Mary Richards wasn't exactly sure what was wrong with her. She had been feeling nauseous and fatigued for over a week. She tried to maintain concentration on the budget figures which she had to present to the News Director that afternoon but she just couldn't focus. She walked out of her office to get a cup of coffee.

Things were certainly different since she returned to WJM a year earlier after being gone three years. She had just hired Murray Slaughter back as a news writer when he and his wife moved back from Boston. She was now the Executive Producer and Ted Baxter had finally given up the ghost and became a field correspondent, allowing her to hire an excellent anchor, Rod Davis. Her old boss Lou Grant had gone back to his first love, print journalism and was the senior editor at the Minneapolis Star Tribune. What Ted, Murray and some of the others didn't know was that for the past six months she and Lou had been dating and becoming very serious. She knew it didn't matter now that they didn't work together but she knew it would be hard for the others to see them that way. She was careful not to give up too much about her personal life. Murray and Ted were her dear friends but never asked. Ted and Georgette were busy with their children and Murray and Marie had their hands full with four daughters, two of whom were reaching college age. She stood pouring herself a cup of coffee but felt so lightheaded she had to steady herself by leaning against the table. Murray looked over and could tell something was wrong.

"Mary, are you okay?" He got up and walked over to her.

"Uh, no, I'm not." She replied

He put his arm around and guided her to his chair, "Just sit here for a minute. Do you want some water instead of coffee?"

"That would be great." She managed.

He poured some water and handed her the glass, "Mary, you haven't been feeling well for a few days, why don't you go to the doctor?"

"Oh, Murray, I've got a lot of work to do and a meeting with Martin this afternoon. I still haven't finished the budget." She took a big drink of water and looked at her watch.

"Can't you reschedule it? You won't be any good for a meeting feeling this way." Murray suggested. He cared deeply for Mary and felt very protective.

"Maybe you're right. I'll see if I can change it for tomorrow. Then I'll call my doctor." She managed to get up and walk back to her office.

Murray watched as she closed the door, very worried for his friend.

Mary sat down and picked up the phone. She didn't call the news director or her doctor.

After a few seconds someone answered, "Lou Grant, please," she waited for him to pick up, "Hi sweetheart, listen, can we cancel lunch? I'm still not feeling well and I'm going to see the doctor….no you don't have to go with me. I'll see you tonight though; right…okay about 8…I love you too."

She hung up then dialed the Martin Harris, the News Director, "Hi Martin, its Mary, listen can we reschedule our meeting for tomorrow. I hate this but I'm not feeling well at all…oh that's great. I really appreciate it…yes tomorrow at 3 should be fine…well thank you, so do I."

A couple of hours later Mary sat in her doctor office waiting for the blood test results. She was sure it was the flu or something like that but the doctor wanted to run more tests.

She flipped through a magazine and thought about all the work that waited for her back at the office. She loved her job but felt quite overwhelmed at the moment. She figured it was just because she wasn't feeling well. She was normally energetic and focused and didn't miss a beat. She thought about Lou. She never in a million years had thought they would be where they are now. After they stopped working together they would run into each other at social events. They found they could be friends without the pressure of work. It started out with lunch, then dinner and soon evolved into a full fledged romance. Two months ago they had gone on their first weekend getaway. It didn't start out as much of a trip and they had stopped speaking for a while but eventually made up and had a wonderful time. So wonderful neither of them had wanted to come back. She was so lost in thought she didn't even hear the doctor come in.

"Mary, are you alright?" She asked.

"Oh, yes. I'm sorry, just daydreaming I guess." She admitted.

Dr. Albright smiled, "Well, I have your test results and it's no surprise why you're feeling so out of sorts."

"The flu, right?" Mary assumed.

"Oh no, this is no flu." The doctor informed her.

Mary was growing concerned, "Then what is it?"

Doctor Albright smiled again, "Mary, you're pregnant."