Author's Note: For back stories: Spike and Winnie miscarried their first baby in the story 'Full Metal Jacket.'

The Joy Box first appeared in the story 'A Pleasant Surprise', in the chapter entitled 'The Box'. And in the longer re-worked version, 'The Love Offensive: A Pleasant Surprise'.

Lately, several readers have posted reviews as 'guests'. May I encourage you to open an account so I can personally thank you for your support? At any rate, if you can't or won't for whatever reason know I truly appreciate your support.

Someone asked for Raf and Billy and Belle and Bryce, they appear in this story.

This story follows 'Promise Me'.

Two Pink Lines

His faucets turned on and he couldn't turn it off. Minutes later, when he finally composed himself, he asked, "How far along?"

She replied, "Seven to eight weeks." She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him lightly, then she whispered, "I'm a little scared."

"That's understandable, I am too. But it's gonna be different this time, il bebè will be fine. We're all gonna be fine." They held each other close until they heard excited barking outside, "They're home," she said. "I asked Dean to take them for a walk."

He went to the kitchen sink, splashed his face with water, grabbed a tea towel on the way to the door, wiped his face dry before opening it, "Hey Dean, come in." The young man who was like brother to him smiled, shuffled on his feet and said, "Can't... I have Mira with me, we're going out."

Spike smiled back, crouched down to have a view of the young lady in the passenger seat and waved at her. He straightened up, mockingly punched Dean on the shoulder and said, "Go on then and thanks."

He closed the door and turned back to the living room floor. He was horrified to find Winnie rolling on the floor with the rambunctious Moppet. "Get off my wife," he said. She sat up on the floor, crossed her arms and pretended to be annoyed, "Don't be unreasonable, Angel Boy."

"I don't want anything to happen to you or the baby."

"Weren't you just telling me we're gonna be fine?"

"Yeah," he said, "But within reason."

She pulled him down, played with his hands, "I want to enjoy my pregnancy.." she said. "Let's both try to enjoy it... not be fearful or worried or hang up about it. Ok?" Then, she was crying again.

"Sorry," he said.

She smiled, "Don't be. I cry, just because... that's all. I was reading up on this hormone thing... it'll settle down."

He nodded, "Cry as much as you like." Feeling his stomach grumble, he asked, "Are you hungy? It's getting late."

"Are you cooking?"

"What do you want?"

"I dont know... anything."

He grimaced, "Why don't I believe that?"

He got up, pulled her up gently and they headed for the kitchen. "Feed them first," she said. "Sorry, I can't stand the smell of dog food. Can you please move their food bowl?"

He smiled. Finally he has an excuse to shift them, the most spoiled dogs in the universe. They always ate their meals in the house, refusing every effort to be fed in the backyard. He picked up their food and water bowls, brought them next to the frequently ignored doggie mansion, and filled them up, "Ok," he said, his hands on his waist, "Food's ready."

Moppet looked at him like he was out of his mind, channeling the dog whisperer, he said, "I'm Top Dog. And I'm telling you you're eating here." The golden retrievers knew instinctively, by the sound of it, they lost this round and quickly went about the business of eating. He watched them happily, grateful for the joy they brought into their lives.

He went back inside to find Winnie eating, "What's that you're having?" he inquired curious. She showed him a small empty tin of spam, the one with a killer salt content. He opened his mouth to protest, she glared at him, pointed a finger as she chewed greedily. He closed his mouth, raised his hands in surrender and said, "Can I have some?"

Winnie gave him a slice, he took a bite and nearly choked on it. She laughed so hard. "You don't have to have it, too."

He conceded, "Yeah, you're right... I don't. I actually want my baby to grow up with a father."

He made a proper Italian meal and persuaded Winnie to eat healthily, that's after she consumed half a tin of spam. She put some salad and small serving of lasagna on her plate and sprinkled it liberally with salt. He shook his head and silently prayed she doesn't give birth to a pillar of salt in seven months or so.

After dinner, she wanted to have a bath which he prepared for her, "I love you" he said as he assisted her into the bath.

He went back to the kitchen and tidied up. Then he crossed over to the living room, picked up a pink envelope, collected the little red, cut-out hearts she made for him, read the hand written message on a homemade card again before stuffing them back in. He felt for the pregnancy stick with two pink lines inside his pocket, he took it out and put it inside the envelope, too.

He went to the bedroom, retrieved a wooden box with intricate carvings on it. It was Bridget Senna's 'Joy Box', his eternal friend. In it, he has added his marriage certificate; a wedding photo, a Young family photo that included him; the canines' pictures. Liley, Moppet and Serenity; Leslie McCoy's wedding photo (not the one with the groom though but the one with him walking her to the altar); photos of Team One over the years; several of his love and bride; and now a pink envelope.

He would need a bigger box soon.

I noticed that new readers have been reading only the first chapter, I think I know why because I had the same issue of not knowing where to find the next chapter. On the top and bottom right hand side, you will notice the title of the chapter, click on the down arrow, the list of chapters will appear. I hope this helps.