Chapter 12

Don't own Lucian.

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Lucy's POV

"Hi. I know this is sudden and I should have called… Can I come in?"

"Of course Goose you're always welcome here." Holly assures stepping back, opening the door wide for me to step into her house.

"You aren't busy are you?" I ask the middle aged woman who has become like a second mother to me ever since she played my TV mom on Pretty Little Liars.

"I always have time for you. Josh took the boys out for the afternoon so it's just us."

Josh is her second husband she married about a year after PLL ended. Chewing on my bottom lip I follower her into the living room taking a seat on the couch.

"Can I get you anything to eat or drink?" Holly offers pointing off to the kitchen.

"Um no that's okay thank you though."

Holly moves to sit down next to me on the comfortable couch with an inquisitive look. "So what brings you over to my neck of the woods?"

"I was at my checkup for the baby and made a little detour on the way home. Do you want to see the new scans?" I offer grabbing my pure from the coffee table in front of me knowing how eager Holly always is to see the pictures and all the updates on the baby.

A wide smile breaks out on her face in excitement. "Oh you know I am always up for new pictures of this little one."

"I got you a copy so this one is all yours." I sit my purse back on the coffee table before turning back to face her, my own smile grows slightly as she ooh's and ahh's over the ultrasound picture.

"You should be able to find out the sex any time now, right?" Holly glances up at me taking her eyes off of the picture for the first time since I handed it to her.

"I am just hitting the four month mark this week. Dr. Watson said she should be able to tell at my next scan, if not then it'll be the following scan for sure."

"I better be the first to know the sex." Holly jokes though I can detect the seriousness to her tone.

Giggling softly I nod my head in agreement. "I promise you will be the first person I call, right after my mother because she has all but demanded to be the first informed."

"I guess I am okay with your biological mother knowing before your LA mother. But I am the second phone call."

"You will be, promise!"

Calming ourselves from our little giggle fit Holly turns to ask, "So where's Ian?"

Instantly my mood drops and I avoid her eye contact for a moment. "What?"

"You said you came here right after your ultrasound, Ian is one of the most involved fathers I've seen pre baby birth. Didn't he go with you this morning?"

Thinking back to this morning's fight I frown looking down at my hands tears collecting in my eyes.

"Damn hormones," I whimper wiping the tears away.

Panicking Holly moves closer to me on the couch to wrap her arms around me with one of her hands rubbing my back.

"Ian and I got into a fight this morning where my stubbornness and my pregnancy hormones joined forces. Long story short, I stormed out of the house taking his car keys with me to prevent him from following me."

"What was the fight about?"

Fiddling with the hem of my shirt I chew on my bottom lip attempting to force the tears to cease.

"His manager called this morning while Ian was in the shower so I took the call. Apparently Ian was offered some big movie role which begins filming in September for ten months all the way in New York. He's known for however long now and yet he never brought it up to me."

"I'm sure it wasn't his intention to keep it from you, honey. In all my years of knowing him I haven't taken Ian to be that kind of man. It probably just slipped his mind."

Shaking my head in denial I reply with, "We spent the past week doing interviews talking about the baby and how we were both taking a step back from the industry to focus on our baby. Now I find out that isn't the case for him at all; he's seeking a role across the country."

My stomach growling loudly interrupts our conversation making Holly pause.

"Have you had anything to eat today?"

"No, Ian and I were planning to go out to lunch after my scan but that clearly isn't happening. Plus I was too mad to stop and grab something before leaving this morning."

Holly stands up from the couch tugging on my hand to lead me into the kitchen with her.

"Anything in particular sound appetizing?"

Deciding on a peanut butter and honey sandwich Holly and I gather the necessary items sitting them on the granite island. Wondering into the pantry to search through the variety of chips to have with my sandwich I come across a jar of pickles which instantly cause me to perk up. Grabbing the jar I carry it along with a bag of ruffles to the counter. Removing a knife from the block of knives I slice a pickle into thin slices then reach for the plate holding my sandwich Holly just made for me. When noticing I was taking off the top piece of bread in her peripheral vision, Holly sits the peanut butter spoon down to watch me.

"What in the hell are you doing?" Holly chuckles watching me in amusement.

"Pregnancy Craving." I state simply reassembling the sandwich. "Pickles seem to be a prime craving so far. It grossed me out at first but now all I can think about is eating a pickle with whatever else comes to mind."

"Ah I remember the days. It's good to accept them for what they are as early as you can because the cravings become even stranger the farther into the pregnancy."

"As long as Baby Harding doesn't start craving things in relation to cheese I may be find with just about anything."

Laughing Holly shakes her head with a knowing look. "You may be saying that now honey but just you wait for some of the things that little bundle in your stomach with start craving."

Holly and I spend the remainder of the day talking and whatnot. As the hours tick by, I become all the more tired thus ready for a nap. Josh had come home a little after six; Josh and the boys all go to clean up for dinner having been covered in dirt and sweat from playing football together. I had helped Holly make dinner that left a heavenly aroma waft throughout the entire household. Due to the strong tantalizing desire I had to enjoy this delicious meal I take them up on their offer to stay for dinner. After we ate everyone sat down in the living room to watch a movie. I told Holly I would leave as to not intrude on their family time however they all told me I should stay and enjoy some quality time with Holly especially since I've had a long day.

The widespread of emotions I endured today drained me mentally and I found myself drifting asleep by the time the credits were rolling.

"Goodnight Goose, I'll call Ian—."

"No, don't call him." I murmur in a sleepy daze. The last thing I recall is Holly draping a blanket over my body.

Waking up the following morning I am extremely dazed as well as confused as to why I wasn't home in my own bed with Ian's arms wrapped around me protectively. That is until I remembered yesterday's events. Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes I glance around the room looking for a clock, instead my eyes land on Holly who was walking into the living room with a mug in her hand.

"Morning Luce," Holly offers up a warming smile walking to stand in front of the couch. Just as she is taking a seat on the wood coffee table and I am about to open my mouth in response, I clamp a hand over my mouth and bolt toward the bathroom. Holly was at my side in a minute pulling my already clutched hair out of my hands and up off of my neck while assuring me it would be alright. "Oh Goose, it'll get better over time don't worry. You should be passing the morning sickness stage any time now."

Wiping my mouth I shut the lid pushing my body back to rest against the wall with a tired expression.

"I hope so I don't know how much longer I can deal with the constant sickness; it is driving me up a wall." Running my fingers through my hair I take a few deep breaths. "Wait, what time is it?" Panic instantly fills my body.

"Just after 8:30, why is everything okay?"

Shuffling up off of the floor I run into the living room to grab my things. "Shit shit shit! I am supposed to be across town in thirty minutes for a photo shoot. God I completely forgot. Thank you so much for letting me unleash my emotions on you yesterday."

With my purse secured on my shoulder after popping some mint gum in my mouth I hug Holly hurrying toward the door.

"Bye Mama Bear, love you!"

"Bye sweetie! Have fun at the shoot and try talking with Ian soon I'm sure things will be fixed by this afternoon."

The drive to the studio where the photo shoot is being held was full of anxiousness and worry from me due to being terrified that I'd be late. I always hate when I'm late to jobs. Thankfully I was only a mere seven minutes late but they were understanding and extremely friendly about it.

Scotty took one look at my un-brushed hair and makeup-less face and knew he'd have his work cut out from him. He quickly got me sitting down in the chair and pulled his usual magic making me look damn near amazing considering the past 24 hours I've had. Once I was prepped with hair and makeup I was sent into the dressing room to get into the first outfit.

Pushing all thoughts aside I focused on the music and putting my all into this shoot or at least all I had to offer at the moment. Even though there was an ungodly amount of outfits to model today, I knew if I just focused on giving them what they wanted and preventing my mind from drifting into personal thoughts all would be fine. Scotty was here and he always has a way of cheering me up.

Sometime later on all my internal tension had left and I was enjoying the moment. My fit of laughter dies down however when the door flies open to reveal a furious looking Ian. Glancing between the photographer and the man who was taking videos for behind the scenes specials my eyes widen looking back at Ian.

"What are you doing here?" I ask him in a hushed tone walking towards him.

"We need to talk." Ian's voice was anything but calm and low.

"I can't talk right now I am in the middle of a photo shoot, Ian. We'll talk at home." I persist trying to get him out the door.

"No I am not leaving," he shakes his head crossing his arms across his chest. "I need to talk to you and I am not leaving here until I do."

Turning back to glance at the photographer I can see he isn't pleased the shoot has been interrupted. He bites his tongue though sensing the clear tension between Ian and myself at the moment.

"Ian this isn't professional not to mention it reflects poorly on me. Please just go home and we'll talk there later on."

He scoffs shaking his head. "How do I know you'll actually come home because you didn't last night!"

"I am not having this argument right now. I am busy with work and it is not appropriate to have this conversation here. I'll see you later where we'll talk about this at home." I reply sternly to him ready to turn around and resume the shoot.

I am prevented from taking so much as two steps from Ian due to his hand which lightly, yet effectively, reaches out to drag me off of the set. He leads me down the small hallway to the little nook where the small dressing room was.

"What the hell Ian?" I shout shoving his chest in anger.

"You stormed out yesterday, took my car keys, and then didn't come home. Not to mention the fact that you didn't even bother picking up your god damn phone to tell me you weren't coming home." He all but shouts at me.

"I should have called, I know. But this, here, right now, this is unprofessional and affects me. So go home and we will talk about this then."

Ian scoff shaking his head, his eyes are dark and cold rather than the usual warm loving look his eyes usually hold. "And how do I know you'll actually come home?"

"I'll be there just go!" I yell back pointing to the door.

As if on cue the white door opens revealing three men dressed in security with hard looks on their face.

"Sir you need to leave now." The tall man who clears six feet easily with dark brown hairs says sternly to Ian.

"I'm her husband and we are in the middle of a conversation."

The man clearly isn't effected by Ian's response. "This is a closed photo shoot and this clearly isn't just a conversation. The photographers of the set want you removed instantly so you can either walk out on your own otherwise you will be physically assisted."

"I'll see you at home, Lucy." His cold stare lingers for a moment turning his back to me he walks out followed by the three men of security.

Slumping against the wall my legs give out from underneath me, bringing me to sliding down the wall. My knees up to my chest; a stream of tears roll down my cheeks. It isn't long until there is a soft knock on the door and it is pushed open.

"Luce what's wrong?" Scotty kneels down next to me brushing my tears away.

"Ian's really mad. I should have called him, I know I should of but I didn't want to at the time." A choked sob escapes my lips. "God he is so pissed at me."

Scotty doesn't say anything he just sits there next to me letting me calm down and compose myself.

Turning to face him I frown sadly. "I'm sorry I messed up all the makeup."

"Oh sweetie don't worry about that. Are you ready to go back out there? It won't take me long to touch up your makeup; I'm sure we'll wrap it up soon."

"Okay," I mutter lowly. Scotty reaches his hand out for me to pull me up to my feet.

With his arm wrapped around my back in a comforting manner we return to the shoot. After apologizing to no end to the photographer and the few other people helping out on set, Scotty touches up the tear stains in my make up as well as fixing a few tendrils of hair.

The afternoon slowly dragged on consisting of me shifting into full acting mode to get me through the remainder of the shoot. I was forcing my smiles and trying my hardest to give them what they wanted though the entire time my mind was thinking of Ian and how furious he is with me. I couldn't have been more relived when they announced they had all the shots they needed and thanked me for being of service.

Sitting in my car, which is currently parked in our garage, I hesitate to get out. Knowing I can't, and shouldn't, put this off any longer I reluctantly climb out of my car and head into the back door. I'm instantly greeted with Jack, Mochi, and Bailey at my feet upon entering the house. I squat down to thoroughly give each of them their desired belly rubs receiving my fair share of licks in return. Several minutes pass of our little love fest before I move to stand on my feet going on a hunt to find Ian. Walking deeper into the house I find him sitting on the couch drinking a beer watching TV.

"You came home," Ian states sensing my presence though he doesn't turn to look at me.

Narrowing my eyes at him I cross my arms over my chest quickly finding myself to be mad once more.

"Yeah I told you I was coming home after we wrapped up the shoot." When he doesn't reply I roll my eyes speaking up once more. "Are you even going to bother talking to me? Or looking at me for that matter?"

He glances over to me for nothing but a moment responding with, "I said pretty much all I needed to say this morning and I don't feel like repeating myself."

"Fine, then I'll talk. How dare you show up and cause such a scene this morning. How did you even know where I was?" I finally ask the question that has been stuck in my mind all afternoon.

"When you didn't come home and weren't answering your phone I called around to see if you were with any of your friends. After coming up with nothing I soon got a call from Holly who told me I need to 'straighten up' because stress isn't good for the baby. She continued to tell me you went to her upset and in tears and chastising me on how I need to be a better husband and father and not be getting you worked up like I apparently had yesterday. When I asked her if you were still at her house she informed me you ran out this morning in a hurry for some photo shoot."

Oh Holly, always looking out for me. "Still, she didn't know precisely where I was."

"That's when I called your manager knowing Jasmine would know exactly where you were. By the way, the cab ride across town and back was a real bitch, thanks for taking my keys. Can I have them back now?"

Shuffling across the living room to grab my purse I throw the keys at his chest for him to catch, "here." He stuffs them into his pocket without saying anything. "Are you going to lighten up now?"

"What is there to lighten up about exactly? I have a right to be thoroughly pissed off—which I am."

Mochi and Bailey are quick to come to my side standing between Ian and me growing at him when he moves closer to me.

"Mochi and Bailey go lay down!" Ian shouts pointing behind him to their dog bed in the corner of the living room.

"Don't yell at them, Ian. They haven't done anything wrong. You're pissed at me, you don't need to be taking it out on the dogs."

"They are trying to get under my feet. There is absolutely no reason for them to be between us barking at me. They should be over there." It was clearly evident he is frustrated with the dogs barking and growling at him.

"Why do you think they are barking at you? Huh? Maybe it's because I'm pregnant you idiot. You and I both know full well that ever since I became pregnant all three dogs have become even more protective over me and growl at anyone who comes near me."

Ian runs a hand through his hair throwing his hands up in the air. "Yeah and suddenly they are going to start growling at me, makes perfect sense."

Scoffing at his sarcastic remark I cross my arms across my chest yet again. The last thing I want to deal with is his damn sarcasm on top of his attitude. "What are you doing right now Ian? You are screaming at me and keep coming closer to me the more pissed off you are. They may be dogs but they sure as hell are not stupid! They are being protective of the baby's safety."

"Because out of all the guys in your life I am the one who you need to be protected from."

Having my fill of this argument, I walk past Ian grabbing my purse off of the end table heading straight for the staircase.

"Where are you going? We're in the middle of a discussion." Ian yells after me.

Turning around halfway I tilt my head to look at him not bothering to mask the hurt in my eyes. "This is the farthest thing from the definition of a discussion. I am going upstairs because I cannot take any more of this, I am getting far too stressed. Besides this isn't getting us anywhere other than deeper down each other's throats."

All three dogs follow me to the stairs, they hurry right to the top waiting for me.

"You didn't even bother asking how I felt when you never came home. You want to know what was running through my head?" Ian's broken voice that was drastically lower than it had been only moments ago causes me to freeze on the second step. "I kept having flashbacks to the day you were kidnapped when you went to get us breakfast but never came back. That feeling of waiting for you to return promptly only to be without you for days, not knowing if you were safe or not. That's how I felt."

Taking a deep breath to steady my breathing I slowly, step by step, walk upstairs without a response. The tears silently fall but I don't dare let him know of their presence. Opening our bedroom door all three dogs scurry inside in front of me looking back at me for permission to hop onto the bed. Once I flip the lock on bedroom door I pat the bed Mochi and Bailey both jump up on the tall king sized bed devoid of any issue. Little Jack however was too small to make the large jump thus resulting in me scooping him up to place him on the bed.

Desperately wanting to take a shower to get cleaned up including washing all the product out of my hair and makeup off my face I drag my feet into the master bath where I strip down prior to stepping into the steamy glass shower with tranquil warm water cascading down my body. I remain in the welcoming shower until the water runs cold and I start to become wrinkly on my fingers and toes.

I suddenly was highly pleased with my decision to stop off to pick up some lunch on my way home. From the looks of it I don't plan on going downstairs any time soon. Dressing in a camisole, black knit Sophie Shorts, and a hoodie, I crawl into bed snuggling with my baby dogs. It was just after six in the evening by the time I got comfortable in bed. Seeing as I have some free time on my hands I open my nightstand drawer to retrieve the pregnancy book I picked up to expand my slim knowledge on pregnancy.

Getting lost in the vast amount of information I was gathering I am startled when there is a knock on the bedroom door.

"Luce, I need to feed the dogs will you please let them out." Ian's soft voice muffles through the door.

Chewing on my bottom lip I sit up off of the bed glancing at the clock as I do so, it read 7:30. Wow time flew. Patting my thigh all three dogs follow me over to the door without anything needing to be said. I stand behind the door as I unlock it opening it just enough for the dogs to exit then shut it right behind Bailey's tail and locking the door back.

"Our dinner will be ready in about five minutes."

"I'm not hungry, thank you." I reply softly through the door walking back over to the bed I slip back under the covers.

Ten very short minutes pass by until a knock on the bedroom door rings through the room. Rolling over to my other side allowing me to now face the door I see a little white sheet of paper slip under the door followed by a faint shadow coming from underneath the door. Getting out of bed I lean down to pick up the piece of paper.

Please Eat Something

Xoxo

Trapping my bottom lip between my teeth I sigh at the situation at hand. Hesitantly unlocking the door, I open it just a crack for my eyes to land on a tray resting on the floor with a plate full of deliciously smelling food, silverware, and a glass of water. Picking up the tray I carry it into the bedroom sitting it down on the bed. Unable to face Ian yet to finish our argument I snuggle in bed turning on the first movie I could find that sparked my interest while I ate my dinner. Shortly afterward I fall asleep the TV playing lowly in the background aiding in my sleep.

Shooting up high in the bed I reach out for Ian only to come up with nothing. My breathing was uneven in a full out terrified pant.

He probably slept on the couch not wanting to push me knowing I was still upset earlier.

Throwing the covers off of my body I scamper downstairs to find Ian. Due to the lateness in the hour all the lights in the house are turned off and it is pitch black. Making my way to the couch in no time I feel a sense of happiness wash over me feeling Ian was here. Climbing onto the couch carefully I straddle his waist, wrap my arms around his neck burying my head in his neck basking in the safety his body always brings me.

A low groan escapes Ian's lips when adjusting his body slightly. Ian's arms tangle around me holding me closely.

Ian rises his head up off of the arm of the couch to look down at me despite it being completely dark in the living room. "Luce what's wrong? Your heart is beating furiously."

"I had a really bad nightmare then I woke up in bed without you next to me." I whimper lowly.

"Hey, it's okay. Shhh I'm right here. Do you want us to go upstairs and get in bed?"

"No," I mutter burying my head deeper into the crook of his neck. "Just hold me."

"Always."

We spent the remainder of the night fast asleep on the couch with me on top of him comfortably and a light blanket over us for extra comfort. This is a prime example of how our relationship is truly based on love and satisfaction for the other's needs. No matter if we are in the middle of a screaming match, not talking to one another, or just having a really bad disagreement, when one of us needs the other, all disputes fade away and the focus is predominantly on being there for the one in need which is exactly what Ian is doing right now. No questions asked.

I loved all of your responses yesterday on the chapter! Thank you for the reviews! Where you guys surprised Lucy went to see Holly? Thank you again for all of the reviews! Thoughts on this chapter and Ian's outburst? Any guesses as to Lucy's nightmare?

Kcgracie6: That wasn't rude at all! :) I actually have all the chapters up to chapter 18 already written.

I'll do the same thing as last chapter, 25 reviews (270) and you'll get the next chapter! :)