Chapter 7

I know I just posted chapter 6 a couple days ago but today is a special day! Today is Hazan, aka the "Evil-Birthday-Girl's" birthday! Happy birthday Hazan! You are one of my best friends who is absolutely crazy in the best way possible. Hope Ivana and I spoil you enough today! PS you're lucky your birthday fell on a fluffy chapter! ;)

Ian's POV

The following morning Lucy and I drove Julie to the airport due to her regretfully having to return to her house and work back in Nashville. It was a tearful goodbye for both women; I knew to step away for a few moments in order to grant them some privacy. At the moment we were standing by the tall floor to ceiling windows waiting to see Julie's plane take off. I was standing behind Lucy with my arms wrapped around her waist from behind. Despite my persistence for her to take a seat and watch while sitting in the chairs not ten feet from us, she refuses. Lucy said since we were out in public she didn't want to draw attention to us so she wanted to try and walk without having me carrying her both in and out of the airport. Not to mention the use of the crutches hadn't gone over too well leading her to pretty much discarding them. She knew full well I wished she would allow me to scoop her up in my arms but being the stubborn strong willed woman she is, she had told me she could walk—more like hobble—the small distance to the doors then I could carry her to the car.

"We'll fly to Nashville to see them soon, Goose." I whisper softly in her ear, placing a soft kiss to the top of her head.

"I know, I just miss them." She murmurs back in response.

Only five short minutes later the plane in which Julie was on begins to take off. Once said plane was out of sight Lucy turns in my arms ready to leave. My left arm wraps around her waist for support while we slowly make our way through LAX. Unfortunately we weren't too lucky when it came to the paparazzi because I see them headed straight toward us. I know Lucy is always friendly and welcoming to them when they aren't hounding her, but today is not the day to be shoving their cameras in our faces asking far too many questions which I have no doubt will revolve around her tragic experience over the weekend.

"Ian," Lucy squeaks nervously up at me. I could instantly see the pain in her eyes from walking on her sprained ankle as well as worry that she wouldn't be able to get passed the vast group of men who were already snapping their cameras.

"I know you don't want me to but I have no other choice, Honey." Leaning down I hook my right arm under her back legs to lift her up bridal style. Her arms wrap around my neck in instinct. Lucy keeps her head down meanwhile I am trying to get us through the forming crowd ignoring all of the questions being shouted to us. Though it took me much longer due to all of the people I finally manage to get us outside of the building with the paps still following behind me.

"Almost to the car." I tell her.

Upon arriving to the car I sit Lucy down on her feet to unlock the car and open her door for her. I make sure she's in before shutting her door and hurrying around the other side of the car to climb into the driver's seat to swiftly leave; the paps still taking ever last shot they could manage.

Glancing over at her I ask, "Are you okay?"

She shrugs in response with a faint nod. "I just want to get past this. I understand everyone is curious and wants to ask about it but I don't want to relive it and that is exactly how I feel when I have to tell the story or answer any questions about it."

Ever since I got Lucy back in my arms she hasn't wanted to discuss what took place in that motel room. I have been respectful of her wishes as did Julie. Everyone had been coming over to our house the past couple days to check on Lucy making sure she was alright. I knew it was rough for her yet Lucy remained polite to our close friends knowing they were simply worried about her. Everyone had their questions and curiosity, unfortunately only a few kept it to themselves. Many times we would clam Lucy was feeling tired and needed her rest as a form of politely kicking the person out for the time being. I can only imagine how tough it will be for the next little while as this remains a top story.

I reach my hand over to lace her fingers in mine. "I'm sure something else will come along and be the newest event in Hollywood. If anything we can turn off all forms of media communications and simply spend our days lying in each other's arms or playing with our nutty dogs in complete bliss from the gossip and questions."

Lucy leans across the console to kiss my cheek. "I love that idea."

And that was precisely how the remainder of our day went. Snuggled in bed watching movies whilst sharing kisses.

Two Months Later

Lucy's POV

A couple months have passed since the incident that I don't wish to speak of and I am finally no longer the center of attention in Hollywood. My ankle had fully recovered and I can now walk on it properly without inflicting any pain what's so ever thankfully. Shortly after it was healed Ian and I scheduled a trip to Nashville to visit my family which was followed by a visit to Virginia to see Ian's parents allowing us to tell them the baby news in person. They were just as ecstatic about having a grandbaby as my mom had been. Ian and I have been attending regular OBGYN appointments for Baby Harding.

I am just over three months pregnant with the most adorable little baby bump. Ian and I continuously find ourselves resting our hands over my stomach or even kissing it. We also talk to Baby Harding a lot too. Since it's too soon to know whether it is a girl or boy we are referring to our baby as "Baby Harding" rather than "it" we didn't feel right calling our unborn baby an 'it.' My breasts have also slowly began growing due to the pregnancy which both Ian and I are enjoying though it is really early on for them to grow a true noticeable amount. Since my bump was subtle I have been keeping it concealed with loose, flowing shirts and dresses when Ian and I are out around the town. We were waiting until I had officially entered my second trimester to tell everyone about the baby. At the moment only our family and close friends know about Baby Harding's existence.

Pregnancy was certainly a new experience I was not expecting at all. I had always heard those stories about women complaining about their morning sickness but in all honestly I thought they were exaggerating it. Well now that I have first handedly experienced it I can contest those women were not lying; it is dreadful. Some days it is calm and not too bad, other days it's horrid. Ian is always quick to hold my hair for me and rub my back soothingly every time no matter the hour.

Oh and another crazy pregnancy thing I have encountered thus far: cravings. Don't get me wrong, I've had my fair share of cravings over the years whether that be chocolate, hummus, vegan food, and whatnot, however that is nothing compared to pregnancy cravings. I have desired some of the oddest things. I have actually cringed when thinking about eating it even though I have the strongest hankering for it. Ian constantly finds himself either laughing or being slightly disgusted by some of the things Baby Harding has demanded. Being the astonishing husband he is though he'll buy me or bring me whatever it is no matter how odd and weird it may be.

Speaking of cravings, that is what has me awake at the ungodly hour of 2am right now. For some reason I woke up in desperate need of a peanut butter milkshake. Not wanting to wake Ian and send him out in the middle of the night in a hopeless hunt to find me such thing at this hour I had climbed out of bed in hopes of us having all the required items. To my great pleasure we had everything here and plenty of it. Picking up the Hershey's Chocolate Syrup off of the counter I pop the top with my thumb and pour a decent amount inside the blender. After sitting the bottle back down on the counter I shift my gaze back down to it for a moment.

"What's the harm, it's only chocolate?" I shrug to myself picking up the bottle once again to add more.

Putting the lid on top of the blender I plug it in and flip the switch watching it blend as I lick the spoon that still houses some peanut butter. Lifting the lid I see it beginning to whorl like a tornado and knew it was perfectly mixed. Spinning around on my heel I open up the cabinet that contains the glasses and pull out the tallest one I could find. Holding the glass in one hand I fill it to the rim with my milkshake. Bringing the glass up to my lips I hum in satisfaction as the delicious treat reaches my taste buds.

"Luce, what are you doing?" A half asleep Ian appears slowly trudging into the kitchen rubbing his eyes tiredly.

"Making a milkshake. Want some?" I smile brightly to him, taking another scrumptious sip.

"It's 2 in the morning Luce. Come back to bed Sweetheart."

"But I just made my shake, Baby Harding is hungry" I pout.

Ian shuffles his feet across the floor. Grabbing the ice cream tub, he drops it in the freezer, puts the chocolate syrup back in the fridge, and then wraps his arm around my waist to direct me toward the stairs.

"Take it to bed with you."

There wasn't much room for me to protest so I simply head to our bedroom with my milkshake in hand. Climbing into bed Ian lays down on his side more so toward the middle of the bed, tangles his arm around my waist and snuggled close to me. I on the other hand remain sitting up to drink the delectable milkshake. After a few seconds I try to get up from the bed, however, I can't due to Ian's arm draped around my lower waist.

"Ian," I whisper softly to grasp his attention.

"Hmm?" He mumbles in response.

Shaking my head I reply, "Never mind, go to sleep."

"What's wrong, Luc?"

"Nothing, go back to sleep."

Knowing me far too well Ian pushes himself up in bed and flips on his nightstand light. "What is it, baby?"

"I forgot to grab the whip cream…" Smiling sheepishly at him, he nods his head climbing out of bed. "I can go get it myself, Babe!"

"Don't worry I got it."

It only takes him a minute or so to retrieve the can of whipped cream from the fridge downstairs before returning to bed. I grin like a little kid when he hands me the can.

"Thank you!" I attack him with kisses grinning in happiness.

Ian flips off the light to snuggle back into my side just like he had been only five minutes prior. It doesn't take long for him to be out like a light in a deep slumber. Sitting here drinking my milkshake I rub my slight baby belly singing in a hushed tone to our growing baby.

After I finish off the glass I shift to lay down on the extremely comfortable bed. I worm my way into Ian's chest, his arms absentmindedly wrap around my body in his sleep to bring me closer to his chest. Placing a kiss to his bare chest I whisper my love to him allowing sleep to once more over take me that night.

Okay so cute chapter? I loved writing the milkshake scene at the end, it was just too cute. Just so you all know, the kidnapping storyline isn't over just yet. It will still be a big part in the story later on. Please review, you guys know I love them! Plus it leads to more updates!

The next chapter is one of my favorites thus far. It's just a really cute Lucian chapter and I cannot wait for you guys to read it!