Nathan's POV

Lilly has been asleep for about an hour when mom comes in. I know my mom would be okay with Lilly working fewer hours for her health and the babies. I hear her knock, and then I hear her voice.

"Hey sweetheart, how's my girl doing?"
I quickly came out of the kitchen to meet her.

"Shh, she is upstairs asleep. She was exhausted when she came home so I took her up to bed."
"That poor girl. She has been through so much."
"I know, and I want her to take some time to herself. Would you be okay if she cut her hours?"

"Yes, I totally would be fine with that. She needs to take care of herself and the baby. Listen, while I have you, I was planning on her baby shower this weekend. I have everything planned and the guest list made."
"Mom, you didn't have to do that. We have everything we need."
"Oh stop, that girl needs to be celebrated. Every woman wants a shower. I want her to feel loved."
"She is mom."
"Why haven't you told her then?"
"It's complicated."
"No, it's not. I know you love her son. She loves you too. I can see it in both of you. Don't be afraid of it."

"I can't help it, but enough about me. When do you want us there?"
"Saturday at three, but don't tell her. I want it to be a surprise."
"Alright, we will be there, but you don't have to do this."
"Yes, I do. Now just make an old lady happy."
I just roll my eyes as I walk into the kitchen to start getting things ready for dinner.

"Hey mom, do you want to stay for dinner?" I call out as I hear footsteps coming down the stairs,

"Hey Abby, good to see you." I hear her sweet voice float through the air.

"You too, sweetheart. How are you feeling?"
"Pretty good after that nap. So did Nathan tell you why he wanted you here this evening?"

"Not everything, just that you needed to cut back on your hours."

Lilly gives me a look and I just shrug my shoulders.

"I didn't think it was my story to tell."
"Thank you, Nate. We went for my check up today, and they said I have high blood pressure, so the doctor wants me to take it easy and go back in two weeks to recheck. If it hasn't gone down, then she is putting me on strict bed rest."

"Oh, you poor girl. Absolutely, take whatever time you need. We want you and my grandchild to be healthy and happy."
"Thank you, Abby."
"Mom, what have I told you?"
"Oh Nathan, if you can step up for this baby, then so can grandma. I can't wait to meet him."

I can see the tears that threaten to fall in Lilly's eyes as she walks over to hug my mom. I am so glad that my mom has accepted her and the baby. I just hope that this Saturday will go okay and she won't be upset about it. Dinner is finally ready, and we all sit down to eat. The evening is filled with light conversation and laughter. I am so glad that my mom and Lilly get along, and I am over the moon that she accepts us and the baby. I just hope that it doesn't break her heart when Lilly finds out who she truly is and will still let her in the baby's life, even if I can't be.

It's starting to get late, and my mom gets up to leave. She tells Lilly goodnight and gives her a hug. I walk her out to the car.

"Mom, are you sure about Saturday? I'm just worried if she will find her real family."

"Son, don't worry about it. That girl loves you and will always be here."
"You don't know that mom. She could have someone else in her life who loves her and is looking for her now."
"Don't you think he would have found her by now? If he truly loved her, he would move heaven and earth to find her."

"That's true mom, I know I would. I am just scared to lose her. I have fallen so hard for her, and it would just kill me."

"I can feel it in my heart that she is here to stay."
"I hope so. I love you, mom. Be safe going home."
"I love you too, baby boy. I'll talk to you later."
She climbs into her car and heads back home. I watch her until she is out of sight and walk back inside. I can't help but smile when I see Lilly in my kitchen, scratch that our kitchen, and Rufus at her feet hoping she drops something. I want to see here every day for the rest of my life. I want to wake up every morning to her smile and go to sleep every night with her wrapped in my arms. Is it wrong of me to hope that her nightmares are true and the man in them is gone, that she will stay with me? I walk in behind her as she stands at the kitchen sink washing dishes. I wrap my arms around her growing belly, rubbing it softly as I place my chin on her shoulder.

"You know you should be resting. I can take care of this."
"I know, but I need to help. You cooked dinner for us, so I should clean."
"I've got this baby. Go sit down and put your feet up. I'll be in, just a bit, and we can play your favorite game."

"Scrabble?"

"Yes, now go relax."
"Yes, sir."
"Grrr"
She begins to walk out to the living room and stops suddenly grabbing her belly, and I hear her groan.

"Are you okay, Lilly? Is it the baby?"
"I'm fine. He's just kicking my ribs. Come feel."
I quickly walk over, and she grabs my hand and places it where the baby is kicking.

"Wow, he has a strong kick."
"I know. That one really hurt."
I softly rub her belly and quietly talk to it.

"Little man, you've got to settle down. Momma needs her rest so you can grow. Ease up a little."
I kiss her cheek, and she smiles at me. She holds my hand against her belly and eventually I feel the kicking stops.

"I think he went back to sleep."
"Go get comfortable. I will be in soon."
She walks off to the living room and I go back to cleaning up. When I am done, I go in with her. I sit down next to her on the couch and pick up her feet, and begin to massage them. I hear little moans escape her lips. Calm down junior, she needs to rest.

"That feels so good. My feet have been aching all afternoon."
"You should have told me. I would have done this sooner."
"I know, but I don't want you to think I am too demanding."
"You know I don't. I just want you to be comfortable."
"Thank you, now let's get his game started so I can beat you again."
"Confident, are we?"
"I just know I will win."
I chuckle and shake my head as she plays her first word, and the rest of the night is filled with laughs and taunts, and of course, she wins most of them. I think she felt sorry for me and let me win once. This is something I really could get used to. Eventually, she starts to yawn, and I ask if she is tired. She begrudgingly says yes, and we head up to bed. We both change and crawl into bed together, and she tucks herself into my side as I wrap an arm around her.

"I love you Lilly."
I whisper as I kiss the top of her head. I hear her soft breathing and think she is asleep.

"I love you too, Mariano."
I tense quickly as I hear her call his name. This must be the man she sees every night in her dreams. Her subconscious still remembers, but will she someday?
The next couple of days go by quickly. I know she is getting stir crazy sitting around the house so much. She has been to work for a few hours. I take her there and bring her home at lunch. Mom let me know that I should bring Lilly to her house around three on Saturday. I hope that LIlly likes the surprise and is not too mad at me. I know she doesn't like people to fuss about her too much. She doesn't have many friends here, so I hope that it will be a great day for her. The day has arrived and we are getting ready to go.

"Lilly, are you about ready?"
"I am, but where are we going?"
"It's been a bit since we've been out together. Mom just wanted us to come over for a bit."

"Oh, that's nice of her. It's been a while since we've been to your mother's."
"Yes, and maybe we can go for a movie or something after?"
"I would like that."
We are both soon ready, and she looks amazing in a floral maxi dress that accentuates her beautiful belly. I lock up as we leave the house, and we drive over to my mom's As I pull in, I can see everyone has parked down the street, and the coast is clear for the moment. I quickly walk around and help Lilly out of the car and we walk inside. Mom comes out to greet us.

"There's my sweet girl. How about we go out back and enjoy the sunshine?"

She quickly takes Lilly's hand and leads her outback. As we walk out the door, we are hit with a loud surprise, and everyone that Lilly knows is standing in front of her. Her hands immediately fly to her mouth, and I can see the tears from her eyes. I quickly pulled her into me.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. Mom wanted to do this for you. If it is too much, we can go."
"No, it's absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much, Abby."

"Your welcome, darling. I just wanted to show you how much you are loved here."

"How are you feeling?" Judy, the nurse at her doctor's office asks.

"I'm feeling overwhelmed at the moment but great." Lilly exclaims.

"Congratulations, you two." Suzy adds. I can't believe she invited her. She is the waitress from the diner. We always sit at her table when we go and have become friends too. Abby has tried to include everyone that she knows, and have become friends with. My mom has tried so hard to show her how much she is loved here.

"Thank you, I can't believe so many people are here."Lilly admits.

"We all love you, Lilly. You are like a sister to me and Connor." Eric says as he walks over to us.

"Everyone asks about you at the shop, whenever you are not there." Abby says with a smile.

"Thank you so much!" Lilly answers with a smile.

"I told you that you are a part of the family here." I whisper in her ear. Everyone comes to talk to Lilly and give her hugs. She is amazed by all the love that is around her. The afternoon is filled with games and food and wonderful conversion. It's soon time for the gifts. Mom has set up a big chair for her to sit in, and we bring the gifts for her to open. As she opens them, I look up and see the last person I wanted to see. I quickly stand up and march over to her as she has come around the side of the house.

"What are you doing here? I thought I told you we are through."
"I heard your mother was having a shower for your bastard child. I wanted to come congratulate you and remind you of what you are missing. You could do so much better than that trash." Jennifer says with an evil smile on her face.
"I told you that we were through, and I didn't want to see you ever again."

I feel a small hand caress my arm and a soft voice come through.

"Come on baby. Don't waste your time with the filth. Let's get back to our friends. They are more important." Lilly says, trying to calm the situation.

"How dare you talk to me that way. You don't know who I am. I can make your life a living hell." Jennifer spits back.

"Please you couldn't hurt a fly. Now run along little girl, the adults are having a party and you're not invited." Lilly adds sweetly.

"Watch your back, you never know when something could happen to you."

I see Jennifer's lip form into an evil and I have had enough.

"Jennifer, that's enough. You were not invited and I don't know how you heard about this, but you need to leave, NOW!"
"Fine, I will go but be warned. You better watch your back Lilly, or do I call you Brianna?"

She quickly turns around and storms out. What the hell was that? Who is this Brianna? The only time I heard that name was when that stranger called her that. Are the two related somehow? Should I be worried about it?"
"Come on, let's get back. I don't want to think about her."
"That was kinda badass, you standing up to her, though." I say with a smirk.

"Thank you, now I need to go calm down."
"I'm sorry Lilly. I don't know how she found out?" My mother apologizes as we sit back down.

"She's just a jealous woman and wants what she can't have."
The rest of the afternoon goes great, and she opens her gifts and thanks everybody for them. I can see the day is wearing her down, and we tell everyone goodbye. I load up the car, and we head home.

"Did you have fun this afternoon?" I ask.

"It was amazing. Thank you for that." She says as she turns to me and smiles.

"It was all mom's idea. She has been planning it for weeks."
"I love your mom to pieces."
"She loves you too."
I turn to look at her for a second and this look of fear crosses her face.

"Nathan, watch out!"

I hear her scream as the car begins to spin and roll. I hadn't seen the suv that had run the red light as I started to pull into the intersection. All I saw was black as it hit my side. Eventually, the car comes to a stop on its side. Lilly is hanging unconscious still belted in her seat.

"Lilly, baby, wake up."
I try to move as a searing pain rips through my leg and up the left side of my body. I look up again as her door is ripped open, and I see a masked man cut her belt and drag her from the car.

"Lilly!!" I scream as my world goes black.