Another month had swept past them in a wave of odd melancholy. Karen was leaving the office on her way to her doctor's appointment when she, once again, met up with Will. She knew it wasn't a coincidence because he had been paying closer attention to her. It was strange how he was always watching her, trying to get more and more moments alone with her.

They hadn't made love since the last time on her couch, in her library. He decided to listen to Jack's words, for once. She was not in a position to have a possible relationship sprung on her. Instead of making love, they talked. They talked about childhood memories, fears. It wasn't often that either of them really took the time to open up, but it strengthened the friendship.

She still slept often, never wanted to get out of bed in the mornings. It was getting too difficult for her to look at herself in the mirror. She could no longer deny the fact that she was depressed. She hadn't laughed in months and it was really weighing on her; she didn't remember a time when she was happy.

"Honey, what are you doing here?" She stopped in front of Will and tilted her head.

"I'm going to the appointment with you."

"No, you aren't." She began to walk away, just as before. He didn't let her get far before he lifted her from the ground and tossed her over his shoulder.

"Damn it, Will, put me down!" She slapped at his back and kicked her legs, trying her hardest to get out of his strong arms. He walked closer to the road and hailed a cab, never letting her go. Once the cab stopped, he opened the door and pushed her into the car before getting in behind her and slamming the door. "Have you lost your fucking mind?" She slapped him on his shoulder, obviously angry. He gave the driver directions before addressing her question.

"You won't let me go, and I feel like I have the right to be there."

"For what? You've already been inside it, now you want to gawk at it too!" The cabbie tried to hold back a laugh, but it didn't go unnoticed by his passengers. They rolled their eyes and resumed the conversation.

"It's my kid too. How many times have we been over this?"

"Plenty, the problem is I still don't want you there."

"Today is when you find out the gender, and I want to be there for it." She gave him a dirty look and scoffed. "Believe it or not, I want this baby, and I'm not missing any part of its life, even from the very beginning." She looked away and sighed. He was right; she couldn't really deprive him of the joys of parenthood. Even if he was being very controlling about the situation, she would have to look past it and allow him to accompany her, at least once.

"Fine."

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He had never witnessed a woman getting a physical, receiving an ultrasound. It was a strange experience and his eyes widened when he saw the way the doctor touched her, with such professionalism. It was odd for him to see Karen being touched that way without reacting at all. It was so foreign to him, and he wanted to slap the man for touching her naked body.

"Honey, are you okay?" She met his eyes as the doctor set up the ultrasound machine. She took his hand in her own. "I told you that…"

"I'm fine. It's fine." He assured her as he leaned down to place a kiss on her lips, surprising each of them. They shrugged it off and the doctor walked closer to her, pulling up her top. Will watched as a gel was spread over her skin. He hadn't touched her in so long that he hadn't noticed how full her stomach was getting. He heard a thumping sound and turned to the monitor, hoping that nothing was wrong.

"Don't worry, Mr. Truman, it's only the heartbeat." Karen smiled as the doctor addressed Will's uneasiness. "Would you like to know the sex of your baby?"

"Yes." They answered in unison, their grip on each other's hands tightening, for whatever reason.

"You're going to have a baby girl." They smiled.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I'm so excited. We can finally stop calling her an 'it.'" Will smiled as he and Karen exited the building. She hadn't changed her demeanor at all and it was slightly unnerving. Instead of addressing the issue, he decided to try to make her excited. "We should celebrate at my apartment tonight. I'll make lasagna; I know it's one of your favorites. Oh, and we can rent movies. Doesn't that sound fun?"

"Yeah, honey, Jack and I will be there around six." She continued to walk forward, silently deciding that they would walk back to her manse. He took her hand in his, but she hurriedly pulled it away and shoved her hands into her coat pockets. "Do you want us to bring the movies?"

"No, you'll pick something depressing." She ignored him and they continued to walk, a little more quickly than before. "Do you need to talk or something?"

"Will, why are you always picking at me?" She stopped walking and faced him. Her gaze was quizzical. "You're always around and asking me questions. Then, when you aren't trying to get me to talk, you're following me to my doctor's appointment. What gives, honey?"

"I'm worried about you. I don't think you're okay."

"I'm fine." Her eyes dug into his and she spoke with an edge.

"Then, wake up. Stop moping because things didn't work out the way you planned. You only get one life, Karen. It's time to live." She watched him begin to walk away, his words sinking into her mind. He was right. She couldn't continue to feel sorry for herself because it would change nothing. Whether or not she wanted her life, it was still hers to live.

"Will," She began walking down the sidewalk after him. When he didn't turn around she began to move a little faster. "Will, look at me." He finally did, and she ran into him, their chests bumping. "I'm sorry, okay."

"We all miss your laugh, you know." She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his; silencing whatever else he had to say. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close while he gently touched her stomach. He broke the kiss and met her tearful eyes. She sniffled and backed away.

"I'll see you tonight, honey." He nodded and watched her turn around, walking towards her home.