10:00am, 2 weeks later 

“Yeah, Cap’n...She’s fine. She needs clothes, though. Yeah, I know I should have requested that from the beginning, but some of my ex’s clothes were still here and she’s been wearing them. I don’t know what she needs! Size? Ummmm.....I’m not sure--hang on, I’ll put her on the phone!” Len covered the mouthpiece of the phone and called, “‘Nita? My captain’s on the phone--wants to talk to you about clothes.” 

She took the receiver and kissed him. 

“Thank you,” she whispered. 

“All part of the service,” he replied. 

“Hello?” she said. “Yes. Ah, another Anita? How rare! Yes! I could use a few. Size? Hmmm...You better go with an 18 or 20. Sure. You’re sending Logan over? Great! Thanks, Captain. OK. Bye!” She replaced the receiver and smiled at Lennie. 

“Are you getting tired of me wearing your clothes?” she teased. 

Lennie grinned and playfully grabbed at her. “I’d rather see you without clothes!” he said wickedly. 

“You know, that can be arranged!” she said with a mischievous look in her eye. 

“OK!!!”cried Lennie and embraced her. 

“LEN-NIE!!! You’re acting like an 18 year old! Mike’s going to be here any minute--what is he going to say?” 

“He’s going to egg me on, probably!” Len flopped on the couch and patted the seat next to him. Anita sat down where he indicated. “Oh, ‘Nita. These last 2 weeks have been the best of my life! I never knew I had, or could have, so much love, so much passion for one person.” He gazed into her eyes. “God...I love you! I thought I was going to be a lonely old man for the rest of my life. Here you come, out of the blue, to turn my life upside down. I feel like a kid again--young, vibrant, alive---and it’s all because of you.” 

Anita snuggled next to Lennie, and he embraced her. “Len,” she said, “I never thought I would ever find you. I knew you were out there somewhere waiting for me, but I didn’t know where. Now, here you are, and I am the happiest woman alive. I love you so much.” She looked up at him, and they kissed and caressed each other. Then-- 

“Ahem. Excuse me!” It was Mikey, who had a key to the apartment and had let himself in. Len looked at Mike while still kissing Anita. They separated reluctantly, Anita furiously blushing. 

“Here’s the clothes the Cap’n sent. She hopes they fit all right,” Mike said, handing Anita the bags. 

“Thanks so much, Mike, and please thank your Captain also.” She stood up and immediately a wave of dizziness swept over her. 

“ ‘Nita?” Len said, catching her. 

“I’m Ok. I just got up too fast. Ugh, my stomach has butterflies today. Hope I’m not coming down with anything. I think I’m going to go lay down, if you all will excuse me.” 

Len replied, “Are you going to be all right, honey?” 

“I think so. I just need a little rest.” She went into the bedroom. 

“That wasn’t cool,” Mike said. “I think you better call a doc and have them look at her, Len.” 

“I think maybe you’re right, Mikey,” Len agreed. 


12:30pm 

Len and Mike waited until the doctor finished her exam of Anita. The doctor came out of the bedroom. 

“How is she, doc?” Len asked. 

“Oh, she’s fine,” the doctor replied, grinning. “It’s really nothing. Nine months, she’ll be as good as new.” 

“Nine....MONTHS? Then she’s....she’s....” 

“Oh, yeah, Detective. She’s pregnant. No doubt. She’s about 2 weeks now.” 

Lennie stood there, speechless. Finally Mike said, “Thanks for coming, Doc. We really appreciate it.” 

“Just make sure she gets her rest and sees a doctor once a month,” the doctor replied as she walked out the door. 

Mike nudged Lennie. “I think you had better get in there and see her,” he said. 

“Yeah.” Lennie walked into the bedroom, where Anita was lying in bed, her eyes red from crying. 

“ Don’t look at me!” she cried and turned her head. 

“ ‘Nita.” he said. He sat on the bed and patted her hand. “ Honey, I’m not mad at you. Why are you crying? I think it’s wonderful!” 

She sniffed. “You--you do?” she said, astonished. 

“Yeah. I really do. This only gives me more assurance that you do love me--you DO want to carry my child, don’t you?” 

She started crying harder. “OH, LENNIE!!!! I love you so much, I want to bear all your children! I was just so afraid that if you knew, you wouldn’t love me anymore!” 

Lennie embraced her, got up and walked over to a chest of drawers, opened a top drawer and took something out. He walked back to the bed, knelt down, and said, “ ‘Nita, this also helps me make a decision I needed to make.” He opened his hand and there, in his palm, was a beautiful diamond engagement ring. “ Anita Maria Scali--would you do me the honor of marrying me and becoming my wife?” With that, he slipped the ring on her hand. 

Mike peered in through the door and heard Anita say, “Yes, Leonard. I will marry you!” Then they sealed their decision with a kiss. Mike then thought, Ah, Lennie, third time’s the charm, eh? He tapped on the door, cleared his throat and asked, “May I come in and congratulate the happy parents?” 

“Please, Mike, come in, come in!” Anita replied. 

“I think you may have overheard, but I’ll tell you anyway: Anita has consented to become my wife!” Lennie said with a smile. “I would like you to be my Best Man. Would you?” 

“Lennie, my friend, I would be honored!” 

“Lennie,” said Anita, “We have so much to do! The license, the minister....Hey, I have to have a Maid of Honor!” 

“Uh, Anita,” Mike said with a twinkle in his eye, “For your maid of honor, may I suggest my “significant other” Katie? Besides, I have this suspicion she will need the practice soon!” 


 
 And just what IS Mike talking about?  
 Serenade Part 7



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