Three Weeks Later…

Cal loaded up the back of the SUV with the various suitcases that he would along with Gillian and Emily. Cal had decided to take the girls to Virginia Beach along with Busch Gardens; Ria and Loker would be joining them as well.

"Dad!" shouted Emily from the front door, "Do you know how long it'll take us to get to Virginia Beach?"

"About three hours minus traffic and rest stops," answered Cal and Gillian appeared in the doorway, "So with a twenty-week baby pressing on your step mother's bladder, about seven hours," he smirked.

"Ha-ha," said Gillian sarcastically, "I'm not that bad."

"I was just joking," said Cal closing the trunk and opening the doors for the girls, "You loves ready?"

"Am I ever!" said Emily excitedly hoping into the back.

Cal chuckled at his daughter, "How about you love" he asked Gillian helping into the front seat.

"Do you know how long it's been since I've gotten to go on a family vacation?" she asked excitedly, "I'm so ready, and we both deserve this."

Cal closed the door behind her and got into the driver's seat. He started the car and pulled out of the driveway, "Virginia Beach here we come!" Gillian and Emily cheered. Cal drove for a while allowing his wife and his daughter to talk. The three of them took a few rest stops so they stretch their legs and use the bathroom. Cal was concerned that the baby would too much of a strain on Gillian but in all she was fine. The three of them eventually made it to the restaurant they were meeting Loker and Ria at for lunch. It had been awhile since Emily had seen them so she was excited, "Eli! Ria!" she shouted happily.

"Hey there's the high school graduate!" said Loker embracing Emily.

"How you doing Em?" asked Ria hugging her as well.

"Good. Excited to spend this vacation with you two and Dad and Gill," she answered.

"So when do you leave for Berkeley?" asked Loker.

"August 20th," she said, "Move in day is the 24th but Dad and Gill and I are going to sight see a little bit."

"And then I have to leave her there until Thanksgiving," said Cal coming up with Gillian at his side.

"Afternoon, Dr. Lightman. Other Dr. Lightman," Loker acknowledged his superiors.

"Loker, Torres," he answered them, "So shall we eat?"

"Most definitely. I'm sure Gillian could eat a horse," smirked Ria.

"Sadly, I think I could," she laughed as the group sat down at their table and looked over their menus. When the food arrived, the group conversed as friends and not as coworkers which was enjoyable.

"So Emily, do you know what you're majoring in at college?" asked Loker.

"English, with a concentration in journalism," she said happily, "I want to maybe write for a newspaper. I don't care whether it's print or online."

"Sounds exciting," said Ria, "How about you Gill? How's the pregnancy going?"

"Uh, it's going," Gillian heaved a sigh, "The cravings, the mood swings, the swollen ankles, the backaches, you name it, it's there."

"Bet you're miserable too," chuckled Loker to Cal.

"Only when I have to make a run to the grocery store at three in the morning to satisy a craving," laughed Cal, "But then again once Munchkin arrives it'll be like that all the time."

"Have you had you're twenty-week scan yet?" asked Ria to Gillian.

"I'm actually twenty-weeks this week but since Cal had booked this vacation several months in advanced, we scheduled my ultrasound for next week," said Gillian.

"Will you be able to find out whether it's a boy or a girl?" asked Loker.

"I've been saying they should," said Emily.

Cal and Gillian looked at each other, "I guess we could love. Zoe and I found out and it helped immensely when it came to painting the nursery and shopping for supplies."

Gillian sighed, "Yeah but it's like opening a present before Christmas. I just think we should wait."

Cal nodded and looked at his watch, "Well I guess we should be hitting the road if we want to get to the hotel at a decent hour. I reserved three rooms. We can decide arrangements there."

"What's wrong Dad, don't want me with you and Gill?" asked Emily innocently, "And can I drive?"

Cal rolled his eyes and surrendered the keys, "Yes, but I'm in the front seat."

"Um, Cal," said Gillian rubbing her bump.

"Fine I'm in the backseat and Gill is in the front seat," he said. Cal quickly realized allowing Emily to drive was a bad idea as he now had to listen to Gillian and Emily sing along to a Backstreet Boys CD. The group stopped again to rest and Cal drove the rest of the way to Virginia Beach. They arrived at the hotel and Emily went to check out the pool, spa, and arcade, while the adults checked in at the front desk. The five of them went to their floor where Loker took one room, Ria took another, and Cal, Gillian, and Emily went into the last room.

"If my wife gets in the mood with the crazy pregnancy hormones for some reason, Emily goes with you," Cal warned Ria.

Ria chuckled and nodded, "Okay." After dinner, Cal and Loker decided to go to the arcade while the girls went to the pool. Gillian read her novel poolside while Ria and Emily splashed around in the water.

"Come on Gill! Pregnant women can swim!" shouted Emily.

"I know," said Gillian, "Just a little tired right now."

When it got late the group headed back to their rooms after making plans for the next day.

"Good night Dr. Lightman. Dr. Lightman Two. Emily," said Loker. Ria nodded indicating the same.

The other three entered their room where Cal and Gillian curled up together in one bed while Emily slept in the other one, "Goodnight Dad. Goodnight Gill," said Emily.

"Good night Em," said Gillian kissing her forehead.

"Night Munchkin," said Emily kissing Gill's growing stomach. She quickly hopped into bed. Cal cuddled Gillian who gratefully accepted his embrace. They both rested their hands over Munchkin Lightman and fell asleep, content in each other's arms thinking about the fun of vacation and parenthood that lied ahead.

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