couldn't go with her and didn't know what time he'd be returning.
"Did you drive here by yourself?"
"Yes," Shaundra answered. "I'm beginning to get the hang of maneuvering around in all the traffic."
"You might think about having someone drive you here the next time. We don't want to take any chances of you getting hurt or kidnapped."
Shaundra laughed. "Why would someone want to kidnap me?"
"Because you're a world famous author and you're married to a pop idol."
And not to mention a much hated person on the Aomori fan club list. Not a day went by when she didn't receive threatening e-mail or Twitter blasts and even more so now that someone had announced her pregnancy on Aomori's home page. "Okay," Shaundra agreed. "I'll get someone to drive me next time."
"Good, you're entering your third trimester and we have to be very careful with the babies."
"Is it still only two inside of me?" she asked. "I've been putting on a lot of weight."
Dr. Sou chuckled. ""As far as I can tell you're carry two very large..."
"Shush, don't tell me their sex."
"Are you sure? Most women want to know so they can buy a specific color of clothing for the babies."
"I'm sure I don't want to know. Aomori wants boys and everyone else wants girls."
"And what do you want?" The doctor asked.
"Healthy babies," Shaundra answered. And a hysterectomy.
"I want you to stick to a no-salt diet, drink plenty of milk, and take your vitamins."
"Is it still safe to have intercourse?" Shaundra asked.
"Yes, for now. I'll let you know when you need to stop." He paused. "I guess it is hard having a young husband."
"Not really," Shaundra replied. "Except for him being potent. He wants to have more kids after these."
"Does he know your true age?" the doctor asked.
Shaundra nodded. "Apparently he thinks women can continue to push out babies well into their sixties."
"It is not impossible," the doctor replied. "But I do not recommend it. You'll be too old to run behind them."
"I'm already too old to run behind them," Shaundra replied. "Anything else?"
"Well, except for your blood pressure, you're in excellent shape. Your pressure is normal at the moment but I'm still keeping an eye on it."
"Thanks," Shaundra said. That's all she needed was one more person keeping an eye on her salt intake. She'd kill for a potato chip right about now.
"So when is the tour beginning?" the doctor asked.
"In two months," Shaundra told him. "They're doing Europe this time."
"Will he come back to Osaka for the births?"
Shaundra shrugged. "I'm not holding my breath on that. I knew what I was getting into when I married an idol. He has to earn a living."
"Yes, I supposed he does." The doctor scribbled something on his pad. "I'd like to see you back her in a month. Then I will decide whether we have to put you in the hospital in September or October."
"Do I still need a Cesarean?"
The doctor nodded. "It looks that way. These babies are too big for you to deliver normally, and I don't want to harm you in the process."
"I understand. I'll let Ichiro and the others know."
The doctor rose and helped her off the table. "You can get dressed now." He bowed and left her to change.
Shaundra removed the hospital gown and got dressed. Ten minutes later she had her next appointment scheduled and was about to leave when she remembered something.
"Can you tell me where I can find the anesthesiology department?" she asked the receptionist.
The receptionist gave her the information and Shaundra left and rode the elevator to the fourth floor. She walked up to another information desk. "Hello, I'm trying to find Keiichi Wantanabe."
"Oh, I'm sorry. He just went down to the cafeteria for lunch."
"Where is the cafeteria?"
"It's located on the second floor to the right of the elevators," the young woman told her.
Shaundra bowed. "Thank you." She smiled at the woman and headed back to the elevator. Moments later she stepped inside the cafeteria. She spotted Dr. Wantanabe seated at a table, amazed that she still remembered him. He hadn't changed much. He was a nice looking Japanese man with thick black hair and dark brown eyes. He wore a hospital uniform and was busy eating a sandwich when she approached.
"Good afternoon, Dr. Wantanabe," Shaundra said.
The man looked up, his eyes widened and then he jumped out of his seat. "Mrs. Yoshida, is that you?"
Shaundra nodded and smiled at him.
He hurried to her and hugged her, ignoring the stares from the other diners. "I'm