July 2nd, 2000

Tom had grown so much over the past six years. He had learned how to read a little bit more. He could read on a third grade level now. Lucy had even taught him to cook a few dishes. They were good for each other. When Miss Vivian from North Carolina, a special Eds teacher, Tom learned so much more. He was able to get a great job at the factory and bring money in to help his family.

Tom turned around in bed. He slowly opened his eyes when he felt the bed empty next to him. Tom sat up and looked around.

"Lucy?" He got out of bed. He didn't like not knowing where she was so close to her due date. Tom walked down stairs and saw Lucy sitting at the window, "Lucy?" She turned around.

"Oh Tommy, what are you doing out of bed?" Lucy asked.

"You weren't there and I was lonely." He said as he sat next to her. Lucy smiled softly.

"Well, I'm right here." Lucy said as Tom wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Why are you sad?" Tom asked.

"What makes you think I'm sad?" Lucy asked him.

"Because you have sad eyes." Tom said. Lucy was silent, "I may be a retard but I can be a good daddy."

"Oh Tommy." Lucy looked at him; "You're a fantastic father. You helped me with Lawrence and Joe even though they're not yours."

"Nick is mine though." Tom grinned putting his hands on Lucy's belly. "I'm going to teach nick to ride a bike."

"That'd be great." Lucy chuckled, "So you're ready to be a daddy?"

"Laws yes." Tom grinned, looking out the window, "Nick isn't gonna be sick right?" Lucy sighed.

"I don't know, Tommy." She said, "It's possible."

"Roz and Jimmy died." Tom said, "I would cry if Nick died."

"Me too." She said patting Tom's thigh. "Let's go back upstairs. I'm tired."

"Me too." Tom stood up and helped Lucy to her feet, "I need to get up at seven o'clock."

"I know, Baby." Lucy's smile dropped as she clutched her stomach, "Oh God..."

"What's wrong?" Tom asked.

"It's um...I'm going to have the baby." She said. Tom's eyes widened.
"Really?" He asked.

"Yes! Do you think you can drive?" Lucy asked,. Tom nodded.

"Vivian has given me four lessons." He said, "Let's have ourselves a baby."

* * *

Fran and Stu walked down the hallway towards the maternity ward. Abby bounced in front of them.

"I'm going to play with the baby all day long." Abby said. Fran chuckled.

"I think the baby needs to sleep sometimes." She said.

"This is their room." Stu knocked on the door and opened up. Tom was sitting on Lucy's bed with a pink bundle in his arms.

"Oh!! It's a girl!!" Fran clapped her hands. Tom grinned proudly.

"Nicolena Mabel Cullen." He said.

"Nine pounds and seven ounces." Lucy said, "You can hold her."

"May I?" Fran asked. Tom nodded as he handed his daughter over.

"Don't drop her." He said. Fran chuckled and looked at the baby. She had large blue eyes and curly strawberry blonde hair.

"Oh she's gorgeous." Fran aid.

"Yes she is." Stu looked at her; "you're a lucky man."

"The doctor said she is healthy." Tom said, "no flu."

"Good." Fran whispered. Nicolena yawned and started to fuss. "I think she wants her mommy." Fran handed the baby back to Lucy. She looked longingly at mother and child. God, she missed that. Fran looked at Stu. He had that same look. Maybe some day.

July 17th, 2000

Stu sat in his office at City Hall looking at the new sanitation department proposal. They needed two more trucks to run properly. He growled as someone knocked on the door.

"Come in." Stu said. Gina walked in with her normal soft smile.

"Stu, people are starting to talk." The eighteen-year-old said.

"About?"

"About the need for more officers. Last poll we had seven thousand four hundred and seventy-four people." Gina said.

"Seventy-five now." He corrected her, "I know. There are people training as we speak so give Frannie a press statement."

"I will." She said and then her face brightened up. "Today is Joe's first day right?" Stu chuckled.

"Yes," He said, "you're sweet on him aren't you?" Gina turned three shades of red, "I'll let him know you were looking for him."

"Thanks." She quickly left. Stu chuckled. it was so nice to see Gina smile like that. he had watched her grow into a beautiful young woman and she deserved some happiness.

"Stu?" Joe walked into the office. He was a six-foot muscular man now, not the same mute he met six years ago.

"Joe, come on in and have a seat." Stu said. He obeyed and sat down across from Stu.

"Thank you for wanting me to work here." Joe said, "I really need a job." Stu nodded.

"I know. Now the pay is lousy, but its money." He said.

"Good. I want to get myself an apartment, move out on my own." Joe said, "A real apartment, not take one from the dead in some other town." Stu smiled softly. He had felt weird about doing that awhile ago, but not anymore.

"You really want to be alone?" Stu asked. Joe shook his head.

"I plan on having a girl live with me." Joe said, "don't tell mom or Tom."

"I won't." Stu said, "is it Gina?" Joe nodded.

"Yes. We haven't really gone together much, but I think Gina would do it." Joe said.

"I think so as well." Stu said as he pulled out a file of his desk. "Are you ready for your first assignment?"

"Yes." Joe smiled.

"Well, in this folder are about three hundred phone numbers. I need you to call all of them and tell them about the conference. All you need to know is on this sheet of paper. all right?"

"Okay." Joe said.

"If you have questions, feel free to ask Gina." Stu said. Joe nodded. Stu hoped this would help the boy. he deserved a good life.

* * *

Stu pushed Abby's bike out of the driveway. he growled slight. It had taken him forever to find a pink bike with streamers. She could at least take semi-good care of it. He walked into the house. Fran was curled up. he knelt down and kissed her cheek. She opened her eyes.

"Hey." She said, "How was work?"

"Good." Stu sat on the ouch. Fran cuddled into him, "How was work for you?"

"Good. I was on scene of an accident and this guy kept on interrupting my newscast." She said.

"An Accident? Was it bad?" Stu asked. he was very protective of everyone who lived in Bolder. Fran shook her head.

"No. Jake Thompson brought down the stop like on Forrest ave." She said.

"Oh okay." Stu said as he held Fran. he liked this. he loved being with her. He was so thankful that he got this chance to meet her. He just wished it was under better circumstances.