked, frowning slightly at Natalie's continued cheerfulness. "Of course I'm sure," Natalie pressed on in a futile attempt to reassure her pessimistic husband. "The anti-lock brakes and air bag worked great!" she quipped. "All I got were a few bumps and bruises. All this is just to be on the safe side." She knew that wasn't entirely true, but she didn't want to worry Nick needlessly. "You look awfully pale," Natalie continued after the doctor had left them alone. "What happened to that healthy glow I was beginning to get used to?" "I don't want to bother you with my problems tonight," Nick answered evasively. "I just want to make sure that you're going to be okay." He carefully laid his head against the side of Natalie's belly and listened to the soft swooshing of the twin heartbeats. "Sounds like 'Thing One' and 'Thing Two' in there are doing fine." Nick lifted his head and smiled up at Natalie. She silently let out a sigh of relief to see that crooked grin back on Nick's all-too-serious features. "What did you do with Laurene?" Natalie tried to sound innocently concerned, but she was worried when she saw Nick come in alone. "LaCroix paid us a visit this evening," Nick was forced to admit. "When you called, he offered to stay with Laurene." "LaCroix?" Natalie was surprised. They had barely mentioned his name in over a year. "What did he want?" "It's not important," Nick evaded once more. "What is important is that he was there when we needed him." "I've never trusted him, Nick. Are you sure Laurene is all right?" Natalie asked, a worried frown etching her features. "He wouldn't harm her," Nick stated with conviction. "She'll be fine." "Hmmm...." Natalie answered, noncommittally. "If you trust him...." "He won't hurt Laurene." Nick's voice was a study in confidence. Natalie sighed, smiling weakly in accord. "I'm still worried about *you*," Natalie pressed on, changing the subject. "Something's up, Nicholas Chevalier, and you'd better tell me what it is." Nick smiled inwardly at her choice of words. When Natalie called him 'Nicholas', Nick knew she wasn't going to give up easily. "Okay," he confessed. "Something *did* happen this evening...." "Well?" Natalie prodded when Nick seemed reluctant to continue. "Nat, I really don't want to bother you with my problems right now," Nick tried once more to get out of telling Natalie, who had clearly gone into her 'doctor' mode. Natalie crossed her arms, which wasn't easy any more with her huge breasts and belly getting in the way, and gave Nick her sternest look. Nick sighed. "I felt your accident tonight," he began, then stopped. "What exactly does that mean?" Natalie was curious. "Just before your call I ... well, I collapsed in the living room with abdominal pains." Finally, it was out. Nick searched Natalie's face for telltale signs of her reaction. He didn't have to wait long. "Nick! Are you all right?" Natalie sat up and reached for Nick, dislodging the fetal monitor in the process. Outside the room, the nurses heard the commotion and one hurried in to reposition the monitor and check Natalie's blood pressure. Natalie fussed at the nurse, who insisted she lay back and relax. Nick pulled his chair up to the head of the bed and grasped Natalie's hand reassuringly. "I'm fine, Nat. Really," he told her. "It was nothing. It didn't last long, and now I know why I felt it." Nick pressed all his love and comfort into the silver thread that bound him to Natalie, and she smiled in understanding. "You're sure?" Natalie prodded one last time. "Absolutely." Nick smiled and shook his head slightly at Natalie's stubborn persistence. With that reassurance, Natalie relaxed back into her pillows and closed her eyes with a little sigh. It was with great relief that Natalie saw her own physician walk through the door of her hospital room at the end of the four-hour monitoring period. "I thought I told you to take it easy, Natalie," Dr. Robiquet teased as he inspected the results of the fetal testing. "Sorry." Natalie grinned sheepishly up at her doctor, who had been badgering her to start her maternity leave early. "You were lucky," Dr. Robiquet told her in no uncertain terms. "The ultrasound looks good, and the fetal monitoring shows no signs of contractions or fetal distress. I'm going to release you, but I will expect you to go easy and follow some simple rules. "I want you to *rest*, Natalie," Dr. Robiquet continued, pinning her with a stern look. "Go home, stretch out on your bed, elevate your feet and get caught up on your reading. From this point on, you're on medical leave from your job. Get used to it." He smiled at Natalie before turning toward Nick. "I'm sure that Nick will be happy to be your gofer in the meantime." Nick grinned and nodded his assent. Natalie just smiled. She knew full well she could still twist this vampire around her little finger, and she wasn't the least bit ashamed of doing it, either. Still, she was a doctor herself and she was concerned for her babies' well being, so she decided to do her best to follow her doctor's orders. "When do I get to get out of this place?" Natalie sat up in bed and tried to look chipper, despite the bruises that had formed across her cheekbones and under her eyes. "How about right now?" Dr. Robiquet said, smiling. "I'll sign your release forms and Nick can take you home ... to bed," he added. "Sounds good to me, doc," Natalie smiled with relief. Natalie had been home for nearly five days, and the restricted activity was weighing heavily on her. Thanks to Nick's insistence, she spent more time in her bed than out of it, and she was beginning to think she'd go crazy from the boredom. Nick had been so busy doing every little thing for her, and keeping Laurene entertained as well, that when he came to bed in the morning, he was exhausted. It was all he could do to give Natalie a peck on the cheek before falling into a deep slumber. Natalie herself was having trouble falling asleep. 'Too darned *much* rest!' she opined sullenly. This morning looked like it would transpire as all the others had. Nick was tucking Laurene in for the day before coming to tuck *her* in. Natalie was feeling testy. She knew Nick had been avoiding her more this past night because of it, but he still did his best to tend to her every need. Maybe that was it, Natalie mused. Nick had been taking care of her for days and she hadn't been able to do a single thing for him. Was it any wonder that he wanted a bit of quiet time for himself? But this morning would be different after all. Natalie looked up as she heard the bedroom door open. Nick sauntered in wearing a sly cat-who-ate-the-canary grin. He was dressed in his black silk pajamas, his red and black silk robe billowing about his legs as he walked toward the bed. In his hands he held a bowl of well-buttered popcorn and a video. Walking over to where Natalie lay, Nick handed her the bowl of popcorn. "I thought you might enjoy watching a movie together," he told her with his lop-sided boyish grin. "Just a minute while I go get the drinks." Tossing the video on top of the TV, Nick exited quickly, catching Natalie off guard. He returned a few minutes later with a soda in one hand and a green bottle and mug in the other. He put the bottle and mug on his nightstand and hung the robe over a chair near the bed. As Natalie popped the tab on her soda, she turned to Nick who was settling into the bed next to her. "What are we watching?" Natalie asked, as she put a handful of popcorn kernels in her mouth. "Casablanca," Nick replied, taking an extra buttery kernel and popping it into his mouth. "Oh ... that's so romantic," Natalie crooned, snuggling closer to Nick. Although the movie had always been one of Natalie's favorites, she found herself far more interested in Nick and his actions. As he lay on the bed next to her, he would steal an occasional kernel of the popcorn and place it carefully into his mouth, savoring the flavor before chewing and swallowing. Natalie never lost the awe that filled her when she watched Nick eat solid foods. He still needed to consume human blood as his main source of nourishment, but more and more lately he had been partaking of the meals he cooked for Natalie and Laurene. Nick slowly became aware that he was being watched and turned to find Natalie staring at him as he ate yet another kernel of the popcorn. Feeling self-conscious, Nick smiled shyly and wrapped his arm around Natalie's shoulders, pulling her in closer to him. Natalie marveled at the warmth she felt through the thin silk of his pajamas. It was almost as though she could feel him becoming more human as each day passed. The need to touch him, to feel that warmth flowed over her. Putting the popcorn bowl on the nightstand, she let her left hand drift off her huge belly to settle softly on Nick's thigh. Natalie's thoughts drifted back to the day that her doctor had put the official kibosh on the couple having sex until after the birth. Since that time, Nick had kept so busy that Natalie hadn't even been able to pleasure him. Wrapped in his warm embrace, Natalie leaned her head on Nick's shoulder and allowed her hand to slip over to where the silk on Nick's pajama bottoms was tightly tented above his unintentional erection. Nick responded with a startled jerk at the unexpected touch, then relaxed as her hand came to a stop. Turning his head, he placed a warm, wet kiss on Natalie's forehead and went back to watching the movie. Natalie pretended to watch the movie for a few minutes before her thumb and forefinger deftly unfastened the snap at Nick's waistband, releasing his engorged penis from its silk prison. She let her hand glide down the smooth, taut skin and back up again. She gently teased the foreskin down, revealing the purple-red glans which was already moist with droplets of seminal fluid. Nick moaned at the touch and closed his eyes briefly. Swimming up through the waves of lust that Natalie's touch engendered, he finally broke through to rational thought and gently plucked Natalie's hand from his genitals. Kissing her palm gently, he admonished her. "Natalie ... we're not supposed to have intercourse. Remember?" "Mm-hmm," was her muffled reply as she buried her face in his neck and nibbled on the sensitive skin there. "Natalie!" Nick tried a bit more forcefully. "Natalie ... not ... ohhhh...." he moaned as Natalie's nip drew blood and she licked the wound clean. "This isn't for me," Natalie protested as she removed her hand from Nick's grasp. She willfully cupped his scrotum in the palm of her hand and began kneading with her fingers. "This is for *you*. For all you've done these past months that I haven't had a chance to thank you for. Let me do this for you," she begged softly. Nick exhaled a soft sigh and relaxed back into the pillows in passive consent. He closed his eyes once more as he felt the vampire assert itself despite his recent advances against it. Natalie's skillful fingers caused him to tremble. He was only vaguely aware as she unbuttoned the pajama top and licked his nipples, running her tongue around each one as it hardened. Nick's penis jerked with the attention his nipples were receiving and bumped Natalie's arm. With some difficulty, she maneuvered herself onto her hands and knees and leaned down to take the hardened member in her mouth. Nick moaned loudly as Natalie's warm lips engulfed the head of his penis. Without conscious thought he thrust his hips up, burying himself in the warmth of her throat. Natalie opened herself to take him all in; sucking and licking as she did so. Nick squirmed under her and cried out with the need of his release. Backing off, Natalie sat back and reached for the mug of human blood that sat on the nightstand. She stroked Nick's swollen penis as she did so, running her fingers lightly over the sensitive glans. Nick called out her name as his orgasm came suddenly, spraying them both with pale pink semen. Natalie sat back and laughed as she put down the mug. "I keep forgetting you don't need the blood anymore." She smiled as Nick blushed furiously. "I'm sorry, Nat," Nick apologized, noting the mess he had made of them both. "You don't have a thing to be sorry for," Natalie told him in a firm voice. "This was for *you* and you deserve whatever pleasure you got from it!" "Oh, I got pleasure all right!" Nick gathered his pregnant wife in his arms and kissed her soundly. "Thanks, Nat," he added softly. "You'd better run into the bathroom and take a quick shower," Natalie said, her practicality asserting itself once more. "I'm so big now that I need the shower stall all to myself!" she laughed. "When you're done showering, I'll let *you* change the sheets while I wash up, okay?" "Sounds like a deal to me," Nick agreed, hopping off the bed and heading for the bathroom. Nick listened to the sound of the shower spray and of Natalie's bathing while he changed the sheets on the bed. What a completely extraordinary woman he had married! He smiled to himself, stretching his preternatural hearing to listen as Natalie hummed to herself while she bathed. "NICK!" came a sudden shriek from the bathroom. Tuned as he was to listening to her soft singing, the volume of her scream nearly knocked Nick over backward. Running into the bathroom with vampiric speed, Nick yanked open the shower stall door. The scent of Natalie's sweet essence caused his eyes to turn golden and his fangs to drop. He stared in horror at the blood that flowed down her legs and swirled quietly down the drain. Smiles of Fortune -- Part 3 Nick scooped Natalie up in his strong arms and carried her back to the freshly made bed. He placed her carefully on the mattress before picking up the phone and calling for an ambulance. Natalie moaned as the cramping of a contraction gripped her abdomen. While they waited for the ambulance to arrive, Nick dried Natalie gently and dressed her in her nightgown and robe. He then quickly changed into fresh clothes himself and paced nervously until the ambulance attendants took Natalie away on a gurney. Once Natalie was gone, Nick picked up the phone and called their neighbor, Mme. LaFollette. Marie had babysat Laurene on a number of occasions, and the two got along very well. Having finalized the details with Marie, Nick walked into Laurene's room and sat down on the edge of her bed, running his fingers through her tousled golden locks as she slept. He wanted nothing more than to be with Natalie, but it was still light outside and he needed to wait. When Marie arrived later that evening, he could leave. As he sat on her bed worrying about Natalie, Laurene stirred and sat up. "What's wrong, Daddy?" she asked with the uncanny accuracy of innocence. "Mummy's having some problems with her pregnancy," Nick answered simply. "I had to send her to the hospital to have the doctors check her out." "Is she going to be okay?" Laurene asked, a high-pitched whine creeping into her voice. "I think so, Pumpkin," Nick assured her, "and the babies will be too. But I need to get to the hospital to give your mum some support ... she was pretty scared, you know." Laurene nodded sagely, even though she really *didn't* know. Daddy needed her to be a big girl now so that he could go take care of Mummy without having to worry about her. "Did you call Marie?" she asked. "Yes, hon, and she'll be here as soon as it's dark enough for me to go out. How about I fix you some breakfast in the meantime?" Nick ruffled Laurene's curls and smiled encouragingly. "Omelets?" Laurene wheedled, poking Nick in the belly button with a forefinger. Sweeping Laurene out of bed and gathering her into a big bear hug, Nick began to carry his daughter toward the kitchen. "Omelets it is!" he agreed with a smile. The knot of worry that twisted in his gut at the thought of Natalie alone in the hospital did not reach his voice or face. He needed to appear stronger than he felt for the sake of his daughter. Natalie once again found herself on a fetal monitor, an IV drip running into her arm. Dr. Robiquet stood over her clucking his tongue as he checked the contraction which rippled across her abdomen. "Your ultrasound showed an abruption this time, Natalie," the doctor told her. "How serious is it?" she asked nervously. "Not as bad as it could be," Dr. Robiquet replied. "I think if we can get the contractions stopped, we might be able to send you home in a few days. We'll have to wait and see," he added. "I'm also going to order a round of Betamethasone for you," Dr. Robiquet said as he adjusted the flow of her IV drip. "The steroids will help the babies' lungs mature in the case of an early delivery; which seems very possible in your case," he added. Having finished for the time being, Dr. Robiquet said his good-byes and left Natalie alone to rest. Just as she was about to drift off, a nurse entered the room carrying a syringe. "I've got the steroid shot Dr. Robiquet ordered for you," the nurse said cheerfully, rousing Natalie from her twilight state. "Roll on your side, please. I need to give this in your hip," she ordered. Natalie complied, grimacing at the pain as the nurse gave her the shot. It was at this inopportune moment that Nick finally chose to arrive. "Nat!" he called from the doorway. The nurse finally withdrew the needle and Natalie quickly covered her exposed bottom, rubbing the injection site to rid herself of the ache. Nick hurried over to the bed. "Nat, are you all right? What happened?" He was the very portrait of worry and concern. Natalie smiled, trying to be reassuring despite all the medical technology that was strapped to her, making her look like something from an old horror movie. The nurse busied herself repositioning the disturbed fetal monitor sensors, and then beat a hasty retreat from the room. "I'm okay, now, Nick," Natalie told him. "I had an abruption of the placenta ... a delayed reaction from the accident, I think." "Oh Nat, that's serious! Are the babies okay? Are you *sure* that *you're* okay?" Nick's questions came out in a nervous rush. "Aside from the damn hot flashes, and the fact that I feel as heavy as a beached whale from the Mag Sulfate I'm fine, just fine," Natalie grumbled. Noticing Nick's distressed look, Natalie switched gears. "So far everything is just fine, Nick, really," she assured him. "Dr. Robiquet put me on a continuous Magnesium Sulfate drip to stop the contractions and there's no sign of any fetal distress for now. "He told me that it would be best to stop the contractions and see how much longer I could hold the pregnancy. The longer the fetuses are in utero, the better their chances will be when they're born." "Are you going to have to stay in the hospital until the babies are born?" Nick asked, the concern very evident in his voice. "I doubt it," Natalie said. "Chances are that once the bleeding and contractions have stopped, I'll spend another day or two here and then go home to complete bedrest. Think you can handle that?" she teased. Natalie's wheedling tone brought a smile to Nick's lips and he relaxed visibly. "You look beat!" she exclaimed, reaching over to take his hand in hers. "Didn't you get any sleep all day?" "Not a wink," Nick admitted. "How could you even think that I could sleep knowing you were in the hospital and not knowing how you were doing?" "You didn't call to check on me every five minutes?" Natalie pouted playfully. "Laurene kept me pretty busy," Nick explained. "I got hold of Mme. LaFollette. She agreed to take care of Laurene for as long as necessary." "Good. Marie is terrific, and Laurene really loves her. Thanks for taking care of things, Nick." Natalie patted the hand she held. What she really wanted to do at that moment was gather Nick into a big hug and have a good cry, but the monitoring apparatus strapped to her belly prevented her from moving about much. She was getting weary of acting strong in the face of all that had happened. A silent tear slid unbidden down her cheek. Natalie swiped at it with the back of her free hand and tried to smile, but Nick noticed despite her efforts. "What's the matter, Nat?" Nick whispered, leaning in close to place a soft kiss on her lips. "I'm sorry, Nick," Natalie apologized. "I'm trying to be strong, really. It's just that I was so ... scared," she choked on unshed tears "... and alone...." The brave facade finally broke, and Natalie's tears flowed freely. Despite the encumbrances in the way, Nick managed to wrap his arms around his sobbing wife and hold her in a tender embrace. Slowly, the tears subsided. Natalie's four-day stay at the hospital seemed more like four *years* as her impatience and boredom with the hospital's procedures grew daily. On the second day, she had received the last of the steroid injections to mature the babies' lungs. During her whole stay she had been hooked up to that damnable IV in order to get the continuous drip of the tocolytic drug that stopped her contractions. They hooked her up to that frigging fetal monitor for hours at a time daily, and ... she had to eat hospital food! When Dr. Robiquet announced her release, Natalie was ready to throw a wild party in celebration. "...and when I say 'bedrest', I mean *bedrest*, Natalie Chevalier!" Dr. Robiquet instructed firmly. "I don't want you out of that bed except to relieve yourself ... understand?" Natalie crinkled her nose, but nodded her confirmation. "Nick and Laurene will make great gofers for you. Just let them do their job and try not to bite their heads off in the meantime, okay?" Dr. Robiquet smiled knowingly. He was all too aware of his patient's testy attitude when she became bored. "And, one last thing...." Natalie sighed at the lecture she was receiving, but looked directly at Dr. Robiquet to let him know she was paying attention. "I'll want you in my office at least once a week for an ultrasound and a non-stress test fetal monitor tracing. Got that?" "I'll see she gets there, doctor," Nick answered in Natalie's stead. "Don't worry, I think I can handle one feisty pregnant lady." He grinned. Natalie turned and stuck her tongue out in his direction; Nick pretended not to notice. "Mummy! Mummy!" Laurene ran into the room at that moment, breaking the tension that had been building. Marie stood outside the hospital room door, grinning at the reunion. "How've you been, Angel?" Natalie asked the bundle of energy who had launched herself onto Natalie's bed. She wrapped her arms around Laurene and gave her daughter a big squeeze. "I sure have missed you, Laur!" Natalie said with feeling. "I missed you, too, Mummy!" Laurene squirmed out of her mother's grasp and stood, looking pointedly at the stethoscope around Dr. Robiquet's neck. "Can I listen to the babies?" she asked. Dr. Robiquet smiled. If the twins Natalie was carrying had half the energy of this ball of fire, he didn't envy the parents trying to keep up with all the activity. "Of course you can," he said, taking the instrument from around his neck and placing the earpieces in Laurene's ears. He guided the sensor of the scope to the area where the heartbeats would most likely be heard. Moving the stethoscope slowly around Natalie's belly, he asked, "Hear anything yet?" When Laurene's face lit up like Time Square on New Year's Eve, he stopped. "I can hear them!" Laurene beamed. Then pausing a beat, she asked, "Can Mummy come home now?" "Yes, Pumpkin," Nick told her. "We're getting ready to take her home right now." "Yay!!" Laurene danced a little jig around the bed. "Mummy's coming home! Mummy's coming home!" she sang as she danced. Laurene's infectious laughter filled the room as Natalie prepared, with great relish, to go home at long last. Smiles of Fortune -- Part 4 She didn't relish being home for long. Natalie had been confined to her bed now for nearly four long weeks. The weekly trips to the doctor's office had been her only relief from the confines of the four walls of her bedroom. "I would strongly suggest you consider scheduling a C-section for this birth." Dr. Robiquet began during her 33-week exam. "But, doctor...," Natalie protested. Dr. Robiquet cut her off mid-sentence. "I know that isn't what you'd hoped for, but in cases of abruption it really is the safest choice for both the mother and the babies," he explained. Natalie sighed and looked over at Nick. He nodded to indicate he would support any decision she made. "All right," she conceded. "How soon?" "As long as your weekly checkups continue to look good, I think we'll shoot for 38 weeks," Dr. Robiquet told her. "Of course, if there are any signs of bleeding or fetal distress in the meantime, we'll have to go sooner." Natalie finished dressing and slipped off the exam table. "I'd just hoped for something more, I guess," she sighed. "I think I knew, though, somewhere in the back of my mind, that this was the way it was going to be." As the couple headed for the door, Dr. Robiquet's voice followed. "Nick?" Nick turned around to face the doctor. "I'm assuming you'll want to be with Natalie for the procedure?" "Yes, of course," Nick replied. "How are you around blood?" At the doctor's question, what little color he had drained from Nick's face and Natalie giggled, breaking the tension that had been building in the small room. Natalie's 34th week; July 10, 11:00 pm: Natalie was lying on the bed trying to read, but was continually distracted by Nick, who was attempting to get her hospital bag packed. "The pink lace nightie?" Nick asked, interrupting her once again. "Don't you think that's a bit much for the hospital?" Natalie asked, a touch of irritation in her voice. Nick held up the slip of pink nylon and lace, eyeing it appreciatively. "I don't think it's 'a bit much' of *anything*!" he quipped. Natalie leaned over to bop Nick on the head with her book. He dodged and chuckled. "Okay! Okay! How about this?" he asked, holding up a sensible flannel gown. "That's better," Natalie answered, turning back to her book. Nick continued packing, cramming the bag full of every item Natalie could possibly need for a month-long stay in some remote village in Botswana. Natalie finally turned to see his progress and groaned. "Nick.... I'm going to the hospital to have babies, not take a vacation!" she chided. Nick looked up, a whipped puppy dog look in his eyes. "I just want to make sure that you have everything you'll need," he tried to explain. Natalie had to smile. After all, Nick had really been a trooper these last few weeks. Natalie knew she was not the easiest person to get along with when she was confined and bored. Nick had graciously put up with her every abuse and he was, after all, just trying to help. "It's fine, Nick. Thank you." Natalie said, trying to sound encouraging. "Mmmmmh...." came from the direction of the bed a few minutes later. "What did you say, Nat?" Nick asked, looking up from his task. "Ooooooh," moaned Natalie a bit louder, wrapping an arm around her belly. "Nat?" Nick watched as Natalie's face pinched with pain. "Nat?!" He hurried over to the bed and sat down on the edge. "What's happening? Are you okay?" "It felt like a contraction," Natalie puffed. "Are you ready to leave for the hospital? I've got the bag packed." Nick hovered over Natalie, prepared to hurry her to the hospital if need be. "No ... no, not yet," Natalie answered, relaxing as the contraction eased. "It could just be a Braxton-Hicks contraction. I've been having false labor pains off and on for the last few days." "Why didn't you say something?" Nick lamented. "There was nothing you could do about it," Natalie smiled reassuringly. She reached up to brush an unruly lock of blond hair from Nick's forehead. "I'll be sure to let you know when it's time to go to the hospital. "You look awfully tired, Nick," Natalie added. "Why don't you come and take a nap?" Nick stood up and walked around to the other side of the bed. He eased himself onto the mattress, settling himself next to Natalie. "I love you, Natalie Chevalier," he murmured into her chestnut tresses as he wrapped a protective arm around her. Natalie smiled and placed her hand on the arm that encircled her abdomen. "I love you, too," she whispered, listening to the soft sounds of Nick's snoring. It amazed her how quickly he fell asleep these days, but he had been working overtime lately just taking care of her and Laurene. The Chevalier bedroom; July 11, 3:00 am: Natalie lay on the bed, wide awake, as another contraction gripped her belly. She puffed through the worst of it, then began counting as the contraction eased. Four minutes later another contraction twisted through her. Natalie thought. As a third contraction hit less than four minutes later, Natalie reached over and gently shook Nick awake. "Nick, we'd better get to the hospital. The contractions are getting stronger." Her voice had an edge of urgency to it. "You stay in bed," Nick advised. "I'll take the bag to the Caddy and then come back for you." "I can make it to the car, Nick," Natalie protested. "Let me call Marie first." She lifted the receiver and began to dial. Nick picked up the hospital bag and carried it to the bedroom door, pausing while Natalie spoke softly to their neighbor. "She'll be here in a few minutes," Natalie reported as she hung up the phone. "Good. At least that's settled," Nick said. He turned to Natalie with a stern no-nonsense look. "You wait for me *right here* until I come back. You're *not* walking in your condition!" Nick was adamant. Natalie relented with a sigh. Laurene, having heard the commotion, had come out of her room to investigate. "What's going on?" the ten-year-old asked, as Nick came out of the bedroom carrying Natalie's overnight bag. "It looks like the babies decided tonight would be a good night to be born," Nick answered her. "I've got to get your mum to the hospital. Marie should be here soon to stay with you." Laurene began hopping around excitedly. As Nick crossed the front room with Natalie's hospital bag, Laurene ran straight into her parents' bedroom to check on her mother. When Nick opened the front door to take the bag out to the Caddy, he was startled to see Marie there, standing in her robe and slippers, poised to knock. "Hi Marie," Nick greeted their neighbor. "Nat's inside. I think Laurene is with her." Then Nick brushed past and hurried out to the Caddy, leaving Marie to let herself into the house. "Marie!!" Laurene launched herself at her babysitter and friend. "Mummy's going to have the babies tonight!!!" she exclaimed. "Good for her!" Marie answered. "July 11 could be considered a lucky day, you know." "Why?" Laurene queried. "Well, July is the seventh month, and both seven and eleven are considered lucky numbers," Marie explained. "Kewl!" Laurene cooed. "Hi Marie!" Natalie called from where she sat, curled up around another contraction, on the couch. "How are you doing, hon?" Marie asked solicitously. "Oh, I'll make it," Natalie smiled crookedly. "Hurts like the devil, though." She continued to puff through the contraction. Nick hurried back into the house and over to the couch. "Thanks for babysitting at the last minute," Nick told Marie. "We really appreciate it." "Not a problem for me, Nick," Marie assured him. "Laurene and I are going to have a great time while we wait to hear the good news!" "Time to go, Nat," Nick said, leaning down to scoop her up in his arms. "Nick!" Natalie protested. "You don't have to *carry* me!" "You should be staying off your feet Nat," Nick told her. "Just go with it, okay?" Natalie smiled and shook her head. As Nick carried her toward the front door and the Caddy, Natalie turned to face Marie and mouthed one word ... 'Men'! The ten kilometer drive to the hospital proved to be tumultuous. Natalie hugged her belly and groaned as a strong contraction overtook her shortly after their journey began. Leaning heavily against the passenger side door, Natalie tried her Lamaze breathing, but it wasn't helping. She moaned and rocked gently, trying to relieve the intense cramping. Less than four kilometers from the hospital, Natalie yelped with surprise as her water broke, leaking blood and amniotic fluid down her legs and all over the front seat and floor of the Caddy. Nick reached over to put an arm around her and pull her toward him. "Nat, how are you doing?" "My water just broke," she lamented. Then moaning again, she gripped her belly as another contraction tightened around her midsection. "Oooooh," Natalie whispered through the tears that had sprung up in her eyes, "this is a bad one!" She puffed some more, but nothing seemed to take away the pain. Finally the contraction began to abate. Natalie sighed with relief and started to straighten up when another contraction hit. "Step on it Nick!" she growled. "These babies don't want to wait!" Nick, who had already been pressing the speed limit, stomped hard on the gas pedal, speeding the last half mile to the hospital's emergency entrance. He leaned heavily on the car's horn before jumping out of the Caddy. He was met by a hospital attendant bringing a wheelchair. They rushed back to the Caddy and Nick yanked the passenger door open. Natalie nearly fell into his arms as he lifted her to the waiting wheelchair. "Natalie, my dear," Dr. Robiquet chided, "you were supposed to wait for *me*!" "Sorry!" Natalie huffed. "I guess I got impatient!" Dr. Robiquet chuckled. "Well, it looks like you wanted out of that C-section pretty bad. You're fully dilated and the first baby's head is right there," he warned. "Get ready to give me a big push ... now!" Natalie strained along with the contraction, her face turning beet red with the effort. Nick had one arm wrapped around her back for support and allowed Natalie to squeeze his other hand hard enough to cut off his circulation, had he had any. When the contraction finally ended, Natalie leaned back a bit and panted. "You're doing great," Dr. Robiquet encouraged her. "Here comes the next one.... Push!" Once more Natalie strained along with her body to push the tiny child into the world. "That's good, Natalie," Dr. Robiquet murmured. "Keep it up, the head's almost out ... there! Just hold it a minute, don't push." The doctor deftly rotated the small shoulders of the infant before giving the final command. "Okay, Natalie. This should do it! One more push ... now!" With one final effort, Natalie pushed ... and was rewarded with the cry of her newborn infant. "It's a girl!" announced Dr. Robiquet, raising the baby so that Natalie could see. Nick advanced to the end of the bed so that he could cut the cord, officially bringing the child into the world. Natalie smiled triumphantly. "Her name is Kristina," she panted before another contraction gripped her. "It's not over yet," Dr. Robiquet reminded Natalie needlessly. Natalie glared at her doctor in mock anger and began pushing again as the contraction strengthened. The second twin, Kayla, joined her sister in side by side isolettes a mere ten minutes later. Natalie lay back on her pillows in exhaustion. Much milder contractions gripped her until the damaged placenta was finally expelled. Nick mopped Natalie's forehead with a cool, damp cloth and fed her some ice chips to suck on. "That was incredible, Nat," he whispered with awe. Each infant had her own Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse fussing and fawning over her. In turn, they brought the infants over for Natalie to hold briefly, before returning them to the isolettes and taking them to the nursery. Natalie squeezed Nick's hand as the nurse took Kayla away. "They're so beautiful, don't you think, Nick?" "Absolutely," Nick agreed. "As beautiful as their mother." He brushed sweaty bangs from Natalie's forehead and placed a tender kiss on her moist skin. Natalie smiled wearily. She was so tired, but at the same time so hyped up by the experience of giving birth that it was hard to rest. Nick sat with her, talking softly and holding her hand, until Natalie was finally able to fall asleep. Smiles of Fortune -- Part 5 Nick sat in a rocker in the nursery under the bright warming lamps. A nurse came over and placed Krissy into his arms, positioning the tiny bundle so that the baby's head rested to the left side of Nick's chest, over his heart. "We love it when the parents come to spend time with their infants," she told him, "especially the preemies. They do so much better if they can feel the warmth of the parent's body and listen to your heartbeat." She smiled and turned away, not noticing the sudden concern reflected in Nick's eyes. Nick peeled back the blankets from Krissy's face and admired each unbelievably miniature feature. How could something this small survive? >>>>>>>>>> 1203, Brabant Ten-year-old Nicholas stood under the spreading branches of the huge old tree in the family burial plot and watched as his father dug the tiny grave. This was not the first time in his short life that he had seen his father do this.... The first time was four years ago. His mother had given birth to a daughter. She had been a beautiful child, Nicholas remembered. One night when she was no more than a month old, she had mysteriously died in her sleep. No one could determine the reason why. The second time had been just over a year later. This time it was a brother, born dead with the umbilical cord wrapped tightly around his neck. At both of these deaths, his parents had grieved, but this time seemed the worst of all. Twin boys, born too soon, died within days of their birth. The midwife had told Nicholas' mother that the infants were too small to live. They lay now, side by side in the same tiny shroud, waiting for the grave to be finished.... <<<<<<<<<< Nick shivered as the memory faded. Medicine had advanced far beyond anything the young Nicholas could ever have imagined. The marvels Nick saw before him now would have seemed like magic and witchcraft to him when he was a child. He silently offered up a prayer of thanks that *his* premature twins had an excellent chance of surviving. "Hi, there, daddy," a familiar voice woke Nick from his reverie. He looked up in amazement to find Natalie hovering next to the rocker. "Nat! What are you doing up?" Nick protested as he stood, indicating Natalie should sit down and rest. She sat, and looked at him quizzically. "I'm in the hospital because I gave birth a couple of hours ago," Natalie chuckled, "not because I'm sick! You should know better than that." "Sorry," Nick replied. "It just seems that I left you asleep in your room only a few minutes ago." Nick shuffled his feet, feeling suddenly uncomfortable under Natalie's scrutiny. "Something else is wrong, isn't it?" Natalie asked with her uncanny intuition. Nick's eyes sparkled with embarrassment; she had caught him again! He handed Krissy to Natalie, who cradled the baby gently against the warmth of her skin and looked up expectantly at Nick. "I was just remembering how my mother lost premature twin boys when I was just ten. She and my father were devastated," Nick confessed. "Krissy and Kayla are so small ... I'm just feeling a bit paranoid, I guess." "Oh Nick," Natalie crooned. "I'm so sorry! Please don't worry, though; our babies are healthy and can probably come home in another two or three weeks." "That's a relief," Nick smiled. "They can really come home that soon?" "Oh yes. I spoke with Dr. Lalonde, the pediatrician on staff, and he said that they were in remarkable health considering all we've been through," Natalie informed him. "I took the liberty of peeking at their charts when I first came in," Natalie confessed. "Did you know that Krissy is all of 1850 grams and 300mm? Kayla's a bit smaller at 1700 grams and 280mm. Isn't that incredible?" she enthused as she watched Krissy's tiny chest rise and fall with the rhythm of her breathing. After a few minutes, the NICU nurse returned. "We really need to get Krissy back to her isolette now," she said apologetically to the couple. "Would you like to hold Kayla, too?" "Of course!" Natalie nodded eagerly, reluctantly releasing Krissy back to the care of her nurse. Kayla's nurse soon arrived with another small armful for Natalie. "Has the doctor talked to you yet about expressing breast milk for the babies?" she asked as she handed the tiny bundle to the new mother. When Natalie shook her head, the nurse continued. "As you have probably noticed, we feed the little ones through tubes. Their sucking reflexes usually aren't fully developed, and they sometimes exhaust themselves trying to nurse. If the mother is willing, we like to have her express milk for the feedings." "Don't you need to feed them formula?" Natalie asked, her medical training asserting itself. "Oh yes, of course. The preemies get a special high calorie formula to help them grow faster and to insure they don't lose weight, but there's really no substitute for mother's milk when it comes to building immunities," the nurse told them. "We'd be happy to provide you with a pump for your stay in the hospital," she added. "Thank you," Natalie answered. "I'd appreciate that." The nurse retreated to allow the couple some private time with their new baby. Natalie cuddled and cooed, while Nick hovered protectively over both. Later, in Natalie's room.... "Let me help," Nick offered, coming around behind Natalie as she sat in a chair by the open window. The curtains were pulled back and a refreshing night breeze caused them to billow out toward the couple. Natalie had positioned the breast pump and was about to start the motor when Nick's arms surrounded her and his hands took the pump. "I prefer manual expression, myself," he told her with a glint in his eye. After removing the bottle from the apparatus, Nick began a gentle massage of Natalie's breast, working his way down to the nipple. Pulling gently, he expressed a light spray of colostrum and milk. The smell made Nick giddy as he continued to massage the milk from Natalie's breast. When the breast was nearly empty, he stopped. Gliding around in front of Natalie, he set the bottle on the table and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her toward him. Natalie felt the cool/warm touch of his lips as Nick's mouth engulfed her nipple and he suckled eagerly. "Nick!" she protested weakly. "Someone might come in and see us!" "Let them come," Nick mumbled, continuing to suckle determinably. "Ahhhh," he said a few moments later. "Good to the last drop." He grinned puckishly as he exposed the other breast and began his massage. "You're incorrigible!" Natalie laughed, relaxing and letting Nick get back to the business at hand. "Mummy!!" Laurene launched herself at Natalie the next evening. In her excitement to see her mother again, Laurene nearly bowled Natalie over. "Miss me, did you?" Natalie laughed as she struggled to maintain her balance during the onslaught. "Uh huh! When do I get to see the babies?" Laurene babbled excitedly, hugging Natalie then releasing her to buzz around, exploring the hospital room. "Gee, not even a 'how are you'?" Natalie teased, laughing at her daughter's antics. "Oh, golly, Mum, you look fine!" Laurene exclaimed. "When do I get to hold the babies?" she continued her prattle. "Well, how about we take a walk down to the nursery and let you take a look?" Natalie said in reply. Taking Laurene's hand, she led her down the hall to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the nursery for the premature infants. Laurene stared with wonder into the side by side isolettes. "They're so small!" she exclaimed softly. "What's all that stuff all over them?" "Well," Natalie began, pointing at little Kayla, "the tube in her nose is a feeding tube. Krissy and Kayla are still a bit too small to suck and the nurses feed them formula and my breast milk through that tube. It goes all the way down into their stomachs." Laurene crinkled her nose at the thought, but listened intently as her mother continued. "All those wires attached to Kayla's body monitor her heartbeat and other vital signs to make sure she's okay," Natalie explained. Laurene's eyes were huge circles of wonder as she pressed her face against the glass of the isolette for a closer view. "How can they tell if there's a problem?" she asked. "The monitors beep a warning if something goes wrong," Natalie told her. "Does Krissy have all that stuff stuck to her, too?" Laurene queried, moving to the other isolette. "She sure does," Natalie answered. "Amazing, aren't they?" Laurene turned a huge grin on her mother. "I'm a big sister now!" she crowed proudly. "When can I hold them? Can I give them a bottle of formula?" "I think that's going to have to wait until we get them home, sweetheart," Natalie told her. "They need to grow a little before we can hold them much or feed them from a bottle." "How much longer before they can come home?" Laurene continued her string of questions. "Oh, probably another two weeks, at least," Natalie said, noting the look of disappointment on Laurene's face. "Anything really good is worth waiting for, don't you think?" she asked. Laurene smiled and nodded in agreement. These new lives were most definitely a really good thing. After what seemed an interminable wait to the Chevalier family, the twins were finally able to go home after two and a half weeks in the hospital. Marie and Laurene had decorated the house with banners, balloons and streamers welcoming the new members of the family. Nick and Natalie walked through the front door, each with a precious bundle, and felt the wonderful relief of homecoming. The last two weeks at home, knowing that the newest members of their family were still in the hospital, had been stressful for the couple. Krissy and Kayla were sound asleep, tired from the ordeal of checking out of the hospital and riding home in the back seat of the Caddy. Nick and Natalie took them to their twin bassinets, located in their bedroom. Laurene followed close behind. "I'll watch them while they sleep," she whispered to her parents. "That way you can relax for a while and not worry about them." "Thanks, Pumpkin," Nick told her. "You're going to make a great big sister." Laurene beamed with pride, then settled on her parents' bed to watch the sleeping infants. Nick wrapped an arm around Natalie's waist and led her from the room. "I think it's a good idea to take Laurene up on her offer," he explained as he maneuvered Natalie to the couch and popped a video into the VCR. Settling down next to his wife, Nick wrapped an arm around Natalie's shoulder and pulled her in close. "This may be the last peaceful moment we have for a very long time to come." A dark shadow brooded quietly outside the window, watching as Nick and Natalie snuggled on the couch. He must determine, once and for all, if Natalie was on the verge of finding a cure for Nicholas. For if she was, LaCroix's revenge would be swift and Nicholas would once more belong to him.... The End Nancy -- TaylorLN@open.org Knightie/N&NPack/FKXS/FkN/KoC/FPO GWDFC/FMFC/Bat Mom ^^v^^ My FK page: http://www.open.org/taylorln/fk.htm