OK so it's been a really, really, long time since I posted anything so my thanks to those who sent reviews and messages, and my apologies for leaving this story hanging for so long. Although I know where I want the story to go I am finding it very challenging to find the words, but real life has settled down so hopefully things may progress forward. By the way, if anyone sees my muse please tell her if she does not return soon I will be finding a replacement ;-)

Usual disclaimer, the Plum world belongs to Janet Evanovich, I'm simply borrowing characters for my, and hopefully your, entertainment.


Chapter 7

I woke to grey overcast skies, which reflected my mood perfectly. After a restless night with little sleep I was in no mood to talk to anyone, so I ignored the messages on my phone and answering machine. There were at least three from my mother insisting I should go to mass with her today, but I didn't think that was a good idea. I didn't need another dose of guilt to influence the life altering decisions I was going to have to make.

To my amazement and relief my morning sickness seemed to have abated so for the first time in months I was able to face the prospect of a light breakfast. Sitting at my little dining table, I nibbled on a piece of toast as last night's conversation with Ranger consumed my thoughts. I struggled to think coherently, torn between worrying about his well-being, and worrying about my predicament. He said he was OK, or as much as could be expected "at the moment". What the hell did that mean? Did he need help? Was there anything I could do for him? Would knowing I was carrying his child be a further burden? At least I knew he was safe, and if nothing else I was immensely grateful for that one piece of knowledge. His comment "I'm not family material. I can't give you what Morelli can" ended up tipping the scales in my decision making. After a long and agonising debate over whether to call him again or not I decided against it. I knew in my heart he would step up to provide for our child, but I didn't want him bound to me simply out of obligation. I'd known for the last few months that single parenthood may be my future and now I accepted it as reality and had to plan accordingly.

Looking around my tiny apartment I tried to imagine raising a child here. It was not ideal, but it could suffice for the first couple of years. I had a small nest egg saved, and I would continue to live frugally until the baby arrived and I knew what my future held. Tank had indicated that my job was secure, and that reduced or flexible working hours were an option. I suppose that was one advantage of doing research and investigations, most of Ranger's men found it tedious so Tank was more than happy to consider my needs to entice me to remain in the position. But would that be a realistic option for me? If the baby resembled me in appearance I may be able to hide the father's identity … but if it took after it's father, I couldn't even begin to consider the consequences.

And then of course there was the problem of the Burg's assumption that the baby was Morelli's and the expectation of a wedding. I had unwittingly allowed peoples assumptions to get out of hand. Perhaps I should have stood my ground from the beginning and just told everyone Joe and I had broken up and to mind their own business. But no, I had thought that through long and hard and decided this was still the best way to handle it. Too late to change things now anyway.

I decided to avoid my mother for the day. I needed space to decide exactly what I was going to tell everyone, including Joe when he eventually makes contact. The Burg gossips would be waiting with bated breath for details after the announcement in the local paper and I had to try and shut down speculation about marriage once and for all.

TBC.