Disclaimer: I don't Teen Titans.


And So It Is

Chapter 14

Life is a funny thing.

Almost a year ago I was at a party, drunk and stumbling around trying to get away from Roy Harper only to run into the man who has been plaguing my dreams for six years. To boot, he was with his gorgeous, perfect little girlfriend. Now, I'm on my large, fluffy bed wearing a moo-moo type lavender pajama top stuffing my face with cherry pop-tarts and banana yoo-hoos while trying to keep my bladder from wanting to burst every twenty minutes while being seven months pregnant. Life is indeed a very funny thing.

Since last month with Richard and I 'making up' or whatever the fuck it's called he wont leave me alone. Granted, normally I'm all for his attentions and love, but now I'm pregnant and it's his fault I'm having back pains and I feel like a bloated walrus, although he repeatedly tells me I look stunning and he thinks he should get me pregnant more often. When he makes those snide comments, I don't hesitate in giving him a charlie horse. He's been visiting me everyday, he usually tries to stay the night, but I refuse. He says he misses me and he says he loves me, but I'm still uncertain. Things have been going too well lately and I know shits about to blow up in our faces. I'm waiting for the next bit of drama to unfold.

At the moment I'm watching an Inuyasha marathon. It's one of my favorite animes besides 'Samurai Champloo' and 'Fruits Basket'. The whole love triangle bothers me between Inuyasha, Kagome, and Kikyo. Personally, I find Inuyasha endearing. His personality reminds me very much of Richard.. harsh and seemingly uncaring although a big softy underneath. Kagome I find sweet and loud and perfect as she is. I can understand Inuyasha's hesitance to let Kikyo go. He remembers her as the sweet, calm miko maiden he was in love with.. not the cold, vindictive bitch she's become.

Funny. I don't remember Richard saying he would be visiting today.. although he has made it a habit recently. And here he is, looking gorgeous and making me feel even more of a sea cow because I look all rumpled and ugh. I can't complain though, if nothing else.. I can use him as delicious eye candy.

"Baby, get dressed. I have a surprise for you." His silky voice floated from the doorway he was leaning against.

I brushed my side bangs behind my ear and eyed him, "A surprise? What kind of surprise?"

He grinned, "You'll love it. I promise! Please get dressed."

I gracefully plopped out of bed, well as gracefully as a seven month pregnant whale could plop out of anything. I quickly changed into a nice baby pink summer dress with a white cardigan over it and a pair of strappy white sandals, extremely thankful that my ankles were not swollen as of yet and they still looked petite and dainty. I put my long hair up into a high pony tail and put on a light powder and shimmer lip gloss. Just cause I felt like a beast didn't mean I had to look like one.

He grabbed my hand as we walked down the stairs, giving it a light squeeze before locking our fingers together. "You're so beautiful." He whispered. I simply smiled and let him lead me out to his Rolls Royce Phantom.

"Can I take this off now?" I pulled at the blindfold I was wearing.

"No, we're almost there."

I sighed and sat back in my seat. What a bunch of bullshit. It's my fucking surprise, but I have to wear a damn blindfold. I angrily crossed my arms over my enlarged chest and rested them on my protruding stomach. Richard chuckled at my behavior and it made me even more angry.

"Kori you are 22 years old, act like it. hmm?"

"I'm pregnant and bloated and it's all your fault." I replied.

I felt his hand rest on my stomach and I could feel the smile in his voice, "Baby you are the most beautiful woman in the world. You aren't bloated, but absolutely glowing. And the proof of our love is growing inside you, the proof that I love you more than anything in this world is right here." He rubbed my stomach affectionately.

I shifted uncomfortably and felt my anger flare, "Sure, but if you don't remember.. that same proof was growing inside Babs too."

I heard him sigh before replying, "Babs... that whole thing was never supposed to happen. Her and I were not meant to be together, but me and you are. I love you.. I never told her that."

We remained in silence for the rest of the car ride, eventually the car slowed before coming to a complete stop. He helped me out of the car and held my hand tightly as he led me up some stairs. I felt him move behind me and untie my blindfold before placing his hands on my shoulders. When I opened my eyes, I was stunned.

In front of me was a beautiful cerulean mansion with white marble columns. It had a large walkway leading up to the double doors, but in the center of the walkway was a giant fountain. The 'palace' was absolutely gorgeous.

"You... you bought me a house?" I turned around to see him grinning.

"No," He shook his head, "I built us a house."

I was speechless.

"He's so romantic. Building you a house and everything." Rachel sighed dreamily, which was totally unlike her. I just smiled widely in return. Yes, Richard had a house built for us. I was so completely happy I thought my face would break from smiling so much. I watched as Rachel leaned forward to grab her herbal tea and her glittering ring caught my eye. It was rather odd, Richard told the press he was going to marry me, but hasn't mentioned it at all. Yes, he built a house.. but no ring or promises or anything. It bothered me.

"You okay?" Rachel's voice brought me out of my inner musings. I simply nodded and smiled weakly, trying to get my mind on something else.

"So, you have like two months left... I really need to start getting the plans for your baby shower together. Have you decided on a theme?"

I shook my head, "I'm stuck between Noah's Ark with the baby animals or a baby Winnie the Pooh theme. Although I think I'm leaning more towards the baby animals because Winnie the Pooh is kind of girly."

Rachel giggled, "What the hell is a 'pooh bear'? That is like the most ridiculous thing ever and come on... his name is Winnie? This isn't the fucking Wonder Years!"

I laughed. It was rather amusing.. Winnie the Pooh. Haha. I wiped the tears from my eyes and smiled, "Yes, the I suppose the baby Noah's Ark it is."

"Excellent." Rachel said as she wrote down some things on a paper tablet she pulled from God knows where. "Hey, do you think you are going to breast feed?"

I bit my lip in contemplation, "I'm gonna try. I mean I hear it's rough and although the nurses always say it doesn't hurt if you do it right, I've never met a breast feeding woman who said it didn't hurt. Some magazine said something about roughening up my nipples with a toothbrush... the whole thing sounds like too much trouble, but if it will help ease the pain that these engorged monsters have been causing me.. then I'm sure as hell gonna try. So yes, I've decided I will breastfeed."

Rachel giggled, "So do you want a manual or a battery operated breast pump?"

"Battery operated.. I don't have the patience to squeeze that stuff out myself." We both broke out into a fit of laughter at my admission of laziness. God I love Rachel to death, she is the best thing ever.

"So what has caused my two favorite ladies to twinkle with laughter?" Richard's voice caused me to jump and I turned to see him walk in the room.

"God Dick can you get any more ridiculous?" Rachel told him, and we both started laughing again at the scowl on his face. He sat down next to me and wrapped his arm around me, leaving soft kisses on my neck.

"We were talking about breast pumps and toothbrushes." I said as I turned my head to the side, giving him better access.

"Hmmm.." He breathed against my neck, "Well, I can't think of anything better than breast pumps and toothbrushes, but I wanted us to all go out tonight. As a celebration of sorts, we haven't all gotten together since everything happened with Babs and the miscarriage, and I wanted to have a party of sorts."

"That's a wonderful idea!" Rachel exclaimed and jumped off the sofa, "I'm gonna go call everybody!"

It was a good idea, all of us getting together... Victor, Karen, Garfield, Terra, Roy, Rachel, Richard, and myself. It should be wonderful. I smiled and hugged Richard, thankful for his wonderful idea. He gave me a chaste kiss on the lips and smiled.

"I'll pick you up at seven."

I nodded and gave him another quick kiss and watched him leave. It would be nice, a whole lot of fun, the gang back together.. I couldn't wait.

"Baby you look breathtaking."

"I know, you've told me repeatedly." I smile brightly and kissed Richard on the cheek. He had been complimenting me since he picked me up. It was hard to feel beautiful when you felt like a 400 pound hippo, but the simple royal blue Calvin Klein maternity cocktail dress I wore complimented my bulging belly perfectly. Richard himself looked his usual strikingly handsome self in a black pinstripe Armani suit.

We walked into the large restaurant/nightclub Blackstone and went to the back VIP room where all our friends where waiting.. and some surprises. There, looking simple yet sexy, was Xavier Red with my darling sister on his arm. I felt a small surge of anger and I turned to Richard.

"What the fuck is he doing here?" I whispered rather harshly.

He patted my shoulder, "It would be good if you go make up and be friends, it isn't good to hold grudges."

I rolled my eyes, this advice coming from the biggest bastard ever. Like hell I was gonna just let this go. What a fucking prick. I hastily pulled myself away from him and walked away. It was a times like this I wish I could drink. I would kill for a shot of bourbon at the moment. I sat at a table in the corner and looked through my handbag for some sort of chocolate or candy. I needed something to get my mind off the anger pronto.

"Kori?"

FUCK. I mentally cursed myself and tried to paste a convincing smile on my face, "Hey Xavier."

The dick took that as an invitation to sit across from me and pretend everything was perfectly fine. We sat in silence for a few minutes, me continually searching through my purse and him staring at me intently. Finally, he broke the silence.

"So, how's being pregnant?"

"How's fucking my sister?"

Ouch. I know that was mean, but I couldn't help myself. The fucker was just asking for me to be hostile. His face looked like I physically hit him or something, I don't know why.. it's not like I was being that mean.

"I guess I deserve that."

"No, you deserve a lot worse."

Silence again. During this whole exchange, I still haven't looked up from my bag. I honestly don't want to look at him. I was angry at him, I was more angry at Richard for inviting him without telling me. Fucking asshole. All men are pricks, hopefully my son won't be one too... but with Richard as his father...

..apples don't fall too far from the tree.

"Princess I'm so sorry for everything. Please... please forgive me.." His voice was pleading and it was annoying the shit out of me.

I looked at him, "Xavier what is it you want from me?"

"I'm in love with you.. I want you back.. I know I fucked up but Richard fucks up way more than I do and you forgive him, please.. give me another chance."

Either Xavier was oblivious to the past few months or really fucking stupid. He really expects me to drop Richard and take him back after he swore eternal love to me and then went and fucked my sister. At least Richard has taste and never went down that road which is called Mandy. I just stared at him in shock. I was about to answer when Richard's loud yell of "FUCKING BITCH!" stopped me. I stood up and went to him, he grabbed me and kissed me deeply and then pushed me away.

"I've got to go," He said, his voice sounded curt and angry, "Can you get a ride home from Rach?"

I nodded, "What's wrong?"

He looked at me, his eyes seemed almost filled with disbelief, "That bitch.. babs, she is suing me for palimony. Saying I promised to marry her. Normally I would just give the bitch money to shut up... but she wants three-fourths of my fortune. The bitch is fucking crazy."

I almost wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the situation but I held my tongue. I can't believe this shit, but I wasn't stupid. I understood what the underlying implications of her pending lawsuit meant. Richard would be tied up in courts and barely able to see me at all. She knew what she was doing, making it nearly impossible for us to see each other.

I dumbly nodded my head and stared with sad eyes as he walked out of the restaurant. I suddenly didn't feel like celebrating anymore. I found Rach and quietly asked her to take me home.

"Richard.."

"WHAT!" He sounded so angry that I visibly flinched.

"I'm sorry." I whispered quietly into the phone.

"Baby, I'm sorry. I'm just stressed and I don't know what I'm going to do and everything."

"We haven't talked for over a week. You haven't come to see me and every time I call your secretary says you are in a meeting," He was completely silent. I blew out a breath and tried to cheer him up, "I talked to Rach and she said the baby shower is all set for two weeks."

"That's great babe." He sounded so tired.

"You.. you are going to be there right?" I asked hopefully. There was an extremely long pause and then a tired sigh.

"Baby, I love you so much, but the lawyers think it would be best if we didn't see each other for awhile. This lawsuit is going to try and rip me apart and I don't want you to be brought into it." His voice was strained and I could tell he didn't want to do it.

"So... we're breaking up then?" My voice cracked and I cursed myself for it. I wanted to be strong and prove that I was okay and everything was fine.

"I'm sorry Kori, I'm so sorry." He kept repeating that over like a mantra, hoping that maybe if he said it enough times it would make everything okay.

I hung up the phone.