Harold wasn't the only one whose patience had given out. The next day, when Marian went to her mother's for their weekly lunch, Mrs. Paroo greeted her with a determined look in her eyes and, without even the pretense of making small talk, launched into her usual list of questions.

It was hard for Marian to keep a straight face during this interrogation; she had just come from Dr. Pyne's office, and knew exactly what the matter was with her. But as thrilled as the librarian was about the doctor's diagnosis, she wasn't about to let her mother badger the information out of her – if anyone had the right to hear the news first, it was Harold. So Marian continued to dodge her mother's inquiries; by now, she had become quite adept at doing so.

But this time, Mrs. Paroo refused to let up. "Marian, I think it's high time you paid Dr. Pyne a visit," she said in a firm, no-nonsense voice.

Marian could no longer contain her glee. "Mama, I already did," she confessed, letting the full measure of her joy radiate from her countenance.

Mrs. Paroo paused for a moment, stunned. Then she let out an ecstatic laugh. "Oh, blessed Saint Michael and all the archangels!" she cried, taking out a handkerchief and dabbing her eyes. "I never thought I'd hear you say those words – I thought I was going to have to drag you down to Dr. Pyne's myself!"

Marian enfolded her mother in a joyful hug. "Oh, Mama, it wasn't my intention to keep you in the dark too much longer. I just found out this morning, and I wanted to tell Harold first."

Mrs. Paroo goggled at her. "You mean to tell me Professor Hill doesn't know yet?"

"I came right over from the doctor's," Marian replied. "There wasn't time… "

"Well, what are you doing here, me girl?" her mother exclaimed. "You need to go to the music emporium, right now!"

Marian shook her head. "Mama, Harold's been extremely busy these days, and I don't wish to interrupt him. Besides, that's not the way I want him to find out."

"Oh, for heaven's sake – don't tell me you have some foolish, romantic plan in mind," her mother said with a sigh. "You're getting just as bad as Professor Hill!"

Marian smiled; she had already decided to take the afternoon off from the library so she could prepare for Harold's arrival home that evening.

Mrs. Paroo's eyes narrowed. "You should know by now these things always have a way of backfiring – remember Professor Hill's proposal scheme?"

"Oh, Mama," the librarian said, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. "My plans aren't that elaborate – I was just going to put on a nice dress and cook him his favorite dinner."

But her mother wasn't satisfied. "Are you sure you're up to doing all that work, in your condition?"

"I'm not going to make Irish stew," Marian said with a laugh. "Just a roast chicken; I think I can manage that."

"Well, if you don't mind my saying so, I think you ought to just go and tell him – and forget all this extra fuss," Mrs. Paroo said skeptically – but dropped the subject.

XXX

At first, Marian dismissed her mother's concerns as overprotectiveness – a natural instinct for a devoted grandmother-to-be. Though the librarian didn't plan to overtax herself, she knew it wouldn't behoove her to be too idle, either. Preparing a special dinner for her husband was no trouble, at all; Dr. Pyne's diagnosis had given her sagging spirits a much-needed boost, and she felt more energetic than she had in a long time.

As Marian set the dining-room table with their best china, she marveled at her ignorance. The nausea, the exhaustion, the intense cravings for strawberry phosphates – how could she have failed to recognize these symptoms for what they were? She certainly should have known what was going on when her monthly courses ceased after January! But her courses had always been irregular and, being distracted by her many responsibilities, Marian hadn't realized so much time had passed until one of Dr. Pyne's insightful inquiries brought this detail to the forefront of her mind.

When the epiphany finally occurred, Marian had blushed at her foolishness. But Dr. Pyne had given her a kind smile and told her that in coming to him when she was just three months along, she actually proved cleverer than most of his patients – young women who were newly married tended not to suspect anything until they had quickened, which usually happened at the end of the fourth month. Though his words comforted her somewhat, Marian knew she wouldn't have been sitting in the doctor's office that morning if it hadn't been for Harold's hint the night before. This made her wonder if, like her mother, her husband had also deduced her condition.

But even if he had, Marian was still determined to make her disclosure of the news a special occasion. Harold had been so wonderfully gentle and accommodating as she wrestled with her various ailments, she wanted to demonstrate in a tangible way just how much she loved and appreciated him.

XXX

By five o'clock, dinner was ready. But when five fifteen rolled around, Harold still hadn't arrived home. Marian told herself to be patient; he was probably just running late. Even when the minute hand reached the half-hour mark, she refused to worry – though she was a bit annoyed that he hadn't sent word. It wasn't until the clock chimed six that Marian gave in to temptation and picked up the phone.

Harold sounded pleasantly surprised to hear from her. "What are you doing at home, sweetheart? I thought this was your night to close the library!"

So much for her budding career as a master schemer! Marian could have kicked herself for this oversight; of course Harold would wonder at this spontaneous change in her schedule. "I had a few things I needed to do this afternoon, so I decided to let Zaneeta take an extra shift," she said nonchalantly.

Even though she hadn't told her husband a lie, he immediately grew suspicious. "Is anything the matter?"

"Oh, not at all!" she assured him. Then she grimaced at how cheerful she sounded – if she wasn't careful, she was going to give herself away!

Marian could almost hear Harold's amused grin. "Well, that's good," he said, the apprehension gone from his voice. "I'm glad you called, actually. I was just about to send Davey over to the library to tell you that I'm going to be late tonight."

Her eyes widened. "Late? Why late?"

"I've got a project that needs finishing up," he said ruefully. "But don't worry – I should be home by nine."

Though it wasn't like her to protest such dedication to one's work, Marian couldn't help herself. "You're sure you can't leave it until tomorrow?"

Harold paused. "I really should get this done – I'm working on a deadline. But if you need me to come home, just say the word and I'll happily drop what I'm doing," he offered.

"No, that's fine," she replied – though she had difficulty keeping the disappointment out of her voice.

Harold paused again. "Are you sure everything's all right, Marian?"

Marian remembered questioning Harold in a similar manner on the night of their three-month anniversary, when they were still sweethearts and she had caught him lying about meeting Zaneeta in the Candy Kitchen. Until now, Marian had wondered why he hadn't just gone ahead and proposed to her right then and there. But finally, she understood.

"I just miss you," Marian replied, making sure to smile so she didn't sound too forlorn. "See you in a little while, darling."

XXX

To Marian's delight, Harold arrived home at seven thirty. By then, her spirits had improved – though dinner was a wash, she refused to let this setback ruin her plans. After eating a hasty supper and making up a plate for Harold to have later, she set her hair in banana curls and dressed herself in the pink gown she had worn the night they first danced the Shipoopi together. When her husband walked in, she was waiting to greet him with a warm smile.

At first, Harold halted and gazed at Marian with an awed expression. But it wasn't long before he broke into a grin. "Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes," he said in his low, velvety voice. "If you told me you were planning to get all dolled up, I would've rushed right home. What's the occasion?"

"Oh, nothing," Marian said coyly. "I just thought we might take a stroll."

"Give me fifteen minutes," Harold said with a wink, and hastened upstairs.

XXX

At seven forty-five on the dot, Harold came downstairs again. Marian's heart beat faster when she saw him – not only had he put on that dashing summer sack suit of his, she could tell from the scent of bay rum that he had taken the time to shave.

"Well, shall we, my dear?" Harold asked, holding his hand out to her.

Feeling oddly shy, Marian took her husband's arm in a manner that was modest as a maiden's.

Harold grinned at her timidity. "You'd think we were on our first date," he teased, and pulled her to him for a quick but passionate kiss before they went out the front door.