"And this was my home room Senior year." Says Bobby excitingly walking down a crowded hallway. "Mr. Colby was a real stickler for punctuality."
"I still am." Replies an older gentlemen, with white hair, stepping out of Room 316. "Robert, Robert Goren my most punctual student. How nice to see you, my boy."
"This is amazing, Mr. Colby? You're still teaching?" Asks an astounded Bobby looking at an amused Alex.
"I am, although I will be retiring after this year. Finally going to tap into that pension of mine. Surprised I didn't take early retirement after dealing with you for four years Robert? Thought you could always outsmart me, didn't ya? Don't take it to heart son, you couldn't ever fool this old man." Mr. Colby says with a smile.
"I had the utmost respect for you Sir. I want to assure you that your teachings impacted my work ethics immensely." Bobby says.
Alex rolls her eyes. "Yes, Sir, he's on time every day at work."
"And who do we have here?" Mr. Colby beams at Alex.
"Ah, this is my lovely part...wife Alex." Bobby looks at Alex and shrugs.
"Ah, you finally settled down son, that's good. Marriage is a good thing and life isn't complete without it. My Marie and I have been married forty years this July. Very nice to meet you Alex. You keep an eye on this one, he has been known to over do things, although he makes up good excuses." Mr. Colby chuckles.
"Hmm, I'll keep that in mind." Alex gives Bobby an I already know look.
"Any children yet?" Asks the teacher innocently.
Alex's smile fades slightly and Bobby answers before she has a chance.
"No." Bobby says, quietly. "We haven't been blessed."
"That will come with time." Says Mr. Colby winking at Bobby. "Well, its been a pleasure Robert...Alex nice meeting you. I really have to go and catch up with some of my other students." He walks away.
"Bobby, can we go back to the hotel?" Alex asks, softly.
"Sure Eames, if that's what you want?" Bobby bends his knees to look at her in the eye. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine Bobby, really I am." Alex turns her head.
But Bobby is too quick for her and turns her face to look at him. He wipes away a tear from her eye. "No you are not fine and I know why. Mr. Colby doesn't know about how sensitive that topic is with you. I'm sure he had no idea what that comment did to you."
"Don't be silly Bobby." Alex says. "Its nothing really. I can deal with it, I've been dealing with it for a while now. I'm just embarrassed that it still has this effect on me. It's been years, Bobby. Years since I was a surrogate. I should be over this by now."
Bobby drops his hand. "No need to be embarrassed." He wraps his arms around Alex and pulls her to his chest.
Alex burrows her nose into his polo shirt. "Really?" She asks in a muffled voice. "You always know what to say to make me feel better."
"What you did was probably one of the most difficult and selfless things you've ever done. You gave away a baby that you carried for nine months. I can't even imagine how that feels." Bobby says.
Alex pulls away and looks at him as he brushes the hair out of her face. "I guess you're right. At least I get to see my nephew whenever I want."
Bobby grins at her. "Come on, lets get out of here." He takes her hand and they walk toward the stairs.