When it came to her age people knew better than to ask. Wilhelmina Slater did not discuss her age. People questioned how old she really was, behind her back of course. In fact she had lied about it so many times the only way she knew her real age was to look at her passport. In reality she was 46. Most of the time this was irrelevant.
She had been back at Mode for a couple weeks, but something was different about her. She wasn't the normal Wilhelmina Slater they all loved to hate. Of course no one would ever mention that to her.
She's sitting on her throne–at her desk–when Marc comes in to talk to her.
"What do you need Marc? I am very busy right now," she snaps at him.
He approaches cautiously looking for the right words to say.
"Marc do you need something? If not please go," she tells him.
"Willie are you feeling ok?"
She looks up from the stack of proofs in front of her. "Of course why would you ask?"
"You just seem different," he admits.
"What do you mean?"
"You seem tired," he admits.
"Is that a crime?"
"For you it is," he points out.
"I'm fine Marc. Thank you for your concern."
"You're thanking me for my concern? Aren't you going to yell at me for wasting your time, and being way off base?"
"No," she answers rubbing her temples.
"Are you ok?"
"I've just got a headache."
"You're sure that's all that's wrong with you? Just a headache?"
"Honestly? I haven't felt like myself lately."
"What do you mean?"
She looks at him sharply, "If you ever tell anyone this I will have to throw you off the top of the building," she warns.
"Understood," he nods.
"I was watching something on T.V., I don't even really remember what, but I actually cried."
Marc gasps, "That's not like you."
"I know," she agrees.
"Maybe you should see a doctor," he suggests.
"It's not that serious."
"It's not? You're tired, and you cried," he points out.
"It's just stress."
"Willie I know you almost as well as you know yourself. I think that there is something wrong with you. You should see a doctor," he tells her.
"I'll think about it," she agrees, "Now get out of my office."
He quickly retreats. For the rest of the day that's all she can seem to think about. Maybe there was something wrong with her.
"Wilhelmina?" Daniel questions.
She looks up from her desk.
"Wilhelmina did you hear me?"
"I'm sorry what were you saying?"
"You're late for the meeting, come on."
"Ok," she agrees.
"Are you ok?"
"Of course I am," she answers, "Why does everyone keep asking me that?"
"I've never known you to be late for anything," he tells her.
"I just lost track of time," she admits.
He looks startled by that revelation. "You lost track of time?"
"Why is that so hard to believe?"
He shrugs, "Never mind."
The following day she makes an doctors appointment during her lunch. He asks her routine questions, and takes a blood sample. When she returns to Mode Marc sees her step off the elevator.
"New fashion accessory?" Marc asks.
She looks at her arm and shakes her head. "No," she answers as she rips the band-aid off.
"Did you get a boo-boo?" he jokes.
"I had a doctor's appointment. He drew some blood."
"What did he say?"
"He doesn't think that there is anything wrong with me."
"Did you tell him about the thing?"
"What thing?" she gives him a dirty look.
"Right. But did you?"
"Yes of course."
"So there isn't anything wrong with you?"
"He couldn't find anything. Needless to say I won't be going back to him."
"Obviously he is a quack. If he can't clearly see that something is wrong with you."
"Marc do you always wear that cologne?"
"Why?"
"It's stinks," she tells him.
"While we're being honest here I think you need to hit the tanning bed, you're looking a little pale."
They go their separate ways.
Wilhelmina is about to go into a meeting when her phone rings. She recognizes the number and flips open the phone.
"Hello?" she answers.
"Miss Slater this is Dr. Tate."
"I'm not trying to be rude, but can you make this quick? I'm getting ready to go into a very important meeting."
"I'd like to talk to you in person."
"I don't have time. Can you please just tell me."
"I'll tell you, but I'd like for you to schedule a follow up visit with you."
"First of all I thought that I made it very clear I don't have time for that, and second of all this afternoon you didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with me."
"You should make time for this."
"Is there something wrong with me or are you just wasting my time."
"There is nothing wrong with you."
"So why are you calling to tell me that? And why would I need to make a follow up appointment?"
"Miss Slater there is nothing wrong with you, but you are pregnant," he tells her.
"You must have me confused with someone else," she argues.
"I double checked. You're definitely pregnant. Congratulations."
She hangs up on him. She walks into the meeting. She takes her seat. Marc walks in behind her, "Are you ok?" he asks.
She whispers, "I told you I'm fine."
"You look like you just saw a ghost," he tells her.
"I'm fine," she reassures him.
After she finishes at Mode for the day she makes the decision to go see Connor.
"I'm so glad to see you. I've missed you," he tells her.
She gives him a death glare.
"What's wrong?"
She says nothing. She smacks him across the face as hard as she can.
"What was that for? What did I do?"
Her heels click on the tile floor as she starts to walk away. He grabs her by the arm. She spins around. She smacks him again. "Don't touch me," she warns.
"But I rather enjoy touching you."
She smacks him yet again.
"Would you stop and just tell me what I did wrong?"
"You got me pregnant you son-of-a-bitch."