Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Chapter Nineteen

14 weeks

Sunday morning was a quit busy morning for the family, Richie went to pick up Ava at her mom's house earlier than he usually did but he still had to drive to the airport too and knew that Ava would like to spend the entire day with her grandmother rather than just the evening.

To keep a low profile Richie went to the airport alone after he had picked up Ava. He knew she wanted to come too but Ava didn't complained and stayed home.

Richie was glad to see his mom, it had been since Christmas that they had spend some time together.

At home, he carried his mom's bag inside and lead her through to the living room where everybody was waiting for her. He left the bags at the stairs and followed his mom into the living room.

As expected Ava was happy to see her grandmother and rushed over to give her a big hug. Joan never came over without bringing presents. With her new step-grandchildren she was able again to buy gifts for boys. Richie had been her only son and she somewhat knew better what to buy for buys than for girls. She knew what girls liked too but with technology and everything, she wasn't always completely sure anymore, it used to be easy to just buy Ava a doll or pretty dresses.

Some time in the afternoon time change caught up with Joan and she decided on some peace and quiet for a few minutes. She let Richie carry her bag up to her room, following him.

"How's things between you and Sarah?" She asked when Richie put her bag on her bed.
"Really good." Richie answered brightly.
"How good exactly."
"Just really good. You know we met a year ago?"
"Has it been that long?" Joan asked a little surprised.
"A year and a week sorta. So you wanna nap before we have dinner?"
"Yes but first I wanted to ask if I'm getting more grandchildren any time soon." Joan smiled gently up at him.
"Oh... Uhm... I..."
"Honey, it's not that hard to say yes or no. Sarah's just got that pregnant look going on and I don't mean to be rude but she seems to have gain some weight too."
Richie sighed, a bit relieved. "Yeah. I think she's just going into the second trimester so we can start telling people. We were going to tell you tonight."
"I'm glad you have Sarah and I'm glad you're getting your wish of another child."
"Thanks ma." He smiled happy and proudly as he hugged her.


During dinner their conversation easily lead back to Sarah's pregnancy. Joan was informed the baby was 14 weeks old and that it's due date was calculated for November 2nd.

In the middle of dinner Sarah got up and left the room, to everyone's surprise. They all stared a few minutes towards the open doorway of the room. Immediately Richie wondered whether she was feeling alright or not. He profusely hoped her morning sickness didn't show up yet again. The two times it had it had been so bad she had to go to the hospital. He didn't like her being in the hospital at all, he rather took care of her at home.

A few minutes later she returned and sat down again.

"Are you okay?" Richie asked confused and worried at the same time.
"Yeah, I got the pictures of Sammy to show your mom." She said as she handed the pictures of the baby that they had gotten a few weeks ago.
Joan looked up at the sound of a name. "Sammy?" She asked, looking down at the black and white pictures.
"That's what we decided to name him or her for now." Richie said before Sarah could, showing he was alright with her decision.
"Him." Caleb said sure.
"No, her." Ava insisted.
"Not again." Richie sighed. "If you two don't stop arguing about it we'll just wait til November to find out."
That had them both staring at him with wide eyes.
"Thought so." He smiled satisfied.

He couldn't help but wonder what they'd act like on Tuesday night when he would be receiving his award. Everyone was coming with him but he wouldn't want any kind of press overhearing Ava and Caleb arguing about a future brother or sister. Sure he was ready to tell everyone that he was finally getting another baby, but he still had to check with Sarah how she felt about telling someone of the press.

After dinner, the family watched a movie until it was pretty late and everyone should have been in bed ages ago. Sarah was still working the next day while Richie had taken two days off to spend some time with his mom on Monday and Tuesday for the award reception.

So far Ava and Caleb hadn't had an argument about the baby again. They wondered what sex the baby would be but so far Noah hadn't said anything yet. He wasn't sure if he should worry about that or not. He had had a good talk with Noah just before they found out Sarah was pregnant, but would he be that lucky again? Maybe it was better to leave it up to Sarah herself, she still knew her son better anyway.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Chapter Eighteen

13 weeks

At the mirror you fix your hair and put your makeup on
You're insecure about what clothes to wear
I can't see nothing wrong

Sunday evening Richie stuck to his promise and was taking Sarah out on a date, they had known each other for a year and a day now. The year had gone very fast for them. They had spend the entire summer together last year, which lead to them getting married right after the summer. As soon as they were wed, plans for a baby had started. Everyone knew Richie still wanted more children and he was glad Sarah was wanting and willing to. End of April now and they had a 13 week old to-be-baby, just another week and they were ready to tell everyone.

To me you look so beautiful when you can't make up your mind
It's half past eight, it's getting late
It's OK, take your time

He was waiting in their bedroom, thinking about the past year while Sarah was getting ready in the bathroom. Not only had it been a year since he had met Sarah, but it had also been a full year since he had any kind of alcoholic drink. He was quite proud of himself for that.

Standing here my hands in my pockets
Like I have a thousand times
Thinking back it took one breath
One word to change my life

He remembered how easy his first contact with Sarah was. Straight away he knew how beautiful was, not just her looks but as a person too. The first time they talked, he knew it was something special even though Sarah had gotten scared after a few days and avoided him until she got the courage to tell him about her past. From then on their relationship had developed. He could still easily picture the bench in the garden of the rehab center, what a peaceful place it had been and how comfortable he and Sarah had been able to talk there.

The first time I saw you it felt like coming home
If I never told you I just want you to know
You had me from hello

Sarah had dressed in her favorite dress, her white summer dress she had worn almost a year ago on her first real date with Richie when they got back from Europe. The dress was getting tight but she hoped it would be alright for tonight. For their next time out they would buy a new dress, she was sure by then she wouldn't fit into this one then. She hoped it wouldn't be too noticeable yet.


A little while later they arrived at a classy restaurant, feeling a little insecure, Sarah held her arms, low above her abdomen, maybe people would notice anyway.

When we walk into a crowded room it's like we're all alone
Everybody tries to kidnap your attention
You just smile and steal the show

Sarah had learned not to worry about prices anymore, usually the price came with how wonderful it would taste. She picked out her favorite meal and let Richie order the rest, sure he knew what she would like.

In a corner of the restaurant, a small band was playing music, a couple was slow dancing to the tunes. They must be on a romantic date too. The band played the entire evening, only taking short pauses every hour.

After sharing dessert together Richie got up and took Sarah's hand, pulling her up too.

"What are you doing?" She asked as Richie guided her to the dance floor.
"We're gonna dance." Richie said.

You come to me and take my hand
We start dancin' slow
You put your lips up to my ear and whisper way down low

He stepped on the dance floor, twirled her around until she was right in front of him, then placed his hands on the small of her back and Sarah wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulders, swaying softly with him to the gentle music.

From the first time I saw you it felt like coming home
If I never told you I just want you to know
You had me from hello

They danced closely until the band took it's break, holding hands they walked back to their table for a cup of coffee.


Arriving at home, it was dark in the house, it was late and everyone had gone to bed. Quietly they went up to their room.

As Richie started to unbutton his shirt, Sarah got in trouble with the zipper of her dress.

Richie chuckled. "Need help there?" He asked as he took his shirt off, throwing it over a chair in the corner.
"If you don't mind."
"Of course I don't mind."

Richie helped her out of her dress, then watched her in her silky white underwear, he could notice a baby belly starting now.

"You're beautiful." He said as he reached in and kissed her, gently walking her back to the bed and laying her down.

He climbed on the bed next to her and continued kissing her, reaching behind her back to undo her bra and take it off. His jeans were getting tighter but they'd have to wait just a little longer now.

Laying down next to her, they both remembered the first time they had sex, it had taken almost two months but it had been worth it. Together they hoped the other would remember that time and try to do it slow like it had been then.

And when you're laying down beside me
I feel your heartbeat to remind me...

Richie got out of his jeans and helped Sarah out of her panties, pulled the covers back and pulled her to her side as he laid down on his side next to her again.

Sarah could feel him hard next to her, it was hard to believe that a year ago his erection freaked her out but now she knew how wonderful it could be. Right now she wanted it so bad she wasn't sure if she wanted him to take it slow like their first time. She wanted him.

Richie pulled Sarah's leg over his hip, remembering exactly how the first time had gone, he slowly moved closer and guided his cock inside Sarah. Slowly he started thrusting, trying to keep it slow, making it last for both of them. As far as he knew hormones hadn't kicked in yet for Sarah and he didn't know in which way it would affect their sex life.

Even though he was thrusting long and slow, he could already feel Sarah tremble against him, making it harder for him to hold on, wanting to thrust harder but restraining himself and kissing Sarah instead.

The first time I saw you it felt like coming home
If I never told you I just want you to know
You had me from hello

Sarah's climax made her throw her head back, exposing her neck to Richie's kissing. Her walls clenching around him made Richie climax too.

Listening to their loud breathing, he continued to kiss Sarah's neck and chest, when both their heartbeats slowed down, Richie pulled back and looked her in the eyes.

From hello

"I love you." He said watching the dark sapphire in Sarah's eyes that he loved so much.
"I love you too." Sarah answered him, as he slowly slipped out of her, she sighed.

From hello

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Chapter Seventeen

13 weeks


A week after being home from Hawaii, Sarah ended up in the hospital again. The change of climate had been great for her but the coming home wasn't.

It had been her second vacation in Hawaii and it was rapidly becoming one of her favorite places to be. It was beautiful, incredible nature and so many fun things to do and see.

Her week with Richie, the kids and a few friends had been amazing, a perfect spring break.

Easter had gone by too while Sarah was in the hospital even though the kids were still excited about getting Easter eggs, it was nauseating to her. Their visits after school made her feel much better. This time Richie hadn't taken every day off but still spent plenty of time in the hospital.

Mostly Sarah was kept company by Taylor, showing up every time she had a break, making sure Sarah was alright. Sarah was almost convinced she was also trying to catch a glimpse of Richie but she was fine with that, Taylor was her friend and understood she was a fan.

"Can you believe this?" Taylor said a bit angry as she walked into Sarah's room on Wednesday morning, holding a magazine.
"What?" Sarah asked absently. Her interest grew when Taylor sat down and started looking for the right page.
"Here." Taylor pointed at a picture.

Sarah's eyes went wide, it was a picture of her and Richie on the beach in Hawaii. Richie's hand was on her belly as he kissed her.

"Can you believe that?" Taylor asked, then pointed at the short text implying if Sarah was pregnant.
"No." Sarah shook her head. She couldn't believe they had been photographed and that they suggested she was pregnant.

She was pregnant, but they didn't need to know that!

"Just ignore it." Sarah said, knowing there wasn't much more that they could do.
"It's unfair. They shouldn't go around saying things like that, it's your privacy."


Sarah kept the magazine as Taylor went back to work, it didn't have many interesting articles, mostly clearly made up gossip that was going around. When Richie walked in around noon.

As always, he gave her a quick kiss as he sat down on the bed next to her.

"So how are you doing today?" He asked, noticing she was still on an IV, not much better then.
"Not so bad, just a bit tired." Sarah shrugged as she put the magazine away again.
"What's that?" He asked, referring to the magazine.
"Taylor found us in it, some picture of us at the beach and they think I'm pregnant."
"Taylor?" Richie asked suspicious.
"Don't you start making suggestions too, she worked all week while we were there." Sarah said strictly.
Richie wasn't convinced, he knew Sarah's friend was a huge fan of him but he wasn't sure to trust it. "Did she know where we were going?"
"No she didn't, stop thinking my friend caused that. If she wanted to tip off the press she could have done that a month ago." Sarah said angrily. Taylor was her friend, she wouldn't do something like that.

Richie considered that for a few seconds, perhaps Sarah was right, Taylor had known of Sarah's pregnancy for a while now.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to ask if you wanted a new dress for in two weeks."
"What's in two weeks?"
"That award I was getting, remember, the 7th?" He clarified, hoping she'd remember, he had told her about it a few weeks ago.

Sarah had to think for a few seconds, the last weeks had been a bit distracting and being in the hospital yet again, didn't help much either.

"Oh right, yeah I remember. I guess I'll need a new dress, I'll be even bigger in two weeks."
"You better start keeping food down again then. I'll take you shopping as soon as you're allowed to leave the hospital again."
"I'm trying."
"I know you are, sweetie." He reached in again to kiss, making Sarah cheer up again. "I need to take you on a date this weekend, you know."
"A date? What for?" Sarah asked confused.
"This weekend it'll be a year since we met, I think we should celebrate that."

Monday, April 15, 2013

Chapter Sixteen

10 weeks

Monday Richie had taken the day off, knowing he wouldn't be able to work over time then, putting his family first. The last few days he had figured out that Sarah had wanted to go to an appointment the week before but his flu interfered with that, so he thought it was most important to make sure Sarah could go this week and he couldn't let her go alone either.

Before finding their way to the gynecologist Sarah had an appointment to finally have her cast removed, if her wrist had been broken it would have healed by now and the cast could come off. Finally she would be able to shower decently again.


A few minutes before 10 am they arrived at the doctor's office for Sarah's appointment. When she was in the hospital for a week she had seen one but she didn't remember the doctor's name and figured she could try someone else. Her colleagues had suggested a few doctors to her and Sarah had made her decision based on who could see her the fastest.

They easily found the door that read:
Doctor Thompson
Obstetrics and gynecology

A few minutes later, they were sitting in the Doctor's room. She seemed like a nice person, Sarah liked her right away, she was friendly and understanding.

After the basic question Sarah had to move to the examining bed, with Richie by her side, she got ready to hear the sound of her baby. She took his hand and held it.

The gel that was applied to her belly was cold but instantly forgotten as a black and white picture of the inside of her uterus showed up on the screen next to them.

"Here's your baby." The doctor pointed out. "About an inch big now."
Richie measured out an inch between his fingers. "So small."
The doctor chuckled. "It'll keep growing of course. It's vital organs are starting to develop and mature. Nails and fingerprints are developing and reflexes are  too, so you might start to feel some little kicks." She looked at Sarah. "Let's look for that heartbeat, shall we?" The doctor said.
Sarah carefully nodded, making Richie look at her.

Sarah could feel the tears start behind her eyes, the simple picture of a little baby on the screen. She was still looking at it, it seemed so amazing. Something she'd wanted for so long now and there it was.

A loud thundering noise disrupted her thoughts, Richie squeezed her hand and she realized what she was hearing. With a big smile on her face, the tears started flowing.

Richie reached over and wiped away the tears.

"That's a good and healthy heartbeat." The doctor said with a smile.
Sarah nodded, unable to say something right now.

Back at the desk, the doctor said, "In six weeks, we'll be able to see the sex of the baby but in four weeks, the tricky part is over and you can start telling people if you want."

They scheduled the next appointment and were on their way with the pictures of the ultrasound.

"Anything you would like to do today?" Richie asked when they got in the car.
"Actually, I think I need some bigger clothes." Sarah confessed, carefully putting the pictures in her purse.
"We can do that."

Sarah still preferred shopping at the stores she used to buy clothes, she didn't care that she could afford more expensive stuff. Her favorite store was still good enough.

Browsing through the racks of clothes, Richie picked out what he would like to see on Sarah but some of the clothes were a bit too risky according to Sarah.

"Why do you need bigger clothes anyway?" Richie asked as he hung a revealing top back.
"'Cause these are getting a little tight." Sarah pointed out as she found a low waist jeans, a size bigger than her usual size.
Richie still didn't understand, Sarah didn't look like she needed anything bigger.

Sarah get two pairs of jeans and a few t-shirts. She noticed Richie was getting bored and still didn't understand. She moved closer to him, close enough that she could kiss him.

"I'll let you help pick out bras and a bikini."
Richie cocked an eyebrow in question, followed with a smile.
"I thought you'd like that." She smiled back and kissed him.

Of course, in the underwear department, Richie picked out the most skimpiest and see through sets.

"I know you like those honey, but I think, I need a bit more support than those ones offer." Sarah said as she looked through the ones Richie had picked out for her.
"Why? You'd look hot as hell in those."
Sarah chuckled. "Maybe but my boobs are getting bigger and will continue to get bigger so I'll need something that offers a bit more support. Wouldn't want them losing their firmness right."
Richie chuckled too. "Yeah, that's right." He liked Sarah's boobs and would definitely not like that.

Finally Richie took his job serious and helped Sarah pick out some new bras. Making sure, in the changing rooms that the cups did their work, making Sarah giggle every time he did. He couldn't keep his hands off of her. She had gotten used to that, being loved that much by someone was amazing and great for her self esteem. She knew however she looked, Richie would always love her.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Chapter Fifteen

9 weeks


Sarah woke up the same time she always woke up on a Monday morning even though she knew she might cancel work again.

Richie wasn't as hot next to her as he had been the last few days. Wednesday she had finally convinced him to see a doctor if he wasn't going to take something.

Even though he didn't want to Sarah phoned a doctor as Richie said she could. Too bad it was too late to get a house call the same day.

Thursday morning when Sarah got from driving everyone to school, the doctor was there and Sarah led him up to their bedroom where Richie had just woken up.

She sat with him as the doctor asked some questions and examined him.

Afterwards Sarah led him out again and made some breakfast for Richie.

"Not pregnant." He had said when Sarah came back into the bedroom.
"Good, you can have breakfast then." She handed him some toast.


Three days later Richie still wasn't entirely over the flu.

"How are you feeling today?" Sarah asked before getting up out of bed.
"Better." Richie answered, at least he didn't sound as hoarse as last week anymore.
"How much better?" Sarah wanted to know.
"So much better that if you shower later, I'll shower with you." He smiled.

Sarah chuckled, that didn't sound bad, she had had to shower alone all week and Richie could use a decent right about now.

"Seriously though," Sarah went on, "are you feeling better?"
"Think I might go back to the studio tomorrow or the day after."
"That's good." Sarah concluded.

An hour later Richie got up to look for Sarah, as he walked past the mirror, getting a full view of himself, he really needed to find Sarah so they could shower together. He looked like a mess, his hair was incredibly messy and greasy but at least he didn't look pale anymore.

Finding her in the kitchen, Richie walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her, standing behind her and kissed her neck.

"I love you but you stink." Sarah chuckled as she turned around in his arms.
"Maybe you should shower with me."
"If you have another plastic bag for me." Sarah told him.
"Anything to have you shower with me." He said confident and opened the shelf where they kept various sorts of plastic bags.

A few minutes later, Sarah's purple cast arm was wrapped in plastic and ready to go shower.

Richie helped her undress in the bathroom, her wrist didn't bother her anymore, it didn't hurt but because the baby was so small, they couldn't x-ray and take off the cast. Hopefully it only had to stay on for another week.

He turned on the water and then helped Sarah step in to the shower. He remembered it was almost a year since he knew Sarah had sprained her wrist the first time, then her ankle. It had happened more times but nothing as bad as her ankle was then. By now it seemed so long. They'd been married for seven months, almost eight. It had almost been a year they had met, so many things had changed since then.

"I missed seeing you all naked like that." Richie said as he watched Sarah getting wet under the shower head.
"I bet you have." Sarah said as she took her own look of Richie's wet body.

He wrapped his arms around her carefully and hugged her for a few minutes, then picked up the soap but Sarah took it from him.

"Let me help you, you're the one that stinks after all." She joked.
"Oh yeah? How are you gonna do that with one hand?" He said, snatching the soap back.

After washing, bodies and hair, Richie wrapped his arms around Sarah again, kissing her deeply. He hadn't kissed her in a week and he had missed it, even though she was right there, he couldn't risk her getting a flu either.

Only a few minutes later they were in bed again.

"We're getting the bed all wet." Sarah giggled as Richie kissed her neck.
"Don't care." He said as he continued kissing her.


The next morning Richie did go back to work, after he had promised Sarah to not work overtime any day this week.

At the studio he tried to stick to his promise that he had made to Sarah, no worrying about being a week behind and not overdoing his voice.

At home Sarah was reading one of her pregnancy books, the website she had found online gave a nice week by week view of how the baby was growing but finding it wasn't enough information, she found a book that did the same but the explanation was broader.


Richie was home at his regular time, for which Sarah was glad, he had stuck to his promise and his voice didn't sound worse than it had before he had left in the morning.

He walked over and sat down to Sarah who was still reading her book.

"What are you reading?"
"I'm reading about our baby growing. Do you think we have time before we go to Hawaii?" Sarah asked, marking her page and closing her book.
"What for?" Richie asked, turning on the TV and getting comfy on the couch.
"Well, next week I'm ten weeks and according to my book we can hear Sammy's heartbeat then." Sarah asked, a little excited.
"A heartbeat?" He asked a little surprised it was that soon. "Wait, Sammy?"
"Oh," Sarah realized what she had said. "I kinda started naming the baby Sammy."
"Why Sammy?" Richie asked, how could she pick out a name without asking him, he wasn't even sure if he liked that name.
"Not to keep, just to have something nicer than "the baby" and I thought, Sambora, Sam, Sammy." She explained.
"Short for Sambora?"
"Yeah kinda and it works for a boy or a girl. So do you think we have time?" She asked.
"Yeah, definitely." Richie said, making his voice crack in excitement and a coughing fit burst out.
"What did I tell you?"
"Sorry." He whispered when he caught his breath. "Do you know a doctor yet?"
"I was thinking to ask Taylor and some other people around the hospital, they must know someone good."
"That's probably a good idea, they should know who's good." Richie concluded.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Schedule




As you've probably noticed, my chapters are scheduled to post every 5 hours at midnight (GMT+1). So far I have chapter planned until the 15th of May, which is over a month away. Therefor I  had a preposition, I could make the posts closer together, like every 4 or 3 days but then the possibility that I might run out of chapters soon is bigger. Exams start end of May and will keep me busy til end of June, but of course that won't stop me from getting ideas and write them down of course. I've written 4 chapters in the last 24 hours and I have a couple more that I plan to write this weekend.

So all in all, it's up to you guys that I make posts closer together but then there's the chance I might run out of chapter...


Friday, April 5, 2013

Chapter Fourteen

8 weeks

Monday morning Sarah woke up next to a hot Richie. He always was warm in bed and the reason why she always cuddled with him but now he felt even hotter than he usually did.

Slowly Sarah got out of bed and turned her alarm off, since she had to be up earlier than Richie but she didn't want to wake him. In the bathroom she had a quick wash by the sink to start her day.

When she walked out of the room, through their bedroom to the walk in closet, she saw Richie with his phone and turn back around to go back to sleep. He didn't have to get up as early as she did but usually he woke up before Sarah would shower and joined her but now he rolled over and went back to sleep.

Dressed and ready for work a few minutes later, she found him snoring loudly as she left the room and went downstairs.

Of course teenagers were the last one to get up but as everyone got to the kitchen and had breakfast, Richie was still upstairs.

Sarah started to get worried, he hadn't mentioned he wasn't going to the studio today or if he was going in late. With the song bothering him she had figured he'd want to be there early to make sure it got finished but he was still in bed.

As the kids got ready Sarah went back upstairs to check on Richie, who, not very much to her surprise was still sleeping and snoring. She walked over and sat down on the side of the bed. Reaching over she laid her hand on his forehead, then ran her fingers through his messy hair.

"Sweetie, are you feeling okay?" She asked softly when he reacted.
"Fine." He answered as he turned to face her.
"You sure? You feel pretty hot."
"No, I'm cold." Richie corrected her as he pulled up the sheets even higher.
"Probably why you feel hot. I'm gonna go cancel work and bring the kids to school." Sarah decided.
"Why are you cancelling work?"
"So I can take care of you 'cause you probably do have that flu that's been going around." Sarah was still talking softly.
"Maybe I'm just pregnant." He teased.
"Very funny. Go back to sleep, I'll be back to help you feel better."
"I'm fine."


About an hour later Sarah walked back into the bedroom. Richie was still sleeping in bed. She sat down beside him again and took his hand. His other hand rested on his abdomen.

Sarah reached over to feel his forehead again, still hot.

"Your hand is cold." Richie said slowly as he woke up.
"Sorry." She pulled her hand back. "How are you feeling? I got some painkillers."
"I don't want painkillers. You know that, I told you."
"I know you did but it's just Ibuprofen, it'll help for your flu and make your fever go down." Sarah tried, she wanted him to feel better.
"No thanks. I'm fine." He insisted.
"If you're not taking those, you should let a doctor check you over and let him prescribe you something else."
"I'm fine, I'm feeling better already."
"Then you don't mind me doing stuff around the house, right? Since I got the day off anyway." Sarah knew well enough that he was sick but if he didn't want to be helped, he didn't want to be helped.
"I'm fine."

Sarah let him be, took her laptop and went downstairs.

The living room was pretty quiet, she kept the tv off and went online to do a little research. The internet had everything nowadays. She didn't have any pregnancy books and wondered if she could get some online or at least some websites about pregnancies.

After a while she had found a very informative website that gave her information by week. While she was reading on the website she heard stumbling upstairs. Richie must be getting up, she thought.

A few minutes later she was proven right as Richie walked into the living room and sat down on the couch. Sarah didn't think he should be out of bed but he was a big boy that could make his own decisions and if he didn't want to be helped then so be it. She would as soon as he said anything was wrong, for now she let him be.

She continued reading about how her baby was growing inside her. Then deciding she wanted more information than the website alone gave, she went to order a few books that were recommended and looked most interesting to her.

"What are you doing?" Richie asked finally, now sounding hoarse.
"Reading about pregnancies."
"Oh." He said a little confused. Why did she have to read about pregnancies, she had already been pregnant twice.

He didn't say anymore and Sarah went back to her laptop, still leaving the option for help to Richie himself. He continued sitting there, obviously not feeling well.

"What are you doing down here?" Sarah asked gently after a few minutes of silence.
"I don't feel so good."
"I know you don't, so why aren't you in bed?" Her voice still calm and gentle.
"I wanna be with you." His voice was already hoarser than the first time he spoke.

Sarah nodded, closed her laptop and put it down next to her, then stood up and urged Richie to get up too.

"Come on lets go to bed, I'll stay with you." She assured him as she walked over to the stairs with him to go back to bed.





(In case anyone's interested in that pregnancy website, www.babycenter.com It helped me with writing this.)

Monday, April 1, 2013

Chapter Thirteen

7 weeks

Monday morning Sarah was back at work, back to her usual weekly schedule.

As always the hospital was busy, but that was what Sarah liked about her job, it kept her busy. As usual Taylor popped up at the reception desk to chat. No one at the hospital knew anything, everyone was bound under patient confidentiality which was good because Sarah wasn't ready to tell just yet.

She was pregnant but it was too soon to announce anything. When she was asked about her absence and hospitalization she blamed it to a stomach flu and dehydration and everybody seemed to believe it, it was flu season after all.

For Richie his weekly schedule returned too, as always on his way to the studio he dropped off the boys. Ava would have gone home on Tuesday but because Richie didn't have to go to New York, Heather was fine with letting Ava stay until Sunday as she always did, so Richie had dropped her off at home the day before.

At the studio there was a bunch of work waiting for him, he hadn't been there in a whole week and not much had advanced on the album, he was glad he could get back to work. The sooner he had this finished, he could tour and be home with Sarah. For now her pregnancy was alright but would it stay like that?

As every Monday afternoon, Sarah received a text on her phone, just as she was leaving the hospital. Every Monday and Thursday Richie worked overtime at the studio, she knew he would but he always texted her anyway, telling her he wouldn’t be home for dinner that night.

As she got in the car she guessed he did have more work now, having missed a whole week of working last week, but she didn’t mind, she liked how ambitious he was.

He was even later that he usually was that evening, she had expected him around 8pm but it was close to an hour later and she was a little unsure about it. He must be really busy if he forgot to text her again.

Not until she decided to go to bed another hour later, she heard the front door open as she walked up the stairs. Instead of going further, she turned around and watched him come in.

Richie noticed her on the stairs right away.

“I’m sorry.” He quickly said.
“For what?” Sarah asked confused.
“Being late, aren’t you angry?”
“Of course not, I know you’re busy.” She assured him.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m not angry. Are you coming to bed?”
“I’ll be there in a minute.”


By Wednesday Sarah was glad everything was still the same, her morning sickness hadn’t made any more appearances. Even though she was glad it hadn’t, it made her suspicious too, what if it came back but even worse?

She didn’t want to spend another week in the hospital, it hadn’t been bad, but as anybody else, she preferred being at home where her husband and children were too.

The hospital was her job, it was different when she worked there than when she stayed there. She also didn’t remember her pregnancies with Caleb and Noah being so bad. A little morning sickness but nothing compared to last week.

In the mean time Richie was making a lot of progress on the album, the songs were written and most of them were mixed too. He hoped to be finished in another month, then he had to start thinking about a name for the album and a record label to produce it and hopefully tour with it. He knew he couldn’t make a enormous worldwide tour on his own but a few shows in the US and a few in Europe should be realistic, as long as he was home in November.


That week, Richie worked his usual overtime on Thursday too, realizing they hadn’t made enough progress during the week and there were a few things that needed to be finished before the weekend.

Listening to one of the songs they were trying to mix, he realized he didn’t like the vocals one bit. How could they have sounded fine until now? Annoyed, he got up to sing them again.

When he came back and listening to what he had just recorded, Luke said he didn’t hear any difference in it. Which made Richie get up and do it again, it just didn’t sound right.


Friday went almost the same, they hadn’t finished the song the night before and Richie was still annoyed that it wouldn’t work the way he wanted it too. For now he thought the vocals were alright but now the music sounded off. After a few changes on the notes, they tried again.

By 5pm he called it quits, it wasn’t working and he didn’t want to work overtime two days in a row, he had a wife waiting at home for him.


Saturday morning Richie was up early, he had forced the song out of his mind the evening before but sometime during the night it had creeped back in to wake him up.

He tried to forget it, it was weekend, he shouldn’t work today, he should relax and spend time with his family, he tried to push the song back out of his mind until Monday, he’d just work late and finish it then.

His frustrations kept him up most of the next night. Sarah noticed he couldn’t sleep but couldn’t help him either. She tried to stay awake with him and suggested watching a movie to take his mind off of it but only half an hour later she was sleeping on Richie’s shoulder.

Richie appreciated her efforts but he knew it wouldn’t make a difference. He watched the movie and started another one but still couldn’t manage to get to sleep.


Sunday wasn’t much better, Sarah was still trying to take his mind off of the song but it didn’t help any, with only a little of sleep, it was impossible to get it out of his mind.

After dinner, after Ava had come home, Sarah took Richie up to their room. Richie still kept in mind that Sarah was only trying to help and he let her, hoping it might anyway. So he followed her to their bedroom and into the bathroom.

“What are we doing?” He asked a little confused when they stood in the bathroom.
“We’re gonna have a nice, hot, relaxing bath.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, come, clothes off.” She ordered as she reached over to fill the huge whirlpool bath tub.
“You got a cast.” He pointed out.
“I thought of that.” Sarah said as she went into the bedroom and returned with a plastic bag and tape. “And I haven’t been able to wash my hair decently in a week either.”

Richie shrugged and started undressing, a bath with his wife couldn’t be a bad thing.

A few minutes later he was laying in a hot bath, enjoying the bubbles, his wife was leaning against his chest so she could hold her wrist on the side of the bath so it wouldn’t get too wet even though he had made sure the tape around the plastic bag was tight enough.

“Relaxed yet?” Sarah asked from her comfy place.
“Hmmm.”
“Doesn’t sound very convincing.” She said as she turned her head on his shoulder to be able to kiss his cheek.

She continued her kisses, determined to make him relax, she kissed his neck, jaw and cheek.

Richie’s hands that were relaxed on her chest, started making subtle touches to her skin and turned a little to be able to kiss her back.

For a few minutes they kissed intimately, his touches made Sarah shiver unintentionally.

“Let’s go to bed.” She said, sitting up in front of him.

“Can we just go to sleep?” Richie asked as they got in bed.
Richie passing on a chance to have sex? “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just got a really bad headache.”
“That bad? You need to relax and stop worrying.” Sarah said as she got in bed, once Richie was next to her, she pulled to covers over them both.
“No, it’s just a headache.” He insisted although the pounding in his head was terrible.
“Alright, go to sleep then.” Sarah reached up and kissed him good night.