Chapter Nine

Rose’s flight was due in Monday afternoon. Sabrin and Lyssa went to the airport to meet her plane just after noon so they could get there on time. Rose Berry was almost the last person to disembark from her plane. She was carrying a rather large carry on and seemed to be struggling with it. Sabrin rushed forward to help his mother only to have her throw her arms around him and hug him tightly.

“Oh, son, I’ve missed you so much,” she smiled, clutching Sabrin to her. “Now, tell me where is the woman who is carrying my grandbabies?” she asked, turning to look for Lyssa.

Sabrin pulled Lyssa closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Here she is mom. Lyssa Page, my mother, Rose Berry.” Sabrin said, grinning at his mom.

Rose looked at Lyssa and smiled. "Let me get a good look at the woman who has captured my Sabrin’s heart."

"Sabrin’s told me so much about you," Lyssa smiled. "I'm so happy to finally meet you."

Rose embraced Lyssa and, while they hugged, told Lyssa, "Thank you for bringing such joy to my Sabrin. That makes me very happy."

"I love him very much," Lyssa replied.

"I can see that. I can see the love in both of your eyes." Rose turned to Sabrin. "So are we going to stay at the airport all day or are we going?" she teased.

Sabrin carried his mother's bags as the two ladies talked. Rose had many questions for Lyssa about her pregnancy. Once they arrived at the apartment they gave Rose a quick tour. Rose was very impressed. She could tell from the well stocked kitchen, lack of take out boxes and the organization of the supplies that Lyssa certainly knew her way around which already made her very different from Niki. Rose liked that. She had always thought of eating at restaurants as a treat - not something you do every night.

Lyssa told Sabrin and his mother about the plans she had to go shopping with her own mother. Lyssa would visit with her parents before everyone met back at the apartment for dinner later. Sabrin needed time alone with his mother, so he kissed her goodbye and told her to be careful. Once Lyssa was gone, Sabrin told his mother of a simple plan he had for his proposal. Rose was eager to help.

Lyssa and her mother did quite a lot of walking during their shopping trip before meeting up with her father once his business meeting had finished. Lyssa dropped them off by car at their hotel so they could freshen up while she drove back with groceries she had picked up along with other purchases. The doorman sent a man with her to help her carry up her things. Lyssa unlocked the door to the apartment and found a string of odd things lying on the floor. She tipped the man who had helped her, left the packages inside the door and went to retrieve the first item on the floor. It was a picture of her and Sabrin taken in Denver. It had been laying ten feet in front of the doorway. Two feet from that was the jersey Lyssa had bought Sabrin for the beer tour. Two feet from that was a flier from the tour. Leading towards the bedroom she shared with Sabrin, the items continued. Next was a picture of Sonny. Lyssa had no idea where this had come from. After that was her ticket stub from her first flight to meet Sabrin in New York, then the book she had given him about being a father. This was right outside the closed door to the bedroom. She opened the door to see a bouquet of roses on the little table just a bit from their bed. There was also a note and a suspicious looking box at the base of the vase. She picked up the note first. “All those things have led me to one conclusion. I want to marry you, Lyssa Page.” Tears were running down her face as she opened the tiny box.

"It belonged to my great-grandmother."

Lyssa turned to see Sabrin standing behind her smiling.

"It's beautiful," Lyssa managed to say as the tears continued to stream down her face.

"You haven't answered yet." Sabrin took the ring out of the box, dropped to one knee and took Lyssa's hand. "I love you more than anything, Lyssa. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

"I love you so much. Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!"

Sabrin slid the ring onto Lyssa's finger and kissed her hand. He stood up and took Lyssa in his arms. They kissed passionately. They heard a noise behind them and turned to see Rose, Aaron and Ruth standing in the doorway with big smiles on their faces.

"So everyone knew about this except me?" she said with mock indignation. Sabrin just smiled innocently and kissed her again. The group moved into the living room where hugs and kisses abounded.

Lyssa cooked dinner for everyone, but found herself staring at the beautiful ring on her finger. It was a platinum setting with three stones. Sabrin had told her that when his great-grandfather had given it to his great-grandmother, he had said the first of the two smaller stones was for the past, the second for the present and the large stone in the center was for the future. Sabrin told Lyssa that he could not have put it better.

"I'm so glad to see my Nana's ring in use. I'm very glad it has been given to a woman who will make my son happy." Rose Berry came up and put a hand on Lyssa's arm. She smiled with joy.

"It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I swear to you I will never cause you to regret allowing me to wear it," Lyssa vowed.

Rose grinned. "Any woman who can get my son going to Temple every week has my complete confidence."

“He seemed very eager to be involved in Temple now. Each time we’ve gone it’s put him in a wonderful mood. I love going with him. It gives us such a feeling of peace.” Lyssa looked thoughtful, but Rose just looked touched. It was so good to see a woman in her son’s life that she could care for. Rose looked down at Lyssa’s expanding waist. This was a blessing too.

Sabrin set the table while Lyssa finished preparing dinner. Aaron, Ruth and Rose were sitting together on the couch getting to know each other. Sabrin could not help but smile at the sight of his mother and Lyssa's parents talking and enjoying themselves. His mother had never said it, but he knew she had not liked Niki's parents but then he had not been too fond of them either. When Sabrin finished, he helped Lyssa bring the food to the table. Everything looked and smelled delicious.

"Rose, you’re in for a treat," Ruth smiled. "Our Lyssa is such a wonderful cook." Lyssa blushed at her mother's comment.

"I'm looking forward to trying everything. I could tell from just looking at the kitchen that you know your way around," she told Lyssa. "It was so nice not to see a bunch of take-out boxes in there." Sabrin smiled at her mother's obvious dig against Niki.

As they savored the meal, compliments from everyone were made on how delicious everything was. Lyssa was especially pleased Rose had enjoyed everything. After dinner, Lyssa started to clear away the dishes.

"You sit down and rest," Rose told her. "You worked so hard on this incredible meal, you deserve to relax with your parents. Sabrin and I will take care of the dishes."

Lyssa sat on the couch and tried to concentrate on talking about the evening but she had a hard time taking her eyes off the incredible ring on her finger.

In the kitchen, Rose and Sabrin were rinsing and loading the dishes into the dishwasher.

"That was a wonderful meal. Such a beautiful woman on the inside and out," Rose opined. "I can see from the way you look at her how much you love her. And she loves you. I can see it in her eyes too. It is so obvious to me that she is the one you were meant to be with. I am so happy for you, son."

Sabrin hugged his mother. "Thanks mom. I’m so glad you like Lyssa and her parents. I know you haven't always approved-"

"Sabrin, the past is the past. You don't worry about how I felt about certain people in the past. You concentrate on your present and future with Lyssa, okay?"

Sabrin smiled, hugging his mother once again. "I will," he promised. "I love you, mom."

"I love you. And I am so damned happy that I finally get to be a grandmother." Her face shone as she handed Sabrin a dish. He shook his head at her but smiled.

When Sabrin and his mother returned to the rest of the group, the conversation was on names for the babies.

"I think this is a little early to be thinking about this. We don't even know the sex of the babies yet," Lyssa was saying. It did not seem to have an effect on her parents.

Sabrin sat down next to Lyssa, sliding an arm about her shoulders. He kissed her temple as Rose sat down with the Pages and joined in the debate of a boy name.

"Give up, Lyssa. We get final say no matter what. Let them have their fun," Sabrin told her. She sighed and nodded.

Sabrin and Lyssa sat back and listened to the different names being discussed. The only time they entered the conversation was to voice their dislike for a name being debated. Otherwise, they snuggled together and enjoyed the wonderful interaction occurring between the three parents. The conversation eventually turned to the next day's events. Everyone was looking forward to seeing Sabrin on stage the next evening. Plans were made for the Pages to come over for an early dinner with Lyssa and Rose and then, after the play, everyone would go out for a snack. Ruth and Rose made plans for what they wanted Sabrin and Lyssa to do with them during the day while Aaron was in another of his meetings. It was around midnight when a cab was hailed to take Ruth and Aaron back to their hotel. Rose said good night and headed to her bedroom leaving Sabrin and Lyssa alone for the first time since he had proposed. He picked up Lyssa's left hand and kissed it tenderly.

"This ring looks perfect on your finger," he smiled.

"What changed your mind about marriage?" Lyssa asked.

"You did. When we had that talk in the kitchen a while ago, it got me thinking. I thought of the reasons I had always given myself for not wanting to get married and none of them applied to us. I couldn't think of a single reason why we shouldn't get married but, at the same time, I could think of hundreds of reasons why we should. The clincher was how much I loved the idea of you being Lyssa Berry."

"It does sound wonderful, doesn't it. Sabrin and Lyssa Berry," she kissed Sabrin. "Let's go to bed." She took Sabrin’s hand and headed for their bedroom.

Sabrin wrapped her up in his arms as soon as their door was closed behind them. He kissed her tenderly on the cheek, but Lyssa grabbed his face and turned to kiss his lips. Her tongue slipped into his mouth, dueling with his. Passion flared. He walked her to the bed without breaking their kiss. His hands fumbled for the buttons of her blouse as she reached for the belt at his waist. Her bra soon followed her blouse and she dispensed with her skirt while Sabrin almost ripped himself out of his clothing. They came together in a desperate embrace.

"Your mother is just a wall away. We're going to have to be quiet," Lyssa warned.

"I'll try to remember that, but I make no promises," he told her as he brought his mouth down to reclaim hers.

They made their way to the bed breaking their kiss for only a moment as they lay down on the bed. Their passion for each other was intensifying with each touch of a hand and gentle caress sweeping over their bodies. Sabrin slowly moved his kisses down following the nape of her neck and then down her chest. He played with the nipple of her breast with his fingers, gently kneading it while he licked, sucked and teased her other nipple before taking her breast in his mouth. As Lyssa moaned, Sabrin turned his attention to her other breast causing Lyssa to moan even more. Sabrin moved up to reclaim Lyssa's mouth again while he penetrated her.

With her pregnancy further along, the positions in their lovemaking were changing. Sabrin did not want to press too heavily on her womb. But nothing could stop their passion for one another. He kept his thrusts at a slower pace so as to not hurt her and to keep their fire burning at a lower, more controllable temperature. His hand still fondled her breast and his mouth kissed her deeply. Lyssa moaned with pleasure and ran her hands over his body, teasing his nipples as he had teased hers. He moaned into their kiss, but tried to keep it as quiet as possible. He felt his pique approaching and hastened his pace, Lyssa let out a stifled cry of climax as he exploded within her. He feared his expression of satisfaction had been too loud and this was confirmed a moment later when they both heard his mother turn on a radio in her room.

Lyssa started to giggle as Sabrin moved next to her.

"Well, she heard. My mother heard us making love." Sabrin was a little embarrassed at this thought. "You think that's funny." Lyssa could only nod her head as her giggles had turned to laughter.

"I'm pregnant, Sabrin. I think she knows we've made love before," Lyssa laughed. Her laugh was so infectious that soon Sabrin found himself laughing too. As they calmed down, Sabrin kissed Lyssa on the forehead.

"I'm still going to have a hard time looking at her tomorrow. God, at my age and I'm still embarrassed that my mother knows I have sex."

Lyssa burst out laughing again. Sabrin began to kiss Lyssa. She let out little laughs between his kisses until she was completely engrossed in the passionate embrace of her lover.

They could not help but feel their desire growing again. Lyssa rolled Sabrin over on his back so she could take control of this encounter. She drew a line down the center of his body with kisses and seductive nips and licks. It still shocked him how quickly she could cause him to recover his erection or how long she could get him to maintain one.

"Ah," he cried hoarsely as she brought her mouth to the head of his penis. 

Earlier, he had worried his mother’s presence would nullify Lyssa’s arousing effect on him. He laughed to himself now. ~ I doubt a hurricane could cause her to not turn me on. ~ Lyssa would always be able to push him further, faster and harder in their sex life than any other woman he had ever known, it seemed.

She kissed the tip of his penis before running her tongue along the underside of the head. Sabrin was doing his best to stifle his moans but it was a losing battle. Lyssa gently fondled his balls as she moved her mouth expertly up and down his shaft. She removed her mouth from his penis and took one of his balls in her mouth while continuing to pump his shaft with her hand. His moans were becoming louder. Lyssa moved up his body to silence him by reclaiming his lips as she lowered herself onto his stiff rod.

Sabrin let his hand roam over her perfect breasts with great pleasure as Lyssa began to move over him. He loved the feel of her behind moving off and then slowly back on his body, pumping his rock hard shaft in the process. He lifted his head to take one breast into his mouth. She moaned herself as he sucked and swirled his tongue around the nipple in his mouth.

Lyssa was forced to pull his mouth away from her breast so she could reach behind her and stroke his balls. Sabrin was sure his eyes were going to roll back in his head. With his mouth free again, he had nothing to stop the moans that escaped his lips in waves.

Lyssa leaned forward to reclaim his mouth as she continued to pump on his shaft. His hands cupped her breasts as he playfully squeezed them. Lyssa's motions were becoming quicker and quicker until her back arched and her orgasm overpowered her. She kept her motions going, bringing Sabrin to the brink. He turned his head so the pillow would muffle his cries of ecstasy as he came within Lyssa. Lyssa slowed herself before collapsing onto Sabrin’s chest. They continued to kiss as Lyssa moved next to Sabrin so they could cuddle in each other's arms. They lay quietly, kissing tenderly while Sabrin gently caressed Lyssa's arm. After a few minutes, the radio in Rose's room turned off. The lovers smiled at each other and said good night.

The next morning, Sabrin came stumbling out of the bedroom, having left Lyssa to get more sleep. She had been ill twice in the middle of the night, so she was still worn out. He had gotten up to help her the first time, but had not heard her until it was over the second time.

Right now, all he could think about was coffee. He even imagined he could smell coffee. He entered the kitchen to see his mother sitting peacefully at the table, reading the morning paper.

"Mom, how long have you been up?" he asked, surprised.

"An hour or so. I heard you moving about again, so I made sure there was coffee for you." Rose gave her son a look that told him he had been a bad boy and mom knew about it.

"I-I ah, I-,"

"Had very loud sex with your pregnant intended, yes I know. I heard. Both times," she half scolded and half teased him. Sabrin gulped and turned five different shades of red. Rose enjoyed every shade.

Sabrin got a mug from the cupboard and poured himself a cup of coffee before joining his mother at the table.

"I'm sorry we kept you up, mom." Sabrin was still embarrassed. "It won't happen again."

"A little quieter is all I ask," Rose smiled. "Now would you like some breakfast?"

Rose and Sabrin talked about Lyssa as Rose made him an omelet. Sabrin was so happy his mother really liked Lyssa. She made a few comments about how much better Lyssa was for him than Niki. Soon they heard footsteps coming towards the kitchen. Sabrin got up to kiss Lyssa.

"Rose, I hope we didn’t keep you up last night," Lyssa sounded apologetic.

"Keep me up? Of course not, I didn't hear a thing. Slept like a baby," she smiled.

Lyssa smiled at her, but it was obvious to Sabrin that she did not believe a word of it. Rose insisted on making Lyssa something for breakfast too, but all she wanted was rye toast with butter and a glass of milk.

"Mornings are not the worst time of day for me, but they aren't the best either," Lyssa explained.

"Well, with two babies in there, you can count your blessings that it is not twenty-four hours a day that you're sick, dear."

"I do," Lyssa assured her with a grin. "Sabrin does to, I'm sure. It’s not a pretty sight seeing me like that and keeping your dinner. He's been a trooper though. Always has that washcloth ready." Lyssa reached over and gave Sabrin’s hand an affectionate squeeze. He returned her smile.

"I have to take care of my babies. All three of you."

Lyssa sat down and slowly ate her toast. The three discussed the plans for the day. Both Rose and Ruth wanted to go look at baby things with Sabrin and Lyssa as well as find something nice to wear for the play that evening. Lyssa needed something too, as most of the dresses she had were not fitting her expanding waistline. Once breakfast dishes were taken care of and everyone was dressed and ready, they took a taxi to the hotel to pick up Ruth Page before heading to Bloomingdale’s for the start of the shopping expedition. Thankfully for Sabrin, both Rose and Ruth found something to wear quickly. Lyssa was not having as much luck. She was having problems finding something that fit her everywhere. Sabrin convinced the two mothers they should start looking at the baby things while he and Lyssa looked for a dress. When she finally found one that fit she had a new worry.

"Does this dress make me look too pregnant?" she asked Sabrin.

"You look absolutely beautiful, Lyssa," Sabrin answered.

"But when I stand sideways like this I look so pregnant."

"Yes, you do," he beamed. "You look so beautiful, Lyssa." He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist placing his hands on the curving bulge that was showing.

"If you think for one minute that I want you to not look pregnant, you're very wrong. I'm so excited about your current state. Your beautiful body seems to change daily and I love undressing it and seeing what’s changed today. You get sexier and more precious to me with each passing day. If you get as big as a house it will mean nothing to me but that you are growing with my children inside you. I love you, all of you." Sabrin told her with certainty.

"What about the ugly stretch marks that this pregnancy is going to leave me with?" Lyssa asked, turning to face him.

He gave a small, slightly insulted laugh. "You think I'm so wrapped up in the Hollywood image that I will trade you in on an unmarked model after their birth. Every mark your body bares will be from bringing our children into the world. I will cherish each one as I cherish you and the lives you carry, now stop worrying and go buy that outfit." He gave her a playful pat on the ass and then a light pinch, causing her to squeal. He laughed and turned her towards the closest cashier with a smile.

Women - they need constant reassurance.

Lyssa turned back to Sabrin and gave him a quick kiss before changing back into her clothes. After she bought the dress, they went off to find their respective mothers in the baby department. They had a number of beautiful cribs and other baby furniture they wanted the couple to see. Sabrin and Lyssa did their best to talk their mothers out of most of the things they wanted to buy by convincing them there was still a lot of time to buy everything they need. But the future grandmothers still felt the need to purchase two special outfits for their grandbabies. Using Lyssa's pregnancy as an excuse, Sabrin convinced the ladies it was time to stop for lunch as a way to get them out of the baby department.

"I truly don't understand your reluctance to let two eager future grandmothers start earning that title by practicing spoiling our grandbabies." Rose was giving her son a very disapproving look over her turkey sandwich.

Sabrin and Lyssa exchanged glances. "Mom, you’ll have plenty of time to spoil the kids rotten, but you don't have to buy it all now. They haven't even started to kick Lyssa yet."

Lyssa tilted her head to the side and placed a protective hand over her womb. "Well, that isn't exactly an accurate statement, dearest." Sabrin looked at her with shock.

"You’ve felt something?" he asked, going white for some unknown reason. Both grandmothers to be had their hands over their mouths and were gasping with delight.

"Just a fluttering of sorts, but I’m pretty sure it’s not stomach trouble. It’s a very strange feeling but I like it." Lyssa grinned with joy. Sabrin still looked about to faint.

They finished their lunch and started to walk to Ruth's hotel. The two future grandmothers had decided to have a rest at the hotel to give Sabrin and Lyssa some time alone. They would meet them at the apartment later with Aaron for dinner before going to the theatre. Sabrin had been a little quiet since lunch and Lyssa was a little worried. When they arrived back at the apartment, Lyssa led Sabrin to the couch for a talk.

"Are you okay? You've been so pale and quiet since lunch," Lyssa asked.

"When you said you could feel a flutter it changed things. It made it seem more real," he tried to explain.

"You're not having second thoughts, are you?" Lyssa whispered, as if she were afraid of what the answer might be.

"No, Lyssa, no!" Sabrin pulled her into his arms. "No second thoughts. I love you so much," he said before kissing her tenderly. "And our babies. I think it’s just hitting me what an awesome responsibility this will be. I find myself examining my life and wondering how my children will view it and me." He seemed slightly unsure of himself as he said this.

"Why do you have doubts? What do you regret?" she asked sounding offended on his behalf.

"Lyssa, I'm an actor. It’s not as though I have invented something or built things or have worked my way up to CEO of some corporation."

Lyssa shifted to grab his face and held it in her hands.

"No, you've done nothing of importance. You have just entertained millions, helped to bring a very special cyborg to life and brought joy to countless people. I think your children will respect you greatly for what you have done in your life," Lyssa told him. She brought her face to his to kiss him hard before standing and running to the bedroom. Sabrin laughed as he chased her. He grabbed Lyssa around the waist and they fell on the bed laughing. He straddled Lyssa, making sure he did not put any weight on her body, and held her arms over her head before he leaned to kiss her. He let go of Lyssa's wrists and they wrapped their arms around each other tightly, kissing passionately.

Sabrin had rolled over on his side and pulled her with him a moment later. His fingers were just working on the buttons of her blouse when there was a buzz over the intercom sounding visitors. Sabrin and Lyssa sighed.

"No sex for the horny," Lyssa joked.

Sabrin rolled his eyes at her. "Come on, sexy pregnant woman. Time to greet the lovemaking spoilers. It’s too bad too. There would have been no radio playing to dictate our rhythm." Sabrin grinned at his awful joke as he helped Lyssa to her feet.

"Oh, you are getting so bad."

Sabrin stuck his tongue out at her as she giggled.

As Sabrin went to greet their visitors, Lyssa remained in the bedroom, adjusting her clothes and re-buttoning the buttons Sabrin had undone. It was only a few minutes before Rose, Ruth and Aaron entered the apartment. They were already dressed for the evening. Sabrin left a short time later for the theatre.

"Lyssa, you go get ready for the evening. We are taking you out for dinner tonight," her father informed her. Lyssa knew there was no arguing with her father when he had his mind made up so she went to the bathroom to check her hair and re-do her make-up before heading to the bedroom to change into her new dress. When Lyssa rejoined the group, her father smiled and kissed her cheek.

"What a lucky man I am. I get to have dinner with three beautiful women," he smiled.

The dinner was very nice and they spoke mostly about the play with Rose telling the group a little about the other plays Sabrin had appeared in.

They arrived at the theatre a half hour before curtain time. Aaron and Ruth went to get some wine for Rose and themselves while Lyssa went to freshen up in the ladies room. Rose was not alone for long as she was soon approached by a woman who was obviously a fan of Sabrin’s.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Berry?" the woman asked. "I am such a huge fan of your son. He is such an amazing actor."

"Well, thank you. I'm very proud of him," Rose smiled. She was somewhat used to fans approaching her like this.

When Lyssa returned to the lobby, she saw the woman who was talking to Rose and instantly recognized her as the woman who had been responsible for her trip to the hospital in Chicago. When the woman saw Lyssa her eyes went wide.

"Oh no, here comes trouble," the woman told Rose. Rose looked confused as she could only see Lyssa coming towards her with a worried look on her face. When Lyssa had arrived, the woman spoke to her angrily.

"Don't you think you've done enough to him already? Now you're going to harass his mother too?" the woman seethed at Lyssa. “My god, you’ve gotten fat.”

"Don't you talk to Lyssa like that," Rose snapped at the woman. She turned to Lyssa and asked, "do you know this woman?" Rose knew about Lyssa's trip to the hospital so Lyssa told Rose this was the woman who had pushed her.

"Lyssa dear, I think it is time we go to our seats. You go get your parents. I'll be okay." When Lyssa left, Rose turned to the woman. "I want you to stay away from my family. Lyssa is the best thing that has ever happened to my son so leave them be."

Lyssa, Aaron and Ruth rejoined Rose as the woman looked dumbstruck at the foursome but her jaw absolutely dropped when she overheard Rose speaking to Lyssa.

"Are you okay? You know stress isn't good for the babies. If you want to leave you know Sabrin will understand."

Lyssa smiled. "Seeing Sabrin on stage is exactly what I need right now." The four then entered the seating area and took their seats.

During the intermission, Lyssa went to the bathroom feeling better, but having a bit of a flutter in her stomach. Lyssa stood over the sink hoping she would not lose the dinner she had so enjoyed.

"Okay, you two. Settle down in there. We want to hear Daddy sing, now don't we?"

"I can't believe it. It is true?"

Lyssa turned from the sink to face the owner of the voice behind her. Before she turned, Lyssa knew she would be facing that crazy fan again.

"What's true?" Lyssa asked.

"You're pregnant?" The woman sounded sick at the thought. "With Sabrin’s child?"

"That’s none of your business." Lyssa told her as she drew a damp paper towel across her forehead, still trying to sooth herself. Something about this stunned the woman.

"Oh my God! What the hell is that?" she was pointing at Lyssa’s left hand. Lyssa looked, realizing she was pointing at the engagement ring Sabrin had given her.

"It’s a ring. Surely, you've seen a ring before?" Lyssa said, sarcastically.

"Is it an engagement ring? He doesn't like marriage. He's not going to marry you. He was with Niki for fourteen years and he never married her. He won't marry you. I bet the kid is not even his. It’s that guy you were with before in Chicago. It’s his kid and you’re trying to trap Sabrin." The woman seemed to be losing it again and Lyssa began to fear for her safety.

"Once again, our private life is none of your business so just leave us alone," Lyssa told the woman as she threw the paper towel in the garbage and started to walk to the door.

"One day you'll thank me for this, Sabrin," the woman muttered under her breath as she kicked Lyssa's feet out from under her. Lyssa fell forward hard on the floor.

"Now fucking leave him alone," the woman told Lyssa before leaving her in the ladies room.

Lyssa lay on the floor in so much pain she could not call out for help. She was able to sit up and wrapped her arms around her stomach as the tears streamed down her face. After a few minutes, two women entered the ladies room and saw Lyssa on the floor.

"Oh my God! Are you okay?" one woman asked. Lyssa was only able to shake her head no. The other woman had noticed a small amount of blood on the floor of the bathroom and pulled out her cell phone to call 911. "Are you pregnant?" she asked. Lyssa again could only nod her head yes. "Are you here with anyone?" she asked next. Lyssa nodded her head yes and reached in to her purse and gave the woman her ticket stub. "I'll let them know you're in trouble. Don't worry, an ambulance is on the way." The woman rushed out of the bathroom to let security know what was happening and then she went to the row on Lyssa's ticket. The woman asked Rose if the woman who was sitting next to her was a member of her party and, when Rose said yes, she quickly told them what she knew. After they thanked the woman for her help, Ruth and Aaron rushed to the ladies room while Rose went to the stage door demanding to talk to her son. They quickly led Rose to Sabrin and, as soon as she said the word ambulance, Sabrin was rushing out of his dressing room, through the stage door and running through the crowded theatre. When he reached the lobby area, he could see the ambulance attendants outside getting ready to put the stretcher Lyssa was on inside. He ran to the ambulance getting there before they closed the doors and called out Lyssa's name. One of the attendants allowed Sabrin into the back of the ambulance with him while the other drove them to the hospital.

As Lyssa's parents held each other, Aaron reached out to draw Rose closer by holding out a hand. Ruth saw what her husband had done and turned to fully face Rose and take her into a commiserating embrace. Tears ran down the faces of both Ruth and Rose.

"Why don't we sit down, ladies?" Aaron suggested. Aaron directed the women to a bench in the lobby nearby and instructed the weak kneed females to sit.

"It’s okay, Mrs. Berry. I took care of that bitch for you," said a voice, interrupting the prayer the trio was lifting to God.

"What?" Aaron roared as he turned to face the ‘fan’ angrily.

"She’s trying to trick him into marrying her. That’s not his kid she’s carrying. It’s that guy’ she was with in Chicago. Stupid bitch! I’m not going to let her trap him. That slut won't bother- ah!"

Aaron grabbed the crazy woman's arm. Adrenaline raced through his veins, brought on by his rage. The woman tried to pull free, but Aaron's grip was like iron. "Someone call the police! This woman tried to kill my daughter!" Aaron shouted with fury.

The woman turned her stunned and shaken face to Rose, looking at her with pleading eyes.

"Mrs. Berry, I did it for Sabrin! I saved him from that lying sl-"

This slur was cut off by Rose slapping the woman across the face - hard.

"You insane bitch. If you caused a miscarriage or harmed Lyssa, I will do everything in my power to see you behind bars for the rest of your life!" Rose screamed at her.

Two security guards were rushing across the carpet to take charge of the situation. The police had been near when the ambulance had arrived, so they came almost at once. After initial statements were taken and an officer was left to collect witnesses who may have seen the crazy fan fleeing the bathroom, the woman was taken to jail.

After the police had taken their statements, an officer drove Rose, Ruth and Aaron to the hospital Lyssa had been taken to. They rushed into the emergency room and spoke to a nurse who directed them to have a seat in the waiting room. An hour later, one of Sabrin’s co-stars entered the emergency room and approached Rose.

"Have you heard any news?" she asked.

"No, not yet," Rose replied.

"Everyone wanted to come to offer their support but we thought that might be too overwhelming. Please let Sabrin and Lyssa know we are all praying for them."

"I will. Thank you, dear."

"I brought Sabrin’s clothes from his dressing room. Thought he might want to change out of that costume," she said as she handed Rose a bag.

"Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness. I know they will both appreciate it," Rose replied.

Shortly after the actress left, Sabrin came out to the waiting room looking for the three worried parents. They all rushed to Sabrin wanting to know how Lyssa was.

"They've moved Lyssa to the obstetrics ward. They want to keep her at least overnight for observation. They've stopped the bleeding and run some tests. They don't think Lyssa is in immediate danger of miscarrying but they want to keep her here until they’re certain. If nothing happens overnight then everything should be fine."

"Can we see her?" Aaron asked.

"The doctor said you could come in for a few minutes but they want Lyssa to rest." Sabrin led them to the room on the fifth floor that Lyssa was in.

Sabrin gulped again when he saw Lyssa in the bed, looking so pale and frightened. He was not sure if he should, but he came over to her, kissed her gently and excused himself to step outside. His mother had given him the bag with his clothes. His cell phone was in there too. Sabrin went where a call was permitted and hit a number he had stored in his phone weeks ago. Sonny answered on the third ring.

“Oh God of the Earth - I can’t leave now,” Sonny told Sabrin once he had explained what had happened. “I’m in the middle of a big deal...My poor sweet Honey.” Sonny sounded very near tears, he was so torn up about not being able to be there for Lyssa when she needed her loved ones around her.

“I’m sorry, Sonny. I didn’t call to make you feel bad. I-I’m not sure why I called now. I just felt you should know, since you were there the first time this woman attacked Lyssa and you called me.” Sabrin mentally berated himself for doing this to Sonny. It was only Tuesday, it only made sense that the man would be busy.

Sonny was silent for a full minute. “Sabrin, I am so glad that you and Lyssa found each other and I am so honored that you thought to call me. Please give my Honey all my love. I’m going to come this weekend as soon as the clock strikes 5:00 Friday. Please, don’t feel bad about calling me. I’m so grateful that you did.”

When Sabrin ended that call, he hung his head. It was strange to think that another man loved Lyssa that much, but was absolutely no threat to Sabrin and his relationship to Lyssa. But then Sonny was a very unique man, and one that Sabrin was thankful they had in their life. He sighed at having upset the kind hearted man and headed back towards Lyssa’s room to let her know that Sonny would be here late Friday.

When Sabrin returned to the room after changing, he found a nurse was busy shooing Ruth, Aaron and Rose out. Sabrin hugged each of them before they left and then pulled a chair over to Lyssa's bed. He took her hand.

She smiled weakly at Sabrin. "We seem to be making a habit of this, don't we."

"Lyssa, when this happened the first time I told you that I would understand if you didn't want to see me anymore..." he started to say. Lyssa placed her finger gently over his lips to quiet him.

"I'm not going to let some crazy woman ruin my life. I love you, Sabrin. I need you now more than ever and the babies need you."

Sabrin leaned over and kissed Lyssa tenderly.

"It's my fault, Lyssa. I've always been so damned concerned about keeping my...our private life private. Maybe if I had said something-"

"Sabrin, please stop it. It isn't your fault. There's nothing you could have done."

"But there is something I can do. I'm supposed to be interviewed about the play on Thursday for a local morning show. I was going to cancel it but I’m going to see if they will tape something at the apartment instead."

"Tape something at the apartment?" Lyssa repeated, stunned.

"Yes. I don’t want to do the interview without you. I think it’s time to speak out about what’s happened. And I want everyone to see that we are together and I’ve never been happier. If that doesn’t convince that psycho, or anyone else like her, to stop, I don’t know what will."

Lyssa's eyes went wide. She knew this was quite a departure from Sabrin’s preferred line of thinking. 

Lyssa gave his hand a weak squeeze. "You're a private man," she reminded him.

"And look what it got me. I could have lost you, the babies or all of you. We'll talk more about this tomorrow. You need to rest. I'm not going anywhere," Sabrin told her as he squeezed her hand.

"I do feel a little tired," she said before drifting off to sleep. It was a restless night for both of them. Lyssa woke up a number of times from nightmares. Sabrin comforted her each time and then would softly sing her back to sleep. There were also a couple of times when doctors or nurses would come in to check the fetal monitors hooked up to Lyssa and would inadvertently wake them as well. The next morning, Dr. Simmons came in to see Lyssa.

"They took very good care of you for me, Lyssa," he smiled. "I've gone over all of the tests and the readings from the fetal monitor with the attending physician and I'm happy to say the babies are not in any imminent danger."

Sabrin and Lyssa both let out audible sighs of relief at this news.

The doctor continued, "I will have you released from the hospital on the following conditions. I want you to get lots of bed rest, no exerting yourself. Is there someone who can stay with you while Sabrin’s working?"

"My mother's visiting. I'm sure she'll want to stay longer to help."

"Good. Now, we have an appointment scheduled for Tuesday. I'll see you then but if you have any questions or concerns, call me."

The couple thanked the doctor and promised to do as he had instructed to the letter.

"I hate to put your mother out-" Lyssa began.

"Put her out? She'll be beside herself with joy. She loves being needed. She'll find a hundred ways to make this whole thing all her fault. You just watch." Sabrin wrapped Lyssa in his arms and kissed her temple until she turned her head to receive a kiss on the lips.

When the parents arrived later that morning, Lyssa got to see just how right Sabrin was. Rose was delighted to be asked to stay. Ruth and Aaron were upset they would have to be leaving in two days due to work commitments.

"I’m happy to stay and take care of you, Lyssa. If it weren't for me that terrible woman wouldn’t have even touched you. I should have had her removed or I should have come with you to the restroom. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for being such a fool."

Sabrin and Lyssa exchanged glances before they both tried to convince Rose she had not been to blame.

Lyssa was allowed to leave the hospital within an hour. They all went back to the apartment where everyone fussed over Lyssa to the point that it was driving her crazy. Sabrin had checked the answering machine and was relieved there was a message from the play's director telling him his understudy would go on for him for both performances that day and asked that Sabrin let him know how much time he needed before returning. There was a story buried in one of the papers that mentioned a woman had been attacked at the play and that another woman had been arrested as well as another story about Sabrin’s sudden departure from the play due to a family emergency but they did not make the connection between the two events. After a while, Rose and Ruth went to the kitchen to prepare a nice lunch for everyone. Aaron soon joined them in the kitchen to give Sabrin and Lyssa a little time alone. Sabrin sat next to Lyssa on the couch and wrapped his arms around her.

"I forgot to tell you, I called Sonny. He'll be here Friday night. He was upset that he couldn't be here sooner," Sabrin told her.

"He doesn't need to come. We only have the one extra room, Sabrin."

"We'll pay for his room, Lyssa. He wanted to come and you know damn well that you want to see him. You miss him."

Lyssa grinned and snuggled into Sabrin’s shoulder.

"You're right. I do miss him. Thank you for calling him."

"Anything for you, my love. Anything for you."