After Ciara let me know that Claire was alone in the living room, I set myself up in the office that is used to view all of the security monitors. I listened to the feed from the living room until Claire went to her room, while Ciara and I texted back forth. Once Claire went to her room it was only a half-hour before I heard her snoring and then turned in for bed myself. I wonder if it's a Brady trait to snore because Ciara does it too. When Ciara snores it's almost like she's humming in her sleep and it's kind of relaxing.

Ciara was all excited about showing me the baby stuff that she wants to get, and I regret teasing her that this was going to cost me a lot of money. I would get her everything that she plans on showing me, but I already know I won't be able to afford that. I can't even afford the engagement ring that I want to get for her. Working for Stefan has helped immensely, but I still have a long way to go before I will feel like I have enough in savings to feel financially secure.

While I lay in bed my mind is racing about how I am going to provide for Ciara and the family we create. I have trouble falling asleep because Ciara is not beside me. I always sleep better when she is near me. Partly because her presence and constant love calm me but also because then I know where she is and that I will be able to keep her safe.

I feel like a nervous wreck right now, and it's times like these that I wish I had a father that I could talk to who was an actual decent human being. Instead, I have Clyde Weston as my example. At least I know what not to do; every horrible thing that he did to my mother, to Jordan, and to me. I will care for and watch out for Ciara and our baby and if we are lucky, we'll be blessed with a house full of babies that we can love.

I take a couple of deep breaths to even out my breathing and to release some of the tension in my body. I close my eyes and fall asleep.

The Next Morning

When I awake, I first check my phone for the time. 6 am. Ciara probably isn't up yet because she is working a late morning shift, but I want her to wake up to a message from me to let her know that I have been thinking about her and the baby. For some reason, I get the feeling that we are having a little girl. I can picture her now and she is a carbon copy of Ciara but with my dark eyes. She is a spitfire, and she's beautiful, just like her mother. Which means that I will probably have to lock her up until she's 30 or put the fear of God into some guy who isn't nearly good enough for my little girl. I'm sure that whether we have a boy or girl this kid is going to have me wrapped around their little finger.

Ben: Good morning, beautiful. How are my girls?

I eat a bowl of cereal and just as I'm about to change into some running clothes, my phone dings.

Ciara: Good morning handsome. What do you mean girls?

Ben: Obviously, I'm not sure, but I think we are going to have a girl. So, you're my girls.

Ciara: Ahh…well, we are fine. I can't wait to see you after work today.

Ben: Me either. How's the morning sickness?

Ciara: Well it's too early to judge for today but yesterday I managed to not have to hug any porcelain. I had LOTS of peanut butter for dinner and I'm craving it again.

Ben: Peanut butter. I'll make sure I have some here waiting for you.

Ciara: Thank you Benny Boo. You take such good care of me.

Ben: You know I hate it when you call me that.

Ciara: You love it and you know it, you liar.

She's right. I do kinda like it, but I will never admit it to her.

Ben: Well I have to get going. I just wanted to say good morning and make sure that you were feeling well. I want to get a run in before I have to get to work.

Ciara: Run…yuck! What do you need to run for?

Ben: I wanna keep in shape for you babe.

Ciara: I think you could skip your run for the next 10 years and I would still have to beat other women off of you with a stick.

Ben: Ciara, I only have eyes for you. Don't doubt that for a second. Is there any particular time I should try to be listening in on Claire today?

Ciara: She's off from work today, so she'll probably be around for part of the day, but your guess is as good as mine. I'm getting hungry so I think I'm going to head down and get some breakfast.

Ben: Okay, Ci. I love you and tell little Packing Peanut I love her too.

Ciara: I love you too, and I'll do it right now. It's funny you think we're having a girl because I was thinking a boy.

Ben: I guess we'll have to wait and see. Don't overdo it today, okay.

Ciara: I won't. I have a chapter to read before I head off to work and then I'll see you in a couple of hours.

I worry that being pregnant, having to work, go to school, and keep our secret is going to take its toll on her. For her sake and that of the baby, I hope we can catch Claire soon. My hope is that monitoring her 24/7 she will slip up and I'll have the proof I need to be free of this fire bullshit once and for all.

I change into my running clothes and take a quick run around the estate. I then shower and head back to the security office to check and make sure that nothing happened Claire-wise overnight. Who knows, what she might do or say in her sleep that may be useful.

My plan is to monitor the bugs live as much as possible, which shouldn't be too difficult since I can listen in via the Bluetooth capability in the system with an earpiece. When I can't, I'll mentally make note of where I had to leave off and head to the office when I'm free again. From the home base of the system, I can see what content I can skip because of no speech being detected.

Stefan isn't back and said that we could stay in the mansion as long as he was away. I want to surprise her by having flowers in the room and have candles everywhere so that she knows how important she is to me. I want my queen to know that she is appreciated and loved. I check in with Herald to make sure that we have the different foods that Ciara specifically mentioned, including the peanut butter she said she was craving as well as fresh fruit and vegetables.

Ethan one of the men who's been on the security team for the last 18 months decided this afternoon that he was giving his two-week notice. I texted Stefan the news and asked if he wanted me to interview a new man on my own or if he wanted me to wait until he returned. Stefan gave me permission to start interviewing on my own. The confidence that I feel from him trusting me to do this is something that I am unfamiliar with but like. It's been a long time since I have felt secure about my place in this world. Having Ciara's love and support has been the most important factor in this happening followed by Stefan taking a chance on hiring me and even offering friendship which was unexpected. I guess that's what happens when you are both town pariahs.

I call the employment agency we work with to request candidates to interview. By the time I hear back from them that they will be sending over 3 potential candidates for me to interview tomorrow afternoon, it is pushing 4:30, and I know that Ciara will be on her way shortly. I input the codes for the keypads in the tunnel so that when she gets off from work, they will be ready to go.

Within the hour I will be able to hold her in my arms and see the picture of the baby she got while she was at the hospital. I can't put into words how excited I am to see the picture. I can't keep the smile off of my face. Ciara is having my baby. After everything that happened, I didn't think I would ever get this chance; to love a woman and have her return my love unconditionally and have her carrying my child.

When 5 o'clock rolls around I make sure that our room is set. I have a vase of gerbera daisies, roses, and tulips waiting for her in the room. I've put out and lit a few scented candles to set the mood and I have a tray of fruit waiting on the desk for us. I head down to the living room and wait for her to make her entrance.

When I go to lean against the wall by the bookcase, I actually hear the door on the other side at the bottom of the stairs slam shut. I can hear what I assume are her boots clicking up the stairs at a frenzied pace and then the bookcase begins to move away from the wall. I see her before she sees me, and I pull her out from the entrance and pin her against the wall. I look deeply into her eyes and I see them flare with a desire that matches my own and then I crush my lips against hers.