Mary walked out of Lou's office, forcing a smile.
Murray looked up the moment he heard the door open. "Well, did Lou solve your problem?"
"No, not really," Mary said. "It's not exactly a simple thing."
"Well, if you want another opinion, I'm all ears. Whatever your problem is, it's got to be more interesting than the possible decline of vegetable prices. I'm sure that's interesting if you're a farmer, but..." Murray shrugged. His job could be awfully routine sometimes.
"Murray, I'm pregnant."
"What?!" Murray did a double take. "Are you sure?"
"Pretty sure. I mean, I took one of those home-pregnancy things."
Shock was visible on Murray's face. But he quickly recovered. "That's wonderful! Oh, Mary, your baby's going to be so beautiful!"
Mary smiled. She could hardly believe that there was another human being inside her. Without thinking, she placed a hand on her stomach, almost imaging that she could feel a kick.
Murray leaped up from his chair, hugging her tightly. "Congratulations. I mean, I know this has to be sort of unexpected for you, but it's really a miracle."
"Thanks." Mary found that she could hardly keep the smile off her face. For a moment, it felt good not to think of Joe and all the uncertainty ahead. All that mattered was that she was going to have a baby. She could just imagine a pink nursery.
The blissful moment was broken by a deep voice. "What's everybody so happy about? Did our ratings go up?"
"No, Ted," Murray said, exasperated. He started to say something more, then caught himself just in time. This was Mary's news, and it was her place to decide if she wanted to tell the anchorman.
Mary felt both men's eyes on her. "Ted…..I'm going to have a baby."
"How on earth did that happen?"
"Ted, you know how it happened," Murray exclaimed. "It doesn't matter how, anyway. The important thing is, she's having a baby."
"Wait a minute," Ted said. "Georgette doesn't know about this, does she?"
"No, Ted, I haven't had a chance to tell her yet."
"Well, geez, Mary. How could you not tell Georgette? You know she thinks of you as her best friend. I would think I'd be enough for her, but apparently she needs girlfriends too. Go figure." Ted rolled his eyes.
"I'm sorry. I only found out myself yesterday. You, Murray and Mr. Grant are the only ones I've told so far. Besides Rhoda."
"OK, Mary, if that's how you feel." Ted acted like a stubborn child.
"I'll tell Georgette later. She's meeting you here tonight after work, right?"
Ted nodded. "I'm taking her out to dinner tonight. I found a coupon for a fast-food restaurant, so I thought I'd treat her!"
"All right, then. I'll let her know tonight. Now all I have to do is figure out how to tell Joe."
"Well, if Joe has any sense at all, he'll be thrilled," Murray said. "What man wouldn't want to have a baby with you?"
Mary smiled, grateful for his compliment. She was incredibly relieved that Murray had taken the news so well.
The day went on as usual, except that Mary often caught Murray staring at her and smiling. He was acting almost as if she were carrying his baby. It made her feel a bit uncomfortable, but she knew he was only doing it because he was so happy for her.
Mary was concentrating on a news story when a familiar voice came into the newsroom. "Hi, everybody! Is Ted here?"
"He should be coming out of the studio any minute," Mary said. "I'm on my way out as soon as I finish this."
Georgette nodded. "Ted hasn't taken me out to dinner in so long. Usually he's too tired when he gets off from work."
"It's more likely he's too cheap to take you out," Murray said.
Mary gave him a slightly exasperated look, although she knew Murray was probably right. Then she looked back at Georgette, realizing she'd better tell her friend the news now. "Um, Georgette, I kind of have something personal to tell you. I hope you won't mind that you weren't the first person I told."
Georgette smiled. "Of course not, Mary. Whatever it is, I understand."
"Good," Mary said. "You remember Joe, that man I was seeing? Well, I wasn't feeling too well the past couple of weeks, so I got one of those home tests. And, well…..I'm going to have a baby."
"Oh, Mary!" Georgette squealed. "That's wonderful!" She quickly hugged her friend. "Oh, I'll have to call Rhoda tonight. I know she's all the way in New York, but I bet she'll want to come back for a baby shower!"
Mary hadn't even thought about a shower. Nor did she have any idea how she would acquire most of the baby items she'd need. A baby shower sounded perfect. "Well, I'll leave it to you and Rhoda to set that up. I promise I'll even act surprised when I show up." She gave Georgette a grateful hug.
Just then, Ted finally emerged from the studio. "So, Mare, did you tell Georgette your secret?"
"Oh, yes," Georgette answered. "Rhoda and I are going to plan a shower. Mary, you're going to be a wonderful mother, I just know it!"
"Yeah," Ted agreed. "Now all you've got to do is tell Joe, so this kid'll have a father, too."
Just like that, the reality of Mary's situation hit her once again. Why did the most exciting thing to ever happen to her also have to be so complicated?