*21st December 1988*

*The penultimate day of the holiday, and the day before Becky's 24th birthday*

It's nearly my birthday! I'm so excited! But, 24 years old? Wow, time goes fast. I still remember my childhood birthdays, they were filled with such happiness, and I was grateful for something as simple as a pack of crayons or something.

I had my mum and my dad there with me, and I haven't told Michael that they're dead yet.

I haven't told you guys, either. But now I have.

I have brothers, but they never talk to me, not since mum and dad died when I was 13.

I guess I also forgot to tell you how they died. It was in a car crash. Seems pretty cliché, doesn't it? But yeah, that's how it happened.

They were going over to.. I try to remember where they were going to, I just can't. But they were going there for some sorta business trip.

My mum was a lawyer. My dad was an accountant. They were quite rich. They loved me and my brothers, but they decided to give everything they owned to charity.

I mean, except for their house. My brothers live in that. They're single. Well, I'm guessing. I'm not too sure.

I'll tell Michael about mum and dad today. I think I owe it to him for him to know.

But, here I am, giving you my life story. I've had a long time to tell you that. But now you know, I'd like to forget about it.

It's my birthday tomorrow! I wonder what Michael's gonna do for me.. I need to stop making assumptions, just take it as it comes.

At the moment, we're in the hotel room. I'm sitting on the bed, Michael is next to me, hugging me from the side.

We're looking at the baby scan photo.

"He's gorgeous, isn't he?" I say, stroking my thumb against the photo. Michael kisses my cheek.

"He takes after you. and.. it's your birthday tomorrow!" he changes the subject.

"I know--oh, baby's kicking," I chuckle, feeling Ryder's little feet press against the inside of my stomach.

It feels wonderful. It's indescribable how wonderful it feels knowing I'm going to be a mother.

Michael smiles and places his hand on my stomach.

"I can feel it," he says excitedly.

He places his head by my stomach, and kisses it.

"Ryder, pal, we've waited for four months. Nearly halfway through. I'm so excited to meet you, little one. You're gonna be wonderful, like your mother," Michael says to Ryder.

The kicking stops and Michael brings up his head from my stomach.

"I'd love to be a mother. I'm so excited for it," I say quietly.

Michael looks over at me.

"I can't wait to be a father. I've been just a son for too long, as I'm sure you've just been a daughter for too long," Michael says.

I shake my head. I'm kinda glad this conversation has come up.

"Actually, no. I'm not a daughter to anyone," I say. Michael gives a puzzled look.

"What about your parents--"

"They died, Michael. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you before. I guess.. I think I just forgot to tell you after everything that's happened lately."

My voice is trailing off, I can feel tears in my eyes. Michael embraces me.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know. I feel so bad now, I wish I hadn't brought the whole parent thing up."

"No, it's ok. It's been 11 years," I say quietly.

"11 years? You were.. 12 or 13?" Michael says.

"Thirteen," I reply. Michael sighs.

"I'm sorry," Michael apologises. "But maybe being a mother yourself will take your mind off the sadder things.."

I sigh. "I know. Anyway, it's my birthday soon, I'm having a child, and I'm with my dream man. I'm happy about that, ok?"

"That's it. Just stay happy. Smile. You've got a good life, but I've got a better one because I have you," he smiles. "Do you wanna go out today?"

"Can we just stay in for the day today? I'm still feeling a little tired," I reply. Michael nods.

"Of course. Anything you want, baby. But I will have to go out and get your birthday present at some point. And, before you say anything, yes, I already know what I'm getting you!" he explains. I nod.

"Left it a little late, aintcha? Ha, I'm just kidding, I don't mind. You didn't have to get my anything really," I say gratefully.

Michael kisses my forehead.

"In fact, I'm gonna go get it now," he says.

He stands up from the bed.

"I'll be back in an hour, tops," he promises, before bending down and kissing my lips.

He grabs his jacket and heads out the door.

"I love you," he says.

"I love you too," I say.

He closes the door. Right, an hour on my own. What could I possibly do?

Oh yeah, sleep.

I close my eyes and snuggle into the pillows and blanket. It's so comfortable. Jeesh.

*1 hour later..*

"Baby? I'm home," I hear that angelic, soft voice greeting me.

I open my eyes.

"Oh, that hour went quickly," I say.

I must admit, as much as I love Michael, it was nice to get some sleep without feeling guilty that I'm not giving him attention. He's too gorgeous to ignore! Ha..

"You got my present?" I ask with a smile.

"Of course. But no openy-openy until tomorrow!" Michael chuckles mockingly.

I grab a pillow and hit him upside the head with it. He falls back onto the bed.

"Oh, that's what's going down, huh?" he says, before taking a new pillow and hitting me over the head with it.

I try to deflect my head with my pillow, but damn, Michael is good at this!

"Hey!" I squeal as Michael hits me again.

This means war.

I grab another pillow, so that I have one in each hand. I swirl them around my head and squeal like some sorta Kung fu master. This makes Michael laugh and he drops his pillow on the floor.

"Oh crap!" he laughs, before trying to run and get his pillow.

But I'm too quick, and I grab it. I have three now.

"Yeah, it is 'oh crap!' isn't it? Ha! Got you!" I giggle, hitting him three times over.

He is forced to protect himself with just his hands now. This is hilarious.

"You'll never defeat me, puny human!" I laugh.

I force Michael onto the bed. He's lying on his back. I climb onto the bed and sit on his stomach.

"Well now I can't move," he says.

"I realised that. There is only one way that you'll ever move again," I say.

Michael pouts. "What's that?"

"You gotta give me the most magical kiss of your life. No crappy ones, ok?" I challenge him. He nods.

"Ok. Get ready for this," he says.

I sit back and get ready.

"Ok, whenever you're ready," I say.

I close my eyes, and then I feel it. The lips. Those perfect lips of his.

He kisses my passionately, it's certainly good, but, hmm.. should I spare his life?

I feel his hands roaming round my neck and hair. He ruffles my hair violently and brings one hand down my back, making me shiver. I force us both down onto the bed, so I'm lying on top of Michael.

Yeah, ok, so I admit, this is the most magical kiss ever.

This kiss is so intense, passionate, romantic, sexy..

"Bonjour, room service?" a female French accent cuts our kiss short.

We whip our heads round to see a old-ish looking woman, carrying a recycling rubbish bag and a mop. We both immediately blush like crazy.

How long has she been standing there?

"Uh.. oui. M-Merci," Michael stutters.

I try to stifle a laugh. He looks so embarrassed, bless him.

The woman gets to work, cleaning the room and folding everything up neat. I look over at Michael.

"How long do you think she was standing there for?" I ask in a whisper.

Michael looks at me. "I don't know. But she looked very shocked when we finally did notice her."

"I know.. Let's finish this after she's gone," I say with a laugh.

The woman soon finishes, and leaves the room with a smile and a wave.

Michael drags me back onto the bed, making sure I stay on top of him.

"Oh no, I'm stuck. Isn't that so sad? Well, I guess we have to kiss to set me free! Such a.. shame," Michael says, trailing off, making the realism of the comment less.. realistic.

I chuckle and lean my head by Michael's.

"I guess it does mean that," I say, before letting my lips touch his.

The magical kissing takes place again, the touching, the passion, all that jazz.

But then, I feel a thump on the head.

It isn't painful, it's more.. cushiony.. or.. pillowy.

"Michael!" I chuckle, taking the pillow he just hit me with, off my head.

"I win," he says triumphantly.

I take another pillow and bash him over the head with it.

"Don't think so," I smirk. Michael sighs.

"Ok, alright. You win this one. But I'll win something tomorrow," he says.

"I don't think you'll win anything tomorrow," I say wittily.

Michael nuzzles my cheek and kisses my lips once. He allows me to sit on his lap, and I gaze into his eyes.

He then says quietly and seductively;
"Oh, I think I will win something."