NOTES 2: Thanks to all who have reviewed. I hope you like this

CHAPTER 2

3 MONTHS LATER: REED/VAUGHN HOUSE

Lauren opens the front door to find a FED-EX man standing there, "Yes?"

"I have a package for Ms. Reed."

"That's me."

"Sign here" the man hands her a clipboard.

Lauren signs it then hands it back taking the package, "Thank you." She closes the door and heads back to the living room sitting on the couch. She opens the box and smiles when she sees a pale green blanket with an envelope. She opens the envelope and smiles at the single word, 'Soon.' Lauren removes the blanket from the box and buries her face in the softness, 'Oh Julian.' She starts out of her thoughts as her phone rings. She grabs it off the table flipping it open, "Lauren."

"Get my package?"

Lauren smiles "It just arrived. Thank you."

"Glad you like it." Sark hangs up.

Lauren closes the phone and looks at the blanket, 'At least you'll have something from your real Daddy. This will always be close to you.'

NEXT NIGHT

Lauren smiles against Sark's lips, "Hi"

"Hi" Sark unbuttons her suit jacket sliding his hands inside her jacket. "How is everything?"

"We're fine." Lauren rests her hands on his. "God I've missed you."

Sark kisses her gently, "Same."

LATER

Lauren smiles as Sark settles beside her, "That was fun."

"Always is." Sark props his head up on his hand looking at Lauren.

"What?" Lauren demands as she squirms under his intense gaze.

"You look incredible." Sark gently brushes her hair back.

"I'm getting fat." Lauren scowls

"No you aren't."

"Julian I've gained almost 20 pounds and I'm five months pregnant."

"With my child." He points out with a grin.

Lauren grins hearing the pride in his voice, "Is that 'I'm going to be a Dad' proud or 'I'm screwing my enemy's wife' proud?"

"Both." Sark leans down pressing his lips to her middle. "Mine" he growls

possessively.

Lauren runs her fingers through his growing golden locks, "Yeah yours."

Sark looks at Lauren "Why is it we both feel like it is mine when we don't know for sure?" He wonders aloud

"On my side I think it's because I crave being with you more than I want to be around Michael." She runs her fingers down his cheek, "Sometimes I wish..." Lauren trails off.

"What?" Sark prompts when she doesn't finish

Lauren sighs heavily, "I wish we had normal lives where I could just divorce him and be with you."

Sark lifts his brow, "Weren't you the one who said you wouldn't let Bristow win?"

"If I could have you then I would. But it won't happen." Lauren turns her head blinking back tears.

"Hey" Sark gently urges her to look at him. "What's wrong?"

Lauren bites her lip trying to keep from crying.

"Come on love talk to me... what's wrong?"

"I don't know... I just" she shivers as he brushes his thumb across her lower lip "Why did this have to become so complicated? It was supposed to be sex only... but feelings had to surface. I hate this!" She closes her eyes.

"Hate what?"

"You wouldn't understand." She whispers

"Wouldn't understand what?"

"I should go." Lauren mutters looking at the clock.

"Not until you finish what you were saying"

"I can't" Lauren chokes out as she pushes him away sitting up she turns her back to him.

"Lauren" Sark sits up resting his hand on her shoulder, "talk to me." When she

starts to move away Sark slides his arm around her middle, his hand pressed against her growing middle.

Lauren looks at his hand, 'That looks so right, Julian should be the one comforting me when I'm hanging over the toilet. Julian should be the one who holds my hand when I'm in labor. He should be the one holding the baby after birth.' "Since I found out I was pregnant... things have changed... feelings as well." She rests her cheek on his hand, "And that scares me Julian, I don't know what to do. My common sense says to stop this and never see you again."

"Is that what you want?" Sark asks softly.

"I don't know." Lauren whispers looking at their hands laced over her middle. "This baby needs a father full time. If he finds out I'm having an affair he'll leave me then he could start questioning the paternity... if that happens I could lose everything not just my husband."

Sark takes a deep breath, "Then I guess we need to stay away from each other." He moves away and stands reaching for his clothes.

"Julian, you know I don't want this to end its just..." she looks at her middle "she needs a Dad in her life."

Sark pauses in dressing and turns to look at his lover, "She?"

Lauren nods "I found out yesterday."

"Does he know?"

"No. He's out of town and I haven't spoken with him since before my appointment." She looks at Sark who is standing there in only his pants. "Don't be angry with me."

Sark sits beside her, "I'm not. You're only looking out for her future." He rests his

hand against her middle, "She needs a father and I'm not exactly father material."

"If things were different I think you would be." She blinks back tears as Sark leans down kissing her middle. She gently strokes his head as he speaks.

"No matter what, you'll always be my little one. They'll take care of you and perhaps one day you'll know the truth." Sark looks at Lauren wincing at the tears and pain in her eyes, "Keep me informed?"

Lauren nods "I will." She brushes her fingers down his cheek, "I wish things were different."

"So do I." Sark stands kissing her forehead. "As much as we both want to destroy their relationship it's not worth it if it means you lose everything." He gently brushes her hair back. "I'd like to see her once in a while."

"We'll figure something out." Lauren whispers choking back tears.

"I want you to contact me if she needs anything... or you do."

"I will."

"She's still my blood Lauren. I may not be able to be there for her every day but I am going to keep an eye on her."

"Just be careful. I don't want them to kill you or for you to end up in prison."

"I'll be fine." Sark assures stepping away from her.

Lauren watches as he dresses trying to keep from grabbing him and forcing him to stay. 'This has to be done.' She tells herself. 'Michael is my husband and as much as I want to be with Julian it's not a good idea.' As he starts towards the door, she speaks her voice soft and pleading, "Julian"

Sark turns his head and for the first time since his mother's death he feels his heart break at the pain in Lauren's gaze, "We have to do this Lauren... for her... our little girl."

"It still hurts."

"It's for the best. You'll go home to him and things will go back to how they were before we first slept together."

"Nothing will ever be the same" Lauren says pained.

"Not entirely but it has to be done. Do what you can Lauren to save your marriage... you were right she needs a Father." Sark opens the bedroom door and walks out "Lock up when you leave. I'll sell the house."

Lauren stares at the door, "Julian" she whispers hugging herself, "I love you." She says softly tears falling.

LATE THAT NIGHT: REED/VAUGHN HOUSE

Lauren sits in the nursery holding the blanket Sark had sent, 'He loves you baby. He always will. We had to stop this before everything was destroyed. I think Julian would have been a great Daddy, if he wasn't wanted by so many countries and agencies. Michael will be your Daddy and I know he'll be good at it. We have no choice in this. As much as I want to keep Sydney and Michael apart, I can't risk losing Michael and my job at the same time. I know if we need him he'll come to us.'

SAME TIME: SOMEWHERE

Sark sits on the couch staring into the fireplace drink in hand, 'There was no choice. Lauren would have lost everything. Vaughn will take care of them. If he hurts them in any way I will kill him.' He takes a deep breath, 'Just have to stay alive until my little girl is old enough to possibly know the truth.'

CHAPTER 3

4 MONTHS LATER: HOSPITAL

Smiling through her tears Lauren smiles at the baby in her arms, "Hi you." She brushes her fingers down the baby's cheek trying not to flinch as she feels Michael kiss her head. 'Oh Julian you should be here.'

"She's beautiful." Michael smiles "Looks just like you."

"So what is this cuties name?" The nurse questions

"Sophia Alexa." Lauren answers quickly 'After her Daddy.' She smiles faintly remembering the night Sark finally admitted what his middle name was.

6 MONTHS EARLIER: HOTEL ROOM

"Oh come on Julian who am I going to tell?" Lauren looks down at Sark who is glaring at her.

"No"

"Please?"

"Not going to work."

Lauren pouts

"Don't give me that look."

"Then tell me."

"Fine... It's Alexander." Sark scowls

"Julian Alexander?" Lauren smiles "See not so bad." She kisses him

"Sophia Alexa." Lauren says again

"Hey, Sophia Alexa." Michael grins as the baby who just looks at him.

WHILE LATER

"These were just delivered for you." The nurse brings in a flower arrangement. "Where's Daddy?" She asks

"He had to go take care of some things." Lauren answers as she looks up from the baby.

"There's a card." The nurse hands the woman the card.

Lauren takes the card and carefully opens the card once the nurse is out of the room and smiles at the familiar writing.

'She's beautiful. JS'

Lauren looks back at the baby in her arms, 'Your Daddy has seen you.' She rips up the card into little pieces and tosses it in the trash. 'Hopefully he'll be able to see you in person soon.' She presses her lips to the baby's head. "I love you Sophia" 'And your Daddy.'

WEEK LATER: REED/VAUGHN HOUSE

Lauren gasps in surprise when she sees Sark in the doorway of the nursery. "What are you doing here?" She demands glancing at the nursing baby then back at Sark, "If Michael or anyone found out you were here"

"He's out of town and your Mother is asleep."

"How'd you get in?" Lauren demands as he closes the door slightly.

"Back door." Sark shrugs kneeling beside the rocking chair his eyes on the nursing baby. "She's beautiful." He says awed.

"I take it you had the paternity test done." Lauren says

Sark nods "Had to be sure... in case she became ill or something it would save time." He gently brushes his knuckle down the baby's cheek. "How is she?"

"Good. Healthy."

"And you?" Sark looks at Lauren.

"I'm fine." Lauren lies

"Lauren" he says warningly.

Lauren looks at the nursing baby, "I miss you Julian."

"I miss you as well." Sark admits "But we have to stay away from each other."

"I know." Lauren blinks back tears

"For Sophia's sake. You want her to have a Father... and that's not something I can be for her."

"You could if you wanted." Lauren says bitterly.

"Lauren you know I'm right."

"Doesn't mean I have to believe it." Lauren looks at Sophia who is still nursing.

"She's better off without me around."

"Don't say that." Lauren whispers pained.

"It's the truth." Sark shrugs "I'm a killer Lauren. That's not exactly something she can tell her friends. What he does is a little easier for people to handle than what I do." He looks at Lauren sadly, "As much as I want to be Dad... its not something I can be." He leans in kissing Sophia's cheek, "You'll always be my little girl." He whispers then looks at Lauren sadly. "You know how to get a hold of me if you need anything."

Lauren nods

Sark kisses her sweetly then starts towards the door. "Goodbye Lauren."

"Julian" she whispers as the door closes 'I love you.'

WHILE LATER

"Sweetie what's wrong?" Olivia Reed questions as she finds her daughter sitting on the couch her arms around her knees tears staining her cheeks. She sits next to her daughter hugging her. "It's OK."

"It's never going to be OK." Lauren whispers. "I don't know what to do."

"About what? Did you and Michael have a fight?"

"No." Lauren blinks back tears. "Mommy I'm so confused."

"About what sweetheart?"

"Everything."

"Like what?"

"It's confusing."

"You can tell me anything." Olivia says. "You know that." She strokes her daughter's arm. "What is wrong? You've been so quiet these last few months."

"I don't know what to do."

"About what?"

Lauren pulls back looking at her Mother, "You know Sydney is Michael's ex."

Olivia nods "I know when she returned to work you were worried something would happen between them."

"I thought that but then after a while I realized that Sydney wouldn't do that."

"So what's wrong?"

"I was upset one night and I..."

"You what?" Olivia prompts

Lauren looks down, "Slept with someone else."

"Lauren" Olivia gasps

"It just happened." Lauren whispers. "Now all I think about is him."

"Do you love this man?"

Lauren bites her lip "It's complicated." 'Can't exactly tell her I used him to get back at Michael then used my baby by my lover to keep my husband.'

"Lauren, did you have this affair before or during your pregnancy?" Olivia asks. When Lauren doesn't answer Olivia gasps, "Lauren, do you know who Sophia's father is?"

Lauren nods "I know."

"Does Michael know?"

Lauren shakes her head, "He can never know Mother! He would never forgive me and he'd probably kill the other man." She looks at her Mom, "He can't know Mom. You can't ever tell him." She says desperately.

"What about the other man? Does he know about Sophia?"

Lauren nods "He knows."

"Are you going to tell me who her biological father is?"

"You don't need to know. Regardless of biology, Michael is her father. He'll be there for everything." 'And Julian will be watching from afar.'

"And this other man?"

"I'll never see him again. We broke it off." 'Only time I'll ever see him is in surveillance photos.'

"You have to get over this man and make things work between you and Michael."

"That's why I broke it off. I want to make my marriage work." 'Sophia needs a Dad.'

"Then work on it."

"I'm going to. I'm not going to let anything ruin my marriage." 'Not even the man I love... the father of my baby.'

"Good. Michael is a good man Lauren."

"I know."

TBC….