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Previously in "Distracting," Lily divulged her pregnancy to Katie and Jessie, while Rick and Sam fought over Australia.  Later, while Jessie was off finding Rick, Lily consoled Katie who was upset at the looming prospect of Australia.

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Part 2b:  "At Her Age?"

After dropping Katie off at her house, dropping Jessie and Eli at Karen's house, getting Zoe and Grace settled, and prepping for bed themselves, Rick and Lily climbed under the covers.  The two were both mentally and physically exhausted.  It had been a rough couple of days.  Yet, as much as their bodies craved sleep, neither could seem to actually doze off.  They had spent the last thirty minutes or so flopping from side to side, turning and tossing, churning sheets. 

Lily decided she'd never be able to sleep with all that was on her mind.  She rolled back over so that she was facing Rick, who had his eyes closed in a valiant effort to sleep.  She scooted closer, trying to decipher whether he was actually asleep or just trying.  After a few minutes under Lily's study, Rick opened his eyes and sighed.

"Can't sleep either?" Lily asked, relieved that he was still awake.

"No," Rick answered.  "You?"

"Nope."  Lily propped herself up onto her elbow and turned on the bedside light. "I think we should go."

"Go where?" Rick asked, closing his eyes again.  He settled down further into his pillow, attempting to make himself comfortable and sleepy.

"Australia."  Lily sat up, leaning against the headboard of their bed.  Rick re-opened his eyes, squinting up at Lily into the light.  He could tell this wasn't going to be a short conversation.  "How can we pass up an opportunity like this?  Financially it's a no-brainer.  Career-wise it's a great move for you.  And, for the kids—they'd get to experience another country, culture… With the baby there's a good chance I won't get the syndication deal anyhow, and if I did chances are I wouldn't start until after I had the baby anyhow."

"Lily, slow down."  Rick said, sitting up and putting his arm around Lily, who leaned into him gratefully.  Rick kissed the top of his wife's head and rubbed her upper arm, attempting to sooth her.

"You're going next week to look at houses.  How can I slow down?" Lily asked, closing her eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere.  We talked about this tonight," Rick explained calmly.  "We both agreed that staying in Sinclair was the best thing for everybody.  Especially with the baby."  Lily moved out of Rick's embrace about to interrupt him, an interruption which Rick anticipated.  "Besides, I already talked to Sam.  About everything."

"And?"  Lily asked.

Rick ran his hand through his hair.  "And… he's a little upset."  Lily nodded.  "But, I think he understands." 

Lily rubbed her forehead and sighed, obviously still stressed about the situation.  "I just can't imagine letting something like this just pass by.  How often does an opportunity like this come along?"

Rick reached over and placed his hand on Lily's belly.  She looked at him.  He smiled reassuringly and then leaned in to kiss her, a kiss she gratefully returned.  After pulling away, Rick looked down at Lily's stomach. 

"How often does an opportunity like this come along?" he asked, as he began to soothingly rub Lily's stomach.  She couldn't help but smile.

"Especially at our age," she quipped.

"We're not that old," Rick answered, looking insulted.  Lily just laughed.

"We may not be members of the AARP, but in baby rearing years—we're ancient."

"Speak for yourself," Rick responded cattily.  He kissed Lily on her cheek before lying back down on his side with his back to her.  Lily placed her hand on Rick's shoulder and smiled.  After a moment, she reached over to the light and turned it off. 

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"There is no Australia," Sam explained, a hint of annoyance still left in his voice as he removed Judy's coat from its hanger.  Sam understood that Lily's pregnancy factored heavily into Rick's decision, but he was convinced they could work around it.  After all, Australia had obstetricians. 

"What does that mean?" Judy asked, completely shocked.  Sam approached Judy to help her into her coat; she stopped him.  "You don't want me to go with you?"

"No," Sam insisted.  "It's not that."  He glanced around to make sure they were still the only people in the vicinity of the coats at the reception.  To be honest, he didn't really want to have the conversation there—he was still too upset to think through anything logically.  But, Sam knew that Judy certainly wouldn't drop the subject now.  "He doesn't want to take the job." 

"Rick?" Judy asked, trying to sort through the information Sam was offering.

"Yes, Rick.  All of the sudden.  Do you know he actually suggested that I might not even follow through on it?" Sam answered.

Judy shook her head, still trying to keep up with the conversation.  "Rick—Rick doesn't want to take the job?  How can he turn this down?  Just yesterday he was gung-ho—it was Lily who—"

"I know."  Sam threw his hand in the air in a gesture of frustration.  "I still can't believe it."  Judy shook her head in disbelief.  Sam took a deep breath, trying to reason through everything.  "Don't get me wrong… I'm happy about the baby."  Sam continued.

Judy looked at him as if he'd cracked up.  "The baby?  What are you talking about?"

"Lily's pregnant," Sam answered matter-of-factly.  Judy stared at him as if he had just claimed RuPaul was his mother.  "You know this…" As the words were out of his mouth, it occurred to him that Judy may not actually know.  And, the look on Judy's face confirmed his thought.

"Excuse me?"  Judy asked incredulously.

Sam shook his head and, realizing the situation he had gotten himself into, let a puff of laughter escape his lips.  Judy just looked at him in disbelief.  "Lily's pregnant.  Rick told me tonight.  She didn't—you didn't know?"

"Oh, my God."  Judy wasn't sure she could believe it.  Lily, pregnant?  Then thoughts of the past few days began to run through her mind.  "The nausea and the back ache…" Judy shook her head.  Lily, pregnant?  There was no way, no way that Lily would have kept this from her.  "No.  No.  I mean—she can't be pregnant."  Sam looked back at her with a raised brow.  "At her age?" Judy concluded.

"Well, that's what he said.  And now there's no Australia."  Sam helped the now completely preoccupied Judy into her coat.  She stared into space attempting to sort out the information just given to her as he drew the coat up over her arms.  When he had finished with Judy's, Sam reached for his own coat and began to put it on. 

"Wow," Judy muttered.  She knew she wouldn't really be able to believe any of what Sam had told her until the words actually came from Lily's mouth.  And even then… "She would have told me," Judy insisted.

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Next time in "Distracting," in a moment of distress, Katie confides a secret.  Judy helps Lily with a developing dilemma.  And, Karen's household shares a moment.

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