3.15 pm

Eddie Frye headed through the kitchen to the back door, trying to stop the feeling that he should have at least a twinge of guilt in the back of his brain. Ellie had told him, in no uncertain terms, that he wasn’t needed in the room, and the truth was he didn’t want to be there. The thought of what Kaylee was going through, his little girl, his Winnie … and worse, how she’d got into this position in the first place.

He shook his head. It was easier to think babies came with the stork.

Zoe and Hank had taken the children back to Serenity, hoping that distance would help somewhat. Bethie had been complaining for hours about having a headache due to the walls she was having to keep up as tightly as possible, and Ethan wasn’t looking much better. The Firefly’s first mate had instructions on what medications to use if necessary.

Freya and Jayne were playing cards upstairs, whether for money or chores Eddie wasn't too sure, but every so often there was a groan of dismay, probably from a certain burly ex-mercenary. Neither of them was straying too far from their respective spouses.

Simon, of course, was going nowhere. This was his wife, his child, and besides which he was the doctor. And River had refused outright to move from her position at Ellie’s shoulder, and from the look on the young man’s face Eddie was pretty sure he was glad to have the pair of them.

Stepping outside, Eddie took a deep breath, feeling the cold air clear his lungs and start to calm him.

“Had enough?”

Startled, he looked around.

Mal was sitting in a collapsible chair, his heels up on the rail, wrapped in his brown coat and scarf.

“Yeah,” Eddie said, beginning a grin. “There ain't a place in there I feel comfortable standing.” He leaned against the verandah’s upright. “You?”

“Sitting here wondering what I’m gonna do when it’s Jesse.”

Eddie laughed. “Yeah, you got that joy to come.” He flicked a finger. “But between you and me, when it’s grandkids, it’s different.”

“I thin