chapter850

"Our plan to keep the pregnancy stable is working great!"

"The doctor said everything looks good. The baby is doing just fine!"

"In just a few months, you'll get to meet your first great-grandchild!"

Fleur grinned proudly. "And he'll be your only great-grandchild, too!"

"But are you sure her baby's really okay? Didn't Callie mention there were some issues last time?"

Eamon frowned. "If she needed bed rest, that usually means something's not right with the baby. Sometimes you just have to let nature take its course, you know? Don't force it."

"No, I think Callie must've misread something!"

"We had all the tests done, and the doctor said everything's perfectly healthy!"

Bed rest is just routine-nothing special or extreme!"

Fleur shot Calliope a sharp look, obviously annoyed.

Calliope glanced over at Yvette, who was dramatically cradling her still-flat belly, really playing up the whole "expectant mom? act.

Yvette didn't look too happy.

To Calliope, it was pretty obvious Yvette's condition was a result of forcing the pregnancy along-never a good sign.

She doubted this baby would be born healthy; there was a real chance things could go wrong.

But Fleur wouldn't listen, and there wasn't much Calliope could do.

Still, the thought of a baby being brought into the world only to suffer tugged at her Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find{n}ovel.net

heart. She couldn't help but gently say, "You know, regular check-ups are

important. You really should take your doctor's advice."

They might ignore her, but surely they'd listen to their doctor, right?

"Don't worry, we're not skipping appointments!"

"Of course we'll listen to the doctor. You really don't need to worry so much!"

Fleur's tone was icy.

Calliope just gave her a look and dropped the subject. No point arguing.

At dinner, the mood lightened. Everyone chatted and laughed over roast chicken and mashed potatoes.

Afterward, Calliope played a game of chess with Eamon and beat him.

He grumbled, "You're really something, kid. Always so sharp. I give up! Let Silas play with me for a bit!"

Calliope couldn't help but laugh. He was the one who insisted she try her best, but now that she'd won, he was a little sulky.

Leaving them to their game, she wandered out to the backyard to play with Storm, the family's chunky golden retriever.

Storm had been staying with Eamon lately, and was definitely packing on the pounds.

"Storm, you've gotten way too

Se Meshe said, ruffling his ears.

keep eating so much,. keep eating

for you!"

to s

"Woof!" Storm wagged his tail, as if protesting.

"Seriously even if you eat a lot, you

need to exercise more!" Calliope

said, her voice playful. "Grandpa

can't keep up with you, so you'd better run around the yard yourself, okay?" s

"If you don't, I'll have to put you through boot camp!" she warned, giving him a mock-stern look.

Storm's eyes widened; his tail froze mid-wag. He clearly remembered what "boot camp" meant.

"Didn't realize the Jewell family put you through that kind of stuff," came a voice from behind.

She turned to find Gideon standing there, watching her intently.

He'd been observing her for a while now, and lately, he found himself missing her more and more.

Since Yvette got pregnant, she'd become increasingly difficult. She was always suspicious of him, always afraid he'd cheat, and ready to pick fights at the drop of a hat. s

When she lost an argument, she'd clutch her belly and threaten a miscarriage.

He couldn't help but remember how Calliope had never acted that way. She'd always trusted him, never questioned his loyalty.

She never dumped her problems on him, always handled things herself and honestly, often helped him out, too.

Comparing the two women, the difference was like night and day.