Lindsay's eyes grew big, but she kept her voice low and soothing. "How late?"

"Eight weeks. I should have started again two days ago."

"Do you think you're pregnant?"

Helen nodded, tears swimming in her eyes. "I've been afraid to test though, like not knowing for sure makes it not true."

"You have to find out."

Helen nodded again and swallowed her tears. "I promised Ellenor I'd babysit tomorrow night so she and Matt can go dancing. Can you come over?" Helen raised bright blue eyes which showed fear and a vulnerability that was unusual for her. "I don't want to test alone."

"Of course I can." Lindsay laid a gentle hand over her friend's and squeezed. "It'll be okay

Helen."

The next night Lindsay arrived at her old apartment a few minutes before 8:30 carrying a grocery bag which held a pint of each of their favorite ice cream flavors and a batch of Bobby's caramel chocolate chip brownies and a duffle bag which held her pajamas and clean clothes for the next day. She wore a pair of maternity jeans and a red sleeveless top and black sandals. She knocked softly, knowing that Zoe was asleep. A second later the door was flung open and Helen pulled her inside.

"Hey Babe! I got the second season of 'Sex and the City' and I stole Ellenor's copy of 'Legally Blonde'! What'd you bring?"

Lindsay laughed. "Chocolate Fudge Brownie for you and Half Baked for me. Bobby sends his love and caramel chocolate chip brownies."

"Yum! I'll take those from you, I mean for you." Helen grabbed at the bag but Lindsay turned away, keeping it from her.

"I'll put the ice cream in the freezer. Have you taken it yet?" Lindsay asked, even though she knew the answer.

"Which one do you want to watch first?" Helen chirped on, avoiding the question.

Lindsay took care of the ice cream before turning back to her friend. "You have to take it,

Helen."

"I know. I was thinking that we could wait a little bit. You know, watch one of the

videos?"

Lindsay sighed, but looking at Helen and seeing her fear, she relented. "One episode, okay? You'll feel better knowing for sure."

Helen knew she wasn't going to get a better offer so she agreed. They watched the first episode of 'Sex and the City', and the second was about to start when Lindsay grabbed the remote and hit the stop button. "We can finish this up later. Did you buy the test, or do we have to go do

that?"

"I got it."

"Okay, which one?"

Helen jumped up from the couch and ran into her bathroom, coming back a minute later with a plastic bag. "I wasn't sure which one to use."

Lindsay dumped the bag out on the table and laughed. Inside was every kind of pregnancy test on the market. "It's a good idea to test more than once, but I think this is going a little over board." Lindsay grabbed three different tests out of the pile. "These are the best. Go ahead." She held them out and waited. Helen took them and headed into the bathroom, looking like she was walking to her execution. Lindsay meanwhile got up and pulled out the brownies, helping herself to a glass of milk with them. Helen came back and sat down at the counter.

"I did it. All three."

"Good. You want a brownie?"

Helen shook her head. "I'm too scared. I have to wait five minutes. Linds, what am I going to do if it's positive?"

"What do you want to do?"

"I can't have an abortion. It's a baby. I couldn't kill my baby."

"Okay. So you're going to keep it."

Helen nodded. "And after carrying a baby inside me for nine months, I couldn't give it up."

Lindsay smiled then. "What are you going to tell Mike?"

"Oh God. I have to tell him, don't I?"

"Well I'd recommend it. He's not stupid Helen, he'll figure it out. Plus you love him. And he loves you. He'll be happy."

"What if he's mad at me?"

"For having a baby? Helen really, does that sound like Mike to you?" Helen shook her head. It really didn't. "I actually think you're lucky." At Helen's shocked expression, Lindsay hastened to continue. "You've spent the last three years living with Ellenor and Zoe. You've seen what it's like to raise a child, and you've helped. You'll be a great mother, Helen." The last was spoken gently and it caused tears to fill Helen's eyes.

"You called me 'queen bitch, killer bee'."

Lindsay shook her head. " I was talking about styles in court. But with kids, especially when it's your own, you're great."

"Thank you." She looked at the clock and swallowed hard. "Six minutes. Come with me?"

Lindsay put her glass down and followed her friend into her bedroom. Helen reached out and grabbed Lindsay's hand, clutching it tightly. "I can't look."

Wordlessly, Lindsay pried her friend's hand out of hers and walked into the bathroom. She looked at all three tests and turned back to her friend with a small smile on her face. "Congratulations Mommy."