What an exciting day had just begun! Today Natalia would be having her 16 week scan and what was even better: James was able to come with her this morning. They both had managed to get a day off from work. Well, considering the news that they dropped on H not too long ago, that was a given. Come to think of her boss, Nat was actually quite proud of her good relationship to him. He was a great man, caring and protective of all his team member which made him stand out. It didn't surprise her, that he readily agreed on letting them take today off together.

Natalia was especially excited about today's scan, because there was the chance that they were going to find out the sex of their unborn baby. Even though Nat had had this strong gut feeling ever since she was like 10 weeks along, she still was nervous to see that feeling either approved or not. But she was in a good mood this morning. Her morning sickness was gone for over a week now and that was definitely a plus. Unfortunately with this pregnancy she had a horrible time with morning sickness and for quite a long time, too. She was glad that that part seemed to be over now.

Grabbing her purse from the small sideboard in the corridor of their house, Nat smiled and turned around to see if James was close already. “Honey, you ready?” she called out when she didn't see him. Christina and Eric were coming with them this morning and the little girl was already standing close to Nat, hugging her leg as they waiting for the boys.

"Yes I am" James replied from down the hall. Moments later, he and Eric joined Nat and Christina. Eric looked at his mom as he stood next to his dad. "Eric and I are ready to go." James said to Nat. Eric looked at his mom while he said that. "Whats goings to happen today mommy?" the little boy asked while he stood next to his dad. James glanced over to him, then looked back at Nat. Eric knew that his mom was pregnant, but did fully understand what was going on with Natalia. That was not lost on James as he watched him.

Natalia smiled, watching both of them join her in the hallway. She had one hand on the handle of the door already, looking down at her young son. She was always surprised at how curious he was and how much of the things happening with his parents he already noticed. But today it was a question she gladly answered.

She took her hand off the handle and softly placed it on the small bump that was already showing, smiling at Eric. "We're taking a trip to the doctors today. She'll check up on our little baby to make sure that everything is okay." she explained.

Christina, who was watching and listening as well, looked at her brother and shook her head. "Mommy told us yesterday, silly." she said to her brother, sounding a little annoyed. "Doctor lady tell us if baby is brother or sister, too."

Although Nat had to smile a little at how smart Christina was already, she was upset at her daughter's use of words for her brother. And that was something they all got to hear immediately. "Christina, don't call your brother silly." she said to her daughter in a strict tone.

"Sorry, mommy." Christina said, looking down with a sad face.

Natalia told Christina that all was okay between them, that it was just something she needed to learn and explained it to the little girl and then, minutes later, she opened the front door and let the twin run to the car. She knew how excited they got when they were going somewhere.

Eric look at his sister when she said that while following his dad out to the van. Once there, he got into the back while James helped Nat into the front passenger seat. As he did, he noticed how beautiful Nat looked. It wasn't lost on him that he had been blessed with a loyal and loving wife and two, soon to be three, children. He took Nat's hand as he stood next to her, taking in the moment for a while before walking over to the driver's seat after closing the door to the passenger seat. Once in, he buckled up and started the van. Once out of the garage, he headed over to the doctor's office. As he drove, he glanced over to Nat. "How are you feeling?" he asked his wife while gently taking her hand as he asked her that.

Christina stopped at the family car and waited for her parents to reach it as well, then she climbed in the back and Nat strapped her into her car seat, same with Eric before she let James take her to the passenger seat. She loved his gentleman-side, always making sure that she was okay. And she was happy to have him in her life.
It didn't take long and Christina and Eric started chatting about in the back, talking about their new sibling who was growing in mommy's belly. They were excited about the new baby. They didn't worry about anything at all, they just enjoyed the thought of having another sibling to play with.

Natalia smiled, listening to her children. She was happy about the new baby, but she was also concerned about how a new baby would affect the twins and how they would cope with the new lack of attention that was going to come. They wouldn't be the only ones anymore, that Nat would have to consider and a newborn baby took up a lot of time... she was almost certain that Eric and Christina would do fine, because they were twins and had to share the attention from the beginning, but would they be jealous of their new sibling at some point?

She turned her head and looked at James, after she heard his question. She gave him a smile in reply. "I'm good." she said softly. "Thinking about how everything will change in a few months and... I'm wondering how the twins will cope when the new baby arrives. I mean... one hears about jealousy among siblings all the time..."

James nodded when Nat said that. "That is true....but theirs nothing wrong with competition among siblings." he said to her in reply, smiling a bit at the same time before opening the door to the front passenger seat for Natalia. As he did that, Christina and Eric were busy with the items they had in their hands. James glanced over to them, then looked back to Nat. "We have been blessed" he said to her in reply as he held the door open for her. As he said that, his mind flashed back to the case of the Russian woman who ambushed women in public bathrooms and how that one nearly ended. Just as fast as he though of it, it was gone when he heard Christina giggle from the back of the van.

Nat nodded, watching James through the mirrors until he was on the driver's seat. He was right about that competition thing among siblings, but her initial thought had been jealousy. And that was something that Natalia was hoping to avoid between them. Jealousy was a nasty thing, she'd seen it a million times during her time as a CSI. It could destroy everything. Then again, a little bit of jealousy was healthy.
"As long as it is not jealousy." she said to him. "But you're right... we really have been blessed."

Yes, she loved her family very much. There was nothing more important in this world than her children and her husband. She'd do anything to make sure they were okay. And she did mean that. "Then again... good things come to those who wait." Natalia added.

James nodded in reply when Nat said that to him. "Agreed on all points" he said to her gently in reply as he pulled into the hospital and parked close to the main door. As he parked, it was clear that something else was on his mind which the kids didn't notice as they looked out the window at the hospital. "Nat, you remember the mall stalker case from a few months ago?" he asked gently after shutting the motor off.

Natalia smiled a little, watching her children through the rearview mirror. She was happy to have her family around. She loved her children and her husband and it were moments like these that she cherished most.
She glanced over to James and noticed that he had something on his mind, but she didn't know what it was, until he asked her about that woman again. Of course she remembered. Even though it happened almost two years ago, she still remembered. After all, it were her children in the car back then when she attacked Nat again.

"Of course I do. Although it was almost two years ago..." she replied. "How come you think of her right now?"

James glanced over to Nat when she said that. "I.....we nearly lost you when she came back." he said gently. He wouldn't have been able to live with himself if anything happened to Natalia or their children. "I've been having nightmares about that day.......that she hurt you and the kids and there was nothing that I could do about it." he said to her before unlocking the van. Christina looked at her parents at the same time. "We getting out now daddy?" she asked. James looked back to her and smiled a little. "Yes we are sweetie" he said to her in reply, his tone gentle as he said that to her.

Natalia frowned at his words, not really understanding how they'd almost lost her that day. She didn't remember being in grave danger, only that the woman tried to take Nat hostage, which did not even work. If she'd been hurt badly, she'd understand, but this was harmless compared to other events in her... and their life.
"You're overreacting, honey. I wasn't even hurt back then. You need to put that away and leave it in the past." she replied calmly. "There were moments much worse than that... like the time I was locked in the back of a car and thrown into the ocean."

And that was just one event of many that were much closer to her end that she'd liked.

Once the car stopped, Nat got out and walked to the back door to help Christina and Eric out. The twins were excited about the trip out of course and Nat loved to see them like that. Still, she had to call them back several times, reminding them that they were still near a street.

James listened to Nat when she said that to him, knowing she was right. "Forgive me" he said gently while getting out of the car, hearing Nat call the kids back to her. James watched as Eric and Christina came back to her and smiled a little. He was amazed at how fast the twins were growing up. At the same, it didn't surprise him that Eric was involved in martial arts and Christina was involved in gymnastics. James knew they would be great at both as he lead them into the hospital. As he did, he looked over to Nat. "The twins physical exams are coming up, right?" he asked while walking in with her.

Natalia smiled a little. It was a good thing that the twins were actually good kids and listened when their parents called for them. She was just as amazed as her husband was to see her kids growing up. The first few months seemed to go by so slowly, but then you suddenly realise how time flies by and Nat did just have one of those moments.

"They're getting big so fast... It seems like just yesterday that they were little bundles in my arms." she said in a soft tone, taking Christina's hand in hers.

Christina's brown eyes looked up at her and the little girl smiled. It was as if she understood what her mother just said. "I love you, mommy." said the little girl, pressing her cheek against Nat's hand.

"I love you, too, sweetie." she replied, smiling.



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PS: I think the twins are a little too young for Martial Arts and Gymnastics... and I'd much rather have Christina dancing and singing than doing Gymnastics, and maybe have Eric play soccer.

Jason listened to Nat as she said that. "No argument here" he said to her gently while walking next to her. James was happy to see them growing up, but he was feeling the same way Nat was in that it was to fast for him. He was convinced that he would wake up tomorrow and find out that Christina had a boyfriend and was ready to go off to college. Focus James, focus he said to himself as he watched Christina and Nat interact. As he did, he made a note to spend as much time with all the kids before he was to old to do so.

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actually, three is the right age for kids to start doing activities like that