I know it's been a little while since I posted anything but here is my next story. It takes place almost 3 years after Everlasting Love.

The only characters I own are: Jemima, John Brian 'JB,' Ben (comes later in it), Baricza

I hope you like it. Please let me know what you think. Thanks.

"Come on, fellas! Dinnertime!" BJ hollered at the two little chimps chattering away in the cab of his truck. Tired of waiting for the little imps to climb down he held out his arms for them to jump into so he could finally go and see his family he'd been away from for two long weeks. As soon as he was entered the cottage, he quickly got rid of his armload and went in search for the two loves of his life, soon to be three, calling out, "We're home." When all he heard was silence as his reply he tried again, calling: "Kid? Love?"

He finally found them in the living room, fast asleep. Their son, J.B., short for John Brian, was cradled against his wife's shoulder sleeping soundly with a book in her lap that told him she had nodded off during the middle of a story. He took a minute, cherishing the sight of them. He always loved it when Jemima wore her blue and orange calico dress that proudly displayed the growing bulge of her belly with their second child. Walking softly, so as not to disturb their son, he knelt beside her and stroked her arm gently. "Hey honey," he whispered, as her eyes flickered open.

"Hey," she smiled sleepily at him & looked down at their sleeping son. "I guess I fell asleep, too."

"That's okay." He told her, love in his eyes.

"Dinner's ready." She told him, coming awake even more as her stomach growled, reminding her Hishe was hungry.

"Alright!" BJ's stomach growled in unison with Jem's at the sound of food. "I'm starving."

Jemima dropped the book to the floor and laid her hand firmly against JB's back as she prepared to stand. Before she could even finish sliding to the edge of her seat, BJ's put his strong hands on the sides of her shoulders, holding her in place. "Hold on." He told her, keeping his hands in position to keep her from standing. "BJ, you do know that I ain't an invalid yet, right?" She asked with a bit of indignation coloring her tone.

"Yeah, I do." He replied, just as stubbornly. "But I like treating you special. Now let me take the little guy." He softly stroked JB's head. Jemima's tone softened as she realized he was just trying to help. "Thanks." They deftly transferred their son from her arms to his and he helped her stand, pulling her to her feet and into his side for a kiss.

"How ya doing?" He rubbed her stomach tenderly. "Good," she replied, placing her hand atop BJ's as she felt the baby kick. "No problems?" He relished the feel of their unborn child's movement. "Nope." She reassured him, looking up at him hoping for another kiss. He obliged her, and leaned down, placing one on her forehead, disturbing their son who stirred on his shoulder.

"Why don't you go on into the kitchen, get Bear and Baricza seated and I'll go put JB to bed." She suggested. "Before we wake him up."

"Good idea." He transferred JB back to his mom.

"Alright, I'll be back in a minute." She whispered as she waddled to her son's room.

BJ headed to the kitchen to find Bear and Barica already seated, chattering to each other gleefully. "Hey fellas," He greeted them. "You guys hungry?" He laughed as their two pets nodded in agreement and bounced up and down in their chairs chattering. "I'll take it, that's a yes."

Back in JB's room, Jemima had just put him into bed. She smiled as she grabbed his favorite teddy, placing it next to him and watched him clutch it even in sleep. She kissed the top of his hair and straightened, rubbing her stomach as the little one in her belly protested at being in the bent position. She made sure the covers were tucked around him safely and made her way back to the kitchen and her waiting husband.

BJ looked up from pouring Bear a glass of water. "Is he in bed?"

"Sleeping soundly." She told him as she went to the stove to dish up their food.

"So what's for dinner?" BJ asked eagerly as he poured Baricza's water next.

"Is that all you think about?" Jemima teased as she put soup into bowls. "Food?"

"No, I think about a lot things." BJ walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders, kissing her on the cheek. Jemima turned, her belly cradled between them as they kissed. Knocking on the door soon interrupted them and they pulled away as Cindy, Callie, Terri, Gerri, Angie, Samantha and Stacks walked through the door.

"Hey guys." Cindy greeted them cheerfully. "Where's the kid?" Angie asked looking for the little tyke that usually had boundless energy.

"Sleeping." Jemima quickly put her finger to her lips in an effort to quiet them down.

"Oh." Stacks sounded disappointed. "Well, we were going to watch him for you guys since BJ has to be headed out in the morning."

"That's ok." Jemima smiled gratefully at their kindness. "Since you guys are here, you can join us for dinner. There's enough soup."

"What kind of soup is it?" Samantha asked, wondering what the delicious smell was.

"Sausage and lentil." BJ rubbed Jem's back as she leaned against him.

"Sounds good." Terri looked at her sister. "What do you think, Gerri?"

"Sounds great." She agreed as BJ helped Jemima dish more bowls out. Once everybody had a bowl and were seated around the table BJ was eager to catch up.

"How's everything doing at the office?" He took a spoonful and purred with pleasure, giving Jemima a wink.

"Great." Gerri said. "But it's not the same as you being there."

BJ nodded in understanding. "So what brings you guys down over here?"

"We just wanted to visit?" Stacks suggested softly, looking down at her food.

BJ looked at them questioningly. "That's a long drive just for a visit."

"Well we did have a few deliveries to make on the way. So we all figured that we'd just drop in on y'all." Samantha explained.

"Hope you don't mind." Angie said nervously.

"No, not at all." BJ shook his head. He always enjoyed a little time with his gal pals.

Once the girls left, BJ and Jem could finally have a little alone time as husband and wife. As she had changed into an knee length nightgown and was brushing her hair and BJ was lounging in bed reading, she decided now was the time to ask BJ a question that had been on her mind since before he had arrived home. Putting the brush down, she went to sit beside him on the bed. "Say BJ, I was wondering if me and JB could go with you guys tomorrow when you head out?" She stood beside the bed and brushed a wayward hair off his forehead.

"It might be better if you stayed around here near home." He answered regretfully, reaching out to stroke her tummy. "Especially with you being so close to your due date."

"I still have a week and a half." She protested, now running her fingers through his hair.

He closed his eyes before answering, hating to tell her no, but knowing she shouldn't be on the road. "I know, but it'd be better if you stayed home, that way your folks and mine can take care of you if necessary."

"BJ, you're the one always saying you want me to come with you." She sighed and proceeded to crawl under the covers.

"I know what I said." He rolled onto his side, pulled the covers up and tucked her against him, cradling her belly in his large hand. "It's just, right now, it might be best for you stay around the house. You know, just in case."

"Would you at least consider all of us going?" She turned over to look at him.

"Alright. I'll consider it." He said, laying on his back so she could lay her head on his chest and he could stroke her belly again. "Goodnight, Love." He kissed her on her forehead.

"Night, Blue Jeans." She smirked, making him laugh.