A/N: Thanks to all of you who reviewed this chapter. Also if you guys have any questions or genuine concerns about the story, feel free to PM me, I don't mind answering questions. I just want as many people to continue reading as possible. I feel like I should explain parts of the story to everyone now like I did for someone who emailed me yesterday, but Idk it feels kind of like I would be going on a rant or something and I don't wanna do that. So really, if you have problems or questions about the story just email me, I will be more than happy to answer. I WANT you guys to like it okay? Love to all of y'all that reviewed again! Muah!

After every storm the sun will smile; for every problem there is a solution, and the soul's indefeasible duty is to be of good cheer.
William R. Alger

Ian walked out of the house purposefully to the barn where Emily stood with Declan petting Buddha, his horse. Emily was close to 5 months pregnant and despite whatever problems they had with each other, seemed to have a distinct glow about her. He had initially worried what this pregnancy would do to their already tumultuous relationship. Throwing in his temper, and her now raging hormones it had the potential for a downright shit storm.

However, the pregnancy that she'd been so dreading her whole life, seemed to have reassured her. She had told him honestly that while she would never approve of what he did, she was no longer looking for the nearest opportunity to bolt. She seemed to believe now what he'd known for seven years. They belonged together, even if they hated each other. The baby now gave her yet another reason to stay besides Declan, who wasn't even hers. They'd talked in great detail about how even if she was to ever leave, she'd always have a child with him now, she could never again pretend like his part of her life had never existed. There was proof, living proof.

Not that he would ever let her leave, but he felt slightly more reassured that she didn't want to. At least for the moment... And that was fine with him… Saving that worry for another day and time, he marched into the stable and strode up to her. Right now he had another matter to discuss with her and that was the lovely Penelope's arrival in 3 days. He'd arranged for a "body guard" aka chaperone for them whenever they were to leave the estate. The internet was shut off; so that there was no chance Penelope could dig deeper into Emily's mystery man while she was here.

They'd concocted a semi-believable story, easy enough for Declan to remember and stick to. That was the most worrisome part to Ian, was that Declan to mention him by name or contradict the story Emily had told Garcia. Declan had started calling him Dad with more frequency now. Ian believed they were truly starting to bond and so far he'd not lost his temper with Declan.

Emily on the other hand, was trying to test his patience intentionally he believed. Every day was something new, and there were days he thought he would have gladly killed her when he'd had the chance. He knew she'd always been headstrong, opinionated, almost like an alpha female. That's why she'd been so good at law enforcement. However when combined with his temper and personality was like living in a powder keg and throwing off sparks. He knew some of it was the pregnancy and he'd tried his damndest to not lay a hand to her if he could help it. He didn't want to do anything to jeopardize her pregnancy. She'd done her best to test his limitations. If he said no, she said yes. She knew if there was ever a time to get away with murder the time was now…

"Emily we need to talk about this weekend." He said striding over to where she was chattering excitedly with Declan about something or other.

"What about it?" She said carelessly, tossing her straight black hair away from her face.

"We need to go over the plan again. Make sure everything is understood." He said pointedly. He'd already told her there was to be absolutely no reckless behavior, just because he wasn't around to watch her. She was responsible for Declan while he was gone; and he would be watching her and her friend…

"Okayyy…" She said quizzically. She couldn't understand why this couldn't wait until later, but his flight had been moved up to tomorrow morning instead of afternoon, so they needed to iron out some details now.

They walked aways from Declan who stood brushing Buddha unconcernedly, while his "parents" talked seriously.

"So what do we need to talk about?" She said once they were out of earshot.

"My flight's been changed. It's at 7:00 am." He said roughly, clearing his throat.

"What? I thought it was like, at 4 or something…" She said worriedly. She wasn't happy he was leaving due to the nature of this trip. Not that she was all that crazy about his constant presence, but at least when he was here she knew he wasn't hurting anyone or being hurt himself.

"It was. Anyways, are you and Declan both clear on the story?" He asked folding his arms across his chest looking at her seriously.

"Yes, Declan just told me exactly what you told him last night. He's to only refer to you as Dad while Garcia is here, and your name isn't Ian, it's Isaac Farrell and you are in the oil business. Hence, Dubai, but we met at the hotel in Barbados." She said tiredly. She'd only had to repeat this a million and one times, but he'd told her that was the only condition of Garcia coming. She was not to find out about him, no matter what. Not only would they try to take him and put him away for good, but if there was nothing they could do about him, because after all he was "dead"; they would definitely try and take Emily and the baby away.

Declan understood the seriousness of the situation and being a 12 year old boy, the anticipation of a new brother or sister was a very big deal and he took his new responsibility as an older brother VERY seriously.

"Correct, now: Emery will be escorting you ladies wherever you go outside these walls am I understood?" He said pointing a finger at her to emphasize his point. He wasn't fucking around.

"Yes, but I highly doubt we'll need him, there's plenty to do here…" She started, but he interrupted.

"I don't care. I'm not risking something happening to you or my child, while I'm away. And I'll be calling every night, to say goodnight to you and Declan." He handed her an encrypted Blackberry. "This has my number programmed into it. If you need ANYTHING. You call me immediately. Understood?" He said.

"Yeah, Ian… Don't you think you're going a little overboard here? I mean it's not like I'm going to be doing anything dangerous while you're gone…" She said jokingly.

"Emily, trouble follows you like a bloody magnet." He said with a raised eyebrow.

"Hey! Most of the trouble I've been in the last year or 2 has been thanks to you!" She said with an indignant pout.

"Exactly, and now that we're together that trouble could increase ten-fold, you know." He said pointedly.

"Okay well, we'll all be fine, I promise. Scout's honor." She said, rubbing her tummy. He looked at her puzzled.

"Scout's honor?" He asked. Clearly there was some American idiom he was missing.

"Yeah, like Girl Scouts? Boy Scouts?" She said.

"Emily I have no idea what you're talking about," he said, chuckling. Wrapping his arm around her waist they walked back over to Declan who was looking at them intently.

"So who wants to go out for dinner before I leave?" Ian asked looking at the two of them.

"Me! Me!" Declan said jumping down the step stair he'd been standing on.

Walking out one hand around Emily's waist, the other tousling Declan's hair, the three of them walked towards the town car in the circle drive, Ian couldn't help the nagging thought in his head that told him this whole scenario was a bad idea. A very bad idea…