chapter6
Chapter 6

Lucky and Elizabeth's wedding went off without a hitch, and Emily was hoping for the same in a few months. She still hadn't discussed any wedding plans with her family, she wanted to do this on her own. She didn't need their money, her and Zander were doing fine without them. Zander had taken a few short business trips with Jason since the wedding and she seemed to be getting along okay while he was gone. Sonny was calling on the hour every hour and either Carly or Elizabeth stopped be a few times a day. She was getting more attention while he had been gone, then she did when he was home. But she knew that it was for her own safety and she was okay with that.

Sonny and Carly's baby was growing so fast. Sonny finally had all that he could ever want, a wonderful wife, Michael, and a beautiful son of his own. Emily wanted that for her and Zander and she was determined to have it. Zander had been gone few days with Jason again to places unknown and she had been worried about him. He usually called as much as he could while he was away, but she hadn't heard from him. She had called Sonny to find out if he had heard from the boys, and he of course was no help. He didn't tell her anything she didn't already know. She tried to keep herself busy by working on wedding plans and making a few phone calls trying to accommodate Zander's schedule. Sonny had him coming and going every couple of weeks here a late and she knew as time went on Zander would be getting in deeper into the organization. She didn't really mind that he worked for Sonny, it wasn't work really, it was a way of life. She respected what he did, and respected his dealings with Sonny. She had been exposed to the organization through Jason and Robin so she knew what she was getting into before Zander even started working for Sonny. Her family was having pervbial fits because she was now living with a mobster, but she could handle her family, she wasn't to concerned about their opinions.

It was getting late as the darkness fell over Port Charles. Zander and Jason still were not back yet, and her worries became more intense. She wasn't going to think about the what ifs, it wasn't good for her at all to think like that. He would be home safe in her arms soon enough. She waited up till a little before midnight hoping he would call or better yet come home. She wasn't really sure how long she had been asleep on the sofa, but she heard someone outside the door and the key unlocking the door. She wasn't really concerned besides Rick was standing guard outside with another guard at the end of the alley. There was no way anyone was getting in to the apartment again. She lay there with the afghan covering her as she saw a figure walk through the door. Zander had come home way past the time he said he would be and he was trying so hard not to make any noise to wake her up. He noticed she was asleep on the sofa as he quietly laid his keys on the kitchen table. As he walked toward where she was laying he removed his coat and laid it across the chair. He knelt down beside her and kissed her softly on her forehead hoping that he would not disturb her. He adjusted the afghan she was covered with and stood up as she reached for his hand. "I waited up for you.." Emily said softly as her eyes opened slightly. " Yeah, I can see that.." Zander said with a grin. As she pushed herself up to make room for him to sit next to her, he bent down and brushed her face with his hand. "I missed you.." She replied as she embraced him tightly. "I missed you to, Emily..." he said as he held her so close. "Don't you guys own a cell phone!" she said with a forceful tone. "I couldn't call you because....uh, because Jas and I were rather busy on this trip.." he said sheepishly. What he didn't want to tell her was that this trip was a little more dangerous than the last one and the one before that. "I'm sorry I couldn't call you..." he replied. "Well I was worried when you didn't..." she replied as she reached for his hand. "How were things here while I was gone? .. Anything happen?" he questioned. "Nothing really, just Sonny has been calling every hour on the hour checking on me...but other than that..it's been fairly quiet." She answered as Zander got up and extended his hand to assist her off the sofa.

Zander headed for the other side of the loft towards the bed as Emily followed him clutching onto his shirttails. She was so tired she rested her head on his back as they walked across the room in unison. She made her way to the soft bed that awaited for her and turned down the quilt to reveal the goose down pillow. She didn't wait for him to get into bed, and soon as her head hit the pillow, she was out. Zander stood in his black boxers watching her sleep for a few moments before getting into bed. He had tried his damndest to protect her, to love her, and to keep her safe. She meant everything to him and by damn it he was going to do everything to make her happy. All of these trips were for her and to make a better life for her. She deserved the best and he was determined for her to have it.

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Emily sat patiently in the waiting room for her doctor's appointment, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the duty nurse to come to take her into the examine room. She sat there what felt like hours as Amy turned the corner and called her name. Emily could feel the butterflies in the pit of her stomach as she and Amy walked quietly down the hallway towards the door of the examine room. The door of the room was open as Amy motioned for her to take a seat on the hospital bed. Amy laid Emily's chart on the counter and handed her an open front hospital gown. She said the doctor would be in momentarily, and she should put the gown on with the opening to the front and just to relax. Emily thought to herself "that was easier said then done"...Emily couldn't relax, the butterflies had started way before she left home this morning. She wasn't really sure what was going on with her the last few weeks, ever since Zander had gotten home from his last trip with Jason. She had just figured it was the flu or something but it just hadn't gone away, it was actually getting worse. What really worried her was that she was late, her monthly should of reared its ugly head about 2 weeks ago and till this day it hadn't shown up. Zander of course didn't notice that she wasn't feeling well, cause he was working day and night, and she seemed to be fine by the time she would go to bed. She knew something was definitely wrong when she couldn't even eat any of Ruby's chili that she had lived on for months while living there. There were so many things going on with her, she really wasn't going to make any assumptions, so she made an appointment to come in and see the doctor.

After a few minutes, her doctor came in to the examine room and picked up her chart that Amy had laid on the counter. "So, you're not feeling well..." Dr. Meadows said as he turned and looked at her. Kind of embarrassed by what she was wearing she hesitated in answering him. "Yeah, I just figured it was the flu or something....but it kept getting worse..so I thought I'd come in and get checked out. " She replied as she pulled the gown over her bare front. " Okay, well let's just see what we have..he said as he came toward her and put on the latex gloves he took out of the box that sat on the counter...Just lay back and relax." he said as he sat down on the swivel stool at her feet. "Yeah, that's what Amy said when I came in here...just relax.." She replied as she did as instructed. Dr. Meadows assisted her in putting her feet in the stirrups that were attached to the bed on both sides. Emily could feel her muscles in her stomach tightening as Dr. Meadows examined her. It only took a few moments and the examine was over. "You can sit up now Emily...that wasn't so bad now was it.." he replied as he removed the gloves and threw them in the trash pail near the door. She breathed a sigh of relief and sat up on the bed as he wrote something on her chart. "So, what's wrong with me? " she asked as she swung her legs to the side of the bed. "Well, you look fine and everything seems to be where it should be. I'll have Amy come in and draw some blood, let's see if that tells us anything, but first I need some information from you. It will give us a better idea of what we are looking for." he replied as he picked up her chart again. She answered all his questions that he rattled off and he wrote down all her answers on the chart. After he had finished asking the questions he flipped closed the chart and walked out the door. A few moments later Amy came in with a syringe and vial in hand. "We need to draw some blood, Emily. Please extend your left or right arm. This will only take a second and I only need a little bit." she said as she laid the syringe and vial on the metal table that was near the bed. Emily did as asked and looked away as Amy drew the blood from her arm. She hated needles and couldn't stand to watch Amy take blood from her. It was bad enough that she could feel the needle go in and come out of her arm. "That's it..you're done. You can get dressed now, Emily. I'm not sure how long this will take but Dr. Meadows put a rush on it...do you want to wait?" Emily nodded that she would wait in the waiting room for the results. As soon as she was dressed and ready to be seen in public again, she returned to her seat in the lounge near the nurses station.

Emily sat quietly reading one of many of the magazines that lay spread across the table in front of her. She wasn't really paying attention to her surroundings, till she heard her named called. As she looked up, and she noticed her mother heading in her direction. Emily really didn't want to deal with her today, she was stressed enough about these test results. "Emily, what are you doing here? Are you sick? " Monica said as she rushed over and sat down beside her. "No mom..I'm not sick. I came to see Dr. Meadows for a check up, that's all." Emily replied as she laid the magazine down on the table. "You'd tell me if you were sick, right? I mean we haven't seen you in a while and your father and I are worried about you, Emily." "I'm fine, and I really don't want to start this conversation with you at the moment. Because I know where it is going and I don't want to fight with you." Emily said as she felt those butterflies come back. "Emily...We are not the enemy here. Why can't you see that?" Monica said as she reached for her hand. "Don't." she said as she pulled away from her mother. "What do you want from me, Emily? Your father and I have tried everything to see what you see and I'm sorry but we just can't. You tell us what you want us to do." Monica said as she saw a stray tear stream down her daughter's face. "What I want...well, that's a new one coming from you mom. I mean it is the first time in a long time that you have asked me what I want." she said in a harsher tone. "That's not fair, Em" "Not fair..okay, see I told you I didn't want to have this conversation with you. What I want is to live my life the way that I want to live it. And that means that I will be living with Zander, and I will become his wife. There is just no other way to say it. This is what I want, not what the family wants. And I am sorry, but it is the way I feel and it is what I want." she replied. "So, you are still gonna marry him, even though he has joined the ranks of Sonny's organization and the family disapproves?" her mother asked. "Yes I am. Mom, look I love him and he loves me. We have made a really nice life for ourselves, and we are happy. Zander takes very good care of me, he protects me and gives me everything I could ever want." Emily replied as she noticed her father step off the elevator.

Monica noticed the direction of her glare and saw Alan standing at the nurses station. As he turned around Alan noticed they were glaring in his direction. As he walked closer he noticed Emily's body language stiffen as she sat on the couch. "Emily?...Are you okay?" he said as he took a seat in the large chair that sat before them. "I'm fine..I just came in for a checkup. Nothing to worry about." she replied hoping that Amy would come back with those test results. She was getting anxious for some answers about what was going on with her. A worried look came over her face while a million things raced through her mind. "Em are you okay?" her mother said as she saw that Emily's face was a little pale. "I'm fine, would you two quit smothering me!" Emily replied as the feeling of anger started building in her gut. "Look, I haven't eaten today yet and I'm a little tired. I'm fine. I just need some rest that's all. " Emily said as she noticed Amy had returned to the nurses station. Emily had wondered if her test results were back yet from the lab. As her parents sat there and talked amongst themselves she noticed Amy glance over at her and motioned for her. Emily politely excused herself from the conversation and walked over to where Amy was standing.

"So, what's the verdict? " Emily asked as she reached the counter. "Well, Dr. Meadows is waiting for you in his office. It's right around the corner." Amy said with a smile as she pointed in the direction of the office. "Thanks Amy." As Emily turned the corner, Alan and Monica went to ask Amy who Emily was here to see. Amy of course being the gossip teller of the hospital told them that she had been here to see Dr. Meadows and that she went to hear some test results that Dr. Meadows had asked for. Being the good parents that they were, Alan and Monica had the right to know what was going on with their daughter. They turned and headed for Dr. Meadows' office hoping to catch Emily before she went into the office. Their thinking was that they were her parents, they had a right to know what was going on with her. Emily reached the office door, and was a little hesitant to go inside. The fear of finding out what was happening to her was getting to her and those butterflies were coming on strong. She opened the door and stepped inside as she saw Dr. Meadows sitting behind his desk. "Come on in, Emily. Have a seat. Your tests results are back from the lab and I wanted to discuss them with you." he said as he opened up the folder he had laying in front of him. Emily came inside and sat down in one of the chairs that sat in front of his desk. Meanwhile, Alan and Monica had reached the office door and stood outside trying to hear the conversation between Dr. Meadows and their daughter. Emily had become a little antsy in the chair as Dr. Meadows looked up from the file and laid his hands on top of one another on top of the desk. "So, I see you are getting impatient with me, so I will get to the point." he said as he looked at her intensely. Emily saw that the results were on the tip of his tongue as she felt those butterflies again. He hesitated for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. Alan and Monica anxiously waited for him to answer as they stood eavesdropping outside the door. "Well, Emily you don't have the flu. " he said as he noticed the confused look on her face. "Well, if I don't have the flu..than what do I have?" she asked as Dr. Meadows glared over the desk. "Emily, you don't have...you are." he replied. "Are what?" ... "Are about 6 weeks pregnant." he replied as the look of astonishment over came her face. "I'm p...pregnant?" she asked as if she was surprised to hear the news. "Yes about 6 weeks. That's why you were late and you had been sick for the last couple weeks. Alan and Monica stood in complete shock outside the door of the office. All of the emotions came over Emily as she sat in the chair and Dr. Meadows got a few things together for her to take with her. Zander would be elated with the news about the new baby. She was excited yet worried about how a new baby would change their lives. Alan and Monica didn't know what to do now. Did they want to confront her now or wait till she told them or just not say anything that they knew? The two of them couldn't decide in a split second so they turned and walked down the hall towards Alan's office in shock. This was totally unexpected and would turn the Quartermaine household on its roof.

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Emily arrived home with a bag full of goodies to read about being pregnant...she just loved saying that word. Pregnant. It sounded so official. Zander is gonna be calling everyone he knows as soon as he finds out, which will be in a few hours when he gets home from work. She took off her coat and sat at the kitchen table as she opened the plastic bag Dr. Meadows had given her. Along with the information was a prescription for prenatal vitamins that she was suppose to take once a day, everyday till the baby was born. She had strict instructions about eating healthy and progressing with this pregnancy stress free. She certainly would try with the latter, because the lifestyle they lived it would be difficult to live stress free. But she was determined to carry this baby to term and to bring a son or daughter into this world. She and Zander deserved to be happy, and having a baby would certainly make them happy.

As she sat looking through the pamphlets and reading every bit of information, there was a knock on the door. As she got up from the table, Rick opened the door and announced to her that Elizabeth was here to see her. She was so excited that Elizabeth knew something was up. Emily welcomed her in and invited her to sit with her at the table that laid full of pamphlets. "Emily, what has gotten you all excited...do tell!" Elizabeth said as she sat down on the kitchen chair. "Well, I shouldn't tell you, cause I wanted Zander to be the first to know. But I have to tell somebody before I bust." Emily said all smiles. "Well, what's going on..." Elizabeth replied as she looked down at the pamphlets that lay on the table in front of her. As she read the headings on one of the pamphlets a smile came across her face. "Em....are you..?" she asked as she smiled from ear to ear. "Yep...about 6 weeks!" she replied as both girls shrieked with glee. "So, Zander doesn't know..." Elizabeth asked as she flipped through one of the pamphlets. "No, I just found out myself about an hour ago. I'll tell him as soon as he comes home tonight. He's going to be so excited. He is going to make a great father to this baby. " Emily said as Elizabeth listened intently. "And you are going to make a great mother....Em." she replied as Emily nodded in agreement. "I am so happy for the two of you. You guys really deserve happiness. You have been through so much since you have been together, and this couldn't of come at a better time." Elizabeth said as Emily got up to go to the refrigerator. "Do you want something to drink, Elizabeth." Emily said as she reached for two glasses from out of the cabinet. "Sure, thanks. " She said as Emily looked to see what they had to drink. "Orange juice....is that okay?" she replied as she took the carton and set it on the counter. "That's fine....so how do you feel?" Elizabeth replied as Emily set the two glass on the table. "I feel fine, a little tired but fine." she said as she took her seat.

The two of them sat for a little while just talking girl talk. The conversation had moved from the baby to wedding plans. Now because of the baby, Emily was really considering moving up the wedding. She didn't want to be as big as a house walking down the isle. She really didn't think she would be by that time, it was only about 2 months anymore before the big day. If she was lucky, she would just barely be showing...unlike Carly who was showing considerably by her third month. As the girls discussed wedding plans, Rick opened the door as Zander walked through and noticed the girls giggling again. He had always wondered what girls were giggling about when men walk into a room. He noticed that Emily scurried to collect the papers that were scattered across the kitchen table as he walked into the living room and removed his coat and laid it across the chair. He heard the girls say their goodbyes and Elizabeth opened the door to go as he sat down at the kitchen table. Emily closed the door behind Elizabeth and walked towards him as she noticed he was drinking her orange juice that sat on the table in front of him. "I was drinking that..." she replied as she sat down on his lap. "You want it..." he replied as she gave him a peck on the cheek. "No you can have it..." she replied with a grin. "So, how was your day?" he asked as he noticed she had gotten all excited about something. "Well, I went to see the doctor today..." she said as he got a confused look on his face. "And you went to see he him...because?" he asked. "I just went in for a check up and because I was sick for the last 2 weeks or so." she replied as he now was worried. "And...did he find out what you have?...is it the flu or something else?" he asked as he noticed she just couldn't keep it in any longer. "Or something else..." she said as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She felt this was so fitting that he wrapped his arms around her, being she was about to tell him that he was going to be a daddy. "Em...what did the doctor tell you?" he asked as he was getting anxious to here her answer. "How would you feel if I told you that you were going to become a daddy in about 7 months?" she said as she noticed he was shocked to hear the news just as she was in the doctors office. "You're..when, how?..Well I know how...but when?...he replied as he became excited about the idea of hearing the pitter patter of little footsteps. "About 6 weeks ago..." she replied as she stood up and turned to face him. "Are they sure? I mean you positive...there is no mistake.." "No mistake...Amy drew the blood and the lab at the hospital did the test this afternoon. We're PREGNANT!" she replied as he jumped out of his seat and he embraced her as he twirled her around the living room. Their celebration had alarmed Rick who opened the door to see if everything was alright. "Sir...is everything alright." Rick asked as he stepped into the apartment. "Rick everything is just great!" Zander said as Rick nodded and turned to step back outside to his post. This was the best news he has heard in quite a long time. It took a few minutes for the news to sink in but when it did, he was just jumping out of his skin. Zander couldn't of been more happier then he was right at this moment. He set her down in the middle of the living room and kissed her so intensely.

"Have you told anyone yet?" he asked as he propped a few pillows behind Emily as she leaned against the arm rest of the sofa. "Just you, and well Elizabeth..." she replied as he sat next to her on the edge of the cushion. "What about your parents? They are not going to be thrilled with this news of a baby. Especially if their first grandchild has my last name." he said as a worried look came over him. "Not to worry about my parents...I will handle them. Let's just be happy about the baby and forget about what everyone else thinks" she replied as he noticed those loving eyes looking back at him. He loved her so much and he was elated about the baby. It was just something they both wanted and now it was finally happening. It was overwhelming to say the least. There was so much to think about and so much that needed to be done. Zander was bursting at the seams with excitement, she knew he had to tell somebody. "Go ahead..call him." she said as he looked at her puzzled at what she said. "Call who?.." he asked as she grabbed his hands. "Sonny...go call him. I know you wanna..you're busting at the seams here Zander. Call him." she said as he smiled at her. As he reached for the phone, Rick opened the door and announced that Sonny and Carly were here to see them. "Speak of the devil..." Emily said as she laid on the sofa and Zander covered her with the afghan. "Well you look all cozy there on the couch.." Sonny said as he and Carly stepped into the apartment. "I was just about to call you.." Zander said as he walked over to shake hands with Sonny. "Yeah, what about.." Sonny replied as he noticed something was going on between these two. As Sonny and Zander stood together chatting, Carly came over and sat on the couch with Emily. "So what's going on..." she asked as Emily moved her legs to give Carly some room to sit. "Well, I'm gonna let Zander tell ya's.." she said as she looked over at him. "Zander...do you want to tell them what's going on around here?" she asked as he turned to look at her. "Em's pregnant!" he said as both Sonny and Carly listened intensely. "You're pregnant!..." Carly said as she got all excited for the two of them. That is so great! How far along?" she asked as she looked back at Emily who had a grin on her face. "About 6 weeks. Got the tests done this afternoon." she replied. "Congratulations you two.." Sonny said as he removed his overcoat and scarf. "Thanks we are happy about the news...although my parents are not going to be so thrilled.." Emily replied as Zander came to sit with her on the sofa. She sat up as he slid behind her to give her support as she laid back down. "They don't know yet...." Carly said as Sonny sat down on the chair a few feet away. "No, we haven't told them yet..." Zander replied.

Unbeknownst to Emily that her parents already know about the new baby she was going to have, because of course they were eavesdropping at the door when Dr. Meadows told her the results. "Well, they are not going to be happy but this would be their first grandchild, don't you think they would be supportive because of that fact?" Sonny asked as Zander leaned front to adjust his seat. "Well considering this child is a part of me and will carry my name....I don't think the Quartermaines are going to be too supportive with anything that is associated with me." Zander replied. "That was really what I wanted to talk to about, Sonny. How difficult is it for Emily and I to elope?" he asked as he noticed Emily's surprise to the question. "Why would you want to elope? I thought you two wanted the big wedding, you were making plans..weren't you? Sonny asked as he looked shocked as well to the question. "Yeah, we were..are...but with the baby now, I have this feeling that the Quartermaines are going to create problems and if we marry then have the baby, there wouldn't be much they could say or do about it...ya know." Zander replied as Emily squeezed his hand. "He has a point, there Sonny.." Carly said. "The Q's are not going to let this go especially now that a baby is involved. I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I had to with AJ. Isn't there something that can be done to make sure that the Q's won't interfere?" "Well, let me see what I can do...give me a day or so. I'll check into a few things." Sonny said as he directed the reply to Zander and Emily both. The four of them sat and talked about an hour or so before Carly got worried about their own baby. Latica was looking after he and Michael and Carly really was wanting to get back to them. So Sonny grabbed his coat and assisted Carly with hers as they made their way towards the door. Zander opened the door as Rick stood outside keeping watch. He and Sonny shook hands and Zander watched the two of them walk down the stairs before he closed the door.

As he turned around he noticed that Emily had drifted off to sleep on the couch. So he made his rounds as he turned off the lights in the kitchen and double checked the lock on the door. He walked quietly across the hardwood floor to the couch as he turned the lamp off that sat on the end table next to the couch. He removed the afghan that covered Emily and lifted her in his arms and cradled her. He carried her to the bed and held her close as he turned down the sheets. He laid her down gently on the satin sheets that were revealed and covered up with the down comforter. He was still overwhelmed with the news about the baby, he couldn't believe it. He and Emily were going to have a baby. It still hadn't sunk in completely and probably wouldn't till he or she arrived 7 months from now. He moved quietly around to the other side and started to remove his clothes as she lay fast asleep. He just wanted her to be happy..and now she was completely. He slipped between the sheets and drifted across the bed to lie next to her. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close as his hands drifted down to her mid section as if to protect what she held inside her body. His baby. Their baby.

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The days passed by as Emily and Zander were planning on their newest arrival. Sonny had made arrangements for the two of them to leave town quietly and spend some time on the island. He would make sure they were protected at all times and no one would know that they were not in Port Charles. Emily had a few days to pack some things for her and Zander, while he went and finished up some business before they left. She was actually breathing a sigh of relief. She really wouldn't know what to do with out Zander and Sonny there to protect her from the family. They have certainly not been very supportive of her decision to associate with Zander, let alone marry him and have his baby. She was surprised that her parents haven't come by or called since she and Zander told them about the baby. It was not the easiest thing to do and they were not pleased to say the least with the news. Grandfather was livid when he heard the news that she was pregnant, and swore that he would have the last say about who would raise his great-grandchild. Zander wasn't afraid of Edward's threats, but Emily knew different. She knew what Grandfather was capable of and what he would do to get what he wanted. And he wanted her away from Zander and even more now that she was carrying his child.

As she was packing the last of the bags for the trip, she heard the door open. "Zander, is that you..." Emily said as she zipped up the duffle bag. "Yeah, hon..." he replied as his eyes wandered around the apartment looking for her. "Good, I just finished packing the last bag for our trip. Did Sonny say when we're leaving?" She asked as walked across the hardwood floor towards him. "We leave tonight. As soon as it gets dark...Sonny will have the car waiting for us and Jason will accompany us to the airport." He replied as he gave her one of his big hugs that she loved so much.

As the time grew near to leave, Zander and Rick carried the bags down the stairs and waited for the limo to arrive. Emily waited by the door for Zander to come and get her when it was time. She sat at the kitchen table patiently waiting for Zander to walk through the door. She had been sitting there just thinking about the baby and their future as man and wife, when she heard the door swing open. "Are you ready?..." Zander asked as he reached for her hand. She was so ready. She was so happy to finally get out of Port Charles...at least for a little while. Zander grabbed her coat as she waited for him at the door. He saw her out the door and closed it behind him. Emily saw that Rick was waiting at the bottom of the stairs and that the limo door was open. Zander had told her that Jason would be riding with them to the airport which was nice, because she certainly wanted to say good bye to her brother before they boarded the plane. She looked back and saw Zander following her down the stairs as Rick reached for her hand to assist her into the car. She reached for his hand and stepped into the limo...Jason was waiting for her as he sat very still against the door on the opposite site of the car. He looked at her when she sat down next to him and she was so amazed that he didn't flinch, he didn't even crack a smile. As she turned and looked in the direction of Jason's stare, Zander got into the limo and Rick closed the car door and tapped on the roof as to signal the drive he could go. They made their way down the ally and were headed for the airport. The plan seemed to be going as planned, although things seemed to be going to well. She was not relaxed, she was becoming concerned which was no good for her or the baby. Zander noticed she was becoming worried and wrapped his arm around her shoulder and held her close. She looked up at him as he smiled back at her. She knew that Zander would take care of her and everything would be alright.

They reached the airport as the driver drove to a private hanger where Sonny kept his plane. The butterflies came over her once again as she saw the plane taxi out of the hanger and come to a stop. The limo stopped a few feet from the plane as the stairs were lowered for them to board. She and Zander stepped out of the limo as Jason followed them to the platform. Zander and Jason shook hands as they both looked at her and nodded in agreement. She knew that there was a deal going on here but she didn't question their decisions. Zander turned to start up the stairs as Jason leaned in to hug Emily good bye. The two of them embraced for a few moments and then Jason turned her around and assisted her up the stairs into the plane. Zander was waiting at the top of the stairs and took the lead from Jason and Emily's arm. Jason turned and walked back down the stairs to the limo that waited for him. Emily sat in one of the seats closest to the window and peered down at Jason standing by the car. Zander sat beside her knowing that this was the best way to handle this situation as he noticed a tear trickling down her cheek. The stairs came up and the attendant secured the door as the he heard the plane's engine start up. There was no turning back now, he and Emily were prepared for anything and this was just part of their journey to be together. Zander took her hand in his as they taxied down the runway. He could see in her eyes that she was so desperately wanting this to work the way they wanted it to.

He took his hand and turned her face towards his as he looked into her eyes. Tears trickled down her cheeks as he wiped them away with his thumbs. "We're doing the right thing, Emily...." he said as she felt overwhelmed with sadness of leaving her friends behind. "I know we are, I just wish things could be different somehow." she replied as he leaned in to kiss her. He kissed her softly on her puffy lips and embraced her tightly as he felt the plane take flight. "We're going to alright now...all three of us." Zander replied as he placed his hand on her abdomen. "Everything is going to be just fine.." he added as he embraced her once again.

Emily watched out the plane window as she sat in her seat thinking of what lie ahead of them. She was getting anxious about the baby and what it meant to Zander to have a child of his own. What this child represented to both of them....they had conceived a child out of love, deep love, true love. Something she always wanted for herself, someone to love her and for her to love in return. Zander had made her so happy over the 2 years they had been together, she found what others only dream of having. She laid her head back on the head rest and watched the blinking white and red lights that appeared on the wings of the plane. Soon Zander saw her drift off to sleep as a grin came over his face. She would soon be his wife and soon would have his child, what more could he ask for. He had all he could ever want right there with him. He stood up and walked over and sat down beside her. He took her hand in his and laced their fingers together as one of the attendants came into the cabin. As she walked passed him, he asked her how long it would be before they landed. She told him it wouldn't long now, maybe an hour or so. He left her pass and wrapped his arm around the back of Emily's neck as she leaned in and rested her head on his shoulder.

He had all that he needed was lying in his arms. Emily and his child that she was carrying.

Chapter 7