Well as some of you may know, Toni Isis is by beta reader, and a few weeks ago I e-mailed her, this chapter and I haven't heard high or low for her. I was willing to wait by my friend kept telling me she wanted me to continue soon. So here's the next chapter, sorry it took so long.

Toni, where ever you are, I hope you're ok.

Chapter 7: confessions pt 2;

Across from her Rick stared straight into her eyes his hands in hers and his eyes begging for the truth. Slowly Evy opened her mouth to speak, but closed it when the food arrived. They separated their hands and, once the waiter was gone, put them back together.

"I'm listening" Rick said again.

"you see," she started as slowly as possible "I was scared that this man wouldn't love me after he found out, so instead of hearing him prove it I left…and it was the stupidest mistake of my life."

"Why?"

"Well, ever since Alex learned to talk, he asks me the same question night after night"

"What question is that?"

"Where his daddy is? And every night I tell him I don't know, but I can't tell him what I did because he would hate me and I don't want that." Tears started to form in her eyes and everything went silent. Nobody said anything else and they ate in silence.

After lunch they went for a walk and Rick was the first to break the silence. "So what do you tell Alex every night." The thought had never left his mind, he knew what it was like to grow up without a father and didn't wish it on anybody.

"I tell him that someday I'll find him his dad and maybe we could be one big happy family, but I'm not sure as to how his dad might take it. Whether he'd leave us all alone or if he'll accept Alex, again my fear is still in the back of my head and I'm so confused." If only you knew the truth then maybe you could help me with this one, she thought to herself as tears again began to appear in her eyes.

Rick held her close as they walked down the street, her head resting on his chest. I wish you trusted me and could just come out with it Evy, I really don't care if there is another guy I just want you. He thought as he looked down at the lovely woman crying in his arms.

After a long silence, Evy spoke up, "Rick?" they were now at a park not more than a block away from Evy's house and only 15 feet from the car, the two slowly walked hand and hand to a nearby bench to sit and talk.

"Yes?"

"I love you." She spoke hoping, praying he would return the declaration.

He tilted her head up and looked into her eyes, "I love you, too" he spoke and the love could be seen in his eyes, he bent his head down to meet her lips in a soft, but gentle kiss. After they pulled apart Evy continued to talk. "And I always have and always will."

"I now, I fell the same way." And he did.

Well here goes everything, the truth, Rick, it's about time you knew, she said to herself then to him mentally.

"remember what I said along time ago, that morning in my bed?" she asked, no longer looking him in the eyes, but now closing them and resting her head on his chest again.

"Yeah" he said little confused.

"About me never being able to do that with anyone?"

"Yes" he remembered it now that was one of the best day's of his life, the day Evy and he became one spiritually.

"Well, I meant it." She spoke softly, so soft he felt her speak more then he heard it. She lifted her head to look him in the eyes to see if I had registered with him.

Wait, what if she meant it and kept that as a promise then that would mean there is no other guy and Alex is… he thought and no sooner had she lifted her head to meet eyes did he fully understand.

"Alex, is my son?" he asked quietly looking down at her. She nodded her head and started to talk quickly, not liking the reaction she got from him. Oh, god this was what I feared, he doesn't want a kid, she thought as she spoke.

"Rick, look, I'm sorry, I know I lied, but I was scared and wanted to protect myself from the things I thought. I understand if you never want to talk to me again, but please just spend a little time with Alex, he really is a good boy, he just needs a father figure, other then Jonathan and…"

Rick put a finger to her lips to silence her and kissed her to make sure she kept quiet while he spoke what he had to say.

"Evy, I never, in my whole life, thought the day would come that I got to be a father and now your sitting here telling me I am has made me the happiest man in the world. I am, however, a little upset that you left and never told me and I can't believe you thought I couldn't love you, I love you with all my heart and soul." He kissed her lips and began to get off of the bench. "the night you left was the worst day of my life especially since I never got to ask you my question, I've held this ring in my pocket since that day and now I think the time is just perfect." He got down on one knee, took her hand in his and spoke, "Evelyn Carnahan, will you marry me?"

Tears were coming out of her eyes and Evy nodded her head and got up as Rick placed the ring on her finger, she kissed him passionately and thanked him for making her the happiest woman alive.

The two got in the car and drove home so Rick could be with his family.

Once the door opened Alex came running down the stairs and jumped in his mom's arms and Jonathan coming down the stairs too, not too far behind. "Hi, mum" Alex said

"Hi honey" "why you ome wearly from work?" "Mummy took off to be with you" "Oh"

"Alex, I'd like for you to meet a friend of mummy's" she said and stepped aside for Alex to see Rick. "This man, his name is Rick and he's your daddy." Alex looked to the man and then to his uncle at his left, Jonathan nodded smiling and Alex jumped into Rick's arms whispering in Rick's ear as he was lifted over his shoulder "hi daddy" near tears Rick whispered back "hi son"

so? what do you think? please let me know by reviewing, i have like one more chapter to go, it'll be short though.

oh, by the way, something about the chapter titles all have something in common, does anybody know what it is? a big thumbs up if you can guess.