Three months later, it was apparent to everyone that the Mason family was expanding. Della still brought Maureen to work with her, but they were beginning to question that decision. "We can't bring two babies here," Della said.

"Are you going to continue to nurse Maureen after the baby is born?"

"Perry, she stopped nursing two months ago."

"Really?"

"Yes," Della said, "she just refused to do it anymore."

"Well, we can leave Maureen with Jenny and you can bring the baby here while you're nursing."

"Then Jenny has to drag Maureen here when we go to court."

"You still have four months to go. We'll figure it out." Perry went to pick up his daughter. "I think someone needs changed. I'll be right back." Maureen had stopped letting Della take care of her when Perry or Nicky were around.

Paul walked in after Perry took Maureen to the bathroom. He was joined by Burger and Tragg, "look who I found wandering the halls like lost puppies."

"What can I do for you, gentlemen?" Della asked.

"I invited them to lunch," Paul said. "Where's Perry?"

"Changing Maureen," Della answered.

"Wow, he's helping?" Burger asked.

"He and Nicky are the only ones she'll let near her," Della said.

Perry walked out with Maureen, "all better," he said. "Hey, what are you two doing here?"

"Paul invited them for lunch," Della said.

"I hope Paul also brought lunch."

"Don't worry," Paul held the bag up.

"You all start eating. I need to feed Maureen," Perry said.

"Sweetheart, I can feed her," Della said. Perry looked at his wife with guilt, "what?" Then it clicked with Della. She played off the hurt she felt, "well, alright. You're so stubborn. I better not hear you complain when you have to eat cold food."

Perry put Maureen in her high chair at the table. Everyone sat after Paul helped Della bring dishes and glasses out. Gertie came in and joined them. "I can't believe how big she's gotten," Tragg said. "I mean, she's still small."

Della put a hand on her stomach, "I can't believe how big this one has gotten."

"You look wonderful," Burger said, "sorry, Perry."

"Don't be," he said.

"Perry said he loves the way I look when I'm pregnant," Della said.

"I feel like you're going to be pregnant a lot," Paul joked. Everyone laughed and began eating.

"Gertie, is this the last Drake?" Tragg asked.

"I don't know. I guess we'll find out after he or she is born. We'll see what we can handle," Gertie explained.

"By the way," Burger said, "you look wonderful too."

"Thank you," Gertie smiled.

"You apologized to Perry when you complimented Della. Why didn't you apologize to me for complimenting Gertie?" Paul asked.

"Guess I respect him more," Burger joked.

It wasn't long before Maureen took a fist full of baby food and threw it at her mother. Della tried to wipe the food off, "do I have another shirt here?" she asked her husband.

"I think so," he said.

"If I had to eat that stuff, I'd throw it too. It's gross," Paul said.

"How would you know?" Perry asked.

"It looks gross, and I was curious so I tried some."

"Curious or desperate?"

"A little of both." After lunch, Tragg and Burger left. Perry put Maureen in the playpen while he and Paul cleaned up. Gertie stayed at the table. Della went to the bathroom to change and start treating the stain on her shirt. "Della seemed really upset when Maureen threw that food at her."

"It wasn't the first time. She does it every day."

"Seriously?"

"Della puts on a good act, but this is killing her. I don't understand why Maureen acts like that with her."

"Easy," Della said as she walked out of the bathroom. "She doesn't like me."

"That's not true," Perry said.

"No? She doesn't want me anywhere near her."

"She's not even a year old. I highly doubt she doesn't like you."

Paul looked at the two, "do you think that Maureen is jealous of the baby?"

"The baby hasn't been born yet," Perry said obviously.

"She may not know exactly what's in there," he said as he pointed to Della's belly, "but maybe she senses it. Maybe she just wants to be with Perry since Della always has a baby with her?"

Della and Perry stared at Paul, "You're giving our ten-month-old far too much credit," Perry said.

"Okay," Paul said and headed for the door, "hopefully you figure it out before Maureen grows up to be a psychopath who kills her mother to have her father all to herself." With that, he left.

"Gertie, is Paulie acting differently towards you since you've been pregnant?" Della asked.

Gertie looked nervously at Perry, then back to Della, "oh yeah," she lied, "he can't stand me right now."

"Gertie?" Della could see right through her.

"Okay, he's even more attached to me. Sorry," Perry helped Gertie up and the woman returned to her desk.

"Della, let's sit on the couch for a bit," Perry said.

"We have to get back to work."

"Just humor me." Perry sat with Maureen on his lap. "Is the baby moving?"

Della pointed her hand, "right here."

Perry placed his daughter's hand there. She jerked her hand back when she felt the baby kick. Perry had her put her hand back. "Now, will you sit with mama so I can leave for a minute?" he asked. Perry gently moved Maureen to sit on the couch and he snuck out. After a minute, Maureen noticed her father was gone. She got off the couch and started to crawl towards the door.

"Maureen," Della quickly stood and felt a pain in her side. "Ah," she carefully slid to the floor.

"Mama!" Maureen yelled and crawled to her mother. She pulled herself up and put her hands on her mother's face, "mama," the little girl said, upset.

"I'm okay," Della said softly, "hey, you said 'mama'."

Perry walked in and found his wife on the floor, "Della, what happened?"

"Mama, ah," Maureen said.

"Did she say 'mama'?"

Della felt her eyes water, "she sure did."

"Are you alright?"

"It's just that muscle I've pulled before."

Perry helped his wife up and onto the couch. Maureen had Perry lift her to sit next to Della. He smiled as the little one snuggled into her mother's side. "Sit here for a little while and rest."

"I don't know if I'll ever want to move," Della smiled. Perry was happy because he knew how much this meant to his wife. It meant a lot to him too.