In the taxi on the way home, Constantine studied the business card. It was plain, except for one embossed line of text. An address, he figured. He knew Midnite wasn't helping him. More like protecting Elizabeth. He'd done so more then once already, bestowing the boar tusk bracelets that had saved her from possession by a Cherub, and had given John the fetish charm which he'd used to capture Elizabeth's soul in and keep her on this plane of reality.

John climbed out of the cab, returning the card to his pocket. First a stop at home, to check on Elizabeth, then he would head back out to investigate. Climbing the stairs to the floor above the bowling alley, a delicious scent wafted on the air. It was sugary sweet, something he hadn't smelled in years.

Unlocking the door, the smell of a freshly baked cake washed over John. His stomach growled, telling him it wanted a piece, smothered in icing.

"Elizabeth?" he called. Peering around the door, he found her in the kitchen area, smoothing the white icing over the warm cake. He slid his trench coat off and dropped it on its hook.

"Oh you're back." She grinned, licking icing from her fingers. "Happy belated anniversary, John."

"You made me a cake?"

"Yeah." Elizabeth finished the last bit of icing. "You said something a while ago about missing home-made cake. I remembered my mom's old recipe, and it seems to have turned out…" John startled her, kissing her deeply. For a long moment they joined, Constantine kissing the hell out of her, before stepping back.

"Thank you." He smiled, looking directly into her eyes.

"All that for just a cake?"

"More for doing the little things. For knowing… remembering." He hugged her tightly to him, lovingly nuzzling his face in her hair. Elizabeth hugged him back tightly, rubbing his back softly.

"You're welcome, sweetheart. Now, let me go so I can get you a piece?" Constantine gave her a rare grin and let go, watching her cut a thick slice that dripped melted icing.

John devoured it almost instantly; sharing what little good memories he had of his childhood with Elizabeth through their mental link. One of them had been the cake his mother would make on his birthdays. He'd missed that more then he realized.

Back over the link Elizabeth showed him her own memories of the cake she had made, her mother making it on special occasions. Birthdays had not been celebrated in the Alder home. John kissed her, getting icing all over her mouth, making a mental note to throw her a private birthday party when the date rolled around.

But for now, more cake. He was cutting himself another huge piece, watching from the corner of his eye as Elizabeth crossed the room and pulled the chain that opened all the shutters.

"Um…John?"

"Hm?" Constantine plopped the second slice onto his plate.

"I'm late."

"What?" He dug in a drawer for a fork. "Late for what?"

"Physically late." Elizabeth bit her lip, turning back to look out the shutters. John pulled the fork out and pushed the drawer shut.

"Not following."

"My period was late." John blinked; the fork ended up stabbing through the cake into the paper plate. The wheels were turning, but the connection was failing. Elizabeth turned, looking back at him.

"You… your…" Constantine set down the plate before he dropped everything. "How late?"

"Two weeks." Her reply was soft, anguished. Elizabeth had obviously agonized over telling him. He pushed the plate away, feeling as though the cancer again choked his lungs. He couldn't get his breath. "I figured maybe it was just stress, but it just didn't show up. And the days passed by and then I realized…"

"Do you think you're pregnant?" His voice was heavy. He gripped the sides of the table, trying to make the room stop spinning.

"I'm not sure. I tried but I think my emotions are blocking. You could always…"

"No." John shook his head. "No. I can't." Elizabeth stepped slowly over to the table, to stand beside him.

"You don't want a child?" She asked softly. He felt her fear through their bond. He shook his head.

"I want to make sure, before I… it doesn't mean… I never imagined this." He stopped talking, hating to ramble on when he couldn't get a handle on his emotions. A child was a big thing; a whole new life to involve in their world, a world it shouldn't have to be born into. Besides, was he really father material? He barely cut it as a husband.

Elizabeth just nodded, started to clean up the plates. Constantine caught her hand in his and squeezed, not letting go. She looked down at their hands.

"I know someone… at Ravenscar. She can tell us." He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb, stroked the wedding ring he'd given her. She never took it off. She loved him, was one of if not the best thing that had ever been given to him. John looked up at her, found her dark blue eyes gazing back at him. "Today. We can go today." They looked at each other for a long moment.

"All right. I'll get the keys." Her hand slowly slipped from his, as she went to retrieve her purse. Constantine realized her touch had calmed him, relaxed him enough that his breathing had become normal again. Quietly he rose and slipped his trench coat of its hook, sliding it on.