Hi, loves. How are you all? I hope well.

I want to thank my wonderful reviewers: silence, wwfmegan, Haeronwen, BleedmetoINSANITY, xXWolfAngelXx, xRainCherryx, sparrowlight, Bel-cece and Phantom's Ange! Thank you all for your support! :)

Review reply to unsigned reviewers:

Silence: Thank you so much for the wonderful review, hon. Mort was a little bit scary in the previous chapter. He might be again… :)

Sparrowlight: Thanks, love! Glad you liked it. The baby will be here soon! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Secret Window!

Chapter 36

Sparky was sitting on Julia's lap while she was watching television. Her hand was petting his little head and the small dog purred, nuzzling against her palm.

"You're just like your master." She said with a chuckle as her other hand was resting upon her swollen stomach.

"Who is like whom?" Mort asked as he entered the living room, a bowl of popcorn in his hand. He plopped down next to her and placed the bowl on the coffee table in front of them.

"Sparky. He's like you. He likes petting…a lot." She said as the dog leaped from her lap and onto Mort's.

Mort laughed and stroked the pet's ear before ordering him to his place at the bottom of the couch.

"He always listens to you." She said as he pulled her closer as the movie started.

"Yeah, he's probably doing it so I won't kill him like my last dog." Mort said sarcastically and she looked at him.

"Mort…" she said and he looked down at her as he tightened his arm around her.

"Sorry, honey. But who knows what I am still able to do?" he whispered and she sighed.

"Mort, will you forget all that? It's in the past. And I'll always be here for you." She said, kissing his cheek.

"I know…you…you're not afraid of me because of what happed the other day, are you?" he asked, caressing her face and she shook her head.

"No, I am not. Now can we please watch the movie?" she said, pinching his nose, making him laugh and pout.

"I can't believe you convinced me to see Jaws." He muttered as the film titles stopped and the movie begun.

"It's scary…but it's great." She said, snuggling into his arms while he took the popcorn and placed it on his lap so she could reach it.

"Eat." He said and she laughed, burying her face in his chest.

"What?" he asked, chuckling.

"You're always saying that to me. I think you want to make me fat." She said teasingly and he frowned.

"Hmm…but I like you fat." He husked, moving his hand on her rear. She yelped and he laughed before covering her mouth with his. She sighed in the kiss and yelped again when he pinched her backside.

"The movie, minx." He said, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"You're mean." She said, laying her head back on his chest again, her hand reaching for the popcorn.

"I am going alone tomorrow into town for the meeting." He said after a while and she frowned up at him.

"But you said you wanted me with you."

"I know…but I can't…I can't depend on you for everything, Julie. I have to do it on my own." He said, tangling his fingers in her hair.

"Okay. But you'll call me if you need me." She said and he nodded, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"I will…"

She was asleep before the movie was over and he chuckled. He placed the now empty bowl on the table and carefully picked her up from the couch. He adjusted her in his arms and started walking up the stairs slowly. He arrived in their bedroom and placed her on the bed. He moved back and watched as she stirred. He smirked and removed his shirt before moving on the bed, leaning over her. His hands carefully undid her robe tie and he smiled as he revealed her stomach. He slid down her body and looked at it before placing small kisses upon it. His hands settled on her legs as he nuzzled her belly with his nose.

"Mort…I know what you're doing…again." She said sleepily as her hand slid into his hair, stroking his scalp.

"M'not doing anything…" he mumbled as he laid his head on her abdomen, his eyes staring up at her.

"If I hadn't woken up you'd be making conversation with my stomach."

"How…how do you know that?" he gaped at her, eyes wide.

"You were awake?Oh…you're going to pay for that…" he drawled, moving up her body slowly while she laughed as his hands tickled her sides.

"Laughing, eh?" he asked smirking as she reached and removed his glasses. She placed her hands on either side of his face and leaned up to kiss him. He gasped in surprise before a long moan tore from his mouth, his hands heavy on her hips.

"We have to go and see Nicollet." She said against his lips and he nodded.

"You'll go…I can't go back in there…" he gasped as she placed kisses on his jaw and neck.

"Okay, love." She whispered before rolling them over to lay her head on his chest.

"Hey…what…I thought we…tease" he pouted and she chuckled.

"We're sleeping. You have a long trip in the morning and I need my beauty sleep."

"You don't need any beauty sleep, baby. You're perfect." He whispered, kissing her head.

"Flatterer." she accused and he chuckled, wrapping his arms around her form tightly, her stomach against his side as she snuggled close to him.

"Fine, I'll give into your tricks." He mumbled as he closed his eyes. He was asleep before she did.

**********************************

Julia woke up when something fell loudly on the floor.

"Shit!" she heard Mort's hushed voice from the closet. She sat up and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she watched him buttoning his shirt as he leaned down to pick up his belt from the floor.

"You're up early." She said and he looked towards her.

"Sorry, I woke you up…I have to leave if I want to arrive on time." He mumbled as he approached the bed and kissed her lips quickly.

"You sure you don't want me to come with you?" she asked as she stood up.

"No, honey…I'll be back before night…If anything happens, I have my shelf phone with me." He said as he smiled at her.

"Okay. I'll be waiting." She said softly. He nodded and walked out of the room while she walked slowly behind him. He exited the house and got in his car before driving away from the house. She pushed her hair back and walked back inside, Sparky on her heels.

"Hey, lovey…Hungry? Like me?" she asked as she walked into the kitchen. The puppy gave a small cute bark and she grinned.

"Figured as much." She said as she opened the fridge and took out a bottle of milk. She poured some in the dog's bowl and placed it in front of him on the floor. The puppy barked again and started drinking his milk quickly.

Julia made some coffee and placed bread and butter on the table. After she took her breakfast she was ready to walk up the stairs when a knock came on the door. Frowning she walked over to the living room and hesitantly opened the door.

Her eyes widened as she saw the sheriff standing there.

"Miss? Good morning. I am…"

"Good morning. I know who you are." She said as she fully opened the door.

"Oh, right. We've met. Didn't think you'd remember me." The sheriff said with a smile.

"I do. Is there something wrong?" she asked, already knowing what was wrong.

"Um…Is Mr. Rainey here?"

"Mort? No, he isn't. He's gone to New York…"

"Oh…"

"…for business." She said with narrowed eyes.

"Is that so? Well, I just came to tell you that the town's people saw him with…a young lady into town a few weeks ago."

"That was me." She stated and the sheriff pursed his lips.

"You're his…"

"Girlfriend, yes. What's your point?" Julia asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"My point is that once again, he managed to disturb the people." The sheriff said with a sigh.

"We didn't disturb anyone."

"Never said you did, miss. He did though."

"We were just shopping." She said throwing her hands in the air.

"I have advised Mr. Rainey before that it's not wise to go into town. He might be free now but this society is not …ready." The sheriff finished calmly.

"I see…that's okay. We're not going there again." Julia said wearily.

"That would be for he best." He said nodding his head.

"It's not going to happen for ever though. The people here must realize that people with Mort's…condition can be cured, sir. Would the grocery's store forbid to a person with cancer to buy his food?" she asked with a glare and the sheriff stared at her before walking away.

"Just remember what I said." He called as he got into his car and drove away.

Julia cursed and slammed the door shut, causing Sparky to come running towards her, his head turning from side to side trying to spot any enemies.

"Jesus Christ! I hate those people!" she shrieked, collapsing on the couch with a sigh.

"They should know better than agitate a pregnant woman." She muttered with narrowed eyes as Sparky's barks subsided.

****************************************

She was listening to the radio when she heard Mort's car stopping in the drive way. She swallowed and placed the snicker bar on the table and she was in the process of licking the chocolate from her fingers when the door opened. Mort walked in and chuckled as soon as he saw her.

"Eating? Again?" he asked teasingly and she smiled sheepishly.

"Chocolate?" she asked, offering him the bar. He smiled and plopped down next to her on the couch before taking a bite from the offering candy. He chewed and smiled.

"Good. How are you?" he asked, taking her hand in his.

"Good. You? How did it go?" she asked and he grinned.

"Perfect. I got a new publisher." He said and she squealed.

"That's great! Give us a hug then." She said and he wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace.

"I got you something." He whispered in her ear, opening her palm wide before placing a small box there. She moved back and looked down at her hand. She took the small velvet box and looked at him questioningly.

"What is this?"

"Just something I figured I had to get you." He smirked. She looked down again and opened the box, her eyes going wide at the sight of a beautiful silver ring with a sapphire stone on top of it.

"Mort, what did you do?" she gasped and he looked at her hopefully.

"You like it?" he asked and she nodded.

'Of course I do…but how…"

"You said you'll marry me, didn't you?" he asked softly.

"Yes, I did."

"Well…this is your ring." He said smiling as he took the ring and placed it on her finger.

"Thank you." She whispered as she hugged him and kissed his cheek before kissing his lips.

"Where did you get the…"

"Nah! No questions. I only want to know if you like it."

"Like it? I love it!" she said and he grinned.

"That's good." He said as he moved back and looked at her face as she looked down at her hand.

"Is something wrong? Did something happen?" he asked frowning.

"No. No, everything is fine." She said shaking her head before snuggling in his arms.

"Everything is just fine." She whispered and he smiled, stroking her hair, his chin upon the top of her head.

End of chapter 36

Author's note: Thank you for reading, loves! Please review! :)