Thank you everyone for the wonderful reviews. I am so sorry for the long overdue update but my muse seems to be back on track. Keep your fingers crossed. Again thank you for the reviews. Please read and review. Enjoy!

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Claudia sat in her room at Sonny's house thinking about her life. It had been decided it would be safer for her if he lived here. Most of her stuff was still in here and it made her feel better being surrounded by stuff she loved. She loved sleeping in Sonny's arms, but it was still his room. She placed a hand on her stomach and sighed. She as still terrified she wouldn't be able to protect this baby. There was a knock on the door and Carly poked her head in.

"Sorry, I came by to see Sonny and he's not here so I just thought you might know where he is," she said. Claudia smirked.

"Why should I? I'm only his wife," Claudia said. Carly laughed and came into the room.

"That used to drive me crazy. He would just blow in and out of the house without a word as to where he was going or when he'd be back," Carly laughed. "God I hated that man."

"When did you hate Sonny?" Claudia asked hungry for any kind of gossip. Sonny wouldn't talk to her about anything heavier than what she wanted for dinner.

"When I got pregnant with our first child I hated Sonny. I was only living with him because he would not have the woman pregnant with his child anywhere else. He was so-"

"Bossy?" Claudia asked a smile playing on her lips.

"Yes! Exactly," Carly said smiling. "So, um I heard what happened. You must have been really scared."

"I'm always scared," Claudia said looking at the pattern of her comforter. Carly took Claudia's hand and placed it on her stomach. Claudia felt a sharp kick and smiled.

"If I so much as have a temper tantrum my baby could die. And trust me for me that is a hard thing to avoid doing. I have a very stressful life and there is a lot of stuff I have to learn to let go of. And whenever I wonder if it's worth it my baby kicks. Your baby isn't big enough to remind you that he or she is there yet, but it is there."

"I know that, but my father-"

"No, this is your baby. Not your father's, yours. You are going to hold this baby Claudia. We will get you a hundred guards, a driver, a gun, a-"

"A gun?" Claudia asked laughing.

"Please Johnny and Sonny can blow smoke all they want, but as someone who had her baby threatened I know that the only person who can protect your baby is you."

"The baby you were pregnant with when Ric kidnapped you he didn't make it did he?"

"You need better sources. The baby I was pregnant with when Ric kidnapped me is downstairs playing video games with Max. I was pregnant with Morgan. All odds were against our survival, but we did it and so will you and your baby. Even if Ric or your father gets their hands on you, you will fight them and you will win."

"How can you be so sure?" Claudia asked tears in her eyes.

"Because you're a bitch," Carly said. Claudia laughed.

"Thanks."

"No I mean it. So am I, I can admit it. But you know what? Men like Ric and your father they can't handle strong bitchy women because those women are stronger than them, meaner than them. You and I are mama bears Claudia we will kill anyone and anything that threatens our young. I've seen you do it with Johnny and I pity the person who tries to hurt your baby. Besides," Carly said smiling slapping the bed. "I am a bitch too so with you and me fighting for our babies we can't lose," Claudia laughed and wiped away her tears.

"Thank you Carly." Claudia knew she wouldn't even be having this conversation if Carly knew the truth. Everyone had decided it was too dangerous to tell her now.

"No problem. Now, I want some ice cream feel like coming? I know Morgan would really like it."

"Aren't you supposed to be eating healthy?" Claudia asked.

"I'll get some carrot cake instead come on," Carly said pulling Claudia off the bed. They went downstairs and Morgan had just beaten Max.

"Dude I thought you said you had been practicing?" Morgan asked laughing.

"He was," Milo said laughing.

"Hey I will get better," Max said defensively. Morgan looked up and smiled.

"Hey Claudia dad told me your having another baby."

"Yep we are," Claudia said nervous Morgan would be upset.

"This is so great. I hope you have a girl like my mom, that way they can have tea parties together and I don't have to do it," Claudia and Carly laughed.

"Claudia is going to come get ice cream with us is that ok?" Carly asked. Morgan's face lit up and after saying a quick goodbye to Max and Milo he was dragging his mom and step mom towards the door talking about the Yankees last game.

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Claudia was sitting in the waiting room before her appointment with Dr Lee. Today was the day she would find out if she was having a boy or a girl. Like with her last baby she had a strong feeling she already knew. And she prayed to god she was wrong. Carly was supposed to meet her here, but then again Carly was ready to pop. Claudia wouldn't be surprised if Carly went into labor very soon.

Claudia saw Olivia and grimaced. Even though she and Olivia had been getting along really well lately, she was still Johnny's girlfriend and that meant her first allegiances were to him. Claudia didn't want anyone, but Carly to know she was here. The results were literally life and death. She had already asked Olivia to lie for her once and it almost cost Olivia Johnny. Claudia didn't think she would be inclined to do that again.

Luckily Carly saw her too, just as she came off the elevator. She grabbed Olivia saying something Claudia couldn't hear. In a few minutes Olivia was gone. Claudia breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Carly.

"What did you say to her?" Claudia asked amused.

"I just made up some emergency at the hotel," Carly replied sitting down next to her.

"What happens when she realizes you were lying?"

"She won't, there are always emergencies at a hotel. I'm sure there will be something that needs her attention. So, how are you? Did she call you in yet?" Carly asked noting Claudia's nervous behavior. She was biting on one of her nails and Carly had learned over the past few months it meant Claudia was ready to lose it.

"No," Claudia said tears forming in her eyes.

"Hey it's going to be fine," Carly said taking her hand. Claudia shook her head.

"If this baby is a boy my father will take him away from me and raise him to be as cruel and hurtful as he is. And if it's a girl he'll kill her. This is a loose loose situation Carly."

"Claudia are you worried about Sonny?" Carly asked. Claudia's eyes grew wide.

"No of course not I…I know he loves his kids."

"Claudia, Sonny is not going to treat your daughter the way your father treated you. He has a daughter and he loves her."

"But he connects differently to Michael and Morgan. I've seen it," Claudia said her hand on her stomach.

"That is Alexis' fault. She kept Sonny and Kristina away from each other. Sonny is going to spoil your little girl rotten. He adores Michael and Morgan, but I think he's always wanted a little girl he could give the world too. He would've done that with Kristina, but Alexis wouldn't allow it. I promise you your little girl is going to have the life both of you were denied."

"How do you know it's a girl?" Claudia asked smiling.

"Because most mothers can tell pretty early on. And you and I wouldn't be having this conversation if you thought it was a boy."

"So I guess Morgan is off the hook with the tea parties?" Claudia asked laughing and wiping the last of her tears away.

"Oh no now he's just going to have to watch two sisters instead of one," Carly said smirking. Claudia laughed.

"Thank you Carly. Who would've thought you and I would be helping and comforting each other like this?"

"Not me that's for damn sure," Carly said smiling.

"Claudia I'm ready for you," Dr Lee said from the door way. Claudia nodded and walked into the examination room Carly right behind her.

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Sonny was sitting at his desk looking over paperwork when Claudia came into the room. He looked up and smiled at her. He was glad she had moved back in here. She smiled back nervously and went over to the bar. She reached for the vodka, got a frustrated look on her face, and grabbed a water.

"Something wrong?" Sonny asked.

"I…um found out the sex of our baby today."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Sonny asked slightly upset that she hadn't told him.

"I wanted to think about things before anyone else knew," Claudia said walking over to the desk.

"So what are we having?" Sonny asked moving to stand in front of Claudia. She looked down at the floor and he cupped her cheek forcing her to look at him. Claudia smiled through her tears.

"We're having a girl," she said quietly. She looked into Sonny's eyes and saw he was smiling.

"A girl?" he asked his voice soft in amazement. Claudia smiled and nodded. Sonny and Claudia stared deep into each other's eyes both lost in images of their beautiful baby girl. A tear trickled down Claudia's cheek and Sonny wiped it away gently. Then he touched his lips to hers softly. She wrapped her arms aound him deepening the kiss. They broke apart and Sonny looked at Claudia happily. She smiled that sexy glint Sonny loved so much shining in her eyes. He flashed his dimples and led her upstairs.

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Anthony sat in the visitors' room at prison and waited for Ric. He finally arrived and Anthony rolled his eyes.

"I like my monkeys to be on time. Now what do you have for me?"

"Good news, this is the ultrasound of your first grandson. Well the first one to stay alvie long enogh to be born. You and I will make sure of that," Ric said handing Anthony an ultrasound picture. Anthony started at it.

"How can you tell anything from this picture?" he asked turning it every which way.

"I'm a lawyer not a Doctor. My source at the hospital told me it was a boy I even checked Claudia's personal hospital files."

"Good keep me updated on my daughter's progress. Oh and Ric start getting her room together. It's almost time for a family reunion," Anthony said looking at the ultrasound. "Soon Claudia, very soon."

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Sonny woke up and wrapped his arms around Claudia protectively. She sighed contently and turned to face him.

"Sonny."

"Yea?"

"No one else can know we are having a girl," Claudia said seriously.

"What? Why?" Sonny asked opening his eyes to stare into her frightened ones.

"My father probably has a source at the hospital. So, as far as he concerned he has two options. Girl he kills me and our child, boy he takes me just before I give birth, take our son, and then kill me. Sonny at least if he thinks it's a boy we have a fighting chance. Only you, me, Carly, and Doctor Lee know this baby is a girl. It needs to stay that way please."

"But if your father has someone feeding him information from the hospital-"

"Please give me and Carly a little credit," Claudia said smirking. Sonny laughed.

"Ok, but Claudia I want you to be clear on something. I love this baby and I couldn't be happier that we are going to have a daughter together. Ok?"

"I know," Claudia said kissing him gently. Sonny nodded and pulled her closer. He felt the slight bump of her stomach and kissed her hair. Anthony Zaccarra would not hurt his family. It was time to make sure of that.