CHAPTER 3

Chet blushed as he took the cups from the little girl. He then picked her up and sat her on his lap.

"I'm dating her mom…this is Elisabeth. Elisabeth, this is my good friend Vanessa and this is Mrs. Hardy."

"Are you her mommy?"

Laura laughed softly. "No, I'm her friend."

"Oh…you look like her mommy," said Elisabeth.

"Where's your mommy?" asked Vanessa.

"In heaven."

Noting their puzzled expressions Chet took a deep breath before he started to speak. "Elisabeth's parents died in a car crash. Her sister, Ann is now her legal guardian. Ann works with my dad at his realty office…I've been dating Ann for six and a half months now."

"Chet, it takes a strong man to date a woman with a child." Laura reached out to gently pat Chet's hand.

"There's something else you should know…see, Elisabeth came in late in her parents' life and when she came to live with Ann…well…not that her marriage was working out…Ann's husband left her, Two and a half months later she found out she was pregnant."

"Did you know she was pregnant when you started dating her?" asked Laura.

"Ann told me when she realized how serious my feelings were for her. She wanted me to know what I was getting into. I'd already fallen in love with Elisabeth and I was head over heels in love with Ann! Her having a baby wasn't going to stop me from being with her."

"Wow Chet, now I'm really impressed with you!" gushed Vanessa.

Chet's face turned almost beet red. "Enough about me…I'm being a bad host. You came in for some lunch and I'm taking up your time. Why don't I get you one of our best dishes, my treat!" Getting Melissa's attention Chet gave her the lunch order.

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Joe stood in the hallway inside the Crestview Medical building waiting for the elevator to arrive. He was surprised and happy to find that their family physician, Dr. Bates was still seeing patients. Joe had called to make an appointment and was lucky that Dr. Bates had a cancellation and could see him that day. Joe stood in the middle of the hallway waiting to see which of the four elevators would arrive first. He glanced at the entrance doors when he heard them swoosh open and saw a pretty but very pregnant woman approaching. The third elevator arrived. Joe stood up against the open door.

"You going up?"

"Yes…thank you so much." The woman smiled at Joe as she stepped inside.

"What floor are you going to?"

"Seven please. Thank you for holding the elevator for me. You wouldn't believe how many people just stare when they see me coming."

"My Aunt Gertrude is always complaining about all the rude people she encounters. And I'll tell my mom those manners she tried so hard to teach me took." Joe smiled warmly at the woman then looked concerned when the elevator lurched. He glanced at the woman again.

"Don't worry; I'm not due for another two weeks. In fact I'm on my way to see my OB for a regular check-up."

"I'm glad you're getting off a floor before me…I won't worry about you when I get off." Joe gave a nervous laugh.

"You and me both! Here's my floor; guess we made it safe and sound. Thank you again."

"You're welcome and congratulations!"

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"I was really happy to hear that you're back home, Joe." Dr. Bates paused for a second. "I was afraid I wouldn't make my condo payment this month but now that you're back…"

Joe rolled his eyes upward. He tried to look annoyed but the smile on his face betrayed his true feelings. Joe watched the older man as he went over Joe's old medical chart. For as long as Joe could remember Dr. Bates' hair had always been gray. He recalled asking his father about it and Fenton explaining that some peoples' hair turned prematurely gray. Now sixty-seven years old, Dr. Bates' hair was snow white. The doctor's light blue eyes still twinkled with mischief.

"So am I still the finest specimen you've ever seen?"

"I can truthfully say your ego hasn't gotten any smaller," chuckled Dr. Bates. "But yes, you are in very good shape. I'll fax the insurance company so they can add you onto the policy and here's the copy you needed."

Joe finished buttoning his shirt. "Thanks, Dr. Bates!"

"Just promise me that I'm not going to see you in the emergency room – at least for a month."

"I can't make any promises but I'll do my best!" laughed Joe as he walked out the door. Moving down the carpeted hallway he saw an older man getting into the elevator. Breaking into a jog, Joe called out so that the man would hold the elevator, and let out a few choice words when the doors closed. Hitting the button to summon another one Joe was happy that one arrived so quickly – until he saw it was the same elevator he had ridden in earlier. He reluctantly got in and pushed the button for the first floor.

"We meet again!"

"Are you stalking me?" asked Joe with a teasing grin.

The woman laughed good-naturedly but her laughter soon turned to horror when the elevator lurched once and dropped one floor before coming to a hard stop!

"Are you okay?" Joe asked the woman, who had managed to stay on her feet.

"Yeah…yeah, I'm okay."

Joe reached into his pocket for his cell phone, then remembered he'd left it at home…charging.

"You don't happen to have a cell phone do you? I left mine at home," sighed Joe.

"I do…hold on a sec…" the woman searched through her purse. Not finding the cell phone she then turned the purse over, dumping everything on the floor. "Can you see it? It's a little red LG."

"Found it!" Joe immediately dialed 911 but the connection was bad and he couldn't get the dispatcher to understand what the emergency was.

"What do we do now?"

"Not to worry; I've got an ace up my sleeve." Joe texted out a message.

"Who did you text…the police?"

"No, better…my brother."

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Frank lay comfortably on the sofa reading and watching a ball game when his cell phone chimed. Thinking it could only be Joe, Frank grabbed his phone.

"Joe must have done well on his test and wants to brag," Frank chuckled softly. He almost fell off the sofa when he read the message: Stuck in elevator. Crestview Med. Hurry. Pregnant lady here.

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"I'm not sure how long we'll be here so I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Joe – Joe Hardy."

"I'm Ann Greene." Ann grimaced in pain.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, but my back is killing me."

END OF CHAPTER

Disclaimer: The Hardy Boys are owned by Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer syndicate and are only being temporarily borrowed for a little run. They will be returned in … mostly … 1 piece when this is done.

A reminder: Please see Copagirl's profile (which I promise to add more information to as I have a chance to do so).

Enjoy!