A young woman of twenty five was adjusting her summer hat and summer dress,
in front of a mirror. She heard a knock at the door and ran down. "I'll get
it!" she declares. She opens the door to reveals a boy of similar age. "Hi
Richard!" she says delighted. "You look gorgeous!" he says. She blushes.
"Thank you" she replies. "Mummy, Daddy...we're going, see you later!" she
calls out and then closes the door behind her. He offers her his arm
romantically and she blushes as she takes it.
They were sitting in the park a hour later. Richard and Leonie were having their picnic. It was one of those perfect days where everyone was out enjoying the sun. Families playing, friends playing and of course lovers sharing romantic moments. Richard was laid out on the grass and Leonie was sat up. Leonie was observing the rest of the park and glanced some children. She admired them gleefully. She turned to Richard and asked "Do you want children?". He smirked cheekily, "Why?...you offering?". He sucked his lips into a kissing shape and leant towards her cheekily. "Stop it!" she laughed, pushing his lips away. "You know what I mean!...in the future...do you see yourself having children?...I think I do...but it's strange!...all that responsibility!" she decided. He sat up and gave his opinion. "Of course, I want children!....but they'd have to be planned, discussed and of course....the final decision is down to my wife...she's the one who goes through the most...not to say I wouldn't look after the children...I want to spend every moment of the day with them!...none of this I can't because that's a woman's job rubbish!...I want a full hands on role...but of course, we need a nanny!...she does the messy stuff and me and my wife do the love...or just me if she doesn't want to" he said. Leonie was delighted and threw her arms around him. She declared "Oh Richard!...your too perfect to be true!...I love you so much!!!!". He smirked behind her back, but then went back to his 'perfect gentleman' look when Leonie let go and looked at him again. She looked at him disappointed, "We're not going to last are we?". "Why not?" he asked. "Because your perfect!...something's got to go wrong!...because nothing perfect every works out...your probably run off with a woman much prettier than me!" she said. He looked at her and stroked her face. He looked her right in the eyes and said romantically, "You are pretty!...you have perfect sea blue eyes...flawless skin!...your beautiful blond hair has a shine of it's own...and it curls perfectly in everyway!...I'm the one who doesn't deserve you!....you are the sweetest, most caring, most loving woman I've ever met...I love you more than anyone I've ever met...and I can't imagine anyone else that I want to be the mother of my children!...and that is why...". Suddenly he reached into his pocket. Leonie gasped in shock and excitement. Her face lit up excitedly. She had a good guess what was happening. Richard took out a jewellery box an opened it infront of Leonie to show her it. Then he finished his sentence, "And that is why, Leonie my love!...my dearest!..I want you to be my wife!...will you, Leonie Hanwell, marry me????". She went hysterical, "YES!...YES!...a hundred times YES!!!!". They both hugged excitedly and over the moon. Then they kissed. "I can't imagine myself with anyone else" said Leonie happily. Richard excitedly took the ring out and put it on her finger. Then they kissed again. "Wait!!...Wait!!...I have a poem!!...I forgot the poem!!" Richard panicked. He took a piece of paper out his other pocket and read it. Leonie looked eagerly excited to hear it. He read it out, "I woke this morning to be greeted by rain...but I did not feel sad and react in vain...for my heart was alight with a sunshine of it's own...her name is Leonie Hanwell and she's my favourite tone...Her smile is like sunshine...her cheeks like cherry drops...her hair is a corn field...not rough, but golden, smooth and perfect...her voice is like water...her singing like a nightingale...her care is like a comforty blanket...her love is like a waterfall...flowing and flowing with essence...I love her!...which she knows!...but now I'm hoping she'll marry me and kiss my cute nose". "It's not very good...it doesn't really rhyme or work...but you get the idea...ohhh!!! no you don't!....I just couldn't put down in words how I feel about you!...it's more than all that!" he said negatively. "It's perfect!...I don't need a poem!...I know how you feel!!!" she said sweetly. She kissed him. They hugged again. She begun crying. "What?", he asked, "is something wrong?...are you unhappy?...what can I do to make you happier?...is it me?". "No!!!No!!!...I'm so happy!...your so perfect!...I love you so much!...we're going to be together forever and ever, I just know it!" she declared tearfully. They were hugging, so Leonie could not see as Richard gave an evil smirk behind her back. He pulled back to look at her again. He took her hands in his and romantically said "We can marry...get a house...I can work for Daddy still...then when Daddy retires soon, I get the business...and you can do whatever you like you sweetie.carry on maths teaching.or join the business if you want!". "No thank you!.I love teaching!" she excitedly. "Oh! But you could do so much better!...you could get...like the Nobel prize!" he said, charmingly. "I couldn't!" she said modestly. "You could!...you know how clever you are!...especially at Maths!" he said. "But I want to help kids with maths!" she said. "Do whatever you like my love!...I'll love you even if you choose to be a cleaner!...it's not like we need the money...you can do what you like". "What about when, hopefully, have kids?" she asked. "We'll get a nanny if you want...if anyone's going to stay at home it's me!...your way cleverer than me!...we can't waste your brains!...stay at home or go to work! Whatever you want, my dear!" he said charmingly. She kissed him excitedly and loving. They both admired the ring and hugged again.
Twenty seven year old Leonie Merteuil sat in the doctor's office holding her husband's hand. They had been married for two years. They looked nervous and worried. "Is it cancer?...or some illness?...what is it?" she asked worried. "There's nothing to worry about...your simply pregnant, Mrs Merteuil...that's why you've been feeling ill!...congratulations!!" the doctor replied. "Pregnant?...of course!...that explains it!!". Leonie and Richard looked shocked, but soon a smile shot across their faces and they hugged excitedly. They exclaimed happily, "Pregnant!!!....we're pregnant!!!...we're having a baby!!!". "Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Merteuil!!!...I love this part of the job!...the joy on people's faces!" the doctor said. "Am I one or two months pregnant?" asked Leonie. "Let's see...from what you've told me from when your last period was and etcetcra...let's see...the baby is.......3 months old" the doctor declared. Leonie thought and her face sunk. She went a ghostly pale. She let of Richard's hand, pulling hers away from his. She was no longer smiling. "Three months!!" Leonie whispered devastated. Richard's face sunk too, and he gulped, when he realised too. The doctor continued unaware, "The date of conception is...". As the doctor gave the date, Leonie accompanied her in a whisper. They both said "...January 22nd". Leonie looked like she'd seen a ghost. She grabbed her bag and ran out without even looking at Richard. "Is she all right?" the doctor asked. "Just leave her" David said, remarkably calmly.
Her sister Abigail (Abby) comforted Leonie. "Your pregnant!...well, that's great isn't it?...I know he's a bastard, but I thought you said things were better now!" said Abby. "They have been" Leonie said through tears. "Are you worry about when things don't go well again?...the future?...because sweetie, o be frank!...you've always dreamed of having children!...it's one of your life goals!...and I'm sorry, but if your planning to stay Catholic, sweetie, then Richard - bastard or not! - is the only one your going to be able to have kids with!". "You don't need to remind me of the fact!...I know!...you don't need to remind me of my mistake!...anyway, it isn't that!...I should be worry about mine and this children's future with that monster, but I haven't got round to it yet!" Leonie tearfully declared. There was silence as Leonie just cried and Abby tried to find the words to comfort her sister. Abby put an arm round Leonie's back to comfort her. Abby stroked her face lovingly comforting her. "I was happy!!!...even though it's Richard's!...I mean I do love him!" tearfully said Leonie. "Oh no, Leonie!...you can't!...why?" her sister pleaded with her. Leonie continued, "I was happy when I thought it was one or two months ago...but it's three!!!". Leonie burst into tears. Abby paused and comforted her sister. "Are you worried about it being sooner...because it's only six months away now?" asked Abby. "No!!!" Leonie whined, frustrated that her sister didn't know. Leonie cried and began, "For the last two months things have been great between Richard and I...he hasn't been violent towards me at all...he's been so romantic again!...it's like before we were married!" said Leonie. "Probably because he realises your going to leave him soon!...Leonie!...your husband not beating you in two months is grave optimism!!" sniped Abby. "You have to take what your given, Abigail!" she Leonie meekly. "So, your upset because the baby wasn't conceived in your rosy period?!!" concluded Abby. "No!!...let me finish...these two months have been perfect...but it wasn't like that before then...in the months before, we were at an all time low!...things were sort of made worse by me!" tearfully said Leonie. "Don't you dare blame yourself, Leonie!...this is not your fault!" snapped Abby. "But, it was!...if I just hadn't of rocked the boat!...you see...you know me!...I can get...well!...if wrongs are dealt out, then I fight them!" said Leonie. "Good for you!" replied Abby. "Bad move!...I know it's not logical!...but I just couldn't help it!...in the first year it started happening I was scared...but then I kind of flipped!...I became angry!...and...and...I fought back!" said Leonie. "Go for it!!!...I'm so proud of you!...you see that's why he's stopped!...he knows not to mess with you!" said Abby triumphantly. "No Abby!...it only got better when I stopped rebelling against his power!...it gradually calmed down" said Leonie. "You didn't become the s word did you??!!....tell me you didn't, Leonie!...not!...submissive!...how could you!!!...well, that's a great 'rosy period' isn't it!" said Abby. Leonie continued, "Anyway!...back to before then!". Leonie begun crying again, but soon continued, "The more I fought back, the more violent he got...it was terrible!...but I didn't stop there...the more violent he got the more I decided to take control other ways...I refused to sleep with him for months!" said Leonie. "You go girl!!!...brilliant!" cheers Abby. Leonie suddenly screams at Abby tearfully, "DON'T YOU GET IT!!!". Leonie finished by a whisper, "He just snapped once!". There was a chilly silence as Abby realised and Leonie tearfully awaited a reaction. "Oh Leonie!!!" Abby said bursting in tears. Abby opened her arms and Leonie fell tearfully into them. Abby and Leonie could feel each other shaking. Finally, Abigail look her sister in the face and asked, "Are you SURE it's that night!". "Positive!...Abby, I know that date like my birthday it's in fixed in my mind...and beside from that! We didn't have anything conceptionable a month after or three months before!...it is January 22nd!...that night!" cried Leonie. Abby hugged her sister again. Both were still tearful. Abby pulled her sister out to face her again. "Sweetie!", said Abby, "I'm not doubting you...or questioning you...I just want to make sure...are you sure he raped you?...you couldn't have mistaken it?...no! I don't mean that!...I mean, he couldn't have mistaken it!...because he's got a temper, but is he really that evil?...are you sure he knew you'd said no?". Leonie tearfully replied, "Abby!...he put a...!". But she couldn't say it. "Put a what, Leonie?...come on tell me!...I want to help!" asked Abby. Leonie found all the words hard to say, and got through them reluctantly and tearfully, "he put a!...a sock in my mouth!!!...and he held me down!!...so he knew I was struggling!!!...and then!!!....he tied me to the bed, Abby!!!...and if that wasn't enough to convince you!!...he then told me to shut the fuck up!!!!, and to lie back and take what I fucking deserve!!!!". Leonie broke into so much tears that she could not continue. Abby was in paralysing shock. Abby just sat there, tears pouring, staring into space in devastated shock. Leonie just rocked herself tearfully. Leonie just couldn't stop crying!!!. She rocked and rocked, and cried and cried!!!.
Twenty minutes later, they were both calmer. Abby had her arm round Leonie, and they were both only silently gently crying. "Everytime I look at that child, all I'll remember is that night!...every sound, every touch, every pain, every look!...it will just be an everlasting reminder!" said Leonie tearfully. She burst into tears again, and Abby rubbed her back comfortingly. "What are you going do about the child?...are you having it?" asked Abby. "I can't have an abortion!...How can you say that?...your as Catholic as me!" replied a surprised Leonie. "I know!...and I usually wouldn't ever suggest it!...but it's rape, Leonie!...you can't keep a reminder of that!...isn't there a loophole where you can if it's rape?...the church can't expect you to keep it!" said Abby. "There's been a debate for years and years!...but I think the decision is no to abortion still...they say...and I agree!...it's not the child's fault!...I murder the poor thing!...and!...God gave me this baby for a reason...I don't know what it is!...but I'm sure it's a good one!" said Leonie. "Yeah...of course!" said Abby supportively. "But...that doesn't mean adoption isn't ruled out!...maybe the reason God gave this child is so I can give it to a childless couple...I don't know!...maybe I'll keep it...I just don't know!" concludes Leonie. Abby and Leonie look at each other and hug.
Leonie and Richard were watching a home movie. Richard and Leonie were sitting on opposite sides of the sofa. Richard looked at Leonie and started moving over near to her. Leonie moved further away from him. Eventually she had to further to move and he caught up with her. He put his arm round her and started caressing her neck. She pushed him away with her hand. He sat up disappointed. "We need to talk about this baby, Leonie" he said. Leonie remained silent and watched the film. "I know it wasn't conceived under the best circumstances...and I'm not going to apologise for that...because you know I'm not sorry and I'm not going to insult your intelligence by pretending I am!...but I love you all the same!...and we both want children...and I just don't think you should do anything stupid...think about this! This is what we both want!" he said. "I'm keeping it there's no need to worry" she said coldly. "That's fantastic!...you won't regret this!" he said thrilled and kiss her cheek. "I've always wanted a son!...I can teach all my know how...how to play baseball, American football, basketball...we'll be down that park every week!...I'll teach him how to be 'a man'...how to chat up 'the ladies', how to dress well..." he said excitedly. She continued his sentence without his consent, "...how to beat up women, how to trick them into falling in love with you...how to drink copiously amounts of alcohol...how to be an idiot...how to pass high school when your so dumb!!!" she said snipingly. She got up angrily. He was annoyed too, but said nothing. Just before she left the room she turned and said, "By the way...it may not be a boy remember!...what will you teach her then?". Leonie left in a huff. "It will be a boy!...and you better make sure of that!" he called after her. She returned and went right up to his face, "How on earth can I stop it being a girl?". He grabbed her aggressively and suddenly she was scared, "You'll think of something!...your so clever remember!".
A fair few reporters stood outside the hospital waiting for Richard Merteuil. He appeared with a beaming smile but looking tired and flustered - like anyone new father!. The reporters rushed up to him with many questions. They were restrained back by press officers and body guards. Richard made a speech, "At 2.30 this afternoon...I can confirm my wife did give birth...and I can reveal it was to a baby...girl!...unfortunately, I do have to report that the baby is having difficulties...there's been complications and we're not sure if she's going to make it through the night...fingers crossed!.. watch Merteuil television for exclusive updates!!!...ummm...me and my wife would really appreciate some quality time together and with our child...in what could be his last few hours...We're hopeful though!...doctors seem to think she may be all right, but we're see...at the moment, we're just over the moon to have her!...she is so cute!...she has beautiful perfectly shaped fingers and toes...she has her mother's beauty!...and we are happy!...but we do ask that your prayers remain with us...That is all, Thank you!". Mr Merteuil left even though hundreds of questions barraged him. Namely, have they got a name for her yet?. He seemed the perfect picture of a proud but worried new father of a sick new-born. If only they knew!. If only they knew that it was just an act. If only they knew that Richard then went inside and entered back into that awkward room. They weren't happy!. Richard and Leonie were not happy. A tension filled that room. A chilling silence. No one said a word. No one held the child. No one looked at the child. What were they going to do with it?. Richard had been so keen about having a child until he found out it was a girl. He hadn't touched Leonie ever since he found she was pregnant!. He made her comfortable, bought her gifts and weighted on her hand and foot. But the first thing he said when he found out it was a girl was not "Oh she's so cute!!" or even a "Oh doesn't matter that it's a girl", it was a "Why the hell did you give me a girl, bitch?". Very loving!. Leonie nearly burst into tears. She knew this would happen. "It isn't my fault, Richard!...so don't blame me!" Leonie said pathetically whining. "Would Daddy like to hold the baby?" asked the nurse nervously. "No, I would not!" he replied bluntly. "Would mummy?" asked the nurse. Leonie squinted at it, and looked disgusted. "No!...Just put it somewhere!" Leonie said. "And go!...I want to be alone with my wife" said Richard. The nurse went. "It's got to go!...we can't keep it!" declared Richard. "Good!...I agree!...I didn't tell you this but...I've always thought maybe adoption would be best...I didn't tell you because I was going to give birth to it either way!...I don't want a reminder of your ugly mug!" declared Leonie. "Good, that's agreed!...neither of us want her!...a girl!...I don't want another one of you running round wincing!...I can't play sports with her!...I can't teach her my tricks of the trade!" he declared. Leonie whispered under her breath, "Thank goodness, you don't have a son...and I pray you don't!...the world couldn't cope with two or you running round!". "What was that?" Richard sniped. "Nothing!" Leonie replied. He knew exactly what it was but he decided to leave it for now. "Right!, here's the plan!...I go out and seem all proud and glad...but I mention there's been come complications and she may not survive....meanwhile we get the adoption thing in process and later announce it died but unofficially it's adopted" he declares. "What if she turns up one day on our doorstep asking for us?" Leonie asked dazed. "We tell her to piss off!" declared Richard. Leonie thought and then said "O.K...go talk to the press". He was ready to go when she declared "Wait!". He turned and said "What?" irritated. "Should we name her?" asked Leonie. "Why?...we're not keeping her!...oh o.k!...something simple...like...like...Kathryn...right that's it that's what she's called...it sounds respectable enough and simple enough...that's her name" he said and then left.
When he left Leonie she just sat there. She felt and looked dazed and confused. The nurse re-entered now Mr Merteuil was gone. "Would you like to hold your baby now?" asked the nurse cautiously. Leonie nodded. The nurse smiled and put her in Leonie's arms. "I'll leave you two alone" said the nurse. Leonie just looked at the baby and then spoke to it, "Kathryn, ay?...Well, hello Kathryn...it's nice to finally meet you seeing as we're been living on top of each other for so long...this isn't so bad is it?...your just a baby...your new life!...out with the old in with the new, ay?...what was I worried about?" said Leonie in baby talk. Leonie cried looking at her new-born daughter. She said, "Oh look at me!...how can I not keep you?...your mine!...no one else's!...I'll have you even if I have to leave your Daddy to keep you!!!". Leonie hugged the child closely into her. "I love you, Kathryn...I do, I do, I do!...I'm so sorry, what I said!...it's just...I thought you'd remind me...and you don't really!...your new!...it's old!...and I think you might just be the best thing that's happened to me lately...I'll stick by you, Kathryn...will you stick by me?". She hugged the child back into her just as Richard was re entering. "What are you doing?...I thought you said you wanted to get rid of her!...we agreed!...remember it was a mistake!...a silly one night mistake!" he said angrily. Leonie held the child tight to her and turned it away from him, saying "You can get rid of her if you want, but I'm going with her...whenever she goes I go!...I'm keeping her!...and if that means leaving you then so be it!" said Leonie secretly shaking. "You can't leave me!...I'd beat the shit out of you before you even got to the door!...just as I have done everytime you leave" he said viciously. "I'm in a hospital and there's loads of people around!...and anyway! I don't care!...you can do what you like because I'm having this girl no matter what!" said Leonie. Richard paused and thought. Then he said, "O.k...I'm giving in to you!...but let's say...two things here...firstly, let's say it's not worth losing you over some kid...secondly, let's say...why you so keen on that kid?...what's so special about her?" he asked touching on caring. "I've carried her around for nine months!...that's special!...I felt a bond, Richard!...one I've never felt before!" she said emotionally. "But just a minute ago you didn't want her!" he said confused. "I know!...I just wasn't sure!...and I hadn't seen her!...I thought the memories would override the bond...but it was the other way round!...just look at her!!!...she's so cute!!...look, Richard!!!" she said. He reluctantly looked at the baby. He was scared to feel emotion for it. He was scared to attach. Leonie continued and play with every part of the baby's body as she described it, "Her perfect little toes and fingers...her little cute mouth...her beautiful eyes!!!...her cute little ears!!...her tiny cute nose!!...her tinyness!!...her cuteness!!...the way she looks at you so adorably...so dependently!...so admirably!". Richard looked and reluctantly said "She's all right" and shrugged his shoulders. "That's a long way from what you thought of her before!...you want to hold her?" said Leonie. "O.K" he shrugged. He held her and looked at her, sulking. He even began to play with her bodily parts a bit. Then he sulkily said, "But what can I teach her?". "Loads!...you can still play sport with her!...you can still teach her about your English culture...you can still teach her about life!...she's your little princess...she'll turn out however you bring her up!...she needs us!...and there's loads of stuff you can do with a girl that you can't with a boy!...she's so much more attentive to her parents...less embarrassed and older to become so!...and just so much cuter!...you'll adore her!...just give it time!...it was a shock!" said Leonie eagerly and excited. "I suppose if you want her we can keep her!" said Richard sulkily. "But do you want her Richard?...even a little bit?" asked Leonie. She pinched his cheeks. "Well, I suppose she is pretty cute...she's growing on me!" he admitted. Leonie was delighted and swung her arms round him. "Oh Richard!!!...We're going to be a family!!" declared Leonie excitedly. "Our little Kathryn!" declared Leonie lovingly looking over Richard's shoulder at her new-born daughter. "Our little Kathryn...Kathryn Merteuil!!!" declared Richard adoringly looking at Kathryn. They both looked at Kathryn adoringly proud. They were a family!.
They were sitting in the park a hour later. Richard and Leonie were having their picnic. It was one of those perfect days where everyone was out enjoying the sun. Families playing, friends playing and of course lovers sharing romantic moments. Richard was laid out on the grass and Leonie was sat up. Leonie was observing the rest of the park and glanced some children. She admired them gleefully. She turned to Richard and asked "Do you want children?". He smirked cheekily, "Why?...you offering?". He sucked his lips into a kissing shape and leant towards her cheekily. "Stop it!" she laughed, pushing his lips away. "You know what I mean!...in the future...do you see yourself having children?...I think I do...but it's strange!...all that responsibility!" she decided. He sat up and gave his opinion. "Of course, I want children!....but they'd have to be planned, discussed and of course....the final decision is down to my wife...she's the one who goes through the most...not to say I wouldn't look after the children...I want to spend every moment of the day with them!...none of this I can't because that's a woman's job rubbish!...I want a full hands on role...but of course, we need a nanny!...she does the messy stuff and me and my wife do the love...or just me if she doesn't want to" he said. Leonie was delighted and threw her arms around him. She declared "Oh Richard!...your too perfect to be true!...I love you so much!!!!". He smirked behind her back, but then went back to his 'perfect gentleman' look when Leonie let go and looked at him again. She looked at him disappointed, "We're not going to last are we?". "Why not?" he asked. "Because your perfect!...something's got to go wrong!...because nothing perfect every works out...your probably run off with a woman much prettier than me!" she said. He looked at her and stroked her face. He looked her right in the eyes and said romantically, "You are pretty!...you have perfect sea blue eyes...flawless skin!...your beautiful blond hair has a shine of it's own...and it curls perfectly in everyway!...I'm the one who doesn't deserve you!....you are the sweetest, most caring, most loving woman I've ever met...I love you more than anyone I've ever met...and I can't imagine anyone else that I want to be the mother of my children!...and that is why...". Suddenly he reached into his pocket. Leonie gasped in shock and excitement. Her face lit up excitedly. She had a good guess what was happening. Richard took out a jewellery box an opened it infront of Leonie to show her it. Then he finished his sentence, "And that is why, Leonie my love!...my dearest!..I want you to be my wife!...will you, Leonie Hanwell, marry me????". She went hysterical, "YES!...YES!...a hundred times YES!!!!". They both hugged excitedly and over the moon. Then they kissed. "I can't imagine myself with anyone else" said Leonie happily. Richard excitedly took the ring out and put it on her finger. Then they kissed again. "Wait!!...Wait!!...I have a poem!!...I forgot the poem!!" Richard panicked. He took a piece of paper out his other pocket and read it. Leonie looked eagerly excited to hear it. He read it out, "I woke this morning to be greeted by rain...but I did not feel sad and react in vain...for my heart was alight with a sunshine of it's own...her name is Leonie Hanwell and she's my favourite tone...Her smile is like sunshine...her cheeks like cherry drops...her hair is a corn field...not rough, but golden, smooth and perfect...her voice is like water...her singing like a nightingale...her care is like a comforty blanket...her love is like a waterfall...flowing and flowing with essence...I love her!...which she knows!...but now I'm hoping she'll marry me and kiss my cute nose". "It's not very good...it doesn't really rhyme or work...but you get the idea...ohhh!!! no you don't!....I just couldn't put down in words how I feel about you!...it's more than all that!" he said negatively. "It's perfect!...I don't need a poem!...I know how you feel!!!" she said sweetly. She kissed him. They hugged again. She begun crying. "What?", he asked, "is something wrong?...are you unhappy?...what can I do to make you happier?...is it me?". "No!!!No!!!...I'm so happy!...your so perfect!...I love you so much!...we're going to be together forever and ever, I just know it!" she declared tearfully. They were hugging, so Leonie could not see as Richard gave an evil smirk behind her back. He pulled back to look at her again. He took her hands in his and romantically said "We can marry...get a house...I can work for Daddy still...then when Daddy retires soon, I get the business...and you can do whatever you like you sweetie.carry on maths teaching.or join the business if you want!". "No thank you!.I love teaching!" she excitedly. "Oh! But you could do so much better!...you could get...like the Nobel prize!" he said, charmingly. "I couldn't!" she said modestly. "You could!...you know how clever you are!...especially at Maths!" he said. "But I want to help kids with maths!" she said. "Do whatever you like my love!...I'll love you even if you choose to be a cleaner!...it's not like we need the money...you can do what you like". "What about when, hopefully, have kids?" she asked. "We'll get a nanny if you want...if anyone's going to stay at home it's me!...your way cleverer than me!...we can't waste your brains!...stay at home or go to work! Whatever you want, my dear!" he said charmingly. She kissed him excitedly and loving. They both admired the ring and hugged again.
Twenty seven year old Leonie Merteuil sat in the doctor's office holding her husband's hand. They had been married for two years. They looked nervous and worried. "Is it cancer?...or some illness?...what is it?" she asked worried. "There's nothing to worry about...your simply pregnant, Mrs Merteuil...that's why you've been feeling ill!...congratulations!!" the doctor replied. "Pregnant?...of course!...that explains it!!". Leonie and Richard looked shocked, but soon a smile shot across their faces and they hugged excitedly. They exclaimed happily, "Pregnant!!!....we're pregnant!!!...we're having a baby!!!". "Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Merteuil!!!...I love this part of the job!...the joy on people's faces!" the doctor said. "Am I one or two months pregnant?" asked Leonie. "Let's see...from what you've told me from when your last period was and etcetcra...let's see...the baby is.......3 months old" the doctor declared. Leonie thought and her face sunk. She went a ghostly pale. She let of Richard's hand, pulling hers away from his. She was no longer smiling. "Three months!!" Leonie whispered devastated. Richard's face sunk too, and he gulped, when he realised too. The doctor continued unaware, "The date of conception is...". As the doctor gave the date, Leonie accompanied her in a whisper. They both said "...January 22nd". Leonie looked like she'd seen a ghost. She grabbed her bag and ran out without even looking at Richard. "Is she all right?" the doctor asked. "Just leave her" David said, remarkably calmly.
Her sister Abigail (Abby) comforted Leonie. "Your pregnant!...well, that's great isn't it?...I know he's a bastard, but I thought you said things were better now!" said Abby. "They have been" Leonie said through tears. "Are you worry about when things don't go well again?...the future?...because sweetie, o be frank!...you've always dreamed of having children!...it's one of your life goals!...and I'm sorry, but if your planning to stay Catholic, sweetie, then Richard - bastard or not! - is the only one your going to be able to have kids with!". "You don't need to remind me of the fact!...I know!...you don't need to remind me of my mistake!...anyway, it isn't that!...I should be worry about mine and this children's future with that monster, but I haven't got round to it yet!" Leonie tearfully declared. There was silence as Leonie just cried and Abby tried to find the words to comfort her sister. Abby put an arm round Leonie's back to comfort her. Abby stroked her face lovingly comforting her. "I was happy!!!...even though it's Richard's!...I mean I do love him!" tearfully said Leonie. "Oh no, Leonie!...you can't!...why?" her sister pleaded with her. Leonie continued, "I was happy when I thought it was one or two months ago...but it's three!!!". Leonie burst into tears. Abby paused and comforted her sister. "Are you worried about it being sooner...because it's only six months away now?" asked Abby. "No!!!" Leonie whined, frustrated that her sister didn't know. Leonie cried and began, "For the last two months things have been great between Richard and I...he hasn't been violent towards me at all...he's been so romantic again!...it's like before we were married!" said Leonie. "Probably because he realises your going to leave him soon!...Leonie!...your husband not beating you in two months is grave optimism!!" sniped Abby. "You have to take what your given, Abigail!" she Leonie meekly. "So, your upset because the baby wasn't conceived in your rosy period?!!" concluded Abby. "No!!...let me finish...these two months have been perfect...but it wasn't like that before then...in the months before, we were at an all time low!...things were sort of made worse by me!" tearfully said Leonie. "Don't you dare blame yourself, Leonie!...this is not your fault!" snapped Abby. "But, it was!...if I just hadn't of rocked the boat!...you see...you know me!...I can get...well!...if wrongs are dealt out, then I fight them!" said Leonie. "Good for you!" replied Abby. "Bad move!...I know it's not logical!...but I just couldn't help it!...in the first year it started happening I was scared...but then I kind of flipped!...I became angry!...and...and...I fought back!" said Leonie. "Go for it!!!...I'm so proud of you!...you see that's why he's stopped!...he knows not to mess with you!" said Abby triumphantly. "No Abby!...it only got better when I stopped rebelling against his power!...it gradually calmed down" said Leonie. "You didn't become the s word did you??!!....tell me you didn't, Leonie!...not!...submissive!...how could you!!!...well, that's a great 'rosy period' isn't it!" said Abby. Leonie continued, "Anyway!...back to before then!". Leonie begun crying again, but soon continued, "The more I fought back, the more violent he got...it was terrible!...but I didn't stop there...the more violent he got the more I decided to take control other ways...I refused to sleep with him for months!" said Leonie. "You go girl!!!...brilliant!" cheers Abby. Leonie suddenly screams at Abby tearfully, "DON'T YOU GET IT!!!". Leonie finished by a whisper, "He just snapped once!". There was a chilly silence as Abby realised and Leonie tearfully awaited a reaction. "Oh Leonie!!!" Abby said bursting in tears. Abby opened her arms and Leonie fell tearfully into them. Abby and Leonie could feel each other shaking. Finally, Abigail look her sister in the face and asked, "Are you SURE it's that night!". "Positive!...Abby, I know that date like my birthday it's in fixed in my mind...and beside from that! We didn't have anything conceptionable a month after or three months before!...it is January 22nd!...that night!" cried Leonie. Abby hugged her sister again. Both were still tearful. Abby pulled her sister out to face her again. "Sweetie!", said Abby, "I'm not doubting you...or questioning you...I just want to make sure...are you sure he raped you?...you couldn't have mistaken it?...no! I don't mean that!...I mean, he couldn't have mistaken it!...because he's got a temper, but is he really that evil?...are you sure he knew you'd said no?". Leonie tearfully replied, "Abby!...he put a...!". But she couldn't say it. "Put a what, Leonie?...come on tell me!...I want to help!" asked Abby. Leonie found all the words hard to say, and got through them reluctantly and tearfully, "he put a!...a sock in my mouth!!!...and he held me down!!...so he knew I was struggling!!!...and then!!!....he tied me to the bed, Abby!!!...and if that wasn't enough to convince you!!...he then told me to shut the fuck up!!!!, and to lie back and take what I fucking deserve!!!!". Leonie broke into so much tears that she could not continue. Abby was in paralysing shock. Abby just sat there, tears pouring, staring into space in devastated shock. Leonie just rocked herself tearfully. Leonie just couldn't stop crying!!!. She rocked and rocked, and cried and cried!!!.
Twenty minutes later, they were both calmer. Abby had her arm round Leonie, and they were both only silently gently crying. "Everytime I look at that child, all I'll remember is that night!...every sound, every touch, every pain, every look!...it will just be an everlasting reminder!" said Leonie tearfully. She burst into tears again, and Abby rubbed her back comfortingly. "What are you going do about the child?...are you having it?" asked Abby. "I can't have an abortion!...How can you say that?...your as Catholic as me!" replied a surprised Leonie. "I know!...and I usually wouldn't ever suggest it!...but it's rape, Leonie!...you can't keep a reminder of that!...isn't there a loophole where you can if it's rape?...the church can't expect you to keep it!" said Abby. "There's been a debate for years and years!...but I think the decision is no to abortion still...they say...and I agree!...it's not the child's fault!...I murder the poor thing!...and!...God gave me this baby for a reason...I don't know what it is!...but I'm sure it's a good one!" said Leonie. "Yeah...of course!" said Abby supportively. "But...that doesn't mean adoption isn't ruled out!...maybe the reason God gave this child is so I can give it to a childless couple...I don't know!...maybe I'll keep it...I just don't know!" concludes Leonie. Abby and Leonie look at each other and hug.
Leonie and Richard were watching a home movie. Richard and Leonie were sitting on opposite sides of the sofa. Richard looked at Leonie and started moving over near to her. Leonie moved further away from him. Eventually she had to further to move and he caught up with her. He put his arm round her and started caressing her neck. She pushed him away with her hand. He sat up disappointed. "We need to talk about this baby, Leonie" he said. Leonie remained silent and watched the film. "I know it wasn't conceived under the best circumstances...and I'm not going to apologise for that...because you know I'm not sorry and I'm not going to insult your intelligence by pretending I am!...but I love you all the same!...and we both want children...and I just don't think you should do anything stupid...think about this! This is what we both want!" he said. "I'm keeping it there's no need to worry" she said coldly. "That's fantastic!...you won't regret this!" he said thrilled and kiss her cheek. "I've always wanted a son!...I can teach all my know how...how to play baseball, American football, basketball...we'll be down that park every week!...I'll teach him how to be 'a man'...how to chat up 'the ladies', how to dress well..." he said excitedly. She continued his sentence without his consent, "...how to beat up women, how to trick them into falling in love with you...how to drink copiously amounts of alcohol...how to be an idiot...how to pass high school when your so dumb!!!" she said snipingly. She got up angrily. He was annoyed too, but said nothing. Just before she left the room she turned and said, "By the way...it may not be a boy remember!...what will you teach her then?". Leonie left in a huff. "It will be a boy!...and you better make sure of that!" he called after her. She returned and went right up to his face, "How on earth can I stop it being a girl?". He grabbed her aggressively and suddenly she was scared, "You'll think of something!...your so clever remember!".
A fair few reporters stood outside the hospital waiting for Richard Merteuil. He appeared with a beaming smile but looking tired and flustered - like anyone new father!. The reporters rushed up to him with many questions. They were restrained back by press officers and body guards. Richard made a speech, "At 2.30 this afternoon...I can confirm my wife did give birth...and I can reveal it was to a baby...girl!...unfortunately, I do have to report that the baby is having difficulties...there's been complications and we're not sure if she's going to make it through the night...fingers crossed!.. watch Merteuil television for exclusive updates!!!...ummm...me and my wife would really appreciate some quality time together and with our child...in what could be his last few hours...We're hopeful though!...doctors seem to think she may be all right, but we're see...at the moment, we're just over the moon to have her!...she is so cute!...she has beautiful perfectly shaped fingers and toes...she has her mother's beauty!...and we are happy!...but we do ask that your prayers remain with us...That is all, Thank you!". Mr Merteuil left even though hundreds of questions barraged him. Namely, have they got a name for her yet?. He seemed the perfect picture of a proud but worried new father of a sick new-born. If only they knew!. If only they knew that it was just an act. If only they knew that Richard then went inside and entered back into that awkward room. They weren't happy!. Richard and Leonie were not happy. A tension filled that room. A chilling silence. No one said a word. No one held the child. No one looked at the child. What were they going to do with it?. Richard had been so keen about having a child until he found out it was a girl. He hadn't touched Leonie ever since he found she was pregnant!. He made her comfortable, bought her gifts and weighted on her hand and foot. But the first thing he said when he found out it was a girl was not "Oh she's so cute!!" or even a "Oh doesn't matter that it's a girl", it was a "Why the hell did you give me a girl, bitch?". Very loving!. Leonie nearly burst into tears. She knew this would happen. "It isn't my fault, Richard!...so don't blame me!" Leonie said pathetically whining. "Would Daddy like to hold the baby?" asked the nurse nervously. "No, I would not!" he replied bluntly. "Would mummy?" asked the nurse. Leonie squinted at it, and looked disgusted. "No!...Just put it somewhere!" Leonie said. "And go!...I want to be alone with my wife" said Richard. The nurse went. "It's got to go!...we can't keep it!" declared Richard. "Good!...I agree!...I didn't tell you this but...I've always thought maybe adoption would be best...I didn't tell you because I was going to give birth to it either way!...I don't want a reminder of your ugly mug!" declared Leonie. "Good, that's agreed!...neither of us want her!...a girl!...I don't want another one of you running round wincing!...I can't play sports with her!...I can't teach her my tricks of the trade!" he declared. Leonie whispered under her breath, "Thank goodness, you don't have a son...and I pray you don't!...the world couldn't cope with two or you running round!". "What was that?" Richard sniped. "Nothing!" Leonie replied. He knew exactly what it was but he decided to leave it for now. "Right!, here's the plan!...I go out and seem all proud and glad...but I mention there's been come complications and she may not survive....meanwhile we get the adoption thing in process and later announce it died but unofficially it's adopted" he declares. "What if she turns up one day on our doorstep asking for us?" Leonie asked dazed. "We tell her to piss off!" declared Richard. Leonie thought and then said "O.K...go talk to the press". He was ready to go when she declared "Wait!". He turned and said "What?" irritated. "Should we name her?" asked Leonie. "Why?...we're not keeping her!...oh o.k!...something simple...like...like...Kathryn...right that's it that's what she's called...it sounds respectable enough and simple enough...that's her name" he said and then left.
When he left Leonie she just sat there. She felt and looked dazed and confused. The nurse re-entered now Mr Merteuil was gone. "Would you like to hold your baby now?" asked the nurse cautiously. Leonie nodded. The nurse smiled and put her in Leonie's arms. "I'll leave you two alone" said the nurse. Leonie just looked at the baby and then spoke to it, "Kathryn, ay?...Well, hello Kathryn...it's nice to finally meet you seeing as we're been living on top of each other for so long...this isn't so bad is it?...your just a baby...your new life!...out with the old in with the new, ay?...what was I worried about?" said Leonie in baby talk. Leonie cried looking at her new-born daughter. She said, "Oh look at me!...how can I not keep you?...your mine!...no one else's!...I'll have you even if I have to leave your Daddy to keep you!!!". Leonie hugged the child closely into her. "I love you, Kathryn...I do, I do, I do!...I'm so sorry, what I said!...it's just...I thought you'd remind me...and you don't really!...your new!...it's old!...and I think you might just be the best thing that's happened to me lately...I'll stick by you, Kathryn...will you stick by me?". She hugged the child back into her just as Richard was re entering. "What are you doing?...I thought you said you wanted to get rid of her!...we agreed!...remember it was a mistake!...a silly one night mistake!" he said angrily. Leonie held the child tight to her and turned it away from him, saying "You can get rid of her if you want, but I'm going with her...whenever she goes I go!...I'm keeping her!...and if that means leaving you then so be it!" said Leonie secretly shaking. "You can't leave me!...I'd beat the shit out of you before you even got to the door!...just as I have done everytime you leave" he said viciously. "I'm in a hospital and there's loads of people around!...and anyway! I don't care!...you can do what you like because I'm having this girl no matter what!" said Leonie. Richard paused and thought. Then he said, "O.k...I'm giving in to you!...but let's say...two things here...firstly, let's say it's not worth losing you over some kid...secondly, let's say...why you so keen on that kid?...what's so special about her?" he asked touching on caring. "I've carried her around for nine months!...that's special!...I felt a bond, Richard!...one I've never felt before!" she said emotionally. "But just a minute ago you didn't want her!" he said confused. "I know!...I just wasn't sure!...and I hadn't seen her!...I thought the memories would override the bond...but it was the other way round!...just look at her!!!...she's so cute!!...look, Richard!!!" she said. He reluctantly looked at the baby. He was scared to feel emotion for it. He was scared to attach. Leonie continued and play with every part of the baby's body as she described it, "Her perfect little toes and fingers...her little cute mouth...her beautiful eyes!!!...her cute little ears!!...her tiny cute nose!!...her tinyness!!...her cuteness!!...the way she looks at you so adorably...so dependently!...so admirably!". Richard looked and reluctantly said "She's all right" and shrugged his shoulders. "That's a long way from what you thought of her before!...you want to hold her?" said Leonie. "O.K" he shrugged. He held her and looked at her, sulking. He even began to play with her bodily parts a bit. Then he sulkily said, "But what can I teach her?". "Loads!...you can still play sport with her!...you can still teach her about your English culture...you can still teach her about life!...she's your little princess...she'll turn out however you bring her up!...she needs us!...and there's loads of stuff you can do with a girl that you can't with a boy!...she's so much more attentive to her parents...less embarrassed and older to become so!...and just so much cuter!...you'll adore her!...just give it time!...it was a shock!" said Leonie eagerly and excited. "I suppose if you want her we can keep her!" said Richard sulkily. "But do you want her Richard?...even a little bit?" asked Leonie. She pinched his cheeks. "Well, I suppose she is pretty cute...she's growing on me!" he admitted. Leonie was delighted and swung her arms round him. "Oh Richard!!!...We're going to be a family!!" declared Leonie excitedly. "Our little Kathryn!" declared Leonie lovingly looking over Richard's shoulder at her new-born daughter. "Our little Kathryn...Kathryn Merteuil!!!" declared Richard adoringly looking at Kathryn. They both looked at Kathryn adoringly proud. They were a family!.
