As another week of exams comes to a close, hopefully I can get some more writing on. Of course, it might go a little faster with your encouragements and me actually working on this story instead of the five I've already started for my future stories. But the muse works in mysterious ways... Enjoy.

Not mine.

"I think we should tell Julie I'm pregnant." I told Carlos over breakfast the next morning.

He didn't look up from his paper. "Sure."

I grabbed my mug of tea. "Maybe bring her here for a small vacation. To tell her in person."

He still didn't look up. "Good idea."

By this time, I had a feeling that he wasn't listening. "And I'm running away with Lester. We're madly in love and we can't keep it a secret anymore."

"Okay."

I sighed at him and crossed my arms. Then the doorbell rang.

"Are you expecting anyone?" I asked.

"No," he said. "But maybe it's Lester to pick you up so you two can run off together." He looked over the paper at me, smiling. I rolled my eyes and went to open the door.

"Hey Steph." Tank said. "He up yet?"

"Hey, he's in the kitchen." Tank gave me a smile and headed towards my husband. When I got back to the kitchen, they were huddled close together staring at a file. To give them their privacy, I went up to take a shower. A few minutes later, Carlos climbed in after me.

"You started without me." He said. Ever since we started dating, we took showers together. It was a nice tradition that we had and I was sad to see it end when the baby came. With our combined gene pool, he or she might have to be watched every second of every day, which was going to put a real damper on our usual extra-curricular activities.

"I wanted to give you and Tank your privacy." I replied. He put his arms around my waist and brought me close to him, placing his chin on my shoulder.

"Uh oh."

"What?" He asked.

"It's bad, isn't it?"

He sighed and replaced his chin with his forehead. "I have to go to Washington."

"Why?" What did they want with my husband now?

"I'm not sure."

"They won't tell you?" I turned in his arms.

He shook his head. "They know I'm out so I won't go on another mission. I won't miss your any more of your pregnancy than I have to. They probably just want my input on some field training exercises."

"But what if it isn't? Can they make you go?"

"No, not legally. They won't though because I've made sure if I do go, certain things will go public."

"You blackmailed the government!" I was shocked.

"Not technically. Hinted at blackmail is more what I did. And only to part of the government."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"Stephanie, you knew this was part of my life. This is the darker side. I'm still your Carlos, but the mercenary is still in there as well. It's who I am."

"Why are you telling me all this?"

He tucked a few curls behind my ear. "Because I have no secrets from you. Except for the ones I have to keep."

I knew this was part of his life, but it was still a shock. He always said that his life wasn't normal and I knew that going in, but it was still a shock to see him act like this; going from romantic husband to mercenary in six seconds flat.

"Are you having second thoughts about us?" He asked, reading my face.

"No, are you?"

His shoulders relaxed. "No. But the moment you can't handle it, I want you to tell me."

"You'll be waiting a long time, Batman."

He gave me a small smile. "Good to know."

"So, when do you leave?" I asked when we got out of the shower.

"Tonight."

"I didn't think it'd be so soon."

"The sooner I go, the sooner I can be back for you and the baby."

"How long will you be gone?"

"A few days, week most."

"Good. I'll have Julie come next weekend. It might be the only time we see her before the holidays."

He looked at me.

"What?"

"You really want to see Julie over the holidays? Thanksgiving? Christmas? New Years?"

"You sound so shocked."

"I just never thought…"

"Carlos, she's your daughter. Of course I'd want to see her. She's a part of you and part of our family."

He hugged me. "If I didn't already love you, I'd fall in love with you right now."

"Aw, that's sweet."

"I'm glad that you and Julie get along so well. When I told her that we were going to start dating, she was ecstatic."

"She knew before I did?"

He nodded. "I was down in Miami visiting her like I do every time after a mission."

I smiled brightly at him. "Good. She won't think I'm the stepmother from hell."

"I don't think she'd ever see you as the stepmother from hell."

I rolled my eyes, picked up the phone and dialed. "Hey Rachel, its Stephanie." I said when she picked up the phone.

"How are you, Stephanie?"

"I'm good. You?"

"Can't complain. How was the honeymoon?"

"Beautiful."

I could hear the smile in her voice. "I'm sure Carlos made sure you had a good time."

I blushed a little. "He did."

"Good. What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if Julie had a weekend free next week."

She paused for a moment. "I don't think she has anything planned. Why?"

"I was wondering if Carlos and I could bring her up here. We need to tell her something and it's better said in person."

"What?" She asked, obviously curious.

"Can you keep a secret?" I asked.

"Sure."

"We're pregnant."

"Oh Stephanie! I'm so happy for you! Congratulations!"

"Thanks."

"Julie will be excited to have another half brother or sister. As long as she doesn't have any plans, it's okay with me that she comes up."

"Great," I said. We talked on the phone for a few more minutes and then we hung up. Carlos was staring at me again.

"What now?" I asked.

"You are a strange woman, Stephanie Manoso."

I rolled my eyes. "So I like your ex-wife. Big deal."

He smiled and shook his head at me.

"Well," I said, taking my top off. "Since you're leaving tonight, want to make the best of this afternoon?"

He wolf grinned and carried me back to bed.