This is a sequel to An Expected Event. Thanks so much for the feedback on that one.

Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me, except for Elizabeth, they belong to their original creators.

I am going to attempt chapters on this one.

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Little Elizabeth McCoy was four months old. She was the pride of the Montecito Casino where her parents, Danny McCoy and Mary Connell worked. After Elizabeth's birth, Danny had insisted that Mary move in with him, not into his old apartment, but into a new home he had managed to find a down payment for. Mary had agreed to his argument that Elizabeth needed two parents, but declared a moratorium on any discussion of their relationship until life had returned to at least semi-normal. Danny had gone back to work just a couple of days after Mary and Elizabeth were released from the hospital, while Mary found herself getting very bored at home. Luckily she was continually visited by her friends from work, and Danny had arranged to work shorter shifts so he could spend time with "his girls". However, after four months Mary's maternity leave was up and she and Danny took Elizabeth to the casino to determine what to do when both parents were working.

They visited first with Ed, who gave Elizabeth some fuzzy dice for her stroller.

"So, Mary, how have you been?"

"Good, Ed. But I'm ready to come back."

"I wouldn't expect any less from you." He motioned for them to sit down, then settled himself on the edge of his desk. "Now, it's company policy that you can bring Elizabeth in until she's a year and a half old, then you'll need to find daycare."

"Really?" Danny seemed surprised.

"Hey, I'm president of the casino. I make the policy. Mary, since your job has you moving around the casino all the time, I figured Elizabeth could stay here in the surveillance room. We can set up a playpen in the corner, and I check with the guys. They're all okay with it."

"Are you sure Ed?" Mary double checked.

"Of course I'm sure." Ed confirmed. "Gillian's bringing the playpen by later today."

Mary stood up and hugged Ed. "Thank you."

Danny shook his hand. "Thanks Ed."

They left the office with Elizabeth in her carrier. Mike greeted them at the door.

"Where's my little girl?" He reached out and lifted Elizabeth into his arms. "Hello sweetheart, how are you?"

"Careful, Mike." Mary warned.

"Don't worry, honey." Danny wrapped his arm around her waist. "It's only Mike." He whispered in her ear.

"I know." She whispered back. "Mike's rough with her."

"Really?" Danny reached out. "Mike, give me my daughter."

"You two are no fun." Mike handed Elizabeth to Danny.

"I just don't want you killing my child."

"Man, some people become parents and lose their entire sense of humor."

"So Mike, did Ed talk to you about us bringing Elizabeth in?" Mary asked.

"Yeah. The guys are all excited. In fact, Rich was saying how great it would be to see you more often."

"He was saying what?" Danny headed towards Rich's desk, Elizabeth still in his arms. Mike raced to stop him.

"I'm kidding man. He didn't say anything."

"Well....well, good." Danny turned to see Mary cracking up behind him. "What do you find so funny?"

Mary was doubled over, "You...with your...your whole jealous act."

Danny walked to her side. He leaned close to her ear. "It isn't an act, baby." He put Elizabeth in her carrier. "C'mon, let me take you home."

It took them another hour to get out of the casino. They were mobbed on the casino floor by Nessa, Sam and Delinda, each of whom had to hold Elizabeth and tell Danny and Mary how excited they were that the baby would be coming in. Sam and Delinda were particularly excited that Mary would be back to work as they had been covering her job.