Serena exited the general store and squinted in the sun's bright light. She had just dropped off a letter to her parents and was now heading back to the boarding house.

"I have heard a rumor that someone has switched jobs."

Serena turned around and smiled at Meg who had come up silently beside her. She hugged her stepdaughter and looped her arm through the younger girl's.

"How are you feeling Meg, is everything okay?"

Meg smiled slightly and nodded.

Serena narrowed her eyes and looked down at her. "Okay what has Luke done?"

"Nothing."

"You are the worst liar Meghan Saunders, now tell me."

Meghan sighed. "It's nothing Serena, really. How's daddy?"

This time it was Serena's turn to smile noncommittally. "He's fine."

"Oh. Would you tell him I said hello?"

"Of course I will." She answered tenderly. "I wish you would come by the house more often. It's not good the way you and your father's relationship are strained. You two were always so close."

Meg shrugged. "I know. But he still hasn't come to terms with my pregnancy."

Serena saw the sadness in her eyes and realized that Meghan still didn't know about her own pregnancy. Well no time like now, she thought. "Meg let's go find some place to talk."

"Don't you have to get back to the boardinghouse?"

"I can have some lunch." She replied and pulled the younger girl towards the Silver Spoon.

Once seated Serena took a deep breath and began. "Meghan, I would've liked to say this with both your father and Luke here, but we haven't been able to get our schedules organized."

Meg's eyes narrowed. "What's wrong Serena?"

"Nothing. Trust me this is good news." Serena smiled. "Meghan your father was just a little overwhelmed when you announced your pregnancy because he had just recently found out that I am pregnant as well."

Meg's mouth dropped. "What?"

Serena laughed. "That's right I'm going to have a baby, too."

"Oh Serena, congratulations. I'm so happy for you." She said as she got up, ran over to her stepmother's side and hugged her.

Serena returned the embrace. "Now can you understand his shock?"

Meghan sat down again and nodded. "I guess so. Wait. Are you telling me he knew about your pregnancy before I told him about mine?"

"Yes."

"And I'm just finding out now? How far along are you?"

Serena smiled guiltily. "We couldn't find the right time to tell you. I'm just about five months along now."

"Five months?" Meghan grimaced. "Well you certainly can keep a secret. Who else knows?"

"No one. We couldn't very well tell anyone before we told you."

Meghan smiled. "Well okay, I feel better now."

Serena laughed. "So now tell me what's happened between you and Luke?"

Meghan cleared her throat and shrugged as she looked over the menu. "It was nothing. I just caught him kissing Elena."

"What?"

Meg stared down into her lap. "He told me it was her fault."

"Where was this?"

"In the brothel."

Serena's mouth dropped open. "Please tell me you're kidding. What was he doing in the brothel? What were you doing there?"

"I was there to get Corey out, and Luke says that's what he was doing there, too."

"Corey? What was Corey doing in the brothel?"

"Corey was switched with Vanessa."

Serena frowned. "This is getting complicated. Start from the beginning."

Meghan took a deep breath and told her the entire story when she was done Serena sat back and arched an eyebrow. "And you don't believe him."

"Of course I do. Luke would never lie to me." Meghan said softly.

"Liar."

"Well, of course I have my doubts. I mean look at her, she's beautiful and look at you."

"Me?" Serena questioned.

"Well, here you are five months pregnant, and I couldn't even tell. You hardly show, me on the other hand I don't fit into my old clothes, and I'm just over three months pregnant."

"Meghan everyone's pregnancy's are different. And I will have you know that I've been letting out my skirts, too."

"I'm a fat pig, and Luke is no longer attracted to me."

Serena laughed as she motioned down to the younger girl's still flat stomach. "Meghan, you are nowhere near fat. Stop talking like that."

"I'm going to lose him Serena, if I haven't already."

"I'll kill him." Serena swore under her breath. "Meghan, Luke is head over heels in love with you. You haven't lost him."

Meg's eyes filled with tears. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. When are you planning to get him back from the Pony Express?"

"Soon."

"Good, it's about time you two were back in the same house. So other than that, are you feeling okay?"

Meg decided not to tell her about the pain she'd had and nodded.

"Good. Now let's eat. I'm starving."

Meghan laughed. "Me too."