"I know you saw her just then!" Rick exclaimed pointing looking at the guys. "I think you've cracked up mate, there wasn't anyone." Joe told him as he patted him on the back. This was the fourth day in a row Rick has seen this woman. He had told the guys that he saw this gorgeous woman, and they didn't doubt him. The doubt came in the following days when he had seen her repeatedly. They were now in their third city since Rick's first sighting of her and he continued to see her everyday since. Rick knew he wasn't imagining her, there was no way he had. That night they were playing Red Rock in Colorado, one of Rick's favorite places. The show had been great, the fans loved every second of it, and Rick played the best he had in months. At the end of the show when he came from behind his kit to wave to the fans he saw her face smiling back at his. He tried to get the guys to see her, but they were to busy walking the stage and waving to the fans to pay him any attention. Joe grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back, "Come on man show's over." he told Rick "Joe, she's there, that's her." Rick pointed. When they turned back to see the woman she was gone. When they got back to the hotel Rick showered and went down to the lounge with the other guys. He was hoping she would show up. After about and hour and a couple of dozen girls that were not her Rick decided to call it a night and started to question his own sanity. He excused himself from the table and started back out of the lounge to the elevators. "Excuse me" a faint female voice said. Rick turned around to see who was behind him. He found himself looking into the face of the woman only he had seen for 4 days. "Hello" he said in amazement. "I don't normally do this, but could I please have your autograph?" she asked lightly. "Sure, who do I make it out to?" he asked Knowing this way he would get her name. "Julia" she was blushing. "It took me a long time to do this. I've been to scared to approach you." she looked at the floor nervously. "I thought I had seen you before. You've been following us to our show for the past few days." "Yes, that's right" Rick wanted to know more about her. "Would you like to go somewhere and talk?" he asked "Okay" she was about to jump out of her skin. "Do you have a problem going to my room?" "No, that's okay." Rick turned back toward the elevator and Julia followed. Once they got to his room he offered her a drink. "I'll take a coke if you've got one." she said Rick got one out of the mini bar and met her at the table in the corner of the room. They talked for what seemed like hours. Rick was enjoying his time with Julia, she was intelligent and funny. She put her hand on the table as she was talking and Rick covered it with his own. "I like talking to you." he told her looking in to her big brown eyes. She blushed and smiled at him. "I've enjoyed talking to you too." she told him. Julia looked down as her watch "Oh my, it's 3:30am I'm sorry to have kept you up, I'll go now." she was rushed. "No, don't go, I like talking to you." "No, really I must, I'm sorry to have bothered you for so long." she apologized again. Rick didn't want to let her go, knowing he probably wouldn't see her again. She stood up from the table and started toward the door. Rick was right behind her. "Before you go, could I ask one thing?" Rick asked sheepishly. "Of course." Julia looked up at him. "Could I have a kiss to remember you by?" Rick waited for a response. She finally lifted her eyes to meet his gaze. "I'd like that." she said. Rick cupped her face in his hands and gave her a very gentle kiss. He pulled back from her to look into her eyes. He could see the lust in her eyes. Rick kissed her again a little for feverishly this time. She responded to Rick as she started to pull her into him. The kissing didn't stop, and before long Rick was pulling her clothes off. She started to return the favor until he was a naked as she was. He pulled her down to the bed on top of him. Within seconds he was sliding into her. They made love for hours, finally climaxing so had Julia virtually passed out on top of Rick. He held her and fell to sleep too. It was 9:00am when the phone rang, Rick rolled over to pick it up. "What?" he asked. "Rise and shine sleepy head, we're out of here in 1 hour. So hustle." Malvin told him before hanging up. Rick stretched and looked around the room to see any sign of Julia about. He walked around the room looking for a note, so kind of goodbye from her, but found nothing. He boarded the bus on time and wondered if he'd ever see her again.

Rick sat quietly with his head against the window wishing they could hurry up and leave. He didn't want to say there any longer than necessary, hoping if he left he'd leave the pain and memories of her behind. "What's wrong mate, you look like someone killed your dog." Viv asked, "I met her last night" Rick never lifted his head off of the window. "Are you talking about that girl you keep seeing all over the place?" Mal asked "Yeah, when I left the lounge last night she asked for an autograph and we talked for a while." He was not going to tell them about the night he had spent with her. "You left the lounge alone, I think your cracking up mate." Viv said "I'm NOT CRAZY!!" Rick was angry as if they were dishonoring her because they didn't see her. He got up and stormed off of the bus with Malvin and Vivian close behind. "Where are you going?" Mal yelled, "To prove she's real." Rick yelled back over his shoulder angrily. He walked right past Joe and Sav without even seeing them, he was so focused on proving she was real. He walked up to the front desk. "You!" Rick yelled as a gentleman came to see what was needed. "You were here last night when I left the lounge, tell them about the woman I spoke with." he demanded. "Yes sir I was here and I did see you leave, but there was not woman sir." he clerk explained. "You must have seen something." Rick was getting desperate. "Well, I saw you come out of the lounge and walk half way across the lobby and stop to turn around. I was called way, but I did see you wait for a minute or two and head to the elevators." the clerk explained. Defeated Rick turned away from the desk and walked back outside in silence. He didn't know what to think, was she a figment of his imagination? Was he longing for female companionship that he imagined all of it? He had no idea what was truth or something from his subconscious. Rick boarded the bus, put his head against the window and closed his eyes.

The bus pulled out of the hotel parking lot and got on to the highway quickly. Rick had his eyes closed remember everything about Julia, her chestnut brown hair with auburn highlights that went down to her elbows. The way her deep brown eyes seem to sparkle when she laughed. A smile played across Rick's lips at the memory of her laughing and touching his arm innocently. The touch that stood out most in his mind was how she would run her soft hand across his cheek and softly rub her thumb across the apple of his cheek while she looked into his eyes. Her lips were full and gentle on his. There was no way he had imagined her. Before he knew it they were pulling into the next town. There was a show at the arena that night. Rick was hopeful that she would be at this show the way she had the previous 4. They pulled into the arena to do the sound check. Everything was fine, it was now time to check into the hotel and cool down before tonight's show. All of the guys had taken showers, and were hanging out in the living room running down the songs for tonight's show. "I'm thinking we should go for Have you ever" Phil said "Ballads are getting old" Sav replied "All I want in there is Photograph" Rick added, it was the first time he had spoke in hours. Julia had told him it was one of her favorite songs. When they played it he would dedicate it to her in his own mind. A song list was laid out for the night, and they were just about ready to go. It was time to start down for the meet & greet. Rick went through it on autopilot realizing none of these women were Julia. As they were being announced Rick noticed he was getting butterflies in his stomach. He hadn't been nervous before a show since he was a young lad. He knew what the nerves were from, the chance, the possibility to see Julia again. If he did see her he would have Malvin go get her to have her backstage when the show was done. They had finished Love Bites and were going into Photograph. In his mind Rick sent this out to Julia. When the show was done he walked up front to wave to all of the fans before leaving. He smiled and waved like always, but his eyes scanned the arena the best he could looking for her. He looked closely in the front where she normally sat, but nothing. No sign of Julia anywhere. He walked off the stage following Vivian. "Damn, they were really into tonight! I love playing to crowds like that!" Vivian was energized. Rick quietly walked back and grabbed a bottle of cold water before sitting down in a chair. He was in his own miserable world, not hearing anything going on around him. "Rick,... come on it's time to go." Mal pushed him to get back on the bus to hit the hotel for the night. When they got back to the hotel Rick took a shower and headed down to the lounge in hopes she'd be there. After an hour or so he decided to leave just as he did the night before when he met her. Walking out of the lounge he walked by some high back chairs not looking to see if anyone was sitting in them and went toward the elevators. "Excuse me" a female voice said. Rick snapped around to look at the woman who just called him.

Rick turned to look at the woman with hope of it being Julia. He looked and saw brown eyes that didn't have that sparkle. It wasn't Julia, Rick's heart sunk. "Could I have your autograph?" the woman asked. "Sure" he smiled and politely signed an old picture of the band. Brokenhearted Rick walked over to the elevators and went up to his room. Once he got there he striped down to his boxers and stepped out on to the balcony. He sat down and stuck his legs through the bars as he stared up at the stars wonder where Julia was. Before he knew it he could feel tears welling up in his eyes. He closed his eyes and said a private prayer to keep her safe and bring her back to him. Rain started to fall down softly on Rick. He sat there letting the drops hit him in the face. For him this was his release, he let out a grown of pain. It was like heaven was crying the tears he couldn't shed. Malvin had knocked on the door, and when Rick didn't answer he let himself in. "Rick" Malvin yelled, there was no response. Malvin walked through the room knowing Rick was in there somewhere. Malvin looked out on the balcony seeing Rick sitting there letting the rain hit his face. "Rick" Mal said low not to scare him. "What's going on, don't you want to come in?" Mal knew how Rick would retreat inside himself when he was upset about something. Rick got up and walked in, "I don't want to talk about it I just want to be alone." Rick said flatly. Malvin did as Rick asked and left Rick to be by himself.

Once Malvin had left, Rick dried off and crawled into bed. Turning off the light he feel asleep quickly. His dream was a replay of the previous night he spent with Julia. He could see, feel, and smell every detail as if reliving it. The phone rang waking him with a start. “What?” he asked groggily. “We’re out of here in an hour, be ready." Malvin told him before hanging up the phone. The smell of Julia’s skin lingered in his nose. Why could he smell her? He looked around the room to find a letter on the table addressed to him. He walked over quietly and stared at the letter for a moment before picking it up. He smelt it, trying to inhale all of her. He opened the letter to read,

 “Rick,
I’m sorry I wasn’t able to see you last night, I wanted to explain why I left.
Please don’t try to find me, I will contact you when it's possible. Please
know that I’m safe and well. Things have happened I can’t begin to explain,
the evening we spent together was amazing, magical. I will always look
back on that night with a soft heart and great memories. I hope you do
the same, be safe.

All my Love,
Julia”

 The letter meant so much, but gave him so little to go on. Rick froze for a second, “If I have this letter, she was here, she might still be here.” He said to himself. With that Rick was off like a shot to try to catch up with her. Once he got to the lobby he looked in the Restaurant, the lounge, all the chairs, anywhere a person could hide. He slowed and walked up to the front desk. “Excuse me” Rick, said to a female clerk “Yes Mr. Allen what can I do for you?” “Have you seen a woman about 5’6”, shoulder length brown hair, fair skin come by in about the last 30 minutes or so?” Rick was so hopeful “Yes, I believe I have” “Did she leave a message? Anything?” he cut her off. “No sir she smiled and walked out.” “Is there anyway I could get a picture of her?” Rick was grasping at straws  “A picture? I don’t think I understand.” The clerk was confused “From your security cameras?” “I’ll let you talk to our head of security and see what he can do for you.” The woman offered. She had walked away and returned out of a back room with a muscle bound guy in a hotel uniform. “You want a picture a woman? Is that right?” the man asked “Yes, it’s a long story, but if possible I’d like to get a picture of her.” Rick responded hoping that the man would make and exception of him “Come on back here and we’ll see what we can do.” Rick walked back and went through some film from the front door with the guard. “THERE!” Rick exclaimed The guard backed up the tape frame by frame until he had a clear shot of Julia’s face “You want this?” the guard asked “Yes, please” Rick was beaming Within seconds a picture of Julia was rolling off the printer. “Here you go” the guard handed it to him. “You are the BEST!” Rick was about to bust, He thanked he guard over and over before leaving to get his bag out of his room. It was time to go and Malvin would get pissy if he made them late. Rick bounded up the steps of the bus to applause. “All hail the King.” Joe remarked “Thank you, Thank you,” bowing at the waist. Rick laughed as he went to sit down. ”You look better.” Phil told him “That’s what a good night’s sleep will do for you.” Rick was practically glowing with Julia’s picture in his bag as the bus pulled out of the hotel parking lot.

Night after night and show after show Rick looked for Julia, but nothing. He called the front desk at the hotels over and over asking for a message that never came. It was a little over two months since Julia had contacted him last. Rick thought about her constantly, he would stare at her picture for hours as if it would make her walk through the door. Since her letter said she would contact him and to please not try to contact her he would honor her wishes no matter how hard they were on him. Rick started to play the "What if" game with himself. Lying on the bed staring at the ceiling he would ask himself "What if she knocked on the door right now? What would you do? His answer was one of tenderness and love, "I would hold her to me, feel her heartbeat against mine, tell her I missed her, and not matter what kept them apart it would not get in the way again. I would tell her I need her, need her with me. My thoughts and heart have been with her since the moment she left my side. When she left, she took a large piece of my heart and my soul that could only be fulfilled by her return." He knew all to well how he wanted it to be. Now he just had to patiently wait for her to return to him. Most nights this is how Rick would lull himself, to sleep thoughts of Julia and her return. One night almost three months after she left while playing what if, a new question came to mind. "What if she was pregnant after that one night?" The thought made him sit up; did he use any kind of protection with her? The thoughts were now racing through his mind. He replayed the night over and over only to have a blank where that portion should have been. Did he or didn't he? The question now loomed over him heavily. It wasn't the idea that she might be pregnant that bothered him. It was the idea of her alone, and pregnant with his child. How could he do that to her? How could he expect her to do it alone? How could she do this to him? Please don't contact me? Rick's mind was racing over everything that could be or might be? He paced the room running a pensive hand through him loose mop of curls exhaling slowly. He needed to do something to calm down to help him sleep, but what? The mini-bar had small bottles of vodka, scotch, and whiskey. That would relax him, he started over to the bar and opened the door. "NO!" he yelled at himself. He was not going to let one thing that might not even be ruin 2 years 232 days of sobriety. He quietly left his room to get something to help him sleep from Malvin. After getting two sleeping pills he took them and laid in bed, unconsciousness came slowly. This night he didn't have any dreams at all. It was a dead sleep, exactly what Rick needed. He was up before Malvin called for a change and took a long shower. He packed his bag and headed down to the lobby to meet up with Phil and Joe for some food before jumping on the bus. "I can't get a hold of Rick and he's not answering the door" Malvin sounded concerned. "He's right her Mal, quit worrying." Phil told him as he pointed to Rick "It's my job to worry." Mal replied "Okay Mother" Phil said sarcastically. "Let's go" Mal announced and they were on there was as always. This was to be their last show in the US before a weeks vacation and then on to Japan. Would he see her? He would have to be patient and have faith in Julia.

They arrived at the arena, and walked in the back door being greeted by the usual crew that traveled with them and some local people. Rick stopped to talk to a couple of the usual crew. "If anyone, named." Rick started "Julia, about 5'6", shoulder length brown hair and fair skins comes to the door, let her in" 3 of the crew said in unison. He said the same statement every show. "Thanks guys." Rick said heading back into one of the dressing rooms. Something felt different about tonight, Rick was almost serene. "Hey mate what's with the goofy look?" Vivian asked. "Nothing." Rick said with a dopey look on his face. "You're really freaking me out." Viv gave him an odd look and walked away. The others came to look at him "Do you feel okay?" Mal asked feeling Rick's forehead. "Quit, I'm fine, just peaceful." Rick looked as if a cloud would have weighed him down. It was almost time for the show and Rick climbed on to his kit. He closed his eyes and counted to 10. The lights dropped and he started "Rock, Rock". The show went by very quickly for Rick. He walked out to wave to the crowd still looking for Julia, but nothing. He wasn't going to let this get him down, he was almost certain he was going to see her tonight. He could almost feel it in his bones that she wasn't far; he just had to wait for her to surface. When he returned to the hotel he made his now nightly stop in at the lounge. He talked to all kinds of fans, including a 6-year-old girl who asked for a hug. Rick felt a little tired so he excused himself and headed toward the elevators. As he rounded one of the chairs he collided with someone. He caught them by the arm to stop them from falling. "I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." He apologized as he looked down into those familiar brown eyes with that sparkle. "Julia?" Rick asked in disbelief as his heart fluttered .He grabbed her and held her tightly to him. This was the moment Rick had been fantasizing about for months. He let go to look back in her eyes. "I'm surprised you remember me." She told him. "Remember you? I haven't stop thinking about you. Does this look like I forgot you?" he said as he pulled out a copy of the security camera picture. "Wow, I guess you haven't forgotten." She blushed "Would you come up to my room with me? I really want to talk to you. I'm really glad you showed up, I've been waiting for this." His smile couldn't have gotten any bigger. ”Sure, there's a lot I want to talk to you about too." She told him He reached down and kissed her softly, this kiss continued on for a minute or two as a hand touched Rick's shoulder. "Excuse me, could you get a room?" Joe teased "Joe, this is Julia." Rick said as he took her hand in his. "The mystery girl?" Joe asked "The one and only." Rick was beaming "This man has it bad, I mean really bad for you, please be gentle, I don't think we take him with a broken heart." Joe patted Rick's shoulder as he said it with a teasing grin. Rick and Julia excused themselves and went up to his room.

Once they got in Rick's room he pulled out a chair for her at the table, he wanted to be so close to her without scaring her off. Julia sat down as Rick grabbed out a bottle of water and a coke from the mini bar. He handed the coke to Julia. "Could I have a bottle of water instead?" she asked sheepishly "Anything you want" Rick replied as he gave her his bottle of water and went for another. He sat back down next to just as he had that first time. "I have really missed you." Rick started "I have waited as patiently as possible since you left that note on my table. I have wanted to hold you close to me and tell you how much I needed you here with me. I couldn't possibly tell you all of how I'm feeling; I've never felt like this before. You're my first thought in the morning, and my last thought at night. I can only hope that you feel the same way." Rick put virtually everything out for her to know. She looked at him in amazement, she couldn't believe what he was saying, she placed a protective hand in her lap. This was everything she could have hoped for and more. She didn't know where to start…."First I want to apologize for that letter, that was a really terrible way to leave things. I didn't know how you felt and I didn't want to just put myself out there incase you turned me away." Julia was just as honest with Rick as he had been with her. Hours had passed as they went over what they were feeling and where they wanted to go from here. "I want you to come with us when we go to Japan, I want you to spend the week with me at home in England. My folks will love you." Rick was gushing "What about my life here?" Julia asked "I'm sorry, could you take a leave of absence from work, or quit? I don't want to be apart from you ever again." Rick told her "That's a lot to think about." Julia told him and pause. "Take your time, I don't need an answer right this second. When you're ready just let me know." He knew he was asking a lot of her and didn't want her to feel pressured into making a decision she might regret later. They sat in silence for a little while before Julia spoke. "I think there's something I need to tell you before this goes any further. What I'm about to tell you might change your mind on having me come with you." She said without meeting his eyes. Julia stood up and turned to face Rick, he moved his chair away from the table to look at her. She stepped between his knees and looked down on him. Wordless she took his hand by his wrist and put his palm again her breastbone and slowly slid his hand down her flat abdomen until it curved over a rounded tummy starting a little bit above where her belly button was. She stopped his hand in the center of her tummy and looked into his eyes. It was silent; rain started to tap the windows softly. Rick's eyes were filling up with tears. "Are you…" his voice tapered off Julia shook her head yes as a smile broke across Rick's face. "I'm going to be a Daddy?" you could hear the joy in his voice. "Yes" she smiled back at him He jumped up out of the chair and grabbed her hugging her tightly. Rick twirled her around kissing her; he stopped and sat her on the end of the bed. He kneeled down in front of her, "I can't tell you how happy you've made me. There is one other thing that could make me happier though." he smiled at her "What?" she asked curiously "Marry me,...Now..here..tonight." Rick offered "I can't do that." She told him somewhat shocked. "Okay, then when ever you want just say the word and it's done. I can't imagine being apart from you ever again. Now I never will." He beamed as he kissed the palm of her hand. She pulled him up to her and kissed him with more need and passion then the first night. He stopped her before it got too far. "Wait" he said, "There's still so much I want to know. "He took her by the hand and walked out on to the balcony. He put her in front of him looking out over the city. He wrapped his arms around her, one arm around her upper torso, the other around her belly that held his unborn baby. He nuzzled her neck and ear while whispering in her ear. "I love you Julia, and our baby your carrying. I can't wait until the day you become my wife." He held her close as the rain fell down on them.

They stood out there for about 5 minutes before Julia spoke up "Rick, honey, could we go in? I'm getting cold and I'm soaked to the bone." She asked, "I'm sorry" He brought her inside with one quick movement. "I'm going to have to take better care of you, I can't let you get sick. You should sit down." He moved Julia over to the bed and sat her down. "You shouldn't be on your feet." He was trying to take care of her. "Could I dry off?" she asked "Sure, I'm sorry." He helped her off the bed and walked her to the bathroom as he got out a dry shirt for her to sleep in. He brought the shirt to the bathroom down and let her know it was there when she wanted to change. A couple of minutes Julia came out of the bathroom in Rick's shirt and her hair in a ponytail. Rick smiled as her as she walked across the room to the bed where he was sitting on the corner of the bed in a pair of shorts. "You look Great." He told her. She blushed and sat down next to him, "You look tired." He told her moving a lock of hair from her face to look at her eyes. "I am, it's been happening to me a lot since I got pregnant" she closed her eyes. "Come on let's go to bed" Rick said as she stood up. She got up and Rick turned the bed down and they climbed in. Rick lay down and pulled Julia over to him. She was using his shoulder as a pillow as they stared at the ceiling. "Tell me everything." Rick said as he played with her fingers. "Tell you everything about what?" Julia asked. "The baby of course, like what made you think you were pregnant, when did you find out, when are you due, do you want to know if it's a boy or a girl, what names do you like." he was rambling. "Rick…" he continued "Rick…." She needed to get his attention. "Rick!" She yelled "What?" he was surprised. "You were rambling and I can't answer your questions if I can't remember them all." She chuckled. Julia started to tell Rick everything he wanted to know. She thought she had the flu and passed out, she ended up at the doctor's office and that's how she found out. The baby was due March 19th, and she didn't want to know if it was a boy or a girl. Names would come a little later in the pregnancy. They fell asleep holding each other; it was the best night sleep Rick had since the night she left. When morning came there was no phone call since Rick turned the ringer off. There was a knock at the door, which got no response at all. Malvin let himself in to find Rick asleep holding Julia. He slipped back out of the room and sat back down the other. "Who's the girl with Rick?" he asked "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell everyone that the Mystery girl showed up last night. She is real, so he's not cracking up. I had to separate them last night in the lobby." Joe explained. There was a knock at the door as it opened. Rick had let himself in the room to talk to the guys and tell them about Julia.

"She's pregnant?" Malvin asked almost in shock. "Yup, great isn't it?" Rick was beaming "Wow" was the only thing Vivian could say "I'm going to marry her as soon as she says so" Rick explained "Is she going to travel with us?" Malvin asked, "As long as the pregnancy allows" "Okay, I'll make the arrangements" Mal headed to get his planner and phone The guys started hurling questions at Rick. "Wait, wait" Rick said with his hands up "Okay, this is everything I know…" he explained the story from the beginning up until last night when she told him about the baby. "I asked her to marry me last night, but she told me she wanted to wait for a bit. I'm going to bring her home and have her meet my folks." "Could we meet her first?" Phil asked, "Yeah, I decided to let her sleep. She's been really tired since she got pregnant." He explained "You sound like you've been here there all the time. You really love the idea of this don't you?" Joe smiled at him Rick paused for a moment thinking about how happy he was with the thought of being married to an incredible woman with a baby on the way. With tears in his eyes he said softly "Yeah, I do. She's wonderful and the baby makes it all the better." His grin was from ear to ear as he thought about her and the slightly round belly that would be expanding over the next six months.

Rick left the guys to go wake Julia up; he let himself quietly into the room and slide into bed next to her. He watched her sleep; he moved a piece of loose hair away from her cheek. The back of his hand glided over her fair skin. She started to stir a bit; she slowly opened her eyes to see Rick smiling at her. “Good Morning Julia” he said and kissed her forehead. She smiled at him, rubbing the sleep from her eyes she looked at him. “Good Morning” They lay in bed for quite awhile before Julia started to move. “Are you feeling okay? Is everything okay?” Rick sounded frantic not knowing if something was wrong. “Everything’s fine, my stomach is just doing summersaults.” She ran a hand over her small tummy. “Are you sure everything’s okay?” Rick had no idea of what to expect. “This is fine, it’s part of my daily routine, wake up, throw up, and go on with the rest of it.” She told him, “It’s morning sickness, it’s completely normal” she smiled at him and ran her fingertips from his forehead down the side of his face. She was touched by the way he was nervous trying to make sure that she was okay. “Do you need anything?” he would walk to the ends of the earth to get what ever she might need. “Some Ginger Ale would be good.” “Done” “I need to shower” “I’ll have your drink here when your done, the guys want to meet you later too.” He smiled “Okay, I can only imagine what they’re thinking” she said. “I’ll tell you what they’re thinking, Thank Goodness she’s staying, he’d be miserable without her.” Julia smiled at him and walked over to kiss him. “I Love You Rick” He looked deep into Julia’s eyes “I Love You too Julia” “I Love you too peanut” he leaned down and talked to her belly and kissed it. “Peanut huh?” “Yup” “I think we’re going to need to talk about names for this baby. We don’t need a baby who answers to peanut” she giggled at Rick.

Julia walked across the room to get a drink of ginger ale. "Do you want to get something to eat before I take you to meet the guys?" "Yeah, I'm starved." They sat and decided what they wanted for breakfast. *****************************************************************"What do you think the deal is behind the girl?" Viv asked suspiciously "I don't know, but she sure does have him wrapped around her little finger." Phil said Sav walked back over and sat down with his cup of tea. "What are ya talking about?" "Where wondering what's with this girl and Rick" Viv said. Joe had caught Vivian's statement to Savage. "Good to know someone else is getting a weird vibe off of all of this." he said "He seems so in love with her, I feel kind of bad to doubt her." Phil added "Doesn't it sound odd that he sees her for a couple of days and then he meets her one night they sleep together and she runs out in the middle of the night? Shows up almost three months later saying she's pregnant and he doesn't doubt the baby's his?" Joe said what they were all thinking. "We can't say any of this to him, it would crush him" Viv said. "Do we let this go and let him find out when the baby is born or crush him now?" Phil said. "He's not going to believe this, and we all know it." Sav added at that there was a knock on the door. "The conversation ends here and now. Deal? Viv said getting up to get the door "Deal" came from the other three Vivian answered to the door to find Rick with his arm around Julia's waist at the door. "Hey Viv, this is Julia" Rick smiled "Ah the Mystery Woman." he teased "It's nice to meet you Julia." he shook her hand and lead them into the living room where Joe, Phil and Sav were sitting talking. "Hey guys, this is Julia" Rick said "Julia, this is Viv, Joe, Phil and Sav" "Hi" she said All off the guys said "Hi" back to her as Rick brought her over to a chair. The guys all smiled at her and then it was about to hit the fan. "I can imagine what you all think of me." Julia was blunt and put it out there. Strained looks went between all of the guys with Rick seeing all of them know they were holding back their real feeling and he was getting angry. Joe looked over at Rick to see his face going red and his knuckles going white from gripping the back of Julia's chair so hard. Joe had seen Rick like this before, but usually when he was drunk and fixing to get into a bar room brawl. Only this time it was directed at them. "We think that you make Rick very happy and that's great." Joe said. He looked over at Rick, to see if this helped the grown situation with Rick. It wasn't Rick was mad and getting madder by the moment. "Julia, could you go into our room and get my planner from my bag?" Rick asked calmly. "Sure honey, I'll be right back" she got up and Rick walked her to the door and closed it behind her. He locked the door so she couldn't just walk right in. He turned back, and the guys could see he was about to let it all rip. "What the fuck is your deal? For the first time in a long time I find someone, someone I want to have a life with and you all have doubts. I'm not going to sit here and let you all down play all of this so go fuck yourself." Rick stormed out and went to his room. Julia was still looking for his planner "Hey, I can't find your planner" she told him "It's okay, let's go out for a bit. We need to get you some clothes and stuff." "Okay" she grabbed her purse and they left. As they were walking by the other room the door opened "Rick" Joe said "Not now" Rick said shortly and kept walking.

"UHA" Julia said again "I said I want an explanation" Rick was getting angry. He closed the door hard behind him. "I was talking to my mom, and I was just saying that I was surprised you didn't question me, I had spent a lot of nights cry to her afraid that you'd turn me away." tears started to stream down Julia's face, she couldn't bring herself to look at Rick. "I told her that I thought you would do the honorable thing and marry me." She brought her head up and brought her eyes to meet Rick's as the tears came faster. She didn't know what to do, Rick was obviously pissed. "I don't expect you to believe me" she started sobbing "Good" Rick was short. Julia got up out of her chair and walked shakily over to the bed. Sobbing she laid down and curled in the fetal position wrapping her arms around small round belly. Rick stood there watching her cry holding his unborn baby. Torn Rick didn't know what to do or to believe. Julia had lay there crying and sobbing for a few minutes as Rick got on the bed and spooned her from behind. He slowly slid his arm over her side resting his hand on her belly. They laid there wordless. The silence was almost deafening. Before long Rick realized Julia had cried herself to sleep. He got off the bed and sat down at the table to write a note.

"Julia,
Right now I don't know what to think, what to feel, what to say, or
what to do. I'm feeling everything at once and I don't know were to
go from here. I need some time think and straighten out everything.
If it gets to late, or the guy ask were I am tell them in my thinking place.

Rick "

With that Rick put the pen down and went up to the roof where he always went to get his thoughts together. When he got to he door he paused no knowing what to do. He slowly walked out on the large stoned roof and walked to the side to look out over the city. He sat down and looked over the ledge. The wind had come up as the night started to fall. Rick had no idea how long he was out there. He hadn't felt the cold, or the rain that started to fall lightly on him. "What the hell do I do?" he thought to himself. "Do I take the chance and hope that the baby is mine?" "Do I wait until after the baby's born before I make my next move?" "How can I deny the fact that I could be this baby's father?" The questions seem to come in a continuous stream. "Rick" Joe said as he put his hand on Rick's shoulder. Rick was startled and looked back at Joe. "Come on in Buddy" Rick got up slowly and took a long look out over the city with all it's lights. Rick turned back and walked in with Joe. "We've got tons of food in the room come on." Joe told him "What did you get?" "Chinese, including your favorites, Lo mein and Wanton Soup, and of course egg rolls." "With Duck Sauce" "Plenty" "And a coke" "Would we have it any other way?" they both chuckled and Rick was feeling better already.

Joe and Rick stepped back into the hotel. "It's warm in here" Rick said "No, it was cold out there, and you need to get out of those wet clothes." Joe told him to see Rick look down at the floor. They were walking up to Rick's door. "I can't....I just can't go in there. NOT yet." Rick said emotionally. Joe pushed Rick with a guiding arm around his shoulders. "I've got a shirt you can use, and there's always extra room." "Thanks Joe." They walked into the room where the guys were breaking out the food. "Hey Rick catch." Viv said as he threw a coke in Rick's direction. "Thanks man, I'll take that shirt too.” he said to both Viv and Joe. After changing his shirt he and the guys were all eating and talking about their week off. "I'm sleeping late and getting a few home cooked meals" Joe said with a smile thinking of mom's home cooking. "I'm going to take Rory to Disney world and to see my dad." Phil added. "I was going to take Julia to meet my parents but since I don't think the baby's mine I don't know" Rick said in turn. Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at Rick. Sav broke the silence "I don't mean to throw salt on the wound, but what made you change your mind?" Rick told them all the story. "You don't believe her?" Phil asked. "No, I don't but there is the chance the baby's mine. This is where the problem comes in. I feel like I should wait to marry her until after the baby's born, but if it is mine I'll want to kick myself for not believing her and not marrying her when I had the chance. I wish I had a way to know ahead of time." "You do" Mal said as he slid the laptop over to him. "WWW.paternity.cbi-biotech.com shows you can do prenatal paternity testing, all you need is a doctor to do it." he told him. Rick took the laptop and read the information very closely. Under the heading "Who is tested?" it said everything Rick need to see "Babies can be tested at any time, even during the prenatal period. Testing of the alleged father, without the mother's participation, can also be arranged." Rick looked up to see everyone staring at him. "What doctor would be discreet?" Rick asked "Dr. Daugherty, he's been my doctor for years, since I was a young lad. Good man, very quiet" Joe said "He's good I've been going to him for 8 years now and nothing gets out." Sav added "Well I guess that's day 1 of my trip. I want to know before I make my next move." A content smile came over Rick.

The guys continued to talk and joke around for a while before a knock
at the door made them stop.  Rick's smiling face changed quickly.
His face turned dark, his eyes darted to the door and his lips made a
tight thin line. "I don't want to talk to her" he said knowing full
well it was her.  Phil opened the door slightly to look out at
Julia. "Yes" Phil, said as his eyes board holes in her. "Can I speak
with Rick?" she asked shakily "Rick is indisposed." "Not to me" Julia
was getting snotty with Phil. "Yes he is" Phil was trying to keep his
cool. "I'm coming in" Julia tried to bulldoze her way in. Phil stood
steady and the door didn't budge. "Let me in" she demanded still
pushing on the door. "Look he's in the loo, I'll tell him you stopped
by." Phil pushed the door and Julia until he heard the door
latch. "Damn, she doesn't take no for and answer does she?" he asked
as he walked back over to the guys. "I guess I owe her some
explanation." Rick said with his head low. "The hell you do!" Viv
exclaimed "She owes it to you, to say the least!"  "ill make your
Appointment just ell her it's normal testing, they'll do it without
her knowing." Joe said "Okay lets do it Monday if we can." Rick said
as he got up and started to the door. "We're leaving a 10am be ready"
Mal added "Okay" Rick answered as he closed the door.  He got to his
own room and opened the door slowly to find Julia sobbing on the
bed. "What's wrong?" he asked She looked back to see Rick closing the
door. She jumped off of the bed and ran to Rick, throwing her arms
around him. "I didn't think you were coming back tonight." she
sobbed "Of course, we're leaving for England in the morning. Do you
need to tell anyone or get time off of work?" he asked placing a kiss
on the top of her head. "Let's get to bed." he told her.  He stripped
down to his shorts and slid in behind her. Julia snuggled against
Rick and settled down to sleep.  Rick was asleep only minutes after
Julia.
 

The phone rang at 8 am and Rick grabbed it figuring it was Malvin
making sure he was getting up "Look Troll I'm up sod off" he grumbled
into the phone. "Sorry I was looking for Julia" a female voice said
"I'm sorry I thought you were a friend of mine. I'll get her hold
on." Rick felt like an ass. "Julia, honey" he whispered and rocked
her softly. "Julia" he said a little louder. She began to wake up and
looked at him. "You have a phone call" he said holding up the phone.
"Okay" Julia was still groggy. "I'm going to shower while you talk."
he told her as he got out of bed. Rick had closed the bathroom door
and started the water. "Hello" Julia started rubbing her head trying
to wake up. "Julia?" "Mom?" she asked "It's me, you never called me
back yesterday, what happened?" "Well Rick heard the end of our
conversation and took it as I was lying to him. I tried to explain,
but he was very angry with me. He talked to his friends, and
everything seems okay now. We're leaving for England in a couple of
hours. I'll call you when I get there." she explained. She talked to
her mother for a couple of minutes and hung up.  Julia was packing
her bag when a hard wave a nausea swept over her.  She ran to the
bathroom and swung the door open barely making it to the toilet. Rick
stood there in only a towel wondering what to do. "Are you okay?" he
asked rubbing her back "Just praying to the porcelain god." she joked
"Do I need to get you to a doctor?" Rick was concerned, this was
nothing like the previous morning. "No, I just need something to
settle my stomach is all" Rick helped her up and got her back to the
bed. "I'll be back in a minute don't move." he instructed.  He
dressed quickly and left the room only to return moments later with
ginger ale and cracker. "Here these should make you feel better." he
said sitting next to her pulling her to him.

He carefully rocked her as she listened to his heartbeat. "You need
to eat something to build up your strength. Peanut needs all he or
she can get." he said with a smile. Deep down he really did hope that
this baby was his. The thought of spending his life with her and
having a baby was calming to him, made him feel comfortable.  "Peanut
as you like to call him is fine, but I will eat something." she
smiled and hugged Rick.

The phone rang with it being almost nine Rick was sure it was Malvin
this time. "Hello" "Hey buddy" "Hey Joe" "Your appointment is for
1:30 Monday, go in through the back. Oh and the resident Oompa Loompa
wants you down in the lobby at 10 sharp." Rick chuckled remembering
the year they dressed Malvin up as an Oompa Loompa for Halloween.
"Well tell Willy Wonka's head bitch we'll be there." Rick and Joe
were both laughing.

Julia got in the shower and Rick packed up their things. "RICK!" came
from the bathroom.  Rick crossed the room in three strides "What's
wrong?" he asked as he opened the door. "I'm going to be sick again"
Julia was almost in tears.  Rick jumped over and picked her up out of
the tub. He placed her down next to the toilet and rubbed her back.
"It's okay" Rick didn't know what else to say to her. Seconds after
saying that she got sick again. He brought a cloth in to wipe her
face down and picked her up from the floor. He softly put her down on
the bed and finished packing quickly. Julia could barely sit up, Rick
dressed her almost as if she was a rag doll. "Sweetie you have to eat
something" he told her handing her a cracker. She obeyed and ate a
couple of crackers. It was nine fifty and time to head downstairs.
"Are you going to be okay?" he asked "Yeah, I feel better already."
she smiled at him. He could tell she was humoring him, but walked out
of the room with her.

They got downstairs on time and headed for the airport. They had to
pull the van over once for Julia to get sick again. This was
frightening Rick, but he didn't know what to do. They got to the
airport and Malvin took care of there bags as always. Julia had told
Rick that she had a migraine and that was what was making her sick
now.  "Can you take anything?" he asked brushing her hair out of her
face "No, I used to take Imatrex, but I can't now that I'm pregnant.
I just need to ride this out."  They boarded the plane and Rick got
them placed in the back of first class switching seats with Joe and
Sav. He tried to make it as dark and quiet as possible for her. She
fell asleep about 20 minutes into the flight.

Rick was relieved to see her out of her pain for the moment, but
hoped when she woke up she'd be better.  Rick woke Julia about 15
minutes before they landed.  She had slept for almost 7 hours, but
she said she felt good.

Heathrow airport was a nightmare. After three hours they finally got
to leave. Rick and the guys made arrangements to meet up later in the
week and went their separate ways. Rick was happy to see his flat.
"Home Sweet Home" he said to her as the cab pulled up outside.  Rick
got their luggage and they went in.
 

Rick carried the bags into the flat and Julia sat down in an over
stuffed chair in the living room. "Are you okay Luv?" Rick asked from
the kitchen "Yeah, I'm hungry do you have any food?" she asked. Rick
knew she was feeling much better. "There's not much here, but I can
go get something. What are you in the mood for?" he asked. She
grinned wickedly at him and replied "I wouldn't mind a big serving of
you"  Rick turned back to look at her. He crossed the room and
stopped in front of her. On his knees he looked up at her and told
her "I wouldn't mind a serving of you either." He ran his hands up
her inner thighs up to her waist. He was unbuttoning her pants as he
got closer to her. His breath was hot on her skin. His tongue ran
across her belly button, she let out a giggle. Rick worked her pants
and panties down around her ankles. Wordless he started his tongue at
her right knee and worked his way up her inner thigh. Julia moaned
softly knowing the pleasure he was about to give her. Rick ran a
skilled finger between her lips before settling on her clit. He
slowly rubbed it watching it drive her crazy as her planted hot
little kisses on her inner thighs. "Ohh Rick" she moaned, her head
laying back against the chair. With her eyes closed she ran her hands
into Rick hair. "God you're killing me" Rick loved the thought of the
slow torture, and made his way to womanhood. He quickly ran his
tongue between her lips starting at her entrance up over her swollen
clit. "Ahhhh God Rick" "Tell me what you want." he told her. Julia
squirmed in the chair as Rick pulled away from her. "Tell me what you
want baby." "I want YOU! I want you inside me!" she moaned.  That was
all Rick needed to hear, he as out of his clothes and picking her up
out of the chair quickly. He sat down and put her on his lap. She
straddled his lap as she slid down on to his hard shaft. "Damn your
pussy feels good" he whispered in her ear as he nibbled it. "It's all
for you baby, it's all for you." she said as she claimed his lips
with her own.  Rick held her by her hips sliding her up and down his
shaft. "Do you like that?" "Yeeeeeeeeessssssssssssss" she moaned.
Rick could feel her getting close. "Cum for me" he whispered "I will
baby, I will." Seconds later Julia was taken over by the pleasure as
she started to orgasm her muscles tightened pushing Rick over the
edge with her. He came hard into her moaning her name the whole time.
"I love you baby" he smiled "I love you too" Julia said as she
collapsed onto him. He placed a kiss on the top of her head as there
breathing returned to normal.

"What do you say we get some food?" he asked. "Sure, I could go for
some chinese and I'm craving a big pickle." she told him "You just
had a big pickle" he grinned at her.  "I thought that was a meat
popsicle." she joked back. "I guess it could be" he said as he kissed
her. "What ever the hell it was it was good, I think I may have
another craving for it later." she said with a wink.
 

After heading out for food they returned with full bags. Ready to eat?" Rick asked "Yup" Julia replied biting into her pickle. She smiled as pickle juice ran down her chin. "Are you going to have weird cravings a lot?" he asked "Probably" "On Monday I've made you an appointment at Dr. Daugherty's office." he told her as if it was nothing. "Why?" "The baby book says you should be having an ultrasound, RH factor test, and amniocenteses." "You've been reading a baby book?" Rick grinned at her "Yes" he walked over to get 2 books out of his carryon. "What to expect when your expecting, and Child development." he held them up for her to see them. "I have an OB-GYN at home." "Well you should have one here to, just incase. You know for safety sake." he smiled and ran a protective hand over her belly. She kissed him softly "Thank you". Rick was puzzled "Thank you for what?" "For caring about me, and caring about the baby." she held his face in her hands and kissed him again. "Let's eat, you'll be dessert." he said as he spanked her. "OUCH, not so hard." she rubbed the spot he spanked "Sorry I forgot your not a drum skin." "No Mr. ThunderGod I'm not." "That's it!" "What?" "I'll call the baby Thunder." "You will not!" she couldn't tell if he was serious or not "Why not? My mum says she was sure I'd be a footballer after all the kicking I did." he smiled looking down at her little bell "We'll see, but let's not call the baby Thunder okay?" she kissed him hoping to sway his decision. "Okay, but when he starts kicking you'll se what I mean." he said and kissed her back. Rick started the stereo and Julia broke up the food. They ate without saying to much. "What do you think of Kathleen if it's a girl?" "Kathleen is pretty, I like it." "It's my mum's name, what's your mum's name? "Marie" she said taking a bit of lomein off Rick's fork. "Kathleen Marie Allen. I like it." he smiled "Me too" she smiled. It was the first thing they did for the baby. "Now all we need is a boy's name." she said. "How about Connor?" she started "It's okay, but I don't think so." Julia started hurling names at Rick. "Harrison" "Ford, no" "Cooper" "Tires, no" "Parker" "Rolls, it's okay, better than the other." "William" "That's nice" "Alexander" "Not bad" "So more traditional names?" "Yeah, I like William" "Okay, does William get a middle name? she asked "Of course, how else will he know when he's in trouble?" he joked Julia continued with names, "William Scott?" "No" "William David?" "no" they went on for hours before deciding that they still have time before William needs a middle name.
After eating virtually everything in sight Julia was giving into her
exhaustion. Leaning back in the chair she let out a long yawn. "Don't
do that." Rick scolded as he yawned. "Sorry, I'm just really tired. Do
you think we could go to bed?" she asked rubbing her eyes. "Sure"
Rick said getting up.

It took five minutes for Rick to get Julia out of the chair and
another five to get her into bed. She was wearing another of Rick's
big shirts. "When do we go tomorrow?" "1:30, and I'd like to plan
dinner with my folks in a couple of days." "It'll be nice to meet
your family. I bet your mom will love the idea of her granddaughter
being named after her." Rick thought about the look on his mom's face
when he'd tell her. "She'll love it." he kissed Julia's forehead and
reached back to turn off the light. Almost before he could turn back
to get settled into bed she was asleep. "Good night Luv" he said
with a gentle kiss on the top of her head and fell asleep quickly.
 

Rick woke up before Julia did, he made his usual morning stop in the
loo before going into the kitchen. Expecting Julia to follow her
ritual of morning sickness he got out the crackers and ginger ale
ahead of time.  "Rick, Honey, where'd you go?" Julia asked in the
bedroom.  Rick walked in with the soda and crackers. "You're so
sweet, but I'm okay so far." she smiled feeling better than she had
in quite a while for just waking up. "Can we go site seeing before my
appointment?" she asked hold Rick's hand in hers. "Sure, what do you
want to see?" "Everything"

After sharing a long hot shower they were on their way to see the
places that meant something to Rick in his past. They were at the
fourth place when Rick noticed it was 1 o'clock. "We better head to
your appointment." he said turning to head that way.

Rick and Julia quietly slipped in the back just like they had been
told to. A nurse showed them to an exam room and told Julia to
disrobe, cover up with the sheet and the doctor would be right in.
"Why do you have to take your clothes off?" Rick asked with a puzzled
look on his face. "Welcome to an OB-GYN appointment, you hardly ever
get to keep your clothes on it seems." she joked "I couldn't do it,
leaving my tackle to hang out in the breeze." Rick was feeling
embarrassed for her.  Dr. Daugherty came in and introduced himself
telling both Rick and Julia what he was going to do. First would be
the RH Factor, amnio, then the ultrasound. Rick held Julia's hand
through the whole thing, although there was a point when it didn't
look like he would make it when he saw the size of the needle for the
amnio. "What are they going to knit a sweater?" he asked to himself.
He couldn't watch, he just looked into Julia's eyes to keep her
occupied. The ultrasound was last, and by far the best part of the
whole appointment. In second they were looking at their baby, seeing
it's heart beating, it's little legs and little spine. "Their baby"
damn the words that rang in his head like Sunday church bells.
"Everything looks very good, I'll send a copy of the test results to
your doctor in the states." Doctor Daugherty told them. Julia got
dressed and Rick wanted to talk to the doctor about how long this
test would take. "I got what I need, the only thing left is some of
your blood and I can get you a result by Wednesday." Wordless Rick
rolled up his sleeve and proceeded to give blood. Rick and the doctor
walked in to find Julia dressed and beaming at the picture from the
ultrasound. The doctor wished them well and told both that he would
call Rick's cell phone with the results when they became available.

The rest of the day was spent with a picnic lunch on a hillside Rick
played on as a kid. They lay together propped up on their elbows
watching children play until sunset started. Rick pulled her close
and the watched the sun cast Oranges, Reds, and Pinks across the sky.

Once the sun went down they went back to the car and on to the flat.
Rick called his mom when they got there making dinner plans for
Thursday. Mom was going to cook, and Rick couldn't have been happier.
 

Tuesday was a fairly laid back day, they did "Local" things as Julia
liked to call them. Rick showed her where he went to school before he
dropped out to join the band. The place that his brother tried to
push him in front of a car. "You know brotherly love kind of things"
Rick joked with her. Rick's phone rang and they looked at each other.

"Hello" Rick started "Hey man" Julia knew it was one of the guys and
relaxed a little. Thankfully they were pulled over out of the way and
not on the road when the phone rang. She sat looking out the car
window with her hands settled on her growing belly. She was now 5
months and from what the scale in the doctor's office said she was
only up 6 pounds since she got pregnant. Looking over Rick's baby
books she knew that would all change soon. "Julia, Julia, honey" Rick
said touching her arm bringing her out of her thoughts. "Did you here
me?" he looked a little concerned. "No, I'm sorry just day dreaming."
she smiled. "The guys want to meet us for dinner at the Indian place
by Joe's tonight, are you up for it?" "Sure, I've never eaten Indian
before." she smiled Rick turned back to the phone and said they'd be
there.

Rick turned back out onto the road, he wanted to show Julia the spoon
factory that they practiced in. About half way there his phone rang
again. Neither one thought twice about it, they figured it would be
one of the guys. Everything was about to change, "Hello" Rick
started. "Rick, this is Doctor Daughtery and I have all the test
results." he explained "Okay" Rick tried to say calm although his
heart was in his throat. It all came to this moment, his life would
be forever changed no matter what the results. The only thing was
were the changes for the better or for the worst. "The Rh factor came
back fine, no problem there, the amnio came back fine, and the one
you were really wanting...." Rick kept thinking could he please speed
this up. His mind had slowed down the word. "...to know 99.89%
YOURS." he told Rick. "That's great, thank you so much." Rick was
about to cry. This was what he was waiting to hear. Rick hung up and
told Julia that was the doctor and "everything is perfect." "That's
great" Julia said with relief in her voice. As they stopped at a red
light he hugged her as tightly as he could.

"Rick you're squeezing me to hard." Julia said trying to pull back. "Sorry" he said pulling away. "I'm just glad everything is okay." he told her as the light turned green. They pulled up to a small strip mall. "What are we getting here?" she asked "I have an idea, I'll be right back, is there anything you want?" Rick asked "Well I could go for a really big Coke, but it's okay if you can't find one." she told him with a smile. "I'll see what I can do" he kissed her quickly and went to the first store. Five minutes later he came out and hit the next store. He came out and went to the car trunk and dropped the packages and brought Julia a caffeine free coke "Thank you" she said as she turned the cap. "Isn't that a great sound?" she asked "You must really be wanting that." Rick chuckled. She took it and drank almost half of it at once. "Oh Yeah, so what did you get?" she asked. "I'll show you when we get home." Rick pulled out of the parking lot and headed home. Once inside Rick grabbed the bags and started to show Julia what he bought. "These are for my mom and dad." he said holding up a sweatshirt that says "World's Best Grandma" & "World's Best Grandpa" "This is how we can tell them." Julia smiled seeing how happy Rick was. "Oh, one other thing." he turned back to the bag and come back with a bib. "I Love My Daddy" written on it. "That's so cute." Julia told him taking it in her hands. There was a knock at the door. Rick talked to the person for a minute before coming back in. Julia was folding the sweatshirts so they could wrap them when Rick stood in front of her. "Honey" he started as she looked up to see Rick with and arm full of Red, Pink, White, and Cream Roses. "These are for you." tears started to well up in her eyes as she took the roses. Rick got down on one knee and put a hand on her belly. "I know I said I'd wait for you, but I don't want to spend a single second of my life without you and Kathleen or William being a part of it. Julia will you marry me?" Rick never took his eyes off her. "Yes" she said as tears of joy rolled down her face. He slipped a 2 karat solitaire Marquise cut diamond with ruby inlay around the band on her finger. She threw her arms around him and told him she loved him. She looked at the ring as Rick held her close. "Do you see the Ruby's?" he asked her. She shook her head looking at the ring. "I picked those because they'll be the baby's birthstone." he told her quietly in her ear. "I Love You" she told him "I Love You too honey."

Rick looked at his watch as he released Julia from their hug. They
were to be at the restaurant in 40 minutes and the drive was 45. "Are
you going to be okay?" Rick asked wipe her tears away with his thumb.
Julia couldn't speak, she just shook her head and hugged him again.
She jumped a bit and her head shot up to look Rick in the eyes. He
looked at her with an odd look on his face. "Did you feel that?" she
asked with the same odd look as Rick's "Yes" he said. "The baby
kicked" she said with a smile. Rick put his hand on  her stomach and
she moved it to where she felt it just a second before. They waited
for a second and it happened again. "I felt it! I felt the baby!"
Rick was ecstatic. "Go Thunder!!" he chuckled. Julia had to laugh at
it too. Rick waited for a minute to see if the baby would kick again,
but there was nothing. "Are you ready to go to dinner?" he asked
"Just let me go to the loo and I'll be all set" she told him "Very
nice, using the loo instead of bathroom, very English." he teased
"Well I'm probably going to spend a lot of time here I may as well
get used to it." she smiled  She returned about 5 minutes later and
Rick was waiting by the door with her coat. "Ready?" "Yes" she
slipped her arms in the coat and went on out the door. About 15
minutes into the drive Rick called Joe to say they'd be late, but to
go ahead and order if they wanted.

The drive had been quiet, music playing low Julia was watching the
countryside go by. "This is it" Rick said solemnly "This  is the
turn" Julia knew exactly what he was talking about. She could see the
stone wall and the ditch before she knew it tears were running down
her face. She could feel his pain, she wanted to take it away. Rick
saw the tears out of the corner of his eye. "Julia, what's wrong
honey?" he asked softly as they passed the curve in the road and the
crash site. "I'm sorry, I just.." she had to catch her breath "..I
know how much this must hurt you to see this place." she was sobbing.
Rick pulled the car off to the side of the road and parked it.
"Julia, it's okay" he took her face in hand and ran his thumb over
her cheek to take the tears away "Julia, I went this way for a
reason, I wanted you to see this place." he explained.  She looked in
his eyes "Why?" "This place changed my life, and whether or not
anyone likes it I wouldn't have changed this for anything." Julia was
confused by Rick's words "It's like I told my mum, I must have need
the kick in the arse. This reshaped my life and everything in it.
What if this didn't happen? Would I be here with you right now? So
completely and utterly head over heals in love with you with our baby
coming in a few months? Probably not, and for reasons like this
moment I wouldn't have changed that day for anything." Julia brought
her hands up to Rick's cheeks and kissed him. "I think I understand"
she told him. He hugged her tightly and started to pull back out on
the road. Julia straighten herself up before they got to the
restaurant. "Ready to eat?" "Yes, I'm starved" she told him

They went in to find the guys sitting around a large table with
drinks and menus. "Hey you decided to grace us with your presence."
Sav joked. Rick flipped him off and pulled Julia's chair out for her.
Paige was tending to Tyler when she noticed Julia having a hard time
sitting in the chair "I don't miss that at all!" she said "Me either"
Jewels added. The guys just looked at each other like "Great here
comes the pregnancy complaints again." The waiter came over and asked
for Rick and Julia's drink order while they looked at the menus. The
table was packed with people, and was about to get larger. Anita came
in and sat down with Rory next to Phil. Bobbie came out of the ladies
room and sat next to Joe, there was now 13 people at the table. "Mal
called to say he'd be late" Viv said hanging up his cell phone They
were all deciding what appetizers to get and Rick was explaining what
everything was to Julia when Malvin joined them. "Hi all" The entire
table erupted in greetings to him. After ordering Malvin's drink they
ordered food. Rick started a conversation which he knew the guys were
dying to hear . "I have something I, uha we want to show all of you."
he bent down and pulled up the bib saying "I Love My Daddy". "It's
about time you got a bib your a mess when you eat, honestly." Phil
joked, know full well that it meant the baby was definitely his.
"Also, Julia has agreed to marry me." he held up her hand showing the
ring. "Wow Julia, your a really brave woman, to raise two babies at
once will be a lot of work on you." Joe joked as Bobbie slapped his
arm and Rick threw his napkin at him. "Congratulation to both of you"
Malvin said as everyone did the same.
 

The food came and Julia ate cautiously. "What is that?" she asked looking at Rick's plate. "It's Khum Hara Dhania, here try some." he said with a fork full going toward Julia. "Aww, how cute." Phil teased as Julia took the fork in her mouth. "Uncle Rick doesn't drop food like you do Dad." Rory said innocently "Busted." Rick said laughing. Everyone ate and talked for a while before deciding to call it a night. The drive home for Rick and Julia was full of plans "This is my thought, but let me know what you want to do. We can get married in Japan, with the guys as witnesses and then have a big wedding after the baby's born." he smiled "I like that, let's do it." Julia was ecstatic. She ran her hand up his thigh and gave it a squeeze. "Be careful or we may not make it home." he said with a wicked grin. "I've never done it in the backseat of a car." she told him with a grin of her own. "Oh, that's it" he pulled the car off to the side of the road and turned the headlights off. "You're in for it now." he said as he took off his seatbelt and started to kiss her. Her hands slid up his chest as he unbuckled her seatbelt. Not missing a single move he slide from behind the steering wheel and lower Julia's seat. "Oh" she said not realizing he was going to move the back of the seat "I knew I loved this car." he said "Why because the seat touches the backseat?" "Exactly." Rick took her lips with his, slowly running his tongue over her soft supple lips. Julia moaned into his mouth. His hand was pushing up her skirt until he realized she hadn't worn any panties. He pulled back to look into her lust clouded eyes. "We wouldn't have made it to dinner if I'd known." he said stroking her. She blushed and put a hand on the back of his neck pulling him back into her kiss. She undid the button and zipper of his pants to run her hand over his hard cock. Rick tried to move a bit making it easier for her to push his pants over his hips. He kneeled on the seat and was about to enter her where there was a knock at the car window. Julia gasped as a flashlight shined in her eyes. "Excuse me" the voice started. Rick was startled and looked up to see a police office getting a show. He tried to cover himself, "What seems to be the problem officer?" he asked "I thought you were in need of help when I saw your hazard lights flashing, but what you're doing I could arrest you for." he told him. He stepped back giving Rick the chance to dress before stepping out of the car. "I'm sorry officer, I must have accidentally turned them on, we just got engaged tonight and had a romantic dinner. I guess I should have waited till I got her home." Rick was turning red. "It's okay, I'll let you go this time, but if I catch you again. I'm arresting you." "Thank you officer" Rick got back in the car and pulled away silently. Rick and Julia had not said a single word for almost two minutes when they both broke out in a fit of laughter. "I guess I'm never going to do it in a car." Julia teased. "Not on this road" Rick joked. They got home and decided to call it a night after all of the excitement they couldn't help but laugh when ever they thought about it. They had all day tomorrow to make up for it. Dinner was planned with his parents tomorrow night. They settled into bed and feel asleep in each others arms.

Julia woke up first and tried not to disturb Rick when she got out of bed. She found his robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door and wrapped herself in it. His scent was in the collar, she brought it to her nose and took a deep breath. It was like breathing him in, she couldn't get enough. She padded into the kitchen where she put the kettle on the stove to make tea. She thought she'd surprise Rick with breakfast in bed when she realized there really wasn't anything in the house but cans of soup, crackers, and freezer burned pizzas. The kettle started to whistle, she took it off the burner and got herself a mug. As she was pouring the water Rick walked into the door way of the kitchen in only his boxers. "Good Morning" he said still a little groggy. Julia turned to see him and smiled "Good Morning". She walked over to him, "You look good in my robe." he told her. "You look delicious in those boxers, I could get used to mornings like this." she told him. He brought his hand up to her cheek stroking it softly. "After we're married you'll have all of the mornings you can stand." he kissed her softly. Julia went and got a mug of Rick. He poured his tea and followed her into the living room. "What do you want to do today?" he asked. "How about just stay here, I can imagine you need some time to recoup from the tour." she was hoping he'd agree. "It would be nice to hang low for a while. Okay." he said. "We need to get groceries and I'll make lunch for you." she told him. "Two home cooked meals in one day, I'm going to become spoiled." he smiled. "That's saying you like my cooking." she told him. "Do you burn it beyond recognition?" "No" "Then you already cook better than Joe, so it'll be great." he smiled taking a long drink off his tea. "Okay, I'll go shower before making a list." she said getting up from the couch and starting toward the bedroom. "Need some help with that shower?" he asked with a smile. "Sure, you can wash my back." she said over her shoulder to him. "Among other things" he said to himself. He jumped up off he couch and wasn't far behind.

Julia made it to the bedroom and shed Rick's robe dropping it to the floor as she made her way into the bathroom. Rick caught the end of the show as the robe ribboned off her shoulders showing her sleek back down to her nicely rounded bum, and lean thighs. She started the water as Rick stepped into the bathroom behind her shedding his boxers. He kissed her neck working down her shoulders as his hand slid down the contours of her hip. "God you are so sexy." he said between kisses. Julia reached back to grab Rick's ass and pulled him against her. He slid his hand from her hip to her belly and slowly moved up the body until he cradled her breast in his hand and rolled his nipple between his finger and thumb making her moan as she pushed herself as against his erection. Rick moaned at the friction against his hardened cock. "I need you" he growled into her ear sending chills down her spine. She ran her hand down her body until she came to her wanting core. She slipped a finger between her lips and reached her swollen clit. Rick bent her over the tub and slid into tight passage in one smooth movement. They both moaned and the sensation as Rick started a steady rhythm pumping in and out as Julia continued to rub her clit. "Ohh God I'm gonna cum, cum with me." he said almost breathless. Rick moved faster in and out of her as she pushed back taking im in as deep as she could. Her wall collapsed tightly around Rick pulling at his cock. He released deep in side her as he moaned her name. "I love you Julia" he whispered in her ear.

After finally getting the shower Julia had wanted to take she sat down with Rick to make out a grocery list. "This must be really domestic and dull to you." Julia said as she wrote down a couple of items. "You'd be surprised how much I actually enjoy this." he told her with a smile. They continued making the list and went shopping. Julia cooked a small lunch for the both of them before wrapping up the gifts for Rick's parents. The rest of the afternoon they spent lying on the couch together watching movies and talking. Rick started to get ready and Julia did the same. This was going to be a nerve racking night for her. What if his parents didn't like her? What if she did something really wrong and offended them? Oh God she could really screw everything up. "Julia are you ready?" Rick asked from the bedroom. She looked at herself in the bathroom mirror one more time to make sure her hair and make up were okay before going to the bedroom. "As ready as I'll ever be." she said taking a deep breath. "Wow, you look great" he said as he walked up to her and kissed her forehead. Julia had her hair up in a french twist with tendril curls coming down framing her face. Her make up was perfect, light enough to enhance her beautiful brown eyes, creamy smooth skin, and full lips without looking made up. She wore a navy blue ankle length dress that had a tie in the back and a small lace collar. "I don't look to old do I?" she asked afraid of looking matronly. "No, you look great" he said assuring her as he started out of the bedroom with her. Rick grabbed the bag with the gift and Julia put her navy heels on. She wrapped a small white shawl around her shoulders and headed for the door. The drive wasn't long, but it felt like it to Julia. "The baby's kicking up a storm." she told Rick putting her hand on her belly to help sooth the baby. Rick looked over to see she dress move on her belly. "I told you the baby would be a footballer like me in there. Go Thunder" he teased smiling at Julia. "Funny" she replied with a smile. "Here we are" Rick said pulling into a drive way. "Hey Brian's here" he said surprised. "The one who pushed you in front of the car?" she asked "The one and only." Rick parked behind Brian and got out to open Julia's door. "Your trembling" he was concerned "Just nervous is all" Rick put his hand under her chin and looked into her eyes. "You have nothing to be nervous about. They'll love you, just like me." he kissed her softly and started get the bag from the car. "Let's go" he said locking arms with her. They walked up the drive to the side door. "Hello" Rick said as he opened the door and entered the house. Rick put the bag down on the counter, and Julia hung back in the door way. "Richard" his mom said rounding the corner with his dad right behind. He gave his parents a hug when Brian came in. "Hey bro" he said giving Rick a hug. "Hey, where's Christine?" "She's visiting her folks for a couple of days." Rick turned back to see Julia holding on to the door frame next to her thigh. She was clutching it so tightly she thought she might ripe the wood off the wall. "Honey come here." Rick said walking toward her. He smiled at her and took her hand in his. "Mom, Dad, Brian this is Julia." he announced guiding her in their direction. "Hello" she was shy. "Hello, Julia, it's nice to meet you." There was a momentary silence and his mom brought them into the living room. "Would you like a drink?" she asked "Do you have any Coke" Brian asked "Yes, how about you two? What would you like?" "Ice water is fine." Julia said with a smile "I'll take a coke." Rick told her "Dinner will be done in a few minutes, you can all come sit at the table." his mom announced from the kitchen. Thankfully Julia hadn't had to talk, but she knew it was only time.

Rick got up from the couch and helped Julia off the couch trying not to call Brian's attention to her. Brian was already out of the room and in the dinning room by the time Julia got off the couch. "Your doing fine, relax" he assured her and kissed her softly. He pulled her into a hug and felt the baby kick. "Come on you two foods almost ready." he dad called in. "Come on" he turned away and led Julia into the dining room holding her hand. They sat down and Rick's mom was still in the kitchen finishing up things. "I'm going to see if your mom needs any help." she told Rick. She'd have to talk to her sooner or later, so why not take the bull by the horns and do it. "Hi" she started sheepishly as Rick's mom looked up at her. "Do you need an hand?" she offered with a smile. "I could always use help." she smiled back at Julia. "Could you start the salad for me? All of the stuff is in the refrigerator." Julia pulled out everything and started the salad. "Rick's only told me a little about you, but I know that you must be something really special to him. He doesn't bring very many people home. Sure he brings the boys home, but your only the third girl in his dating life he's ever brought home." Julia couldn't help but smile. Julia finished the salad and asked if there was anything else she could do but everything was finished.
They had a very nice dinner and talked about all kinds of things from Rick's parents not knowing about Brian pushing Rick in front of cars to where Rick was off to next. Julia felt very comfortable, even joining in on some of the conversations. They moved back into the living room leaving cleaning for later. "Honey where did I leave the bag?" Rick asked without a second thought. "In on the counter" she said as calmly as possible. She could feel her heart start to race, she tried to not think of what was about to happen. Rick ran in and grabbed the bag handing a box to each of his parents. "These are for you from Julia and I." he told them with a smile and sat down next to Julia taking her hand in his. He waited as his parents took off the wrapping. Julia thought she'd die of heart failure waiting for them to make it in to the sweatshirts. They both opened the boxes and pulled out the sweatshirts. "Richard luv we don't have any grandchildren." his mother told him easily. His dad smiled at him knowing what the sweatshirts meant. "Think about it" Rick said with a smile. After about a minute she looked over at Rick's father with a questioning look on her face. "Kathleen, they're going to make us grandparents." As soon as the words left his mouth she looked over at Rick and Julia for validation. "In July" Rick told her. "That's fantastic!" she said getting up to give Rick a hug. "Julia and I are getting married next week in Japan with a big wedding to follow after the baby's born." he explained. She moved over to hug Julia. "How could I have missed this little belly?" she asked placing a hand on it. The baby kicked almost exactly where she placed her hand. "What a kick" she said with a smile. She looked over at Rick, "just like you". "If Peanut's a girl her name will be Kathleen Marie." he told her with a smile thinking how much the sight in front of him with his mother, the love of his life and his unborn child was beautiful. "If it's a boy his name will be William, his middle name hasn't been decided yet". Tears started to well up in his mother's eyes. "Your going to name her after me?" she asked "Yes, and her middle name is for my mother." Julia explained as Kathleen gave her another hug. "Thank you, and welcome to the family."

After Rick's mother got over the initial shock she started to show Julia pictures of Rick as a baby. "This one is so cute" Julia said pointing to a small snapshot. "Am I covered in food or something?" Rick asked figuring it was going to be something embarrassing. "No, your naked with your bum hanging out." his mother said. "He loved running around naked all the time, this one was when he was running away from a bath. It took a long time to break him of that habit." she teased "I still like running around naked, but I'd get arrested for it now." he replied jokingly. "You have to have the equipment first to even be noticed as naked." Brian teased. "I may be younger, but I'm much bigger than you." Rick told him matter of factly. "I really doubt that." Brian rolled his eyes at Rick egging him on all the more. "Okay, now you've pushed me, I’ll just show you." Rick said undoing his pants. Brian started to undo his too. "Boys!" their mother yelled "This will only take a second." Brian explained starting to undo his zipper. "There is a lady in the house." pointing to Julia. "It's okay mum she's seen me before." Rick was grinning and Julia was blushing. "Are you sure you want to marry this?" she asked Julia "Yes, he's just as bad with the guys in the band." she said.
Julia and his mom turned back to the pictures and let the boys have their contest. "Thank you Winner and still Champion" Rick says with a large grin as he zips his pants back up. "Okay, now that you feel better you may want to take Julia home, she's a little tired." his mom offered.
The said their goodbyes and promised to stop back when the got home from Japan.
The next few days Rick and Julia put everything together they would need for their trip to Japan. Before long they would be on a plane to Japan and getting married. Neither Rick or Julia were nervous knowing they were doing the right thing. Rick couldn't imagine a moment of his life without her.
One night in bed they talked about what they thought the baby might look like. "I want the baby to have your hair and your eyes." Julia told Rick. "I want the baby to have your smile and your complexion." They both feel asleep the night with visions of what the baby might look like. The next day was going to be a hectic one.
They got up early and showered before the phone rang. "Hello?" "Rick, it's Phil, Malvin wants all of us over here and go to Heathrow from here. Can you two be here by 10?" "Sure thing we'll be there." Rick told Julia about the plans and they got ready,
Before to long they were boarding the plane and taking off. Julia decided to sleep for most of the flight, so she took the window seat. Rick got up and talked with the guys about the wedding and the plans for things once they got to Japan. Rick had made all the plans and recruited Jewels and Anita to help Julia get everything together. Before long they'd be landing in Japan and Rick's life was going to change for the better.

The plane landed in Japan and after gathering their luggage headed for the hotel. The first day was to rest and recoup from the long trip. They were playing two nights in Tokyo, so the ladies could doing the things need for the wedding on Friday night. Anita, Jewels and Julia hit the town to get a dress and rings for Friday. "I like this one on you." Jewels told Julia as she stepped out of the dressing room. "I can't zip it, and I feel weird wearing white. I look like a misshaped Marshmallow." Julia told them not wanting to look at herself in the mirror. "You look fine" Anita told her trying to give her some confidence. "The dress does come in other sizes you know." Jewels said letting her know this wasn't the only one in the world. "As for the white thing, it's just a tradition." Anita added. "I'd been shagging Vivian for three years by the time we got married. Shit we hooked up the morning of and never told anyone." Jewels laughed thinking back to that morning. "Okay, I guess it's okay. I'll get the next size." After getting the dress in the correct size Julia looked great. It was a simple white dress, Short sleeve, empire waist (showing off her expanding belly) that ran to her mid calf. "I'll get a real dress when we have the big wedding. I don't like this dress, but what can you do when your 6 months pregnant?" Julia justified. The ladies where on there way to find some rings but decided to grab lunch first. They had a nice quiet lunch when the discussion turned to Rick and his bachelor party. "Are they getting him a stripper?" Julia asked "I don't think so. Phil hasn't said anything if the are." Anita told him. "How can I get him one?" Julia wanted him to have a party he wouldn't forget. "You want him to have one?" Jewels was about to laugh. "Yes, I'd do it, but I'd probably upset him instead of making him laugh. "Well we could figure something out between the three of us, but the party is in about three hours. We'll have to move fast if we're going to do this." Anita added with a large smile on her face. The next hour was a blur of phone calls and arrangements to pull of the surprise. The information that Jewels and Anita knew about it gave them the time and place of the party. Julia got the stripper and made all of the arrangements. The only thing left to do was get a good spot to watch the "festivities" go down. Joe and Phil went to get Rick from his room. "Come on man, let's go." Phil said standing in the door of Rick's room. "I'm writing a note to Julia I'll be done in a minute." Rick finished up and went down stairs to on of the ballrooms with Joe and Phil to meet up with the others. They had a nice dinner and talked about some of the things going on. The ladies were in the door to the kitchen unseen to the guys when there was a knock at the door of the ballroom. Viv when to answer it. The ladies were about to burst into laughter, but didn't want to get caught. "Yes" he said looking at the school girl on the other side. "I need to see Mr." she said "Mr. who?" "Mr. Curly hair." Viv had a puzzled look on his face and looked back to the others. "It's okay, let her in Viv." Rick said. "Okay, come on in" Viv stepped as side and let her in. She had a small bag and looked like she went to Catholic School. White shirt, blue plaid pleated skirt, knee high white socks and her hair in two braids. Viv walked back to the table when she still hung back by the door. "It's okay to come closer. Are you a fan?" Rick asked. It was about to start. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small radio. She pressed play and slid it across the dance floor. In perfect time it started to play music the second it stopped sliding. The guys were all looking at each other as she started to move to the music. The song she choose was "All Night" Julia picked it to taunt them. They were amazed at the "school girl" trying to figure out who the smart ass was who did this all looks turned to Joe. "Hey I didn't do it." he said with his hands up. The girl worked her way up the group of men and started to unbutton her top shaking her cleavage in Rick's face. The show went on and Julia was about to pee her pants laughing. Anita and Jewels were laughing too. As the girl finished her act she put her close back on, got her radio , and walked out. The guys sat silent not sure of what the hell just happen. "Okay, who did it?" Rick asked with a grin. No one answered, they looked to each other for the person who did it. "Come on, who did it." Rick was curious now. "Me" a voice said from behind them. All 6 men turned to find Julia, Anita and Jewels walking out of the kitchen. Rick smiled at Julia as she came over to sit on his lap. "Did you enjoy it?" she asked "I did" Joe added. Everyone started laughing know how Joe like any show that included a half naked woman.

~ The End ~