PREPARATIONS

By Donna and Ev

It had been a very busy but happy two months for Ev and Katherine at Mood House. The two of them spent long afternoons talking and getting to know each other and were becoming very good friends. Carol and Jathelle both got to know her as well and there were days the men learned that the giggling in the courtyard meant some sort of practical joke was about to fall on one of them.

Katherine had successfully renewed her long time relationship with Connor Macleod. It always amazed the other women how well the two of them knew each other. A mere look passing between them would sometimes leave the impression a whole conversation had taken place.

Ev was pleased that everything was going so well with everyone. It made the fact that she felt like she was impersonating the Goodyear Blimp a little easier to take. She thought she was big before, but somehow she just kept growing and growing. Rayden had a hard time letting her out of his sight. He was so excited about the babies and wanting to make her comfortable.

It helped having someone like Dani around. Katherine's young friend had taken it upon himself to make himself as useful as he could around the place. If nothing else, his playful antics did a lot to keep Ev's mind of off being so big and uncomfortable. It never ceased to amuse her to watch him ride his mare Jinx. There was never a dull moment while he was onboard her. His reading lessons were going very well. And his confidence seemed to grow with everything he learned. It hadn't taken him very long to claim the kiss that Katherine had promised him back the first day they had met.

Rayden's father, Theron, finally arrived to wait with Jathelle for the birth of their grandchildren. He was a very handsome god. He was about the same height as Rayden, but with a more muscular build. His hair was black, so black it had bluish highlights. Instead of being straight, like Jathelle's and Rayden's, his hair hung in soft waves to his shoulders. He had a full beard and mustache, trimmed to civilized proportions, but somewhat longer than most men wore. And he had the loveliest eyes. They were a soft sea green and seemed to glow faintly in low light. He seemed to be always smiling and noticing any woman who came anywhere near him. Carol found herself fascinated with Theron. She couldn't seem to take her eyes off him. Jathelle hadn't been with him for quite a long time, though, and they spent quite a lot of time together making up for lost time.

One friendship that had developed rapidly though, was the one between Katherine and John Clayton. Ev noticed very quickly the Earl of Greystoke had taken to dressing up and acting the *gentleman* around Katherine. Somehow he had even talked her into going up into his favorite tree with him one day. Luckily, Connor seemed amused and not jealous at all of Katherine's relationship with Dani and John, even though it was obvious to all it was no longer strictly platonic. Apparently he and Katherine had come to some sort of mutual agreement between the two of them a long time ago.

Ev was so happy for Johnny. She had been worrying about him. He had seemed to be a little lonely before. Especially once she was pregnant and not up to playing as much. There weren't a lot of things she felt much like doing by now. Knitting, reading, talking, and watching movies were about as active as she could manage. Rayden got her up to go for walks a little every day, but that was all she could manage. Katherine had proven to be wonderful company for her. She would sit with her for hours, telling stories about all the places she had been, singing songs to entertain her, or just to silently be there when she needed her. She was never far from Ev's side.

Ev felt that she was the luckiest person in the world to have Rayden constantly there holding her, getting her anything she was hungry for, to be sure she would eat, and waiting on her every need. Then with Katherine there to talk to, she felt doubly blessed. On Sundays, Katherine usually went to the castle to attend services at the chapel. Jathelle took to going there with her to the castle, at least. She had met a number of the various unattached men and got into the habit of visiting them while Kat was busy.

The only time Katherine had been gone for very long was when she had been called to the castle to help with the birth of Lilly and Chancellor Sharon's babies. Rumors had floated back to Ev that during her week long stay there, the tiny midwife had spent a lot of time in King Arthur's private chambers. Ev and Rayden were increasingly off in their own little world, so the rumors they heard were extra welcome. They were great for teasing and talk.

As the big event approached though, Rayden was beginning to realize how strong the bond between them really was. Every time Ev felt a contraction, he felt it too. He was beginning to be almost as nervous as she was. One day after examining Ev, Katherine suggested that it might not be a bad idea for Doc Adams to come out and pay a *house call*.

Ev was worried when she said that. "Is there something wrong?" She stroked her swollen belly in concern, feeling the babies squirming at her touch. "They feel ok." She winced as a little foot found her bladder. "They're strong!"

Katherine just smiled at her. "The babes are doing grand, Ev. And so are you. I would just like a doctor's opinion on something."

Rayden watched Katherine's face, trying to read what it was she was concerned about, but she was shielding it from him. "How soon will you need this opinion? Should I bring him here right now?" He drew Ev onto his lap again and cuddled against her.

"No big hurry," Katherine said. "You can give him some warning via email so he won't be caught with his pants down like he was the last time you zapped him somewhere."

Rayden chuckled. "I suppose I should have given him some warning, shouldn't I?" He paused and stroked Ev's tummy for a minute before looking back at Katherine. "Just what is it that you need an opinion on? Don't you think we should know?" Ev watched her face hoping to read what Katherine was thinking about.

Katherine reminded them of the time she had explained all the different positions the babies could be in. "One of the babes is breech, Ev. A very normal occurrence with twins. I would just like Doc's opinion on how best to precede so there is the least amount of stress on both you and the baby," she said quietly, her voice calm and reassuring.

Ev looked a little nervous, but she controlled it. "Will we need to have the doctor here when I have the babies? I'm not really worried that any of us will have major problems. Jathelle will be able to help with any healing that we need, I'm just kind of scared about how I'm going to get through this."

Katherine explained that after the Doctor visited, they would be able to answer her questions better. Giving her a hug, she got up and went to drop a quick email to Doc Adams. She returned a few minutes later and told Rayden, "He says he is not doing anything at the moment so you can bring him. And to say thanks for giving him a little warning this time."

Ev chuckled, then winced as a contraction hardened her belly. "I'm starting to get really anxious for these little sweethearts to be born. So I can eat and breathe again." Rayden kissed her cheek. "I love you." He whispered. "Are you ready for the doctor?" He gave her a gentle hug when she nodded. "All right. Here he comes."

Ben Adams appeared in a column of shimmering light. He exchanged glances with Katherine, and then he came up to Ev and sat down on the bed beside her. Nodding at Rayden, he turned on his charm as he addressed Ev. "Katherine told me already what she would like me to check for. If you don't mind I can go ahead and do it now."

Ev sighed and smiled at him. "This is as good a time as any. Do I need to take things off, or do you just do this by feel? I'm new at this." She took Rayden's hand and gave it a squeeze, suddenly nervous.

"Katherine can get you ready," he said with a grin. "Rayden, I don't suppose you have any beer in the house, do you?"

Rayden tilted his head, grinning, and a tankard of Dr. Adam's favorite ale appeared on the bedside table. "Will this do?"

"Looks good," he said. "I want to read over Katherine's notes she has been taking on Ev's progression before I do the exam. And the beer will help me wade through the novelettes she writes." He ignored Katherine's sarcastic snort and took the tankard of ale in hand and went over to the small writing table where Katherine's case notes lay open and waiting for him.