*Thank-you for all the reviews on the last chapter. They were greatly appreciated. Thank-you all so much. = )
"Alex, you're scaring me," said Dave. "What is going on?"
"Can we just go to the back to talk?" she asked holding back from crying.
"Okay," he said, "let's go." He took her hand and headed to the back. "Tony, apparently something is going on so I need you just to keep an eye on things okay?"
"Okay," said Tony as he watched Alex and Dave walk into the back office.
Dave shut the door behind them and said, "Alex, what is going on? Are you sick? Did they find something? What?"
"Oh. They found something all right," she said. "A big something."
"Do you have Ovarian cancer? Because that road was hard to take before with Angie.. I don't' know if I can take that road again. Please tell me it's not ovarian cancer. I don't want to see you suffer like that."
"It's not ovarian cancer," said Alex as she sat down. "I have to sit down."
"All right," said Dave, "do you have breast cancer?"
"No. Why do you assume that just because I said they found something that it necessarily means it's cancer? I am not sick at all," said Alex, "but you should probably sit down."
"Anything that involves me sitting down isn't good," he said, "so tell me what's going on. Is it menopause?"
"I wish," said Alex under her breath. "No but I am pregnant," she said as a tear fell from her eyes.
"Alex, come on, stop playing around. April Fool's Day was the 1st not today. What is really going on?" he asked.
"See? You think I'm joking," she said starting to cry. "I'm not joking. I'm pregnant," she said as she cried.
Dave realized how serious she was because of her crying. "Wow. You're not joking. I'm sorry," he said. "Wow. I mean what?"
"You heard me the first two times I said it," said Alex. "I'll say it one more time. I'm pregnant."
"How? I thought that wasn't going to happen.. You can't be pregnant," said Dave.
"I can't?" She asked as she got into her purse. She pulled out the sonogram picture and handed it to Dave, "I can't be pregnant right?"
Dave looked over the sonogram and his face turned white. Alex was expecting him to faint but instead he said, "what the hell is this?"
"Our baby," said Alex. "The baby we never expected to have."
"You have got to be the most fertile person with one tube I have ever seen in my entire life. I thought your tube was tied," said Dave. "What happened?"
"According to the doctor, the procedure came undone. And you know what she told me? Do you know what she told me?"
"What?" asked Dave as he continued to look at the sonogram picture. He couldn't believe it even though the proof was in front of his face.
"That I should play the lottery! I mean I wish I would have thought of that after I graduated high school. I'm always that ONE chance that could happen. ALWAYS."
"So you're really pregnant huh?"
"Obviously," she said.
"Wow. I never expected this. I have to say you shocked the hell out of me. Damn. Pregnant. I'm 52 years old.. I'll be 53 by the time its born or close enough. I am too old to do it over again. How did it happen?"
"We had sex, your sperm met my egg and BAM it implanted itself in my uterus…"
"I know that but Dr. Kennedy said that there was no chance of it coming undone. How did it come undone?"
"I have no idea but it did and I got pregnant. I thought we were done after Jordyn and Josiah. I really thought we were. And then I get hit with this."
"I can't believe this. I really don't even know what to say. How far along are you?"
"She said 6 weeks. She said I'm possibly due 10 days before Christmas."
"Wow," he said. "Just wow. You are so fertile. I can't even believe this."
"Yeah.. I didn't do it myself," she said. "And you're getting a vasectomy so that this doesn't happen again."
"What? Why?" asked Dave.
"That way we know it won't happen again. I won't have to worry about your sperm impregnating me," she said.
"Fine," he said, "But I'm really too old to be a dad AGAIN. I am a grandpa now.. The next baby I should be holding is my grandchild not my son or daughter. A dad at 52. I'll be.."
"You'll be 70 for its graduation," said Alex.
"And you'll have to wheel me to the ceremony if I can even get out of the old folk's home by then," said Dave with a laugh.
"Dave," said Alex getting ready to cry again, "I don't think it's funny. We're both too old to travel down this road."
"I know," said Dave, "but at least you'll be able to run after it during the terrible two's. I won't even be able to do that."
"Yes you will," said Alex. "Are we ready for this again?"
"I don't think it matters if we're ready or not it's happening," he said wrapping his arm around her shoulders to comfort her.
"And I'm going to get fat again. Great!"
"You won't be fat. You'll be pregnant," said Dave. "There is a little baby in there," he said touching her stomach. "I guess that's a good thing. It could have been worse. You could have been sick or had ovarian cancer. At least it's just a baby," he said.
"Yeah," said Alex. "I guess you have to realize it could be worse to really appreciate it."
"There is only one baby in there right?" he asked.
"As far as I know," said Alex, "but then again.. The other baby was hidden for the first couple months when I was pregnant with Jordyn and Josiah."
"Don't scare me like that," said Dave, "I can handle one but two more I can't handle. One is already pushing it."
"Well, I guess it's a good thing that when we had our house built we put in a few extra rooms so at least we'll have a nursery," she said.
"Yeah," said Dave. "Are you happy?"
"I'm more shocked than happy," she said, "I mean eventually I'll start getting excited but right now I don't know how to feel. I'm so scared though. The risks are higher now that I'm pregnant. You know I don't exactly have easy pregnancies."
"Tell me about it," said Dave. "I think we can do this."
"Are you happy?" she asked.
"I don't know," said Dave. "I want to be but I can't help but to think how old I am and then I wonder am I going to be there to see it get married, have kids or whatever?"
"Don't talk like that," said Alex, "I hate when you talk like that."
"I'm just stating facts. I'm already going to be 70 by the time it gets out of high school."
"You're not going to leave me to go through this stuff on my own," said Alex.
"I can't help it. If it happens it happens.."
"That phrase has shaped our lives you know that right?" asked Alex.
"I know. We've used it so many times," said Dave. "So we're really having a baby. I guess it makes sense."
"How?" asked Alex.
"Well, you've lost 3 babies.. Jordyn and Josiah made up for two and now this one is making up for the third. Although I do hope this one is a boy and everything will finally be evened out in our house."
"True," said Alex, "3 boys and 3 girls."
"But with my luck it will be a girl," said Dave.
"We won't find out until the summer time," said Alex. "So how is business going today?"
"It's been busy so I probably should get back to work," he said.
"Probably," said Alex. "I have to go get the kids from my parents' house anyway. Ben is probably driving my mom nuts."
"Probably," said Dave.
"What time do you get off work today?"
"I'm done at 7 and then I'm heading home," he said, "why?"
"Because tonight is my night at the shelter. I need someone to watch the kids and Athena has plans with Tony."
"Well, what time do you need to be at the shelter?"
"By 6 and I'm there until 11:30," she said.
"Bring the kids here and then head to the shelter. You know I don't like you working there so late. Especially in this part of town?"
"I know but I'll be all right," she said.
"You're pregnant now, Alex, you have to think better about your choices."
"I know but I'll be all right," she said.
"Whatever you say," he said as they stood up, "you know I just worry about you."
"I know, Baby," she said.
"Well, I should get back to work," he said as he kissed her lips passionately.
When they broke the kiss Alex said, "I should get the kids."
"And we can finish off with that kiss later," he said with a smile. They walked over to the door and headed out. Dave went back to working while Alex left the city to get the kids from her parents' house.
"So what was that all about?" asked Tony.
"I can't tell you," he said. "Alex would kill me but I do want you to keep an eye on her at the shelter."
"I always do," said Tony. "You know with Chris and Brian running around still I worry about her."
"Me too," said Dave, "but she's a strong woman. She holds her own."
"Yeah she does," said Tony. "She's a tough cookie."
When Alex arrived at her mom's house she pulled into the driveway of her childhood home, she parked the car, got out and walked to the front door. She rang the doorbell and her mom answered the door. "Alex, I am so glad to see you," she said allowing Alex to walk in.
"What happened?" asked Alex.
"Nothing," said Sylvia, "I'm just glad to see you."
"Oh okay. I thought Ben put another hole in the wall."
"No," said Sylvia. "So how was your appointment?"
"It was all right," she said grabbing Jordyn's and Josiah's jackets.
"Is it menopause?" asked Sylvia.
"Not exactly," she said as Jordyn ran over to her and wrapped her arms around her tightly. "Jordyn, I know you're excited to see me but don't hug me so tightly."
"I'm sorry, Mommy," she said letting go.
"It's okay," said Alex as she helped her get her jacket it on. Sylvia looked at Alex and smiled. "How was pre-school today?"
"Good," said Jordyn, "we played outside and we made play-doh."
"Sounds like fun," said Alex with a smile. She looked up at her mom to see her smiling at her. "What?"
"You're glowing," said Sylvia with a smile.
"Shh," said Alex with a smile. "JOSIAH, KAYLEE, BEN and CHELSEA! It's time to go." The kids came to the door. Kaylee, Ben and Chelsea had their jackets and book bags all ready and Alex helped Josiah put his jacket on. "How was school?"
"Good," said Chelsea with a smile.
"Good," said Kaylee. "I'm reader of the week. I get to read a book to the class on Friday."
"That's good," said Alex with a smile. "Ben?"
"It was okay," he said.
"Any notes from the teacher?"
"Just one," he said.
"For what?"
"I may have accidentally stabbed someone with a pencil. I didn't do it on purpose, Mom, I swear."
"How do you accidentally stab someone with a pencil?" asked Alex.
"I don't know but I didn't do it on purpose. The kid walked by me and my pencil accidentally poked him."
"I find that hard to believe," said Alex.
"Mommy, Ben did it on purpose," said Kaylee, "Landon was just walking and Ben stabbed him with it. I saw it with my own eyes."
"Tattle tale," said Ben. "Shut up."
"No," said Kaylee. "You lied to Mommy."
"No I didn't," said Ben, "I accidentally poked him."
"You have a fun night," said Sylvia.
"No. Dave has a fun night. I have to work at the shelter tonight which means I have to go," said Alex.
"All right," said Sylvia. "I'll see you tomorrow morning. I love you," she said hugging Alex.
"I love you too, Mom. Bye."
"Bye," said Sylvia as she watched them walk to the car. She couldn't have been happier for Alex. She knew Alex was pregnant and she just hoped she would be able to see the baby before she passed away. She was making that her goal to live until she saw Alex's last baby be born.
When Alex got home she was happy that Sylvia made the kids do their homework. All she had to do was check over it and give them a quick dinner. She looked through Ben's folder and found the note from the teacher while the kids were playing in the living room. She didn't hear any fighting so she assumed they were all right. She read over the note and saw that the teacher wanted to have a parent teacher meeting with her and Dave. This would be the 10th meeting of the year. Alex was pretty sure that Ben's teacher was getting excited for the end of school to get Ben out of her class. The thing with Ben was he was a smart boy. He could read, he was very good at math and he was pretty good at school work in general but his problem was he didn't like authority and didn't like being told what to do. Alex was disappointed as she looked through his schoolwork and saw happy faces and stars on it but when it came to his behavior chart he had no stickers like Kaylee had. She knew he could behave better than he was but she didn't know how to get him to behave. It seemed like nothing worked. She hoped that the teacher, her and Dave could come to an agreement at their 10th meeting but since it was the 10th she doubted it. She put his folder away after signing the note and then made the kids sloppy joes.
When they were finished eating Alex got them ready and took them to the barber shop. She arrived at the barber shop and saw that it was busy. She let out a breath before she got out of the car and got the kids out. Ben, Kaylee and Chelsea ran into the shop while Jordyn and Josiah walked in with Alex holding her hand. "There are my favorite kids in the world," said Dave with a smile as he walked to the front. "And here is my favorite lady."
"Hey," said Alex with a smile as they quickly kissed each other.
"How was school today guys?" he asked.
"Good," said Chelsea.
"Great!" said Kaylee.
"Fine," said Ben with gritted teeth.
"You didn't have a good day today, did you buddy?"
"He got a note from the teacher. He stabbed another kid with a pencil."
"You did what?" asked Dave. "Why would you even do something like that?"
"It was an accident," said Ben. "I didn't mean to do it."
"Yes you did," said Kaylee.
"Shut up," said Ben.
"Hey, hey, I don't like you using that word," said Dave. "You don't stab people with pencils. You're on punishment."
"But Dad," said Ben.
"No buts," said Dave. "Do you know how dangerous that is? Go sit down."
"Okay," said Ben as he walked over to sit down on a chair. He sulked and stomped his way over to the chair. He sat down and crossed his arms in front of him and made a snoot.
"The teacher wants a meeting with us," said Alex.
"Again? This is the 10th time."
"I know," said Alex, "but if she thinks it's going to work we mines well go."
"Nothing is going to work with that boy and it's only going to get worse and you shouldn't have to deal with him in your condition."
"Dave, I'll be fine," said Alex.
"Really? What's going to happen if you goes into one of his rages and has a physical fit. What are you going to do then? We need to do something about his behavior or we're going to end up with a 4th grade dropout. He is exactly like Keilani and I will not let him follow that path."
"I know," said Alex. "We'll talk about it later. I have to go."
"Okay. Be careful," he said.
"I will," she said. "I love you."
"Love you too," he said, "bye."
"Bye," she said. "Bye guys."
"Bye!" shouted the kids before Alex made her way out the door. She walked two doors down to her domestic violence center and walked in. There were only about two women there that night and one of them had a 6 year old daughter. They were sitting in the dining hall eating dinner. Alex was the only one at the shelter after she relieved a volunteer named Mandy. Alex took a seat at the desk in the hallway in front of the door.
After about an hour the shelter was as quiet as could be until a young girl carrying a two year old little girl stormed in the door. "I NEED HELP," she said with blood coming from her lip and her nose. She had cuts and bruises on her face while her daughter was crying.
Alex got up from the desk and walked over to the girl. "It's going to be okay," she said. "I can help you. My name is Alex. What's your name?"
"Lindsey," she said crying.
"How old are you, Lindsey?"
"20," she said.
"All right. And what's your daughter's name?"
"Reagan," she said.
"That's a beautiful name," said Alex. "Lindsey, why don't you and Reagan come with me? And we get you cleaned up and get you something to eat."
"Okay," said Lindsey as the door flew open.
"WHERE IS SHE? WHERE THE HELL IS SHE!" yelled a man dressed in a white t-shirt and a pair of grey sweatpants.
"Sir, who are you looking for?" asked Alex as she came back to the front.
"LINDSEY! WHERE THE HELL IS SHE? I'M NOT DONE WITH HER YET!"
"Sir, I'm going to need to ask you to leave," said Alex. "Or I'm going to call the police."
"NO. NOT UNTIL I SEE LINDSEY! GET HER NOW!"
"Sir, I can't do that. You need to calm down."
"BITCH, I SAID GET LINDSEY! OR I'LL SHOOT YOU TO GET TO HER!" he said pulling out a gun and pointed it at her.
Alex swallowed hard and said, "Sir…"
*A/N: So Dave didnt' faint which was pretty good. He's just shocked. They both are. It should wear off eventually and Alex is making Dave get a vasectomy to prevent another pregnancy. Alex should probably play the lottery she has good chances of winning. And Ben.. he "accidentally" stabbed someone with a pencil so now the teacher wants to meet with Dave and Alex. That can't be good. And Alex went to work at the shelter and told Dave she would be fine.. she doesn't sound too fine now.. so what did you think? Please Review and thank-you for taking hte time to read.
