Author's Note: There will only be a few chapters left, I just feel that it needs to end soon instead of dragging it out and making it not feel "natural." I am wrapping up the ending and will have it posted in a few days, I need to let it sink and come back to see if I am happy with it.

**********

Presents where piled on top of the antique table. Emilene's eyes gazed upon them wondering how much stuff a baby actually needed. Every color of the rainbow danced across the table with sentiments of "Congratulations", "Welcome Baby", and such. Bodies of guests swirled past her and it felt like the earth was spinning out of control. She rested her hands around her belly and cradled it, a nervous habit she picked up once her baby bump began showing. It made her feel comfortable and also felt like she was putting up a shield to the world.

Tom turned the corner to find her standing there staring at the colorful assortment of gifts. He could feel her becoming uncomfortable and nervous around everyone, half of the people she had no idea who they were. Emma's family background was shaky, and when he tried to trace relatives that he thought would like to see her, his searches came up empty. It was as if she just came from nothing.

His eyes darted around the room at all the smiling faces, laughter singing through the air, warm embraces of his close family and friends, but she was standing there alone. Slowly, he walked up behind her, placed his arms over hers and on the baby bump. His chin rested on her shoulder.

"Please don't be nervous, they all love you." Gently he squeezed her, not wanting to hurt the baby. He felt her body tremble under his touch and he knew that inside she was hurting.

"I-I know. It's… just a very difficult time for me right now." She turned and her eyes glistened. He could see that she was trying to fit back her tears. He wanted to take the pain away from her.


"Are you sure there isn't anyone that you remember from when you were a child? Did you parents ever speak of any aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents?

Emilene shook her head. "I never met anyone else in my family, it was always my parents and I growing up. But after their…" tears began to fall from her eyes "accident, I just had Michelle and her mom."

Tom wrapped Emilene into a hug, how could her family not want to be in her life? It just didn't make sense to him. There had to be more information, background story… something on why she grew up like that.

Softly whispering in her ear Tom mentioned for them to go a genealogist and see if they were able to help find any family members. Emilene agreed, as she also wanted to know about her family, about her parents past. All she had were a few photos and memories of them; she had to have met a grandparent or cousin.

The genealogist was able to find some information, but nothing futile that would help them out. As luck would have it, Emilene's mom was adopted and no one knew who her biologicial parents were. Her fathers' parents were traced, but they both died a year after Emilene was born in an Upstate New York senior facility. Every piece of information led them to dead ends. Emilene was alone and Tom was her family.



Tom cradled her head in his hands, softly kissing her lips. "I love you Emma, you are a part of my family. Everyone isn't here for me, they are here for you and Baby K."

A small smile spread across her lips, Tom's parents were more than welcoming when they found the news about the baby. Emilene already had an outstanding relationship with Simone; from the first moment they met they talked for hours. When Simone brought out the baby photo albums, Tom knew that she was the one. His mother was often wary of new friends and girlfriends they brought home, but she sensed the goodness in Emilene's heart. Bill already considered her to be his sister, often giving her advice on how to wear her makeup and what outfit would grab Tom's attention. But most of all, it was Tom who became more attentive, slowly through the first five months of her pregnancy, she opened up to Tom about her home life growing up. She knew it would be hard, but it would also shed light on who she was. Some nights ended up in heated arguments leaving Emilene to wonder if he would come back. Tom always did, he couldn't leave her, not like how people who were suppose to love her did. It was how her caregivers treated her that upset him the most. To leave a three-year-old child that just lost her parents on the streets sickened him. If he ever ran into them, he didn't want to think what he would do. The relationship between Michelle and Emilene waned, no longer did they speak and he knew that took a toll on her. Often at nights he would hear her cry on the balcony, why did she have to suffer?

Baby K brought a new light to her, at night he would hear her sing softly to the baby. Giggling when she felt Baby K kicking her stomach, the first time he felt the baby kick, he was at a lost for words. After that moment he talked to her stomach, he would grab his guitar and play chords, while singing to the baby.

Together they decided to not find out the baby's sex, they wanted it to be a surprise before naming their child. They tossed some names back and forth, but could never really agree on one.

Tom moved into Emilene's apartment a few weeks after her first ultrasound, he wanted to be with her during her pregnancy as much as he could. It was easy as the band was working on their new album and decided to in Germany, management let them take longer so Tom could be around when Emilene gave birth.


It was seven months into her pregnancy when Tom proposed. They were sitting down among photos, glue, stickers and scrapbook pages, putting together a baby book detailing the major steps through her pregnancy. They sat there talking and enjoying sundaes Tom made them, chocolate ice cream, with hot caramel sauce, gummy bears, sour skittles and frosted Cheerio's for Emilene. Laughing about her off the wall cravings when an oversize, green bear was placed next to her. Emilene placed her sundae on the carpet next to her, eyeing the bear.

"What is this? A gift from someone for the baby?"

Tom just sat there across from Emma, watching her expression change from questioning into contemplation. She was thinking of were to put the bear in the room, he wet his lips, and move over to her side.

"No, this is a gift from me to Baby K. I saw it while Bill and I were picking up the crib the other day." Tom saw her expression softened and turn into adoration, he could hear her sniffle.

"I love it Tom, and I know Baby K will too. W-wait, what is this around its neck?" Slowly Emilene leaned forward and untied the bright green ribbon tied around the stuffed bears neck. She brought the ribbon to her and opened her hands, in her hand sat a delicate white gold band with a emerald cut pink diamond. Small diamonds surrounded it, while more diamonds decorated the band. She felt her body go weak, her hands began to sweat and her mind was swirling.

Her tear filled eyes flickered up to Tom, but he wasn't standing there. She turned to her side to find him sitting on his knees next to her. He grabbed the ring out of her hand and held it with his thumb and index finger.

"Emma, never in my wildest dreams did I believe I would be in love, never the less, fall in love with a woman like you. You have been there for me at my worse, and at my best. Never once did you stop believing in me, nor did your love ever change for me." Tom took in a deep breath "I can't picture my life without you in it, please say that you will grow old with me as my wife."

Tear slowly fell down her face; her hand fell down to her stomach, a small giggle escaped her lips through her cries.

"I would love to grow old with you Tom and be your wife. It also seems that Baby K is also happy to be apart of this great moment." Tom wrapped Emilene into a hug and placed his right hand on her belly, feeling the kicks Baby K was giving.



Now, here they were a few days before the baby's due date surrounded by the ones who loved them. Emilene sucked in a few deep breaths before kissing Tom on the cheek. "I love you too, now lets go enjoy the baby shower." She exclaimed with a soft smile.