“Is this some kind of contest?” Mal demanded, watching his wife, his first mate and his mechanic comparing their bellies.

“Whatever gave you that idea?” Freya asked.

“Well, the tape measure pretty much topped it off.”

“We’re just curious, is all,” Kaylee said. “It’s kinda like a production line, don’t’cha think?”

He shuddered a little. “I try not to.”

“I mean, there’s Frey first, dropping in a few weeks. Then me, then Zoe …” She laughed happily. “Keeping Simon on his toes.”

“He’s going to be dropping from exhaustion first,” Mal predicted. “Long before any of you give birth.”

“We’re not making him run around after us, sir,” Zoe said, her hand held protectively over her stomach. “He’s choosing to do that.”

“Three women pregnant, all at the same time … I’d swear it was something in the water if River joined you.”

“Well, now that you come to mention it …” Kaylee grinned at the look on his face.

“You’re not saying …”

“She did throw up this morning.”

“ Cao .”

Freya patted his arm. “Another four babies. Maybe more. Won’t that be fun?”

His mouth opened and closed a few times, then he shook his head. “I'm going grey, do you know that? All this tension and worry … and I think I'm starting an ulcer.”

“Just wait until your baby girls are born,” Freya assured him. “Twins are much worse.”