Mary smiled slightly, "Okay." She stepped back and let him in

Andy walked down into the living area and turned back to face her as she closed the door, "Mary, I meant what I said. I will not abandon my child. But..."

"I know." She interrupted, "Your feelings haven't changed."

"No, they haven't." He said

"Andy, I never meant to hurt you." She said, "I know you don't believe that but it's the truth."

"Well, maybe you didn't." He conceded

"I want you to be able to trust me again." She said suppressing her tears

He sighed heavily, "You know when I used to look at you all I could think was how lucky I was to have you in my life. But now all I wonder is what else you're hiding."

She nodded, "Andy, I do love you. More than you'll ever know."

"Mary, please." He said getting a little angry

"Look, you're entitled to your feelings and I'm entitled to mine." She said, "I told you I'm not trying to pressure you. But I hope that we can work together to be good parents."

He softened a bit, "Can we take this one day at a time?"

She nodded, "Sure."

There was an uncomfortable silence before Andy spoke again, "So, are you alright? I mean they baby's okay?"

"Yeah, we're both fine." She replied with a weak smile

"Do you need anything?"

She shook her head, "No."

He just wasn't sure what to say, "Um, did the doctor say when you're due?"

"Oh uh, I'm about eight weeks so as far as she can tell first week of April."

Andy thought for a moment, "Eight weeks? Then it was that time we..."

"Yeah, that would be it." She recalled an impromptu love making session on a rainy Saturday afternoon

He looked at this watch, "Well, I know you must be tired. I mean, you know."

She nodded, "Yeah I guess I am."

"Well, then I'll let you get some rest." He walked to the door

"Okay." She said

"I'll uh call you tomorrow, I guess." He said

"Okay." She said, "Oh um, I was just thinking, I mean about the newsroom and all. We really won't be able to well, you know how it is there. Once everyone knows and they will eventually." She patted her belly, "It might make things weird."

"Well, I'm not quitting if that's what your asking." He said with a hint of irritation in his voice

"No, no I wasn't. If anyone should it should be me."

He sighed again, "No, I don't want you to do that. We'll just have to try to keep this as private as possible."

"Okay."

"Good night, Mary."

"Bye." She said and closed the door

She stood and looked around the apartment and sighed then put her hand on her belly again and gently caressed it as a single tear escaped her eye and traveled down her cheek.

/

Rhoda had gone back to New York after Mary assured her she was okay. Mary's parents had been on a cruise so she hadn't been able to to tell them about the baby. But she was picking them up at the airport and decided she might as well get it over with. When they arrived back at Walter and Dottie's she helped them in with the luggage. She had tried to appear her usual upbeat self.

"So how were things while we were gone?" Dottie asked as she made a pot of tea

Mary sat at the kitchen table, "Mom, there's something I need to tell you."

Dottie looked at her daughter and noticed she seemed pale and tired, "What is it, Honey?"

"I'm...I'm pregnant." She stammered

"You're what?" Dottie replied more than a little stunned

"Pregnant." She repeated barely above a whisper

"Oh honey." Dottie came over and put an arm around her daughter, "It's Andy's isn't it?"

"Of course it is, Mom. Who else?"

"Well, I wasn't implying anything, Dear." She said

Mary sighed, "I know. I'm sorry."

Dottie sat across from her, "Well, what are you going to do?"

"Do about what?" Walter asked as he walked into the kitchen

Mary and Dottie looked at each other, then Dottie spoke, "Walt, Mary's pregnant."

"Pregnant?" He asked, "Who did this to you, I'll kill him."

"Dad, nobody did this me. It takes two."

"It's Andy's." Dottie said

"Well, what are you going to do?" Walter asked

"Dad, you know Andy broke up with me because I hadn't told him about Lexi. We're trying to figure things out. He's not abandoning me or the baby but things are complicated."

"Well, a real man would do the right thing." Walter said getting angry, "I have half a mind to go talk to that boy."

"Dad, no. This is something we have to work out ourselves." Mary insisted

"Mary, we just worry about you." Dottie said

Mary reached out and took her mother's hand, "I know, Mom. But I'll be okay. Really I will."

Walter and Dottie looked at each other not totally convinced

"Hey, look you're going to be grandparents. You should be excited. You can spoil him or her rotten."

Dottie and Walter smiled at their daughter but they couldn't help but worry.

/

Mary was spending the day with Lexi going shopping and having lunch. They were at a little cafe in the mall when Mary decided she should tell her about the baby.

"Hmm, I can't decide whether to get a salad or a burger." Lexi said, "I know a salad would be better for me but I'm craving a burger."

"So am I." Mary muttered

"Huh?" Lexi said looking up from the menu

"Lexi, there's something I need to tell you." Mary said

"What is it?" She asked putting down the menu

Mary sighed heavily, "Lex, I'm pregnant."

"Wow." She managed, "I mean, you and Andy, what are you gonna do?"

"Well, we're trying to figure things out. He's still very hurt and angry."

"Because of me." Lexi said

"No, honey. It's not you. It's that I didn't tell him about you a long time ago. You know that." Mary tried to reassure her

Lexi nodded and thought for a moment, "So I'm gonna have a baby brother or sister?"

Mary smiled, "Yeah, in April."

"I'll babysit if you want." she offered, "I mean, if you would want me to."

She reached across the table and took Lexi's hand, "I would love that. I want you to have a relationship with him or her."

Lexi smiled, "I want that, too."

/

After spending the day with Lexi Mary was exhausted. She changed into her pajamas and was pulling out the sofa bed when the phone rang.

"Hello?" She answered

"It's me." Andy said his voice flat

"Oh, hi." She replied a bit surprised

"I just wanted to see how you are." He said

"Oh, I'm fine. Tired but fine. Shopping took more out of me than I realized." She explained

"You shouldn't over do it. The doctor said you should get plenty of rest."

Mary smiled slightly, "I'm fine, really."

"Did you take your vitamins?" He asked

"Yes, I took them like a good little girl." She said

"Mary, it's important." He said

"I know that." She was a little surprised by the concern

"Well, I'll let you rest. I'll talk to you tomorrow." He said

"Okay." She replied, "Good night, Andy."

"Good night, Mary."