Evan didn't know what to say. Well he did, it's just that at the moment the connection between his brain and his mouth had stopped working.

Max was pregnant.

"H-How is that possible?" he asked when his mouth finally started working again.

Her mouth twisted into an amused smile, "Well Evan, when two people really like each other-"

"I know how." Evan retorted, interrupting Max as she laughed. "What I mean is how could it happen? We've been trying for awhile and, like you said before, nothing's been happening."

Max shrugged, "You got me. I'm sure there's a long explanation with a bunch of complex-sounding words that could describe it but I'm just happy knowing that I am."

"Compared to this my promotion is nothing." Evan said, brushing a strand of hair away from Max's face. "How long have you known?"

"Pierce just told me. He ran everything twice to make sure, that's why it took so long." She replied, snuggling close to him.

"Well as long as you're going to be ok."

"That's why he wants me in bed right away; he thinks that maybe the last two-" Max cut off, it was still painful to think, let alone talk, about the two she had lost. "well anyways he ordered me to get in there and not get out unless I absolutely had to."

"I can agree with that." Evan kissing Max as he gently pushed her down onto the couch.

"Evan," Max said in-between his kisses and tried to push him away. "can't you wait until later? The kids'll be home soon."

"We've got time." He said softly, grabbing her wrists and pushing them to the side.

He started to kiss her again when the faint 'hiss' of the door being opened filled the room and they heard, "Agh, I don't need to see this!"

They glanced up to see Anglia squishing her eyes shut while having a hand clapped over Miranda's and Devon was avoiding their gaze.

"You guys are home." Evan replied hastily as he sat up and ran a hand through his hair.

"Well yeah," Anglia replied in a 'how dumb can you be' tone. "we do live here."

"Let me rephrase; you're home early."

"Oh, well they let us out of school early. Again."

"Have a seat guys." Max said, while pushing to one side of the couch to make enough room for one of them to sit there. "We need to tell you something."

"Are we moving to the mainland?" Devon asked, smiling as he sat down.

"No, that's not it." Evan replied he helped boost Miranda up to the couch so she could sit in-between him and Max. "I got a promotion today."

"Neat, what are you now?"

"Lieutenant Colonel, but it won't be official for a few more weeks. There'll be a ceremony and reception afterwards."

"That it?" Anglia asked, moving to stand.

"No, there's more." Evan said, reaching across to squeeze Max on the shoulder. "Your mom has some news as well."

"Is it about the cuts?" Devon asked, looking at Max.

"Devon." Max said, shooting daggers at her teenage son.

"What? I'm only asking 'cause it's all over school. I think that's why they let us out early."

"What cuts?" Evan asked, frowning. If there was something happening with the school why didn't she tell him?

"I'll tell you later." Max said, softly. "And no, it's not about the cuts." She replied, shaking her head. "In about nine months or so there'll be a new addition to the family."

"We get a doggie?" Miranda asked, her face lighting up.

"No, not a pet." Max said, smiling at the question. "Mommy's going to have a baby."

"No way." Anglia said, looking startled. Max nodded and Anglia was silent for a few seconds letting the news sinking. "Oh boy."

"Aren't I your baby?" Miranda asked, her blue eyes swimming with tears and looking like she might start crying any moment.

"Of course you are, Munchkin." Evan said, picking her up and setting her on his lap. "You'll always be my baby; it's just that you're gonna be a big sister soon."

"Like Angie?" Miranda asked, snuggling closer to Lorne.

"Just like Angie." He soothed. "Now how about we get some ice cream to celebrate?"

--

Evan shifted and turned so that he was facing Max but instead of a warm body was greeted with cold sheets. It took a moment for him to realize that she was gone and as he sat up, wondered where she was. A light gave him a clue and Lorne got up, moving softly so he wouldn't wake the others.

Walking into the living room, he saw Max resting her head on the glass table across from the couch (both of which were covered with papers). Kneeling, he gently shook her and softly said, "Hey, what are you doin' up?"

"Hmm?" Max asked sleepily, lifting her head and running a hand over her face.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" Evan asked, moving to his knees.

"Mmm, can't." Max replied, still half-asleep. Picking up a pencil she tried to focus her tired eyes on the plethora of papers and spreadsheets on the table. "I need to have everything figured out for the meeting tomorrow with Woolsey."

Evan took the pencil from her hand and set it down out of her reach. "You need your sleep, no more late nights for you." He replied, helping her stand.

"But-" Max protested as he led her away from the chaos of numbers and spreadsheets and towards their bedroom.

"No buts." Lorne interrupted. "The meeting's not until the afternoon so you'll have plenty of time to finish."

Max scowled, but when combined with her sleepy face it produced such a cute look that Evan couldn't help but chuckle softly. "I hate you." She grumbled while stifling a yawn.

"I love you too."

--

"Are you sure there's nothing that can be fixed?" Max asked, trying her very best not to give into the urge to bash her head into the table. The fact that she hadn't been able to get the alternate budget finished didn't put her on the good side of the IOA's or that Woolsey seemed determined not to hear her out.

"I told you before; either go along with the revised budget or find some other way to reduce costs."

"And I told you that I do have an alternate budget but it's not finished. I just need some more time." Max all but begged.

Woolsey sighed and stood. "The IOA has given you more than enough time. Either have it finished before the Apollo is set to leave or I'll assume that you've decided to go with ours."

"Wait." Max said standing. Woolsey paused and she took that as her cue to continue, "There's a third option." She didn't want to think about it, but she was desprate and at the moment it was better than what she was faced with. The lesser of three evils, as it were.

"Really?" Woolsey asked, his curiosity piqued. Walking back to the chair he had occupied, he sat back down while saying, "Then let's here it."