So, I guess the last chapter wasn't very good because the reviews were rather sparse. So I guess you all want some real drama. Well, here goes. I hope I hear from you.

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS

WE STAYED AT THE CAVERNS until after my birthday. Ian and I worked hard on our relationship. His jealousy was easier to control simply because Nate wasn't there. He never made an issue of the watch and I wore it every day unless I was working in the garden. When I went on trips to get food or other supplies Ian always told me to say 'Hi' to Nate for him because he knew I would be calling him. Tom and Maggie decided to stay at the mountain because the accommodations suited them better. They set up permanent residence in the bunkhouse. They enjoyed the company of Maria and Max and Miranda. Kyle and Ian missed them terribly and sometimes they would take a phone and run out to the garage to talk to them.

I spent as much time with Jesse as I could. He was such a good baby. We proclaimed Friday nights, 'date night' for Mel and Jared. Ian and I took Jesse overnight so they could be alone together. We loved it as much as they did. We were getting pretty good at diapering and bathing and all the things parents should know how to do for their baby. Even Sunny would come around and hold him for long periods of time.

Ian and I worked hard but we played hard too. The sex was often physical and a few times during our play fights Ian hurt me without meaning to. Those led to real fights. Oh yeah, we still fought. It was always the little things like who is leading who on the dance floor or whose turn it was to pick a movie. The main thing was we never went to bed mad. Our love became stronger with each passing day.

On my eighteenth birthday, Sunny and Ian threw me a 'Big Girl' bash. They got me trashed. I have no idea what happened after eleven o'clock that night but they joked me about it for days.

Finally, April came and it was time to head back to the mountain. The last of the snows had fallen and spring was in the air. We took the van. It was me and Ian, Lily and Jamie, who were desperate to see Burns and Megan, and Kyle and Sunny. They were coming up for a week to spend time with Tom and Maggie and then they would take the van back to the caverns.

We got there late as usual. Tom and Maggie were waiting up for us which surprised us. The others were not a surprise; Burns, Megan, and of course Nate. Ian and Kyle both ran to their parents. Burns ran to Lily, Megan to Jamie. Nate walked slowly to me not knowing how I would react. I walked to him slowly as well. When we got about a foot apart I threw my arms out to welcome him. He stepped forward and hugged me cradling my head in his hand.

"I missed you so much," he whispered in my ear.

"It's good to be home," I whispered back. I had never called the mountain home before but it truly was.

Ian came slowly up behind us. "I hope you missed me that much."

Nate released me and went to Ian. He threw his arm around him and patted him on the back. "Are you kidding? I've been bored to death without you here."

"How are things with Victoria?" Ian asked.

"Unfortunately, that ship has sailed. I'm stuck dreaming about your wife again."

Ian sighed. "You really didn't need to tell me that." Ian put his arm around me and kissed me on the forehead. "Have you been in the house?"

"No. I asked Maria and Kim if they would make it…livable again. Tonight you can sleep in the house or the bunkhouse; however you and Kyle decide to do it. I had Burns go into town for some firewood. It's still in the back of the truck. It rained yesterday and today and I'm afraid the truck will sink if we drive her through the ball field."

"Yeah, I may have to transport it by wheelbarrow."

Nate sighed. "Well, I'm going to go to bed." He turned to me. "Good night Beautiful."

"Good night Nate," I trilled.

We went to the bunkhouse and bedded in the empty room with the two queen size beds. As we settled in to go to sleep, I kissed Ian and said. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"You handled tonight well."

"I'm trying. I promise you it isn't easy."

"I know it isn't. Can I tell you something?"

"What?"

"I took my last pill four days ago at the caverns. I'm ready."

He leaned in and kissed me. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For loving me enough to want to have my baby."

The next few months were busy ones. Baseball practice started two days after we arrived. The kids were anxious to start practice and were thrilled to have their 'coach' back.

The 'Three Guys Construction' crew was busy working on the rest of the house. The kitchen was the room I wanted completed the most. I wanted to cook dinners for the guys like a real wife.

I spent a lot of time dancing in the afternoons when school was out. Priscilla was very interested in learning from me. Kim often joined in our sessions and even Sarah and Megan showed up sporadically. Sarah was more interested than Megan mainly because Jamie was spending the summer on the mountain. He slept in the bunkhouse and Tom and Maggie became his temporary guardians. They were much stricter on him than I was.

Lily only stayed a week and left with Sunny and Kyle. They promised to return in June and said they would stay for a month.

I didn't miss the caverns. There was so much to do here. I did miss Jesse. I was sad to think that I would miss him crawling for the first time and his first tooth. Sometimes I would go off alone and think about him. Ian always picked up on my mood and he would come to me and say, "It's only a matter of time before you have a son of your own." 'A little Ian' I would say and smile at the thought.

Nate and I hung out in the evenings. Sometimes we would play pool. Our latest fad was Scrabble. He was smart as a whip but scrabble was my game. It was always a battle down to the last piece. Ian handled our camaraderie with grace. Nate would sometimes grab me and give me 'nouggies'. I would break free and run away and he would chase me. Sometimes we would run round and round the table where Ian was trying to play poker and Ian would yell at us like he was our father. "If you two don't stop, I'm going to separate you!"

We would respond with "Yes, Dad!" and we'd run back to our table laughing.

Every night I would tell Ian how much I loved him and that I was proud of his restraint and that I was proud to be his wife.

In June, Kyle, Sunny, and Lily returned to the mountain. My dance class suddenly doubled in size. With two of my three closest friends on the mountain, I was in heaven. We hung out all the time. In the evenings, Nate had to share me with them. We took to playing Yahtzee and Mexican Train Dominoes. Ian sometimes gave up his poker game to play with us. Kyle and Sunny seemed very happy.

One evening the phone rang. It was Melanie. "It's official. Jared asked me to marry him!"

I yelled out to the whole room. "Melanie and Jared are getting married!" I returned to the receiver. "When?"

"We were thinking early September."

"Awesome. We'll be there although you know you could have the wedding here. I'm sure Nate would welcome everyone if you had it here at the mountain."

"We aren't as close to all the people like you and Ian, besides then some at the cavern wouldn't be able to come."

"Well, it's just a thought. I love you and I'm extremely happy to hear your good news."

As I hung up the phone, Nate raised his eyebrow to me. "What if I had said 'No'?"

"Oh, please. Have you ever said 'no' to me? Ever?"

"She's got you there," Ian remarked.

"Look who's talking," Nate countered.

"Hey, I've said 'no' to her plenty of times. Why do you think we fight all the time?"

"Good point." I was in agreement with Ian. "Maybe you should say 'yes' more often like Nate here." I put my arm around Nate's neck and smiled at Ian.

"Nate says yes because he doesn't have to live with you." He turned to Nate. "You know she's very high maintenance."

"I can handle that," Nate answered quickly.

"You, are not going to handle anything. Friends, forever. Remember?" Ian said snidely.

This was the first sign I had seen of Ian's jealousy rising to the surface. I decided to quash it quickly.

"Ian, one of the things I love most about you is that you are no pushover. I respect you for having boundaries when it comes to me. Besides, everyone knows there's only one Superman." I turned to Nate. "Sorry, Nate."

"Yeah, I'm used to being Robin."

"That would make Ian Batman not Superman!" Ian and I tried to suppress our laughter but Nate saw through us.

"So, I don't know anything about superheroes. It's okay, it's funny." We all laughed.

That night Ian was amorous. It was a very warm night and I wasn't wearing anything except a silky white camisole and matching panties. Ian rolled me onto my back in the bed and began to kiss me. He started with his hand on my cheek and he traveled with his lips and his hand to my neck and then to my breasts.

"Ow, be careful!" I moaned.

He stopped and looked at me. "What's wrong?"

"My breasts are killing me!"

"You know? I thought your breasts looked rather voluptuous lately." He caressed my breasts softly and watched my face for any sign of disapproval. Then he stopped. "Wait a minute. When's the last time you had your period?"

"In April, after we got here."

"You didn't have it in May?"

"No, but I've been late before."

"How late are you?"

"Three weeks, give or take."

"Babe, you're pregnant."

"You think so? I'm not throwing up or even nauseated."

"Not everyone has morning sickness. Tomorrow, go to town and pick up a pregnancy test."

"I will."

"I love you," he cooed.

"I love you too." Ian leaned in and kissed me with the slow burn kiss. He parted my lips with his tongue and caressed my tongue with his before nibbling my lips which always did something to me physically. Then he made love to me.

In the morning, as usual, Ian was up and working with the boys on the house. They were working in the kitchen installing the countertops and the sink now that the plumbing was in place. After I dressed and primped I skipped into the kitchen.

"I'm going to town. Does anyone need anything while I'm there?"

"Just your safe return," Nate exclaimed. Nate always said the right thing.

I went to Ian and kissed him good bye. "Wish me luck," I whispered in his ear.

"You don't need it. I know I'm right."

I went to Burns and kissed him on the cheek and then I went to Nate and I kissed him quickly on the lips which took him by surprise. I hadn't kissed him on the lips since I married Ian.

"What was that for?" He looked at Ian unsure of his reaction.

Ian responded. "For luck."

"She needs luck?" Nate asked obviously confused by the whole thing.

"I don't think she needs any luck but she thinks she does." Ian clarified to Nate.

"Oh, well, okay…good luck, Beautiful!"

I took Sunny's car. It was less conspicuous than the truck. I had stopped by a few times to see Fluttering since I was back and I didn't want anything to keep me from accomplishing my mission today. Luckily, Sunny was still asleep. I didn't want to bring her with me because I didn't want anyone else to know until I was positive of the outcome.

When I got back, I ran all the way home. I felt that if I was pregnant I should feel different and I didn't with the exception of my breasts. Running the mile and a half to the house was easy for me. I came in quietly and snuck past the kitchen without being seen and headed straight to the bathroom. I read the instructions and did what it said. I placed the stick on the sink and sat on the toilet with my arms wrapped around my knees. I just stared at it. After five minutes the '+' sign was obvious. I was pregnant. I picked up the stick and held it behind my back. My knees were shaking as I walked to the kitchen. Ian was under the sink.

"Ian?"

"Yeah, Babe?"

"Can you come out from under there please?"

I don't know if it was the tone of my voice but he scooted out from under that sink faster than water washing down a drain. I tried not to tremble or show the emotions I was feeling.

He stood squarely in front of me with his feet spread apart to bring his center of gravity closer to my level. He looked into my eyes. "Give it to me straight."

I smiled meekly as I pulled the stick from behind my back. "You were right."

He bent his knees, grabbed me around the hips and scooped me off the floor. He danced around the kitchen with me high in the air. Poor Burns and Nate didn't have a clue as to what was going on until Ian blurted out. "We're pregnant!"

"You mean I'm going to be an uncle?" Nate exclaimed.

"You mean I'm going to be an uncle," Burns corrected him.

"You're both going to be uncles," I clarified to them.

"I love you Babe."

"I love you too."

Ian put me down and Nate immediately came over. He pulled me tightly into a hug and squeezed. "Congratulations. I'm happy for you." He released me. "Now if you just name him Nathan," he joked.

"Nate you know I love you but this baby is going to be an Ian Thomas O'Shea Jr."

"What if it's a girl?"

"It's not."

"I wouldn't mind a daughter as long as she is like you," Ian stated emphatically and then he pressed is lips to mine.

The news spread quickly through the mountain. Kyle was thrilled for us but he also seemed just a little sad. Sunny was harder to read. She seemed genuinely happy for us but I couldn't help but wonder if she felt pressured by our news. When I called the caverns, no one answered. I had to wait until Melanie called to check on Jamie. She was ecstatic over the good news. There would only be a year between our babies give or take a month or two.

I called and made an appointment with my doctor who referred me to an obstetrician. She determined that my due date was January seventh. I was two and a half months pregnant. I didn't have a bit of nausea or morning sickness and I was happy about it.

Ian tried to keep me from playing baseball but I refused to be treated any differently. Of course, we fought about it. I told him he couldn't stop me from playing and he said he could.

"Ian, I am not an invalid."

"What if you get hit by a ball?"

"That's ridiculous. What if you push me off the bed?"

"I'm not going to do that."

"What if I trip over a rock and fall?"

"That's stupid."

"No, you're stupid. It's my body and I'll do what I want with it."

"Wanderer, listen to your husband!"

"Oh, is that an order?"

He could see I was really about to go off. He thought better of it. "No. Wanderer, I just want what's best for you."

"I want to live my life as normal as possible for as long as I can. I don't want to get fat and out of shape."

He gave in. "Okay, you can play…for now."

"Thank you."

The next month was pretty routine except that all the males on the mountain went out of their way to make life easy for me. It was sickening.

Then one day, life on the mountain changed…for everyone.

We were having a baseball game. As usual, it was Ian's team against Nate's team. Neither one of them chose me to play which just infuriated me. Apparently, Ian had gotten to Nate. I was sitting on the bench sulking. As with any game, there was lots of noise especially when a good hit was made. Jamie needed to go to the bathroom but he didn't want to go all the way to the cave so he walked off into the woods to relieve himself. A minute later he came running back yelling.

"There are two guys out there watching us!"

Ian's team was on the bench. He stood up immediately. "Humans?"

"I don't think so. They were wearing uniforms."

"Show us." Jamie, Ian, Kyle, Blake, and Evan took off towards the woods.

Nate and Burns ran in from the field.

"What's going on?" Burns asked.

"Jamie said he saw two people watching us and he didn't think they were humans."

"Oh, crap." Burns and Nate took off running.

I was scared. I didn't know what was happening. Eventually they came back. Ian and Kyle had a man trapped between them. They were dragging him towards us. Ian spoke. "We got this one but the other one got away. They were surveying the land. This is not good. We need to prepare for the worst."

The man they were holding was shaking.

"We don't want to hurt you," I said to the man.

"Wanderer, he is not your concern," Ian said coldly.

"Ian, look at him. He's scared to death."

"And what about all of us? Do you think we're not scared to death?" he argued.

I started to cry because I was scared.

Nate took the prisoner by the arm on Ian's side. "Go to her," he instructed Ian.

Ian let go of the prisoner and walked to me and engulfed me in his arms. "I'm sorry Babe. I love you. I'm just scared that our world is coming to an end just when it was beginning." He kissed the top of my head.

Nate ordered everyone to go to the caves until further notice.

"I need to think. We need to get the prisoner to the root cellar. I want to see Ian and Burns, Kyle, Tom, and Rob in the game room." He turned to Victoria. "Will you guard the prisoner?"

Victoria stepped up to Nate. "No problem."

Blake argued. "She's a girl!"

Nate addressed Blake. "She shot Ian at fifty yards and nearly killed him. I'm pretty sure she can take care of the likes of him."

"If you don't mind, I'd like to stand guard with her."

Nate stared at Blake and Blake stared right back. "Fine," Nate growled. Without looking away from Blake he said. "Tom, will you get two guns from the arsenal?"

Tom, Nate's brother in law, left the scene without a word.

"Maggie and Tom, will you watch Jamie and Danny?"

"Of course, Maggie exclaimed.

"What about me?" I asked although I was hell bent on going to the game room.

"And me?" Sunny asked. We were souls. We didn't belong in the cave and they knew it.

"You take Sunny and go home," Ian ordered.

"No, I'm going with you," I protested.

"Wanderer, why can't you just do what I ask?"

"I want to stay with you. We are a team."

Sunny added. "You need us. We may be able to help."

"That's right. Remember, my father is a man of position."

Nate looked at Ian. "We haven't got all day. They might be helpful." Nate was my 'yes' man. I could always depend on him to get my way and he was the leader.

Ian sighed. "Okay, but, you sit quietly while we figure this out."

"I promise."

Ian put his hand on my baby bump. "How are you feeling?"

I put my hand on his. "I'm okay."

The prisoner was staring at us but he didn't say a word. We all walked together towards the root cellar.

Nate addressed the prisoner. "Do you have a name?"

"Eli," he answered.

"Well, Eli. We sure do wish you hadn't seen us. You and your friend have gotten us into quite a pickle. We are going to have to lock you up. The accommodations aren't the best but it's the best we can do under the circumstances. We do not intend to harm you but know this. If you attempt to escape, Victoria will shoot you without a second thought."

They escorted Eli into the root cellar. After a few minutes Burns and Nate came back out and locked the door. We left Victoria and Blake guarding the door waiting for Tom's return with the guns.

On the way back to the game room I spoke up. "Nate you need to try to call Ice. They should know what is going on."

Nate pulled out his cell phone and dialed Ice's number. To Nate's surprise Ice answered the phone. "Ice?"… "We've got serious trouble."…"We've been spotted by two souls. They were surveying the land next to the ball field. We were all there playing a game. They saw all of us. We caught one but the other got away. It's only a matter of time before they come for us."…"I don't know."…"You need to tell Jeb. He needs to call us so we can figure out what to do."…"It's dangerous for all of us."…"Okay, thanks. I appreciate that."…"Good bye." He hung up the phone.

"He was on a food run. He said he'll head straight back. He said he would come if we needed him."

"Ice is a good guy," I responded.

"He is," Ian agreed.

Once in the game room we all sat down.

Nate took control. "The first thing we need to do is figure out what Burns is going to say because they will call him."

Burns spoke. "I can't very well tell them that you were all my prisoners. I mean we were playing baseball."

Kyle spoke. "We've got a hostage. That should be good for something."

Nate paced back and forth with his arms folded across his chest for several minutes. "Okay." He spoke out loud although he was really talking to himself, turning his thoughts over in his own head. "Souls are afraid that we are violent, so…the first thing we need to do is let them know that we are peaceful. We need to try and set up a meeting instead of a battle."

He continued. "If we could just convince them that both races can live together in harmony, we might have a chance."

Ian spoke up. "Well, Wanderer and I are married and pregnant. That should prove to them the possibilities."

Kyle added. "Sunny and I are a couple as well."

Burns objected. "I don't know if I want to drag Lily into this."

Sunny interjected. "Why don't we let Lily make that decision?"

I agreed. "Yes, everyone should have free will to make their own choices."

"Okay. We'll ask Ice and Heidi as well. He said he would come if we needed him. Maybe Heidi will come too."

Nate turned to Burns. "When they call, try to explain, the best way that you can. Let them know that we are a peace loving community on the mountain made up of both humans and souls. Ask if we can set up a meeting on the ball field between them and us. Try to give us a few days so we can get Ice and Heidi up here."

"Should we tell them who my father is?"

"Hmmm. Ian, what do you think?"

Burns spoke before Ian could. "They are less likely to come at us if they know we have the child of a person of position with us."

"Okay, it's settled then. Let them know that among us we have the daughter of Ember Hollister. Make it very clear to them that she is here of her own volition."

Kyle spoke. "Maybe we should try to get Doc and Candy up here as well, just in case."

"I'll ask," Nate responded.

"In the mean time I think we need to get as much non-perishable food into the cave as possible," Ian suggested.

"I agree," Nate said.

Tom scared the hell out of all of us when he entered the room. We had forgotten that he went to get the guns for Victoria and Blake.

"Sorry," he said as he entered.

Nate filled him in on the meeting thus far.

"We are going to need armed guards in several positions with phones." Tom remarked.

"Good point," Nate agreed.

I spoke. "We have three, no, four cell phones here. Burns needs his in case they call. You can use mine." I pulled it from my pocket and placed it on the table.

"And here's mine." Sunny placed her phone on the table as well.

"Okay, starting immediately, we will have two on lookout about a half mile down the road. He turned to Rob. Do you remember where we used to sit before Burns became a part of us? We used to watch for his return when he was away."

"Yes, I remember."

"Okay, Rob and Kyle take a phone and a couple of guns and set up at the lookout. When it gets dark Ian and I will relieve you. In the morning, Burns, you and Tom relieve us."

"Hold on," Ian objected. "I'm sorry. I'd rather go now with Rob if you don't mind. My reasons are selfish. I want to sleep with my wife tonight and when I'm not able to be with her I want Nate by her side. He loves her as I do and I know he would protect her with his life."

A huge lump appeared in my throat. Ian and Nate looked at each other. It was a look of trust and understanding that two men in combat fighting side by side might share. I didn't want to cry but the thought of losing these two men who I loved so much was too much to bear. I sat at the table my vision completely blurred by the tears I was trying to hold in my eyes. I couldn't fathom living another thousand years with their destruction in my heart, with the loneliness. These two perfect men. I ran out of the room. I needed air. I couldn't breath. My throat hurt. I faced the building and sobbed.

Ian came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me. "We'll work this out," he whispered.

"How? They'll take both you and Nate from me and all my friends. I'll be sent somewhere far away and spend the next thousand years trapped with the memories of the men I loved. I'd rather shred my brain."

"Please, Wanderer. Don't do anything rash. Promise me you won't. Not as long as there is a glimmer of hope that I still breathe." He turned me towards him. "Listen to me." He lowered his body to my level and stared into my eyes. He took my chin in his hand. "Even if they catch me and put a soul into my body. I will fight for you. I will never stop. The way Melanie drove you to obsession to be with Jared. I will do that one thousand fold. Do you understand?"

I nodded because I couldn't speak.

"I love you." He held me and he cried too. He tried to back away but I wouldn't let go. "I have to go," he whispered.

I walked with him back into the game room. He guided me to Nate. "Take care of her."

"Like she was my own," Nate assured him.

Ian picked up the 'glock' that my Seeker had used to kill Wes. It sent a shiver down my spine. My loving Ian was once again a killing machine. Rob had a shotgun.

"Grab something to drink out of the kitchen before you go and anything else you'll need," Nate said with authority.

"I'll make sandwiches," I offered.

"It's okay. We'll be fine," Ian assured me.

"No, I have to do something. Please let me do this."

Nate nodded at Ian. "Okay, but hurry," Ian answered.

I rushed to the kitchen leaving everyone behind. I pulled things out of the fridge blindly. "I made four sandwiches for them and packed a bag of chips, two bottled waters and a large bottle of apple juice."

Ian came into the kitchen as I was finishing. "I gotta go." He pulled me into his arms and kissed me passionately. I could feel the gun tucked into his waistband against my chest. "Thank you for the food. I love you Wanderer," he grabbed the bag and rushed out the back door. I slumped into the kitchen chair and sobbed.

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