Poodles and Eggcups.

Written by McIzzieFan and Adia Rose.

A/N --- One of the writers of this story got a little carried away with the umm..."physical romance" of this chapter. The other writer toned it down and reigned it in. It is now tame but slightly suggestive. Let us know if it is too much or not enough.


Ronnie paused, the answer should have been simple. She could feel it there resting on the tip of her tongue, that resounding 'yes' that should have been so easy to say. It was her heart that was stopping her, that little bit of her that was screaming no, don't do it, you don't love him enough to marry him, this isn't how it should be. It was the perfect way to make everything she was working for come together but really doing that to him, to herself, marrying him purely for security and for a baby that would be hers and never his…she didn't know if she could do it.

The pause didn't go unnoticed by Jack, he was watching her down on his bended knee, watching her think. Why did she need to think? What was possibly stopping her from saying yes?! It irritated him, he wanted to stand up and shout that it was them, 'Ronnie and Jack', that she should be jumping into his arms and thanking him for giving this to her, but that was hardly a productive way to encourage her to accept a marriage proposal. Ronnie was sure she could see that tiny glint of annoyance or anger in Jack's eyes but she tried to push it away and ignore it.

At the very moment, as she stuttered over her answer, what in reality was a few seconds but to Jack and Ronnie both, felt like hours, she was suddenly struck by the pain of a cramp within her abdomen. An irritating reminder of her period and of yet another month that had passed leaving her without the thing she craved most. Looking down at Jack, his hopeful smile starting to slip, she suddenly rushed out "yes!" and as Jack stood up, slipping the ring on her finger and lifting her up as the pair celebrated. The cramp was a signal, a reminder that she never wanted to feel empty and alone ever again, once married perhaps Jack would warm to the idea of a baby? Yes, now they were engaged there was nothing to stop them she wouldn't need her 'fixed' condoms, they wouldn't need condoms at all.

Jack had his arms wrapped around Ronnie's waist as he lifted her off the floor, pulling her body into his as he span them both around. Ronnie grinned, letting herself laugh, surprised at the sound which she hadn't had to force. One step closer to a baby. Everything would be alright. She could have cried from the relief that at least one thing in her life was coming together. She had security, Jack Branning was going to be there, he couldn't leave her, he couldn't leave her on her own now. And marriage, that was a commitment, that meant she was so much closer to having her baby. Her arms were slung around Jack's neck, letting one hand caress the hair at the nape of his neck. She pressed her lips down to his in a hard and passionate embrace. Jack lowered her back to her feet, the length of her body sliding oh so slowly and firmly against his in its path.

As Ronnie's body was pushed backwards into the countertop, Jack kept her pinned there with his strong frame, swallowing the moan that spilled forth unheeded from her as his tongue plundered her mouth. Romance had quickly been replaced by heat and neither could remember who had brought about that change. But soon the need for air overtook them and they broke apart, both panting. Jack reveled in the feeling of Ronnie's breasts pushed deeply against his chest, moving against him in the rapid rise and fall as she gasped to regain her breath. This was how he wanted Ronnie, soft and pliable in his arms, submissive against him, bending to his will and her attention trained unequivocally on him. It was almost like a trophy, a badge of honour to be the one to tame Ronnie Mitchell, the man who could claim her heart. It was another boost for his ego and his eyes showed his pride as he stared at the subservient woman he had made her, if only for a moment. He told himself that it was enough, that he was the only one in her heart, in her eyes, in her life. He knew it was a lie but it was one he was willing to tell because he would day by day make it the truth.

Ronnie breathed heavily trying to force air into her deprived lungs as Jacks mouth once more moved onto hers forcefully, a flurry of lips, tongue and teeth, rough and unyielding. Their tongues danced and battled for dominance but Ronnie soon surrendered and allowed him to take control, his tongue mapping the roof of her mouth, stroking surely over her palate and massaging her tongue. She held on to his shoulder, her other arm clasping his back, hanging on for dear life as the force of the kiss made her knees feel weak, her whole body giving over to him and falling to his will. She felt his hands move to clasp at her rear, smoothing along the cheeks until they rested below, clasping the tops of her thighs hard. His fingertips pressed dominantly into the insides of her thighs, her stance unconsciously widening to accommodate him as he slipped one leg to insinuate between hers.

Ronnie gasped as she was suddenly hoisted from her feet by Jack's hands on her thighs and almost thrown onto the kitchen countertop, their mouths locked together furiously, the kiss not breaking even as Ronnie's hand slipped backwards as she tried to keep herself upright on the counter under Jack's onslaught. Jack's hands slipped from under her, moving restlessly over her hips, tracing formless patterns before pressing his hands between her legs, spreading open her thighs to stand between them. The kiss finally broke and Ronnie gasped as Jack's hands rushed to the small of her back, pulling her forward and into him, her legs opening wider to accommodate him. Her head fell back, her mouth fell open and Jack's lips moved hungrily to the pale column of her throat that she was exposing. It was primal and Ronnie was being claimed, possessed. She felt his hands travelling up her stomach under her thin strappy top, his fingers one minute stroking and the next bruising in a fury, hurriedly moving upwards, taking her top along with them and pulling it up over her breasts, leaving it there so as to not break his mouth away from it's place sucking and biting on the pulse that was fluttering rapidly in Ronnie's neck.

"Mmm…stop," Ronnie gulped as Jack's hand moved to the waistband of her pyjamas. "No…we can't." She pushed him away gently but firmly, leaving them both breathless and wanting. As Ronnie pulled her top back down to cover her breasts and closed her legs, hopping down from the counter she placed a hand on Jack's chest. "I'm sorry. Time of the month." Her voice was still husky as she tried to let oxygen back into her system. She watched Jack nod, looking somewhat annoyed and put upon and trying to get himself back under control. She held his hand in hers, taking a moment to kiss each of his fingertips before taking herself off for a shower, letting him get himself sorted.

It was hours later when the pair were showered and lying together on the sofa, dressed down, ready to spend the day basking in their engagement, in each other. Ronnie brought her champagne glass to her lips, laughing.

"I did, I wanted to be a nun!" She took a sip of champagne before laughing softly again, feeling the rumble of Jack's laugher against her head on his chest. "It was The Sound of Music, I used to love it."

"All that prancing about on mountains?" Jack asked dryly. Another laugh slipped from Ronnie's lips. "Yeah, that must have been it," she replied sarcastically as she drained her glass, smiling and holding it out for Jack to refill. He feigned a grumble at having to lift his arm off her stomach but deftly refilled both their glasses before settling his arm back around her waist.

"Hmm…I don't think you should give up on your dream just yet," Jack said in an oddly even tone as he took a drink from his own glass. Ronnie's brow furrowed, not able to decipher his meaning until he leant his mouth close to her ear and whispered in a voice so deep it was almost a growl, "I think I need to see it for myself."

"Easy…" she admonish jokingly, swatting his leg as she rested between them. They both laughed for a minute before Jack began again, his voice and manner so normal it was as if the comment had never been made. "Although," he began, "I don't really see you willing to run around after all those stupid kids." Jack was laughing at his own comment and was oblivious to Ronnie's face falling, her breath hitching and the small "No" that she whispered sadly. Nobody saw her as a mother, nobody saw her as maternal. She wasn't capable, she wasn't good enough, she failed her baby. He was wrong though, she would be more than willing, in fact she craved it, needed it, was so utterly empty without it.

"Right you," Jack said, still oblivious to Ronnie's shifted mood, "I'm going to head down to the club, I got cover for us for today but I need to open up. But then I have plans, for my fiancé." The word was said with such pride but an edge of smug possession that in her current state, Ronnie didn't even hear. She lifted her hand and smiled at the delicate diamond ring upon her finger. It would all work out. Soon.

As soon as Jack had left the flat, Ronnie rushed to their bedroom, his comment, as innocent as it may have been, still playing on her mind. She spent a long time on her Danielle rituals. Ronnie kissed her picture of Danielle, she told her daughter about the engagement, asking Danielle to understand that even when she was married that she, her firstborn, her baby, her everything would still be the number one person in her life and in her heart, no matter what.

The day passed in a wash of overly romantic gestures, some sweet and some forced. In all of the commotion of the day Stacey had managed to be completely pushed from Ronnie's mind. She had meant to take Stacey to the doctors but oh so easily the girl had slipped from her thoughts. Forgotten in the midst of roses and champagne, kisses and candles. She had dressed up for dinner, Jack took her up to Piccadilly, to an expensive hotel for dinner and drinks; toasting their engagement in style, even if it sat uncomfortably with Ronnie, the whole affair seeming so outlandish for an engagement that had little to do with love on either behalf.

"So when do you want to tell people?" Jack ventured as the waiter left, leaving their main courses sat in front of them. He had suggested going to the Vic to announce their news before dinner but Ronnie had brushed past the comment with little response, instead smiling and wrapping herself in his arms, proclaiming her love and subtly distracting him from any questions. She hadn't been ready to tell people. She hadn't yet had chance to be alone with her own thoughts enough to cement the idea within her that she was going to marry Jack Branning.

"I don't know really." Ronnie said with a tight smile before turning her attention avidly to her food, taking a bite to avoid having to give a further response. Evidently Jack wasn't so easily distracted and he carried on, "We could go to the Vic tonight if you wanted?" His voice pressed her and for a second Ronnie wondered if it was a question or a veiled demand.

"Roxy deserves to know first." Ronnie said in a small voice shaking her head. She didn't owe Roxy anything. She and Jack didn't need Roxy's permission or her approval and yet still, Ronnie wanted her little sister to be the first to know, if only to prevent any resulting rows from becoming public. "She's back tomorrow, let me tell her and then we can tell everyone else." She said, hoping to put an end to the discussion. She slipped her hand over the table to cover Jack's as a loving gesture, letting him know that it would happen, that all of it was really happening. They were engaged, going to be married, going to be a family, and surely now, Jack would want a baby. Surely now that she was engaged for him, he would do that for her. Surely now he would understand, surely now he would want it. Ronnie smiled biting her lip and squeezed his hand. A baby would come soon. She knew it.