It took a long time, but Blair finally calmed down enough to speak. "Can I tell you what happened?"

"If you don’t, I’m gonna explode." Kylie took her arm and helped her to get up. "It's getting chilly out here. Let's go inside. I'll make you some decaf tea."

They walked inside together, and a few minutes later, Blair told the whole tale, the events so burned into her memory that she didn't omit a thing.

„G

Kylie was curled up on one corner of the sofa, her head dropped back against the upholstery. She had an empty glass in her hand, the Scotch now stinging her stomach. She sat up, wiped at her eyes and said, "I don't know how you've managed to keep this inside since Saturday. Have you told anyone?"

"No."

"Not even your mom? I know how close you are. I thought —"

Blair's response was immediate and sharp. "No. I don't want her to know. If I decide to give the baby up for adoption, I'll tell her, but on the off chance that David and I get back together, I don't what her to know about this whole fucking mess."

Kylie looked at her friend, then her eyes shifted, and she focused somewhere in the middle distance. She seemed uncomfortable, and Blair stuck her foot out and tapped her friend's thigh. "Sorry I'm being so bitchy. I just feel like my head's gonna burst open. I talked with a client today, and when he was complaining about some minor thing, I wanted to strangle him with my bare hands and say, 'I might have to give my baby up for adoption! How can you carry on about a pool not having a big enough filter system?'"

"Do you wanna talk about that?" Kylie asked.

"No. I told you I wanted to kill the last guy who wanted to discuss filter systems." She didn't smile, but Kylie saw that her friend was just on the verge of one. The doctor didn't say another word. She just left her question on the table. Blair stretched and moved around on the couch, trying to get comfortable. "Can I put my feet up? I had to wear heels today, and they felt like tourniquets."

"Toss 'em over here," Kylie said, patting the cushion that separated the women. “I give a good foot rub."

Blair did as she was told, and a moment later, she began to purr. "Oh, God, why aren't

you married? Do the women you date know you can do this?"

"Maybe not," Kylie said. "Maybe I should change my approach."

"Damn!" Blair shook her head and said, "I could fall asleep. Of course, it helps that I've been getting about an hour of sleep at a time. I wake up in a cold sweat, seeing a nurse take my baby from me, while I'm lying in a bed, covered with blood."

"Tell me about it," Kylie said. "Tell me why you're considering putting the baby up for adoption."

"All right." Blair looked at her friend and said, "I can't decide if I'm thinking of the baby's best interests, or I'm trying to punish myself and David. Of course, I guess all three things could be accomplished at the same time."

"Why do you need to be punished, Blair? What have you done wrong?"

"I created a life with a man who wasn't ready to have a child, Kylie. I knew … I knew we were making a mistake, but I talked myself into it. I gambled with a human life. And I lost."

"You did not!" Kylie said, her voice rising. "Things aren't working out like you'd planned, but you didn't act rashly. Shit happens!"

"I should have been certain that David could handle this, Kylie. I had doubts!"

"Okay, so you had doubts. That makes you want to give your baby away?"

Blair looked at her for so long that Kylie feared she was trying to figure out if her hands would fit around the doctor's neck for an efficient strangulation. But to Kylie's relief, she wasn't angry.

"No," she said with an extraordinary amount of determination in her voice. "I don't want to give my baby away. I love this child with every bit of my heart. I would only give him up if I thought he'd be better off with parents who both loved and wanted him."

"Oh, Blair," Kylie said, starting to cry. "That's such a loving act."

"He's my baby," Blair said, crying along with her friend. "I'd do anything in the world to make sure he had the best life possible — including giving him up."

"That's the best example of a mother's love I've ever heard," the doctor said. She squeezed Blair's feet and said, "You don't have to give the baby up to make sure he has a wonderful life. You can provide that. With or without David."

"I can?" Blair asked, looking hopeful.

"Yes. I'm sure of it."

"But it's better to have two parents," Blair said. Her eyes were filled with tears, and she looked like a small, frightened child.

"What if David wanted the baby, but died right before you gave birth?"

"That might happen," Blair said. "Don't give me any more ideas."

"No, really. Would you give up the baby then?"

"N … no, I guess I wouldn’t."

Kylie patted her friend's feet, stood up and walked to the other end of the couch. Squatting down, she said, "You don't know what's going to happen. You can't guarantee an adoptive couple would do better than you could alone, or than you and David could do together. It's a crap shoot, Blair. But millions of single people have babies and do very, very well by them. You have enough money to work fewer hours and spend time with the baby, and I'm sure David will want some role, even if he doesn't think he does now."

"I swing back and forth between the depths of despair and knowing that everything will be all right. Sometimes I dream of how it will be when David holds the baby for the first time. In my fantasies, he's in love with him as soon as he lays eyes on him."

"Yeah," Kylie said, seeing a glimmer of hope in her friend's eyes. "That could definitely happen. It probably will." She touched her friend's chin, moving her head up until their eyes met. "But if it doesn't work out, you won't be alone. I know I can't take David's role, but if you divorce him, I promise you that I'll help you in any way I can. You can depend on me. Hell, I'd gladly watch the baby every weekend so you could have some time to yourself. We can work this out."

"You'd do that … for me?" The pale green eyes were filled with tears once again.

"Of course I would. Just promise me one thing, Blair. Don't give up someone who means so much to you! He's your baby," she soothed, putting her hand on her friend's tummy. "Don't give him away unless you're sure you can't give him a good home."

"But what if someone could do a better job?" the blonde asked, still looking terrified.

"I've got news for you. Someone can always do a better job." She patted her friend's thigh. "Your baby doesn't need to be raised by a perfect parent. He just needs for you to always try to do your best -- as you see fit. Seriously considering giving him up for adoption shows that you're already doing that."

"It does?" she asked, her jaw quivering again.

"It does," Kylie said emphatically. She wrapped her arms around Blair, holding her tight. "You're gonna be a great Mom. I'm sure of it."

„G

A little while later, Blair gathered her things and prepared to return to the hotel. “I’d really like it if you’d stay here,” Kylie said. “I’d like to keep an eye on you.”

“You don’t have a guest room,” Blair reminded her.

“I have a sleeper sofa in my office. It’s a good one — really. I don’t mind sleeping there.”

“No way,” Blair decided. “Your job is too physically demanding to have you tossing and turning all night long. Besides, you’re moving this weekend. You must have a million things to do.”

“Oh, God, don’t remind me! I haven’t done a thing!”

“Kylie, what are you waiting for? The movers will be here on Saturday morning!”

“I know, I know. I just hate to pack. And even worse than that is unpacking. I hate to be a prima donna, but my hands are too critical to my livelihood to risk hurting them.”

“Let me take care of it for you,” Blair offered. “You won’t have to do a thing.”

“Oh, sure, I’m gonna to let my pregnant friend do the work I’m too much of a baby to do. That’s gonna happen!”

“I’m the last person who would pack or unpack a box. I’ve got a crew that works with me to move my wealthy clients. They’re going to be at Mr. Action Hero’s house tomorrow. I think I can have them squeeze you in on Friday, and then unpack you on Saturday.”

“Will it cost a lot?”

“Of course! But how much are your hands worth? Remember, I know how much you earn, Doc. You can afford it.” She waited a beat, then added, “Besides, you don’t have any other options, you big dope.”

“I guess you’re right,” Kylie admitted sheepishly. “But we still have to figure out what to do about you.”

“I’m not going to sleep on your couch, I’m not going to let you sleep on it and I’m not going to sleep with you. We’re not in grade school anymore, Kylie. We're too old for sleepovers.”

“Fine," Kylie said, "but I have two guest rooms in my new house. You'll move in with me on Saturday and stay until you decide what to do."

“You still won’t have a spare bed,” Blair reminded her.

“Sure I will. I'll buy one tomorrow. You can come with me to make sure you like it."

Blair sighed and gave her friend a wry smile. "If I had another choice, I wouldn’t impose. But I can't afford that hotel for much longer, and I won't consider going back to David until he decides he can't live without this baby."

„G

On Friday afternoon, Blair was sitting in her office, staring out the window. She had work to do — plenty of it — but she couldn't summon the energy to make or take a phone call. The receptionist had buzzed her three times, but she ignored the always-annoying sound, knowing that it would stop eventually. She was vaguely aware of her door opening, but she thought it was one of her assistants, just dropping something off. She jumped when she heard her mother-in-law's voice. "Blair?"

"Oh! Sadie!" She turned her chair around to face the older woman, surprised when Sadie leaned over and hugged her.

"How are you, sweetheart?"

"Not good," Blair said, her words slightly muffled by Sadie's boucle knit suit.

Sadie released her and sat on the edge of a chair. She looked at her daughter-in-law with deep concern, and said, "I just heard that you've moved out. What in the world has happened, honey?"

"What … what do you know?" Blair asked.

"I know what David told me," she replied. "He said that you'd had an argument about the baby and that you were staying in a hotel." She leaned over the desk and said, "Tell me what happened, Blair. This isn't like you."

Stunned at her mother-in-law's calm tone and apparent empathy, Blair said, "I don't want to betray David, Sadie. This is between us. If he wanted you to know everything that'd happened, he would have told you."

The older woman sighed, then sank back into her chair. Blair looked at her, noting how defeated Sadie appeared. Normally, she was a regular cyclone, her large, boxy body always in motion. It seemed that even her features had softened. She had a large, nearly triangular-shaped face, with a very prominent nose and a sharp chin, but today, she didn't look as fierce as usual. Her dark eyes still flashed, though, and Blair was still a little wary of her. "He told me enough," Sadie said quietly. "He said he didn't think he could love this child as his own." She looked down at her hands, the fingers nervously linking and unlinking. "How could he say that?" She looked like she was going to cry, amazing Blair.

"I don't know, Sadie. I was astounded, then angry, then desperate. For the last two days, I’ve considered giving the baby up for adoption …" Sadie gasped so loudly that Blair jumped. She shook her head, saying, "A friend helped me to see that that wasn't a good idea," she added quickly.

Sadie reached across the desk and took Blair's hand, squeezing it firmly. "I'm so sorry, honey. You must be losing your mind."

"I am," she said, then started to cry. Sadie got up and came over to Blair's side of the desk, then helped her up and enfolded her in a hug. Amazingly, the hug felt wonderful, and Blair wanted to stay in the woman's arms all day.

"He'll come to his senses," Sadie said. "He's just frightened. Most men are frightened when their wives are pregnant."

"He's not frightened, Sadie. He's thought this through. He doesn't feel connected to the baby, and he doesn't think he can ever be."

"Good Lord!" Sadie sat back down and slapped her open hand on the desk. "How can he be so stupid! God knows I didn't think this was a good idea, but once you've made the commitment, you can't just change your mind!"

"Apparently you can, when you're not the one carrying it," Blair said wryly.

"Give him some time, Blair. He'll realize how much he loves this baby. Don't give up on him."

"Sadie, I love David so much …" She crossed her arms and laid her head upon them. "I miss him so much. But I can't be in the house with him. It's bad for the baby to have me so upset. I can't spend every minute of the day crying!"

"Come to my house," Sadie said. "You can stay with me until things are back to normal."

"No, no, I need to be close to Santa Monica. I'd be driving all day if I stayed with you in Glendale. I'm gonna stay with a friend who just bought a house in the Palisades. But thanks for your offer. I really do appreciate it."

"Blair, I know I can get on your nerves, but I think of you as family. That's my grandchild who's growing in you. Please take care of yourself and the baby."

"I will," Blair said, misting up again. "Thanks for caring, Sadie."

"I care very much. And no matter what happens, that won't change."

Blair gazed at her mother-in-law for a few moments, trying to get up the nerve to ask her a very loaded question. Figuring she had little to lose, she finally said, "I think part of the reason David's so screwed up about this is because of you."

"Me? What did I do?"

"He remembers being a little boy and having you and his dad talk about someone adopting a baby. He says that you thought it was a bad idea, and that it was like taking a stray dog from the pound."

"I never …!" Sadie began, but then softened. "He says I said that?"

"Uh-huh."

"Dear God." Sadie tilted her head back and blew out an audible breath. "The smartest thing a parent can do is have a sound-proof room in the house. That's where you can go to have a conversation that your kid won't hear and torture himself over for the rest of his life." She looked at Blair and said, "I'm sure he's talking about my sister, Alice." She closed her eyes and looked like she was on the verge of tears. "I didn't know he knew about Michael."

"He knows," Blair said. "So does Michael."

"God damn it!" Sadie bellowed, her voice booming against the walls. "I was twenty-five years old and talking nonsense! And David's gonna let one stupid remark ruin his marriage and his relationship with his child? What kind of idiot is he?"

Surprisingly, Blair felt her hackles rise. It was one thing for her to call David an idiot and quite another for Sadie to do so. "He was a little boy, Sadie. It frightened him, and he obviously didn't think he could tell you about it."

"Damn me," she said, her face red with anger. "How can I fix this?"

"I don't think you can, Sadie. David's got this belief that he's not related, so he's not connected."

"I don't understand that," Sadie groaned. "Of course he wants his own baby, but he can't have that! This is the only alternative for him, and it's almost the same!"

Blair stared at her mother-in-law, too stunned to speak.

"It's like my friend, Annette. Her son is a homosexual. Now, Annette doesn't want him to be one; who would? But he's her son, and she still loves him. Just because he's not normal is no reason to stop loving him."

"Right," Blair said, wishing Sadie would leave so she could start weaving a noose. She was fairly sure she could hang it over the door and kick her desk chair away …

"I'll go talk to David, Blair. I'm sure between the two of us we can knock some sense into him."

"You start," Blair said. "Let me know how it turns out."

Sadie got up and hugged Blair again. "We'll fix this, Blair. You just wait and see."

"Oh, I'll be waiting," she said, forcing a smile. "I'll hold my breath."

„G

On Saturday afternoon, Blair and Kylie sat on the veranda of the new house, drinking lemonade while they listened to the movers bang furniture around inside. “I haven’t moved often,” Kylie said, smiling at her friend, “but this is clearly the best moving experience I’ve ever had.” They'd been at the house for about two hours, occasionally going inside to supervise the moving crew. “Are you sure you have enough sun block on?” Kylie asked. “Your skin is more sensitive to the sun now.”

“I’d like to know what part of me isn’t more sensitive,” Blair complained. “There isn’t one part of me that feels like it used to. My hair’s even different! How can that be?”

“Extra protein,” Kylie said. “It looks great, by the way. Really thick and shiny.”

“Yeah, it’s so ironic. My hair looks great, my breasts are bigger, I’m horny as hell, and I chose this moment to leave my husband. Poor planning on my part.”

“You haven’t left him, Blair, you’re just taking some time out.”

“It’s our anniversary, Kylie. Our sixth anniversary, and I’m spending it staying at a friend’s house. That sounds like a pretty significant time out, doesn't it?"

"Damn, Blair, I didn’t realize it was your anniversary. That really sucks.”

“Well, pregnant women are well-known for their tendency to cry for no reason at all,” she said. “At least I’ve got a reason.”

Kylie got up from her chair and went over to offer a hug. “I’m so sorry, Blair,” she said as she held her. “I just hope that David comes to his senses soon.”

“I do, too,” she said. “I lay in bed half the night, wondering what I’ll do if he isn’t able to get past this. I mean, I told him that I’d divorce him before I’ll live with a man who doesn’t love our baby. But do I have the guts to do that? Jesus, Kylie, I love him! Up until now, we had a really good marriage! How in the hell did this happen?” Kylie increased the strength of her embrace and let Blair cry herself out. It took a while, since her hormones were really raging, but she was finally able to collect herself.

"It's not exactly the same, but I think I felt a little like you do when Stacey and I broke up. It was devastating for me, and I wasn't pregnant. I really can empathize, Blair."

The blonde looked at her friend for a second, then said, "I didn't know it was that hard for you. When you've talked about her before, you made it seem like just another relationship that didn't work out quite right."

"Oh, no," Kylie said soberly. "She was … I was … it was a major blow. I thought we'd be together until the end."

"Damn, Kylie, I didn't know." She looked at her friend, seeing the sadness in her expressive eyes. "Tell me how you felt."

"I felt like I’d lost a piece of myself," Kylie said, her eyes misting over. "My hopes, my dreams, my heart … all broken."

"But why … I mean … you said you broke up because you didn't share the same interests. Was that all there was to it?"

"Yeah. That was really it. In every other area we were really good together."

"Tell me about her," Blair said, seeing that Kylie needed to talk. "Tell me all about her."

"We don't need to do this now," Kylie said. "You've got your own problems."

"Your problems are just as important as mine are, Kylie. Let me in."

The doctor paused a moment, then gave her friend a half-smile. "Stacey used to say that. She didn't think I was very good at talking about things that bothered me."

"You're not," Blair said, smiling at her. "Unless your life is as perfect as you've led me to believe, you really kinda suck at it. You're not a good complainer."

Kylie laughed. "Complaining wasn't allowed in my house. I never got into the habit."

"It's never too late to start a habit," Blair said. "Give it a try."

"Okay, but don't blame me if I start crying on your shoulder once an hour."

"I can handle ya. Give it up, Doc."

"Okay. " Kylie sat in her own chair, then rolled her shoulders a few times, her expression a look of deep concentration. "Stacey was almost perfect for me. I was incredibly attracted to her, I respected her and she made me a better person than I was before I met her."

"That's a lot on the plus side, Kylie."

"Oh, there's more," she said, tucking a leg up beneath herself. "She was very kind and thought about other people a lot. She had more energy and enthusiasm than I do. She was always upbeat and ready to go."

"But …?"

"But we didn't like to spend our time doing the same things."

"That's it?"

"Yep. That's it." Kylie stared out at the yard for a minute, obviously thinking. "I've been wondering if we didn't make a mistake."

"A mistake? How do you mean?"

"Well, I see how you and David were able to have a happy marriage while each enjoying your own interests. Maybe I wanted too much. Maybe it's not possible to have one person fulfill all of your needs."

"I've never found anyone who could," Blair said. "But I've never looked for someone to — so I'm not the ideal person to ask."

Kylie looked at her with a question in her eyes. "You haven't?"

"No, not really. One of the things I liked about David was that he needed alone time as much as I did. My other boyfriends were always so needy."

"Huh." I have never, in my entire life, heard a woman complain about her boyfriend being too needy. It's usually just the opposite.

“They were always pushing me into making a commitment, and I pull away if I feel too much pressure. I went with a guy before David who I really liked, but he was always talking about marriage. I was too young for that kinda talk. It really turned me off."

"Huh." I've gotta think of something to say, or she's gonna think I've been struck mute!

"Are you like that, too?"

"Uhm … no, not at all. Just the opposite, really. I mean, I broke up with a woman I loved because she didn't want to go to the symphony with me. I hated not being with her on the weekends, so I stopped going to the things I liked — then I started to resent her."

"Wow. I can't imagine that. I mean, I thought it would be nice to have David love the arts, but I would never deprive myself of something I loved just because he didn't like it. Don't you enjoy your own company?"

"Yeah, I guess I do, but when I love someone, I want to be with her. That's the whole point, isn't it?"

"I guess it is, if that's how you are. But it seems to me it would be easier to find someone to go to the symphony with than to find someone to love."

“Yeah. You might be right," Kylie said thoughtfully.

"Tell me how you felt when you broke up," Blair said. "How did it affect you?"

"Oh, damn, I was so depressed," Kylie said. "I had dreams of growing old with Stacey. We'd planned on having kids, and I used to dream of how much they'd look like her and act like her. She was such a beautiful person, Blair." She sniffed a little and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "She got me out of my shell — got me to start doing volunteer work. She made me care about the world in general, not just my little corner of it."

"She sounds fantastic, Kylie. What did she do for a living?"

"She was, and still is, the development director for a non-profit corporation that's trying to develop disease-resistant indigenous crops for third world countries. Part of their agenda is to help native people make enough money to resist the lure of cutting down more of the rainforest. It's a big job, but she's really making a difference."

"And she got you involved, too?"

"Yeah." Kylie smiled fondly. "We took a couple of trips to South America for research. I loaded myself up with some simple medical supplies and played doctor in some remote villages while Stacey talked to the people about proper crop rotation and biodiversity. Those were some of the most rewarding weeks of my life."

"Kylie, it sounds like you lost so much!"

"I did," she said. "That's why I have some idea of what you're going through."

"Jesus!" Blair said. "I don't think I lost half of what you did." Her mouth dropped open at the same time Kylie's did, and both women stared at each other. "I can't believe I said that," Blair said, "but it's true." She started to cry again, and Kylie went to her and tucked an arm around her waist. "I miss David, but I miss him because we got along so well. It was so easy to be with him." She looked at Kylie with her red-rimmed eyes and asked, "Do you know what I mean?"

"No," Kylie said. "It was never that easy to be with Stacey. We worked on our relationship all of the time — trying to find ways to get our needs met."

"I meet my own needs," Blair said. "How can you expect someone to do that for you?"

"How can you not?" Kylie asked, truly puzzled. "Why be in a relationship if you're not going to try to fill your partner's needs?"

Blair looked at the doctor for a long time, finally saying, "Do you think I love David?"

"Huh? Jesus, Blair, I don't have any idea. You certainly sound like you do, but I don't know what goes on when you're alone." She leaned over until she could look directly into her friend's eyes. "Why ask a question like that? Do you have doubts about your love?"

"I didn't until now," she said softly. "Your relationship sounds so much … deeper than ours. I don't know," she said glumly. "Compared to how you felt about Stacey, David and I sound like roommates. And you broke up!"

Kylie gazed at her friend for a moment, thinking, Thank God you said that, 'cause I sure didn't want to. "Your relationship is what it is, Blair. Don't try to judge it against other people's."

"I know, I know," Blair said. "But it sounds like you two were really part of each other. David's more of a … I don't know … maybe a companion."

"Whatever he is to you, you miss him, Blair. That's all that matters."

“I do miss him," she said. "I think I’ll go over and see how he's doing. You can manage without me for a while, can’t you?”

“Yeah,” Kylie said. “I think I can carry the load. You just take it easy and try not to get upset. Baby Spencer likes everything to be cool.”

“I’ll call before I come back. I can pick up something for dinner, okay?”

“Do you mind stopping at the market? I really wanna cook tonight. I’m anxious to break in my new kitchen.”

“It’s a deal.”

„G

When Blair returned, Kylie was sitting in the backyard, sipping an iced tea while she read a book. “Hi,” the blonde said, her voice weary.

“Hey, how ya doing?” Kylie asked, getting up. “Have a seat and let me get you some tea. It’s herbal,” she added.

“I should insist on getting it myself, but at this point, I’d chose to die of thirst rather than walk all the way into the kitchen.” Given that they were about twelve feet from the room, Kylie had a pretty good idea of how tired her friend was.

The doctor moved one of the chaise lounges into full shade and said, “Lie down right here and relax. I’ll be back in a sec.” Blair did as she was told, and was nearly asleep when Kylie returned, moments later.

Handing her the tea, Kylie observed, “Those are some pretty swollen eyes you’ve got there. Tough day?”

“Incredibly. David cried more than I did, and he’s not even pregnant. We’re both so sad, Kylie, but neither of us knows how to make this right. I just pray that he’s able to make some progress in therapy.” She yawned heavily and said, “Part of me knows that’s unlikely, though. He has zero respect for the whole process. He thinks therapists are snake oil salesmen.” She looked at her friend and asked, “Mind if I take a nap? This new furniture is lethally comfortable.”

“Let me lower the back for you.” She did and then pulled a chair over and sat next to her friend.

“I know things are going to be very hard for you. Just know that I’ll help in any way I can. I can’t substitute for the love you’re missing out on, but I care for you, Blair. I really do.”

Lower lip quivering, tears rolling down her cheeks, Blair just nodded, then managed to croak out, “I know. And that means so much to me. It's only been a week, but I’m so lonely, Kylie. I miss him so much.”

“I understand,” Kylie whispered, holding her friend in her arms. “I really do.”

“Oh, David said my mom called earlier. Remind me to call her back, will you? My mind's like a sieve nowadays.”

“I’ll remind you. Now you go to sleep, and when you wake up, we’ll have a little dinner.”

“I bought everything on the list you gave me,” she said through a yawn. “Don’t let me sleep out here all night, ‘kay?”

“You got it.” Kylie reached down and unlaced her friend’s running shoes, then tugged on the toe of her sock. “See you later.”

“Kylie?” she said softly. “Thanks for being my friend.”

“Thanks for being mine.”

„G

Two hours later, Blair woke slowly, and Kylie did her best not to laugh at the creases on her face and the drool that darkened her salmon-colored knit shirt. “Did you slip knock-out drops into that tea?” the blonde grumbled.

“Nope. You’re just taking the usual coma-like nap of pregnancy. Get used to it, buddy.”

“I hear that a lot from you doctor types,” the blonde said. “Every time I complain about something to Monique, she tells me to get used to it.”

“Actually, I don’t say that at work. I always say, ‘Hell, yes, I can fix that!’ Obstetricians pull that helpless act. Surgeons are women of action.”

“I’d hate to think of how you’d surgically render me less tired,” she said, “but you probably have some ideas.”

“I’ll think about it while you call your parents. Can I bring you the cordless phone?”

“No, I’ll use my cell. My parents have caller ID.”

“You still haven't told them, huh?”

“Nope, and if I can manage it, they’ll never know. My father would be on the first plane out here. He’s very protective normally, and now that I’m pregnant … it isn’t pretty.”

“Well, I hope you never have to tell them.”

“I normally tell them everything, Kylie, but I don’t want them to think badly of David.”

“I understand,” she said. “I’ll go inside and start dinner. You stay out here and chat for as long as you like.”

“I will as soon as I pee. I can’t miss an opportunity.”

„G

“You’re gonna make some woman a damned fine wife, Doctor Mackenzie,” Blair decided an hour later as she asked for a second helping of the delicious risotto that Kylie had prepared.

“Got you to eat your green vegetables, didn’t I?” the doctor teased. “And you said you didn’t like spinach.”

“I like it plenty when it’s hidden in this delicious rice. Are you sure you’re not Italian?”

“Nope. All Scottish. We're known for our cuisine.”

“Uh-huh," Blair said, nodding. "I haven’t enjoyed a meal this much in well over a month.”

“Glad to oblige. This is a very critical period for the baby, you know, and we want to give him plenty of nutrients to form his central nervous system.”

Blair patted her stomach. “You build a good one, baby. We’re counting on you.” She pushed her plate away, adding, “I hope I gave him enough nutrients, ‘cause I can’t put another bite into my mouth.”

“You did very well,” Kylie said, obviously pleased. “I’m gonna fatten up those cheeks before you leave here.”

“Oh, I’m sure I’ll be plenty fat before this is all over. As soon as my all-day sickness passes, I’ll be chowing down big time.”

“You can come over and help me walk my dog,” Kylie offered.

“That reminds me,” Blair said, “I have a house-warming present for you. Let me go to my room and get it.”

“I should say, ‘Oh, Blair, that’s not necessary’ but I love presents. Go get it right now!”

“Such a child,” Blair clucked. “I can’t believe people let you come at them with a scalpel.”

“Time’s awastin’,” Kylie reminded her, tapping the face of her watch with her finger. “Presents now, jokes later.”

Muttering to herself, Blair walked down the hall and organized all of the little things she’d bought. She affixed the bow to the biggest of the presents and put the others in various pre-wrapped boxes. The bundle was ostentatiously large, and as she waddled back down the hall, Kylie exclaimed, “Good God! What do you have there?” In moments, she removed the gifts from her friend’s hands and carried them into the living room.

“Just a few things you’re going to need,” Blair said.

Kylie looked down at the fluffy, sheepskin-covered dog bed, wrapped in a wide ribbon with a big bow attached. Next her eyes traveled to two large boxes. “Uhm … Blair, are there air holes in one of those boxes?”

“Of course not!” she chided, bumping her with her hip.

“Well, I know you’ve been really forgetful, and I thought that maybe ¾”

“Kylie, I did not buy you a dog! That’s like buying you a girlfriend!”

“And the problem with that is …? I have no objection to your bringing in a great big box with a cute little lesbian in it,” she insisted. “I don’t even mind if she bites.”

“Will you open your presents? I know I promised to find you a girlfriend, and believe me, I’m working on it. But I’m not going to have one delivered to the house.”

“I’m a busy woman,” the doctor maintained. “I’m really not very picky — I trust you, Blair.”

“Open your presents,” she repeated, eyes narrowed.

“Oh, all right.” Kylie sat down on the dog bed and scooted around a little. “Nice. I’m sure the dog will sleep with me, but this'll look good to people who don’t know what a softie I am.” She opened the first box to reveal six paperback books, all on the proper way to choose and welcome a puppy into a home. “Cool! I love to read up on stuff before I make a decision!”

“I know that,” Blair said. “I’ve been paying attention, Doctor Mackenzie.”

“Indeed you have,” Kylie said, smiling broadly. She dug into the box again and started to pull out dog toys, revealing chew rings, bones made out of compressed cornstarch and some of ground carrots.

“Those seemed ucky to me, but the guy at the pet store says that puppies love ‘em,” Blair said.

“Maybe I could get you to eat the carrot ones when your stomach’s queasy,” Kylie ventured.

“That doesn’t even deserve a response,” Blair said. “There’s more; keep digging.”

Further investigation produced the world’s tiniest nylon collar, a six-foot leather leash, a pair of adorably decorated ceramic bowls for food and water and a bag of puppy dog food. “Goodness, Blair, there’s everything here but the dog!”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Blair said. She pulled out a card that had been hidden in one of the books and handed it to her friend. “I believe this takes care of everything.” Inside the card, which pictured at least twenty-five different puppies, Blair had written,

Dear Kylie,

As soon as you make up your mind,