The next month passed rather slowly. Gillian awoke to get ready to go to Emily's school. Something that still upset Cal, they'd talked about it the night before.

"I don't understand why Em doesn't want me, her father, to go to career day with her."

"Cal, do you really have to ask that question?"

"What? I wouldn't do anything to embarrass her."

"Wouldn't you? I can see it now, "What are your intentions with my daughter." I don't think so Cal. She doesn't need that."

Cal looks at her with a smile on his face, "Need what?"

"Go to work Cal. I'll be fine. I can handle a group of teenagers."

Cal smiled, "You just remember that when they have you screaming to get their attention luv."

Gillian shook her head and laughed. She kissed him as she walked out the door, "I love you Cal, but you worry too much."

Cal looked at her and smiled. He felt his heart swell with love for her. He'd never known a love like this before. Never before had he felt this much love for a woman. He smiled and whispered, "I love you, you know."

"I know that Cal, but nothing's going to happen. I'll be fine."

Cal kissed her again and watched as she and Emily pulled away from the house. He couldn't help the feeling of dread that crept into him as he watched her car disappear.

Emily and Gillian arrived at her school a few minutes early. They talked as they walked to her class. Gillian smiled, "I can't believe how big your school is."

Emily smiled, "It doesn't seem that big."

Gillian laughed, "I guess not, but you're here all the time."

Emily smiled as they walked into the building. She introduced Gillian to her homeroom teacher. Mrs. Talisman was a great teacher, but she was a little flighty. Emily laughed and said, "I would offer you a seat at my desk, but it might be a tight fit."

Gillian looked at the tiny space between the desk and the seat. She laughed, "I think I'll stand."

Emily laughed, "Good idea."

They waited while the students filed into the classroom. Parents and students alike. Gillian didn't see anyone that she recognized. The parents talked about their different jobs. There were teachers, doctors and the occasional office worker. Most of the jobs were boring and mundane. It made Gillian want to fall asleep. She couldn't wait to tell the kids about her job.

After Emily introduced her, she smiled at the students that were watching her. This was Cal's specialty, but she knew that she could do it. She smiled as she introduced herself, "I'm Gillian Lightman. I'm what they call a deception detection expert."

She could see the looks of confusion on their faces. She smiled as she continued, "I can see a lot of confused looks. Basically, my husband and I use facial clues to determine of someone is lying."

She went through the basics. Telling the kids about what she did. By the end of her presentation, she knew that she had the kids interest. She ended by saying, "The truth is written on everyone's face. It's just a matter of knowing what to look for."

When Gillian went to stand next to Emily, she saw that bright smile on her face. She whispered, "Did I do okay?"

Emily nodded enthusiastically, "You were great!!"

Gillian smiled and she started to walk to the exit. She'd just made it there, when a huge pain hit her in her midsection. She lost her breath for a brief moment. She grabbed onto the door and bit back a moan of pain. Emily noticed it and asked, "Are you okay Gill?"

"I don't know Em. Can you get my cell phone out of my purse and call your dad? I think I'm in labor."

Emily had never been pregnant, but she did know that it was too early for the baby to be born. She looked at Gillian and whispered, "It's too early."

"I know sweetheart, but I do need to get to the hospital. I need your dad to meet us there."

"How are you going to get there?"

"Well, I can either call an ambulance or you can drive me."

Emily chewed on her bottom lip. She knew that skipping school would send her father over the edge, but she couldn't let Gillian go to the hospital alone. So, she nodded, "Let's go!"

She took Gillian's hand and led her to the car. She picked up Gillian's cell phone and hit be speed dial. Her dad picked up on the first ring, "Hello luv. Are you done already?"

Emily managed to say, "Dad! It's me."

"Emily? What's wrong?"

"I don't know dad. I'm taking Gillian to the hospital. She's having pains. She thinks she's in labor."

"What?!! Let me talk to her Em."

Emily held the phone out to Gillian, "He wants to talk to you Gill."

Gillian was able to nod and she took the phone. She managed to croak out, "Hey Cal."

"Sweetheart. Are you okay?"

Gillian blinked back her tears. She was frightened and scared. She wanted Cal there with her. Finally, she managed to whisper, "I don't know Cal. It's too early for her to be born."

"It's okay Gilly. Tell Emily to go straight to the hospital. I'm on my way right now."

"Okay."

"Everything will be fine luv."

"I'm so scared Cal. I can't lose her. I..."

Gillian broke down in tears. It broke Cal's heart to be so far away from her. He wanted to be there and holding her hand. She finally whispered, "We are at the hospital. I need to hang up Cal."

"I'll be right there luv."

"Okay. I love you Cal."

"I love you Gilly."

Gillian hung up the phone and managed to get herself out of the car. They headed inside and Gillian was surprised to see her doctor standing there waiting for her. Gillian whispered, "How did you know?"

"Your husband called and said that I needed to get over here."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Let's get you back and see what's going on."

Gillian and the doctor disappeared behind the swinging doors, leaving Emily standing there in shock. She felt the tears slide down her cheeks. She felt like she was losing her mom all over again. Gillian had become so important to her this past month. She couldn't lose her. Not only would it destroy her, but it would destroy her father. Then she worried about her little sister. Maybe this was her punishment for being so mean to Gillian. It was all her fault. She just knew it. She hated herself for it too. Her dad and Gillian shouldn't be the ones to suffer because of her.

She walked over to the seats and sat down. She hugged herself tightly and cried. It felt like forever before she heard her dad causing a commotion. She jumped up and met him.

"Dad, Gillian's back in the exam room. Her doctor was waiting here for us."

Cal looked at the nurse, "Which room? Tell me or I'll go back there and search every room."

The nurse looked at Emily who shrugged told her, "He'll do it. Trust me."

The nurse looked at him and finally relented, "Room three eleven."

"Now see. That wasn't so hard. Was it?"

Emily couldn't help but laugh at the look on her father's face. They walked back to the room Gillian was in. She looked peaceful enough. When she saw Cal, her face brightened with relief, "I'm so glad you're here."

The doctor saw Cal, "I knew you'd find a way to get back here."

Cal looked at the doctor, "I just did what was necessary."

Gillian laughed, "How many people did you have to bully to get your way."

"Not many."

Gillian smiled, "That's good. I'd hate to alienate the people that are going to be here to help bring our baby into the world."

Unable to take it any longer, Emily finally blurted out, "How's the baby?!!"

She hadn't realized that she'd been crying. Not until Gillian held out her hand. Emily gave her the hand and gave it a squeeze, "She's fine Em. Apparently, I'm having some very strong Braxton-Hicks contractions."

Emily nodded and suddenly burst out of the room. Cal and Gillian looked at each other with confusion written all over their faces. Cal looked at Gillian, "What's wrong?"

Gillian shook her head, "I don't know, but go after her Cal."

Cal shook his head, "I don't want to leave you."

"She needs you Cal. I'll be fine."

Cal looked at her doctor and she nodded, "She's fine. The contractions have stopped. I do want to keep her here overnight, but she should be able to go home tomorrow, but I do want her on bed rest for a least a week."

Gillian exclaimed, "A week?!! I can't stay in bed for a week, I'll go crazy from boredom!!"

The doctor smiled sympathetically, "It's only until I make sure that the contractions aren't going to start again."

Cal nodded, "I'll see to it that she stays in bed."

Gillian sighed, "Fine, but can you go check on our daughter?"

Cal didn't fail to notice the use of the word, "our" daughter when she talked about Emily. He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat,, "Sure thing luv."

Cal left the room to find Emily. He finally found her sitting in the corner of the waiting room. She was obviously quite upset about something. She didn't even realize that he sat next to her until she heard him whisper, "You want to talk about it Em?"

She shook her head and then buried her face in Cal's chest. She sobbed harder then. Cal rubbed her back, "What's with the tears luv?"

It took a few minutes, but finally she managed to choke out, "It's all my fault."

Cal pulled back looking at her questioningly, "How's it your fault Em?"

"I said some mean things to her."

"Today?"

Emily shook her head, "It was back when you left on that trip. Right after mom died. I said some mean things to her. She was so nice and sweet to me. Even after I was so nasty to her."

Cal didn't know what to say. He didn't know anything about that conversation between Emily and Gillian. Gillian hadn't felt the need to say anything to Cal. It was her and Emily's secret. Looking back, she probably should've told Cal, but everything had worked itself out. So, she didn't feel the need to tell him.

He finally whispered, "It's okay luv. None of this is your fault."

Emily sniffled asking, "You're sure?"

Cal nodded, "Positive. Now, let's go see her. She was pretty worried about you."

"She was?"

Cal nodded, "She practically threw me out of the room to go check on you."

"I'm sorry dad. I..."

Cal shrugged, "Let's not say anything to her about our little talk here. I'll just tell her that you were worried about her."

Emily sniffled and nodded. They walked into the room and Gillian held out her hand to Emily. She ran to her, "I'm sorry Gill. I'm sooooo sorry."

Gillian smoothed her hair whispering, "You didn't do anything sweetheart. None of this is your fault."

Emily sniffled, "It isn't?"

"No, sweetie. Braxton-Hicks contractions are perfectly normal. They happen to every pregnant woman. You couldn't have stopped it if you'd wanted to."

"Really? I didn't know that."

Cal smiled at them brightly, "Listen to her luv. She's a smart lady." Then, sensing that they needed some time together, "I'm going to go talk to your doctor. I'll be right back."

Gillian nodded, "We'll be here."

Cal smiled as he left the room. He heard them talking and knew that he'd made the right decision to leave the room. He whistled as he walked to find the doctor. He was the luckiest man in the world.

Emily whispered, "I think I let the cat out of the bag."

"What do you mean?"

"I sort of told dad about what I said to you. I thought that he knew."

Gillian nodded, "I didn't tell him."

"Why not?"

"There wasn't any reason to. We'd settled everything and honestly, I knew that you didn't mean what you said. Besides, your dad doesn't need to know everything."

Emily laughed, "You know I can't lie to him. He figures me out every time."

"I only get away with it every once in awhile."

"You're luckier than me."

Gillian smiled at her tenderly, "Sometimes. I want you to promise me something."

Emily looked at her, "Okay."

They talked for a few more minutes and then Gillian yawned. Emily stood up, "I'm going to go find dad. You need to sleep."

Gillian didn't argue with her. She laid her head back and closed her eyes. She fell into a deep sleep and didn't wake up until the next morning.