5.) This is Home

The next day, Saturday, though Ricky had yet to return any of the calls from Adrian, Grace, Ben, and Jack nor did he even see them or drop by their houses, there was one place that was high on his list.

Ricky knocked on the front door that evening.

"Ricky," said Mrs. Juergens.

"Hi Mrs. Juergens, I was wondering if I could talk to Amy."

"Of course, come in." Ricky did so, "Amy," Anne called out. It only took a few seconds for Amy to come into the living room.

"Hi," Ricky said.

"Hey," Amy said shyly. "Are you okay?"

Ricky placed his hands in his pockets as he and Amy made their way to the living room. "I guess," he said.

"Everyone was worried about you yesterday."

"I know. I'm sorry I worried you. I know you don't need that stress right now, I know it's not good for the baby."

"Our son is perfectly fine."

"Son," Ricky said with a small smile.

"Yeah," Amy said smiling back. "That's what my doctor's appointment was for." Amy could see the tears starting to form in Ricky's eyes. "Hey what's wrong?"

"Nothing, this is the news I needed. Thanks Amy." Amy just smiled and Ricky composed himself. "I promise I'm gonna do better. Our son deserves better and I'm gonna do my best to give it to him."

"I know you will and if you need me I'm always here."

"Do me a favor?"

"Anything."

"I made an appointment with my therapist tomorrow, come with me." The tears started flowing again but Ricky didn't care. Men could cry and if there was belief to the contrary then so be it, there were sensitive men out there and underneath all the scars there had always been a sensitive man. "I don't think I can get through this without you," Ricky said after managing to gather himself.

Amy took Ricky's hand and placed it on her stomach. This had been new territory for her. She had never let anyone touch her stomach, not even her own family but somehow this felt right.

"We're not going anywhere."

Ricky smiled as he felt his son kick. Amy smiled back and then Ricky did what was least expected of him, he took Amy in a tight embrace and Amy let Ricky release all the pain he had bottled up inside and more specifically the pain that had been with him these past few days.

END.