Rating: PG-13 to R

AN: Here is the next chapter. A few things to discuss, number one, the song, "Love of My Life" was written by Jim Brickman and sung by Michael W. Smith (my favorite singer ). Secondly, there is references to some sexual situations, personally, I subscribe to abstinence however, nowadays, most people don't so, therefore, I do encourage and will write into the storyline birth control protection. In this monogamous relationship, Randy won't be using condoms, however, I do not advocate not using condoms. There are too many STDs and unplanned pregnancies and HIV/AIDS to be concerned about to risk it. So, although in fictional land, the author can make it whatever they choose, I will put this disclaimer out, if you are going to have sex, please make sure that you are protected. Ok, enough of my soap box. I did feel the need to say something. Now on with the story.

Chapter 2

After Randy dropped Benjy off, he drove across town, back towards his condo. Traffic was slow going but steady. He would barely have enough time to get home, shower and dress before leaving to pick up Sharona. Finally, the traffic started picking up and Randy was able to pull into his driveway at 4:45.

Jumping out of his car, Randy quickly rushed to his front door, but not before his next door neighbor, Mrs. Clarke, stopped him.

"Good afternoon, Randall," said Mrs. Clarke.

"Afternoon, Mrs. Clarke," said Randy, gritting his teeth as she insisted on calling him 'Randall'. She once told another neighbor, in front of Randy, that Randall sounded more dignified for a young police lieutenant, rather than 'Randy'. For Mrs. Clarke believed that 'Randy' was too sleazy of a name, but then again, the old woman believed that Elvis was still alive, living in Sausalito and working undercover at a taco stand.

"You seem to be in a hurry, Randall," said Mrs. Clarke.

"Yes, I have a date with my girlfriend," said Randy, trying to be polite but, not giving too much away. "Excuse me, Mrs. Clarke, but I've really gotta go."

"Be careful, Randall. Young ladies today are after only one thing from young men like you," called out Mrs. Clarke.

Randy opened his front door and rushed quickly in before Mrs. Clarke could change her mind and stop him again. Leaning heavily against his door, Randy let out a big sigh of relief. He narrowly escaped that encounter. He wondered if he could have Mrs. Clarke "taken care" of. She was the neighborhood watchdog and knew everybody's businesssometimes even before they knew themselves! And he could just envision Mrs. Clarke having a heart attack if she only knew what he and Sharona had already been doing. He smiled at the thought of the old biddy having spasms at some of the more passionate lovemaking he and Sharona had had and walked into his bedroom to strip. The thoughts running through his head, not of Mrs. Clarke catching him in the act, but of Sharona presented him with a hard situation. Sighing, Randy stepped into a cold shower to douse his arousal before turning on the hot water to wash himself.

Once out of the shower, he dried himself off and padded into his walk-in closet. With only a towel wrapped around his waist, Randy tried to decide on what to wear that evening. Deciding on a dark navy blue sports jacket, he chose a white long-sleeved shirt, tan slacks and a red tie to match. Laying his clothes on his bed, he went into the bathroom to shave. His radio on his bed stand was on and he mindlessly hummed along to the song.

I am amazed

When I look at you

I see you smiling back at me

It's like all my dreams come true

I am afraid

If I lost you girl

I'd fall through the cracks

And lose my track in this crazy, lonely world

Sometimes it's so hard to believe

When my nights can be so long

And faith gave me the strength

And kept me holding on

You are the love of my life

And I'm so glad you found me

You are the love of my life

Baby put your arms around me

I guess this is how it feels

When you finally find something real

My angel in the night

You are my love

The love of my life

Randy stood listening to the words of the song as the second verse began. His razor hung in mid-air as he stood there. He decided to walk into his bedroom to hear clearer.

Now here you are

With midnight closing in

You take my hand as our shadows dance

With moonlight on your skin

I look in your eyes

I'm lost inside your kiss

I think if I'd never met you

About all the things I'd missed

Sometimes it's so hard to believe

When a love can be so strong

And faith gave me the strength

And kept me holding on

You are the love of my life

And I'm so glad you found me

You are the love of my life

Baby put your arms around me

I guess this is how it feels

When you finally find something real

My angel in the night

You are my love

The love of my life

You are the love of my life

And I'm so glad you found me

You are the love of my life

Baby put your arms around me

I guess this is how it feels

When you finally find something real

My angel in the night

You are my love

My angel in the night

You are my love

The love of my life

Floored by the song and the powerful emotions they invoked, Randy almost forgot the time until the radio DJ announced that the 5:30 traffic report would be next. Realizing that he didn't have much time, Randy quickly finished shaving, got dressed, put on his favorite cologne and dashed out the door, praying that he wouldn't meet up with Mrs. Clarke again.

Safely in his car, Randy pulled out of his driveway and headed for Sharona's.

After Sharona hung with Randy, she went to pick up Adrian from Dr. Kroger's office. When Adrian came out, he opened Sharona's car door with his sleeve and got in. Sharona pulled away from the curb after Adrian got his seatbelt on.

Adrian turned to look at Sharona and said, "Is everything alright, Sharona?"

"Oh, yes," said Sharona, absent-mindedly.

"Well, you're quiet today. Usually, you're more talkative, you usually ask me about my session," said Adrian, beginning to worry.

"It's not you, Adrian. I have a date with Randy tonight," said Sharona.

"So, you're really serious about Randy, aren't you?" asked Adrian.

"Yeah," Sharona said, smiling.

"Wh-wh-what if he asks you to marry him? What would you say?" asked Adrian, nervously, afraid of the answer.

"Well, Adrian, you don't have to worry because he hasn't asked," snapped Sharona.

"Well, what if he does?" persisted Adrian.

"Then I would say yes," said Sharona, a little dreamily.

"Oh, dear," said Adrian, his head in his hands.

"Here we are, Adrian," said Sharona.

Adrian got out and leaned over to talk to Sharona. "I know I don't say this very much, well, ok, I've never said this, but you do know how much I need you and appreciate you?"

"Yeah, you're right," said Sharona, Adrian looking surprised that she agreed with him. "You've never said that before." With that, Sharona drove off to get ready for her date.

As Sharona drove, she mentally catalogued her wardrobe. She realized that she didn't have anything that she felt was right for tonight and decided to splurge and buy a new outfit for the occasion. Her gut was telling her that something was on Randy's mind and she got all tingly inside as she wondered if he was going to propose to her. She pulled into the mall parking lot and walked towards the mall, wondering what type of dress would be best for tonight. Should she go with something sexy? Or should she be more conservative? Sighing, Sharona figured that she would know when she saw it. Glancing at her watch, she noted that she would have almost an hour to shop before needing to go home and get ready.

Strolling through the mall, Sharona aimlessly gazed at the storefronts. She passed a maternity boutique. A pregnant woman walked out of the store with her husband. They were talking to each other, obviously in love. The man reached over and rubbed her swollen abdomen, a look of pride on his face, as if to boast to the world that he impregnated this woman. A shot of pain ran through Sharona as she remembered the same look on Trevor's face when she told him that she was pregnant. He puffed his chest and strutted around for a week afterwards. It wasn't until after Benjy was born and Sharona was tired from caring for a newborn and still nursing that Trevor lost interest in her and started cheating on her.

Shaking herself out of her reverie, Sharona walked on as she began to think of what it would be like to have Randy's baby. She smiled at the thought. The first few times they made love, they didn't use any birth control. Randy didn't want to use a condom because he wanted to experience their first time fully and Sharona hadn't been on the Pill because she hadn't been serious enough with a man to want to sleep with him. So, although they were taking a risk and both accepted the consequences, whatever they would be, they were lucky and nothing happened. Secretly, Sharona was disappointed and thought that maybe Randy was, as well. Intellectually, they realized it was for the best. Immediately, after that, Sharona got a prescription for birth control and their lovemaking had gone to new heights from there, without the hinderance of a condom.

While these thoughts fluttered through Sharona's mind, her eye caught something blue, out of the corner. Turning around, she walked back to the storefront and stood in front to view the dress. On a mannequin, a blue dress made of stretchy material stood. The dress clung to the mannequins every curve. The dress was ankle length and was the top formed a Y-shaped neckline. The shoulders were bare with the Y forming a necklace of silver sequins. She looked at the dress and tried to envision herself in it. She decided to walk in and try it on. Selecting her size, Sharona stepped into the dressing room. Undressing, she gave her body a critical look. She wasn't as thin as she was before Benjy was born but she wasn't bad. Never one who was waif like, Sharona would consider herself to be voluptuous. Not that Randy complained. He enjoyed all her curves and her 38C cup chest. Slipping on the dress, Sharona realized two things: one, she would have to buy sandals with this dress and two, she wouldn't be able to wear any panties. The dress was so form fitting that any clothes underneath would be visible. The thought made her blush, at first, but then it quickly turned into a mischievous smile. Dressing in her street clothes, Sharona bought the dress and sandals to match and hurried to her car. Once home, she quickly jumped into the shower, with thoughts of toying with Randy on her mind.

Getting dressed, she dried her hair, pulling it up into a French knot, with the tendrils of her curls trailing down her neck. As she was spraying on her perfume, she heard the doorbell ring. Glancing at herself, one last time, she walked to the front door to meet Randy.