AN: Thanks so much for the feedback last chapter, it means a lot, this chapter is dedicated to you guys:)

Chapter 5- Red Roses and Lace, Part 2

"I have something for you too Jack," Kate said as tapped him on the shoulder.

Jack glanced behind him and smiled at his wife. "You have something else for me, besides the news about having another baby." He placed his hand to her cheek. "I'm on top of the world already and I couldn't ask for anything else."

"Well I didn't buy you anything if that's what you're referring to." Kate walked over to her purse and then pulled out a small photo album. "I put this together a couple of days ago,"

Jack accepted the album and then started to look through it. "Where did you find these pictures," He laughed to himself at a picture of him and Riley on a slide. "I could barely fit on that slide, but Riley wouldn't go on it unless I went with him."

Kate laughed at the memory. "Remember that little girl that asked her mom why you, 'the big tall man' was trying to fit on such a small slide."

Jack shook his head as he grinned, "Kids can be so mean,"

Kate wrapped her arm loosely around his neck as she sat back down on the bed. "And if you turn the page…" She placed her fingers along the edge of the album but she had to pause when she realized that Jack was still looking at the picture.

He rested his hand against his cheek. "Riley's grown so much since this picture,"

Kate nodded in thought, "Yeah out little boy is getting older,"

"And before you know it we'll be sending him off to college, and then he'll be getting married soon after."

Kate's mouth dropped open, "Hey Jack, he's still three, and I don't want to even think about college or marriage yet. He's still my baby." She smiled to herself and her cheeks flushed with warmth as Jack cast his hazel eyes on her.

"So when should we tell Ry about his new sibling?"

"I know you want to tell him as soon as we get home, isn't that right."

Jack nodded, "Riley and Aaron want another brother or sister."

Kate nodded, "I know," She flipped the page and then pointed to a picture of her days after being released from jail. "Back then I wanted to kill you for caring that camera around, I was looking rougher than rough but yet you still wanted to take pictures."

Jack massaged Kate's arm, "C'mon sweetheart, you still looked beautiful, jail didn't take away from your looks or from you."

Kate sighed, "I looked like a beast."

"Kate?"

"Well, I'm not going to argue with you now, but the only reason I have this picture in here is because I'm holding Riley, that's the first time I held him in a normal situation…normal being not on an island, or in jail. He was a happy baby, so it was easy to settle into a normal life with him, and you…" Kate flipped the page and then giggled at the sight of Jack in an apron that read, Jack Austen-Shephard. "You looked so hot in that apron. We need to find it so you can cook in it more often. What were you cooking me? Do you even remember?"

"Blueberry muffins," Jack admitted.

Kate hit him on the shoulder, "Right, the chef of the house, when we get back home you have to share some of your recipes with me so I can learn how to cook…which brings me to the next picture." Kate flipped the page once again to reveal a picture of her with a guilty expression and a burned wall behind her. "Mac and Cheese is supposed to be an easy meal, but somehow I still nearly managed to burn down the house."

Jack grinned, "Beautiful but yet deadly."

Kate rested her head on his shoulder and gave him goo-goo eyes. "You know it."

He wrapped his arm around Kate's lower waist and pulled her closer. "I still don't know how you managed to burn the noodles."

"Well I was a little distracted by Passions," Kate admitted.

Jack laughed out loud in surprise, "Kate, What were you doing watching that show?"

Kate bit her lip in playful irritation as she watched Jack's face turn a bright shade of red. "I can defend myself with a reasonable excuse."

"Passions? I don't think so." He snorted.

Kate squeezed Jack's hand. "I was off of work, and Riley was asleep so I just happened to flip the channel and I saw crazy stuff happening on this soap opera, like people flying in the air, talking babies, and demons in the basement, and let's just say I could relate after our experience on that island."

"Oh Kate…" Jack sighed.

"I was amused." Kate added with a nod. "We all have our guilty pleasures, and I guess that's one of mine. What's your guilty pleasure Jack, something I don't know about."

"Well it's not Passions."

Kate placed her hand to her face, "Let's move on from that."

Jack smiled, "Guilty pleasure…umm, I can't think of anything that doesn't involve you."

Kate squeezed his cheeks like a child, "Isn't that cute,"

He looked down as he blushed, "You found the best pictures to put in this album, thanks Kate,"

"It's nothing compared to what you've done for me tonight. It's just a little sentiment of my love; because I admire you for all that you've done for me and Riley. You're a world class father…"

Jack grinned, "World class,"

Kate clamped her hand over his mouth. "The spotlight's on me now so that means it's my turn to speak. And I was searching for a better to word to describe your skills as a father, but nothing is coming to mind."

Jack's eyes drifted to Kate's stomach and then he placed his hand there.

Kate beamed back at him as she positioned her hands over his. "These last couple of years have been like a fairytale, I feel like I'm in this perfect dream that's just going to disappear whenever I open my eyes and realize that it's not real…"

"But it is,"

"I know," Kate gushed. She entwined her hands between Jack's as she looked back at him. "It's just my life is so dramatically different from what it used to be. Every now and then I have to catch myself from feeling as if I have to run somewhere because I'm so used to it, but then I see you and Ry, and then I realize that I'm happy, and there's no need to run." She tilted his head up towards his. "How is it possible that you can be this sexy, and still be such a good man?"

"I couldn't possibly do it on my own, it helps that you're my wife." Jack teased.

Kate kissed the edge of his nose. "But seriously, I am very lucky to be married to you, and women tell me that all the time."

"I'm the lucky one," Jack corrected as he trailed his hands through Kate's tasseled locks. "If you need anything at all then let me know, because now that we are off of the island I'm able to run to the grocery store at four in the morning.." Jack said

"I need you," Kate whispered seductively in a low voice.

Jack grinned as Kate kissed his cheek and then trailed her soft lips down his neck. "I want you too, but are you hungry, or do you need a massage or…"

"The strange cravings haven't kicked in yet, so for now you're safe from having to head out at four for olives and potato chips." Kate rolled her head backwards as Jack placed his hand against her stomach. "What's going to happen when he…she actually starts kicking."

Jack brought the side of his face to Kate's stomach, "This, you're going to have to push me away."

Kate giggled, "And you're going to bring me to work just so you can do that?"

"I would bring you to work if I could, baby or not." Jack said with an easy smile causing his eyes to crinkle at the corners. He placed his hands on Kate's sides and then gently eased her onto her back. "Do you know how many of my colleagues are envious of the fact that I'm married to you?"

Kate shook her head, "No, but I hope it's not Cameron because he has a great wife in Monique,"

Jack shook his head, "Nah, but excluding him most of the men I work with tell me how beautiful you are."

Kate blushed, "They tell you that? When do they find the time for that kind of talk when there are so many surgeries going on."

"Well, remember when you came to visit me at work a couple of weeks ago with lunch, because I had left my wallet at home."

Kate tsked as she ran her hand over Jack's short brown hair, "Of course I remember that day because I was really hungry and I stole a couple of chicken strips from the caesar salad I picked up for you."

Jack smiled at Kate, "My colleagues made some comments about how sexy you were and I had to put my foot down."

"What did you tell them Dr. Shephard?" Kate cooed cutely as she stroked Jack's chin.

"I told them you were my wife, and then they backed off." Jack nodded in obvious approval.

Kate laughed, "I hope you didn't tell them that I was an ex-fugitive because that sure would've chased them away."

"It didn't chase me away," Jack murmured as he kissed Kate's cheek. "Thanks for the photo album I have a special place for it already,"

"Where is that?" Kate asked.

Jack smiled, "I'm going to put it in the guest room which I'm going to turn into a nursery for our new baby." He sat up but Kate placed her hands on his bare shoulders bringing him back down onto her. He breathed heavily as his stomach rose slowly against her own. "I have to think of a new theme. Riley's is under the sea and…"

"Every bit the doting father," Kate beamed.

Jack nodded, "When our son or daughter comes into this world I want to make sure that their room is ready…hey, I have an idea, since I decided the theme of Riley's room, how about you choose something…anything you like Kate."

"So if I said I wanted the guest room to be fixed up with all kinds of cupcakes would you do it…wallpaper with cupcake print, curtains with the same style, and maybe even a cupcake shaped lamp if they exist…maybe at Ikea, you can get anything there."

"Well if you told me that, I would say that you're hungry." Jack kissed Kate's lips. She placed her hand behind his head keeping his lips against hers for a while longer. "Are you?"

"Yes," She admitted.

"Well I'm going to find you some cupcakes," Jack parted his lips from Kate's for a couple of seconds in order to reach for a piece of paper on the press. "They have room service here,"

Kate took the paper from Jack's hands and then tossed into the air. "It's just…" Kate wrapped her hands around Jack's wrist and examined his watch. "9:30, how about we see if there are any bakery's around?"

"You sure, we could just check with room service first."

Kate cupped his chin tightly "I want to go on an adventure, even if it's just to get one cupcake…or how I'm feeling right now, possibly three."

"Fine, we'll go on an adventure," Jack wrapped his arms around Kate as he stood up. "Let's go find some cupcakes."

Kate laughed as she tried to get him to put her down. Her hair covered his face, and one of her legs were wrapped around him, while the other hung downwards. "We can't go out like this!"

"We can,"

"In your boxers!"

"Sure," Jack grinned.

"The women will be looking…at you, and I'm sorry but I can't allow that." Kate managed to get out of Jack's arms and she pushed him away. "And I was certainly not going to frolic around in this lingerie gown."

"Frolic…what am I going to do with you today Kate. First Passions and now frolicking."

Kate twisted his arm behind his back and brought him towards her, "Let that go! And I'm giving you another baby so I should have a day when I can say anything I want without feeling ridiculous,"

"I'm just kidding. You can always say whatever you want."

"Of course because you're so perfect."

Jack glanced at Kate because back in the day when they had been further apart she had used that against him, in order to keep him away.

"And I mean that in the best way possible," Kate stood on her tippee toes to kiss his cheek. "Now get dressed Shephard, We have to hunt down some cupcakes!"

Charlie stepped into the L.A. coffee shop and quickly grabbed a booth alone by the window. He placed his guitar down across from him and then rested his hand against his cheek. The last couple of days he had seriously thought about calling Claire, because he knew that he couldn't do this forever. He clenched his jaw at the thought of Claire, she had the most beautiful blue eyes he had seen in his life, and her smile was like the sunshine, radiant and deserving of attention. Claire captivated him in every way imaginable and he just wanted to be part of her life again. He reached in his pocket for his cell. He was going to call Claire.

Charlie exhaled as he flipped open the phone. He nervously dialed in Claire's number, and then he paused. Charlie brought a shaking hand to his mouth. He was really pathetic…so pathetic in fact that he despised it. He was in love with Claire, but normal people didn't fall in love the way he did. When he cared about someone he put them first and allowed his love to cloud his judgments, which almost always caused him to crash. Charlie closed the phone as he thought about his brother Liam. A couple of years ago after getting cleaned up; Charlie had discovered that his brother was more interested in fixing his relationship with his 'new family' than his own brother, and that hurt. Charlie tried to understand why Liam would do that to him because they were close or at least that's what he thought.

Charlie closed his eyes as he allowed his mind to segue back to Claire. Claire deserved to ride him off however, because he had been a bloody idiot. Since he cared about her so much, he should've told her about his addiction from the beginning. Secrets always came out, and the sad thing was that he knew that, but he figured that he could keep Claire from the truth. Charlie bit his lip as he watched a couple of people stroll past outside without a care in the world.

He wanted to be like them, normal and in the company of the people he loved, but Charlie knew that he hadn't had normalcy for a while and that was unlikely to change. Charlie sullenly focused on the dented plastic table in front of him. His life would be perfect if Claire and Aaron were a part of it.

"Hi I'm your waitress Mary, can I start you off with anything."

"A coffee, dark roast, and a doughnut," Charlie replied without a hint of emotion. It wasn't that he was trying to be rude, but he was just so drained emotionally and physically. Charlie knew that his outside appearance gave him away, with his hair disheveled, and shabby beard, he only looked a quarter of the person Claire used to know on the island. And he suspected that if Claire saw him now she would run the other way.

"Pace right?"

Charlie looked up at the waitress in surprise. People had stopped recognizing him a while ago. After the rescue he experienced the celebrity status equivalent to that of a reality t.v. star.. "Yeah…hi,"

"You're my favorite out of the bunch,"

Charlie bit the inside of his cheek. Before crashing on the island he would've loved the kind of spotlight the waitress was giving him now, because he was a musician, and up and coming star…he even had plans on turning his band Driveshaft into the next Beatles. But all those dreams were lost to him now, and he was just trying to live a normal life, the best way he could. "Thanks,"

"Didn't you date the um…she had a baby."

"There were a couple of women with babies." Charlie said softly. Usually he would make a joke about the lack of protection on the island, but jokes just weren't in his system anymore. He was a step away from seeing a psychologist these days, because confession hadn't helped him that much lately.

"The pretty blonde, with the spectacular eyes, she was petite."

"Claire," Charlie answered. Even to say her name took a great deal of effort.

"Are you not with her anymore…"

"I'm sorry but my life isn't a tabloid. We were real people on that island not characters."

The waitress looked down. "I'm really sorry about that."

Charlie shook his head, "Don't be," He watched as the waitress walked away and then he looked back at his cell. Charlie had always feared failure, because a part of him never felt as if he was good enough for anything…at least until Claire came along. His insecurity had led him to his sodding addiction to heroin, and now Claire…but the addiction he had for her was deeper than a quick fix. She made him feel like someone special, and Claire had been the only one to save him from himself, because if the plane hadn't crashed and he never met her then he knew he would be dead.

"Those were the best cupcakes I've ever had in my life," Kate sighed as she sat back in her chair. About ten minutes ago they had stepped out of Gerald's Bakery with six cupcakes, and now there were only two remaining between them.

Kate dipped her finger into a swirl of vanilla frosting on Jack's cupcake and then brought it to her mouth. "Now that's good." She ushered Jack to finish the rest so they could head back to the hotel. "I'm starting to get a little tired now, and I was thinking that I'd take you up on that massage before I go to sleep,"

Jack opened the cupcake box and placed his cupcake inside. "I'll finish that later, but right now I'm going to take care of you." He stood up and then reached for Kate's hand. "Let's get you ready for bed."

Kate giggled, "Get me ready for bed,"

"Yeah, you need a bath, a massage, and last but not least to be tucked in."

"What am I four?"

Jack kissed Kate's neck and then pulled away. "Have you checked out the tub in the bathroom, it's more like a hot tub than anything."

Kate's lips curled into a smile, "A hot tub,"

Jack scooted Kate's chair back so he could help her up. "Yeah, and we definitely have to take advantage of that before we leave tomorrow morning."

"Yes we do," Kate linked her arms in Jack's and leaned against him as they walked back towards their hotel. A small raindrop fell onto Kate's cheek. She glanced up towards the heavens. "It's going to rain,"

As if she controlled the weather, a torrent of rain fell onto the sidewalk, pounding against the cement, and drenching both Jack and Kate in seconds.

Kate's mouth dropped open in shock because the rain was cold. "Run!"

They made a mad dash back towards the Westin Peachtree Plaza. Lightning streaked the sky up above, and the rain showed no signs of letting up. Jack reached for Kate's hand as he started to pick up the pace. She had no trouble keeping up with him, and a couple of seconds later they entered the lobby drenched and eager to get out of their damp clothes.

Kate shivered as she walked towards the elevator. Droplets of rain fell down her cheeks and her hair now hung in damp curls. She exhaled and closed her eyes as the AC in the waiting area started to seep her underneath her skin. Jack wrapped an arm around her protectively and massaged her shoulders causing a warm friction to replace the coldness.

As they waited Jack pulled Kate closer and she wrapped her arms around him as they waited for the elevator.

"You know what I was thinking about while we were eating those cupcakes."

"The baby," Kate said with a smile as she brought her head upwards to look into Jack's eyes.

The elevator opened and they both stepped in.

"How did you know?"

"Because you've been practically bouncing off the walls since I've told you,"

"I was thinking about names,"

"Jack!" Kate laughed.

"I know, I know,"

Kate bit her lip in order to conceal her smile, "What am I going to do with you, we don't even know if it's a boy or girl yet,"

"I know,"

Kate pinched him, "Well I have an idea. How about after our bath, massage…blah, blah, blah…we make a baby book, with suggestions for names, boy and girl, and possible themes for the guest room."

"I like that idea, but I am curious about one thing."

"And what's that?" Kate asked as the elevator opened.

"Well," Jack raised his eyebrows up and down at Kate seductively. "What does the blah, blah, blah, part entail?"

"You know,"

Jack shook his head stubbornly, "No Kate, I don't know,"

"Stop being such a naughty doctor," Kate teased as she snatched the keys to their room from Jack's hand. "You know what I mean Shephard, if we're not to tired after all of the activities we have planned for tonight then we could you know,"

"Sex," He said with a devilish smile.

"Sure, whatever," Kate opened the door and then reached for his wet shirt. "Get in here now so we can get all cleaned up."

Jack loved when Kate was aggressive with him which she had a tendency to be at times. "Hold on one second Xena,"

Kate laughed, "God, you sound like Sawyer,"

Jack smiled, "I know, but I was only kidding."

"How about you strip, while I go arrange the bathroom."

"Arrange?"

Kate nodded as she passed Jack an innocent look. "I've got to set the mood and make it romantic…because that's how I'm feeling right now." Kate flipped off the light switch and bathed the room in complete darkness. Their room was now only dimly lit by the adjoining sky scrapers towering close by. "Now it feels like we're flying."

Jack turned around to look outside. Yellow lights flickered inside bathing the room in a subtle golden light, which was mixed in with a silvery halo beaming down from the moon. He then glanced back at Kate who was already making her way towards the bathroom. "Are you going to call me when you're finished?"

"No, I'm going to sneak out unannounced, tackle you, and then drag you by your feet into the bathroom," Kate teased.

Jack smiled. "Really, because that doesn't sound half bad."

He heard Kate's laughter as she closed the bathroom door behind her.

About ten minutes later that bathroom door opened back up and Kate stepped outside with a towel wrapped around her waist and her hair up in a high bun.

"I'm ready for you Jack, don't keep me waiting."

Jack walked towards the bathroom not sure what to expect. From where he stood he could see golden lights bouncing off the walls, and then he stepped inside. He was impressed with the sight in front of him. The spacious bathroom was covered with vanilla tea lights on the sparkling white tiles, and rose petals surrounded every candle.

"Kate," Jack said with his mouth agape.

Kate dropped her towel.

Jack felt his mouth grow dry and he suddenly forgot whatever else he was going to say. He watched as she walked towards the tub which was completely filled with bubbles.

"I hope like jasmine," Kate replied as she held up the box of soap bubbles and then shook it in the air. She then placed it down by the side of the 'tub' and signaled for Jack to join her. "What are you waiting for stud…the bath to get cold, or for me to be leave?"

"No, because I don't take baths unless I have reason to as in like right now." He walked over to Kate watching as the tea light highlighted the shadows around her face, and the warm glow of her skin. He stepped one foot into the bath first testing the water, but Kate pulled him in..

He laughed as he fell into the water. "Now this is a big tub,"

"Big enough for three, but in our case only room for two." Kate said softly. "Try some dessert."

"Dessert, what kind of dessert," Jack asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Kate placed her hand to her mouth as she tried to contain her laughter. "I have fruit here," She gestured towards a tray of strawberries, mangos, and pineapples which rested on a stand in reaching distance.

"Mangos," Jack said.

"No fun," Kate reached for a strawberry instead and dipped it inside a small vat of chocolate. "Open up,"

Jack did as he was told and Kate lowered the chocolate covered strawberry into his mouth. A little bit of chocolate dribbled down his chin, and Kate teasingly licked it off and then kissed him.

"That's was good," He commented.

"There's more where that came from, but you can have some more later." Kate scoped up some of the bubbles in her hands and then placed it on Jack's head. "Aww, that's cute,"

Jack made a face as he shook the pile of bubbles off of his head. He reached for Kate's clip and took her hair down causing it to descend down her shoulders. She ran her hands through her unruly locks detangling them and then flipped her hair onto her back. "Let me help you," Jack said as he reached for the shampoo.

"You're going to wash my hair for me?" Kate asked.

Jack nodded as he brought his nose to inhale the sweet scent of her hair. "Do you trust me," He joked.

"Well you are a spinal surgeon, so I think I can trust you with my hair." Kate turned her back towards him and then Jack got closer. "I had a lot of fun today," She said as she looked towards the candles.

"Me too," Jack squirted a quarter size of the shampoo into his hands and then worked the lather into Kate's hair. She tilted her head back and a smile creased her face as Jack massaged her scalp. "I don't know that many husbands that wash their wives hair for them."

Jack trailed his hands between Kate's damp ringlets and then dipped his hands in the water so he could rinse out the shampoo. "I don't either, but who cares."

Kate relaxed against Jack's chest and then breathed in the soothing aroma from the bubbles. "I could fall asleep right here, just like this."

Jack watched as Kate held up her hands from the water to examine her wedding ring. He placed his hand over hers. "I had just planned on today being about you, but somehow you managed to turn the tables on me, by making me the happiest man in this world. I am so thankful that you're part of my life, and I know I said it already…but the way you make me feel, and how happy I am now wouldn't exist without you. You complete me Kate,"

Kate blinked away her tears, "You're just trying to make me cry." She playfully hit him and then turned around to look at him. "Today was just perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better anniversary."

Jack placed his hand underneath Kate's chin. "Now I have to start planning for next year."

Claire watched Riley as he slept in worry. He had trouble falling asleep, and it took him a while to finally get comfortable. Claire sighed as she placed her hand on his shoulder. He was a beautiful child, but yet small and vulnerable. Her eyebrows knitted low over her eyes as she watched his chest rise up and down slowly. She thought he was having a little trouble breathing earlier, so she had placed her ear to his nose to see if he was struggling to fill his lungs with air, but he seemed to be doing all right. Claire swallowed down a lump in her throat as she stared at the dark circles underneath Riley's eyes once again. She didn't want to suggest that Jack and Kate take him to the doctor, because she didn't want to intrude, and Jack was a doctor, but Claire suspected that Riley hadn't been this sick until tonight.

He moaned quietly.

Claire jerked her head towards him in fear but tears of relief slid down her cheek when she noticed that his eyes were still closed. She looked away sadly. Claire wanted to believe that Riley did just have the flu or a cold, but he had been sick off and on for a while now, and nothing really seemed to be helping him. Claire watched as Aaron came into the room. He had a toy truck in his hand and he sat down on the floor.

Claire couldn't help but to notice his saddened expression. "What's to matter Aaron,"

"Buster misses his friend," Aaron replied replied.

Claire blinked in confusion as she passed her son an encouraging smile, "Buster, who is that?"

Aaron held up his toy truck, and then gloomily started to drive the truck around in circles.

"Oh, I could be Buster's friend," Claire glanced at Riley one last time and then moved towards Aaron's toys which were tucked away in the closet. She grabbed a toy model BMW and then sat on the floor next to Aaron indian style. "Meet Buster's new friend um…Wheelie girl is here,"

"No mommy," Aaron sighed.

Claire looked back at her son a little surprised. "Okay, well I guess mommy's not cool enough to play cars,"

"Riley's car, Jack, was Buster's friend." Aaron pouted as he looked at his mom and then at Riley. "Does he not like me anymore?"

"No honey!" Claire exclaimed as she cupped her son's cheeks. "He's just tired."

"He's always tired." Aaron said with sad eyes. "I want my brother back."

Claire closed her eyes as she listened to Aaron, he was just four so he couldn't understand that Riley wasn't feeling that well. "Hey, I have an idea how about we head back into the kitchen and I get you some more cookies, how does that sound."

Aaron slowly nodded his head up and down.

"Come on Aaron," Claire said standing up, she reached for his hand but he hesitated for a while and just watched Riley. "Aaron, do you want some cookies?"

"Does Riley want any," Aaron asked innocently.

Claire was at a loss for words. "Yes, we can get Riley some cookies as well, but let's hurry up before they get cold."

"He's really pale mommy."

Claire took in a deep breath as she felt her heart wrench. She wanted to call Jack and Kate, but then again she didn't want to bother them, even though Claire thought Riley needed to see a doctor just in case he was coming down with something more serious than the flu. Claire squeezed Aaron's hand a little tighter. "I need to watch Ry, so we have to get your cookies now sweetheart, so we can come back and check on him."