Maggie finished showering and dressed before heading to the kitchen to start on breakfast, though Eddie was already making pancakes and bacon in the kitchen, "Look at you cooking breakfast for everyone," she said wrapping her arms around him.
"Well, I figured I don't have to go into work today and I don't get to cook very often, so I'm going to be a good husband and earn some brownie points," he joked and kissed her, "Any plans for today?"
"Lunch with the girls, grocery shopping, Tanner's basketball registration, and Caroline apparently needs new shoes. Somehow I have to fit all of that into one day," said Maggie.
"I can take Caroline shopping," said Eddie.
Maggie turned around to face him, "I was hoping that she'd warm up to me if we both went shopping together."
"Still giving you a rough time huh?" asked Eddie.
"It's been over a year since we got married Eddie and she still hates me," said Maggie.
"She doesn't hate you…"
"Easy for you to say. She has you wrapped around her little finger. I don't hear her calling you her bitch of a step-mother," said Maggie.
Eddie's faced turned angry, "When did she call you that?"
"Most recently, just last week she called me that to one of her friends," said Maggie.
"Okay well if you think you both we'll be okay together, I'll take Tanner to his basketball registration," he said, "I'm assuming Colonel Burton and Latasha Montclair will be there as well."
"Yes, Charlie will have a table with the activities," said Maggie.
Eddie nodded, "Caroline, Tanner, breakfast!"
The two kids came into the kitchen, "Mom, are we still going to the YAC for registration?" asked Tanner.
Maggie took a deep breath, "Actually Eddie's taking you bud? Caroline and I are going shoe shopping."
"I don't want to go," said Caroline.
"You said you needed new shoes," said Maggie.
"I don't want to go if I'm not going with Dad," said Caroline.
"Caroline Heather Hall, you are going with Maggie while I take your brother to registration," said Eddie.
"Well I'm not going with her," said Caroline getting up from the table and leaving.
Eddie took a deep breath and Maggie wiped a few tears away before saying, "Well I guess I have more time for grocery shopping and lunch."
Claudia Joy knocked on the door to the Richardson house and Kat answered almost immediately, "Good morning Kat."
"Morning Claudia Joy. Did you hear anything about Chris?" asked Kat.
Claudia Joy shook her head, "Nothing yet. I just wanted to make sure you're okay."
Kat shrugged her shoulders, "As okay as I'm going to be right now." She stepped aside and let Claudia Joy into the house. Connor started babbling from his playpen, "Yeah you're happy that Auntie Claudia Joy is here aren't you?" she cooed at Connor.
Claudia Joy chuckled at her Godson and looked around the house, "Where's Jordan?"
"She went out with of few of her friends from the Citadel," said Kat sitting down on the couch. Claudia Joy sat down next to Kat and Kat asked, "So if you don't have any news about Chris, what brings you here?"
"I just wanted to know if you wanted to have lunch at the Hump Bar today. You know take your mind off of things," said Claudia Joy.
"I don't know. Girly get togethers aren't really my thing," said Kat.
Claudia Joy chuckled lightly, "We talk about many other things other than girl stuff. Come on it'll be fun. You don't have to worry about Connor. You can bring him along."
"Okay, I'll see you there," said Kat.
Maggie was finishing paying for her groceries at the Commissary when she saw a familiar face in line, "Hi Latasha."
Latasha looked over and smiled at Maggie, "Hey Mags. Are you going to lunch at the Hump?"
"You bet. And boy I could use some alcohol and girl time," said Maggie.
"Caroline still giving you a hard time?" asked Latasha.
"You hear huh?" asked Maggie.
"Yeah you all were kind of loud this morning," said Latasha, "And that statement is coming from a mother of three kids ages 10 and under."
Maggie grimaced a little, "Sorry, teenagers can be unpredictable."
"Oh trust me; I'm not looking forward to it," said Latasha, "Well I'll see you at the Hump soon."
"You too," said Maggie.
Everyone arrived at the Hump bar around noon and Gloria and Holly had everyone's drink orders ready as they usually did, "Roxy, Pamela, what are you both having?" asked Gloria.
"Just water for now," said Roxy.
"Roxy, live a little," said Pamela.
"Hey, I'm still nursing two little ones," said Roxy.
"Roxy from one nursing Mom to another, and as a nurse, you can have one or two drinks and the babies will be fine," said Tonya.
"She's right," said Denise, "It'll be out of your system in a few hours."
"Okay then, one margarita," said Roxy.
"Make that two," said Pamela.
"Make that three," said Maggie.
"Three margaritas coming right up," said Gloria.
"So how much longer are you both in town?" asked Jackie.
"Until tomorrow," said Pamela, "Then Chase has to be home for some big staff meeting."
"And Trevor has training so we leave tomorrow as well," said Roxy.
Claudia Joy and Kat walked in and sat down at the table with everyone else, "Afternoon everyone," said Claudia Joy.
"Claudia Joy, Colonel Richardson," said Latasha.
"Any word on…" Roxy began.
"Roxy," Claudia Joy said in a warning tone.
"No it's okay," said Kat, "No news yet."
"Hey guys sorry I'm late, activity registration at the YAC ran longer than I thought and then I had to relieve Niki from Mommy duty," said Charlie with Nicholas in her arms.
"Such as the life of a working Mom," said Denise.
"Yeah there are two of us and it's still hectic," said Charlie.
Gloria and Holly returned with the drinks and food though Holly didn't want to eat much of anything. Surpassingly she was more nauseous about telling everyone about the baby than from morning sickness, "So I have some big news," started Holly nervously. All eyes landed on her and Holly took a deep breath before she said, "I'm expecting."
Applause and excitement filled the room as Gloria wrapped her arms around her, tears of joy running down her face, "Congratulations Holly. To you and Tim."
"Welcome to the Mommy club," said Roxy happily.
"Thanks," said Holly gratefully. Seeing everyone now made her wonder why she had been nervous in the first place. After lunch, everyone bid their farewells while Gloria and Holly stayed to clean up and close.
"Well it was nice to be able to have one last lunch before tomorrow," said Charlie.
"Why what's happening tomorrow?" asked Gloria.
"Well in order to settle everything going on with Niki's cousin, my mother-in-law is coming to visit," said Charlie.
"Well best of luck," said Gloria.
"Thanks," said Charlie turning to leave, "Tell Private Truman I said congratulations."
"Will do," shouted Holly. Holly turned around to find Gloria leaning on the table, "You okay Gloria."
Gloria looked up and said, "Oh yeah just got a little dizzy." Holly went back to work before Gloria spoke again, "Hey Holly can I tell you something? Alone."
"Of course," said Holly following Gloria to the back office. Holly closed the door behind them and asked, "What's up?"
"Listen, I had a doctor's appointment the other day and I haven't told anyone about this, not even Hector, but I figured you'd be a safe person to tell. You said you're pregnant."
"Yeah," said Holly confusingly.
Gloria took her hand, tears welling in her eyes again and a small smile forming on her face, "So am I."