Part 7



"Brooke?" Edmund said, pushing his way into Brooke office. "I'm going to check out of here early. Dixie has the kids, but I wanted to run over the changes on that article..." He paused, noticing the distant look on Brooke's face. "Brooke? What's up?"

"Hmm?" Brooke said, looking at him. He swollen belly was hardly noticeable, although she had confided in Edmund the fact that she was pregnant. "Oh, Edmund. I'm just... engrossed in this."

"You're sure that there's nothing else on your mind?"

"Edmund, I'm sure, alright." She paused, pulling her chair out slightly. "Which article are you looking at?"

Edmund pulled out a folder, thumbing through the papers. "I was thinking about going back to get another source for this one, what do you think?" Brooke was silent. Edmund shook his head, leaning forward, waving his hand in front of her face. "Hello?" He said. "Look, Brooke. I know you better than anyone else, and I know when something isn't right. Are you going to tell me, or am I going to have to force it out of you?"

"Edmund..."

"You can't pull one over on me. You never could." Edmund said. Is it Adam?"

"No," Brooke said. "No. I just haven't been sleeping too well lately. With the magazine and..."

"You're working too hard. Why don't you take a few days. Get some rest."

"We have a magazine to put to bed, Edmund." Brooke said, massaging her temples. "Maybe after that's taken care of..."

"That's an excuse and you know it. Brooke... take some time."

"I will. will, OK. I promise. Once we get the magazine taken care of."

"It'll be Christmas by then," Edmund said.

"And you'll be halfway down the aisle."

"I'm just concerned about you. You have to take care of yourself. especially now, with the baby."

"I am," Brooke assured him. "I promise I am, Edmund."

"I'm just looking out for you, Brooke."

Brooke smiled. "You always have," she said. "And for that... I'll always be grateful." Brooke paused. "Why don't you go ahead. Go home to your kids, Edmund. Buy them lunch or something. I'm right behind you, trust me."

"What did I talk you into going home?" Edmund laughed.

"You and the weather. I just might tell everyone to call it a day."

"I'll wait for you...."

"No, no." Brooke said. "I still have a couple more things to do. Sam and Maddie are probably waiting for you."

"You call me if you need anything at all," Edmund said.

"You're number one on my speed dial," she smiled.

"I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Same time, same place," Brooke said. "And don't forget about our meeting with marketing at..."

"Ten o'clock," he said. "I gave it marked on every calendar I own." Edmund started out of her office. "Oh, and Brooke," he said, turning around. "Get some sleep, you look like hell." He smiled.

"Thanks a lot," Brooke laughed.

"See you tomorrow," Edmund said as he left her office.

Brooke waited a moment for Edmund to leave before resting back in her chair in relief, taking a deep breath as she rubbed her abdomen. She slowly reached forward, looking through the rolodex and pulling out a number. She picked up the phone and dialed, waiting as an answering machine picked up.

"You have reached Dr. Joe Martin, Chief of Staff. If this is an emergency..." Brooke hung up the phone and put the card in her purse. She placed her hand on her belly once again, rubbing it gently before rising from her seat and hitting the lights off on the way out of her office.