Life's Full of Surprises

Chapter: 7

Pairing: Mary/Joe

Rating: PG

Mary exited Mr. Grant's office much happier than when she had entered it. He had pointed out everything that was right in front of her that she couldn't see on her own. He always knew just what to say to make her feel better. And he was right, she did need to talk to Joe. She would feel much better after she did. She called him at work and arranged to meet him for lunch.

"Is everything alright?" Murray asked her.

"Yes." she replied. "Everything's fine."

"I don't mean to pry or anything." he started. "You were in there for a while."

"Mr. Grant was just giving me a little pep talk." she explained. "A much needed one."

"Is there something wrong?" he asked. "Are you having second thoughts?"

"Well you see, Mur, things are a little more complicated." she said. "I wasn't going to tell Mr. Grant but he seemed to already know."

"That you're pregnant?"

Mary arched an eyebrow. "Ted or Sue Ann?"

"Neither." he replied. "Just a feeling. I've been through pregnancy three times."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you." she said. "I'm still getting use to the idea myself."

"I understand." he smiled. "It's the kind of news that you would have liked to have kept between the two of you for a while."

"Yes." she replied. "It just didn't work out that way."

"Well congratulations anyway." he said. "I think you're going to make a wonderful mother."

"Thanks, Murray."

"Is Joe excited?"

"Yes, very." she replied. "And so are my parents. I was afraid to tell them at first, I have this thing about letting them down, but they were absolutely thrilled."

"That's terrific, Mare!" he said. "I really like Joe I think he's a great guy."

"Yeah, he is." she smiled.

Once Mary arrived at the restaurant she spotted Joe right away. He greeted her with a hug and then a kiss. "How's my bride to be?"

"Starved." she said. "How about you?"

"About the same." he replied, pulling her chair out for her to sit down. "I went ahead and ordered like you asked. Things going okay down at the station?"

"It's a slow news day so far."

Joe sat down across from her. "I'm glad that we could meet for lunch." he said. "I was thinking that sometime this week we could get your parents and my parents together and have dinner. We can do it at my place, I'll cook."

"That sounds good." she said. "I think they'll hit it off."

"Did you tell everyone about the baby?" his eyes seemed to dance with excitement.

Her heart melted. "Yes." she replied. "Well most people guessed without me having to tell them."

"You do have this glow about you."

Mary laughed. "A glow?" she questioned. "You don't have to say things like that."

"Why not?" he smiled. "It's true."

"Did I ever tell you how wonderful you are?" she said. "You're the kindest, loving, most generous man I've ever met in my entire life."

"And now I'm blushing."

Mary smiled. "I mean it." she said. "I've been...overwhelmed these past few days, but it seems like things are falling right into place."

"I know what you mean." he reached for her hands. "You just needed some time to catch your breath."

"Yes." she nodded. "I'm sure that when you bought the engagement ring you weren't expecting to be having a wife and a baby in such a short period of time."

"When I bought the ring I was expecting to spend the rest of my life with the woman that I love." he told her. "Things aren't perfect, Mary and things are never going to be perfect no matter how much you plan them. And I couldn't imagine this moment without the baby because I believe that this is the way it was always suppose to be."

Mary didn't know what to say. She was overcome with such love for the man sitting in front of her. "I love you, Joe." tears filled her eyes. "I love you more than anything in the entire world."

Good." he said. "Because you're stuck with me."

She laughed. "There's no one I would rather be stuck with."

Joe leaned forward and softly kissed her lips. "I love you, Mary Richards." he said. "I think you're going to make the most beautiful bride in the entire world."

"We should probably set a date."

"I was thinking two weeks from last Saturday." he suggested. "Something small and intimate. Maybe at your parent's house?"

"I'd like that." she said. "But what about living arrangements?"

"Well I think I may have that solved too." he said. "It's just an idea and if you don't like it then we can do something different. My grandfather died almost a year ago and he left his house to my parents. Maybe we can ride out sometime this weekend and have a look at it?"

"Is it far?"

"No just right outside of the city." he told her. "It's a two story house, has three or four bedrooms, it does need a little work. Well maybe it just needs a woman's touch."

"Sounds lovely."

"We don't have to live there." he said. "Only if you like it, okay?"

"I'll keep an open mind."

"Hey, you're not getting overwhelmed again are you?" Joe asked. "Do you want me to slow down a little?"

"No." she smiled. "These are all things we need to figure out."

"So you're feeling better about everything?" he asked. "The shock of it all has worn off?"

"Yes." Mary said. "I'm feeling much better now."

"Good." he replied. "I think it's important that we're always open and honest with each other."

"So I do." she agreed.

Joe leaned across the table and kissed her. "You've made me the happiest man in the world."

tbc...

Sneak Peek: Poor Phyllis always out of the loop...

Thanks for the kind reviews! As always feedback is appreciated!