It was about midnight and Anna glanced at the ceiling and looked over at Laura who was sitting beside her reading. This was her second night at the hospital and she hated every minute. She managed to talk Joe into going home and sleeping. Between both of them he went but Frank and Nancy dragged him out of the room. Anna knew how much she had scared him and how much he hated hospitals. She smiled as she thought about how blessed and loved she was.

Laura glanced up, "Well honey, now that everyone is gone. I think we need to have a talk."

Anna jumped a little. How could she have known? No one knew but her and the doctor. "What about, Mrs. Hardy?"

Laura smiled and placed her hand on Anna's, "Sweetie, you are having a baby right?"

Anna blushed, "How did you know? No one does."

Laura smiled, "I went through the same thing. You had a stomach bug for quite a while and you really are glowing. They are keeping you a couple of days to observe. I know, trust me, with those injuries they would patch you up and sent you home. My dear with my boys I have been to the hospital too many times to count."

Anna blush was getting redder, "I'm sorry I know we aren't married I know this isn't what you want for your son. He doesn't even know."

Laura chuckled, "sweetheart, Joe loves you. I am no fool I know what both of my boys do and the chances they take. It's naturally. I don't care one bit about things like that. And I know you are the one for my son."

Anna smiled, "Thank you so much Mrs. Hardy. Do you want to know the sex?"

Laura's eyes twinkled, "Sweetheart I had no idea you were that far along. And call me Laura or mom."

She winked at Anna. "It's a girl." Anna blurted out and Laura clasped her hands over her mouth. A girl she had always wanted a daughter and now she would be bless with granddaughter. Although she knew her son would be extra protective over girls but she knew he would handle it. "I'm so excited for both of you and I promise I won't breathe a word not even to Fenton. When do you plan to tell him?"

Anna frowned, "I planned on telling him about a month ago but he was so wrapped up in this case. I didn't want to add anything on top of it. I know how important that missing girl was. I didn't want to jeopardize them finding her. I guess I will tell him as soon as I get out of here."

Anna jumped when she saw Nancy walk into the room, "Anna, I overheard congrats. I won't tell I promise. This is so exciting."

Anna blushed and got nervous but she knew that Nancy wouldn't breathe a word to Joe or Frank, "Thanks Nan. You are going to be an Aunt."

Nancy laughed, her and Frank were engaged and their wedding was a little over a week away. It was going to be at the Greenbrier Resort. "I can't wait to be an aunt." Nancy smiled she knew what Joe had planned.

The whole family was staying in the presidential suite at the Greenbrier and Joe and Anna were staying in the same room as Grace Kelly Princess of Monaco did with her family. Joe was going to propose to Anna.

Laura smiled at both girls, "I have two amazing daughters to be and a granddaughter on the way. I couldn't be happier." Nancy knew Laura knew as well and Nancy guessed that is why the baby didn't matter much. She was happy; the whole family was happy and safe.

Frank woke up to a scream and went running down the hall. Joe had sweat pouring down his face. Frank sat down beside him, "are you ok?"

Joe looked at him with a bewildered look, "no, I need to go to the hospital to check on Anna."

Frank stopped his brother in his tracks, "I will check on her in a bit you really need some rest." Frank was worried about Joe. He knew his brother was having a hard time with Anna being kidnapped and all the feelings about Iola kept coming back. He had watched his brother struggle with it for almost two days now. Joe snapped his fingers in front of Frank's face, "Frank?"

"Sorry, zoned out. What?"

"I said promise you will go check on Anna now?"

"Yes, I will go now. Nan is there anyway so I can check on them and mom can come home early."

"I think I should go. I want to make sure"

Frank cut his brother off, "I am leaving now. Rest." Joe slowly crawled back into bed but knew he wouldn't be able to rest. Frank walked out of his room and down the hall to change.

Frank walked into Anna's hospital room. He saw his mom asleep in one of the chairs a sight he had seen growing up. Nancy was sitting in a chair with her head was on Anna's bed. She was asleep. Frank glanced towards Anna her eyes were open looking at Frank, she gently whispered, "why are you here so early in the morning?" Frank gave her a soft smile. "I promised Joe I would check on you after he woke up in a panic. I manage to get him to go back to sleep. Why are you up?"

"I can't close my eyes or I experience it all over again."

Frank pulled up an empty chair by the bed, "Anything I can do to help?"

"How do you keep the fear away?"

"It fades with time. Having people you care and love around you helps."

"I don't want to experience any of this again."

"I hate to break it to you but if you stay with Joe chances are it will happen again more than once. Trouble always follows us."

"I guess I will have to get use to it. Whenever I use to help Nancy during college it was never like this."

Frank sighed he didn't want to point out the fact that Nancy would never share the difficult cases with her. Nancy tried to protect her cousin especially after everything she had been through. "You know even during that time stuff happened to Nancy, me, and even Joe."

"You guys never seemed to phase by it which now going through it blows me away you could act so nonchalant about it."

"We have had practice and none of us ever wanted to worry you or anyone else."

Laura and Nancy were slowly starting to wake up. Laura glanced at her son, "Frank, what time is it?"

Frank looked down at his watch, "About three in the morning. Why won't you go home? I will stay with Nancy and Anna."

Laura nodded and looked at Anna, "Is that okay with you?"

"Go get some rest, Laura. Thank you." Laura gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and gathered her things and left. Nancy came over to Frank and sat on his lap, "What brings you here so early?"

"Joe."

It had been two days almost three of miserable hospital food and Anna was more than ready to leave. Luckily, Anna was getting out in time to still go to the fitting with Nancy. Joe was pacing the floor.

"Why are you pacing?" Anna asked him with a questioning glance.

Joe stood and smiled at Anna, "where are mom and dad. Let's leave this place."

Anna laughed then grabbed her side, it still hurt a little. She could get the stitches out before the wedding thankfully and she knew make up could hide the rest. Her ribs were healing and although they did hurt she could stand it. Laura and Fenton came walking into the room, "ready?"

Anna and Joe both nodded and Fenton handed Anna a Styrofoam cup, "cherry coke."

Anna gave him a huge smile, "oh you are a mind reader."

He gave Anna a wink, "thought you might want one."

After a debate between Laura and Joe it was decided that Anna would go back to the Hardy house instead of Anna's house. Anna honestly didn't care she just wanted a bed or sofa of familiar surrounds and a place that didn't smell like a hospital.

Anna laid on the couch in the family room and it was a full house. Frank and Joe's Aunt Gertrude which was also Fenton's sister, she had helped raise the boys and well she could be very difficult at times. Laura and Gertrude were in the kitchen. Fenton was in his study with his old friend and Nancy's dad, Carson. Frank, Joe, Nancy, and Anna were in the family room watching TV but not fully paying attention.

Frank glanced over at Joe and Anna on the couch, "need anything? I am going to go rummage the kitchen."

"Bring me some food, chips or something. I'm hungry." Joe called after him.

Anna swatted him, "are you ever not hungry? Frank, bring me some sweet tea. Please."

Frank laughed, "She's got you Joe. You are like a garbage disposal."

Nancy laughed, "you are too Frank and a tea for me."

Frank popped his head through the doorway, "be nice or you get nothing, Nan." He stuck his tongue out at her.

Within seconds they heard Aunt Gertrude, "Franklin Hardy, no one needs that much junk food. You and Joe aren't going to want dinner."

"We will still be hungry. I promise Aunt Gertrude." Frank tried to say smoothly. Nancy and Anna tried to stifle giggles.

Laura gentle said, "You know how they eat, Trudy. It will be fine."

Frank quickly appeared with bags of chips and cookies. And two glasses of sweet tea. Joe quickly retched for a bag of chips and started eating. "Thank bro." He mumbled through crunches.

Nancy laughed, "Thanks babe for the tea."

Anna smiled, "likewise minus the babe part."

Nancy smiled towards Anna she had her feet in Joe's lap and despite the fact that Joe was getting crumbs everywhere. They both seemed to be quite happy. "Anna, our fittings are soon. We probably need to leave here in about twenty minutes. Bess and George are going to meet us there."

Anna moaned in her head. Bess wasn't exactly her biggest fan since she had started dating Joe. Bess has had the biggest crush on Joe well since before she ever met Bess and she did feel bad. At least she got along with George, "I better go upstairs and change. I doubt I should go in pajamas."

Anna started getting up and Joe grunted, "No, you need to rest."

Anna squatted at Joe, "I will take some Tylenol and be okay."

Anna started slowly walking up the stairs and Nancy got up too, "I probably need to change into a different outfit as well."

Joe looked at Frank, "do we have a tux fitting or something?"

Frank looked up at him with a cookie dangling out of his mouth, "mom got our measurements remember?"

Joe nodded, "yeah."

Frank laughed at his brother. He knew his brother would learn the hard way how exhausting all this wedding stuff could be and he had a feeling Nancy wasn't as bad as what Anna would be. He heard footsteps coming down the steps him and Joe looked up to see Anna and Nancy.

Nancy and Anna were both wearing loose-fitting dresses and ballet flats. They both had such similar style and looked quite a bit alike. Nancy's hair was strawberry-blonde and Anna's was auburn a red brown however both had green eyes, both slender, but Nancy had a bit more of an athletic built. Nancy jogged every day and Anna did yoga.

Joe spoke up, "you look beautiful but are you comfortable?"

Anna walked towards Joe and placed a soft kiss on his lips, "this is more comfortable then jeans."

He nodded and Frank walked over to Nancy and whispered in her ear, "You look stunning. I can't wait for the wedding." Nancy giggled and placed a kiss on his lips.

Anna and Nancy walked into the little bridal shop for their last fitting. Nancy had chosen a beautiful mermaid gown with a pleated skirt and bubble hem Vera Wang dress. Anna, Bess and George, the bridesmaids, were going to wear short organza with draped bodice and a bubble skirt dress that were a gray hue with a black ribbon belt also Vera Wang. Nancy had a ribbon sash bow that had the same gray hue as the dresses. Anna cringed slightly when she saw Bess shoot her a mean look.

Nancy must had noticed she leaned over, "don't worry."

Anna gave Nancy a reassuring nod. "You both look beautiful. Although Anna looks like you got into a brawl." Bess snapped at them but George spoke with ease and continued on, "are you ok?"

Anna nodded, "yes a few bumps and bruises. I will heal. My first kidnapping I expect around Drew and the Hardys there will be plenty more." Everyone laughed even Bess chuckled.

Nancy gave Anna a stern look, "What the hell does that mean?"

George tried to talking through laughing, "You do get kidnapped a lot."

Anna nodded and changed the subject, "I can't wait to see us all in our beautiful dresses."

Bess squealed in delight as the lady who worked at the shop pulled out the dresses. "Nan, you really did pick out gorgeous dresses."

Nancy smiled at Bess, "I had some help." Nancy smiled Anna had definitely helped a lot and Bess had flown in one weekend to give some input. She wished things weren't so tense between Bess and Anna and she did hope Bess would get over it soon. Nancy knew that there case in Cairo where Bess was Joe's pretend wife didn't really help matters. She had it bad for him.

Nancy twirled in her dress she loved it and after the first fitting it fit like a glove and she could relax about one thing. She stepped out of her dressing room and everyone squealed with delight. "Okay girls go put your dresses on, maybe I can get a picture of all of us."

The girls got up and quickly changed into their dresses. Anna sighed her dress wouldn't zip all the way. She was afraid of this. She must have been slowly starting to show. Nancy knocked on her door, "Anna, do you want help?"

Anna quickly opened the door and Nancy stepped in. At least she didn't have to make up a lie to Nancy. She knew she was pregnant. "It won't zip. Am I showing? Joe can't guess this. I want to be able to tell him."

Nancy put a finger to her mouth, "shhh… you aren't showing that bad. Joe is just happy you're okay but you have to tell him. Secondly they can just take it out a little with a little extra. Let me go get a seamstress and we will have her fix it in here."

Anna nodded and tried not to cry she felt like she was ruining Nancy's wedding. Within minutes Nancy was back with a seamstress in tow. Nancy whispered to the girl, "She is pregnant but no one can know because the guy doesn't know yet so let's keep it between us three okay?"

The girl smiled at Anna and started getting to work, "sure thing, miss. I understand, congrats by the way." I smiled at her, "well thank you."

Anna and Nancy walked into the Hardy house to voices arguing. They looked at each other and heard Aunt Gertrude lecturing Joe and Frank, "You both need to start acting better. The way you eat do you know how many crumbs are in there from your chip binge." Anna and Nancy tried to stifle giggles.

Nancy called out almost in song, "we are home."

The boys rushed into the foyer giving them a look of thanks. "So, Nancy and I were thinking tonight me and her could stay at my house. You boys go do bachelor things and we can do bachelorette things."

Joe went to protest but Frank put his hand on his shoulder, "you girls need some girl time."

Nancy smiled, "good after dinner we will leave."

Anna heard ringing noises and slowly opened her eyes, the clock read 4am. She rubbed her eyes and picked up her cell, "hello?" She said half-way asleep.

"Anna, I am sorry. I didn't want to wake you but Joe is pacing the floor. He woke up having a nightmare and you weren't here and he is just freaking out a bit." Frank sounded tired himself and Anna started waking up a little more. Frank was protective of his little brother in certain situations and this was one of them. He worried about him. He didn't want to see him have another downward spiral from Iola and worrying about Anna. Almost everyone was afraid of this but no one said it.

"I hate that I am causing him not to sleep."

"You can't blame yourself. You didn't ask to get kidnapped."

"I know that but I still feel bad."

"I understand Nancy and I have gone through this with each other but we have gotten use to it, as bad as that sounds." Frank let out a chuckle.

"Let me talk to Joe. Thanks Frank." Anna heard some background noises and it sounded like Joe was protesting the fact that Frank had called her.

"Sorry Babe, I didn't mean for Frank to call you." Joe sound so exhausted on the other end. Anna knew he was tossing and turning but she didn't realize the nightmare part.

"I am glad he did. What was your dream about?"

"I didn't get to you in time." Joe said quietly. Joe was anything but a quiet person. It bothered Anna but she understood. She wished she knew what she could do to help him.

"Joe, I am fine you did get to me in time. We are both happy and safe."

"Don't tell Frank but I am glad he called you. I just have memories of Iola and you being kidnap me not getting there in time."

"I won't tell him. I am not Iola and I am here. I am fine."

"I know you aren't. I love you so much and I couldn't bear if anything happened to you. I came so close to-"

Anna cut him off. Frank had told Anna everything that happened. In ways Anna was a little mad that Joe kept bring up Iola but he loved her. What happened to Anna made Joe relive painful memories and he didn't kill her kidnapper that was all that matter. "Joe, you didn't do anything."

"If Frank hadn't gotten there in time, I just don't know."

"Joe, we are all happy and safe. Frank and Nancy's wedding is soon. We leave soon. We have a lot of happy and exciting things to focus on. Let's do that. Live in the present not the past."

"You are right. I just needed some tough love. Mom, Dad, and Frank are walking on eggshells."

"They are worried and don't want to say the wrong thing. Joe, focus on our future, on the upcoming events. Happy thoughts."

"Thank you, sweetheart."

"I will see you in the morning okay? Try to get some sleep even if it is just a little bit. I will wake you up when I get there."

"Love you."

"Love you." Anna hung up the phone and tried to go back to sleep.

Anna quietly opened Joe's bedroom door. His bedroom still looked the same as it did when he was in high school. Football memories, posters, and mystery related stuff. She remembered the first time she was in this room it was about five years ago. Nancy had dragged her to Bayport after freshman year of college. She was ready to try a relationship with Frank after a year of being broken up with Ned.

Joe was grieving over Iola at the time, and she got to experience some of what he was like although at that point she had been gone for almost a year. She just wasn't ready for a relationship she had blocked herself off after her parents. Joe tried to get Anna to date him her sophomore year and finally during her senior year of college she gave in to his hardy charm.

Anna softly kissed Joe on the lips, "time to wake up sleepy head."

Joe opened his eyes, "that is something I could get use to."

Anna smiled and sat at the end of the twin bed. "Nancy and I are going to do some shopping since we leave tomorrow."

Joe laughed, "You really need more clothes?"

Anna bit her lip and nodded, "do you even know me, Joseph Hardy."

Joe sat up and laughed, "of course, I do. You shop more than anyone I know."

Anna laughed, "You are a good detective."

Joe pulled a shirt on and gave her a smirk, "what's for breakfast?"

Anna couldn't help but laugh one thing was for certain a way to a Hardy was through their stomach, "your mom made pancakes, I think they are chocolate chip ones."

Joe rushed to his door and looked back, "what are you waiting for? Frank will eat them all."

Joe rushed into the kitchen and sat at the table and started piling up the pancakes. Frank had already had a plate full. Nancy was laughing at both of them, "you better slow down and actually chew before you both choke."

Laura turned and smiled, "they haven't choked yet after years and years of swallowing food whole."

Anna leaned against the door frame it was so nice to experience the family atmosphere. The last couple of years she got to share more and more in the Hardy family and loved every minute of it. Anna sat down by Joe and got a couple of pancakes and started eating. "Nan, are you ready for some shopping?"

Nancy smiled up at Anna and looked over towards Mrs. Hardy, "Laura would you like to tag along with Anna and me?"

Anna quickly spoke up, "yes please come."

Laura laughed, "of course it might be fun going shopping." Anna sat her fork down. She started feeling sick and she thought that the morning sickness was over. Anna quickly hurried to the bathroom. Laura gave Nancy a look and look at her sons. Joe was about to get up to check on Anna. Frank didn't even notice.

Laura quickly started towards the door, "Joe, finish eating. I will check on her. It might be the medicine she is on."

Laura quickly hurried down the hallway and could hear Anna throwing up. She opened the door, "are you okay, honey?" Anna held up her hand and quickly grabbed some toilet paper to wipe her mouth, "I am so sorry."

Laura kneeled down beside her, "sweetie, I have been through all of this. I know your pain. What can I get you?"

Anna laid her head on the toilet seat, "sprite please? Thank you so much."

Laura nodded and quickly headed back towards the kitchen. Joe quickly looked up, "is Anna okay?" Laura grabbed a bottle of Sprite, "she is fine. I think she has just had too many different drugs and she isn't use to non-hospital food."

Joe nodded, "should I go check on her?"

Laura shook her head, "I have it Joe."

Joe sighed he picked out a beautiful ring one he knew Anna would love it was a princess cut 2 carat diamond center stone and a ring of about another carat of little diamonds all around the big one. He knew she would be head over heels in love with it. He was just glad she was okay nothing else matter. They were leaving for the Greenbrier tomorrow and Anna and Nancy decided to do some last minute shopping. Anna was better even though it had only been about a week. Her bruises are starting to fade and Joe was amazed at how well mentally she was handling everything. She was happy glowing and beautiful.

Frank sat down beside him, "getting nervous?"

Joe smiled and looked at Frank, "not on your life."

Frank nodded patted Joe on the shoulder and went to leave, "Frank, make sure you check to make sure your feet are cold." Frank laughed it was nice to have the old Joe back corny jokes and all although Joe was a little extra protective with Anna. But Frank knew it would fade a little over time, the wounds were still too fresh.

Anna carried two handfuls of shopping bags upstairs to her closet. She started laying out her luggage and packing. She laid out an extra one and started packing Joe's clothes too. She had brought new clothes for both of them but he had enough clothes there that she could finish all his packing. Anna was almost done packing when she heard Joe and Frank, "Anna, are you here?"

Anna walked to the doorway, "I'm upstairs packing." Anna's town house wasn't too far from the Hardy house. It was a newer and two stories. It was a simple layout living room kitchen, and half bath downstairs. Upstairs had two bedrooms and two baths. It was a nice size for just her and Joe. But after the wedding, they needed to start actually looking for a house. Joe and Frank came running up the stairs. Joe placed a kiss on her lips, "we have a favor." Anna rolled her eyes and Frank gave her a hug both look at her with puppy dog eyes, "Please Anna."

"Okay what is the favor?"

"Actually two favors, one I need you to hold onto Nancy's wedding present." Frank handed her a black box and she peeked inside. It was a blue sapphire and diamond bracelet. It could be Nancy's something blue.

"Frank, it's perfect. She will love it. It can be her something blue."

Frank smiled and apparently was proud of himself, "that's what I thought."

"Second favor, we want to go out tonight and we need a d.d. plus we also need a place to crash." Joe said with a smile.

Anna laughed, "I think I can pull that off but no complaining about being hung over."

"Deal" they both said in unison.

"Why won't you just have the guys here?"

Joe looked up at Anna, "do you care," almost in shocked that she had suggested it.

Anna shook her head, "of course not. I would love to see them and Nancy can come over. Some of her friends it can be one last party before we all leave in the morning."

Joe gave her a look and scanned her up and down, "you feel up to it? After this morning and then you went shopping."

Anna smiled, "I feel fine. I just won't drink anything."

Joe nodded and he and Frank scurried off to call everyone. Joe quickly back tracked and placed a nice long kiss on her lips and whispered, "You are the best."