Chapter Seven-Getting Near to Baby

"Richard, I still think you should back out of this. I will tell the truth. Think about what you're doing."

"I'm thinking that I love you, Kor. You're everything to me," Richard informed Kori, tickling her tummy lovingly. "Hello in there," he added to the baby.

Kori chuckled feebly. "I am lucky to have you."

"Yes you are," Richard agreed, pulling her to his chest and holding her possessively. "But this is me, after all. Did you really think I'd let you break up with me because you were pregnant?"

Kori sighed as she ran her hands through his inky black locks. "Part of me thought…that maybe you would. But most of me knew you'd be responsible, even though you don't have to be."

Richard cupped her face in his hands and kissed the end of her nose. "I love you. It's always been you, Kor. And it always will be."

Kori allowed him to lift her into his arms bridal style and carry her to a nearby couch, where she curled up on his lap, head resting against his chest. Richard played with her hair absentmindedly.

"Sweetheart," he murmured some time later. "Do you think it'll be a boy or a girl?"

"I honestly don't know," Kori replied. "As long as the baby is healthy I don't mind."

"You're looking forward to this, aren't you?"

"Of course. I may hate the real father, but I still want my child, Richard," Kori said sharply.

"We're going to do this right, too," Richard responded. "We're going to get a suggested daily diet for pregnancy and everything. And no more Starbuck's," he added firmly.

"OK," Kori concurred. "There is something else we must discuss though."

"And that would be…?" Richard's question dangled in the air.

"Our parents request that we get married, as you know," Kori began. "But I do not think I am ready to be married."

Richard's expression grew from curious to hurt. "Oh," he said quietly.

"Don't be like that, Richard," Kori ordered. "It's not your fault I don't want to get married yet. I just have things I want to do in life. Things that will be harder if I'm married at such a young age."

"You do know that you're pregnant, right?"

"You are aware that you are very difficult sometimes?" Kori teased. "For me, just being with you is enough for now. Can you understand that?" she pleaded.

"I do understand," he murmured. "But one day I would like to marry you."

"One day," Kori promised. "Kori Grayson has a nice ring to it, yes?"

"It does," Richard agreed. "So no wedding bells in our near future?"

"No," Kori said sadly. "Unless our parents insist we do so."

"I don't think they will. I doubt they'll want to explain to their friends why their sixteen-year-olds are getting married."

"That would embarrass them highly, I think."

He held her closer still, loving the feel of her silky skin under his hands.

"I want the baby to be a girl," he said after some time.

"Why?" Kori queried interestedly. "Don't most expecting fathers want their child to be a boy?"

"Girls are much better. They draw pictures and bake cookies."

"Girls grow up and date boys."

"She'll go to a convent," Richard growled playfully. "But like you said before, all that matters is that the baby is healthy."

"Children are nice, aren't they? Being responsible for a whole other life than your own," Kori mused. "We'll have children together, too, won't we, Richard?"

"A houseful," he replied, moving his hands to her shoulders and massaging them gently. "Or however many you want."

"Just one or two," Kori said, enjoying the feel of his hands massaging her.

"Agreed."

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"You don't want to get married?" Mrs. Anders repeated. "But why? Have the two of you had a disagreement?"

"No, Mother. Richard and I have never been more in love. We're just not ready to take that particular step yet," Kori answered patiently.

"Well…I suppose that keeps me from explaining to our friends why they're invited to my daughter's wedding," Mrs. Anders said thoughtfully. "Which is something I'm not ready for yet, either."

"Too right you aren't," Mr. Anders mumbled. "So what are the two of you going to do?"

"Well, Mr. Wayne has asked that we stay there, in his home. He says he will pay for the nursery and that sort of thing."

"Is that what you want, Kori?" her mother inquired gently. "Because we'd be glad to have you stay here, at home."

"I would like to stay there, actually," Kori said quietly. "Mr. Wayne has been very understanding of this…ordeal from the moment he knew of it. And though I love you both, I wish to be there."

"Of course, darling," Mrs. Anders said hastily, moving her head to kiss Kori's hair. If that's what you really want, then we support you," she said, glaring at her husband so that he would say something nice as well.

"Er, yes, Princess. We want you to be happy."

Kori smiled slightly. "I think I'll start packing tomorrow."

Mrs. Anders' mouth opened and shut several times before she remembered how to use it. "I'll help," she offered.

"That would be wonderful," Kori agreed. "The sooner I am moved out, the less strain it'll put on my developing baby."

Mrs. Anders smiled sadly. "My baby, my sixteen year old baby, is talking about her baby."

"She'll be taken care of, as you have pointed out, Margaret," Mr. Anders said. "You know that."

"Yes, that is true," Mrs. Anders responded. "Come here, Kori."

Mrs. Anders flung herself on her daughter, and a tear slowly trailed down her check.

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It turned out Richard was a good construction worker. He single-handedly put together the baby's nursery while still managing to be there for Kori. She was in the seventh month of the pregnancy when he finally finished.

"Come on, sweetheart, it's done," he said excitedly, dragging her along the hallway to the baby's room.

"Richard," Kori said in a falsely sweet voice, "I can't even see my feet. This is as fast as I can go."

"I can fix that," he said, turning. He lifted her into his arms bridal style.

"Put me down!" she shrieked.

Richard, however, chose to ignore her. He didn't put her down until they reached the baby's room.

"Oh Richard," she breathed. "It's perfect."

He had painted the room a canary yellow because they agreed to be surprised about the baby's gender. About one third of the way down the wall was a border decorated with cartoon-style elephants.

The baby's crib stood in a corner. Inside the crib were a yellow blanket and a very soft-looking teddy bear. Over the crib hung a mobile with little bears dangling at different lengths.

On the opposite side of the room was a changing table. It was the same type of wood as the crib and painted the same off-white color, and sanded until very smooth so as not to hurt the baby. At one end of the changing table was a baby monitor.

"The other one's in our room," Richard explained.

In the cozy alcove of the room was a toy chest, opened to reveal piles of squashy stuffed animals.

The best part of the baby's room in Kori's opinion was the rocking chair.

It matched the crib and changing table in wood type and color and tied neatly to the seat was a thick blue cushion. A white afghan was slung across the back of the chair.

"You like it?" Richard asked anxiously.

"I love it, Richard. It's perfect."

"And I did it all by myself, too," he added haughtily. "I already know I'm perfect."

Richard slipped an arm around her waist, bringing her closer to his body. He tickled her growing tummy affectionately. "I love you, little baby," he murmured. "You're lucky to have me as a Daddy, you know. I'll take really good care of you and your Mommy."

Kori smiled sadly. "I'd be lost without you," she assured him, resting her head against his developed chest. "Don't ever leave me."

"Are you kidding? I get to wake up to you every day. Do you know how beautiful you are?"

"But that is not the only reason you love me, is it?" Kori questioned, frowning.

"Of course it isn't," Richard reassured her. "You're so perfect, Kor. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I'm really glad I did it."

"A girl has to know these things. I was merely seeing if you loved me truly or not."

She pulled back from him slightly, but she was still close enough for her breath to hit his lips.

Smiling, he closed the gap between them, kissing her with everything he had.

They parted due to lack of oxygen several minutes later. Resting his forehead against hers, Richard rubbed her back soothingly. "How would I get by without you?" he inquired softly. "I need you, sweetie. You have nothing to worry about."

Kori wound her arms around his neck, hugging him as close as she could. "I need you too."

Say it with me…Aww! Aren't they just adorable?

Love,

Queenie