There are so many different ways of being pregnant, and as it usually is, Gail's way was very, very special. She ate hot and spicy food, managed to eat a lot of ice cream and she craved for olives with almonds any time night or day. Lucky for her, Holly stocked their fridge and cupboards with craziest foods so she didn't have to leave the house when Gail had some cravings. As much as Chloe loved to brag about being pregnant, Gail kept it pretty much to her. No one had any idea about the baby. She and Holly decided to keep it to themselves. Holly would tell entire universe, but she knew how private person Gail is. Holly was perfect partner for this. She was very patient and she loved doing things for Gail. First two months they would just stare at Gail's stomach and wait for it to grow. Holly loved how grumpy Gail could get when she starts obsessing about still having pretty flat stomach. Only thing that grew were her breasts and her sexual appetites and Holly was pretty O.k. with that. They were like horny teenagers. They would do it everywhere: Gail's office, Holly's office, car, shower, restrooms in the restaurants…everywhere they could.

''One day we will get caught.''

''That makes it fun Dr. Stewart.''

''Oh, really?''

''Yes, it does… I'm pregnant and I crave my wife. Anyone who had anything to do with a pregnant woman, knows you don't mess with cravings and maker of the tiny human…''

Holly kissed Gail and winked….

''Stewart little…''

''Stop with it…''

Holly got them all the baby books she heard were good. Off course, she was the one to study them first and get all the side notes to what should Gail pay more attention to. She was so excited about being a mother that she even made Gail excited and very cooperative with her diet and kicking the bad habits. Instead of coffee in her cup, she brought herbal tea to work and spent most of the day siping it. She stopped eating junk food and she ate lunches Holly made her or brought her. She didn't like all the healthy moments, but she knew she was doing it for the baby. She was not easy to live and work with when she was off cofein, but she learned to control her temper. She just sometimes had off moments when she was lashing out at the world. Holly knew how to calm her, but others… They didn't have that much luck. During one of the briefings Dove and Chris were not paying attention to what she was saying, so she just started shouting at them and then she was crying like a baby. She gave them warning to behave next time, or she would take the measures against them. Boys were in shock. Oliver was just observing her in silence and smirking. Oh, he knew too well what has gotten into his favorite ex rookie. He saw that four times. Twice with Celery and twice with his ex. He had fun to spy on her and take small notes that would confirm his doubts. His little Peck was about to became a mommy. Once he almost cried to that thought. One afternoon after her shift, Gail got invitation to the girls' party at Chloe's. Chloe and Dove were getting married in two weeks and they made parties on different weekends since they sheared a lot of friends. She and Holly were supposed to come and spend the night there with the rest of the girls and next weekend with the boys. She was very much not in the mood to go, but she knew they had to.

''What shall I say if they offer me the drink?''

''That it's my turn to drink and yours to drive?''

''Will that work?''

''It could…''

Gail was changing her clothes for who knows how many times since she came home. She didn't want anything tight and she didn't want to look pregnant. At almost eleven weeks she started showing a little. Her tummy looked like she ate too much that day. She put on black tights flat boots and Holly's loose black shirt. Her hair was up in a bun and she did her make up a bit stronger than usual. Holly thought her wife was looking very sexy and she really rocked that pregnancy glow. When Gail was done, Holly went to take a shower and pick something for the night. She left the bathroom door opened because she knew Gail would have to pee at least three more times before they leave. When she got out of shower, Gail was sitting on the toilet.

''Wow, I really hate you right now for the toned body…''

''I know love, but you still look smoking…''

Gail was silent for few minutes. She was memorized by her naked wife.

''Holly…''

''Yes?''

''Will you love me when I became fat and this baby makes me all swollen?''

''I will love you very much…''

''You promise?''

''I do. I promise to make you feel special and beautiful even when you don't believe you are.''

''Thank you Holly…''

Holly kissed her quick and went to get dressed. She put on her skinny jeans and plaid shirt. Her hair was in the pony and she put on her glasses. She put on new biker boots Gail bought her and noticed how Gail was looking at her…

''Oh, my God! Baby, you are every young lesbian's wet dream…''

''I can't believe you just said that…''

''But you are… Biker boots and plaid shirt….''

''Fine.''

She took off the shirt and put on very sexy black sweater.

''I like this better.''

''We must leave now. Sooner we get there, sooner we can get out of it…''

''I love the way you think my beloved…''

Chloe's party was Gail's worst nightmare. It was all pink, full of balloons and her mother was there.

''Hello Gail, Holly… Nice of you to show up…''

''Hello mother…''

''Chloe said seven, it's nine thirty…''

Before Gail said something, Holly spoke.

''We were busy… Don't worry… We came…''

Gail chocked at her water. She couldn't believe what she said. Her mother didn't get the double meaning of Holly's words. Holly gave Chloe the gift and went to get herself a drink. Gail's mother was inspecting Gal and she noticed that Mama Peck had something to say. Gail was drowning in cupcakes and she was happy. Sugar made her happy.

''You should stop eating. You will get fat and your wife will leave you. You already ganed wait and you lost your flat stomach.''

''Mother…''

''Do not mother me. You know I'm right. We already know she likes them…younger and if you let yourself get fat she will have reasons to stray…''

''Mother , I'm not fat…''

''Yes, you are…''

At the moment when they were changing the music, Gail shouted at her mother.

''For fucks sake, I AM NOT FAT! I'M TWELWE WEEKS PREGNANT!''

And that got all their attention….

''You are what?''

''Pregnant mother…''

''Who is the father?''

''A donor…''

''Oh…''

Holly noticed that Gail was getting nervous and Elaine was asking wrong questions. She wanted to make joke out of it and make Gail relax a bit.

''Don't worry. She is still a lesbian… and we are pretty much raising the baby together.''

''Oh, so it the baby of the both…How does that work?''

''I am on the certificate as the other parent, like with the straight couple.''

''But you are not one… You are not real parents.''

''We are...As real we can get. She is giving birth to the baby and I believe it doesn't get more real…''

All the ladies who were mothers and had fresh memories of labor agreed. Labor is making it real, regardless of how it happens. You have scars and stretch marks to remind you of the fact you are a mother.

''I hope you know what you are doing. It's not easy to be a parent.''

''Thank you Elaine. We shall take your comment very seriously. After all you are parent of two, so you know.''

Gail and the rest could feel Holly's words dripping with sarcasm. But before any of them said anything, Andy was in shock that Gail was pregnant.

''How did you get pregnant?''

Gail gave her one of her looks.

''Andy, since Holly can't get me pregnant, we did it at the doctor's office.''

''Yes, but why you?''

''I don't get it…''

Chloe rubbed her swollen belly and looked at Gail.

''You never mentioned anything… Why?''

''Because it's no one's business, but ours. It's our baby and what matters is that Holly and I know.''

Steve and Tracy were surprised as well. None of them ever imagined Gail wanting a child especially being the one with it. Steve felt excluded.

''Why didn't you tell me that you were pregnant?''

''Because we wanted to wait for three months and tell you and our parents after we get the conformation that me and baby are doing well.''

''You are Ok?''

''I'm doing amazing and baby is growing according to plan.''

Steve smiled and put his hand on Gail's small belly.

''My nice or nephew…''

''Yes, your niece or nephew…''

''I'm so proud of you little sis…''

''Thank you…''

Steve gave her a hug and started crying.

''Just so you know, I will be at your house all the time…''

''No, you will not. We will want some time with our child and our family time without all of you.''

''Holly, tell her to let me see the baby all the time…''

''Let's give her some time Steve. She will ask for help, trust me..''

Nick was holding his beer and just looking at her.

''What is it Collins?''

''Nothing, I'm just surprised with the news. I don't remember you ever talking about children as the option. It was always no kids with you.''

''That is because you were not Holly and the partner who I thrust.''

''Why?''

''Because you loooove to tell things to my mother and you would let her be involved in growth and education of my children.''

''What is wrong with me as a parent Gail?''

''Look at me mother! Look what you raised. You made me feel bad about myself. You made me see myself as not worthy of things and you made me hate myself for such a long time. I was lucky to meet Holly and start loving myself and finding forgiveness for my mistakes.''

''It was my fault that you are like that?''

''Yes, and that is why I am sometimes scared of being a parent.''

''So, if I damaged you and you don't think you could parent… Why is not Holly the one who is pregnant? She is more maternal….She is nice, gentle and loving…Unlike you… ''

Before Gail could answer, Holly spoke.

''She is the pregnant one because I would never be able to. I was butchered by the Caveman so badly that my lady parts are useless. I would never be able to me a mother. That is why she is doing this. Because she wants us to have family and because she is ready to face her fears and doubts for us to have a family. Don't you dare say something to her! She was there for me after it happened. She has to see me fall apart every time someone talks about children or having them. She did this for me. She did this because I wanted to be a parent and she is doing all she can to make it possible for me. She is an amazing partner and support.''

Holly runs out of the apartment in tears. Gail stood in the middle of the room looking at all of them. She let one tear roll down her cheek before she rushed after her wife. After years and years, the secret was out… Now all of them knew what were the real consequences of Holly's stabbing. None of them looked at Gail the same way as they did before.