Okay everybody here's the update. Sorry for the delay work has been a little busy and while I was handwriting this it took a while to sit down and type it out. Hope you guys like it fluff and all. As always reviews are greatly appreciated!

Chapter 15

"So," Tom turned to Kate who had tears in her eyes watching everything play out. "Looks like you guys are going to be parents."

Kate nodded her head. She was still feeling a little overwhelmed even if it was a dream. Not only were she and Jack expecting a baby but they were both very happy about it. She hadn't expected to find herself happy. It was almost like she was expecting something to happen at the last minute to change it. Something to remind Kate that she didn't deserve a happy life.

"Your gut was right, Katie. "Tom broke into her thoughts. "Jack didn't cheat on you."

"I didn't really think he would, but you had me worried especially when you wouldn't let me stay and watch it all play out." She replied.

"Only because you needed to see that you can still trust your gut. Like I said before you've lost a little of that lately. You've been making some of your decisions on emotion reacting to something that just happened or something someone did to you…" he explained.

"You're talking about being with Sawyer?" she asked.

"Only you really know the answer to why you're with Sawyer right now. And why you can't let go of Jack at the same time."

Kate swallowed hard, but didn't answer. She just wished Tom would tell her outright what she should do, who she should be with.

"I can't do that." Tom answered her silent request.

"Why not?" Kate spit out, tired of his cryptic games.

"Because, Katie, it's your decision. One you have to make. But I can tell you, you already know the answer, you're just…I don't know…trying to validate it."

"Well, from the looks of things so far I'd be miserable with Sawyer."

"You were miserable with the decisions and choices you made with Sawyer." Tom pointed out.

Kate decided to change the subject. "So, I'm really going to have a baby? I mean in this…" she wasn't sure what to really call it.

"Yeah." Tom laughed. "And not only that, but you're in a major nesting stage. Getting the nursery ready, making Jack baby proof the house. And you've been reading up on everything from playing music for the baby in the womb to breast feeding to making your own baby food."

Kate joined in his laughter. "Oh my god, I must be driving Jack nuts."

"But in a good way. He's even handled your mood swings and 1am cravings pretty well."

"What mood swings?"

"You cry during comedy movies." Tom teased. "And the Lifetime Channel, well Jack had to lock that channel out after he came home and found you in a puddle of tears one afternoon."

"Ha ha, very funny." Kate replied. "So, Jack's really happy about the baby? She asked full of curiosity.

"You'll see how much."

The doorbell rang and a 7 ½ month pregnant Kate answered it carrying a bowl of peanut M&Ms. On the other side she found Sun standing there smiling.

"Hey" Kate greeted warmly popping a couple of M&Ms before reaching out to hug her friend.

"Oh Kate, you're getting so big." Sun greeted happy to see her friend.

"Never say big to a pregnant woman." Kate replied. "But yeah, I'm getting there." She led Sun into the living room.

"But you look beautiful." Sun commented as they sat down. "You're glowing. Pregnancy agrees with you."

"Yeah, except that I'm getting to the point where I can't tie my shoes anymore. I have to wear slip ons and sandals. "she joked as she poured a couple of glasses of iced tea.

"And the cravings." Sun asked noticing the candy bowl.

"She's been a freak for chocolate." Kate replied.

"She?" Sun exclaimed. "So, you found out what it is?"

Kate nodded and she caressed her stomach. "We had the sonogram last week and it's a girl." She revealed.

"That's wonderful. I'm sure Jack's excited."

"Yeah. I think he was kind of hoping for a boy at first, but he's pretty excited about having a little girl. He and his friend Mark painted the nursery over the weekend." She explained. "And Jack put the crib together last night."

"Sounds like you've been keeping him pretty busy." Sun laughed.

"His fault. He won't let me do much of anything." Kate chuckled. "But hey, would you like to see the nursery? It's about done."

Sun smiled at her friend's enthusiasm. Kate was definitely embracing motherhood with both hands, something that Sun wasn't sure Island Kate would have done. "I'd love to see it."

Standing up she helped pull Kate up and followed her down the hall to the nursery which was the same room Kate had originally stayed in when she first moved in.

"We picked a teddy bear theme." Kate told her as they walked in. The walls had been painted a light shade of pink with a flower wallpaper border along the top. The crib was a light oak wood finish with a matching changing table and chest of drawers. The bedding teddy bears along with a matching mobile above the crib. In the corner was a wicker rocker glider and several stuff animals around the room.

"Oh Kate, this is beautiful." Sun remarked. "You've done a great job."

"Thanks. Most of it has been Jack. I just got to pick out the furniture." She confessed. "He wouldn't even let me pick up a paintbrush. But that's okay, it's been funny to watch him fussing about. He keeps telling me fussing is part of his nature." Kate laughed.

"So, have you thought of any names?" Sun picked up one of the stuffed bunnies and caressed it.

"We're still working on that. I want something not too common and Jack wants something easy and 'girly'".

"And the wedding?" Sun asked tentavily.

Kate broke out in a smile and held out her left hand showing off the solitaire diamond engagement ring Jack had given her. Sun let out a squeal and hugged Kate. "Congratulations! You finally said yes!"

"Ah-huh, but I told him it would have to be after the baby is born. I don't want to waddle down the isle." She joked.

Sun laughed and nodded. "It doesn't matter you would be a beautiful bride, Kate. I'm so happy for the two of you." She said.

Kate led her friend back into the living room. "So how was Korea? Your family doing okay?"

Sun had been away the last 6 weeks visiting her father who had been diagnosed with prostrate cancer and was in the middle of treatment. Jin had stayed behind knowing how her father felt about him. In fact she and Jin were still separated working on repairing their marriage while she lived with her cousin.

"They're okay. My father is in the middle of radiation treatments. It was hard to leave my mother but at least my sister is there with her."

"So, you definitely decided to stay in L.A.?" Kate poured more tea for the two of them.

"I think so. Jin's working in one of Hurley's companies and he seems to really be doing well. I don't think he would be happy in Korea and I don't think I would either." She explained.

"But things are going well with you and Jin?" Kate quizzed.

"Not as well as you and Jack." She teased. "But we're working on it."

"Maybe next time this year you two will be expecting a baby." Kate teased.

Sun's face clouded briefly before she smiled. More than anything she had wanted a baby when she and Jin were first married but things never seemed settled enough to start a family. As happy as she was for her friend Sun felt a touch of envy too. Kate was happily expecting a child with the man she loved, a man that obviously loved her.

"What's wrong?" Kate asked sensing a changed in Sun's demeanor.

Sun looked over at Kate who, despite the concern on her face, was glowing. Her hand lightly caressing her protruding stomach.

"You're very lucky." Sun blurted out. "I hope you know that."

"I do."

"Jack is a good man and he loves you very much." She continued, her tone sounding like a parent scolding a child.

"I know." Kate said softly. "I know I'm very lucky."

Suddenly Sun felt bad for how she had spoke. "Oh Kate, I'm sorry. I did not mean to speak to you like that. I must still be a little tired from the trip."

Kate nodded and turned to face Sun better. "How are things with Jin?" she asked.

"Okay." The young woman replied. "We are working on things but nothing has really changed since before I left. He was not very happy about my leaving for so long. I think he was afraid that I would not come back."

"But you did." Kate pointed out. "He must be happy about that."

Before Sun could answer the front doorbell rang. Kate got up and made her way to the door. She wasn't expecting anyone else. Opening the door she found a delivery man standing there. "Miss Kate Austin?" he asked.

"Yes." She replied somewhat suspiciously.

"I have a delivery for you, if you can sign here please." He handed her a clipboard.

"A delivery? I wasn't expecting anything." Kate replied. "What is it?"

"Don't know. We're just hired to deliver the packages. We're not told what's in them." He took back the clipboard. "It's pretty heavy so I'll bring it in."

Kate walked back to Sun with a perplexed look on her face.

"Was is it, Kate?"

"A delivery, but I didn't order anything and Jack didn't say he was expecting anything." She explained.

"Maybe he forgot." Sun offered.

"Ma'am, where do you want it?" the delivery man came in pushing a hand truck with a wooden crate on top.

Kate pointed to a spot near the couch. She and Sun followed.

"If you'd like ma'am I brought my hammer with me, I can open the crate for you." He offered.

"That would be great." Kate exclaimed excited to see what was in the crate.

A minute later the lid was popped open and Kate was digging through the packing material. "I wonder what it is." She chirped then suddenly pulled her hand back in surprise. "Oh my God." She whispered.

"What? What is it?" Sun asked stepping closer.

"It's a cradle." Kate replied reaching in to try and pull it out.

"Kate, no!" Sun pushed her aside. "Let me get it out." She reached in and pulled out an antique wooden cradle. She placed it gently on the floor. "It's beautiful" she remarked.

Kate nodded as she felt tears starting to welt up. It was beautiful. The wood was a light oak finish, the head and foot panels had a hand carved floral scroll design finished in a soft pink paint. Inside on top of the small mattress was an envelope with "KATE" written on it. She recognized Jack's writing and opened it.

Kate – I wanted to get you something special to show you how much you and the baby mean to me and how much I love you both. You had mentioned once that you liked the idea of having a cradle so I hope you like the one I picked out. Know that I couldn't ask for much more than what you have already brought into my life and what you're about to bring in. Thank you for making my life complete, loving me and letting me love you. Love, Jack.

"I can't believe Jack went out and got this cradle." Kate whispered as she wiped a tear. "He remembered me mentioning something like that."

"He loves you." Sun commented putting her hand on Kate's arm. "Never lose sight of that."

Kate nodded ash she clutched the note to her chest and ran her hand along the top of the cradle. If it was possible to feel anymore deeply for this man she didn't know how. Every since she had met him he managed to do even the smallest gestures to make her feel special. Something as simple as gathering and giving her guava seeds after he learned about the garden she and Sun were working on or helping out Sawyer because she had asked. Not to mention everything he did for her since they were rescued.

"Whoever thought things would work out like this, huh?" Kate remarked softly. "Oof" she gasped.

"You okay?" Sun asked a bit alarmed. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm fine. She just kicked me in the ribs and landed a pretty good one." Kate patted her stomach. "How about lunch?"

A few hours later Jack entered his house only to be surprised by Kate at the door greeting him with a long kiss. Wrapping his arms around his amorous fiancée he deepened the kiss pulling her closer.

"You know, "he said when he broke off the kiss. " A guy could get use to this kind of greeting."

Kate blushed. "Oh yeah?"

Keeping her in his embrace he nuzzled her neck. "Ah-huh."

Kate titled her head to the side to give him better access. She loved it when he nuzzled her neck. His stubble tickling and sending little shivers through her.

"Jack." She called out his name.

"Humm?" he mumbled.

"I wanted to thank you." She said planting a light kiss under his ear.

"For…?"

Kate pulled back a bit smiling broadly. "For the cradle." She whispered.

Jack perked up at the mention of the gift. "It came?"

"Ah-huh." Pulling out of his embrace she took his hand and led him to the living room. "It's beautiful."

"So, you liked it then?" he asked gazing at her face.

"We love it." She replied emphasizing the 'we'. "Thank you." She planted a light kiss on his lips.

Smiling he returned the kiss. "You're welcome." Bending down he placed a kiss on her stomach. "Both of you." He said to her stomach.

Kate giggled. "I can't believe you actually remembered what I said back then." She commented. "About wanting a cradle."

"Baby, I remember everything you tell me." He said confidentially.

"Except to take out the garbage." She teased.

"Oh come on, it was just that one time." He defended himself.

"So, when did you get this anyway?" she asked changing the subject.

"Well, remember last month when I told you Mark and I were going golfing?"

"Which time?" she joked jabbing his ribcage affectionately.

"Ha ha. Well, ONE of those times we actually went out and looked at some antique shops. I saw this one and just thought it was perfect. I even got the pink on it the flowers right."

"And if it had been a boy?"

"I would have re-painted it for you, of course." He declared.

"Well, it's perfect and I love it so much. Thank you." She said wrapping her arms around her again.

Jack pulled back to look at her face. "I just wanted to show you how much you mean to me." He placed his hand lovingly on her stomach. "You're giving me this incredible gift, a chance at a family. You came into my life and filled a void I didn't even know was there until I met you."

Kate felt tears welt up. "Jack, I should be thanking you." She put a hand on his cheek. "You believed in me and you made me face my past and put it behind me. You made me want to stop running."

Kate turned and looked at Tom not sure what to say. She still was finding it strange to see herself happy and living a normal life – a life where she had 'dug in'.

"Want to see a little more?" Tom asked. Silently she nodded.

A pregnant Kate was in the kitchen finishing mixing a mug of hot chocolate. Dropping several marshmallows on top she picked up the mug in one hand and a bag of dill chips in the other. "You have the weirdest craving combinations." She told her stomach before walking out towards the living room. That's when she saw her 3 year old daughter, Abby, come padding into the room dressed in her footed pajamas and carrying a book. Her shoulder length dark hair in pigtails. She walked up to Jack who was in the recliner reading.

"Daddy." She tapped him on his arm. "Daddy."

Jack turned and looked at her. "Hey Angel, what are you up? You're suppose to be asleep." He told her.

"Read me a story." She asked holding the book out to him.

Jack looked at Abby's little face that reminded him so much of Kate with her green eyes and a spray of freckles across her nose and sighed. He always found it hard to say no.

"Pwease daddy." She said sweetly.

Putting down his magazine Jack took the book from here. "Okay, come here."

Abby grinned and quickly climbed onto Jack's lap and snuggled under his shoulder. Not wanting to disturb them Kate quietly sat at the breakfast bar and watched as Jack read the story to their daughter. Abby listened intently. She was definitely "daddy's little girl', constantly following Jack around the house, getting him to play games with her, read to her and she loved to sit and listen to him play the piano. There were nights when that was the only way to get her to fall asleep. Kate smiled, he definitely was a natural at being a father.

Halfway through the story Jack looked down and discovered Abby had fallen asleep. Picking her up in his arms he carried her to her bed and silently tucked her in. Placing a kiss on her forehead he turned on the night light and left. Returning to the living room he found his wife on the couch waiting for him.

"She asleep?" Kate asked as she joined her.

"Yeah, she's out." He replied. "How are you feeling?" he asked taking her in his arms.

"Tired, your son has been kicking up a storm tonight."

"Oh yeah?" Jack laughed as he caressed her stomach. "Getting restless, huh?"

Kate signed as she leaned her head on his shoulder. "Restless is a good word. I think we may have our work cut out for us on this one."

"Hey, "he said softly into ear. "I love you."

Kate snuggled deeper in his embrace. "I love you too Jack."

Coming up – Kate says goodbye and wakes up.