Chapter Seventeen

This update was written by Sharon.

"Do you have any regrets," Cristian asks, as he and Jessica pull up into the hospital parking lot.

"Not one," Jessica admits, as she admires the golden ring on her left hand. "But you know our mothers are going to kill us for eloping."

He kisses her softly on the lips as he wraps an arm around her shoulder. "I know…But maybe we can soften the blow and renew our vows once everything settles down and our baby comes into the world. With everything happening, I just did not want to wait. I wanted to make sure our child has a name."

"I love you Cristian Vega. Nothing is ever going to change that. Would you mind keeping this to ourselves for a little while? At least until after my father's funeral."

"I would do anything for you. Let's go see if your mother needs anything."

++++

Viki was sitting in the sun-room with Kelly, Joey and Renee when Jessica and Cristian arrived.

"I'm so sorry we're late," Jessica stated.

"There's nothing you could have done anyways, "Viki admitted sadly, as she rose to hug her daughter.

"I'm sorry mom. I know that despite everything, you still loved him," Jessica acknowledged.

"The man that I loved died when he started abusing my best friend."

Renee rose and put her arms around Viki. "It is okay to miss him you know? I do. Not the man who died here today but the man he was four years ago…before he lost his mind."

Viki returned her friends smile and admitted that she missed that man too.

"I'm really glad Grandpa Asa isn't here to see who dad turned into," Jessica admitted. "It would break his heart."

"Oh sweetheart," Renee cries and wraps her arms around her granddaughter. No words were needed then. What more could they possibly add to the moment? Asa would have been ashamed of Clint. As much as they missed him, they all knew he would not have survived watching his son hurt a woman he loved like a daughter. He would have died of a broken heart.

Larry walks into the sun-room just as Renee and Jessica are pulling away from the hug. Viki knows that look. It is the look of someone who is about to pull the rug out from under them.

"What now," Viki asks.

"I'm sorry. We have a problem," he admits.

++++

Rachel tried to sneak away but Robert caught her before she even had her feet out the window. He knew she was desperate to see her boyfriend and he understood that. There was a time when he was young and desperate too. Like Rachel, there was only person who ever made him that desperate.

"I'll take you to meet your boyfriend if you promise you won't try something like this again. Your mother cannot handle something bad happening to you."

"I'm sorry…I just…I need to tell him something very important. It can't wait."

"You're pregnant aren't you?"

Rachel looks at him shell shocked. She was not going to confirm his suspicions before she could talk to Kevin but she did wonder how a man who barely knew her could figure out her secret.

"I pay attention to things. That and…well Anna's pregnant again. I kind of figured it out before she could tell me. "

"Congratulations," she says. "Your fiancé seems like an incredible woman. She must be if she's so close to my mom."

"She could hang the moon as far as I'm concerned."

He pauses as he looks at her. "Anna is the best woman I know. She has lost so many children and suffered so much pain but somehow through all of that…and despite the fact that we are probably too old to be having children…"

"God had other plans," she says.

Robert was not a religious man really but even he had to admit that she was probably right. The amount of second chances they have received to get it right is just not possible without a little help.

"Let's go talk to your boyfriend then.

++++

"You have twenty minutes Rachel," Robert states. "That is all the time I can give you. It is far too dangerous out here this time of night."

"Thank you," she admits, and then takes his flashlight and walks quietly into the gazebo. Kevin embraces her immediately as his fingers skim through her long dark hair.

"I was so worried about you," Kevin admits, as he pulls her into a passionate kiss. She would give anything to be able to stay with him for a lifetime but right now, there is not time.

"Kevin we don't have time to waste. I came because I wanted to tell you that I am pregnant. You are going to be a father again Kevin Buchanan. "

"Oh Rachel," he cries. "You have just made me the happiest man in the world. Will you marry me?"

"When we have time for you to think of a real proposal, I will consider it," she quips.

"You are your mother's daughter," he admits.

"Damn right I am. Please Kevin. You have to be patient. It is not safe for us to be together right now. "

"Just tell me that you are taking care of yourself. I cannot lose another person I love."

"I'm sorry about your dad Kevin," she states, knowing that she cannot tell Kevin the truth. It destroys her having to lie to him but she would never forgive herself if she put her family in even more danger. "I love you…I promise you that I will take care of myself and our child…you just have to promise to do the same."

"I will," he agrees, as he buries his face in her hair and kisses it. "I love you so much Rachel."

"I love you too Kevin. I promise you that when it is safe, I will return to you. For now, I can only give you this. Be Safe Kevin. Know that we love you."

She kisses him once more with passion and Kevin whispers "You too, "as she walks away. It is only when she is gone that he realizes she gave him her first sonogram.

++++

Nora holds Anna's hair back as she throws up into the toilet. Bo just watches them in wonder. He has known Robert for longer than he can remember and even then, he was in love with Anna. Watching her with the woman he loves gives him hope that maybe someday they can have that.

"You and Robert are expecting a baby aren't you," Nora asks.

"Was it my glorious hacking that gave it away," Anna quips.

"I'm happy for you Anna. I know how much you have wanted another child. "

"I've lost so many children Nora; I'm almost afraid to hope."

"I know…But you deserve this. If anyone knows what it's like to find your way back to everything that matter's, it's me."

"You really love him don't you?"

"I always have."

"I know the feeling. "

"Thank you for risking so much for me Anna; I'm surprised Robert is letting you out of his sight."

"Oh trust me; he tries not to. Not that I mind."

Nora hugs Anna tightly and smiles. Anna looks up at her, tears in her eyes.

"I love you Nora. Will you be my baby's godmother?"

"I would be honored. And for the record, I love you too."

They walk back into the living room just as Robert and Rachel return. When Rachel retreats to her bedroom, it is just Bo, Nora, Anna and Robert sitting alone. "I asked Nora to be our baby's godmother," Anna admits.

"Then that means it's my turn," he says as he turns to Bo. "I've known you a long time Buchanan. I Trust you. Would you be my baby's godfather?"

"I would be honored," he states as he shakes Robert's hand. A few minutes pass before Bo clears his throat. Robert passes him the bag he picked up, on his outing.

"What's going on," Nora asks? Anna's face lights up. She saw this coming.

When Nora looks at Bo again, he is on one knee holding out a diamond engagement ring. Her eyes fill with tears.

"Nora Hanen, I love you. I have loved you for so long that I cannot even remember what it was like before you. We have been through some horrible things in the past but at the end of the day all that really matters is that you are the one who I want to wake up to in the morning and the one I want to fall asleep with at night. You already mean everything to me. Will you marry me again?"

"I will with all my heart," she says, as he slips the ring on her finger. She has tears in her eyes when she embraces him and they kiss.

"Not bad Buchanan," Robert teases as he shakes his hand.

"Let me see the ring," Anna gushes. A few minutes pass before Anna turns to Robert and smiles. "You know what would be perfect? If we had a double wedding. You and me, and our oldest friends. What could be better than that?"

"For you, I would do anything. What do you say…you want to get married on Valentine's Day with us?"