The shopping trip

After breakfast, Ryan made his way to work. Much as he wanted to stay home and go shopping with 'his girls' he knew that he had to get to work. Because he had spent the last 2 days in San Francisco, Annabel had rescheduled all of his meetings from the Monday and Tuesday and now he would be hard pushed to find time for even a coffee in the busy day ahead. But the sooner he got there and got started the better. On the way there, he found it difficult to think about anything vaguely work related. All that was on his mind was the fact that there was a possibility that Marissa was pregnant. He couldn't take the smile off his face.

---

After Ryan had left, Marissa and Emily had spent some time unpacking her bag and finding homes for her belongings in her new bedroom. They made a list of things to buy while they were out shopping.

Pink sheets were at the top of the list as Emily had assured Marissa that she slept better in pink sheets. After what had happened that morning, Marissa was all for anything that would make Emily sleep better. And she knew that Ryan would agree. She smiled as she thought back to the look on his face as he stood there holding himself obviously in pain. Hopefully they would be able to reconvene their 'meeting' tonight.

Next on the list were story books. Emily had a few favourites so they were there plus Marissa thought she would get a couple of her own old favourites as well. She had loved Ryan's story from last night but somehow she didn't imagine that he would want to do it every night.

Marissa also decided she would purchase a few children's DVD's and that they would have a wander through the toy department and find some things to help keep Emily amused when Marissa was busy. A few more clothes, because as Marissa assured Emily, 'a woman can never have too many' and their list was complete.

---

Marissa and Emily were having a great time. They had bought new sheets and matching pink towels as well. And they'd spent a lot of time making their selections in the book store. It seemed that the best way to decide if a book was any good was to read it first. The visit to the toy store was next. They picked up a few things and Marissa assured Emily that they would be back again with Ryan because he didn't want to miss out on all the fun. They would go shopping again on the weekend with him. Marissa laughed at Emily's very obvious attempts to manipulate her. And mostly she was happy to be manipulated.

Marissa had noticed a couple of photographers following her but she figured that was to be expected. As long as they kept their distance then she could cope. Managing a whole day without some attention was probably more than she could hope for. After dropping another load of purchases back at the car, they stopped for a drink before heading off to look at some clothes. They sat down with their milk shakes and Marissa was helping Emily to bend her straw when one of the paparazzi approached them and asked. "Would you mind telling us who the child is?"

Marissa was startled and turned to look at the thirty something man beside her. "It's none of your business." She turned to Emily. "Come on Em. We have to go."

"But I haven't finished my drink." Emily replied.

"Just leave it. I'll get you another one later." Marissa stated wanting to put some space between them and the guy who had now sat down at the adjoining table and was taking way too much interest.

"But …" Emily replied keen to finish her drink.

"Now! Emily." Marissa replied and pushed the shake in to the centre of the table and took Emily by the hand, pulling her away from the table.

Emily reluctantly followed, looking back at the abandoned milkshake and wondering why they had to leave.

Marissa picked up Emily and they made their way towards the car park. Marissa thought that they would need to cut their trip short and go straight home but when she looked behind her, it seemed that they had not been followed. She started to relax a little and turned back again. Searching the faces, she could not see anyone familiar and so she stopped to apologise to Emily. "I'm sorry about that. I'll get you another shake."

Emily looked up. "It's okay. But can we go and get my new clothes now?" she asked.

Marissa looked around her once again. She didn't want to disappoint Emily but she didn't want to have to deal with the paparazzi either. There didn't seem to be anyone paying them any more than passing interest, so she nodded and headed off into the Gap Kids store. They selected a few items and after Emily had tried them on, Marissa paid for them and they made their way to the door only to be confronted by the same man again, along with about 15 of his 'friends'. Obviously he had called for support.

Marissa tried to just put her head down and walk through them but Emily started to cry. They wouldn't move and were taking photos of Emily at point blank range; the flashes burning the small child's eyes. One of the men actually went to grab Emily. Marissa didn't know if he was trying to help or what, but she wasn't taking any chances. Marissa bent to pick Emily up dropping her parcels as she did so but she didn't care. Voice recorders were being thrust in her face as they all seemed to be asking who Emily was and what was she doing with Marissa.

Marissa started to panic as she pushed her way towards the exit to the car park but there were too many of them. She glanced to her left and quickly pushed through the door of the disabled bathroom and quickly locked the door. She placed Emily down on the floor as the small child cried, obviously scared and upset by all the attention. Marissa could hear the crowd outside the door and she reached for her phone and quickly dialled Ryan's number.

---

"Good afternoon Atwood Industries. Annabel speaking." Came the pleasant greeting.

"Annabel, I need Ryan." Marissa said shortly.

"I'm sorry Marissa. Ryan's in a meeting at the moment. I can get him to give you a call when he's finished, although he's with some interstate …"

"I don't care what he's doing just get him." Marissa stressed.

"But he's with some important …" Annabel started to say only to be cut off again.

"If you still want to have a job tomorrow … GET RYAN NOW !" Marissa instructed, any semblance of manners deserting her as she could hear the commotion outside the door over the top of Emily's sobs.

"CERTAINLY ! I'll try." Annabel replied hoping that Ryan would refuse to take the call and tell her where to go.

Annabel knocked softly on the door of the conference room and opened it. "Um. Ryan. I'm sorry to disturb you. But it seems that Marissa wants to talk to you." She said.

Ryan frowned. Marissa knew how busy he expected to be today. She wouldn't have called unless it was important. "Okay." He said to Annabel and then turned to address the other people in the room. "If you could just excuse me a minute, I'll be right back." He said as he made his way out the door and into his office. Picking up the phone he said "Ris. What is it?" he could hear Emily crying and was immediately concerned that she was ill or something.

"Ryan." Marissa whimpered. She desperately wanted to break down but she knew she couldn't do that. But just the sound of his voice made her want to give in and let him take care of everything.

Ryan could hear the panic in her voice. "Ris What is it? What's going on? Where are you? Are you okay? Is Emily okay?"

Marissa took a deep breath. "We're locked in the disabled bathroom at the mall. There's a heap of paparazzi outside the door and I tried to get Emily through them but they wouldn't move. They were asking her who she was and one of them tried to pick her up and …"

"Just sit tight. I'll be right there. Don't unlock the door for anyone but me. Okay?" he said trying to reassure her. "I won't be long." Ryan said replacing the phone and grabbing his keys and phone and making his way out the door heading for the lifts. As he walked passed Annabel he said. "Get Steve from security to meet me at my car. NOW."

"B…Bu..But what about you're meeting?" Annabel asked.

"RESCEDULE!" Ryan called out over his shoulder as he disappeared behind the closing lift doors.

---

On the way to the mall, Steve called ahead to their security section and by the time he and Ryan arrived they had managed to get the unruly crowd under control. The numbers had grown with interested bystanders wanting to know what the commotion was all about. But at least there was some semblance of order. Although none of the paparazzi were leaving. They had all realised that they were now going to get a photo of Ryan, Marissa and the child. It would be worth even more money on the market.

Ryan made his way through the crowd with the help of the security men and knocked on the door. "Ris? It's me." he said.

"Ryan?" she asked wanting confirmation.

"Yeah. It's okay. I've got Steve with me and some of the mall's security guards. If you just unlock the door, we'll get you both out of here." He assured her as he watched the lock turn and then he opened the door and slipped inside telling Steve as he went. "Just give us a minute."

He closed the door behind him and was instantly attacked by 2 females. He pulled them both into his arms and held them as their racing hearts started to return to normal. "How's my girls? Had enough excitement for one day?"

Marissa looked at him and tried to smile. "I think I've had enough for the year."

"Me too." Emily added nodding her head.

"Well how about I take you both home?" he suggested.

"Sounds good. But are they all still out there?" Marissa asked.

"Yeah. But the Mall security guards are all there and I brought Steve with me as well. There won't be a problem. I'll drive you home and Steve can take my car. Now, is your car far from here?"

"No. I was trying to get to it when it all got too much and we headed in here. I was just looking for anywhere with a lock so I could keep them away."

"You did well. Now, let's get out of here." He said as he picked up Emily in one arm and put the other around Marissa's shoulders. "Okay. Let's go."