Author's Note: Happy Valentine's Day! Reviews are always appreciated and encouraged.

"Girl's Night In"

It had been an uneventful month in the Concannon household. CJ was following doctor's orders and her belly continued to expand. Danny had knocked out a sizable amount of his book, though he had missed a deadline or two due to the pregnancy and the many doctors' appointments it entailed. CJ and Danny had even managed to tentatively settle on a name for the baby. Now all that was left was CJ's surprise baby shower and Danny's surprise night out with the boys.

The knock on the door came at exactly seven, just as Donna had informed Danny. He walked over to answer it hoping that CJ would be excited about the baby shower and not angry. In the last few weeks as her weight ballooned and her doctor cut back the number of hours she could work from home she seemed to like surprises less and less. Though he noticed that had been acting slightly suspicious all day.

"Hey Danny," Donna whispered as she entered with an armload of items including a cake and several bags.

"Hi," Danny said taking the cake from her.

"Is CJ in the living room?" Donna whispered.

"Ready for a night of board games and PBS," Danny nodded.

"She doesn't suspect anything?"

"I don't think so," Danny said. "Where do you want all this?"

"Is there a room she won't go into?"

"She's not really supposed to get up so pretty much anywhere," Danny replied. "I'll put it all in the den. When is everyone coming by?"

"Seven-thirty," Donna whispered.

"Danny?" CJ called from the living room. "Is that Donna?"

"Yeah, it's me," Donna said handing off one last bag to Danny before walking into the living room.

"Hi," CJ said. "I'd get up but…"

CJ shrugged instead of finishing her sentence.

"No need," Donna waved her off as she made her way to the couch.

"Where's Danny?" CJ asked.

"Uh, he took my coat," Donna said.

"You brought a coat?" CJ asked. "It's the end of August and we're in the middle of a heat wave."

"You never know," Donna shrugged. Luckily she was saved by Danny's entrance.

"So, a night out," Danny said looking unsure as to whether he wanted to go or not.

"Yep," CJ replied. "You've earned it."

"How's that?" Danny asked.

"Just go, have fun," CJ said. "I've instructed Josh to get you sloppy drunk so you can forget about how fat and immobile I am."

"You're sure you're going to be okay?" he asked.

"Here we go," CJ said looking at Donna. "Donna assures me that her babysitting skills are top-notch."

"Top-notch," Donna nodded with a grin. "I know CPR and everything."

"Not that we'll need it," CJ said alarmed. She gave Donna a look and prodded her to agree.

"No, we won't need it," Donna said quickly.

"Okay," Danny said skeptically. "I'm on my cell if you need anything."

He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss.

"I won't be late," he assured her.

"Don't worry, I'll be here," CJ said. "Probably in this exact spot."

CJ watched Danny walk away and she waited until she heard the front door click shut before she spoke.

"Do you think he knows it's more than just Josh tonight?" CJ asked.

"I doubt it," Donna replied.

"Good," CJ said. "He really deserves a night out to forget about all this."

"I'm sure that he won't forget," Donna replied.

"Maybe not forget, but he needs to relax. He deserves a night off from playing nurse," CJ said.

"I don't know I think it sounds kind of fun," Donna said coyly.

"Donnatella Moss," CJ said with mock shock.

"Well it does sound kind of fun in a kinky kind of way," Donna said as she blushed slightly.

"It only seems kinky the first time," CJ replied with a look of melancholy on her face.

"You okay?" Donna asked.

"Yeah," CJ said regaining her composure. "It just…you know what, never mind."

"Are things with you and Danny…I mean I thought you two were kind of making up for lost time in that area," Donna said.

"Yeah, were being the operative word in that sentence," CJ said. CJ hadn't shared any of the intimate details of her marriage with Donna, but with the frustration building she needed an outlet.

"When I had to go to the emergency room bed rest wasn't the only instruction I was given," CJ said.

"They said you couldn't…"

"Under no circumstances," CJ said. "Which, under normal circumstances would be difficult, but my hormones are insane and I just keep thinking about it. Are you completely creeped out by me now?"

"No, I just feel bad for you," Donna said.

"Can I ask you something?" CJ said.

"Sure."

"By the time Danny and I can enjoy marital relations," CJ said pausing in between the words and choosing them carefully. "I'll have given birth and he'll have seen it. He'll have seen this living, breathing person pop out of me and what if he doesn't want me anymore?"

"CJ," Donna said sympathetically.

"I know it's stupid," CJ offered. "I just can't help but wonder if he'll still feel that way about me. I'll be flabby and stretched out and he'll have seen the miracle of birth."

"CJ, trust me when I say that Danny loves you," Donna said.

"I know he loves me," CJ said. "That is one thing in this world I am sure of. What I'm not sure of is if he'll ever find me appealing again."

Donna was unsure of how to respond. She knew that there was no way Danny would ever find CJ unappealing. What she didn't know how to do was assure CJ of that fact. Luckily she was saved by a knock on the door.

"Who could that be?" CJ asked.

"Oh," Donna said standing up. "I ordered us pizza."

"You did?" CJ asked. Her response made Donna wonder if she knew there were other people coming by.

"Yeah. I figured I'd save us time," Donna said walking toward the door.

"Save us time in between games of Clue and Monopoly?" CJ asked with a slight chuckle.

Donna walked to the front door and opened it to reveal the baby shower attendees. Donna placed her finger to her lips and the women tried to enter the house as quietly as possible as they brought in food and presents.

"Donna?" CJ called to the foyer. She heard some rumblings that sounded much different than the pizza delivery kid who usually came by their house.

"Yeah," Donna said as she ushered everyone in. "Coming."

"Everyone can come in here you know," CJ called.

"Huh?" Donna said as everyone froze in the hallway.

"I said I'm sure Abbey and Carol and who ever else you've got packed into the den would probably like to sit down out here," CJ said.

Donna tromped out into the living room with a look of disappointment on her face. "How did you know?" she pouted.

"No one can lie with as much finesse as I can my dear," CJ said.

"Danny swore he didn't say a word," Donna said agitated.

"He didn't," CJ replied. "It wasn't Danny you had to worry about. It was Toby."

"Toby?" Andi asked as she walked into the living room with a dozen pink balloons trailing behind her.

"Hi Andi," CJ smiled.

"Hi," she replied. "What do you mean about Toby?"

"He called the other day and he mentioned that he needed to get a sitter for tonight because he'd be out and you'd be out and that it was my fault he had to pay someone to watch the kids," CJ said.

"He told you?"

"I forced it out of him," CJ said. "I'm very glad to see you though."

"I guess you can all come in then," Donna said slightly dejected.

"The best laid plans," Abbey shrugged as she smiled at Donna and walked toward CJ with an armload of wrapped boxes.

"Sorry Donna," Zoey said as she walked by with her gifts.

"Carol," CJ said excitedly as her old assistant walked in.

The women gathered around and dropped off gifts, set up food and generally settled in for the night.

"So this wasn't a surprise at all?" Donna asked still trying to wrap her mind around the idea.

"I was surprised when Toby first spilled the beans," CJ said sympathetically. "Honestly, it was probably better that I knew. If you'll notice I am wearing pants."

"You don't normally?" Kate asked wryly.

"That might be more information than I want," Ellie said.

"No, I'm normally in an oversized hockey jersey and a blanket," CJ said.

"Ah, I remember those days," Liz said reminiscing.

Sensing that Donna was upset that the surprise was ruined, CJ tried to assure her that she was happy to know about the party in advance.

"Donna, honestly, I'm really excited about tonight," CJ said. "I'm sorry the surprise was ruined, but I'm really happy that I knew ahead of time. I wouldn't have been half as excited if you'd have shown up with me looking…how I normally look."

"Really?" Donna asked quietly.

"Really," CJ assured her. "It's been me and Danny trapped in this house for almost two months. I needed some female bonding."

"Well there are enough of us," Abbey said bringing a plate over to CJ from the small buffet. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling good," CJ said.

Abbey gave her a hard look.

"My doctor said my blood pressure has leveled off, my weight is in the normal range and I'm on track, aside from the premature dilating and bed rest of course," CJ replied.

"Okay," Abbey replied. "I promised Danny you wouldn't have too much excitement tonight."

"I'll be just fine," CJ said. She smiled at Carol as she sat down next to her. "How have you been?"

"Good," Carol smiled. "Kyle and I are engaged."

"No," CJ replied.

"Yeah," Carol smiled shyly.

"Congratulations," CJ replied enveloping Carol into a hug. "When did this happen?"

"Last weekend actually," Carol said. "It's why I didn't e-mail. I figured I'd see you tonight."

"The ring is gorgeous," CJ said taking Carol's hand in hers and inspecting the ring.

"The perks of dating a stock broker I guess," Carol grinned.

"What happened to Tom?" Margaret asked taking a seat.

"Tom was over a year ago," Carol replied.

"Margaret, I'm disappointed in you," CJ said. "You always have the gossip."

"Not lately," Margaret replied. "Between working for Josh and Peter starting school I've been out of the loop."

"How is Petey anyway?" CJ asked. "He must be so big. I almost didn't recognize him in the last pictures you sent."

"He is a handful and Bruno only encourages him," Margaret replied absently.

"Bruno?" Abbey asked. "Bruno Gianelli?"

Margaret wasn't sure how to respond and the silence that ensued only affirmed that Abbey was indeed correct.

"You let the cat out of the bag on that one," CJ whispered with a sly grin.

"You're dating Bruno Gianelli?" Donna asked shocked.

"Not dating," Margaret replied.

"So much as living together," CJ finished for her.

"You're living with Bruno?" Abbey asked equally shocked.

"I'm not, it's not something…" Margaret stammered while her face turned crimson.

"It's okay Margaret," CJ said smiling sympathetically.

"How did you know?" Donna asked CJ.

"Bruno was quite fond of sending Margaret daisies when we worked together," CJ grinned.

"He still is," Donna said. "You told me that you had a green thumb and that's where all those daisy bouquets came from."

"You told Donna you grew them?" Kate chuckled.

"Bruno is a very nice man," Andi piped up.

"Yes, he is," CJ agreed.

Margaret sat there clutching her appetizers and her face was a red as the tomatoes that graced her plate. While she loved to gossip, she wasn't so sure she liked being the topic of it.

"We all love Bruno," CJ reminded her.

"I'm just shocked he settled down," Donna added. "And with a Democrat."

"Bruno is pretty apolitical," CJ replied.

With that the topic turned to the last election and what everyone was up to. Margaret was silently grateful that the attention that was on her had waned. It wasn't how she wanted to announce the information, but in a way, it was a relief to have it out.

There was another knock at the door and Donna jumped up to answer it.

"That can't possibly be more food," CJ said gazing at the remnants of her dinner.

"No, it's another surprise," Donna replied. "One I'm sure you don't know about."

When Donna returned she was followed by two woman carrying large shoulder bags. It turned out that they worked at a spa just outside the city. They were there to treat the woman, and most especially CJ, to a little pampering. Once they were settled, CJ and Donna took the first turn at pampering and pedicure.

"Whose idea was this?" CJ asked as she relaxed while her feet were massaged.

"That was all Donna," Kate said as she helped Liz and Ellie arrange gifts on a table.

"Donna, if Josh and Danny were into it, I'd totally ask you to marry me right now," CJ said turning to look at her. "I haven't seen my toes in weeks."

"CJ, trust me when I say that I think Josh would have no problems with that," Donna chuckled.

"Danny would probably love it too," CJ said. She paused to consider it. "Men are so weird."

They both shared a laugh over the thought. CJ looked around the room and saw all her old friends, ones she'd only been talking to via e-mail, and she was suddenly very happy and yet very melancholy. Her eyes started to tear up slightly.

"CJ, are you okay?" Donna whispered, noticing the tears in her eyes.

"Yeah," CJ sniffed. "I'm good. This is just so incredibly nice. Thank you so much for this Donna."

TBC