Alexis had a very busy day ahead of her, she had to be in court at 10, then meetings with clients at 1 and again at 3, she wasn't at all sure she'd be home for dinner at 6. She rushed through the courthouse doors, running late as usual. She was so much involved with her work, she had almost forgot about being pregnant, until she finally got a chance to sit down in her office and she opened up her briefcase. Ric was one to leave cute little notes for her all over the place, including inside her briefcase. When she opened her briefcase, she was surprised to find another little note from Ric.

"Alexis ...

I hope this little note from me brightens your day.

I love you with all my heart,

your loving husband,

Ric"

A smile came across Alexis's face as she read the note over and over again. She was so focused on the note from Ric, she didn't notice he was standing in the door way. Ric smiled and cleared his throat to gain her attention. She looked up from the note, the smile on her face grew when she saw him.

"Does my wife care to have lunch with me today" Ric asked as he stepped forward and into her office.

"What did you have in mind" she flirted.

"I don't know maybe a little shopping and grab some lunch at Kelly's"

"Shopping, ooh a man after my own heart. What kind of shopping" she asked as she went to him and then wrapped her arms around his waist.

"You'll see .. get your coat." he teased.

"You know I hate surprises." she remarked as he helped her with her coat.

He turned her into him and tugged the coat up against the back of her, pulling it closed in the front. "Yes but your going to love this surprise. At least I hope so." he smiled.

The two of them walked out of her office on their way to see the surprise Ric had in store for her. She wasn't sure about this big surprise, she hated surprises, but she humored him. It seemed important to him, so she went along.

Ric pulled up in front of the 2 story stone house, the black iron gates were welcoming. "So, what do you think" he asked.

"It's nice .. a little big don't you think .. we certainly couldn't afford something like this."

"Don't you worry about that, now ... do you like it"

"You didn't buy it did you"

"No of course not, not yet anyways."

"You're serious aren't you"

"Of course I am. Sweetheart, in 9 months we will need this house. You're 2 bedroom apartment is not going to do, we need something bigger." he replied as Alexis caressed her tummy.

"You're right .. but .."

"Want to see it"

"You mean see the inside ... no I don't think so ..."

"Come on .. just a peek" Ric anxious to show her the house, he climbed out of the car and went to the passenger side to let her out.

Alexis hesitated before climbing out, though she was really curious as to why he was so interested in this particular house. It was a beautiful stone house, secured with a black iron gate and stone walls, plenty of room for kids, she wasn't even inside of it yet and already falling in love with it.

They walked up the cobblestone walkway to the front door and he pulled keys from his jacket pocket, she surprised he had them on him.

"Now I want you to keep an open mind, okay ... I know it's probably something you'd rather not have, but ..."

"But .. it's beautiful ..." she replied as they stepped into the foyer, a glistening chandelier hanging from the high ceiling, she noticing it's beauty when she looked up.

"So you like it? Please tell me you like it."

"Show me the rest." she grinned.

There was a hall closet and a small powder room off the foyer, as they walked down the hallway, he showed her the living room and the dining room, a stair case to the right that led upstairs to the bedrooms. At the end of the hallway, they followed the hardwood floor to the right and into the very large kitchen. Alexis's hand released from his and took a few steps into the large room, marble tile floors was a beautiful contrast with the dark woodwork and marble counter tops. A center island held a modern style stove and a food preparation area. The room was brightly lit with natural sunlight that shone through the many windows, and a cozy nook held a small round table with 4 chairs and a window seat. It took her breath away.

She turned towards him and joy overwhelmed her. "Tell me you bought this house ..."

"Wait I haven't showed you the upstairs yet..." Ric replied and took her hand, leading the way to the upstairs bedrooms.

As they reached the staircase, Alexis gave Ric's hand a tug to stop him. "I don't have to see the upstairs. I just want you to tell me you bought this house for us. Please tell me that. Cause if you didn't, I might have to hurt you." she playfully grinned.

"Oh really, well ... I guess it's good then, that I put a down payment on it."

"You did" she asked again and pulled him in to her, a big grin on her face.

"I did. I couldn't help it. I took one look at the house and I knew it was perfect for us to raise our kids here."

"It is perfect, isn't it"

"I know we're going to love living here, there so much more of the house you haven't seen."

"Yeah I know but I really must be getting back to the office. I have a lot of work waiting for me."

Ric walked Alexis out and locked the front door behind him. As the reached the front gate, she turned back around and looked at the tudor from the outside once more before climbing into the car. It really was the perfect house, she was beyond thrilled that Ric had made the decision to buy it. She knew the house would be the place she and Ric could raise their children. She had good feelings about the house and what the future held for them.