*23rd March 1989*

It's been a week since me and Michael started our 'perfect' life again. We've started making a nursery in the spare room, we've painted the room a sweet green colour, so that if Janine's child is a girl, it won't be a colour in favour of just one of the children.

We've also booked a venue for the wedding reception, and we've booked the church.

Remember how I told Janet that we'd meet up without any guys? Well, that's today.

"I'll only be a few hours, Michael!" I chuckle, trying to prise him off me.

He's currently holding onto my arm like a toddler that refuses to let his mum go.

"Promise me you'll give me cuddles and kisses once you're back?" he begs innocently.

I giggle softly, and finally manage to get him off me.

"Of course! And who knows, maybe it'll be more.."

I wink, which Michael clearly finds attractive.

"Oh, in that case, you better go. I can't wait for you to come back, now."

I grab my coat from the coat rack. "Like I said, it'll only be a few hours."

I head towards the door, Michael following me.

"Hurry back," he says seductively, before kissing my lips.

I still love his lips, so much.

"Oh, I will, but remember this is your sister I'm seeing. Chances are, Ryan could be there."

"Yeah, maybe. Or maybe he'll just be at home, lonely like me."

I slap his arm playfully. "Don't make me feel bad for having a life, Michael!"

Michael smirks.

"Sorry! Anyway, you go! Have fun! Wherever you're going.."

"Oh, we're just going out a little while. Into town," I say, slipping my coat on. Michael nods.

"Alright, anyway, go! I love you."

"I love you too."

Michael bends down and kisses my lips once again, and I head out the door. Me and Janet are meeting in town, by the toy shop.

I get there, about 10 minutes later. It's 10:40am. I meet Janet in 5 minutes.

I need to meet the rest of Michael's family, properly. I've only met them at a couple of special occasions, and that was only for a few minutes. The only person I've met properly that isn't Janet is Katherine, Michael's mother.

And Michael's already met my only family member, Ryan. Kinda dating his sister, remember?

Janet shows up a few moments later, smiling at me like the Cheshire Cat.

"Cozzy! How are you, my girl?" she asks.

She called me Cozzy.. like Emma calls me.

"Hey, I'm great, how are you?" I reply. Janet smirks.

"It's me and Ryan's 3 month anniversary tomorrow, remember? December 24th, Christmas Eve we got together last year, it's March now!"

"Of course, yeah! So, where is Ryan?"

"Ahh, he's gone out with the Jax boys."

"Oh, right. I didn't realise he was so close to them."

"Yeah, remember? He knows them."

"I know.. where they gone to?"

"Not sure, probably drinking as usual. Anyway, let's go!"

"Where you wanna go first?" I ask.

Janet takes a moment to think.

"Could go shopping, the coffee shop, then.. we'll see where that takes us!"

"Ok, let's go."

We walk around multiple clothes shops, a couple toy shops, and some furniture places. Just random places, really. We come to the coffee shop.

"What you wanna drink?" Janet asks.

"Oh, no, I'll pay," I say, taking out my purse.

Janet pushes my purse back into my bag.

"What.. you.. wanna.. drink?" she asks again, with a chuckle.

I sigh. "I don't mind. Just not coffee, thanks."

"Alright, I'll surprise you!"

She walks to the counter, and I sit down at the table.

With less than two months, in fact, a month and a half, until Ryder comes along, I'm huge. I'll be glad when he's born, at least then, I'll have a little more freedom when it comes to daily life.

Janet comes back, with a tray. It has a coffee, a plate with two cookies, and a strawberry milkshake on it. The milkshake better be mine. Now I think about it, I'm craving one.

"And here's your drink," Janet hands me the milkshake.

Yes, result!

I take it causally and take a sip, which ends up making me drink three quaters of it in one go.

"Girl, you thirsty or somethin'?" Janet asks with a chuckle. I nod.

"Yeah! Don't ask why! Probably cravings, stupid pregnancy," I sigh with a chuckle.

"Less than two months now, isn't it?" she asks.

"Sure is. God, I'm so scared about it all. I've told Michael this, too. It's gonna really hurt, isn't it? It's gonna hurt giving birth to the poor little guy," I say nervously.

Janet strokes my back sympatetically.

"Look, you'll be fine. Michael will be there for ya, and.. just keep the knowledge that you're gonna be bringing your child into the world, in your head, right?"

"Yeah, I know," I finish the last quater of my drink, and push it forward on the table a little.

"You liked that?"

"Yeah.. but, we've also got the wedding to plan for and everything, it's a lotta work!" I say.

"Well, you've got the venues sorted, haven't you?"

"Yes, we have. And the wedding's gonna be on April 21st, so we're cutting it a bit fine with Ryder.. says if he's premature, then we're screwed!"

My tone is jokey, but I'm genuinely concerned that'll really happen. Could it?

"I doubt it'll be cutting it fine, Becky. You'll be fine getting married, ok? Don't you worry none," Janet assures me. I nod.

"Anyway, seeing as you've done, why don't we go?"

Janet takes her cookie from the tray, and hands me mine. I take a nibble of it. I haven't had cookies for like, over a year!

Not since my college days, before I walked to school.

Ah, college. When everything seemed so tough, but now I look back and it's the easiest crap I've ever faced in life.

Since those days, my life has changed so much. I met Michael, we got together, Daniel died, Rachel died, I found out I was pregnant, Michael and I went to Paris, where Michael proposed to me, Janine comes into our life and BOOM! Everything is crazy.

Me and Janet walk outside, nibbling our cookies. We both eventually finish them.

"Well, we've still got at least a half hour, let's go hang in the park," Janet says.

The park? I haven't been in there properly since Daniel died and Rachel shot me..

*Flashback*

"You're gonna die!" Daniel screams, placing his hand over the trigger.

"Daniel! Stop!" Kieran cries, pushing Daniel violently.

I cry out in shock, mental pain taking over. This is awful, I hope never to witness something like this again.. I'm in shock!

Michael embraces me.

But it's too late. It's all too late. There's no going back now.

BANG!

*End of flashback*

I follow Janet into the park, not telling her about the events that took place there.

We sit on the swings, and I look over at the spot.. the spot Daniel and I were shot in. The last time I saw him alive. And all because I faked my love for him..

*Flashback*

"I thought you'd wanna be with your boyfriend, why don't we stay here?" Rachel asks.

"Well, that's very sweet of you, isn't it, Daniel?" I turn to face him.

"It sure is. Very sweet," he replies, bringing his face closer to mine.

We're about to kiss! Damn! His lips are so close. I can feel the warmth of his skin against me, and the lips won't be long.

I close my eyes, waiting for the torture. But it never comes. I open my eyes.

"But.. her boyfriend isn't here,'" he says, pulling himself away from me.

"Huh? Yes he is, he's right here, in front of me!" I say, pointing at him.

"No, child. He isn't. I know you don't love me. I know you love Michael. And you've hurt me one too many times," he says, dragging me outside.

It's dark out, as it's about 7:30pm now. I try to scream.

"Help me! Help!" I cry, hoping someone will be there to help.

I hear Michael's pained voice.

'"Becky!" he cries, but his voice is muffled.

What's happening to Michael?

"Michael!" I cry once again.

I'm still being dragged. I feel myself fall to the ground. Muddy, grassy ground. We're at the park.

I try to stand myself up, but Daniel keeps my body down. Michael isn't too far behind, he's being dragged by some people.. oh god. No!

The whole gang of The Jax are here! They throw Michael to the floor by me, and I immediately let Michael embrace me.

"How did this happen?" I cry, clutching Michael for dear life.

"I don't know.." he says.

I look up to find Daniel in my face.

"I know you don't love me," he growls.

"I do! Why would I pretend to love you?" I ask, my voice cracking from tears.

"I don't know! You tell me!" he demands.

His hands are in his pocket, his face is angered. We're busted.

"It's over," I say to Michael sadly.

"I know, they've found out," he says.

Daniel walks closer to me. He buries his head deep down into my neck.

"And a love bite, too. Not done by me," he says.

How can he even see that?

"No! You did it!" I lie. Daniel scoffs.

"I don't think I did, Costello. Just admit it, it's all over now," he says, a sly look on his face.

"Yes, ok! It's all over! But who says I'm not bad, huh?" I ask.

Daniel looks into my eyes.

"I never said you weren't bad. But I bet this will disagree," he says, before removing his hand from his pocket.

Oh my.. this isn't real, surely..? He.. he..

He's got a gun, and he's pointing it at my head.

I'm gonna die.

*End of flashback*

"Becky..? Becky!"

I shake my head to rid my trance, and see Janet looking at me.

"Yes?" I demand.

Janet shakes her head, laughing.

"Girl, you were deep in thought, there."

"I wasn't.."

"You ignored me for 15 minutes straight!"

What? Is that even possible?

"Sorry.. this place gives me the creeps.." I say.

"How come?"

"This is where Daniel got shot, and me."

"Oh, why didn't you say? C'mon, we'll go home," Janet forces me out the park, and walks me home.

"We'll get together with Emma soon, talk Bridesmaid business," Janet says. I nod.

"Sounds great. Thanks for today. It's been fun."

"That's alright. See you soon, girl."

"Yeah. See ya, Janet."

I enter the house, and Michael is waiting.

"Cuddles and snuggles, now, baby?" he asks seductively.

I smile and nod.

"Yes, Michael. Cuddles and snuggles. With my King and Prince."

We walk upstairs, and get into bed.

Hmm, cuddles and snuggles are just what I need right now.