Part 10

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Thompson returned from their honeymoon in Paris, refreshed and ready to start their lives together. After such a long engagement and wedding planning, Riley was exhausted beyond means, but her honeymoon was just what she needed to relax. Paris was beautiful and everything she imagined it would be and Daniel made sure to make it as romantic as possible. Riley was set to start her new job as junior editor assistant Monday and she was so looking forward to it. She knows she has a lot of work to put into it but she knows with the support of her hard working and loving husband. She can take on anything.

Several months went by; Daniel had already been promoted to a detective in his precinct. Riley was still hard at work on her promotions. They celebrated their first Christmas as a married couple together in their new apartment. They also visited their families and they had a friend Christmas get together the day after Christmas with Maya & Josh, Farkle & Smackle, and Zay was still unattached at the time being. Farkle and Smackle got engaged on Christmas morning at her parents' house. They were in their own little world.

The holidays were finally over with and it was back to reality for Riley. Her office had closed for a week from Christmas to New Years. Daniel had to work Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve this year. But he made sure he was home on New Year's Eve by midnight just so he can bring the New Year together. He was always so thoughtful. He worked hard all day just so he could be there with her.

Daniel and Riley continued on with their lives for the next 6 months or so. It was June already and Riley finally earned a promotion at work. She worked a lot of long hours and some weekends just to prove herself. Riley had always the type where she's to busy thinking of what other people think of her, rather than herself. Daniel was still hard at work at being a detective. Riley had prepared a late dinner for when her husband came home one night. She had received some news that morning that she could not wait to tell him. She arranged a big romantic dinner with candles and she had prepared a Cobb salad, baked chicken with sweet potatoes and chocolate caramel pie for dessert.

"Riley I'm home!" Daniel yelled from the entrance. She was not in the living room where she normally was.

"I am in the kitchen baby!" Riley hollered back, trying to finish up last minute things with dinner.

"What is going on Riley, why do you have it so dim in here, I almost thought you weren't home. Is everything alright?" Daniel opened the swinging kitchen door and found Riley dressed up, hair and makeup done, the works. He couldn't believe he was married to such a beautiful woman.

"Yes baby, everything is perfect, I am taking dinner out of the oven now, go sit at the table. I'll be right behind you." She leaned into her husband for a quick kiss before he disappeared to the dining room.

"Riley, you did all of this today, is there a special occasion or anniversary that I may have forgotten or something?"

"Nope, just felt like making my handsome hubby a nice dinner tonight instead of take out like we normally do. Just wanted a change that's all." She came into the dining room with the main dish.

"Well honey, it looks lovely. Everything looks so yummy and I am starved. You did an amazing job and I am so lucky to have you as a wife, you always look out for me."

"So speaking of change, how do you feel about change? Just curious because you never know, when our lives could change. I used to not like change but I eventually grew up and realized that it's a part of life and now I don't mind it. Especially when it's a good change."

"Riley, spill it, I know you, you start babbling away when you have something to tell. Whatever it is just tell me. You're starting to freak me out a bit." Daniel said teasingly to Riley.

"Well first, I have a gift for you, I'll be right back." Riley excuses herself from the table, goes to the spare bedroom closet and brings back a gift in a blue bag.

"Riley, seriously, did I forget something. I feel like I forgot an anniversary or something. If I did, you have no idea how sorry I am." Daniel said with that sad look with he feels bad about something. Riley couldn't stand it when he gave that look. It made her sad.

"Ugh, baby, just open it!" Riley beamed with excitement.

Daniel opened the bag and pulled out a card that said something about the future, he'll read that later. Then he pulled out a green baby onesie with the words, my daddy is a police officer, what super power does yours have? Daniel looked at Riley with a confused look.

"Does this mean what I think it means Riley, or are you just being prepared?"

"Baby, it means exactly what you think it means, YOUR GOING TO BE A DADDY!" Riley could barely contain herself.

"Oh honey, are you for real, because if you're joking, then this is the meanest prank you have ever pulled."

"Definitely not joking baby!"

"Well I'll be damned honey, I am so happy! You really had me going for a minute thinking I had done forgot an anniversary or something. I can't believe were going to be parents." Daniel stood up and helped up Riley from her seat, wrapping his arms around her and twirling her around and around until they got dizzy. Riley always loved it when he did that. Daniel kissed his wife on the lips and hugged her so tight. They were so excited about the future. They couldn't wait to start planning their little ones arrival.

The next day Daniel went on to work and Riley took the day off because she had a doctor's appointment. She was getting ready when her phone began to ring, startling her. It was Maya.

"Hi Peaches!"

"You sound awful cheering this morning, somethings up?"

"Well we haven't told anyone else yet, so you have to keep it a secret until we do but I'm pregnant Maya!" Riley squealed into the phone.

"Oh Riles that's so amazing, I am so happy for you!" Maya's voice sounded a little off, worrying Riley.

"Peaches, what's wrong, somethings wrong, tell me what it is!"

"Well Riles, I really don't want to spoil your excitement about being pregnant and all but Zay got a phone call last night from Lucas."

"OK?" Riles was curious, yet worried.

"Something bad happened to his wife. Well she was pregnant and went into labor late the night before and something went wrong during delivery and she passed away. Zay said that she started hemorrhaging and there was nothing they could do before it was too late. The baby is healthy. They had a little girl. Riles? Are you still there?"

"Oh my God!" Riley burst into tears, sobbing into the phone.

"Riles?"

"I am sorry Maya, I am still here." In between sobs.

"That is the most horrible thing I have ever heard. Should I call him and tell him that I am praying for him, send him a text, card, what? What are we supposed to do in a situation like this? I know we didn't know her but we were friends with Lucas for a very long time and even though we didn't work out, I would never want anything bad to happen to him."

"Riles, I think right now, the best you could do is pray for him, maybe send a flower arrangement in a couple of days for her funeral. I don't know details yet but when I know, I'll let you know when and where to send it."

"OK, Maya, if you talk to him tell him that I am deeply sorry for his loss, and that I am praying for him."

"OK, I will, if I don't talk to him personally, I'll have Farkle or Zay relay the message. I love you Riles, now just do me a favor, and take care of yourself and the baby. I would just die, if something happened to you. Call me later?"

"OK, love you peaches!"