A/N: Sorry that it's been forever. Thanks for hanging in. Welcome to the new readers. I hope I keep meeting all your expectations. For those who care, the usual disclaimers are in the first part.

Send a quick happy b-day vibe to Eddie Cahill, the terrific guy who brings our favorite fictional guy to life.

Enjoy.

Tess hummed as she wiped down the inside of the cabinet. She stepped off the ladder, turned and jumped, when she found Don standing in the kitchen doorway watching her. She pulled the earbuds out and dropped the cleaning cloth on the counter. Don stepped over and gave her a quick kiss. He rubbed his thumb over Tess' cheek.

"Do you think ya should be doin' that?"

"I've got the ceiling fans running and the windows open. I…we should be fine. Besides I haven't been at it for too long." Don frowned as she rubbed her back.

"So you claim." Don stepped back and looked around. "If ya don't think the place is clean enough, we could hire someone."

Tess shook her head and pulled the bandana off. "I was just killing time." Don opened his arms and Tess stepped into the embrace. She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him. "So what made you look for me here?" she grinned up at him.

"Just a guess." Don grinned back. "I know ya've been itchin' ta git in here. Ya couldn't wait jus' one more day?"

Tess raised and eyebrow. "And how about you? Did you even go home first?"

Don returned her raised eyebrow. "Ya mean back ta the other apartment?" He shook his head. "Nah. I took a chance that ya were here. Like I said, I know ya've been antsy ta git moved in." He looked around, spotting a few boxes. "So how'd ya git this here?"

"Called a cab. Found one who took pity on the poor, pregnant lady."

"Uh-huh." He kissed the top of Tess' head. "I mean it about hiring someone ta clean. I don't want ya ta make yerself or the baby sick."

"I promise. But really, I was just doing a little bit. The cleaners really did a great job." Tess ran her fingers through the hair over Don's ear.

"Did ya have dinner yet?" Tess shook her head slightly. "Tess…," growled Don.

"I had a late lunch and a snack." Tess leaned back and grinned. "I'm out of school. I'm a woman of leisure. I got to sleep in," she teased.

"Ya still gotta eat," chided Don.

"I was waiting for you."

"OK. Now that I'm here, whatdaya want ta eat? And where?"

Tess just grinned, detached herself from Don and walked over to one of the boxes. She opened it and pulled a blanket out. She unfolded it, gave it a snap and settled it in the middle of the floor. Tess turned back toward Don, smiling broadly.

"I figured we could have a picnic right here. You can call for whatever. I have some menus in my bag."

Don stepped back up to Tess. He reached out and ran his hand over her belly. "Ya sure? Doesn't look all that comfortable for ya." Tess grinned again, reached back into the box and pulled out a pillow and a long bolster. Tess laid them next to the wall to create a comfortable spot for herself. Don rolled his eyes. "OK, then." Don peered down into the box. "What else ya got in those magic boxes of yers?"

"Call for dinner and I'll show you." Don gave her a dubious look. Tess grinned. "Come on. Just call."

"Fine." Don looked at the menus Tess had shoved in her bag. He pulled out his cell phone ordered some Italian. He hung his phone back on his belt and looked around for Tess. She was back in the kitchen working on the cabinets. Don growled slightly, walked up behind her and grabbed her off the stepstool.

Tess squealed. "Don't you dare drop me!"

"Wouldn't think of it," grunted Don as he set her carefully on her feet. He glared down at her. "How come ya don't listen ta me?"

"I just wanted to finish this cabinet."

"No. It's either clean enough, Tess or we hire someone to clean in here tomorrow. Are ya clear on this?"

"Fine," grumbled Tess slightly. "I'm not made of…"

Don held up his hand to stop her. "I don't wanna hear it." He pulled her close and rubbed her back. Don kissed her hair. "I jus' don't want ya ta push yerself. Tomorrow is already gonna be a long day. I know yer not made of glass, but ya are 7 months pregnant. Let me fuss over ya a bit, OK?"

"OK. You said you wanted to see what else I snuck in here, right?"

"Maybe," answered Don, a little worry creeping into his voice. Tess just smiled and led him into the bedroom. Don's mouth fell open as he found their bed set up. "How the hell did you get that here?"

"I had more help than just a cabby." Tess pulled him further into the room. "Peter knows some guys with a truck. Big burly guys. Actually, they're going to be helping us tomorrow too."

"Ya couldn't wait until tomorrow."

Tess grinned and shook her head. "I couldn't wait until tomorrow." Tess pushed Don down on the edge of the bed. She slid her hands over his shoulders and slid his suit coat off. She loosened his tie and kissed him. "Maybe later we can test to make sure they got it set up right." Tess gave Don one more quick kiss and stepped back. "In the meantime, I also brought you a change of clothes and stuff for a shower. "Why don't you take care of that before the food gets here?" Tess started to leave.

"Tease," grumbled Don.

Tess turned around and smiled saucily. "You know you like it." She scurried off.

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The faint smell of tomato sauce and garlic greeted Don as he stepped from the bathroom. He found Tess arranging the picnic on the living room floor complete with candles. Tess looked up just as he frowned slightly at bottle and wine glasses.

"Sparkling grape juice."

"Yum," her remarked sarcastically.

"I can't win, can I?"

"Nope." Tess tossed a garlic stick at him. He caught it deftly. "Hey! The woman who was rescrubbing the apartment is now throwin' food?"

"I considered the bottle, but I didn't want to have to pick up bits of glass." She patted the blanket.

Don shook his head. "I dunno. Ya gonna quit threatenin' me?"

"Ya gonna quit bein' my father?" Tess mimicked his tone.

"Ya threaten yer dad?" Tess reached for another garlic stick. Don held up his hands and shook his head. "Ok. I give." Don dropped down on the blanket. He picked up the wine glass and tasted it. He grimaced. "I'd rather have a beer."

"There's beer in the fridge." Don looked longingly at the kitchen. "It's really for paying the guys tomorrow. Peter promised Jake and Woody beer and homemade food."

Don stopped mid-bite. "If yer cookin' here how ya gonna keep track of what's goin' on back at the other apartment?"

"I'm not going to be cooking here." Tess chewed and swallowed. "I'll just getting things started and Bette will keep track of it here."

"Mmm-hmm."

Tess laughed and shook her head. "Are you implying that I'm a control freak, Mr. Flack?"

"Completely." Tess frowned suddenly and shifted. Don set down his fork and glowered. "I knew this wasn't a good idea."

"I'm fine." Tess rolled her eyes and rubbed her side. "I think this kid's gonna play hockey. Keeps putting shoulders into my ribs." Don grinned and went back to eating. "Oh sure, are you gonna keep grinning when your little girl is getting thrown into the boards?"

"You think it's gonna be a girl?"

"Or a boy. One of those is guaranteed."

"Oh, very funny," grumbled Don. He looked over at Tess who was just picking at her food. "Not hungry? Should I have ordered something' else?"

"No. I'm just very tired suddenly."

"Gee, I wonder why?" He waved his fork at Tess. "Draggin' stuff over here. Gettin' the bed all set up. Cleanin' cupboards. No reason to be tired."

"Such a comedian."

"If yer tired, go lay down. I'll clean this all up."

Tess yawned. "I'm sorry. This wasn't the way I planned things to go tonight."

"Don't worry about that, Sweetheart." Don stood up. He reached out and helped Tess up, pulling her into his arms. He rocked her back and forth. Tess buried her face in Don's t-shirt. Don rested his cheek on Tess' hair, breathing in her scent. He felt her relaxing against him. "Come on, Tess. Ya need ta lay down." He led her to the bedroom and got her settled into the bed. Tess grabbed his hand as he started to leave.

"Lay down for a bit with me. The food will be okay."

Don smiled at her softly. He climbed onto the bed and slid down next to Tess. Tess rolled on her side and rested her head on Don's shoulder. Don stroked Tess' hair absently. He felt her relax and her breathing become slow and steady. He kept running his fingers over her hair. He felt a little ripple against his side. He grinned carefully shifted and ran his hand over Tess' rounded belly.

"What? Do ya want some attention? Not even out here yet an' already tryin' ta git yer share. Is that why ya keep bangin' up yer mom?" Don stared at his hand running back and forth. "Is that it? Ya jealous of me? Tough luck. Yer stuck with me. And ya might not really believe it all the time, but ya wouldn't want it different. Not really." He pressed down gently and was rewarded with a slight pressure back. He grinned. "You jus' remember that when ya think I'm a pain in yer ass." He carefully slid out of the bed. Don paused at the door and looked back at Tess sleeping peacefully. He smiled and shook his head, still not quite believing what had brought him here.