Chapter 8

"I have no idea what Vincent has said. It was very late when he sent me away and I didn't see anyone on my way Above, so I don't know what they've been told," Catherine responded.

Seeing how much pain the topic was causing his favorite patient, Peter decided to deal with all of that later. "Well, women have been having babies for a lot of years, so I don't think there's any reason why you couldn't deliver the baby at your apartment. But how will you raise the baby in the city if he or she looks like Vincent?"

"If the baby looks like me it won't be a problem, but if not, as soon as we are both able to travel after the birth, I'm going to move up to the cabin in Connecticut."

"What about your job, Cathy?"

"I've already quit so there is not problem there. No one can know about the pregnancy in case the baby does look like Vincent, or it would be hard to explain what happened to the child that everyone knew I had."

"Okay then, I'm going to want you to take a pre-natal vitamin, but since I agree with you about no one knowing, I can provide you with the samples that we get here in the office. Also you are going to have to start eating and sleeping better young lady!" When she started to defend herself on that score he raised his hand to forestall her protest, "I know that this is a rough time Cathy, but you need to be thinking about the baby right now. Do what's best for him or her!"

"I'll try Peter, I promise."

"Okay then, let me recommend a couple of good books for you to read and we'll make an appointment to see you in six weeks to do an ultrasound." Cathy started to contradict him and he interjected, "We'll make the appointment for after hours when we can be alone here. No one else will know. At that time we might be able to see the sex of the baby. Will you want me to tell you, or do you want it to be a surprise?"

"I don't know!" she said in a wondering tone of voice. "I'll have to think about it Peter."

"Okay, you can tell me before we get started that night."

They set up the night for the appointment and Peter wrote in his book that he was taking that night off. Everything was as carefully planned as it could be. Peter hugged her as she got ready to leave and told her that if she needed someone to talk to, he was available to her."

"Thank you Peter, but Jenny has been staying with me lately, and honestly, what I could use is some 'alone time'."

"So you can sit and cry?" he asked.

"Well yes, that among other things," she replied defensively.

"Okay, that is understandable. Just remember, your mood also affects the baby, so try and balance that with happy times too!"

"I'll try," she gave him a weak smile for the understanding he showed her.

Below, Father couldn't understand why they hadn't seen Catherine in two days. Since Vincent's illness she hadn't let a day go by that she didn't spend part or all of it at his side. He did however notice how depressed his son was and thinking that her absence was the reason, thought better of asking where she was in case it would make Vincent feel worse. But when the third day passed into evening and Catherine wasn't there at dinnertime, Father did become concerned. Right after the meal, the children were giving a concert of some of Catherine's favorite songs to thank her for bringing Vincent back from the darkness.

It couldn't be helped, he had to find out if Vincent had any word on when the guest of honor would arrive. The children would be beyond disappointed if for some reason she couldn't be there. He pulled Vincent to the side so no one could overhear in case it was bad news. "Vincent?"

"Yes Father?" his son questioned listlessly.

"Do you know when Catherine will arrive? The children planned to start right after desert."

"She won't be coming, Father."

To be continued….