A/N **Blu**: I meant to update faster than this...I really did, promise. When i realized the last chapter was posted in October I knew I needed to try and make up for it. So...5 chapters! Hope y'all enjoy!

After they left the doctor's office Julie and Gunnar agreed to get some lunch. Julie drove them to a local favorite restaurant of hers and enjoyed the food and company. They talked more about the appointment and Julie was happy to see just how accepting he was of the whole situation. She had been so worried and afraid of how he would react that she ended up missing out on him bonding with her and their child. Julie had to close her eyes each time she recognized how badly she really hurt him by keeping this secret.

"So when is she coming?"

He sighed and leaned back against the booth they were seated in, "Sometime after Christmas, my brother and sister promised to visit her this year since I won't be there."

"You miss her."

"Yah of course I do, for so long it was just the two of us. Well, and Coach Stansson but she always hated him."

Julie sent him a warm smile, "I never pictured you as a mama's boy," with a giggle she shook her head, "I'm kidding, I think it's sweet that you care about your mother so much."

Gunnar shrugged, "And I'm sure our little boy will take to you," he flirtatiously looked her over, "I know I would."

A small blush crept over her cheeks and she tried to cover it by drinking some of her tea, "This is nice Gunnar, I like spending time with you."

"Me too," he sent her a playful smirk, "I think we will be great friends."

"I think so too."

Since they were finished with their meal, he stood and helped her to her feet, then dropped a tip on the table for the overly friendly male waiter. Leaning in he whispered in her ear, "Did you consider the addition of benefits?"

"I may have," she put her arm through his and they exited, "guess you will have to wait and see."

The sexual chemistry between them was still there, it had been present ever since they found each other in the same hotel room 6 months ago. That was the one thing neither of them could deny; just how attracted they were to one another. Yet they were still getting to know each other and something like that took time, especially if they wanted to do this right.

The atmosphere seemed to shift a little when they pulled back into the driveway of Julie's home. Her mother was waiting inside and he was honest enough with himself to admit he was a bit nervous. After all, he was the guy that got her daughter pregnant.

They paused on the porch for a moment and she gave him a small hug, "Thank you for being here, you have no idea how much this means to me."

He carefully brought his hands to frame her face, "There's nowhere else I'd rather be," his eyes searched hers and he slowly brought his lips to hers for a long, soft kiss, "I never thought this would happen," one of his hands came to rest over their child, "but I want this."

Sophie had heard the car pull up and was looking out one of the windows to see the young parents-to-be in her anxiety. What she saw was the expecting parents sharing a tender, private moment. She walked away as soon as the strange foreigner pressed his mouth to her daughter's as there were some things a mother just did not want to know or see.

It took another few minutes for them to finally make it inside and Sophie wasn't sure if Julie's cheeks were flushed from the cold air outside or the handsome man standing next to her.

They removed their coats and Sophie had them settle down together on the couch, noting that he chose to sit right beside Julie as Sophie took the chair to the side, "Gunnar, it is good to finally meet you. I am Sophie, Julie's mom."

His smile was sincere and he made the effort to stand and gently take her hand in his for a moment, "The pleasure is mine." It was remarkable to see just how closely Julie resembled her mom.

Julie smiled at the two of them and enjoyed the feeling of his hand on her lower back when he sat beside her once more, "Everything at the doctor's was fine, he's developing just as he should and is healthy."

"That is good news," Sophie smiled then turned her eyes back to their guest, "how was it seeing your son for the first time?"

A boyish grin stole over Gunnar's face and he easily responded, "Incredible. And his heartbeat, I can't get over how fast it is."

Sophie laughed and nodded in agreement, "I think it's the same for all new parents. I remember when I first heard Julie's heartbeat, it brought me to tears."

Gunnar brought both hands together and leaned his forearms on his knees, "And what was Julie like as a child? I need to know these things so I know what I'm dealing with."

"Nice try," she elbowed him playfully, "I was an angel, right mom?"

Sophie merely rolled her eyes, "Hardly. You didn't get your wings until you found hockey."

Gunnar chuckled and softly bumped her shoulder with his own, "Let me guess, too much energy and playing sports was the only way to calm you down."

"Something like that," Julie eyed him strangely, "that was a freakishly good guess."

He shrugged, "I was the same, always into something until my uncle put a hockey stick in my hand. After that there was no turning back."

Sighing Sophie sat further back into her chair, glad that the mood was comfortable between the three of them, "I suppose it's the same for all natural athletes. So Gunnar, can you tell me a little about your family?"

"Yah," he grew a little tense and sat back on the couch cushion, Julie could feel the change in him immediately, "My parents are Britta and Karl, they divorced a long time ago. I have an older brother Ivan and a younger sister Lilla, they live with my father in Sweden."

Julie instinctively grabbed his hand and he sent her a thankful look, "Gunnar's mom will be visiting in a couple months."

Sophie nodded in understanding and accepted the change of subject, "Has she been to America before?"

"No," he shifted and it was clear he was a little more comfortable with the change in direction of their conversation, "but she is very excited to meet Julie, this is her first grandchild."

"I hear that," Sophie grinned over at them, "as a first time grandma myself I can relate."

Talk continued on for a couple more hours as Sophie was able to better know the man that would forever be tied to her daughter through their unborn baby. He seemed like a genuine and charming young man, honest with his answers to all her questions. Gunnar carried a certain confidence about him that most men his age don't have. And most importantly it was clear that he wasn't going anywhere. Even if a relationship didn't happen between him and her daughter, he was going to be in his son's life. And that is what earned her trust and respect.

For dinner Sophie and Julie entertained Gunnar as he sat at the kitchen table and watched them work. It was made obvious to him that they planned this dinner ahead of time. They were having tenderloin with russet potatoes and a light salad. The kitchen smelled heavenly and when Julie handed him a few home-made lavender scones on a plate he knew he was in for a treat. Having a chef around the house could only be a plus because the meal was almost sinful. Dessert was amazing as well with banana-pudding topped with coconut infused whipped cream. Yes, this was something he could definitely get used to. Currently he was living with a veteran teammate and his family and while they made him feel welcome, home cooked meals were basically non-existent. There were a lot of different restaurants that LA had to offer. From personal experience from living with his mother in Iceland, nothing could beat a nice meal cooked from home, and so he made sure to savor each bite.

Gunnar insisted that he clean up afterwards, much to the joy of Julie's aching back and Sophie's opinion of him only went higher. The boy was a real pleasure to be around and she could see just how her daughter could really fall for him. She also liked the fact that he respected Julie's decision to be friends before anything else. They were both being sensible and mature. And it was because of that she invited him to stay the night when he realized he forgot to get a hotel room. It was something she could understand considering the excitement of the day. Besides, what did it matter now if they slept together? They were adults and she had to treat them as such, even if it was her own daughter. So with that cleared she decided to let them be and headed up to her room.

"I can sleep on the couch, I don't mind," he told Julie as she held his hand and led him into her room, closing the door behind them.

"We're having a baby Gunnar we can sleep in the same bed. Besides, I'm not tired yet, are you?"

"No," he let out a little breath and glanced around her room, the fact that she had nothing but hockey trophies and photos from the teams she's been on reminded him just how remarkable this girl was, "I don't want to make you uncomfortable." Even though she did have a queen sized bed so there would be plenty of room.

"I was perfectly comfortable the last two times we shared a bed, I think I can handle it," she was smiling to herself in satisfaction. "I'll be back I'm just going to change into some pajamas."

While she was gone he decided to do the same and removed his shirt, pants, and socks, remaining only in his blue and white pin-striped boxers. Maybe it was a little forward but she did tell him to make himself at home and get comfortable. His gaze flew to the door as she came back in and had to hold his breath at seeing her in a pale pink camisole that stretched brilliantly over her full breasts and stomach rounded with his child, damn she was beautiful. A smirk tugged at his mouth when he caught sight of the crown necklace she wore, seeing it on her was like a jolt of seduction.

"Hey, oh," she quickly closed her bedroom door again and leaned back against it, not quite prepared for all the smooth skin and toned muscles his body was made of. The extra training pushed on him for his team had brought about remarkable results. Flashes of their night together whirled in her mind and she was already responding to the tempered look in his eyes.

Gunnar walked towards her, "May I?" When all she did was nod, he slowly lifted the hem of her shirt until only her breasts remained covered, though his hands grazed against the sensitive flesh causing her to give a small shudder, especially knowing he touched her so purposely. There was this one spot that drove her crazy and honestly she didn't know about it until he found it while they explored each other that night so many months ago. Him touching her there was a secret for only them to share.

All day he wanted this, to feel her skin to skin. Lightly the palms of his hands caressed the softness of her flesh, running along the round mold of their baby within. When she seemed to catch her breath her hands came up of their own accord and went around his neck. Gunnar took his time in bringing their lips together in mutual need. When his bottom lip covered hers Julie fully relaxed against him and let him deepen their kiss. His tongue touched hers and they both gave in, old memories rekindled and mixed with new ones to create a hypnotizing feeling. Being here together like this, physically and emotionally involved, it was as easy as breathing.

"Julie you taste so good," she gave out a little moan and it drove him crazy, "you feel so good."

"Gunnar," she sounded so breathless, "please don't st-oh!"

Both of their eyes widened in awed disbelief at what they felt. Just under his left palm there was a sudden thump and it made them both freeze at the sensation. There. Again, it just happened again.

Julie's voice was barely a whisper, "He kicked, Gunnar he just kicked."

He looked into her eyes and knew that she was reflecting the same incredible feeling as he was. Their baby kicked, and from what he gathered of the visit with the doctor today, this was the first time. And he was here. He actually was here to feel it. Gunnar went down to his knees and pressed a kiss on the spot where he felt the kick, "Hello my son."

Julie's eyes glazed over, finding it incredibly adorable the way Gunnar greeted their child. The baby seemed to like it too as he kicked again, "It feels funny."

He looked up at her, "You okay?"

She nodded, "I like it. Keep talking to him, I think he's responding to your voice."

"Yah, son you should know by now that your mom is silly," she giggled and he sent her a teasing smile, "but what you don't know is how beautiful she is. And can I tell you a secret?" He soothingly let his hands roam over her tight belly and lowered his voice, "I hope you look like her."

Julie immediately shook her head and brought one of her hands down to get lost in his hair, "No, he already takes after your appetite," she smiled sincerely at him, "I hope he looks just like you."

They moved to her bed and she sat between his legs so they could both continue to feel for more kicks and were gifted with a few more. They continued to talk through the rest of the night, staying up until the night sky faded away. Only a few more hours and he would have to leave, but for now, he would hold his unexpected family close.