AN: I'm experincing a very weird flow ideas with this story, it seems to be taking on a much larger presence than the original Maine Event. + I'm thinking about a sequal (but first this).

Also, very much appreciating the reviews!


"Why am I named Celeste M?" Celeste asked confusedly as she flipped through the pictures on Maria Ellwood's Facebook page as she ate her smoothie bowl an hour later. It seemed odd, because Maria had her full name from sending over the pictures and from the friend request, and Celeste almost would've expected a tag or nothing at all.

"That was me. Just in case," Jess explained, continuing to type an e-mail reply to someone without looking towards her.

"Oh," she reacted, adding, "thanks", receiving a casual "uh huh," in return. She continued to look at the photos - there really had been a lot of crowd, Jess looking handsome as ever. Her own choice in dresses definitely showed off her bump, and she could also detect that she'd gained a little weight, well within the norm as her prenatal appointments had confirmed, but she almost wondered whether that was enough of a change for someone to not recognize her, at least not at first glance. Either way, if anyone had seen it and recognized her, her news was out. She wasn't really scared, even to her surprise - just in a new position. She had a protocol, her lawyer's phone number safely at hand if needed. She took a deep breath, browsing on to other things, wanting not to think about her past worries any longer.

"Hey Jess?" she asked a few minutes later, having received an e-mail of a shop's 'in stock' notification. She'd been meaning to ask him something, having kept postponing it for a few weeks now, seeing how busy he was and not wanting to bother him with it.

"Yeah?" he asked, turning to her, after clicking send on his e-mail.

"Since you're working from home today, I was wondering whether we might go to the baby store, the small one, on 5th. They close pretty early on weekdays, but maybe since it's so near we could go drop by today. They have the stroller I've been eyeing on display right now. I'd like you to look at it too, so it wouldn't be just me making the decisions," Celeste asked. Jess had let her shop as much as she wanted without objections, but he himself had been a little hesitant when it came to it. She didn't really know why, but as far as she heard many guys were the same - these seemed like the details that could be bought in an instant and they kept postponing it until last minute, while for the expectant mothers these decisions seems more vital, a part of the bonding, a part of getting ready mentally. And she didn't want to take that opportunity form him to bond too, leaving the key items unbought until now.

"We could, if you want to do that today," Jess replied, continuing to type his e-mail.

"I want you to want to do that today," Celeste replied with a smirk.

Celeste knew the idea of Evie had already grown on him already, she could see it in his face when he felt her, but she wanted him to be involved in the planning, getting ready for phaze two.

He got the sarcasm. "I want to do that today," he corrected, as he turned to face her, getting an approving smile back. "In fact, let's go check out everything they have, we still have to get the crib, the car seat...," he added, not really knowing what else they would need. He'd taken the convenient route of trusting Celeste to know these things, and so far he hadn't been disappointed. She clearly had had a lot longer to think about this, already knowing the best brands and what to look for, now it was his turn to do what she needed from him - show some incentive.

"They don't have much furniture on site, but we can order those. I just want you to have a final say before I press 'order' anywhere," she replied.

"We'll take a few hours to go though everything you've picked out tonight, okay?" he suggested, seeing how important this was to her. Surely without the commute to work and back that day, he could spare those hours, and for what better reason that this.

"God, now I feel sorry I missed my yoga this morning," she yawned, stretching her muscles, having spent the day largely sedentary, as Jess finally got ready to finish for the day. Jess having allowed her to sleep late had caused her to miss her class, but she didn't really mind - she'd needed the sleep, but now her body definitely needed to move. They had spent the day largely in the study, Celeste making them lunch and drinking, even to her own surprise, two glasses of milk with it - doing what she was supposed to - listening to her body. Jess had raised his eyebrows a little as she did that, but it wasn't a face of disapproval, rather just enjoying the way she, the two of them, kept surprising him.

"Do you mind if we walk? I could use some exercise," she suggested, packing up her leather tote to go.

"Sure, let's walk," Jess agreed, giving her a small kiss, and headed downstairs, grabbing his jacket on his way out, Celeste trailing after him.

Jess had spent a lot less time walking around the neighbourhood compared to Celeste. Sure, they used to go for a run occasionally, not much these days anymore, and they still continued to go for walks on the weekends, but mostly those led to the direction of Prospect park. Today they walked in the opposite direction, taking a few turns in zig-zag to reach the right street. They noted several new places Celeste had already discovered when she'd been this way, that they should try out sometime, a Lebanese place and another new gourmet pizza place.

"This looks new, and kind of cool too," Celeste noted a brand new white-silver themed boutique. "Do you mind?" she hesitated. Shopping together wasn't really something they'd ever done a lot, unless it was for groceries or other necessities. Even most of the shopping for the house she'd done online.

Jess gestured with his hand for her to step in. He didn't have too much time to spare, but the shop didn't seem that big, and it certainly wasn't cause to upset her by reminding her of the time. He'd just have to catch up on his work when she went to bed.

"I'll be quick," she added, as if reading his mind.

The shop carried alpaca wool home textiles and few clothing items, the counter showcasing jewelry of all sorts, by the looks of it, handmade. Jess observed the place quietly while Celeste asked a few questions about the production process of a few items, carrying a pleasant conversation like she liked to do with the local businesses she frequented in. It became clear that the place belonged to a jeweler in fact, who just sold some home accessories and clothing to help pay the rent. They exited a few minutes later, Celeste promising to return another time when she had more time, continuing on towards the baby gear store.

In a way Jess was actually surprised to see her deciding to support the local business instead of taking her baby shopping to the Manhattan luxury boutiques when he saw the tiny and humble looking store. She definitely had done her homework - knowing more about some of the items she wanted to see than the young looking sales girl. Jess had no objections to her choices, seeing how well she'd prepared and thought things out. Celeste was set on getting a jogging stroller with a carrycot and another additional hand luggage sized stroller that could be used with a newborn as well - one for taking her around the neighbourhood or for jogging, the other for when they travelled by car. They ordered the smaller stroller and the carseat, having them delivered in a few days along with a few smaller items such as a bathtub, bedding and a bouncer. The jogging stroller they had in stock and the sales girl, while not very skilled at the actual selling, managed to put it together in less than five minutes. This way they could stroll it home as they left. They could've taken a cab of course, but the weather was nice and the motion of strolling, foreshadowing in a way, had it perks. They stopped by the organic grocery store, getting an extra gallon of milk and few smoothie components. As they walked home, Celeste just observed Jess quietly, with a smile glued to her face, as he pushed the three-wheeled Thule stroller home, clearly enjoying the push, hoping this was a step for him to really start the bonding.


"Logan! Good to see you? Checking up on me?" Jess asked teasingly, as Logan stepped into Jess' office unannounced.

"Hey, nah, I just came from a business meeting near by, thought I'd see how you guys have been doing. I have been a little out of the loop, how things are progressing to be honest," Logan explained. He'd taken some time off, working mostly part time on a flexible schedule, allowing Rory to get back to her studies. Both Logan and Rory's therapist had seen it - she wasn't taking the role of a stay at home mom very well - and while she wasn't clinically depressed, the therapist was under the impression that allowing her to step back into her old roles, at least part time, would in fact help her appreciate the life changes more rather than forcing them on her. This meant that besides the nanny, also Logan would stay home a few days a week, allowing her to get back to her classes.

"Well, we're doing great, a little overworked, looking for a new assistant. Celeste's been helping us out a little with the events and marketing things," Jess shared.

"Ah, good choice," Logan replied, approvingly. "But you really should try to get another junior editor or even a trainee or someone to help out. You're going to need it pretty soon," he added, thinking of the time Jess too would step into the 'dad' role.

"Yeah, I can imagine," he replied.

"Yeah, but for real. If you need support from HPG to do that, you've got it. I'll put in a good word with the executives, so we're on the same page," Logan added.

"Thanks," Jess replied.

"Are these the newest?" Logan asked, browsing their bookshelf with Maria's book and a few others.

"Yeah," he replied.

"I like the designer you've been using, they stand out, not the average crime fiction you'd see at every store," Logan noted.

"I've been trying to create a line of sorts, so clients would know from the design that they are ours, without reading the small text," Jess explained.

"Smart," he commented.

"Hey Logan, can I ask you something a little bit more personal?" Jess said, pulling him aside out of Jenn's earshot. "Celeste told me about the time you two shopped for your wedding - how you chose things you didn't want for your real wedding. We've talked about these things a little, but I was wondering whether you could give me some hints on her taste in rings. She doesn't wear them much these days…," Jess explained. He almost regretted asking, as if asking would mean he didn't know her well enough or have enough imagination to suggest something himself - that was not it, but he really wanted to get it right, to choose something that she would love not just tolerate.

"Ah…," Logan reacted, with an amused smile, clapping Jess' upper arm in approval. "She's definitely the 'less is more' kind of girl, but I think you know that already. Something untraditional - minimalistic, small stone of any. Size 6," he added with a wink.

"Thanks," Jess replied. This much he had in fact already envisioned but it was good to get a confirmation from someone else who'd known her for a while. "Don't tell Rory yet, I want to find the right time," he said, already thinking ahead how he might got to the new jeweller they'd been to a few days ago and have something custom made for her.