Author's Note: This is the love story of Lawrence Alamain and Carly Manning. (Subplot couple - Bo/Billie) This story will be submitted in several parts and is based off the hit soap Days of our Lives, yet the "history" has been changed somewhat to suit the purposes of this story. Not all the parts of this story will contain erotic sex scenes as there is a plot. First and foremost, this story is a romance, not a sex story.

Also, I'd like to note that I do not own NBC's Days of Our Lives or the characters and I will NOT be receiving any payment whatsoever for writing this story. It is intended for entertainment purposes only.

Sorry for the VERY long wait between chapters. I hope this is well worth the wait. :)

Chapter Nine:::

Carly, Lawrence, and Nicholas celebrated Nicky's nineth birthday on October 4th. Carly prepared a banana creme pie for the occasion as Nicky's favorite chocolate cake was unavailable on the tropical island. Nicky and Lawrence devoured the pie almost ravenously, but Carly was too preoccupied but to nibble at a small piece.

Not long after Nicky's birthday, Carly began preparing a cradle suitable for the coming baby. It was made with bamboo rods, bits of rope, and strong pieces of vine. A thick towel was draped in it to serve as a cushion. When Lawrence saw the little cradle, he was quite amazed at Carly's resourcefulness. He bent down on the cave floor to touch the sturdy cradle and chuckled lightly, saying, "Your handiwork amazes me, Katerina. I did not know you were so clever."

Carly smiled and said, "Sometimes I even amaze myself, Lawrence."

"I helped her make the cradle, Dad," Nicholas spoke up. "I helped gather the vines and bamboo."

"I'm proud of you, tiger," Lawrence said to the boy. "Your mother really needs your help right now, and she'll especially need you after the baby comes."

"We made some diapers, too, Dad," Nicky said, point to a pile of square cloths in the corner of the cave.

Lawrence looked at Carly questioningly and she explained, "I cut up several old blankets into the right-sized squares and sewed the frayed edges to make them."

"Good idea," Lawrence said as his hazel eyes skimmed her body in an almost-caress.

Carly appeared a little shaken by his intense look and shifted her eyes nervously. "I'll go gather some fruit for our supper," Nicky suddenly suggested, sensing his parents wanted to be alone.

The boy left the cave, and Carly turned to pick up the pile of diapers. She sat down to begin slowly folding them. "Katerina," Lawrence said softly. "I've been rather worried about you. Nicky has told me about your nightmares. You don't look as though you've been getting enough sleep. Do you want to talk about anything?"

"I'm fine, Lawrence," she denied.

"You are not fine when you wake up screaming in the night and frighten our son. You are not fine when you look tired and worn. Not to mention, you are often pale from lack of sleep and lack of food. You barely eat at meals," he said with concern. "I know something is bothering you, Katerina. Please talk to me."

"I- I'm worried about the baby... about having it. I keep having nightmares... reliving Nicky's birth...and how horrible it was. It makes it hard to sleep at night...makes me lose my appetite," she said reluctantly.

"I'm so sorry, Katerina. I didn't realize," he said, hesitantly drawing her into his arms in a tender embrace. "If I could take your fears away, I would."

This time she did not pull away from him. She threw herself against him and sobbed with release. He caressed her hair with shaking fingertips and then his hands moved downward to rub her shoulders and back. He felt her begin to relax considerably and bent downward to press his lips softly to hers. He felt her initial indecision, then she suddenly began to respond to the kiss, her lips yeilding to his.

"Ohhh God, Lawrence!" she cried out, breaking away from his kiss. "There are times when I nearly call you 'James.'"

She hadn't intended to admit that, but she had been caught offguard by the intense feelings his kiss had provoked in her. He looked startled by her confession, and he thought, *A few months ago she said she loved James. Wonder if this means she's still in love with me?*

"I- we must stop," she said, abruptly trying to disengage from his embrace. "This is all wrong."

"No, it's not. You wanted me, Katerina. You needed that kiss."

"We can't let this happen. I'm carrying Bo's child!"

"Don't you think I am aware of that?" he growled. "Everyday I am reminded of that fact!"

"I think you should go now," she said with insistence. "I have nothing more to say to you."

"Fine then. I'll go," he replied with anger flashing in his eyes. "But this isn't over yet, Katerina. You still have feelings for me, and you can't run from that." He left the cave then before she could protest. She picked up the stack of neatly folded diapers and threw them at him... but he had already gone.

~*~o~*~

Six nights later, Lawrence approached her beneath the palm tree where she often sat in the evening to read from her medical books. She didn't look up when he sat down upon the sand beside her. He reached out to take the book from her and she looked up sharply at him in anger.

"You've been avoiding me since the other day, Katerina. I know you're still angry with me. I'm sorry if I said or did something which upset you," he apologized.

"I wish you'd just leave me alone," she sighed in irritation. "Don't you see I want some privacy?"

"I meant what I said. I didn't mean to upset you. Will you forgive me?" he asked with sincerity shining in his eyes.

"It's alright. At least it got my mind off my other problems," she breathed heavily. "The nightmares have gone away."

"That's great. You are beginning to get your color back," he said, noticing the rosy complexion that had returned to her cheeks. "In fact, you are practically glowing."

His compliment made her blush slightly and she said, "I'm starting to eat a bit more. I had no appetite for the longest time."

"That's good. You need to consider your health... and the baby's. So, what exactly has brought about this change in you?"

"Well, it- it's kind of hard to describe. You see, I used to lie awake at night, afraid to sleep because of the nightmares...and all I could think about was Bo; how much I missed him; how I desperately needed him. Now I don't think about Bo so much. I fall asleep thinking of- of you," she admitted.

His eyes widened at her words. He longed to draw her into his arms, but feared a repeat of last time, so he restrained himself. "What are you saying, Katerina?"

"I- I'm saying that I think you are right. I think I may still have feelings for you, Lawrence," she said softly. "At nights I think about you... about the things we used to do long ago... those long walks in the garden near your villa... about the day we first met, our first kiss, the first time we made love, the night Nicky was conceived... all of it. I've been thinking of all of it."

"And?" he prompted.

"Before I could only remember the bad things- that you lied to me, deceived me so cruelly, but suddenly the happy memories are returning to haunt me... to confuse me."

"You are confused, Katerina... about us?" he asked.

"I am confused... about my feelings. How can I have such intense feelings for you and- and still be in love with Bo?" she asked sadly.

"I don't know," he answered. "Do you think it's possible for you to be in love with two people at once?"

"I don't know the answer to that, Lawrence. All I know is that I can't have a relationship with you... not while I carry Bo's child... and not when I am feeling so much confusion. Do you understand?" she asked softly, looking at him with great remorse.

"I suppose I can wait for you, Katerina. I have waited years to hear what you just told me. I can wait a little longer until this baby's born and until you have a chance to clear your head and make a decision."

"I- I'm so sorry," she choked out as tears glowed in her eyes. "I know how difficult it is for you to wait. I just wanted to say how much I appreciate what you are doing for me, and all you will do for me when this baby comes."

"I'll be there for you, Katerina," he said as he took her hand in his. "And I will wait patiently, with great hope in my heart."