Thanks so much to lostlover514, nikki-da-latina, kballgetlost, hilsfoolishginger, IluvLost9393, Dogwood Flowers, and jimmy-barnes13 for reviewing. I appreciated your support on the first chapter:) Also, I'm going to be updating this story with addition to my other story Slow Heat in Heaven, I'll be writing these both. Thanks again guys.

Disclaimer: I do not own "Lost"…and all that other good stuff. All I own is Riley at the moment.

Chapter 2- Hopeless Romantic

Later that day, Kate opened her eyes. She looked down at her watch in uncertainty and then let out a tired yawn when she realized that it was almost eight o' clock. Claire and Aaron had left earlier, and all she could remember was going upstairs to check on her son. Kate sat up and then looked around the room. She was still in Riley's room, but the light was on now, and it had been off when she had come upstairs to check on him earlier. Wow, how long had she been asleep? Kate placed her hand to her forehead and then wiped the sleep out of her eyes. She had been lying next to Riley, but he wasn't next to her anymore.

"Riley?" Kate called. She swung her legs over the bed and then quickly looked around the room. "Baby, where are you?" Kate opened the closet. She bit her lip nervously and then stepped out of the room. Where was he? "Riley," She called again. Kate then checked the bathroom, the house was quiet. She was starting to panic. He had been sick all day, so he should still be in bed resting. Quickly she walked into the room she shared with Jack. Kate let out a sigh of relief when she saw Jack and Riley on the bed. Her hand went to her heart as she struggled to catch her breath. "Jack, why didn't you wake me?"

Jack held out his hand signaling for Kate to take it.

She tilted her head to the side, and then looked at Riley. He smiled back at her, with his hazel eyes glowing vibrantly. "Look mommy," He pointed towards the television.

Kate glanced towards the television and smiled when she saw that Spongebob Sqaure Pants was on, since it was Riley's favorite show. "Oh Spongebob," Kate said.

"And Patrick," Riley added.

"And Patrick," Kate repeated in order to appease her son. She walked over to Jack slowly and then placed her hand inside of his. He gently massaged her skin and then tugged on her arm a little so he could pull her towards him. Butterflies floated around her stomach as Jack pulled her into a kiss. Kate sighed to herself as she wrapped her arms tightly around Jack's neck. "You smell good," She whispered into his ear.

Riley laughed at the television.

Kate watched their son in relief. He seemed so much better now. Earlier he had been sluggish and weak, but now he was back to his jovial self.

"I took a shower, it's my body wash," Jack filled in. He trailed his hands through Kate's chocolate curls and then rested his hand against her face. "I missed you,"

Kate playfully rolled her eyes, "You were just at work for eight hours,"

"I still missed you, I was tempted to come by during my lunch break and give you a little visit, but I realized that Claire was here and you ladies probably had 'girls talk' to catch up on." Jack pulled Kate down into his lap.

Kate glanced at Riley once again who wasn't paying them any attention, and relaxed against Jack's chest. Jack linked his hands in between her own and then placed a soft kiss on her cheek. She squirmed away from him as his moustache and beard tickled her skin. "You need to shave,"

"I will for tomorrow,"

"Oh tomorrow?" Kate asked teasingly.

"Yeah, tomorrow," Jack repeated. He rested his chin on Kate's shoulder and then breathed in the fresh floral scent of her hair. "Tomorrow is a special day for both of us,"

Riley rested his back against Jack's arm.

"You hungry buddy?" Jack asked taking his attention away from Kate for a second.

Kate smiled up at Jack and then looked at Riley who nodded.

Jack wrapped his other arm around Riley and brought him closer. "Dinner will be ready soon, and I got a little present for you."

Riley looked up, "Really?"

"Really," Jack repeated warmly. He gently swiped Riley's bangs away from his eyes and then rested his hand on top of his head. "I'll give it tomorrow…and you," Jack nudged Kate.

"Me?"

"I have something for you too."

Kate smiled. She had something for him as well. A baby. Her cheeks flushed with warmth as she looked down. Jack rested his hand against her stomach. She looked up at him in surprise. There was no way that he knew about the pregnancy test because she had disposed of it. Kate looked back at him suspiciously, but Jack's adoring smile didn't give much away. Because he always looked at her like that, as if she was the most important person in this world. Well next to Riley of course. "You have something for me?"

"Don't I always?"

"Jack, what did I tell you about the random presents," Kate crawled away from him and then jokingly tossed a pillow at his head. "How much jewelry does a girl need? Especially me, you know I'm a jeans and tee-shirt kind of gal,"

Jack caught the pillow in midair. "That cleans up nicely might I add,"

"I can't see Spongebob, mommy," Riley said to Kate with a pout.

"Oh," Kate quickly got out of Riley's view and then laughed back at Jack. "I'm sorry Ry, I should know better than to try and compete with Spongebob,"

"That's not true," He said quietly.

Jack stood up and walked over to Kate. He wrapped his arm around her waist. "Will you come help me with dinner?"

"You want me near a stove, oh Jack that is a big mistake."

"Not really, will be right back Riley,"

"Okay,"

Once Jack and Kate were outside of the room, Jack wrapped Kate in his arms. He took her by surprise and then swept her off of her feet. She didn't have a chance to compose herself before Jack's lips were pressed against her own. As she sampled his soft lips, Kate drew in his breath, and his very soul. She placed her hands against his cheeks and kissed him harder. Jack had just been gone for eight hours. But yet it felt like a whole day. He rubbed her back affectionately as he let her down.

Kate blushed as she leaned into him.

"Kiss me again," Jack whispered.

Kate placed her hand against his chest. Jack's eyes danced with affection as he looked back at her. She knew that he wasn't like this at work. He was such an incredibly focused, determined, and a hard worker that if she didn't know him personally, then she would've never guessed that he was like this. A hopeless romantic. Kate smiled to herself as she looked down. Speaking of hopeless romantics, when did she become one herself?

"You're going to leave me hanging Kate?" Jack asked. He smiled, and then chuckled to himself. "I was looking forward to this all day."

"To kissing me?" Kate asked with a raised eyebrow. She playfully pushed him. Jack circled his hand around Kate's wrist and pulled her closer. He rested his nose against hers. "Actually I did, because after a while its gets tiring barking orders at people." Jack waited a while. "I was kidding,"

Kate blushed.

"I don't order anyone around at work,"

Kate nodded slowly, "Uh huh,"

"Hey," He gently squeezed her side.

Kate laughed, "Stop I'm ticklish."

"I've been working on my 'bossy tendencies' as you so eloquently called it back on the island. My co-workers haven't complained yet." Jack kissed Kate's cheek and then turned around to walk down the stairs. "I thought we could have dinner outside it's nice out,"

"It is," Kate placed her hands on Jack's shoulders as she followed him downstairs. "Riley seems to be feeling better."

"He was wide awake when I got home."

"He was?"

"Yeah, he came down the stairs and greeted me at the door with a hug. And then showed me a picture that he had been working on…well there were two pictures,"

"Oh," Kate said with a smile. She still felt horrible for falling asleep on his bed next to him.

"He said that you were taking up all the space on his bed,"

Kate laughed, "I was not! I was just…holding him. He was lying in bed and I…" Kate paused as she looked back at Jack who was on the brink of laughter. "He didn't say that did he?"

"Nope, made it up."

"Jack!" Kate hit him on the shoulder. "You've been playing around a lot lately,"

"You can't take the heat?" Jack asked teasingly as he opened the stove to check on the Baked Ziti that he was cooking.

"No, I can take the heat. You're supposed to be the one that can't take the heat." Kate pointed out as she crossed her arms. She shook her head as she watched Jack smile. He wanted to laugh at her, Kate could tell so she hit him again.

"Be nice," Jack said jokingly. "Could you get me a fork from the drawer?"

Kate opened the drawer and then handed Jack a fork. She watched with interest as Jack dipped the fork into the delicious looking pasta. Her mouth watered as she watched the fork sever off a piece of the pasta mixed with sauce, cheese and ground beef. She used to call herself more or less of a vegetarian, but since marrying Jack she had officially converted. He was too great of a cook, for her to be sitting around and feasting on salads, and soy bean products while Jack and Riley had steak.

"Try some," Jack placed his hand underneath Kate's chin and then brought the food closer to her mouth. "Wait a second," Jack blew on the food, "It's kind of hot,"

Kate laughed, "I'm not Riley,"

Jack blushed, "Okay, try it now,"

Kate took a bite of the baked ziti. She chewed on the food thoughtfully for a couple of seconds, and then her green eyes lit up. It was good. If only she could cook like Jack. Kate licked her lips. She shook her shoulders, and then gave him double thumbs up. "Now I want more,"

"So you like it?"

"It was delicious," Kate went around to the other side of Jack. She grabbed the fork out of his hand and then took another bite. "You better take this fork away from me before I finish all of this off,"

Jack took the fork, "I've been thinking about something," He reached for Kate's hand and took her towards the table. On the table sat two pictures that were obviously drawn by a child. "Riley gave me these when he met me at the door."

Kate accepted the pictures from Jack and looked them over. One of them was of a stick figure with a big head lying on what looked like a bed. "Is this supposed to be me?"

Jack grinned, "Oh not that one, I think Riley drew that while you were sleeping," He quickly brought the first picture to the side. "What do you think about this one?"

Kate looked over the picture of five stick figures. They all looked the same but there were names to separate them. Mommy, Daddy, Riley, Ant Claire…Kate smiled, "Ant Claire,"

Jack smiled, "Aunt Claire,"

"I know, it's cute," Kate placed down the picture, but Jack picked it back up. "Am I missing something?"

"Brother Aaron," Jack pointed out. He looked back at Kate hopefully and then rested the picture back down.

"Riley has always called Aaron his brother," Kate said with a smile.

Jack nodded. "I know," He rested his hands against the stone table and then leaned back against it. "What do you think about…" Jack's voice trailed off as Riley came into the kitchen with them.

"Is dinner almost ready?" He rubbed his stomach.

"Just one second, and it'll be done," Jack touched Kate's arm softly and then looked down at the picture once more. When she didn't seem to pick up on his desire for another child, he decided to let it go. Jack walked over to Riley and then picked him up. "Little man, want to help daddy finish cooking?"

Riley placed his hand on Jack's face, "Yes!"

"Yes!" Jack repeated as he walked over to the stove.

Kate smiled as she watched Jack with Riley. She knew why Jack was referring to Riley's picture. He wanted another child. Kate looked down at the floor as she smiled to herself. Her hand went to her stomach once again.

Jack glanced at her over his shoulder.

Kate looked up in time and then dropped her hand. She would wait to tell Jack tomorrow, on their anniversary. Kate bit her lip, because smiling was contagious right now. "I'll go set up the table outside,"

She walked towards the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of orange juice, and three cups from the cabinet. Riley liked his Spongebob cup so she made sure to grab that. Kate stepped outside afterwards. Her mouth dropped open in pleasant shock. The back yard was decorated with lights, the trees had yellow lights around them and the walkway was decorated with candles. They were all lit and leading towards the table. Kate placed her hand to her mouth as she looked at the table. A fresh vase of roses waited on a cream tablecloth along with two candles.

Kate paused for a second, and just looked. It was dark outside, but the candles lit up the night. She placed her hand against her cheek and then smiled again. Jack had worked eight hours, but he still had enough time to come home, cook dinner, and then do all of this. Kate grinned to herself like an idiot as she placed down the cups.

She turned around and watched as Jack and Riley came out of the house. Riley was holding his plate, while Jack had both of theirs. "Jack, how long did all of this take?"

"Not long at all," Jack sat down their plates and then helped Riley into his chair.

"Thanks dad,"

"You're welcome," Jack replied. He noticed that Kate was still standing up. Jack placed his hand on Kate's lower back and then held out the chair for her, "There you go,"

"Jack, you didn't have to do all of this,"

"Why not,"

"You worked all day,"

"So, that doesn't mean I don't have time for my family afterwards," Jack smiled to himself and then stroked Kate's cheek. "I was planning this all day so don't worry about it, and eight hours is nothing believe me."

Kate kissed Jack on the cheek.

"Mmm," He mumbled.

Kate stared deep into Jack's eyes. "I love you,"

"I love you too," Jack said. He kissed Kate on the lips quickly, and after she had sat down Jack went over to his seat.

Riley had already started eating. "This is good,"

"You like it?" Jack asked as he picked up his fork.

Riley nodded up and down. He had a little bit of sauce on his chin, so Kate reached for her napkin and wiped it off.

"Thank you," He said as he focused back on his dinner.

"You're welcome Ry," Kate said softly. She was so glad that he was feeling better, because now she felt like a weight had been taken off of her shoulders.

After they were finished eating Jack insisted on cleaning the table.

Riley wanted to run around outside for a little while, so Kate stayed outside with him. She watched as he ran, he fell a couple of times, but he got back up like a champ and continued his workout. Kate rested her hand against her cheek. It was hard to believe that Riley was going to have another brother or sister. Kate wanted a girl. She smiled to herself, but if they were having another boy then she wished that he would be just like Riley. Because he was such a good kid.

Jack joined them back outside after he had finished loading the dishwasher and straightening up the kitchen. "I took Riley to the store the other day and he saw this boat, it was on sale so I got it for him,"

"You get him everything he wants,"

"Well he deserves it Kate," Jack replied.

"I know he does, I'm surprised that he hasn't gotten spoiled yet." Kate teased.

"By the way I've talked to Claire already," Jack replied.

Kate's eyes widened. Claire wouldn't tell Jack about the baby would she? She looked at Jack curiously. "What do you mean you've talked to Claire already?"

"Tomorrow I'm going to be watching both Riley and Aaron while you and Claire go shopping."

"Shopping?"

Jack nodded, "For Atlanta tomorrow,"

Kate gasped, "Atlanta!"

"I've made some plans for our anniversary, but before all of that you and Claire are going to go shopping." Jack reached in his pocket for his wallet and then pulled out his credit card and two tickets. "Buy whatever you want, and these tickets are to the spa."

"Jack, what…"

"Tomorrow is our anniversary. You don't expect us to just sit at home do you? I want to take you out, and Claire's offered to watch Riley for the night tomorrow." Jack stood up. "We're going to a really nice restaurant so don't be afraid to pick up your first choice, money isn't an option all that matters is if you like it,"

"Money is an option,"

Jack shook his head as he clicked his tongue. "No, it's not. I want you to look beautiful tomorrow, even though I know it'll be effortless."

Kate jumped up and wrapped her arms around Jack's neck. He placed his hands around her waist and picked her up with ease. She held onto him tightly as they kissed. Jack let her back down on her feet a couple of seconds later.

"I have a present for you too," Kate whispered.

"You don't have to get me anything, all I want is you." Jack smiled back at Kate as he stroked her face. "I'm a simple guy,"

"And I'm a simple girl, I don't need jewelry, or fancy dresses."

"Too bad, I'm still going to get them for you. And you already gave me this speech." Jack chuckled.

Riley ran over to them. He held out his hands to Kate. She picked him up and balanced him on her hip. "You ready to go inside now?"

"Please," He said.

"I'll take care of out here," Jack replied.

"No let me," Kate offered.

Jack shook his head, "I got it Kate, you go on inside with Riley,"

"Atlanta?" Kate asked still in shock.

"Yeah, did you not want to go to Atlanta?"

"Of course I do," Kate's eyes lingered on Jack's for a while and then she disappeared inside.

Jack watched after her. He started to clean up, and then his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. It was Charlie. Jack answered, "Hey Charlie,"

"Hey Jack, is this a bad time?"

"No, Charlie its good, what's going on?"

"I haven't checked on Claire and Aaron in a while and…" There was a pause on the other line.

Jack wasn't sure what to say so he sat down.

"Claire could never know that I'm checking on her this way, I just want to make sure she is okay."

"She's doing good Charlie,"

"Thanks for looking after her for me Jack,"

"How are you doing?"

"Me…oh it doesn't really matter. I just wanted to check up on Claire and Aaron. I'm sure he's gotten big…well, I know you have to get back to Kate and Riley so I'm going to leave you. Thanks again, Jack."

"Charlie,"

"Yes,"

"Maybe you should call her,"

"I couldn't."

"Why not? You've been writing Claire letters for three years…"

"And what if she hangs up on me,"

"Charlie," Jack said with a sigh.

"In my head I still think that one day there could be hope for us. But if I call her now and she bloody hangs up on me, then I will know it's over, and I don't want to face that. Not now, I'd rather keep my hope Jack, I don't expect you to understand because you have Kate and Riley, but I've got nothing left but Claire…and I don't want to lose that."

Jack remained silent as he listed to Charlie.

"She's all I've got left,"

"Tell her that,"

"I've told her that for three years,"

"Call her Charlie," Jack suggested once more. He looked up at the moonlight and then turned around when he heard Kate and Riley laughing in the kitchen.

"I can't." Charlie said in a defeated tone. "Get back to your family Jack, I'm sorry for calling you,"

Before Jack could answer Charlie had hung up.