My ususal mix of angst and humor. I hope you enjoy it!

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CHAPTER TWO BABY MONITORS, ANSWERING MACHINES AND THE GOREN DANCE

Baby Monitors and Answering Machines

As the Goren's settled in to watch "It's A Wonderful Life," the babies, one after another started to cry … loud and clear on the baby monitor system. Bobby, the over cautious dad, had the house hard wired with a "Goren Baby Alert" intercom system. The problem with his unique system was, when one baby woke up, that baby alerted the other babies to wake up! Alex rolled her eyes at him each and every time this happened. His logic was, keep all three babies on the same schedule … piece of cake. Alex took all his baby father books away from him. It was easy with him there but his paternity leave was ending soon and she would be alone with three crying babies, her logic was, take care of one baby at a time. Even as Partners they did things differently why should that change at home … which brings me to secrets.

"I'll get the formula and bring it up while you go settle them."

Alex went upstairs to the babies rooms while Bobby went into the kitchen to warm up the formula. As he was leaning on the counter he noticed the red light blinking on the answering machine. He pushed off the counter and hit the button. Mr. Goren, this is Felicia from Dr. Ahmad's office. He needs to see you right away. We received the reports from Lock Haven Hospital and he would like to go over some things with you. Please call the office, he would like to see you this week. Thank you. Bobby walked over to the picture on the refrigerator taken in the Neonatal Unit at Lock Haven, he ran his finger along the photo of himself with his new family taken shortly after the triplet's birth. He was holding Tracy and Alex was holding John and Haley, they all had little knit caps on, pink for the girls and blue for John … Bobby insisted on wearing one too. He stood smiling at the photo and then glared at the answering machine. He hit delete and grabbed the formula and went upstairs to help feed his babies.

"Bobby, did I hear the answering machine?"

"Hmm? Oh yeah, it was just Lewis … checking in, I'll call him in the morning."

"Haley is going to be a handful she smiles she's just like you."

"What? What did I do?" He said it a little too snippy … like he was hiding something.

"Nothing, why? Did you do something I don't know about?"

"No." Also, a little too quickly.

"Ah ha. Anyway, what I meant was, she doesn't sleep and she loves her bottle and I do believe that she's going to have her Daddy's gorgeous brown eyes." She brings her attention back to Haley and plays with her curly brown hair while her daughter enjoys her bottle.

Bobby sits by his wife's side and expertly handles both Tracy and John. He glances over at Alex and Haley and then back at Tracy and John. He sighs heavily as he watches his babies take in their formula. Yeah Goren, it's a wonderful life, am I gonna live to see it?

In the morning after the babies ate, had their bath and were put down for their nap, Alex went into the shower … Bobby made the call.

"Good Morning, Dr. Ahmad's office, this is Felicia may I help you?"

"Hi, Felicia, This is Robert Goren, you ..

"Oh yes Mr. Goren, I've been waiting for your call. Could you come in to see Dr. Ahmad today?"

"Today?"

"Yes Sir, he wants to see you before the holidays."

"Okay, what time?"

Bobby's next call was to Lewis. He needed Lewis to cover for him … a cover story in other words. Being a detective, you learn how to be a bad guy but Detective Goren keeps forgetting he married a Detective.

"Lewis look, just come pick me up, that's all I want you to do."

"No, you want me to lie to Alex."

"I'm going to tell her that we're going out, that's not a lie.'

"That's not the whole truth, either."

"I don't know what the whole truth is Lewis. Why should I worry her when this could be nothing?"

"Yeah, right … just worry me instead."

"Thanks Lewis, I knew I could count on you."

"When Alex decides to kill me … say something nice during my eulogy."

"She'll use one bullet and kill us both with one shot. She's that good."

"No, she'll keep you around for the midnight and three am feedings."

After her shower, Bobby explained to her that he and Lewis were going to go out for a bit that afternoon. She bought it … for now.

Dr. Ahmad put Bobby through a series of tests. A standard EKG, an EEG measuring brain activity, he almost broke that unit, blood work and a stress test. Bobby's blood pressure was rising due to the length of time spent away from his family. Dr. Ahmad wanted all his bases covered before he left for vacation. He wanted all test results back before the holiday and to either ease Bobby's mind or get him started on a path to wellness.

He walked back into the house five hours later to a very upset Alex.

"Sorry, Lewis and I lost track of time."

"Funny thing is Bobby, my dad saw Lewis at the coffee shop near Dr. Ahmad's office. Is there something you want to tell me?"

"Lewis likes coffee?"

"GOREN IN MY OFFICE … NOW!"

"What?"

"The bedroom … NOW!"

Bobby makes his way to their bedroom … he knows he's busted.

"Okay, strip!"

"Excuse me."

"Oh, don't be shy, I've seen it all before … strip!"

"Alex, you're making me hot!"

She holds up Liz's note.

"This is not about that … strip!"

He starts to take his clothes off but since he knows he's busted and she's pissed he decides to do a striptease … porn music and all. She's trying to hide her smile but she can't, he gets her every time. Once his clothes are removed she starts feeling him up which of course "wakes something up." She discovers some sticky areas and puncture wounds from blood work. She also discovers "little Bobby" standing at attention. She raises her eyebrows to him.

"What? Do you remember the last time we had sex … when that was … exactly."

"Yes, exactly … the bathroom at Lock Haven. Then I went into labor and you passed out. Is that what this is all about Bobby."

"You're the one that started this, making me take my clothes off and then feeling me up. I can't help it … it's been a long time."

"I'm not talking about sex Bobby. I'm talking about whatever tests Dr. Ahmad ran on you today."

"If we're not going to make love, can I put my clothes back on?"

"If I take care of "little Bobby," will you stop avoiding the question and tell me about your appointment with Dr. Ahmad?"

Bobby looked down at his protruding body part and decided to put his clothes back on.

"Sorry Alex but not until I can return the favor."

She tackled him on the bed and cuffed him to the bed post. The babies started to cry … she couldn't help but laugh.

"The Goren Baby Alert intercom system is working just fine! I need to go to them, maybe you should just lie there and think about what you did today!"

She walked out of the room with a very snarky smirk on her face. He was yelling after her …

"Hey Alex … not funny … I could be dying … we don't know anything yet. Un-cuff me! ALEX! What about 'little Bobby?"

"Sorry Big Foot … that ship sailed, next time, tell your wife when the Doctor needs to see you. Oh and Bobby … when you want to delete a message on the answering machine, you have to hit "okay."

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Will he ever learn? Not in my stories he won't ... I like the image of him cuffed to the bed! YUMMY! Please don't be shy ... press that center review button ... it helps me breathe ... I can be dramatic sometimes too! Thanks for reading! Judeey:)