Defect

Moving In

It was an overcast Saturday morning. A perfect day to stroll around the mall, and do a little shopping. Peggy held Evan's hand watching all the young families with strollers. She daydreamed about what life was going to be like once her little one arrived. They finally found the maternity store, and went in. Peggy picked out nursing bras, and a couple pairs of jeans with the stretchy waist band. She giggled at how far she could pull the band, and it still snapped back to normal. She grabbed a couple of tops to go with them.

"I'm going to try these on." She marched toward the dressing rooms like a woman on a mission, then she stopped. She was looking at a clearance rack of dresses. She grabbed a pretty pink dress, and held it up to herself. Putting it with the rest of her stuff, she turned on her heel, and continued to the dressing rooms. Even though Evan was a little uncomfortable standing in the middle of a bunch of maternity clothes, he was content to be there with Peggy. He was glad he could do this for her. When she finally came out, he couldn't believe his eyes. She was radiant. Now he understood when people said pregnant women had a glow. Peggy had it, and she was beautiful.

"How do I look?" She asked. She drew in a breath, and waited for his answer. 

"I really like it." He smiled. Peggy exhaled, and returned his smile.

"Good, because I have a couple more to show you." She ran back in the dressing room to change. She modeled a couple more outfits for him, each one getting his stamp of approval. "Okay, I have one more thing I want to try on." 

"I can't wait." He said, as she scurried back into the room. When she came back out, she was wearing the dress she had grabbed before she went in the first time. Evan's mouth dropped open. She was gorgeous. The hem stopped just at her knees, and the cut of the dress really showed off her little bump. She had somehow tied her fiery red hair up into a messy bun, which added to the overall look. He couldn't even find the words to describe how he felt. A customer was shuffling through the rack just behind him, but he ignored them. He couldn't stop staring at Peggy.

"Well, what do you think?" She had a pretty good idea from his love struck expression, but she wanted to hear him say the words.

"You're beautiful." Two simple words, but it was all she needed to hear. She did a quick spin, and giggled.

"Why, aren't you a vision." Evan nearly choked when he heard the familiar voice. He whirled around and there was Laura Darrow. Evan's anger immediately ignited, but he didn't want to upset Peggy. He turned his back to Laura, and paid her no mind. She stepped around him, and approached Peggy. "You look stunning." she continued. Peggy did another little twirl. 

"Do you think so? I wasn't sure." 

"Oh yes, this is the one." She reached out, and touched Peggy's tummy. "It shows off your cute baby bump." Evan's jaw tightened. He didn't want her touching Peggy. "How far along are you?"

"Five months." she said with pride. Laura turned locking eyes with Evan.

"You two must be so happy." Evan swallowed hard.

"We are." he said, gruffly.

"I'm going to go change." Peggy disappeared back to the dressing room leaving Laura and Evan still watching each other. The silent war raged on between the two of them. Finally, Laura broke eye contact, and left the store without another word.

 Peggy returned with all the clothes she'd tried on .

"Okay, I'm ready." she stated. They walked to the register together.

Back in the car, Evan was seething. 'How dare she not only talk to Peggy, he thought, 'but she had the nerve to TOUCH her.'  He needed a plan. He needed to make absolutely sure that Laura understood exactly what Peggy meant to him. She needed to understand that nothing was ever going to happen between them.