Epilogue – No End In Sight

Lulu stood in her new home washing her cereal bowl and the other left over dishes from last night. She couldn't believe the events of the last few months. She had been through the most painful thing she had ever experienced and now was happier than she had ever been. Johnny may have broken her heart, but he made up for it with the little things he now did everyday.

The way he never missed a doctor's appointment or brought her fresh flowers just to make her day better. Honestly, things were not the way they used to be. They were better. They were more in love than ever and excited to be parents. She smiled as she felt arms wrap around her waist and two hands holding her ever-growing stomach. She was only barely showing, but felt fat. Johnny said she was beautiful and by the way he said it, she chose to believe him. She laughed as she felt his lips come to her neck.

"Good morning to you too, Johnny," Lulu said.

"Mmm, good morning beautiful," Johnny replied placing a kiss on her shoulder.

"You have a one track mind Johnny Zacchara," Lulu said as he began nibbling the back of her neck.

"It's not my fault you dress so damn appealing all of the time," Johnny said.

Lulu laughed and turned in his arms. She was wearing his pajama pants and a tank top that was stretched tight over her stomach. Her hair was in a messy pile on top of her head because she hadn't taken the time to fix it when she got out of bed. She was anything but appealing.

"Quite the charmer aren't you," Lulu said. "Unfortunately, you have to go take a shower and get ready and so do I which leaves no time for this today. I want to get to the hospital early and try to get in sooner than what my appointment is. I'm so excited to find out if we're having a boy or a girl."

Johnny smiled and kissed her quickly on the lips before placing his hands around her waist. He quickly picked her up and set her on the kitchen counter earning a disapproving look from Lulu who was annoyed with his persistence. He smirked at her and then his face softened as he placed his hands on her stomach and began talking animatedly.

"Hey baby. I am so excited to see you today," Johnny started. "I'm so excited for the day you leave mommy's tummy and I get to hold you in my arms. I'm going to protect you from everything and teach you anything you want to know. Mommy and I love you so much, precious baby," he finished pressing a kiss to Lulu's stomach.

He looked up to see tears rolling down Lulu's cheeks. He gently lifted her off of the counter and placed a kiss on both cheeks where the tears were and then one on her forehead before finally placing a chaste kiss on her lips.

"This kid's pretty lucky to have a great dad like you," Lulu said smiling.

"And a mom like you, he said as he caressed her face. "I'm going to take a shower."

As he turned to walk out of the room Lulu couldn't help but smile. She followed him to their bedroom and heard him turn on the shower. She waited until he got in and then undressed and joined him. He laughed when she entered.

"I thought there wasn't time for this," Johnny said.

"I thought showering together would save time," Lulu said with a seductive smile.

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Johnny and Lulu waited nervously for the doctor to come in for the ultrasound. Johnny was never happier than in this moment. Although Lulu had asked him countless times with Johnny saying it didn't matter, he was hoping to find out today they had a baby girl on the way. Johnny laughed every time Spinelli called the baby 'The Miniature Fair One' because that's exactly what he wanted. A daughter just as beautiful as her mother that he could love and protect and spoil rotten.

The doctor came in and explained what would take place during the ultrasound. Johnny felt Lulu squeeze his hand as the doctor rubbed the gel on her stomach. Johnny held his breath as the doctor checked the baby to make sure everything was going well. It was and Johnny let out a sigh of relief. Then he became nervous again.

"I understand you want to know the sex of the baby," the doctor commented.

"Yes," Lulu nodded.

"Okay, well let's take a look," the doctor replied. After a few minutes of adjusting the machine, the doctor smiled and said, "There it is. Congratulations, you are going to be the proud parents of a beautiful little girl."

Johnny was speechless. He stared in awe at his baby girl. He tightened his grip on Lulu's hand and stole a glance at her. She was entranced in the screen and he pressed a light kiss to her hair.

"I'll print a picture for you and come back," the doctor said excusing herself.

"She's perfect," Lulu said with tears of joy spilling from her eyes.

"Just like her mom," Johnny agreed. "Thank you so much, Lulu. You have given me the most amazing gift."

"What?" Lulu asked confused and Johnny chuckled.

"Do you want a list? You, your love, your faith, this baby girl," he said taking a glance at the monitor. "I am forever in your debt for these things and also the little things you give me each day."

"I will always be yours. And in case you didn't know, you will always be mine because I'm not letting you go," Lulu laughed. "So, you got the girl you wanted."

Johnny smiled. "How did you know I wanted a girl?" he asked.

"I just know you. I knew you would want a daddy's little girl," Lulu explained.

"Well yes. I'm so happy. A healthy, beautiful baby girl. I love you," Johnny said.

"I love you, too." Lulu replied.

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Lulu had no idea why Johnny was making such a big fuss. It was a special day. Finding out that they were having a girl and that she was healthy had made the day perfect for Lulu, but Johnny insisted that he needed to take his two favorite girls out tonight. So she had gotten all dressed up and was riding in the car with a blindfold on while Johnny drove to their destination.

She reached for his hand and squeezed when she felt his touch.

"Why won't you tell me where we're going?" Lulu asked impatiently.

"And here I thought you were being sentimental by holding my hand. You were just trying to break my guard down so you could ruin your own surprise," Johnny said laughing.

Lulu laughed too as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly. She knew he wouldn't tell her and part of her was glad. His surprises were always fun, but more for him than for her. She knew he enjoyed planning things for her and watching her squirm impatiently until she found out what was going on.

"Are we there yet?" Lulu groaned.

"Yes, but we're driving past it because you're complaining," Johnny said sarcastically.

Lulu rolled her eyes behind the blindfold and snatched her hand away. He was frustrating her to no end. How much trouble would it be to give a small hint as to what was happening? She felt him grab her hand again and when she resisted, she could feel him smirking at her.

"Don't give me that look, Johnny. I want to know where we're going," Lulu demanded.

"Have I ever told you that I love you?" Johnny asked and she nodded. "Good, so you know that I'm doing this for you. I would do anything for you, so if you really want me to tell you and ruin the surprise and everything I planned, I will. But be sure that's what you want."

He was using some kind of psychology on her. She knew it, but it still worked.

"Fine. But are we at least close?" she asked defeated.

The car slowed and she felt them turn. "Very," he answered.

The car stopped and he led her up a few steps and then helped her sit in a chair at a table. He finally stepped behind her and undid the blindfold. Her surroundings amazed her. They appeared to be in the middle of nowhere, but Johnny had decorated the entire area. They were at a table for two and there were lights everywhere. Lulu could have only described it as a scene from a romantic movie, but it was better because it was all for her.

"So pleasantly surprised?" he asked watching her.

Lulu could only nod and smile happily. They ate their entire meal in silence because she couldn't find the words to thank him for this perfect dinner he had given her. He had made this day so special for her and she was so grateful. She started to speak when she saw him get up and come to her. There had been soft music playing and she assumed he was going to ask her to dance. She turned in her chair and her mouth fell open as he bent in front of her on one knee.

"Lulu, you amaze me. I haven't said a word this entire dinner because I've been watching you. How beautiful and graceful you are. I get lost in your eyes and don't know how to find my way out and I don't want to. I want to look into your eyes every day for the rest of my life. I want to tell you and show you how much I love you forever," Johnny paused and took a deep breath.

He took her left hand in his and Lulu was speechless. This was the last thing she expected. Was he doing what she thought he was doing?

"Lesley Lu Spencer, would you make me the luckiest man in the world by becoming my wife?"

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Lulu was just staring at him. Johnny had arranged the best dinner he could possibly have thought of and spent hours practicing his proposal. Not that it worked out because as soon as he got down on one knee, all his words left him so he just spoke from his heart. Apparently, he had gone wrong. Lulu was sitting there with her mouth open and not saying a word.

Johnny thought back a few days to Luke's words. Maybe Luke knew more about Lulu than Johnny realized.

"Hey Luke, I need to talk to you," Johnny said as he walked into the Haunted Star.

"What's on your mind? Are my cupcake's hormones finally wearing you down?" Luke asked.

"No, actually it's kind of the opposite. This may be old fashioned, but there's something I need to ask you," Johnny said revealing a diamond engagement ring.

"The answer is no. Lulu would kill me if I ran away to marry you. And just so you know, that's not old fashioned," Luke said laughing as Johnny rolled his eyes.

"I want to ask Lulu to marry me and I want your blessing," Johnny said seriously.

"You didn't ask my blessing for getting her pregnant," Luke laughed and then got serious. "Why now? Are you sure that Lesley Lu is ready to get married?"

"What do you mean? We love each other and we're having a baby. Why wouldn't we get married?" Johnny asked confused.

"Marriage scares my daughter. She has a lot of role models for love, but not for happy marriages. She's probably content with the way things are," Luke explained.

"I know that it used to, but things are different now. I want to make her mine forever, and I would love it if you supported us," Johnny said.

"Not that it matters what I think to my daughter, I do support you. You have certainly made your share of mistakes, but I think you bring out the best in Lulu. I know she brings out the best in you and I understand why you want to hang onto that," Luke said. "You have my blessing."

"Thank you," Johnny said before leaving.

Now Johnny knew for sure. Luke was right. Lulu had been staring at him for at least five minutes and hadn't said a word. Her answer was obviously no, but Johnny didn't know how to get up. What was the next step in having your proposal rejected? There wasn't one. The girl always says yes and is completely excited.

"I don't know what to do, Lulu," Johnny said searching her eyes. "I guess I should swallow my pride, get off my knees and ask you to dance like this never happened."

Still nothing from Lulu.

"I can't do that, Lu. I want you to say yes and I need to know you will spend the rest of your life with me. I'm not going to swallow my pride or get up. We're not going to dance until you say yes or at least say something. Marry me? I'll ask you as many times as it takes to get a yes. Marry me, Lulu," Johnny begged.

Lulu seemed to finally snap out of her daze. Her eyes met his and Johnny could see her answer. She smiled and nodded as the tears streamed from her eyes. Johnny leaned in and kissed her softly, but she pulled back quickly.

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!" Lulu exclaimed. "I want to marry you and be with you forever. Yes, yes, yes!"

Lulu kissed him this time and it was his turn to pull back quickly. He reached in his pocket and pulled out the engagement ring. He placed it on her finger and she smiled even wider, though he didn't think it was possible.

They kissed again and this time neither pulled back. Lulu deepened the kiss and Johnny stood pulling her into his arms and spun her around, all the while their lips never broke. After kissing for several minutes, they pulled away out of breath and deliriously happy.

"What took you so long to answer?" Johnny asked.

"What took you so long to ask?" Lulu replied and Johnny laughed. "I thought I was dreaming. You asking me to marry you seemed like a fantasy to me and I couldn't believe it was real. After several minutes of convincing myself that this was really happening, I heard you saying that you thought I was saying no and I had to speak."

"I was so scared," Johnny admitted. "I didn't know what to do if you didn't want to marry me."

"I do want to marry you, Johnny. I want to show the world that I belong to you forever," Lulu said smiling.

"I belong to you, Lulu. Forever," Johnny agreed.

He asked her to dance and they swayed softly around the small area. Johnny held Lulu's waist tight and Lulu rested her head over his heart, listening to the intoxicating rhythm it created.

Johnny was so happy. He was having a baby girl and the girl of his dreams was going to marry him. They were going to be a real family. Before he met Lulu he didn't even bother to dream about a life like the one he was getting. He thought it was pointless to want something he would never have. But now he was going to be happy. He was going to be everything he never thought he could be and it was all because of the woman in his arms.

"I love you," Johnny whispered.

"I love you, too," Lulu whispered back.

THE END

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Thank you for reading my story! I loved writing it and appreciated all the comments I received!