�If you love him, you should let him grow up normal, have as normal a life as possible.�

�I�ll consider that.�

�What if it turns out to be someone else�s son?�

�He�s mine. I know he�s mine.�

�But what if...�

�He�s mine. Don�t ask me how I know. I just know.� He looked up at her, and then he looked up and to his right. �It�s time to go, my love. Today�s your last day at work, right? You promised.�

�It�s my last day, yes,� Diane smiled sadly, and he kissed her long and slow. �Don�t go just yet!� she gasped when he separated from her.

�Later.�

Diane opened her eyes, and the approaching dawn filled her room. She smelled the sea, stronger than ever, this time mixed with coconut and passion fruit. Diane pulled down her covers and pulled up her nightgown. Her belly was still moist with oil. She looked on her nightstand for the bottle, but it wasn�t there. She stood quickly and waddled to the bathroom, praying she would make it in time. As she sat on the toilet, she scanned the counter. No evidence of any kind of soothing oils there. She sighed, still mystified, but grateful.

Diane raised her goblet of cranberry juice, and all the other women in Dr. Hubley�s living room did the same. �I just wanted to say thank you, everyone, for a fantastic baby shower. After looking at all these products, I wonder if being a detective might just be easier than being a mother.� All the women in the room laughed. �Rose-Marie, I�m so grateful for all your help these last few months.� Diane choked on her tears for a few seconds and dabbed her eyes.

�Thank you for picking me as your Lamaze partner. I hope I can be of assistance to you, at least to keep you alive,� Rose-Marie laughed.

�Hear, hear!� the women laughed and giggled, and everyone drank their wine or juice.

�So, what�s in the envelope?� Connie asked.

�You know,� Diane scowled at the large manila envelope, �I haven�t had a chance to look in there.� The women encouraged Diane to open it, so she made a big show of ripping the envelope and sliding out the paperwork inside. As she read, her face registered horror, then wonder, then surprise, then concern.

�Holy, cow, what�s going on?� Rose-Marie said, walking to her side. �Oh, my gosh,� she said, putting her hand to her mouth as she read. �That�s one hell of an inheritance.�

�My great uncle in Ireland died,� Diane said, �And apparently, my brother and I were his only living relatives. A million dollars. Wow.�