A/N: Sorry for the delay. I wanted to update this before I left for vacation. It will probably be a few weeks before the next update, since the vacation isn't just vacation, I'm getting married this Saturday (8/19) and going to Virginia for a week. Thanks for the reviews, keep 'em coming! I hope you like Mallory's chapter. I always felt sorry for her, so I wanted to give her a pretty good future.

Chapter Six: Mallory

As the laughter died down over Dawn's crusading tendencies, we started to debate who should go next. Before we could really get into it, I volunteered. I cleared my throat, excited to share my life experiences.

"I was so glad when high school ended. I know you girls loved to tease me about being the 'ugly duckling who had turned into a swan.' I still can't believe I was allowed to get contacts in eighth grade. I was even more surprised when my hair relaxed and my breasts decided to make an appearance when I was a sophomore. So, my college years were a lot more fun than middle or high school. That's why I headed to New England. I wanted to test the waters without my parents bothering me."

"After I graduated from college, I decided to stick around Boston. I loved my years at Emerson College and it seemed like a logical place to pursue my Master's. I was soon working in a bookstore specializing in rare books. The pay was pretty good; the commission was even better. So, there I was, writing plays and stories in my spare time, working at L. G. Zimmerman's during the day, and going to grad school at night."

"One beautiful October day, much like the one we experienced today, an incredibly handsome man came into the shop. I greeted him and offered my assistance. He was just browsing so I went back to my invoices. As I was trying to figure out who had ordered fifty copies of the Kama Sutra in its original language, Mr. Gorgeous came up to the counter.

'Excuse me, miss,' he said politely, 'would you happen to know what type of book to buy a thirteen year old girl? I need a birthday gift for my niece, and she loves books. I just don't know what to get her.' I beamed at him, knowing this was right up my alley. 'Well, sir,' I said, 'we have a beautiful hard-backed special edition of Black Beauty. There are only five hundred in print. I love horses and this is one of my favorite books.'"

"'Fantastic! She loves horses, too. She's a big fan of Misty of Chincoteague. Did you ever read it?' he asked. We ended up talking about books for nearly half an hour when he looked at his watch. 'One o'clock!' he exclaimed. 'I should have been back in the office by now! Mallory, it was a pleasure to meet you. Are you free for dinner some evening? I'd love to continue this conversation over wine and candlelight.' I was really surprised that my answer didn't come out as a squeak. 'Actually, I happen to be free tomorrow. I have a class tonight and Thursday, so dinner will be a welcome interruption,' I said. 'Great,' he replied, 'I'll meet you at the White Dove at eight, then.' He picked up his package and went on his way, while my mind raced with excitement.'"

"Ooh, Mal, if you marry him, you'll be Mrs. Gorgeous!" Stacey teased.

"What's the White Dove?" Mary Anne asked. "Lewis and I were thinking of slipping up to Boston for a romantic weekend."

"The White Dove, Miss Tour Guide," I said snootily, "happens to be one of the most elegant, most upscale restaurants in Boston."

"That's Mrs. Tour Guide – I am a married woman!" Mary Anne shot back.

I laughed at that and plunged back into my story. "That dinner was just the beginning. Greg was the sweetest, most down-to-earth guy you'd ever want to meet. Even though he's a major player in the world of high finance and his family can trace their roots back to the Mayflower, he's just a regular guy. We dated for oh, six months or so and we got really serious. Marriage came up in conversation, but at age twenty-three, I wasn't ready. He was twenty-eight then, but he didn't press the issue. We did, however, move in together in his fancy, upper-class neighborhood-"

I stopped abruptly, seeing the looks on their faces. It was a range of shock and disbelief. Stacey and Claudia looked the least disapproving, and not surprisingly, Kristy and Mary Anne looked the most aghast. I forged ahead with my autobiography. "Not long after we moved in, I got a letter from one of the publisher's I had sent a few manuscripts to. I literally fainted when I realized I was holding my dream come true in my hand. Greg was really worried, but I came to quickly. We celebrated all evening." I hesitated, a little embarrassed about the next major life event, but I knew Jessi was on my side at least. "We celebrated a little too much because I started feeling sick soon after. I tried to convince myself it was the excitement of my imminent publishing success and getting ready to start my last year of the Master's program."

My friends were all getting suspicious looks on their faces, like they knew where my story was going. "Yeah, you girls guessed it. I wasn't stressed - I was pregnant. I was afraid to tell Greg, because I didn't want him to think I was trying to trap him. I did work up the nerve to tell him, but the real test would be telling my parents. We drove down to see them in late August, nervous but determined. It wasn't as bad as I thought. Mom and Dad liked Greg, and even though they made noises about not being married, the anticipation of their first grandchild outweighed the negatives."

"Parker Gregory Fitzgerald was born on May thirteenth. He of course, was the cutest baby ever born on the planet, and he is currently the cutest two-year old in existence. His father is over the moon with happiness, and so am I. I not only had a baby that May, but I got my Master's Degree as well. It was a tough struggle, but I wouldn't trade my son for anything. My parents are always sending him toys and coming to visit. I hate to tell them that Parker will be an only child for sometime, if not forever. I loved growing up with a bunch of brothers and sisters, but one is enough. I feel complete. Greg and I might never marry, but that's another bombshell I am waiting to drop on them. We don't really feel the need to change the status quo. In other life news, I've published several elementary level children's books, which I expect you all to buy."

The girls all laughed at that. "But I have really exciting publishing news. I just submitted the first of what I hope to be a series of books. It's for middle-school girls. I based it on our adventures from being part of the Baby-Sitter's Club. My publisher really liked the idea when I pitched it."

This time, the shocked faces around me quickly turned to excitement. As the converged on me in a group hug, all shouting various forms of congratulations, I couldn't keep myself from grinning like a fool.