Chapter 44

*3 months later…Alex is 5 months pregnant*

Alex and Ryan walked into the hospital together, taking a seat in the waiting room to see Doctor Roberts for Alex's 5 month ultrasound. Alex has been getting smiles from women staring at her sweet melon shaped belly and even some strangers congratulating her. They scheduled their appointment during lunch so they could both be there.

"Mrs. Booth you can go through." said the friendly receptionist behind the desk, and she and Ryan got up and went into Dr. Roberts' office. "Hello you three, good to see you again." Dr. Roberts greeted as she showed Alex towards the bed. "So Alex, how have you been since I last saw you?" The doctor asked Alex, checking her blood pressure. "Moody." Ryan commented pulling the chair closer to the bed so he can sit close enough to Alex holding her hand. The two women laughed at his comment. "Do you have any new symptoms at the stage other than the once that you've mentioned last month?" Dr. Roberts enquired looking at her file. "And are you still nauseous?" She added. "No the nausea passed, but I have lower back pains these days, heart burn and some indigestion. Oh and increased heart rate from just sitting down or getting up to quickly." Alex explained. "All of that is perfectly normal for this stage of your second trimester. Let's get a look at how the little one is doing." The doctor prompted, putting some gel on Alex's swollen belly before moving the transducer around her abdomen and looking at the screen. They heard the heartbeat again and Alex felt as if she could listen it all day long and never get tired of hearing it. "All right, the little one is doing really well and growing healthily, and moving around quite a lot." Dr. Roberts laughed as the baby kicked and a small bump formed on Alex's tummy. "Do you guys want to know what you're having?" The Dr. questioned looking at the two of them. Alex and Ryan shared a look and nodded vigorously. "And, it's a girl!" She announced smiling and Alex had tears forming in her eyes, as Ryan got up from the chair and kissed her on her head. "Congratulations." Dr. Roberts said again before printing them the new pictures of their baby and leaving the two of them alone for a while. "Can you believe that? Our little princess." Ryan said smiling while looking at the photos, before helping Alex off the bed. They thanked the doctor and the receptionist before heading back to work.

On the way back from the hospital Ryan couldn't help himself as he was grinning all the time. "What are we naming her?" Alex asked caressing her belly. "She already has a name, babe." Ryan answered winking at her. "We can't keep calling her munchkin forever Ryan." Alex laughed looking over at her husband as they came to a halt at a red light. "We'll figure it out eventually before she gets here. But for now, she's still Daddy's little munchkin." Ryan stated as they pulled into the parking lot at work.

Alex didn't even make it to the office to continue where she left off, when Natalie pulled her into the foyer to inform them on what the doctor said. "We got you snacks." Shelby announced proudly handing her a muffin, a bottle of water and a chocolate. "Okay, you guys are only this nice when you want something so out with it." Alex said accepting the bribing gifts thankfully, opening the muffin and having a bite of it. "What do you want to hear?" Alex asked carefully taking a seat next to her three inquisitive friends. "Is the baby okay? And what is it?" Nimah asked moving closer to the edge of her seat. "It's a baby, Nimah. That's what it is." Alex said smiling finishing her muffin, prolonging the waiting process to make them even more anxious. "It's a girl." She said finally after they couldn't wait anymore. They all got up congratulating and hugging her. "Pay up. Both of you!" Natalie announced. Apparently they made a bet and Natalie was the only one who said it'll be a girl. Groaning Shelby and Nimah paid Natalie since she won the bed leaving Alex smiling and shaking her head at these three weirdo's she calls her best friends. They walked towards the office together discussing who they think the baby will look like.

"Ryan, can I talk to you for a moment please." Maranda said as Ryan walked passed her office. He entered and Maranda told him to take a seat. "What's going on? He queried certain that nothing could spoil his good mood right now. "There's a case I'm working but I feel like it's too big for the new agents to handle on their own, so I'm going to need a he favor from you." She said preparing him for what she's about ask. "Okay, so what is it?" Ryan said uncertain of where this conversation is headed. Maranda got up from behind her desk and walks around to the front so she can face him squarely. "We got some information on Drew Watts, and he and Liam has a history, so I don't want to send O'Connor into this alone. And that is where you come in. I need you and Liam to go undercover with a bunch of other special agents." She said seriously waiting for him to answer. Ryan leaned forward on his elbows that's propped up on his knees.

"When do you want us to start on this?" He questioned nervously. "Tomorrow." Maranda said nervously trying to figure out what he's thinking. Ryan gasped at her appeal. "Can't someone else go in my place? Maranda my wife is 5 months pregnant I really don't want to leave her at home alone for who knows how long. " Ryan pleaded hoping his boss would understand where he's coming from. "I get that Ryan, trust me I do, but we have no other choice right now." Maranda said. Ryan didn't say anything. He just nodded his head, got up and left her office. He called the office downstairs where Alex worked and waited for her to answer her desk phone. "Hey, I have to work late tonight. Can you arrange a lift with one of the girls?" He asked. He had to try and find his way out of this undercover case somehow. "Okay, I'm sure it won't be a problem. Do you know what time you'll be home?" She asked twirling around in her seat slowly. "I don't know, but I'm sure it won't be too late." He said half uncertain. "Okay, see you later then." Alex said. "Text me when you're home." He replied before putting the phone down. "Anyone willing to give me a lift home?" Alex asked her friends. "You can ride with me, I have to go by the store and it's on my way." Natalie said.

At home Alex texted Ryan letting him know she's home safe. She wanted to let Theresa and Sita know about the gender of their baby but decided to wait a little while before telling them. She walked around the house checking that everything is locked and in place before heading to the bedroom to dress in something more comfortable. She got a load of washing started and then looked for something to prepare for dinner. She wanted to wait for Ryan to get home before she ate but the baby wasn't as eager to wait, so she dished her a plate and stored Ryan's in the oven. Putting her feet on the coffee table eating her food while watching TV. She eventually drifted to sleep laying down on the couch. She was awoken by Ryan shaking her gently. "Alex, come on, let's get you to bed." He said looking at her where she laid. "I wanted to wait up for you, but fell asleep." She explained. "Why did you have to stay late?" She asked yawning and stretching. "Maranda and Liam briefed me on a case we're starting on tomorrow." He said briefly not wanting to tell her everything at once. She nodded her head getting up. "Your food's in the oven." She said still trying to stifle another yawn while walking towards their bedroom. "Thank you." Ryan said softly as she disappeared on the stairs entering the room. He's gonna have to tell her everything eventually.

He headed towards the bedroom hoping she wasn't asleep just yet. She was busy turning over the covers just about to get into bed. "I have to tell you something Alex." He said walking over to her side of the bed sitting next on the edge, helping her get settled into bed. "What's going on?" She asked concerned. "I have to go away for a little while. We have a case coming up and we have to go undercover." He explained carefully bracing himself for what he thinks is coming next. "How long will you be gone and who's working on the case with you?" Alex asked. "Mostly some of my superior and three other special agents." He said trying to read her facial expressions. She didn't say anything just fumbled with a piece of string that came loose on the duvet. "I just need you to promise me that you'll be careful out there, Ryan." She said whispering and Ryan moved up on the bed so her could lay next to her. "I'll be careful. I tried to get out of it because I don't want to leave you at home by yourself." He answered rubbing her belly. "Hey, don't worry about me I will be fine. When you're working I need you to be at work. All of you and not to worry about me." She said rubbing his cheek. "Yeah I know, but I just need peace of mind knowing that you're okay." He replied. "Munchkin is with me, I'm not alone." Alex laughed trying to lighten the mood. "Babe, you know what I mean." Ryan whined sitting up to face her. "I know. How about we ask those newly appointed grandmothers to come around for the few days you'll be away?" She suggested hopefully. "Now that sounds like a plan. Four ladies in one household, is every man's dream." He laughed kissing her belly. "Or what do you think munchkin?" He asked earning a few kicks from the baby. "Clearly she agrees with that." Alex said beaming.

Ryan's phone rang early the next morning waking them both. 06:00AM. Not nearly time to get up yet, but it had to be important if someone calls at this hour. "Hello?" He answered voice still thick with sleep. "Ryan, Maranda here. There's been a twist of things. Liam got mugged a few hours ago. He'll be fine but he won't be able to help you out in this case anymore. So I'm gonna need you to take the lead on this." Maranda explained leaving Ryan confused on the other end of the line. "Okay, so how does this affect the case?" he asked uncertain. "Well the two of you were suppose to work on this together. One of the guys who mugged him seems to be one of the many enemies he made over the years." She explained. "Could you come in now so we can figure out how we're going to do this?" Maranda asked. He really wasn't in the mood but agreed anyway.

"Sweetheart, you awake?" He asked looking at her."Hmmmm." Alex said her voice muffle by the pillow she pulled over her face to try and get more sleep. "I have to go to the office. O'Connor got mugged and it seems like he's not going undercover with me anymore, so I'm on my own." He explained. She nodded her head slightly, a bit worried but there wasn't much she could do about the situation. Ryan got up to take a shower to get ready.

Alex laid in bed contemplating on calling their moms at this hour to find out if they're willing to come over tonight for a few days, but decided to do it later. Once Ryan was done he got dressed and took a seat on her side of the bed as she laid facing him. "Ryan, please promise me you're going to be careful out there." Alex pleaded feeling scared. "Hey, I promise. You need to stop worrying and relax." He said stroking her hair. "I'll come by at lunch to pack my stuff before we leave." He stated kissing her and walking across the bedroom towards the door, but paused in the doorway. "I love you. Both of you." He said and saw Alex puling his pillow closer to her resting her head on it." We love you too." She replied laying her head down trying to get some more sleep.

She couldn't sleep any further and just tossed and turned in bed for the next half an hour. So she decided to get up eventually and call her mom to find out if she's willing to come over for the next two days. She had no problem with it and said she'll leave after work. Next she called Theresa who was equally excited to spend some time with her daughter in law and Sita. Somehow Alex always thought she and her future mother in law would never get along, since all mother in law's were displayed as women who couldn't deal with the women their son's married. But in her case it was the total opposite, Theresa accepted Alex as one of her own children and Alex shouldn't b more grateful for the relationship she has with her mother in law and her three un-biological sisters. She grabbed a quick bite to eat and then took a shower before heading to work.

Ryan and three other special agents were sitting in Maranda's office as she told them about the case, and informing her that they need to report back to her at the end of each day. They have two days maximum to get this guy. After the briefing, Ryan grabbed a few files from his office before heading downstairs to say goodbye to Alex. He knocked on the glass to get her attention and she got up and walked outside with him. She didn't say anything she just walked into his embrace and held him as tightly as she could with her belly making it a bit difficult. She didn't trust her voice to say anything to him right now. The two of them stood there in the middle of the building for some time before Ryan was the first one to make a move. He held her face in both hands and kissed her forehead as she sniffed lightly. "It's gonna be okay." He whispered. He bent down to kiss her belly. "Be good for mommy baby girl." He said to the baby. He kissed Alex one more time before walking away. "Be careful, Ryan." She said softly. He nodded and walked away trying to make this as painful as he could since his heart ached for leaving his two girls behind.

Alex went back into the office , ignoring all the sympathetic smiles and shoulder squeezes she got from her friends and colleagues, and buried herself in paperwork until it was time to go home.

She was happy to see the two familiar cars parked in front of the house when she got home. She wasn't really looking forward to spending the next few nights without her husband not being by her side, but walking into the house hearing the laughter of Theresa and Sita made it a bit better. They were in the kitchen cooking and chatting away. "Hello?" She said walking through the door and the two mothers beamed when they saw her. "Look at you!" Sita said as her daughter approached her. "You're glowing child." Theresa said hugging her. "When did you guys get here, and why are you cooking?" Alex asked as she drops her bags on the couch. "Ryan was still home packing when we got here." Sita said as they walked over to the couch. "We want to know everything, from the shooting, to the new house to us becoming grandparents." Theresa said and Alex couldn't help but smile and think about what a nice time she's about to have with her two mothers.

This is the longest chapter I've written to date. I have no idea how this ended up being 5 pages. Your reviews and suggestions had me grinning the whole time while writing this. So I'm guessing it's safe to say that this chapter was co-written by all of my *guest(s)* reviewers. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! You've made it so much easier to get over my writers block. I hope I did it justice and that I met your expectations. Let me know what you guys thought about this chapter. Enjoy the read. Lovies-S.

(PS: THANK YOU GUYS SOOOOOO MUCH FOR HELPING ME OUT. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!)