Chapter 78

Rick walked into Target looking for Janel. He didn't spot her right away so he walked around the store. Then he spotted Char in the electronics department.

He waved to her to get her attention.

Char turned her head to see Rick standing there. She smiled brightly at him.

He smiled back at her.

He couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. Her smiled to seemed to brighten the entire room. He studied her as she walked over to him. She had brown hair that curled under, right above her shoulder. And she was tall and slender with a beautiful tan complexion.

She walked up to him and he locked eyes with her. He stared deep into her bright blue eyes.

"Hi Rick," she said.

He snapped out of his daze as he heard her say his name.

He smiled at her. He knew he'd been staring at her for a while.

"Hi Char," he said.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Uh, I had to ask you a question," he said.

"Well go ahead, ask away," she said.

"Would you like to got out with me?" he blurted out.

His eyes became wide as he realized what he had just said. That's not what he had meant to ask, but he was glad that he did.

"I mean would you like to go out tonight?" he asked.

She stared at him as if she were in deep thought.

He impatiently awaited her answer.

"Hmm. . .tonight," she said as she thought about her answer.

"Yeah, but maybe another night if tonight doesn't work for you," he said.

"No, no Rick. I'd love to go out with you tonight," she said.

"Really?" he asked, almost surprised.

"Yeah," she said excitedly. "But can I pick the place?"

"Sure," he said.

"You like to dance right?" she asked.

"Yeah, sure," he said.

"Okay then, I know just the place," she said.

"Okay. I'll pick you up about 7:30?" he asked.

"Yeah, that's good," she said.

"I'll see you then," he said.

She smiled. Then she gave Rick a kiss on the cheek.

"Bye," she said.

"Bye," he said as he watched her walk away.

As Rick drove home he felt as if he were on Cloud Nine. He hadn't been this excited about a date in a long time. He wasn't really much of a dancer. But he didn't care where they went as long as he got to be with Char.

Char leaned back against the counter in the electronics department. She stared into space as she thought about Rick.

She was glad that they were finally going out. He was really cute, but she wanted to get to know him better. Janel had said that he was a nice guy and she wanted to find out. But his looks were definitely a plus. Actually the more she thought about it, he kind of looked like Nick Carter. Not exactly, but there were a few similarities. Like his blonde hair and blue eyes. Sure a lot of guys had those two characteristics, but Rick was different. And Char loved his smiled, it practically melted her heart.

"Um, excuse me," a customer said.

Char snapped out of her daze as she realized that someone was talking to her.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Can I help you?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'd like to see this camera right here," he said as he pointed to the one he wanted.

I woke up and felt Kevin's strong comforting arms surrounding me. I smiled as I felt his soft finger tips gently rub my belly.

Then I reached up and touched his cheek. He turned his head and kissed my hand.

"Morning beautiful," he said.

"Morning," I said.

We continued to lay on the couch in each other's arms.

Then Kevin began to sing a lullaby.

"What are you doing Boo?" I asked.

"I'm singing to our baby," he said.

"Oh okay," I said.

"Does it bother you?" he asked.

"No. Actually it's putting me to sleep," I said.

"Is that a bad thing?" he asked.

"No, it's comforting. Go ahead and continue," I said.

"Okay," he said as he kissed the top of my head.

Then he continued to sing.

Rick walked in and his phone began ringing. He closed his door and then quickly picked it up.

"Hello."

"Hi Rick."

"Oh hi Lauren. What's up?"

"What the hell do you think you were doing lying to me?!"

"Wow, it's nice to hear from you again."

"You know Janel means so much to me. And this last month I have been driving myself insane not knowing whether she was safe or not."

"Sorry Lauren, but she told me not to tell anyone where she was, including you."

"I don't care what she said Rick. You were supposed to at least tell me. I've been worried sick."

"Sorry, I was just doing what she said."

"It's okay, but you're lucky that we're a few thousand miles away."

Rick laughed. "Yeah, I'm glad that there's some distance between us."

"You bet you are. And by the way, sorry I just blurted that out like that. I hadn't meant to sound like that. It's just that I've been under a lot of stress lately."

"It's okay Lauren. I understand."

Lauren and Rick and continued to talk for an hour on the phone.

"Are you getting hungry?" Kevin asked.

"Yeah, a little bit," I said. "Why?"

"Cause I'm going to make you breakfast," he said.

"Me?" I questioned as I sat up.

"Yep," he said as he also sat up.

He took my face and pulled me close to him. Then he lightly kissed me.

"I love you Pumpkin," he said.

"I love you too," I said as I hugged him.

"Okay, time for breakfast," he said.

"All right," I said as I stood up.

He reached out his hand. "Help?"

I grabbed his hand and then helped him up. "You big baby."

"Hey," he said as he smiled at me.

"I'm going to go take a shower and change. I'll be back out soon," I said.

"Okay. I 'll be in the kitchen," he said as I walked away.

Kevin walked into the kitchen and began making a big breakfast.

I stared at myself in the mirror and noticed that I was smiling from ear to ear. I looked like some goofy clown. I laughed at myself as I got into the shower.

Things were finally right again. Not everything was perfect with Kevin and me because there was still the trust issue and a few others. But the love that we shared was back again. That love was what had held me together through so many nights. And it comforted me whenever I felt scared or frightened. I knew I couldn't live without his love.

I finished taking my shower and then got dressed. I slipped on a little spring dress and walked out to the kitchen.

"Mmm. . .smells wonderful Mr. Richardson," I said as I walked up behind him.

"Why thank you," he said as he turned around.

I stood on my tip toes and kissed his nose.

"Is it ready?" I asked.

"Yep," he said.

He walked over to the table and pulled out a chair for me. Then we sat down.

"Go ahead and eat as much as your little tummy desires," he said, smiling at me. "I made plenty of food."

I looked at everything on the table. "It's not going to be a little tummy much longer," I said as I smiled back at him.

"When do you find out the sex of the baby?" he asked.

"In two weeks I have a doctor's appointment," I said.

"Can I come?" he asked excitedly.

"Of course," I said as I took a drink. "Any preference?"

"Nope, none at all. I'm going to love our child no matter what," he said.

"Me too," I said.

We finished our breakfast and then cleaned up the mess.

"So what are we going to do today?" Kevin asked as he put his arms around my waist.

I turned around and smiled at him.

Then he picked me up and placed me on the counter.

"What do you want do?" Kevin asked as he placed his hand on my stomach.

"Spend the day with you," I said as I placed my hand on top of his.

"Well of course," he said he leaned forward and kissed me.

"Want to go to the park?" I asked.

"Sure, that sounds perfect," he said.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and he picked me up off the counter. Then he put me down.

"Let me just get my sandals," I said as I began to walk towards my room.

"Okay," he said. "But we have to stop by the hotel first."

"Okay," I yelled from my room.

I slipped on a pair of sandals and then walked out.

"Let's go," Kevin said as he stood by the door with my keys.

We walked out and then got into my car.