The days grew warmer and as we moved into July I had quite a bump. It no longer looked like I was severely bloated – I officially looked pregnant. I felt fantastic apart from the heat, so one day I decided it was time to go get some ice cream. I pulled on a floor length black maxi dress that stretched across my bump and was pretty proud when I looked in the mirror. Yes my stomach was big but the rest of me still looked pretty good. The type of material would be very unforgiving if I was in any way lumpy but thankfully, the rest of my figure had stayed pretty much the same. Except for my chest of course, I had gone up two cup sizes and they were looking very generous in the black material. I pulled on some sandals and sun glasses and felt ready to take on the world as I walked happily down the street, people smiled at me politely and held doors, all common courtesy's for a pregnant lady and I felt fantastic. My bowels were operating normally again and all scans had shown that my baby was thriving. I was really starting to enjoy my pregnancy, and it felt great.

"Hey look at you!" I heard and looked up, seeing Joe walking toward me.

"Hey Joe, how are you?" I smiled.

"Great, how about this weather! It's so hot. We're about to have a barbeque." He said.

"Oh great weather for that, definitely. I'm just gonna go for some ice cream, said I'd get out and enjoy the day!"

"You look fierce, by the way." He winked.

"Thanks, I'm feeling really good."

"Hey you should come with us! Come on, it'll be fun!" he said.

"Oh no, I don't think that'd be a good idea. You guys go have fun!" I said, laughing. He was such a genuine guy; I had met him a total of twice and adored him already. I could see why Billy was so fond of him. If the rest of their little gang were like Billy, then Joe would be like a breath of fresh air to him in the midst of all the seriousness.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Billy asked, strolling out of the store to our left.

"Ice cream run." I shrugged.

"Of course, I shouldn't have asked." He grinned. Things had definitely changed a bit for us; we still got on each others' nerves and argued but not as often; he was learning to be more patient with me and I was slowly learning how to handle him.

"I was just telling Leah she should come to the barbeque with us!" Joe said, rocking on the balls of his feet. Billy looked from him to me, still smiling.

"How about it?" he asked.

"No I'll leave you boys to it." I smiled.

"Come on, there'll be some girls there! It's Bodie's birthday." Joe said and put his arm around my shoulders, leading me to Billy's car and opening the door.

"But my ice cream!" I objected and sat in.

"I'll get you some when I drive you home." Billy said as he sat in and started the engine.

I was nervous as we pulled up at the house. All of Billy's friends were there; would they think I was just some whore who was trying to trap Billy? What would his friends' girlfriends think?

"Alright we've got the god damn burgers, now shut the fuck up complaining." Billy said loudly as we walked around the side of the house and into the back yard. There was a large old plastic table set up, a barbeque against a wall and a few random chairs and stools thrown around with a group of people sitting down.

"About fuckin' time!" the black guy I recognised to be Bodie said and Billy flipped him off.

"Happy birthday man!" Joe said and gave him that weird handshake hug that guys do.

"Thanks Joe." Bodie laughed.

"Guys, this is Leah. Leah, this is the guys." Billy said and I smiled, giving them a little wave.

"Here, sit down. I'm Spinky, by the way." A fair haired guy said, and after that they all introduced themselves. They welcomed me so warmly we could have been friends for years, and I felt stupid for being nervous. It was strange for a group famed for being dangerous to be so friendly straight off the bat, but then again, Billy was the boss; and anyone who arrives with the boss isn't going to be treated with anything but respect, especially when that someone is pregnant with the boss's kid.

"You look great, tell me. What's your secret? When I was pregnant I looked like a whale." One of the girls said to me later.

"Oh, there is none really. I'm just lucky I guess!" I smiled. "How old is yours?"

"Three, going on sixteen. I swear the tantrums! But it's all part and parcel." She shrugged and I laughed. "Thank god my mother has her today, it's great to have a day off!" she sighed, kicking back and stretching toward the sun.

"You're a brave girl, you know. Don't think I could handle having a baby with Billy!" another one said. She was Spink's girlfriend, and her name was Teri.

"Why's that?" I chuckled.

"Well one, he's got such a temper. He flares up at everything; he doesn't know how to be sensitive or sweet. He's a lost cause." She sighed, shaking her head.

"Oh he's not that bad, he tries. He's getting better." I shrugged, watching him have a heated discussion with Heco about football.

"Guys like Billy never change. I don't understand how he still has girls tripping over themselves. No offence!" she added quickly but I just shook my head and looked at him again. It hadn't really occurred to me that he was still dating, but of course he was. Although I wasn't sure you could call what Billy did with girls dating. I stuck around for the evening but after my conversation with the girls I wasn't in the mood. The sun began to set and Billy walked over to where I was sitting with a glass of apple juice.

"Everything alright? Do you want my coat or anything, are you cold?" he asked, green eyes looking concerned. I smiled at him and shook my head.

"No thanks.", - that girl didn't know what she was talking about. He could be very sweet when he wanted to be. "Let me know when you want to leave, yeah?"

"Would you mind if I left now? I'm getting a little tired." I said and he nodded.

"Guys I'm bringing Leah home, don't fuck off to the bar without me!" he called but I sidestepped him.

"Nice to meet you all, Happy Birthday again Bodie. Sorry I can't stay!" I said and he waved his hand,

"Don't worry about it!"

"So did you have a good day?" Billy asked as we drove.

"Yeah I did, thanks for bringing me along. I know no one wants a pregnant lady at their party. And you couldn't even drink because you had to bring me home." I answered. I was such a dampener on his life.

"It doesn't matter! I'm glad you came and had fun." He answered.

"Where are you going?" I asked as he made a turn.

"I told you I'd get you ice cream on the way back." He said and I smiled again.

"It's alright; I don't really want it anymore. But thanks." I said and he shrugged, making a u turn and bringing me home.