Mentally pleading not to run into Ty, I grip the handle bar of the cart until my knuckles turn white and barely miss pushing it into a display stand, "Ach!" I hiss and yank it away. Basil places his hands over mine, threading his arms through mine from behind.

"Zipporah, don't worry. I'm here. Ty won't hurt you." He croons and squeezes my hands. I lean backwards into him.

"If we do run into him,.. are you really ready to see the guy who-"

"Who caused you pain?" Basil tsks, "Yes. I have a lot to say to him." I push the cart forward and Basil assumes a post beside me, wrapping his arm around my waist in a bold style.

"Like what?" I almost smile.

"Don't worry about what I will say to him. Let's focus on avoiding displays," I snort at his remark and then laugh, "That's what I wanted to hear."

"Okay, let's go." More aisles are explored without event. I'm still nervous but Basil alleviates my distress with his mere company. Holding my hand or keeping an arm around me unless he's getting something provides more comfort than he thinks.

In the dairy aisle, I'm reaching into a fridge for some chocolate milk when the cart rattles, catching me off guard. I spin around and pale.

Ashy hair, tan complexion, muscular, tall, and pointed green eyes. He smiles, but holds the cart tightly. I try not to drop the two gallons of brown sweetness before they're safely in the cart, "Hello, Zipporah."

"H-Hello, Ty," Hopefully Basil is close. I sent him to go get bagels and English muffins. I grip the cart, "Fancy seeing you here." Ty obviously hasn't noticed my wedding and engagement rings, or my protruding stomach.

"I just saw your dad, Zip. He said you were doing quite well. I wanted to know for myself." I purse my lips.

"Yes, I am doing very well, Ty. Please do not call me that name again," His smile draws thin and his eyes narrow, "I am a married woman. My husband will be back shortly."

"I never thought I'd see the day that you'd be married. You never entertained the notion when we were together."

"I wasn't looking for marriage and wasn't ready either. I wanted to focus on building my life."

"Yes, you were more focused on a career than anything else."

"On getting my education and getting into a good career, yes. I wanted to be independent and stable before I even considered marriage."

"Excuse me, but I don't believe we've met," Basil appears, dropping off the goods. He empasizes his german accent and extends his hand to Ty, "I'm Basil Kaiser. Zipporah's my wife." He says it so proudly and with such fervor that I can't restrain my smile.

Ty shakes hands with Basil, and both size each other up, "Ty Cooper. I was just chatting with Zipporah about old times."

"I know all about those old times, sir. I know exactly who you are." Basil tsks and slips his arm around my waist. Ty switches his gaze to me.

"I told him because it was only fair he knew why I was reluctant to date him."

"I-"

"I don't want to hear it." I snip. Ty opens his lips them shuts them, having finally noticed my stomach. I place my hand over it and draw a breath.

"Ty, I suggest you leave my wife alone. What you did was very low. You broke one of the most beautiful and gifted women in the world. If you intend to harm her again, then we will prosecute," Basil threatens, "The only other thing I have to say is that I am blessed to be Zipporah's husband and I am very lucky to have her by my side. Good day, Mr. Cooper." Basil removes Ty's hand from the cart and propels me away from him.

"Thank you, Edelweiss." He smiles smugly.

"No problem whatsoever. Now, let's finish up and head home. You need to rest." With that, we speed through the rest of the shopping and meet up with Dad near the check out.

~Uilosris