Chapter 9: Falling Forward

"Dad?"

"Yes, Sweetheart?"

Lillian Sherwood bounded up the stairs and into her brother, Amir's, room.

"Is mom going to be home late again tonight?"

"Yes, Sweetheart, I'm afraid so."

Lillian hung her head.  Her mom was pretty famous, so she was often performing "gigs" late at night.  Lillian wasn't sure what a gig was, though.  She thought her mom played music?

Lillian's favorite time was when she could stay up late (when it wasn't a school night) so she could talk to her mom.  She always had the best stories!

"Now that you're older, your mom has finally been able to work on some big pieces.  She's even going to be on the radio."

"Really?"

"Uh-huh."

"You're a really good big sister, Lillian.  I want you to know how proud of you we are."

"Aw, Dad!"

"But, that being said, I think we should have a talk with your mom about all these late nights.  Deal?"

"Deal!"

---

"So my mom's going to be on the radio!"

"Nu-uh!  I don't believe you!" retorted Brendan.  

"Yes she is!"

"No she isn't!"

"Your mom's really famous, Lil," said Michael Dishman, her next-door-neighbor and best friend, "I'm sure we'll hear her on the radio."  Michael was the son of Kellan and Haven Dishman, two of her mom and dad's closes friends.

"Well, we'll see about that!"  Said Brendan before storming off.

"Thanks, Michael," She said with a shy smile.

"No problem," He replied.

After playing with her friends, Lillian was walking home when she saw Veronica Hernandez, who was the daughter of her dad's good friend, Stella.

Lillian always tried to be nice, but Veronica was just a mean girl.  Stella often came over to babysit, and Lil thought she was really nice.  Lil wondered how such a nice lady could have such a mean daughter!

"Hey there Veronica."

"Lil," Veronica sneered.  "I saw your dopey boyfriend drop his lunch today.  His face was priceless!"

"He's not my boyfriend, and don't be mean to Michael!"

"Whatever you say.  So, anything cool going on?"

"Well, my mom's going to be on the radio!"

"'Bout time," She yawned, "If it was me, I would've been on the radio instantly!"

"Nu-uh!" Lillian started to get really, really angry.  How could Veronica talk about her mom like that?  She was just jealous!

"Yes, I would."

Lillian fumed and clenched her fists.  Tomorrow at school would be another horrible day, but at least it would be a Friday.  She would get to see her mom and show her the painting she had done!

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Chapter 8: Little Lillian

A clean, working sink might not be so hard.  A shower?  Can't make any promises.

Watcherrrr!!!!!!!!!!! >O<

Oh, how I missed this.

Something weird is going on!

I've never had this problem before!

Gosh, it's about time!  You know, there are founders who get pregnant on the second chapter?

P-p-pregnant?  Like, you mean, I'm going to have a baby?!?!  We're going to have a baby?!?!?!?!?!

More than one, for sure.

What!

Not at once!  But... eventually, yes. :)

O.O

"And that's how I found out I was pregnant!"

"This Watcher sounds a little sketchy," Replied Dakota.  "Hey, Hun?"

"Hm?"

"How many kids did the Watcher say we were going to have?"

"She didn't." o.o

"Well... how many kids do you want to have?" Asked Marian.

"Is she listening?" Asked Dakota.

"Always," Replied Marian unflinchingly.

"Erm.... uh.... maybe we shouldn't answer that question out loud?  Besides, we haven't even had one yet!"

"Yet," Marian smiled as she rubbed her belly.  "Are you nervous?" She asked him.

"A little," he replied with a smile.  "Remember when you first told me?  Ah, so that's why you were so calm and under control!"

"I knew that the Watcher had a plan, so why worry?"  Marian smiled.

"Hey, Hun?" Marian said as she tickled the ivories.

"Yes, Sweetheart?"

"I'm pregnant."

Dakota choked on his salad.  "Wh-wh-what?  We're going to have a family?  I'm going to be a dad?  Soon?"

Marian finished her song with a flourish and walked over to sit beside him.  "Yup!" She kissed him on the cheek.

Dakota stared at the wall in front of him, an expression of exhilaration growing on his features.

"Careful with that salad fork, Hun," Marian teased.

Dakota purposefully stuck the salad fork into his dinner, skewered a piece, and put it into his mouth.  He chewed deliberately and swallowed.

"Well?" Asked Marian, her delight apparent on her features.

Dakota placed his plate on the desk and walked back to Marian, somewhat dazed but obviously happy.  He climbed on top of her and buried his face into her neck.  Awed, he looked up at her and then placed his hand upon her still-flat belly.

"What do you want to name him or her?" He whispered.

"If it's a girl..." Marian kissed his forehead, "What about Lillian?"

Welcome to the world, Lillian Sherwood.

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Chapter 7: Amorous Agreement

"Oh Marian!" Dakota shouted as he burst through the door, "I have a surprise for you!"

Marian looked up from her book.  She was seated at the table, and she did not look amused.

"Hey," Dakota said, "Can I sit?"

Marian looked away but nodded.

"I wanted to apologize.  I shouldn't have gotten angry with you before."

He looked away, "All I could see were the things I had done.  I wanted you to acknowledge how hard I was working for you.  When you would't... I got upset."

Dakota sighed and looked down, "I didn't listen to what you were saying.  I wanted to support you... but instead, I ended up isolating you.  Could you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

Dakota smiled impishly, "I guess I can take that as a yes?"

Marian blushed.

"There's one more thing.  That surprise I mentioned?"

"Really, Dakota, you didn't have to get me anything.  I forgive you.  And really, looking back on it, there are way worse character flaws than-"

"Oh!"  Marian's eyes went wide.

"Well," She smiled, "On one condition.  We're a team, you and I.  No more keeping things from each other.  We both work, together, to decide things.  Deal?"

"Deal," He smiled.

"That thing you told me... about how you were born Marian Baye but wanted to change your name and start your own family?"

"Mhm?"

"Can I take it, too?  May I be Dakota Sherwood?"

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