A/N – Thanks for the comments! Have a wonderful Easter!

Chapter 26

Carole approached the small fence that encircled the yard. Chloe barked and Jim yelled at her to calm down. "Will she eat a cookie?"

"Most definitely."

Jim walked over to her with Chloe in tow. "Sit."

Carole opened the gate and stepped inside and Chloe gently took the cookie from her hand. "Good girl. She's a beauty."

"Thank you."

"I won't stay."

Jason jumped up. "Hold on." He ran and got the bag. "This is from Monica."

Carole's eyes grew big. "Oh, my word."

"She said you like to paint," Liz said.

"I do. It's my favorite pastime."

"Elizabeth paints too and runs several galleries," Jason said proudly.

"How lovely, you'll have to come over and chat for a bit tomorrow."

Liz smiled. "I would love too."

"Alright, you guys have a nice time."

She left and they went back into the house.

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Milo and Georgie got comfortable. He opened his box of Swedish goldfish and popped a few into his mouth as Georgie munched on some popcorn.

He held a fish up to her mouth and she bit it.

"Yum."

"You want me to get you a box?"

"No, I can just eat yours."

He chuckled. "You'll have to pry these fish from my cold, dead hands."

Her eyes snapped to his. "Seriously?"

He laughed. "No. You can have whatever you want."

A grin crept onto her face. "Don't make me call Max."

"And what is he going to do?"

"Well, he told me he has some great stories about you. We didn't have time to go there but—"

"Georgie Jones! Are you blackmailing me?"

She grabbed a fish from his hand and popped it into her mouth. "What if I am?"

Milo grinned as the lights went down. He couldn't be more in love with her if he tried.

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Max left to check the area. He figured he better before he had another beer that would send him over the top. Doreen is very good at playing quarters.

"Come on, Chloe," he said tugging a little on her leash. "If you see a little dog, please don't try to eat it."

Chloe barked.

"I'm not sure if that is a yes or a no."

Jason watched them from the window.

"You sure he can handle Chloe?"

"Do you hire wusses?" Jim asked.

Jason smirked. "Max could go either way."

Doreen laughed. "I like Max. Is he married?"

Jim's brow rose, making Elizabeth chuckle.

"Not for me."

"Who are you trying to hook him up with? And please don't say Maureen because she would eat him alive."

"No she wouldn't."

"She is like the black widow. Men may go in, but they never come out."

"Jim!"

Liz laughed. "Now I have to meet her."

"You're lucky she doesn't swing that way."

"She can't be that bad."

Jim's brow lifted. "A few of the guys are still in therapy because of that woman."

"You need to stop," Doreen said as she tried not to laugh. "Come on Elizabeth, let's go for a walk."

They left and headed in the direction Max went.

"So, did anything happen while I was gone?"

"Jason had a pregnancy scare."

Doreen stopped in her tracks. "What?"

"You heard me. Robin came back with a kid in tow and Jason misunderstood something Brenda said and thought it was his."

"Wow," she said continuing to walk. "I'm glad it ended well."

"Me too."

"What would you have done if it were true?"

"I probably would have cried a lot. I don't think he wants to be with her at all, but a kid can change things in a lot of ways."

"I think I would have had to kill the bitch."

Liz laughed loudly. "I guess that's always an option. I do know people."

Doreen snorted. They caught sight of Max and when Chloe saw them, she took off, dragging a frazzled Max behind her as he struggled to keep up.

"Chloe! Stop! Heel! Jesus Christ, I think she ripped off my shooting arm."

Doreen hurried towards them. "Chloe, you know better."

She knocked into Doreen's legs and almost sent her on her butt.

"Chloe!" Jim yelled.

She immediately laid on the ground.

"You okay?" Doreen asked Max.

He shook his hand out. "I think so."

"Come on. We'll go back and put some ice on." He had a big welt.

"Wus," Jason said as he coughed into his hand.

Jim chuckled. "It takes a real man to handle a big dog."

Liz rolled her eyes and grabbed the leash. "Come on, Chloe."

Chloe yawned and got up and gently followed Elizabeth back to the house.

"I guess you just bring out the monster in her," Jim said as Max shook his head.

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Milo pulled up to Mac's and hopped out so he could open her door.

"Thanks."

"I hope you had a nice time. I know I did."

She smiled. "I did and we should do it again."

"I would like that."

She walked up the steps and turned to him right before she opened the door. "Drive safe."

"I will."

Mac opened the door, making her jump.

Milo walked back to the car and slid inside. It was the perfect date. Georgie might not know it yet, but he is going to be seeing a lot more of her.

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After Max was taken care of, Doreen took Chloe back to their house and Jason and Liz climbed into bed.

"You look tired. Are you feeling okay?"

"Yes. My stamina sucks right now," Jason said.

"I know, but it will get better. I just need to make sure your noggin is okay?"

He frowned. "My what?"

She giggled. "Your head."

His lip quirked. "Which one?"

She laughed. "Go to sleep. You can make love to me with the other one in the morning."

"Deal."

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The next day, Liz went over to Carole's house with Doreen.

"Come in. I'm so glad that you stopped by."

"Thank you for having me." Liz looked around. "Oh, I love that one," she said pointing to a picture of flowers."

"It's one of my favorites too."

"How long have you been painting?"

"Forever. I started when I was in grade school and haven't stopped. How about you?"

"The same and I love it."

Doreen watched them talk shop and then got up and looked at the various paintings adorning the walls. She came to a stop at one. It was a bit darker than the others.

"That was when I had a miscarriage. I keep it there to remind me that with darkness comes light."

Doreen understood. She had wanted to have a child, but because of scarring from endometriosis, they told her she couldn't. That is why they had Chloe. She doted on her like she was her kid. Elizabeth and Carole could see the sadness in her eyes.

"You okay?" Liz asked.

"Yes. There is no point in crying over something that just isn't meant to be."

"You can't have kids?" Carole asked.

"No. We wanted them, but it just didn't happen."

"I'm sorry."

Doreen shook it off. "It's fine. I've learned to live with it." She moved on, and Liz and Carole resumed their talk.

About a half hour later, they left to meet the guys so they could go down to the beach area.

They made it half way to the house when Doreen wobbled. Liz grabbed her arm. "Are you okay?"

"I just got a little dizzy. It's probably because I was upset. "I'm fine."

Liz gripped her arm as they walked to the house. Jim could immediately tell something was wrong because his wife looked pale and she had gotten sick earlier.

"Babe?" He asked rushing towards her.

Doreen blinked a couple of times and started to collapse. Jim caught her and picked her up and they moved into the house. After a few minutes, her eyes started to flutter.

"Thank God. We were just about to take you to the hospital."

"I'll be fine."

Jason handed her some water.

"Small sips," Liz said.

"How long has she been feeling ill?" Jason asked.

"She's been like this on and off for about a week. As soon as we get back, you're going to see the doctor."

"Okay."

"We can just stay here," Jason suggested.

"No. I want to go. I'll be fine. Let me just go use the bathroom." Jim helped her to her feet and watched her walk away.

Liz touched his arm. "There's a clinic right around the corner."

"I think we should go. I'll pay for it."

"We have insurance," Jim said.

They need her to be okay and usually, Doreen is the strong one.

Jim is so nervous and scared it is something horrible like cancer. His mind is just running a mile a minute.

Doreen leaned her head against the door. She had just thrown up and didn't feel right at all. Her heart is pounding and her mind is going to the worse places too and she knows she needs to pull it together. Sucking in a breath, she turned the knob and walked towards a sea of worried faces, looking pale.

"We're going to the clinic," Jim said firmly.

"Okay."

Chloe, sensing her duress, walked over and licked her hand.

"It's okay, Chloe."

They left her in the house and headed to the car.

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Jim paced back and forth as they waited for some test results. Elizabeth swore he was going to burn a hole in the rug. Finally, their eyes fixed on the nurse.

"Mr. Thompson, let me take you to your wife."

Jim quickly followed her into the exam room. Doreen is sobbing and Jim's heart just about dropped into his shoes. "Baby?"

She starts to laugh and then cry again and he pulls her against him.

"Whatever it is, we'll deal with it together. I couldn't love you more if I tried."

She tried to get her emotions under control so she could tell him.

"Talk to me. We'll beat this."

She laughed loudly and pulled away from him. "I think they would put you in jail for that."

"What?"

"We have tried for so long and I thought it was a done deal. I'm getting old and my chances were so slim. God! I am so thankful right now and so damn scared. If it doesn't make it, I don't know if I will."

Tears sprang into his eyes. "I need to hear you say it."

She lovingly touched his cheek. "We're pregnant. We're finally going to have a baby."

He dropped down to his knees, stunned by her words as he cried.

Doreen held him against her legs. "Congratulations, daddy."

He couldn't even talk because he is so overwhelmed. There were several years when she was so depressed and now…

The doctor came in. "Mrs. Thompson, here is a prescription for prenatal pills and I suggest you make an appointment with your doctor when you get back. She will need to monitor you."

"I will."

Jim fixed him with his stare. "Are you sure?"

He slightly smiled. "We ran the test twice at your wife's insistence."

Jim wiped his face as he stood. "Thank you," he said shaking the man's hand. "You don't know what this means to us."

"Congratulations."

He left and he helped her get changed and they went into the waiting room. Jason and Liz stood at the same time, both noting that the couple had clearly been crying.

"Are you okay?" Liz asked.

"Oh, God! Yes!. I've never been better."

"Then why—" She is cut off by a nurse.

"Here are some pamphlets and I wrote down a couple of great books to help you prepare for your new arrival."

Liz's mouth dropped open. "Oh, my God."

"Surprise! We're pregnant," Doreen said as her smile lit up the room.

Liz squealed and hugged her tightly. "I'm so happy for you. I can't believe it."

"Neither could we," Jim said as Jason pulled him into a half hug.

"This is the biggest and best shock of my life."

"I can't wait!" Liz said.

"How are you going to explain this to Chloe?" Jason asked.

Jim laughed. "I'll give her some treats to distract her."

Doreen laughed. "Newfies are great with kids."

"Let's go back to the house," Jason said.

"Can we stop by the beach for a little bit?" Doreen asked.

"Are you sure that you're up for it?" Jim asked as they practically floated back to the car.

"I'm good."

They stopped at the beach for a little while and then went back to the house. Jim collected Chloe and then they went back to their rental to celebrate.

Liz and Jason cuddled on the couch. "What a day."

Jason slightly smiled. "I can't imagine what a shock that would be after being married twenty years."

"I know. They are going to make the best parents."

"That kid is going to be so spoiled."

"In the best way, though."

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Julian steps onto the docks and is immediately surrounded. His men whip out their guns and he watches as a man he had never seen before approached.

"Mr. Jerome, you have something I want."

Julian swallowed hard. "The authorities have a lot of it. There were some things I didn't share with them though."

"I know. You didn't give them my name. That is the only reason that I let you live."

Julian studied the younger man. "Who are you?"

"My name isn't important. I'm giving you a warning. Destroy what is left, because if it gets out, I will come for you and unlike Gabriel, I won't fail."

"Already done."

"And just so you know, I've been contacted twice and told that you were going to sell some of the information you found."

Julian frowned. "We already destroyed what we didn't give to the feds. There is nothing to sell."

The man sized him up. "I believe you because I've been monitoring your calls and electronic transmissions. Frankly, the caller seemed a little too desperate. I am calm and will check things thoroughly, but my father is just the opposite. You need to find out who is trying to take you down and deal with it, because we have a reputation to uphold. If it gets tarnished, someone will need to pay."

"Understood."

As the man walked away, Julian really hoped it was the last that he'd see of him. "Get everyone together. We need find out who is trying to get rid of me and end this."

Carlos put his gun away. "I'll handle it."

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Elizabeth took one more bite of the casserole that Carole left them. "That was so good. I'm stuffed."

Jason took a swig of his beer. "That hit the spot."

Jim faked a snore.

"I wish she would have eaten with us," Doreen said.

"I know, but her son was coming by though," Liz said.

"I'm almost sad to leave tomorrow. It's been a great weekend. Thank you for inviting us."

"We'll have to meet up like this again. A lot of bad things have happened in the last month, but you were definitely one of the best. I'm glad we're friends," Liz said.

Jim smiled. "To friends," he said holding up his beer.

Jason is happy that they will be fixture in his life. They have bonded and he wouldn't have it any other way.