"Well, well, well, she does remember she has friends in low places," Maggie stood eyeing Lisa, deadpanned look on her face, arms braced on the counter, giving Lisa the stare down as she and Marion stepped into the diner. Lisa scrunched up her face and nodded before she dropped her head and stepped toward the end of the counter to greet her friend.

"Oh, Maggie, I'm sorry it's been so long. It's really good to see you," she said, Maggie relenting, not that she was actually mad at Lisa, but smiling at Lisa as she stepped up to hug her.

"Girl we have so much to discuss, and the fact that you haven't been by in what, now two months is criminal," she swatted at her as the two stepped apart. "And this," she gestured to Lisa's stomach, where now at 19 weeks, Lisa was really expanding. She'd ordered a few new things, but she really hadn't embraced a new wardrobe, mostly buying dresses that had some sort of empire or higher tie waist on them. The navy blue one she was wearing tonight was a solid one, cotton color, perfect for the evening. With it now the end of August, the heat of the summer was dissipating, and the fall weather was starting to show itself. On this girls' night, the weather was lovely, perfect for the dress she had.

Lisa grimaced again and put her hand on her stomach, nodding at Maggie, "Yes, we do have a lot to catch up on, but you've known I was pregnant."

"Yes, but I hadn't seen you at all," she said, shaking her head at Marion and waving her hand at Lisa. "You said she wasn't eating. Umm, she's already got a basketball in there. She's huge, and I can say that as a friend."

Lisa laughed, as did Marion. Marion nodded in agreement and waved her hand at Lisa, "She's really not eating well, but somehow the little sis is getting bigger each day. Her doctor even fussed at her about the food, so on that note, let's sit down and eat."

"A little peace offering," Lisa said, pulling a bottle of wine from her bag and handing it over to Maggie. She laughed as she did, "I think the store clerk thought I was the worst pregnant woman ever buying that bottle of wine yesterday."

"Ahh, well thank you," Maggie smiled, nodding to Marion. "We can take care of this."

"Oh, most definitely," Marion nodded as Maggie got the wine glasses out, and the women moved to the tables to sit. "To be fair, Lisa did invite you to her entrepreneur luncheon, Maggie, but you and Sorayah just had to be out of town that week.

"Yeah, that is true," Maggie nodded. "Hard to get away with this place, but that week was one my assistant manager could be here all week. Still, it's been too long."

"Much too long," Lisa huffed as she sat down and rested her hand on her stomach. "Seriously, was the last time we all got together before I was pregnant."

"At least before you figured it out," Marion nodded at her. "Not so wise with the dates and symptoms as you recall there step-mom."

"Oh stop," Lisa chuckled, groaning as she closed her eyes and sighed. When she opened them, both Marion and Maggie were now seated, staring at her. "What?"

Marion gestured at her, "Oh, we're going to grill you hard, and you're going to cough up the information."

"I live with you," Lisa frowned at Marion and then nodded toward Maggie, "and you tell her everything."

"So," Maggie said handing Lisa a cup of hot tea she had ready and then handing the wine to Marion before she looked back at Lisa, "how's your baby daddy?"

Lisa, who had started to sip the tea, coughed as Maggie spoke, and Marion burst out laughing too, nodding at Maggie.

"Good one," she told Maggie, and they both turned to Lisa whose face was beet red.

"Jack is fine," Lisa sighed, tilting her head at Maggie. She then waved her hand, "Go on, what else do you have?"

"Umm, tell me all the details. Yeah, I've gotten some from Marion here, but I'm going to the source, the mom to be," she flashed a grin. "You're having a girl when you never thought you'd have a baby. You've got yourself quite the cowboy-thought he was retired in all ways, but nope, still has more cowboy in him."

Marion dropped her head, laughing, "Oh, stop."

Maggie just shrugged, no change in her expression, "What? Should I say he's got more ride in his saddle?"

Marion burst out laughing and then shook her head, pointing to Maggie, "That is my dad. I can't even talk about this. Let's focus on Lisa and how she's doing.

Lisa took a deep breath and pursed her lips, completely ignoring their comments, "Still really worried something is going to go wrong. I'm trying not to get too attached-"

"I'll jump in here because this discussion I can be part of," Marion stated, frowning at Lisa. "What she means by that is she won't talk names with Dad or anyone, she won't look at furniture, she won't look at clothes or what she needs. She's not buying maternity clothing. She's in denial."

"I'm not in denial," Lisa sighed, shaking her head as she put the cup of tea down on the table. "I really, really fear everything is going to collapse on me, that I'm going to lose this baby."

"Well, what has the doctor said to make you think that? I get it, Lisa," Maggie said with a sympathetic smile as she reached over to clasp her hand. "You've had it rough on many fronts. You never got past the first trimester before, but look at you," she waved. "You're almost five months along! That's amazing. You realize your risk level is going down-"

"But there is that risk-"

"But there's a risk anytime you do anything. It's like saying there's a risk to drive a car so I won't enjoy driving. Lisa, hon," Maggie sighed and gave her a sympathetic smile, "I know it's hard to put that doubt aside, but you need to try. You have to prepare for a baby, and you're certainly going to need clothes for yourself."

"This is new," Lisa gestured to her dress. Maggie and Marion eyed each other. "What?"

"It's already looking small, Lisa," Marion frowned. "You aren't going to get any smaller, and you even said your appetite was a little better."

"I'm so tired of talking about what I'm eating," she sighed, looking up. Maggie stood and flashed a smirk at them.

"Well, I hope you'll eat my chocolate cake. I know you love it," and with that, she disappeared. Marion waved toward Lisa.

"How many new things have you bought? I know you haven't bought any pants."

Lisa pursed her lips and shrugged as Maggie rejoined them with the cake, "Ahh, a few."

"A few what?" Maggie asked, as she started to cut slices for all of them.

"Lisa's barely bought anything, just a few dresses, and she needs a new wardrobe, especially as we go into winter."

"I know," Lisa rolled her eyes. "It's been warm, and the dresses have worked for work and casual things. I just," she paused, "have to take a day at a time."

"I get that, but you do need to prepare as we said," Maggie told her. "You are telling me that now that you know, you're not thinking about names? You're one of the biggest planners I know."

"It's just hard," she shrugged.

"What does Jack say?" Maggie asked. "I saw him picking up feed the other day, but I was busy and couldn't talk much. He looked like the proud papa already," she smiled. "Oh, I gave him a hard time about having a baby at his age, but everyone in town has been, all in a joking manner. People are surprised but happy for you two. Jack Bartlett-a father at his age again."

"Well, he is old," Marion said with a smile. "Dad has been suggesting names. I've heard him."

"Really?" Maggie smiled at Lisa and then nudged her. "See, Jack sounds really excited, and I know he is. He loves kids. Lisa, I hate to be morbid, but even if something did happen, you'd want to have a name picked out for the baby. You know you would. I think this will start to feel more real if you start to accept this is happening."

"Oh, it feels real alright," she said clutching her sides where she did look like she had a basketball stuffed under her dress already. The three women laughed, and Lisa pointed to the cake, "This is delicious, and you know nothing has tasted good to me."

"Great," Maggie grinned. "Chocolate cake each week, by my order. We need a fat and healthy baby."

"Her doctor told her the same when she and Dad went yesterday," Marion nodded, and Lisa frowned at her.

"You really are a nosy stepdaughter," she flashed a grin, and the ladies laughed. Lisa sighed and nodded, "The doctor scolded me about my appetite. I'm really trying, and obviously," she gestured at herself, "the baby seems to be getting nutrition from somewhere. I am going to eat all this cake and take the rest home. It does taste good."

"I'm not kidding that I'll make one every week for you if you'll eat," Maggie nodded. "Now," she gestured back to Lisa. "How else are things going? Blood pressure? I'd ask about cravings but you aren't eating."

"Everything else is surprisingly fine," she stated with a single nod.

"See," Maggie swatted at her. "Now," she leaned in and waved her hand toward Marion, "we're going to pretend your evil stepdaughter isn't there but instead is just your friend-"

"Oh, geez, what are you going to ask, Maggie? This is going to be something about Dad. I know it-" Marion said, grimacing.

Maggie with her head low, leaning toward Lisa, asked in a loud whisper, knowing everyone could hear her, "I remember being pregnant. Any other cravings? Not for food, if you get my drift."

Marion groaned and dropped her head finally looking over at Maggie, "Seriously? We're talking about Dad."

Jack is a fine-looking man, if I do say so myself, and obviously, he's still got it going on," Maggie grinned. "Look at her," she waved at Lisa. "He was smart enough to marry her, and she's gorgeous. He's not stupid, Marion."

Lisa's face reddened, and she waved her hands, "We don't need to discuss this."

"Oh, we do. That's what ladies' groups are for. Who else are you going to talk to about pregnancy issues? You find yourself looking at young, buff guys lately? Baby girl have your hormones a mess?" Maggie grilled her, waiting for an answer.

"We aren't talking about this," Lisa said as she groaned. When she caught Maggie staring at her and then looked over and saw Marion shaking her head as she laughed, Lisa sighed and looked up. "Fine, I had the young, hot doctor yesterday. It's a group practice, so you see all of them. I felt terrible thinking he was really good looking. I mean, he's my doctor," she shuddered. Maggie chuckled and nodded over to Marion.

"I know you remember the hormones racing, Marion. We talked about that when we were both pregnant. You couldn't keep your hands off Tim."

"I definitely remember, and that visual is what is creeping me out now with Lisa and Dad," she shuddered. She flashed a smirk, "Still can't keep my hands off Tim, and I'm not even ahh," she smirked, "with child as my stepmother is here."

"Oh, Marion," Lisa chuckled. "You love to bring that up."

"Umm, yeah, because you are my stepmother married to my not even middled aged, but old dad, and you're younger than I am, and you're having my dad's kid. Not weird at all. I'm very excited about a baby in the house, though, especially when it's not mine. I know Dad's excited too, and I know he always wanted a houseful of kids even if my mom didn't. Now, with this, it's perfect for me except for getting over the idea of what you and Dad were up to in order to bring this bundle of joy into the world. I won't be the one getting up all hours of the night. I won't be all kinds of sore and out of sorts with my body. No," she patted Lisa on the shoulder, "that's you, and you'll be lucky for Dad to stay awake to help out. He falls asleep at the drop of a hat, but as we've said, maybe the two of them will be on the same schedule for sleeping and all," she flashed a smile at Lisa.

Lisa nodded, "I do worry about Jack being around, not helping. That's not what I mean. I mean," she paused and bit her lip, "I am well aware of his age and just," she took a deep breath, "if we're fortunate enough to have this baby, which still I can't grasp, I worry he won't be around to see her grow up."

"Lisa," Maggie nodded, patting Lisa's hand, "you're talking to a table of people who know what it's like to lose people. We've said this before. Nothing is a guarantee. What I can say is you have a gem of a guy there who, however long he is here, will pour his heart and soul into you, that baby, and as he's already been doing with Marion and the girls. He adores you, and I know this wasn't something you expected, but what a gift. Wow. Now, I want to go back to the hot doctor. Hormones getting to you?" Maggie winked at Lisa, and as Lisa caught her eye, she groaned and dropped her face into her hands.

"Yes! Why do you interrogate me until I answer. Fine, you want to know? Marion," she looked at her and smirked, "you might not want to know-"

"Oh, gosh, the knowing is the problem. It's like I can't look Dad in the eye."

"My hormones are going nuts, yes! What is that? Why am I staring at the hot doctor and wanting to now attack Jack? I felt completely undesirable and had no interest in anything for the longest time, and now, I can barely look at him without wanting to drag him off-"

"I had a feeling," Maggie smacked at Lisa. "I knew it. Girl, we're all like then. It's your second trimester. Enjoy it because soon, you will be a beached whale and won't even want Jack to smile your way. Trust me."

"I have no father. I have no father," Marion repeated over and over. She smirked at Lisa, "You know, it's bad enough knowing what had to transpire between you two for that," she waved at Lisa's stomach, "but," she shuddered.

Lisa grimaced and nodded, "Sorry. Maggie made me. I'll stop, but thank you for letting me know that's normal," she said nodding at Maggie. Marion, I purposely had not asked you this at home, and I know we talk about a lot of pregnancy related things."

"We do, and oh boy, can't wait to look Dad in the eye now," she said with a fake smile. The women all chuckled.

"So, really, no names yet?" Maggie gestured. "I can't wait to hear what you two decide. Ohh," she waved her hand at Marion, "you and I have to talk baby shower."

"I don't need that," Lisa shook her head. "I'm serious. Something could go wrong."

"Maybe we'll just have it right before she's born. Lisa, when are you going to start planning?" Maggie asked.

She shrugged while making a face, "Maybe eight months or so? The doctor, not the hot one," she clarified with a roll of her eyes, "but the older one Jack likes," she chuckled, "said he didn't want to consider things before 27 weeks or so. That's still too early. I guess I'll start thinking about things around eight months."

"Oh good grief," Marion sighed. "Lisa, you're killing me."

"Where's the baby going to be at home? In your bedroom, Lisa?"

Lisa shrugged, "I'm not ready to think about it. I'm really not, and when Jack brings it up, I just can't talk about it."

"See what I mean," Marion waved her hand at Lisa while looking at Maggie with a sad smile. "We're truly taking this one day at a time."

"Okay, fine," Maggie relented. "I'll try not to get too excited or ask too much. Oh," she put her hand to her mouth, "I just got the vision of Jack with that baby in his old dump of a truck."

"Ahh, no," Lisa shook her finger toward Maggie. "That will not happen. It's barely safe for any of us to ride in. MY baby," she said with a smirk, "isn't riding in that truck."

Marion burst out laughing, "Oh, this is going to be good at home. Does Dad know?'

"Nothing of the sort has been discussed, but no way. I tolerate riding in that because he loves that truck, and I love him, but no. If this works out, she will be in my car, my car only."

Maggie crossed her arms and flashed a huge smile, "Oh, this is going to be fun to watch. Jack is going to be a peach about this. What will win out?"

"He won't give up that truck," Marion laughed. "Oh, Dad. He's toast. I will say though," Marion nodded, "didn't see the old man ever finding a new wife, and he did. Never expected her to be young, hot, and beautiful, and you are," she said with a nod to Lisa. "A million to one on a bet that he'd have another kid," she burst out laughing. "So, who knows about the truck."

Maggie patted the table and winked at Marion, "You forgot to add that the idea of your dad being the bedroom stud he is-"

"STOP!" Lisa dropped her head and groaned. "Yes, I have to live with Marion, so let's drop it."

Marion nodded at Lisa as she pursed her lips, "Seriously, how will I ever look my father in the eye again?"

Much later that night, Lisa and Marion made their way home, the two giggling more like sisters as they tried to quietly enter the house. It was late. They both knew it, but they'd had a great time. Lisa had driven home since Marion and Maggie had finished off that bottle of wine, and it was her car anyways. She and Marion had been laughing about Tim, some of the things Marion had told Lisa about him. It had felt good for the women to laugh about him, not Tim per say, but to just enjoy chatting as many women do. It was much less awkward than talking about Lisa and her relationship with Jack.

"Shhh," Lisa swatted at Marion as they two stepped inside, and Lisa turned to lock the door. "You do realize I know Tim's over here often at night," Lisa looked to Marion, and Marion nodded.

"I know. Amy doesn't know, does she?"

"She's never said a word to me, but someone else here does know, and no, I didn't say anything. He's not stupid."

Marion made a face and frowned, "I know he's not, and I hope he's okay with it. I mean, he hasn't chased him out with a shotgun, but we're not ready to fully get back together. I couldn't do that to Amy, I mean, if something didn't work out."

"I've talked your dad off the ledge about Tim. He's okay with it, and you've seen him actually working with Tim around the ranch. He's coming around, but know that he only has your best interest at heart. He worries Tim will hurt you again."

" I know, and I'm being cautious, but things have been going really well now for months. We started talking more at Lou's graduation, and as this year has moved along, he's just been there for me, and I really do love him. I'm cautious."

"We can talk about Tim anytime," Lisa said squeezing Marion's arm. "Better than other conversations neither of us want to have here about relationships."

"Lise, Marion," they both turned when they saw the light switch on and Jack step out of the bedroom. "Thought I heard you two. Glad you two are home okay."

"Hi," Lisa smiled warmly at him, and Marion looked from Lisa to Jack and then back to Lisa. She grimaced and nodded with pursed lips at Lisa, "All the evening's conversations are flooding back. Dad," she gave him a nod as Lisa met Jack across the room and wrapped her arm around his back. Jack smiled down at Lisa and leaned over to peck her lips.

"I take it was a successful ladies' night?"

"Lisa ate cake and has more for tomorrow," Marion said holding up the cake. Jack looked back at Lisa and nodded.

"Good, glad to hear that. How's she doing?" Jack put his hand on Lisa's stomach, and Lisa caught Marion's gaze where Marion rolled her eyes at the two in their embrace.

"Fine, I suppose, although I don't feel her moving yet. The doctor said I should-"

"The doctor said that first-time moms often don't feel the baby move until later because they don't realize what that is. Her heartbeat was strong and all was well. You saw the sonogram, Lise. Relax."

"Thank you, Dad," Marion said, walking back into the room. "That's what we tried to tell her too, to relax and try to enjoy this, to start getting ready, like a name for the baby sis."

"She'll have a name," Jack rolled his eyes. "Let's just focus on one day at a time."

"Heard that before," Marion grinned. "I'm going to bed. You two," she waved her finger at them, "just go to bed. Hormones," she shuddered and smirked at Lisa.

Lisa quietly chuckled, and Marion waved at them as she walked by them, Jack left there looking at Lisa. "What was that comment?"

"Don't ask," she told him, but turned to lean up and kiss him. "Missed you tonight. Glad to be home."

"Me too," he said, pulling her into a loose embrace. "I'm really glad you had a nice evening though. You're stressing yourself out."

"I know," she nodded. "I'm not trying to on purpose, but you know I'm worried about all of this."

"Well," he said, turning her toward their room and putting his hands on her shoulders as he stood behind her, guiding her there, "you need some sleep. It is strange to just keep saying the baby when we know she's a girl. I would like to talk about names sometime, and maybe we can come up with a compromise because your idea of waiting what, another three months or so, seems a bit silly."

"I'll think about that," she patted his hand on her shoulder, glancing up at him. "I'm not trying to be difficult."

"It's your pregnancy, Lise," he told her. "I'm just-"

She turned and tilted her head, "You're my husband and have every right to say that. I know I'm being difficult, and yes, I'll think about discussing names. Marion and Maggie brought up some good points about that tonight."

"Oh they did?" Jack's eyes widened as he nodded. "Okay, good. Anything else they brought to your attention?"

She grinned and then chuckled, "You really don't want to know." Jack stood there, resting his hands on her shoulders as they stood in a close embrace. He nodded at her, "Well, whatever it is, I'm glad to hear you were able to eat and seem to be in a good mood now, a good place with things maybe even."

She nodded in return but then frowned at him, "Let's just say Marion may never look at you the same way again, as her father, and I'm sorry about that. There was a lot of talking tonight, much of it I didn't realize I needed to say aloud, but," she chuckled, "hopefully I haven't traumatized her for life, even at her age."

Jack just groaned, dropping his head on Lisa's, as he sighed, "I guess my response would be she shouldn't have brought her young, hot friend around to meet me and set me up. In my opinion, she got what's coming to her., and I got the very, very hot wife," he winked at her, the two laughing as they retired to bed.