Free Somewhere in My Heart by Jennifer Scott Page A

been to the one in California, Disneyland.  Billie knew she would have a much better time now; she had always wanted to go there for her honeymoon. 
     
    They finished up their honeymoon by going to all of the other local theme parks and attractions. They had been on their honeymoon for almost two weeks, even though all of it was not spent at Disneyworld.  Once they returned, they had been asked to be on The Brook and Shane show. They were big news and the media loved the idea of one of 'them' marrying a famous person that they had been paid to photograph.  It was also a ‘Cinderella' story.  The same night that Ricky and Billie were on the show, so was Andy Johnston.  He was asked to describe the Todd wedding.  He commented on the event as well as the location.  During the interview with Billie and Ricky, they talked about their trip to Florida. 
     
    Ricky expressed, “We’re sorry we didn’t bring back a souvenir for you, but I could only afford one for Billie.” 
     
    Lori asked, “Well, what did he give you, Billie? Tell us!” 
     
    Billie announced, “It’s something we both want and will both enjoy.  I won’t really get the souvenir for nine months.  I’m going to have a baby!  You are getting the scoop, because we like you the best.” 
     
    The show was live, so the world now knew.  They asked Andy what he had to say about the news.  He summed it up in two of his favorite words, “Yee Haw!”
     
    Billie and Ricky had a lot of adjusting to do.  They had to determine where they wanted to live.  They were keeping the place in Hawaii.  Billie just wanted to return to her job in Nashville, which meant Ricky had to decide what to do about a new manager.  He decided to be his own manager.  He also agreed that they should stay at his ranch in Nashville.  He was actually excited about it because he was getting tired of the isolation of the islands.  He joked that now he could finally drive and drive, without running in to the ocean.  Plus, so Billie could be closer to her friends.
     
    Ricky was looking forward to the birth of his and Billie’s first child.  Billie had a best friend that had experience giving birth and raising children, Maria. Plus, she just gave birth to her fourth child.  Billie thought about their kids going to school together.  She and Ricky started thinking of names for a boy or a girl.  Billie wanted to name their boy Ricky, Jr.  She hadn’t decided on a girl’s name.  But, it would probably be a name from one of her favorite soap operas.
     
    After Ricky was through touring for the year, they decided to take the cruise that they had received as a wedding gift.  They tried to plan it around a time when some of their friends could come along, too.  It worked out to be just before Thanksgiving.  Maria and her family wanted to be together for the holidays, so they had to get back in time. The cruise was to the Caribbean Islands.  Ricky and Billie weren’t totally sick of the sand and the sea.  It would be different if they were still staying in Hawaii.  Maria and Jason were overdue for a getaway.  They left their girls with Maria’s parents.  Ricky was worried about the trip affecting Billie’s pregnancy.  Since Maria understood the situation, she told him not to worry.  Billie was only a month pregnant, but wanted to be sure the trip was safe. 
     
    Maria expressed, “Trust me, being on a boat or getting a tan on a beach will not hurt the baby.  I toured up until three weeks before my first child was born.  Billie’s biggest problems may be morning sickness, or sea sickness, or the inevitable sunburn.”  Ricky did get the point.  Billie was going to take care of herself.  She didn’t want anything to happen to the baby either.  She was just happy that he cared so much.  She wasn't used to being pampered.  But, she figured if her own husband didn’t care for her, who would?
     

Chapter 7
     
     
     
    They packed the bare essentials