Thanks for the review on the last chapter. Would really love some more though! :) Let me know your thoughts on the story and Natalia and her relationship with Connie and Jacob. Hope you enjoy it! Thanks x
The next morning, Connie walks into the living room, dressed and ready for the day, to find Natalia already awake and ready for work, sitting on the sofa, in a world of her own. It's still very early and Connie was normally up before Natalia.
'How long have you been awake?' Connie asked, standing in the doorway.
'I don't think I ever fell asleep.' Natalia said wearily.
'There's no reason to get yourself worked up, Natalia. You haven't even done a test.' Connie said.
'I don't need to. I know my body.' Natalia said.
'Have you ever been pregnant before?' Connie asked.
'No, thank goodness.' Natalia replied.
'Then you don't how your body feels to be carrying a child. You could have a sickness bug.' Connie said, trying to reassure her.
'No..' Natalia shook her head.
'What you really mean is that you haven't always been careful with Iain..' Connie said.
Natalia doesn't speak, instead she turns to look at Connie, feeling completely ashamed of herself. Connie feels sympathy for her niece, edging closer to her.
'Here's what we're going to do. We'll go into work as normal but whenever I can, I'll find a private bay and we'll do a test.' Connie said, taking control of the situation.
'Auntie Connie, I really don't want to be pregnant.' Natalia said, feeling herself becoming emotional.
'Like I said, don't get worked up until you know what's happening.' Connie said, sensing Natalia's fear. 'It'll be fine.'
A while later, Natalia is in another area of the hospital, delivering some information to Mr Hansen on behalf of her Auntie, when Connie arrives in the ED. Jacob immediately spots her and rushes over, following Connie as she makes her way towards the office.
'Morning gorgeous.' Jacob smiled.
'It's Mrs Beauchamp when we're in the ED.' Connie said firmly.
'Oh come on now, don't go all strict on me.' Jacob said, flirtatiously.
Connie doesn't say anything, instead sighing with frustration.
'Is everything okay?' Jacob asked.
'Why do you always ask that question?' Connie snapped.
'Because I care.' Jacob said, taking her hand. 'Because I love you.'
'You better come into the office.' Connie said, softening towards her boyfriend.
Connie goes into the office and Jacob follows, closing the door behind him. Connie perches on the edge of her desk with Jacob stood in front of her.
'Now we're alone, are you gonna tell me what's on your mind?' Jacob asked.
'It's Natalia. She's not in a good way.' Connie said.
'What? Is she ill? Or hurt? Or-' Jacob said.
'Pregnant.' Connie told him; shock appearing on Jacob's face. 'Possibly. That's where you come in.'
'I don't follow.' Jacob said.
'I need to get a pregnancy test done for her. I need it fast-tracked and I need it to be kept private because of course, if it's positive, Iain is obviously the father and-' Connie said.
'Or it could be Cal's baby.' Jacob said, interrupting Connie.
'Cal?' Connie repeated, confused.
Outside the ED, Natalia is holding a cigarette and is about to light it, despite her hands shaking, when Connie approaches her.
'Don't you dare.' Connie warned.
Natalia ignores her and is about to try and light the cigarette again when Connie snatches the lighter. Natalia relents and throws the unused cigarette on the ground.
'Since when have you been a smoker?' Connie asked.
'Since I was 16, on and off.' Natalia said casually.
'It's a disgusting habit.' Connie said.
'Yeah well I need it.' Natalia said.
'Not if you're pregnant.' Connie said.
'Like you said, no point panicking until I have it in writing.' Natalia said.
'Even so, you need to look after yourself.' Connie replied. 'Jacob's sorting out a private bay for you.' Connie told her.
'You told Jacob?' Natalia replied, horrified.
'I had to. He won't say anything.' Connie reassured her.
Natalia remains silent, sliding down to the ground with her back leant against the wall.
'How did you feel when you got pregnant with Grace?' Natalia asked.
'I couldn't have been happier.' Connie said.
'Seriously?' Natalia asked, shocked.
'It is supposed to be a happy time. Not everyone gets pregnant by mistake.' Connie said.
'You must have done. It was a one night stand with her father wasn't it?' Natalia said.
'Sam. Yes it was. Truth was, I wanted a baby. I didn't want him. Not long term anyway.' Connie replied.
Connie crouches down, rubbing Natalia's back, trying to offer her comfort. After a while, Jacob joins them.
'Hey...shall we get this test done?' Jacob said gently.
Connie nods and helps Natalia up from the ground. As they are about to follow Jacob in to the building, they are interrupted by someone running towards them.
'Nat!' Iain called, catching up with his on-off girlfriend.
'Oh hi.' Natalia said, feeling awkward, given her current situation.
'I was wondering if you wanted to come over tonight.' Iain said.
'I...I'll give it a miss if that's ok?' Natalia asked.
'Still feeling under the weather?' Iain asked, concerned.
'Yeah, could say that. Once I'm feeling better, we can go out.' Natalia said.
'Great, I'll look forward to it.' Iain replied, offering her a smile.
A while later, Natalia is on one of the beds in the private bay when her mobile rings. She sees it's her mum calling and eventually forces herself to accept the call.
'What the hell do you want?' Natalia snapped.
'Crime for me to talk to my daughter now is it?' Catherine asked.
'I want nothing more to do with you.' Natalia told her.
'I thought you'd want to know, I've had a visitor.' Catherine said.
'Who?' Natalia asked.
'Bradley. Your boyfriend. Not that you tell anyone about him.' Catherine told her.
'You what? You've seen him?' Natalia asked, her heart sinking.
'He wanted to know where you were. He thought you were sulking at mine and he left you to it for a few weeks, but he misses you Nat.' Catherine explained.
'What...what did you say to him?' Natalia stammered.
'I told him you were staying with your Auntie. Your rich, successful Auntie. That we're not good enough for you anymore.' Catherine said, sending a shiver down her daughter's spine.
'You absolute bitch! Have you any idea what you've done?!' Natalia shouted down the phone.
'You really are ridiculous. When will you see you have a good man in Bradley?' Catherine asked.
'As far as I'm concerned, from this day on, I don't have a mother!' Natalia snapped, finishing the call.
Natalia gets off the bed, picking up her jacket and handbag. She is about to leave the bay when Connie pulls the curtain back, carrying a piece of paper.
'I have your results-' Connie said.
Connie stops in her tracks when she realises Natalia was about to do a runner.
'What's wrong?' Connie asked.
'I need to leave.' Natalia said, her voice quivering.
'I'll drive you home as soon as I've told you the-' Connie said.
'No, I mean I need to go. I need to get out of Holby.' Natalia said.
'What? Why?' Connie asked.
'I can't tell you. I just need to leave. Trust me.' Natalia replied.
Natalia tries to get past Connie but she holds her arm, stopping her. She looks at Natalia until the younger woman makes eye contact with her.
'Let's go to the office.' Connie said.
'Why?' Natalia asked.
'I want to know what's happening in that head of yours.' Connie told her firmly. 'And I'm not going to let you leave until you've told me.'
In the office, Natalia is sitting at her desk and Connie pulls her own office chair closer, so she is beside her niece.
'Doors locked. Blinds are down. It's just me and you.' Connie said softly.
'She's told him.' Natalia said quietly.
'Who?' Connie asked.
'Mum told Bradley where I am.' Natalia said.
'And you didn't want him to know? Is that the reason you came to Holby?' Connie asked.
'Yeah.' Natalia nodded gently.
'Did you have a row?' Connie asked.
'Sort of...I mean, there's more to it than that...' Natalia stuttered.
'Whatever it is, you can tell me. I'm here for you.' Connie said, feeling Natalia is ready to confide in her.
'He hits me.' Natalia admitted, tears immediately springing to her eyes. 'I'm so scared Auntie Connie. He knows I'm in Holby. He could turn up here any time. He'll be so angry.'
'He's not going to hurt you again. You've got me.' Connie said, her heart breaking for Natalia.
'He won't think twice about doing the same to you. I won't have you put yourself at risk.' Natalia said.
'And I don't want you distressed in your condition...' Connie said, her voice trailing off as she realises what she has said.
'My condition?' Natalia repeated.
'The test was positive, Natalia.' Connie told her. 'Do you know who the father is? Iain? Cal?'
'Cal? How do you-' Natalia said.
'Jacob told me.' Connie said.
'It was a one-off. It meant nothing.' Natalia said.
'Were you drunk?' Connie asked, prompting Natalia to drop her head in shame. 'Which means you probably weren't careful.'
'Do you know how many weeks pregnant I am?' Natalia asked; knowing this was the only way she'd know the father for sure.
'Not until we do a scan.' Connie shook her head.
'Then I won't have one. I just want a termination.' Natalia said.
'Nat-' Connie sighed.
'I need a termination and then to get out of here. I need to leave.' Natalia said firmly.
'You really want to leave Holby?' Connie asked, unable to hide her disappointment.
'I haven't got a choice Auntie Connie. Bradley will find me. He'll end up killing me.' Natalia said.
'He won't. You've got me and you've got Jacob. You're safe.' Connie reassured her. 'And right now, we need to do an ultrasound so you can try and work out who the father of your baby is.'
'I'm getting rid of it.' Natalia said.
'Even so, the father should be told.' Connie said.
Natalia tries to speak but instead she starts to cry, her body shaking like it had the previous evening when opening up to Connie.
'I know you're frightened, sweetheart.' Connie said, clutching her hand tightly.
