Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Allan. He's mine) I’m just playing. No money being made.

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This story takes place nearly four years after Serenity (BDM) and has the established couples of Simon/Kaylee, Mal/Inara, Zoë/Allan and Jayne/River. Follows after Big Blue.

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A/N: Fineto

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Thanks again Chris for the Beta.

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Birthday

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Chapter Nine

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“Oh 'Nara, ain't this the cutest thing?” Kaylee gushed as she pawed through the rack of baby clothes.

Inara pushed the stroller carrying Jeff to where Kaylee stood with a matching stroller holding Becca.

“That's darling, Kaylee,” Inara replied, “And perfect for Becca.”

Behind the two women, Zoë tried not to laugh. Kaylee stuck her tongue out at the first mate.

“Just you wait, Zoë. Once you have a little'n you'll be doin the same thing.”

“Maybe, Mei-mei, but in the meantime, I'll just stand here and snicker.”

With matching smiles the two new mothers headed for the checkout, carrying an armload of baby clothes while Zoë followed with a large case of diapers.

The checkout girl eyed the three women suspiciously as she rang up the purchases. Inara rolled her eyes. She was dressed casually today as was Kaylee. Zoë was dressed in her leather vest and black pants. Even though she was from Shinon, Inara disparaged at how shallow some people in the core could be.

“That will be three hundred nine credits,” The girl said.

“Ow, that's mighty steep,” Kaylee said, biting her lip.

“Perhaps you shouldn't shop in the most exclusive baby shop in New London if you can't afford it,” the girl said snobbishly, “Perhaps one of the discount stores in low town would be more fitting.”

“I'll have you know....”

“Relax 'Nara, I got this,” Zoë said as she quickly produced her bank card.

The shop girl took Zoë's card and ran it through the reader. After a moment, she smiled and excused herself, saying that she needed to run the card in the back as the reader at the counter seemed to be malfunctioning.

Kaylee re