When I got home everything in the kitchen was turned off. Glancing around I spotted the note and picked it up:
A friend called in a favor in Argentina. I'll be back soon. Love, Jesse
I smiled and pocketed the note, it was like him to leave notes instead of phone messages. My phone rang and I answered it,
"Hey handsome,"
"Well thanks Simon," the voice on the other line giggled.
"Annie!" I gasped, surprised, "Sorry, I was expecting someone else,"
"Oh I know," Annie giggled again, "How are you two?"
"Good, he's been called away to Argentina this morning while I was helping Adam," I sat down.
"Why?" Annie asked.
"An old friend called in a favor. It must have something to do with his old team," I sighed, "How are you? The baby?"
"We're just fine. Her name is Zoe and Hal simply spoils her rotten. If I had to be jealous of any woman stealing my man it's her," Annie laughed, "He simply melts when she smiles and when she laughs at him I don't know whose happier. It's wonderful, being a mother."
"I'm so happy for you both, I can't wait to meet her," I smiled, "Is it really wonderful?"
"Yes! I...Suze?" Annie went quiet.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Are you expecting a child?" She asked eagerly.
"Well...It was supposed to be a surprise until Jesse got back," I blushed.
"Suze!" She squealed, "I'm so happy! Congratulations! Oh he better hurry his butt home! You should tell him! That'll get him on the first flight back."
I laughed, "Thanks Annie, maybe. I guess we'll see when he calls."
"Oh Suze, this is wonderful! How far along are you?" She asked.
"I'll be a month in two days," I laughed again.
"If you need anything, any help at all. Don't be afraid to call, and keep someone's number close just in case. I know it's early to be saying that but you never can tell," Annie was ecstatic.
"Thank you so much Annie, I will. You take care of Zoe, we'll be fine down here," I smiled.
"Can I tell Hal, he'll be home soon!" Annie asked.
"Tell Hal what?" His voice drifted in.
"Sure," I laughed.
"Their will be a new De Silva in 8 months time," Annie was practically jumping.
Hal laughed, "Alright woman, settle down before you over exert yourself. Congratulations Suze."
"Thanks Hal, take care of your girls ya hear?" I teased.
"Aye Captain," He laughed.
"I should go, Jared needs a report," I lied, I was feeling a wave of nausea come over me all of a sudden.
"Sure thing, take care," He smiled.
"You too," I smiled, hanging up and running to the bathroom.
My phone rang again just as I was cleaning out my mouth. Spitting out my water I answered.
"Simon," I wiped my mouth.
"Adam here,"
"Hey Adam, one sec," I rinsed my mouth again, the taste still in my mouth.
"You ok?" He asked.
"Food must not be agreeing with me," I lied.
"Jesse there holding your hair?" Adam teased.
"No, he wasn't here when I got back. He's been asked to go to Argentina to help an old friend. He said he should be back soon," I sighed, walking to the kitchen to make some Kool-Aid.
"Do you need CeeCee and I to come over?" Adam asked seriously.
"No, I'm fine, I just need to relax a little," I replied, pulling out the packets and the pitcher.
"Are you sick?" Adam asked.
"It's natural Adam, calm down," I smiled.
"Suze...are you pregnant?" He asked slowly.
"Almost a month," I admitted, "I wanted to wait and tell Jesse first but it looks like the cats out of the bag on this one."
Adam was silent, I could just barely make out his breathing.
"Adam?" I asked, "Adam it's not yours, talk to me. If you faint there's nothing I can do," I teased.
"Suze, this is, this is great! You're! I mean you're going to be a....a mother!" Adam was shocked.
"And here I thought I was going to be the great-aunt, thanks for letting me know," I joked.
"Wow!" He murmured, "Wow!"
"If your this flabbergasted by my child I'd pay big money to watch CeeCee tell you if ever you two have children," I laughed.
"Congratulations Suze!" CeeCee took the phone, "Adam's finding it hard to form a sentence right now, but he's excited,"
"I hope so, he's practically my child's uncle," I smiled, putting water in the pitcher.
"This is wonderful Suze, we're all really happy for you!" CeeCee laughed.
"Thanks CeeCee, I think I'm going to try calling Jesse," I poured the packet.
"No problem, see ya!" CeeCee hung up.
I pocketed my phone for a moment while I was finishing up the Kool-Aid, pouring myself a cup and taking a sip before opening my phone and clicking speed-dial. It rang once and then beeped,
"I'm sorry but this number is currently unavailable, please hang up or press 2 for more options,"
I hung up and stared at my phone, it was impossible that the number was wrong. Why was it turned off? What could he possibly be doing in Argentina that would force him to cancel his number? It didn't seem right to me. So I called Jared,
"Hey, I need you to contact the Agency and find out why Jesse's number has been canceled."
"Canceled? Are you sure?" Jared asked.
"Yes, he's in Argentina with an old friend and I just needed to get a hold of him but he hasn't left any forwarding numbers and his number has been canceled," I put down my cup.
"I'll call it in right away, is there some sort of emergency?" Jared asked, concerned.
'Not yet', "No, everything is fine, I just worry a little," I reassured him.
"Don't worry, he's a strong agent. I'll call you when I know something," Jared promised.
"Thanks Jared," I smiled.
"Anytime dear," He hung up, and I pocketed my phone once more.
While I was waiting I cleaned up, putting the bacon in a container and in the refrigerator, the same for the biscuits.
'I wonder why he didn't put these away before he left, probably thought I'd be back soon enough' I shrugged.
Cleaning the apartment, I smiled at the doorway to the nursery, then sighed shaking my head.
Jared called me within an hour, and not with the best of news.
"Apparently there was a form submitted, signed by Jesse, to terminate his number for 12 months, or until he submitted another form."
"12 months?" I gasped, "But his note said he'd be back soon, I don't understand."
"Nor I, perhaps he wasn't quite sure so he extended it just to be safe, it did say or until he submitted another form. Is there something important that I'm missing?" Jared asked.
"I'm pregnant!" I finally admitted, "Yes yes I know, congrats. I've heard it all this morning, and I'm also being told my husband is unreachable."
"Oh please don't cry dear," Jared sounded fretful, bloody missions he could handle but crying women were way out of his knowledge.
"I won't," I promised, half laughing.
"Why don't you bring your mother up?" Jared asked, looking for some piece of advice to give.
"Maybe," I sighed, it didn't seem like a bad idea.
"And try not to worry too much. Jesse is one of the best Agents and if he is in Argentina then that's even better, because he knows the place and he's probably got connections. If he's with an old friend we can only hope for the best. For now, we assume the 12 month termination of his number is merely a safety measure and he'll be fine. I'm sure he want's nothing more to return to you," Jared tried to reassure me.
"Sure Jared, thanks, I'll talk to you again soon," I hung up, walking over to the couch to relax.
Jared had a valid point but wouldn't it have been easier to just turn off his phone instead of the number, at least then she could leave messages. Unless he thought he could be tracked, which would explain it.
"If it was a last minute call in favor how did he get his number turned off so fast?" I asked aloud, unsurprised when no reply came.
"Where are you Jesse?" I murmured, sighing.
The days that followed seemed to fly by, small missions kept me busy for the most part and CeeCee and Sylvia came over often to chat. No reports from Jesse ever came, but Sylvia reassured me;
"Perhaps he wants to lay low the first week or so, just in case. The mission might have something to do with his old team and we all know that they were killed. So perhaps he's seeking revenge, to help catch the bomber or something along those lines. Perhaps he's saving another old friend, we can't be sure right away. Worrying is a natural thing, but don't let it overrule your thoughts or actions. We will carry on here and simply wait it out, like the Great Depression," She smiled.
"Only it won't be depressing," CeeCee quickly spoke up.
"Oh heavens no! How could it be when you've got a witty albino and crazy old bat to keep you entertained?" Sylvia laughed.
I smiled, it was true they kept me busy, but a part of me already missed Jesse terribly. Adam was off on another solo mission, Jared being his stand-by. They had become increasingly protective of me and selective of what missions they let me have. I called Annie often, she laughed and told me of Hal and Rick being the same way.
"Just be thankful Jesse's not there or you'd feel like he was fluttering over you all the time. Hal was terrible about that but it was funny, I'm not sure who was more worried, him about me or me about him," She giggled.