He rushed up the stairs, anxious to see her after she hadn't answered when he'd called her name. "Phyllis!" He yelled out again as he stepped into the bedroom.

She stepped out of the bathroom as she ran the brush slowly through her hair. "You didn't tell Victoria what was going on did you?"

Billy sighed in exasperation. "I thought you were gonna wait until I got back up here to get ready? I asked you to wait for me."

"I'm fine, Billy. I don't need a babysitter. I don't need help getting dressed. For the love of God, I'm a grown woman!" She saw the flash of hurt in his eyes and she immediately regretted the venom in her voice. "I'm sorry," she whispered, reaching up to touch his hand. "I shouldn't have … I didn't mean to …"

"It's okay." He kissed her hand softly and he held it to his chest. "I get it. I do. And I know how much you hate to need someone. I know how independent you are and how much it means to you to be able to take care of yourself, but sometimes it's okay for you let somebody in, for you to let somebody take care of you … especially in times like this, when you need someone, when you need help." He stopped for a moment, studying her face to see if his words made an impact. Her fingers still laced in his as he slowly walked her over to the side of the bed and sat down beside her. "And no," he said softly, "To answer your question, I didn't tell Victoria what was going on. I just told her something came up and we needed her to come and get the kids. I told her we'd take them another night this week. She didn't ask any questions."

"I'm sure she's wondering what's going on. She's probably conjuring up all kinds of scenarios in her head."

"She's not. I'm sure she just thinks we had another commitment or some work thing or something. She didn't act weird at all when she picked them up."

"How were they? Were they upset? Did I scare them?"

He touched her face gently, touched that she'd be thinking of their feelings right now when she had every reason to be absorbed with her own feelings. "No. They didn't even realize anything was wrong. Johnny just thought you were asleep." He saw her deep sigh of relief.

"Things could have turned out so differently."

"They didn't though. You're fine and we're gonna figure out what's going on. We're gonna go and get you checked out and that'll be it." He said the words with as much confidence as he could muster. With everything in him, he hoped he wasn't telling her anything other than the truth. "You believe that, don't you?"

Phyllis let body rest against his for a moment. She could feel his arm snake around the small of her back and she wished for nothing more than to stay in this moment, to let him hold onto her and forget that everything around them existed. "I want to," she admitted. Hesitantly she looked up at him, her eyes betraying her honest emotions.

"You're scared."

She nodded. "I really thought it was just work and being so busy and not getting enough sleep or not eating right, but lately … I don't' know it's like …. I could sleep all night and I still wake up and feel like I haven't even been to bed. Walking across the room is an aerobic workout and I'm always so out of breath. I'm never hungry. I just … I feel horrible and I hate admitting that. I'm not that woman that complains and whines about stress and life and the grind of it all. I guess maybe it's just getting older, but …"

"Come on…" He ran his hand across her back. "You know that's not it. I'm sure it's something simple. Maybe it's a vitamin deficiency or something. Maybe you just need some supplements … maybe something's out of balance, or maybe the prescription is a long vacation with your handsome boyfriend."

She couldn't help but smile as she listened to his soft, soothing voice. "That would be nice. I certainly hope that's what they say."

"Well, that's what we'll expect then." He smiled at her as he leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"But what if that's not what it is … what if it's something worse than that?"

"Don't think like that. Listen, you've been fine until recently. These symptoms started what a few weeks ago? It's not like this has been going on for months and months unless …. You haven't been keeping it from me have you?"

"Well, no … not for that long." She stopped, feeling guilty for not having been more open with him. "There were a few times at work when I didn't feel well, but it's been recent … and it wasn't anything major. Just lightheaded, tired, not really feeling like eating anything …" Her words stopped as she saw the look pass over his face. "What? What's that look for?"

"I … I mean … I don't want to jump to conclusions, but it sounds like … Is it?" He smiled slightly as his eyes locked with hers. "Is it possible … could you be?"

She didn't follow his train of thought and looked confused until he looked down at her hands resting in her lap. "Pregnant?" Her brain buzzed to life as she said the words. "I … Well, I don't know for sure. It's too soon and …" Dates and times bounced around in her head as she looked at him. "It's certainly a possibility I guess and it would explain the fatigue and the dizziness and …"

"And the lack of appetite and the constant sleeping … It sounds right, don't you think?" He couldn't hide the smile that crept up across his face. It wasn't something they'd planned, but nothing would make him happier than to have a child with her. He loved Katie and Johnny, and Phyllis had invited them into their lives with no second thoughts, but there was something incredibly endearing about the thought of sharing the experience with her from start to finish. For a moment he was concerned as he watched her ponder his words. He couldn't read her expression, unable to determine if her silence and empty eyes were a result of worry or confusion.

"It does … It's almost exactly how I felt with Summer. I just hadn't even considered it. It wasn't even on my radar. I …" She raised her head then, looking up at him again. The smile on his face made her smile as well. "Is this what you want? I mean if we go and this is what they say, is this something you'd want?"

She was in his arms before he answered. "More than anything," he breathed. "More than I ever even realized."