Chapter Seven
Surprise of a Lifetime

A/N: ShiloCoulter is back. Big surprise in this chapter. You'll never see it coming.

(Shilo's POV)

All of the ghosts had been released. I took one last glance at Kathy before walking out of the room with Susan and Dana. Dennis met up with us right outside and pulled me into his arms. At the same time, a sudden pain twisted in my stomach, almost like the aftershock of catching a punch to the gut.

"Excuse me!" I gasped, struggling to get free of his arms.

He dropped his hold automatically. "Shilo?"

I streaked for the bathroom with my hand clamped over my mouth, not noticing that Kathy's body wasn't where we left it. I felt so horrible that I didn't even care – at first – that he was with me while I crouched over the toilet and was violently sick.

"Shilo? What's wrong?"

I'd tried to keep this hidden from him, at least until we freed the ghosts, but now, he was gonna have to know.

I got up and brushed my teeth before splashing my face. I turned around and faced him, taking a deep breath.

"Dennis," I said. "I'm pregnant."

"What?"

"I'm pregnant," I said. "About four months along. I'm actually surprised you didn't notice the baby bump. I mean, it's not really big, but it's there."

"Were you ever gonna tell me?"

"I wanted to wait until after we got this done."

"Shilo," Dennis said. "You and the baby could get hurt."

All of a sudden, Kathy came out of nowhere, holding a knife, and threw it at me. It soared and when it hit my stomach, a blue force field appeared and the knife hit it, clattering to the floor. A bolt of electricity shot out of the Shield, hitting Kathy and throwing her into a wall.

"Oh, I don't think so," I said, putting my hand over my bump. "Apparently, baby, here prefers mommy to be indestructible. It takes after its father in that way."

Dennis pulled me close, covering my bump with his hand.

"I'm gonna be a father."

I smiled at that and whispered "Yes you are."

The next person I told the news to was my father, Ryan. Needless to say he was overjoyed at being a grandfather, even if the timing was off. Dana and Susan were both vying for the position of Godmother. I found it funny to see the two of them squabble over this. I had picked Horace as Godfather because he had helped me when I needed it.

Royce and Katie were the happiest couple I had ever seen, not counting Dennis and I. But I suppose 50 years apart will do that to anyone, I hope I never have to experience it. As it was Royce and Katie, well mostly Katie, were sorry they missed the big ass kicking of Kathy Kirticos. I assured Katie there would be a next time, just for her as she had seen Kathy eying Royce and, trust me no one gets near Katie's man.

She was kind enough to tell me stories of her high school days with Royce and I shiver to think of what Kathy is going to feel when Katie gets a hold of her. I have to admit I don't complete blame Kathy for staring at Royce, on occasion I caught myself doing the same. Of course I stopped myself because, honestly Royce might be hotter than the sun but Dennis is the one who holds my heart.

And of course this life inside me makes our bond even stronger. I never thought I'd be able to have kids or find the love of such a man but I have managed to do both in a short amount of time. My love for Dennis sometimes overwhelmed me but to me that just meant it was pure and true. I wouldn't have it any other way.