She doesn't say anything. She doesn't know what to say. It's part truth and part expectations. She spends the rest of the day buried in paperwork. If he notices she's quiet he doesn't say anything. Toward the end of the shift she reminds him she's having lunch with Nick on Saturday. He doesn't protest or act jealous.
They sit in the hospital cafeteria because he's part of the ER rotation. The food isn't that bad so she doesn't object.
"What do you mean you don't have friends? What am I chopped liver?" Nick says slightly amused.
"I think you and Amy would be number four and number five at the shower."
He laughs, "There's some truth to what she said. I'm sure you realize that, right?"
"Yeah." She says wrapping her fingers around her Styrofoam coffee cup.
"Have you talked to Walt?"
"I've thought about it you know but what would be the purpose? I don't want to violate Cady's trust and I don't want him to explode because he probably would and shit would just get worse."
"Maybe."
"Hey." She says and pulls her hair behind her ear, "Would you and Amy maybe like to come down and have lunch or dinner one Saturday with us and bring the kids?"
"Walt ready for all that?"
"I'll talk to him first, of course, but I really would like to have my own friends independent of him or Durant."
"Let me talk to the boss, sis."
She smiles and he smiles back. She loves him like a surrogate brother.
On the long drive back home she thinks about him and how much she missed him today. She gets over herself and calls him at home.
"Hello." He says like he thinks it's a solicitor and he wants to scare them enough not to ever call again.
"Hi." She says and she smiles thinking about him.
"Hi." He matches her smile and smooths down his hair, "You on your way home?"
"Yup."
There's a moment of silence when she finally tells him, "I missed you today."
He smiles and his voice grows deeper, "I missed you, too."
"I was wondering if I could come over?"
"You hungry?"
"Will be by time I get there."
"Perfect."
He leaves the front door open so he can see through the screen. He doesn't want to miss her walking up the front porch. He likes to watch her walk. He steps out to meet her. Her arms open and they stand and hold on to each other for a very long time for no particular reason.
"I packed us a picnic." He says to the top of her head.
"You're full of surprises."
He doesn't say anything and he breathes in deeply taking in her scent reassured that he did the right thing for the right reasons. He persuades her that the short horse ride will be ok for her and the baby and he takes it slow.
Halfway through their dinner she asks, "Did you do this because of the last time?"
"I want you to be ok here."
"Thank you."
She kisses his lips and he falls back and she falls on top of him. The kisses they share are slow and gentle and welcoming. They lie on their sides and face each other with their heads resting in their hands.
"This feels good." She says and he smiles and touches her face and kisses her.
"I'd like you to stay, Vic but only if you feel comfortable."
"I just want to be with you."
He smiles and says, "That's all I want."
When they get back to the cabin she helps clean their dirty dishes and he asks, "How's Nick?"
"He's good. He told me to tell you hello."
"He's a nice guy."
She stops working and stands against the counter, "Hey Walt, I was wondering if maybe we could invite them out one Saturday for lunch or dinner. What do you think?"
His eyebrows push together for just a moment processing the question he wasn't expecting. "Sure."
Feeling the need for an explanation, "You don't mind? I know you are really private."
"It's what you want, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then it's what I want."
"It won't always be this way. I know that." She says.
"Like what?"
"Like this."
"Everything changes." He turns and faces her, "But I hope we just get better."
She moves to meet him and kisses his lips as he wraps his hands around her hips. Before he kisses her again he asks her, "You haven't mentioned the baby shower. Are you excited?"
He can feel her body tense, "Yeah, yeah, it will be fun. It was nice of Cady to offer."
"Walt, I need to tell you something." She wasn't prepared. She doesn't have a plan. She just knows she doesn't want any more secrets or lies between them.
He kisses the side of her neck and sucks on her ear lobe. "What is it?" He whispers in her ear and though she knows the timing is all wrong she tells him about the secret she asked Cady to keep.
"I don't want any more secrets between us and this one is pretty important because it involves your daughter."
She looks away and then back at him with her lips twisted. "I don't ever want to come between you and Cady again, ever."
He studies her face and drops his hands to his side.
"Walt, I'm sorry."
He bites his lip and nods his head and walks away from her.
"Fuck." She says following him into the living room.
He pushes his hand out, "I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel about this."
The more he thinks the more confused and angry he becomes.
"I don't ever want to hear that guy's name again. I mean we get one step forward and we take ten back."
She puts her head down and waits for the fury to subside.
"Is there anything else I need to know, Vic?"
She shakes her head.
"Why tell me now?"
"With this baby we're all going to be family and I don't want this family to have any more secrets."
He looks up and takes a deep breath.
"I'll go, Walt." She walks past him and he grabs her elbow and she turns around to face him.
"I don't want you to go."
"Why not, Walt. I just keep…."
She doesn't finish her sentence before he cuts her off.
"We just keep running away from each other and you're my family now, Vic. It's time to stop running."
"I need you to promise me something."
He waits and she says, "Don't take it out on Cady. I put her in an impossible position."
"She learned it from me, Vic. How can I fault her?"
She pulls his hair back with her fingers and he pulls her closer, "I want you and my baby with me tonight."
Before they fall asleep pressed against each other he says, "Maybe Nick and his family can come here instead of your place? I'm sure the kids would like the horse and there's plenty of room to play."
"I think he would like that." She pushes into his chest just a little more and he pulls her into him. "I'm glad you are receptive to the idea."
"You need your friends about you, Vic. I realize that."
She closes her eyes in relief, "Next Saturday, then?"
"Next Saturday."
She falls asleep in his arms feeling completely safe and loved by her man.