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"But Nancy--" Desperately, Alice tries not to calculate how many of her sentences have started that way in the last five months. "You knew this could happen."
"I did not." The baby bump rounds out Nancy's blouse like a badly-concealed beach ball. "I knew it could happen once my career was established. I knew it could happen when I finally decided to give in and make my mother happy. I knew it could happen to you."
Alice wince. The argument "but biology doesn't work like that" failed her long before today. There's no one to come to her rescue. Not even Elliot-- he peers out from behind pillars and startles whenever anyone walks up behind him, for fear that it's Nancy. "Look, it's only three more months," she says.
"Don't count down, Alice." Prim and fierce, she pushes Alice's agenda and briefcase into her arms. "It's a lifetime. It's not your coffee, coffee, coffee and bagel, and court appearances in a daily planner." A gorgeous smile suddenly lights her face. "She's kicking!" Imperiously, she grabs Alice's hand. Paperwork goes flying. Alice smiles too, feeling their daughter fighting furiously. "You're changing diapers for nine months," Nancy says. "After that, we'll see."