The next 24 hours were full of phone calls to relatives and a lot of planning. No one knew about the money and Rayanne planned to keep it that way. She was exhausted by the time ten o’clock rolled around and fell right to sleep. Nick did his job, waking her up every few hours. It wasn’t too hard since he didn’t sleep much.

”How can someone be so strong? All this in just over a day.” he thought to himself as he watched her sleep, most likely unaware in her state of what was going on in her life. The peaceful ignorance wouldn’t last long, the funeral was the next day.

*The next afternoon*
“They’re ready to start soon honey.” Rayanne’s grandmother whispered from behind her.

She knew she should be in her seat already, but she was having trouble being around so many people, so she had found a spot in front of the church by the garden and was just sitting.

“OK.”

She stood up and walked into the church, making her way to her seat in the front.

“Hey hun, how ya feeling?” Nick kissed her cheek and ran his hands through her hair as she sat down.

“OK. I’m ready to do this.” She took a deep breath.

She sat in the front with Nick on one side of her and her grandmother on the other. Her mother’s sister and brothers were there, along with all her cousins and even some of her father’s side of the family. The only one who didn’t come was her father.

Rayanne listened intently through the entire ceremony, but didn’t actually hear any of it. She was thinking about a lot of stuff, mostly of course her mom and Tyler and how different it would be without them around. Time flew by and she didn’t realize it had even been ten minutes when Nick took her hand and led her down the aisle and out of the church.

The ride to the cemetery was completely silent. Rayanne looked out the window of her grandmother’s car watching the trees and houses pass by. She could feel Nick’s hand on hers, and the seat underneath her; but heard nothing.

She had somehow managed not to cry during the funeral, but couldn’t hold back the tears when she saw her mother and brother’s bodies being lowered into a hand dug hole in the soft brown earth. Nick held her as tightly as he could, but her body still shook violently.

“It’s almost over hun.”

“I can’t watch this.” she said turning her head into his chest.

“It’s OK.”

She kept her head turned while the caskets were lowered into the ground, turning around only when Nick assured her it was over.

“Thank God.”

She pulled away from Nick and walked toward the holes in the ground. Her grandmother began to follow her before Rayanne told her she needed a few minutes alone.

She looked back at Nick when she reached the spot her mothers casket had been placed in the ground. He gave her a reassuring smile and nodded to let her know she was doing the right thing. She knelt down and talked to her mother.

“Hey mom. I miss you already.” she spoke through her crying. “Guess what? I’m having Nick’s baby. That’s what we were going to tell you at lunch. When I went to the Doctor I found out. I wanted you to know. I don’t know how I’m going to do this without you. Nick is so excited. I am too, I just wish I could have gotten the chance to tell you. I need you to be here and help me with this. I’m so happy, but so scared at the same time. Are you happy for me? That’s all I want is to know that you think I’m doing the right thing.”

She sat silently for a minute, as though her mother could really answer her back. After a minute or so had gone by she gently placed a yellow tulip, her mother’s favorite flower, on top of the already existing pile of flowers on her coffin.

“Hey Ty. It’s Rayanna Banana! I miss you so much. I wish I could make you come back to me. You’re going to be an uncle...I’m having Nick’s baby. I know you would be the bestest uncle in the world. I’m going to tell my baby all about you. You’re my absolute favorite person Tyler Michael. Very favorite. Oh yeah, they’re having an assembly at school for you tomorrow. Mrs. Timmerman was here, but you probably already know that. Or do you? I hope you can see and watch over me. I’d feel a lot better knowing you were still with me. I believe you are. I guess I should go. Nick and Grammy are coming over. I love you.”

She lowered a small, square, blue bag onto his casket amid the flowers. She felt Nick’s hand on her shoulder and stood up.

“OK, I’m ready to go home.”

He pulled her body close with his arm and walked her to the car.

*Later that night*
“How’s your head?”

“Pretty good amazingly. Just a tiny ache.”

“That’s what I like to hear.” he smiled at her.

“I’m starving. I wish Mand would get back with the groceries.”

“Well you’re just going to have to wait little Miss Impatient.”

“I know. It’s nice of her to go get them for me.”

“Yup, aren’t you glad I made you call her?”

She turned her head to look at him, expecting him to be serious, but saw the he had a goofy grin plastered on his face.

“Yes, I am. You are just about perfect sometimes, ya know that?” She turned her body around and sat on his lap, facing him.

“Just about? Sometimes?” he teased, raising an eyebrow.

“You heard me. But right now is one of those times...and perfection is very attractive.”

“Oh, is it?”

“Yes it is.” she whispered.

He leaned closer to her and brushed his lips lightly across her cheek and her lips. She closed her eyes and let herself forget about everything but kissing him. Everything slipped away as she felt his hands on her body and his lips on hers. She pulled away to say something just as Mandy walked in the door carrying four bags of groceries, things spilling out over the sides.

“Careful, you don’t have to be an acrobat!” Nick joked as he got up and took two bags from her.

“Thanks. I got everything on your list Ray!”

“Thank you so much. Let’s get this stuff put away so I can eat some of it!”

Nick and Rayanne put the groceries away while Mandy cooked them a huge pasta dinner. They were seated at the table eating a little over a half an hour later.

“Nummy, Mand this is so good.”

“Merci.” she smiled.

“Is Der coming over tonight?”

“Not sure, why?”

“I just can’t decide what I want to do with myself tonight.”

“Well, whatever we do, you two are welcome to join us.”

“I can think of a few things to do with you.” Nick added with an evil grin.

“Funny. Don’t you want to go out or something? We haven’t really done a lot since you’ve been here.”

“Let’s go to...” he started.

“How about...” Mandy tried to help.

“Oh! I know! Let’s go to...nevermind.” Rayanne added.

“We’re in a city, we should be able to find something to do.” Nick commented.

“I know but when you’ve lived here for years, it loses it’s appeal kinda.” Rayanne pointed out.

“Is that new club on Main Street open yet?”

“Nope, not until fall.” Mandy answered.

“Well, we’ll worry about it later.”

“Yay, something to look forward to.” she joked.

“Can I ask you a question Raybee? I meant to ask you earlier, but I knew it wasn’t the right time.”

“Sure...you can ask me anything Mand.”

“Are you going to keep the money?”

“Yeah.” she said looking at Nick.

“I’m sure that’s what she wanted.”

“Yeah. I’m using it for the baby. That’s really the one reason I kept it.”

“That’s a good idea.” she said getting up. “Anyone want more pasta?”

“No thanks, I’m actually getting full! Who would have thought?!” she joked.

Mandy laughed and put her dishes in the dishwasher. Nick and Rayanne did the same and a few minutes later they were seated in the living room watching TV.

*Ring, Ring*

“Hello?” Mandy answered the phone.

Rayanne didn’t pay much attention to who she was talking to. That 70’s Show was on, she was lost in the episode.

A few minutes later Mandy hung up the phone and told them her and Derek were going to a movie and maybe to the mall.

“You guys wanna come?”

Rayanne turned her head to look at Nick. “Do you want to? It doesn’t really matter to me.”

He looked deep in thought for a minute before he answered. “Nah, that’s OK. I think one trip to the mall was enough.”

“Oh yeah! I forgot, I hate the mall now!” Rayanne agreed, giggling.

“Well you kiddies have fun then, I’m gonna go.”

“Oh we will!”

“Nick!” Rayanne playfully slapped his arm. “We’ll probably be in bed when you get home, so I’ll see ya tomorrow!”

“Rayanne!” Nick mocked her, slapping her back.

“You two...” Mandy shook her head and walked out the door.

“So...what are we gonna do?” Nick asked, one eyebrow raised, a huge smile plastered across his face.

“Well, I’m kinda hungry for some fruit...you can go get me some!”

“Not quite what I had in mind, but I can do that I suppose.” he laughed.

Rayanne watched Nick in the kitchen looking through the refrigerator. He finally pulled a small green basket full of strawberries out and put some in a bowl.

“You just sit and relax.” he said sitting on the end of the couch.

“Am I getting special treatment?” she asked with a smile.

“Yes. Close your eyes.”

“Close my eyes?”

“Yes. Close your eyes.”

She did as she was told and closed her eyes.

“Open your mouth.”

“Open my mouth?”

“What are you? My parrot today? Open your mouth.”

“Ya know Nick, I trust you when you have good intentions, but you just like to joke way too much...what are you going to put in my mouth?”

“Don’t you worry, you’ll like it.”

She smiled, her eyes still closed. “I guess I do like what you usually put in my mouth.”

“Rayanne Elizabeth! You are a pig! Now open your mouth.”

She opened her mouth and Nick slowly put the tip of a strawberry inside. She bit it off and slowly chewed it.

“Mmm...chocolate syrup. I like that.”

“Good. Open your mouth again.”

She swallowed the strawberry and opened her mouth again. He stuck another strawberry in her mouth for her to bite off.

“This is really nice sweetie, but why do I have to have my eyes closed?”

“I guess you don’t have to anymore.” he laughed. “It was just the first time so it would be a surprise that there was chocolate syrup on it.”

She opened her eyes and let Nick feed her more chocolate covered strawberries.

“Nick?” she asked through a mouthful of fruit.

“Ray?”

“Do you want a boy or a girl?”

“I guess it doesn’t matter. Really, either.”

“What names do you like? For a boy.”

“Let’s see....there’s Nickolas, Nickolas or Nickolas. I like those. Oh, and maybe Brian.”

“Cute. I’m serious, this is something we have to do together.”

“I like Nathan.”

“Me too. I also like Isaiah. Chase, Justin and Dylan are nice too.”

“What about Tyler?”

She couldn’t bring herself to say anything, she was afraid she might start crying.

“I think that would be a nice name.” he continued.

She still didn’t say anything.

“Ray?”

“You are so sweet. I like it.” she kissed him softly on the lips.

“Good. Me too.”

“Now, what about girls names?” she asked, wanting to change the subject.

“Girls names...I like Rayanne.”

“You better! What else do you like?”

“Elizabeth.”

“OK, if you’re not gonna play right, I’ll just pick a name by myself. How about....Helga?”

“Helga?!”

“I like Helga.”

“You would.” he laughed, picking up a chocolate covered strawberry, smearing it across her cheek.

“Hey!”

“What? Don’t like that?” he asked, doing it to her other cheek and her forehead.

“Stop it!” she yelled, trying to sound mad.

He stopped and pulled his arm back. “Mmm...now I have a chocolate covered Rayanne.”

“I don’t like being chocolate covered so you better get this stuff off me!” she smiled.

“With pleasure.” he smiled.

He leaned his body closer to hers and gently ran his tongue along her cheek, licking off the chocolate.

“Mmm...that feels good.”

“It tastes good.” he laughed.

When he was done with the first cheek he did her forehead, making his way to her other cheek after that. When all the chocolate was off her cheek he kissed his way down to her lips, slipping his tongue inside her mouth.

She kissed him back, putting her hands under his shirt, rubbing them over his soft skin. He rubbed her bare stomach lightly, pulling her shirt over her head and dropping on the floor.

“Mmm...Nick?”

“Hmm?” he pulled away.

“Is it OK to do this?”

“What do you mean?”

“Will it hurt the baby?”

“Not at all.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” he smiled. “People do it all the time.”

“I know, but maybe we should wait until Tuesday and ask the doctor.”

“If you want to, we can.” he said kissing her forehead.

She smiled at him and closed her eyes,

“Hey! Just cause we’re not finishing what we started doesn’t mean you get out of dancing.” he laughed.

“Dancing?” she said slowly, peeking one eye open.

“Yes, I want to dance with the mother of my baby.”

She took his outstretched hand and let him pull her close, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his cheek next to hers.

“We’re dancing with no music.” she laughed.

“You don’t have much of an imagination do you?!”

She looked up and saw him smiling.

“Sure I do! Watch.”

She closed her eyes and imagined music playing and let herself move in time with it.

“How about I sing so we don’t have to pretend quite so hard?”

“Sounds good to me!”

He began to sing as she wrapped her arms around him tighter and closed her eyes.

“I would give up everything, before I’d separate myself from you. After so much suffering, I’ve found unvarnished truth.”

“Awww....what a sweet talker.”

“I’m singing.”

“What a sweet singer!” she giggled.

He smiled and started singing again. She listened intently with her head on his chest.

“And when I wake up to, the touch of your head on my shoulder, you’re a dream come true. Girl, you know I’ll always treasure every kiss and every day. I love you girl in every way, and I always will cause in my eyes...ooh baby, no one else comes close to you. No one makes me feel the way you do. You’re so special girl, to me, and you’ll always be eternally.”

She pulled her head back and looked at him.

“I love you.” she whispered.

“I love you too.”

She brought her head closer to his, finding his lips. She closed her eyes and felt his soft hair with her fingers, moving them down his neck. She kissed his lips gently, letting her tongue find his. He reached down and ran his hands over her back, slipping his hands inside, pulling up on her shirt. She broke the kiss long enough to let him take it off. She kissed him again as he unbuttoned her pants. This time she didn’t stop him. He undressed her slowly, his hands gentle as she undressed him, their clothes falling to the floor. They made love and Rayanne felt truly happy for the first time in three days.