It was 12 years ago but it would still get to her every time she laid eyes on that umbrella. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she locked her apartment door.

- Oh Good morning Elizabeth!

- Oh hello Martha! she answered a little surprised. It was never good to be caught off guard; she quickly wiped off her cheek.

- Are you okay? the lady sounded concerned.

- Sure! Rosie's waiting for me in the car, it's her audition day!

- Good luck then! Have a nice day! said Martha cheerfully.

Martha had been living across the landing for almost 10 years now. She was a very nice and friendly old lady who often volunteered to help her out. In so many years, she had made herself a few new friends but of course no one like those she had back home. She would go play cards with Martha and her friends on Tuesdays, it was pretty fun she had to confess. She had a few other friends at the supermarket where she worked. Her colleagues were really nice, that was probably what she enjoyed the most here, being appreciated by the people she worked with – such a new thing to her. She had a very modest income really, but it didn't scare her. She had always been used to working hard to take care of her children on her own. Although she felt pretty comfortable in her job, it always seemed like each day looked like the previous one. And of course, her past would constantly cloud her. Sometimes, she felt observed or followed in the store or down the street. She had probably gotten a little paranoid over the years anyways. Jack would never look for them there, and even if he did, why hadn't she been found over the 12 last years, right? It just made no sense and she knew they were safe now.

After dropping Emily at the ballet school she was about to audition for, she lazily headed to work. She took the usual 5-minute-journey through the city. As she was arranging the products on the shelves, a client came to her:

- Excuse me…

- Hello! Can I help you? she liked helping people out so she always managed to sound cheerful.

- Sure! I'm looking for the best pregnancy test you have for sale. I picked those two and don't know which one would be the best bet…

- Oh I see! Well, from what I know both are very good. Personally, I've used this one, she said pointing out the one the client was holding with her left hand, but, really, both should do the job perfectly fine! she said smiling.

To be honest, it hurt. It hurt to come across a pregnant lady. She couldn't help but think about her first pregnancy and how excited she was.

She had been feeling sick to her stomach, all week. Mornings were just the worse, really. She felt exhausted beyond any explanation. Andy had been very sweet the whole week, cooking for her and taking care of her every time he could. That evening he had been preparing a surprise for her. She rested in the afternoon to make sure she'd be in good shape for him. Her flue was getting slightly better, but something was definitely up, she thought. She'd have to go to the doctor first thing in the following morning because it was lasting too long already.

She was expected at Andy's around 7pm. She made herself all pretty for her love, really feeling grateful to have him by her side. He was just the best partner anyone could ever ask for. They were celebrating their 2 year anniversary even though she felt like they had always been together. It always felt so natural with him.

7pm sharp, Andy heard a knock on his apartment door. "Come in, honey!", he shouted. When he finally took sight of her, she looked beyond impressive. She always managed to look more and more beautiful each passing day. Oh he loved her so. He had spent all day getting everything ready for their anniversary, so glad he had the chance to share his life with her.

- Hey, look who's here?

- Hey Andy! Smells delicious honey!

- Thank you!

He met her behind the counter, he kissed her smoothly and spined her around to check her out.

- You're staring… she said cheekily.

- I totally am! he chuckled. My girl is so stunning, I'd be a fool not to enjoy her sight! he grinned sheepishly.

- So! she exclaimed with a wide smile, what are we having for dinner? I'm staarrrving!

- Well, Madame, please follow me, I'll guide you to your table.

- Oh thank you, Sir!

He took her arm and led her to his veranda. What a marvelous surprise when she noticed he had decorated it for the occasion. He had hung small led lights around the large window and lit a whole lot of candles disposed everywhere around and on the dining table.

- Oh my god, Andy! That looks so amazing… she was mesmerized, not knowing what to look at first.

- My girl deserves the world, she's a really cool gal, you know!

- Is she? Sounds nice… do I know her?

- I think you do, you know she's got this beautiful auburn hair, deep emerald eyes, and that body! Not to mention her talent and her ambition… damn she's becoming a lawyer!

- Wow impressive!

- I know, I'm so lucky to have her…

They started laughing together. They loved playing like that, it was one of their little weird things they loved to do. Andy dropped a loving kiss on her cheek and pulled the chair for her. A few minutes later, and they were finally having the delicious meal Andy had been cooking all afternoon.

- I'm so glad you're feeling better!

- Me too, it would have been so sad no to be able to taste all you prepared for us!

It was true, she was feeling better this evening and was having a wonderful time so far. They did the dishes together and picked a movie to watch nestled in each other's arms. They actually picked a random movie because of course they just wanted to spend the night talking and laughing together. Sharon's head was on his shoulder, her nose against his neck. She couldn't help but touch him, his chest, his arm, his face. She wanted to know him by heart, he fascinated her.

He was caressing her smoothly, one hand on her thigh and the other on her hip. It was all he had ever wanted, being there, doing simple things with a breathtaking woman he was so in love with. Happiness is about simple pleasures he thought.

- Hey… what are you thinking about? she whispered, still caressing his chest.

- I was thinking that I'm the luckiest man alive, Sharon… I love you so much sweetheart. You make this world a better place. Thank you for choosing me… he was sincere, she could see it in his eyes.

- I love you so, so much Andy…

She kissed him tenderly. She wanted to be with him forever, he was her one and only she realized.

- You know, whatever happens to us… I'll always be there for you, Sharon, I will always protect you no matter what. I so want you to be happy and safe that I'd just do anything…

There it was, she fell in love with him 2 years ago and yet she had just fallen in love with him all over again the minute she heard his loving words. He had this way of getting straight to her heart. He was the only man able to have that effect on her. He was just so amazing.

She kissed him again, deeper this time. She wanted to feel him both emotionally and physically, to be connected to him. As they were still tirelessly kissing and diving into each other, she felt his hand moving up from her thigh. He slipped it under her shirt until he reached her chest. He knew how much she liked him touching her breasts. She kept one hand behind his head, pulling him as close as she could so that no space would be left between their lips, while her other hand went down to his lower body. She loved teasing him, caressing his inner thigh up and down, reaching higher and higher with each stroke. She felt the tension rising in him. His lips gave up hers for her neck, she shivered at the sensation. He was always so delicate while still showing her how strongly attracted to her he was.

She moved his hand from her breasts to her center that needed more attention now. She wanted to feel him, have him exerting pressure on her clit. Andy got the idea without any further explanation because as soon as she redirected his hand, he unbuttoned her pants and slid his hand in her underwear. He couldn't help but notice how ready she was for him. His fingers swam in her juices until they reached her entrance. As they connected, she whimpered, smiling in his mouth. He knew exactly what pace she liked and intensified each stroke until she started panting so hard he knew she was close to reaching her first orgasm of the night. She sighed and whimpered every time he got inside her, even tilting her hips forward, claiming for more. Her hand was still on his, showing him where to go to please her. As he felt her coming soon, he used his thumb to stimulate her clit while still having two fingers in and out of her. She reached ecstasy in just seconds.

He was hard by seeing her so aroused and pleased. That was better than his own orgasm actually. He loved making her feel so good and it only motivated him to please her even more. Nonetheless, Sharon could be surprising and wanted to share the pleasures, so she took his hand away from her center and before he knew it she was working on unbelting him. She grabbed his length firmly, feeling him quite hard already. He wouldn't last long, she knew. She popped her mouth around his groin and started sucking on it, up and down, making him go crazy. He was groaning, barely able to catch his breath.

- Sharon, honey, I want to be inside you now… Oh god, please Sharon, I won't last long… he pleaded.

The warning had to be taken seriously and God only knew she loved feeling him connected to her with his full length. She abandoned his member to help him out of his pants. They were still wearing too many clothes. She took off her own clothes faster than the light and seconds later, she was already climbing on him, grabbing his penis again. She empaled herself onto him and set a pace. He'd tilt his pelvis every time she came down and helped her up with his hands under her butt. A concert of moans could be heard from afar. They loved being loud and the neighbors were out anyways. They switched positions and Sharon was now laying on her back, legs tightly wrapped around her lover, heels pressing against his lower back. His strokes were delicious, just the right amount of pressure. He pounded into her hearing her screaming his name with so much satisfaction. He knew every sound of her. He was about to come and she felt it because she told him to go harder and faster while using one hand to touch herself. He grunted reaching his pleasure and heard in her voice she was climaxing in harmony with him. Their shaking breaths were quite loud after such active intercourse. He unplugged himself, catching his breath slowly. Still naked, they moved to the bedroom, where they happily fell asleep into each other's arms, more satisfied than ever.

The next morning, Sharon slipped out of bed early in the morning. After their lovemaking, she realized she was late and hadn't had her period in several weeks. That could explain everything. She went to the closest store and bought a pregnancy test. She was excited as never before and felt impatient to get the results. It wasn't exactly the best timing for them because she was still studying to become a lawyer and they weren't married yet. But as far as she was concerned, she had always dreamt of this and she just knew she was with the right person.