Hi everyone!

Yes so we're getting to the build up of Jem coming into the world!

Thank you so much for still following still commenting. This story has been going for a long times not helped by the fact I've slowed down in uploading! Things have started to settle in that the kids are somewhat back into a routine although a month later we've never managed a whole week of routine! But we're getting there!

Really, thank you for the ongoing support and messages. I'm so glad to be able to upload!

love Carrots x

"Sooo!" Mick smiled as Anne settled on the bed. "Are we wanting to know the sex of the baby?" He asked the pair.

"Yes." The said in unison with a smile to each other.

"Thats what I like to hear." He smiled "United parenting." He chuckled "well, I'll see if we can see." He nodded. "so any concerns any worries?"

"Um,no, Gilbert answers a lot of them." Anne said holding his hand. "He says its not a bad sign to feel bigger then I did with my first. I mean she always measure a couple of weeks behind, she was tiny actually, but this time I've needed to get maternity clothes already!" Anne exclaimed.

"Your body is also aware of what's happening this time, its often that it stretches in preparation for whats coming." Mick smiled getting the gel out. "Alright here we go!" he said as Anne lay back her top lifted her trousers a little bit down for full access to her stomach area. He put the scanner on and smiled "Oh wow!" he exclaimed as the picture immerged "there's no missing you is there!?" he smiled.

Anne looked up at he screen nervously and Gilbert peered looked up studying the imagine. "A heartbeat." Gilbert breathed in relief, his hand holding Anne's a little tighter, his head burying there in their hands. Mick took the measurements, while Anne looked at Gilbert and squeezed his hand.

"Its okay." She whispered. "the baby is fine."

Gilbert nodded slowly. "I know." He told her, "I know." He kissed her hand and looked up into her eyes. It was a couple of minutes before she looked away, his head still in their hands.

"Let's see if we can see the sex." Mick said quietly, a couple of seconds later he chuckled. "No mistaking that!" he said with a scoff, to which Anne looked over at the imagine. "A boy." Mick told her. Which made Gilbert's head bob up and looked in wonder at the screen.

"Did you hear that!?" Anne exclaimed to Gilbert. "Oh Gil! We have a son!"

Gilbert looked at the imagine, moving back and forth but when in view there was no mistaking it. "Our son." He whispered amazed and swallowed.

"Is he okay?" Anne asked Mick.

"Absolutely." Mick nodded, "although are you sure on those dates, he is still measuring at 18 weeks rather the 16."

"So he's a big boy?" Anne asked.

"Yes." He nodded. "Did you happen to get a glucose tolerance test?" he asked Anne.

"No." She shook her head. "Should I?"

He looked at Anne's notes and shook his head "No, you're not at any risk of gestational diabetes." He said. "but I want to recommend you get one all the same. Just because you aren't at high risk it doesn't mean that it won't happen." He told her "if your baby is measuring big it might be a sign of it, it might not be too, but its best to check so we can keep it under control as soon as possible."

"Of course." She nodded, Anne looked towards Gilbert concerned.

Gilbert swallowed and took a deep breath "it really isn't anything to worry about." He confirmed. "The likelihood is that its not gestational diabetes."

"What if it is? What if even the test doesn't catch it?" She asked him.

"With undiagnosed gestational diabetes comes a higher risk of preeclampsia, if not that then high blood pressure in you, and I think the reason why they want to check is because of his high weight compared to other babies at this gestational age." Gilbert stroked her hand "It's okay, I deal with babies born to mother with preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. You're in good hands here."

"You can't treat me remember." She told him sternly.

He grinned a little and nodded "that's true." He admitted "but I can take care of you and be with you every step of the way, and trust me when I say the glucose tolerance test is just to check for gestational diabetes." He said honestly. "and there's no guarantee that is the reason he's big, he might just be a big boy." He said calmly.

"Okay." Anne nodded.

"Anne!" Leslie exclaimed as she opened the door to the old apartment. "Oh my god look at you!" she squealed.

"Look at you more like!" Anne exclaimed. "Mamma," Anne said with a smile "Oh congratulations!"

"You too! Leslie smiled, "so this is what the disagreement was all about the last time we saw each other?" she asked as they came into the apartment.

"Owen!" Gilbert smiled the two men shaking their hands "Congratulations."

"Right back at you." He smiled.

"Yes, sorry we thought it might have been obvious, though we hadn't told anyone yet." Anne admitted.

"Oh we?!" Gilbert scoffed.

"You mean you hadn't told your own husband?!" Owen asked Anne.

"I did after you went on that walk once you arrived." Anne admitted "although I was going to tell him on Christmas morning."

"we ruined your surprise?" Leslie asked.

"No," Anne shook her head, "no he needed to know."

With that a small cry was heard from the main bedroom Leslie jumped up "I should get Kenneth for you to meet." She said with a smile on her face.

Gilbert looked around "You've kept a lot of it the same." He nodded.

"Well you kept it in excellent condition." He acknowledged.

"I like the colour," Anne said with a smile "that's new isn't it?"

"Yes, it is." Owen replied. "Leslie's idea." To which he smiled as she came back in with the baby in arm.

"Look whose awake!" She smiled.

"Ohhh!" Anne gasped seeing the baby for the first time.

"Here." Leslie said giving the baby to Anne. "Meet Aunt Anne." She said to the baby.

"Ohhh!" Anne cooed. "Aren't you a handsome fella!" she exclaimed to the baby. "Hello, oh hello Kenneth." She whispered.

Gilbert watched as his wife cooed over the baby, her own stomach visible swollen with her own child she tenderly whispered gently to the baby she held. "ohhh Gilbert look at him!" She exclaimed. "Oh I bet he'll be best friends with ours!" she cooed.

"Does that mean its a boy?" Owen asked them.

"Its a boy." Gilbert confirmed. "Yeah."

"Have you chosen a name yet?" Owen asked.

"No, no not yet." Anne said still cooing over the baby.

Gilbert's heart did a little tug on him. Watching Anne with a child made him hope for the near future even more. This imagine of her pregnant with his child had been a long awaited gift, and she seemed so much better in this pregnancy, he hoped it was a good omen. It hit him again, sitting in this apartment, with Anne pregnant, he almost saw it play in his mind, the elevator opening and him seeing Anne doubled over in pain, loosing their child. His thoughts were interrupted by the door being knocked on again.

"I hope you don't mind." Leslie said opening the door, "we thought we would get the old gang back together." She said opening the door.

"Leslie," they heard on the other side of the door.

"Josh?" Gilbert called turning and standing.

"Hey Gil." He smiled coming in with Zara behind him.

Anne stood up giving the baby to Owen she walked towards them as Gilbert did.

"Zara!" Anne smiled, "Am I glad to see you again!" she said hugging the other women.

"Thanks Anne." She said returning the hug.

"Josh!" She said reaching up as she felt Gilbert move behind her to greet Zara.

"You are glowing!" Josh admired gathering Anne in his arms. "How are you?" he said softly to her.

"Holding on." She said her hand going to her bump "Can you see it too?" she asked Josh.

"Completely." He chuckled as Josh and Gilbert gave each other a hug hello.

"You can tell, you're whole body has changed." Zara confirmed.

"My God man!" Josh whispered to Gil and he looked at him seriously. "I know she's ravishing but could you not keep your hands to yourself when you were visiting me?!"

Gilbert chuckled "You worked out the dates huh?"

"How couldn't I?" Josh asked him. "Those dates are near and dear to me too." He said his arm going round Zara.

"Congratulations man." Gilbert told him "to both of you, really, you two deserve all the happiness in the world."

"Thanks man." Josh smiled.

With it there was another knock on the door.

"Who else have you invited?" Gilbert asked as they moved into the apartment some more, only for Phil and Jo to come in along with their two boys.

"Look who we found." Phil smiled as Cornelia and Marshall, "they were roaming the corridors. Oh Queen Anne!" Phil smiled rushing to her. "You suit pregnancy!" Phil smiled.

"I like to think so." Anne chuckled embracing her friend.

"And you can tell." Phil clucked back.

"Oh?" Anne asked. "My bump?" she said proudly.

"among two other things." Cornelia called over.

"If you get her meaning." Phil said lowly.

"Oh you mean..." she looked down and smiled "really?!" she said longingly "they're bigger?"

"You should ask your husband." Phil said wiggling her eyebrows "I bet he's noticed."

Anne looked to Gilbert whose ears tipped pink. "You have?!" Anne squealed.

"well..." he said full on blushing. "You are blooming." He chuckled.

"Atcha boy!" Josh slapped his friend on the shoulder.

"So how far are you now Anne?" Zara asked rolling her eyes at Josh's comment.

"Seventeen weeks." She nodded. "It's... amazing." Anne smiled.

"Have you felt him moving yet?" Cornelia asked taking a seat nearby.

"Just starting to, little moves. Although I think my morning sickness is him shuffling around."

"It might lighten as he gets bigger, it feels more like moving." Phil assured her "I was the same with Gordon."

"Really?!" Anne asked her. "Oh I'm glad. I was so worried it wasn't normal."

"Are you not reassuring her?" Phil asked Gilbert.

"She won't have it from me." Gilbert defended. "Medically qualified doctor tells her its fine, she doesn't believe me."

"Hey when you have a womb you can have an opinion." Phil teased him.

"Is captain Jim not coming?" Anne interrupted Phil's trail of thought.

"We invited him." Leslie admitted.

"I'll go down and see if he's okay." Gilbert offered.

"Are you sure Gilbert?" Owen asked him "You only just got here yourself."

"It'll lower the estrogen levels in the room for a few minutes." He said with a smile and a kiss to his wife. "have fun clucking."

Only when Gilbert left the room did Phil turn to Anne "You know you should listen to Gilbert, he isn't just saying it to keep you calm you know."

"Ah Phil, you old softy." Josh smiled at her.

Twenty minutes later Gilbert sat on the coffee table right in front of Captain Jim, Josh stood behind them looking equally concerned.

"How long have you known?" Gilbert asked Captain Jim.

"Known what?" He grunted.

Gilbert took a deep sigh and put the bottle of pulls in front of him. "Based on those alone its either Bipolar or Epilepsy. Based on what I've seen here, just now, I say its the second." Gilbert took a deep breath and shook his head at the non response. "How many drugs have you tried for it?"

"This is the sixth." Captain Jim muttered.

Josh looked up at him and nodded "anyone suggested a diet called ketogenic diet?" Again they received no answer.

"Captain?" Gilbert continued "We just want to help."

"I know you do lad." He said fondly to Gilbert. "but its been three years of..."

"Three years!" Gilbert said shocked. "Oh Jim!" he said.

"This has been the longest by far six months without a seizure." Jim admitted.

"Have they tried a combination rather then just one?" Gilbert asked him.

"No, its been dosage strengths mostly." Jim told Gilbert.

"The diet might help, change if it you haven't already." Gilbert told him.

"There's several other options are available too," Josh told Jim, nerve simulation, surgery, neurostimulation, deep brain..."

Captain Jim shook his head. "No lad I don't want a fuss."

Josh nodded, "I understand that." He told him. "Just think about it."

"In any case you need to go back to your doctor and talk about a new course of medicine for you." Gilbert told him.

Captain Jim chuckled "Aye lad." He said with a nod." The pair of you aren't bad for two doctors just out of medical school." He looked to Gilbert "How is that beautiful wife of yours?" he asked.

Gilbert smiled "She's glowing." Gilbert told him. "She was looking forward to seeing you."

Jim smiled "I don't think I'll make it up."

Gilbert nodded. "Its okay, I'll explain you aren't well."

"Do you have a girl too?" Jim asked Josh.

"Yeah." Josh said. "Actually..." he said taking a small box out of his back pocket Gilbert's eyes widened as he opened it showing a ring. "I've been waiting for the right moment." He told Gilbert.

"Oh my God!" Gilbert chuckled with delight standing up and hugging Josh again. "Oh my God! Josh!" He smiled.

"I know." Josh said nervously.

"Don't wait." Jim told Josh. Josh looked to the older man. "Not another second, don't wait for the right moment, live for now. You don't know when it'll be taken away from you."

Gilbert nodded. "I'll come back down and check on you before we leave." Gilbert told him. "And I'm going to get Owen to come down and check on you every day."

"I don't need that!" Jim objected.

"You do need it." Gilbert objected. "And Anne would kill me if she knew that I did nothing."

Jim nodded. "You need to get back to them." He told the two boys. "I'll be fine, go."

"Is everything okay?" Anne asked quietly as Gilbert sat back down beside her.

Gilbert took a quick look around, people were involved in their own conversations he turned to Anne and said quietly "Captain Jim was diagnosed with epilepsy three years ago, he just had another fit." Gilbert told Anne she looked worried "its okay, Josh and I directed him back to his doctors, he hasn't hurt himself." Gilbert told her.

"Does he have to go to the hospital?" Anne asked him.

"Not every epileptic fit needs a hospital visit, but we did recommend he went to his doctors try to amend the medicine." Gilbert told a worried looking Anne "I can't do anything else Anne, I'm not his doctor, and he was in no danger, I don't know what treatments they are trying or how long, I only know the drug and strength he is currently on and I'm no expert in epilepsy." Gilbert assured her "He'll be okay." He said taking his wife into his arm.

Anne looked around "where did Josh and Zara go?" Anne asked him.

Gilbert grinned and pointed out on the balcony "I think I have good idea." He told Anne, who turned just in time to see Josh go down on one knee.

"Oh my god!" Anne exclaimed happily. "Oh my god, oh my god oh my god!" Anne whispered more "say yes, say yes..." she willed Zara, who very shortly after could be seeing nodding her head saying something to Josh. "Yes!" Anne squealed into Gilbert's back as the pair hugged. "She said yes!"

"I can see!" Gilbert nodded as Josh slipped a ring on Zara's finger.

A few seconds later Josh and Zara looked in to see the whole apartment looking out to them. Josh whispered something to Zara who laughed and held up her left hand whereupon a round of applause came from inside the apartment. Zara took a curtsy and Josh a bow both of them laughing. They came inside where Leslie proclaimed "this deserves a toast!" she proclaimed. "Anne, no alcohol?" she asked her.

"Me too." Gilbert said.

"And us." Josh chipped in.

"and me." Leslie finished. "Well aren't we a sober lot." She said with a chuckle.

"Well we might not drink alcohol, but I don't see a sober people at all." Gilbert said with a smile.

"Here, here." Phil smiled as they glasses came out.

"Merry." Anne said

"Cheerful." Said Owen.

"Exultant." Anne counted.

"gleeful." Owen gave back

"Walking thesaurus." Gilbert said with a grin, taking the non alcoholic stuff and pouring out the first glass of five of it. Anne looked at him almost offended when he said "come on the two of you, we could have been here all day!"

Anne and Gilbert approached the bench in the park they stood in front of it, looking at the words for a moment before Anne spoke.

"Joy." She whispered.

Gilbert, who held the flowers put them on the bench.

"We love you." Anne told her. "But I suppose you know mammy is pregnant." She said nodding her head. "Seventeen weeks."

"We want you to know," Gilbert started then paused for a moment "You are our first."

"To the world your brother will be the oldest but not to us." Anne told the bench.

"You were ours too, and we do remember." Gilbert told the bench.

They stood in silence for a moment before Gilbert put his arm around his wife. "You okay?" he asked her.

"No." She said pensively rather then sadly.

"No," Gilbert agreed "Neither am I." He admitted "But I think that's okay."

"I feel..." she said pausing for a second "undeniably melancholically happy." She said. "Does that make sense?" she questioned Gilbert.

"I've seen a lot of parents who have the feeling Anne, their baby is with them alive but in intensive care so are sad, its juxtapose no one can make sense of." Gilbert told her.

"Then what do we do?" Anne asked him.

"Live in it." He admitted "its all we can do." He continued "the feeling I suppose will never leave us, but we need to find joy in the every day."

Anne smiled "Its in her very name the reminder." Anne took a deep breath "Are you scared?" she asked Gilbert "Are you scared it'll happen again."

Gilbert nodded "every moment." He admitted before Anne hugged into him.

"Its different this time." She whispered into him, before she felt his tear in her hair. "We miss you baby girl."

"We'll bring your brother to meet you." Gilbert said softly.

Anne sighed in a quiet relief, Gilbert never spoke much about his feelings she was glad that despite all, if he was saying that, he at least believed there would be a baby to bring back here.