Technically, Charlotte wasn’t a qualified ultrasound tech, but she’d had to learn how to use the equipment herself to protect her patients’ privacy. It wasn’t like you could go to a regular human prenatal clinic when the scan could show your baby had wings.

The room fell silent as the screen lit, showing a black-and-white crescent with a big dark oval in the center. Charlotte lifted a brow and pressed the button to listen to the baby’s heartbeat. It sounded like a faint gonging sound, a tiny heart thrumming against the metal shell that contained it.

Charlotte pressed her lips together, nodding. “So, that’s a big metal egg.”

“I have concerns,” Jillian said, nodding.

“I thought you were exaggerating,” Zed marveled. “It really is a big metal egg.”

“I told you, I wasn’t being obstinate about a gender reveal party. The baby won’t let us get a look at him or her,” Bael told Zed.

Zed snickered. “The mystery is driving my maman crazy. She’s bought so much green yarn, she’s about to crowd Mel out of the house. Not that I mind, you know, if Mel has to move out.”

“You need to accept that your mother is an adult with a sex life,” Jillian told Zed as he literally recoiled across the room. “Kind of a vigorous sex life, if Bonita De Los Santos and her famous gossip is to be believed.”

“Le diable!” Zed gasped. “We agreed never to speak it, Jillian! Never!”

“Jillian, we talked about this,” Bael told her, even as he smirked. “Referring to geriatric sexual practices is funny, but not in front of Zed.”

“Mel is my honorary father figure and Zed’s sort of stepfather,” Jillian explained to Charlotte. “He’s living with Zed’s mom.”

Bael muttered, “Relationships can get very complicated in the Bayou.”

“Well, perplexing family trees aside, you’re doing everything you should, pregnancy-wise. I think we’re looking at the next two weeks or so. Pay attention to your body and what it’s telling you. Work as long as you’re comfortable,” Charlotte said.

“Ha!” Jillian shot a triumphant look at Bael, who frowned.

And then Charlotte added, “As long as you get a sensible amount of rest and fluids and don’t overdo it.”

“Ha!” Bael retorted. “And just so we’re clear, Miss Charlotte, who determines what is a reasonable amount of rest, fluids, and overdoing it?”

Charlotte’s lips drew back in a frown. “An impartial third party?”

Both Jillian and Bael looked to Zed, who mused, “Probably Sonja. She’s the most adult out of all of us.”

“And she’s the only one Jillian will listen to,” Bael added, nodding.

“Me and the giant metal egg are right here,” Jillian noted, pointing to her bump.

“We’ll get the cave ready for the birth, right away,” Bael promised Charlotte. “We’ll make it comfortable as possible for you and Jillian.”