He went travelling for a while to clear his head.

Thankfully he didn't hang up. Instead sounding slightly overwhelmed by your manic enthusiasm. "Whoa. Alright, Tim, just calm down a second," he told you. Explaining then that "I'm sorry I didn't get in touch earlier, but, well... I was pretty pissed." Was being the operative term here.

"I know, and I'm sorry," you once again apologized. Latching onto this. "I messed up big time."

"Yeah, well, that's one of the reasons why I needed to get away for a while. To clear my head and get some perspective on things. It was still shitty what you did, but I guess I can forgive you. After all, you're the only true friend I've got left."

You let out an audible sigh of relief as he said this. Having never felt so glad of anything before. Assuring him then that nothing like that would ever happen again. To which he stated, "It better not."

"So, where did you go to all this time?" you asked. Still having yet to hear his answer.

"Around. Figured I'd hit the road for a while and visit some of the places my mom and dad used to take me when I was little. You know, relive some old memories. That kind of thing."

Though it wasn't at all the answer you'd been expecting, it did kind of in a way make sense. Ever since becoming Laura Card, Randall had been pretty much trapped inside her life. No longer having any aspect of his own. Plus, with the baby on the way, naturally his mind would turn to his own childhood upbringing. Recalling how his parents used to take him camping every year before his mother had died. Having tagged along with them a few times yourself.

"Is that where you are now then?" you inquired, "Or are you back home?"

"Nah. Decided to take a little trip upstate to see Miss. Card's folks," he replied. "I'm staying at their place just now." This on the other hand, seeming to have come completely out of left field.

"Her parents?"

"Yeah. They told me back at the hospital if there was anything I needed, any problems, just to give them a call. And after what happened, well I didn't exactly have my own parents to go to. And seeing as they are about to become grandparents, I thought they should know."

"Wow..." was the only word that sprung to mind. Having not even told your own parents this yet. People he actually knew. But he'd told what was essentially two complete strangers. Not even being able to begin to imagine his thinking behind this. Though in truth, you really could imagine much of what he was thinking these days.

Apparently though, they were the exact same kind and supportive people they had seemed back in the hospital and had welcomed him in with open arms. And after you'd asked him how they'd taken the news that he was going to be having their dead daughters baby, he responded, "They're actually pretty thrilled about it, if you can believe that. Mary even... (explaining then) that's uh, that's Miss. Card's mom, well she had all these old baby clothes and stuff of Laura's she wants me to have, and the two of them have really helped me come to terms a little more with the pregnancy and everything."

This was good news indeed. Especially since your own mom would no doubt freak the hell out. Which on reflection, was probably why he hadn't told your parents first.

"And are they... you know, okay with you and everything?"

"Yeah. They are surprisingly fine. I mean sometimes they forget for a moment and call me Laura every now and then, but they really do seem to be taking it all in their stride. Being able to separate me from her." Adding then, "It's been really great staying with them though. As if... I dunno, in a weird way its like actually having a proper mom and dad again, if you know what I mean."

You didn't. Having always had your own parents. But you got what he was saying. Having really been in need of some parental comfort and advice in his life ever since his own dad had abandoned him and your mom had started treating him like the body he was in. It was good then that he'd finally found some. That being said, you were still here for him too, asking him then, "So when are you coming back? Cause seriously dude, this Mr. Garrick guy they got to replace you is as boring as shit. Plus, his ass isn't half as good as yours!"This causing Randall to chuckle.

"Yeah, I'll bet," he laughed. The infectiousness of it causing you to do the same. "And it probably won't be till next week anyway. Before my hospital appointment." Informing you then that he'd let you know nearer the time.

"Okay, cool. Looking forward to it."

"Oh, and if anyone asks... your mom for example... you can tell them where I am. I figure once I get back home the cat is gonna be out of the bag anyway. No point keeping this pregnancy thing a secret anymore."

Guess not, you thought to yourself. The doctors having said as much themselves. Still, whatever had happened during his three weeks away, he did now seem way more calm and collected about it all. Making you wonder if he'd actually come to a decision in your absence about what to do when the baby was born. The mention of baby clothes making you think he had decided to keep it... You didn't get the chance to ask him about it however, Randall telling you then that he had to go and would speak to you soon. Signing off and leaving you to contemplate everything he'd said. Things appearing to be changing now a hell of a lot faster than you originally thought they would.

Still, he had forgiven you for the whole DVD thing, and he'd be coming home soon. These two things being reason enough to be happy. Not being able to wait now for his return. Even if the whole Alex thing had been still playing in the back of your mind.

You also finally had an answer for your mother now when she tried phoning Randall again, and once again got no reply. Telling her that he had decided to take a little time off to go visit Miss. Card's parents. Though not giving the reason for said visit. Keeping it rather vague. This admittedly threw your mom. Replying, "Oh... I wonder what for." Giving you the perfect opportunity to throw the whole Randall is Laura thing she'd been rocking these last few months back in her face. Asking her then with a smirk, "What do you mean what for? They're her parents. I'm sure she doesn't need a reason." Your mom having no come back to this whatsoever.

As promised then, almost a week later, you received another call from Randall telling you that he'd be heading home on the Sunday, and if you wanted to you could come meet him when he arrived. Naturally you jumped at the chance, and two days later you cycled on over to his place. Finding yourself having to wait a good half hour longer than he said you would. Obviously running a little late.

Once you saw his little pink fiat appear in the distance however, your heart began beating a little faster. It having been a full month now since you'd last seen him, and things hadn't exactly ended well on that particular night.

"You call this seven O'clock?" you jokingly called out, as he pulled up in front of you. Wearing a big grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye.

"I call it around seven, yeah," he replied. Looking about as happy to see you as you were him. Thank God. "How you doing?"

"Good. All the better for seeing you."

"Well don't go getting too excited just yet. There's a load of stuff in the trunk you can help me carry in. Chuck and Mary gave me a hell of a lot of stuff."

"So I see," you said. Looking into the back seat and noticing two large boxes sitting in there as well. Asking, "Haven't I already done this before?"

"Yeah, but you are my bitch remember," he chuckled. Taking off his seat belt and stepping out the car. Your rapport having seemingly gone right back to how it was before, and Randall appearing a lot happier. As he got out though, you couldn't help but notice, not only what he was wearing (a light, flowery blue summer dress), but also the much more prominent bump now pushing out from his belly. Being way more pronounced than it was the last time you'd seen him. The dress he was wearing beautifully enhancing its shape.

Noticing your enraptured stare, Randall quickly brought his hands up to his belly, as if trying to cover it. Telling you then, as he began blushing ever so slightly, "Yep. It's certainly grown alright. Even started to feel the little guy moving around in there. Which is freaking weird."

Weird was right. But there was also something incredibly alluring about it all too. The **** curves of both his belly and breasts (which also appeared to have grown) giving him this sort of super feminine, maternal beauty. The sight of him standing there actually causing your penis to stir.

"Anyway, come on. Come help me with all this stuff will you?" he said, looking extremely self conscious and moving quickly towards the trunk of the car. His round belly swaying from side to side as he did.

Not wanting to embarrass him any further, you did your best to control your gaze. Only sneaking the odd little peek here and there while he wasn't looking as you helped carry what must have been at least five big boxes full of clothes, as well as his own luggage into the house. You naturally doing most of the work due to his current condition, which only seemed to aggravate him when you pointed it out. Randall most definitely not wanting to be seen as an invalid.

After getting everything inside and collapsing on the couch, Randall then excused himself to go get changed out of "this stupid thing". Referring to his dress. It definitely not being his regular type of wear. Dresses being mainly reserved for dances, night outs and parties so far (all of which included ****). Asking him about it, he explained that he'd gotten it from Miss. Card's mom. Seeing how most of what he'd brought with him had started to get a little too tight, and this dress, despite his **** to wear it, was a much better fit for his growing proportions.