iHave an Announcement

It had to be nerves, as logically, Carly knew Morning Sickness would not set in immediately. She was nervous as she and Sam left the medical center after their follow-up appointment. Carly was nervous, but ravenous at the very same moment. Sam found it incredibly adorable that her tiny little Cupcake now had a Puckett-sized appetite.

"But Sam…." Carly whined, "I'm starving!"

Sam playfully rolled her eyes as they drove through the city.

"Listen here, Cupcake… You're eating for two now, so Mama's got to set some ground rules. First off, you eat healthy. Secondly, what Mama says goes. And Thirdly…"

Carly cut Sam off, afraid she was being lectured in the way that The Colonel had when she was a child.

"Sam… please, I'm sorry… just love me… please…"

It hurt Sam's heart that Carly still didn't understand. She decided she simply had to repeat herself.

"And Thirdly, Cupcake…" Sam began, "Remember that Mama loves you more than anything…"

Carly flushed bright red at Sam's profession of love, although she'd heard it a thousand times before. Today was different. Today, Carly Shay not only had a wedding band on her finger, but also was – if all had gone well – carrying Sam Puckett's child. She was the happiest woman in Seattle. Sam gently patted Carly's thigh. Sam loved her more than anything in the world.

"Carls…"

She knew what Sam was thinking. She always knew what Sam was thinking. Sam would never say so with other people around, but Carly knew that her big, strong baby was absolutely petrified.

"Sam, look… You don't have to play tough with me. I know you're scared. I'm scared too. I have no idea what I'm doing, but I know that our family is the perfect place for a little person… You, me, Freddie, Mel, Spen—" Carly reconsidered, playfully. "Okay, well, maybe not Spencer…"

Sam laughed and gently reached over to pat Carly's midsection. She loved the thought of being there for what was to come. This was, in her mind, her own way of atoning for her own mother's shortcomings. From the moment that Carly came to her in tears, wishing for a child, Sam Puckett knew that she had to do this – She needed to be the best, strongest, most supportive partner she could be for Carly, but also be the best parent that she could be – both mother and father – to the child that would eventually call her Mama. She rested her hand over Carly's navel.

"Ten and Two, Puckett!"

Sam laughed.

"Chillax, Cupcake… Mama can drive and love you all at the same time."

Carly just rolled her eyes. She knew picking a fight with the Blonde Headed Demon in the middle of Seattle traffic was a losing proposition.

IL TERRAZZO CARMINE, A HALF HOUR LATER…

Sam had promised Carly that they would stop for lunch on the way home. Sam had, however, neglected to tell Carly that she already had a bit of a surprise party in the works and had for the past week. It took some doing, but Sam, Melanie, and Freddie all had managed to keep their respective traps shut in the interim. The Bensons, of course, knew exactly what news would be forthcoming, owing to the fact that, for the first time in years, Sam and Melanie were behaving like sisters and were talking for hours on end each and every night, much to Melanie's delight and the detriment of Freddie's sleep schedule.

The restaurant itself was somewhat crowded with a relatively sedate crowd of mid-afternoon corporate suits. As per usual, the party of four walked in off the street with no reservation, past the hostess stand, and directly to the private dining room. Such were the perks when you were Carmine's nieces.

The dining room was set for an intimate lunch for eight. Carly was confused. She had figured that Freddie and Melanie would likely join them, but this was a bit excessive.

Entering the dining room, Carly was greeted by virtually everyone in her world that mattered. Freddie and Melanie were there, bearing balloons and an overly large teddy bear. Spencer had somehow managed to truck in the Bottle Bot, which was tucked away in the corner. Unbeknownst to Carly, Spencer's second most famous sculpture, after his ill-fated Fan of Hammers, had been sold for an unheard-of five thousand dollars – his highest sale to date – to Melanie Benson, by way of her publishing arm, Mythical Music.

Carly entered the room only to be enveloped in a smothering hug by her sister-in-law, who squealed with joy.

"CARLY!"

Carly Shay beamed. Sam, ever the bodyguard, pushed her sister in the chest, separating her from the brunette.

"Alright, alright, already…"

As Carly struggled to catch her breath, Melanie, ever the hostess, ran to the doorway to usher in the two guests who were apparently running just a few minutes behind schedule.

Sam was shocked to see their latest guests. She had half expected to see them, though not necessarily this way. They had kept in contact, but could never make their schedules match up of late, given Shelby's fight schedule and Sam and Carly's other plans. They talked perhaps twice a week, but hadn't seen each other since the wedding.

Sam gave her old high school friend the once-over, casting a half derisive smirk at her frenemy, Shelby Marx.

"Hey Marx, What are you feeding her? Looks like she's put on a couple of pounds, if you ask me. I would've thought she'd be eating that rabbit food you train on."

Shelby Marx, much like Sam Puckett herself, was short tempered as a caged pit bull. Her lip curled reflexively into a half snarl. Carly was pre-occupied making small talk with Wendy, who had just recently wrapped Freddie Benson into a tight hug.

"Oh, you sweet, sweet boy…"

Melanie, being the only one of the group in the vicinity, threw herself into the fray to prevent the mother of all throw-downs. Her tone was urgent, yet sweet.

"Samantha…"

"Is there a problem, Princess?"

Melanie was sweet as she pulled Sam from Shelby Marx.

"There'll be less of one if you come with me… Let's go see Carly…"

A SHORT WHILE LATER…

After pleasantries were exchanged and a war between Team Puckett and Team Marx had been averted, Freddie and Melanie Benson played the roles of host and hostess to their sisters' family and friends. After thanking them for coming and being so wonderfully generous during the planning process, it was time to hear from Carly, as she had something very special to share with everyone.

Carly stood up to speak, tears flowing down her cheeks. She opened her mouth only to shut it again. She was too hoarse for the words to come out. Sam, her arm around Carly's lower back, spoke instead.

"As you might have already guessed, Carls and I are having a kid… You guys are really too much. This means a lot. Thanks."

Carly rested her head on her partner's shoulder, when she realized that Wendy was crying too. She had done the math in her head. She let her good manners go out the window and interrupted Sam's little speech.

"Oh my God… We're both due a month apart!"

The crowd fell silent. Every eye in the room fell on Wendy and Shelby Marx. Carly Shay finally found her voice.

"WHAT?"

Carly knew that she and Sam would need to have Shelby and Wendy over for coffee tonight. It was well past time to catch up.