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• Now that she was starting to adjust to the idea and they had started telling people and everything, a huge amount of the pressure had lifted. Things were still far more complicated these days than he had ever planned on, but they were dealing with it all and the important thing was just that she was okay and content and healthy. He actually hadn't had a chance to talk to her that day - since he left her house in the morning for the office downtown - but he had gotten the message from one of the receptionists and so made the stop by here before heading home in case she was still around. Her car in the parking lot confirmed that, so he pulled his Lexus in to the stall next to it and then headed in to the quiet café to find her. Unbuttoning his blazer and then loosening his tie, he leaned down to kiss her temple before dropping on to the couch next to her. "Hey babe." (NT) -- Ethan, Tue, May 23 2006, 10:27pm PDT

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• She closed up her book when he came in, a little startled out of her intense reading session before she realized it was him and smiled brightly. "Hey you!" Her southern accent was still thick and fresh as everywhere, a strange sound in these parts. Setting down her tea, she slipped her bookmark where her finger had been and put the book down on the floor by her feet, not wanting to seem overly eager about the baby because she wasn't sure how he was feeling about it still. "How was work today? You just missed Bianca...she stopped in to have lunch with me." It was just so ironic that the girls were friends now after all that had happened between Ethan and Bianca... (NT) -- Emily, Tue, May 23 2006, 10:52pm PDT

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• "Work was... Good. It was good. Pretty busy. You should come in and hang out one of these days while you've got a little time off. Everyone's always asking about you. I bet we could sit you at a desk and you'd be signing autographs all day." He teased gently, but was quite serious about her coming to hang out with him at work - see what it was he actually did. His arm stretched along the back of the couch as he settled down next to her, his heck ducked a little as they chatted - his voice soft in the quiet atmosphere of the coffee shop. "Yeah? I talked to her earlier - she mentioned getting lunch with you... How's she doing? I haven't actually seen her for a couple days..." Really he was so relieved that the two girls were getting along so well now - what with him working with Bianca and the close friendship that they had formed through Gavin, it really made it easier that Emily was cool with her. (NT) -- Ethan, Tue, May 23 2006, 10:57pm PDT

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• "Um...she's good. Look's good. Said she was pretty booked up the next couple of weeks cuz you work her to hard." She grinned lightly, Bianca had obviously been kidding with that comment. "Did you wanna get some coffee or something?" She questioned softly, wanting him to be comfortable and all that. She worked how to keep him comfortable and happy, that's all she really wanted was to keep him happy for as long as she could. She always thought that he was a little...above her class really. When she had first met him she had been nothin' but a awkward girl from podunk and he had molded her into what she was. She never wanted him to be embaressed by her or anythin' like that so she just made him happy and did the best she could though she knew he wasn't to happy about them having a baby but that was the one and only thing she had ever firm about doing no matter what he said concerning it... (NT) -- Emily, Tue, May 23 2006, 11:16pm PDT

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• "I know... I'm such a slave-driver." He rolled his eyes and smirked a little, then shook his head a touch, brushing his fingers absently through her hair. "Maybe in a bit. I'm good for now, love, thanks." He assured her with a lingering smile - she took such good care of him, especially considering he was probably one of the hardest people to take care of. "How're you feeling today?" He questioned after a quiet moment, his head tilting slowly ever so slightly. Really he felt worse about putting such a spin in to her career than about how a baby might affect his life. He could take care of himself and his job, but he worried a little about how her having a baby was going to change things for her future, and he felt bad that she had to go through so much with her parents and all that, but really - as long as she was happy, he could make things work. (NT) -- Ethan, Tue, May 23 2006, 11:22pm PDT

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• She smiled lightly, almost shyly. "Alright, not to bad...still don't like the smell of eggs but other then that, not bad." She shrugged her shoulders a little, dropping her eyes to her tea as she took another sip before she looked back to him with her head cocked to the side. "Any big plans next week?" She questioned, her hand shifting to his thigh as she cuddled up close to him, her head resting neatly on his shoulder. She was so little compared to the girls he was surrounded by the whole work day, definitely didn't have a models height by any means... (NT) -- Emily, Tue, May 23 2006, 11:54pm PDT

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• He laughed softly and nodded a little, dropped his forehead to rest against her temple, his eyes lightly shut and his lips pressed to her cheek for a long moment before he just shook his head a little bit. "Not really... Sounds like I can't get out of that week in Prague next month, but other than that I can pretty much just stick around here until later this summer." He had to be careful when rearranging things because as the head honcho he couldn't afford to jeopardize the company, but at least he had the power to manipulate things as much as possible. He just didn't want to be away from her any more than necessary right now. Things were still so complicated. "Why? Do you? How's your schedule looking?" (NT) -- Ethan, Wed, May 24 2006, 12:00am PDT

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• I am sleeping single in a double bed -- Emily, Wed, May 24 2006, 12:51am PDT

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• "It'll just be a quick trip..." He assured her and smiled a little - once again thankful that both of their careers took them so far away so often so that they were both accustomed to it. It was easier to leave her when he knew that she would just be on a plane or a bus somewhere herself the next day anyway. Right now, with the pregnancy, things were just a little different anyway and honestly he just preferred the idea of hanging around home in case she needed anything - but it sounded like she had some things to keep her busy anyway in the next couple of weeks. He nodded a little at her suggestion and tightened his arm around her shoulders, meeting her gaze easily. "Sure, that'd be nice... Just somewhere to get away for a bit? I work a day or two off - we could take a long weekend if you want... That'd be good." Come to think of it, it did seem a little strange that they never got away anywhere together. (NT) -- Ethan, Wed, May 24 2006, 12:56am PDT

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• She nodded a little at that, glad that he had understood what she wanted without her having to just out and out ask him. "Yeah...well, I was thinkin' while I was outta town the last time that I am always goin'ta all these different places and seein' all these new things with the band boys...and I ain't never been anywhere with you. I think it'd be nice to go somewhere for the firt time and be overwhelmed with you there instead of Keith." She stated to the other country artist - an up and comer - who she was touring with. She was actually headlining now, with Keith opening up for her. They were smaller shows then that which she did with Dierks but they were her shows now and that made them all the more cooler to her and much more intense. (NT) -- Emily, Wed, May 24 2006, 1:20am PDT

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• "Yeah, sure baby. I was thinking about that the other day too. We'll just go somewhere not too far but I'll get it booked this week." The less travel time they had to spend, the more time they had to just enjoy themselves - so he was confident that they could find somewhere appealing nearby to go away for the weekend. Somewhere kind of quiet maybe - where they didn't need to take laptops and assistants and dayplanners preferably. He loved traveling and he loved all of the places that he got to go for work, but he did find himself missing not having her around these days, and it would be good for him to get away from the job for a bit - it could be so consuming. "I can take off next Thursday and Friday so we can leave Wednesday night, come home on Sunday. Sound good?" (NT) -- Ethan, Wed, May 24 2006, 1:29am PDT

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• She nodded a little at that, smiling at the thought of a few days with her boyfriend all to herself somewhere that wasn't home. Not that she didn't enjoy just hanging around with him at home, she loved just lazing about the couch, the dogs laying around the fire, them cuddling up or now that it was warmer they had taken to sitting out on the swing on the deck in the backyard, tossing sticks for the dogs and just chatting about anything and everything that came to mind and she loved that just as much. Still, it would be nice to get away and do something new and different with him. "Sounds perfect." She stated with a smile and a kiss pressed to his jaw, her hand trailing down his neck slowly. She had changed quite a bit since they first met three years ago, he had really brought her out of her shell but she had still maintained the majority of her core personality, she would get shy and blush-y if someone looked over while she was giving a little PDA. (NT) -- Emily, Mon, May 29 2006, 10:37pm PDT

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• "Perfect." He repeated softly with a quiet, slow smile, and dropped his forehead gently to hers for a moment. With a low content sigh, his fingers raised to push back her hair and then slipped around to rest at the base of her neck as he ducked his head to catch her lips for a sweet lingering moment. A year or two ago, something like this would have broke them both - he would never have been able to handle it, and that would have just made everything even worse for her. Everything was so different these days, and while a baby had been nowhere in his plans for the near future, he at least could deal with it now and they were getting things worked out. "What will Drew say about you going away for a few days on personal time?" There was a bit of an edge to his voice - he knew that Drew was pretty good to her and did a very good job or taking care of all of her business, but he couldn't help to entertain a little bit of 'healthy' dislike for the other man. (NT) -- Ethan, Mon, May 29 2006, 10:49pm PDT

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• She shrugged a little at his question before she paused thoughtfully for a moment before she spoke. "I don't really think he'll care, he shouldn't at least. I mean, I don't have anything going on so there shouldn't be any huge arguements..." She frowned a touch, thinking about her last arguement with Drew but she pushed that thought out of her mind. She hated feelin' like she had disappointed someone or that someone was mad at her, she wasn't the kind of girl who enjoyed confrontation. It was one of the reasons she didn't really bring up the baby with Ethan, it was like she was intimidated by his disapproval so it was easier for her to just not talk to him about it. (NT) -- Emily, Mon, May 29 2006, 10:59pm PDT

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• "That's good." He stated absently and then slouched down into the couch and gently tugged her closer - his one hand remaining tangled in her soft blonde hair. "There's no reason for it to be a problem..." He stated absently and then feel silent for a moment as one hand drifted down to spread over her stomach, where only the hint of a swell was developing, invisible to anyone who didn't already know it was there. "Do you want to find out if it's a boy or a girl?" He questioned finally, his voice lowering and his tone softening noticeably, his gaze moving slowly around the dimly lit and mostly abandoned café for no real reason, just absently. (NT) -- Ethan, Mon, May 29 2006, 11:05pm PDT

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• She took in a soft breath when his hand spread over her stomach and she couldn't help the way her eyes flew to his. When she heard how his voice lowered just a touch and the way his eyes had softened, her heart nearly melted with love for him. A gentle smile played over her lips as she covered his hand with hers and she was very near glowing - people said women were the most beautiful when they were pregnant and she definitely had that glow about her now that she was talking pleasantly with her husband about their child - as she bit her lip and shrugged a little. "I am not sure...it would make it easier to get everything bought and all that, pick out a name and things but my mama was always suprised...she always said she could just tell from the way she was carryin' the baby what she was havin' though..." (NT) -- Emily, Mon, May 29 2006, 11:20pm PDT

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• He smiled slowly and dipped his head to press his lips to her cheek for a long lingering moment, and then he nodded a little as he broke away. His fingers on her stomach slipped beneath her top to just rest warmly on her bare, soft skin - possessive in a way that wasn't really typically characteristic of him. "Whatever you want to do, love... It would be a little easier to know what to expect, but it would also definitely be a really fun surprise." His face remained near hers, his lips brushing her temple softly - his voice still quiet for the private, very personal conversation. "We could just come up with a few names that we like - keep them in mind. If you wanted to wait and be surprised, that is..." (NT) -- Ethan, Mon, May 29 2006, 11:29pm PDT

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• Here we stand, no promises no demands -- Em, Mon, May 29 2006, 11:48pm PDT
  • "Sure, yeah, that would definitely work..." He assured her with a small smile and then laughed softly, nodding a fraction in agreement. "Yeah, 'it' is a little weird... But I think it's worth the surprise." Really he was okay with whichever way she wanted to go, but if the decision had been solely up to him he would probably opt for the surprise route. Why not? He figured. His thumb stroked her smooth skin absently as a quietly content sigh escaped his lips and brushed her neck where he had just pressed a brief kiss to her pulse. He just wasn't 'that guy' - he would never be okay with another guy pushing things with her or disrespecting either of them, but he was really pretty laid-back. It was a confidence thing for him most likely - he had faith in his girlfriend's commitment to him and didn't feel the need to strut around like he was King Kong. (NT) -- Ethan, Mon, May 29 2006, 11:54pm PDT

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• Ironic, that he had so much faith in her when he had been the one who cheated on her so early in their relationship. That was all put behind them now though and really, things seemed to be looking in her mind. "I think so too." She smiled warmly, glad that they had agreed on that at least. He seemed to warming up to the idea and that just took so much weight off her shoulders. "My mama called this morning, wanted to know when they were going to meet you." She stated, her voice reluctant and almost a groan as she relayed that news. "I tried to tell her that it wasn't necessary for her to come all the way out here, that maybe when we got a couple weeks off sometime we'd go down there but she wouldn't hear nothin' of it. Wants to meet the boy I am livin' in sin with." She shrugged her shoulders. "Wouldn't listen to me when I told her we didn't live together." (NT) -- Emily, Tue, May 30 2006, 12:08am PDT

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• "Good..." He agreed easily with a small smile that was quickly replaced with a grimace at the mention of meeting her parents. He was a born charmer - never had any trouble selling himself or his company to potential models, designers, and magazines - and he had grown up in an environment that focused heavily on how to properly conduct oneself as a respectful human being. He just worried that her parents would see through every one of his smiles and peg him as a spoiled rich kid used to always getting whatever he wanted. They just seemed too real to be safe for someone like him. "Ouch... I don't think they're going to like me much, Emily..." He admitted without hesitation, a small frown lingering. And to top it all off - he had corrupted and impregnated their innocent, beautiful, baby girl. (NT) -- Ethan, Tue, May 30 2006, 12:13am PDT

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• She sighed softly, shifting to rest her head on his shoulder and draw his arm more firmly around her stomach. "I think, since I love you, they would see what a good man you are but I am not going to lie and tell you that it will be all hugs at first...they ain't happy with me havin' a baby out of wedlock and all that...just wasn't how I was raised you know but I think they'll be supportive..." She smirked lightly, shaking her head. "Mama's convinced that it's livin' near the city thats makin' me into a bad, sinful girl, think all the fame is going to my head or something..." She shrugged a little, she had given up on a lot of her convictions and morals but it was all worth it to be with him, she loved him. They'd had a rough go of it at first but they had both influenced each other in a good way or at least she thought so... (NT) -- Emily, Tue, May 30 2006, 12:22am PDT

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• The problem with that was that she really truly believed that he was such a good man, and he didn't feel it and he figured that her mother - she just sounded so knowing - would see him for what he really was. He did try to do right by Emily these days - he really tried hard - but he was pretty sure, because all of his mistakes that he had made in his life, he wasn't quite in a place to be classified as a 'good man' just yet. "Do you have any regrets, Emily? About how things have turned out?" He just wanted to make her as happy as she could be and he never wanted her to feel like she was a 'bad, sinful girl' like her parents seemed to think she was. She had just made some different decisions in life than they had wanted for her. (NT) -- Ethan, Tue, May 30 2006, 12:30am PDT

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• She was quiet for a second at that before she shook her head and let out a soft breath. "I think if I could go back in time, I would have done things in a different order...but I wouldn't have changed anything from happening." She smiled sweetly, looking over at him as she shifted a bit so she could actually see his face. "It doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would, that we aren't married, you know. I know that you love me and I love you and the baby will be cared for and hopefully happy and thats all I really need right now." She let her hand fall down to his leg, squeezing softly. She really did see the best in him no matter what happened, she was the one who - after he had broken her heart and then went and got himself nearly killed - nursed him back to mental and physical health, she had seen him at his worst and yet still believed in him no matter what. (NT) -- Emily, Tue, May 30 2006, 12:39am PDT

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• He nodded a little and said nothing really to all that - just offered her a small smile and dipped head to kiss her jaw softly. "I love you." He said it just to say it and then brushed his fingers slowly through her hair against, his gaze resting comfortably on her pretty, sweet features. "I think you should get Bianca to go shopping with you before our weekend away..." He suggested with a teasing smirk, his hand rubbing her stomach for a moment. He was just looking forward to be being away somewhere private with her - away from models and musicians and mothers and everything and anything else that could potentially cause them even the slightest amount of stress. He didn't know where they would go yet, but there would definitely be a spa as part of the deal. (NT) -- Ethan, Tue, May 30 2006, 12:45am PDT

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• Her mouth dropped open teasingly, her eyes swinging to his. "The clothes I have make it to obvious that you're going out in public with your non-model girlfriend, huh?" She questioned teasingly, poking him in the side playfully. "What would you be wanting me to buy with Bianca, love?" A new bikini, some new shorts, a few new tank tops - she dressed to please him and no one else, heck, half the time when he wasn't around she was just wearing a pair of old jeans and a hoodie or a concert t-shirt or something. "I love you too, by the way." She stated with a sweet smile, her hand running over her hair since he had messed it up, just to straighten it a touch. "Coming to stay the night with me tonight?" She questioned, her lower lip jutting out in a hopeful pout. (NT) -- Em, Tue, May 30 2006, 1:01am PDT

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• "No way. The fact that you can wear heels and still not pass my chin make it obvious that you're my non-model girlfriend, but I like it like that." He assured her without hesitation, a slightly sheepish grin remaining on his features - though he was being honest. He would never trade her in for a model, and she was prettier than all those girls anyway. "I just think you should go shopping with B. She'll help you pick some things out." He really didn't care what she wore - thought she looked pretty in anything - but Bianca would point her in a good direction, and besides, the other woman always benefited from Emily's non-competitive, non-judgmental company. "Of course I will stay with you tonight. If you'll have me, that is." (NT) -- Ethan, Tue, May 30 2006, 1:07am PDT

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• "Not like you're the tallest kid in the world either, thats what makes it so sad." She stated with a laugh, turning her sparkling blue eyes up to him. "I'll give her a call tomorrow and we can go during the day as long as you don't have her doing anything." She stated with a smile, leaning up to press a kiss to his lips for a lingering moment before she settled back down onto the couch, finishing up her tea and then moving the ceramic cup back onto the table in front of her. "Of course I'll have you, I have you nearly every other night, silly." She was feeling happy and upbeat now, hopeful about their future since he had seemed so ok with talking about the baby, even interested. (NT) -- Emily, Tue, May 30 2006, 7:30pm PDT

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• "Hey, well it's not like I'm short or anything..." He protested meekly before just letting it go and breaking a slight grin as he nodded. "Yeah, I don't think she's got much going on this week and with Gavin not around, she's had a lot of spare time..." It was a bit of a challenge to balance things for Bianca these days - she was working her way back in to the industry after her brief hiatus and everyone wanted to use her, but he didn't want to push her too much just yet. It was a complicated situation. He tugged her gently in to his lap, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist as his lips brushed her jaw. "At least. You're so good to me. Putting up with me so much of the time..." Them moving in together had crossed his mind a couple of times, but he wasn't sure how she would feel about that - living together, having a baby together, and still not yet being married. (NT) -- Ethan, Tue, May 30 2006, 7:37pm PDT

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• She grinned teasingly at him, shaking her head as she played around him. "It's gotta be hard to have some of those girls towering over you all the time." She teased playfully before she willingly moved into his lap, resting her forehead against his for a long moment. "I don't 'put up with you'..." She murmured, brushing her lips against his softly before drawing back. "I love it when you stay the night, you know that." She was always quick to reassure him how much she enjoyed his company, how much she loved him, that sort of thing. It was strange, she always thought he was out of her league, he was way to high class for a country bumpkin like herself but sometimes, he seemed to believe that he was the one who wasn't good enough for her... (NT) -- Emily, Tue, May 30 2006, 8:17pm PDT

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• "Untrue. That's very untrue. The girls do not tower over me." He corrected her with a bit of a smirk and then returned her kiss sweetly. His fingers pushed back her hair slowly and then cupped her face for a moment before returning to rest on her side. "Yeah, yeah, I do... I just like hearing you say it." His tone was gently teasing and one eyelid dropped in a wink as he sighed in quiet contentment. The café had such a laid-back atmosphere, he definitely liked just wasting the evening away there with his girl and no worries. They both had so much going on in their lives - always so busy and so much to take care of - that any time that they could just laze around was welcomed. (NT) -- Ethan, Tue, May 30 2006, 8:32pm PDT

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• "I like saying it..." She murmured softly, her hand raking through his hair as her finger brushed over the faint scar just at his hairline, barely visible unless one knew it was there, a reminder of his accident. She leaned forward to brush her lips across his forehead before she she pursed her lips. "I wonder if they have anything with strawberries in it, I really want strawberries for some reason, been thinking about them all day but when I ordered my tea I totally forgot about the strawberries..." And so it began, though strawberries were an easy enough request. She didn't even think that she was having cravings, she had read about them but it didn't cross her mind that that was the reason she wanted strawberries. (NT) -- Emily, Tue, May 30 2006, 10:16pm PDT

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• He just watched her wordlessly, his gaze affectionate on her, a small sweet smile on his lips. She was so pretty, so delicate even - such a breath of fresh air, even though they had known each other for over three years. He winked playfully and tugged gently at a strand of her hair. "Let me up and I'll go see what they have with strawberries in it here..." He was actually looking forward to random desires and requests. Really, the more he thought about all of this - the more it just seemed like a fun and exciting thing to be happening in their lives. Tons of responsibility and a lifetime of commitment too of course, but that wasn't as scary to him now as he would have once thought it would be. (NT) -- Ethan, Tue, May 30 2006, 10:21pm PDT

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• She smiled sweetly when he offered to go check and see what they had for her, he really was so sweet and good to her. Shifting off of his lap, she tossed a thank you after him as she watched him walk away, a content sigh escaping her lips. She just knew when her parents saw how well he treated her, how much he loved her and supported her that they would fall in love with him just as she had. He was so good looking too, her mother would be sure to love his charm and classic good looks. Her lower lip tucked between her teeth as she watched him almost appraisingly before she realized what she was doing and shook her head, drawing her book back out and focusing on that while she waited instead of staring at him like a lovesick puppy of some sort. (NT) -- Emily, Tue, May 30 2006, 10:52pm PDT

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• He kissed her once more with a small grin before heading over to the counter - glancing back at her just once. He waited patiently while someone ahead of him ordered, and then stepped up to inquire about what sort of strawberry products he could purchase. A few minutes and a few bucks later, he was returning to her couch with his hands full - a bowl of fresh fruit included a generous serving of strawberries, and a smoothie sort of drink that was strawberry flavored - hoping that those things would help to quell her craving. "Here babe..." He passed her the drink and set the fruit on the coffee table before dropping back down beside her again - snatching a grape out of the bowl and popping it in his mouth. "Hope this helps..." (NT) -- Ethan, Tue, May 30 2006, 11:00pm PDT

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• Someone might have thought that he had just given her a million dollars or the cure for cancer with the smile that she gave him when he came back with the strawberries and she nearly pounced on them when he set them down on the table. "Thank you!" She grinned lightly before she picked one up, taking a bite out of the juicy fruit and then running her tongue over her lips to catch the drippings. "Mmmm...perfect. You're amazing." She stated seriously, closing her book back up and setting it aside before focusing back on her boyfriend. "I think it would be fun to go to work with you for a day, we should do it soon though, before I get all huge and round and funny looking." (NT) -- Emily, Tue, May 30 2006, 11:14pm PDT

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• "I know, I know..." He acknowledged with a slight smirk, draping an arm around her shoulders as he settled back into the couch again. "All good?" But by her reaction he could easily assume that she was now perfectly content now, thanks to his findings. He dropped his head back a little to watch her work on the fruit, smiling absently again. "Sure, definitely. You can come anytime... But also, when you're all huge and round you're going to look even more amazingly beautiful, not 'funny'." He was speaking in all honesty too and it was clear that he wasn't just saying that - he was looking forward to the changes that she would be going through in the months to come. (NT) -- Ethan, Tue, May 30 2006, 11:24pm PDT

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• She picked through the fruit and found a piece of kiwi, holding it up between her fingers and waiting till he parted his lips before she popped it in his mouth and then went back to her strawberries ever so happily. "Mmmm...the one dixie chick, I can never remember their names, darn it, but whatever, one of them, she toured until two weeks before she delivered when she was pregnant." She stated, trying unsuccesfully to eat her strawberries in a somewhat discreet manner, it just wasn't working out for her. "Did you say earlier Gavin is out of town? Where is he at?" She knew Bianca was reluctant to be away from her boyfriend with all he was going through, B had broke down and told Emily about Gavin's drug problem, the way the band had given him an ultimatium and that he was still deciding on what he was going to do.... (NT) -- Emily, Tue, May 30 2006, 11:38pm PDT

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• "Two weeks before? That's way too much, Em. I don't think you should get any of those ideas in your head..." He suggested but just gently, because it was her body and her career, but it was their baby and he would be maybe just a little worried if she was still touring two weeks before her due date. He paused a moment before nodding slightly, picking over what exactly to say to that. He wasn't very good at keeping secrets apparently. "He's back in LA actually - doing some clean up with the guys before he checks in... He hasn't officially told Bianca yet. He doesn't want it to be some big tearful goodbye - he just wants to get in to detox and get through that and then see how things go from there in rehab." (NT) -- Ethan, Tue, May 30 2006, 11:43pm PDT

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• Laugh out Loud at my trusting heart... -- Emily, Tue, May 30 2006, 11:52pm PDT
  • "He's going to call to tell her before he goes in... But he's not coming back until he's clean, he said. But you can't say anything to anyone because he told me in confidence.." Their friend was really stuck right now, and he worried that if this didn't work out and Gavin couldn't deal with rehab that they just might not see him again. He didn't say that to Emily though because he knew she would just get even more upset. His brows furrowed a little but he gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Yeah, I know... So I think if we keep her kind of busy it might help her out a bit..." The woman never liked to admit weakness, but Gavin was definitely and clearly her soft spot. (NT) -- Ethan, Wed, May 31 2006, 12:06am PDT

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• She shook her head, letting out a troubled breath. "What would make him think this is a good idea? I mean, I know he needs the treatment and it's great that he is getting the help he needs and all that but to not involve Bianca in it?" She shook her head again, her little brow furrowed as she worried about her friend. "Bianca is still recovering from a pretty serious sickness herself, being upset could throw her off her routine..." She was seriously, very, very worried about this. Bianca wasn't the most stable girl in the world and something like this could really shake her up. "Yeah, we are definitely going to have to keep her busy...she might even need that guy who stayed with her before...just to keep an eye on her." (NT) -- Emily, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 5:33pm PDT

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• "It's his call, Emily..." He reminded her with gently furrowed brows, glancing down to her for a long moment. "He doesn't want her having anything to do with any of it and that's his decision." He worried about Bianca too, but he also knew that she was stronger than a lot of people gave her credit for. Besides, in his mind, Bianca needed a bit of a wake-up call - she had gotten too dependent on Gavin these days and he thought it would be good for her to be reminded that she didn't need him for her to get by. "And I don't think bringing some no-good do-gooder in to stay with her is the best solution." He stated rather indignantly, because he didn't understand the girls' logic behind having a young, attractive man staying to help 'take care of things'. Just asking for trouble, he thought... (NT) -- Ethan, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 5:51pm PDT

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• Her eyes widened at that and then narrowed at him. "No good do gooder?" She questioned, her brow furrowed incredulously. "So it would be better for her to waste away, skipping meals without anyone noticing because she's all by herself in that apartment then to have him in the house with her? She wouldn't do it on purpose but she'd be worried about him and just get distracted. She's still recovering Ethan and if it hadn't been for Matt before she probably wouldn't doing as well as she is now." She was just astounded that Ethan didn't seem to understand how Bianca needed some strong support to get through her problems. She wasn't the wonderwoman that people made her out to be. (NT) -- Emily, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 6:03pm PDT

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• "Don't put words in to my mouth. I'm the last person who wants to see her waste away. I just don't think that that guy is the best solution and I don't understand why you seem to think he is." His frown lingered as he met her gaze easily - a little surprised himself at her reaction. "Matt probably just wants to get in hers pants." He muttered - as immature as that sounded, he was doing his best to stand up for Gavin. "Also, explain to me how any of this has to do with him not telling her in person..." Because that was what she had been fussing about in the first place anyway. It seemed to him that Emily's probably was with Gavin being gone at all - and that would just be twisted, because obviously Gavin needed to be gone and getting help. (NT) -- Ethan, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 6:13pm PDT

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• "Because he's not addressing the issue with her, he's keeping her out of something very important. Plus, hey, seriously, who know's how long he is going to be gone for and she won't be able to properly say goodbye to him or prepare herself for him to be gone for so long." A low breath escaped her lips as her brow furrowed before his other muttered resentment. "You are not serious?" She growled out, her hand raking through her hair to fluff it in agitation. "If he had wanted to get in her pants I think he would have tried it already, this is his job and what he does, he takes care of girls who are sick like Bianca." She frowned heavily, brow knitting together as she thought of that. Besides, obviously Bianca wasn't interested in sleeping with Matt because when had she ever not gone after a guy she wanted? She had no problems going after Ethan at least. (NT) -- Emily, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 6:23pm PDT

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• "As far as I know, he did address the issue with her, but seriously - she can't go with him where he's going. He has to do it for himself." He protested - softly but with a firm tone to his voice. He watched her for a moment longer wordlessly, just trying to grasp where this righteous attitude had come from - it was really quite uncharacteristic of her. "And Bianca's not sick and she doesn't need to be treated like she is." Bianca had been sick, and still had some issues, but he didn't really see how she could get better if everyone kept treating her like she was going to break. Sure, she was maybe a little fragile, but he had faith in her self-control. "Give the guy a bit of a break, Em. It would just be even harder for him to go if he had to see her all a mess because she was worried about him leaving." (NT) -- Ethan, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 10:47pm PDT

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• She was just angry that Gavin seemed to care so little about Bianca's feelings. He was just wanting to make it easier on him well screw that. That was the boy's job, to look out for his girlfriend and to take care of her, to put her needs first and love her no matter what. Seemed the men around these parts just weren't raised like that thought. "Well, heaven forbid it be hard for him when he's the one who put himself in the position to have to go." She frowned heavily, her southern drawl thickening in her agitation. She shifted to sit forward, grabbing her smoothie and taking a long drink of the thick liquid that made her cheeks cave in and kind of took away from the rightous indignation kinda look that she was going for. (NT) -- Emily, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 11:03pm PDT

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• His brows raised at that and he shifted so that his arm was no longer around her and instead he was leaving forward with his elbows on his knees - head turned so that he was looking back at her. "Heaven forbid we're not all as perfect as you are, Emily. Get down off of your high horse and start acting like a friend. I've known Gavin since I was like five, and he is more compassionate and generous than anyone else I've ever known." And a few years ago, there was no way he ever would have stood up for the guy like he was now - but they had been through a lot in those few years, and he had discovered that they had a lot more in common than he ever would have imagined all through their years in school together. (NT) -- Ethan, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 11:08pm PDT

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• "I am acting like a friend, a friend to Bianca! Their relationship isn't exactly the strongest to begin with and then for him to just take off for who knows how long without even lettin' her know ahead of time?" She shook her head, frowning a bit. "She would want to be there for him and support him through this if he would give her the chance and not worry her half to death all the time." Ethan's words were a little harsh and made her brow knit together a bit as the sting of them sunk in. Her jaw set a little as she lifted her hand to run through her hair. "I never claimed to be perfect, Ethan, never thought I was or am anything close to it but I do damn well know that if you don't think Bianca is sick then you're livin' in some sort of denial." She shook her head, pushing her smoothie aside as she had suddenly lost her taste for it. (NT) -- Emily, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 11:17pm PDT

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• "It's not like he's vacationing in Cabo or whoring it up in London, Emily." He reminded her with a bit of a growl - he wasn't a confrontational person, but he was also someone who didn't back down when he did happen to get stick in a disagreement. "She can't help him through this. What's she going to do? Hold his hand while he's in detox? It doesn't work like that." He stared rather coolly at her for a long moment and then just shook his head in frustration. "You just don't get it." She was from a small town in the boonies and he was from a whole other world - and normally that really didn't matter to either of them, except right now it just wasn't working out. (NT) -- Gavin, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 11:23pm PDT

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• "Right, because you know, whoring it up in some unknown city, that's a normal thing in their relationship so that would just be another day to them." Her jaw set a little as she looked down at the cup that had once held her tea that had helped her stomach - which was now churning again - before she bit her lip gently. She just didn't comprehend how people could just sleep around, could get involved in things like heavy drugs, how they could hurt someone that they said they cared about like that. At his last phrase though, a sharp flash of anger lit up her blue eyes and she full out glared at him. "Yeah, silly little Emily, so naive and thinkin' people could actually be there for each other through somethin'. Doesn't know anything about the big bad, real world." (NT) -- Emily, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 11:29pm PDT

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• "No, silly little Emily thinking that love can conquer all. I'm sorry, but it doesn't work that way." Sure, that was a cynical way to think and cruel to say - especially to the one person that he loved - but it was the plain and simple truth that so many people refused to admit to. He just ignored the comments about Gavin and B's relationship because, for one, that was none of his business, and for two, from what he knew, they had been faithful to each other for almost a couple years now. That was a big step and a big change for them. He ran a hand through his hair slowly as he watched her, and then looked away as he shook his head, rolling his eyes a little. (NT) -- Ethan, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 11:33pm PDT

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• She was literally astonished that he had so little faith in love. It felt like he was saying he had that little faith in them, in their relationship, in anything they had together. Suddenly, she was swallowing hard and against the lump in her throat and the hot tears that pricked at her eyes. Sure, maybe she was naive, maybe she was to trusting and she put to much faith in love and the caring to people could share between each other but that had never been viewed by anyone as a bad thing until she came around these parts. She cleared her throat, determined not to cry in front of him and instead just set her jaw determinedly yet again and reached down to pick up her book and then her purse, digging out her keys while she spoke. "Right. Silly, stupid Emily." She shook her head, standing up and reaching down to collect her garbage to take it to the trash, even in her hurt and her anger she wasn't going to leave a mess. (NT) -- Emily, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 11:37pm PDT

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• He sighed quietly at how quickly that shut her up - because that was never a good sign. It wasn't necessarily a good thing to win a fight against a loved one. He watched her gather her things and then stand up to leave, and then watched her all the way over to the trash before he finally ran a hand through his hair and called out to her. "Emily.. Hang on..." He meant the things that he had said to a certain point, but he hadn't meant to upset her - he just got frustrated that she was being so indignant and seeming like she wasn't understanding what was going on at all. Also, because she had been so argumentative, it had slipped his mind that she was really such a sensitive, soft person and so he had been more harsh with her than he should have been. (NT) -- Ethan, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 11:44pm PDT

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• She frowned, shaking her head a bit as she slung her purse over her shoulder, her keys in her hand. "No, no you're right, Ethan. I am naive and gulliable and silly me to believe in fairy tale endings." She shook her head, looking down at the book in her arms and nearly scoffing at the ironic quality to it all. Who was she to think about fairy tale endings? No fairy tales she had read when she was little ended up with unwed mothers and 'love doesn't conquor all' as an ending line instead of 'happily ever after'. Her blue eyes were sad and angry at the same time, sparking a bit as she looked away from him and out the door. "I need to go home and let the dogs out." (NT) -- Emily, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 11:48pm PDT

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• "Fine..." He just let her go because he wasn't about to beg her to stay to talk to him - he would just try to catch up to her in a bit, and he would apologize, and hope that she could maybe understand then a little bit where he was coming from. They both just needed to cool off a little. He sighed quietly and slowly leaned back into the couch, crossing his arms over her chest and watching her as she went to leave. He didn't want to say anything to make her even more mad, so he just stayed quiet - calming himself down and hoping that she would be able to do the same. They had never really fought before though, so all of this was pretty foreign to him - it wasn't like he had a script to follow. (NT) -- Ethan, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 11:53pm PDT

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• The fact that he didn't deny any of the things she had said broke her heart just a little bit and the tears threatened to spill over her lashes so she turned quickly, heading out the door and to her car. When she got in, she spent a few seconds brushing away the tears and angerily tossing the book into the backseat, not wanting to even think about it at this point. Once she had gotten her tears somewhat under control she finally pulled out of the parking lot though she ended up not going home right away, instead she went to the stables where her horses were and spent some time there. It was always comforting to her to be in the barn with Treasure and Zephyr but before long it was getting a bit chilly and she was heading home... (NT) -- Emily, Thu, Jun 01 2006, 11:56pm PDT