We went to my sonogram appointment the week before Christmas, and Mark's camera rolled on the screen that was showing the baby the entire time. The baby looked like it too was holding a video camera. "She takes after you," I joked. He was working on his next documentary about new parents

After New Years, the cold winds blew a storm into town. The storm wasn't a fleet of snow that clogged the streets or a wind so icy it froze everything it didn't blow away. She was a dark haired beauty named Maureen.

I didn't suspect a thing when there was a knock on my door, but there she stood . Glistening snowflakes melting into shining drops among her chestnut curls.

"Maureen?"
"Hi Baby," she greeted me with a hug, flouncing inside.
"Wow, you haven't changed a thing," she remarked.
"Um, I've changed a few things," I assured her, thinking of Project Gizmo that was going on in the second bedroom where she used to sleep when we'd fight. There was a brand new coat of yellow paint and red carpet for the "Winnie the Pooh" room. "Why are you here?" I asked.
"Pookie, I've done some thinking," she said taking a deep breath.
"You have?"
She nodded. "I realized that Pierre was nothing compared to you. He never could be."
"What are you saying?"
"I want a second chance – at us," she said.

My heart wanted to melt at this woman's plea. She seemed so sincere. Of course she seemed sincere the last ten times we had had this conversation. She was also incredibly charming when she wanted to be - like right now, but somehow her magic didn't work on me the way it had before.

"Maureen, you need to leave. Mark is on his way over."

"Mark, why would Mark be coming over – oh my – are you two sleeping together?" she asked suspiciously.

"A little more then that," I replied under my breath.

She didn't hear me, but laughed dismissing her own theory. "It doesn't matter, it will be great to see him again, and tell him we're back together," she exclaimed giving me a hug. Then she held me at arms length. "Pookie, you've gotten a beer belly since I saw you last. It's okay though. I think it's cute."

"Maureen, it's not a beer belly. I'm pregnant."

"Through a sperm donor?" she asked confused.

"No." There was a knock at the door. "There he is now."

Mark greeted me with a kiss that drowned out everything. "There's the mother of my child," he said.

"Oh no. That's it. We're through," she said throwing her hands up in the air.
"Maureen, we were never together again. My child needs stability and you are the most flighty person I know."
"Actually," Mark said, putting his hands up in an attempt to restore peace. A wicked smile lurked at the corner of his mouth, "Joanne, there's something I need to discuss with you, and Maureen may want to stick around."
He got down on one knee, pulling a ring out of his pocket.

"Joanne, will you marry me?"
"Yes," I screeched, giving him a long kiss.

"Okay, whatever," Maureen snarked, throwing her hands up in the air. "I hope you're happy now," we heard her shout as she walked down the hall of my building and back out of our lives.

I expected to feel some sort of sadness. After all Maureen and I had fought a good fight to stay together more then once, but we weren't a perfect fit. She was a bird, happy to fly through the air, defying gravity, and any other boundaries she could come across. I was a fish, happy to stick to the familiar surrounding of the ocean. Instead of sadness, I felt relieved that that chapter of my life was finally done.

"I just had to do that," Mark laughed. I could tell he was remembering the day when Maureen and I had become engaged and he was standing not ten feet away. I hit him, lightly upside the head, and walked away.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"Women want to be proposed to romantically. You just proposed to me to get revenge," I accused.

"What are you talking about?" he asked. "You think I would have bought you this if I weren't serious."

"You just feel guilty about knocking me up," I accused. I could feel the pregnancy hormones kicking in. It was not me to be so unreasonable, but that's the way I felt.

"Joanne," he said, putting his arms around me, "I'm sorry if my timing was off. I love you. I loved you before I knew about this baby, and I'll still love you after it's born. I have to admit I probably wouldn't be asking you now, if Gizmo weren't on the way, but he –or she – is, and I want to be there. I want to raise my children with you, and maybe give Gizmo a brother or sister when the moment's right. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. The timing may be off, but the feeling, that I have for you – is still there," he said.

I smiled at his sweet words. "Fine, I'll marry you."

Hope everyone enjoyed my little salute to "Wicked."

Mimi was estatic, which is why I had gotten a call as soon as I was off work to come over right away. She wanted to tell us all the good news at once.
"I didn't tell you guys this, but I had an interview last week with Simon Blue."
"He's the director for that new Off Broadway show, that we covered for Buzzline," Mark said.
She nodded. "They were interviewing for an assistant coreographer, and I got the job. I'm finally doing what I was meant to do," she gleefully chirped. We had to go out and celebrate at Life after that. Right in front of us was a couple waiting for the host to come back and seat them.

"Maureen?" Collins called.
"Ahhh, Collins, how have you been?" she happily greeted him.
"I've been good baby. Long time, no see."
"Yeah," she said with a strange look at Mark and I. It was something that almost looked like - regret?
"How many?" the host asked coming back.
"Eight," Collins answered.

An uneasy look passed between Mark and I. We had yet to bring Collins up to speed on what had happened between us and Maureen. The usual bohemians were there, pushing tables together so there was enough room for all of us. Thankfully there was enough noise and commotion that there were no signs of strain to put a damper on anything. That's why I was suprised that Maureen followed me when I excused myself to use the Ladies Room.

"Joanne, can we talk?" she asked apprehensively.
"Sure," I shurgged as I stood there waiting.
"Not in here," she protested and dragged me outside.
"Maureen, it's freezing out here."
"I know, but Joanne, I just wanted to tell you that I'm really sorry about what I did."
"Maureen, we've had this discussion."
"No we haven't. Not this one. I know I've hurt you and I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am. I was also hoping -"
"We're not getting back together," I gently reminded her.
"That's just it pookie," she said, stamping her feet in frustration. "I don't want to get back together. I understand that you and Mark have a thing, and it's okay. Gosh, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm happy with Benny," she said laughing. "I miss you guys. I just want to be friends again," she said, tearing up.
"Of course we can be friends," I agreed, embracing her.