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Tara and Kelly emerged from the basement at the same time Jen approached the doorway to the living room, causing Jen to jump.

  "Oh, goodness, you scared me," Jen exclaimed.

  "Hi, Jen," Tara said.

  Jen hugged Tara warmly. "Hey, sweetie."

  Tara pulled Kelly close and threw an arm around her friend's shoulder. "Jen, this is Kelly. Kelly, this is our neighbor, and my moms' best friend, Jen Swenson. She's Karissa's mom. Karissa is the friend I told you about," Tara explained as she made the introductions.

  "Hi!" Kelly said brightly and extended her hand to Jen. "Nice to meet you."

  Jen shook Kelly's hand. "Likewise, Kelly."

  Tara directed Kelly to the door. "I gotta walk Kelly home. Is it okay if I call Karissa tonight? I kinda miss her."

  "Sure, honey. She'd like that," Jen replied, smiling.

  "Later!" Tara pulled Kelly out the door behind her.

  Jen made her way into the living room and spotted her friends sitting on the couch, Cat was still perched on Billie's lap.

  "Hiya!" she said brightly and dropped onto the couch next to her friends. "Cute little friend, Tara has there," she observed. "Kind of butch, but cute."

  "I made the same observation," Billie said.

  "Oh, stop it you two. So what if Kelly is butch. It doesn't mean she's gay," Cat said in defense of Tara's friend.

  "Who said anything about her being gay?" Jen asked. She looked back and forth between her friends. "Is she?"

  "I think so," Billie stated.

  "Billie, you don't know that. Now, come on, give the poor kid a break," Cat scolded.

  "All right, all right," Billie said and turned her attention to their friend. "So, Jen, you look a lot calmer than you did earlier today. Are you feeling better?"

  "Much," Jen replied. "I've had a few hours to think, and to plan," Jen began. She shifted her position to face her friends and crossed her legs in front of her on the couch.

  "Plan?" Billie asked.

  "Yeah. I figure if I'm going to have this kid, I need to start preparing for it," Jen replied. "I mean, baby clothes, baby furniture, diapers. I gave all that stuff away when Karissa turned three."

  "So you're keeping it?" Cat said. It was more of a statement than a question.

  Jen cocked her head sideways. "Of course. I mean, it's not like I have a choice," she replied.

  "You always have a choice, Jen," Cat pointed out. "It's all a matter of what your convictions are. No one has the right to force you to have this child."

  Billie looked at Cat warily, disturbed at where her wife's comments were leading the conversation.

  "Cat, you don't really think I'd get rid of it, do you?" Jen asked incredulously.

  "I'm not saying you would, Jen. I'm just saying that you do have a choice. It's taken women a lot of years to get to this point. Don't be willing to discount your rights so easily," Cat explained.

  "I'm not going to lie to you, Cat. I can't say the thought didn't cross my mind while I agonized over my situation for the past few hours, but in the end, I decided to make the best of it. I know I'm in for a tough nine months, but heck, if this kid turns out to be half as great as Stevie and Karissa, then I can't lose. In any case, I consider myself blessed just to be able to do this. I mean, the thought of a life growing inside of me again...this tiny being, created from love. Once I got over the initial shock, I realized how fortunate I am to be given another chance to bring a child into the world," Jen elaborated. "I know I have a choice, and I choose to have this baby," she finished indignantly.

  Cat sat there, still perched on Billie's lap and with a grin splitting her face ear to ear.

  Jen leaned forward and placed her hands on her hips. "And just what is so funny?" she asked hotly.

  Cat threw her arms around her friend and embraced her tightly. She then sat back and wiped the wetness that had welled from her heart through her eyes and smiled brightly once more. "I'm sorry, Jen. I was hoping you'd say that. I was baiting you," she admitted. "I wanted to see if you were having this child out of loyalty instead of real desire."

  "That wasn't very nice," Billie said. She stood up and intentionally dumped Cat to the floor on her rear end.

  "Hey!" Cat exclaimed while Jen threw herself back onto the couch in a fit of laughter.

  ***

  It was early evening when the phone rang. A frantic Fred was on the other end looking for his wife.

  "Calm down, Fred. She's here," Billie said into the receiver. "No, she's fine...really. Okay then, we'll see you in a few. Bye."

  Billie shut off her cell phone and looked at Cat and Jen with raised eyebrows. "That was Fred. He just arrived home to an empty house and immediately panicked because you weren't there. He's on his way over."

  Jen looked guiltily at her friends. "I guess I should have left him a note, huh?"

  "That might have helped," Cat admitted.

  "So how was Fred after we left this afternoon," Billie asked.

  Jen rose from the couch and stood in front of the living room window to keep watch for her worried husband. "He's nervous about it, just like I am, but at the same time, I can tell he's thrilled. When we first married, he talked about wanting five or six kids. He was kind of disappointed when we stopped after two," Jen explained. "Oh, there he is. I'll just meet him at the back door."

  After Jen left the living room, Cat moved from the overstuffed chair to snuggle with Billie on the couch. "How about asking Fred and Jen out for dinner tonight?" Cat suggested. "You know, to make amends for standing them up two weeks ago."

  "Sounds good to me," Billie replied.

  "Hey, girls," Fred said from the kitchen doorway.

  "Hi, Daddy!" Cat and Billie chimed in together. They looked at each other and laughed at their unplanned simultaneous greeting.

  "Cute, girls, cute," Fred said dryly. "How's my lady been this afternoon," he asked.

  Cat and Billie watched Fred lead Jen to the overstuffed chair. He pulled the ottoman over to her and lifted her legs onto it. Then he perched himself on the arm of the chair, facing Cat and Billie.

  Cat smiled broadly at Fred's protective nature. "She's been great. A lot better than earlier today."

  "I hated to leave her, but the call from work was important, and she insisted that I go," Fred said.

  "Yeah, she told us about that," Billie replied.

  "Ah, hello! Am I invisible, here?" Jen asked sarcastically. "Geesh, you guys are talking about me like I'm not even here," she complained.

  Fred looked at Jen. "I'm sorry Bunny Toes," he apologized sweetly.

  "Bunny Toes?" Billie replied in disbelief. "Bunny Toes?" she said again. Cat buried her face in the couch cushion to keep from laughing out loud.

  Jen slapped Fred in the stomach with the back of her hand. "Damn it, Fred! Did you have to say that in front of Cat and Billie? Now I'm gonna have to kill them, or they'll tell the whole town," Jen exclaimed.

  "Oops! Sorry about that, Pumpkin Lips," he teased.

  "Ahh!" Jen screamed, setting off another round of laughter.

  Finally, after several attempts to speak, Cat gained control of herself. "Okay, let me see if I can get this out. Fred and Pumpkin Toes... or is it Bunny Lips? Anyway, Billie and I would like to invite the two of you to dinner tonight to make up for missing our date a couple of weekends ago. Sound good?" she asked.

  Fred looked at Jen. "Do you feel it up to it, hon?" he asked.

  Jen readily agreed. "If it's a night off from cooking, you bet!"

  Cat looked at the clock on the fireplace mantle. "Okay, then. Let's see, it's almost five. What do you say I call for a seven o'clock reservation, then Billie and I can pick you up around six thirty?" she suggested.

  Jen shifted to the edge of the chair. "Perfect. That gives me time to make dinner for the kids and for us to shower and get ready."

  Fred rose quickly. "Here, let me help you, sweetheart."

  Jen smiled at her husband and then wiggled her eyebrows up and down toward her best friend
s. "A girl could get used to this." She allowed Fred to help her to her feet. "We'll see you at six-thirty."

  After they heard the back door close, Billie and Cat looked at each other and grinned.

  "Bunny Toes?" Billie said.

  "Pumpkin Lips?" Cat replied.

  Peals of laughter could be heard through the house as the ladies made their way up the stairs to get ready for their date.

  ***

  Tara arrived home with Karissa in tow while Cat and Billie were getting dressed. "Mom! Ma! I'm home," she yelled up the stairs to announce her arrival.

  "Wonderful," Cat descended the stairs while inserting her earrings. "Sweetie, I'd like you to watch your sister tonight while Mom and I take Jen and Fred out to dinner," she said. "Grandma was going to watch her, but seeing as you're home..." Cat began.

  "Sure. I'd be happy to watch her," Tara replied brightly.

  Cat reached the bottom step and met her daughter nose to nose. "Who are you, and what have you done with my daughter?" she demanded, only half joking.

  "No, really. I don't mind watching her. 'Rissa and I were just going to watch some movies downstairs anyway, so as long as we're doing that, I can earn some money baby-sitting the rugrat," she explained hopefully.

  Cat nodded her head several times, hands on her hips. "I see," she replied. "All right. I guess a couple of hours watching your sister tonight is worth a few dollars. You've got a deal," she said, extending her hand for a good faith shake, which Tara readily met.

  "Cool," Tara replied. "So where is the rugrat?" she asked.

  "She's having dinner at Missy's. I expect her home in about 10 minutes. There's plenty to eat in the refrigerator and cupboards. Help yourselves. Just make sure you clean up afterwards. Karissa, you need to call your mom to let her know you're eating here." Cat turned to address Tara. "You have our cell numbers if you need us. Oh, and if we decide to do something after dinner, we'll call you. Skylar needs to be in bed by ten okay?"

  "Don't make a mess...Sky in bed by ten...call if we need help...ya, we got it, Ma," Tara confirmed.

  "Awesome. Thank you, girls." Cat called back up the stairs. "Billie, honey, we've got to go in about ten minutes," she shouted.

  "I'll be right there," Billie shouted from the second story.

  Cat picked up the phone and cancelled the baby-sitting arrangements she had made with her mother.

  "Oh, and Ma, can 'Rissa spend the night?" Tara asked.

  Cat smiled at her daughter. "Sure, honey, but you'd better clear that with her mom and dad first."

  Ten minutes later, with Skylar home and Tara and Karissa firmly committed to watch her, Billie and Cat set out for their date with Fred and Bunny Lips...Pumpkin Toes... ah... ah... Jen. Yeah, that's it... Jen.

  ***

  Tara and Karissa lay side by side on Tara's bed and drew pictures on the ceiling with flashlights. "So how do you feel about it?" Tara asked.

  Karissa shrugged. "I don't know. I guess it'll be all right. I mean, you have a little sister, and she isn't so bad."

  "Skylar? She's a pain in the ass," Tara exclaimed. "But I gotta admit she can be pretty cute when she wants to be."

  A moment of silence passed between the friends as their ceiling designs became more elaborate. "So, do you want a little brother or a little sister?" she Tara asked.

  "On one hand, I'd like a little sister, but then I'd have to share my room with her, so I guess a baby brother would be good. Then Stevie can be stuck with him," she reasoned.

  Tara suddenly bolted to her feet. Her hands were splayed out before her. "Ewwwwww!" she exclaimed.

  Startled, Karissa pointed her flashlight into Tara's face and looked at her friend with wide eyed excitement. "What is it?" she asked quickly.

  "Do you know what this means?" Tara asked distastefully.

  Karissa shook her head side to side.

  "'Rissa! It means you parents were doing it!" she screamed.

  Now it was Karissa's turn to jump to her feet.

  "Eww!" both girls exclaimed in unison.

  ***

  Billie followed Cat into the kitchen from the back porch. "What a great evening. I really missed Jen's company over the past couple of weeks."

  "I know what you mean," Cat replied. "I'm glad we invited them out."

  "She seems to be really happy with the idea of another baby," Billie observed.

  They made their way through the kitchen and living room and headed toward the stairs.

  "Yes she does. I just hope this pregnancy goes well for her," Cat replied.

  Billie ascended the stairs to the second story ahead of Cat. When they reached the top of the stairs, Cat paused for a moment to reflect on her friend's condition. Billie turned to her with concern in her voice. "Cat, is everything okay?" she asked.

  Cat snapped out of her reverie and looked at Billie. "Sure," she replied, perhaps a little too quickly. "I'm fine. Just thinking about Jen."

  Without another word, they ritually checked all the bedrooms, making sure their children were safe and sound for the night.

  They smiled when sounds of loud snoring came from Seth's room, convincing them that he was indeed home and safe.

  They moved on to Tara's room, where they found Tara and Karissa still awake, lying side by side on their backs in Tara's bed. With the lights out, they were making designs on the ceiling with flashlights. Beams of light hit the ladies squarely in the face as they opened the door, followed by squeals of giggles coming from the bed.

  Billie threw the door open, ran across the room and launched an all out tickle war against the teenagers, who promptly surrendered. Cat watched the scene from the doorway with a wistful look upon her face. When it was obvious the tickle encounter was over, she joined Billie in planting kisses on the girls' cheeks and thanking them for baby-sitting duty, then bade them goodnight before moving on to Skylar's room.

  Skylar was still fully dressed and lying across her bed, sound asleep. Very gently, so not to awaken her, Cat pulled off her shoes and socks and Billie turned down the covers. Billie picked her up and positioned her head on the pillow while Cat pulled the blankets up around her neck. One by one, they leaned in and kissed the young child on the cheek, wishing her pleasant dreams before tiptoeing out of the room.

  Once in their own room, Cat quietly closed the door then leaned against it. Billie went directly into the bathroom to remove her clothes and slipped into a night-shirt.

  Surprised that Cat was not right behind her, Billie poked her head out of the bathroom and looked around the adjoining room. "Cat?" Billie spotted her still leaning against the bedroom door. She approached Cat and stopped just in front of her. "Cat? Honey, are you all right?"

  Cat blinked back to awareness and found piercing blue eyes looking at her intently. "I'm sorry, Billie. What were you saying?"

  Billie frowned. "You were leaning against the door, obviously lost in thought. Are you all right? Wanna talk about it?"

  Cat searched Billie's face for several moments without speaking. Finally, the words came. "Billie, how do you feel about Jen's pregnancy?" she asked.

  Billie was confused. "I'm happy for her, Cat. Thrilled, in fact. Why do you ask?"

  "Have you ever thought of having another baby?"

  Billie's eyebrows shot into her hairline. "Me? I...I...well, yeah, when Seth was young, but I haven't thought about it for a long time," she replied. "Cat, you're scaring me. What are you getting at?"

  "You're not too old to have another one, you know," Cat pointed out.

  Billie was visibly disturbed by Cat's comments. She led Cat to the bed and sat her down, then knelt on the floor in front of her. Billie enveloped Cat's smaller hands between her own and looked into her eyes.

  "Cat, I understand how Jen's pregnancy can spark maternal feelings in you. I half expected you to want another child after learning that Jen was pregnant, but what I don't understand is why you are so concerned about me wanting one. If you want another child, we'll find a way to make it happen.
Believe me we will. I would be ecstatically happy about it, but if you decide never to have another one, it won't change the way I feel about you and our family.

  "Cat, I love you with everything that I am. I love our kids…our home…our friends. I love our life together. I would welcome another child with open arms, but I don't need one to make me happy. Do you understand what I am trying to say? You complete me. Our kids complete me. There is nothing in this world I could ask for that would make me happier than I am right now here with you. I love you, Cat."

  Cat maintained eye contact with Billie throughout the entire exchange. By the end of it, the veil of tears that coated her eyes impaired her vision to near blindness. She blinked rapidly and allowed her tears to overflow and spill across her cheeks.

  Billie kissed the tears from Cat's face. "Talk to me, kitten," she whispered.

  "I needed to be sure, Billie," Cat began. "When we confirmed Jen's pregnancy, you were so happy for her. It made me wonder if this was something you wanted for yourself. There is nothing I would deny you, my love. You know that, don't you? I love you, Billie. I want so desperately to make you happy," she added before pausing for several moments.

  "Cat?" Billie prompted once more and suspected there was more Cat needed to say.

  Cat wiped the remaining moisture from her cheeks and met Billie's gaze once more. "Billie, have you felt something different about our relationship lately? Is it me, or does it feel like our lives are out of control...that something is missing?" she asked very seriously.

  Once again Billie nodded. She remembered all the times she had caught Cat day dreaming and absorbed in her own thoughts. She remembered all the times Cat was either unwilling or unable to share what ever personal demon was torturing her.

  Cat continued without waiting for a response. "After learning about Jen, and seeing how happy you were for her, I wondered if that missing piece was another child."

  Billie took Cat's face between her hands. "Sweetheart, what can I do to convince you that I am completely happy with you and our life?" Billie continued after receiving no response. "Cat, I feel that something has changed, but I don't know what it is. I sense that you are unhappy, that something is bothering you. Baby, please tell me what it is. I can't help you if you don't talk to me about it," Billie pleaded.