It was time to get going to the coffee shop. Rayden was grinning and looking forward to the gathering. He had a bigger grin than usual as he woke Ev that morning and served her breakfast.

Ev was looking forward to it too, but she wasn't sleeping well lately. It was harder than usual to get her eyes open, and she was feeling especially uncomfortable, as though she was about to explode. She needed help to sit up. She needed help to get up out of bed.

He tried to pretend he didn't see how she felt, in hopes that if he was cheerful, it would be infectious. It didn't seem to be working all that well. Finally, he just stopped talking and drew her into his arms. "Are you all right? You want to stay home?"

Ev sighed. "I'm just feeling very huge and tired today. If you make me stay home, I'll just get depressed."

"What will you do there, then?"

Ev grinned. "We'll bring my recliner and I can sit there and supervise. They'll need me. You'll see."

He chuckled and kissed her forehead. "You will tell me, if you need to leave. I don't want you to be overtired."

She rolled her eyes at him. "Overtired? I've been overtired for the last 2 months. You know how I've been feeling. You think I can actually sleep very well this way?"

He sighed and stroked her belly with the gentlest of touches. The babies instantly responded, making Ev wince as they kicked up under her ribs, then got her bladder.

"Jeez! Get me to the bathroom again!" She sighed and rolled her eyes. "I hope Katherine's right that they're going to be born soon. I don't know how much longer I can stand this."

Finally Ev was ready to go, in maternity jeans, that were almost too tight, and a shirt she referred to as a circus tent. Rayden was in white jeans and a white shirt with a big yellow cartoon lightning bolt on the front. Something Ev found in a catalog and HAD to give him.

Ev settled comfortably into her recliner, on Rayden's lap, and they disappeared in a shower of sparks to reappear in the middle of the coffee shop.

Katherine had warned people to expect them, and everyone was watching and grinning as they appeared.

Rayden grinned at everyone and slid Ev off his lap to give Katherine an affectionate hug. "I hope we're not too late. Being on time isn't easy right now." He glanced toward Ev, who was waving and calling Carol, always holding her belly with one hand.

Katherine hugged him back and smiled. "You're not late. This is the most wonderful surprise! Its wonderful!" She turned and hugged Ev. "I'm so glad you're here. I see you're taking it easy. Good." She glanced at the chair. "Is he still totally clueless?"

Ev giggled. "Well, maybe not totally anymore, but he still doesn't know what to expect. Good thing Jathelle will be there to help keep him in line." She looked around. "This place is great! I can just imagine how it will look when its finished."

"Jathelle isn't coming?" Katherine was hoping to get to know her better.

"No. She is trying to get his dad to come before the babies are born. I have no idea where she is. Somewhere far away, I'm sure." She sighed. "I hope she gets back soon. I feel like I'm about to pop."

Katherine looked concerned and placed her hand on Ev's belly. She didn't want to alarm her good friend, but it did feel as if it wouldn't be long, and the bigger baby had not turned yet. "Any day now." was all she said.

Ev caught the concern in her mind. She asked in a low voice, "He hasn't turned yet, has he?" She sighed. "We'll be all right. One way or another." In a louder voice for the rest of the world to hear she said, "I promise I won't have them right here."

"You will get right back into that chair! No work for you today." Katherine smiled. "Nothing more strenuous than supervision. All right?"

"Yes ma'am!" Ev grinned.