Time to toss in a new wrinkle even before we resolve some of the ones we've been following in this story.

I love all of your great comments. Thanks for reading my story.

Chapter 69.

Gretchen and Scott dropped off A.G. at the daycare center early Monday morning because they had an early appointment with Nelson. His friends weren't there yet, but he headed directly for the blocks, expectng Zach and Amy would be there soon to play with him.

The early appointment meant that Gretchen and Scott didn't have to wait. Nelson greeted them and began to prepare the ultrasound equipment as Gretchen went into the small changing room to trade her clothes for an examination gown.

"How have you been feeling?" Nelson asked when she came out again, even though he had seen his friends only two days before.

"OK," Gretchen said, but it sounded tentative. "Although, the pressure on my bladder has increased, and I'm having a harder time finding a good position to sleep."

"Well, let's see where the baby is now." Nelson ran the wand over her rounded belly. Their eyes went to the screen. The baby was clearly visible, as he tried to swim in the amniotic fluid. But because he was so big at this point, he filled the space and seemed to be trying to expand it. They all chuckled, watching him.

"He's anxious to get out of there," Nelson said. "From his current position, I'd say another six to nine days."

"That soon?" Gretchen asked, but it wasn't as if she was upset. If anything, she was happy to hear his prediction.

"His heartbeat is very strong. You've got yourselves a healthy one there," Nelson said.

Later, as Gretchen dressed again, Scott and Nelson talked about how having another baby might change their lives.

"Wait until you bring your little one home," Scott said. "You and Beth will have quite a bit of adjusting to do, too."

"We know, but it'll be worth it," Nelson said. "We'll be leaving for China in a couple of weeks so we can bring her back here with us for Thanksgiving."

Gretchen had rejoined them by this time. "What made you decide to adopt from China?" she asked.

"We tried here in the States. Oh, we meet the age and income requirements, but the wait is still very long. Besides, it thrilled my parents to know that the baby will be Chinese."

"I didn't even know that you were looking into adoption," Scott said.

"I guess we've been keeping it quiet because we didn't know if it would ever happen. You two had no trouble conceiving, but from the start we knew we had problems. Both of us. The, uh, procedures we'd both need to correct them wouldn't guarantee anything. Even IVF was out. So, we both agreed this was the best way for us."

"Well, we couldn't be happier for you," Gretchen told him, and then impulsively hugged him. "How old is the baby you're adopting?"

"She's almost a year old. Her name is Lin-Song and I guess we'll call her Lin."

"What a pretty name!" Gretchen exclaimed. "Guess we'll have a whole new generation between A.G., Lin, Clarissa and our new little one."

Nelson nodded, then resumed his doctor mode. "I'll see you again in a week, if not sooner. Remember not to lift anything, including that son of yours," he warned.

"Thanks, Nelson. I'll give Beth a call later today."

Gretchen and Scott parted at the elevators, and she headed to Peds. She spent the morning tending to her patients and talking to their anxious parents, just as she did every day.

At noon, she went down to the daycare center to see A.G. before she had lunch. He was playing with Zach, this time with some plastic trucks.

"Mommy!" Her little boy grinned when he saw her, but she sensed there was something that was bothering him.

"A.G., what's wrong?" she asked in concern.

"Amy's not here. She didn't come to school today. Do you think she's gone?" the little boy asked.

"Let me talk to Miss Ellen." She found the pre-school teacher helping some four-year-olds clean up from finger painting.

"Ellen, did Dr. Lerner call about Amy today?"

"No, he didn't and that's strange. When she's missed school before, he's always called," Ellen replied. "I know A.G. and Zach have been looking for her all morning."

"I'll check and see whether the Dean has heard from him," Gretchen promised. "I'll let you know if I find out anything."

She went back to her son and knelt down. "I'm going to try to find out why she wasn't here today, but I'm sure it's just because she's sick or something," she said to reassure him.

A.G. reluctantly accepted that.

"I'll see you later, OK?"

He nodded.

Gretchen went immediately to Cuddy's office. She knocked on the open door and said, "Aunt Lisa, have you heard from Charley Lerner today?"

"No, I haven't. Why are you looking for him?"

"Amy didn't come to daycare today, and he never called," Gretchen explained. "I'm sure it's nothing, but it does seem odd."

Cuddy smiled at her. "You're so like you father when something like this happens."

"You know I've been wondering about them for a while, since Amy told A.G. something about moving away."

"I can assure you, Charley Lerner is still on staff," Cuddy said.

"OK," Gretchen said, but she had one other source of information to check about the Lerners. She headed up to NICU to find Ruth.

Chapter 70.

Ruth was busy with her infant patients when Gretchen arrived. One very sick preemie needed adjustments to his incubator. Gretchen watched Ruth, grateful that her baby would be perfectly healthy.

Ruth was finally finished. She smiled when she saw her friend. "Hi, Gretch!"

"Hi, Ruth. Looks like NICU's even busier than usual."

"Unfortunately, it's been this busy every day I've worked lately," Ruth said. "So what brings you up here?"

"I just wondered if you'd spoken to Charley since Saturday night," Gretchen replied,

"No, I haven't. But I had to work yesterday."

"Oh." Gretchen was disappointed.

"Why are you asking?"

"Amy isn't at daycare today, and he didn't call to say she was sick. She seemed perfectly fine on Saturday night."

Ruth nodded agreement. "I think she had a good time. I've never seen her so lively," she told Gretchen. "Charley has a one o'clock class on Mondays. Maybe you can catch him before he starts and ask him directly."

"That's a good idea. Thanks, Ruthie," Gretchen said smiling. "Do you have enough time to grab some lunch with me? I'm positively famished!"

Ruth chuckled. "I saw how much you ate the other night! I don't think I've ever seen you eat like that!" She looked around. "I suppose I can take about twenty minutes."

"That's all I have, especially if I want to try and catch Charley."

"I wish I could tell you more," Ruth said as they waited for the elevator. "I certainly hope Amy's OK. She's such a sweet little girl."

The doors opened and they got on the elevator. "You've grown quite fond of her, haven't you?" Gretchen asked.

"I guess I have," Ruth admitted.

They each got a large chicken Caesar salad and iced tea, and Gretchen got a piece of pie as well, then they found a small table off in a corner.

"I saw Nelson this morning for what may be my last exam," Gretchen said.

"What did he say?" Ruth asked.

"Everything's fine. Maybe six to ten days more. Frankly this kid can't come soon enough."

Ruth smiled at her. "Have you decided on a name?"

"I like Daniel, but Scott's pushing for Jeremy," Gretchen said. "We'll probably decide at the last minute. It was a lot easier with A.G. Calling him Arthur Gregory was almost a given."

"You have a wonderful family," Ruth said. "I'm glad you and Scott are together."

"I don't think I really ever considered anyone else."

"What about Joel?" Ruth asked. "You seemed interested in him when his family first came to Princeton."

"He's a good guy. But he's not Scottie."

"You and Scott, Tommy and Em, Audra and Justin, and Nelson and Beth. I guess I envy you all," Ruth said wistfully.

"Well, if things work out with Charley..."

"I really do like him. He's just still so...private. You know what I mean?"

"I think I do," Gretchen said. "Just hang in there. I guess he has to trust you before he'll open up to you."

"You're right," Ruth agreed. "Well, I've got to get back up to NICU."

"And I have to try and catch Charley before his class."

"Here, I'll take the trays," Ruth said, busing them both. "See you later."

They headed in opposite directions. When Gretchen arrived outside the lecture hall for Charley's one o'clock class, she didn't see him. Instead she saw someone else she knew, Joel's father, Dr. Kenneth Chambers.

"Dr. Chambers, are you teaching Charley Lerner's class today?" she asked. "I thought your specialty was pulmonology, not cardiology."

"He asked me to fill in," Dr. Chambers replied. "Something about his daughter being ill."

"Oh!"

"He sent me some notes to use, but I've taught for him and others before." He studied her, especially her bulging stomach. "Not much longer, huh?" he said with a smile.

She smiled back. "About a week. How is Mrs. Chambers?"

"She's doing well."

"We don't see Joel as much as we used to, but I saw Sherry recently."

"We don't see much of Joel either. He travels a lot for his company."

"Well, tell your wife I said 'hi'," Gretchen said.

"I will." The students were beginning to arrive and he entered the hall to prepare for them.

Gretchen was thoughtful as she walked back to the elevator to return to her office. If Amy was sick, why hadn't Charley called in to tell Ellen or anyone else at the daycare center?