a /n- yes, there's a baby, but I added her to stir things up, and to strain things between everyone, especially the bride and groom.

Natalie

I wearily sat down at my desk as miraculously, I had a cancelled appointment. Thanks to my ob/gyn's help and vitamins, my energy was a bit better. To say the least, I had been rather surprised to see the results of the pregnancy test at the ship. Alan, kindly had told me that it was my decision. 'It's your body' he had told me. ' And I've already got the boys.' I did a lot of thinking. It wasn't as if I were a vet student, struggling with money , out on the street, etc. The more I thought about it, the more I couldn't bring myself to get rid of it. Alan was overjoyed when I told him that I would keep the baby. Then, he started to hover. Insisting that I ate, when I didn't want to, and acting as if I were frail and sick. Damn!

If it were up to him, I'd spend the whole pregnancy in bed rest! Last night, he wanted me to have Carl do a house call, even though it was my patient. You'd think that this being his third, he wouldn't act this way. I had yet to tell my partners, but my family, and Alan's sons needed to know first. Plus, I wanted to wait until my third month to tell anyone, as I heard that was better, just in case… Alan agreed.

I made a half hearted attempt to write some interview questions, as I wanted to have a temporary substitute help with the caseload when I took my maternity leave. Maybe he or she could work part-time?

A knock interrupted my non work. Looking up, I saw Don at the doorway, in a suit.

"Hey Natalie!" he sounded casual, but I knew better. The guy suspected that something was going on, and wanted to ask me himself. "Carl let me in." Don and I had been sort of getting along better, and my partners knew this.

"How are ya?" I covered my questions, with a patient folder.

"Overworked and underpaid" he joked.

Yet again I remembered that technically, he was my stepson! What a thought! I still had trouble getting my head around that, so I decided to refer to Charlie and Don as my husband's sons.

Don continued. "Dad seems concerned about your health and workload"

"He's my husband, That's his job" I said with a light laugh.

"He seems more concerned than usual" Don relaxed on the chair.

"Oh?"

"What's going on?" he asked directly.

"What makes you think something is going on?" I countered neutrally.

"On my way here…" he began. "I started remembering the last time Dad acted this way…know when that was? When my mother was pregnant with Charlie…"

"Oh…." I didn't know what to say. After all, Alan had wanted to tell Charlie and Don himself.

"So…are you pregnant?"

"Well uh..."

His face got hard, and his voice became intimidating. "Answer me!"

TBC