2.
Charlie went through the rest of the day on cloud nine; gravity was the only thing keeping him from floating away! Even his students noticed something different about him. One of them remarked, "So, Mr. E., you seem awfully giddy today? So what, did you get nominated for the Fields Metal or something?" Charlie chuckled, realizing how unimpressive the Fields Metal seemed right now. "Not yet, but ya never know? Sometimes our greatest accomplishments are closer than we think." After classes were over, he went back to Amita's room, but she wasn't there. Confused, and a little paranoid, Charlie started combing the entire campus for her. While doing so, he ran into Larry, who seemed to be off in a world of his own (as he so often was). "Hey Larry, have you seen Amita?" Larry jerked his head up, startled by Charlie's voice. "Oh, Charles, I didn't see you there. What was it you asked me?" Charlie was turning in circles, becoming frantic over his lost pregnant wife. "Amita, I can't find her anywhere, and I've searched everywhere!" Larry could sense the panic in Charlie's tone, and motioned over to an outside bench. "Here Charles, let's just sit down while we try to recalibrate your route of search and maybe then we might determine her precise location." Charlie reluctantly sat, fidgeting his fingers, sweating from the hot sun. "Why are you so worried about Amita anyways? She's a big girl, I'm positive she can manage by herself for a few hours. Actually, I'm one hundred percent sure that she could find the means to accommodate herself however she…" Charlie cut him off, "Not helping Larry!" Charlie took in a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm himself. "Sorry Larry. I've just got to find her. Today's a very special day and I think we should be spending it together." Larry raised a brow, intrigued by Charlie's statement. "Oh? May I inquire as to the occasion to which you speak of?" Immediately, Charlie's face lit up, and although distressed he couldn't help but make the faintest smile. "Well, actually, I'm not supposed to say, at least not yet." Now Larry was really interested. "Oh, come on Charles? Don't leave me hanging like this?" "I don't know…" Charlie knew that if he said anything, Amita might not speak to him for the rest of the weekend, and he definitely didn't the wrath of a pregnant woman raining down on him.
Still, Charlie was hopeless at keeping secrets, especially one's such as this. "Please tell me, I'm dying to know!" "Alright" he said, "I'll tell you, but you have to swear not to tell a soul." Larry raised his right hand, "May Einstein strike me dead where I stand!" Charlie leaned in closer to Larry, and said in a low whisper, "Amita and I are… having a baby!" Larry's mouth opened in awe, "Charles! That's fantastic! Congratulations!" "Thanks, Larry." Larry proceeded to give Charlie a hug, which was something that he hardly ever did, except on rare occasions such as this. "Does anyone else know?" Charlie shook his head, "No! And that's why you can't tell anyone just yet. In fact, we planned on telling everyone tonight over dinner. You can come, right?" "Wouldn't miss it!" "Great!" said Charlie. "Now, we just have to find the mother!"
The house was busy that evening, as the sound of people chatting and plates clanking together filled the dining room. The whole gang was seated around the table, with Alan sitting at the head of the table, and Don at the other end. Charlie and Amita were next to Alan, followed by Larry and David, who was visiting after spending a year in DC. On the other side sat Colby, Liz, Nikki and Robin, Don's new bride. They had only gotten back from their honeymoon a week ago, and were still settling in as a married couple. Rolls were being passed around when Alan finally said, "Ok kids, I think we're all here now, so why don't you let us in on while we're all here?" All eyes turned to Charlie and Amita, who were both starting to blush with excitement. Don spoke up and said, "Yeah, Chuck! What are we all doin' here?" Charlie took Amita's hand and they both stood up slowly, Charlie holding up a glass of champagne. "Well, as you know we've asked you all here tonight because there's something very important that we'd like to share with all of you…" Charlie was smiling from ear to ear, hardly able to contain his joy. Larry kept his head bowed and grinned, also finding it difficult to stifle his excitement for the happy couple. As everyone's eyes got wide with anticipation, Amita finally made the announcement and shouted out in a high pitched squeal, "We're pregnant!"
Immediately, the whole group stood up, all giving their congrats to the parents to be. Alan, who was standing to Charlie's left, wrapped his arms around his youngest son in a tight embrace, practically squeezing the breath out of him. Larry gently hugged Amita, as everyone circled the table to do the same. "To think, I finally get to be a grandpa!" Don maneuvered his way around the huddle of people to get to his little bro, grabbing into a firm hug. "Congratulations buddy!" "Thanks, man!" was all Charlie could choke out. He was so ecstatic about becoming a dad that tears were starting to form in his eyes. He blinked them back, not wanting to seem like a sissy and shook Colby and David's hands. "Nice going man!" said David, shaking Charlie's arm respectively. Colby, who always did things on the more casual side, took Charlie's hand and gave him the ole pound hug (half handshake, half hug) and said, "Plan on adding another little genius to the bunch?" Charlie gave a laugh and stated, "Honestly, for the baby's sake, I hope not!" "You better pray that this kid takes after his mom." Said Don, to which Charlie nodded in agreement.
Larry raised his glass on wine and said, "Well, I say we propose a toast to Charlie and Amita." Everyone raised their glasses as Larry continued, "As someone once said, the best thing parents can do for their children is to love each other, and I think we can all agree that Charles and Amita share a profound bound that I'm sure will result in the upbringing of an intellectual that will prove to be a respectable young man or woman that others will look up to and admire." Everyone cheered, as Alan spoke up and said, "And I'd just like to say how much it's meant to me, having such beautiful daughter-in-law's as Amita and Robin come into the family! Just remember as you all make your own families, that there's no such thing as a perfect parent, just parents who want the best for their children." Alan stopped there, as he was starting to choke up. Don chipped in and stated, "Well, maybe there's no perfect parents, but this kid's gonna have the best uncle he could ever ask for!" Everybody laughed at the remark, and Nikki cheerily said, "What makes you so sure it's a he?" Charlie grinned at Amita, delighted at the prospect of having a daughter as beautiful and intelligent as she was. The same thought crossed Amita's mind, that their son could have the same curly hair and big, brown eyes as Charlies! During the rest of the dinner, all anyone could talk about was the baby. David and Colby argued that a boy named after themselves would be a perfect match, while Robin, Liz and Nikki discussed throwing a baby shower for Amita. Larry just sat there, silently praising the young parents to be. Don and Charlie began reminiscing about their own childhoods, while Amita diligently ate her dinner, her appetite greatly improved.
Alan managed to slip away into the kitchen, where he lazily loaded dishes into the dishwasher and wiped off counter tops. His mind drifted as he stared at a picture of his beloved Margaret, a wave of sadness creeping up over him. He jumped when he heard footsteps behind him. "Dad, what are you doing in here? The party's out there?" Alan turned to face his youngest son, blinking away a tear from his eye. "Nothing, I was just loading the dishwasher…" Charlie didn't have to be a genius to know what was going on. He picked up the picture of his deceased mother, feeling the same pain in his gut that his father was experiencing. "She would've been proud" said Alan, "proud to be a grandmother. That's the one thing that she told me she'd regret; not being able to meet her grandchildren." Charlie sat the picture back down, trying hard to hold back his own tears. "I miss her so much…" Alan placed his hand on Charlie's back, hoping he could offer some comfort. "I know son, me too." A moment passed before Alan finally broke the silence by saying, "What's say we go back in there and celebrate my new grandbaby?" Charlie smiled, thinking about how he hoped he could be as great a dad as he was. "Sound's perfect to me!"
