9.7

Lauren slid into work with moments to spare and booted her computer. She hadn't been feeling well that morning, and she hoped the banana she picked up from the break room would do the trick. On a quick search her wiretap had picked up a conversation. She investigated the conversation finding good evidence, but no real leads. But she was sure she had her bank robber.

By time to get off Lauren's back was aching, so instead of her run, she left for the house. That afternoon First Bank of Sunset Valley was robbed.



She knew her body was changing, and it was only a matter of time until she accepted the reality. She was pregnant. She couldn't hide the signs anymore. She comtemplated how she'd tell Derik. It would have to be tonight.


A "quick nap" set her back thirty minutes. Lauren rushed around the house trying to clean and cook before Derik's arrival. Had she not napped, Lauren would have noticed Derik's tardiness. But just as dinner was finishing, Derik strolled in the house with a quick kiss and headed straight for the shower.
"Late evening," he called down the hall.

After his shower, Derik found Lauren alone on the couch. She sat pensively as if she was pondering world peace. He loved her like this. However, usually she started asking questions he couldn't answer.


Finding his seat beside her he fell into her arms, "What's up?" Lauren shook her head, waiting for the inspiration. She wanted the words to fall in her lap. She knew they'd never come. That it would be better to just spit it out. "I'm--" But before she could finish the sentence the house exploded.



It wasn't a fire explosion. No. It was the all the doors breaking open, the windows falling shortly behind. Derik shoved Lauren to the floor and covered her. She knew it was instinct, but it hurt her and the baby. Lauren heard Brooke scream in Nathan's room. Black dressed people swarmed the room, "POLICE, GET ON THE GROUND!"

Thoughts swarmed Lauren's head as the baby kicked in protest. Why were they here? They couldn't be in the right place. "Leland Currior, you're under arrest," a blonde said wrapping handcuff's around Derik's wrist, "for robbery of First Bank of Sunset Valley and as potential suspect of fourteen other robbies."

Thoughts and memories flooded Lauren as the blurry images of grainy silhouettes became clear images of Derik. She wasn't sure if she should cry or run after him.


Just as the blonde hauled Derik off the premises, Lauren went in to labor.

My favorite preggo pic....

9.6

Brooke didn't like this Derik. She felt like things didn't add up, and although Lauren loved him, Brooke was sure Derik didn't return the favor. But no amount of proof would steer Lauren away. Ah to be young and in love!

Slowly the nights out with Derik became nights in as the two started hanging out more and more at each others homes. Lauren didn't mind it waking up next to him either.

Brooke soon went into labor, and the baby looked exactly like his father. Brooke named him Nathan.



Even though he was different, Nathan was well loved in the house. Brooke had watched her nieces grow from a distance, so she knew children grew fast. But it was a completely different feeling when it was your own child. And boy did he grow quickly.

During the day, Lauren continued her search for the bank robber. Tapping cell phones and hidden cameras placed in public spaces and banks. Sometimes she would squint at the only picture she had of the robber, a grainy surveillance shot, hoping to get clues or ideas.



At night, Lauren would seek comfort in Derik's arms. She'd lay next to him, her eyes traveling his face trying to memorize the lines. She'd always feel the most connected to him at times like these. They were connected on so many levels. That's how she knew it had to be true love. It wasn't just a physical bond because they hadn't reached that point. And tonight as they laid in each others arms, she'd never wanted anything as much as she wanted him.

Finally they explored the last level.