The three arrived to Barbara's home and immediately were given their sleeping arrangements. Lucy got her own room, John, the guest room. They had been secretly hoping, they'd be able to stay together. It was hard for Lucy to fall asleep, knowing he was in a room just down the hall. She had no idea he was having the same problem.
LATE FRIDAY NIGHT
Lucy couldn't take it any longer and quietly makes her way to John's room, she quietly knocks and enters,"Are you asleep?" she whispers. "No," answers John from under the covers "Thought I'd join you," Lucy says, as she quietly slips under the covers with him. They lay there in each others arms, not talking, just holding each other tightly. Finally, John says, "Your mother blames me, doesn't she?" Lucy sadly nods, "The important thing is , that I've never blamed you. Like you said before, 'the risk comes with the job' With that he gives her a light kiss on the forehead. "I'd better get back to my room before mom decides to check on me. Night, love you". "Love you too, Luce" Just to be able to hold each other for those few minutes proved to enough of a tranquilizer for the both of them to fall asleep. Lucy was up at the crack of dawn, not because she wanted to, but because morning sickness had finally set in. As she came out of the bathroom, she came face to face with a concerned looking Barbara Knight. "You, okay?" she asks "Must have ate some bad food before we left home," she lied. Lucy quickly dressed, in slacks and a comfortable sweater and followed her mom to the kitchen, where the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Accepting her mug of coffee. Lucy summons all the courage she can, to tell her mother the true reason for her visit."I know you were surprised when I brought John with me, but you have to realize he's a big part of my life now." "But Lucy-" her mother started. "Please let me finish. John has suffered as much as I have, maybe not physically, but emotionally. You know he was addicted to his painkillers and spent months in rehab, but he also blamed himself for what happened. I wasn't John who attacked me,it was Paul Sobricki. John told me once it's a risk that goes with the job" "You love him,don't you?" "Yeah, I do," Lucy smiles Despite her reservations, mother and daughter share a happy embrace. Before Lucy could say anything else, John enters the kitchen, and, assuming Lucy had told her mother about the baby, says,"Isn't it great! We're gonna be parents!" Lucy turns toward him and mouths,'I haven't told her yet' As she does, Barbara stands there speechless at the news she had just heard. The expression on Barbara's face, wordlessly asks Lucy. Lucy just nods. "A baby?" exclaims Barbara. "Yeah, I found out a few weeks ago and just told CARTER a few days ago." John knew, by Lucy calling him"Carter", she WAS NOT happy. "Lucy, I'd like to speak with Dr. Carter, why don't you take a walk down by the lake." With that, Lucy turns on her heels and storms out. Barbara look at John and asks,"Do you love her?" Speaking from his heart, he begins,"Yeah I do. For a long time I took her for granted but once of the things I've learned from all of this, is you never know what will happen in the future, so you can't be afraid to let those close to you know how you feel. You just never know when it will be taken away from you. Lucy is my strength and the new life she is carrying is our future." "I think you'd better find Lucy. There's a path out back that goes down to the lake." "Okay. Thanks a lot." As John leaves, Barbara turns her attention to the phone, where she makes dinner reservations and other special arrangements, for tonight was going to be a time for celebration. The path to the lake led to a small grassy clearing where he found Lucy standing a the water's edge, throwing stones into the lake. Turning toward her, he could see her tear stained face. "I'm sorry, I really thought you had told your mom." With a little smile, she says,"Now you know how I felt when you were my teacher and gave incomplete instructions, like the time when-" "Alright, I can take a hint. Come here,"he pulls her into his arms and held her for several minutes. "Now that mom knows, what about your family?" "Maybe during the holidays." "Sounds good to me." John and Lucy walk back to the house where Barbara meets them, "Since it's your last night here, and I probably won't see you 'till Christmas, I'm taking you out to dinner. Lucy did you bring a nice dress, I'm taking you to Atlantic 101." "Mom you can't take us there, it's too expensive." "Nonsense, it's not everyday my daughter announces she's pregnant." Then with a laugh says, "Oh, I mean her boyfriend makes the announcement." They all have a good laugh together. John brought dress clothes, but Lucy had just brought her casual wear. While Barbara and Lucy went shopping for just the right dress, John had a special errand of his own to run: to a jewelry store to make a very special purchase of his own.1:00 PM
John arrived back at Barbara's and was waiting for the two women on the porch, when he saw Barbara's car pull into the driveway. After unloading what seemed like endless packages, Barbara leaves again on some mysterious mission. But not before promising Lucy she'd be home in enough time to help her get ready for their dinner. "Come on Luce,let me see the dress,"begs John. "Not 'till tonight," she says with a wink and a smile,"Mom's gone for a while and I can think of something we can do," all John could do was brandish a wide grin as Lucy pulls him upstairs.ABOUT 2 HOURS LATER
John is nervously waiting for Lucy's 'grand entrance' in her new dress. Actually, he's anxious to see what she looks like all dressed up, as he's only seen her in casual clothes at work and home. Barbara is enjoying watching Carter eagerly wait for her appearance. Finally,"Are you guys ready?" a voice came from the stairway. "Just get down here" yells John. Lucy comes down the stairs, slowly as to let him take a real good look. There she stood at the bottom of the stairs, in a beautiful, black slip dress, with a few sequins, spaghetti straps, accented by a tear drop necklace with matching earrings, and shoes. Carter was speechless, he had never seen her look so beautiful.They arrive at the restaurant where they immediately placed their orders. John was having a very difficult time concentrating on the ongoing conversation, which was centered around him and what Lucy had been doing at work. Lucy looked absolutely radiant, those old lab coats didn't do her justice. After a while of polite conversation, John decides to take matters into his own hands. "Lucy, do you want to dance?" "Love to,"she replied They danced as if they were the only ones on the dance floor. Even after the music had stopped, they continued to be in their own little world. They walked back to their table where Barbara had watched everything with tears of happiness for both of them, but especially for her daughter. As they reached the table, Barbara was on her cell phone concluding her conversation,"That was Derrick, from the office. I'm needed to help take an affidavit on an important case. You guys go ahead and have dinner. Do you have a house key?" "I think so." "I'll see you later. Have a good time." "Thanks mom." "Sure sweetie. See you later, John." Dinner was served and John ate heartily, while Lucy just picked at hers. The day had gone much better than she had hoped. After dinner they decided to leave, as they had an early afternoon flight back to Chicago. As they left, they were approached by a limo driver. He explains how he was hired by Barbara Knight to take the couple home. On the ride home the couple reflected on the days' events. All of the sudden, Lucy realizes something,"John this isn't the way home." Before they could get any answers from the driver, they arrive at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. There,they learned Barbara had reserved a suite for them. As they are taken to their room the couple couldn't believe what was happening. "Remind me to thank your mom." "Yeah, she always likes to spoil her only daughter," laughs Lucy. "Are you ready for bed?" asks John "Let me wash up a little." Lucy emerges from the bathroom a few minutes later, waring another gift from her mother. A form fitting, white nightgown. "Remind me definitely, to thank your mother later. Do you know how lucky I am?" replies John "Do you know how lucky you're gonna get later?" she says with a wide grin.
6:00 AM SUNDAY
The alarm on John's watch goes off, but they both just lay there, John with his arms around Lucy's waist,"You awake?" he mumbles, as he pulls her closer. No answer. "Hey Sleeping Beauty, time to get up." There is a pause, "Come on Luce, we really need to get going." She wakes up with a smile, turns to give him a kiss, then suddenly turns away and gets up to run to the bathroom. John just smiles,'It's going to be a long pregnancy,' he thinks to himself. As the taxi drives up to Barbara's house, she comes out to greet the couple with smiles and hugs,"How'd things go?" she asks. "Great!" they both answer at the same time. "Do you have time for a fast breakfast? she asks "Sure. By the way, thanks for everything," John says. "I guess I'll have something to eat too, then I need to rest," added Lucy. "Busy night,huh?" John quietly whispers in her ear. She just rolls her eyes. After breakfast,Lucy napped then they headed to the airport, each one having his or her own thoughts about what had happened over the past few days. Barbara, the fact,that her little girl was going to have a child of her own and is so sure of what she wants in life. John, has finally found that one person to share a long and lasting relationship with and the prospect of becoming a father makes it even more special. Lucy, who through determination overcame the odds, when they seemed against her recovering from her injuries. Returning to the work she loves, and having the child of the one person who means everything to her. As they were saying their good byes, Barbara asks Lucy, "When will I see you again?" "Probably not 'til Christmas, even then I don't know what my schedule will be. Don't worry, I'll keep in touch." Adding quietly in her ear as they hug each other goodbye:"If I'm half the mother you've been, I'm gonna be Okay. I love you mom." "I love you too, Lucy." She then turns to John,"John,it's been great to meet you and you know I am trusting you with the lives of my little girl and grandchild." "I know, I'll take care of them,I promise." She embraces him and whispers a "Thank You" in his ear. On the flight home, John and Lucy talk about all that has happened over the last few weeks. All of the sudden John asks a question seeming to come out of nowhere, "How much longer do you have on your lease?" "Until January. Why?" "WE'RE going to need a bigger place." "Are you sure?" Lucy asks "Absolutely," he says He then gives Lucy a kiss. A kiss that would come to signify the beginning of their life together.