Thanks to the few loyal readers who are taking the time to let me know that they are still enjoying this. I'm hope that you stick with me.

Making the best of it

When Ryan got in to work, he tried to concentrate on what needed to be done. It wasn't easy, as visions of a very pregnant Marissa kept filling his mind. He couldn't help but be just a little … hell … a lot, excited about the prospect. Even though he came from a totally dysfunctional family, ever since he had fallen in love with Marissa he had imagined them with the total 'Brady Bunch'. Of course he hadn't told her that yet, but maybe, just maybe they were on their way.

He was smiling yet again as he thought about it when Annabel entered his office. "I just thought I'd give you you're updated schedule for the day. I had to reschedule those prospective clients from Seattle to 6pm today and I've organised for the caterers to serve dinner about 8." She said.

"6? But I was hoping to get out of here early." Ryan stated dismayed. "Couldn't we do it earlier?"

"I had trouble getting them to agree to that, after you just walked out on them yesterday. They had other commitments today, no doubt with one of our competitors, and they are returning to Seattle in the morning, so it was tonight or you miss out on the project all together." She said angrily. Ryan seemed to have totally lost the plot as far as work was concerned lately.

Ryan realised that he had a commitment to work as well. He picked up the phone and called Marissa to let her know that he would be late that evening and that they should have dinner without him. After that, he resignedly put his head down and tried to get some work done.

---

Marissa and Emily had had a great day. As Kirsten was tied up for the day with some charity business, Sandy had taken them both out to lunch and then they had gotten ice creams and walked to the end of the pier after which they'd gone for a long walk on the beach. Sandy had indeed gotten just that – 'sandy' – as he and Emily had built a giant sand castle, which they decorated with small shells they had collected on their walk.

Much as Marissa was missing Ryan, she knew that coming to Newport was a good idea. Things were much quieter here and living in a gated community definitely had is perks. Emily had enjoyed herself and except for a couple of double takes from a few people that they had walked passed there had been no other incidents at all. Marissa was disappointed that Ryan hadn't been able to make it to them in time for dinner but she knew that he had been skipping work a lot lately and so obviously he would have to make up for it somewhere along the line but that still didn't stop her missing him.

After she had put Emily to bed, she had a long soak in the bath and then had taken extra care to moisturise herself all over. She had washed her hair and spent a lot of time drying it and getting it just right. She wanted to look her best for when Ryan arrived. She smiled as she realised just how much effort she was putting into it when all she was hoping for, was that he would take her to bed as soon as he saw her. They had some lost time to make up for. When she'd primped and primed as much as she could she curled up in bed and turned on the television to wait for him.

---

Ryan's meeting was going on and on. But it was much too important to just blow off. This was a huge project that would give Atwood Industries a big leg into the market in Seattle that until now he had been unable to break in to. It would create a lot of jobs for a lot of people. But that didn't mean he wasn't disappointed as it got later and later and he realised that his chances of being with Marissa that night were slowly evaporating.

By the time they had all left it was nearly midnight and Ryan debated whether to call Marissa or not. He didn't want to wake her but he was also concerned that she might be wondering where he was so he decided that he would make a quick call just to let her know of his change in plans.

---

Marissa was asleep in front of the TV when the phone rang disturbing her from her slumber. Reaching across to Ryan's side of the bed she picked up the phone. "Hey." She said knowing there was only one person who would be calling at that time of night.

"Hey. I'm sorry to wake you." Came the reply as Marissa's stomach flopped over just from hearing his voice.

"It's fine." She answered groggily. "What time is it? When will you be here?" she asked.

"Well. That's the thing. It's after midnight and I was thinking that maybe I'd just stay here. I have an early meeting at 7 in the morning and if I drive there now, I'll barely have any time with you before I have to turn around and head back. But if I stay here, I can work for a little while longer and try to get a few more things under control. And that way I can maybe get away early tomorrow."

"But where will you sleep?" Marissa asked, disappointed at not seeing him but realising that it did make sense.

"On the sofa here in my office. I've done it before when I've had to pull all-nighters to get projects finished. I even keep a change of clothes here now, just in case." Ryan added.

Marissa nodded and then realising he could not see her she said. "I'll miss you."

Ryan sighed deeply. "I'll miss you too." He replied, amazed at the strength of feeling behind such simple words. "Did you see Kirsten today?" he asked and Marissa instantly knew why or more importantly, what, he was so interested in.

"No. She had some charity meetings or something or other. I thought about asking Sandy to shop for me but I decided against it. I figure I'll probably see Kirsten tomorrow and I can ask her then." Marissa assured him.

"So you still need to?" Ryan asked. "I mean nothing" he searched for the word. "… different … has happened today?"

Marissa smiled at his reluctance to actually say what was on his mind. "If you mean did my period start, then no." she laughed as she heard him let out the breath that he had obviously been holding while he waited for her answer.

"So you still might be?" Ryan asked hopefully.

"Yes. I might. But just remember, if I am, then you're breaking the news to the Nana." Marissa replied.

"The Nana? Why?" Ryan asked.

"Because she was very definite when we were in Miami, that she didn't believe in children before marriage. And there is no way that I want to be the one to tell her that we're doing things out of order."

"Well maybe we'll just have to get married before we tell her?" Ryan suggested.

"With the way that Seth and Summer are going, our child could be at school before we even announce our engagement. How do you think you'll be able to keep it a secret from her for that long?" Marissa asked.

"I think that all agreements with Seth will be null and void if we actually have a child on the way. Maybe that's just another reason to keep my fingers crossed." Ryan said.

Marissa smiled. "Or maybe I should have just kept my legs crossed and we wouldn't be in this predicament." She laughed.

"I think it's a lovely predicament." He added.

"I know." She added as she placed her hand gently on her stomach realising for the first time that she was actually hoping that she was pregnant almost as much as him.

---

"So, did you have a good day?" he asked. He knew that she probably wanted to go back to sleep but he wasn't ready to give up the pleasure of hearing her voice just yet.

"Yeah. We did. Sandy took us to lunch and then we went for a long walk on the beach. Sandy and Emily built a big sand castle." She smiled. "And Sandy was just that by the time he'd finished."

"Was what?" Ryan asked confused.

"Sandy." Marissa replied. "I think Emily put more sand on him than any where else. She's not that good with her left hand yet. But she is improving. She actually managed to feed herself tonight."

"Did she go to sleep okay?" Ryan asked. "You know ... in another new bed … new place." He added.

"Yeah. She was exhausted tonight. She didn't even ask for a story."

"Just my luck." Ryan replied.

"Don't talk about luck. You were going to get 'lucky' if you had been here tonight." Marissa teased.

"Don't say that or I'll forget the sane decision and hop in the car now, even if it's only for a short time."

"Much as I'd like that, I don't want you driving now. You must be so tired; I'd be worried that you'd fall asleep at the wheel. I know you haven't slept well the last couple of nights."

"You're right there. I was thinking we should get Emily a soccer ball. Maybe she could take her kicking reflexes out on it, rather than me. How come you don't get a turn?" he asked.

"It's just that she likes to cuddle up to you." Marissa laughed. "And so do I." she added, her voice dropping to a sexy tone.

Ryan felt a tightening in his groin as he heard her words. His voice deepened to match hers. "I'd like to have you cuddled up to me right now."

"God Ryan." Marissa closed her eyes as she listened to the unspoken suggestion held in his husky voice. "Do you realise how much I want you?"

"Are you in bed?" he asked.

"Uh huh." Marissa replied.

"What are you wearing?" Ryan asked knowing that asking these questions were not going to help him concentrate on work but totally unable to stop himself. The thought of her lying in bed waiting for him …

"One of your wife beaters." She answered huskily.

"And?"

"There's no 'and'. That's all." Marissa replied. "I was expecting you." She explained.

Ryan closed his eyes as visions of her flooded his mind. "What were you expecting me to do?" Ryan asked softly. His voice had gotten even deeper and Marissa could feel herself getting moist at just his tone.

She moved her free hand to push the wife beater aside giving her free access to the now throbbing centre of her womanhood. She couldn't help but touch herself. Her need for him was so intense. "You're making this even harder." Marissa replied. The want for him building within her.

"Don't talk to me about making things harder. Would you like to feel what I've got between my legs?" he tried to smile through the pain of his erection straining to be free.

"I'd love to feel what you've got between your legs … preferably between my legs." She answered.

"Ris." Ryan moaned, the longing evident in the simple word.

"What are you wearing?" she asked.

He was surprised by her question. "Right now, I still have my work clothes on but it looks like I have a tent pole in my pants. I hope the security guard doesn't pop in for a chat, because he'd be in for a shock."

"Well lock the door." She suggested. "And maybe you should grab a few tissues while you're at it."

Ryan smiled. "Are we really going to do this?"

"I think we already are…."