Ch. 4
You hungry?"
Vic sat on the couch, her legs stretched out towards the other side.
"No."
Walt placed his hands on his hips.
"Vic, you gotta eat. You've barely eaten a whole meal since you've been home."
She rolled her head his direction.
"Did you retire as sheriff to take over as the food police."
"Come on."
His tone became firm, almost harsh. It garnered him an eye roll but she eased up off the couch and followed him to the table. Three bites in and she began pushing the food around. Walt halted his own eating and watched her. She had been home for two weeks. She was losing weight she didn't have to lose in the first place and muscle tone. Dark circles had formed under her eyes. He knew she didn't sleep. She was restless all night long. Her hair hadn't been washed in a few days and looked stringy and greasy.
"Please eat."
She dropped the fork with a clatter and stood up.
"I'm not hungry, Walt."
He sighed. She hadn't been this way when she was shot. She had been open to him. Since her injury she had been resistant to any help or advice and sometimes downright mean. He shook his head and cleared off the table. She was back on the couch. He sat down and pulled her feet into his lap. They sat in silence for several minutes before he spoke.
"What did you want to talk to me about?"
She frowned
"What?"
"That night before you left, you said there were some things you wanted to talk to me about."
Her eyes remained focused on him.
"It's not important."
"Vic...I'm trying for some normalcy here."
She chuckled humorlessly. He ran his thumb over her ankle.
"Talk to me. Please."
His voice was pleading now. Her expression softened. She started to speak but stopped. Pulling her feet away, she stood.
"I'm going to lay down."
Walt sat on the couch alone. He wasn't sure how much time passed before he heard the knock on the door. Rising, he opened it to see Cady.
"Hey, Punk."
"Hey, Dad. How's Vic?"
He shrugged.
"She's laying down."
Cady nodded.
"Do you have a minute?"
"Sure, Punk. What's up?"
She walked over to the seat Vic had vacated and sat.
"There's something I want to tell you."
"Okay."
He waited. He could tell she was nervous. Her blue eyes met his and she smiled with a hopefulness he hadn't seen in a while.
"Dad, I'm pregnant."
She paused.
"That's...that's great, Cady."
She smiled wider.
"It wasn't planned but since we're getting married, we...are you mad?"
"No, Punk, I'm happy for you and Zach."
"And you're going to be a grandfather."
He laughed softly.
Vic was on her side facing away from the door when he came in the bedroom. Hearing him, she turned her head slightly.
"Who was at the door?"
Walt went over to the bed and laid down next to her stretched out on his side and propping his head on his hand.
"Cady. She...uh...she had some news."
Vic rolled from her side to her back, grimacing slightly. From her position, she was looking up at him.
"She and Zach are, well they're expecting."
"Expecting."
He smiled.
"Yep. A baby."
Vic swallowed and said nothing. She continued to look up at him. She chewed her lower lip. Slowly she pulled herself up to a sitting position.
"Cady's pregnant?"
"Yeah."
"Well, that's good news."
She didn't sound like she thought it was good at all. Walt frowned.
"I thought a little good news might cheer you up."
"Good news."
She repeated the words in a barely audible voice. She started to get up. Walt sat up suddenly and caught her by the arm, holding her in place.
"Vic?"
She had gone quiet. Her lip was quivering now. Walt knew it only did that when she was trying not to cry. Concern flooded his face.
"Talk to me, Vic. Please."
"I...I can't. It's too late."
He rose and stood in front of her, close.
"What's too late."
One solitary tear escaped her eye and left a trail down her face. She swiped at it with her hand. His concern grew. He hadn't see her this way since she had lost her baby. Before that, only after the Chance Gilbert situation with her and Sean. Her eyes searched his.
"That's...that's...what I...what I wanted to talk to...you about, Walt."
"What?"
"A b-b-baby."
She was crying now and the pieces began to slide into place in his mind. Walt closed his eyes and then opened them.
"You wanted to have a baby."
She nodded. He pulled her to him and she buried her face in his chest. Sobs wracked her now. He pulled her tighter and rested his chin on her head. He remained quiet and held her until the crying finally began to subside. Sitting on the bed, he pulled her onto his lap. She laid her head on his chest and sniffled against his shirt. His hand stroked her hair. He placed a soft kiss on her head and sighed.
"Why didn't you say something?"
She remained with her head resting on him.
"I didn't think you would. I didn't think you would go for it."
"But you changed your mind."
She lifted her eyes and met his gaze.
"I decided to at least try. I...I was going to talk to you when I got off work. Now it doesn't matter."
"It matters, Vic, it always matters."
