Tonya rolled over that morning and found an empty spot next to her. Blake had the overnight shift at Mercer that week so it didn't shock her that he wasn't home yet. She hauled herself out of bed to take a shower but noticed something she had been oblivious to the past several weeks. Sure she wasn't able to fit into her jeans comfortably anymore but her abdomen had still been flat. She quickly dried and put on a pair of yoga pants and bra before looking at herself in the mirror. And there it was: the infamous bump. Granted it was small, and those who didn't know better might just think she needed to go on a diet, but Blake and the others would know. She heard Blake come into the house, "Tonya!" he shouted. Tonya quickly pulled on her blouse, which was baggy enough to hide her bump. She wanted it to be surprise when she pulled it tighter.
Tonya descended the stairs and called out to her husband, "Hey baby, how was work?"
"Long," he said and kissed her, "Any plans for today?"
"Lunch with the girls, mostly, maybe some grocery shopping later," she said, "Apparently Denise and I have a lot in common." Blake raised his eyebrows. "Craving Oreos during pregnancy," Tonya responded.
Blake chuckled lightly, "Hey, at least you don't want pickles and ice cream."
"Um, I also have something to show you," said Tonya.
"Is this bad?" asked Blake worriedly.
Tonya shrugged and lifted her blouse, "You tell me."
Blake smiled and laid his hands on her bump when he saw it. He crouched down, still in awe, "Hey little one, it's Daddy. And I know we still have 28 weeks to go, but Mommy and I can't wait to meet you."
Tonya smiled as she watched her husband talk to their unborn son or daughter. When she had first met him and found out he wanted to be a pediatrician, she couldn't imagine Blake with kids. But seeing him now gave her a totally different opinion.
Michael and Claudia Joy sat in his office waiting for Kat to arrive, though she was already running late.
"And she has the nerve to scold Joan for running late," Claudia Joy said to her husband.
Kat finally walked into Michael's office, "General Holden," she saluted, "I assume you're the wife."
"Yes, Claudia Joy Holden," said Claudia Joy shaking her hand, "Fort Marshall is thrilled to merge with the local Air Force base."
"Of course mam," said Kat, "But I will have you both know that the Air Force will be running their business as usual, even if that means it happens to be a disruption to the Army."
"Excuse me, I'm not quite following," said Claudia Joy.
"Well, your husband here wouldn't let me test the aircrafts that needed to be tested yesterday," said Kat.
"But you went ahead and tested them anyways," said Michael firmly.
"Well the Air Force still has to get their business taken care of. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some paper work to fill out," said Kat walking out of the office.
Claudia Joy stood there stunned. Never in her life had she seen an officer than rude and obnoxious. Okay, maybe Kevin Clarke could fit that description sometimes. She guessed it was because she didn't think a female officer could be that nasty. She turned to her husband and said, "I see what you mean."
"Told you," said Michael.
"You should have seen her Denise. No respect for authority whatsoever and I wouldn't care if it was Michael or not. I'd expect her to be respectful to Kevin Clarke," said Claudia Joy waiting for the others to arrive at the Hump.
"Maybe she's just trying to prove herself," said Denise.
"That's what I said at first, but if you ever meet her you'll change your mind," said Claudia Joy.
"Hey Claudia Joy, Denise," said Jackie waling in and sitting at the table, "What's new."
"Apparently the new Wing Commander is not very polite," commented Denise.
Jackie wrinkled her nose a little and said," "Yeah, I've seen her here and there, never talked to her. She seems very…tough," she said and the other two women knew what she meant. Gloria and Holly came out just as the rest of the tribe arrived. Latasha, Maggie, and Charlie all took their places at the table.
"Is Tonya still joining us?" asked Maggie out of curiosity.
"Yes," responded Denise, "And she says she has a surprise for all of us."
The women, or at least the ones who had been pregnant before, smiled to themselves while Gloria and Holly looked at them all confusedly, "What?" asked Holly.
Tonya joined the group before anyone could answer, "Hey everyone."
The group put down their menus and looked at Tonya for a few moments, "So?" asked Latasha.
"So what?" asked Tonya casually barely suppressing a grin.
"Come on, Denise said you had a surprise so let's see it," said Claudia Joy gesturing for Tonya to stand.
Tonya sighed a little at Denise before pushing to her feet and smoothing her blouse over her midsection, "There."
"Oh now, I get all the smirking," said Holly.
"Yes, those of us who've been pregnant before know what happens around 13-14 weeks," said Jackie, "One of the best changes of pregnancy."
"Easy for you to say, you're not the one expanding," said Tonya sitting down again.
"Hey granted it's been ten years, but I've never felt more beautiful than when I was pregnant with Tanner," said Maggie. Claudia Joy, Denise, Jackie, and Latasha agreed while Holly stood ahead at her Coke.
"You okay Holly?" asked Charlie.
"Yeah why do you ask?" asked Holly.
"Well those who work with children also have to be trained in psychology. So therefor, I can notice behavioral changes," said Charlie.
"Everything's fine. Just that it makes me think of something else, that's all," she said, "I'm going to get some more coke. You want some water Tonya?"
Tonya nodded and Holly disappeared.
"What's up with her?" asked Latasha curiously.
Gloria sighed and said, "She admitted to me she had a miscarriage right before she moved here with Tim."
"Oh," everyone nodded understandingly.
"Well I hate to leave this party but Holly's closing tonight since I have a date tonight," said Gloria.
"Wow, getting back into the dating scene?" asked Denise.
"Yeah since Hector and I are getting a divorce after he slept with and impregnated little Ms. Penny," said Gloria with contempt.
"Who's giving Niki and me their child," said Charlie hoping to stop a rant.
Gloria sighed, trying to quill her anger, knowing that Charlie and her wife were at least benefitting from the whole fiasco, "Anyway, I have to move on sometime better now than ever. I'll see you all soon."
Charlie's phone rang as soon as Gloria left, "Hello," she answered and listened to the person on the other end for a few minutes, "When? How? Is she okay?" she asked tears forming in her eyes, "Okay, I'll leave on the next flight out," said Charlie and hung up the phone walking away as fast as she could. Claudia Joy and Denise followed her.
"Charlie!" shouted Denise, "What's wrong?"
Charlie turned around and sobbed into Claudia Joy's shoulder when the older woman wrapped her arms around her, "Niki's been in an accident."