Professionals for Hope were a local organization that provided food and clothing for underprivileged children. Every September they had a dinner and asked businesses to donate goods and services for an auction that was quite popular among the attendees. Mother had always donated an evening for two, and Pete donated a free investigation as well as buying tickets for the dinner whether he went or not. So when a representative of the charity came into talk to the owner of Edie's, Mrs. Gunn was more than happy to help her out. Allison Carlyle was about Edie's age and had just moved to the area from Boston when she accepted the position of auction coordinator three months ago. The two women hit it off right away and over tea Edie donated a package that included a complete night of dinner and dancing, with cover charge, wine, starters, their pick of the menu, dessert, and the finest coffee.

"We thank you for your generosity." Allison shook her hand as they got ready to end their conversation. "Do you have plans to attend the dinner on Saturday?"

Peter Gunn walked in just then, smartly dressed in a black suit, everything in place as always. Allison gave him an appreciative look, Edie reminding herself he was all hers and there was no reason to be jealous. But no wonder women acted that way he did look like a million dollars.

He winked at his wife as he walked over to the table where she and Allison were sitting and stood beside her chair, laying a hand on Edie's shoulder.

"Allison, this is my husband Peter Gunn. Pete, this is Allison Carlyle the new auction coordinator for Professionals for Hope."

They shook hands, "I had heard Mitch was retiring." Gunn remarked. "Are you enjoying it here?"

"It gets better everyday." She smiled; her eyelashes blinking so fast Edie said later they could have been leaving a message in Morse code. Since I've got you in front of me Mr. Gunn may I ask if you would like to donate something for the cause."

She gratefully accepted his usual donation which usually brought in a bid of over 2,000. Peter Gunn was known for being the best and was also known for not being cheap. It was always a highlight of the dinner. "And yes to answer your question both Mrs. Gunn and I do plan to be at the dinner on Saturday night."

"Excellent." Allison gave him a smile that showed her dimples. "I'll look forward to seeing you there."

Edie suddenly had to excuse herself but nodded in Pete's direction before walking rather quickly towards the back. Allison got up to leave but Gunn held up his hand and smiled in his special way. "One more thing Miss Carlyle, I was wondering if you could tell me, did Miranda Elliott donate anything to the cause this year?" And he did his best to look like it was an innocent question.

"I don't even have to look that up." She sighed. "I was determined to get something, even a scarf especially since Mitchell said she hadn't donated anything that he knows of. Apparently she came to the dinner most years but going back she never even bought the ticket. It seems that Miss Elliott doesn't like the idea of just anyone being able to purchase one of her dresses without her supervision. Can you imagine what one of her pieces would bring at an auction like ours?

"What if I told you my wife has a Miranda Elliott dress and would be more than happy to donate it to your cause."

"An authentic Miranda Elliott?"

"As real as you can get. And it will only have been worn once."

"Are you sure your wife wants to part with it?"

"It would give her the up most pleasure to see it go for something beneficial rather than hang in her closet What do you say?"

"What day can you bring it by the hotel?"

"Saturday, freshly dry- cleaned and ready to sell. I'll drop it by your headquarters around 3:00."

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Friday nights were usually quite busy at the supper club and Edie was expecting this one to be no different. Besides the standard fish offering—Chilean sea bass with spinach rice and sweet potatoes baked in cinnamon and rosemary there was a choice of carbonara with a field of greens salad, or baked chicken with sausage and raisin dressing along with a variety of appetizers and desserts. Just the thought of it made her stomach rumble. But she mustn't eat anything if she wanted to fit into that dress.

She had tried it on last night and had to admit she loved the way it hugged her curves and showed off her assets. The silk felt good against her skin and made her feel very pretty. The tummy was a little tight but overall it was perfect and it was just for one night. She would wear the pearl necklace from Pete and the white gold teardrop earrings that she had bought after her first big gig and she knew she would look wonderful. It was hard to imagine that Miranda could make a dress that fit so well without any appointments and such. The designer was very talented. Heading back to her dressing room, she heard Emmett call her name. "There's a phone call for you Edie they said it was important."

Her heart slowed down when it wasn't Pete related but started banging once again when the voice on the other end told her that Dr. Morgan wanted to speak with her. "I'm sorry for the lateness of the call." He apologized. "But I have the lab results back and thought you might want to know as soon as possible."

"I appreciate that." She was trying to stay calm, and quickly loosing ground. She had been going to Christopher Morgan since she had first moved to the city and while she was very happy with him like most men he could be annoying. "It didn't take as long as I thought it might." She added.

"Twenty four hours standard." She could hear him smiling. "I had to deliver three babies today so you can thank them for me still being in the office this time of day."

"I will." She could hear paper rustling and she wanted to hurry him along. "Doctor Morgan?"

"Here it is." She heard him pull open an envelope and unfold a piece of paper. "Mrs. Gunn, I'm happy to say the frog laid eggs many, many eggs."

It took a minute for his news to sink in as she half sat half fell down in the chair behind her. "When?" she finally managed to ask.

"It's estimated to be around the third week of April. "Close enough to be a honeymoon baby."

"Baby." She muttered, the word suddenly becoming real. She was having a baby! She and Pete! Oh she couldn't wait to tell him! But how in the world was she going to do that?

"Edie," Emmett pointed to his watch while across the room Leslie did the same thing both men reminding her she was going to be late for the opening. "I've got to go, thank you so much Dr. Morgan. This definitely deserves a free meal." She giggled. "Bye."

She hurried back to her dressing room, touching up her make up as fast as she could and putting the dress on carefully. The panties problem had been taken care of with a quick trip to Marshall's that morning and it wasn't the first outfit she had worn without a bra. She pulled the dress down across her hips and touched her stomach with her hands. "And here I thought you were too many doughnuts." She whispered, letting her fingertips linger for a moment.

Edie did the last minute touches, the necklace she had worn all day, but now she slipped on the earrings and changed shoes. A brief look in the full length mirror let her know that she did look wonderful and she couldn't help but smile. Just wait until Pete saw her in this dress. Just wait until Miranda saw her in this dress. The combo was starting up, the night was about to go on.

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Richard Collins had been booked on trespassing on private property and being a peeping tom but neither charge had stuck. Lieutenant Jacoby had taken him out of his cell and instead of walking the detective to the front door had escorted him to his office where Peter Gunn was waiting. "What's the big deal here?" Collins demanded to know as he was shown a chair, the policeman locking the door behind him. "You can't keep me here, I'm free to go."

"You are indeed." Gunn nodded, offering him a cup of coffee, which Rick turned down. "But going through your records the Lieutenant and I found a few discrepancies that could get your license pulled." Pete's eyebrows went up. "Do you understand?"

"So, what do you want?"

"From now on you are working for me." Pete stopped to let the irony sink in.

"What the?"

The tall detective pulled a heavy envelope out of his suit pocket and tossed it at Collins. "There should be enough there to make sure Miranda Elliott shows up at Edie's this evening, either with you or someone else I don't care and two tickets for the Professionals for Hope dinner tomorrow night which you and Miss Elliott will attend, again together or separately I don't care. Once you've completed that task successfully, I'll pay you another $500. So, do we have a deal?"

"And if I don't." Collins found his defiant tone.

"I'll look into pulling your license." Jacoby answered in an almost amused voice.

"That's blackmail."

"If that's what you want to call it. What I need now is an answer, are you in or out?"

"I'm in."

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"I haven't done this much subterfuge since the war." Leslie gave a satisfied smile and straightened his tie. "Miss Elliott called a few moments ago reserving a table for six. As instructed by Mrs. Gunn I have marked off the tables in this vicinity so that when you sir." He nodded in Pete's direction "take your lovely wife out onto the terrace, the designer's natural curiosity should overcome her and things should proceed from there."

The Gunn's took hands and nodded. "Does anyone else feel silly about this?" Edie couldn't help but laugh.

"That's why it should be fun."

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Miranda Elliott loved being the center of attention and at this moment she felt extremely happy. Feeling very generous and content she invited a group of friends out for a night at Edie's supper club secretly delighted that sometime during the night there could be quite the blow up. And it would be all her fault. It was delicious to think about!

She had to admit the food at Edie's was quite delicious and she was enjoying her starter of spinach and artichoke dip, spreading generous amounts on the brushetta. She had called the server Wesley over to refill her wine glass twice before the main course had arrived. She chatted with Martin Upshaw her newest companion but really in a new suit and a nice hair cut Richard Collins wasn't bad looking and he did have a sense of humor. She just didn't remember him being quite as nervous as he was tonight.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Peter's wife talking to a couple two tables up. And she was wearing the dress! "Richard." She bumped his hand. "And doesn't she look nice? I told Pete I could make her look better, she seems to be glowing." The detective nodded in agreement. Some men were very lucky.

Miranda watched as her former boyfriend's wife stopped to instruct one of the waitresses and the fashion designer started to play one of her favorite games—comparing herself to other women. For her the world was full of other women not quite as pretty as she was, not quite as tall or as petite, not quite as voluptuous or having to much on top. Of all the women in the world she was convinced she was the best looking one. And Peter Gunn deserved her.

He was coming in the door now and it made Miranda's heart jump. Soon he would be hers again. Well actually it would probably be a few days; he wasn't easily convinced about anything. But one look at his wife in that dress with every man enjoying her assets should easily get the ball rolling.

The combo finished their interpretation of "These Foolish Things." and Emmett handed the microphone to Edie to start her song.

And when I told them how wonderful you are,
They didn't believe me. They didn't believe me!
Your lips, your eyes, your curly hair,
Are in a class beyond compare,
You're the lovliest thing that one could see!
And when I tell them,
And I cert'nly am goin' to tell them,
That I'm the girl whose boy one day you'll be.
They'll never believe me. They'll never believe me.
That from this great big world you've chosen me!

Pete took a seat on the edge of the blocked off area, watching his wife sing and going over his lines in his head. They often had little squabbles but only one time in their four years together had they actually fought to where he had fear they might be over. This was going to be very hard.

Edie started the last refrain of the tune, and he lit a cigarette, motioning with his other hand she should meet him on the terrace. The applause started and she bowed her head in thanks, his eyes closing as he noticed the purple dress could barely contain her breasts as she moved. It would have been easy to be mesmerized by the pink tip of her nipple rubbing against the silk but right now there was work to be done. He took the last drag of his cigarette, crushed it into the ash tray and cracked his knuckles.

It was a chilly night for September and she shivered slightly. Instead of walking her to the edge to overlook the water or put his arms around her he looked at her and sighed. "What are you wearing?" and he held her out from him even further, making sure Miranda got a good view. He hoped his voice didn't sound too harsh.

"The dress that you sent me." She shivered again. "I figured this was the best way to thank you."

"Edie, I didn't send you that dress. What on earth makes you think I would ever do such a thing?"

"It was signed to my darling, Pete." Which gave me a very good idea that you sent it. She was starting to get angry now.

"You'd think you would know me better than that. First of all I would never buy anyone anything in that color and second of all look how revealing it is Do you think I want every man on earth to see that much skin on my wife?"

"I don't understand." She crossed her arms in front of her chest and her eyes were sparkling. "What do you mean you didn't send it?"

"Just like I said, I didn't send it."

"But you signed the card."

"Edie Gunn." His voice was the one he reserved for con-man and gangsters when he was letting them know he was highly displeased and his trigger finger was itchy. "I did not send that dress, the awful, disgusting garment, now take it off."

"Fine." Before he realized what she was doing she reached around and pulled at the zipper that held the barely there material that covered her breasts. "Now everyone can see some skin."

"Don't be ridiculous woman."

"I'm only following your rules Mr. Gunn."

"Now, I've had it." And he tried not to cringe when he slapped her across the cheek. It wasn't a real slap, he had spent hours with one of his special friends Zubin on how to make a slap look painful and genuine without hardly touching the person at all. Zubin had been a choreographer with the Russian circus for years before coming to America and was happy to do Pete a favor for once that shouldn't get anyone killed.

There were low murmurs through the restaurant, (most of the diners had been told a head of time what would be occurring) and Emmett rushed up putting his jacket a round Edie and taking her towards the dressing room. At that moment Miranda left out the back way, a huge smile on her face and Pete fought the desire to laugh. Maybe he should have become an actor.