A/N: Another 12 page update! WOOO! Enjoy it and thanks again for the reviews. You guys ROCK!

Chapter NINETEEN

"Babe? You awake?"

Kimberly smiled in the darkness and pressed her lips against Bobby's chest. "What is it?" Her sleep-filed voice was soft as she replied.

"I love you."

She chuckled and let her fingers stroke his chest in slow circles. "I love you too."

Bobby let out a loud, content sigh. "You're going to have my baby." He stroked her back. "You've made me the happiest man in the entire world."

"I'm happy too Bobby." Silence filled the room for several minutes. "I think you should go visit Anita."

"What?"

"I won't lie and say I'm entirely comfortable with the idea but you have a past there and a friendship and I'm not going to be the one to stay in the way of that. Marley mentioned several times tonight she wanted to see her. I think you should take Marley and go visit."

He began to stroke her back under the old tee shirt of his she wore most nights. "I wish you felt comfortably Kimmy. I want her to meet you."

"I'm sorry but I'm just not ready to do that Bobby."

"Will you ever truly be ready?" He questioned. "You don't have anything to fear Princess; the only woman I want in this world is you. Soon you're gonna be my wife and the mother of my children."

"I don't know how to express myself when it comes to this situation Bobby but I do want you to make decisions based on what you want. If you want to go see her, by all means go. I'm not going to stop you but I'm not going to willingly subject myself to being put into an awkward situation at the moment either."

"Fair enough." He pressed a kiss to her hair as he let his hand stroke her side before drifting over her stomach. "We're having our own little baby."

She smiled burying her face deeper in his neck. She inhaled his scent and closed her eyes. "Our own little baby." She agreed.

"How did I get so fucking lucky? I have a family, friends, a daughter and woman I love and now I'm going to have another beautiful baby soon. My life couldn't have worked out better."

"Don't be getting all mushy on me Bobby, it's late."

He chuckled, his fingers stroking her stomach in slow circles. "I bet it's going to be a boy."

"You do, huh?"

"Yep, I'm going to have to go with my gut feeling on this one."

"This gut feeling wouldn't have anything to do with the fact you bet Angel forty bucks it was a boy would it?" Kimberly shifted so her head rested against his chest again, her arm resting against the solid area of his stomach. "I overheard him betting you it was going to be a girl."

"When did you hear this Princess? You got Spidey senses now or something?"

"It's hard to miss the two of you when you start going at it while watching hockey on the television. I was talking to Natalie in the kitchen when you two starting gambling away on our child."

Bobby chuckled and pressed his lips against her forehead. "You know Angel, that boy will bet his last penny just for the adrenaline rush." He exhaled slowly. "If it's okay with you, I'll take Marley to see Anita tomorrow morning. If you want, you can sleep in. I know Natalie said she will until the baby wakes up while Jack goes with the kids to the studio."

"Studio? Jack's recording something?"

"Sort of. Anita knows this guy that's been showing Jack some of the ropes so to speak in the studio and the kids always have fun so he thought it'd be a good thing to do in order to let Natalie catch up on her sleep."

"That's so sweet of him."

"Well, that's our Fairy."

She smiled. "Natalie mentioned they were going to stop after the fifth child but I see the way she looks at Jack and their children, I just don't see it happening."

Bobby chuckled. "Can you just imagine Jackie with seven or eight kids? Christ."

"I think he'd love every minute of it."

"Me too actually. Thank God they have this house because anywhere else would be fucking war zone because of all the bodies and the costs of paying for each one of them."

"Speaking of which, I called the hospital this evening to see if I could help with any of their bills."

He paused to clear his throat, his hands momentarily stopping before they started to stroke her skin again. "And?"

"They've already been paid for actually."

"What? How?"

"The hospital staff kindly informed me that Anita's manager Vanessa Wexler had already handled all the bills."

"Vanessa's fantastic like that. Does Natalie know?"

"She didn't mention it to me if she did but if not, she'll get the news soon." Kimberly sighed in contentment. "I think I might go shopping or something tomorrow while you visit your friends."

"I'm sure you could use Nat's car."

"I wouldn't want to impose. I can rent one or call a cab." She snuggled into him and he wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Don't worry about it. I'll work it out."

Bobby pressed his lips once again against her forehead. "I know you will Princess. Are you sleepy?"

"A little bit."

"Good, close your eyes and get some rest. I love you."

She smiled as she felt him press his hand against her stomach. "I love you too."

191919191919191919

(Several Months Later)

Just one month into her second trimester, Kimberly had successfully busied herself in doctor visits, company calls, and the completion of her charity foundation. She had chosen to name it Evelyn's Kids after the famous Mercer and the sight of Bobby's smile the moment he had sign the large sign on the building had told her she had made the right choice.

Every day that passed was one more until the baby would arrive. Kimberly pressed her hand against her stomach and smiled from where she stood at the kitchen sink. She watched from the window as Marley played with the children next door. As always, she was a bundle of energy, the little girl constantly boiling over with infectious laughter and a smile you couldn't help but respond back with one of your own.

The sound of the back door opening and shutting had her attention shifting and she looked over to see Bobby entering. He shook snow off his leather coat before hanging it up and kicking off his boots. Marley came running into the house, a little girl named Shelly close behind her.

"No running in the house!" Kimberly shouted after them. "And take off your shoes please!"

"Okay Mommy!"

She looked back at Bobby with a soft smile. "Everything okay?"

"Everything's fucking peachy, fucking weather." Bobby grumbled. He shook snow out of his hair. "It's slowing down business and Jerry's riding our asses to make sure we-" He inhaled sharply when she pressed her body against his, her hands guiding his right hand to her stomach. He exhaled slowly.

"I love you."

"I love you too Princess." He rested his forehead against hers. "Are you okay?" His fingers stroked her stomach. "How's our little man doing?"

"She's doing just fine."

He chuckled and kissed her before he stepped back. "Something smells great in here."

"I found one of your mother's recipes and I thought I'd try it out for dinner. Are you hungry?"

"Like you would not believe. Jerry had us working through lunch just to reach the halfway point on this new building we started. I'll go wash my hands and check on Marley." He kissed her again before disappearing into the living room and she smiled at hearing the girls shrieking with joy at his playful growl.

Seconds later, Marley came running into the kitchen at full speed. "Mommy!"

"What did I tell you about running in the house Marley?"

"Sorry Mommy." She batted her eyelashes. "Can Shelly stay for dinner Mommy?"

"Won't her Mommy be expecting Shelly home for dinner at her house?"

"Shelly said her mommy isn't home and that she hasn't been home and she might not come home. Can she stay?"

Kimberly frowned at hearing the information but nodded. "Of course she can; you two go wash your hands with Daddy and then come help me set the table please?"

"Okay Mommy."

Taking the lasagna pan out of the stove, she sat it down and tugged off the gloves, cutting the hot pasta and sauce into pieces. She smiled at the feeling of Bobby's hands sliding around her waist to press against her stomach, his lips kissing the spot on her neck just below her ear.

"You made Ma's lasagna."

"I hope it's okay."

"It's more than okay, it's great baby. Ma's lasagna's my favorite." He let his hands slip under the shirt she wore, fingers trailing over the bump found there. "Baby, I was thinking..."

"Oh, no. Really?"

He chuckled. "I was thinking if it's a girl we could name her after Ma."

"That's a great idea Bobby. What if it's a boy?"

"We'll think of something. Tomorrow after we go to the doctor we'll talk about it more."

"Bobby?"

He pressed his lips against the spot on her neck again. "What baby?"

"Where is Shelly's mom?"

"Probably at Johnny's Bar like she is every Friday night." He stepped back to start pulling plates from the cabinet. "I told Marley it was okay that Shelly stayed to eat and sleep over if it was okay with you. She did ask you right?"

"That she did." Kimberly nibbled on her bottom lip. "What does Shelly's mother do at Johnny's?"

"Baby..."

"Is she a prostitute?"

He shut the cabinet door. "No, Lilah's not a prostitute, she just likes guys." He mumbled. "A little more than she likes her daughter I guess."

"So Shelly's just left to fend for herself all the time?"

"Lilah's sister usually comes by but something must have happened. That's why I mentioned her coming over here for the night. Look baby, don't get upset about this." Bobby cupped her cheek with his hand. "If Shelly needs a place to stay, we got plenty of room here."

"It's a nice gesture but that's not the point Bobby. Her mother should be taking care of her and she isn't. Someone should report that and try to help this child."

"By help you mean call social services and have her put into a foster home, again. Shelly's been through that already more times than I can count Kimmy and the girl is only four years old. She doesn't need that kind of help, what she needs is for someone else to offer her a place. We can do that."

"It's not our right to do that without going through the proper channels."

"Her mother isn't going to just give her up even if she doesn't really care for having a kid all that much. We're going to have to bring cops into it and social services, that'll fucking take forever, and when that's over, they'll just take Shelly away to some foster home. I can't do that to her."

"I can hire a really good lawyer. Get her put with us."

"She does have other relatives, grandparents I think that send her shit every Christmas and for her birthdays."

"So what, we just leave her like she is?"

"As long as Lilah doesn't pitch a fucking fit about her being over here, I don't see why we have to drag police into it at all."

Kimberly narrowed her eyes at him. "Is this really about the stress it would cause or is this about the fact police would have to be over here. Is this somehow about Darius?"

Rolling his eyes, Bobby grabbed for the plates as Shelly and Marley came back into the kitchen. "Girls, help me set the table." He handed them each a plate. "Careful." He smiled as they did what he asked and he glanced over at Kimberly. "You ready to eat?"

"Yes. I'm also ready for you to answer me."

"Let's finish talking about it later."

"Girls, go ahead and sit down." Kimberly slid on oven mitts and grabbed the lasagna tray. She placed it in the middle of the table, smiling as both girls wiggled in excitement. "It's hot so no touching." She only stopped from sitting down when Bobby grabbed her wrist.

"I love you."

"I love you too Bobby. But it doesn't change the fact that I'm upset with you right now."

"Upset with me over what?" He questioned. "I told you I get what you're saying but things are a little more complicated than that. It's not a situation you can fix by throwing your fucking morals and a shit load of money at it."

"Bobby, your language."

"Dirty words are bad Daddy." Marley giggled. "Mommy, do I get money?"

"You certainly do. Your father will be more than happy to give you forty bucks."

Bobby looked between his daughter and wife in surprise. "Forty? You're kidding."

"Nope. I told Marley that every time you say bad words in front of her that she can have twenty dollars."

"I am not giving our daughter twenty bucks each time I swear, that's ridiculous."

"Don't make me out to be a liar Bobby." She glared at him. "And it'll do you good to not cuss so much, especially in front of impressionable youth."

He snorted and sat down at the table. "I'll work on it but she's not getting forty bucks."

Marley pouted at him and looked at Kimberly. "Mommy, you promised."

Scowling at him, Kimberly sat down beside Marley. "Don't worry baby, I'll give you the forty dollars. I forgot your daddy is always broke."

"I am not always broke!"

"No, you're stingy with your money and you're always looking for a fight and I'm not going to give you one right now." She reached for the server for the lasagna. "Who wants the first piece?" She smiled over at Shelly. "What about you Sweetheart?"

The small blonde, always quiet and reserved, nodded. "Yes, please."

Smiling back at her, Kimberly busied herself with serving each of them adequate pieces of lasagna before she handed the server to Bobby. She picked up her fork but hovered it above her plate as she noticed Bobby staring at her. "What?"

"The blessing?"

Clearing her throat, Kimberly lowered the fork back down and they all joined hands. Marley said grace beautifully and as always it made her smile. She picked up her fork again. "Now what?"

"You drive me crazy sometimes Kimmy."

"Yeah, well sometimes, I want to p-u-n-c-h you in the face." She stabbed at her lasagna, scowling again as he smirked at her. "Right now is one of those times."

"I love it when you talk d-i-r-t-y to me."

"Bobby!"

He chuckled and dove into his food. "I'm not saying we shouldn't do something but the choices are limited, you know?"

"Maybe we could talk to her."

"And say what?" He scoffed. "Look, can we just talk about this later? You know, not at the table?" He glanced at Marley and Shelly who were busy eating. "We'll finish this after dinner."

She slapped her napkin down into her lap. "Fine. Who taught you hunching over at the table was acceptable?"

"You are not seriously telling me to sit up."

"I know it wasn't Evelyn. I quite imagine she would put you over her knee if she saw you hunched over and shoveling your food like that."

"Are you trying to ride my ass or just bored?"

"Bobby..."

"I'm sorry you're upset baby and it's a tough situation but just give me a break right now about it. I said we'd talk later."

"I know we did but-"

"But what?" He wiped at his mouth with his napkin and tossed down his fork. "No, this isn't about Darius or the police. I'm not afraid of the police but bad things happen to good people all the time. You can't save everyone."

"But you can save some."

Bobby exhaled loudly through his nostrils. "This is the hormones right? Not letting this conversation go until later like we just agreed?"

"I... I don't know."

"Then what is it?" He lifted his cup to his mouth.

"Why is this suddenly about me?"

"Why shouldn't it be about you?" Bobby sat down the cup. "Baby, seriously, it's just your hormones and you're probably tired. Let's just discuss this later."

Kimberly lowered her fork. "Since when did you become the sensible one in this relationship?"

"Hey, I'm sensible!"

"Please, you nearly choked getting out the word!"

Bobby squinted at her, eyebrows furrowed. "Princess, I'm so confused right now that I'm surprised I'm not stuttering."

"Well, you know what?" She threw down her napkin. "I-" She paused at hearing a knock on the door. "I am going to go answer the door."

"I'll answer the door Princess. Stay off your feet."

"I said I am going to answer it." Kimberly rose to her feet at the same time as he did. "Bobby, I mean it. Sit down."

He chuckled but shook his head. "Woman, you don't tell me what to do."

"Bobby..." She glared at him but slowly sat down in her seat. "Someone needs to look after the children."

Chuckling, he pressed a kiss against her hair and stroked her long locks before escaping to answer the door as the bell rang again. Kimberly continued to eat with the children, silence filling the kitchen but the sound of a high pitched voice disrupted it.

"Where is my daughter?"

"Lilah..."

"She's not over here begging for food is she? I swear, that child..."

Kimberly rose immediately to her feet. "Keep eating girls." She ventured out of the kitchen and caught sight of the tall bleached blonde at the door. Lilah Morgan looked like she had gone days without a shower and had stayed up thanks to booze, cigarettes and illegal drugs. "Hello."

Lilah eyed Kimberly but smiled thinly. "I saw the note that Shelly's over here. Shelly!"

"Shelly's eating dinner right now."

"She can eat dinner at her house."

Kimberly ignored Bobby's gaze and crossed her arms over her stomach. "It's hard to eat food when no one buys any."

"Kimmy..."

"I buy food." Lilah snapped. "I want my daughter." She stormed past them into the kitchen. "Shelly, come on, we're going home!"

Shelly looked up as her mother entered the kitchen and instantly dropped the fork in her hand. "Mommy..."

"I told you not to call me that. Come on." Lilah grabbed Shelly's arm and practically yanked her off the seat.

"Lilah, that's enough." Bobby snapped.

She glared at him and tightened her grip on Shelly's arm. "I'll tell you what's enough when it comes to my daughter! Shelly won't be coming to your house anymore Bobby." She moved forward but Kimberly stepped in her way. "Out of my way bitch."

"You're right about one thing, I am a bitch and it wouldn't be wise to piss this bitch off. Let go of Shelly."

"You have no right to-"

"I'm going to call social services and then we'll see who has rights."

Lilah sneered at her, red lips twisting. "I'm her mother, you're just some rich bitch who got knocked up by a Mercer."

"You watch your fucking mouth when you're talking to my wife."

"You have to get married before you call her your wife and I don't see that happening any time soon. People who don't do things in order tend to not follow through on shit." Lilah jerked Shelly close to her. "Now move out of my way before I call Dwayne over here."

"Call Dwayne over here and you're gonna need the police for you and an ambulance for his body." Bobby stepped between the two women but Kimberly immediately moved to stand at his side. "Lilah, you're in no condition to take care of Shelly right now. Why don't you just leave her here with us for now?"

"Haven't you heard Bobby? Evelyn's fucking dead. This house no longer has to take in strays."

"What the fuck did you-"

"Bobby, no." Kimberly pressed her body against his to block him stepping forward. She glared at Lilah. "And Shelly shouldn't be a stray. She's your daughter, your flesh and blood, yet you constantly leave her alone in order to get drunk and pick up strangers!"

"What I do is none of your business and neither is Shelly!"

Kimberly turned to stand toe to toe with Lilah. "I'm making it my business."

"Don't make me laugh!"

"No one is laughing. I know your type Lilah so just spit it out. What's your price?"

"Excuse me?" Speaking at the same time as Lilah, Bobby grabbed Kimberly's shoulders and turned her back to face him. "Whatever you're thinking, no."

"Bobby, this is-"

"Two million dollars."

Bobby stared at Lilah in amazement. "What are-"

"Done." Kimberly replied back quickly. "I'll give you my number and we can finish the transaction tomorrow after I call my lawyer but only on the condition that Shelly stays here tonight."

"Kimmy, you are not paying her two million dollars!"

"Mommy." Marley slipped free of her seat and wrapped her arms around Kimberly's legs. "Mommy, everyone's yelling. I'm scared."

Immediately she bent down to scoop up Marley. "It's okay baby. It's just about over."

Lilah snorted. "Mommy, that's cute. At least you look related."

"Get out! Get out of my fucking house."

"Fuck you. Shelly's coming with me."

"No, she isn't."

"Mommy, you're hurting my arm."

At the sound of pain in Shelly's voice, Kimberly stepped forward but Bobby did as well in order to position her behind him. "Bobby, move."

He kept his eyes on Lilah. "I've never hit a woman Lilah but I'm about to make an exception. Let go of Shelly and get the fuck out of my house."

"Fuck you Bobby, fucking hit me. She is my fucking kid and she goes where I say she goes."

"Bobby, don't!"

He grabbed Lilah by her left arm and she gasped, her grip loosening on Shelly. Immediately Kimberly lowered Marley, took her hand, and then extended her left towards Shelly. "Come here Shelly, come here Sweetheart." She tried to smile as the little girl slid her tiny hand into hers.

"Get the fuck off me!"

"Take the girls upstairs Kimmy." Bobby ordered gruffly. "I'll take care of this." He swore when Lilah suddenly swung at him, her sharp fingernails catching the skin of his cheek.

"Bobby!"

Lilah dug her heel of her pump into Bobby's foot, ripping her arm free as he swore again. "You fucked with the wrong bitch Bobby!" She screamed. "I'll be back with Dwayne!"

"Make sure he brings his grandma!" Bobby yelled after her as she stormed out. "He's gonna need the back-up!" The front door slammed shut and he exhaled, his brown eyes finding hers. "Take the girls upstairs to Marley's room baby."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm calling Angel."

"What? Why? Let's call the police."

Bobby snorted. "There'll be less mess if I call Angel, trust me." He dug his cell phone out of his back pocket. "Go upstairs Kimmy."

She wanted to keep resisting but he was already dialing. Quickly she escorted the two girls up the stairs and into Marley's room.

"Mommy, is Daddy angry?"

Kimmy helped both girls into pajamas and then into Marley's bed. "He's just a little upset Marley but everything is going to be alright." She tucked the comforter comfortably around them. "Be good girls and stay here while I go check on Daddy, okay?"

"Okay Mommy."

She kissed Marley's forehead first then Shelly's and was hit the strong urge to cry as the little girl leaned into the caress. Their eyes met and she reached out to stroke the blonde strands away from Shelly's face. "Everything is going to be just fine, I promise."

Shelly nodded but said nothing and after kissing them again Kimberly rose to her feet.

TBC