Tom knocked on the Kensington's door this time. No flowers in his hands. In fact, his hands were clenched into fists at his side. It would take all he had inside not to punch "Richie the jerk" as soon as he saw him.

Julie wouldn't like that, so he wouldn't, but he definitely wanted to. Plus there was the fact that the guy's dad was a powerful lawyer and he would jump at the chance to press charges.

A butler, of all things, opened the door. "Hi," Tom said.

"Yes? May I help you?"

"Tom Thornton. I want to see Richie."

"Richard is just inside. Please come in."

Tom walked in, trying not to be impressed by the twenty foot ceilings and expensive furnishings.

Tom waited in a sitting room all of five minutes. "Thornton, what are you doing here? Oh wait, let me guess. Julie. You can have her."

William showed up about a minute after Tom and was now listening outside the sitting room.

"Don't you care about her at all, Rich?"

"No. Never did, really."

"So getting her in bed didn't have anything to do with affection?"

Richie laughed and shook his head. "No affection involved. Just a bit of fun. Julie plays innocent but…."

"I don't really need to hear what you're about to say."

"Why are you here, Thornton?"

"I just wanted to let you know that by ignoring the fact that she's pregnant with your child, you're proving that you are a coward, plain and simple."

"You come to MY house and call me names? It's my choice what I decide to do, NOT YOURS! I am going to be a powerful lawyer, just like my father! A kid would not fit into that."

"Julie has a good heart and she is going to be a great mother to that baby. She and the baby are much better without you, Richard Kensington."

"Much better with you, you mean?"

"I'm her friend and I care. She needs that. I would never abandon her when she needs me."

"Like I said, you can have her."

Tom walked out of the room and directly into William, who was leaning against the wall. "Tom," William said, a small smile on his lips. "Well said."

"Thank you, sir. It took all I had not to punch his face."

"I know the feeling," William said with a wink.

….

A few moments later, William, after collecting his thoughts, walked into the sitting room.

"Richard Kensington."

Richie spun on his heels from where he was looking out the window. "William."

"Mr. Thatcher, to you. I'd like you to get your father for me. I need to speak to both of you."

"He's just in his office."

"I'd like you to get him. Now." He didn't yell, he used the tone that everyone knew meant he was serious and expected to be listened to.

Richie stared for a moment and then left the room. About two minutes later, he returned with his father, Paul.

"Will, good to see you!" Paul said, a smile on his face, shaking his hand.

"Paul."

"What's going on? Richie said you wanted to speak with me."

"Both of you. I'll let him tell you the reason that I'm here."

Panic showed on Richie's face as he paled and backed up. "I don't know what you mean."

"Tell him, or I will."

"Mr. Thatcher, I really don't think…"

"Yes, we know you have a problem with that."

"Hey! That's my son, William! You are in my home."

"Apologies. Go ahead, Richard."

Paul stared at his son, waiting. "Son? What's going on? Are you in some sort of trouble?"

"Um…"

"Spit it out. I'm guessing it has something to do with Julie. You took her to prom, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"Richard!"

"She's pregnant."

"WHAT?!" Paul boomed. "Its yours?"

"That's what she says anyway."

"Stupid move, son. I guess it's good you'll get a law degree. Kids are expensive."

"I'm not…I mean I don't want a kid. I told her that."

"You don't want a kid? Maybe you should use BIRTH CONTROL next time! Now, you are going to be paying for this kid for at least the next eighteen years. Better get a job now."

"I start school in a month."

"Yeah and you'll get a job and send half of everything you make to Julie."

"Half!"

"Oh yes. Half. And I'll keep tabs with William here and make sure she's receiving it. Get out of here."

Richie walked out of the room and slammed the door.

….

A few days later…

Julie smiled as the ultrasound tech moved the wand over her belly. Beth sat next to her, watching the screen.

A quick swoosh swoosh sound filled the room. "Is that the heartbeat?" Julie asked.

"Yes, it is. Sounds nice and strong," the tech said.

"Its so beautiful."

The tech pointed to the screen, showing her tiny peanut shaped thing and then pointing to the heart as it moved.

She took a few notes and printed out a picture for her to take. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Congratulations."

"Thanks."

"Make sure you stop out at the counter and schedule your next appointment for about the middle of October. You should be able to find out if the baby is a boy or girl then."

As she got dressed she was quiet. She couldn't believe this, of all things, was happening to her.

"Julie?"

"Yeah."

"You ok?"

"Yeah. Thanks for coming with me, Beth."

"Of course. I'm glad to do it."

"Now let's get going. I need to get to Yost's."

Julie was grateful that she was still covered under her parent's insurance. There was no way she could afford the doctor bills on a cashier's wages. She was saving every cent possible for anything she might need though.

….

Julie worked through the afternoon. About ten minutes before her shift ended, Tom came through her line. "Hey, Julie."

"Hi, Tom."

"How was your appointment?"

"Good. I heard the heartbeat," she said with a smile.

"That's great."

"I have a sonogram picture. I can show you sometime."

"I'd like that. When are you off?"

"About five minutes."

"Wanna go get some dinner with me?"

"Oh, well…"

"Just at the Chinese place. My treat."

"Sure. I'd like that." There was no reason to say no. He was her friend and she was so appreciative of that.

"Great. I'll be out in the truck."

About twenty minutes later, she walked out and got in his truck. Her stomach let out a huge growl, making them both laugh.

"Uh oh. I better get you to some food, I guess."

"Yeah. Now that I'm past the morning sickness, I'm hungry all the time."

"That's good, right? I mean you're eating for two."

"Right." She stayed quiet for a few minutes and then looked at his profile as he drove. "Thank you, Tom."

"For what?"

"Being my friend. I could really use one right now. My girlfriends from high school kind of decided they were done once I told them I was pregnant. So I don't have a lot right now." He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.

"I won't abandon you. I'll always be here." He let go of her hand and pulled into the parking lot of China Buffet.

"Oh, I love this place!"

He walked around and opened her door for her and then instead of grabbing her hand, which he really wanted to do, he shoved his hands in his pockets, taking them out to open the restaurant door for her.

They sat down a few minutes later, each with a plate of food, and chatted about what they each wanted to study in college. Julie was going to get a degree in Pharmacy technology. She had always been good at math and science so it made sense.

"What are you going to do, Tom?"

"Web design with a goal of owning my own company one day."

"That's great." She took another bite of her dinner. "My dad mentioned he saw you at the Kensington's. I didn't know that you and Richie were friends."

"Oh, we aren't."

"Tom, what did you do?"

"Not a lot. I definitely didn't punch him even though that's exactly what I wanted to do."

"Tom."

"Julie, I just let him know that I'm going to be there for you."

"You don't need to talk to him. He doesn't need to know anything about me anymore, ok?"

"Got it."

"Thank you for everything you're doing. I really appreciate it."

"Of course."

…..

END OF SEPTEMBER, FAMILY DAY

Beth smoothed her dress as she got out of her parents SUV. She was nervous, of all things. It had been fourteen weeks since she had been in the same room as him. Since she felt his kisses and held his hand.

"Beth? Are you ready?" Grace asked.

"Yes, coming. Do I look ok?"

"You look beautiful. He won't know what hit him."

She had chosen a black floral sundress with spaghetti straps and strappy sandals for the occasion. Not to mention, she had cut her hair to shoulder length and started straightening it. "Thanks, Mom."

They found Charlotte and Tom Sr. just inside the door. They were ushered to a row of seats. Beth let her breath out, trying to calm her nerves. After about ten minutes, the group of about fifty recruits were marched in. It was quite a sight to see. All were dressed, even the women, in pressed black pants, crisp, white button down shirts and black ties. All were standing the same, straight and tall. She stretched to see if she could catch a glimpse of him.

"He's in front, third from the right," William whispered in her ear.

She nodded and snapped a picture. He looked so great. So strong and important. She smiled and listened as an officer in charge welcomed friends and family to the complex. He mentioned a tour and meals being served but also that dinner could be taken off campus as long as recruits were back by curfew.

"Recruits!"

They answered back, "Sir, yes, sir!" in unison, loudly.

"You are hereby ordered to enjoy yourselves. Hug and kiss your family. And congratulations! You've made it halfway through training. Dismissed!"

Beth's heart leaped in her chest at the thought that he was so close to her. They watched the mass of people moving toward the recruits. There was very little chance they'd find him now. They needed to wait….

"Hey, beautiful," she heard in her ear. She spun around and flew into his arms.

"Hey yourself," she mumbled against his perfect lips. Remembering their parents were watching, she forced herself to stop kissing him and just held on to him. "I missed you."

He held her close, taking in everything. The softness of her skin, the smell of her lotion. "You cut your hair." He tucked her beautiful dark brown, now straight, hair behind her ears and smiled. "You look so good." He leaned down and kissed her again.

"So do you." He looked beyond good.

"Anyone want to share their fiancé with the rest of us?" Tom joked, breaking into their moment.

"Sorry," she said quietly, her cheeks reddening. She really didn't want to share him with anyone. She wanted time with just him. Maybe they could sneak off later.

After hugs from everyone, Jack took her hand and led the group outside for a tour. He showed them the outdoor area where they role played and did their martial arts training.

"Do you do that?" she asked, surprised.

"Yeah. It's not required but a lot of it would help in certain situations that I might find myself in."

She squeezed his hand and leaned against his strong, hard bicep with her cheek. He was definitely in shape.

"This is where our classrooms are," he pointed to the large brick building. "The majority of most days are spent in there."

"What things do you study?" Grace asked.

"Law, psychology, first aid, firearms training, among other things."

It scared her to think of him having to fire a gun to protect himself or stop a criminal. He felt her tense up against him. He let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist. He kissed her temple and continued.

"These are our dorms."

His room had two sets of bunks, a dresser, and a mirror, with a bathroom off to one side and a closet. It was plain but it served its purpose.

"I sleep here," he told them, pointing to the expertly made lower bunk by the door.

"That wall looks familiar," she said with a laugh, pointing at the wall he leaned against when skyping her.

"Yep, this is where I talk to you."

It hit her again that she actually standing with him, not just talking on the phone. She was actually touching him. It was wonderful. She kissed his cheek and whispered, "Can we take a walk alone?"

"Yeah, in a bit."

In fact, as soon as their parents were seated in the outdoor eating area, they walked onto the tree-lined path behind the complex.

As soon as they were completely alone, he turned and wrapped her in his arms, his face gently buried in her neck and hair.

Her tears of relief escaped her eyes as they held each other in the peaceful surroundings. "It feels so good to hold you," he told her.

She looked up into his eyes and nodded. "I can't believe you are actually standing here with me. It feels like it's been forever."

"Yeah." He kissed her and then led her down the path toward a stream. "How's your junior year going?"

"Good. I'm really looking forward to next semester. I will actually get to be in a classroom, observing. It's so exciting."

"Kind of like a student teacher?"

"Yeah, but mostly just watching and trying to figure out what I want to do. What things I want to implement in my own room."

"How's Julie?"

"Good. Two more weeks and we find out if it's a boy or girl."

"Wow. I can't believe it."

"Time is going fast."

"Sometimes, it feels like I'll never get through this," Jack said quietly. "But, you give me strength, babe. Knowing I will talk to you every Saturday and that in just a couple more months I'll be done and we will finally be married…it helps so much."

"Is it awful here?"

"No, not really. It's just not easy. Not that I thought it would be. But I wouldn't have envisioned this."

"So, once you graduate, what happens?"

"We get married and head off to Vermont for our amazing honeymoon," he answered with a smirk.

"I mean after. With all this."

"For a year, I will do field training. Basically, I'm a rookie at that point, so I ride along with a seasoned officer."

"Ok."

"I'm kind of on call for a year. I don't really get a say in my schedule. In fact I'll probably be working a lot of weekends and odd shifts, maybe twelve hours at a time. It's not going to be easy, Beth."

She stopped walking and stepped into his space, tucking her forehead against his neck and holding on. "But, we will be together. That's what matters."