Okay, this chapter does absolutely nothing to develop the plot of our story, but I saw the episode "Zero" on one of the weekend binge-a-thons on WeTV a few weeks ago and this idea lodged itself in my brain and would not leave me alone, so I decided to add in an extra chapter. You guys don't mind too much, do you?

CHAPTER 21-

Autumn had finally come to New York. The leaves on the trees throughout Prospect Park gradually changed from a vibrant green to the red, orange, and golden splashes of color so characteristic of this time of year. Leaves that held valiantly for as long as they could before the mid-October breezes finally began to coax them to dance away from their branches.

Connie Rubirosa had always loved fall and spring. The transitioning seasons before winter's chill and summer's heat set in. Fall, especially, was one of her favorite times of the year, heralding the oncoming holidays. This year, fall was more special than ever before, as it was also going to bring the birth of their baby. Connie could hardly believe that in just about a month, they would finally be able to hold their child in their arms. Connie's pregnancy thus far, surprise though it was, had been like a dream. From the very start, she had loved watching the changes to her body as the baby grew. She loved feeling the baby move within her. She loved seeing the wonder on Mike's face the first time she placed his hand on her belly so that he, too, could feel the kicks from their child inside. They were so near the finish line now.

But in the past week, Connie was beginning to understand why some runners often said the last part of the race was the hardest. She was definitely beginning to feel every bit of the 35 pounds of weight she had gained during her pregnancy, at least 15 pounds of which she felt was currently residing in her cheeks. Her back hurt. Her hands and feet were swollen. She wasn't sleeping well because she couldn't find a comfortable position to rest in, and because she had to get up all through the night to go to the bathroom. She felt fat and ugly. She was so tired of maternity clothes, and couldn't imagine there was any possible way that she would ever again fit into her pre-pregnancy clothes.

She tried to hide her melancholy from Mike. She was sure he would tell her she was just being silly. So she kept silent. Mike's attention was currently focused elsewhere anyway. He had been informed by Jack a couple of weeks ago that he would be appearing on a panel at Hudson University to discuss ways to combat violent crime in the city. Mike had tried resolutely to get out of it, going so far as to play the "What if Connie goes into labor?" card. But Jack wasn't falling for it. He told Mike that his presence had been specifically requested as a distinguished alumnus of the Hudson University Law School. His appearance on the panel would reflect positively on the DA's Office, Jack had told him, making it very clear that Mike had no way out. He had since complained about it endlessly.

Unfortunately, Connie wasn't feeling particularly sympathetic while in her own current state of discomfort. She had tried, she really had, but finally as she listened to him that morning, bemoaning the fact that he was essentially going to be wasting half of his work day sitting in a pre-planning meeting for the panel, Connie had gotten rather short with him. So here she now sat, on a bench in the atrium of the law school, waiting for Mike's meeting to end. Connie had decided to extend an olive branch, and had texted to tell him that she would meet him and they could get lunch, maybe take a look at the beautiful fall foliage on campus before going back to work for the afternoon.

A voice suddenly intruded on Connie's thoughts. "Connie Rubirosa? What a surprise seeing you here."

Connie looked over near the entrance to the law library to see the last person she would ever have imagined running into here. "Carly?"

The one time judicial clerk, who Connie knew had harbored feelings for Mike in the past, crossed in her direction. The last Connie had heard, Carly was out of a job and was about to be investigated by the Attorney General. What could she possibly be doing here? Connie thought. She looked to be doing very well for the scandal she had gone through just a little over two years earlier. She was wearing what looked to be an expensive suit and heels. Her blond hair had grown to shoulder-length and looked decidedly sun-kissed, as did her tanned skin. Connie thought she must have recently spent some time on a beach somewhere. She noticed that Carly was currently eyeing her critically as well. When she saw Carly's eyes widen at the sight of her pregnant belly, Connie tried to jump in before Carly had a chance to ask any questions.

"Uh, hello!" Connie said. "What brings you to Hudson?"

Carly pasted on a bright smile and shrugged. "I work here now. In the law library." She paused for a second, then added, "I'm actually the library administrator now."

Connie carefully schooled her features so that her surprise at Carly's words would not show on her face. Connie smiled and nodded as Carly went on.

"Are you still at the DA's Office?" Connie nodded again, but before she could say anything, Carly asked. "I don't suppose you're still Mike Cutter's assistant, are you?"

Connie felt her eyebrows climb before she could stop them this time. Mike always became irritated when someone called her his "assistant." And while news of their recent engagement was currently all the rage all over Foley Square, it apparently hadn't made it much farther than that. "Uh, well," Connie answered, "we still work together, yes."

Carly smiled, glancing around the atrium. "So you might know about the panel he's sitting on later this week," she said, then added, "thanks to me."

Connie was starting to get a very bad feeling about this. "Thanks to you?" she asked.

Carly shrugged. "I'm very good friends with one of the organizers. I suggested that Mike would be a good voice to include on his panel. They're meeting here today," Carly looked around again.

"And you're hoping to run into him?" Connie asked, though it sounded more like a statement than a question.

"Well, it couldn't hurt to cross paths with him, right?" she winked at Connie. "I mean, you can't blame a girl for trying."

It wasn't often that Connie Rubirosa found herself at a loss for words, but she truly did not know what to say to that comment. A combination of the pregnancy hormones coursing through her, her recent self-image issues related to her pregnancy, and the residual dislike and, yes, she could admit it now, jealousy that Connie had felt when she had first met Carly all swirled together like a Nor'easter. Carly's next words did nothing to help calm her feelings.

"I notice you're not wearing a ring. Are you having a baby on your own?"

In fact, Connie's ring was currently hanging on a chain around her neck, but was hidden from view as it had slipped inside the collar of her shirt. Her fingers had swollen so much in the past couple of days that she had been forced to stop wearing it on her hand. Unfortunately, before Connie had a chance to set her straight about her ring, her pregnancy, and her fiancé, Carly's phone rang.

"Oh, duty calls. I have to take this," Carly said. She flashed another huge smile, reaching out to pat Connie's arm. "It was so good to see you. If I run into Mike today, I'll be sure to let him know that we caught up!"

And then she was gone, leaving Connie to watch her retreating form. Her thin, blond, tanned, looking very professional on her three inch heels retreating form.

And the storm of uncertainty inside of Connie suddenly began to surge again.

Mike unlocked the door and entered quietly. The house was silent, and if he hadn't received the message from Connie saying that she wasn't going to be able to meet him for lunch after all and would just see him later at home, he would have thought no one was there. Something was definitely wrong, he just wasn't sure what, and he hoped fervently that he hadn't done something stupid without his knowledge to upset his very pregnant fiancée. After hanging up his coat he moved farther into the house, where he found Connie sitting on the couch working on her laptop. The computer was currently resting on the arm of the couch, as Connie's lap was, at the moment, virtually non-existent. A single lamp on the end table next to her provided the only light in the house, other than the flickering of the flame from a lavender and vanilla scented candle that was burning on the mantle above the fireplace, filling the room with a soothing aroma. Connie had received the gift at her baby shower, something to help her relieve any stress she might feel during the final weeks of her pregnancy. Mike saw that Connie was frowning down at the computer screen as her fingers flew across the keys. Everything about her demeanor told Mike that he needed to tread lightly.

"Hey babe," he said quietly, picking up the stack of papers sitting on the couch next to Connie so that he could take their place. Connie grabbed the papers from him, placing them on the end table and turning away from him as she directed her attention once again to the laptop screen.

"Do you realize how much we have to get done before the baby gets here?" she said. Mike chanced a look over her shoulder to see what website she had up on the computer. "27 Things You Should Do In the Last Month of Pregnancy." Mike raised his eyebrows as Connie continued. "I have to pack my bag. We have to get a car seat, because the hospital might not let us leave without one. And how are we going to get home? We can't bring a newborn on the subway! I've got to finish washing all the baby clothes. We've got to get the bassinet set up in our room."

Mike placed a hand on her back, rubbing gently. Without really thinking, he defaulted to his tendency to answer an argument by posing a question. "Well that's all stuff we can figure out pretty easily, I think. Aren't you the one who's been saying all along that we have plenty of time?"

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Mike knew he had made a mistake. He could tell from the look on her face, that he had just said the wrong thing to Connie. She narrowed her eyes at him, pursing her lips. "Just forget it," she sighed, "you clearly don't understand."

Mike was almost afraid to move. He had absolutely no idea what to do or say now to dig himself out of the hole he found himself in. He wasn't even sure how he'd gotten here in the first place. He decided a change of subject might be the safest way to go. "I'm sorry our lunch plans didn't work out. Was everything okay?"

"Oh yeah, sure," Connie said without meeting his eyes as she started typing once again. "I'm sure your old girlfriend was more than happy to join you."

Whoa, Mike thought, a puzzled look crossing his face. He had no idea where that came from, but he suddenly felt like he was walking into a minefield. "My what?" he asked.

Connie forcefully placed the laptop on the end table, then turned to finally meet his eyes. "Carly," she said.

"Carly?" Mike asked. It took him a minute, but he finally realized who Connie was referring to.

"Yes, beautiful, skinny, successful, law library administrator at Hudson University Carly, who thought you would be a 'good voice' when she recommended you to sit on this panel. I ran into her while I was waiting for you on campus this afternoon," Connie said. Her eyes dropped, and some of her anger was replaced by fear. "Did you know she worked there? Have you been talking to her?"

Mike was finally beginning to understand what was going on here. He reached out to take Connie's hand in one of his, using his free hand to tip her chin up so she would meet his eyes. "Connie, no," he told her earnestly. "I haven't seen or heard from her in over two years, not since the mess with Judge Reynolds. I have no idea what she is doing now, and I certainly haven't talked to her."

Connie searched his face, then sighed. "Are you sure?"

Mike raised his hand as if being sworn in in court. "So help me God," he said seriously. Connie nodded her head, then dropped her gaze to her lap. Mike once again brought her eyes back up to his. "What's going on?"

Connie just sighed, trying her damnedest not to burst into tears. She had already embarrassed herself enough, she didn't need to add a complete, blubbering breakdown to the list. "I was waiting for you today in the atrium and she showed up. She just looked so polished and put together and was going on about how she is now the administrator of the law library." She paused and glanced up at him, then dropped her eyes again. "She started talking about you, asking if I was still your assistant. She said she had pulled some strings to get you on that panel, and she was waiting there, hoping to run into you."

"What?" Mike asked, surprise and anger in competition for dominance on his face.

" 'Couldn't hurt to cross paths with him. Can't blame a girl for trying'," she mimicked Carly's overly sweet tone, then added quietly in her own voice, "Bitch."

Mike was flabbergasted. "She said that to you?"

Connie just nodded. "Then she asked if I was having a baby on my own, since I didn't have a ring."

"Unbelievable bitch," Mike breathed.

Connie smiled a little. She really did feel better for having told him, so she decided to go on. "It's not all her fault. She was kind of snarky, but she's never been my favorite person, and listening to her practically lusting over you and seeing her looking so beautiful when I'm as big as a house and can't even tie my shoes or shave my legs anymore, it was just too much. I just had to get out of there.." She looked up at him with watery eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't wait for you to finish your meeting, and I'm sorry I've been so all over the place lately. It's just…" she trailed off.

"Hey," Mike said gently, "talk to me."

Connie heaved another deep sigh. "I'm so tired of being pregnant," she confessed. "Everything hurts. I can't sleep at night. My breasts have started leaking. I barely have the energy to get through the work day, much less spend any time with you. I miss you, but I know I'm huge and fat and ugly and unbelievably moody, so why would you want to be around me anyway? And as much as I am ready to have my own body back, I am terrified about what comes next. What if I can't do it? What if I can't handle labor? What if I can't figure out how to breastfeed? What if I'm a terrible mom?"

As hard as she had tried, Connie was not able to control the errant tears that had escaped her eyes and were now making their way down her cheeks. Mike took a moment to gather his thoughts, knowing how important it was that his next words were just right. He cupped her cheek with his hand, wiping away her tears with his thumb.

"Connie, I'm sorry you had to run into her like that, but I swear to you, I haven't seen or talked to her in years, and I have absolutely no desire to." He smiled at her. "Why would I ever want her, or anyone else for that matter, when I have you?" She couldn't help but smile at his sweet words. "Listen, this is going to sound like a line, but it's the God's honest truth. The moment I first saw you I thought you were the most beautiful woman in the world." She scoffed at him, but he continued. "No, I mean it. And I know you aren't exactly comfortable right now, but when I look at you, carrying our baby, you are even more beautiful. And to know when we are out somewhere, that when people look at you, they can see what we created together, it's just," he paused for a moment, shaking his head as if searching for just the right words. "It's everything."

"Mike," Connie whispered, tears filling her eyes once again.

"Don't cry, babe," he said leaning in to kiss her tenderly. As their lips parted he lingered close, whispering to her. "I know a lot of this is scary, and you are the one doing most of the heavy lifting right now, but we are in this together, all the way. And you are going to be a wonderful mother, of that I have no doubt."

"I love you," she whispered, leaning her forehead against his. "I'm sorry I've been so cranky and crazy lately."

Mike caught her lips one more time, then sat back on the couch, taking her in his arms. "You are growing a tiny human in here," he observed, running his hand over her belly. "As far as I'm concerned that gives you carte blanche to be as cranky and crazy as you want."

At that moment, they both felt the push of a foot or a head or an elbow from within. "See," Mike said with the awe filled smile that he always wore when he felt the baby move. "Someone else agrees with me."

Connie huffed out a small laugh before Mike grew serious again. "And this weekend, I will help with the rest of the baby laundry and we can get a car seat. I'm also going to get you one of those great big pillows to see if that will help you sleep. You go ahead and pack your bag, and we'll cross off anything else on your list that we can," Mike told her. "Don't forget, Natalie is going to start working with us next week, so that will take some of the pressure off at work. And anything else that comes up, we'll handle it together." Mike smiled, dipping his head to catch her eye. "How many times do I have to tell you, you're stuck with me."

Connie threw her arms around his neck, nestling as close to him as she could. She rested in his arms, savoring the feeling of safety, security, and just rightness that she always found there. "Thank you," she whispered to him.

Mike held her close for a long moment. "Will you do something for me? Two things actually?"

Connie pulled back to look in his eyes. "Anything," she said.

"Will you tell me when you're feeling like this? I knew something had been bothering you all week, I just didn't know what or how to help. What you're doing here," he placed his hand on her abdomen, "I'm in awe of it, and I just want you to be as comfortable as possible. I'll do whatever I can to help you."

Connie leaned forward to kiss him. "Thank you. I promise I'll talk to you. What's the other thing?" she asked.

"Will you come to the panel on Friday?*

Connie quirked a half smile. "If you need a cheerleader, I can think of someone else who's sure to be there that would love that job."

Mike shook his head. "I need you," he told her as he leaned forward and brushed her cheeks, chin, and finally her lips with his own.

Connie whispered, "I'll be there. I wouldn't miss it," as she deepened their kiss, effectively ending the conversation for the time being.

Connie sat about halfway back in the auditorium style room. She had a perfect view of Mike and the other members of the panel seated at the right of the stage, and the moderator seated on the left. She was quite impressed by Mike's contribution to the discussions, no matter how much he had dreaded attending. As always, his attention to detail and creative legal mind served him well. Connie had to hand it to Carly if she really was responsible for him being included. Mike came away looking like the golden boy of the group, especially to one ardent observer. Connie had a very clear view of the blonde seated in the front row. She was sure Mike had already spotted her as well. Carly was hard to miss.

The panel was just wrapping up. The moderator thanked each of the participants individually, as well as the administration of Hudson University and the assembled audience for attending. She then closed the proceedings by inviting everyone to attend a small reception in the atrium. Connie watched as Mike exited stage right. Connie glanced over in time to see Carly's face fall just a bit as he left through a side door. She watched as Carly turned and headed toward the doors at the back of the room, seeing her exit before Connie herself also began to move toward the atrium.

She quickly found Mike, currently holding a conversation with one of the other panel members who Connie recognized as the director of the criminal case division at the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. There was a handful of other people around them, Carly included, but she was behind Mike and had yet to have an opportunity to speak to him. Connie noticed that she again was impeccably dressed, though she was wearing the same suit she'd had on earlier in the week. Connie started to make her way toward the group, and was close enough to hear Mike's voice, and see the shock on Carly's face, when he met Connie's eyes and said, "Jeffrey, have you met my fiancée?"

Mike smiled as he came to meet Connie, taking her hand and leading her back to the group. "Jeffrey Zornberg, Connie Rubirosa," Mike introduced them.

Connie exchanged a handshake with the gentleman Mike had been speaking to. Mike kept his hand at the small of her back as Jeffrey asked when the baby was due. Mike answered with excitement before Connie even had a chance to. Mike rubbed his hand gently across her back as they continued their conversation. Connie wasn't sure if Mike knew that Carly was standing close enough to overhear when he introduced her as his fiancée, and she was certain he had not seen the look of combined shock and disappointment cross Carly's face.

But as they left 30 minutes later, Connie had no doubt about Mike's intentions in asking her to be with him at the panel. He intended to send a very clear message to Carly, and he was able to do it without saying a word. As they walked through the atrium, they passed the wall of windows that looked into the law library. They couldn't help but notice Carly sitting at the circulation desk. Mike saw Carly's eyes start to turn their way and he stopped. He couldn't be sure that Carly saw what happened next, because his eyes never left Connie's.

"Thanks for coming," he told her sincerely, as he leaned in to kiss her lips quickly but tenderly. She took his arm as they walked together out into the late fall afternoon.

As they made their way down the sidewalk leading from the Law School, Connie squeezed Mike's arm. "You did that on purpose, didn't you," she said.

He shrugged. "It seemed like a good, non-confrontational way to get the message across without really being harsh, with the added bonus of showing off my beautiful fiancée. Oh, and by the way," Mike said, glancing over at her, "when I was talking with the dean of the law school, he told me that one of the 'girls that ran the circulation desk' at the library mentioned that she knew me. Carly's not the library administrator, just an hourly employee at the library."

Connie could have been angry, or she could have just laughed out loud at the discovery of Carly's lie. Truth be told, she just felt sad for the woman who felt she had to fabricate such a story about her life, and grateful for the man currently at her side and the life they had together. "I say we don't let her take up another minute of our time."

Mike agreed, except for one thing. "So, all those years ago, when I asked if we had a jealousy problem…" he trailed off, smiling at her mischievously. "We're you jealous?"

Connie just shook her head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Mike laughed, reaching out to take her hands as he came around to walk backwards in front of her. "You were!" he exclaimed. "You were jealous! I knew it!" Connie just continued to shake her head, not meeting his eyes, but couldn't contain the small smile creeping across her lips. Mike pulled her closer and kissed her, then asked seriously. "You really were, even then?"

Connie kissed him again. "I was insanely jealous," she told him truthfully, "even then."

Mike leaned close to kiss her one more time, before offering her his arm. They continued on their way across the tree lined campus on a beautiful fall day, with thoughts of Carly all but forgotten.

I remember how tough that last month of pregnancy was….I think Connie showed extreme self-control here in not just decking Carly. Thank you for reading, and (as always!) I'd love to hear what you think!