"Mom, you could have been really hurt," Emily scolded her mom as the two women sat in the living room. Sharon was stretched out on the couch, and Emily was facing her from the chair. She frowned at her mom and shook her head. She eyed Sharon, "Do not get on any more step stools or ladders. Hear me?"

"And, I'm supposed to be the mom," Sharon let out a small chuckle as she put her arm up to her head. "Whew, I'm so hot. Could you please turn down the thermostat for the air conditioner?"

Emily stood and walked to it. She shook her head, "Mom, it's already at 68 degrees. I'm freezing. Can we just admit you're having pregnancy issues here? The baby is just causing you to be all out of whack."

"Yes, in more ways than one," Sharon sighed as she sat up to change positions. She ran her hand along her side.

"Is he kicking again? You aren't in pain, are you?" Emily asked, the fear evident on her face.

"I'm fine," Sharon reached for her hand and clasped it. "I promise. You can feel him here."

Sharon placed Emily's hand on her side, and almost instantly, as if greeting his sister, the baby kicked. Emily grinned at Sharon and sat down next to her on the couch.

"This is amazing. I mean, I can't believe you are having a baby, but wow, this is so surreal. I can't believe there's just skin there, separating a baby from us," she said.

Sharon nodded, "It's a little more than that, but yes, that's the idea. He's getting bigger and bigger."

"You look great, Mom," Emily patted her hand. "You really do."

Sharon frowned, "Hmm, let's see here-I've gained 25 pounds, and that was almost a week ago now. It's Monday, and my last check was in the hospital last Wednesday. I'm sure I've gained more than that now. My hands are swelling. My feet are swelling. I'm starting to feel off balance, as everyone now knows. I've got stretch marks everywhere, and I'm sure there are more I can't see. He's doing flips and determined to break my rib cage. I'm glad you think I look great. I don't feel it."

"Ahh, Mom," Emily gave her a sympathetic smile. "Hearing all that, I'm thinking that having a baby isn't that great. I don't want to go through all of that, so maybe I'll just enjoy my little brother and not worry about my own."

"Bite your tongue!" Sharon exclaimed and looked to her horrified. "I know you are not ready for kids, and I'm not ready to be a grandmother. I also find it odd your brother would be the same age as his niece or nephew, so I'm fine with you waiting. Besides that, I'd like you to find a wonderful man who treats you like a queen, who supports you in your career and life choices, and most importantly, loves you unconditionally. When you find that man, your thoughts may change. I won't push you if you still feel that way, but it can be different when you meet the right man. Yes, not everyone has to have children; I acknowledge that, but knowing you, I just caution you to wait until you meet a wonderful man. You may want to have his baby and raise that child, half you and half him. Look at me now," she gestured, "none of that is the case here, and I'm still thrilled about this baby. It wasn't in my plan, but I couldn't be more excited."

"Mom," Emily teared up and shook her head. She sighed, "Please tell me about the father. I know it was nothing you just described. I know it was an awkward one-night stand, but I'll listen."

Sharon bit her lip and shook her head, "No, it's not important because he's out of the picture completely. He's not going to be named on the birth certificate, and he's signed away his rights. It wasn't just one night, either," she blushed slightly. "We were not in a relationship, but we had been together a few times."

Emily's eyes widened. Sharon hadn't told them that much before, just the basics that the man was not in her life. She paused and then spoke, "So, you were just hooking up, right? How long? I mean, I get you weren't dating, but if this had been going on a long time, Mom, you have to have some feelings there."

Sharon patted her hand, "No feelings. I assure you. We were together a few times over a week or so. That was it. It ended. Now, I'm done discussing this. What should we do on your last day here?"

"Mom, I get it; you hooked up with a guy. It's okay. It happens. I mean," she shrugged, "it's life. I've been there."

Sharon's eyes grew wide, "You've been there? Emily, I know you are a grown adult, but please, I don't want to think of my baby girl going around hooking up with a man, especially knowing what my own life has been like. I'd really like to think you are trying to find the right man for your future. Oh, please, please, tell me you are careful and smart. You don't need to ruin your career right now with something like this," she said and ran her hand over her stomach.

Emily looked away, slightly irritated she couldn't get her mother to open up more about her half sibling. She looked back at Sharon, "Let's just let that topic die. I think we get what the other is saying. Now, you still need clothing, right?"

Sharon rolled her eyes and groaned, noting Emily had dodged anything Sharon had asked about her own life and decided to focus on the question at hand, "I showed you how small even some of my maternity items are! Yes, I do. I hate that I need BIGGER maternity items. It is what it is," she waved her hands. "My little peanut is still in there, and I know it could be much worse. Yes," she nodded. "I need clothing."

"Well, we'll go shopping then. I know you are supposed to rest-"

"I'm fine. I went back to work on Friday. Everyone needs to stop walking on eggshells around me. I am just fine. I'm pregnant, just as millions of other women have been. We can get out. I'm not thrilled about trying on tents for clothing," she sighed, "but I will feel better if I can find a couple of outfits."

"Perfect," Emily nodded to her. "I would like to look at baby things," she winked at her mom.

"It's too early, Emily," Sharon sighed.

"Mom, it's not. His size there," she pointed to Sharon," indicates he's coming sooner than later, whether you like it or not. Now, I've spoken to Ricky, and we are going to buy you something special for the little brother. I'd like you to shop with me, and if you aren't up to it, I guess I'll just pick it out on my own."

Sharon rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Alright," she sighed. "I do realize he's coming. I'm just a bit, maybe superstitious," she told her. "I don't want anything to go wrong. Things have gone well so far. Now, a deal," she grinned at Emily before continuing, "we will shop, but first, let's discuss your college mess."

Emily groaned and dropped her head, "I know. I messed up not tracking that class. I completely realize I should have graduated this month and now am behind by six months. I'm so sorry. I also know I cost you a lot more in tuition because the required class ended up not being offered last semester. I'm going to pay you back, Mom. I've loved everything about going to NYU. It has been the perfect school for me. I think I will be able to get a job dancing in New York when I graduate. I'm so glad you prodded me to go big and apply to my dream school. You've always been there for me, and when it came time to graduate, I let you down. I didn't finish on time, and it's all because I put off a class too long, and then, it wasn't offered. I'm sorry, and I know you don't need money issues with a new baby."

Sharon shook her head, "It's not about the money. I know we've discussed this before, but I just want to make sure whatever you are taking this summer and into the fall semester is going to get you graduated. Are you going to be able to squeeze in that marketing minor?"

Emily sighed and shook her head, "Yes, I'm taking three classes this summer toward it. I have three more in the fall, and I already had two. It's more than enough, but I'm making the most of what is offered after I messed up in January. I'm glad you suggested I check even into the first week of the semester because a lot of people did drop marketing classes that I was able to then get into, especially some of those lower level ones I needed as a prerequisite for ones this fall. You know I'm dancing all the time. I know it messed up my graduation date, but I'm still dancing, and I'm teaching at the dance studio. I've been in contact with several ballet companies, and I realize I miss starting work for their holiday shows, but I promise I've learned my lesson about not thinking or planning ahead. I've talked to my advisor, and I am going to graduate in December with dance and now a minor in marketing. I'm on the right track."

Sharon nodded. This was not the first time the two had discussed Emily's future since she'd messed up with one of her humanities classes required to graduate. Because it was a higher level course, she couldn't take it somewhere else to transfer into the school, and her advisor had checked on a waiver. It didn't happen, and she was eventually told she wouldn't be graduating on time. Emily had realized it and told Sharon the week before the semester started after trying to find a solution that would allow her to graduate on time. She had not found one and had told Sharon after the first of the year. That moved her graduation from spring to winter, and after some discussion back and forth, the two had come up with the plan for Emily to at least get a minor in while she could. She'd taken a couple of marketing classes over her four years at school, and it seemed like a logical choice. Plus, Sharon had pointed out that in the future, Emily might use those classes to market her own ballet studio if she ever owned her own. It wasn't a bad plan, and it was a program she could add as a minor and still graduate in December. Content with Emily's information, Sharon stood, "Well, we all make our mistakes," she nodded as she ran her hand on her side. "I'm proud of you for figuring out the classes you need to finish, and I'm glad you are taking summer school. Things happen for a reason. You are still going to graduate, and I'm one who knows all about not thinking all the time."

Emily stood and walked to Sharon. The two women hugged, and then Emily put her hand on Sharon's stomach. She grinned at Sharon, "It's so cool to feel the baby kicking. I adore him already. He might not have been in your plans, Mom, but he's very much loved."

"Yes, I agree," Sharon nodded, tears in her eyes. "Let's do some shopping for the three of us."

"Sounds like a plan," Emily flashed a smile. "Ricky and I have a few ideas about what to get you."

The two women chatted easily as they drove to the shopping area. Sharon had been to few maternity stores in the area, but she'd only liked the one here at this shopping area. The clothes were her style, if there was a style for an almost middle-aged pregnant woman, but she felt comfortable here at least. It had been embarrassing having to look up maternity stores in the city at her age, but she now felt at ease coming here. At this point, too, there was no hiding that she was, indeed, pregnant.

Sharon parked the car, but before she got out, she turned to Emily and let out a nervous laugh, "I have to admit that I'm nervous about this, but I'm also getting very excited. Emily, I'm about to have a baby!"

"I know, Mom!" Emily grinned happily. She put her hand over on the baby and started to laugh, "The big question is should we start shopping for you or for-what did you call him?" She thought a moment, "Should we start shopping for you or the peanut?"

Sharon put her hand over Emily's hand and squeezed it. She felt a tear rolling down her face and let out another nervous laugh before she spoke, "Well, I suppose since babies don't come with anything, we should start shopping for him. He's going to need everything, and I need to accept that in a few short months, I am going to have a healthy newborn."

"Let's get shopping," Emily leaned over and kissed her mother on her cheek. "You've always put your kids first, Mom," she smiled. An hour later, the two were almost stunned as they continued to walk around the store. Sharon had not been prepared for the variety of items. It wasn't that there were just a lot of choices, but there were also so many new things she hadn't had with either of the other two kids. Sure, things like cribs, strollers, high chairs, diapers, and bottles were things she'd had with Emily and Ricky, but now, there were many new contraptions. There were choices everywhere; she could go with different color schemes, manufacturers, and luxury items. Aside from a few basics, the two hadn't decided on anything yet.

"I think I need to research all of this," she gestured around the store. Emily hummed and just nodded.

"Where do you even start, Mom? I mean, just look at the strollers," she gestured. "There are all different kinds-big, small, running, fold up. What do you need?"

Sharon nodded in agreement, "I need a car seat to start. I know that much, and I'll need a stroller for it. I don't want to go completely crazy. I don't need a lot of this to start. I will need some basics. Can we," she looked around the store and let out her breath, "can we first use the restroom?" Sharon laughed as she ran her hand over her stomach. "After that, let's just start with diapers. That's basic enough for me, and I know I will need that right away too."

The two regrouped in the diapers a few minutes later, and Sharon relaxed when she recognized her favorite brand, still around after 20 years. She pointed out the sizing to Emily, and they started to put diapers and wipes into the cart. As Sharon studied the different sizes, Emily tried to prod her mom for more information.

"So, Mom, I really would like you to tell me about the baby's dad. I mean, I get you did the legal paperwork to get this guy out of your life, but we are worried about you. Ricky, Dad, and I know you, and all of this is so out of character. I support you, no matter what. Ricky does too, but Mom, please tell me about this guy. You were married to Dad so long, and I get he trashed that, but having one night, or as you said, several nights with some guy, and then you refuse to talk about it, I don't get it."

Sharon put down the diapers and turned to Emily. She crossed her arms over her growing baby bump and took a deep breath while she shook her head, "I don't know why his identity is so important. He's gone from all this. The baby won't know him."

"Exactly!" Emily exclaimed. "Don't you think he will ask questions at some point about his dad? What are you going to tell him?" Sharon started to speak, but she turned away, not sure what to say. Emily continued, "Mom, Ricky, Dad, and I have our suspicions. Is this guy like really young, like my age or something? Is that why you are so secretive? It's all that we can figure with everything. Were you like a cougar? Did you have a mid-life crisis with a younger, super hot guy, and now you are just embarrassed to tell us?"

Sharon slapped her hand on the self and turned back to Emily, her face now red; she was fuming. She shook her head and then began to speak, "First, I do not know why you are discussing this with your dad. We are divorcing. This is not his concern, mainly because he left me years ago and hasn't been concerned about me since then. I sat by for years while he slept around, and yes, I've kept quiet on that with you and Ricky. I didn't trash your dad in front of you because I always wanted you to have a decent relationship with your dad; I still do. Second, I'm not a cougar as you want to coin me. It wasn't like that at all. He is about my age, and that's what you need to know. I'm not proud of what I did, but it is what it is. I'm not dragging him into this because he's no longer part of this."

"Mom, it's just so out of character for you! I mean, I get it you need to move on, but I didn't envision you sleeping around with a random guy. I guess I thought of my mom as dating someone first, not playing the field. I probably don't make sense, and you might just say this is a daughter trying to have an image of her mom, but" she sighed and looked to the floor.

Sharon pursed her lips, "I think you need to realize I'm a woman too. Things with your dad did not go well from early on. I've been alone for so long, and Jack ruined a lot of our marriage by sleeping around. I was the steady one. You and Ricky know that. Finally, I'd had enough. I wanted to live a little myself. Emily, this isn't the first man I have been with since your father."

Emily's eyes widened. Sharon looked around, grateful no one else seemed to be obsessed with hanging around the diaper aisle. The diapers were in the back corner of the store, and that was helping them too. Emily gestured toward Sharon, "Wait, there have been other men? How many? Were guys spending the night when I was a kid?"

"Nothing like that," Sharon said quietly. "I stayed home, working and taking care of you two for a long time. You know I got that legal separation a long time ago too. Nothing happened until just a couple years ago."

Emily shook her head, "Okay, so how many? I don't know what to ask, really."

"Are we really going to discuss this in the diaper aisle?" Sharon sighed.

Emily shrugged, "I don't have a problem with it. I'd like to know since you decided to share what you have been doing. We're both adults."

Sharon started to run her hand over her stomach again and nodded to Emily. She looked up and then back at Emily, "There have been three men besides your father. I've only told all of this to Gavin. I'm sure you will speak to Ricky and your father, but this, these details," she gestured between them, "I hope you can keep between us. You are a grown woman, and I'm speaking to you as one."

"Okay," Emily said slowly and nodded. "I talk to Ricky and Dad about a lot, but I won't bring this up with them. I understand that you are confiding in me."

Sharon took a deep breath, "I didn't go into this thinking I was looking for a man. It was two years ago that I was with Gavin at a charity event. You know he always used to take me along as his plus one. We were having a great time, and some man I'd not met started talking to me that evening. He was funny and charming. He made me laugh, and I hadn't had those feelings for years. Your dad stopped paying attention to me very early on in our marriage. Anyway," Sharon shrugged and continued, "nothing happened that night. He even wanted my phone number, but I didn't give it to him. I was married, even though legally separated, and I told myself I needed to honor that. He persisted. It wasn't hard for him to find me through work, and he basically said he would leave me alone if we could just get together for a drink. So, we did. I met him for a drink, and even that night, that was it. I did give him my number, or permission to call me as he'd obtained my number already, and then, he started calling. Finally, I did agree to go to dinner with him. He was a big executive, and I didn't see the harm in it because our professional paths did not cross. One dinner led to a second. The first was nice; it was enjoyable. He didn't even kiss me that first night. I think he could tell I was nervous. The second time we went to dinner, we ended up kissing in his car for almost an hour," she said as she looked to the floor, the memory one she didn't want to express to Emily. "I felt like a teenager. The third time we went out, he asked if I wanted to come back to his condo. We slept together that night. It just," she sighed. "It just felt freeing after years and years of a bad marriage. The next morning, I felt like I had this secret, and I liked that at the time. It was almost addictive, going out with this charming man. All of that continued for a month. We were together often, sometimes even during lunch or in the middle of the day, but it was often. One night, we were together, and he got a phone call. It was his wife," Sharon said in a low whisper as she let out a deflated sigh. "I had no idea he was married. She was calling to tell him their toddler son had split his lip open and needed stitches. I was mortified. He was married with a family, and I never knew. His excuse was that I was legally separated, and he didn't think his being married would be a big deal. I pointed out he hid it from me, and he tried to even suggest that we continue. The condo," she rolled her eyes, "oh, it was his, but he'd apparently told his wife he slept in the city during the week because of his very long hours and would then go home to her, north of the city on the weekends. He wanted to continue, and he wanted me to be his city fling. I ended it immediately, and I left so disgusted with myself. I know it's odd to understand because I was still married too, but your dad had left years ago, and I had gotten legally separated. I am not trying to justify it, but that's how I saw it. I was upfront with him, but he wasn't. I was stupid."

"Mom, he lied to you. That's not your fault. You didn't know," Emily gave her a sympathetic smile.

"I know," Sharon smiled back at her, "but it doesn't change what I did was inappropriate. I finally told Gavin about it all. After that first night at the benefit, I kept Gavin out of it, not sure what I wanted to do with this man, and when it ended, I finally told Gavin. I told him I was embarrassed and ashamed, that I had been stupid to think I could live a little. He suggested I just had found the wrong person, that he'd not seen me so alive in a long time. That's when I decided to just, ahh, make a better selection, maybe? I decided to put more effort into finding the right man. I realized I wasn't looking for romance, and maybe I had been at first with the fancy dinners and all. I realized I just wanted to be with a man, to feel sexy and alive. Your dad wasn't coming back, and I felt like I wanted to enjoy life. So, I took time to regroup and think. I took to to really analyze what I wanted."

"And?" Emily asked.

Sharon grimaced, "The second man was not the right one, and I realized that right away, after the first time we slept together. He was one of the parents from school. His son was in the class below Ricky's class, and he was a widower. That seemed like a safe choice. I knew he didn't have a wife waiting at home, and like me, he had grown children, or almost grown children. We got to talking at one of Ricky's baseball games. His son didn't play baseball, but he was running the concession stand, a very involved parent. Again, I am hoping the particulars will not get back to Ricky. I realize your school wasn't that big. Anyway," Sharon sighed, "I started seeing him at the games. We would talk, and he would make me laugh. That's something I suppose I crave; I love to laugh. Finally, I just flat out asked him if he would like to come over for dinner one night, and we picked a night the boys were at a school function. He was as ready as I was," Sharon rolled her eyes and dropped her head. "We had a glass of wine before dinner, and we talked. You have to remember that we'd been talking at all the games, so this wasn't some complete stranger. He asked about your dad, and he told me about his wife. His story was sad; she'd died a couple years before all of this. We started to kiss, and as I said, we were both very willing. Dinner was forgotten, and we spent the evening together. I had to watch the time because Ricky was still living at home, so I sent him off that night when we had finished. I didn't bank on him becoming attached to me so quickly. He became a clinger, wanting to call me and see me all the time. We just had different expectations, and I realized I was not upfront about that. I didn't want a relationship. He did. That was my second mistake, and it took almost two weeks to get rid of him. We had one night together, and after that, he was telling me he felt like we could have a future, that no one had made him feel this alive since his wife. It was just too much. I ended that, not that I had planned to start anything, and I went back to Gavin for advice. Gavin continued to urge me to find another man. I was pretty much done with the idea."

"What about the third guy, the baby's father?" Emily asked.

"I'm not going to go into our history, but with him, I was very different. I knew him prior to our arrangement, so I knew he wasn't married. I knew of his reputation, and I definitely knew he wasn't looking for a long-term relationship. I knew he had slept around with other women. I knew he could be what I wanted and when I wanted it. I was upfront with him. I told him what I wanted, at least my expectations. He was fine with it, and the time and place just fit. It became an almost business arrangement, that is, until it wasn't. He started to get too close. I could tell it was getting to be too much; emotions started to creep into things. He wanted to spend the night, and I wanted to let him. I never did, though, because I knew it had to end it. Our arrangement had to be something we walked away from each time. I felt him getting too close, and I had to make sure he stayed away."

"Mom," Emily sighed, her face in turmoil, "this is so sad. I mean, you have had a horrible marriage to Dad. Don't you think he's ruined your thoughts on men and love? You always tell me to wait for the right man, one willing to do anything for me. Dad didn't, and from what you are telling me, you have gone so far to the other end, you are basically coming up with arrangements and terms for guys?"

"I came up with my set of terms after getting burned by your dad, the corporate executive, and the dad from school. My arrangement with this last man was working fine until it wasn't. I ended things, or I tried. I sent him away the last time because it got to be too much. I could tell I didn't want him to go. I wanted him to stay the night, but I couldn't. I could tell he wanted more, but it couldn't happen. That wasn't the plan. I know I've kept him at a distance and even been rude to him, but I've just been protecting myself," Sharon gave her a small nod.

"So, why did you want him to sign the papers? Why can't he be around at least for the baby?" Emily asked.

"I've had too many men in my life disappoint me. Your dad was a lousy father. I'm saying it now because you are an adult and have told me the same. I'm not disagreeing. I wanted him to be a good dad, but he wasn't. I got burned. Men continue to burn bridges with me. I don't want this for the baby. I want to give him the best I can, and it's my belief that it is best he not have any interaction with his father," Sharon stated, as if she'd rehearsed it.

Emily eyed her, "Better for the baby or you? Do you want to avoid his being in your life? It sounds like he got to you, Mom, that he got too close, that you started to care, and then, you turned away from him."

Sharon shook her head, "I'm sticking with my decision. It is best for the baby. I've always done what is best for my children. I'm drained after telling you all of that. I'd like to finish shopping and get something to eat. I hope you have some understanding of me, that I'm a woman and just wanted to live a little. I seem to continue to make bad choices. The first man was married, the second was too clingy, and the third has me here with a pregnancy. Granted, I was a willing participant, but boy, do I know how to pick them," she groaned.

"I appreciate you sharing that, Mom," Emily looked around. There had been a couple of people wander around the aisle where they were, but no one had stayed around long enough to listen to their conversation. Sharon looked to the cart.

"Let's finish here for today. I need to research some of the bigger items at home. I'd also like to talk to you about some of my plans for the future," she told Emily.

Emily eyed her, "Plans? What plans? I'm good with the idea of going home, but before we do, I still need to pick out just the right gift from Ricky and me."

Sharon groaned, "You don't have to do that today."

"Oh, yes, I do," Emily nodded. "I won't be home the rest of the summer. My newest sibling needs everything, and I'm going to find him something that will always remind him of his family."