Hey! Thanks again to all my reviewers! I would like more though…hint, lol. And by the way… I'm going to do the characters in this order:

Kristy

Mary Anne

Claudia

Stacey

Dawn

Mallory

Jessi

Abby

Would anyone be interested if I added Anna or Shannon to the list? Which one? Say in a review please! Because if they will be read and reviewed I will write them! Anyway…onwards.

Claudia Kishi-Cho

Indigo or lilac?

Claudia contemplated the dress in front of her. It was gorgeous, loose black silk with widening sleeves and a flower and vine design in beads moving round the hem. But what she couldn't decide was whether to have the flowers in indigo or lilac.

Hmmm, she thought…too bad it's still only on paper.

She sighed. Claudia was a freelance designer for boutiques as near as Stoneybrook and as far as New York, and ever expanding. Claud even had her own label, simply Kishi. She designed clothes; mostly one offs, though if there was much demand for one design she happily produced it again. She also made up the designs, but here she was helped by three other women in her employment, as all the work would have been too much. Her job was very flexible and she didn't need to be busy all the time…but she really did love her work, and often oversold herself. It was perfect for her, combining her love of art and fashion, and it helped that she was so good with her hands.

Suddenly, Claudia realised she was squinting to see the sketch, and that she was starving! It was after nine, and she really wanted some Ben and Jerry's Phish Food. Heaving herself up from her cosy chair, she gazed at her reflection in the studio's mirror. Still with a perfect complexion, and ebony hued shining hair to her waist, Claudia hadn't changed that much since school, looks wise that is. Normally she was as thin as a pin too, but now she was eight and a half months pregnant. She smiled as she patted the large bump under her rose silk camisole top, which she had made herself. Teaming it with a long loose khaki skirt, a pink scarf belt and cosy black fluffy slippers, her sense of style was still original. That was what made her so good at her job.

As she made her way down to the kitchen, she paused at Marlon's study, and then entered.

"Hey honey," said Claudia, passing a hand over her husband's shoulder. It was taut and tense, he was working too hard. Again.

"I was just going to get some ice-cream," she murmured. "Want to come down with me and have some?"

"You know what? That'd be great, I need a break." said Marlon decisively.

Both headed for the kitchen, and Marlon scooped out a double helping for himself and his wife. He was in the food industry, and although he worked at the office usually, he was working from home in Claudia's last two months of pregnancy.

Claudia had met Marlon when she was nineteen. She had a two year relationship with a guy named Jacob until she was seventeen, but he turned out to be two-timing her. Claudia was heartbroken when she found out, as she had thought that this might be the one. Although she had been slightly reclusive after being hurt so deeply, meeting Marlon brought her out of her shell. He was kind, intelligent and gentle, going as slowly as Claudia wanted because he knew what a rough time she was going through.

Finally when Claud was twenty four, she felt she was ready to fully trust another man again, and they were married. She started her business and Marlon supported her fully, while rising higher in his profession. They had brought a small house on Burnt Hill Road, and Claudia became pregnant. The tests showed it was a healthy boy.

Both were elated, and this was just what they wanted. And as they were sitting in the darkened kitchen, eating ice-cream Claudia felt that perfect contentment. She had done well.

Unfortunately, that feeling was broken by an intense pain. She moaned.

"Marlon I…I think the…the baby is coming!

and you'll have to see what happens next! And yes…it IS still two weeks early!