He fiddled nervously with the ring on his finger. "You've got to do it sometime. C'mon just pick up the phone and call," he mumbled to himself trying to gather up the courage to call his mother and tell her the most important news of his life. He was married.

His heart started beating faster with each number he dialed. He didn't notice but he was holding his breath. He started to fidget on the edge of the bed as the phone on the other end of the line started to ring.

Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring.

"Hmmm. Maybe she's not home."

Ring.

"Hello?"

His voice got caught in his throat. "H-h-hi mom."

"Honey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Son, I know that something's wrong. I gave birth to you and raised you. I can tell that you're nervous about saying something. Just tell me what it is."

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I love you too. Now quit stalling."

He released his breath in a sigh. Okay, here goes nothing. "Okay, mom. Are you sitting down?"

"Come on. Just tell me."

"Okay. Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Mom...I'm married."

"Married?"

"Yes."

"Christopher Alan Kirkpatrick, what do you mean you're married?"

Chris held the phone away from his ear. He was expecting this. He had gotten married without her there. As far as she had known he wasn't involved with anyone. And he wasn't until...

"Who is she?"

"Remember Margie?"

"I remember her. You and her were close friends. I know you wanted more, but I didn't think you'd marry her. What? Is she pregnant?"

Silence.

"Chris, tell me she's not pregnant."

Silence.

"Chris, what have you gotten yourself into? Marrying a woman just because she's pregnant. How do you know that it's even yours? I didn't know you two were together."

"Mom! Stop it. Let me explain."

"Okay. I'll listen. Go ahead."

"First of all, we weren't exactly together. It started in February, you know the month we took off to record. She came over and she was upset."

"So you took advantage of her in her time of need, when she was weak."

"Mom, like you said before you know me very well. You know I wouldn't do something like that!!"

"Yeah, I know you wouldn't. I'm just confused and trying to figure this out."

"Well, if you let me finish without further interruptions it might make sense."

"Sorry, honey. I won't interrupt again."

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye."

Chris laughed. "Okay. Well, seeing she was upset I tried to think of ways to cheer her up. Since she loves to dance I put in her favorite CD. It took me until the second song, but I got her up. By the third song she was smiling. Then came the last song, the only slow song on the album." He smiled at the memory.

"And?

"Patience, my dear mother, patience."

"I'm sorry, I inherited my lack of patience from you."

"Well, we danced together to the song, and then...then we didn't let go of each other when it was over. After a few minutes she pulled away and apologized. I told her not to worry and that I-I kind of enjoyed having her in my arms. Then I looked up into her eyes and knew I had to tell her how I was feeling. So I told her that I loved her and had since I first met her."

"What did she say?"

"She told me that she has always loved me, but was afraid to say anything. She, like me, didn't want to ruin our friendship."

"And what happened next?"

"Well, we started to kiss and one thing led to another and.."

"You ended up in bed."

"Yeah." A blush started to form on Chris' face. "The next morning we talked and decided to leave the relationship where it was until after the tour."

"When did you find out she was pregnent?"

"A few days after I returned from touring. We were eating dinner at her place. She told me before we started eating."

"When did you propose?"

"After dessert."

"That night? You didn't even give it serious thought?"

"No, I did give it thought. I've always known she was the woman I was going to marry. I have been telling you that for two years. Remember?"

"Yes, I remember, but I didn't take it very seriously. I mean I liked her and wished when the time came she would be the one, but I didn't expect it to be like this. This is just not the normal way to go about marriage."

"Mom, you've known me for twenty-seven years. Has anything about me ever been normal?"

"You've got a point there. I mean just look at your hair."

"Thanks mom. I knew I could count on you."

"What are mothers for. Now about this proposal."

Chris looked up and saw his wife leaning against the door frame. He patted the bed next to him and motioned her over. After she sat next to him he continued.

"We were sitting on the couch talking about the baby. She was concerned about how having a child would reflect on my career. I told her not to worry about it and she asked me why not. I told her that it didn't matter to me. A lot of people are married at my age. Then I told her I'd like to change the fact that I'm not one of them." Chris looked at Margie lovingly. "Then I proposed."

"Did she answer right away?"

"No. She was concerned about my career and the fact that we weren't exactly a couple. I told her I was serious and that I would not pressure her into making any rushed decisions. She said she wanted time alone to think, and I gave it to her. I kissed her and told her to call me. The next morning she called me and asked if she could come over. She came over and we continued to talk about the subject of marriage. I must have done something right. By the time we finished we were engaged."

"Okay, that tells me how you got engaged. That does not tell me why you are already married and why I was not at the ceremony."

"We had such a rush going that we decided to elope."

"Elope? The guys weren't even there?"

"Nope. It was just us two. Well, three if you count the baby. Plus, a wedding wouldn't have been very private. All the teeny-bopper magazines would have sent someone and I don't want to think of the other media that could show up."

"I can see why you wanted to keep it private, but to not invite your own mother."

"Please don't be mad at us. I don't like when you're mad at me, and this baby needs a grandmother. I can't think of anyone better to spoil this kid rotten than you."

"Oh Chris, I'm not mad at you. I just wish I could've been there to see my son get married, and you know that I will spoil that kid like there's no tomorrow."

"I'm glad we got that settled." Chris picked up Margie's hand and brought it to his lips.

"Is she there with you?"

"Yeah, right beside me."

"Can I talk to her?"

"Okay, here she is." Chris handed the phone to Margie. She was so nervous that he almost had to force her to take it.

"Hello."

"Hello, dear. To start off I trust my Chris' judgement, but you married my only son and I need to ask you these questions. Please, don't take offense."

"Okay, I won't."

"How do you really feel about my son?"

Margie glanced at Chris who was now laying on the bed. "I love him more than I ever thought possible."

"More than you thought possible towards him, or towards anyone?"

"Both. I have known that he would be the one I would marry since I first met him. He was such a good friend at the beginning I blinded myself to those feelings, but after a while I couldn't do that anymore. I have always loved him and I'm never thought I could be this happy."

"Not only did you marry my son but you are also carrying my grandchild, is that right?"

Margie's hand involuntarily went to her stomach. "Yes."

"And how do you feel about that?"

"Can you hold on a second?"

"Of course. Are you going to kick Chris out of the room?"

Margie blushed. "Yeah."

"Good, my son needs someone who's not afraid to push him around a little."

Margie put her hand over the receiver and looked at Chris. "Sweetie, would you mind going into the kitchen and getting me a glass of water?"

"I know when I'm not wanted. Come get me before you hang up."

"Okay, bye." Margie closed the bedroom door after her husband left. "Alright, now he's gone. How do I feel about being pregnant? I'm scared, but excited. How do I know if I'll be a good mother? Chris grew up with little sisters so I'm sure he had fatherly instincts when it came to them."

Chris's mom laughed. "You could say that."

"But I'm an only child and the youngest cousin, so I didn't have anyone to look after."

"I'm sure you'll do fine. Chris will help you any way he can. If he doesn't give me a call and I'll knock some sense into him."

"Okay, will do. Can I call you if I have any questions?"

"Sure, anytime. I have to get going. I'm going to be late, but I think this is an excuse that'll pass. My son got married and is going to be a father. Speaking of my son. Can I talk to him?"

"I'll go get him." Margie opened the door and Chris came tumbling into the room.

Chris handed Margie the glass he held in his hands. "Here's your water."

Margie could hear Chris' mom laugh over the phone. "He was standing right outside the door, right? He always was the little eavesdropper."

"I'll have to keep that in mind. I'll let you go. Thanks for the advice, Mrs. Kirkpatrick."

"Margie, please call me mom."

"Alright. Thanks, mom." Margie handed Chris the phone. She had a smile on her face momentarily. Her face turned green and she ran into the bathroom.

"Hi mom. It's me again."

"Is that morning sickness I hear?"

"Yup."

"You know you still have six more months of her being pregnant. Then a lifetime of being a father."

Chris looked towards the bathromm where Margie was still being sick. "I know mom, and I can't wait."

"I bet you can't. I have to go. Bye, I love you."

"I love you too. Oh, and mom? Thanks."

"Anytime. Bye sweetie."

"Bye mom."