By Didi
Disclaimer: Though the show has been cancelled, (damn those executives) I still cannot claim them as mine. And anyone that even thinks so would be laughed out of the courts. Don't sue; I'm not making any money out of this. Oh and do I have to disclose on brand labels? Cause I mention one and now I'm not sure if they're copyright protected or trademark protected or what-not?
Timeline: Let's just assume this is after the last aired episode. But assume that Nick Kokoris and Rae Brennan are not together. I could not stand the two on the show so I refuse to write anything where they are together. Don't worry; I won't ignore their history already established as the back-story from the show.
Rating: It's going to stay PG-13 for reasons that I'm won't go into. But if someone is offended, I'll change it again.
Author's Note: Hum… I kept thinking who would be nice person to play Jules Keating's sister. Actress Allison Smith came to mind. Red hair, pretty face, hell of an actress. Yep, perfect.
Summary: What would you do in the name of love? Things that you may come to regret.
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Chapter Eleven~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Are you staying for the recovery?" Kokoris asked as he scrubbed out slowly, every movement a testament of the long hour that he had just spent bent over an operating table. The implantation of the new cells had been tricky, delicate and done with the same precision of brain surgeries, he did not expect complications.
"Yes," Slingerland answered mechanically as he scrubbed his hands clean. The important stuff was done now, his mind has already moved onto the next thing on his list of priorities; a certain pixie haired doctor that is about to turn his world upside down and inside out.
"Do you want to grab some food before we're hit with the protestors? I'm afraid that if I don't get something to eat, I may become faint. But I do think we should stay close to where there is security for now."
"Yes."
Glancing over, "I heard someone leaked the news fifteen minutes before the procedure. There was quite an uproar. I heard the phones haven't stopped ringing since."
"Yes."
Frowning as he grabbed paper towels to dry his dripping hands, "Good thing we were already prepped and ready."
"Yes."
"The monitoring will have to be done here, at the hospital, but Charles's father has already made noises about having his son moved to a more discreet location, so not to be bothered by the press. It could become messy."
"Yes."
Nick crossed his arms and leaned against the sink to watch Slingerland dry his hands in auto mode. "And I heard that he's arranged for a herd of pink elephants to be nurses at the UCLA medical center while an orangutan plays bodyguard for Charles."
"Ya… What?" blinking.
"Hum… I was beginning to think you weren't paying attention," Nick murmured quietly. "Walk with me," leading the way out.
Passing several nurses, Kokoris couldn't help but note that there was an increase in attention that obviously distracted Slingerland was receiving. And while he already knew that rumors that were still bombarding the hall of the hospital, this sudden surge of less than subtle whispers was the markings of something new. With Slingerland so obviously not in tuned, Nick has a feeling it was a recent development.
Grabbing trays from the empty doctor's lounge, Nick ushered them into his office and shut the door on the curious onlookers. "Now, tell me what's going on and why you look like a man about to go to the galantines even though we've just pulled out one of the most complicated, not to mention controversial, procedures to date?"
Playing with the coffee mug that he had gotten but couldn't quite remember what he had put in it other than the black sludge that was currently sloshing around in it, Matt considered his options quickly. He wanted to talk about it, with someone that isn't going to go completely bonkers on him, his father for example. But this was such a personal matter, one that he would not like to be blunted about the hospital. Not that there wouldn't be more than enough talk once dear Jules started to show. And Nick Kokoris has been a most discreet fellow… not a breath of personal information in sight.
Taking a sip for the horrible mud-like substance that was suppose to be coffee so as he could think more clearly after several hours without sleep, Matt choked on the horrible taste that perforated his senses. "What in blasted hell is this?"
Nick frowned and tasted his own cup. He choked, and with no other recourse other than holding the vile concoction in his mouth forever or swallowing it, neither options looking appealing to him, he spit it back into the cup. "It would appear that someone overcooked the coffee and left it on the pot too long." He sighed, longing for the caffeine that he's body was currently crying for.
"I wonder if Starbucks delivers," Matt muttered.
"They might if you ask real nice," Nick replied and tossed the unpalatable drink into the fichus plant in the corner.
"That's going to kill it," Matt commented, wishing for a drink… a real one.
"Better the plant than us," Nick replied with a smile and reached under his desk. "I've got Pepsi if you want one," then tossed a can at the internist without waiting for a reply.
Matt looked distastefully at the aluminum can in his hand. "This stuff will kill us," then proceeded to pop the can and drain half of it in one breath. Sighing in satisfaction, he leaned back and ignored the tray of food in front of them. "Yup, no doubt about it," he muttered. "This will definitely kill us."
"There are worse ways to go," Kokoris couldn't help but add.
"True," with an agreeing nod.
Watching the distraction come over the Brit's face was quite an interesting experience. "Shall we cut the chit chat and get to the heart of things? What's going on? Whatever troubles you have best deal with quickly so I do not have to concern myself with whether or not you are paying attention to a case we're working on or not."
Without any preamble, "Dr. Julia Keating is planning on delivering my child ten months from now."
Nick choked on his soda. It took a good three minutes for him to calm the violent coughs that dislodged the liquids trying to make its way down his air pipes. And even after that, it took another two minutes for him to gain enough breath to ask the very obvious, "WHAT?" though that came out more of a wheeze than the loud and shocked exclamation he had been aiming for.
Matt rubbed his forehead slowly with the forefinger and wondered how things got so completely complicated. "You know, I think that's what I said too."
Flashback
"Excuse me?"
"I'm going to be having a baby ten months from Tuesday."
"WHAT?"
Jules jumped at the volume of his voice. Leaning forward with a frown, "Could you keep your voice down?"
Matt blinked and took a deep breath. "Sure, I can do that," he replied quite rationally though his thinking processes were anything but lucid at the moment. "And could you explain to me what in the world you just said?"
Shaking sugar into her coffee, "Look, I know this is not exactly that you had in mind when we came here to talk."
"Well, I suppose this is as close to the topic as we can possibly get to without actually saying the exact words," he replied unnecessarily. Because he couldn't quite wrap his mind around the idea yet, "Could you just tell me when you decided to start a family and why you decided now would be a good time to do so?"
"I can do that," forking up chili and savoring that taste. "It actually started about six months ago..."
"What?"
"Could you just listen and not ask 'what' every two sentences?"
He considered it; actually, truly considered it. And because he was short on time, he nodded in agreement. "Go on."
"Thank you," she answered dryly and squeezed lemon onto the salad. "It started about six months ago, when I received some news about…"
"This is on your health?"
"Are you going to interrupt me every time you think you know what's coming next?"
Because anger was beginning to replace confusion and shock, "I'm considering the idea, yes."
She glared at him over a forkful of greens. "Well if you're going to be difficult about this…"
"Forgive me Jules if I don't react to the news of impending fatherhood the same way most men do considering that I've not had the pleasure of having been to bed with you yet. On top of this, you've managed to surpass my father in the manipulation department by waiting until the last possible moment to tell me about having made a life altering decision without me. Granted, you did tell me before you actually went through the impregnating process, I'll be sure to give you bonus points for that. But your timing could use a great deal of…"
"Hold it!" thrusting her open palm right into his face, just barely managing not to smash his cornbread into his face. "Who said anything about you being the dad in this - mainly mine - domestic picture? If I recall correctly, and I am sure that I do, you were the sperm donor. And have agreed not to interfere in anything that I do once your part in this whole thing is done." She pointed to the folder by his side, "Isn't this what that's all about?"
End Flashback
"Is it?"
"Is it what?"
"Is that what you've agreed to?"
"Agree to what?"
Nick rolled his eyes and sighed. "Pay attention Slingerland! The gist of what you've agreed to, is it what Dr. Keating said it is? Did you or did you not agree to give up rights to any child produced through this… little gift you've given her?"
Matt made a face. He didn't particularly like the question, or the way it was phrased.
"And have you read the agreement?" Nick couldn't help but ask.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Well, it's perfectly good question since it seems to be one of the many problems you seem to be suffering from at the moment. You're a doctor; you know to get all the facts before treating a patient. What is the difference here? You read the agreement, assess it the way you would any other problem, and if it isn't something that you…"
Waving the rest of the question away, "I already know what that bloody agreement says, exactly that Jules and my dear ole' dad wants it to say. I'm to have nothing to do with any child of mine bore by Julia Keating. And I am never to darken their little steps with my lascivious presence without the express permission from mother dearest." That didn't sit well with him at all. Not at all.
Nodding his head slowly, Nick pressed on. "Then we go back to my original question. Is it what you agreed to when you became Dr. Keating's donor?" The reluctance on Slingerland's face was more than enough of an answer. "I take that as a 'yes' that you are now wishing was a 'no.'"
Slingerland sighed feeling the weight of all this on his shoulders now. He really couldn't afford to be distracted at the moment, not with the uproar that's about to descend upon him. A year ago, this probably won't have bothered him at… well, that's a damnable lie if he ever thought of one. It would have most assuredly affected him in the most profound way at any time in his life.
The very idea of a child of his out there, with no father figure in their life, is simply unacceptable to him. A child needs a father. And his child can have one without a second's thought, if only allowed. To top it off, it'll be with a woman that Matt knew he cared for and would be more than willing and able to provide for. But he knew Jules, and he knew her better than he care to know how, she would never allow him to help her raise that child. She wouldn't deny him access to the baby, she wasn't a cruel woman, but she wouldn't actively allow him to be a part of their lives either.
A voice inside himself can clearly say that he wanted to be a part of her life. He could be happy in it.
"What am I going to do?"
Kokoris have him the unnecessary answer, "How the hell should I know?"
~~~~
"So how did he take it?"
"Jenna!"
"Well, how did he take it?"
Jules sighed and collapsed on the couch. "Not good."
"Is he going to kick up a real fuss about this?" Jenna asked, her pretty face wrinkled with concern.
Smiling, Dr. Keating reached over and patted her sister's hand. "Don't worry, I can handle Matt Slingerland. You just concentrate on your family and getting them through this." And she meant every word.
Jenna Keating-Fraser looked like she just stepped out of a painting of fairies and midnight magic. Sitting here in the bright morning sun, the lilac and green sundress she wore only added to the pixyish picture with her perky red locks and light hazel blue eyes. At a petite five feet two inches, she appeared twenty-two at the ripe old age of thirty-five. It wasn't hard to see why she was often mistaken for a student when working at the University of California San Diego. Even her slender ballerina thin figure, inherited from their late Irish mother, hasn't changed much since carrying a child.
"Jules," leaning against the chair back as she turned to regard her sister with the matronly look that was strangely appropriate on her child-like face, "Is he going to make trouble for you? Cause you know that David and I haven't given up trying to find an outside donor and…"
"Listen to me," Jules interrupted firmly. She knew when she needed to take a stand when it came to her softhearted sister. "I will take care of things on my end. There is nothing here you need to be concerned about. Matt just needs a little time to cool off and think this through before he realizes that signing the contract is in his own best interest, as well as mine. He's not going to interfere; he can't; he won't; I won't let him."
Shaking her head slowly, Jenna wondered if her sister's thought things through completely. "Tell me the truth, have you considered what's going to happen after the baby is born?"
"Yes, I have," she answered honestly. "I told you, I didn't make this decision on a whim. I have thought it completely through, even talked to Harriet about it at length," thought she didn't mention that Dr. Lenning had on several occasion attempted to talk her out of it. "Yes, we agree that this isn't the best way to bring a child into this world, nor is it the best reason. But the situation is what it is. I have no reservations about doing this and you don't have to worry about my baby. It's mine and I will love and cherish it the same way you love and adore Kevin; if not more. By the way, how is my favorite nephew doing?"
"You mean your only nephew," Jenna replied with a reluctant smile. "He's doing all right. Wish he'd take to the treatments better but beggars can't be chooser, right?"
"What's the latest?"
"The latest is…" she bit her lip.
"What?" curious now.
She glanced at the doorway. "The doctors may have found a donor for Kevin in Seattle, Washington."
"What?"
Jenna held up her hand and sighed. "It's only a possibility. We're not getting our hopes up yet. There are still plenty of tests that need to be…"
"But there is a chance," Jules responded with delight. "Why didn't you say something when I can through that door?"
"I didn't want to get my hopes up," Jenna replied with a deep breath.
"Oh Jenna."
"If this is just another false alarm… like the half dozen of them I've experienced in the past six months, I don't know how I'm going take it," she answered honestly. "There has been no matches so far and the chances of there being one grows slimmer every day. Kevin's got such a rare blood type and the possibilities are endless for things to go wrong."
"Listen to me…"
"Six, Jules. We need to meet six factors for it to be an exact match. What are the chances that we can find two strangers in the world that can match six…"
Jules reached out and slapped her sister across the face. "Snap out of it!"
Jenna sat there stunned. "You hit me."
"That's right," came the tense and angry reply. "And I'll do it again if I have to. You do not ever get to go into that 'oh whoa is me' mode when I'm around. Feeling sorry for yourself isn't going to do any good."
Accusing eyes glared back, "I don't feel sorry for myself."
"Oh yeah? What the hell was that then?"
"That was me being realistic about life!" came the snapped answer.
Glad that her sister was no longer in the depressingly pessimistic mode, Jules kept her smile in check. "Fine, deal with reality any way you like but you don't get to be down about it. You hope for the best and deal with what comes next."
Making a face that was decisively unattractive; Jenna stuck her tongue out at her sister. "I really hate it when you're in that doctor mode. It makes you almost inhuman sometimes."
"Nay," waving it away. "This doesn't even come close. I won't ever think of slapping a patient across the face to get a point across. That's like asking for a lawsuit. It's only because I love you that I hit you."
"Lucky me," and rolled her eyes. "You want food?"
"No thanks," Jules sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "How's Dave?"
"David is becoming a nut case," Jenna replied cheerfully as she went to the kitchen and prepared sandwiches. "And he didn't want to tell you about the possible match."
"Why?" Jules asked without heat.
"Cause he was afraid you'd decide not to go through with the baby scheme."
There was silence.
Jenna poked her head in. "Have you changed your mind?"
"No," Jules answered rubbing her eyes. The early flight to San Diego wasn't conducive of a good night's sleep. "I'm going to have this baby regardless of whether we find a match or not. I've gotten too use to the idea, not going to give it up now. Besides, I've already bought the crib."
"What?"
"I bought a crib." Jules said excitedly, her face brightening at the thought. "It's gorgeous. Antique baby crib in cherry oak that's only going to be good for like the first year if I'm lucky, but it was just too pretty to pass up. Cost me an arm and a leg, but hey, I make pretty good money. Why shouldn't I indulge my baby a little if I want to?"
Laughing because she hasn't seen her sister this excited in ages, "You're talking like it's a done deal."
"It is a done deal," she bounced up on her knees and turned to look at her sister. "I've been looking into getting a bigger place too. My apartment is great and all but there isn't enough room for me, a baby and a nanny."
"Nanny?" Jenna asked.
"Well yeah," nodding her head. "I'm going to need a live-in nanny. With my hours, I can't afford not to have one."
Nodding in understanding, "Have you thought about a new job?"
"No," came the puzzled reply. "Why?"
"Maybe you can move down here."
"Why would I do that?"
"To be closer to your favorite sister for one thing," Jenna said, going back into the kitchen. "And plus I can help with the new baby when you're busy. It'll save on the nanny business."
"Jenna…"
"Just an idea," she said hurriedly. "Just think about it."
Jules rolled her eyes. It wasn't the first time her sister has suggested a move. "Look, I miss you too. And I definitely miss your cooking. But I like the Bay area. It's home to me."
Jenna bit her tongue and wondered if she's going to be on thin ice with this one. But she was her baby sister and protecting her has always been her first priority. Ignoring her parental instinct, "And if you move down here, you won't have the Slingerland problem to deal with."
Turning to stare at the wall that separated herself and her sister, Jules wondered if she just heard right. "Excuse me?"
Oh now she knew she was in for it. "I'm just saying…"
"I wouldn't do that Matt. Or to myself for that matter."
"Jules…"
"No."
"If he's going to be difficult about the baby…"
"He won't."
"You just said that he was fighting mad about the agreement and about you're deciding to have a baby without even discussing it with you…"
"Knee jerk reaction."
"Is it?" Jenna asked forcefully as she came back into the room, sandwich and juice on a tray. "Tell me the truth: is it just a knee jerk reaction? You said so yourself, he didn't want to sign the agreement that would prohibit his access to his biological child. Hell, it'll keep him from giving you child support should he choose to. Or do you honestly believe that Dr. Slingerland isn't going to insist on some rights to that baby once it's born? You really think he'll be able to just up and walk away?" Jules was silence by this. "Cause let me tell you from experience, little sister, once a person holds their baby and feels that connection; there is no going back from that."
Dr. Keating didn't have a response to that.
"You're a smart girl, Jules," Jenna said as she sat down. "Nobody makes it through medical school without having some smarts under their belt. And I didn't exactly get my Masters on my charms alone. We're both smart enough to know that this isn't just about us. We can be facing a real uphill battle from here on out. You ready for that?"
"For Kevin? Yes."
"And if Kevin isn't a factor here? If this family aren't facing the same problems and you are simply making a decision as to whether is it time for a baby in your life, is Dr. Slingerland a man that you can trust to do the right thing for you? Is he going to let you be? Or are you going to be dealing with him for the rest of your life? And can you handle that?"
Glaring at her sister, "I don't like it when you play devil's advocate."
Laughing, "I know. But someone has to ask the hard questions here. I can't allow you to just have lawyers watching your back."
Jules nodded her head slowly, knowing that her sister was right. These things have to be dealt with. "Look, I don't have a lot of the answers right now. But I do know one very important thing."
"What what's that?"
"I trust Matt," she stated simply. "I know what kind of man he is deep down. And I trust that man."
Jenna nodded wisely, wondering if Jules realized just how telling the tone of her voice, the expression on her face and the absolutely conviction in her eyes was. "Then I think it's time we meet Dr. Slingerland."
~~~~
It was without success that Dr. Slingerland tried for three days to achieve what looked to be quite simple at the time. For three very long and nerve wrecking days, Matt attempted to get in contract with one Dr. Julia Keating without so much a near encounter. So it was a rather frustrated Dr. Slingerland that met with a new patient late Monday afternoon after a long and very trying day of protestors, head-headed administrators, and the ever-elusive Dr. Keating.
"Good afternoon, I'm Dr. Slingerland. What seems to be ailing you today?" as he checked through several sheets of notes without a clue as to what could be wrong with his new patient. Usually, the nurses were religious on that small fact. Looking up finally, he was met with a pair of eyes that were bright, friendly and disturbingly familiar. "Hello."
"Hi," came the cheerful greeting followed by a smile that lit up her entire face.
"Um…" there was something a little too friendly about the way she was smiling at him. Alarm bells rang even as something didn't quite seem right to him. "I'm sorry, have we met before?" because there was definitely something familiar about those eyes.
"No, I don't think so," she replied in a melodic voice as she swung her leg and continue to smile at him. "But I have a feeling we're going to get to know each other pretty good in a hurry."
"Really?" he asked, sensing danger now.
She nodded a full head of golden-red hair. "Oh yeah, definitely." She held out a slender hand with unpainted nails. "Jenna Fraser."
Something triggered a memory… kind of. "Fraser?"
"Yes," smiling even brighter, her eyes twinkling with delight. "Formerly Keating."
All the pieces crashed in to place with a painful thump. "As in Jules Keating?"
"I knew you were a smart one," she replied cheerfully.
Closing the patient's chart in his hand, "I take it this isn't a professional meeting."
"No, I'm afraid not," she replied jumping from the bed. "Want to talk in your office?"
"Yes, I do believe that would be a wise decision," he nodded and pointed out, "Third door on your left. I have to drop off these charts first."
"See you in a minute," she said heading toward the pointed direction.
Sprinting to the nurse's station, he tossed the stack at a startled station nurse and continued to the receptions in a hurry. "Norman, I need you to get in touch with Dr. Keating right now."
An annoyed Norman looked up from the appointment book he had been checking. "I've tried her office some fifty times today. Perhaps it's time to take a hint, Dr. Slingerland. Show a little male pride."
Short on patience, "I'm not joking, Norman. I need you to physically go up to pediatrics if you have to and tell Dr. Keating that I have her sister in my office right now. And whatever snit she's in with me at the moment, she needs to get over it and come down here straight away. And Norman, I will personally serve your head on a platter if you don't do this!" Then took off before Norman had a chance to close his slack jaw mouth.
Entering his office, Matt had a rather surreal moment as the woman by the window turned slowly, putting the light behind her. He had to blink to mind himself that this was Jules's sister, not the woman herself. "Have a seat, Mrs. Fraser. What can I do for you?" hurrying around the desk so as not to keep her waiting.
Crossing her legs primly at the ankles, Jenna smiled reassuringly at him. "It's just Jenna if you please. And don't worry; I'm not here without express permission."
Matt blinked at her. "I beg your pardon?"
"Jules knows that I'll be stopping by today," she replied calmly as she looked around the Spartan room. The man wasn't much on appearance that's for sure. Every piece in the office had a function, except the gilded frame painting of… spatters of color was the best description she could give it, that sat on the wall. It was the only decoration that personalized the room. "I won't be so shabby as to just drop by unannounced. That was what you were doing, right? Making sure my sister knows that I'm here?"
Running his tongue over his teeth, making sure he didn't just kicked in the head; he gave tight smile and nodded. "I'm not fond of having family interfere with my personal life and…"
"I understand," nodding easily as she opened the large messenger bag she was carrying. "I take it you recognize this?"
He glanced briefly at it. "Yes."
"Good. Then I assume you've had a chance to review it."
"Yes," he lied. He hadn't reviewed the thirty-page parental rights agreement. He didn't want to review it. "I have some reservations about it."
"Oh?" studying the man carefully. "What kind of reservations? Perhaps we can address your concern quickly and…"
"None that I care to discuss with you. No offense."
"None taken," she replied calmly.
Slingerland frowned there was an unflappable sense of professionalism that was familiar. "Can I ask a question?"
"Go right ahead. I won't guarantee an answer but you can most assuredly ask."
"What do you do for a living, Mrs…. Er… Jenna?"
Shrugging narrow shoulders, "I'm a clinical psychologist."
The professionalism made sense even if it does put him slightly in the hot seat now. "Of course," he muttered dryly.
She laughed. "Jules was the smart one in the family but I didn't veer too far off."
He nodded his head and sighed. He didn't feel quite as bad at having his parents accost Jules now that the sister was here, making him squirm and feel like a bloody sixteen year old again. There really was nothing like meeting that family to put a man in his place. "What can I do for you, Jenna?"
She got down to it quickly knowing that if Dr. Slingerland had alerted Jules, her sister wouldn't be too far off. She hadn't been lying precisely when she said that Jules knew of her visit. She simply failed to mention that Jules had expected to be here when Jenna spoke with Dr. Slingerland. "I want you to sign the agreement."
That thought had already crossed his mind. "May I ask why?"
"For the benefit of my sister. Why else?"
"Would it not comfort you to know that she has a recourse should anything happen?"
"David and… David's my husband, by the way…"
"I know. We're spoken." He has yet to forgive him for interrupting a most wonderful fantasy.
Nodding, "David and I can take care of Jules's child should anything unexpected, and god forbid that it should, happen. We are not exactly millionaires but we're not paupers either."
"I understand that. But I would like to know my child and be able to provide adequately for their…"
"That's not the agreement you and Jules orally made when you agreed to be her donor."
He knew that was going to get thrown back in his face. The weekend had given him plenty of time to reconsider the agreement and what he actually wanted from it. "I will not be signing the agreement. Not as it stands now."
Jenna felt her heart jump for a second. "You're withdrawing consent as donor?"
"No," he replied firmly with a frown. He didn't like the way the sister suddenly went very still, as if it had just become very personal for her. "I won't do that to Jules. And even if I did, it isn't as if she couldn't find herself another donor to give her a child eventually."
"There isn't time."
That certainly caught his attention. "What are you talking about? Why wouldn't there be time for Jules to have another go at in vitro? Is it her health? She hadn't mentioned anything about any reoccurrence of… wait," shaking his head to clear some of the rambling thoughts that were fluttering through his head too quickly to process properly. "If she was feeling another cancer scare, she won't be considering having a child at all at this point. The treatments would…" he was rambling again. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly to calm himself. "Why the time limit?"
Jenna studied him carefully. The genuine concern she could see in his eyes touched her. He truly cared about her sister and what may or may not be happening to her. "Did Jules tell you why she wants to get pregnant right now?"
He frowned. "No, the bugger didn't mention it specifically. She just said it was time."
"Right," she murmured wondering what her sister was about. "What are you going to do if Jules goes through with it?"
"Other than make sure my name is on the birth certificate?"
"You do realize that means you could end up having to provide for the child, especially if you don't sign this…"
"That's exactly what I want," he replied frustrated with this interview. "Jules shouldn't have to think about finances while with child. She shouldn't have to think about anything at all. I know that she'll make a terrific mother. Why wouldn't I want to make things a little easier on her? She deserves it. She deserves a lot more than just that. She deserves to not have to worry about nannies and daycare and being a single mother. She shouldn't have to. She won't have to."
Jenna nodded, finally seeing something she definitely was not expecting. "Dr. Slingerland, can I ask you a question?"
"To paraphrase you earlier: you may but I may not answer."
"Fair enough," she conceded with a smile. Leaning forward so she can see his face more clearly, "How long have you been in love with my sister?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To be continued….