"What can I get for you folks?" An unexpected voice spoke out and both John and Evangeline looked up from their menus.
"Roxy?" Evangeline called out not quite believing her eyes. "What are you doing here working at Carlotta's?"
"Well Carlotta's been short-handed, and then that waitress she hired got iced her first day on the job, so I offered to help a couple of hours every day until she can find someone."
"That's really nice of you Roxy," John commented.
"Yeah just doing my civilian duty is all," Roxy said with a bright smile. "Now what can I get you?" She asked as she touched the tip of her pencil to her tongue and then held it over her notepad, awaiting the orders.
"Well, I'll have a ham and cheese sandwich and some ginger ale, please," Evangeline ordered, as she handed her menu to Roxy.
"I'll have a burger and some fries, with a Pepsi," John ordered as he too handed Roxy his menu.
"Ok, I'll have that out to you in two shakes of a feather," Roxy said as she headed towards the kitchen.
"God I hope she's not cooking too," Evangeline said jokingly as she chuckled a bit, but her merriment faded at the expression on John's face. "What?"
"Huh?" He asked as he focused on her face.
"Why were you looking at me like that?"
"I don't know I guess I was trying to see..."
"If there's a bulge? she asked and he only nodded his head and chuckled a bit. "Sorry, there's not and I know because I've spent an hour staring into my mirror trying to see one," John smiled warmly at her. "Remember, Dr. Brooks, says I probably won't start showing until I began my second trimester, that also will probably be when I stop having the sickness."
"You're having morning sickness?" John asked with concern.
"Actually it's more like all day sickness, and yeah I've been puking since you dropped me off at my office. I called Nora for her expertise and she told me that crackers and ginger ale helped her."
"And are they helping you?" John asked.
"Well, the crackers didn't seem to, as, for the ginger ale, I guess we'll both see in a moment," She stated just as Roxy came over carrying their lunch.
"Here you go, ham and cheese with a ginger ale for you," She said as she settled the food before Evangeline, who immediately dove for the sandwich. "And Burger, fries, and a Pepsi for you."
"Oh God," Evangeline mumbled out as she cupped her mouth with her hand. Her face took on a disgusted look as she waved both her hands in front of her face.
"What is it?" John asked, growing concerned by her coloring which was taking on an ashen hue. Evangeline struggled to swallow the bite she had taken, and when it was finally down she instantly grabbed her glass and took a gulp of the ginger ale, only to spit it back out again.
"What the hell!" Evangeline gasped out as she wiped at her mouth and blouse which were covered with ginger ale. Roxy and John both hastily wiped at the table, trying to soak up the soda before it spilled over onto the floor. Carlotta having seen what had happened hurried over.
"Is everything all right?" Carlotta asked as Evangeline removed the top layer of bread from her sandwich. "¡Ay, Dios mío!" Carlotta exclaimed as she, John, and Evangeline all frowned in horror and disgust at the layer of sardines that sat on top of the ham and cheese. Then all eyes turned to Roxy.
"What? That's what I always craved when I was preggers with Rexy, sardines, and pickle juice."
"Pickle juice?" Carlotta questioned.
"It's in the ginger ale," Evangeline was the one to answer. "I appreciate the gesture, but for the record, Roxy, when I order something that's what I want, it's 'all' I want," Evangeline said as she stood. "Excuse," She said before hurrying to the bathroom.
"Sorry, I just figured her being pregnant and all she be having the cravings, I had them like crazy," Roxy said.
"Evangeline is pregnant?" Carlotta asked with a smile, one John matched with one of his own.
"Yeah, we're pregnant ... Well, technically, she's pregnant," He answered and Carlotta leaned in and gave him a big hug.
"Oh congratulations John, I'm so happy for you both," She said as she released him.
"Thanks, I guess Natalie told you?" He directed this to Roxy.
"Naw, your brother was in here earlier passing out cigars, as proud as a flamingo. Wait, Natty knows, oh man I better call her, it must have been hard for her, you know she really likes you, a lot," Roxy said as she walked off and John bowed his head a bit for he knew how Natalie felt, but he also knew how he felt. His eyes looked up just as Evangeline exited the bathroom.
"Hey," John spoke as he stood and walked over to her. "How are you feeling?" He asked reaching out and stroking her hair.
"A little better."
"I'm sorry about that Evangeline, I'll whip you up another ham and cheese sandwich, sardine-free this time," Carlotta offered.
"Thanks, Carlotta but, I don't think I could stomach anything at this point, and I just called the office and told them I'm taking the rest of the day off."
"Sound like a good plan, I think I'll do the same and then I'll take you home," John said as he pulled out his cell.
"John you don't have to do that, I know you have a huge caseload, what with the killing club murders still unsolved."
"Don't worry about that it'll keep, I don't have any leads and I'm fresh out of ideas anyway, and besides I won't be able to get anything done because my mind will be on you the whole time. I just want to take you home, put you to bed, curl up beside you, and watch you sleep," Evangeline smiled at the suggestion, one that sounded so good she didn't argue further. John then reached into his pocket for his wallet.
"Oh no, don't even think of paying for this mess," Carlotta said as she began piling the plates on top of each other.
"You sure?" John asked.
"I feel like I should be paying you, I am so sorry, and congratulations again on your new blessing," She added with a smile, and her words caused Evangeline to look to John with questioning eyes.
"Mikey was in earlier, passing out cigars," John answered.
"Oh," Evangeline said with a giggle, as John grasped her hand and led them to the door.
"You sure you're ok, do you need me to carry you?" John offered which made Evangeline laugh outright when she realized he was being serious.
"I'm fine and perfectly capable of walking, John, I'm pregnant, not handicapped."
