Maria had to admit that she was slightly jealous of the relationship that Max and Liz shared. But then who wouldn’t be? They had been happily married for the last four years without one single, serious blow-up between them. They were inseparable and as completely in love as they’d been from the first moment Max had healed Liz at the Crashdown. And now more than seven years later they still shared that close connection, the unbreakable bond between them that had only grown stronger as the time passed. Even the year-long separation they had endured prior to their marriage didn’t diminish their devotion to one another. To witness them together, so truly enamored of each other was truly a beautiful and humbling experience.

It wasn’t that Maria wasn’t happy in her own relationship. She and Michael had been together for the last four years as well. They had a beautiful three-year-old daughter and they were living together quite happily. But you aren’t married, Maria’s nagging inner voice reminded. So what, she responded mentally, she and Michael were together and that was all that mattered. Maria was completely content with what she had. Still…

Liz offered her friends an apologetic smile as she approached their table pushing the stroller that held her sleeping daughter. Her smile softened considerably as she marveled over the picture they made. Isabel was dutifully spooning what looked like strained carrots into the mouth of her ten month old son while Maria was simultaneously throwing her smug looks while wrestling to keep her daughter Mickey in her booster seat.

The moment Liz sat down at the table Isabel lifted her head, sweeping her long, blond hair over her shoulder. “I guess I owe you ten bucks, Maria,” she quipped as she screwed the cap onto the jar of baby food. Liz ignored her statement, kissing both her “niece” and nephew in greeting before stating, “I ran late at the University. I had no idea Professor Burkson was going to talk my ear off.”

Maria made a tsking sound with her tongue. “Any old excuse, Liz. Any old excuse.”

“Well, we’ll see how fast you move when you’re eight months pregnant and lugging around a four year old,” Liz said pointedly.

“That’s not going to be a long wait,” Isabel said, smiling. “The doctor confirmed it today. Maria is ten weeks pregnant.”

“Gee, thanks for letting me tell it, Isabel.”

Despite the dry sarcasm in her tone Maria was beaming radiantly. Liz couldn’t help but beam right along with her. Four years ago it had been inconceivable that Michael and Maria would be together, much less expecting their second child. It was true that they weren’t married, but Maria always said any commitment from Michael was better than no commitment at all.

Liz gave Maria’s shoulder a playful squeeze. “So does this mean the baby shower on Friday is becoming a double?”

“No way, girl,” Maria said with a shake of her head while simultaneously extracting her toddler’s hand from her long, blonde curls, “Mickey behave! Anyway,” she said as she eyed her daughter sharply, “Friday is your day. No infringement is intended.”

“Besides that,” Isabel perked between sips of her cola, “she hasn’t told Michael yet.”

Maria rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Isabel, have you ever heard the expression ‘loose lips sink ships’?”

Isabel just laughed and shrugged. For the second time in minutes Liz was struck by how much had changed between them in the past four years. It didn’t seem that long ago that Maria and Isabel weren’t even on speaking terms. And now they were the best of friends, closer than even Liz and Maria were. But Liz wasn’t jealous. She was glad that Maria and Isabel had found a way to put their past differences behind them. In fact, Maria had even been Isabel’s maid of honor when she and Alex were married.

Alex and Isabel married. The idea still blew Liz away. And they were completely happy, totally in love. Alex doted on Isabel, treated her like a princess. And the baby… It was obvious to anyone that Alex and Isabel were in love with their son. Never had there been raised a more spoiled child. But looking at him now, sleeping so angelically in his mother’s arms, Liz had to take her share of the blame in his spoiling. But he really was the most beautiful little boy… And pretty soon they would all have two new babies to spoil. The thought made Liz want to squeal with delight.

“You haven’t told Michael yet,” Liz said, breaking of a piece of Isabel’s tuna melt and popping it into her mouth, “What are you waiting for?”

Maria gave her a blank, stupefied look. “Duh, hello…. It’s Michael. Need I say more?”

“Oh yeah,” Liz said in agreement.

“Once he gets over the initial shock he’ll be fine,” Isabel assured them as she placed her sleeping son back into his carrier. “You remember how he was when you told him about Mickey?”

“He almost had a heart attack, Isabel.”

“Ok. Bad example. With years come maturity?” Isabel added with a hopeful smile.

Maria glared at her mournfully. “He’s gonna freak, isn’t he?”

“No—I’m sure…” Liz began and then she looked at Isabel and they both said simultaneously, “He’s gonna freak.”

Maria groaned and folded her arms over the table, dropping her head down into them. Isabel patted her shoulder consolingly. “At least we’re happy for you, Maria.” Her well-meaning assurance only caused Maria to groan louder.

*********************************** Max crept up behind his pregnant wife, as she deftly sliced carrots for her pot roast and slid his arms around her so that his hands caressed the underside of her swollen belly. He nuzzled her neck lovingly. “The munchkinette is finally asleep. So now tell me, how was lunch?”

“A riot,” Liz giggled as she tried to flinch away from his nibbling caresses, “Max, stop. I’ll never finish dinner if you keep doing that.” When he still persisted she laid down her knife and turned around in his arms with an exasperated sigh. “Maaaaaaax…”

“How about we skip dinner and go straight for dessert,” Max coaxed with a wicked grin.

“Don’t you wish?” Liz teased with a sweet smile.

“You’re heartless, you know that?” Liz gave him an innocent look. “I think you’re enjoying this whole waiting business entirely too much.”

“And if I am,” Liz challenged, trailing her fingers down his chest. He caught her hand before it reached his groin.

“It’s mean, Liz.”

She smiled. “You’re no fun.” Her brown eyes glinted devilishly.

“Just tell me about lunch,” Max stressed with a frustrated sigh.

“My shower is on Friday. Will you be there?”

“Only if you hog-tie me and throw me in the trunk of the car.” He said it with such a deadpan expression that Liz couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“You’re nuts!”

Max wrapped his arms around her again, utterly taken by how much he loved her. “I’m nuts about you,” he told her solemnly. They shared a tender kiss. “Have you been treating my boy right today?” he asked when they finally broke their connection.

“I took my prenatal vitamins, drank six glasses of water, and I had a tuna salad sandwich for lunch,” Liz said playfully, “Does that meet your satisfaction, sahib?” She put her hands together and gave him a dutiful, mock bow.

“Well, you still owe me two glasses of water,” Max grudged. “Has he been kicking a lot today?”

“Earlier this morning it felt like he was trying to bust out. He’s calmed down considerably since then. I think he might be sleeping.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you to your doctor’s appointment tomorrow? I can cancel with the Stevensons. They’re driving me crazy anyway.”

“Isabel will be with me. I’ll be fine.” When he still look concerned Liz stood on her tiptoes to kiss his pouting mouth. “You worry too much.”

“I just don’t want to miss anything.” Like I did with Claudia. The words were unspoken between them but Liz already knew what Max was thinking. And the fact that he cared so much, even after all the years that had gone by, made Liz love him all the more.

Liz pulled out of his arms reluctantly and returned to slicing her carrots. “If I tape everything Dr. Kadesh says then will you feel better?” She was unprepared for the sound whack he gave her bottom. Liz yelped, rubbing the tender spot.