Mort stood at the door for a moment. He had closed it, and now his back was resting against it. Why in the hell would she come here? How did she find me? What does she want? His mind spit out endless questions until Karen, much to Mort's relief, interrupted them.
"Was she a fan, Mort?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
He shook his head. "No, it was Amy. She…she needs to talk about something, I guess." He happened to glance at his watch. "I need to wake Alex." He rushed upstairs without another word. Even before he opened the door, he knew that she was still sleeping. He also knew she'd want to thank their guests, so he gently woke her. He sat on the edge of the bed and ran his fingers through her hair. "Time to wake up, baby."
Alex stirred and opened her eyes. "Hey," she said, her voice groggy. Mort smiled at her, but instead of returning it, she frowned a bit.
"What's the matter, Alex?"
"Gotta pee."
Mort shook his head and chuckled. Everyone knows how often a pregnant woman visits the bathroom. As he had been doing so often, he helped her out of bed and smiled as she waddled to the bathroom. I should tell her right away. We don't keep secrets.
Alex emerged from the bathroom, a smile now replacing her frown. "Much better." She looked at Mort and could tell right away that something was bothering him. "Something happen down there? Oh no…did one of the kids eat too much and throw up?"
Mort shook his head. "What made your mind pick that scenario?"
Alex shrugged. "Lots of kids, lots of food, lots of running…you should see my classroom some days."
"Point taken," Mort said with a smile. "Alex, I need you to have a seat, O.K.?" Thinking that Mort was just being his concerned self, she thought nothing of his request and sat down. "Amy was here," he said bluntly.
"Amy?" At first Alex was a bit confused. Her brain quickly registered the name. "Ex-Amy?" Mort nodded. "Um…why?"
"I don't know, baby. She was the person that called in the middle of the night though – and again this morning. Something's…something's not right. She came here without Ted and was acting…" Mort sighed. "I won't make something up, she said she misses me, but I really don't think that's what the problem is."
"Oh," Alex said.
"I'm not comfortable with this either…"
"I didn't say I was uncomfortable," Alex interrupted. Mort raised an eyebrow as if saying, "You don't have to say it." Alex frowned. "It's perfectly normal for me to worry a little, isn't it?"
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, Mort replied, "Of course it is, but you know you don't have to worry about me, don't you?"
She didn't hesitate in answering him. "I know. But, just so you know, I'm a woman – a very pregnant woman – so, at times, all rational thinking will abandon me." Mort's reply was to kiss her as deeply and passionately as he could. Her face reddened and her breath caught. "I really want to stop being pregnant," she whined.
Mort got up and flashed her the most seductive look he could muster. "It'll be worth the wait." Alex felt herself blush again. He extended his hand and the two of them went downstairs.
Alex and Mort both thanked their guests and said their goodbyes, both avoiding any questions about "the woman at the door." After the house was empty – save for Karen and Steven – Alex finally asked the question that she'd been holding back. "What did you say to her, Mort?"
He looked at her, his eyes reflecting the utmost honesty. "That I'd work something out. That I'd call her."
Alex thought a moment, then sighed. "It's still early. Just…just call and ask her to come over." Karen, Steven, and Mort looked at Alex like she had three heads - she noticed this and quickly explained herself. "Well, I'd much rather have her come here instead of you," she looked at Mort, "meeting her somewhere. Jealous, pregnancy hormones, remember?"
A faint smile crossed Mort's lips. "You make perfect sense, baby, but again, you know you don't have to worry."
"But…maybe she's realized what a huge mistake she made and…" Alex cut herself off. "It would make me feel better if she came here – where I can keep an eye on her."
"O.K., I'll call her." He ran his hand over Alex's back. "You're sure you're all right with this?"
Alex smiled. "I never said I was 'all right' with it, I just found a way to deal with it a little better."
"Fair enough." Mort picked up the phone and dialed. It rang a few times before Amy picked up.
"Hello?" Amy said.
"Hello, Amy. It's Mort."
Alex breathed a very shallow, unnoticeable sigh. Good, he said "Mort" – not "me."
"Mort?" Amy couldn't quite grasp that he had actually called. "I…I thought you were going to blow me off."
"I know something's wrong and the sooner it's taken care of, the better."
"Thank you," she said, her voice endlessly grateful.
"Look, just come back to the house."
"Your house?"
Mort rolled his eyes, making Alex, Karen, and Steven wonder what Amy had just said. "Who else's, Amy?"
"But…your family…"
"Is going to be here."
Amy's voice turned into one of disappointment. "Wouldn't it be easier on everyone if you just met me…"
"No, I'm not coming to you," Mort interrupted. "If you want to talk to me, you'll come here. It's your choice."
Amy sighed. "All right. I'll be there in a half hour."
"Fine. Bye." Mort hung up without waiting for a response. Alex noticed right away how edgy a minute or so of conversation with his ex-wife had made him. Mort saw the worried look on her face and walked back to where she was sitting. He smiled. "Now can you tell that you don't need to worry?"
Alex was embarrassed over the brief bout of jealousy she had gone through, but she did her best to shake it off. "Not on the best of terms, are you?"
Mort shook his head. "None of it matters, baby. She'll tell me what she has to get out of brain and she'll be back on her way to Ted."
God, Mort, I hope you're right…