*sigh*

Last part already :( Well, I’d just like to say thank you to all the lovely, lovely people who’ve been reading and replying to this! You’re wonderful.

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“Ric?” Diane asked, sitting up in bed.

“Don’t tell me that you’re so excited about Christmas that you had to wake me up at… one fifteen?” Ric moaned, looking at the clock. “One fifteen. Go back to sleep.” He shut his eyes and rolled over.

She hit him. “Ric, I think I’m having the baby.”

“You’re probably not,” he mumbled, half-asleep.

“I think I am. Get up.” She gingerly pushed the covers back, and stood up. “Get up!”

“What?” He was awake now. “What’s the matter?”

She sighed impatiently. “Do you not listen?” He looked blank, so she carried on. “I’m in labour, Ric. Having a baby, you know? There’s a person about to come out of me? Any of that ring a bell? ’Cause it certainly does for me. So can we cut the small talk and get me to the hospital?” She was getting dressed as she spoke.

Ric sat up, yawning. “Diane, relax. You’re half-asleep. Calm down.”

“Relax?” she repeated, indignantly. “Ric, I know that you have lots of children, you’re a doctor, blah-blah-blah, labour is pretty common for you to see, but this is the first time that I have done this, and I would appreciate it if you would get me to hospital.”

Ric laughed. “Diane, how do you know that you’re having the baby?”

“I think I know when I’m in labour.” She opened the wardrobe and began flinging clothes at Ric. “Get dressed.”

“Firstly, stop crumpling my clothes,” Ric told her, getting up. “Secondly, I’m sure that we can wait a while, and thirdly, how do you know that you’re in labour?”

Diane’s only reply was to draw breath quickly, one hand flying to her stomach, as she sat down heavily on the bed. She winced for a few seconds, and then exhaled heavily. Ric nodded. “Okay. You’re having the baby.”

“So this is how I get to spend Christmas,” she said, slightly sadly.

“Hey, at least you’ll get a great present at the end of it,” Ric replied, putting an arm around her. “You okay?”

“Tired… and a little bit nervous.”

“You’ll be fine.” He smiled encouragingly at her. “Do you really want to go to the hospital now, or can you wait a while? Because if you’ve just started feeling like this, then you’re probably in for a few hours’ wait.”

Diane groaned. “Fine, fine, I’ll stay here for a bit.” She grinned at him. “Even if the only reason you mentioned that was so you could get some more sleep. I’ve never known anyone who needs as much sleep as you.”

“And I’ve never known anyone who needs as little sleep as you,” Ric retorted. “Do you want to try and get some more sleep?”

“I wouldn’t be able to,” Diane replied. “I s’pose you’ll be going back to sleep, though?”

“Call me if you need me.” Ric climbed back into bed as Diane left the room. “I mean it, Diane. I don’t mind being woken up each time you have a contraction. And the moment your waters break, promise me that you will come and tell me. Okay?”

“I will,” Diane said, smiling. “You’re too protective, babe.” As she was about to close the door, she turned back. “Merry Christmas, Ric.”

“Merry Christmas, Diane.”

*~*~*

Anita and Josie were drunk. Very drunk. It was the first time that they’d been drunk in quite a few months – Tom didn’t like to have alcohol in the house; it was too much of a temptation for him. But they’d decided that it couldn’t hurt, not on Christmas Eve… or Christmas Day, as it was now. Tom, having not touched a drop of alcohol, was enjoying being the sober one for once. He knew that “his girls” would have terrible hangovers, but he was enjoying watching them make fools out of themselves.

“All gone,” Anita announced dismally, as she tipped the empty wine bottle upside down, and watched as nothing fell out.

“Does that tell you something?” Tom asked.

“We need another bottle,” Josie giggled, hauling herself up. “I’ll get one… whoa!” she added, as she fell over. “Sorry, Nita.”

“’S okay,” Anita replied, starting to giggle as well. “Help us, Tom.”

Tom gently pulled Josie up. “Somehow I don’t think you should have more alcohol, okay, girls?”

“Aw…” Anita moaned. “Spoilsport.”

“You’ve drunk four bottles of wine,” Tom told them. “You’ll have awful hangovers tomorrow.”

“It’s Christmas, Dad!” Josie replied.

“And you don’t want hangovers on Christmas, do you?” Tom began pulling Anita up. “You’re going to bed.”

“Are you coming?” Anita asked.

“Yes, I’m coming.”

“Then I’m going to bed,” Anita decided, trying her best to walk in a straight line to the stairs.

“Josie, go to bed,” Tom told his daughter.

“Do I ’ave to?” Josie mumbled, laying her head back against the sofa. “I’m tired.”

“Then go to bed!”

“Fine.” Josie stumbled out of the room. “’Night, Dad, Nita.”

Tom watched them carefully as they walked up the stairs – he didn’t want a tragedy this Christmas. But they were all soon safely in bed, sleeping soundly.

*~*~*

An hour and a half later, Diane was curled up on the sofa, talking to Mitsy, and wincing occasionally, as a contraction hit her.

“I’m a bit scared, Mitsy… I know that it’s natural and straightforward and everything, but I just want to be holding the baby and not having to go through labour. It’s stupid, I’m a doctor, the rational part of me is saying that there’s nothing to worry about, but then there’s a part of me that says I’m about to push a human being out of my body and I’m scared. I just keep worrying about stupid things, like what does it feel like? Because no one will tell me, all they say is that it’s worth it, and that doesn’t help me. And I’m terrified that something’s going to go wrong, Mits… I don’t know, like the baby won’t breathe or something. That’s my worst fear, the baby not crying. I don’t know what I’d do if that happened. Or what if something happens to me? What if I die? Then who’s going to take care of the baby… and of you? Ah…” She broke off as another contraction hit her. She started suddenly as someone touched her shoulder.

“You alright?” It was Ric.

“Yeah… they’re coming faster now, though,” she replied, breathing heavily. “Have a good sleep?”

“Not really,” he said, smiling. “I was worrying about poor old you in here. And then I heard you talking…”

“To the cat,” she supplied, a slightly sarcastic tone in her voice.

“You’ll be fine, you know,” he reassured her. “You won’t die, Diane. And I hope you know that even if anything did happen, there would be a queue of people wanting to take care of that baby… me, Jess and Alex, Kath, Chrissie and Owen… And the baby will be fine. I promise you. You’ll both be fine. You’re going to be a great mother, you know that?” he added, stroking some hair away from her face.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

“Now then… do you still want to go to hospital?” Ric asked her.

She nodded, reaching for his hand, suddenly scared. “It’s really happening, isn’t it, Ric?”

He hugged her. “C’mon, you knew it had to happen sooner or later. Your due date was day before yesterday, so it looks like this little one is taking after her mummy… always late.”

Diane laughed weakly. “Only a day late. Besides, it’s the holidays… no one has to keep to schedules.”

Ric helped her up, and they made their way to the door.

*~*~*

Chrissie rolled over and opened her eyes… the clock read 3:01. Christmas Day, then. Her first Christmas as Owen’s wife, as Amanda’s mother. The happiest Christmas of her life. She looked at Owen, sleeping peacefully next to her, snoring softly. She loved him so much. There was Katie, sleeping in the next room. Poor Katie… her mother had died in a car crash just six weeks previously. Chrissie didn’t waste time pretending to be sad over the death, but she couldn’t help but feel sorry for her stepdaughter. Still a little girl, Katie had had to grow up quickly recently. This Christmas wouldn’t be a happy one for her, although she was gradually learning to appreciate Chrissie, and she was now reconciled to the marriage. And then there was the miracle that had made the marriage work. Amanda. Chrissie’s beautiful baby girl – no longer a tiny newborn, but a big, bouncing child of six months old. Chrissie smiled, and closed her eyes again. Her life was perfect. And, in nine months, it would be even better, she thought, as she cuddled up to Owen. She was going to give him the best Christmas present ever.

*~*~*

“H’lo?” Jess mumbled into the phone. She was half-asleep… no wonder, considering it was barely half-three in the morning. Next to her, Alex sat up, giving her a quizzical look. “Dad? Is everything alright?”

“Everything’s fine,” Ric replied, comfortingly. “Diane insisted that I ring you, though.”

“Diane?” Jess repeated.

“What’s the matter?” Alex asked, curiously. Jess swatted him away.

“Nothing’s the matter with her, don’t worry,” Ric continued. “She just decided that the early hours of the morning would be the best time to start having a baby…”

“I didn’t decide anything!” Diane cut in, snatching the phone from Ric. “I’ll talk to her. You drive.”

“Diane?” Jess asked, confused. “What’s happening?”

“Well, we’re on our way to the hospital, so I’ll let you guess,” Diane answered. Even over the phone, Jess imagined that Diane was enjoying this.

“You’re having the baby?” Jess queried, excitedly.

“She’s having the baby?” Alex repeated, as Jess shot him a look.

“Yeah, I’m in labour,” Diane replied. “I didn’t want to ring you at this hour, but Ric insisted that we keep you informed.” Jess could tell that Diane was talking in quotation marks, and poking fun at Ric. “I didn’t want to wake you up so early,” she added.

“I don’t mind,” Jess bubbled. “Not when it’s something like this!”

“Like what?” Alex demanded, but was ignored. “Put the bl**dy thing onto speakerphone!” Jess pushed his hand out of the way, as he reached for the phone by the bedside.

“Is that Alex?” Diane queried. “Oh, by the way, Jess, I’m afraid this means that dinner’s off.”

“As if we care about that,” Jess scoffed. “You just go have a baby!”

“I’ll try,” Diane giggled, breaking off suddenly.

“Diane? Diane? Are you still there?” Jess asked, concerned.

Ric’s voice came over the phone. “She’s just having a contraction…” Diane snatched the phone back. “Will you stop doing that?” Ric asked, pretending to be annoyed.

“I’m back,” Diane announced. “We’ve got to go now, though… we need to go inside.”

“Good luck!” Jess replied.

“Good luck!” Alex shouted, trying to get Diane to hear him.

“Thanks… I might need it,” Diane said. “Come and see me later on, yeah? Oh, and Merry Christmas!”

“Of course we’ll come… wouldn’t miss it for the world!” Jess promised. “Merry Christmas to you too – and Dad,” she added, hanging up. “Diane’s having the baby,” she informed Alex.

“I gathered.”

Jess put the phone back. “I’m tired… g’night.”

Alex smiled, turning the light out. “’Night.”

*~*~*

“Hello,” Mubbs said, brightly, pushing open the door to Diane’s room.

“Where have you been?” Diane demanded.

Mubbs laughed. “I’m not even meant to be in today, you know. I stopped by to see how you were, out of the goodness of my heart…” Ric snorted with laughter, and Mubbs broke off. “Fine. It just sounded better, you know? Anyway, how are you?”

“Let me see…” Diane began, sarcastically.

“Fine, fine, stupid question,” Mubbs interrupted. “Let me see.”

Diane pulled away from him. “Are you crazy?”

“Diane, let him do his job,” Ric told her.

“You’re my friend,” Diane told Mubbs. “I’m not letting you… you know…”

“Well, if it’s friendship you’ve got a problem with, I could always fetch Rosie,” Mubbs suggested. It was common knowledge that Diane and Rosie were not exactly friendly.

Diane grimaced at him. “Fine.” She sighed. “Any idea how much longer this will take?”

“Why? Have you got other plans?” Mubbs queried, smirking.

“No, I’m just getting bored of—ah…” She broke off as another contraction hit her, and Ric squeezed her hand supportively. “Is that meant to help me?” she asked, when she’d recovered.

“It’s just a gesture of support,” Ric replied.

“If you want to support me, then get painkillers, or – have this baby for me, or something helpful,” she retorted. “Squeezing my hand does not help.”

“I’d think you’ve got a few hours to go, yet,” Mubbs interrupted.

“A few hours?” Diane repeated. “Can’t you do anything to make it go quicker?”

“Such a well-educated doctor,” Ric commented, earning himself a glare from Diane.

“I’m sorry,” Mubbs replied, backing out of the room, because Diane looked as though she was about to throw something at him.

“Wimp!” she called after him. She turned to Ric. “What’s the time?”

“Eight o’clock… it’s officially morning. I suppose that we should have brought the presents with us,” he replied.

“I don’t really want to be opening presents in hospital,” Diane remarked. “Mind you, I didn’t plan on spending Christmas Day in excruciating pain either, so I don’t think that I have any control over these things.”

“I could go and get them, if you want,” Ric offered, standing up. Diane clutched at his hand suddenly.

“Don’t go!” she pleaded. Ric sat down again. “I just… don’t want to be alone, you know? I’m scared.”

“I won’t leave if you don’t want me to,” Ric replied, hugging her.

*~*~*

“Urgh…” Anita mumbled, rolling over. She opened her eyes slowly, and found herself face to face with Tom. “Ah!” she screeched, sitting up suddenly.

“Morning,” Tom replied, brightly. “Merry Christmas,” he added, kissing her.

“Shh…” Anita mumbled. “My head… damn alcohol…”

“I did warn you.”

“Warn me? You should’ve taken the bottle away from me,” she moaned. “Wha’ time is it?”

Tom looked at the clock. “Nine.” He sat up. “Time to get up, I think.”

Anita looked at him as though he was crazy. “You are joking, I hope.”

“No,” he replied. “It’s Christmas… you know, presents, merriment, etc?”

“I went through merriment last night. I’m never being merry again,” Anita vowed, getting up nevertheless. “Don’t mind the idea of presents, though.” She pulled on her dressing gown. “You think Josie’s up?”

Tom knocked on Josie’s door. “Jo? You awake?”

A bleary-eyed Josie looked out. “Uhh…”

Anita smiled sympathetically. “I know how you feel.”

“Merry Christmas,” Tom commented, as Josie’s eyes focused. “Do you want to come downstairs?”

“Christmas…” Josie repeated. “Presents?”

“Apparently,” Anita said, trying desperately not to run back to bed. It was too cold for her liking. “And breakfast.”

“No to the breakfast, yes to the presents,” Josie replied, heading for the stairs. Anita hurried to catch up with her – she didn’t want to be the last one to get to the presents! Tom just stood and watched, smiling. He’d never had a “family” Christmas before. Last Christmas, he’d been drinking, on a road to disaster. This Christmas, he had a daughter and a fiancée, and he was determined never to go back to how he had been. Anita and Josie would never know how much they’d helped him, but as long as they were there, he would be fine. He’d never thought of himself as a family man before, but now he knew that he was. He was just glad that he’d found out before it was too late.

*~*~*

“I’m sick of this.” Diane’s voice came out of nowhere, waking Ric up.

“It’ll be over soon,” he replied, trying to look as though he had not been asleep, and failing miserably.

“I know you were sleeping, Ric,” she commented. “You know, the least you could do is be awake. I thought you were trying to be supportive.”

“I am.” He got up and perched on the side of the bed. “How are you doing?”

“It hurts.” She bit her lip, trying not to cry out in pain as a contraction hit. “But I knew that it would hurt.”

“You are allowed to show pain, Diane,” he told her, putting an arm around her.

“I don’t need to.” She smiled. “I’m fine. See?” But the look on her face was vulnerable, and Ric knew that the bravery was only on the surface.

“Do you want something to numb the pain?” he asked, concerned. It was hard on her, having to spend her Christmas here, doing this.

“What pain?” she queried, pretending to be fine. She didn’t like showing that she was suffering – not even to Ric, the person she cared about and trusted the most.

“Diane, you’re not invincible. If it hurts too much, there are things that can be done.” He looked her in the eyes. “Are you really alright?”

She opened her mouth to reply, but cried out in pain instead. “Ah!”

“No pain?” Ric teased gently.

“It’s fine, really, Ric,” she replied, shaking her head. “Don’t fuss.”

He nodded, knowing that she needed to deal with this in her own way. Mubbs charged in, purposefully. “Hello, all.”

“Hi.” Diane looked at him expectantly. “How much longer?”

“Getting tired?” Mubbs queried.

“Bored,” she corrected him. “I’ve been doing this for ten hours. It’s nearly eleven o’clock.”

“You haven’t been here for ten hours,” Mubbs replied.

“Oh no, I had to stay at home, because somebody wanted to go back to sleep,” she retorted, smiling at Ric. “I’m having a baby and all he cares about is getting some shut-eye. He was sleeping just now as well, you know?”

Mubbs shot Ric a sympathetic look. “Well, it doesn’t look like it will be much longer now, anyway,” he told Diane.

She smiled. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day,” she commented to Ric, as Mubbs left.

“Well, it’ll be worth all the pain when you’re holding the baby,” Ric replied.

“I take it you’ve given birth recently, then?”

Ric laughed. “No. But everyone tells me that that’s the case.”

Diane paused. “You know what scares me the most?”

“What?”

“Not this… I’m fine with this. And not any part of labour, either. It’s scary, but not as scary as the idea of actually having a baby. In a few hours, I’m going to have a baby, a little person, who wants me to do everything for it. It’s terrifying.”

*~*~*

The phone was ringing. Josie was outside, trying to fit all of the wrapping paper into the bin, and Tom was in the shower. Anita was trying to cook Christmas lunch – she’d never done it before, and she wasn’t going to be doing it again. And now the phone was ringing… Anita groaned and, turning the oven down, picked it up. “Hello?”

“Who’s that?” was the reply. “I’m calling for Tom Campbell-Gore.”

Probably some distant relative who only spoke to him at Christmas, Anita thought wryly. “He can’t come to the phone right now. Can I help? Or Josie’s in…” she added, hearing Josie clatter into the kitchen, tutting at the state Anita had left it in. Maybe she’d take over the cooking.

“Who are you? Who’s Josie?”

“Anita Forbes. His fiancée.” She still got a rush each time she said that. “Josie is his daughter.”

“His fiancée?” the woman repeated. “His daughter?”

“Who is this?” Anita questioned.

“Emily. I’m Tom’s mother.”

“Oh…”

“He never told me that he was engaged,” Emily continued. “And since when did he have a daughter?”

“Ah… you should talk to Tom about this…” Anita wasn’t sure what to say.

“No, you’re here, you can explain. Since when did my son have a child?”

“He’ll call you back,” Anita announced, slamming the phone down suddenly. She stalked into the kitchen.

“What the hell are you trying to do to this bird?” Josie demanded. “Cremate it?”

“It’s not my fault,” Anita replied. “The phone rang.”

“Who was it?” Josie queried, absently, as she fiddled with the oven. “I think this is dead.”

“Tom’s mother.”

Josie looked up. “I thought his mum was dead.”

“She isn’t,” Anita replied. “And another piece of information – his mother does not know that we exist.”

“What?”

“He hasn’t told his parents two rather important facts about his life,” Anita elaborated. At that point, Tom entered, and Anita whirled around to confront him. “How come your mother doesn’t know that Josie and I exist? Are you ashamed of us?” Tom looked blankly at her, and she continued. “Your mother rang. She did not know who I was. She did not know who Josie was. You are about to call her back and explain everything.” She handed him the phone. “And then you’ll be explaining it to me.” She folded her arms and leant back against the counter. “Go on then. Call her.”

“Anita…”

“Fine, explain it to me first, then.” Her tone made it clear that he couldn’t wriggle out of this.

“I’m not close to my parents… I haven’t deliberately hidden anything from them… I haven’t spoken to them since last Christmas, Anita, it’s complicated, and you know that… I’d never lie about you two, I love you…” He blurted out comments as he thought of them. “I’m not ashamed of my girls. I love you, both of you.”

Anita had forgiven him the moment he walked through the door, but she wasn’t going to let him know that… let him suffer a little longer. She felt Josie nudge her with her foot, and heard the whispered, “don’t be mean”, but she turned and winked at her. Josie, gulping down laughter, turned back to the oven. Anita gestured to the phone.

“Ring your mother, then.”

Grumbling under his breath, he dialled, and left the kitchen. He could well imagine that Anita and Josie would listen in, and he didn’t really want them to hear what would probably be a very bitter conversation. In a few minutes, he returned. “I wouldn’t expect wedding presents,” he told Anita.

“Not go too well?” Josie queried.

“She hung up when I told her that you were twenty-one. I think that she was under the impression that I’d been hiding you for twenty-one years,” Tom replied.

Josie tried to stifle a laugh. “That’s not really funny.”

“And she also seems to be under the impression that Anita is your mother.” This time, Josie did laugh, as did Tom and Anita. When Josie left the room, Tom turned to Anita. “Am I forgiven?”

“Who says I was mad at you in the first place?” she teased. “’Course you’re forgiven.” She turned to the oven. “Now then, has Josie managed to salvage this cremated turkey?”

He laughed. And, even though their meal was burnt, it was a proper Christmas. Not about the presents and the food, but about love.

*~*~*

“Something’s happening,” Diane said, her voice full of panic. Ric was at her side in a moment, taking her hand.

“Are you okay?”

“It feels different… I don’t know what’s happening!” She was almost hysterical. “Do something!”

“Shall I get Mubbs?” he asked, opening the door, before he remembered the call button. He pressed it a few times in quick succession. “Is this normal?” he asked Diane.

“How do I know? I’ve never done this before!” She was almost crying. “It hurts…”

Mubbs arrived. “What’s happening?”

“You tell us,” Ric challenged, as Mubbs began to examine Diane.

After a few moments, Mubbs nodded. “You’re having the baby.”

“I wondered why I was in here!” she snapped.

“You’re having the baby now. This instant,” Mubbs elaborated. “Do you need to push?”

“Yeah… ah…” She bit her lip. “Is there any way at all you can stop this hurting?”

“No,” he replied bluntly. “Be quiet, and save your energy.” She obeyed. For once, she couldn’t be bothered to talk. “Now, when I tell you, I’d like you to push,” Mubbs continued. “Okay?” She nodded. “Push.” Mubbs looked up. “Okay. I can see the head.” After a few seconds, he spoke again. “Right, now push again, yeah?”

“I’m tired…” she mumbled, but did it even so.

After a few moments, there was an amazing sound. A newborn baby’s first cry. The first sign of new life, the sound that Diane had ached to hear for months. Mubbs picked up the baby. “It’s a girl. Congratulations, Diane.” He wrapped the baby up, and handed her to her mother, after announcing that she weighed nine pounds and three ounces.

“Oh…” Diane whispered, looking at the baby – her baby. Mubbs crept out of the room, sensing that he wasn’t wanted. He paused outside the window for a moment, feeling a familiar sensation… jealousy. It was the feeling he got each time he saw new parents cradle their little miracle, and share a meaningful look with one another. The feeling that he was missing out on the most natural, the most wonderful, phenomenon in the world. Love. He wanted that… someone to share his life with. Sighing, he walked away.

*~*~*

“Diane’s got a daughter!” Ric bellowed.

Kath held the phone away from her ear. “What did you say? Diane’s what?”

“Diane – she had a little girl!” Ric replied. “A beautiful little girl.”

Kath smiled, and pushed the “speakerphone” button so that Sandy could hear as well. Neither Kath nor Sandy had anyone to spend Christmas with, and so had decided to spend the day together. Both had been having fun, but the announcement that had come at the end of their meal was the finishing touch.

“How’s Diane?” Sandy asked.

“She hasn’t torn her eyes away from the baby in twenty minutes,” Ric laughed.

“What’s the baby like?” Kath queried.

“Big, she’s nine pounds three ounces… she’s adorable, of course, she’s Diane’s daughter… she looks just like her mum…” Ric rattled off the facts quickly. He stopped suddenly. “I’m almost out of change.”

“Say congratulations to Diane from us!” Sandy bubbled.

“We’ll be visiting as soon as we can!” Kath added, as the payphone beeped, indicating that Ric had been cut off. He’d already called Jess and Alex, who, thrilled, had promised to visit later on, and Diane didn’t care about anyone else. There was Robbie, Steve’s son, whom she’d contacted a few days after finding out she was pregnant. They’d spoken a few times, and he wanted to know all about his new sibling. She’d have to call him – but she wanted to do that herself. Jess and Kath were different.

As Ric re-entered the room where Diane and her daughter were, she looked up. “Hi.”

“How are you?” he asked.

“Wonderful,” she whispered, a happy note in her voice. “Look at her, Ric. Look. She’s not even half-an-hour old yet.” The baby was holding her mother’s finger, and Diane couldn’t tear her eyes away from her baby, who, up until twenty minutes ago, had been inside her. It was almost incomprehensible. Diane was amazed with her daughter. She loved her like she’d never loved anything in the world – like she’d never imagined she could love anything in the world. And she had never been so happy. She didn’t care about the pain, about anything… she had her baby. This was what it was all about.

“Have you got a name for her?” Ric queried, looking at the baby.

“I was thinking about Olivia,” Diane replied. “And I want her surname to be Waring… is that stupid?”

Ric smiled. “It’s not stupid at all. Why would you think that?”

“Because, well, three people living in one house, all with different surnames, you know? It’s weird.” Diane forced herself to look at Ric and not Olivia, and saw him smiling at her. “What?”

“Diane, it wouldn’t be three different surnames for long,” he replied, softly.

She looked at him closely. “Are you asking me to marry you?” She hadn't expected this.

He took her free hand in his. This wasn’t how he’d planned it. He hadn’t planned to propose to her today. But now that she’d worked it out… “If I was,” he began, “would you say yes?”

“That depends.” She looked down at her hand, held securely in his. It felt safe. She felt Olivia’s weight in her other arm. She needed safety now, above everything. She couldn’t let anything happen to Olivia. But if she accepted, would she be doing it for Olivia’s sake only? She smiled to herself. Thinking about it, the idea of marrying Ric made her feel happy. It felt right. She looked into his eyes. “No. It doesn’t depend at all. I’d say yes.”

He looked back at her, his expression mirroring the love and happiness he could see in her eyes. “Then… will you marry me?”

For a fleeting moment, Diane remembered how it had felt to be twenty-one, young and scared, and to hear those words. The terror and panic that had forced her to decline, to run away. And then she knew how it was now. She was eight years older, deeply in love, confident that Ric would never, Ric could never, hurt her. It had all been so complicated then. But it was so simple now… Diane loved Ric, and Ric loved Diane. And so, squeezing his hand gently, she whispered her answer.

“Yes.”

He didn’t have a ring to give her, not at that moment, but he had a whole heart of love to give. And she had nothing to give him but love. But was it only love? For surely love, to the couple who share it, is everything.

*~*~*

Thinking Over

Dana Glover

I’ve been searching for reason and I’m running out of time
I can feel that it’s the season
Time to make up my mind

And I can’t really tell ya what I’m gonna do
There are so many thoughts in my head
There are two roads to walk down
And one road to choose
So I’m thinking over the things that you’ve said
I’m thinking over the things

Thinking over, thinking over
Thinking over the things that you’ve said
I’m thinking over, thinking over, thinking over the things

Am I ready for forever
Oh, God, show me a sign
Cause if we’re to be together
Then it’s got to be divine

And I can’t really tell ya what I’m gonna do
There are so many thoughts in my head
There are two roads to walk down
And one road to choose
So I’m thinking over the things that you’ve said
I’m thinking over the things

Thinking over, thinking over
Thinking over the things that you’ve said
I’m thinking over, thinking over, thinking over the things

He wants to marry me, carry me far away
He wants to love me for life
He wants to be with me every morning I awake
He wants to hold me through the night

Father, which way should I go?
I cannot clearly see
And, oh, I love him so
But only you know if he’s the one for me

Thinking over, thinking over
Thinking over the things that you’ve said
I’m thinking over, thinking over, thinking over the things

And I can’t really tell ya what I’m gonna do
There are so many thoughts in my head
There are two roads to walk down
And one road to choose
So I’m thinking over the things that you’ve said

Oh, is this where I wanna be?

Thinking over the things that you said