August 20th, 2002

Week 10

Ronnie lugged the big box out of the car before Danny could reach her.

"What do you think you're doing?" He grabbed the box.

"Bringing stuff into the school to get ready for school." Ronnie said looking at him.

"You're not carrying this box. You're pregnant." He said walking up the steps to Winslow high, "Come on." Ronnie sighed and followed behind him with a couple of boxes. Danny was extremely protective over her now that she was pregnant.

"Thanks." She smiled following behind Danny. "I'm so glad it's almost school."

"You were one of those kids who reminded the teacher that she forgot to assign homework." Danny said as Ronnie unlocked her classroom. She chuckled.

"Sometimes. Just put it on my desk." She said.

"All right. I'll just be down the hall. Holler if you need anything." He kissed her nose.

"I will." Ronnie smiled and started to take things from the box. Danny walked going, going to his own classroom. "Okay, let's see little one. Momma has some pictures she wants to hang." Ronnie pulled out a poster of the presidents, "Not the best, but these kids need to learn them."

"Who are you talking to?" Ronnie jumped and saw Harry standing in the doorway.

"Christ, Harry." Ronnie said, "You scared the shit out of me." She shook her head and hung up the poster.

"Sorry." He said.

"You better leave. Danny won't be happy if he sees you here."

"I work here." Harry pointed out. Ronnie sighed and grabbed the box of pencils from the bag. These always went rapidly when you were a teacher. She started to sharpen them, "So, who were you talking to? Yourself?" Ronnie sighed deeply.

"Not exactly." She said, "I'm pregnant." Harry stared at her.

"Are you serious?" Harry asked. Ronnie nodded.

"Yes. I'm serious." She said putting her pencils back into the pencil holder, "I'm due March 14th."

"Oh. Are you happy?" He asked.

"It took me some time to get used to but yeah, I'm thrilled." She smiled, "TO think Danny and I created a life out of love is amazing." Harry looked like he had been stabbed in the heart with a hot poker. He managed to push out one of his trademark smiled.

"Well, I'm glad you're happy." He said, "Congratulations, Ronnie." Ronnie smiled gratefully.

"You excited to get back to work?" Ronnie asked to change the subject. Harry rubbed his neck.

"Not particularly." Harry chuckled, "But I assume you are."

"Yeah I am really excited." She chuckled. Harry glanced down the hallway.

"Figures. Listen, I need to get going." Harry said, "But I'll see you in a couple of weeks?"

"Of course." Ronnie smiled.

"Cool." Harry waked out of the room, "Congratulations again."

"Thanks." Ronnie smiled softly.

September 4th, 2002

Week 12

Ronnie smiled as she watched the students walked in and sat down. The first day of school. Things couldn't get any better than this. She stood up.

"Good morning. Most of you know who I am." She said, "I'm Miss Cook and I of course I will be your teacher this year until I go on maternity leave in February." She handed the first student a slip of paper, "Oh this piece of paper, I want you to put your name and your home phone number. If you don't have a home phone number, then put a number where I can reach you."

Ronnie sat back down. She watched as the students, one by one, filled out their information. She was so glad her morning sickness had passed. She could sit back and enjoy.

"I will have you guys for an hour and ten minutes every day. We will be getting a lot done this year. If you ever need help in this class or in any classes, you can request for my help." She said. Carmella Jenkins raised her hand. "Yes?"

"Are you still engaged to Mr. Hanson? That was really cool that he proposed to you at the graduation." She said. Ronnie blushed deeply.

"Yes, we're still engaged and my personal life has nothing to do with what is going on in this class room." She said. "Why don't we open up your books and start from page one?"

* * *

Danny sat next to Marilyn as the lunch bell rang. She chuckled at him.

"So, she's pregnant." Marilyn smiled, "I never expected her to be one to get pregnant?"

"Why not?" Danny asked opening his sandwich. Marilyn shrugged.

"She just seemed like a career woman to me." She said.

"Well, she still is. Just because she's having a baby, it doesn't mean she can't have a career. Let me remind you, her career is a teacher." Danny said biting into the sandwich Ronnie made him.

"Oh, I know that." She said as Ronnie walked in, "Hey there, mommy." Ronnie grinned.

"Hey. So he told you." She said.

"The whole school is talking about it." Marilyn said.

"Oh great." Ronnie groaned.

"Congratulations." She smiled, "I think it's wonderful."

"Thank you." Ronnie said as Gruber walked in.

"Miss Cook, could I see you in my office?" Scott asked.

"I'm sort of eating, Scott." She said. Scott narrowed his eyes.

"Now, Miss Cook." He said. Ronnie gave Danny a look, but got up anyway. She quickly followed behind him. What was this about? It was probably about the baby or something. "Have a seat." He indicated the seat in front of him. Ronnie sighed as she sat down.

"Is everything okay? My students okay?" She asked.

"What? Oh yes I think so." Scott said, "This is about you."

"About me. About my baby, correct?" She asked. Scott nodded.

"You really should have informed us, Ronnie." He said.

"I was going to after my lunch." She chuckled, "It's the first day f school, Scott. I'm not due until March. I won't ask for maternity leave until February okay? Is that what you wanted to know?"

"Well…Yeah." Scott cleared his throat. "That's exactly what I wanted to know…"

"Well, you know." Ronnie smiled, "And when my doctor gives me more information I will let you know if I need to take maternity leave any sooner than that, All right?" Scott smiled softly.

"Yes. Thank you." Scott smiled.

* * *

Danny looked at Ronnie as he dove back towards their apartment.

"So, school was fun?" He asked.

"School was fun." Ronnie chuckled, "All my students seem to be little hellions, but what else can I expect?"

"Not much when it comes to Winslow High." Danny said, "I came up with a baby name." Ronnie giggled.

"All ready?" She smiled, "Let's hear it." Danny smiled looking at her.

"Christian Mitchell." He said. A smile spread across Ronnie's face.

"That's a gorgeous name." Ronnie said, "I really love it."

"Good. I thought it fit perfectly." Danny said. Ronnie rubbed her stomach.

"Christian Mitchell." She said, "I hope it's a boy."

"Me too." Danny said, "A little me."

"Oh lord." Ronnie giggled. "That might be good. Might not be." Danny reached over and took her hand.

"It'll be wonderful and you know it. You and I will be parents of Christian or whoever and it'll be wonderful." Danny said. Ronnie smiled softly and nodded. She was going to be a mother and he was right. It was going to be wonderful.