Author's Note: Several episodes I've noticed Pride getting a little emotional about someone losing a child. I've decided to write a story set before the series starts about Pride and his family. I've taken a little 'license' so to speak and my timing may not be exactly cannon, but it's the best I can do. This is a prologue to a story that I've already started writing, but decided it needs some explanation. It's not complete yet, so this is just a little sneak peak. Hoping to work on it some this week and finish little by little. The title now is "Life in Pieces" but I'm not sure I like it so, any help with the title would be greatly appreciated..

The characters in this story are mostly made up:

Mary Anne Nolan- Linda's older sister

David Nolan- Mary's Anne's husband/Linda's brother-in-law

Kayleigh Nolan - David and Mary Anne's 14 (nearly 15 year old daughter)

Amber Nolan - David and Mary Anne's 16 (nearly 17 year old daughter)

Charlie Blake "CB" Nolan - David and Mary Anne's 20 year old son

Landon Nolan - David and Mary Anne's 22 year old son

February 14th, 2005

Linda Pride followed her husband to the door. "You will be home tonight, right Dwayne?"

Dwayne nodded. "Yes, sweetheart, I will. I promise."

"My sister is taking Laurel so we'll have the whole house to ourselves."

"And I've got a romantic dinner planned and maybe I'll take you dancing afterwards."

"What time should I be ready?"

"5 O'clock on the dot. I'll be home soon after that."

"You have to understand why I'm a little skeptical because I've been stood up before."

"You have nothing to worry about this time. When I make a promise to a beautiful lady, I don't break it." He leaned down and kissed her on the lips. "Now, if I'm not on time to work I won't be home in time. I have to go."

"Why do you have to go at all?"

"Linda, it's my job."

"I know that, but can't you just tell your boss you need a day off to spend with your wife?"

"My boss is a hard-nosed SOB. He works his agents to the bone and never gives anyone a day off."

Linda smiled. "Well you tell your 'boss' that if you don't take some time off soon, your wife and daughter are going on vacation without you."

"I'll pass on the message."

"See you later."

Pride walked out to the driveway and got in his car. He took the scenic route and parked across the street from the office. He put the hard top on the car and locked the door. He cautiously crossed the street and went in the side door of the office. "Now, this is what I'm talking about." Pride said out loud. "No one to answer to but me, myself and I."

"Laurel, Maryanne's here!" Linda called from the bottom of the stairs. "C'mon. Your dad should be home any minute."

"Can't I just stay til he gets here?" Laurel asked, bounding down the stairs. "I just want to tell him happy Valentine's Day."

"You told him this morning before school when you gave him the card you made," Linda said, taking Laurel's bag from her hand. There was a knock on the door. "I'll tell him for you."

"Promise?"

"I promise." Linda opened the door. "Maryanne, Laurel's all ready to go."

"The girls are very excited to have her tonight."

"This is very unusual for us to have her somewhere else on a school night."

"Don't worry. She's in good hands."

Linda kissed Laurel's cheek. "I love you, sweetie.

Laurel wiped her cheek with her hand.. "Love you too, mom. Bye!"

Linda watched at the door while Laurel loaded in the car and rode away. She shut the door gently and then looked back at the grandfather clock in the living room. "Where are you, Dwayne Cassius Pride?"

Twenty minutes later Dwayne pulled in the driveway. He saw the curtain in the front window move. He exited the car and walked into the house. "Sorry I'm late, honey. I had a case."

"What time is our reservation?"

"Six-thirty. We should still make it on time."

"Should I call the restaurant and make sure they know we are coming?"

"No. Let me get a quick shower and change. I'll be fifteen minutes and we should make it with five minutes to spare."

Dinner and dancing finished, Dwayne and Linda walked into the house. "I'm going to change into something more comfortable. See you in a few minutes," Linda said.

Dwayne sat down on the couch and waited ten minutes before going upstairs to change. The next morning the two of them woke wrapped up in the sheets on the bed. Dwayne leaned over and kissed his wife. "You want some breakfast before I leave?"

Linda shook her head. "Don't leave. Please."

"I have to."

"No you don't have to. You work yourself too hard and then you come home exhausted. Take a day off, Dwayne. One day without you is not going to make any difference."

"How about I just stick around until I get a call?"

Linda rolled over and faced the window. "You need to decide if you're married to me or your job. You need to figure out what's important to you."

"You're important to me. Laurel, our beautiful daughter, is important to me."

"But you want more." Linda rolled over and looked at him.

"Don't start this again. We've tried and it's not God's will for us to have a second child. You need to stop blaming yourself for that."

"I'm the one who can't get through the first six weeks of pregnancy without losing the baby, Dwayne. It is my fault."

"No. It's not."

"Then whose fault is it?"

"It's no one's fault. It's just not meant to be."

"There is nothing more in this world I want to do than give you a son, Dwayne. I want to make you happy."

"You do make me happy. Last night and this morning you made me very happy." He took her hand. "I am the happiest I have ever been right now. Nothing is ever going to change that."

"Do you really have to go to work?" She said, kissing his cheek.

"Not yet." He rolled over and passionately kissed her lips.

Two Weeks Later – Saturday

"Why can't I go with you?" Laurel asked

"Because your Aunt and Uncle want to take us out to dinner," Dwayne explained. "You get to stay here with Kayleigh and have some fun."

"I'd have more fun if I was with you."

"No, you would be bored. We will be talking about grown-up things."

"I like grown-up things, Daddy."

"Baby girl, I promise you can come another time," Dwayne said. "This time it's just the adults."

"Next time?"

"Maybe not the very next time, but soon."

"Can we go to the park for ice cream tomorrow?"

"That sounds like a very good idea. You can plan on it."

There was a knock on the door. Laurel ran to open it right away. "Kayleigh!"

Kayleigh walked in. "Hi, Laurel. Uncle Dwayne."

"Kayleigh, I want to thank you for staying with Laurel this evening so we can go out." Dwayne turned to Laurel. "Bed at nine, young lady."

"Daddy."

"Alright, let me put it another way. If you're still out of bed when your mom and I get home tonight, you'll be spending Sunday afternoon in your room instead of going to get ice cream. And I guarantee you will not be comfortable. Am I clear?"

Laurel nodded. "Yes, sir."

"She doesn't have to be asleep, just in bed," Dwayne said. "Let me go see what's keeping Linda." Dwayne disappeared up the stairs.

"So, what do you want to do?" Laurel asked. "We have the whole house to ourselves. I just got some new nail polish today."

"You want me to paint your nails?"

"Can you? Then I can do yours."

A few minutes later Dwayne came down followed by Linda. "Laurel, you and Kayleigh have fun. We'll see you when we get home."

Dinner was over and the four adults sat talking for a while. Mary Ann looked over at her husband. "David, I think it's time we tell Dwayne and Linda why we asked them to dinner tonight."

David nodded. "I agree," he said, holding her hand. "Go ahead."

"I have some good news. I just found out I was six weeks pregnant."

Linda gasped. "Wow, that's great news!"

"Dave and I have decided we're not ready to start over with a newborn. Kayleigh is about to be fifteen."

"So, what are you going to do?" Linda asked. "You aren't going to have an abortion, are you?"

Mary Anne shook her head. "No. That's not even an option. We've talked it over and we've decided that we want the two of you to adopt the baby."

Linda glanced at Dwayne and then back at Mary Anne. "Really?"

"We know you've been trying and lost several in the last two years. You also told me you were already registered with an adoption attorney."

"We've been on that list for two years," Linda said. "Are you sure about this?"

"One hundred percent sure. We just need you to say yes."

Dwayne took Linda's hand. "What do you think, sweetheart?"

"I don't know what to say. It's just a shock."

"When do you need to know?" Dwayne asked. "This is something we'll have to talk over and share with Laurel."

"We were hoping to get an answer in a week," Mary Anne said. "I know it's fast, but certainly you can talk to Laurel and let us know."

Dwayne nodded. "We will." Dwayne squeezed Linda's hand. "This is an answer to our prayer, honey."

"I know," Linda said, quietly. She glanced down at her watch. "We should probably go. It's a lot later than we planned on being out."

"I've got an idea," Dwayne said. "We'll have you and the kids over for a cook-out next Saturday and let you know then. Your kids already know?"

"All of them but Kayleigh. We were going to talk to her this week, too."

"Then it's settled. We'll plan on it."

Linda got up from the table. Dwayne put her sweater on her shoulders. Linda hugged her sister. "Thank you," She whispered in her ear. "I love you."

Dwayne rolled over and squinted at the alarm clock as he picked up his buzzing phone. "Pride," He answered. "Yeah, I'll be right there." He rolled all the way over and put his feet on the floor, trying unsuccessfully not to move the bed. Linda stirred. "I got called to work," Dwayne said. "I won't be long."

"Remember you promised to take Laurel for ice cream," Linda whispered.

"I remember and I will be back before then. I promise."

Linda sat up slightly. "I do not want to tell her about this alone. You're better at telling her things than I am."

"I was going to let you tell her, but be right there when you did," Dwayne said. "I really don't know how to explain it to her."

"The same way we explained it to her when we signed on with the adoption lawyer, except…"

"Except what?"

"Except this is really going to happen, Dwayne. You're finally going to have your son."

"What makes you think it's a boy?"

"I just have a feeling."

Dwayne dressed quickly. "I'll call you later."

Laurel turned the television off. "Can I call him now, mom?"

"I will call him. You go find your shoes so we can go."

Laurel jumped off the couch and ran upstairs. Linda dialed Dwayne's phone. "Hey, honey?"

"Where are you? Laurel's ready to go."

"I'm just finishing up some paperwork. I'll be just a few more minutes. I can meet you at the park."

"Can the paperwork wait?"

"It can," Dwayne said. "You want me to come home and pick the two of you up?"

"Yes. She's going to need both of us, Dwayne."

"I read you loud and clear honey. I'll be home in ten minutes."

"We'll be ready."

Dwayne wiped Laurel's nose with a napkin. "You're supposed to eat the ice cream, baby girl. Not wear it."

Laurel smiled. "You're funny, Daddy."

"Are you almost finished? Your mom and I need to talk to you about something."

"Did I do something wrong?"

"No, not at all. Your mom and I just have to share something with you and it might make you a little excited."

"In that case, I'm finished," Laurel replied.

Dwayne looked at Linda. "Alright, mama. You're up."

"Last night when your Aunt Mary Anne and Uncle David took us to dinner they shared some good news with us."

"She's gonna have a baby."

"Did Kayleigh tell you that?" Dwayne asked. Laurel nodded. "Alright, just listen to what your mom has to say."

"Your aunt and uncle aren't ready to start over so they asked your dad and I to adopt the baby."

"Does that mean what I think it means?"

"Yes. You're going to be a big sister," Linda said. "Isn't that exciting?"

"Is it a boy or a girl? Can the baby share my room? Can I pick out the name?"

"Slow down, baby girl," Dwayne said. He looked at Linda.

"We don't know if the baby is a boy or a girl. It's still too early to tell. The baby will sleep in the room with daddy and I until he or she is ready to go in their own room. As for the name, I think we can all decide as a family."

"If it's a boy he has to be named after daddy."

"I'm not so sure about that," Dwayne replied. "But we can talk about it when we find out. Your mom and I just wanted to make sure you were okay with it."

"Okay? I have wanted to be a big sister all my life, Daddy! What makes you think I wouldn't be okay?"

"It's going to change our lives considerably, Laurel," Linda explained. "I'll need your help with the baby as much as you can."

"Don't worry, mom. I know how to change diapers and feed a baby. I help out with Mrs. Davis and the twins all the time."

"It's a lot different when the baby lives at your house," Dwayne said. "Your aunt and uncle and some of your cousins will be here next Saturday for a cook-out. We're going to tell them our decision then."

"I can't wait!"

"Just out of curiosity, how did Kayleigh know about the baby? Mary Anne and David said they hadn't told her yet."

"I promised I wouldn't tell. I don't want her to get in trouble."

"I won't tell your aunt and uncle," Dwayne said. "I'm just curious."

"She found the pregnancy tests a couple weeks ago. She knew they didn't belong to Amber. Uncle Dave would kill her. She put two and two together and figured it had to be her mom's since Amber was still living."

"I see. Kayleigh does know better than to go snooping."

"She didn't know that her mom was going to give the baby away."

"She will know by Saturday. Don't go telling her. Uncle David and Aunt Mary Anne want to tell her themselves."

"You know what this means, mom?"

"What, Laurel?"

"It means we can have daddy get the crib out of the attic."

"Why don't we wait until we know what color we need to decorate? She's only six weeks along."

"Your mama's right, Laurel. A lot could happen in six weeks."

"You mean, she can lose the baby, like mom did so many times?"

"We're going to pray that doesn't happen," Dwayne said. "Now, let's finish up here. I still have some work to do at the office and I'd like to get home in time to help with supper."

Laurel sat at the kitchen table while Linda and Dwayne finished the last of the dishes. "What do you think of Nathaniel for a boy and Abigail if it's a girl?"

"I like Nathaniel," Linda said. "He could be Nathaniel Dwayne."

"Why do you insist that he has to have my name?"

"Because, he'll be your son."

Dwayne shook his head. "We need a different middle name."

"Nathaniel James," Laurel said. "After grandpa?"

"That would better."

"Laurel, sweetie why don't you got get your bath?" Linda said, looking at her daughter. "Maybe afterwards your dad would read some of your book with you before bed."

"Okay, mom." Laurel got up and walked through the living room to the stairs and up to the bathroom

"What's really bothering you, Dwayne? And don't say nothing, because I don't buy it."

"I am not sure. I just feel like naming a boy after me would be wrong."

"You have your dad's middle name."

"That's different."

"How?"

"It just is."

"Are you saying that because we didn't make this child ourselves that it won't truly be ours?"

"That is not what I'm saying, Linda."

"Then, what are you saying, Dwayne? We've tried and failed three times. This is an opportunity that we have been praying for since the last miscarriage. I thought you were on board with this. Do you really want this?"

"I am. I do."

"You certainly are not acting like it."

"I need to know our baby that is so generously being gifted to us by my sister is going to get the same love and affection as our biological child."

"Linda, you're over-reacting."

"No, I'm not!" Linda ran out of the kitchen and into the downstairs bathroom. She immediately threw up the contents of her stomach.

Dwayne ran through the living room at the sound. He stood in the doorway. "Are you okay?"

Linda rinsed her mouth and looked at Dwayne in the mirror. "I'm fine. Just got a little worked up." She turned and faced him. "Are you sure you are okay with this?"

"Yes," Dwayne replied. "And if you want to name a little boy after me, I'm okay with it."

"Maybe naming him after my dad would be better."

"That way he won't feel left out."

"I wonder how David and Mary Anne will tell them."

"Probably the same way they told us. Straight out."