'Savannah! It's you! OMG!' Tatum squealed euphorically.

Savannah had barely opened the passenger door, when Tatum was smothering her with a bear hug. Ross stood there laughing. He'd come to assist Savannah out of the car, but his baby sister beat him to it.

'Oh, you don't know how happy this makes me,' Tatum tugged non -stop on Savannah's arms.

'I can see so,' Savannah laughed. 'Please don't pull my arms out of their sockets,' Savannah grinned.

'Oh right  ... sorry,' Tatum gushed.

Savannah looked around and saw Ross' parents at the front entrance, waiting for her. Ross was now proudly standing next to his dad, patiently awaiting his fiancée. Sadie and her husband John came down to greet Savannah.

'Savannah,' Sadie laughed. 'Congratulations, we are so happy for you and Ross,' Sadie hugged her. 'And we're very thrilled it's you our brother has chosen,' Sadie whispered conspirationally in Savannah's ear.

Savannah laughed nervously. She was trying to get to Ross's parents.

'Congratulations,' John grinned from ear to ear. 'Glad to have some company here. I feel out-numbered by the Templetons,' he laughed.

'Thank you,' Savannah smiled.

'Come on up, Savannah,' Ross urged impatiently.

'Coming,' she responded, heaving a huge breath, as she made her way to Ross.

Tatum's arm was attached to Savannah's in a show of moral support. Savannah smiled at Tatum, trying to draw from her robust energy.

'Dad, mum,' Ross curved his arm possessively around Savannah's waist. 'My fiancée, you know her name already,' he laughed.

'Hi,' Savannah greeted nervously, making eye contact with each of them individually.

'Welcome to the family, dear,' Gemma Templeton smiled invitingly. 'Thank you,' she gripped Savannah's hands tightly. 'We are very, very happy for our son,' her eyes lifted adoringly to Ross.

'Welcome,' Jack Templeton, hugged Savannah. 'We're very proud to have you as our daughter,' he smiled warmly.

'Thank you sir,' Savannah was almost in tears.

'None of that formality,' he draped his arm casually on her shoulder. 'We are Jack and Gemma to you,' he smiled.

Savannah's eyes reached out to Ross, needing his support. He did not disappoint, lovingly draping his arm around her waist. Feeling the unnecessary tension in her body, Ross placed a brief, but encouraging kiss on her cheek. His eyes smiling into hers, supportively.

'Shall we start the fire Ross?' Jack enquired of his son.

'Sure,' Ross reluctantly disengaged his arms from around Savannah's waist. 'You're okay with that?' Ross murmured in her ear.

'Yeah,' she looked up and smiled, her fingers pressing into Ross's before she released him.

'Your folks must be as excited as we are,' Gemma laughed.

Savannah smiled. Ross, not one for conventional protocol, had called her dad, telephonically making the formal application to wed Savannah. Ross had also demanded she call her folks earlier that afternoon and inform them that they would be visiting during the following weekend. Her parents were very old school. They were immensely proud of their eldest child. She had done them proud.

'Yes they are delighted,' Savannah smiled.

'Can I steal Savannah for a few minutes please?' Tatum tugged her arm into Savannah's again.

Relieved for the intervention, Savannah smiled gladly. She would much rather spend some time with Tatum. She could not think of any conversation to have with the senior Templetons...her future in-laws.

'No problem,' Gemma smiled.

'Go on ahead, make Savannah feel right at home,' Jack encouraged.

Six months later...

'Hi, Mrs. Burton,' Savannah smiled shyly. 'Ross is expecting me.'

She still could not get her head around the fact that she was no longer Ross's secretary, that she was now his fiancée. Savannah especially liked Mrs. Burton ... no threat because she was happily married for thirty two years, with salt and pepper hair. She was a doting grandma to three grandchildren and she displayed a growing affection for her young boss's wife to be.

After firing a string of secretaries, Savannah had insisted Ross keep Mrs. Burton, more for her own envious insecurities than her efficacy; however Mrs. Burton proved her mettle, with her efficient, professional manner and managed her young employer with considerable finesse.

Surprisingly, even Ross adored, dear Mrs. Burton because he got his coffee on the hour, although Mrs. Burton took to substituting his coffee for tea on some occasions and found it untouched. Ross would not utter a word, instead he would quietly drink mineral water from his refrigerator. She had a soft spot for Ross, did Mrs. Burton justifying that her young boss hardly had any vices and subsequently stopped rationing his coffee.

Ross was also pleased that nothing was misfiled. Oh and Ross only used the intercom to relay information to the aged Mrs. Burton, he never summoned her to his office, instead he took to getting some exercise and rather did the walking to her desk.

'You're looking lovelier each day I see you dear,' Mrs. Burton smiled approvingly at Savannah. She knew her young boss was going to get married in a few months time, although the date had not been set as yet. 'How did the exams go?'

'Fine, fine,' Savannah smiled, looking moderately distracted.

'Go right ahead,' she winked. 'He just buzzed me a minute ago, asking if you've arrived.'

'Thank you,' Savannah smiled and rushed into her man's office.

'Ross,' Savannah ran into his arms before he was barely out of his seat. He still made her heart beat faster than normal. She still found it difficult to tear her eyes away from his attractive body.

Ross's eyes glowed indulgently. She looked radiant this morning he thought. There was understandably a glowing sparkle about her, and he knew exactly why.

'Okay, tell me about your distinctions?' He grinned, pinning her into his arms and kissing her on the lips. Ross found it difficult to keep his hands of Savannah. He always found every excuse to touch her. He was still madly jealous, every time other men lustfully looked at his lady.

Ross knew, she'd come to tell him, she'd passed. He already knew of the six subjects Savannah sat for, she achieved four distinctions, and the other two she'd missed by a single percentage point. But he was going to allow Savannah her moment of glory.

'"Distinctions?'"

'Yes darling, your results came out today.'

'Oh ... I have not checked yet.'

'Why ever not?' he laughed.

'Because I have better news than that?' she smiled ecstatically, wrapping her arms around his neck.

'Oh?' Ross quirked an eyebrow. 'You've already agreed to marry me. I know you've passed your exams. What can be better?'

Ross had convinced or was it coerced her three months ago to move in with him. She'd reluctantly given up the apartment and succumbed to his persuasion. She had preferred to stay on her own until they married, but Savannah had always had a problem saying no to Ross, especially since he was so loving and demonstrative, showering her with affection every opportunity he could. How could she deny him anything? After he'd heard she was still paying the mortgage on her parents' home, he'd demanded the property details and had settled the bank. Her parents were now proudly in possession of the title deed. She lifted her hazel eyes to his violet ones.

'You're going to be a daddy,' she smiled elatedly.

Savannah watched the flight of emotions cross his face. First, there was surprise, then instant jubilation as his eyes lit up and the broadest grin she had ever seen covered his face from ear to ear.

'You've been to see a doctor?' He lifted her up and twirled her around and around. 'Why didn't you take me with you?'

'Ross,' she laughed softly. 'Put me down, you're going to make me dizzy.'

'Oh sorry,' he gently lowered her onto the infamous settee where he'd taken her innocence.

'What can I get you?'

'Tea?

A pillow?

Have you eaten?'

'Ross Templeton!'

'Yes ...?'

For the first time in the two years and some that she knew the man, he was speechless, in a state of shock, and indecision.

'Come and sit next to me,' she smiled patting the seat next to her.

'Okay,' he smiled, gently lowering himself next to Savannah. His eyes radiated with love and joyous expectation as his hand gently closed over her belly.

'I have not been to the doctor,' she placed her small hand over his giant one. 'My period was late ... by like three weeks. So I bought a home kit. It was positive.' Her eyes met his, she smiled.

'But ... but it may not be accurate. I must take you to the doctor. Mrs Burton can make an app ...'

'I know how to make an appointment Ross,' she laughed. 'Besides, my body is telling me I'm pregnant,' she opened the buttons of her shirt and lifted Ross's hand to her sensitive breast. He immediately shifted his hand away at the slight wince on her face.

'I'm not in pain,' she whispered softly, 'just ... a little tender.'

'Right ... right. What must I do? I want to do something for you, my precious wife to be,' he lifted Savannah into his arms, cradled her indulgently as he exchanged a sensuous kiss with his fiancée.

'We have to get married,' Savannah announced, pulling away to catch her breath. His kisses still left her breathless.

'We are getting married,' he reminded her.

'I mean before the baby comes,' she looked up. 'I'm old fashioned. I want to be married first.'

He smiled. Yes she was. He knew that first hand. A virgin at twenty eight and he loved her all the more for it. Plus he had had to really use all his powers of persuasion to convince her to move in with him. Initially she had categorically refused, though his charming powers of persuasion could be irresistible and she'd eventually succumbed.

'Will your dress be ready in a month?' Ross knew she had been looking at wedding gowns and was talking to designers.

'I think so,' Savannah smiled.

'You have a blank check,' his fingers brushed her cheek tenderly. 'Spare no expenses.' What should I do?' he asked again.

'Leave everything to me. Just get to the church on time,' she laughed.

'I'm always on time,' he mumbled.

'Oh. So who's made me late for my lessons a few times in the last month and whose fault was it you were late for your meeting with your bank manager yesterday?'

Ross looked away sheepishly. He seemed to have an insatiable appetite for her body. He would make love to her at night and just when she'd want to get out of bed, Ross would plead with her to stay five more minutes in bed, and five minutes turned to twenty minutes before she could satisfy his vociferous appetite. She was amazed at his constantly aroused libido.

'Shall I make an appointment with the doctor for tomorrow?' Savannah cupped his face.

'Why not today?' He looked at his watch. It was not yet lunch time.

Savannah would have preferred not to make unnecessary demands to her doctor's receptionist. Ross Templeton on the other hand clicked his fingers and expected the earth to stop rotating on its axis.

'Give me your doctor's number,' Ross instructed, seeing her reluctance. His fiancée was too soft and accommodating.

'Tomorrow is just a few hours away, Ross. We'll go in the morning,' she pleaded.

He gazed into her endearing face. She was not ill, infact she looked healthy and was radiantly glowing.

'First thing in the morning,' he instructed. 'Now, should I get Sadie to assist you? I don't want you exhausting yourself.'

'I will call Sadie,' Savannah answered. 'I'm not doing anything strenuous, you know.'

'I want to wrap you up in cotton wool,' Ross groaned, drawing her tightly up against his chest. 'I used to remember mum tell Sadie, "the first trimester is a very delicate stage of the pregnancy, because Sadie could not sit still for two minutes,' Ross laughed, affectionately, thinking about his sibling.

'I don't want any harm to come to our baby,' she whispered, cradling his face in her palms 'so I promise, I will take care.'

'Nor do I want any harm to come to you,' he growled hoarsely. 'You are my life,' his arms tightened around her.

She kissed him tenderly. 'How about I leave you to get on with your work?' Savannah stood up.

'Why don't we go over to your folks this weekend?' Ross stole his arms around her waist. 'We haven't been to them in like three months.'

Savannah looked away. Ross was very close to his own family. He saw his parents at least once a week. Most Sundays Ross and Savannah enjoyed an extended lunch at her future in laws lovely mansion.

Since Savannah had moved in with Ross, they'd visited her folks, but had never stayed over. They'd often spent the day and left in the evening.

'Savannah?'

She sighed heavily. 'If we go,' she murmured, 'we can't sleep together.'

'What!'

'Ross we can't,' she escaped out of his arms, her cheeks crimson. 'It's not proper.'

"'Not proper!"' he laughed. 'We're getting married. You're pregnant.'

'Still ... my parents will be uncomfortable ...'

'Nonsense,' Ross threw his head back and laughed. 'Listen darling your parents have had sex at least twice.'

'Ross!'

He sobered. 'We're sleeping together,' he instructed. ''I am never sleeping without you in my bed, whether it's your parent's home or mine or wherever and that is final.'

She was never going to win this one particular argument, she knew that emphatically.

'I'll see you at home,' she mumbled, attempting to leave.

'Why don't we go out to lunch?' Ross detained her in his arms.

'Aren't you busy?'

'I have to eat,' he smirked.

'Okay then,' she smiled, lacing her hands into Ross's.

'So we'll leave to Miami on Friday evening,' Ross informed Savannah.

'Why don't we leave on Saturday morning and return in the evening,' she groaned softly

'I can't wait to tell your folks we're going to have a baby,' Ross beamed.

'I can wait,' she mumbled.

Ross laughed, 'just think after this weekend, you will have nothing to fear.'

'Where are we going to eat?' She tugged his arm, dragging him out of his office.

'How about that little Italian place you love?'

'Yes thanks,' they strolled hand in hand to Mrs. Burton.

'I'm taking my fiancée to lunch Mrs. Burton.'

'Enjoy it,' she smiled. 'Be back in time for your two thirty appointment,' she reminded him.

'Will do,' Ross nodded and ushered Savannah out, with his arm possessively around her waist.

9 Months later

Savannah thought her burgeoning waist would detract his desire for her...on the contrary her husband relished every change in her body with possessive enthusiasm. His eyes never failed to demonstrate his love, and love making always left her ...breathless

Savannah gave birth to a gorgeous baby girl ... the splitting image of her pretty mummy, but surprisingly with a thick chunk of spiky blonde hair and gorgeous blue eyes, clearly paternal genes. It was evident she was going to be strikingly beautiful with her lanky frame, porcelain complexion, attractive bone structure and she had her father gushing.

Ross lifted his bundle of joy from the hospital cot and cradled her in his arms.

'At what age can I put her on the pill?' Ross demanded.

Savannah laughed. 'Well, if she's anything like her mum, you'll have nothing to worry about.'

Ross's eyes shifted adoringly to his wife, lying on bed, she was looking tired, but she refused to sleep, she wanted to bond with their angelic little baby who was born by a relatively easy natural birth process, only four hours ago.

'Perhaps more important right now,' Savannah smiled, 'is a name for our daughter.'

'You have no suggestions?' Ross smiled, enquiringly.

Savannah shrugged, her eyes smiling.

'How about Madeline?' Ross suggested.

Savannah's eyes dipped. She looked away. For some reason she had not settled on any name before her daughter's birth. Thousands of names had crossed her mind...boys and girls name, for they had not wanted to know the sex of their child before hand, but no boy or girl's name had held enough appeal.

'You don't like it?' Ross asked softly, noting his wife's silence.

Savannah looked up uncomfortably, 'do you ... know somebody by that name?'

What she really wanted to know is if he had a past lover name "Madeline."
God alone knew he had had a string of women a mile long.

'I've not had a girl friend or lover called Madeline, if that's the real question you're not asking,' he chuckled softly.

Savannah looked away embarrassed.

Ross lowered himself onto her bed, still cradling his little girl. 'I just think it sounds adorable for my daughter,' his fingers caressed Savannah's face.

'Then, I like it too,' she whispered.

'And I love you, Savannah. Thank you for blessing me with a gorgeous little daughter,' his eyes welled with tears.

'I love you too,' she murmured, reaching towards him, so she could kiss his lips. 'I want to be discharged,' Savannah groaned, clinging to Ross.

'You've only just given birth,' Ross laughed. 'At least try and get some sleep for a few hours.'

'No,' she smiled. 'I'm too happy to sleep right now.'

'We have the rest of our lives together,' Ross grinned.

'And I intend to keep my eyes opened for all of it,' she laughed softly.

'My wife, you have made me the happiest man in the world.'

'As I am,' she murmured against his lips as she captured her husband's lips in a passionate kiss.

               -The End -