Chapter Twenty-Two

Warren stared into Wendy's eyes and for a moment his heart stopped beating. She had asked the dreaded question - "Had he fathered Suzi's baby?" He almost told her the truth. He almost let it slip. Then all the reasons why he shouldn't struck him. She was too fragile right now. Her pregnancy had been a difficult one ever since her car accident. She had almost lost their baby more than once. There was nothing he could do to jeopardize her health or the baby's. Although he hated himself for it and he agonized, he had no other choice but to tell her a lie.

"Cagney McCleary is Suzi's baby's father," he said flatly.

"Are you sure?"

Warren nodded. "I have already talked to Suzi. I have nothing to do with this." That was partially true. Suzi wanted him to have nothing to do with it. She wanted to raise the baby with Cagney. He was giving up one child to save the other. He had said he would never abandon a child, but now he was eating those words. Even if he fought to have a place in the life of his baby with Suzi, would he stand a chance? Suzi was loaded now that she had her trust fund money. Even so, she was still living in her Aunt Jo in a cramped apartment. She could buy a mansion and a fancy car for herself and Cagney McCleary, her new beau. She could afford a high-priced lawyer. She could make sure that Warren never saw the child she was about to bear. He ached inside. He wanted his child. He wanted BOTH of them.

Wendy threw herself into Warren's arms and hugged him so tight. "Thank God. I want Suzi out of our lives once and for all. If she was pregnant with your baby, too, I don't think I could handle it. I am so glad the baby is Cagney's and not yours."

"Wendy, you need to take care of yourself and our baby. You got yourself all worked up today. You should stay away from your mother and the studio."

"It wasn't my mother. It was Suzi's pregnancy. It frightened me. I didn't want anything to come between us."

"I don't want anything to come between us either," Warren stated. "But I am worried about you and our baby. If you keep pushing yourself, you might go into premature labor. You've been through so much with this pregnancy. I couldn't bear it if..."

His words trailed off as he couldn't say the words. Seeing the pain in his eyes, Wendy softly kissed his lips. "I'm sorry I scared you, Warren. I lost it today, but I promise to take better care of our baby." She gently caressed her swollen baby bump. "I wouldn't be able to take it if anything happened to our baby."

They both had tears swimming in their eyes as Warren knelt down, caressing her stomach as he spoke softly to the baby. "Hey, little one. Behave yourself in there. You and your mother are torturing me. I love you both so much."

"Wendy, if you don't calm down and rest, you're likely to go into premature labor."

"I promise... from now on, I am going to rest and take it easy."

Warren knew she most likely wouldn't. She was far too restless. "You know what would help?" she asked slyly.

"What?"

"Shopping," she said, giving him a sweet smile. "We hardly have anything for the baby yet."

"You want to spend money again?"

She nodded. "I want our baby to have everything he needs when he arrives."

"Well, okay, but don't get too crazy," Warren said as he grabbed the phone and Wendy's ever faithful catalog. She loved staring at it and making lists far too much. "Just buy a few things, honey. I am sure once the baby comes, your mother and Kristin will go wild, buying out the baby stores."

Wendy smiled blissfully as she called to place her order. She absolutely adored shopping and spending money. Warren too tried to concentrate on the coming baby and plans for their child's future, but he couldn't help being distracted as he thought of Suzi. He had another baby on the way - a child she'd probably never let him see.

As Wendy was eagerly chattering away on the telephone, Warren was incredibly tense, fearing Wendy's reaction when she finally learned the truth. Would she leave him? Would she throw him out on the street? Would he have two babies he could never see? He ached inside, wishing he had never gotten himself into this crazy mess.

After she concluded placing her order from the catalog, Wendy hung up the phone. She looked over at Warren who seemed lost in a trance. "Are you okay, Sweetie?" she asked, softly touching his hand.

"I'm fine."

"Did I spend too much money?"

"It's okay."

"Great, because I think we have everything we need for the baby. For now."

"That's good."

"Warren?"

"Hmmm?"

"Take me to bed. I want to make love to you."

He looked startled as she unbuttoned his shirt. "I need a shower, sweetheart," he said. "I am filthy from the construction site."

"Okay. You take your shower, then you can meet me in the bedroom," Wendy said in a sultry voice. "I want to try out more of those new and sexy positions. I have a new silky nightie. I will wear it just for you."

Warren decided he would try and push his worries aside and please Wendy in the bedroom. "I can't wait to see it," he said as he gave her a soft kiss. "Are you sure you and the baby are okay?"

She gave him a smile that made his heart melt. "I feel just fine now," she stated. "Better than ever."

"No more pain or discomfort?" he asked, searching her eyes.

"No, not even a twinge."

"I won't have to take you to the hospital?"

"No, at least not until I go into labor. I can't wait to meet our little baby."

Her words made his heart ache in more ways than one. He too longed to meet their child, but when he told her the truth, he might have to say goodbye. He might lose Wendy and the tiny life they had created. He might lose everything.