September 26th, 2000

Gina folded up the last of the moving boxes. She and Joe were finally moved in to their own apartment. It felt good to be on her own. Yes, she loved Teddy and was thankful that he took care of her as she grew up, but she needed to live life now.

"Joe, did you put the shelves up yet?" She called out moving to the linen closet to make their bed. There was no answer. "Joe?"

"Come here, Gin." Joe called out. Gina sighed dusting off her hands.

"I'm coming." She walked down the hallway and saw there were daisy petals on the floor. Gina smirked softly and followed the trail "Joe?"

"In the kitchen." Joe said. Gina bit her lip and stepped into the kitchen. There were more daisies in there. Joe was sitting at the kitchen table grinning.

"Hey." Gina smiled, "What are you up to?"

"Come sit down, Gina." He said. Gina blushed and sat down across from him, "Well, You know I'm not one for big long speeches or even small short ones." Gina chuckled softly.
"I know that. You're not a talker, Joe. You never have been." She said.

"Well, today I have to be because I want to give you this, Sweetheart." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. Gina's heart stopped. It was a diamond ring. "I know, not a lot of people do it this way anymore, but I want to. I want to get down on one knee and propose to you." Gina nodded slowly.

"All right." She whispered. Joe smiled and stood up. he took her hand and knelt down in front of her.

"Gina, We've been through so much together. it only feels natural to make you my wife. I love you. So, will you marry me?" Joe asked. Gina stared at him in disbelief.

"You're asking me to marry you?" She whispered. Joe nodded.

"We're perfect for each other. please marry me, Gina McCone." He said. Gina chuckled and nodded.

"Of course I'll marry you, Dummy." She took the ring out and slid it on her slender finger. It fit perfectly.

"Great!" He stood up and pulled her into a hug. "Now we can have fifteen babies and be happy." Gina laughed softly hugging him.

"I don't think we're going to have fifteen." She told him.

"We need to repopulate the world." Joe winked.

"Not just us." Gina chuckled kissing his lips softly. "I think four will be fine." Joe smiled as he held her. She actually said yes. "You think you're mother will be happy?"

"I never even gave her a thought." Joe smirked as he looked at her.

"We should call her." Gina said, "I know Lucy...She'll be hurt if we don't call her." Joe nodded slowly.

"If you really wanted to, you may." He told his now fiance. Gina nodded as she went to the phone. She dialed it. God, she could remember when there was no phones. it wasn't that long ago. She was glad they were back just in case of emergencies.

"Hello?" Tom picked up the phone.

"Hey Tommy. It's Gina." She smiled looking at Joe.

"Hey Gina!" Tom grinned, "Are y'all moved in? Do you need anymore boxes?"

"No, Tom. We're just great." Gina said, "is Lucy there?"

"Nope. She took Nic and Larry for a walk." Tom said, "I think she's gonna see Fran."

"Oh OKay." Gina said, "Well, Joe and I want to tell her something so can you tell her something for us?"

"I sure can, Gina." Tom said.

"Well, tell her Joe and I are getting married." Gina giggled.

"you're getting married??" Tom gasped, "With like white dresses and pretty flowers?" Gina chuckled.

"Yes, Tom, just like that." She said. "Can you tell Lucy the news?"

"Laws yes!" Tom laughed.

"Thank you, Tom." Gina hung up the phone and smiled at her fiance. THings were finally falling into place for ZGina. She knew why she was spared now.

Note: I was bored one day, so I put together the New Boulder, CO homepage. It's just for fun. Nothing to do with the story lol.

October 10th, 2000

Fran kissed Stu's chest after their morning filled with love making. She sighed with happiness. Stu looked at her.

"What's on your mind, Baby doll?" He asked her.

"I've been thinking about us some." She told him.

"Oh. A good think or a bad think?" Stu wondered.

"I'm not sure really." Fran said. Stu shifted in bed.

"What is it, Frannie?" He asked her. His heart was thumping in his chest loudly. After everything that they've been through, she wanted a divorce. She didn't want to continue their relationship. Stu just knew it. She looked up at him.

"I think...I think I want to try to have another baby." She said to him. Stu started at her. A baby? Is she serious?

"What? You mean a baby human?" Stu asked. Fran laughed.

"No A baby horse. yes a baby Human." Fran sat up, "I want to try."

"And what if they died again, Frannie?" He asked with fear clear in his voice. Fran sighed and thought about it for a moment.

"And what if they don't? What if they are immune and we don't have them?" Fran asked. Stu looked at her.

"Is this what you really want, Frannie? I honestly don't know if I'm ready to bury another child." Stu said, "We have Abby. I am thrilled to have her. We have two angels and I personally don't want to add to that count." Fran stared at him.

"So is that a no, Stu?" she asked him. Stu nodded.

"That's a no. For now, Fran." He said sliding out of bed, "Abby needs her breakfast." Fran sat there and stared at the door as Stu left the room. Maybe he was right. She didn't have strength to bury another child. She was thankful enough to have Abby in her life. Fran got out of bed and walked downstairs.

"Stu, We don't have to try okay?" Fran asked him, "I understand where you're coming from. Trust me." Stu growled.

"It just frustrates me. Why can't we have a child together?" Stu asked. "We love each other. We should be able to have one."

"I know, but new strains of the flu come out every day." Fran said, "Stuff that we aren't immune to. Things happen."

"I know, but it's not fair." He said, "Tommy and Lucy have Nic. Why can't one of ours just stay alive?"

"I don't know." Fran whispered. She extended her hand with a smile, "What ever happens, Stu, We can do it. We survived the worse thing that had ever happen in history. We're strong enough." Stu took in a deep breath and wrapped his arms around his wife. No matter how many years passed, the trauma of the flu still haunted them.

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