Twelve.

Twelve.
Colt found Calum behind the main bar with several young women making romaticised comments about his accent, and leaning over the bar to give him a full display of their ample cleavages, while they were ordering their drinks.

She wanted to growl.

No, Colt wanted to shift and tear the women limb from limb. But there was one thing which calmed her; her husband was completely relaxed and more interested in cleaning the glasses as they came out of the little dishwasher under the bar and measuring their orders out than in making any conversation with the women whatsoever. Colt could clearly hear the comments they were making about all the things they would let a man do to them, if he sounded like Calum as she entered the bar area.

It was all vivid and imaginative scenes, that were being created. A few of which gave even Colt a few ideas as she approached everyone.

"If I knew you were going to get this much attention, Casanova, I would have never agreed to you helping out here." Colt stated loudly, as she brazenly walked behind the bar and into Calum's already open arms.

"Mmm, you smell amazing, Love." Calum purred into his wife's ear, making her shiver with delight. "And how how is this little lady doing today? Behaving for Mama?" He asked, splaying his hand on Colt's swollen stomach affectionately.

"Hmmm," Colt smiled, under Calum's attention before swinging her gaze up to the now very quiet women at the bar.

Thankfully they were sat back up and no longer spilling out from their clothes as they watched how involved Calum was with his wife.

Colt raised her eyebrow at them, "Can I get you anything else ladies?" She asked with a very feline smile. "As you can see, my husband is not on the menu."

It was a younger woman with red braids that spoke up, her Canadian accent permeating the air loudly.

"Drinks wise, no we're good. But, please tell me where you found him? Does he at least have a brother?" She smiled genuinely at Colt.

Colt laughed as Calum smiled against her neck.

"I'm afraid not ladies. Alas, I am an only child. I do have some single friends back in Scotland. But, they're no where near as good looking as I am, are they Colt?" Calum answered playfully.

Colt scoffed at her husband's ego.

"That is true, but I always thought there was still something quite ruggedly handsome about Paul." She answered, smirking as she winked at the women when Calum stiffened behind her.

"Paul?" Calum hissed out to clarify, causing Colt to bite her lip to prevent herself from laughing. "You think Paul was... ruggedly handsome?"

"Mhmm, plus he had lovely eyes," she squeaked out, "Although, maybe it's just because he sent me roses that time after the ceilidh. They smelled amazing."

The women at the bar were doing their best to not laugh at the Calum's reaction behind the bar. They could tell by Colt's expression she was deliberately winding her mate up, and they were loving the show.

"He bought you roses?" Calum accused, "When? What ceilidh?"

Then it clicked, he was there when Paul ordered the damn things. He looked at the address off of Paul's phone before a brawl broke out at the table.

"That Bastard!" He exclaimed, as Colt finally buckled and began to laugh out loud.

There were tears streaming down her face as she turned to her mate, who was just realising his wife was playing him.

"You're a bloody cruel Vixen, you know that?" He stated with a half smile, shaking his head at himself.

"Then be glad I love you," Colt smiled, nodding goodbye to the women as they went to find a seat elsewhere. "Because if I didn't.... Think of the trouble you would be in then." She added, turning herself around and wrapping her arms around his neck

Calum smiled back happily, "I count my lucky stars daily, Mrs. Macgregor."

Colt went to respond, but was interrupted by the ringing of her cell. So instead, she gave her husband a quick peck on the lips and retreated to one of the newly vacated barstools to answer it. This time Calum had completely forgotten the glasses he was polishing as he watched his wife answering the phone. Sharing her feelings of concern as he listened in to the doctor's office on the other end of the line as they asked if Colt could come in that afternoon for an unexpected appointment.

He had used the internal phone system to call Rebecca and arrange for someone else to cover, before Colt had all the details of the appointment written hastily down on the back of a napkin. By the time she had ended the call and looked up at Calum her face full of apprehension, Sandy had walked in to cover his remaining shift.

"Thank you, Sandy." Colt smiled warmly at her.

"No worries, I was in the kitchen poaching food anyway when Becs called." She replied, as she stepped in behind the bar.

Calum was already around on the other side of the bar, his hand upon Colt's waist as he helped her to stand and make their way out of the bar when Sandy spoke up again.

"Oh, Calum?" She called out, teyinging to hand over a large glass of tips.

"Keep it." He responded without looking back, utterly uncaring about the large volume of money he had just given away.

He had no intentions of turning back for anything else.

-----

"Calm down, Love." Calum spoke softly to Colt as she stood up for the fifth time since they had sat in the clinic's waiting room.

Colt looked at him through narrowed eyes. A look that could have sent him straight to hell had believed that place actually existed. Instead he laughed, probably not his smartest move; even he would admit that to himself. But he couldn't help it, sometimes Colt's crazy hormones were cute.

Colt walked up to him annoyed.

"How can you be so calm?" She hissed at him.

Calum took the opportunity while he had it and swiftly grabbed his mate to pull her down onto his knee. Admittedly they didn't fit together as well at the moment as they usually did, but he didn't care; he would hold his mate any way he could for as long as he could.

"They haven't given us anything to worry about yet, Colt. That's how." He answered smoothly, feeling her sigh out against him at his words.

"But, surely if everything is okay then they could have told me that over the phone. I still have to drop these stupid letters off to Dad, and now there is an unintended detour to see the OB, and for an clinic that wanted us here as soon as possible, why are we having to bloody wait so damn long?!" She huffed in annoyance, struggling to get comfortable on Calum's lap with the way the chairs here arranged his posture.

"You need to calm down. You're far to stressed, Colt." He responded, using one of his large warm hands to massage her neck, "Stop worrying, when as of yet there is nothing to worry about. There are a hundred reasons we could have been called in, and the majority of them are nothing to be concerned with. Ellie is fine." Calum added, placing his other hand onto the swollen stomach of his mate.

Colt sagged somewhat at his words. She was still worrying on the inside, but Calum's confidence did make her feel slightly better, as well as the warmth of his hand over their baby girl. After a deep sigh she heaved herself up to move into her own chair in an attempt to soothe the ache in her hips, only to be met my her husband's playful smirk.

"Thank the gods for that," he groaned, "I thought you were going to stay there till you broke my legs. You really ought to cutback on the cheese cake, Love."

Colt went to reply just as another shifter couple she hadn't realised were approaching, entered the waiting room sniggering at his words.

"You're an ass." She stated to her mate, as he sat there looking every bit the cat that got the cream, at his ability to embarrass his wife.

"I'm your ass, Colt. And you wouldn't have me any other way." He smirked back, grabbing her hand to kiss the back of it.

Colt rolled her eyes," "I don't know, if you came in a gagged version I think I would seriously consider it an upgrade." She smiled back, allowing their easy banter to wash over her worries and distract her as needed.

"Aye but if I were gagged, you may only find me adequate, remember?" Calum responded accusingly.

Colt blushed profusely, as the other couple in the waiting room laughed out loud at Calum, who was clearly unashamed at his words even with an audience.

"That's still a sore point is it, Casanova?" She asked back, once she had recovered her equilibrium.

Calum smiled, looking over at the other two in the room. "She is a vicious female. No regard for male pride whatsoever. Bloody adequate." He stated, giving his head a shake as Colt laughed at his ridiculous grudge.

"Could be worse," the other man chimed in, kissing his own mate's hand, "Lola here told me I was down right crap in bed once."

Now the other couple were laughing, and it was Colt who didn't know where to look. That's when she placed the name and the face of the rabbit shifter who she once caught flirting with Elijah.

"That's harsh." Calum answered the other male. "I wonder why we put up with them?"

It was Lola who answered, "Ha, like we could get rid of you if we tried."

Colt smirked, feeling incredibly awkward about everything now. But, just then she was saved by another new face as it appeared in the doorway.

"Mrs. Macgregor?" The nurse called out.

Colt nodded, rising onto her swollen feet.

"If you could follow me, the doctor is ready for you."

Calum stood as well, taking her hand and leading her forward, following the nurse as he led the way into the doctor's office.

He opened the door for them both before closing it behind them, leaving them alone with the doctor who was sat reviewing a file in front of her. She was human, but had an incredibly friendly aura, and both of them were put somewhat at ease as they made their way to the seats in front of the doctor's desk.

"Good afternoon, I'm so sorry about the wait. I was supposed to get your file last week straight after your appointment. But, it only made it's way to me today. My usual administrative assistant was on vacation... Anyway, you're not interested in that. You want to know why I wanted to see you." She began, moving forward quickly.

Colt nodded politely, her anxiety radiating off her in waves, despite Calum holding her hand in an attempt to soothe her.

"So, I will get straight to it. Colt, your blood pressure was higher than I'm comfortable with. I wanted to get another urine sample from you, and have a chat about how we can reduce your stress levels." She explained without preamble.

"Okay," Colt stated warily. "Do you want the urine sample now, Dr. Lorenz? "

"If you can, yes; that would be ideal. There is a patient toilet two doors down and there are sample bottles inside." The doctor advised.

Colt stood, squeezing back Calum's hand before letting go and going to follow the doctor's instructions. Thankfully peeing was never an issue at the moment, hers and Calum's daughter was particularly fond of jack hammering on her bladder. She returned briefly afterward, realising Calum was still as stiff as when she had left. She handed the little bottle over to the doctor and took her place beside her mate again, squeezing his arm to show him she was back. His face automatically pulled into a smile, but it didn't meet his eyes, revealing his own nerves were beginning to take their toll.

"Thank you, I'll be back in a moment, just need to run a quick test." Dr Lorenz smiled, vacating the room with the sample and leaving the two of them alone.

"Are you okay?" Colt asked.

Calum shook himself, and offered her a warmer smile.

"Yes Love, I'm fine. Just, you know..." he offered, pulling her hand up to his mouth to kiss her wrist. "I have a surprise for you, though."

"Oh?" Colt asked.

"Yeah, I booked it for when your thirty six weeks, though I've just beed told that may be too late to get an ideal image. But, I think we should try anyway," Calum mumbled to her.

"What are you talking about, Mr Macgregor?" Colt laughed at his nervous state.

"I booked a 4D scan for us. Apparently we will get to see what she looks like, and watch her moving in real time. Some parents even see their babies sucking their thumbs." He explained enthusiastically.

Colt's face lit up.

"You did that?" She asked.

"I did. But apparently I booked it late, so I'm sorry." He apologised, more than a little annoyed at himself.

"Don't apologise, I can't wait!" Colt responded, leaning over and throwing her arms about him.

Calum returned her embrace just as the doctor came back in.

"Okay, I have good news and bad news I'm afraid." The straight talking doctor began, without wasting any time like that she would have spent getting to her seat.

Colt stiffened as she leaned back into her seat, waiting.

"Colt you have quite a few warning markers for preeclampsia." Dr Lorenz, began. "Now, you're not in danger yet, so do not panic. But, it is imperative that you do not get stressed out, and that you take it easy. I am not putting you on bed rest yet, however, I will if I have to. Your urine test shows there is protein there, so I am having it tested further to find out what exact level it's at. It may be it's just a small urine infection, but with your swellings and blood pressure, I doubt it. So, Mr. Macgregor," she addressed Calum, "you must ensure she takes it easy. Preeclampsia is treatable, but it needs to be managed, because if left unchecked it can have fatal consequences. I'm sorry, I don't want scare you, but I am not helping you by sugar coating the seriousness of this either; you will have to find a way to control your stress levels."