Chapter 11

The next day John and Katie took off for Hawaii for the their 2 week honeymoon. Katie wanted nothing more than to call home to check on Lilliana, but John stopped her reassuring her that Lilliana was perfectly fine with his parents. Katie finally gave up and started to enjoy their time away.

Two weeks of sight seeing, swimming in the ocean, romantic dinners, Luau's and nightly walks along the beach were calming and relaxing for the newlyweds. John and Katie spent each night in each others arms making love and John hoped that they had created another baby.

John and Katie returned home to Tampa and couldn't wait to see their daughter. When they arrived at the house, John Sr. and Carol were in the kitchen fixing dinner. Lilliana was supposed to be sleeping in the office in her playpen. Katie and John took their luggage upstairs and started unpacking and putting aside gifts for Lilliana and John's parents.

As Katie took their laundry downstairs, she wanted to peek in at Lilliana. She threw the clothes into the washer and headed into their office. It was dark in there, but there was a slight breeze. Katie walked over to the window and saw that there were dusty foot prints on the window sill. Katie quickly turned on the light and looked over at the playpen.

"JOHN!" Katie yelled.

"What's wrong?" John asked as he came running into the office.

"She's gone!" Katie cried.

"What's going on?" Carol asked as she and John Sr. came into the room.

"Lilliana is gone!" Katie answered.

"Where, where could she have gone. I didn't think she could climb out of the playpen." Carol responded.

"No. I think someone came in and took her. The window was open when I walked in and I noticed a foot print on the window sill and then turned on the light and saw that Lilliana was missing." Katie stated.

"I'm calling the police." John responded as he picked up the phone and called 911.

It wasn't long before their house was full of policemen and women. After giving their statements to the officers, Katie gave them a current picture of Lilliana. The officers finally asked them if there was anyone they knew who would be capable of doing something like this. John and Katie looked at each other and the only person they could come up with was John's ex-wife, Liz. John gave the officers all her information that he knew of. After most of the officers left, John called Vince and told him what was going on.

"Katie, John. You both need to eat something." Carol stated.

"I'm not hungry, mom." John responded.

"I just want my daughter home safe and sound." Katie cried. "I understand that. But you are no use to Lilliana if you both end up in the hospital." John Sr. stated.

Katie and John finally ate something, but with each hour that passed, the kidnapper was that much closer to getting away with Lilliana. It was nearly midnight and no one was able to sleep, there were officers stationed around the house and their phones were tapped so they could trace the call if one came through.

John's phone finally rang at around 2am. When he looked at the caller ID he couldn't believe it. It was his ex-wife calling. John answered the call and tried his best to keep her on the line long enough to trace where her location was.

"Hello." John answered.

"John. I know that by now, you've noticed someone missing from your house." Liz stated.

"Why Liz? What do you want from me?" John asked.

"I want you back in my life. You were my husband first not hers. This baby should be my baby not hers." Liz answered.

"Liz, you were cheating on me and I wasn't happy in our marriage. I gave you everything and you gave me nothing. Lilliana is my daughter with Katie. Please don't hurt her." John responded.

"I'm sorry I hurt you John. I just wanted you back in my life." Liz stated. "Lilliana is fine. She is sleeping."

The officers nodded when they got a lock on Liz's location. They sent the information to the police station and units were sent out as well as an ambulance just in case. John and Katie rode with the leading investigator to where Liz had Lilliana. Once the officers broke into the motel room, Lilliana was picked up and wrapped in a blanket. Katie and John rushed over to her and took her from the officer.

Liz was removed from the room and placed in a squad car while the medics looked Lilliana over. Once she was cleared to go home, the investigator drove them back to their house. John and Katie agreed to press charges against Liz for the kidnapping of Lilliana. Once the whole family was back together, Carol and John Sr. hugged their son and daughter-in-law before hugging Lilliana.

As the weeks passed, Liz was charged with the kidnapping of Lilliana and was sentenced to 6 years in prison. John and Katie were there for the sentencing and they couldn't have been happier now that Liz was out of their lives for now. That night after Lilliana was in bed, John lead his wife to their bedroom where they made love.

John could tell that Katie felt different and he knew right then that she was pregnant. After they made love, Katie rested her head on John's bare chest and he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead before saying anything to her.

"I love you." John stated.

"I love you too." Katie responded.

"By the way, you're pregnant." John stated.

"Wait, what?" Katie asked.

"You're pregnant." John answered.

"You're kidding me right?" Katie asked.

"No. I'm serious. While we were making love, I could tell that you felt different. Then I remembered what you felt like when you were pregnant with Lilliana and it felt the same way. Take a test in the morning and I'll bet you anything that it's positive." John answered.

"Ok, smartass. How far along would I be if I am pregnant?" Katie asked.

"I would say about 10 weeks." John answered. "Now lets get some sleep."

The next morning, Katie got up before John and headed into their bathroom. Katie pulled out a box of pregnancy tests and took one. She set the test on the counter while she took a shower. After her shower, Katie got dressed and did her hair and makeup before picking up the pregnancy test. Sure enough the test read positive.

Katie called her doctor's office and made an appointment for that morning. She wanted it confirmed as soon as possible. John, Katie and Lilliana headed to Katie's appointment and while Katie was in with the doctor, John and Lilliana sat in the waiting room. When Katie came out, they headed home.

"How did it go?" John asked.

"Good. You were right on the dot." Katie answered.

"With what?" John asked.

"That I am pregnant. But I am not 10 weeks." Katie answered.

"Told you. How far are you?" John asked with a smile.

"14 weeks. Which means that I was pregnant before we got married." Katie answered. "And we're due January 15th."

"Ok. So just before Lilliana's 2nd birthday. Are we going to find out what we are having this time too?" John responded.

"I would like to. I have a feeling this baby is a boy." Katie stated.

John just smiled as he drove the rest of the way home. That afternoon, they called John's parents and Randy and Samantha to tell them the good news. Randy and Samantha also had news of their own. They too were expecting and due in December. Lilliana didn't quite understand what her parents were talking about when they kept saying "baby."