PART VI

"I'm so glad you get to keep your pants on this time," Lance said as he took a seat in the lone chair in the ultrasound room.

"You're glad?" Rachel chuckled, swinging her legs as she sat on the examination table again. "You're not the one who had a wand up her hoo-ha by another woman, while three men watched."

"I think Joey had a porno like that," JC grinned.

Rachel groaned and lay back on the table covering her face with her hands. Today was the day they would find out the sexes of the little peanuts in her belly. Going along with Lance's radio show and calling the guests he had on his 'peanuts', he took to calling his unborn children peanuts. She thought it was cute. This time there was one less person in the room with them. Nick wasn't here with them today. He, along with the rest of the Backstreet Boys, was in London. The new tour had kicked off with overseas dates first. A few weeks ago, they were in Asia. She jumped feeling a hand on her stomach. Opening her eyes she stared at JC's sheepish face.

"Sorry," JC looked down, removing his hand from Rachel's belly. When she lay down, you could see the bump and he couldn't help himself.

"It's alright;" Rachel smiled at him and lifted her shirt out of the way, revealing her stomach. Normally she didn't like it when a lot of people touched her belly, but considering she was carrying this baby for JC and Lance she figured she didn't have any say to limit the belly touches. When she started to show, she let them touch as much as they wanted which was a lot. That number was bound to grow as soon as they would be able to feel the babies kicking. She could feel their little movements now. They were so light though, the outside hand couldn't feel them. That was a fact that bummed JC and Lance so much.

JC grinned and reached out again, cupping his hand on the small bump on Rachel's stomach where his children lay. He was still amazed every time he was able to do this. Beneath his hand, his children were being nurtured. This week was a big step in sensory development at least that's what he read online. Research had said to talk to the baby now because they might be able to hear you. Lightly caressing the baby bump, he leaned over putting his face near his hand. "Hello Peanuts," he whispered. "I hope you cooperate today. I really want to know if I'm having little boys or little girls or one of each."

Rachel smiled softly listening to JC talk to his children. It always tugged at her heart and made her want to cry. Nick had been big in talking to Olivia while she had been pregnant. Her favorite memory one that she would cherish forever was Nick talking to her belly late at night and Olivia nailing her with a hard kick. She had laughed, even though it had been slightly painful, because she thought it was Olivia's way of telling Daddy to be quiet and let her sleep.

Lance pushed himself up from the chair and moved to stand next to JC. He placed one hand on JC's lower back as he leaned down and put his hand on top of JC's. "You better listen to your Daddy," he spoke softly. "Now's not the time to be shy. You're gonna have to get used to pictures real fast. They will be hundreds taken --"

"And that's just in the first few hours after you two are born," JC grinned.

A tear fell from the corner of Rachel's eye as she watched the scene in front of her. She wished she had her cell phone so she could take a picture. If not of their faces of their hands clasped together over the tiny bump. Moving her arm, she reached into the front of her jeans pulling out her phone. "Don't mind me," she said when they looked at her. "Continue laying down the law to the little ones. I wanna know if I gotta buy manly clothes or adorable, cute girl clothes."

"Your Aunt Rachel is going to spoil both of you rotten," JC said.

"Like they won't already be completely spoiled by you two," Rachel said with a smile. Bringing up the camera on her phone, she angled it on the hands on her belly and snapped the photo. The picture turned out good. She had just taken a photo of JC and Lance when the door opened and Kelly walked in.

"Hello," she smiled, her heart warming at the tender scene in front of her. "How is everyone doing today? I see we're down a man today."

"Yeah, Nick's in London," Rachel said as JC and Lance stood, their hands still clasped together.

"I trust these two are taking care of you?" She said sparing a glance in the men's direction as she got her stuff situated.

"Oh the very best," Rachel winked.

"Good," Kelly swiveled in the chair. "We are here for your second ultrasound. The big reason for this ultrasound is to get measurements to make sure your babies are growing properly. Of course it just so happens that we can tell the sex. I take it you'd like to know?"

"Yes," Lance said, while JC nodded.

"Fantastic; I hope they cooperate." Kelly said as she went on to explain a few more things. "You ready?" She asked Rachel. "Alright, you can leave your pants on for this one, but push them as far down on your hips. Good," she once Rachel had her pants low on her hips. "The gel is going to be a little cold," she squirted the gel onto the wand before pressing it on her belly.

JC watched as the television screen came to life. This time it was easier to spot his babies. He had looked at the photos from the first ultrasound so much he had them memorized. Seconds later a thump-thump filled the room and his breath caught as he listened to the two little heart beats.

"Sounds fast and irregular," Lance commented, reaching up brushing a tear away before it could fall. "Maybe they're nervous about being on camera."

Kelly laughed. "It sounds irregular because we're picking up the sounds of two separate heart beats. They aren't in synch."

"Wah wah," Rachel laughed.

"Bear with me," Kelly said as played around on the keyboard one handed staring at the monitor in front of her. She continued moving the wand around on Rachel's belly searching for every angle possible of the babies. "Let me quickly go through and get the measurements. These measurements will tell us if they are developing on time. They will give us a better read on if we dated your pregnancy correctly."

JC and Lance watched with as Kelly pointed things out to them such as the spine, arms, legs, kidneys, the heart. It was amazing to see the tiny movement on the screen as the heart beat in the grainy black and white. It seemed Kelly took hundreds of measurements and photos. They could tell when she took a photo because the screen would freeze slightly. Sometimes she could type things out on that would appear on the television depicting what they were looking at.

"Almost done with what I need to get done," Kelly said taking a picture of the current screen. "But you'll be happy to know that both babies cooperated."

"I knew they wouldn't be able to say no to C," Rachel grinned.

"Why do you think I had JC speak with them?" Lance squeezed JC's hand, giving him a smile.

"Alright, here is Baby A," Kelly brought the baby back up on the screen after she finished with everything she was required to do. She moved the wand until she was in the correction position. "Wanna take a guess?"

JC and Lance looked at each other before squinting up at the television. They were clearly looking at two legs. The outline was obvious. As for the sex, they didn't have a clue.

"Baby A is a girl," Kelly smiled. "You can see the legs here and here," she moved her mouse over each leg. "But there is nothing in the middle."

"We have a daughter," JC whispered staring at the screen. In his mind he saw a little girl with curly brown hair and yellow-green eyes; a crooked little smile.

"You don't stand a chance," Rachel mused. "You're gonna be wrapped so tightly around her little finger." She was feeling slightly left lonely, which was dumb considering JC and Lance were standing right there. But they were wrapped up in the ultrasound images. As they should be. The last time this happened, Nick was there. He held her hand, whispered in her ear, pressed kisses to her head. But he wasn't here. He was thousands of miles away and she was here feeling alone. Her eyes filled with tears and she blinked rapidly to hold them off. 'Damn hormones,' she thought closing her eyes.

Lance quickly dropped JC's hand and moved around him when he saw his sister crying silently. "Hey," he said quietly, taking her hand in his. "Are you okay? What's wrong?" He brushed her blonde hair off her forehead.

"I'm sorry," Rachel whispered opening her eyes. She saw Lance's yellow-green eyes (an exact replica of hers) clouded with worry. Looking past him, she saw JC's blue eyes filled with worry as well. "I'm okay. I just..." she sighed and forced a small smile. "Had a small pity party for myself and then hormones took over."

Kelly removed the wand from Rachel's stomach sensing they needed a few minutes. "Do you need me to step out?" She asked gently.

"No, no," Rachel spoke shaking her head. "Please let's continue. I didn't mean to stop this. I'm fine. Really."

Lance shook his head. "Nuh-uh. What's wrong?"

"This is going to sound incredibly stupid." Rachel sighed knowing Lance wasn't going to let up. "I was feeling forgotten and lonely. Nick's not here...It's stupid. I just... You and JC...Stupid hormones," she sighed again closing her eyes briefly before looking at Lance. "Feeling unimportant I guess."

"You were right. That is stupid," Lance stared at Rachel not allowing her to look away. "You are the most important person in this room. You're the reason this is happening. You are giving me and JC these two miracles. Without you this is not possible. There is nothing I can do or say that will let you know just how much this means to me."

"Lance is right," JC spoke. He laid his hand over their clasped ones. "You are giving us something so special. You are the most important person because you're nurturing our babies, taking care of them before you bring them into this world. You're giving them life. I will never be able to repay you for doing this. I could give you everything I have but that still wouldn't be enough."

There was no holding back her tears now. They rolled from the corner of her eyes and down into her hair. She held tightly to Lance's hand and fought to control her emotions. It was easier said then done. Her hormones combined with JC's and Lance's words opened the flood gates. "I'm sorry," she whispered, bringing her free hand up to wipe at her tears. "I'm a mess."

"No," Lance laughed quietly. He slid his hand through her hair to the back of her hand and pressed his forehead against hers. JC's hand caressed his back in light movements. "You are the most amazing person I know," he whispered. "I love you."

"I love you too," she closed her eyes when he kissed her forehead and giggled when she felt the tiny kick in her belly. "Someone's jealous, I think."

"She kick?" JC asked looking down at her exposed belly. He searched for any movement hoping to spot something. It was still too early for people on the outside to see or feel. He couldn't wait until the moment he was able to place his hand on Rachel's belly and feel his children kick.

"Well, one of them did," Rachel pressed her fingers over where she had felt the kick. "Whichever one is right here," she smiled when she felt the movement again. "There is was again. She might be impatient or it might be her twin wanting his or her turn in front of the camera."

"Well, we better not disappoint," Kelly spoke bringing the wand back to Rachel's belly. She placed the wand over the spot Rachel had indicated she felt the movement. "Looks like... yup. It was your daughter."

JC watched the screen, seeing the tiny movements as his daughter moved her leg. His fingers tightened on Lance's waist. He leaned over toward Rachel's stomach and whispered, "Don't worry, Little Girl; we love you too."

"How about we get a look at baby number two," Kelly said and moved the wand until the second baby came up on the screen. "Say hello to Baby B. Your son."

"A boy," Lance grinned. "We're having a boy and a girl," he said in awe. It was the perfect scenario. With this one pregnancy they were getting two children - a boy and a girl. They were getting what they wanted. They wouldn't have to ask Rachel to go through this again or find another surrogate.

"Nick will be jealous," Rachel said. No matter how much Nick loved and doted on Olivia, he couldn't deny there had been a slight disappointment when the technician had announced they were having a girl. Rachel knew most men had that feeling when they found out they were having a girl instead of a boy. She figured it was like that with women when they found out they were having a boy instead of a girl. Though she didn't think she would be disappointed if she and Nick decided to have another baby and it turned out a boy. She smiled at the thought of having a miniature Nick.

"Can I hear the heart beat again?" JC asked as he stared at the screen where his son lay.

"Sure," Kelly smiled and turned the volume back on. Twin heartbeats soon filled the room and she set about printing out photos. She was so taken with JC, Lance and Rachel, she printed out more than she usually did.

When it was over and Kelly left, Rachel used the tissues to wipe the gel off her stomach while JC and Lance poured over photos. She brushed her shirt back down, settling to fix her pants when she was standing. "A little help?" She asked raising her hand.

"Sorry," Lance blushed and moved back to his sister. Grasping her hand, he pulled her into a sitting position. He kept a hold of her hand, helping her as she hopped off the table. "Good?"

Rachel nodded. "I need a bathroom." She pulled the waistband of her jeans up. It would do for now until she hit the bathroom. "Then I need--" she was cut off when Lance pulled her into a hug, squeezing her tight. "A hug," She smiled and brought her arms around Lance returning his hug.

"Thank you," Lance whispered.

"You don't have to thank me," Rachel told him and he really didn't. She would do this for her brother and JC a hundred times over. "I'm happy to do this. Don't let my episode earlier get to you. I'm telling you, it's hormones and Nick being gone."

"I know," Lance pulled back with a smile. "If it does seem like we're forgetting you, we don't mean to."

"We just get caught up sometimes," JC joined them. He wrapped an arm around either of their necks, resting on their shoulders. Both Lance and Rachel dropped an arm and placed them around his waist welcoming him into the circle. "Don't take it personally."

"And don't tell Nick we made you cry."

Rachel laughed at Lance's words and tightened her arms around two of the most important men in her life. "No promises but he'll take into account that I'm extra hormonal."

"Well you did yell at him for packing his bag wrong before he left," Lance chuckled.

"He couldn't wait to tell you huh?"

"More like give us a head's up. Warning us that you were..." JC closed his mouth when he realized what he'd been about to say.

"I was what?" Rachel asked him, nailing him with a look.

"Sad that he was leaving," he quickly said.

"Nice save," she smiled at him, laying her head on his chest.

"How about we find you a bathroom, schedule the next appointment and then find some lunch."

"Your treat?" Rachel perked up.

Lance laughed as they made sure they got all their things before leaving the room. "Sure. My treat."

*~*

"Hey!" Rachel grinned into the iPad screen, waving her hand. Her smile was big and wide as she stared at Nick.

"Hey you," Nick smiled settling back on the couch on his tour bus. He had time before sound check so he decided to call his wife. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," she told him. "I didn't sleep good at all last night. I couldn't get comfortable and when I would fall asleep, I'd have to get up and go to the bathroom."

"I'm sorry Baby," Nick frowned. He hated not being there while she was pregnant. When she was pregnant with Olivia she was on tour with him until she wasn't allowed to travel. "I wish there was something I could do."

"I know. But there is nothing anyone can do. I just have to find a comfortable position."

"When you were pregnant with Olivia, you'd sleep on me," Nick smiled at the memory.

"I sleep on you pregnant or not," she grinned. "But it really helped to curl up on you or have you curl around me when she was kicking up a storm and keeping me awake. You were always able to quiet her down."

"I had the touch."

"I miss your touch," she said quietly, even though she was alone in the house. Olivia was spending the day with JC and Lance so she could try to catch up on sleep. She was sure Olivia was having fun.

Nick's eyes widened at his wife's words. He straightened, giving a courtesy look around the room knowing it was empty. Unlike the very first Backstreet Boys tours, each of the guys had their own bus because they all had families now that tours with them. "Normally I'd be all over this but I don't have enough time before sound check."

"I didn't mean it that way!" Rachel gapped at her husband.

"It's not like we've never done it that way before," Nick grinned.

"I know that gleam," Rachel said. "Pull your mind back to me."

"Oh it's on you," Nick wiggled his eyebrows. "That's okay I can just pull up the screen cap shots."

Rachel gasped. "You did not!"

Nick burst out laughing at the look on his wife's face. It took him a couple minutes to compose himself. "I did not. I have no naked videos or pictures of you on here or my phone." Keeping that sort of media was something he'd never do. There was a big risk of his electronics getting stolen. If that happened, whoever stole his stuff would be privy to the risqué pictures of his wife. He did not want to see them blasted all over the Internet and trash magazines.

"You're a jerk," Rachel muttered. "I should end this call."

"Aw, come on Baby, I was just teasing," Nick pouted.

"Not funny. I don't want to find my naked assets on the Internet. My mom would certainly have a heart attack."

"I don't want to see your naked assets on the Internet either," Nick said solemnly. HE didn't want creeps out there jerking off to his wife. "So if you haven't had success in sleeping, what have you been today?"

"I've been introducing Babies Chasez to the wondrous music that is NSYNC," Rachel smiled. "We've been jamming to every song that I have."

"And how did they perceive that?"

"Of course they loved it!" Rachel smiled. "It's bred into them you know? They were moving up a storm. I pointed out JC's voice every time and I found couple of the songs where Lance had small solos. But never fear, we did listen to some Backstreet Boys songs and I told them all about their Uncle Nick."

Nick grinned. "A little young to be starting a NSYNC versus BSB war isn't it?"

"Judging by the amount of movement going on, they like 'em both."

Rachel and Nick talked for twenty more minutes before it was time for Nick to head to sound check. When she was alone once more, she laid down on the couch with a sigh. She was never getting to sleep. She threw her legs over the side and pushed herself up. She might as well go do something.

*~*

"Hey!" Lance grinned as he watched his sister make the turn at the bottom of the stairs and walk toward his desk. "Our peanut quantity in the Bassment nearly doubled just by one person walking in."

"Mama!" Olivia shrieked and rolled over on the couch to slide off of it on her belly. She took off at a run, running straight into her mother, wrapping her arms around her mother's legs. "Hi Mama!"

"Hi Baby," Rachel leaned over and lifted Olivia in her arms, drawing protests from the adults around the desk. "Shush," she waved her hand at them. "Miss me?"

"Yeah Mama," Olivia said playing with the necklace around her mother's neck.

"You have fun with Uncle Lance and Uncle JC?"

"Yeah. An. C." Olivia grinned and kicked her legs, struggling to be let down. Once she was placed on the ground she took off running toward the desk trying to crawl up into JC's lap. The brunette helped her up, settling her into his lap.

"Guess I wasn't missed that much," Rachel said taking a seat in the empty chair between Drew and Lisa. She placed the head phones on and moved the microphone into position. "My own child just dissed me for JC. We haven't seen each other all day. I barely get a hug and she runs back to him."

"The ladies love me," JC grinned, pressing a kiss to the top of Olivia's head.

"It's a JC kind of day for Olivia," Lance explained to his listeners. "JC was her best toy. He colored, puzzled, read, played barbies... It was cute."

"You know how hard it is to get those outfits on and off those tiny princesses?" JC asked incredulously. "By the time I got the ones she wanted on, she wanted them off to put something else on!"

"Tell her no JC," Rachel said slowly with a smile.

Lance laughed as JC gapped. "No is not in C's vocabulary concerning Olivia."

"You're looking good," Lisa spoke. "How are you feeling?"

"If I could sleep I'd feel a hundred times better," Rachel said. "I don't think I've slept good all week. And today I was trying to nap but I could never get comfortable and when I did, I'd have to get up and go potty. It was useless."

"What did you do with Olivia?" Drew asked. "It's probably completely different being pregnant with two rather than one."

"Not really," Rachel told him. "I just get tired more easily and go to the bathroom a lot more. Oh and I am a heckuva lot bigger. I hit the maternity clothes a lot sooner this time around."

"You still look beautiful," Lisa commented. "You're one of those women who just look good pregnant."

"Thank you," Rachel smiled at her. "It's hard to get comfortable when you're pregnant because you can't lie on your stomach anymore, which is how I usually sleep. You can't lie on your back. So you're left with lying on your sides. Cocking this leg or that one. Putting a pillow here or there and basically just damning the entire man population to hell for your distress. When this happened with Olivia, I woke Nick up. If I couldn't sleep, well damnit he wasn't either."

"Was there something you did to get comfortable with Olivia that you could do now?" Drew asked.

"I'm not sure it would work in this situation," Rachel said with a smile. "Doubtful Nick would approve."

Drew laughed out loud, clapping his hands as Sam in the New York studio hit a sound effect that yelled, 'yeah!'

"Well I know Lance doesn't approve," Lance said.

Rachel giggled. "Just joking. Nick and I were talking about this earlier. When I was having trouble sleeping because Olivia wouldn't cooperate..."

"After you woke him up," Lance broke in.

"Of course. If I was awake, his ass was going to be awake as well. After all, it was his fault I couldn't sleep anyway. It was better for his safety if I woke him up. Because when you're so damned tired that you're near tears and you just want to sleep, and you look over and see your spouse dead to the world, sleeping... well certain things go through your mind about seeing them in pain."

"Does Nick know you..."

"Wanted to smother him with his own pillow?" Rachel asked. "Yes. He learned to wake up when I was awake. Probably saved his own life."

"My God," Drew shook his head.

"Like my sister would harm a hair on Nick's head," Lance rolled his eyes. "So what did you do? And if any of our listeners out there can help Rachel out, please call..."

*~*

"What are you doing up?"

Rachel turned her head toward the voice behind her surprised to see JC. She shrugged her shoulders and looked back at the television was a rerun of The Golden Girls was playing on TVLand. "I wasn't kidding when I said I couldn't sleep. I didn't wake you did I? I was trying to be quiet but I love this show."

"Maybe, I don't know," JC shrugged and sat down next to Rachel on the couch. "I don't know what woke me. I rolled over and saw the glow of the TV." He lifted his legs to the coffee table, placing them next to hers.

"You don't have to stay up with me," Rachel told him a few minutes later. She giggled as Rose tickled the ivories, literally.

"Of course I did," JC told her. "Under your logic, I'm the bastard man who put you in this position."

Rachel nodded. "You're right," she lifted the throw. "Settle in. It's gonna be a long night." She laughed out loud again when Rose started singing, testing out the word interuterine in the song. "This jingle is going to be stuck in my head for days. I think this is my favorite episode."

"Is this what you do when you can't sleep?" JC asked when the show went to commercial.

"Yup. I get lucky and find them on TV. Most times I resort to using my DVDs. I finished Roseanne up a couple days ago."

"Wasn't that on for a long time?"

Rachel hummed. "Nine seasons," she scooted down and lowered her head to JC's shoulder. She clasped her hands together other her stomach.

"You're really not sleeping?"

"I said I wasn't. It wasn't a joke or something to gain attention," Rachel picked her head up. "I can't sleep. I wake multiple times a night when Nick's here, but since he's been gone," she shrugged. "Sleep went with him I guess."

JC reached up and pressed her head back to his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to his aside, allowing her to snuggle against him. "I'm sorry Rachel. I should have realized this was really serious. I thought it was you just waking up for an hour or so each night. Not enough to watch nine seasons of a TV show."

"It's okay C. It's something that most pregnant women go through. We just have to deal with it. Plus we know it's all worth it in the end."

JC lifted his left hand and brought it across his body lowering it to Rachel's belly. "It is worth it," he said with a small smile. "I know you're tired of hearing it, but I do thank you for doing this for us. You're sacrificing a lot. It means so much to us."

"I know JC," Rachel placed her hand over JC's. "I'm not sacrificing anything that's not worth it. I'm carrying my little niece and nephew. It's like the most important thing I've ever done."

"I am forever grateful," JC kissed the top of her head. He caressed her belly lightly as he watched the television, half paying attention. He stifled a yawn. As long as Rachel was awake, it was only fair for him to be awake. Lance could sleep because out of the three of them, someone needed to be coherent enough to chase after Olivia tomorrow. His eyes widen when he felt the light thump against his palm. "What?"

Rachel moved his hand to the spot she felt the kick and pressed his hand down. "Press hard; don't be afraid of hurting them. They're okay."

"Was that what I thought it was?" JC asked as he pressed his hand down, willing to feel the kick again.

"Yeah," Rachel grinned. "That was a kick. They are getting bigger so you should be able to start feeling them now."

"Wonder which one that was?" JC asked. "Come on Baby; kick Daddy again. I've been waiting forever for this. I've been really jealous of your Aunt Rachel for being able to feel you two all this time."

"You better listen to him," Rachel added with a smile. "No one likes to disappoint JC. He gets all sad looking and it makes you sad when he's sad. It also upsets Lance when JC's sad. You don't want to upset Daddy Lance do you?" She heard JC chuckle softly. "I'm not above bribery. I was playing NSYNC music earlier. They seemed to enjoy."

"Really?"

"Oh yeah," she removed her hand from JC's the caress her stomach. She could feel the light butterfly movements inside. They just weren't kicking hard enough to be felt on the outside. "I was teaching them NSYNC and pointing out their Daddies' voices. They seemed to pick your voice up quickly."

"You're playing me," JC said incredulously though he was secretly pleased.

"Honest to God, JC," Rachel picked up her phone from the arm of the couch and opened up her music. Scrolling to her NSYNC playlist she selected a song. "They'll probably make a liar out of me. Olivia loves doing that. I boast she knows her colors or can count to three and I ask her to do it. She just looks at me like I'm an idiot."

She pushed the blanket off her belly and held her phone down near her belly as the song started.

"I'm doing this tonight. You're prolly gonna start a fight," JC sang along with the music.

Rachel was giving up hope as the song neared the ending. JC still sang along while gently moving his hand over her belly. She felt bad because he was so hopeful he'd get to feel another kick. 'Come on babies,' she pleaded. 'I wasn't lying when I said we don't like to see JC sad. I'm not asking for a soccer game. Just a couple well placed kicks to his hand.'

"Bye bye," JC sang holding onto second bye before singing 'baby' and holding the 'a' for a couple seconds. When he finished that part he felt it. The tiny nudge against his hand, so feint he thought he imagined it. He stopped singing.

"Well don't stop," Rachel nudged him. "Keep going."

He picked the song back up, grinning when he felt another kick. He pressed his hand down and was rewarded with another kick. This was the most amazing feeling in the world. Rachel's music skipped over into 'It's Gonna Be Me' and he continued singing along. Before the song was halfway over, he abruptly stopped and quickly stood. He grabbed the remote turning the television off and pulled Rachel to her feet.

"What are you doing?" Rachel asked laughed as JC pulled her from the living room.

"Waking Lance up; he has to feel this!"