Peter was with Anna overnight, in his new position. Anna had discussed her need with Sophie and all was well.
After cleaning up, Peter and Anna had breakfast and went their separate ways to work. It was Thursday morning and they agreed to meet up again on the Saturday - and Sunday.
At Roswell Research Peter canvassed the ladies for their comments on the effects of the cream. While there were general comments about how nice the cream felt on their skin, the ladies were split about 50:50 on side effects. Peter checked to see which batch went to whom. It appeared that the breast-tissue effects were mostly from the later batch which contained the secondary anti-oxidant enzyme. That was worthwhile information for the Jos and the Pharma group.
Jos was interested in Peter's small survey, and mused out loud to Peter.
"This could work out quite well, if we market the product as two separate formulations, as they in fact are. One could be the 'normal version' for dry skin and as a general 'night-cream'. The other could be 'for increased sensitivity but to be used in moderation' or something like that.
I'm sure the marketing fellows will be able to phrase it for the correct market. We just have to be careful of the FDA and our knowledge of, but not emphasis on, the cup-size increase.
Tricky, but thanks Peter."
Peter and Sophie talked most evenings. She had spoken to Greg and he was very supportive about her move though wishing she wouldn't. There was at least one case she had to complete before making the move, she knew, and it would take several weeks. Peter understood this.
On Saturday Peter took Anna for a 3h drive to Gold Rush country on the western slope of the Sierra Nevadas. They tried panning for gold at a tourist centre and visited Columbia State Historic Park. They planned to be away overnight and stayed at Murphys in a small hotel which was full of character. Anna was delighted. There were several winery shops in Murphys and they visited a number, but Anna was careful to regulate her intake and to watch Peter's to be sure he could perform to her satisfaction later. Peter ended up with a case of wine from different shops.
The evening meal was rustic and very filling. They walked along Main Street again before the evening was over and stopped at the Community Park to watch the children play in the stream. Then they made ample use of the queen-sized bed to both their delight.
Sunday morning was relaxed and they continued to engage. Peter mentioned the survey of the cream-effects on the ladies at work while they were lying on the bed.
"You know, Peter, I think I will use the earlier preparation, if you don't mind" Anna said. "I don't need larger breasts: I am quite comfortable with a C cup."
"Your breasts are ideal my darling," Peter agreed, fondling and kissing one breast while rolling the nipple of the other.
"Stop it you beast" Anna said, as she rose up on her knees, pretending to fight with him. Of course that started the sexual wrestling which almost always ended up with Peter inside Anna.
The drive back to Palo Alto was relaxing, the Morgan had given Peter nothing but good driving though he rarely used it. They talked about their upcoming schedules which were busy on both sides, agreeing to meet on Wednesday for dinner. Peter left Anna at the curbside by her apartment complex with a kiss and a hope that 'all was well'.
Unbeknown to Peter, Anna was checking from that weekend to see if she was pregnant. The hormone is produced any time after about 10 days after conception. So on the Wednesday Anna dipped a test strip in her urine just 10 days after Peter's first condom-free activity: nothing. She was disappointed, but it was early times.
They went to a student debate that evening and afterwards spent some time discussing the points raised. Anna was quite vocal about some equality issues while Peter joined in the discussion but not as forcefully. They spent that night at Peter's apartment because Katya was in town and Anna still wanted him to herself.
Anna had mentioned the secondary effects of the cream to Katya. Katya was delighted to hear that breast-enlargement was a possibility and promised to use it more regularly: she wanted larger tits!
The established routine continued and Anna spent Friday night with Peter enjoying the evening activity and of course the sex. She wondered what it might be like being married to Peter; was she in love? She was certainly in lust and she looked forward to spending as much time with him as their combined schedules allowed.
She spoke to her mother about her thoughts but her mother was enigmatic: 'when it happens you will know.'
Saturday morning and the day began with sex, as usual. Peter was loving all the activity he had been getting over the past year. He thought back to London and Fiona, and before that to Bristol and Em: life was getting better and better. Yet he knew that something was missing and that reflected how he was brought up - in a family. He was ready to settle down, the only thing that was missing in his life.
"Eek!" came the scream from the washroom, where Anna was about to shower.
"Peter, Peter, come and look!" Anna came into the kitchen holding a piece of card in one hand. "I'm pregnant."
She flung her arms around Peter and kissed him, tears in her eyes, and hugged him like grim death.
"We're going to have a baby! You are brilliant, Peter. We've done it, we've done it! I've got to call Momma!" Anna shrieked as she danced around the kitchen, "where's my phone?" She knew full well it was by her side of the bed.
So started a different period in Peter's life: there seemed to be so much to do, and he was not sure how much he would be involved. Anna had told him that she would take care of everything, as her mother had done, but Peter was not so sure. He decided to wait on the sidelines until asked for, and to offer any assistance he could.
Anna's mother Alicja was a translator who lived in Menlo Park, just 2 miles away, yet Peter had never met her. That was about to change he felt, but he could wait. Anna disappeared into the bedroom and he could hear her on the telephone, though not what she was saying. He got on with his breakfast and was eating toast when Anna appeared, dressed smartly, made-up, and glowing. She put her arms around him from behind, and kissed his cheek.
"I feel wonderful, and it's all your fault, you lovely man" Anna beamed. "I'm going to spend the day with Momma. I'll see you tonight: Italian OK?" Anna mumbled, her mouth full of cereal.
"Gotta slow down" she said, eating a banana and a mandarin orange. "Could you put on some toast for me please Peter: I'm eating for two" she grinned.
Ten minutes later she was off, like a whirlwind.
Peter sat back and ruminated. He was very happy for Anna, of course, but for himself? He wasn't so sure. He needed time to think: was he making too much of this? After all, people have children all the time, and he had been asked, begged, to become involved. Still, in 9 months he was to become a father.
In the lab Peter was not focusing well. He decided to email Sophie and tell her the news, expecting a reply, and forgetting the 8h time difference. He tinkered with a manuscript but couldn't apply his usual sharp writing skills. Finally he went to the bench and looked at some agar plates of fungi he was screening for antimetabolites but nothing was showing yet.
Time for squash with Alastair, perhaps this will bring life back into focus he thought. Peter lost, not heavily, but a loss is a loss. As they ate their cool-down iced juice Alastair commented on Peter's game.
