It was December in Springfield. The snow fell lightly, covering the already frigid landscape in a blanket of white. Appropriate Ed Bauer thought as he came awake for it was his step daughter, Blake's wedding day. He rolled over and reached out for his wife, Holly, whom he had re-married a few months prior but she was already awake. He heard her in their walk-in closet.

"Good morning" He called out.

"What's good about it?" She replied.

"Blake's getting married today for starters." He tied his robe around his waist and made his way to the closet door opening it. "Don't tell me you're still angry about her and Ross. I thought you two had mended that fence"

Holly was pulling every dress she owned from the hanger, held it up to herself and then threw it on the floor. "Blake and I are fine. If we, weren't I wouldn't be going to this wedding. That isn't the problem. This is…" She turned and put her hands on her swelling abdomen.

Ed grinned broadly. "I don't see a problem. You're beautiful."

"Ed, I have nothing to wear. I didn't expect to be showing this soon, I thought I had a couple more weeks." Holly complained as she went back to searching her wardrobe.

Ed laid his hands on her shoulders "You know if you had just told everyone we're having a baby this wouldn't be an issue." He whispered.

Holly elbowed him in the stomach and pulled away. "I told you I didn't want Roger finding out, and now everyone in Springfield, including Blake are going to find out. She is going to be so disappointed."

"Disappointed that her married mother is having a child with her husband? Blake's a big girl, I am almost certain she realizes that we're not celibate. In fact, I bet she will be ecstatic, because you will be so busy with our little guy that you won't have time badger her for grandchildren."

Holly flashed back to the Fourth of July. She had made love to Roger at the Cliffhouse. The baby boy she was carrying wasn't Ed's, but Roger's. History was cyclical, for the exact same scenario had occurred when she was expecting Blake. Only her night with Roger wasn't an affair, it was supposed to be an exercise in banishing the demons between them. They promised they would stay out of each other's way, but the joke was on her when at 44 ended up pregnant instead. She laid her head in her hands.

Ed stared at her, "You look a little pale. If you're still having morning sickness, we need to talk to Dr. Sedwick about it."

Holly looked up at him and shook her head. "I'm fine. I'm just a little overwhelmed trying to find something to wear."

"I know, I have a solution to your wardrobe problem here."

Holly's eye brows shot up "Really? Do tell"

"I could go to the garage and find that tent we have. I'm sure we could fashion you something out of that."

Holly elbowed him in the ribs again.

"Ouch, that hurt" He laughed, rubbing the spot.

"Good, you deserved it, but just in case, go find that tent."

Ed leaned in and kissed her on the temple. "You will look beautiful in whatever you decide on. I'm going to go make sure Michelle is awake. Do you want some breakfast?"

Holly had now pulled two dresses out of the pile and sighed. "Oddly enough, I am" She smiled. "Especially if you're doing the cooking"

Ed backed up slowly "Holly, if I waited on you to cook, I'd be skin and bones" He ducked when she threw a shoe at him. He was pushing his luck.

Hours later Ed, Holly, and Michelle arrived at the church. Roger would be giving Blake away while Michelle would be waiting at the alter as one of Blake's attendants. Too old to be a flower girl, but too young to be a maid of honor. Still, Blake gave her a spot in the party. Ed would sit next to Holly, acting as both step father and buffer between mother of and father of the bride. Holly knew if she was sitting that her empire waist would conceal her new shape, but if she stood it might be noticed. She hoped that with all eyes on Blake that she wouldn't become the topic of conversation when the ceremony lagged, but first she had to see Blake.

She held Michelle's dress in front of her when she walked into the bride's room. Blake had just climbed into her dress. One of Holly's hands immediately flew to her heart which was pounding a mile a minute.

"From the day you were born I imagined this day" Holly was surprised at the emotion in her voice.

"Oh Mom" Blake smiled, trying to hold back her own tears. "I am so glad you're here" She opened her arms and went to her mother, embracing her. Holly tensed, but quickly relaxed as she realized that despite their close proximity that the satin and lace separated them.

"Do you need help with anything?" Holly asked, looking around the room.

"No. Is Daddy here yet?" She asked as she put her head piece in her hair.

"I don't think so. I haven't had the misfortune of running into him yet if he is."

Blake turned towards the mirror studying her make up. Deciding that her mascara needed touched up. She pulled the wand out of her make up bag and began the task.

"Can't you two get along for just today? You two have done a fantastic job of avoiding each other since this summer and winter. Can't you just call a truce when you have to be in the same proximity for me, your only child?"

Blake turned around. She again took Holly's breath away. Holly swallowed the growing lump in her throat.

"About that, I need to tell you something."

Blake's smile faded. "He isn't coming, is he? He can't put his feelings for you or Ross for even a few hours. Damn it Mother, why didn't you just tell me?" tears threatened to fall down Blake's cheeks, but she refused to let them, less her make up smear. Holly went to her and took her hands in hers.

"Blake, he will be here. I promise. What I have to tell you I should have told you months ago."

Holly began. Blake's nervousness increased, she could feel her palms get clammy and her heart rate increase.

"I found this out when I went to get my blood work for my marriage license."

Blake pulled her hands out of Holly's, putting them to her mouth not caring about her lipstick. "Oh my God, you're sick" she said between her splayed fingers. "I knew something was up when you were so tired all the time, and that one time you got so sick after lunch that you actually threw up. Oh Mom, why did you wait until today to tell me? This is supposed to be the happiest day of my life. You really are Grandma's daughter. You always said she couldn't give you an ounce of happiness either."

"Calm down" Holly said calmly herself. "I am not dying. In fact, I am apparently healthy enough that I have managed to wind up pregnant."

Blake practically doubled over with laughter. "Pregnant. Oh Mom, I should hate you right now. I thought you were serious. I started planning your funeral in my head, and then you give me the punch line. Pregnant, oh Mom"

As Holly's back was to the door she didn't see or hear Roger enter.

"Chrissy, you're pregnant?" He uttered. "Well, I guess the wedding will go on then."

Holly's eyes widened. She prayed that Roger, like Blake wouldn't notice the change in her figure. Further, she prayed that Blake wouldn't say anything, but it was too late for a miracle, even while standing in the middle of the church.

"Daddy" Blake squealed rushing into Roger's arms. He hugged her tightly.

"Forget what I said. I am parked right outside. Just say the word and I will sweep you and my grandchild to be out the side door and I will take you away from here. Marler doesn't deserve you. I will take you to a private island somewhere."

Blake pursed her lips and shook her head. "Daddy, as I just told Mother I am marrying Ross today. You had better get used to it. As for a grandchild, I'd like to wait awhile on that front. Why I'm not even sure if I want to have children."

Roger was confused. "I could have sworn I heard you say you were pregnant."

"Blake, if you'll excuse me." Holly said trying to leave, but Roger blocked her from doing so.

"No, I want to know who is pregnant. If it's not Chrissy then whom? Oh no, please don't tell me it's Michelle."

Holly's inclination was to reach out and slap him, but she stopped mid swing. "She's only 12 Roger. In what depraved world do you live in that you would assume that?"

Roger lifted his hands "I'm sorry, but if it's not Chrissy" He laughed "and it's certainly not you, I just assumed that it had to be Michelle. I forgot how young she is. Forgive me."

Blake went over and wrapped her arms around Rogers. "Actually Daddy, it is Mom. It seems that she and Ed are making me more than a step sister this go round."

Holly's face reddened, while Roger's lost all color.

"You, Holly? Are you sure?" Roger asked.

Thanks Blake, thank you so much." Holly scorned. "Yes Roger, I'm very sure." Holly laid her folded hands under her protruding belly.

"With that empire waist you can't even tell unless you do that. Though I wish you wouldn't, I'd like all eyes on me as I walk down the aisle if you don't mind."

"I have no intention of upstaging you, Blake. I just thought you should know why I wasn't wearing the dress you asked me too. However, I would like this to stay between the three of us. I'm not ready for the public to know about this surprise package" She moved her eyes between Blake and Roger.

"What's your plan Mother? Were you going to try to keep my brother or sister a secret until they went off to college? What's the big deal? You and Ed are married, or isn't it Ed's baby?" Blake chuckled at the last remark.

Holly and Roger locked eyes. "This is Ed's baby. A boy actually. He will be here in the spring. We, well I just wanted to wait with this news. Everything is still so new. Maureen's only been dead for 10 months now, Michelle is finally adjusted, and well, I'm not 21 this go round so I wanted to make sure that everything was going to turn out alright."

"It's a boy?" Roger asked, his voice sounding hollow. "Well, congratulations Holly. You must be over joyed. Chrissy, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get some air." He left the room without looking at either her or Holly again.

"Great, just great Mom. Even on the happiest day of my life you have to make it all about Holly Lindsey-Bauer." Blake threw her hands up in the air and headed out the door. "Daddy, wait" She called out after him.

Later at the wedding reception Holly sat at the table, exhausted both from being pregnant, and the emotional scene she shared with Blake and Roger before the nuptials. She picked up her phone and snapped a few photos of Michelle and her dad dancing. Unconsciously she laid a hand on her belly that was obscured by the table.

"Holly, I'd like to see you for a moment"

Roger was so close she could feel his breath on her ear. She turned slightly to see him. His face was red, and his eyes were hardened. She looked back at the dance floor, but Ed had her back to them.

"Now" He said pulling her by her wrist.

"Let me go" She growled.

"Are you coming?" He demanded, squeezing a little harder.

"Yes, but don't make a scene. This after all your only child's wedding."

Holly nodded to the guests she passed as she followed Roger outside.

"What was so important that you felt the need to drag me outside in the snow?" Holly asked, wrapping her arms around herself.

Roger's hand formed a fist from which his pointer finger emerged. "I want to know if that child you're carrying is Ed's."

His temper while controlled was bubbling just under the surface.

Holly swallowed and whispered "Yes, this baby is Ed's. Are you happy?" Her voice was low and gravely.

"Bull shit Holly." Roger declared loudly. "I don't believe you."

Holly backed away bumping into the wall as she did. She happily noted that the door was ajar. She could escape Roger if needed. He wouldn't dare hurt her with a gaggle of witness'

"I don't really care if you believe me or not Roger. I'm married to Ed. I'm having sex with him, why wouldn't this baby be his?"

"Because you had sex with me, Holly, that's why. Are you telling me that you couldn't possibly have conceived over the Fourth of July?"

Holly didn't speak.

"So here we are again? You're having my baby but your married to that sad sack, Ed Bauer." He clenched a fist and punched a brick pillar. His knuckles were bloody when he pulled them back. He shook his hand before shoving it in his pocket.

"Ok Roger, yes, we slept together but this baby is not yours. This baby is a Bauer. This baby, a boy if you have forgotten is Ed's. Do you understand me? What happened between us was a mistake. It should have never happened, but it did. What didn't was conception."

Roger took his uninjured hand and grabbed her by the waist pulling her into him. He ground his lips into hers but she managed to push him away. She angrily slashed at her lips with the back of her hand.

"What the hell, Roger?" She demanded.

"I just had to be sure. That's all. You really do love Ed, don't you?"

"Roger, as I told you that night, I do. I want you out of my life. The only child we will ever share is Blake, and our grandchildren, but even that puts an extra link in the chain that separates us."

Roger stared at her. "You better get back inside, it's cold." He indicated with the flourish of his hand.

"Where are you going to go? Blake will want you to stay" Holly said quietly.

"Don't worry about me." Roger said, shoving both of his hands in his pockets as he walked into the snow.

Holly rejoined the reception, looking for Ed and Michelle as she did. While she didn't find Ed she did find Michelle sitting at the table, arms crossed over her chest scowling.

"Michelle, honey, what's wrong?" Holly asked her with concern.

"Can we go home yet?" Michelle answered with a question.

Looking around Holly could see that the party was wrapping up. Blake and Ross were sitting at the head table whispering and giggling secrets to each other. She did not however see Ed.

"Do you know where your father is?" Holly asked.

"He went outside, and when he came back in, he was angry. He went that way." Michelle indicated.

Holly picked her clutch up from the table and went to look for Ed. She found him sitting at the bar, already slumped over it. She rushed up behind him, dropping her clutch on the bar. She laid her hands on his shoulder and arm.

"Ed, what's wrong, are you sick?"

Ed turned slightly and sneered. "No, I'm not, but you sure are." He turned back and picked up a glass with amber liquid swirling in it.

"Oh God, how many have you served him?" Holly asked of the bar tender.

"That's his fourth ma'am, but he paid for the entire bottle."

"He's an alcoholic, damn it" Holly cried out. She laid her hands on him again and leaned in close.

"Ok, Ed, we need to get you home and, in the morning, we will find you a meeting. Come on, I don't want Michelle to see you like this."

He shoved her off of him and downed the bourbon in his glass. "I'll take my next one" He slurred his words already.

Holly indicated to the bar tender that he should cut him off, but the bar tender, hoping for a large tip on such a large purchase poured again.

"Damn it" She swore and headed back into the reception. She ran to Blake and Ross.

"Ross, I'm sorry but I need your help."

"Holly, I'm a little busy here." He went back to nibbling Blake's ear.

Holly took a deep breath "Ross, it's Ed, he's been drinking. He's drunk."

Ross pulled away from Blake. "Where is he?" Holly flung a hand towards the bar. Ross stood up and replaced his jacket before rushing out of the room.

"What happened Mom?" Blake asked, joining Holly.

"I honestly do not know. The last time I saw him he was dancing with Michelle while I was talking to your….oh my God…he heard me talking to Roger" Holly ran towards the bar, which was empty save for the bar tender.

"Where did my husband go?" Holly demanded.

"Look, I'm just paid to serve drinks lady. If you're having personal problem, you need a shrink, not me."

Blake, still clad in her wedding dress reached over the bar and grabbed the bar tender's collar. "Listen Skippy, I'm the one who will be signing your check tonight. So, if you know what's good for you then you'll tell me where my step father and my husband went"

The bartender pointed to the front door. Blake released him with a push. "Was that so hard?"

Blake grabbed Holly's hand. The pair ran to the front door, getting there as Ross was coming back in.

"Call 9-11" Ross screamed. "There's been an accident."