"So are you okay with this, Ali?" The car ride to the hospital had been pretty quiet and Jamal had to break the silence.

"With what?"

"With me being your partner for lamaze class? I know you've been kinda avoiding me lately, and I know it's just hard for you, but all I want to do is help out."

"I know you do Jamal. And I haven't been AVOIDING you...ok, well...yeah, I kinda have...but, yeah, it IS hard for me to be around you, especially now."

"Listen, maybe I can just go with you this once and Livvie can take up being your coach again in the next couple classes...ok?"

"Yeah, but they say that we should really have the same partner at each class."

"So then..."

"Listen, Jamal...I do appreciate you doing this, I do. I have to admit, that I'm not too comfortable with it yet, and I'm sure you're not either, but I guess we'll both just have to get used to the idea."

"Well, I haven't really seen you in so long, so at least it'll give us a chance to catch up....You look great, by the way."

Alison scoffed, "HA! Yeah, right! I'm as big as a house!"

"No you're not!...You look really good for being six months pregnant...I mean it."

"Well thanks," Alison said still not really believing him.

"The only thing that's changed about you is...well...your stomach...I mean, they say with some women they can have a lot of problems, and their face can change and everything...but you look great."

"Been reading pregnancy books Jamal?" Alison teased.

"No...it's just something I'd heard." Jamal said defensively.

"Actually though, my Nana told me this old wives tale that if your face changes when your pregnant, it means you're having a boy. There's also something about carrying high or low, but for me it all just seems to be in the middle!"

"Well by that rule, then, I guess we're looking at a girl?"

"Who knows."

"You don't know what your having yet?"

"Well, the doctor knows. But I told her I wanted to be surprised...Ya know, like so when the baby comes out they get to say, 'It's a...whatever!'...and that's not as exciting if you know ahead of time."

"Yeah, I'm with ya....so.....We're here." Jamal pulled into the parking space in GH's parking garage. He jumped out of the car and ran around to Alison's side, as she looked like she was having a little trouble getting herself out, but would never admit it...or ask for his help. He knew Alison all too well.