Chapter Eleven

She sat in the living room, picking at the hem of her dress. Lia was anxious for Danny to come home. She hadn't been able to talk to him the night before because she'd fallen asleep sometime in the afternoon. When he got home last night he didn't bother to wake her.

Then he was up and out before she woke this morning. Lia didn't really mind – because it gave her some time to prepare and get everything ready. Now he'd be home soon and she honestly couldn't wait.

She looked around the room again, everything looked just perfect. Candles were lit, dinner was warming in the oven, the table was set and she was ready.

At least she thought she was ready. She'd gone over the scenario a million times in her mind.

Danny? Sweetie? We're having a baby – can you pass the salt?

Hey Danny? How'd you do during your OB rotation? Do you think you could handle it if I went into labor in the car?

Danny – pick a number between 1 and 3? 2? Well – we're two now but soon there'll be three of us.

Lame, lame, lame. All of it lame. How was she going to pull this off? She was never very good with the mushy stuff.

She sighed again, completely at her wits end. She was about to do something drastic when she heard the door click open.

Danny rushed inside, peeling off his coat before he was even fully in the door.

"Hey!" He called out as he rushed to her and kissed her soundly on the mouth. "Mmmm. You smell good." He whispered as he pulled away.

She stood there in a bit of shock as she watched him walk towards the bedroom. "Danny?"

"I'm so sorry." He said then, his voice completely apologetic. He stood by the dresser and rummaged through the drawers. "I know we haven't had time to celebrate your promotion and I promise you we will." He said as he pulled off his scrubs and stood in front of the closet. He threw a suit and shirt on the bed and then ran into the bathroom.

"Where are you going?" Lia asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I have to go to this dinner." He said over the sound of running water. He stuck his soapy head out from behind the curtain and gave her a smile. "I know how you hate these things. It's OK. You don't have to come."

"What's it for?" She asked then, trying to reign in her anger. Not only was he ruining her night but he didn't even want her to go with him wherever he was going.

"Pharmaceutical company. Dr Atley is presenting. I kind of got roped into going."

"You mean I'm not invited." Lia replied. She stood with her arms across her chest. She really wasn't angry about the dinner. Dr Atley was the head of the ER. If he asked Danny to go he had to go. But what about her and her news? She knew her little scenarios left a lot to be desired but she was dying to tell him. She was suddenly crushed that it looked like it wouldn't happen tonight.

The water turned off suddenly and Danny stood before her with a towel tied around his waist. He rubbed a hand over his face to wipe the water from his eyes. As he did he finally got a good look at her. "God, Lia. You're gorgeous." He said with a sigh. There was no way to get out of this dinner but the way Lia looked had him wanting to try. "This sucks. I'm sorry. I'm sure you had a nice evening planned. Believe me. I'd rather stay here with you – but Jake's waiting downstairs for me."

"It's OK." Lia said with a shrug.

"It's not OK." Danny replied. He moved towards her and kissed her softly. "I promise I'll try to sneak out early." He said as he pulled away ran back into the bathroom. Moments later she heard his electric razor. In seconds he was walking back in the bedroom and getting dressed.

"No. It's all right." Lia replied as she followed behind. Once back in the bedroom, she bent down to slip her high heels off. She sighed as she wiggled her toes. She reached up and let her hair down. "Don't do that. It's fine."

"I'm sorry…" Danny said again as he got another look at her. It was all he could do not to pull her into his arms and forget his obligations for the evening.

"Danny – please. It's all right." Lia insisted as she sat at the foot of the bed. "It can wait."

He turned his back on her as he stared in the mirror combing his hair quickly before he slipped his shoes on. "I promise. We'll celebrate big tomorrow. I'll get some champagne, we'll go out for a nice dinner and I'm not on call so we can have the whole night to ourselves."

"Sounds great." Lia said then, trying again to hide her disappointment. She couldn't have champagne – but Danny wouldn't know that – because she hadn't told him the real exciting news yet.

He moved towards her and knelt beside her, his hand grazing her side. He looked down at his hand as he pressed gently. "How're you feeling? Any changes?" He whispered.

Lia blinked back tears as his hand moved across her stomach. If you only knew…. She said to herself.

"I'm fine." She answered, standing and moving away quickly. She saw his watch sitting on the dresser and moved to pick it up, quickly wiping at her eyes. "Don't forget your watch." She said as she turned to face him again, an artificial smile blooming across her face.

Danny could tell she was putting up a good front but as much as he enjoyed arguing with his wife he didn't have time tonight to do it properly. "OK. If you're in pain at all take two more of those pills and get some rest." He ordered as he fastened his watch and leaned in to kiss her again. "I love you…" He said softly as he quickly moved away.

"Love you too." She said sadly as she watched him go.

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Kyle clicked his phone off, a bit stunned. It had been so long since he had heard her voice.

He was so lost in his thoughts he didn't even notice when Becky came back to the table. She settled back across from him and slurped the last of her soda.

"The line for the Ladies Room was so long." Becky sighed. "I swear it's not fair guys never have that problem."

"Yeah." Kyle said – his thoughts elsewhere.

Becky laughed as she grabbed for his hand. "Sweetie. Where did you go?"

"What?" He said, blinking a bit and finally focusing.

"Kyle? Are you alright?" Becky asked then, her voice full of concern.

"No. Yeah." He finally paid attention to her. "You ready to go?"

"Sure." Becky nodded, not exactly sure what to do. Kyle held her coat out and helped her into it. He shrugged into his own coat and then took her hand. He held it tightly.

She didn't say anything until she was in the car. She shivered a bit, half from the cold, half because she'd never seen Kyle so shaken before.

"Kyle? What's going on?" She whispered as he pulled out of the parking space.

"My sister…" He began. "She just…she just called me."

"What?" Becky's voice was shocked.

"Alaina." Kyle replied. "My sister. She called me."

Becky knew exactly what a big deal that was. "Oh my God Kyle. Where is she?"

"I don't know." Kyle said with a sigh, trying to focus and keep his eyes on the road. "God Becky. She sounded so sad."

"Kyle. It's been so long since you've seen them. Are you sure you're OK?" She asked, her voice full of concern.

"I'm alright." He insisted. "I just – I think I need to find her." Kyle pulled up in front of the house and put the car in park.

"OK." Becky nodded in agreement. "Then you'll find her."

"I don't even have a clue where to look Becky…" Kyle voice was full of frustration. His eyes were rimmed with tears as he gazed over at her.

"I know." Becky nodded as she took his hand in hers. "Don't worry. I'll help you."

"Well – did the number show up on your phone?" Becky asked, her mind spinning. "We can sorta find out where they are by the area code."

"Yeah. I think so." Kyle replied, still sounding unbelievably lost.

"Then we have a place to start." She said as she pulled him close and hugged him tightly.

Becky was again reminded how lucky she was. She had never felt alone in her life. Kyle needed to get used to the fact that he wasn't anymore.