When Maureen woke it was dusk. She couldn't believe that she had slept so long. She crept down the stairs, but the living room was silent. She sighed. If Ed wasn't watching a baseball game in the den then she knew she'd be alone for the duration. Sure enough there was a note on the fridge. "Called to ER, be home ?' Maureen didn't even bother to remove it. She was starving so she opened the fridge and put together dinner which she ate in silence at the kitchen table.

Afterward she went to the sink and washed her dish before deciding to shower and crawl back into bed. She didn't hear Ed come in hours later, and she was only slightly aware when he turned off the television and kissed her temple. "Mmm" She murmured before she rolled over, continuing to sleep.

In the morning she heard Ed in the shower when she opened her eyes. He sounded happy, he was singing. Something he never did. She sat on the edge of the bed and went to the bathroom. She felt refreshed for the first time in two weeks. The marathon sleep had done her good. "Good morning" she called out over the sounds of the cascading water.

Ed popped his head out. "Good morning, how are you feeling?" He asked rubbing the soap from his face.

"Better, rested." She smiled. "Would you like some breakfast?"

"Sure" He answered, putting his head back under the water.

By the time he appeared, dressed in jeans an a button down shirt Maureen was plating fruit and eggs for his breakfast.

"You're not dressed." He noted, sitting down in his usual spot.

"Vanessa gave me the day off, " Maureen said, joining him.

"In that case maybe I will play hookey too. We could go to the beach, or maybe play a round of golf. This heat wave we've been having is supposed to lift today. What do you think?"

"I wish I could Ed, but I have some errands to run that I couldn't if I were working."

Ed dropped his fork on the plate, and finished his bite. "Come on Maureen. We rarely if ever have a day off together. The errands can wait, can't they?"

Maureen didn't wasn't ready to tell him her secret, but he would keep pressing if she didn't tell him something. "This one can't."

Ed raised an eyebrow.

"Alright. I'm going to call Margaret's office and see if I can't get an appointment to see her today." Maureen answered reluctantly.

Ed's face lit up. "I knew it! I knew it! I knew you were late, but I didn't want to get your hopes up." He clapped his hands "But if you're as late as I think you are, then it's a forgone conclusion. We're having a baby!" Ed pumped the air with his fists.

Maureen dropped her head into her hands. "Ed, I don't know for sure, and I don't want to get your hopes up. This could be nothing"

Ed pulled her out of her chair. "Honey if it's nothing I'll eat my hat. A baby, this is the most amazing news." He wrapped his arms around her and swung her in a circle.

"Put me down!" Maureen commanded, batting his shoulder.

"Oh, sorry. I guess I do need to treat you gently."

"No, you don't, but what you do need to do is go to work"

Ed looked defeated. "Alright, you're right. Someone has to bring home the bacon." He hugged her again. "Do me a favor. Come find me when you have your appointment. I'd like to be there when Margaret tells us the news."

"Won't you be busy with patients?"

"I will never be too busy for you or our baby Maureen. Remember when Michelle was born? I worked and was a good Dad too. I can be that again." He grinned. "A baby, wow. Nature really did take its course didn't it?"

Maureen rolled her eyes. "Go to work Dr. Bauer." She shooed him out the door.

She went to the phone and dialed the main number for Cedar's. "I'd like Dr. Sedjwick's office please"

Once connected Maureen requested a same day appointment, but was put on hold. In her hand she had a pencil that she rhythmically tapped against the pad they used to take messages.

"Maureen, this is Margaret, what seems to be going on?"

She was surprised that the doctor herself would take such a call, but Maureen proceeded to tell her that she needed to confirm the results of a home pregnancy test, but didn't tell her if they were positive or negative.

"Well, you're in luck, I have an opening at 11 as the mom decided to deliver late last night instead of having her final prenatal appointment this morning. Can you make it?"

Maureen looked over her shoulder at the wall clock. "Yes, I will be there, and Margaret, thank you"

Maureen hung up the phone before rushing to get ready.

At 10:45 she sat in the waiting room having filled out her paperwork. Every time the door opened she hoped it would be Ed appearing, but it never was. By the time her name was called she gave up hope. She grabbed her purse and followed the nurse to the exam rooms.

The young nurse took Maureen's vitals. "Your blood pressure is a bit on the high side, I guess you're a little nervous"

Maureen's forehead wrinkled. "You could say that."

"Well don't be. Dr. Sedjwick is the best there is." The nurse pulled out a paper gown and a cup with a lid on which she wrote Maureen's name. "She's going to want a urine sample. If you'd like you can do it before your exam, it will expedite things. Once you've done that please undress completely and put this on. Any questions?"

Maureen hopped off the exam table. "How long will it take for the results?"

"The urine we will dip right here in the office, but your blood work which will tell us more won't be back until tomorrow."

Maureen thanked her and proceeded to undress and use the ladies room. She literally twiddled her fingers, and then nearly fell off the end of the table when Margaret knocked on the door and came into the room.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Margaret said as she washed her hands. "So you need me to confirm the results of a home pregnancy test." She frowned slightly as she turned to face Maureen.

"I know how badly you and Ed want this, but those tests are pretty accurate. If you want, after the exam we can discuss some ovulation inducing medication if you're becoming anxious."

"I don't think that will be necessary." Maureen said softly. "I needed you to confirm a positive result, but I think you already have."

Dr. Sedjwick picked up the file. "Oh my goodness, Maureen, I am so sorry. I had absentmindedly written a negative result, I had just gotten off the phone with someone else who called in and had to tell them that they weren't pregnant. Forgive me."

"Don't apologize. I know how busy a doctor can get" Maureen assured her. "I am married t one you know"

Dr. Sedjwick smiled, "Yes I do. Where is Ed? I'm surprised he isn't here with you. Go ahead and lie back, I'm going to do a quick exam"

"I left him a message, but haven't heard back from him."

"Slide down"

Maureen wiggled down the table, her feet now in stirrups.

"I'm not surprised. The ER was quite busy this morning. Perhaps he was called into surgery"

The barbecue was a success, no? We had a wonderful time. Thank you for inviting Howard and Me." The exam seemed to be over before it began.

"You can slide back now." Dr. Sedjwick multi tasked. "Did the nurse have you leave me a urine sample?"

"Yes, it's over there."

"Excellent." Margaret pushed a call button and a nurse entered the room.

"Can you please dip an HCG for me. When those results come back would you mind coming in and repeating the same plus, a complete CBC, prolactin, and P4."

The nurse nodded, understanding the codes that sounded Greek to Maureen.

"Is everything ok?" Maureen asked, suddenly anxious.

"So far."

A few minutes later the nurse returned. "Mrs. Bauer, I'm going to draw your blood while we wait."

Maureen held out her arm for the nurse who took it between her side and forearm. She wrapped a tie just above the crook of her elbow and tapped. Maureen's vein immediately plumped up.

"This is going to pinch" The nurse said, Maureen looked away. She heard the pop when the venipuncture tube was pushed onto the back of the needle. Seconds later she felt the needle being removed and the nurse's fingers pushing a piece of gauze into her flesh. "That wasn't too bad, was it?"

Maureen shook her head.

"Can you check the urine results, please?" Margaret asked, taking a seat on her stool.

The pair chatted about Michelle, and Margaret's grandchildren when the nurse knocked on the door. Maureen looked over her shoulder, as the blank faced nurse handed a file folder to Margaret who thanked her. When the door closed she opened it and closed it quickly.

"Well?" Maureen asked before holding her breath.

"Congratulations, you are indeed pregnant. That's wonderful. I am not surprised considering when you last cycled. What does surprise me is that you weren't here a few weeks ago, but never mind. Let me give you the rundown I give all of my new mothers. No smoking, no drinking, no lunch meat. Now it used to be no caffeine, but I allow my patients one cup of 12 oz. Coffee per day. I know how unbearable it is to wake up and be deprived of that one indulgence. Unless of course your morning sickness is bad, in which case cracker and flat ginger ale will be your friend." Dr. Sedjwick paused as if thinking what else to tell Maureen. "Morning sickness should subside in the next four to eight weeks. Now if you are still vomiting at 16 weeks I want you to tell me, we can prescribe something for it. Any heavy cramping, similar to a bad menstrual cramp that doesn't go away, call me. Any bleeding, no matter how slight, call me. Other than that, just enjoy this time because once the baby comes your world turns upside down again. Any questions"

"A few actually."

Dr. Sedjwick looked at her watch, but didn't rush Maureen.

"When can I expect this little one to arrive? And you said my morning sickness would end. I haven't had any, well I did get sick after lunch yesterday when I finally realized I was late.. I didn't even suspect I was pregnant until then. I'm really not hungry, so I have lost some weight. Does that mean something is wrong? It does, doesn't it. Something is wrong because I wasn't paying enough attention" Maureen was becoming anxious.

Dr. Sedjwick stood and put her hands on Maureen's knee. "Maureen, I have known you and Ed since before Michelle was born. I will not lie to you. If something is wrong I will tell you. You are right, your blood pressure was a tiny bit high, but nothing to worry about. Your exam, while cursory, was also normal. As for not having morning sickness, you're just lucky. Some of my patient's can't leave their bathrooms during the first trimester. Now, as for your most important question, this little miracle will join us in mid March. A spring baby" She smiled.

Maureen laid her hands on top of Margaret's. "I'm sorry, you must think I'm foolish."

"No, you're not foolish. You're anxious. Listen, I hate to run but I do have a full afternoon. Now, I want you to see me again in about four weeks. We will discuss your first ultrasound, and go over any prenatal testing you may be interested in at that time. One more thing, I want you to start prenatal vitamins today. Ask reception for some samples. When you find the one you can tolerate the best, call and we will write you a prescription."

"Thank you" Maureen said quietly

"You're quite welcome, and Maureen, congratulations. I bet Ed is going to be over the moon."

Once Margaret left the room Maureen dressed, and gathered her purse. She stepped out into reception and scheduled her next appointment as well as receiving her vitamin samples. On her way to the door she saw that Ed was rushing in.

"Is it over? Did I miss it? He asked breathlessly.

"Yes, you did, I'm sorry" She said quietly.

"That's ok, you can tell me. Early April, right? That's what I figure, an early April baby. Oh Maureen I'm so sorry I missed it, but don't you worry, I'll be there from now on." He gushed.

Maureen stopped walking.

"Maureen?" Ed misread the confused look on Maureen's face. "Oh no, I'm completely wrong. You're not pregnant. I am so sorry. Damn it, I was so excited, I just assumed." He wrapped an arm around her. "It's alright. We'll just keep enjoying the family we do have, and if we get lucky, we get lucky. If not, that will be alright too."

Maureen wasn't paying attention. She was calculating dates in her own mind. She was due in Mid March. Ed calculated early April. It was then that she felt like she may throw up again for that was the moment she realized, the baby she was carrying may not be Ed's at all. Like they did in Vanessa's office her legs felt weak like rubber. Fortunately Ed felt her falling, and grabbed her before she hit the floor. He managed to get her to a bench in the corridor as Maureen responded to his voice.

"There you are." He cooed. He had his stereoscope in his ears. Maureen batted his hands away as he brought it to her chest.

"No," He said, eyes wide. I want to have a listen. You fainted." He moved the circular piece of metal over her sternum. He shook his head satisfied that she wasn't having a heart attack. "Do you have a headache?" He asked.

"What?" She successfully batted his hands away "Ed, I'm not having a stroke if that is what you're asking."

"Ok, good to know, but your pulse is racing. I think I should drive you home. I'm worried about you."

"Oh Ed, you don't need to be" Maureen whispered. "Although you probably will be once I tell you." She sighed, and held his hand. "You weren't wrong, I am pregnant." She smiled.

Ed's eyes got wide. "I knew it. I knew it!" He clapped. A patient walking up the hallway moved to the opposite side of it giving him a wide berth. "I'm sorry, it's just that I'm having a baby!" He exclaimed.

"Shh, keep your voice down, or the whole hospital is going to know," Maureen encouraged.

"Ok, ok. Now tell me, what did Margaret say?" He was as anxious and happy as Maureen should be, but all she was feeling was anxiety.

"You know what, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. Would you mind if we talked about this when you get home tonight?"

"Of course," Ed said, helping her stand. "I'm going to make it an early day. In fact, I'm taking you out to dinner. We need to celebrate" He pulled her into him and kissed her.

Maureen pushed him away. "You need to stop that." She admonished. You are the chief of staff. You need to act like it' She teased.

"Fine, but you had better believe that tonight at dinner I'm going to act like a fool" He warned. His pager went off then. "Damn it's the ER, I've go to go. Are you sure you're OK to drive?" He didn't' wait for an answer as he practically jogged away.

As promised Ed was home early. Maureen met him in the kitchen as she was sitting at the table when he came in.

"Hello Mommy," He grinned.

"Hi," She answered.

Ed placed his briefcase and medical bag on the stool by the breakfast bar.

"Is everything alright? Are you feeling sick?" He asked like a doting father to be.

"I've just been thinking" She pulled a knee into her chest, then rested her chin on it.

"About baby names? About what color to paint the nursery. There goes the guest room. It's a good thing no one comes to visit." He teased. Going to the fridge he pulled out fresh iced tea that Maureen had made. "Want some?" He asked.

"No, I've had my caffeine allotment for the day."

Ed joined her at the table, glass in hand. He reached across and brushed a hand on the side of her head. "So what's on your mind cutie? You seem a little less enthusiastic than I'd anticipated."

"Oh Ed, I am excited, I can't believe this is actually happening, but I'm also overwhelmed with all the possibilities of this baby."

"I have an idea that may help ease the load"

"What's that? You'll carry the baby for part of the time?"

"If only I could my dear, alas, if we men had babies, there would be a population of one. No, I was thinking you could cut back on your work at Spaulding, or quit all together and just enjoy being a mommy to be.."

Maureen corrected her posture, her spine was stiff and straight as she addressed him. "See, that is part of the problem Ed. Right away you expect me to be barefoot in the kitchen while you get to go off and have adult conversations and work. I had finally reached a point where I believed and was ok with the fact that there would be no more babies. That once Michelle graduated high school and was off at college that we'd finally have an empty nest and could rediscover all the things that made us, well, us. Then Vanessa gave me a real job. Not one at the hospital that was designed by you, but a real job and for the first time in my married life I wasn't just your wife, or Michelle's mother, I was my own person. I went to the country club for a business luncheon for God sake."

Ed squeezed her hands tightly, he didn't want to say the wrong thing, but wanted her to know he was listening.

"Don't get me wrong, I want this baby. I love this baby, but Ed, what if something happens? It happened before and it consumed me. When Michelle came along she filled a void, she became that something that was missing, but that shouldn't have been her job, and it shouldn't become her job again if something happens to this child. Oh Ed, I guess a part of me is scared of the what ifs. Think about it, I tell Vanessa I'm pregnant. I quit my job. I lose the pregnancy and then what? I become just Mrs. Bauer again. Oh she can throw a great Christmas party, and the Fourth of July, well that's epic, but she can't have a baby so she is just a mother and wife to the family she does have."

Slightly annoyed Ed said "It wasn't a job my mother resented, Maureen. In fact, she loved being Mrs. Bauer to Dad, and a mom to me and Mike"

Maureen pulled her hands from Ed's. "Ed, don't you see? I'm nothing like your mother, damn it."

"I'm sorry, I know you're not. It's just that I don't understand why staying home with our children would be such a burden. You are the one who wanted this.. You're the one who had the surgery so you could get pregnant. Now that you are, you're suddenly miserable. I just don't understand Maureen!"

"You're not listening to me, Ed!"

"Then explain it to me. Do you really want to have a baby with me, or was it just the idea that turned you on?"

At that moment the back door flew open and in wandered Michelle. Ed pushed himself upward, Maureen wiped her face and blew her nose.

"Hi honey" Ed said, walking backwards to lean on the breakfast bar giving Maureen as much physical space as the room would allow.

"Hi…" Michelle looked between her parents. "Are you two fighting? Mom, it looks like you've been crying, and Dad you look angry."

Maureen opened her arms "Come here"

Michelle, too old to sit on anyone's lap, did so anyway, returning Maureen's hug. Maureen kissed her cheek. "You're home early. I thought Fletcher was taking you to the amusement park."

Michelle sighed. "He did, but then Ben got sick so we had to come home. He, Mr. Reade, said that he'd take us another day. I don't think Ben's really sick, I think he just had too many hot dogs."

Maureen brushed a hand through her hair. "I'm sorry to hear that sweet heart, but I'm so glad you're home" She was speaking to Michelle but was staring at Ed as she said it.

Michelle pulled away and looked at Maureen. "So, are you and Daddy fighting?" She asked again, her voice small.

"No honey we aren't fighting. We were just talking about the future of our family and I got a little emotional." That part was true, but that wasn't the reason Maureen was so emotional. "Should we tell her?" Maureen asked.

Ed shrugged, the wind was out of his sails, but he went along for Michelle's sake. "If we do we may have to keep her locked in a cage in the basement for a few more weeks"

"Tell me what?" She looked between her parents again, only this time with curiosity instead of dread.

"Now Michelle, you won't understand why, but you have to keep what we're about to tell you a secret. You can't tell anyone, do you understand?"

Michelle's face fell. "Did Rick get in trouble again? Does he have to move even further away?"

"No, this has nothing to do with Rick." Ed said "Well, maybe a little bit, but not as much as it does you."

Michelle swallowed "Am I in trouble? Did I do something wrong"

"Oh Ed, we really need to stop torturing her. Stand up honey." Maureen said.

Michelle did, she stood parallel to her parents who were still separated. "Ok, I'm ready. Tell me what's going on."

Maureen smiled "Michelle, honey, you're going to be a big sister in the spring, mid March to be exact."

When Ed heard March he turned his head slight and narrowed an eye, but Michelle started screaming in delight.

"Oh my goodness! Mom, a baby? You're having a baby?" Her exuberance mirrored Ed's at the hospital. She jumped up and down, wrapping her arms first around Maureen's neck and then around Ed's waist. "I hope it's a girl. I have always wanted a sister. I hope she has hair. I will want to curl it and put it in braids and I'm going to show her how to have a tea party, and we'll have slumber parties…"

"Slow down" Maureen used her hands to pump imaginary brakes. "First of all she is going to be too little when she's born to have slumber parties, in fact, she won't slumber much during the overnight hours at all. You never did, and as for hair. I hate to tell you this but you were bald until you were almost two."

Michelle gasped. "Bald until I was two. I hope you kept me in hats. How embarrassing."

Ed grinned. "You were a cutie even without hair. Now listen, your Mom and Me were going to go celebrate at dinner. Would you like to come along?"

"No, I think I'm going to go call Ben and Bill. I want to tell them about my baby sister" She squealed.

"Hold on a second Michelle. You can't do that, not just yet."

"Why not?" She folded her arms over her chest.

Again Maureen looked to Ed for guidance, but wasn't getting any. "Well honey, I just saw Dr. Sedjwick today. I have to have an ultrasound, that is where they take a picture of the baby to make sure everything is progressing properly. Once we have taht done that you can tell anyone you want, alright"

Michelle pouted "Oh alright, but as soon as they take the picture I'm telling everyone, ok"

Maureen pulled Michelle into her again. "You bet." She assured her.

"I'm going to my room. Have a nice dinner" she said before she scampered away.

Once she was out of ear shot Ed pushed himself off the counter and went to the refrigerator. "I really don't feel like going out anymore do you?" He asked, staring into it.

"Not really" Maureen admitted. "Let's just stay home."