Well, here's chapter 4! Hope you enjoy it! Please read and review! Thanks!

A few months later Rhoda was at the airport to pick up Mary who was staying for the weekend. The next day was the baby shower. Rhoda anxiously awaited her friend's arrival and when she saw her she called out,

"Mare!" Mary smiled widely at the sight of her best friend and quickly walked over to her.

"Rhoda!", she said, giving her a big hug. She helped her friend out of the hard chair and together they headed towards the exit.

"Do you need to get any bags,Kid?", Rhoda asked. Mary shook her head.

"No. I only brought my carry on since I'll just be here for two nights." Rhoda nodded and then said,

"So how've you been,Kid?"

"Pretty good. Things are kinda slow at the office these days. Murray and Mr Grant send their love and said to tell you they are really happy for you. Ted says congratulations and make sure to save up to send your kid to Broadcasting School. It's the best darn career out there according to him.", Mary said. Rhoda rolled her eyes and said,

"And I bet he thinks my kid will be the second best in the business because HE would be the best. At least in his mind." Mary laughed.

"Actually your kid would be more like third or fourth best. He's determined that at least ONE of his children will be in the business. By the way, Georgette's coming up tomorrow. She chose to drive again.",Mary said.

"Oh. I hope she can get here easier than the last time.",Rhoda said, concerned. She remembered Georgette's story of her trip over for the wedding.

"She's leaving Ted and David at home but she's bringing the baby with her."

"Awww! That's terrific! I can't wait to see little Mary-Lou.",Rhoda said with a grin.

"Oh,Rhoda, you will instantly fall in love with her! She's adorable. And she looks just like her mother."

"Hopefully she won't get her father's personallity!", Rhoda quipped. Mary gave her friend a playful slap.

"Rhoda! Seriously though, she seems to have Georgette's personallity so far."

"That's a relief.", Rhoda replied. The two friends laughed. By now they were out of the airport and Rhoda hailed a cab. When they got back to the apartment they were met by Brenda.

"Mary! Great to see you!", Brenda said giving her a hug. Mary smiled as she hugged Rhoda's little sister back.

"You too,Brenda. Thanks for letting me stay with you this weekend."

"Oh, no problem! It'll be fun. Hey we're supposed to meet with Suzie Albourne in a couple of hours. She's coming over to go over details for tomorrow. And Rho you can't be here. There have to be a few surprises at least.", Brenda said. Rhoda rolled her eyes and said.

"Alright! I guess I can handle that for awhile. I'll see if Joe's up for lunch or something. Hey Mare, You have to come up to my place and see the stuff we got for the baby."

"Oh yes! I want to see them!", Mary said and then the three women headed to the elevator. Once inside the appartment, Rhoda showed Mary the boxes that contained the crib and the stroller. She took out the stroller and unfolded it to show Mary.

"Rhoda, That's incredible looking! Why is the crib still in the box,though?"

"Well, Joe and I thought because of the size of this place that it would be better if we waited till closer to time for the baby to put up the crib. The rocking chair is over here. It's the only thing that's set up for now.",Rhoda explained

"Oh, Rhoda! That's beautiful!",Mary gushed

"I know! I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. Suzie actually found it.", Rhoda replied.

"Rho, you should call Joe now. That way you know ahead of time if he can get together.",Brenda said.

"You have a point there, Bren. I'll give him a call." Rhoda said. Before she could get to the phone though there was a knock on the door.

"Come on in,Gar!", Rhoda called.

"Hi Rhoda I was wondering….Oh. Well Hellooo!", Gary said, stopping short in front of Mary.

"Gary, this is my best friend,Mary Richards. Mary, Gary Levy."

"I hope you plan to stay awhile. Maybe you and I could have a little…fun!", Gary said with a wink, as he took Mary's hand and kissed it.

"Uh, Thankyou but I'm really not here for long. I'm here for Rhoda's baby shower. I'm going home soon after that. It's nice to meet you, though.", Mary said, pulling her hand away. Rhoda and Brenda tried not to laugh as they watched Gary get shut down. Gary did not give up so easily.

"Aww, Come on. Just dinner? No strings attached."

"Sorry, But I already have plans.",Mary said Gary opened his mouth to protest again but Rhoda stepped in.

"Gary, give it up! Can't you see she's not interested?"

"Alright, But if you change your mind, I'm in Rhoda's old appartment. 9E. Remember the name, Gary Levy. See ya later, Foxy Lady.", Gary said, then with a nod at Brenda and Rhoda, he Swaggered out the door." Mary looked at Rhoda.

"THAT'S the guy you traded appartments with?"

"Yeah, I know Kid. But he's actually not such a bad guy once you get to know him."

"Yeah, He's just not as charming as he thinks he is.", added Brenda. The women all laughed. Rhoda then went over and did make the call to Joe. He was free and said he'd come pick her up in about an hour.

"So, Rhoda, how are things going with you and Joe?"

"Well Mare, It's kinda hard to tell. Sometimes they seem to be getting better but he hasn't asked to move back in together yet. I also don't want him to move back in out of obligation, as I told you before. I want things to really get better before we talk about him coming back to me and Junior here. The kid deserves to have his parents together but only if they truly love each other. Not just for the baby's sake." Mary nodded understandingly. They all talked for a few more minutes and then Rhoda went to get ready for Joe. About and hour later, there was a knock.

"Mare? Could you get that, Kid? Or Bren?", Rhoda called out. Mary got up to answer the door.

"Hi,Joe.", She said when she saw who it was.

"Mary! Good to see ya! I didn't know you'd be in town.", Mary hugged him and said,

"Im here for Rhoda's shower tomorrow."

"Oh,Right. The baby shower. I forgot. Hiya,Bren. How are ya?", Joe said.

"I'm good,Joe. Rhoda'll be out in a minute.", Brenda replied. Soon Rhoda came out of the bedroom.

"Hiya,Joe!", Rhoda said. They gave each other a peck on the lips.

"Hi, Rhoda. You ready?"

"Yeah. I just need to get my jacket. Girls, I'll be back in an hour. Tell Suzie she's welcome to go to dinner with us tonight if she'd free. I'll see you when you finish your meeting.", Rhoda answered.

"Alright, Rho."

"Have a great time!", Mary added. Rhoda smiled and then she and Joe headed out.

"So what are you hungry for?",Joe asked when they got to the cafe?

"I don't know yet. I'm really starved though.",Rhoda said. Joe ordered and when he finished Rhoda made her decission.

"I'll have the Shrimp Pasta with breadsticks and a small Chef Salad.", she said to the waiter. After the waiter left, Rhoda said,

"Hey Joe, Where are we going. In our relationship I mean? Ya Know?I feel like we're actually making some headway but you haven't asked to move in again, yet." Joe sighed and thought for a moment.

"Well, Rhoda. I'm excited about being a dad. And I love you. I really do. I just don't want to rush into anything. It wouldn't be healthy for any of us if all we have is a marriage of convinience. I want to just be sure we get back together for the right reasons. Ya know what I mean?"

"Yeah, Joe. I get it. I do. I just miss us.",Rhoda admitted.

"I do too, Babe. But that may not be enough of a good reason to move back in together. I want it to be good for both of us. For all of us. You understand?", Rhoda sighed and nodded. The food came then, so they dropped the conversation for the time being. After lunch, Joe took Rhoda in a cab back to her place and, since the girls didn't seem to be back yet, they sat on the couch and talked some more. They lost all track of time and soon Mary was back with Suzie and Brenda. Joe said goodby and left. The four Woman talked and laughed and talked some more until it was time for dinner. After Dinner Suzie went from the restaurant to her place and the other three headed back to Brenda's and Rhoda's. The next day Suzie and Brenda and Mary set things up for the shower. Rhoda stayed at her place. Georgette would come there before the shower. Rhoda had just finished getting herself ready when she heard a soft knock on the door. She went to answer and broke into a big grin.

"Georgette! Hiya! Come in!"

"Hi, Rhoda. I hope I'm not disturbing you.", Georgette said as she set the infant seat down so she could hug Rhoda. Rhoda hugged her back and said,

"No. Not at all. Let me look at you! You look gorgeous. You look just like a new mom should look. Happy."

"Oh I am, Rhoda. I am. I love being a wife and mother. David's the smartest child I've ever met which is difficult for Ted, sometimes, I think. But Ted wouldn't trade his son for the world nor would I. And Mary Lou is such a good baby. She almost never cries."

"Ah, Georgette. I'm so glad. Let me look at her!", Rhoda said.

"Alright. You can hold her if you'd like.", Georgette offered. Rhoda quickly accepted.

"She can help break in the new rocking chair." Rhoda sat down as Georgette took the sweet bundle out of the infant seat. Then the new mom put the bundle into the expectant mom's waiting arms.

"Oh, Georgette. She's perfect. She's just adorable."

"Thankyou.",Georgette said with a smile. The two friends visited for awhile until it was time to head down to Brenda's for the shower. When they got there, Sally had already arrived. It had been a month or so since they'd seen each other so Rhoda was especially glad to see her and Sally was shocked at Rhoda's appearence.

"Wow! You look about ready to pop!", Sally said after they'd hugged.

Rhoda laughed and said,

"I hope not,Sal. I still got at least4 weeks to go!" Then she introduced Sally to Georgette. Suzie had met her at the wedding. Soon the other guests started to arrive. Myrna was there, and Jeanette, as well as Brenda's friend Sandy. Ellen came too and took pictures of the event. Rhoda got several very nice gifts. From Mary there was a pair of hand knitted booties and a little sweater. From Brenda, a baby swing. There was a set of bibs and onsies from Myrna and diapers and a teathing ring from Suzie. The latter made Rhoda smile as she remembered what Suzie had brought to her bridal shower. Crib sheets were the gift from Jeanette, and also, a rattle. Sandy got her a hooded towel and a baby tub for the sink. Ellen got her a couple of stuffed animals and a mobile. Georgette got her a special baby book and a couple of sleepers. Rhoda was extremely touched by the love shown by her friends and sister. Especially Mary who'd worked so hard on a handmade gift and flowned all the way for the shower and Georgette who'd driven all the way to celebrate Rhoda's upcoming motherhood. Looking around the room, Rhoda thought life couldn't get much better than this.

Well, There was the Shower chapter. In the next chapter, we will see more Rhoda and Joe and Joe and Gary attempt to set up the this one is so short! Hopefully I won't have writers block for the next chapter. Thanks for reading and remember, ALL reviews are MUCH appreciated! Please don't forget! Catch ya later!