Holly could hardly believe it. Where had the time gone? It just seemed like yesterday that she was contemplating leaving Robert after he revealed he had kept his previous relationship with Anna Devane, she couldn't call it a marriage, and the past they shared, from her. She had been terribly hurt, and still today, it somewhat stings that it took Anna's intrusion in their lives for him to share his painful past with her. Since then, he had shared as much as he could without risking national security, and risk her becoming a target because of that knowledge. After a couple months, Holly had become satisfied that Robert had nothing more dire to share and trusted that, if the occasion arose where something not yet revealed presented itself, Robert would be open and honest with her as much as he was able. True to his word, he had informed Ballantine all that he'd learned and insisted it be on the record. He knew well that if there had been no record, there would be nothing that would stop a future director from using the information to coerce him back into service; and although he still had pangs of thirst for adventure, the Aztec treasure case had effectively made him realize his life with Holly was so much more appealing and desirable. He'd had to endure extensive grilling, but because he cooperated, he'd only had to pay a hefty penalty and a mark on his record.

As she looked around the townhouse, she was pleased at the festive atmosphere of the décor. With Thanksgiving only a few days off, her favorite time of year was fast approaching. She had been surprised, yet pleased that Connie had contacted them after wrapping up her Albany case. Holly had insisted that she spend the holiday with them. Having a few days off before she would be reassigned, Connie happily accepted the invitation. While she meant to keep in touch to see how things turned out between them, her unexpected deep cover prevented her from doing so. It was with great relief that she heard Holly's voice at the other end of the line when she phoned.

"Holly? This is Connie." "Connie! It's great hearing from you. Have you finished the case you were working on when we saw you last?" It wasn't lost on Connie that Holly had used the pronoun "we."She smiled to herself. Apparently, Robert had learned his lesson and they worked out their problems. She felt sure he had eventually told Holly that she had visited him as well. "Yes, I just wrapped it up, and thought I'd call to see how everything turned out. I'm so glad to hear your voice." "Oh Connie, things have been great between us since then. Tell me you have a few days off and you can come for Thanksgiving." Connie was shocked at the invitation. "Well, I don't know. Are you sure I won't be intruding?" "Certainly not. We would love to have you. After all, if it weren't for you, I may not have been able to look past the hurt, and Robert might not have fought to win me back." "So, he did tell her after all. Good going, Robert," she thought. "Besides, it won't just be Robert and I. Bert and Nanny will be here, too" "Well then, how can I refuse? I'll be happy to come." "Robert doesn't want me to overdo now, though. He goes around the house muttering about me "nesting." "Nesting? Holly, you're…?" "Pregnant! Yes." Holly supplied. "If you can, we'd love to see you tonight, if you can make it. We can fill you in on all the details." Connie could swear she could almost hear Holly glowing over the phone. "Are you sure that won't be too much for you? I mean…" "Actually, it will give me an early opportunity to show off my newfound cooking skills. Since I've had to curtail my time at the spa, I've actually found I have quite an aptitude for it. So, shall we expect you around six?"

The doorbell rang at five till six. Robert bounded from the comm room. "I'll get it!" Holly sighed in mock indignation, as she was already at the bottom of the stairs. "Robert, would you please? I'm not helpless!" Holly shook her head, but her lips curved upwards in a slight smile. As the time got closer to her delivery date, the more he became the caricature of a first-time father. As Connie entered and greetings were exchanged, Holly asked, "May I get you something to drink?" as she headed to the bar. "A white wine, thank you." "I'll do that," Robert said as he passed by them. "Rob-ert!" The exchange was not lost on Connie. "Is he always like this?" she whispered to Holly. "Sometimes worse," Holly whispered back, laughter dancing in her eyes. Connie rolled her eyes. "Oh, lord, how do you stand it?" As Robert was approaching with Connie's wine and a soda water for Holly, Holly winked as she whispered back, "I'll tell you later." Throughout the dinner, Connie observed their interaction. Robert was attentive to Holly's needs, if not overly so, in her opinion. She watched in amusement as Holly mildly chastised him when he took the roast from her, stating that it was too heavy for her to carry, as she brought it to the table to serve. There didn't appear to be any remnant of the estrangement that was evident during her last visit. After, Robert insisted on clearing the table and washing dishes, or at least loading the dishwasher he bought so she wouldn't be standing on her feet too long, shooing them into the living room for "girl talk."

When they finally were alone, Connie's curiosity got the best of her. "How do you keep your sanity when he's hovering over you all the time?" "Holly laughed. "It's actually pretty easy. I simply go to a phone extension in another room and call Bert. He's been such a dear. He knows I need a break from Robert and comes up with a reason he's needed at the station. I think Robert's on to us, though. Some of the reasons Bert has come up with have been pretty lame. It's those times that he comes home, kisses me, and then shuts himself in the comm room for a few hours." "I'd have never believed Robbie could be domesticated until we worked on the Prometheus Disk case. The great CK-8, Playboy of the Western World, turned to mush by impending fatherhood." Holly giggled. "It is pretty funny. That's why I can go with the flow most times. Let me show you the nursery. We just have to put some finishing touches on it." As they went upstairs to tour the new addition, Holly said, "We decided on an English storybook theme." "Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?" "No, we've always enjoyed the element of surprise, so at least for the first one, we decided not to find out. It's been fun sparring over name choices, as well. Of course, none of our discussions top the first one." She proceeded to relate to Connie the conversation they had before the first time she was scheduled to see Dr. Mason after her miscarriage.

Flashback:

"That can mean most anything." "Alright, I should have put it "a routine checkup." "There's nothing wrong, then?" "As far as I know, nothing. But it's been a while since I've seen Dr. Mason, and I have to be careful after a miscarriage." "Look, I've been wanting to talk about this for some time. The opportunity never seemed to be there, but maybe this is it." He paused. "I don't know what you're talking about until you tell me." "Well, it's rather a sensitive subject." "If you like, I could leave the room." "Ah c'mon, give me a break. I'm trying to be serious." "Right, right." "You know I love you very much." "Yes." "And I think you love me too." "It's no question." "That's why I want to talk about this now. I want to move on to the next step. I want to be a real family with you." "A child?" "Yes. Look, I know you've been through a rough time, but would you at least consider it?" "Of course I would. Like you, I've been thinking about it, and I really would like a family. I'm just not sure I'm quite ready for it right now." "Sure. Thanks." He gets up to leave, but Holly stops him. "Still, I would like to tell you why." He sits back down. "Okay." "It's…it's not anything to do with you, or us together, it's just me. Before I bring another life in this world, I'd just like to make sure that mine is completely straightened out." "I can understand that." "We have a good marriage, and it's going to get even better. And a child is inevitable, but you just have to be more patient with me." They kiss. "As long as I know there's going to be a future, you can take as much time as you want with the present." "Thank you." "You know, I was thinking if it is a boy, I think we should call it Mortimer."Holly looks stunned. "She will be called Samantha." "Sam." "Samantha!" "Okay, let's table that argument until the day of the blessed event." "Agreed." "Look, I've got to get down to the hospital. Can I drive you?" "On one condition. You promise to have lunch with me." "That's not a condition, that's a pleasure." "Mortimer, huh?" "Mortimer and Sam." "Samantha!" "C'mon, let's go. Mort and Sam."

"Mortimer?!" Connie repeated, not hiding her disbelief, as they returned from upstairs. Robert was just coming out of the kitchen when he heard her comment. With a twinkle in his eyes, he challenged her. "What's wrong with Mortimer?" "Really, Robbie? You would name your son Mortimer?" "Well, he named his pet wallaby Llewellyn, and I bought him one for our first Christmas together and named him Ralph. Do you see why I'm concerned? If for some reason they have to put me under anesthesia, there's no telling what he would have the staff record the baby's name as," Holly said in mock horror. Robert laughed. "I guess it's about time I come clean. I would never name my son Mortimer." "Well, that's a relief!" Holly and Connie said in unison. "But that doesn't mean I'll approve of any of your choices," Holly stated. "Actually, having an unusual name growing up was hard for me. I was thankful it was only my middle name, but when kids found out, I was teased unmercifully. I finally grew immune to the teasing and became proud to carry a family name, but I would never subject my children to the same fate. I can use our families' names and still allow them unique names they won't grow to resent. What do you think of Charles Robert or Ethan Francis?" "I didn't know you had anyone in your family named Ethan," Holly said surprised. "That was my uncle's name. There was my father, then Uncle Frank, and finally Uncle Ethan. He died shortly after birth. He would have been seven years younger than my father. He was what was known back then as a "blue baby." Basically, he was born with a heart defect that restricts oxygen flow in the bloodstream, thus giving his lips and fingers a bluish look. "Blue babies" very seldom survived." "Oh, Robert I didn't know," Holly said sadly, as she sat at his side offering him her comfort, as it seemed he became melancholy with the memory. "Robert, uncomfortable with the change of mood, said almost too cheerily, "So when does Nanny need to be picked up from the airport tomorrow?" "Ten-thirty. She's taking the red-eye tonight." "Robbie, Holly and I can pick her up. You go on and go to work. I'm sure Holly could use a break from your constant hovering." "I don't hover!" Robert sounded affronted by the statement. "No? What do you call racing to answer the door this evening, which I'm sure you did, as Holly was at the foot of the steps when I got here? Then there are the drinks, then the dinner and dishes…" "Holly, am I hovering?" He looked truly shocked at the suggestion. "Yes, Robert, you are." Although her eyes were laughing, she reached out and tenderly stroked his cheek to soften the admission. "I love you dearly, but you have to give me room to breathe. We've already discussed that you need to stop treating me like a china doll." "Oh, Luv, I'm sorry! Okay, I'll back off and go to work. You two have fun, but be careful." "Rob-ert." "Sorry. It's a hard habit to break." "That's okay, you work on it." Both Robert and Holly tried to convince Connie to spend the night, but she insisted on staying at the Port Charles Hotel. As she was leaving, she told Holly that she would come by around nine so that they could do some baby shopping before picking up Nanny. "I'm trying to give you a little more Robert-free time," she whispered. "Thanks. I'll be ready."

The next day, Robert opened the door just as Connie was ready to knock on the door. "I'm just on my way out, honest. Not hovering."Connie looked at Holly, who just nodded, smiling in amusement. He kissed Holly goodbye as he left, again encouraging them to have fun, but without the qualifier this time. As they entered the children's store, Connie admitted she's usually not one to go shopping, but she wanted to get something for the baby as well as rescue her from Robert's mothering. "I wouldn't recognize him as the same man if it weren't for the fact that he was with you. He's a mess!" Connie laughed. "Yeah, but he's my mess," Holly said, beaming. "He really is only trying to make sure the baby and I are okay, but it does get on my nerves at times." "I'm sure!" After Connie picked out a Paddington Bear and a couple of children's books, she said, "Now, something for you!" "Me? I don't need any more maternity clothes." "Did I say anything about maternity clothes?" Then what…?" "I'm thinking you are going to need something to wear a few months down the road. Where can we go to get something for then?" Holly didn't think it was still possible, but she found herself blushing. "Connie, really, you don't have to." "I know I don't have to, but I want to. "Just a little reward for surviving Robbie now." They looked at each other and laughed. "Okay, Wyndham's here we come!" The oddity of the situation wasn't lost on Holly. Her husband's former lover shopping with her to get "a little something" to get his attention when she was able to once again make love with him. "This only happens in the movies," she thought, shaking her head in disbelief. In the end, she chose a dark teal teddy set with a satiny sheen which was reminiscent of the gown she wore to Ginny's and Frisco's awards banquet. The look on the sales clerk's face when she discovered they were shopping for Holly, and not Connie, was priceless. They had a difficult time convincing her that, yes, Holly wears a size four, as the clerk walked away shaking her head. They burst out laughing when she was out of earshot. By the time they finished, it was time to pick up Nanny.

Holly was so happy to see Nanny. It seemed like ages since she talked to her about Anna. She introduced her to Connie, saying she was a friend of hers and Robert's, which she was surprised that she found that statement to be true. Never in a million years, would she have believed she could be friends with yet another of Robert's past lovers. Nanny eyed Connie up, and nodded her approval. "It's so nice to finally meet you, Mrs. McTavish. Robert and Holly speak so highly of you." "Please, call me Nanny. I haven't been Mrs. McTavish for many years." "Alright. Nanny." "So what do you do, Connie?" "I'm in security work, mainly with the federal government." "Have you known my Holly and her Robert long?" "Robert and Connie worked together many years ago, but they kept in touch. I met Connie when she set up security for Luke's casino," Holly provided. "Yes, I've been providing security to businesses and agencies for about ten years. I just finished a job and Holly and Robert invited me for Thanksgiving, as I don't have family nearby." "Isn't that just like my poppet?" "Yes, it was very sweet of her to invite me." "I wonder, Poppet, did Anna ever contact you?" Although she didn't want to discuss Anna, she wouldn't disillusion her. She had no idea how Anna turned out. "Yes, she visited us, but she decided she preferred living in a big city. So she moved to New York. It turned out she has ties there." "Well, I don't wish her ill, so if she's happy, I'm happy for her." Holly was pleased that Nanny could dismiss the topic of Anna so easily, as she exchanged glances with Connie, relief in her eyes. "So, how's Robert? Anxious for that wee one to come, I expect." "Oh, yes, he's ecstatic." "Is he hovering over you like a mother hen, child?" Holly coughed, unable to meet Nanny's eyes. "I thought so! He's not the first first-time father to do so, he won't be the last. If there's any mothering to be done, it will be me that does it."Holly and Connie laughed. Robert didn't know it yet, but he just met his match. As Nanny was staying until the first of the year so they could adjust to parenthood, she was sure to set boundaries he dare not cross.

Thanksgiving Day arrived and found all three women in the kitchen preparing the meal. As Connie was not much of a cook, she was relegated to prep work while Nanny and Holly prepared the dishes. Nanny insisted Holly take it easy, but allowed her to prepare her specialty sides she learned to make while Nanny tended to the turkey, before helping Holly with the rest of the meal. Robert was told, in no uncertain terms, that he was not to enter the kitchen for anything other than something to drink. As for Robert, he discovered he was enjoying not feeling like he had to keep an eye on Holly. He and Bert spent the afternoon on the couch in front of the television just as millions of other men in the country were, watching football. They sat down to the meal, each expressing what they were thankful for. When it came Robert's turn, he simply looked at his beautiful wife and said "I'm thankful for second chances," while Holly said, "And new beginnings."

The day had finally come. If it weren't for Nanny, Robert was sure he would have forgotten to make sure Holly was in the car when he headed for the hospital. He had waited for years for this day to finally arrive, thinking he was prepared for fatherhood, but discovered he was a basket case! Holding her hand as contractions hit, he thought he'd never be able to use his gun hand again. "What's the matter with me? She's getting her insides torn apart, and I'm worried about my gun hand? Focus, Robert! She needs you." He forced himself to disassociate and help her with her breathing, mopping her forehead as needed. Finally, they both heard the sound they had waited nine long months for. The road wasn't easy but they had made it. Not only had they survived, but their marriage was stronger because of the struggle. "It's a boy!" Dr. Mason said as she laid him at Holly's breast. He heard Holly say something faintly as she counted his fingers and toes. Robert had to strain to hear what she said as he asked her to repeat it as she slipped into the bonds of sleep. "Ethan Francis..."