Several weeks later the two were settled in a small house that would do perfect for three.
Their wedding date grew closer with each passing day.
RC sat on the bed, watching Lily brush her hair in the mirror.
She caught sight of his reflection and turned around, smiling at him, "Hi there."
"How are you feeling?" he asked, going over to her.
"Pretty good," she aid, "Felt a little ill this morning, but it passed."
"Good," he kissed her.
She gave him a tight hug.
"I'll be heading off to work soon," he said.
She nodded and kissed him again.

When they parted, he looked at his watch, "I should go..."
"Alright," she said, "I'll see you for lunch then.'
"Of course," he said with a smile, "Take care."
She nodded, "Oh, and Ryan?"
"Yeah Lil?"
She walked him to the door, "I'm going to send a letter to Belle."
He stopped in his tracks, "A letter to Belle?...."
"Yes," she said, "After all, I have quite a bit to tell her."
"You can't," he said suddenly.
She blinked, "What do you mean?"
"Just that. You can't write to Belle," he stated firmly.
"But why not?"
"They'll *find* us Lily," RC said.
"But-"
"*No* Lily!" he interrupted her, "I mean it! *No* letters!"
Her eyes narrowed, "No letters," she repeated icily.
"Right!" he turned to go, "I'm already late."
He exited the house, heading to work. Lily slammed the door shut behind him.
He winced at the slam, but stayed firm. If Lily were to write to her sister, it wouldn't be long before they came after him. He was sure that's what had happened at the last station...

When lunch time came around, RC went home, as usual.
Lily rolled into the kitchen and dropped a plate with a sandwich on it onto the table with a bang.
"Here."
He jumped slightly at the bang, "Lily..."
"RC," she replied.
He sighed, "Lil... don't be upset with me..."
She didn't answer him, putting a glass down on the table.
"Lil..." he tried again, "If you understood why...."
She still didn't say a word, pouring him something to drink.
"Lil... hon... say something...." Her silence was making him uneasy.
"Did you want ice?" she asked coldly.
"Please...." he tried, "Lil..."
She dropped a few ice cups into his glass. "There," she turned to go.

He slammed his fist angrily and swore. "What did I do? Tell me already instead of making me guess! I'm not a mind reader Lily!"
"Well I suppose you did save me a trip to the post office," she answered coldly.
"What are you *talking* about?" RC demanded.
"Sending a letter to Belle."
"If you understood why...."
She turned away from him and strode out of the room. He heard the bedroom door slam shut.
"Lily!" he called after her, getting up.

He opened the door to see Lily siting on the bed, facing away from him.
"Lily..." he started, closing the door and slowly skating over to her, "Lil, hon... won't you let me explain..."
She finally did look up at him, a few tears were making their way down her cheeks. His heart broke at the sight of her tears.
"Lil... please...." he skated over to her and sat down on the bed. He placed his hand on her shoulders and started to rub them gently, "I'm sorry Lil..."
"I can't do this," she said, the tears still rolling down her face.
"You can Lil..." he continued to rub her shoulders.
"I can't," she said again, burring her face in her hands.
"Lil, if for anyone... for our child..." he pleaded.
"I just... with everything going on... and you working all the time... and the wedding... and the baby..."
He took a deep breath, rubbing her shoulders and feeling just awful. "Lil," he spoke gently, "You can. I'll be right beside you all the way."
She let out a hiccupy sort of sigh and turned around, leaning against him.
"I'm sorry Lil," he nuzzled against her, kissing her lightly on the head, "I'm sorry."
She slowly seemed to calm down, taking a few deep breaths and relaxing in his arms.
He rocked her gently, "we'll get through this together."
She nodded again, burying her face in his chest, and shivering slightly before finally settling down.

"Am I forgiven?..." he asked carefully.
She nodded silently against his chest.
"Good," he nuzzled her again, and then glanced over at the clock. "I should head back to work..." He shifted her gently, "Try and get some rest, okay?....."
She simply nodded again.
He gave her a kiss and eased her down onto the bed, tucking her in. "Now just rest Lil..." he said gently, "I'll be back later."
He gave her one final kiss and headed out the door.

When he returned home later that afternoon, he saw that the bedroom door was still closed. He quietly knocked on the door before opening it and entering the room.
Lily was exactly where he had left her, asleep on the bed. Her cheeks were tear streaked.
RC sank down on the bed, sitting down next to her. Seeing her this upset made him feel horrible. He didn't want to wake her, so he just sat there watching her.

Eventually she opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Hi," she said softly, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Hey..." he replied in the same tone, "Sleep well?...."
She nodded, giving him a very small smile.
He couldn't help but smile back. He loved her smile. "Good..."
Lily yawned.

"Shall we get something from the diner for dinner?"
She nodded, "I'm too tired to make anything."
"Alright," RC stood up and helped her up.

She leaned against him as they made their way to the diner. "I didn't mean to be so upset," she said softly.
"Maybe I deserved it..." he responded.
"I just don't want you to think I hated you or anything like that...."
"That's comforting to know." He gently kissed her still damp cheek, and then caressed her gently with the arm not around her shoulder, trying to dry her face off.
"I love you Ryan," she said, snuggling close to him.
"I love you too."

They arrived at the diner, and RC held the door open for her.
They grabbed a booth and sat down next to each other, sharing a menu.
The dining car came over to take their order. "Don't see you two in here too often," she said with a smile.
"Don't really get out much," he responded simply. The couple hadn't really made any close friends. RC thought it was better that way.
"Yes I know," the car said, giving Lily a friendly smile, "You're looking lovely."
"‘Course she's beautiful," the caboose replied, slipping an arm around Lily.
The dining car smiled and took their orders.

Once the dining car had left, Lily rested her head on RC's shoulder, "I've just been so tired lately."
"Understandable," RC said, "the baby's taking a lot outta ya."
"Yeah," she said, rubbing her slightly bulging stomach, "Like his or her father," she teased, giving him a kiss.
He kissed her back of course, but then looked down. "I promise Lil... no more."
"Aw Ryan, I didn't mean that in a bad way."
He looked back into her blue eyes.

"Someday though..." she said softly.
"Someday," he promised.
"It won't be as bad as you think," she said, "Especially with the baby... if we go back to Jacob and Belle, they'll help. I'm sure of it."
RC gave a slow nod, but he wasn't sure. Yeah, they'd accept Lily and the child back, but what about him?
"I know they would help," she said firmly.
"You and the baby, yes," he agreed.
"And you."
"I don't know Lil..."
"Why not?"
He took a breath, "When I ran off... I took you along..."
"But it was my choice to go with you."
"I don't know if others would understand that..."
"Sure they would," Lily said, "Belle and Jacob would."
"Maybe.." he said doubtfully.
"They would," she said firmly.
He looked down again and gave a soft sigh.
She stroked his hand gently and kissed him, "Don't worry."
"I'll try not to."
"Good," she said, kissing him again.

Several days had passed and the wedding was closer then ever. Lily hadn't cried since, and she certainly didn't seem depressed, but she still had a slight aura of sadness around her.
RC had noticed and felt rather guilty about it. It was his fault, after all, that she was sad. So he rolled over to her after lunch, "Lil?...."
"Yeah?" she asked, looking up from the dishes she had been washing.
He hesitated, looking down.
"Well what is it?" she asked with a smile.
"You can write Belle," he said softly, "I'll mail it..."
She blinked, "Really?"
He gave a slow nod, as much as he didn't want to let anyone know where he was, he couldn't bare making Lily so unhappy.
She gave him a hug and a kiss, getting him a bit wet in the process, but he didn't mind.
"I'll write it as soon as I finish with these," she said after they had parted.
"Alright..."
She gave him a smile, a much bigger smile then he had seen from her for a long time and he couldn't help but smile back. "That's the smile I love."
She grinned, "I aim to please."
He chuckled, "I'm glad to see you happy again."
She rinsed off the last plate and went to get a pen and some paper.

She sat down at the kitchen table and started to write.
RC pulled out another chair and sat on it backwards next to her, watching her write.
She quickly filled the whole paper, front and back, and then re-read what she had written.
He chuckled softly, "Sure ya told her everything?" he teased gently.
"I think so," she said with a grin, "I've got a lot to tell her." She played with her ring and smiled.
He leaned over and gave her a kiss.
She kissed him back and then folded the letter, putting it in an envelope, "so you'll mail it in the morning then?"
"Of course," he agreed, "I'll make sure it gets on it's way to your sister."
"I know you will," she kissed him again.

She stood up, setting her hand on his stomach, which was bulging out slightly.
He rolled over to her, "My beautiful Lil..." he said with a gentle smile. He hesitantly put a hand on her stomach, it was hard to believe that the little one in there was his. "This all seems like a dream..." he admitted.
"A dream?" she repeated, "Well. If it's a dream, it's certainly a good one."
"I don't want to wake up from it," he said, "That's for sure."

That night, RC was dreaming. He had married Lily and the baby was due any day now. He had a proud smile on his face, nothing could go wrong.
She was trying to convince him that he could indeed go into work.
"No Lil, I want to be here for you when the baby comes," he insisted, "They know you're at work, and understand if I don't come in."
She laughed, "but if you're here, you'll just be pacing back and forth making me nervous."
"I will not," RC took her hand, "Please Lil, I feel I need to be here."
"Alright," she yielded, giving him a hug, "Can I at least persuade you to go pick up a few thingsa t the store?"
"Sure," he replied, "I'll get anything you need."
"There's a list on the fridge."

When RC rolled towards the store, the engine he usually worked with was there, picking up a few items. "Hey RC," the engine greeted him.
RC looked up and waved with a smile. He liked this engine, he understood and didn't mind that RC was missing work. He figured that RC had a good reason.
"How's Lily doing?" the engine asked.
"Wonderful," RC responded, "Of course, ya know she's due any day."
"Well good luck with everything," the engine said.
"Thanks," RC grinned.
The engine walked out of the store, leaving RC alone.

The Caboose entered the store.
There was an engine at the counter, who turned to see RC and let out a gasp.

RC slammed on his brakes and could only stare at the engine in astonishment. This engine had worked in RC's old yard... in the mountains.
"RC?" the engine asked in disbelief.
The caboose could only blink in response.
"I- You've been here all this time?"
He gave a hesitant slow nod.
"Wow..." he rolled a step closer to the caboose, "I can't believe you've been here all this time... trains have been looking all over for you, ever since you ran off...."
RC swallowed hard.
"Why did you?" the engine asked.
"I... we... became restless staying there," RC responded with a little white lie, "should've said something... sorry..."
"But you left right after Charlie..." he trailed off and sighed, "Charlie, he... he didn't make it."
"What?...." RC looked up, dark eyes wide. He had seen it coming, expected it even, but hearing it... the shock still took him.

The engine nodded slowly, "Everyone's been looking for you... and Lily."
"Lily?" RC repeated.
"Yes," he replied, "Her sister has been very worried."
"I imagine..." he said quietly.
"And you've been here all this time," he said in amazement.
"Pretty much...."
"Wait ‘til I tell everyone- "
"No!" he blurted out.
The engine broke off, "What?"
"Please don't tell anyone ya saw me..."
"Why on earth not?"
"Belle would want Lily home right away, and... she can't travel at the moment."
He nodded, "Well yes... but RC... I have to..."
"Please don't," the caboose said, "I'll... we'll get a hold of someone when she's ready to leave..."
"But I still ought to tell someone..." he said, "No offence, but you've already shown a tendency to run..."
"You've got to trust me," RC said, feeling cold inside. He felt like something was wrong. He had to get home.
"Well..." the engine started.
RC sped off before the engine could stop him.

As soon as he reached the house, he relaxed a little. Everything looked normal at least, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
He entered the house and looked around.

"Hello RC," a deep voice from the kitchen said.
RC jumped in surprise and looked into the kitchen, blinking in surprise, "Hello Jacob..."
"Nice house," Jacob said.
"Thanks..."
"Belle was glad to see that at least Lily's being taken care of."
"‘Course!" RC exclaimed, "I love Lily. Wouldn't treat her any less."
"Good," Jacob said, "And you showed her that by keeping her away from her family."
"It's not like that..."
"Then why did she write in her last letter that you wouldn't let her write before?"
"I have m-my reasons... she knows them..."
"Uh huh," Jacob replied doubtfully.
"She does... we were going to return..." RC said, "We were Jacob, honestly.... we were going to raise our baby here and then as soon as we both felt that it was old enough to travel, we were going to return."
"And how long would that take?"
"Ten years old at least..."
"But I suppose you'd let Lily start writing letters?"
"Certainly..." ‘Now that Jacob and Belle know where we are' he added silently.

"Well," Jacob said, "I don't think you'll need to wait ten years. Trainlets can travel after a month if you're careful."
"True..." RC said, "but it's a three day journey at the very least... possibly longer with a trainlet that small..."
"But I will certainly be very careful."
"It would be up to... up to Lil in the long run," RC said, "What's she think of the idea?..."
"She is willing."
He gave a slow nod. He couldn't keep this up any longer, and he *had* promised Lily that they'd return. "Alright then. A month after the baby's born, we'll head back..."
"We *all* will."
RC slowly gave a nod. He didn't really want to, especially after the confirmation of Charlie's death, but he had promised... and hadn't Lily said that Belle and Jacob would help them out?

"And with the way things are, we wouldn't want her to stay here alone," Jacob continued, "A month alone with a young child..."
"But she wouldn't be Jacob," RC said, "I'll be here..." He blinked as the engine gave him a strange look, "I will be."
"Depending on how things go," Jacob said.
"What do you mean?" it was RC's turn to give the odd look.
"Well, what with everything that happened, I don't know how long the investigation will take," Jacob explained.
"In-investigation?"
"You were involved in the death of another train... that won't just go away," he said rather harshly.
RC cringed slightly, "Jacob... I didn't do nothing... At least *you* gotta believe me..." He nearly pleaded.
"Yes," he said, "Well don't worry, we'll see that Lily and her child are taken care of, and if you're tellin' the truth, you've got nothing to worry about."
"And what if they don't believe me Jacob?...." RC nearly whispered, "What then?" He swallowed,
"There'd be no way I'd be... *scrapped* would there?..." He shifted nervously, "They wouldn't do that... they *couldn't*.."
"They'd have to prove that you did it intentionally," Jacob pointed out, "And according to the rest of the freight train, you didn't."
He nodded, "Right."

"Well," Jacob said, "I'm glad that you finally did allow Lily to write Belle, finally let us find you after all this time."
RC gave a slow nod.

There was a knock on the door and RC went over to answer it, seeing a rather official looking diesel engine at the door.
RC swallowed hard.
"RC?" the engine asked.
".... yes...." he said, very softly.
"I am to take you into custody- "
"Wha?" RC gasped and backed away a step, "but... can't I at least see the birth of my child?" He knew that if he was taken in now, he might not. He didn't want to leave Lil alone.
"Relax," the engine said, holding up his hand, "I know all about your situation. I'm not going to take you right now. After you are assured that your child and coach will be fine, we will go."
RC bit his lip.
"I will keep in touch with you."
The caboose gave an uneasy nod in response, his eyes wide as he the diesel said good bye and left.
"Belle and I will see to it that Lily and the baby get to the AV safely," Jacob said, "And you can meat us there when they release you."
"If they release me..." he murmured to himself. Sure the other freight had said that he hadn't done anything to cause it, but...
"Yes," Jacob agreed.

RC's eyes shot open with gasp. His dark eyes darted around the bedroom, while he assured himself that it had just been a dream.
He looked over to Lily, sleeping peacefully next to him.
He couldn't mail that letter. Not now. They'd come to take them, the dream had shown him that. He wasn't ready to go back.
"I'm sorry Lil..." he whispered. He kissed her lightly, feeling horrible.

He woke the next morning just in time to see Lily vanish into the bathroom. He stretched and sat up, listening to Lily take a shower.
When she came out, he gave her a smile, although he couldn't really meet her eyes.
"Good morning," she greeted him cheerfully.
"Morning..." he replied.
"Sleep well?"
"Yeah," he fibbed, "How are you feeling? Sleep well?"
"Perfectly well," she replied, coming over and giving him a light kiss.
He smiled slightly.
"I'll go make breakfast for the two of us," she said.
"Alright Lil."

By the time RC came out into the kitchen, breakfast was ready and Lily was in the middle of her third banana. He sat down next to her and chuckled lightly, though not meanly of course.
She stuck out her tongue, "So the baby likes bananas," she said.
"Well at least it's eating healthy," RC replied.
She grinned.
His hand slowly went to her stomach and rubbed it slightly. She was starting to show. "What do you think the baby will be?" he whispered.
"I don't know," she said.
He looked up into her deep blue eyes, "Any hopes?"
"Just as long as it's healthy."
He nodded, "I agree."

When they finished, RC helped Lily clear the table, and then kissed her.
"I should head out."
"Alright," she said, "I'll see you at lunch time."
He nodded, "Where's the letter ya wanted to send to Belle?" he asked, "I'll... mail it while I'm out."
She nodded and gave him the envelope, which he slipped into his pocket.
"Thanks honey," she said.
"Anything for you, love," he replied, giving her another kiss, "I'll see ya at noon."

Lily had eagerly been checking the mail for the past two days, but it was always the same response.
"Nothing today hon, sorry."
Lily sighed, "Alright."

RC had been watching from the house as Lily had gone out to meet the mail car, and he saw the disappointed look on her face. A wave of guilt crossed his conscience as his hand went into his pocket, closing around Lily's letter. He hated this, and hated himself for having to do this to her, but he felt it was for the best.

"Still nothing today," she said once she had come back inside.
"I'm sorry," he said. ‘In more ways then one...' he added silently. Out loud, he continued, "Maybe she's busy..."
"I guess..." she said softly, as he gave her a hug, "I suppose with Rusty to take care of..."
"Yeah... children to require a lot of attention..."

She rubbed her stomach and nodded.
He put his hand on top of hers, "you'll make a good mother." He nuzzled her, holding her close.
She relaxed a bit. "I suppose you're right and I'm worrying about nothing."
"Exactly..."

She smiled at him, "I think I'm going to take a nap."
"Alright, you do that," he said with a smile, knowing how quickly she got tired lately.
She gave him a kiss and then pulled out of his arms, going into the bedroom
"Ya get some sleep," RC said, following her and helping her down onto the bed, "I'll handle anything that comes up."
She gave a nod, lying down.
He leaned over and kissed her, "I want no worries from you."
"Yes sir," she repeated with a smile, "I'll certainly try."
"Good," he smiled.

"Tuck me in Ryan?" she requested.
"Of course Lil," he pulled the blanket over her and tucked her in gently, "I love you..."
She smiled and closed her eyes, "I love you too."
He kissed her again, and then left the room, leaving her to sleep.

Out in the living room, RC sat down in a chair and took the slightly crumbled envelope out of his pocket and looked at it with a sigh.
He turned it over and over again in his hands for a few minutes, and then stuck it back in his pocket.