Chapter 4 - New Arrival

Curling up with Alec makes me happier than I ever thought possible. My fiancé,  wow there was a point I never thought I would say that word, can always bring a smile to my face.

I've been feeling out of energy lately so I took some time and started making myself a fresh breakfast every day.

Unfortunately, it really didn't seem to help. I just couldn't seem to wake up no matter what I did. So I decided to go to the hospital and get it checked out to make sure it was nothing serious.  

Turns out it wasn't serious. It was unexpected and amazing!

I couldn't get over it! A baby wasn't exactly what I had planned for this time in my life but I can deny being extremely happy about it. 

I decided that I should tell Alec before I started getting to big. 

"Alec there is something I wanted to tell you about."

"Are you ok? I know you've been a bit worried about being so tired. What did the doctor's say?"

"I'm fine," I said and I couldn't keep the smile from my voice. "Alec, I'm pregnant."

I think his face tells you all you needed to know about his reaction. He was thrilled. I know he'll make a great dad.

With all promotions and now with the baby I decided that it was time for some me time. I went to the spa to get a quick massage. 

The masseuse told me that I should be drinking plenty of fluids after my massage so I went to the bar that was part of salon. It was a really nice day and the view down to the sea was amazing.   

I do feel like I am getting bigger by the minute. It seems like I shouldn't be showing so much so quickly but I guess these things always go quicker that you expect. 

The town is full of nice people and although I'm on maternity leave I thought it wouldn't be a bad thing get to know a few more people in town. I still say they are all just super friendly. Jeramy Kauker was no exception. And so funny too.

He was really sweet when I told him about the baby. He was feeling and taking to my tummy and being a real sweetheart. 

Until he went a bit too far.

Turns out he really just had a thing for pregnant ladies and was just trying it on. 

Aside from that rather creepy moment I was finding that I was at peace in pregnancy. 

I found a great book at the book store "Totally Preggers: An Expecting Mother's Tale". It was so engrossing that I didn't even make it home. I just sat there at the park in the sun reading.  

I go home and realised how much it taught me. I actually feel like I might be ready to be a mother. I thought that Alec should read it too. I know it was written for mothers but we hadn't spent much time together during the pregnancy and I really wanted him to feel like he was involved. 

I guess I waited just a little to long to try and get him involved in the pregnancy. Wow this really hurts. 

I raced to the hospital as fast as I could and not long after came out with my absolutely the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. My little daughter Mya.

Chapter 3 - Complete

In a very short time I was promoted to City Council Member. I left the office feeling a profound sense of achievement in my job.  

But the success at work was throwing the success in my personal life into stark contrast. I had been seeing more and more of Alec but there was nothing permanent there, he was just a romantic interest and I was beginning to wonder if we shouldn't try and progress it further. I went over to see him with the excuse of telling him about my promotion.  

"Hello gorgeous, this is a nice surprise."

"Hello yourself." I love it when he pulls me close into an embrace. It makes me feel like there is no one else in the world.

Taking a deep breath I asked the question. "Alec, I've been thinking. I love every moment we spend together. When we are apart I think about you all the time and, well, I was wondering if you wanted to make it official. Boyfriend is such an old-fashion term but..." I trailed of not knowing exactly how to finish.

"Nothing would make me happier. To me there is no question of our status, there is no doubt that I want to be with you, but you are right we should make it official."

"Come here my lovely girlfriend." As the fire began to rage there was a deeper warmth that was blooming in my heart. I had a boyfriend now and I knew it was more than just a passing fancy. 

Not wanting to rush things too much with Alec I decided it was time to get out there and meet some new people. I wanted time to understand this new flame that was burning deep in my heart and the distraction of new company seemed the perfect thing.

I also decided to spend some time with my colleagues. It never hurts to have them on your side in a political career. And a home cooked meal goes a long way towards that.

Typical isn't it. Here I am in the kitchen cooking dinner and he's watching TV.

We do get on really well though. I am quite please I can call Jeff Smith my best friend.

Every day I head to work I am excited. Promotions are coming fast and I can't get enough of it. The clothing might not be the most fashionable but the I love my job and, not to be vain, I'm cute enough to pull them off.

My day at work today, however, didn't go so well. I left work in a bad mood after receiving more than my fair share of paper cuts. Instead of seeing Alec and possibly taking it out on him I decided I would relax and read a book for work. 

It was so peaceful and nice there that I completely lost track of time. 

I began to become more confident in the kitchen.

I'd never heard of anyone doing waffles in the oven before but I was really craving them and decided to give it a try.

The results were surprisingly good!

Encouraged by my success with the waffles I decided it was time to learn so new recipes. I got a book from the local book shop and took it down to the camp ground. Before I knew it I was ready to make Fish and Chips, delish!

Since there didn't seem to be anyone else at the camp ground and I was still wanting to make loads of friends I left and went to founders park. It was usually full of people and today was no exception.

"Hi I'm Des and I'm......" My thoughts were completely derailed as I was distracted by something I saw on a nearby bench.

Was that my boss and Lee Roy Johnkins!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes. It was perhaps not the most professional thing to do but I was so caught up in the shock of the moment that I couldn't resist sharing it. "You will never believe who is over on that bench..."

Unprofessional or not it seemed to be the right thing to say to Rahul Patel and we ended up chatting all day becoming very good friends in the process. As the sun was setting and I was thinking of heading home I heard a familiar voice calling my name. Instantly I flushed and turned to find Alec standing there.

While Alec and I were distracted by each other my boss took the opportunity to intruded on the conversation. Perhaps he heard us gossiping earlier or maybe his is just plain evil, who know, but he certainly gave Rahul a fright. 

That was enough for him and he left in a hurry. Or at least I think he did. I don't remember him being around any more but I don't remember much of anything beyond that look in Alec's eyes. 

The true gentleman that he was he offered to walk me home. And once we were there, well it would have been rude not to invite him in.

I guess it wasn't hard for him to figure out what was on my mind. He was waiting for me in the bedroom when I got there. 

As I looked into his eyes I knew that the fire burning within me was more than a flash burn. I was a smouldering inferno and it wasn't going to go out any time soon, if ever. At that moment I knew. This really is forever. He was right. There is no question at all about is being together.  

Impatient and excited I couldn't wait for a more traditional approach. 

It was me that got down on one knee, right there, in my tiny and unimpressive bedroom.

"Alec, I know this is supposed the man's job but I realised how right you are. There is no one but you for me, not now, not ever. I want to be your wife, if you will consent to be my husband."

He was more than a little surprised.

"Des, there has only ever been one answer to that for me. Yes, there is no other woman in the world I ever considering calling my wife but you."
There were no words to describe my happiness at that moment. I was complete.

Chapter 2 - Getting to know you

My colleague Martin Inkbeard surprised me by showing up while I was working out one day. We have become good friends at work and he is having a bit of a tough time and wanted to share his worries with me. I was more than happy to comfort him and asked him to stay for a bit to try and ease his mind. 

I got him some soup and tried to tell some jokes but he was clearly not amused.

 In the end he ended up taking a nap on my bed while I slept. I didn't mind. If it helped him I was happy.

 The next day I received a phone call telling me that if I got to know a new person in town then it would help my charisma and I might get some money out of it. I was all for that! So I worked up the courage to speak with that cute boy I saw on my first day.

 "My name's Des, nice to meet you."

"Des! I'm Eric. I've heard so much about you! Welcome to Barnacle Bay." 

That was a bit odd, how did he know about me? I guess in a small town news travels fast. We chatted for a while longer and then I went to track down the person who gave me the opportunity. It turns out it was non other that Alec! He was so sweet and seemed very happy to see me.

"I'm glad you can Des," His voice was rich and deep, full of a pent up emotion. 

Before I knew it I was in his arms and his lips found mine.

 A wave of passion swept through me at his touch but I didn't want to rush things to I calmed the fire raging inside me and left for the evening.

The next morning I went to the book store. I was eager to learn a new recipe and figured that was the best place to find them. Encouraged by my success with meeting Eric I struck up a conversation with some more of the people in town.

 "Hi, I'm the new girl in town, Des."

"Hey Des. I'm Thea and this hunk of here is Jake." We had a great chat. It turns out they live with Eric, who knew! And even weirder was that one of their other room-mates, Kitty, even worked at city hall with me. Funny that I hadn't met her yet. 

I just love wandering around and seeing what people are up to so I headed over to Founders Park and got wrapped up watching a random guy playing chess.

 It didn't look too hard so I thought I'd give it a go. I'm sorry to say though that my logic skills aren't great. Still I had fun.

I woke bright and early the next morning and the only thing I could think about was Alec. I decided to invite him over. I also decided it might be a good idea to clean up that salad that had been left out for a couple days, it wasn't looking so good any more.

 The second I spotted Alec the heat flooded through me again. This is getting bad, he doesn't even have to touch me before I flare up. 

"Glad you could make it Alec."

"Believe me I am too!"

I didn't mean for it to go anywhere but...

 One thing lead to another.

 We were having a really hard time keeping our hands off each other (one thing may have lead to another three more times)! So decided it was best to get out in public to have a meal, we had worked up quite an appetite. 

 After dinner I stuck to letting him tell the jokes. Not only were the funny but he managed to make me start to think about our afternoon all over again.

  In an attempt to slow things down we both went to our own houses to sleep. I woke up the next morning and ran out the door eager to get to work. I had been promoted to Campaign manager and I couldn't wait to show off my skills in the office.

 But by the end of the day thoughts of Alec were overwhelming everything else. I decided I had to see him again and this time when to his house straight after work. His house was very impressive. I had no idea that he was rich!

"Hey you."

"Hey sexy what brings you here?"

"Oh I was just thinking about you and thought I might pop by."

 That small exchange was all either one of us could stand.

 "Des, this is my favourite place to be. Here with you."

"I couldn't be without you Alec."

 Once again we had worked up a bit of an hunger and Alec was a sweetheart and made us some dinner.

 But we couldn't keep our eyes,

 Or our hands, off each other for long.

 I didn't bother going home to sleep. I didn't want to leave his side. So I just curled up next to him in bed.

 When I woke up I was alone but happy. Alec had already gone to work so I quickly got ready to go to work myself.

 I dashed out the door ready for my next day. I hope they don't notice that I'm wearing the same thing as yesterday.