Jumping forward and regretting it almost instantly, Kate gaped at the woman in shock.
"No. No. No, I'm not pregnant."
Laughing softly the older woman simply stared at Kate for a minute.
"My dear, I have five children, I know the signs."
"Five?" Kate asked softly.
"Yes. Three girls and two boys. My youngest just turned 25. A very smart young woman, if I do say so myself."
Dropping her eyes the woman looked at the gold band on Kate's finger. Was that your husband?"
"Uh, yes, yes it was."
"Well he obviously dotes on you. Does he know?"
Wincing Kate replied, "No he doesn't. I don- didn't even know."
Pulling her chair a little closer the older woman extended her hand "I haven't introduced myself yet. My name's Rose Dewitt. And you are?"
Taking her hand Kate replied, "Kate Beck- Kate Castle." Recognition suddenly bloomed across Rose's face.
"Oh my, I thought I recognized your husband. He's a famous writer isn't he?"
Kate simply nodded.
"My daughter Jackie loves his books. Especially the Nikki Heat series. That's based on his work with you if I'm not mistaken?"
Laughing softly Kate replied "Yes. But his imagination helped him a great deal."
With a cheeky grin Rose replied "There's nothing wrong with imagination my dear. Especially in the bedroom."
Turning beet red Kate quickly averted her eyes from the woman, (her inner voice replying "You have no idea.") while picking at an imaginary loose strand of hair that had fallen into her lap.
"I'm so sorry, have I offended you? At my age your filter is almost non existent. Forgive me if I have."
Kate quickly shook her head, "No, no, not at all. It's just- I'm a bit overwhelmed."
Nodding in understanding Rose's voice turned tender, "Of course. It's a lot to take in. With my first pregnancy I cried for two hours straight after finding out. My husband was afraid I'd had a nervous breakdown. I hadn't of course. It's just such a life changing and huge responsibility. To realize your whole world is about to change, that you're going to love someone more than you've ever loved anyone, forgive my language, but it's goddamn terrifying."
A tear was threatening to roll down Kate's cheek as she listened to Rose explain so many of the same feelings she was experiencing. Wiping away the slight moisture on her face Kate spoke softly, "It's all that and more. You see, we're kind of on a time out."
Looking puzzled Rose asked "A 'time out'?"
"Yeah, well, you see it's-" Suddenly Kate was interrupted as Rose waved her hand "Stop."
A bit taken aback Kate quieted as Rose came to sit next to her on the chaise; she felt slightly awkward at the now close proximity.
"Do you love him?" Rose asked taking Kate's hand in hers.
Looking away, Kate replied softly "More than anything."
"Then what's the problem? Believe me sweetheart that's 90% of the challenge of being married. The other 10% is picking up wet towels."
Chuckling a little Kate replied "He's actually really good about towels. In fact he's a bit of a neat freak."
Rose smiled, "I wish my husband followed the same compulsions." Turning serious for a moment Rose asked "Does he not want children?"
Shaking her head emphatically in the negative Kate replied, "No. No. He loves children. He has a daughter from his first marriage. And we'd talked about it before the break, even about trying soon. But then certain things happened and I moved out, and well..."
"May I ask why?" Rose asked, her eyes so gentle and sincere Kate had a flashback of her Mother from when she was a little girl, memories of her kissing cuts and bruises to try and take the pain away.
"It's all very complicated. I can't really explain it. But it's for everyone's own good. I'm protecting him and my- our family."
Nodding Rose replied "Well, I won't pry any further about that, I can tell it's something very private, but may I offer you one piece of advice?"
Humming softly Kate waited for Rose to continue speaking.
"Tell him. Tell him everything. Tell him about the pregnancy. Tell him what you're trying to protect him from. From what I've read he's been through quite a few scuffles with you. You can't deny someone the chance to make their own decisions. No matter how much you think you're protecting them."
Tapping her hand lightly on top of Kate's Rose smiled softly. Sniffling Kate nodded. Rose was right, Rick had been through everything with her, never once abandoning her, even after she'd pushed him away so many times. She'd promised forever, through thick and thin, now she needed to honor it. Turning Kate looked, really looked at the woman beside her.
"Thank you Rose, thank you so much. I can't begin to-"
"Kate, am I interrupting something?"
