"Little Blessings"
Hollie Ciccone
Rating: PG - XXX (Languge & Sex)
Summary: Joe and Stephanie start there life together. Full of suprises

Disclaimer: Theses characters do not belong to me. Many thanks to Janet Evanovich for creating so many wonderful characters. I apologize for ruining any of them. I will promise to return them when I am finished playing.

Author Notes: My 1st FanFic, please be gentle. Thanks. Feedback welcome

Chapter 1 (PG)

Its has been 6 months since I moved in with Joe Morelli, because my apartment building had to be torn down and rebuilt. Something to do with code regulations. What a suprise! All the tenants and the super signed an agreement that all the original tenants get first pick of the new apartments. So, it looks like I got about 2 more months and the building will be ready for me and Rex to move back in. For the moment things are calm here. Joe and I have been unbelievably happy. No fights or arguments about our conflicting jobs. His police investagations and my being a bounty hunter for my cousin Vinnie. We tend to cross each other path in our pursuits of justice. It has been a great 6 months for me and Joe.The sex has never been better.

I woke up at 3am not feeling too good. I was going to throw up. I ran to the bathroom, and thought what did I do to desreve this? I did have a little bit to drink last night, but not enough to make me sick like this. Joe must have been awakened by my movement, because when I lifted my head from the toilet he was standing right next to me with a damp wash cloth.

"Are you ok, Cupcake?", he asked me.

"Do I look ok to you?", I cried, snacthing the wash cloth from his hand.

I wiped my face, stood up,and flushed the toilet.

"That was nasty.", I said reaching for my tooth brush.

Joe stood back against the door jamb, smiling at me.

"What!", I tried to shout with a mouth full of tooth paste looking at him through the mirror.

"I couldn't figure it out.", he said grinning devlishly.

He walked behind me and put his hands on my shoulders as if he was going to massage them.

"What are you talking about?", I said still brushing my teeth.

He whispered in my ear, " You are pregnant.".

I knew that wasn't possible cause we always used condoms.

"How can you be so sure about that?", I asked.

"Well, for starters, when was your last period?", he asked ,standing in door way of the bathroom with is arms crossed at his chest.

I stood there staring into the mirror at myself. How could this be, I thought. What happened?

"Joseph Anthony Morelli !!!", I shouted. I must have had toothpaste around my mouth cause Joe was laughing the whole time, "What did you do!".

"Maybe one of the condoms broke or something.", he said still laughing.

"Whats so damn funny, Joe"

He grabbed the wash cloth and wiped around my mouth.

"I was almost willing to guess you were rabid for a minute."

I looked in the mirror and started to think maybe he was right. I didn't remember when I had my last period. It suddenly hit me.

"Joe!", I started to feel ill again, "I'm pregnant!"

He looked amazingly happy. His brown eyes looked like melted chocolate and his scruffy morning beard was very sexy.

He grabbed my hand and guided me toward the bedroom and sat me on the bed.

"I have something for you.", he said walking to his nightstand. He opened the drawer and took out a red plastic bag. Before he even got back to me, I was crying. He got down on his knee in front of me, took a small velvet box out of the bag and just as he started to open the box and speak, a wave of nausea set in."Oh, No!" I shouted and I jumped from the bed and knocked Joe over on his ass. I was once again hunched over the toilet when Joe came into the bathroom. He was still smiling. I stood up wiped my face and started to cry again.

Joe knelt down in front of me, he looked up at me and opened the velvet box. " Stephanie, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

I was in shock. Not only was Joseph Morelli asking me to marry him after all these years, the ring was beautiful. 2 karat diamond set in 24 karat gold. I couldn't believe my eyes or my ears for that matter. Joe was asking me to marry him. He has never been considered the marrying type and now all of a sudden he is asking me to marry him. What do i say? If I say no, he may hate me for the rest of his life, and I knew thats not what I wanted possibly being pregnant and all.

"Earth to Stephanie", Joe said waving his hand in front of my face.

"YES!", I shouted when I came to. I went to kiss him and he stopped me.

"Brush your teeth, then we can celebrate."

"Good Morning, Cupcake.", Joe was standing beside the bed with a tray of food when I opened my eyes.

I looked at him sleepy eyed. "Breakfast in bed for my future bride." I sat up in the bed and he placed the tray across my lap.

"Oh baby, this looks absolutley yummy!" I said while I scanned the tray. Pancakes, bacon, orange juice, toast, and some fruit.

"Speaking of baby, your doctors appointment is at 11:30." Joe told me smiling while I sat and oogled the food in front of me.

I looked at the bedside clock, 9:15. I looked back at Joe, " Why are you home? Shouldn't you be at work?" " I took today off." he said smiling then kissing my forehead. " I made the appointment for you so we can be positive before we make any announcments."

How thoughtful of him. Breakfast in bed, making my doctors appointment, and since I had a mouthful of pancakes and bacon, I just shook my head and kept eating.

I had just finished eating the last strawberry in the fruit bowl when the phone rang. Joe answered it " Hello?". There was a short pause. " Good morning, Mrs. Plum", he pasued again and rolled his eyes at me. " Let me explain, Mrs. Plum...", Yet another pause with an eye roll." We aren't positive yet, it may be a false alarm. Thats why we are going to the doctor today." This time he made a chitter chatter gesture with his hand, I snickered under my breath, I could tell he was getting flustered. " I know, Mrs. Plum, we will be over when we get out of the doctor.". My mom had to have heard something already. " Thank You Mrs. Plum, see you later this afternoon."

He hung up the phone. I was sitting there shaking my head. " Well?" I wanted to hear what was said through the grapevine we call ' The Burg'. " Apparently someone knows someone, who knows someone, who knows someone at the doctor's office and now the entire Burg knows you are pregnant." I slapped my hand to my head. "Damn it!"." Like I told your mom, until we find out, don't worry about it.". I was going to worry about it. Everyone in the Burg would be calling my mother today, driving her nuts. Great!

The doctor appointment went well. I am 8 weeks along and due December 20th . Merry Christmas to us!

We got in the truck and headed to my parent's house. Joe was smiling ear to ear. I have never seen him so happy. It was nice. "What are we going to name the baby?", Joe asked excitedly. " If its a boy he will definently be Joe Jr.". " And a girl?" That was a harder question. I hadn't a clue," Maybe we can get one of those books or something, we got time.".

We arrived at my parents house at 1:30 and my mother was waiting at the door when we pulled up. She was either very angry or extremely excited. When we got out of the truck she ran up to us in a frenzy. "Well?". I started crying,"I'm sorry mommy, I didn't mean to do this it was an accident." She looked at me like I had 3 heads. "What do you mean, Stephanie?". I hugged her. " I am pregnant mom. I know it isn't right, but we are going to make it right.". Joe put his arm around my mom's shoulders, " I asked Stephanie to marry me, Mrs. Plum." Her eyes filled with tears and she started to cry, hard. We helped her inside and sat her on the couch. Luckily, no one was home. Dad was out with the cab, and Grandma Mazur was at an afternoon veiwing, probally talking about me being pregnant to the seniors crowd. When she finally came out of her state, we talked. She took it a lot better than I thought she would. Joe left the room for a moment to allow us some mother daughter time. " You aren't mad?", I asked holding her hand. " Stephanie, you are blessing me with a grandchild, I have only dreamed of this day. And this best part is you are getting married. I couldn't be happier." We sat and cried and I choked out a little laugh because when I was younger my mother always told me " Stay away from them Morelli boys they are bad news." And now she was blessing my marriage to a Morelli. God works in mysterious ways. Joe returned to the living room and I left him to talk to my mother. I couldn't hear what Joe was saying but I heard my mother break down crying again. The thought just took over me. Wow! I was going to be a mother and a wife. Boy, am I nervous.

Chapter 2 (NC-17)

It was almost dinner time when we left my parents house. Dad had come home, he was excited but didn't show it on the outside. Grandma Mazur came in as we were leaving. She immediatley ran to the phone to spread the news about the wedding, me being pregnant was old news by now. This gave Joe the clue to speed over to his mother's house 2 blocks away. He wanted her to hear it from him rather than through the gossips of the Burg, including my grandmother. By the time we pulled up to the curb in front of his mother's house, she was on the porch waiting arms crossed and foot tapping. As soon as we stepped out of the truck she was yelling, "Joseph Anthony Morelli, you get here right this second young man.". He looked at me took hold of my hand and we walked right up to his mother. As we got closer to the porch, her attitude started to change from angry to overjoyed in a mere second. She grabbed me and hugged me so tight, I thought I might lose consciousness. She let go of me , thank god and walked over to Joe and smacked him on the head "Sex Fiend!". Joe rubbed his head. " Can we go inside and talk , Ma?". "Of course, Come on in.".

We went inside, she seemed more happy to see me than Joe and he was her favorite child. We sat on the couch and Moma Morelli sat in the rocking chair. " Well, Ma, I am guessing by your reaction you heard about the baby and the engagment.". She nodded her head acknowledging the facts at hand. We patiently sat in silence waiting for her to say something. Finally after what seemed like an etrnity of silence, she spoke. "You have my blessings.". Joe and I could breath again. " Ma, I know you live for planning family functions, weddings, birthday parties, all that stuff, but I want this one, Ma. I want to plan a special wedding for my lovely bride." Joe knelt down in front of his mother, his hand on her knee." It will before the baby comes. I'm thinking the end of August." He turned and looked at me and I nodded apporval of the date. Moma Morelli started crying, " My little Joey is getting married." She sobbed some more and Joe sat and comforted her. Little Joey, how cute is that. Joe stood up and bent to kiss his mother on her forehead. " Joseph" she sobbed. "Yes Ma?". " You will always be my baby boy.". He went down on his knees again and hugged his mother. " I know Ma, I know.".

We sat and talked a while longer, then I got insanly hungry. Joe and I said our good byes to Moma and headed for Pino's for dinner. I ate half a large pizza, a meatball sandwich and I was still hungry so we went for ice cream. I got a large waffle cone piled high with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream dipped in that chocolate that hardens on the ice cream. OOh was it good. "Does it taste as well as it wears, Cupcake?", he asked me. I looked down my shirt. " Oh Damn!" I started wipping it off and Joe picked up my chin looked into my eyes and licked the melted ice cream from around my mouth, then kissed me to taste some more. It was so passionate, I accidently dropped my ice cream cone. "Shit , I wasnt finished with that." Joe looked at the ground then put his arm around me. "Let's go home, Cupcake, I got something you can lick on." OH MY!

When we got home we took a shower. Joe caressed my body with his soapy hands. I used a washcloth and washed him in all the important places. It was causing a little growth, so I kept touching him and massaging him. He let out a low growl and then grabbed my hands,"Stop!". "Why? I was enjoying it." " Just don't not yet.". I didn't want to stop. It looked so inviting. I wanted to taste him in my mouth, " You told me I could..." He put his finger over my lips, " Shhhh, You will get your chance, Cupcake, just not yet." He held me in the shower still stroking my body gently. His hands moved up the length of my body up to my face and he held it so carefully and kissed me deep and passionate. He then reached around me to turn the water off. We got out of the shower he dried me off and then dried himself. He was still hard and it was looking very, very yummy to me at the moment, seeing how I didnt get to finish my ice cream cone earlier. Joe's popsicle is going to get a licking.

I went and laid on the bed, he followed about a minute behind me. He laid on his back and I just couldn't help myself. "Let's try something different.", I suggested." What do you have in mind?", he raised his eyebrow. " This.", I climbed on top of him, put my bare ass in his face and put his goodies in mine. " Oh, Hell Stepahnie!" I wanted to speak but I had a mouthful. He touched my wetness with his fingers finding my sweet spot then licking it. I moaned with my mouthful, which in turn made him moan as well. He kept fingering and licking me until I exploded all over his face. " Damn Cupcake" I kept sucking him, touching him and stroking him. He stopped me, just when I was about to get to the creamy center. " I want inside you", he said in his sexy bedroom voice, deep and raspy. How could I say no, I wanted him inside me too. I let him on top. He held my ankles up to his shoulders and slowly started thrusting inside me. I could feel another orgasm coming on and he must have felt it too because at that moment he increased his speed. " OH YES, Joe!" I started chanting, " Yes, Yes, Yes". My orgasm triggered his and we melted together. " Oh Cupcake, you are amazing!" " So are you Officer Morelli".

Chapter 3 (pg-13)

2 MONTHS LATER...

I locked myself in the bathroom, crying naked on the bathroom floor. My clothes weren't fitting and I hadn't bought any maternity clothes yet. I was 4 months pregnant and I had a little baby bump. My breast were sore and beginning to swell and on top of all that Joe was annoying me from the other side of the door. "Cupcake! Open this door or I will break it down.", he yelled. " Go Away!", I yelled back. " NO! I want you to open this fucking door, NOW!". I knew when he said that word he meant what he was saying, so I crawled over to the door reached up and unlocked it. Joe opened the door and saw me on the floor. He dropped to his knees, " Are you ok?". "No, I am not ok. My boobs hurt and my clothes don't fit anymore!" "Its ok, Cupcake. I'll get you taken care of in the clothes department. And as far as your boobs go, I can always..."he started to reach for them and I cut him off, " DON'T TOUCH THEM! They hurt damn it!" " Ok sorry , I won't touch them." He helped me up off the floor and we walked across the hall to the bedroom. I laid down on the bed. He turned on the little TV he got for the bedroom. " I'm hungry." I told him. " You are always hungry, Cupcake." " I am eating for two , Joe. Me and the baby." He kissed me then asked me what I wanted to eat. " I want tuna salad.". " You don't like tuna salad, you told me once before." " I like it now cause thats what I got a craving for." " Fine, tuna salad it is. Anything else?". Well actually..." Potato chips, Chocolate milk, pickles, a Hershey bar, and some strawberry ice cream." "Yes ma'am", Joe saluted me. " Smart-ass, just go already.". I hate to see him go but love to watch him leave. OOOH!

I had fallen asleep before Joe returned from the store. He told me I had looked like an angel while I was sleeping and he didn't want to wake me. I woke up about 3 in the afternoon. I heard voices down stairs but I couldn't make them out, except for Joe's of course. I couldn't fit in any of my clothes so I put on some of his. Pair of boxers and a t-shirt. I made my way down the stairs and found my sister on the couch talking to Joe. "Hey sis, I brought you some clothes.", she grabbed the black garbage bag at her feet and took it up stairs, so I followed her to the bed room. We went through the clothes and I kept all of them. I got dressed in a cute black skirt that came about mid-thigh and a baby blue babydoll top that flared from under my breast. I walked down stairs , stoped at the last step and Joe stood up and walked over to me. " Look at you, Sexy Moma", he picked me up off the last step swirled me around then kissed me. "You really think I look sexy?" I asked him. "Oh hell, yeah!" He gave me a sly look and tried a pick-up line on me, like he really needed to."Hey beautiful, can I take you out to dinner?", he put his hands around my waist and went in for a kiss. I looked him in the eyes as he got right at my lips I said, " I'm still waiting on my tuna salad." He smiled and kissed my cheek and went to the kitchen.

Valerie and I sat on the couch. " Can I take you shopping tomorrow?", she asked me," The wedding is a month away and you need a dress." At that moment Joe walked in, " Nothing too fancy, Cupcake." He winked at Valerie aparently they already discussed the wedding dress thing with out me. Joe is keeping it a secret so it will a suprise. I know I am getting married, well duh, but I know nothing of the ceremony and plans. Joe is doing it all for me. I looked at Val, " Sure we can go shopping tomorrow." " Don't forget your doctors appointment at 12:30 tomorrow. I will meet you there on my lunch hour." Joe was so good at remembering these things. My memory is pratically non exsistant. I can't remember my name half the time. Damn Hormones! I couldn't even remember the exact date of our wedding. " Joe what day is the wedding again?" I asked. " August 28th" ," Ok just double checking".

I ate my tuna salad. Val said she would pick me up at 9:00 in the morning and she headed home to take care of her girls. I was more comfortable in the boxers and t-shirt so I went back up stairs and changed. When I came back down Joe was sitting on the couch waiting for me to come sit down. I sat on the couch and leaned my head back on the arm rest and Joe laid his head next to my baby bump and he talked to the baby in Italian, "Ti amo mio piccolo", which means 'I love you my little one' and "Non si occupi del colpo, esso รจ giusto me che amo la vostra madre.", which I only under stood a few words. Something about love poking your mother. I popped Joe on the head, " Sex Fiend, what are you telling that baby about poking me?" He laughed. " We need to work on your Itailan. I said 'don't mind the poking its just me loving your mother'. I popped him again. " Ow , Steph that one hurt." . " Oh shit, I am sorry!", I laughed. I rubbed his head where I had hit it then kissed it. Joe just laid there in my lap watching TV. I fell asleep, but aparetnly I haven't gotten too heavy for Joe to carry me up stairs to bed, because thats what he did. He laid me down in the bed. Kissed me then kissed the baby, "Buona notte i miei tesori" (Good night my treasures)

Valerie was downstairs waiting at 8:30. I came dragging down the stairs. "You are early, Val.", I was still half asleep. " I know. I was just so excited!", she said jumpping up and down. She was worst that Joe in the mornings, too energetic and awake for this hour. I ate my breakfast which consisted of strawberry ice cream, a bagel and a cup of coffee. I put on a dress that was in the bag of stuff from Val and we headed toward the mall. Val said there was a maternity store in the mall that specializes clothes for "Hot Momas", which is the name of the store. " They have all the latest up to date fashions for expectant mothers. Cute tops, mini skirts and even lingerie.". Hmm? Lingerie? Really? OOh stop Stephanie!! Damn these hormones. "Alright that sounds good.". Who was I kidding, I wanted some sexy lingerie for my pregnant butt.

I picked out 2 cute baby doll tops, 2 sexy little see through nighties with matching thongs, a tube top that flared out from under my boobs, a denim mini skirt, 2 nursing bras and a "Hot Moma" t-shirt. We were headed for the check out when Valerie stopped dead in her tracks. " OH MY GOD!!! There it is Steph, There is your wedding dress!" There was a mannequin standing to the right of the cash register. It was a long white maternity evening gown. "Joe said he didnt want anything fooffy remember.", she said as we walked over to it. " Yes, I remember, but isn't this a little too 'sexy'?" I could just imagine me walking down the aisle and Joe getting an erection and me being embarassed, it wouldn't bother him any, but I would be so embarassed. " Steph try it on, please, please, please." she begged. So I asked the sales clerk if I could try it on. Her name tag said her name was Cyndy. She was very pretty, long blonde hair just past her shoulders. She smiled and walked out from behind the counter. She looked like she was about ready to pop, she was pregnant and she looked like she put a beachball under her shirt. I casually asked her when she was due. "August 28th" she replied. " OH Wow!, thats the day I am getting married." "Well congratualtions, my baby's father skipped town the day I told him I was pregnant. Pardon my french, Asshole!", " Oh I'm sorry." I felt bad for her. She removed the dress from the mannequin and I ran to the dressing room with it. It was beautiful on me, and it had extra room for the baby to grow into it. It had a slit on the left side that went all the way up to the top of my thigh. I modeled and posed on the mirror for a while then I heard Valerie outside the dressing room, " Come Steph let me see!". I opened the door and not only did I see Val, but Joe was beside her. I ducked back into the dressing room and locked the door. "Go away, Joe! You aren't going to see me in this dress until our wedding day!". He yelled back," Well then put something else on we got to get to the doctor's office." I quickly changed, Joe paid for the dress and we headed to my doctor's appointment with Valerie in tow. We left her car at the mall." I'm nervous, Joe."," Why Cupcake?". " What if there is something wrong with the baby? What if it has 2 heads, or not enough fingers or toes." He grabbed my hand and kissed it, "Don't worry, everything will be ok."

When we arrived at the doctor's office, they were ready for me right away. Valerie waited in the waiting room and Joe and I went to the exam room. The nurse prepped me for the ultrasound by rubbing cold jelly on my bump. The doctor came in and pushed around my bump, the nurse moved the little gizmo around where she had rubbed the jelly. The doctor watched the monitor, and started pointing at things , he looked confused. " Is everything ok doc?", Joe asked seeming very concerned. " Oh yes Mr. Morelli, everything is great. Looks like you got twins." I started to feel a little dizzy and everything went black.

Chapter 4 (nc-17)

"Cupcake, are you feeling ok?" I could hear his voice, but I couldn't get my eyes opened. " Cupcake?". " Joe?" I slowly opened my eyes and locked on Joe's chocolate eyes. " Hey there sleeping beauty.", he smiled then kissed my forehead. " Where am I?" I said, last remembering being in the exam room at the doctor's office. "You are home, Cupcake, in our bedroom. It's 3:30 in the afternoon, you have been asleep for the past 3 hours." " How, what...?" I was confused then it all cam back to me. " TWINS!", I shouted. I started to feel dizzy again. Joe put a cool damp cloth on my forehead, then kissed my bump, "The doctor said it is a boy and a girl. How great is that!" He was so excited. I was having a hard time thinking about dealing with one, but two? AHHHHH! What was I going to do? " It's going to be ok, Steph. Are you hungry?" "Yes, starving!". Nothing like food to take my mind off the stress. " I'll be right back, Cupcake." He went for the door and I started to feel moist between my legs, Damn what a great ass! " Joe.." I called to him as he turned to go down the stairs. " Yes, my love?", he poked his head around the door jamb. "Come back in here for a sec and sit down." He walked over and sat on the bed next to me and I sat up. I reached around his neck and whispered in his ear. " I want you to take your pants off." "Are we feeling better?" he gave me a sly grin. "It was the veiw as your left, a breath of fresh air." He stood from the bed, bent down and kissed me, then turned his back to me and dropped his sweat pants to the floor. OH Damn, what an ass! The best ass in all of Trenton and it was MINE! I had a evil laugh in my head. He turned around and faced me, of course I was sitting, he was standing. I had a perfect veiw of his rock hard erection. It was right there at eye level. Not bad to look at I must say. He then quickly got in the bed and crawled on top of me. He unbuttoned the top of the dress I was wearing, exposing my bra clad breast. He pulled my bra down and started suckling my nipples. Then while he had my nipples in his mouth he hiked up the skirt of the dress and pulled down my panties. He started fingering my wet spot with one hand and his other hand around his erection, I could see him slowly stroking himself. I don't know why, but this turned me on so much. He licked his fingers that had been soaked with my juices, then bent down and kissed me. I could taste myself on his lips. Then at that exact moment he slowly entered me and started to pump me slowly. I wanted it hard and fast. " Oh faster, Joe.", I moaned. he picked up the pace but not to my expectations. " Come on, Joe faster, harder!". "I'm scared if i do it any harder I might hurt the babies.". " The doctor had said before that if it started to hurt to stop. And believe me if it hurts, I will tell you to stop. But it isn't hurting, now." He eyes got very dark and he just went crazy, ooh it felt so good. We were at the brink of total ecasty, when I got an awful cramp in my belly. "STOP! STOP!" I started beating on Joes chest. He pulled out and stood up, the look of shock spread across his face, " Whats wrong ? You ok?". I put my hands around under my belly, "I'm cramping.". Joe put his pants back on and ran downstairs. He then came running back up the stairs, no sweat or heavy breathing, how does he do that? He picked up his cell phone and dialed a number. "Who are you calling?", I asked. " The doctor.", he told me. " Joe, I am ok now, I swear.", the pain was slowly subsiding. " Hi doc, Joe Morelli, Ms. Plum and I were being intimate and she got a cramp." I couldn't hear the doctor so I tried to read Joe's face. "Yes", he paused for a couple beats,"Yes sir.", another pause, "Wonderful! Thank you sir." then he hung up. "Doc said everything is fine, I just have to be a little more gentle with you." He climbed back in bed and cuddled up to me with his head next to my belly. "Sorry kids, I got a little carried away. It won't happen again, I promise." He kissed my belly and then I feel back asleep.

Chapter 5

When I woke up it was 7:30 pm and my stomach was growling loud. Joe wasn't upstairs, so I got dressed in some of the clothes Valerie handed down to me. A pink top and blue shorts, felt appropriate. Joe was sitting on the couch when I came down stairs. He was watching the ultrasound video. I sat down next to him trying to figure out where the babies were. Joe had a tear in his eye, "They are beautiful, Steph.", he put his arm around me and held me close. "I can't see them, Joe. I know they are there but I can't see anything." "Let me show you, Cupcake." He got up and walked to the TV. " This is Joe Jr., see his little wee-wee." WOW, I thought, I could see his little wee-wee. "I see him Joe!!" I was really excited now. " What are we going to name the girl?", He asked. I starred at the ceiling for a second and it was the first name that came out of my mouth, " Rose.". " Steph are you serious?", he asked me. " Yeah, after Aunt Rose, you were her favorite nephew after all." Joe ran over and kissed me on the cheek. " I love it! Rose it is!" He ran back over to the TV , " Here is Rose's head behind Little Joey's butt." It was amazing, I could see my babies. " Let me rewind it so you can get a better view of Rose. He rewound it all the way to the beginning, then hit play. The first thing I see is Rose, spread eagle. "She has your modesty, Dad.", I laughed. He smiled, "Thats my princess." He was so happy and I was slowly getting use to the idea. We watched the video over and over. It was 9:30pm and there was a knock at the door. " Who would be coming over at this hour?", Joe got up to answer the door and peeked through the window and let out a big sigh. He opened the door. " What do you want?", Joe seemed annoyed and I still couldn't see who was at the door."I just heard the news and wanted to congratulate you and all.". It was Joyce Barnhardt, UGGH! " Thank you, Joyce now leave please.", Joe had his cop face on, " GO!", he pointed toward the road. "Fine be that way. I want to let Stephanie know that Vinnie gave me 4 FTA's today." I got up from the couch and got right up in her face, "I don't care ,Joyce, have fun, don't ask for my help. LEAVE, NOW!". "Ok, well, bye then." She winked at Joe, turned and walked away with a extra wiggle in her step. Joe shook his head and slammed the door. " I can't believe that bitch! She had some nerve!" I was furious. I walked back to sit on the couch, then it hit me. "OH MY GOD, JOE! I just realized she had done the same thing before I married Dickie. She came over one night while we were eating dinner and he let her in. Sleaze!" " I know better, Cupcake. Never invite a vampire in, cause they will return." I laughed, but he was right. She was a vampire feeding on my happiness and draining me of it since the first day of kindergarten. "I love you, Joe." I put my arms around his neck and kissed him. He put his hands on my ass picked me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist. Pretty soon he won't be able to pick me up anymore. So I wanted to enjoy it while I still could. Joe carried me into the kitchen and sat me on the counter. He fixed 2 bowls of ice cream and we sat in the kitchen to eat it. "You really want to go with Rose?" He asked. "Yes!", I said insistantly, " Your Aunt Rose loved you, you were her favorite nephew. She gave you this house and we are going to make it a home. I am sure you Aunt Rose is smiling down on us. I know she would want this for you, and for us." Joe had tears welling in his eyes, but not falling. He put down his bowl of ice cream, took mine from my hand, picked me up , spun me around and kissed me. "You never seem to amaze me, Cupcake, I love you."

Chapter 6

The next morning when I woke up I felt great. No morning sickness."Wow, this is a first." I said to Bob, rubbing him on the head. I got dressed and went down stairs. Joe had only been gone for about an hour. It was 9:30 am. He had left me a note taped to Rex's cage. "Good Morning, Cupcake! I made you a fruit salad for breakfast, its in the fridge. You have plenty of Kool-Aid, peanut butter, olives, pickles, potato chips, ice cream and bread. Mom is bringing lasanga for dinner, call your parents and invite them over. We will introduce them to their new grandchildren. See you at lunchtime, Love, Officer Hottie" I smiled and giggled, he is so sweet, but such a ego trip at times. I called my mom while I fixed my breakfast. " Good Morning Mom." I was so happy today. " Good Morning , dear. Are you feeling ok?", she asked. "I couldn't be better. Joe asked me to call and invite you and dad for dinner tonight. His mom is bringing lasanga." "Do I need to bring anything sweetie?" I thought for a minute,"Pineapple upside down cake." "You got it sweetie. Oh how was your doctor visit?" "It was fine but we are saving the details for tonight after dinner." I hated keeping this news from my mother because I knew she was dying to know. " Oh Stephanie, I am so excited! We will see you around 6?" "Sounds good to me. Love you mom." " I love you too."

My breakfast consisted of a bowl of strawberry ice cream, topped with the friut salad Joe made for me, a peanutbutter and olive sandwich with a pickle on the side and a big glass if blue Kool-Aid. I have been craving blue Kool-Aid since I first found out I was pregnant. Joe said if I didn't drink something else, we were going to have a Smurf baby. I just laughed , but when he wasn't around I called the doctor and asked about the whole Smurf baby theory. The doctor said not to worry, the baby wouldn't turn blue. Well, I guess now it would be "babies" since we are having twins.

I went to the living room and decided I wanted to watch TV while I ate my breakfast. I put my food on the coffee table, I sat my butt on the floor ,leaned against the couch and pulled the coffee table to me. Perfect! I thought it was perfect until I realized that daytime TV sucked. I found an all cartoon channel and ironically, the Smurfs were on. I watched the little blue critters and ate my breakfast. Just as Papa Smurf was saving the other Smurfs from the bad guy, the phone rang. I tried to get up off the floor as quickly as possible, but it was too late, the answering machine picked up. " Stephanie! Stephanie! Are you ok? Where are you? Pick up the phone!", It was Joe and he seemed rather worried. I didn't answer it in time, he hung up. The caller ID said he called from his cell phone, so I called him back right away. "Sorry, I tried to get to the phone , but I was sitting on the floor and I couldn't get my pregnant ass up quick enough." He was laughing in relief. "I'm just glad you are ok, Cupcake. I was about to come home and check on you." He was really worried. "I'm fine , I was eating my breakfast and thank you for the fruit salad, Officer Hottie." He could hear me smiling. "I thought you might like that." "It made my morning, baby." "Well, maybe I can make your afternoon, too. I'll see you in a couple hours, I love you." "I love you, too." I hung up the phone and put it within my reach of my seat on the floor. I went back to the cartoons. I figured I would be watching them for the next 12 years or so, so I better get used to it.

I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I remember was Joe coming in the front door. It startled me. " Oh I'm sorry Cupcake, were we napping?" he bent down and kissed me. I attempted once again to remove my butt from the floor. Joe went into the kitchen with lunch. It smelled like meatball subs from Pino's. When I walked into the kitchen he was unwrapping the sandwiches. " How has your day been so far?" I asked taking my seat in front of my sub. " Ok I guess, but it is getting better now that I am home with you." He kissed my forehead. Something was bothering him. "Whats wrong, Joe?" I was about to start crying when he grabbed a hold of my hand so tightly. "I'm only going to tell you this because I am concerned for your safety. Promise me you won't tell anyone." He was very serious what ever it was bothering him. " I promise, Joe." I gripped his hand tighter, mostly because I was scared. " I was at crime scene this morning. It involved a pregnant woman. She was murdered and left behind a dumpster. The baby didn't survive either, she looked like she was almost full term." I started to cry. I now knew why Joe was so worried when he called me this morning. " I went into a panic attack when you didn't answer the phone earlier. I was relieved you were ok and now I am so happy to be here with you right now." "Any suspects or leads?" I was so nerveous. " Not a damn thing, but I am still worried. I want you to come to the station with me. I know you will be safe there." "Is it that serious?" "Damn right it is, you and those babies are my heart and I don't want anything to happen to you or them." We stood up and he hugged me so close. " Go up stairs and get ready , I will clean up own here." He kissed my forehead and smacked my ass as I walked pass him to go up the stairs.

When I came down, Joe's eyes lit up. "I'm going to have a hard time working the rest of the day." he grabbed me and kissed me passionatly with a lot of tongue action. I had put on a pair of jeans that sat low on my hips and fitted tight on my ass and a pink t-shirt with a baby buggy on it that said " Whose your Moma", that showed off my baby bump a little. "You are one hot moma, Cupcake." He smiled and kissed me sensless.