(A/N): I am sad that this story is coming to a close! Only a couple of chapters left but the good news is that I already have a new story up on my page so I would love it if you guys would go give it a chance :) As always please leave a review so I know if I need to fix something and enjoy! -Darkrubie
The next couple of weeks seemed to blur by as Kori relaxed with Richard. She thought bed rest would make things incredibly boring but Richard found different ways to keep her entertained. They usually snuggled in Kori's bed as they watched movies and Kori couldn't help but love every second that they were embraced. She also couldn't help but wonder when their date was going to take place. The anticipation was killing her!
"Someone is deep in thought." Richard chuckled as he looked down at Kori.
They were currently watching her favourite movie, "The Princess Bride." in Kori's room. She had her head on Richard's chest as his arm was wrapped around her.
"Just thinking about how nice these past few weeks have been." Kori said with a smile.
"They have been pretty wonderful. It's nice seeing my little guy in there growing nice and big." Richard said as he pulled Kori off him.
He slid down her body and lifted her shirt which caused Kori's breath to hitch. She giggled when Richard kissed her belly and began to speak to their baby.
"Hey little guy, I'm glad our little talk worked and you're being nice to momma."
Their little peanut kicked where Richard rested his face.
"What is this talk of which you speak of? I have never witnessed this." Kori asked.
"Hey lady, it's my baby time. I'll answer your questions after." Richard said but Kori caught the teasing look in his eyes.
He continued to whisper to their child and Kori could feel the kicks as if Peanut was responding. After a few more minutes Richard kissed her belly again and said
"Well go to sleep little guy, it's daddy and momma time."
Kori giggled
"You do know Peanut doesn't take orders yet right?" She asked as Richard climbed back up to the head of the bed and pulled Kori to him again.
"Oh really? You fell asleep during a movie last week and I took a moment to talk to our little guy and I told him if he didn't start shaping up and being nicer to you, than he would be in big trouble." Richard said with a smirk.
Kori laughed "Oh Richard! Already being the stern disciplinarian."
Richard chuckled "Well of course. One of us has to be. You'll be the softie who lets him sneak cookies before dinner." He teased.
"Are you going to be disappointed if you find out it's a girl?"
"Not at all. I am going to love this baby even if it comes out with scales and green skin." Richard said as he kissed the side of her head.
"Good, I am excited that we get to find out tomorrow. Are you sure you can't tell me anything about what's going to happen tomorrow?" Kori asked as she intertwined her fingers with Richards.
"Nope, sorry my dear but it's a surprise." He said with a grin.
"And what of our date? When is that supposed to take place?" She asked.
"Ah yet again, it's a surprise but I promise it will be very soon." Richard said and then laughed when he saw the displeasure on Kori's face.
"Just trust me my lovely love. You won't regret the wait, now let's continue the movie."
He smiled when Kori *Humphed* and turned back to the movie. It wasn't long until Richard could hear her soft snores so he snuggled her closer and he too fell asleep not long after with thoughts of how nice it was to finally be close with Kori again.
Richard woke to the sound of Kori's laughter floating up from downstairs. He rolled over and looked at her clock and saw that it was going on 10:00 AM. Her grumbled and rolled out of bed and to the shower. People would be arriving for the baby shower soon so he was in and out in 10 minutes. He dressed even faster and hurried down the stairs. Kori was sitting next to Vic. Vic saw Richard come down and sent him a smirk as he put his arm around Kori and pulled her closer for a hug. Richard simply laughed because he knew that Vic was no competition. Vic was like an older brother to Kori and he took that roll very seriously plus if Karen ever caught a whiff of infidelity, she would end him. He simply loved trying to tease Richard though and tried every chance he got. Kori turned at the sound of Richards laugh and her smiled even seemed to brighten when she saw Richards face.
"Greetings Richard!" She beamed at him.
"Yeah nice of you to finally grace us with your presence ya spiky haired little butt." Vic called out.
"Har har Vic. You know I haven't spiked my hair up in years." Richard replied.
"Yeah too bad because we all know how much Kori loved it when you did." Garfield yelled as he walked in the door.
Everyone in the room laughed when Kori's face turned red except for Richard and Rachel.
"Alright quit teasing. We are here to celebrate new life, not make fun of Kori." Rachel drawled. "Now I have different coloured pacifiers on a necklace. I want everyone to pick the colour you thing the babies gender is. Of course it's pink for girl and blue for boy." Rachel continued.
Everyone but Kori jumped up and grabbed their necklace. Richard, Karen and Vic picked blue while Kori and Gar picked Pink.
"Later on when we are ready for the cake we will find out the gender. The frosting inside of the cake has the colour of the baby's gender." Rachel called out.
"Game time!" Garfield screeched and hopped up off the couch.
Since they all knew Kori was going to have a scheduled C-section they all too bets on how big the baby would be. They put all the guesses on a giant sheet of paper and taped it to the wall so when they welcomed the baby home, they would see who was right. Kori couldn't help but grimace when she saw that Garfield guessed 10 lbs. Next they decided to open gifts.
"Friends, I thought we agreed that no presents would be given!' Kori exclaimed.
"Aww Kor come on, everyone loves opening presents, especially if they are cute baby clothes." Karen said and her words seemed to convince Kori.
"I do love clothes!" Kori said with a smile as she ripped into the bags which caused everyone to laugh.
There were all sorts of outfits, some little blue onesies, green pyjamas, and a little sailor suit but there was one thing that caught Kori's eye and she instantly fell in love with. Rachel had gotten her a tiny white dress that was covered with little robins carrying different coloured daisies in their beaks. Tears came to her eyes as she looked at it and she turned to Rachel and threw her arms her.
"Oh Rachel it is beautiful! I seriously hope this is a girl now; I can just picture her coming home in this outfit. I am ready to cut into this cake, help me up!" Kori said as she struggled to get up.
Everyone started laughing as Richard helped her. They all gathered around the cake as Richard and Kori picked up the knife. They both held onto it as they pushed the blade down into the cake and cut out the first slice. When they pulled the knife out a little bit of frosting came with it and everyone cheered as they looked down at the pink covered knife.
The party ended a few hours after they cut into the cake. Everyone congratulated them gave them well wishes. Bruce even called to ask how the party went and apologized that he wasn't able to make it. They told Bruce that he had a granddaughter on the way and Kori swore she could hear him get a little choked up. She sighed and rubbed her now 37 week pregnant belly as she thought of how amazing everything went that day. She didn't know how the day could get any better but as she smelled some heavenly scent wafting in from the kitchen she started to see how it could get better.
"Richard what are you doing?" Kori asked as she waddled into the kitchen.
She giggled when she saw his apron tied around his hips and his face had a bit of flour on it.
"No no no! You're supposed to be upstairs missy. This is for our special date night now shoo!" Richard said as he made shooing motions with his hands.
Kori giggled and stood there. He finally sighed and started directing her out of the kitchen.
Kori used all her weight to stop him and whined "But Richard, I am so hungry! I simply can't go on!" And she suddenly somewhat collapsed against him, knowing he would catch her.
"Oh I know you're playing. Go put your feet up, you were saying your back has been hurting all day and the excitement has given you some contractions so I want you to relax. Now go sit please." Richard insisted as he kissed her temple.
Kori dramatically sighed and said "Fine." which caused Richard to laugh.
"I promise dinner will be done soon and when it is I will come and get you." He said.
Kori had to actually agree with Richard. Her back was killing her and her contractions were pretty uncomfortable.
She went over to the couch and put her feet up then called out to Richard "Do you think you could bring me some water? Maybe I'm simply a little dehydrated and that will help with the contractions."
"Of course my lovely, hang on!" Richard called back.
He quickly brought her a huge glass of water which Kori sipped at. The contractions seemed to be a little more bearable and soon Kori fell asleep as she waited for Richard.
Richard walked into the living room and smiled down at a sleeping Kori. He hated to wake her but he was feeling rather proud of the chicken parmesan he made and he wanted to see her enjoy it.
"Kori sweetie, dinner is ready." He said as he nudged her.
Kori grumbled something and it took her a few moments to finally open her eyes.
"Oh Richard I apologize, I did not mean to fall asleep." She said as she tried to sit up.
Richard chuckled as he helped her up "No worries my lovely, I know his hard it is for you to sleep now. Are you ready to eat?"
"Goodness yes! I am starving!" Kori exclaimed and she waddled to the kitchen as fast as she could.
Richard was surprised to see that she was sitting at the table before he was even in the kitchen.
"Man she really must be hungry." Richard thought to himself.
He served out the food and couldn't contain his mirth as he watched her eat. After a few minutes she seemed to realize how she was behaving and slowed her eating.
"Sorry, I was really hungry." She said with a face, reddened with embarrassment.
"No I'm sorry for staving you." Richard replied with a chuckle.
They continued to talk and eat for a while and soon Kori found that she was pretty full.
"Goodness Richard that was amazing, I don't know if I could eat another bite." Kori said as she put her fork down.
"Aww I guess I made your favourite razzelberry pie for nothing than.." Richard said
"Oh would you look at that, I think little Mar'i moved over and now I have room for pie." Kori said with an eager smile.
Richard chuckled until he remembered something she said.
"Mar'i?" He questioned.
"Oh I apologize I was simply thinking of names for her last night and that one just seemed to be perfect. I hope you don't mind that I paid respect to your mothers name as well as my countries native language. If you don't like it we can pick something else, I was simply thinking." Kori rambled on until Richard pulled her into his embrace.
"I love it Kori and I want to thank you so much for including my mother in our child's name." He said as he hugged her.
They stood there hugging for a few minutes until Kori gasped and they felt a warm liquid trickle down onto their feet. Richard looked down and he was too shocked to do anything.
He finally said "Shit, did I do that..?"
Next chapter: Woot its baby time!