The City Of Love {Stacey}

[brendan]

After Brendan had told Stacey not to feel bad about being sick and ruining the trip, well ruining the trip were her words, not his, he had told her not to worry about things, they would get her sorted out once they went to the doctors. Stacey's reply made him sigh gently, as he frowned and smiled weakly, "Well don' feel bad abou' it, don' wan' ya makin' yerself worse fer worryin' like tha'. I love ya Anastacia Potter, ain't nothin' gonna ruin tha' feelin' let me tell ya." Brendan used such a soft voice, but he was being very serious, you knew when he was being serious to Stacey, as he always used her full name. Soon enough though, at least he hoped, he would be saying Anastacia Harris when he was being serious. He then kissed her forehead twice.

When he had asked Stacey if she would be alright in the shower, or did she want him to say, she'd asked if he could stay close by, just in case. "Alrigh'." He was just thinking about bringing his laptop in, when Stacey then asked if he could bring in the clothes she had looked out for herself before she had to run into the bathroom to be sick again.

"Alrigh' sweetheart, I was jus' goin' out fer the laptop anyway, so I'll get yer clothes an' all." He went out into the room and had then sat on the bed for a few seconds, rubbing his eyes and temples. He was just so worried about her. He really hoped everything would be alright. Then he leaned forward picked up the laptop and Stacey's clothes and went into the bathroom. He put Stacey's clothes on the bathroom cabinet and then sat on the toilet seat with the laptop. He opened it and he noticed he had another e-mail from Libby.

Hi Daddy,

Just wanted you to know that we're still having a good time together. I love all of you. I can't believe I was never a part of this amazing family before I met you.

So.... you didn't tell me yet, how did it go? I want to know all the details.

Love Kitten xxx

Brendan couldn't do anything but smile at the e-mail, it was so short but oh so very sweet. He hit reply, and with a less worried look on his face because he was replying to Libby, he sent the following message back to her.

Hey Kitten,

Sweetheart. I'm missing you real bad, but I've got to say everything went well with the proposal, and she said yes. You have no idea how happy that made your daddy feel. Hope you're happy for your old man?

Can you do me a favour sweetheart? Tell your gramps that we're going to be here for another week, well, not here for another week, but Stacey's got a fear of flying, and so I've organised a cruise to bring us home, which is going to take a week. Don't suppose you'll mind staying at your grams and gramps for an extra week will you?

Love Daddy xxx

He wasn't about to tell Libby about Stacey's illness, because he didn't want his daughter to worry about Stacey, besides with a bit of luck they'd get it sorted out today. He then went to check his work e-mail, he had quite a few, but scanning through, there was nothing important, and nothing which couldn't wait until he got back. There was someone he had to tell of the extended trip though, and that was Daniel, the Editor. So he typed up another quick e-mail explaining the situation, and got almost an immediate response from him, telling him, that it was fine, and he'd see him when he got back.

He then closed the laptop, and was just about to put it back through into the bedroom when he heard Stacey come out of the shower. He put it on the bathroom cabinet instead, and as she began to get dressed, he noticed she wasn't overly steady on her feet, so he stood up behind her, and just kept his hand on the small of her back, so if she fainted or fell over, he'd be right there to catch her.

Stacey then mentioned about not doing breakfast and just wanting to go and see about herself right away. He pulled her into a gentle hug then, wrapping his arms loosely around her neck. "Yeah sweetheart, we can go find out now. Jus' need to get maself dressed." He then picked up the laptop, and wrapped one arm around Stacey's waist as he walked her and himself out into the bedroom. He guided her to sit down on the bed gently, and then he slipped the robe off, and quickly put his underwear on, then a clean pair of jeans, followed by one of his many colourful Hawaiian shirts.

"Alrigh' then, lets go Bambi." He checked to make sure his wallet and room key was in his back pocket, which they were, and looking out the window the weather looked good, so no need for a jacket. He then took her hand in his own and opened the room door, stepping outside, waiting for Stacey to get out before locking the door.

[Anastacia Potter]

Stacey nodded when Brendan agreed to stay, and that he had to get his laptop as well. So off he went, as Stacey got into the shower. She didn't want to stay long in the shower, for fear of being sick or getting dizzy again, but the water did feel nice.

Stacey was feeling a bit shaky as she was dressing, and was glad for Brendan's support on her back. At least she wouldn't fall backwards on her arse any time soon. Though if she fell forward, Stacey would be able to hopefully stop herself with her hands on the sink. She hated feeling like this, but couldn't wait to finally find out what was really going on with her right now.

Stacey listened when Brendan acknowledged that she didn't want breakfast, and just wanted to go and see what was wrong with her. The feel of Brendan gently hugging her was nice, with his arms around her neck, rather than her body, as she didn't know what would have happened if his arms had rested there. She might have just chucked up again with any pressure in that area.

Then Stacey gave a weak smile when he said that he needed to get dressed. She had thought that he might have done so when she was in the shower, but then recalled that he was on his laptop at the time. So they both walked out of the bathroom, with Brendan's arm around her waist, guiding her to the bed. Stacey sat down. She sort of watched as he got himself dressed, liking what she saw, but some times putting her head down in order to compose herself for the next part of the journey, where she had to stand and walk. Stacey wasn't looking forward to that.

Then when Brendan said 'let's go', he took a hold of her hand in his own. She followed him out the door slowly, and stood near the wall, as he locked the door, just in case she felt like she was going to faint. But luckily she didn't, but she didn't feel good at all. Looking at Brendan, she tried to give a smile. "I just hope that we can see someone straight away. I don't want to be feeling like this for the rest of the week." That was the truth. She had such a great time most of yesterday, and she wanted it to continue for the rest of the week. But if she was going to be like this for the rest of the trip, well, who knew what they wouldn't be able to do. It would be rather annoying to do nothing in such a beautiful city.

They soon headed to the elevator, and when they got in, Stacey just rested her head on Brendan's shoulder. She hoped that the movement of the elevator wouldn't make her stomach go all funny. But luckily the trip down didn't change how she was feeling, which was good, even though she felt like shit still. They soon made it to the lobby. Stacey looked at Brendan, and decided to ask him something. "Maybe you should ask the person behind the desk if they know of any doctors around the area." Stacey waited for Brendan to respond, and then saw the person at the desk. Pointing, she pointed the man out. "There is one there now, let's go and ask."

So Stacey slowly walked over there, and waited for Brendan to ask. She put her arm around Brendan, making sure that she was a bit more stable on her feet. But she then felt a little light headed. "I think I will go and sit just over there. Can't stand for long." So Stacey walked over a few steps, and then sat down on the nearest lounge. She watched as Brendan spoke to the person, hoping that they knew someone.

[brendan]

Once they were out of the room and Brendan was locking the door, he heard Stacey mention about seeing someone right away, he hoped that would be the situation as well, he didn't want for Stacey to feel ill the whole time they were gone. But if she was, then he figured they'd just have to make up for it on their honeymoon. But it was right at that moment Brendan realised that they were now a day ahead in Paris than they would have been in America, and so that meant today was Sunday.

"Damn it to hell." He muttered out loudly, and shook his head, there had to be somebody they could see on a Sunday, I mean there was always emergencies on a daily basis wasn't there? He turned to Stacey slowly, "Jus' realised we migh' have a problem gettin' ya to see someone quickly, it's a damn Sunday, never thought abou' tha', we're a day ahead here." Although he had probably now upset Stacey by saying that, he wasn't thinking straight right now.

He then gave her a softer look, "Don' worry Bambi, I'll get somethin' sorted hopefully." He then ran his hand through his hair before grabbing her hand again to lead her down to the hotel foyer. He wasn't even sure if she'd be able to walk never mind stand. So he was making sure he held onto her tightly. He didn't want her falling and hurting herself, as if she wasn't going through enough already as it was.

Once inside the elevator Brendan felt Stacey rest her head on his shoulder, and so he reached down to kiss the top of her head, a signature move he did only for Stacey and Libby. Even Debbie didn't get that, she'd just laugh at him. Once they reached the foyer and stepped out of the elevator, Stacey mentioned speaking to someone at the reception desk. "Yeah, tha' migh' be a good idea." He agreed, then Stacey pointed someone out, he smiled down at her weakly. "Alrigh' then." Brendan made his way over to the desk, as he waited for the guy to respond to him, he heard Stacey mention she would have to go and sit as she couldn't stand for too long.

"Alrigh' sweetheart." He kissed her quickly on the lips then, and watched as she made her way over to the seat, making sure she wouldn't faint or fall on her way there, because he would have to run to her. Once she was sitting, Brendan turned his attention back to the guy behind the desk.

"Can I help you Sir?" The guy said to Brendan, he gave him a weak smile.

"Yeah, sure hope ya can. Ma girlfriend ain't feelin' so good, an' I think I need to get her to a doctor, I jus' figured it's Sunday here, don' suppose ya know of somewhere I can take her?" Brendan asked with a worried voice and expression on his face. He didn't know what they would do if the guy said there'd be nowhere, but even in the States, there was always emergency places opened.

"Well itz like you said Sir, itz a Sunday. But there iz an emergency doctor located at the local hozpital. Hold on Sir." The guy then reached under the desk, and pushed a map over to Brendan, with his finger, he pointed to where the hospital was on the map, "Itz just a few streets away." He then marked the spot with a pen, "I hope your special lady feels good soon Sir."

"Thank you." Brendan then took the small map and kept a hold of it in his hand and made his way over to where Stacey was sitting. "Emergency doc at the local hospital, he's shown me where we hafta go." As Brendan still wasn't sure how Stacey would feel on her feet, walking, he scooped her up into his arms easily, like she was a doll. "Ain't tha' far, reckon I can get ya there like this. Jus' give me plenty warnin' if yer gonna chuck up, don' wan' ma good shirt ruined." He was of course teasing her and he winked at her and laughed a little, showing those dimples, but deep inside he was worried sick about her.

After about ten minutes, he glanced at the map again, and noticed he had to turn left, which he did, and then he saw the building, of course all the words were in French, the one sign he did see was *'Accident et D'urgence', he figured from that, it was possibly Accident and Emergency so he headed toward that sign, and opened the door.

Thankfully there was someone at the desk, and they looked up and gave Brendan a bright smile.

**"Puis-je vous aider monsieur?" Brendan shook his head then, "I don' speak French, sorry." The woman then shrugged, and looked away from him, as if she was in a bit of a panic, god damn it he thought. There must be someone who can speak English here. They got enough of us visiting, although he immediately felt bad, not as if he knew a lot of languages.

He watched as the woman picked up the phone, and then a few seconds later another woman came through. "I'm sorry Sir, her English iz not very good. Can I help you?" Brendan gave the new woman a grateful look. "Sure hope so, ma girlfriend ain't been feelin' so good past day or so, jus' wanna know wha's wrong with her." Brendan explained, as he gently put Stacey back down onto her feet, making sure to hold onto her with his arm around Stacey's shoulder.

"If you just want to step thiz way." The woman said, a couple of seconds later, she opened a door, "I should be able to help you myself." She then held her hand out, "I'm Doctor Danet." Brendan made sure Stacey got sitting down and then he sat down next to her, and immediately took her hand in his own, he looked at her then, "Ya feel up to tellin' her, or ya wan' me to?" He was only asking, because he didn't want Stacey to think he thought she was completely useless if he just took over.

* Accident & Emergency
** Can I help you Sir?

[Anastacia Potter]

Stacey heard Brendan begin to sound angry, as he said that they might have a problem as it was Sunday. She hadn't thought about that, and now worried that she might not get to see any sort of doctor till tomorrow. That wouldn't do, she wanted to know now what was wrong with her. Then Brendans' voice went a bit softer, and sait not to worry, and that he would get something sorted hopefully. That made two of them. All Stacey could do was look at him and nod a little.

When she had rested her head on his shoulder during the elevator ride down to the foyer of the hotel. she felt him kiss her head. It was comforting to know that Brendan was there for her, and helping her to figure out what was going on with her. Her thought about being pregnant was still on her mind, but hoped that it wasn't the case. Well, not yet anyway. But if it did happen, she would accept it.

She was glad that he thought that talking to the guy at the desk was a good idea. Well, there really wasn't anyone else, unless they called information. Stacey was then glad that she was able to sit and wait for Brendan to get any information on a doctor nearby. She couldn't really hear what was being said, as she really couldn't be botherred straining herself. It was enough to just sit and rest her body for now. Stacey watched as the guy behind the desk spoke to Brendan, and then handed him something that looked like a map, and then he got out a pen, and marked the map.

When Brendan came over, Stacey listened to what he was told. "She blinked slowly. "That's good Brendan." All of a sudden Stacey was in Brendan's arms, and she put her arms around his neck. He said that it wasn't far, and could get her there in his arms. Then Brendan said that she had to give him plenty of warning if she was going to chuck up. When he mentioned that he didn't want his good shirt ruined, Stacey saw him wink at her, like he was teasing her. Well, she didn't care right now. All she cared about was finding out what was wrong with her.

After ten minutes, Stacey was starting to feel a bit better. The sick feeling that she had been feeling that morning, was starting to ease up, and she felt a bit hungry. Well it made sense as she hadn't eaten anything since last night, and all of that was flushed down the toilet after her two chuck sessions in the bathroom. Stacey saw Brendan glance at the map that he was given, and then he headed in the direction of a building that must have been the local hospital.

When they got inside, Stacey saw that there was a woman behind the desk. She turned to the woman, as she spoke in French. Stacey just rolled her eyes discreetly, and thought that was all they needed. Someone who didn't speak English. After Brendan said that he didn't speak French, and the woman picked up the phone, another woman came out seconds later. And then she spoke. Stacey secretly said thank you.

Stacey listened as Brendan told her in brief that she was not feeling well, and just wanted to know what was wrong. Stacey then felt herself being put down, where she stood with Brendan's arm around her shoulder. She was grateful for that stability for now. Then the woman ushered them into a room. Stacey sat down, and then Brendan sat down next to her, and she felt him take her hand straight away in his own. Brendan then asked Stacey if she wanted to tell the doctor or did she want him to. Stacey smiled weakly at Brendan. "No, I can." So she turned to Doctor Danet, and started from the beginning.

"I was sick during our flight here to Paris from America, and I put it down to just be a nervous first time flyer. But then this morning, I woke okay, but then felt sick again. I would begin to feel like my stomach was quite upset, and then I vomited. Well I have only done that twice this morning, and haven't eaten since then." Stacey then rubbed where she had been feeling discomfort when she was going to be sick. "I felt discomfort around my stomach area. But I suppose that is normal for when you are sick."

Stacey looked at the doctor, wondering what she would do to help her.

[brendan]

Brendan gave Stacey a weak smile when she said it was good they could go to an emergency doctor at the local hospital. He had then of course scooped her up into his arms, to carry her all the way to the hospital. He could easily handle it, he was over six feet and had good body weight, she was just like a doll in his arms. It didn't really take them very long to get their either. Now he just hoped they would be able to let them know what was wrong with her, and then he could only pray it was nothing too serious.

The whole time Stacey said nothing, but he hadn't expected her to say anything, even when he had joked with her about chucking up over his shirt, she didn't say anything. When they had reached the hospital and the woman behind the desk obviously didn't understand French, Brendan was cursing inside, because he knew Stacey would be worrying in case nobody would be able to understand them.

However another woman soon came out and was able to speak English and understand them. Brendan relaxed slightly, and had put Stacey on her feet, and helped her into the room when the lady ushered them through. He made sure Stacey was sitting before sitting down himself and had immediately reached for her hand. When he had asked Stacey if she wanted him to tell the doctor the problem or could she manage it herself, Stacey had smiled at him weakly and said she could. "Alrigh' sweetheart."

He began using his thumbs to caress the back of her hand, as Stacey told the doctor how she had been feeling and what had been happening. When Stacey mentioned having discomfort in her stomach area, Brendan was oblivious to what the real reason could be. He was thinking all sort of different things, none of them particularly good.

As they waited for the doctor to speak back to Stacey, Brendan began to seriously think about when she had been sick, on the flight over to Paris, which was during the morning, she hadn't been sick at all on the Saturday when he'd proposed, but with the time zone change and the flight time, they had more or less skipped a day and that meant that most of Saturday would have been their Friday evening. Now she was sick again today. They had both thought it was the flight, but then as the day had gone on, even though technically they were in Saturday by Paris time, she had begun to feel better. Now she was sick again, and it was the morning. It was the morning. Morning! Sickness? Morning? Morning sickness? Brendan shook his head then, no she couldn't be, could she?

The doctor then broke his thoughts. "And thiz sickness you have, doez it go away during the day? Or are you sick all the time?" Then Stacey had mentioned the discomfort around her stomach area. "Well, it can be normal for the stomach to have some sort of discomfort, but maybe we should give you a scan of the stomach just to rule out any problems there may be." She then stood up from her desk and went to the back of her office and opened a curtain to reveal a bed.

"Would you like to just lie on there and lift up your top a little for me please? I'll be back in a moment." With that she went out of the room, and Brendan stood up and guided Stacey to the bed the doctor had said for her to lie on.

"Scan? Sure hope it ain't serious Bambi." Brendan's voice sounded serious and very worried, once he made sure Stacey was comfortable on the bed, he sat on the chair by it and held her hand in his own, squeezing it gently for reassurance every now and then.

The doctor came back into the room then, and she was pushing something, which looked like a computer screen thing to Brendan, and she then hooked it up and switched it on. She then got out some gel. "Thiz will feel a little cold." She then spread it across Stacey's stomach, and then lifted up something which looked like a paddle from the machine she had brought through and began running it over Stacey's stomach.

"Hmm, well there doez not appear to be anything too serious there." She then turned the machine off, and handed Stacey a urine sample pack, "I'd like you to give me a urine sample please? I just want to confirm what I think I may have seen on the screen." With that, she went back to her desk to begin writing up some notes. "There iz a ladies just outside to your left."

Brendan then stood up, and held his hand to help Stacey off the bed, "Ya wan' me to come with ya sweetheart?" He just wanted to make sure she'd be steady enough on her feet, he was still really worried about her, but the words the doctor had just said about nothing too serious and wanting a urine sample to confirm what she saw on the screen, and the fact he was thinking about this morning sickness, was making him wonder if Stacey was indeed pregnant. If she was, how was Stacey going to react? They'd only been dating just over a month, and alright, he had proposed last night and she had said yes, but... she had just got used to having Libby in his life, what was this going to do to them? What was it going to do to Stacey?

[Anastacia Potter]

Feeling Brendan's thumbs caressing the back of her hand as she spoke to the doctor about what was happening was really reassuring for her. She was so glad that Brendan was the man that was there with her for morale support. Stacey couldn't really imagine anyone else by her side right now. She then waited to see what the doctor thought about what she had said. All Stacey could hope for was the doctor knew what was wrong without doing any tests. But not likely.

The doctor then asked Stacey whether the sickness goes away during the day or was she sick all the time? "Well, it has only been morning. But on the plane it was later in the morning, more closer to lunch I suppose?" She wondered if that was right. "But then I was fine all day yesterday for the rest of the day, but then it started up again this morning." Stacey then listened to what the doctor said about how it was normal for the stomach to have some discomfort. Then the word 'scan' was used. She said that it would rule out any problems that there may be. "Okay." Well that was one good thing then. It might determine what was going on in there.

The doctor then asked her to lie on the bed, which she revealed to be behind a curtain. Stacey nodded, and with Brendan beside her, she headed over to the bed, and slowly laid down, even though she was feeling better than she had earlier. Maybe it was some virus that was slowly working its way out of the system. Well the scan would pick up anything that might be wrong, was all Stacey was thinking. But still had that thought about being pregnant in her head.

She turned to Brendan as he said that he hoped that it wasn't serious. As he sat down, she grinned for a split second, "I hope so too. But it is better to be safe then sorry I say." With that the doctor came back, pushing in a machine with her. Stacey had seen these before, mostly all the times when she took friends into the emergency room after they had too much to drink. Those were the days. But they were far behind her now. Stacey watched her hook up the machine, and all the time she felt Brendan's hand sqeezing hers gently. A couple of times she squeezed his back, letting him know she was okay.

The doctor said that the gel will feel cold, and it did. "Oh.." Stacey jumped a little, and giggled slightly, feeling silly for doing so. She then watched as the doctor ran the paddle over her stomach, and there was a picture on the screen, but not being a doctor herself, Stacey had no idea what she was seeing or hearing. After a few seconds, the doctor confirmed that there didn't seem to be anything too serious there. But then the next thing she said got Stacey thinking. Stacey sat up on the bed, as the doctor asked her to give her a urine sample. Stacey frowned slightly, and took the pack.

Stacey took Brendan's hand as she got off the bed. "No, it's okay. I am feeling better. Thanks though. Shouldn't be too long." So Stacey headed down to where the doctor had indicated where the toilets were. Stacey went in there, and did what she had to do. As she washed her hands, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her colour had come back now, and she looked a bit more brighter, thank goodness. But that thought of what might be wrong still niggled at her. Looking down at her body, she wondered if thats what was wrong with her.

Stacey soon realised that she should get back, so she headed back to the room, where she was last. She saw the doctor at her desk, writing down notes still. Maybe there was something more serious than what she thought. Stacey weakly smiled at the doctor, and handed over the sample. She then went over to sit with Brendan, and took his hand in hers. Stacey felt real nervous now, not sure what to expect.

The doctor took the sample, and went over to a bench, which held all sorts of medical equipment. Stacey's heart was beating so fast, and her ears were starting to ring a little. She hated suspense, and just wanted to know if the doctor was able to confirm whatever she was thinking before.

What felt like an eternity to Stacey, the doctor turned to face them, and headed over to a chair near their own. She sat down, expressionless. All Stacey thought about was that it was in fact serious, whatever the doctor had found. "I have juzt done a tezt on your sample, and it confirmz what I thought." Stacey felt like she was holding her breath, and continued to do so while she waited for the doctor to talk. "You are infact pregnant. Congratulations."

The room felt like it was spinning around. Stacey looked at Brendan, feeling like she had no expression on her face. She then looked at the doctor, and all she got out was "What?" Then she blacked out. It felt like it was a while until she finally came too. Once again Stacey felt like an idiot in front of Brendan. The guy she was now engaged to. What if he didn't want her now because she was now pregnant. Maybe he had this thing where he never had kids before he got married. Now she didn't know what to think.

Finally, Stacey's eyes slowly fluttered open. All she saw was Brendan in front of her, and soon realised that she was back on that bed, where she was before when her stomach was getting looked at. Stacey sighed. "Sorry."

[brendan]

Brendan side glanced at Stacey as she answered the doctors questions about when she was being sick and if it was all day or not. He wondered if that was a good or a bad sign, and waited to see what the doctor was going to suggest once she heard the answer from Stacey.

The doctor looked at Stacey nodding her head in several places to acknowledge she was listening to what Stacey was telling her. "So, when you were sick slightly later, would you say you had been on ze flight for a while?" The doctor was trying to work out if they would already have jumped through a time zone at that point, making it later in the morning in one time zone, but earlier in the one they had left.

The doctor by this point had an idea what it could be, but just to be safe she'd mentioned giving Stacey a scan to rule out anything else which may have caused the sickness she had been suffering. The more the questions had been thrown about the time of Stacey's sickness, the more Brendan began to realise what could have been wrong with her, and if she was indeed pregnant, he hoped that the sickness didn't stay with her for a long time. Only because he hated to see her feeling and looking ill.

When the doctor had told Stacey to lie on the bed, Brendan had made sure she got on the bed safely, and sat beside her on a chair holding her hand. When Brendan had said he hoped it was nothing serious, he got a bit of a grin from Stacey, which made him feel a little more relaxed about the situation, and made him think that maybe she was starting to feel a little better. "Yeah, yer righ' Bambi, best we know wha's goin' on in there." As he was squeezing her hand, he noticed she was squeezing his back as well, which again made him feel a bit better about the situation.

When the doctor said the gel would feel cold, and he saw Stacey jump a little and giggle, Brendan couldn't help but crack a smile, showing those dimples in force. "Made me jump an' all Bambi." He teased with her, and the doctor smiled at the both of them. "I did tellz you it waz cold." She laughed a little then, before she began to run the paddle across Stacey's stomach for a few moments.

She had then given Stacey a urine sample pack and when Brendan had asked if she wanted him to go with her, she'd said it was fine. "Alrigh' sweetheart, so long as yer sure. I guess I'll jus' wait here then." He kept sat down as he watched Stacey go outside to do the urine sample. He knew she wouldn't be away for long, but he couldn't help but ask the doctor a question about Stacey's health.

"So, nothin' serious then Doc?" He was tapping his foot up and down feeling a little nervous about what the outcome of this whole thing was going to be. She looked across at him, "Oh, no, I don't thinkz so, but, well, letz just wait for ze sample to come back, yes?"

There wasn't much Brendan could say or do to that, so he just nodded his head, giving her a smile. A couple of minutes later Stacey came back into the room with the sample and handed it to the doctor. The doctor then went to do some fancy stuff with it, and Brendan sat there with his finger in his mouth picking at his nail. Something he hadn't done in a very long time, as it was something he only did when he was very, very nervous about something.

The doctor soon came back, and sat down at her desk, and began to speak about doing a test on the sample, Brendan just wanted to yell out, alrigh' we know ya did tha' why else did ya wan' the god damned sample fer, jus' tell us the answer, but he of course refrained. He was still nervously biting on his nail and tapping his foot, waiting to see what the outcome of this test on the sample was going to be.

When the doctor said those words 'You are infact pregnant. Congratulations.' Brendan wasn't exactly sure how he felt at first. Hell Libby coming into his life was a shock, but he'd taken to it almost immediately and bonded with her just as quickly, but he'd missed out on all the baby stuff, the changing of nappies, he was going to get a chance to do all of that. It was god damned amazing. So the look of surprise and shock slowly turned into a look of sheer pleasure, as a small smile grew into a massive grin with those dimples as powerful as they have probably ever been. He turned to Stacey then to say something, but she had blacked out.

Brendan immediately took her into his arms and placed her on the bed she had been on previously and was sitting on the chair again, looking at her with a very worried expression, then after what felt like forever, but was probably only a few moments, Stacey's eyes began to flutter open, and he heard her mutter an apology. Brendan's worried expression turned into a look of love, and the smile spread across his face once more, and the dimples once again came out in force, his whole face was glowing, as he took Stacey's hand in his own once more, and gently squeezed it.

"Bambi, we're gonna be parents. I know Libby ain't long came into ma life, our lives, an' I know I jus' proposed to ya, but, well, I think it's god damned brilliant." And with that, he gently pulled Stacey up into his arms and hugged her to him very gently, and at the same time he kissed the top of her head. Although through his own happiness and excitement, he hadn't given what Stacey thought about it a chance. So he then pulled away from her, and kept his hands on her arms, and locked his eyes with her own.

"Yer happy abou' this righ'? I mean I know I am, it was a shock, but I know we can do this, I love ya so much Anastacia, an' there's nobody I'd rather have a baby with than yerself." He continued to hold her arms with his hands and locking eyes with her own and smiling, glowing, waiting for her to say something about how she felt, he could only hope she was as happy about this as she was over the proposal last night.

[Anastacia Potter]

The doctor nodded when Stacey spoke about when she was sick, and then she asked another question. Stacey thought back to the flight to Paris. "Well, it was more when we had just taken off, and we were in the sky. I had to make a mad dash." Stacey kind of laughed at that, even though it wasn't funny back then. She looked at Brendan, wondering what he was thinking.

Stacey didn't mean to make Brendan jump when she did, as the gel went on her stomach. She smiled at him, just loving seeing those dimples, relaxing her a bit. He had been doing well with her being sick, and she hated being like that when with him. But she knew that whatever was causing it was going to go away soon. Stacey looked at Brendan as the doctor said she did warn her. Stacey then mouthed to Brendan, "Sorry," with a smirk. She must have been feeling a bit better, what with kidding around with him now.

Stacey went off to get that sample for the doctor, and after a couple of minutes came back. She handed the doctor the sample, which was taken and tested. Stacey sat next to Brendan, holding his hand. She noticed that he had his finger in his mouth, playing with his nail. Stacey had never seen him do that at all, and thought it was something he did when he was nervous. She sqeezed his hand, and looked at him with a bit of a warm smile. "I'm sure that it is okay. Whatever it is, I am sure the doctor can help me." She hoped what she said was reassuring, as they weren't to her. Her heart was still beating real fast with the suspense of it all.

Stacey saw Brendan's facial expressions go in slow motion, well for her anyway. First there was surprise and shock, which was what Stacey felt, well the shock mostly. Then his face changed to a small smile, where his dimples were out again. But that is all Stacey saw before she blacked out.

After she came too, she realised that she was on the bed, and said sorry to Brendan. All she could see now was a smile on Brendan's face, which made her feel that he infact was happy about the news. Stacey let out a small sigh, like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. Why was she worrying about what Brendan thought anyway? She should have known he would have been okay with it. They hadn't really been using protection when having sex, so why would it be a surprise for it to eventually happen?

As Brendan spoke about them being parents, and about Libby, she felt her face relax a little, and even smile a bit. The news of her being pregnant was just starting to kick in. She wondered how far along she was, seeing that her and Brendan had only been together for just over a month. Was that how far along she was? A month? So that would mean, wait, that their first time together was the time that they conceived? Wow, her and Brendan must be quite fertile then. That was good to know.

When Brendan pulled Stacey into his arms and hugged her, she felt him kiss her head as well. She had sort of put her arms around him, as he hugged her, still in a bit of shock to the news. Then he pulled away from her, still keeping his hands on her arms. Those eyes locked with hers, and she felt herself come back to reality. She then listened to Brendan, as he asked her if she was happy about the news. As he said that he was, Stacey felt tears in her eyes. And then he said that he loved her so much, and that there was nobody else that he would rather have a baby with than her. Then the waterworks began for her.

Stacey smiled through the tears. "I am happy Brendan. I .. I'm just happy to know what is wrong with me. I didn't really expect to hear what I had been thinking all morning. I had a feeling that it might be this, but had hoped not. I don't know why that is, not sure if I am ready for a baby." Why was Stacey thinking this? She knew that she was almost twenty-five, and more than old enough to have a child with someone. But ... she didn't know.

The doctor then spoke. "Well, I can give you zome information about it all, if you like. When you get back to America, I suggezt seeing your doctor to get a better confirmation." With that the doctor got up and showed them out the door. Stacey got up from the bed, not wanting to look at Brendan now, after what she said. She hated being like this with him. They had never had a disagreement, but now this was going to be their first, and hoped that it would work out.

Stacey walked out of the room, and out to the foyer of the hospital, where they had first come in. She waited for the doctor to come back with the information she said she would give. Stacey took it from her, and it seemed that there was a lot for just being pregnant, again making her ask herself if she was ready for it. "Thank you," was all Stacey could say, and smiled weakly. The doctor looked at both of them. "You are welcome, and congratulations again."

Stacey smiled weakly, and then headed out the door, without waiting for Brendan to follow. She saw a bench outside, and sat down. Stacey began to flick through the pamphlets and leaflets, and just felt overwhelmed all over again. She put the papers down on the bench beside her, put her head in her hands and began to cry.

[brendan]

When Stacey answered the final question of the doctor, that was when she suggested giving Stacey the scan, which of course had made Brendan worried about why the doctor felt Stacey needed a scan. Although he knew it would be good to know what was going on with Stacey, there really was nothing worse than watching the woman you love in pain and feeling sick and dizzy like she had been those two mornings.

When Stacey mouthed sorry to Brendan for causing him to jump as well, he just winked at her and grinned, he had been teasing her, and by the looks of it, she was teasing him right back, which to Brendan was definitely a good sign. He liked Stacey like this, teasing and of course he loved it when she was being kinky and mischievous. Of course the doctor didn't say anything about the scan, other than there didn't seem to be anything serious, but there was something. Why the hell couldn't the doctor just tell them what she thought?

After Stacey came back from getting the sample, and Brendan had been sitting there, biting on his nail, he felt Stacey gently squeeze his hand for reassurance, so he turned to face her and smiled and squeezed her own hand back again. Maybe everything would be alright and he didn't have to worry so much after all. "Yeah, yer righ', sorry Bambi, am jus' worryin' maself, well cause I love ya so much." He smiled at her again then, dimples showing as always. Actually is there ever a time when Brendan smiles without those dimples showing? Is there really any point in adding that in every time? Yeah, only because it's nice to read that they are indeed showing.

Once the news was given and Stacey had blacked out, Brendan wasn't sure what to think. Had she blacked out because she was feeling sick again? Or blacked out because of the shock of finding out she was pregnant so soon into their relationship? It was almost certainly a shock to him, that's for sure, but he knew they could do this, and with his support, Stacey could do it as well. He wasn't about to cut and run on her, hell he'd just asked her to marry him, why the hell would he cut and run on her, just because she was having his baby.

She was having his baby, the more he thought about it and said it in his head, the more he loved the idea. But at the same time, he knew Stacey wasn't as old as he was, she was still young enough to want to enjoy her life. Did she really want to be tied down with a baby so soon in her life? Even if he did say he'd be there for her, it wasn't his body carrying this child, it was Stacey's. There was no way he could force her to go through with it if she wasn't happy. But he could try his best to persuade her that he would be there for her, no matter what.

When she had come round again, and he had hugged her, she had sort of hugged him back. He could tell that hug wasn't like any of the hugs he had ever had from her since they had met, it was like she wasn't putting her all into it. He could tell from her body language that she wasn't totally happy about this pregnancy. He could tell she wasn't ready for it, she didn't have to say those words to him, he had already worked it out for himself.

He couldn't say anything to her then, he had gone from feeling shocked, to ecstatic to having the wind taken from his sails. Maybe the baby was a part of him, but like what he thought earlier, he couldn't force Stacey to have his baby, if she wasn't ready, then she wasn't ready. But he couldn't talk about it right at that moment. He was scared if he did, he might either say something he'd regret, or he might just break down and cry. He'd missed out on seeing Libby grow up from a baby, and he was getting a chance to do it now, but, if Stacey wasn't ready, then that chance was being taken away from him, and as much as he loved Stacey, he wasn't sure how he felt about having that chance taken away.

Even when the doctor spoke about giving Stacey information and getting it confirmed again when they were back in America, Brendan couldn't say anything. Then the doctor came out into the foyer with the information she said she would give Stacey and the next thing he knew Stacey had thanked the doctor and then made her way out of the hospital without even waiting for Brendan. He didn't exactly blame her, especially when he'd said nothing to her before when she'd said she wasn't sure she was ready for a baby.

Brendan thanked the doctor and then slowly, with his head hung low and his hands in his pockets, he walked out of the hospital as well, and soon saw Stacey sitting on a bench. He wasn't sure what to say or do now. He sat down on the bench, and was ready to say something when he saw she had her head in her hands and was crying. This wasn't right. He couldn't watch her cry, but he couldn't not be there for her either. This was tearing him apart.

He saw the leaflets she had been given sitting next to her. He lifted them up and moved along to be closer to her, and then without another moments hesitation he took her in his arms. "Stacey sweetheart, it's alrigh'. It will be alrigh'. It's sure a shock to me an' all, ya gotta know tha' much." He kissed the top of her head then, and then gently sat her up so he could look into her eyes with his own. He wasn't angry, he wasn't showing a face of anger or frowning, but he wasn't exactly smiling either, he just had a very serious look on his face.

"Anastacia, I stand by wha' I said in there, there is nothin' I'd love more than to have a baby with ya, but if ya ain't ready, then, I ain't gonna make ya go through with it. But, I wan' ya to do jus' one thing fer me please? Give it a little time afore ya make yer mind up. I ain't gonna abandon ya, I love ya so much, ya know tha', an' if ya have this baby, I wan' ya to know ya ain't gonna be alone. But it's yer body an' tha' means it's yer decision wha' ya do."

And with that he took her into his arms again and just held her close to him, as he rested his chin on her head, and he began to softly cry himself.

[Anastacia Potter]

Stacey smiled for a few seconds at Brendan, as said he was sorry, and that he was just worrying himself, because he loved her so much. Stacey knew that, but she felt she was doing enough worrying for both of them herself. "Don't worry B. I am sure that everything is okay." With that, Stacey gently touched his face with her finger, putting it right over a dimple.

Stacey felt bad for not hugging him as she normally did over the last month, but the results were not what she had hoped for. It has been in the back of her mind this morning, but had hoped that it was not the answer to her feeling like shit. Now that feeling was now back, and she didn't know what to think. She didn't feel sick, but she felt like shit. What was she going to do? Stacey hoped that Brendan wasn't picking up on how she was feeling by the way she was dealing with him now.

As soon as the doctor gave her the information, Stacey just couldn't wait to get out of there, away from the memory of the last few moments. Why had she said to Brendan that she thought that she wasn't ready for a baby. It was true, in her eyes anyway. But now thinking of the words, she could only imagine what Brendan was thinking of her now. Would he think less of her if she decided to get rid of it? She wouldn't blame him he disowned her if she did. It was a pretty cruel thing to do to something that had started to grow inside you. She just needed time to think... alone.

Stacey didn't notice Brendan come out of the hospital, and sit next to her on the bench. Soon enough she felt arms come around her body. Then Brendan spoke to her, and she tried to calm down enough to listen to what he had to say. All Stacey could do was listen, rather than talk or do any non-verbal communication. It was a shock to her as well, that was why now she was trying everything in her power to deal with the news and make some hard decisions. Then Brendan kissed the top of her head, and then she felt her body being sat up on the bench.

She looked into his eyes. He didn't seem angry, just had a serious look on his face. Stacey just looked at Brendan, expressionless, through a tear-stained face. Brendan spoke to her, reminding her of what he had said before. He again brought up about how that there is nothing that he would love more than to have a baby with her. Then the 'but' came into it. He wanted her to give it a little time before she made up her mind. As she thought about that, Brendan continued on to say that he wasn't going to abandon her, that he loved her so much. And if she did infact had the baby, she wouldn't be alone.

After he had spoke, Brendan took Stacey in his arms again. She felt his chin rest on her head, and thought she heard him begin to cry. That sound just began to bring on more tears for Stacey. She hated feeling this way, but she knew that she had to listen to what Brendan said. So she decided something. She pulled away from Brendan, looked him in the eyes, and said something which she knew would not go down well. "I think I need some time on my own. To think things over." With that, Stacey grabbed her bag, and began to make her way out onto the sidewalk, walking away from Brendan, leaving the papers with him.

She pulled out her sunglasses, and put them on. Then Stacey folded her arms in front of her, and felt more tears coming. She felt it was too late to go back now, just turn around and run back into Brendan's arms, telling him that she loved him so much and would have the baby. No, it was not that simple. As soon as she heard that she was in fact pregnant, Stacey just wanted to bolt right then and there. But felt that it wasn't fair on Brendan, who had been by her side from day one. Though now, at a time when she needed him the most, she had walked away.

After a few moments, Stacey found herself standing at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Of all the places to be, it had to be the landmark where Brendan had proposed to her last night. The night's emotions came flooding back, and Stacey sat down on a bench to do some serious thinking. Looking down at the engagement ring on her finger, Stacey wondered if it was the right thing to do. Keep the baby, or have it removed. She would love nothing more than to have Brendan's baby, but was she ready? Stacey kept thinking that, why?

Maybe all the times in the last few years, when she would go and party, and come rather close to being pregnant from a one night stand, that had scared her. Just thinking that she would be alone with a baby, and no guy there to help her. That was one reason why she was ashamed to ever face her family. They would be so ashamed of what she had been up to, and who she had become.

Stacey then looked out at the people passing by. There were so many couples hand in hand, and arm in arm, walking passed the Tower. She then thought back to what Brendan had said earlier:

"Yer happy abou' this righ'? I mean I know I am,
it was a shock, but I know we can do this, I love
ya so much Anastacia, an' there's nobody I'd rather
have a baby with than yerself."

He had seemed so happy at that moment, that Stacey wondered if her doubts were really that important. It was Brendan of all people, she would hate to disaapoint him. Then she saw a pregnant woman walk passed her, with a little girl holding her hand. Stacey couldn't help but look at her. She looked really happy in Stacey's eyes. She then looked down at her own stomach, which looked normal now under her clothes, but wondered how she would go with carrying a child inside her. It would be a fantastic experience, but would she be able to handle it?

That was then when Stacey looked down at the ring again, and then decided to go back to the hotel. On the way there, she wondered if she would have time on her own, or would Brendan be there waiting for her. She still have a few thoughts, but knew what she wanted to say to Brendan when she saw him.

[brendan]

When Stacey said he wasn't to worry and that she was sure everything was okay, Brendan just gave her a weak smile, and then her finger touched one of his dimples, he couldn't help but smile a little more brightly. What ever was wrong with her would get sorted, that's why they were here after all. However, even though he had began to think about it, when they were told that news, when the doctor said those words, it was still a shock to Brendan.

In many ways he was just getting used to the idea of being a daddy to Libby, even though he had bonded with her immediately and did seem to be doing a good job with it, it had still come as a major shock to him. Now this. He couldn't believe that they were so happy last night, when she'd accepted his proposal, and now they were thrown into this, what ever this was. He realised that it was a true test of their relationship. Would they come through this? Would they come out at the other end better people? Or was he going to lose her?

After Stacey had walked out and left him inside the clinic, he had went after her, and hugged her to him, and said that it was her body and her decision, and that he wouldn't force her into having his baby if it wasn't what she wanted, but that he just wanted her to think about keeping the baby because he'd be there to support her. She was only twenty four, well almost twenty five, but she was still younger than he was, and at thirty, he had a child. Should he just be happy with what he has?

After his words to Stacey, she just said she needed time on her own, well, he couldn't argue with that. "If tha's wha' ya need, then tha's wha' ya'll get." He then sat there and watched as she walked off. He just sat there on the bench, noticing the information the doctor had given Stacey was sitting there still. He picked it up and started to flick through it. It was a lot to take in, why the hell did this have to happen to them? Why did it have to happen now? He thought back to what he had said when Libby came into his life, that if he'd known about her, if Faith had told him about being pregnant, he'd have done the right thing and married her and stayed with her.

Then his mind came back to the present, Stacey was pregnant with his child, maybe she might decide to terminate it, but if she did decide to keep it, then he had to do the right thing by her. He'd have to rush the wedding on, then again, would that be too much too soon for Stacey? He shook his head then, why was he even thinking about the possibility of her keeping the baby? He could sense how she felt, she wasn't going to keep it, his chance at doing all the baby things he'd missed out on with Libby was going to be taken away from him, he could feel it.

It was hurting him and tearing him apart to think that chance was being taken away, but then he had to think, Stacey was young enough to get pregnant again, when she was ready, and he'd finally get his chance then, wouldn't he? He didn't have to have it now. They had to get married first, enjoy their life together before being tied down with a baby. Why the hell was he thinking like that as well? Now Stacey probably wouldn't even want to marry him now. He'd got her pregnant and she wasn't happy with it, why would she want to marry him for? He'd stuffed everything up, just by not being careful with using protection.

He got up from the bench then, not sure what to do, or where to go. He had wanted for them both to go and see the L'Arc De Triomphé that afternoon, but he figured that was the last place they would be going. It was obvious there was going to be a very deep conversation between them at some point, unless Stacey decided to just cut and run on him. Somehow, despite everything, he didn't think she would do that, she was just very shocked and confused right now. He couldn't exactly blame her, despite how happy he had been in the clinic, seeing Stacey the way she was over it, had made him less happy about it himself now.

He didn't want Stacey to feel like that, he didn't want her to think she had to have this baby just because he had been happy about it. No, it had to be her decision, he couldn't affect it, it wouldn't be right. Maybe terminating his child might cut him in two, but he could not sit and watch her have his baby just because it was pleasing him. It simply wouldn't be right. He looked at his watch, it was getting on for noon, he hadn't even realised he'd been sat there for that long with his thoughts. But then there was a lot of thoughts running through his head.

He headed toward a café then and went inside and ordered himself a latte, and sat down. He wasn't even sure he wanted to go back to the hotel quite yet. If Stacey was there, he wasn't sure how he was going to react, what they were going to say to each other. So, he sat down at one of the tables outside, since it was quite a nice morning, and then took out his mobile phone, there was only one person he needed to hear right at that moment, and that was Libby. He didn't even give the time difference a thought, forgetting where he was.

A very tired voice answered the phone:

Libby: Hello?
Brendan: Hey Kitten, daddy here.
Libby: Have ya no idea the time here?
Brendan: Hell sorry, fergot abou' tha'. Jus' needed to hear yer voice.
Libby: Wha's wrong daddy?
Brendan: It's nothin' fer ya to worry abou' Kitten, best ya get back to sleep.
Libby: Alrigh' daddy, love ya.
Brendan: Love ya too Kitten.

He then closed his mobile and looked down at his coffee, then slowly picked it up, took a sip, and then took out his wallet and looked at the photographs inside, seeing Libby's smiley happy face, and then seeing Stacey's next to it. He already had a family, but then his eye caught that photo of Libby as a child, the years he had missed out on. He then sighed, ran his hands through his hair, and couldn't stop the tears which were falling down his cheeks.

Brendan wasn't really the type of guy to cry, not that often anyway, he only ever cried at extremely emotional moments, Libby coming into his life was one, Stacey saying yes to his proposal had been another, finding out they were going to be parents, was one of the happiest moments in his life, now, it felt like he couldn't feel any more sad.

[Anastacia Potter]

Stacey heard Brendan say that if she needed time on her own, then that's what she will get. She wished that she had felt and thought differently then. She wished that she had wanted the baby straight away, and right now she would be in Brendan's arms smiling and crying tears of joy, rather than crying tears of uncertainty and disbelieve at what her condition was. She knew that they both had different feelings towards this pregnancy, and Stacey hoped that they would sort it out. But not just yet.

As Stacey headed slowly to the hotel, she looked at a clock in a shop window. She couldn't believe that it was almost twelve noon. Stacey then realised that she hadn't eaten anything since last night. But most of that was now out of her system. At the thought of that, her stomach started to rumble. She knew that she would be soon at the hotel, and then she would order room service for herself, and maybe Brendan , if he was there at the time she got up to the room.

Once again Stacey looked at the ring as she walked. The sun caught the ring, and it sparkled. That made Stacey smile a little. She couldn't let Brendan go, he was her everything now. From day one, he had looked after her, and she couldn't deny that it felt good to have him at her side. It felt just right, and natural now. So right now, she felt naked as she was alone on the street. Without him, she was nothing now.

Soon enough Stacey reached the hotel, and continued to walk slowly in the lobby, and headed into the elevator. As the doors closed, there were memories of them in there from last night. They couldn't keep their hands off of each other. Just thinking about how happy they were right then, brought a warm smile on her face. It was a fantastic ending to an even more fantastic evening. They should be still together, celebrating that they were going to tie the knot down the track sometime. They should be doing what they were doing last night. Making love.

Stacey finally got out of the elevator, and headed to their room. Slowly unlocking their room, she stepped inside, and closed the door behind her. Stacey walked over to the bed, which hadn't been made, due to them having to rush out to get a doctor to see what was wrong. Well that was all over now, and all she wanted to do was just to curl up in the bed and never wake up.

Stacey laid down on the unmade bed, and just began to cry. She loved Brendan so much, so why was she putting him through all this. Putting up a wall between them, blocking out her true feelings towards this new subject. After about ten minutes, Stacey got up, and retrieved her laptop. Opening it up, she went on google to see what she could find out about being pregnant. Her eyes were soon opened to all the joyful moments that she would go through. Like feeling the baby kick for the first time, and just feeling it growing inside. Stacey soon knew what she wanted to do.

Closing all the windows down, Stacey opened up her journal that she kept, and began to fill out an entry. She had so much to say, but it was never put down. Stacey only ever said all the things she wanted to say in small sentences, but it always came across the same. It was her chance to get out what she was hoping to tell Brendan the next time she saw him.

After she was done, Stacey closed her laptop, and laid back down on the bed. Looking around the room, she soon spotted the tv remote, and put the tv on. She flipped through channels, until she came to a movie. Stacey had no idea what it was about, but decided to watch it anyway. Ten minutes later, she was asleep, exausted from all that had happened.

[brendan]

Brendan sat in the café with tears pouring down his cheeks, feeling like a bit of an idiot doing so, luckily with it being a Sunday the café wasn't particularly busy and so he was more or less on his own. He still couldn't believe he'd phoned Libby without thinking it would only be about two or three in the morning over there, but he had needed to hear her voice. Now he was still sitting looking at the photographs in his wallet. He finished his coffee, and then wondered what he should do.

The waitress came over to take his coffee cup away, and then put a hand on his shoulder. "Iz everything alright Monsieur? Can I get you another coffee?"

Brendan slowly looked away for a second, and cleared his throat, and wiped his eyes, and then looked at her, "Tha' would be great if ya don' mind." He then handed her over some money, "Not a problem Monsieur." She then took his coffee cup away and within about five minutes, she was back with a fresh cup. He looked at her, and gave her a kind smile, "Merci." And then he was once again alone with his thoughts.

Would Stacey be back at the hotel by now? Had she made up her mind what she wanted to do yet? Hell he wasn't even sure about his own state of mind now. He looked back at his wallet once more, fingering the cheeks of his daughter on the photograph of her when she was younger. He would have loved to have been a part of her life from the day she was born, watch her growing up. Feel her first kick when she was in Faith's womb, watch her crawl, her first foot steps, her first tooth coming through, her first word. He had missed it all. Stacey was pregnant with his child, he'd actually get to live through all of what he had missed, and now, he might not get that chance. Another tear fell down his cheek. He then cursed his emotions.

He sat back in the chair then, putting his wallet away, he realised it wasn't doing his emotions any good, and was making him even more confused over his feelings than he already was. He then lifted up the coffee and began to drink it slowly. At least another hour had passed by this point, and he had been away from Stacey for about two hours now, and it was killing him. They had hardly been separated since they had met that night, other than when he was at work. He didn't like it. He just wanted to be with her, to have her in his arms, he just wanted everything to go back to how it was before they had been to the doctor, but he couldn't turn back the clock, he didn't have that ability. Damn it to hell he thought. Nothing was going to get fixed sitting here wallowing in self pity and drowning his sorrows in caffeine. He finished the second coffee and then looked at the waitress. "Thanks fer everythin' bye." She smiled at him and waved, and he began to make his slow way back toward the hotel, passing the Eiffel Tower, looking up and remembering how happy they had been last night, when he had proposed with fireworks and she had said yes. Now look at them. What a difference a few hours can make.

Five minutes later he had reached the hotel and made his way to the elevator, remembering how mischievous they had been yesterday, and the same thing again when they had the elevator to themselves at night, and their hands were all over each other. He knew how he felt about Stacey, he loved her, he couldn't let this get between them, he wouldn't allow for it to get between them, he was not going to lose her over this. Like he had said to her earlier, it was her body and her decision, if she didn't feel ready yet to have his baby, then he'd stand by her decision. They could have another one when she was ready. He was only thirty, it wasn't as if he couldn't father a child in another ten years, he could. If he had to wait that long he would, he wasn't about to lose Stacey over this, he just couldn't. He loved her too much, she was too important to him. He had made up his mind now. Hell yeah if she'd decided to go through with the pregnancy, then naturally he'd be happy, but he wouldn't stand in the way if she wanted to terminate it, Stacey and her feelings were the important thing.

He was soon outside their room, he wondered if Stacey was back, and if she was, what she was doing. He opened the door slowly, and noticed her lying on the bed. He just wanted to lie beside her, wrap his arms around her, but he still wasn't sure how she was feeling about everything, and he didn't want to upset the applecart anymore than it already had been. However he couldn't ignore her completely either, and so he went to the side of the bed she was lying on and bent down and kissed her on the cheek ever so gently and then made his way to the balcony and just stood with his elbows on the balcony ledge and looked out at the scene, it was such a lovely day outside, and maybe, if they could get their feelings sorted out between them, they might still be able to enjoy the rest of the afternoon. He ran his hands through his hair, and sighed gently, it had certainly been an eventful, emotional filled day so far, and it was only just leaving one in the afternoon.

[Anastacia Potter]

Stacey stirred, as she began to wake. Rubbing her eyes, she soon realised that she had been asleep in the hotel room. Then the memory of the past few hours came flooding back into her thoughts. She wondered what time it was, thinking that she had only nodded off for only a few minutes. Eyeing off the clock beside her bed, her eyes widened. It said it was after 2pm. She must have been more tired then she realised. But she again remembered what her and Brendan had been through, and soon acknowledged why.

Just thinking about what she did to Brendan, just walking away, when they both really needed each other the most, began to bring tears to Stacey's eyes. All she could do was hug the pillow, and begin to cry softly. Why did she do that to him, now that she knew what she wanted to do with the baby. But she knew she need the time to think about things, on her own. So it was a good thing what she did, even if it broke her heart to do so.

Turning slowly around to face the window of the room, Stacey saw him. Her breath caught in her throat, as she watched Brendan run his hands through his hair. It seemed to her that he was in fact in deep thought. He only ever ran his fingers through when he was dealing with emotions, no matter how good or bad it was. This thought then told her that she knew him a lot better now, and knew that it might be time to tell him what she had been thinking about over the last couple of hours, and what her decision was in regards to the pregnancy.

Stacey slowly got up, and sat on the bed. She grabbed a tissue from the table beside her bed, and wiped her eyes. She wanted to hopefully be in a good position to talk to Brendan. But then she also knew that she might also lose it and break down as soon as she saw his face close up. Stacey tried to not think about it too much. She finally stood up, and put the tissue in the bin. Stacey then began to make her way out to the balcony, make her way out to Brendan, to tell him her decision.

Stacey reached the balcony entrance, and slowly made her way around behind Brendan slowly. She stopped behind him, hesitating for some reason. She wondered if she should just turn back and just lay back on the bed, but no, she had to face Brendan. So Stacey slowly wrapped her arms around Brendan's body, and rested her head on his back, like she had done that night as he got the strawberry ready to put in her mouth. Stacey then murmured, "I am so sorry Brendan." Then Stacey began to feel herself get worked up, and the tears began to fall.

Why was she doing this? But she knew that this was what was going to happen as soon as she got near him, and saw him. She took one arm from around him, still leaning on his back, and wiped some tears away from her face. Then Stacey decided to get up off of him, so she could talk to him face to face. Standing now, Stacey used both hands to wipe at the tears, which were still falling. She was trying to calm herself down, but it wasn't working. So she reached for a chair and sat down.

Through the sobs, Stacey looked at Brendan. "I am so sorry for just leaving you before." She took a deep breath, and continued. "I just ... just needed time to think. And I was glad for it. But I also knew that I shouldn't have just left you alone either. I know that we need each other more than ever now, but I was glad for the time to think. And I have made my decision."

Stacey looked down her her hands. Down at that ring. She then looked up at Brendan, expressionless. "I have decided to ... follow through with having the baby." With that, Stacey slowly smiled, eyes lighting up at him.

[brendan]

Brendan obviously hadn't stirred Stacey when he'd kissed her on the cheek, since she hadn't came out to see him. He had also turned round every now and then just to see she was still asleep. She obviously needed it, and he wasn't about to waken her, after all it had been an emotional day for both of them. He just continued to look out at the scene, thinking how lovely it looked, and how much he still wanted to show Stacey, but not knowing how she was feeling about him, never mind what he had done to her, getting her pregnant, he wasn't sure if seeing some of the other sights he had planned on was going to happen. He ran his hands through his hair again, realising he now had a very sore head.

The fact Stacey was being sick since they had left Las Vegas wasn't anybody's fault, but the fact she was now pregnant with his child, was somebody's fault. It was his. He should have been more careful about using protection, especially after Libby came into his life. Why hadn't he been more careful? Now it looked as if he had ruined any happiness they were both going to have. He may have made up his mind he wasn't going to lose Stacey over the pregnancy thing, but he knew deep down, if she did terminate his child, that things probably would never be quite the same between them again, and that was breaking his heart.

After about an hour, between sitting on the chair, and standing up looking out at the scene, he thought he heard some movement. He didn't even turn around, who else could it be but Stacey anyway? Just right now he wasn't sure if he could face her, after everything. He knew he would have to eventually, but he was still very confused and hurt over it all, despite understanding or trying to understand she needed her space to think.

The next thing he knew he felt her arms around his body, and he took in a deep intake of breath, realising how good it felt to have her arms around him, but he still couldn't turn to face her. He didn't know if he could look into her eyes without losing it, or breaking down. He then heard her mutter an apology, even then he still couldn't turn to face her, but her voice and her touch, was filling him with emotion again. Once more he ran his hands through his hair, and then he heard her begin to cry.

He was about to turn round then and take her in his arms, but he felt her moving away, and so he sighed gently instead, and then, not being able to keep looking away from her, he turned to look in her direction, where she was now sitting on the chair. He just gave her a very weak smile, his eyes full of pain, love, hurt, a myriad of emotions really, as he listened to her apologise again about walking away from him, but needing the space, and saying she had made her decision. He more or less blanked out then, and didn't even hear the rest of what she was saying about going through with the pregnancy.

He just knelt down so he was at her level, he then took her hands in his own, and began to speak himself, still not quite aware of what she had said, "Stacey, I need ya to know, tha' I done a lot of thinkin' maself, an' I ain't gonna lose ya over this, if ya don' feel yer ready an' ya wanna get it terminated, then, I ain't gonna stop...." Then her last words finally registered into his head, and he blinked a few times, and then looked at her face, the smile she had, her eyes lighting up.

"Wha' did ya jus' say?" But he didn't need her to repeat it, the words came back into his head far more clearer this time. He then, slowly pulled her to her feet with his hands, which had been holding her own and wrapped his arms around her, and swung her around, more or less what he had done when she had accepted his proposal. He then stopped, so he wouldn't make her too dizzy and sick again, and put her slowly back down on her feet.

"Bambi, tha's jus' great. Wha' made ya change yer mind? But ya know ya ain't goin' through this alone? I'll be with ya every step of the journey, an' yeah am sure there migh' be some tough times ahead of us, but we'll get through them, together." With that, he pulled her close to him, and hugged her gently, and then with tears rolling down his cheeks once more, he leaned in and began to kiss her. Not a hungry passionate one, like he sometimes did, but a soft tender, loving kiss.