I sighed while I worked on my jewelry design. We had a family meeting in a little bit. I had already put Lexine to bed and I was feeling antsy. Preston had said that developments had been made in who had paid the PI Murdoch to watch me. Normally after dinner I would be hanging out with my men but I couldn't sit still and wanted to keep busy. We were waiting for Preston to get home so that we could get started and Jake sat in my office with me while I worked. Making a sound of exasperation, I set the necklace down. I was too frustrated to get it right so I needed to step away from it before I ruined the design.

Jake looked at me with concern and patted the seat next to him on the couch. "Come here sweetie. Talk it out with me." I got up from my seat and instead of sitting next to him, I opted for his lap. Judging from the grin on his face, he didn't mind at all and wrapped his arms around me. "It's driving me crazy. I want to know why I'm being followed and Preston isn't home yet. It's making me feel super anxious and nervous. I can't sit still and I can't concentrate. I'm going to start showing soon and I don't want the person following me to know that I am pregnant. I don't want Lexine to know how nervous I am because she is just now starting to relax and be happy. And I ...... I don't know!"

Jake rubbed my back soothingly, "Alright sweetie, I swear Preston will be home soon. We will take care of this. We won't let anyone hurt you or Lexine or the baby. I understand a little. You just found your happiness and you're worried that it's going to be taken away."

I felt tears fill my eyes, "I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't want to sound like a whiney baby." Jake kissed my forehead, "You are perfectly normal. Your hormones are all over the place and you are worried about everyone and everything." I buried my face in his neck and I felt him pull out his phone and start tapping away on it. His phone buzzed in response to a text that he must have sent and then he put his phone away. I felt him slip his hand under my shirt and caress my back. "I know what you need right now. I'm going to distract you for a little bit here. Doctor's orders so you had better listen to me." I gave a snort of laughter as he playfully chided me.

Jake turned me on his lap so that I was facing away from him and still sitting on his lap. His hands pulled my upper body to lean back on his chest and my legs apart to be dangling on either side of his legs. He parted his legs and that opened mine up wider. I gasped and he slid his hands up the front of my shirt. He pulled the hem of my shirt up and over my breasts until it reached my armpits. His fingers pinched the front clasp of my bra undoing it and peeling back the cups and replaced them with his hands. I sucked in my breath as he kneaded them and played with my nipples. My head fell back on his shoulder and he kissed my neck. I moaned in appreciation and one of his hands wandered down the front of my sweatpants and into my panties to dip into my wet warmth. Jake played with my body and brought me to an orgasm twice before stopping. I felt completely boneless and relaxed when he was done. He helped me straighten up my underwear and clothes as I asked him, "Did Chase really tell you to do that?"

Jake laughed and nodded, "Oh, yeah he did. He even offered to do it himself but I had it covered. It worked didn't it?" I had to agree, it was a great distraction. He gave me one last kiss and adjusted himself before he headed out the door with me. We went out to the living room where Preston had just arrived home. I sat down on the couch between Brady and Wyatt feeling a little anxious again.

Family Meeting

Preston: We finally have the information that will help us solve this mystery of the PI. Confirmation has come to us that Mrs. Williams, Rick's mother has hired Murdoch to keep surveillance on Delphine. We are still looking into the matter of why but at least we know where to start digging now.

Wyatt: I can start looking into her financials and see where that will get us.

Brady: Victor Morgan owes me another favor, I can have him look into things too if that will help Wyatt.

Wyatt: That would be great, have him get in touch with me please.

Jake: I have an acquaintance in California that can keep tabs on her for a week to see where she goes and what she's up to.

Chase: I'm going to have someone else I know start digging into the medical files there. I'm pretty sure that they can get us the files that we have been looking for.

Preston: I am considering a trip to the west coast under the guise of real estate to see what else needs to be done. I'd like to wait until we have more information of course. My dear, you've been quiet. Is there anything that you'd like to say?

Delphine: I didn't mean to be so quiet. I am still trying to absorb the fact that it's been her. Why? What could she possibly want from me? I took nothing but our clothes and my car when we left.

Preston: That is exactly what we will find out. I promise you that we won't let anybody hurt you.

Jake: Delphine was worried about the PI finding out about her pregnancy.

Preston: I can understand that. I would prefer to sort this mess out before the pregnancy becomes apparent but if it does, I still don't want you to worry. We don't want you to worry too much.

Chase: Too much stress and worrying is not good for the baby or you sweetheart. It can make your morning sickness worsen. All of us need to keep you relaxed as much as possible. (noticing Delphine's blush) Not always the same method. I'd like to prescribe a nice bath for you tonight, not too hot of course but calming. Brady might have the best tub for that.

Brady: No problem, we can do that.

Preston: Good, that everything for tonight. Let's all get some rest. Meeting adjourned.

______________________________________________________________________

After the stressfulness of the evening, I was feeling tired. Brady noticed and insisted on carrying me upstairs to his room. I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head on his broad shoulder. He lay me down on his bed as he went to fill the tub with water. I kicked off my shoes and started undressing. I yawned as I pulled my top off and wiggled out of my pants. By the time Brady came back to me, I was already totally undressed. He lifted me up and carried me into the tub despite my halfhearted protests. I secretly like being carried by them. The water temp was perfect and I sighed as he lowered us into it. The lights were dimmed and the fake stars were glimmering. The strains of classical music floated in the air and I felt my tension melt away as Brady's hands ran up and down my arms.

I turned my head to the side and kissed Brady's cheek, "Thank you. This feels perfect." I could feel his smile as he pressed his face against my head. We lay there for a little while and relaxed. I fell asleep on him and he had to gently wake me up so that we could dry off and get into bed. As I crawled into bed, I automatically went to him and cuddled close before my eyes shut. I was out like a light and only woke up because my bladder insisted on it. I also ate a handful of crackers and then rinsed my mouth out before going back to sleep. I woke up again in the morning when Brady slipped out of bed to get dressed and ready for the day. Reaching down to the mini fridge, I grabbed a juice box and sipped at it while turning on the television to distract me. The morning routine that Chase had set in place for my morning sickness really helped and I was grateful for it. By the time that Brady had dressed and gotten ready, I felt better. He gave me a kiss on the forehead  and said, "I'll see you downstairs buttercup."

I  threw on one of Brady's shirts to wear before I went back to my room. I got ready for the day, brushing my hair and teeth before going downstairs. Brady was waiting for me holding out my jacket and phone for me to take. "I'm taking you out to breakfast today." he told me with a grin. I smiled back at him, putting the jacket on and sliding my phone into my pocket. "Sounds good to me." I said. Ushering me into his truck, he drove me to a place that looked like a chain but wasn't one. They had it kind of bayou themed with southern background music, crickets chirping and decorations of corrugated tin above the booth with hand painted signs.

I liked it immediately. We were seated in a booth and we were handed menu's printed on a fake newspaper. I glanced at the roll of paper towels on a holder and there was a tin bucket filled with bottles of condiments. We were offered drinks and I chose Cranberry Juice while Brady wanted coffee. Opening the menu, I noted the southern style of food that they make. Brady leaned across the table towards me and said, "They have lunch and breakfast available during the hours they are open. Choose whatever you want buttercup."

I smiled and nodded. Perusing the menu, I made a decision and chose the Crab Cakes Benedict. The server came by and we ordered. "I'm really liking the ambiance of this place. It reminds me of this restaurant in Disneyland. It's called the Blue Bayou." Brady nodded with a grin, "Yeah, that's the place that's in the ride right?" I had a big grin on my face as I answered him, "That's right! It's a little pricey but I guess that you are paying for the experience." 

He studied me carefully for a second, "You really liked going to Disneyland didn't you." I had to agree and nodded, "My family took me there a few times and Rick did too. The last time we went, Lexine was one and a half." I sighed before continuing, "It was a great time. We had fun." Brady nodded thoughtfully before asking, "Have you ever been to Disneyworld?" I shook my head no and he filed that information away as our food arrived. We ate, the food was fantastic! I made Brady promise to take me here again, which he agreed to cheerfully.

The rest of the day passed by quickly at home with me working on the jewelry designs and dinner in the crock pot so that I didn't have to work at it too much. Later that evening after Lexine was in bed, Wyatt brought the mail in and found a letter postmarked from California. It was from the courts there notifying me of a court hearing date. I was too upset to really read it and see what it was for. Preston took the letter from me and read it with his expression turning dark and angry. "Your former mother in law is asking for a hearing about your daughter. She is petitioning for custody herself." he spat out. Chase forced me to sit and tried to calm me down.

Suddenly I had a new fear running through my head and it wasn't pretty. I couldn't conceive the idea of losing my daughter! Tears were running down my face and the guys were alternately trying console me and getting angry with the petition. I knew that my happiness couldn't last! Something bad always happened to ruin everything. Preston got on the phone and Wyatt had gotten a laptop and was typing away like mad. Jake scooped me up onto his lap and murmured soothing things in my ear. Brady sat to the side of us and looked worried. Chase looked more calm and sat on the other side facing me. He reached out to hold my hand and put his fingers on my wrist. When my tears had finally stopped and my breathing had finally evened out, barring the occasional hiccup, I took notice of Preston and Wyatt. Preston was off the phone and looking over Wyatt shoulder at the laptop's screen.

They were conferring on something quietly then Preston checked something on his phone again and looked pleased. "Alright! I have secured the services of Jack Brody as our lawyer. He's an Academy lawyer who is based in California, so he is up to date and very familiar with all of the state laws. I've already sent him a copy of this letter and he will be able to pull up all the specifics of the case. Wyatt has looked up evidence that has been entered for the case and it looks like most of it will be discredited before the hearing. This is what that idiot PI has been doing. "

Wyatt typed away on and read something else that made him smile, "I do believe that I have finally found the information that I was looking for! We can get the hard copies of the reports in California." Preston nodded looking pleased, "The court date is set in a couple of weeks so we can have this matter settled before Christmas. I believe it to be best if we keep Lexine here with Brady, Jake and Chase. Wyatt and I will travel to California with Delphine to the hearing."

"Sounds like a plan." Jake said while continuing to sooth me. "Will Delphine be able to fly?" Brady asked Chase. He nodded and said, "There shouldn't be any problems with that as long as she gets up and walked around every so often." Wyatt spoke up, "I've got us tickets for first class on the flights so that won't be a problem." Preston stepped over to us and got down on his knees in front of us, "Delphine, I promise you, she won't win. All of us will work to make sure of that." I nodded trying to dry my face with my hands. A handful of tissues were handed to me and I mopped my face off.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. The stress of everything was catching up to me and I felt so tired. "Let's get you to bed sweetheart." Chase said to me. "I'm spending the night with you." I let him pull me up and lead me upstairs. I felt completely drained. In my room, I stripped off my clothes dumping them in the hamper. I also took off my bra and pulled on a nightie before going to the bathroom. Chase was waiting for me in bed when I came out and I crawled in next to him. His arm was stretched out inviting me to cuddle. I gratefully nestled my head into his shoulder and fell asleep.