"Honey, that's wonderful!" The troubles of the day instantly forgotten, Roy swept his wife up into his arms and kissed her. "When?"

"Around the first of July."

"Wow!" Roy's eyes looked dreamy. "I can hardly believe it!"

"I remember all the times I took care of Audrey on the island," Mary Ann reminisced. "Sometimes I used to imagine that she was my own. She really brought out the maternal instinct in me, and I wanted a baby of my own so very much, and now, at last, my wish is going to come true!"

"I remember feeling the same way about Audrey myself," Roy admitted. "I'd never even really thought about fatherhood before she was born. I mean, I guess I just always assumed that it would happen someday, but she really got me thinking about it. She was always so curious about scientific things, always asking questions. I remember thinking how proud of her I'd be if I were her father." Roy gazed fondly at his wife. "I hope we have a little girl who looks just like you."

"I was just thinking how nice it would be to have a little boy who looks just like you," Mary Ann replied. "I can't wait to tell all the others."

The first one she called was Ginger. "Guess what!" she exclaimed as soon as her friend answered the telephone. "I'm pregnant!"

"That's wonderful!" Ginger exclaimed. "When did you find out?"

"At my doctor's appointment today," Mary Ann replied.

"How's Audrey?"

"She's fine!" said Ginger. "She still misses you very much, of course, but she's enjoying school and making new friends. And you'll never in a million years guess who's back!"

"Who?"

"Igor!"

"You're kidding!"

"Nope. He saw us being rescued on TV and came to see me soon afterwards. Just imagine how shocked he was when he found out about Audrey! He was fine with it though, happy even. We've been spending a lot of time together as a family, just the three of us. And Mary Ann, you know what? When we're all together like that, lots of times I almost forget that we're not a married couple who've been together all these years, because honestly, that's what it feels like."

"Well, that's great, Ginger. I'm really glad that you and Igor found each other again and that things are going so well. How does Audrey feel about finally meeting her father for the first time?"

"She's thrilled, of course. She and Igor have become very close. And Mary Ann...last weekend, Audrey went camping with her friend Diane and her family, and Igor and I spent the entire weekend together here."

"Well...that's nice." Mary Ann felt a bit awkward. She knew that she and Ginger had different backgrounds and that Ginger thought nothing of sharing such information with her, but the thought of what Igor and Ginger had done over the weekend still made her blush just a little.

"Be careful, Ginger," she told her friend. "You remember what happened the last time you and Igor...spent time together like that."

"He told me he had a vasectomy after his daughter was born."

"His daughter?"

"He was married before and had a couple of kids, but he's divorced now."

"Where are they?"

"In Minnesota with their mother. He gets them every summer."

"Wow, Ginger. So things are pretty serious between you two."

"I guess you could say that."

"Well, I hope it works out for you, Ginger. I think it's great that Audrey has a relationship with her father now."

Mary Ann called her cousin Cindy in Kansas next.

"That's really neat!" Cindy replied when Mary Ann told her the news. "I know how you've always wanted to be a mother."

"You too, Cindy. How are things going with Gilligan?"

"Things are going great with Gilligan! He's such a sweet guy, always so caring and thoughtful. Like a big kid in some ways but totally adorable. I know he'll make a great husband and father."

"I always knew he would too, Cindy. I'm so glad he's found a sweet girl like you who deserves him."

Next Mary Ann called the Howells, then the Skipper. They were all very happy for her and wished her the best.

"So how is everyone?" asked Roy, hugging his wife from behind and kissing her neck.

"Everyone's fine. Ginger's reunited with Igor, and it sounds like things are getting pretty serious between them. Gilligan and Cindy are still going strong as well."

"Well, I'm very happy for them all," said Roy. "Now all of us are paired up except the Skipper."

"I'm sure there's someone somewhere for him too," said Mary Ann.

Wow, thought Ginger as she hung up the telephone. A baby for Roy and Mary Ann! And this time the father will be there when the baby's born, as it should be...as it should have been for me...

She had to swallow a lump in her throat.

Igor called her promptly after dinner, as he always did.

"Guess what!" she said. "You remember Mary Ann and the Professor who were shipwrecked on the island with me and got married right after we were rescued?"

"Of course I remember! How are they doing?"

"They're doing fine. Mary Ann's going to have a baby in July."

"Well, that is very nice, yes? They will have a child to love as well, just like we do."

Ginger thought of something. "Igor?"

"Yes?"

"Were you there when your other two children were born?"

"Yes, I was right there in delivery room both times. I tell you, Ginger, that was most wonderful feeling in the world, to watch baby being born, to know that it is from you, from the love you share with the mother. Nothing else compare with that."

Ginger didn't say anything for a long time.

"Ginger?" Igor asked gently. "You feel little bit sad right now, yes?"

"Yeah, just a little bit."

"Do not feel sad, darling Ginger. I love you."

"I love you too, Igor."

"I wish that I were there right now to put my arms around you."

"That's all right. I'll just imagine that you're here holding me all night."

Igor laughed. "Can't wait until I'm holding you all night for real."

"Me neither." Ginger laughed and felt much better.