Authors Note/Disclaimer: I don't own WA 3, it belongs to Media Vision/Sony.
I, Starflower Skylark, do hereby give my permission to turn this chapter of Expecting the Worst into a serious and fluffy fiction! (Stamps name with a loud thump) V
Month Eight - The Reason
The days passed rather quickly, and soon it was nearing the end of the eighth month of Catherine's pregnacy. The baby could be expected almost any time now. Clive was starting to get very nervous.
Catherine shook her head as she watched him pace from their bed. "Clive, stop worrying and come to bed."
Clive looked over to her. It seemed he wanted to say something, but changed his mind as he climbed into the bed beside her. She leaned into his shoulder.
"Honey, I know something is bothering you. Would you like to talk about it?" she asked.
"...I know I should not worry, but I cannot help it. Ever since... since..." He trailed off, finding it hard to speak.
"Oh Clive, you know that wasn't your fault. There was nothing anyone could do."
Clive sighed, removing his glasses and setting them carefully on the bedside table. "I know that, Catherine. But... losing a child, even one unborn..."
Catherine pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him. "Please... I don't want those sad memories to overshadow our happy ones now. This baby will be fine, and he, or she, will be healthy and grow up happy. We will love him as dearly as we love Kaitlyn."
Clive smiled, but it was sad. "I will try not to think about it, but it will be difficult. And, also... I would prefer if the others do not know."
"Well...if they don't ask, I won't tell them, but I think they have the right to know why you've been acting so strange. Do you think they would laugh, or something?"
Clive shook his head quickly. "Of course not. They are not that cruel, even Jet. But... this may sound a bit absurd, but I do not want sympathy. Or comfort. Virginia means well, but I do not think I could handle it, even now several years after the fact."
"I don't think I understand, but if that's how you feel, I will keep it a secret."
Clive smiled, this time relieved. "Thank you, Catherine. For everything." Taking her chin, he tilted her head back and kissed her. "Goodnight."
The light had only been off for a few moments before a quiet knock sounded on the door to their room. Clive and Catherine sat up. "Yes, who is there?" asked Clive.
The door creaked open slightly as it was pushed in. Kaitlyn stood framed in the moonlight, her big stuffed fox cradled in her arms.
"I had a nightmare," the little girl admitted. "Can I sleep with you?"
"Of course you can, Kaitlyn," replied Catherine. Clive moved over to make room for their daughter between himself and Catherine.
The young girl snuggled up to her mother as her parents settled once more, preparing to go to sleep. But sleep was not to come when Kaitlyn jumped in surprise.
"Mommy, your tummy is moving!"
Catherine laughed. "That's the baby kicking," she said. "Here." Taking Kaitlyn's hand, she placed it on her bulging stomach. Kaitlyn giggled in delight as she felt the baby jab at her hand, almost as though it knew it was there.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" she asked.
"We do not know yet," replied Clive. "We wish it to be a surprise."
"I hope it's a sister. There are too many boys in town already."
This got a laugh. "What if it's a boy, Kaitlyn?" asked Catherine.
The little girl looked thoughtful. "I guess I could play with a little brother, too."
With a chuckle, Clive said, "Well, it is getting late. We can continue this converstation in the morning."
The three settled back down. "Night mommy, daddy," said Kaitlyn, and she rubbed her mother's stomach, "and baby."
They fell asleep wearing smiles.
X X X
By the time Clive awoke the next morning, Kaitlyn and Catherine had already gotten up. His daughter had run off somewhere, but his wife was just getting dressed.
Slipping silently out of bed, he slid up behind her, startling her somewhat as he put his arms around her. Leaning his head against her shoulder, he rocked her gently.
"Good morning, Clive," said Catherine, a good natured smile playing across her face. "You seem cheerful this morning."
"I have a beautiful wife, a lovely daughter and several great friends. Why would I not be cheerful?" he replied, kissing her on the cheek.
Catherine giggled, but pushed him away. "I need to get dressed, honey. And so do you, unless you want to walk around the house in your underwear in front of your friends."
Clive just smirked in response and the two got dressed and left the bedroom to join the others in the living room.
"Good morning!" chirped Virginia as the two entered.
Clive returned the greeting. "So how are all of you this morning?"
Jet looked as surly as ever. "Fine," he replied. Clive's cat was curling about his legs and he was giving the animal a dirty look.
"Where's Gallows and Kaitlyn?" asked Catherine after she looked around the living room.
"I don't know, they took off giggling about something not too long ago," replied Virginia. "I think they were heading to her room. She wanted to show him something."
"I will go and see," replied Clive and he headed off towards his daughter's room. It made him a little nervous thinking about Gallows playing with his little girl. Who knew what the big Baskar could be teaching her.
Reaching her room, he saw her door slightly ajar. He didn't hear any sounds from within. He knocked lightly on the door.
"Gallows? Kaitlyn?" He recieved no reply. "I am coming in." With that, he gave the door a push.
A cascade of coloured scraps of paper rained down on his head, followed seconds later by a bucket. Surprised, it took him a moment before he realized he was being laughed at.
Lifting the bucket from his eyes, Clive could see Gallows and Kaitlyn nearly falling over, laughing at the prank they'd just pulled. "What did I do to deserve this?" he asked.
Gallows shrugged. "Nothing. We just felt like it, right Kaitlyn?"
Kaitlyn nodded. Clive just blinked and turned to leave, still wearing the bucket on his head.
