A BABY SHOWER

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BOBBIE LATHAM'S HOME

Many months had passed since Cassie left.  Webb was still looking for staff, but things were going well.  Mac was now eight months pregnant and Tatiana's first birthday was a few days away. They were all gathered at Bobbie Latham's for a baby shower.

"Why are we here again?" Harm quietly asked Sturgis.

"Because Bobbie threatened us," Webb replied. "What I can't figure out is how I got roped into this."

"You're a parent," Sturgis said.

"Have you heard from Cassie?" Harm asked.

"She sent Tatiana a dress for her birthday," Webb said. "I've also sent her pictures."

"She and Mac talk all the time," Harm said.

"Do they?" Webb asked, neither Cassie nor Mac ever mentioned this fact.

"Cassie really is a great person," Harm smiled.

"Yes, she's nice," Webb said. "She was a big help."

"Mac's ready to go out there for the derby. I bet Cassie would love it if you and Tatiana went too." Harm said.

"Harm, leave me alone." Webb said and walked away.

"Harm, come here." Mac called. "You have to see these wonderful things."

"They're great honey," Harm said. "I don't believe this."

"Look, this is from Cassie." Mac said.

"She's so great," Harriet said.

"I talked to her the other day," Mac said. "She's making some remarkable changes out at the farm."

"Do you plan on going out there?" Meredith asked.

"In the words of Cassie, that's a hell yes," Mac laughed.

"So open her gift," Harm said. "What did she send?"

"Oh these are beautiful," Mac said as she lifted a sterling silver baby cup and spoon from the box.

"Have you picked out a name yet?" Bobbie asked.

"Actually we have," Harm said.

"Well, what is it?" Harriet asked.

Mac and Harm looked at each other and then turned to Webb.

"Clay, if you don't mind, since we are having a girl, we'd like to name her Zoya." Mac said.

"I think that would be really nice," Webb smiled. "She would be thrilled."

"Thank you," Harm said.

"We aren't supposed to be crying," Harriet said wiping the tears away.

"I'm sorry," Mac said also with tears in her eyes. "Clay, you're sure you're okay with this?"

"I'm perfect with it." Webb smiled.

"Let's open more gifts," Bobbie said passing Mac another gift.

"This is from the Admiral and Meredith," Mac announced.

"I hope you like it," AJ said. "Meredith picked it out."

"Meredith, it's lovely." Mac said opening the box and revealing a beautifully crocheted receiving blanket.

"I'm glad you like it," Meredith smiled. "Check out the label."

"Made with love by Meredith Cavanaugh," Mac said. "You made this?"

"I do have some hidden talents," Meredith laughed.

"That makes it even more special," Harm smiled.

"I'm glad you like it." Meredith said. "AJ you were worried about the gift."

"Never mind," AJ sighed.

"There's one gift left," Bobbie said passing the box to Mac.

Mac opened the box and inside was a sterling silver baby cup and spoon.

"Clay, they are beautiful." Mac said.

"Since you already seem to have a set, I guess we can exchange these." Webb said.

"Interesting that you and Cassie would both send the same gift," Bud commented.

"Just a simple coincidence," Webb said.

"More like an interesting twist of fate," Sturgis smiled.

"Mommy, look." Little AJ called from the other side of the room. Tatiana was trying very hard to stand up and walk, but was not having much success.

"This is new," Webb said. "Aside from the time she tried to stand a few months ago, I figured she just gave up."

"Well, it is about that time," Harriet said. "She's going to be a year old next week."

"I can't believe it," Webb said. "It's been a year."

"Clay, do you need us to do anything for the party?" Bobbie asked.

"I don't think so," Webb said. "I wasn't even going to have one.  I mentioned that to Cassie and she told me I had to."

"She's right," Mac replied.

"Well, you're all in this with me." Webb said.

"How often do you talk to her?" Mac asked already knowing the answer.

"Often, she calls to ask about Tatiana and talks to her on the phone." Webb said. "She got very attached to her during those two weeks.  At least she isn't calling to talk to Tsar.  That would be very scary."

"I never understood why she was so attached to the horse." Harm said.

"Her husband picked him out at auction," Mac said.

"I never knew that," Webb replied. "It must have killed her to part with him."

"She told me she had to let go," Mac stated. "Things might have been different for her had they had a child, she would have had a connection to him."

"It also could have been harder," Webb said looking at Tatiana.

"So do you call her?" AJ asked.

"Occasionally," Webb said. "Usually she asks about Tatiana and I forget the reason I called."

"Any chance she'll come back for a visit?" Harriet asked.

"I doubt it," Webb said.

"Did you invite her to Tatiana's birthday party?" Bobbie asked.

"It wouldn't be appropriate," Webb said.

"Sure it would," Mac said.

"She did send a gift," Harm said.

"And I sent a thank you note." Webb replied.

"The party was her idea," Bud said.

"So was hiring a stable manager, and I haven't done that," Webb said. "Could we change the subject?"

The group just looked at each other and didn't make another comment.

"How about some cake?" Bobbie offered.

"That sounds like a great idea." Mac said. "Harm could you give me a hand here?"

"Coming dear," Harm teased.

"Next time, you carry the baby." Mac said.

"Next time?" Harm asked. "I'm not even sure I'm coping with this time."

"Speaking of next time, isn't it time for Little AJ to have a brother or sister?" Meredith asked.

"Now that you mentioned it," Harriet smiled.

"Are you going to have a baby?" Mac asked.

"Yes," Harriet squealed. "We didn't want to take away from your shower but since someone asked."

"Congratulations!" Everyone chorused.

"How far along are you?" Bobbie asked.

"Just two months," Harriet said.

"I've been dying to tell you guys," Bud said.

"When did you find out?" Sturgis asked.

"Earlier this week," Harriet said.

"This is wonderful news," AJ said.

"I'm happy for you both," Webb said.

"Little AJ, you're going to be a big brother," Harm said.

"It's a secret," Little AJ replied.

While everyone was congratulating Bud and Harriet Mac went over to Webb.

"Have you told her about your former career?" Mac asked.

"It did come up in conversation," Webb said. "Funny, she wasn't very surprised. Now why is that?"

"I couldn't tell you," Mac smiled. "She's a good friend to you."

"If you can call her that," Webb shrugged. "She's more like a pen pal."

"Clay, why don't you invite her to the party?" Mac said. "I bet she would come."

"Colonel, whatever you are thinking do not think it." Webb said.

"All I am thinking is, you found a friend. Something you don't have many of.  Why not embrace it?" Mac said.

"Thanks Mac," Webb said sarcastically.

"Don't you miss working for the agency?" Mac asked, shifting gears.

"That was another life," Webb said. "I have Tatiana to consider."

"Oh really," Mac said. "I ran into Jeremy Wellington, he mentioned that you were doing some work for him."

"He needed a security check," Webb said. "It was nothing covert."

"Funny, he came to you and not someone who was on the payroll." Mac said.

"And I thought Zoya was impossible when she was pregnant," Webb stated.

"I'll stop," Mac laughed. "Let's go get some cake."

The party came to an end and everyone went home.

WEBB STABLES

Webb put Tatiana to bed and went to the stables.  He had some paperwork to complete and wanted to make sure the horses were okay. That was his excuse.  The real reason was to see if there was a fax from Cassie.  At least once a week, she sent over a letter, always addressed to Tatiana, and a list of possible stable managers. So far Webb had rejected every suggestion.  As he walked to the fax machine he saw a letter with familiar handwriting.

Dear Tatiana –

Well, little angel another week has gone by.  Thank you for sending me another picture.  You have gotten so big and become even more beautiful. 

We sold two horses this week and purchased three others at auction.  I went to Church Hill Downs today and watched the races. We're expanding the business here to include some racing Thoro-Breads.  We may even have a contender at the derby one day. 

Maybe when you are older, your daddy will let you come here to see the races up close.  It's a lot of fun and all the ladies wear crazy hats.  Who knows, maybe one day you just might be the first lady jockey to win the derby.  Now that would be an accomplishment.

I have to make this letter short, my dad and brothers went fishing for the week and left me to do all the work.

Take care, little angel – why do you tug so at my heart?

Cassie

PS – Tell your daddy I said hello.

Webb smiled as he read the letter, he then went to his desk, opened a drawer and took out a binder. He carefully punched holes in the letter and added it to all the others.  He decided to save them for Tatiana so she could read them when she was older, for some reason he didn't want Tatiana to forget Cassie.  A small part of them wished she was writing to him.  But that part confused him and there was a bigger part that consumed him with guilt for looking forward to the communications.  Tomorrow he would have Tatiana make handprints on a piece of paper and fax them to Cassie.  He put the binder back and returned to the house.  He sighed as he thought about Cassie with her bright smile and sparkling eyes.  Maybe I should have invited her, he thought.

He entered the house and Porter was sitting in the library reading a book.

"How was the shower?" Porter asked.

"It was very nice," Webb replied.

"Is something wrong?" Porter questioned.

"Everything is fine," Webb sighed.

"Then stop sulking," Porter admonished.

"Mother, I do not sulk." Webb replied and walked away.

When he walked into the foyer, he saw large envelope addressed to Tatiana.  He looked at the post mark and smiled when he saw 'Lexington, KY'.  Going to the study with the package, he sat and opened it. Inside were several books and  cassette tapes with a note.

In case you need a bedtime story….

Webb went over to the player and inserted the tape.  It was Cassie reading the stories and talking to Tatiana.  Webb immediately went upstairs to see if Tatiana was still awake.  She was and Webb placed the tape in the player by her bed and hit the play button.  As Cassie's voice filled the air, Tatiana pulled herself up in her crib and laughed. 

"She makes us both smile," Webb said to his daughter.  He picked Tatiana up and sat with her in the rocker, turning the pages of the book in sync with Cassie's readings.  An hour later, they were both asleep in the rocker.