DISCLAIMER: See previous chapters.

SURPRISE!

Regina looked at the building. She knew this was his business, but she really hadn't spoken to him in a while. And not since this happened. She wasn't sure he would even welcome her into his house, but she didn't have any where to turn.

Regina entered the building and paused at the desk.

She was greeted by Eric.

Eric was face-to-face with a beautiful young woman, who looked oddly familiar to him. Clearing his throat he asked if he could help her.
"Miss, may I help you," he asked. When she turned around, Eric noticed the beautiful woman was pregnant.
"I hope so. I'm looking for Rocky DeSantos. I thought this was his business," she said.

Eric covered his shock at the young woman asking for Rocky by looking down at a piece of paper. "He does own this place, but he's not in today," Eric said, gathering his composure.
"Oh, dear. It's very important that I speak to him. Do you think you can find out where he is for me," she asked. Regina was more than tired and wanted nothing than to get off her feet. Her unborn child was protesting the amount of activity she had been doing today. She'd walked here from the bus stop, not wanting to waste the money on a taxi, just in case she needed a hotel room.

Eric wasn't sure what to think. Nothing much bothered the former quantum ranger, but this was a bit of a shock.
"Let me see if I can help you...," he said.
"Regina," she replied.

He turned around and picked up his cell phone. He stepped around the corner and called his boss upstairs.
"Eric, things OK in the dojo," Rocky asked when he answered the phone.
"Things are fine, but there's a young lady down here asking to see you. Says her name is Regina," Eric said.

Rocky gave an audible gasp. He couldn't believe she had shown up.

"Tell her to wait for me in the lobby. I'll come down and get her. Can I talk to her in your apartment," Rocky asked, getting ready to head downstairs.
"What ever you need, boss. Will you tell me what's going on," he asked.

"Later. Take her to your apartment and I'll be there in a minute," Rocky said, ending the call.

Eric held the phone in his hand, staring at it like he could get the answer to what was going on from it.

"Rocky said he'd meet you upstairs. I'll show you the way," Eric said. He took her through the office to the back hallway. He opted to take the service elevator instead of the stairs.

He unlocked the door to his apartment and let her inside.

"Make yourself comfortable. Rocky should be along any minute," Eric said.
Regina nodded and sat on the couch. Eric cast one last glance back at her and exited the apartment.

"Hey, Babe," Rocky called to Meredith. She came out of the kitchen and stood in the doorway to their office.
"Yeah," she said.
"I have to run downstairs for a bit. I'll be back soon," he said, slipping on his shoes.
"Everything OK," Meredith asked, following him to the door.
"Yeah. Just something I have to take care of," he said. They shared a kiss and Rocky went out the door. Meredith shut the door behind him and leaned against it. For the first time in their marriage, she was certain Rocky was keeping something from her. She resolved to find out what it was. Meredith knew she could handle anything he did, but keeping a secret was not allowed in their relationship.

Eric saw Rocky coming down the stairs.
"She's in there," Eric said.
"Thanks. I'll talk to you later," Rocky said.

Rocky entered Eric's apartment and was overcome with memories of his life with Meredith in this little apartment.
He caught sight of Regina sitting on Eric's couch, looking uneasy.

He entered the room and cleared his throat. "Gina," he said.
"Rocky," she said, getting off the couch and coming toward him. When she stood up, Rocky noticed she was pregnant.
Shocked, Rocky pointed at her stomach, stopping her in mid-stride.
"What the hell," he said, shocked and angered by her appearance.

"Surprise," she said, shrugging her shoulders and smiling.

Rocky sat on the chair that was closest to him. He was shocked to discover Regina had shown up at his business, but that she was also pregnant. There was no way he could keep her a secret now, especially after Eric had seen her in this state. He leaned his head back against the wall, unsure of what he was going to do, but knew his wife might hate him before he figured this out.

Meredith picked up her phone and called the dojo.
"Like a Rock Dojo and Dance. This is Eric," Eric said.
"Hey, Eric. It's Meri. Is Rocky down there with you," she asked.
"Um...no, he's not," Eric said, unsure of what he was supposed to tell his friend.

"That's funny. He said he had to go downstairs and do some thing. He didn't come down there," she asked again.
"No. He isn't here," Eric said. "Maybe you misunderstood."

"Maybe. If you see him, tell him I'm looking for him," she said and hung up.

Meredith clutched her phone to her chest and fell back on the sofa. Meredith felt her foundation crack. Her beloved husband. The one man she loved more than her brother, HAD lied. He wasn't downstairs. Eric hadn't seen him. Meredith didn't have any idea what had happened to her husband. She closed her eyes as the tears welled up in them. 'What am I going to do,' she thought to herself.

***Hehe! Who is Regina? Why is she pregnant? Why did Rocky lie to Meredith? …...Nope, but good guess.*** -mereditholiver