Chapter Eight

Quinn sat on the bleachers, looking out at the field. Other than the house he grew up in, places just like this were where he felt most at home. He could still hear the cheers of the crowd if he sat still enough, still catch the scent of popcorn and stale beer if the wind blew the right way. Most of all, he still remembered how it felt when every dream he had slipped away.

He had been the star of his high school team, in AAA before he even graduated college and in the big leagues for one glorious season before his arm gave out.

It wasn't just his own disappointment. Throughout it all, he knew Cameron had been so proud of what he had accomplished and though Quinn knew his family loved him, no matter what, he couldn't help but feel like he'd let them all down somehow.

Now – instead of being the biggest news in sports, he worked with his father at the Port Charles Herald and reported on it.

If he had to be honest he'd have to admit, he was still doing something he loved- and something he was incredibly good at – but every once in a while he couldn't help but think of what might have been.

A voice brought him out of his daydreams. "Hey Quinn." Grant called out, pausing to catch his breath. He bent over and stretched a bit after finishing his run.

Quinn looked over and flashed a grin. "Hey. I haven't seen you in forever. How've you been?"

"OK." Grant replied, not wanting to get into the details, not wanting to have to discuss the fact that he had been running for miles but still could not get Chloe out of his mind. He never would, he thought with a sigh. He didn't know why he was at all surprised.

Looking at his cousin, he knew it was pointless anyway. He didn't think Quinn would understand. He had always been famous for having a different girl on his arm every week.

He watched Quinn's eyes move towards the field again. Grant was suddenly reminded that he wasn't the only one who had lost something he loved. His voice was quiet as he asked. "Season starts soon – doesn't it?"

"Yeah." Quinn nodded, turning to face him again. "I think we'll have a pretty good team this year."

Grant chuckled. "It's all Ella's talking about. She says if you don't put her at first base she'll die."

His little cousin was a piece of work. "Well, you can tell her she's safe. She's my star. She the best first baseman we have." Quinn laughed loudly. There was one thing his bad luck had made him realize. He loved coaching Little League. It made him so happy to see the kids having such a good time. Maybe someday one of them could make it further than him. Aidan already showed signs of following in his brother's footsteps. It would be great if he'd be able to really make it. Only time would tell.

"Will I see you at Becky's party next weekend?" Grant asked him then.

Quinn nodded. "Yeah. Wouldn't miss it."

"Don't sound so excited." Grant said with a grin.

"I know you understand. Becky's a doll. I'm just not all that anxious to have my sisters nagging at me for an afternoon." Quinn said with a sigh. "They don't know when to give up."

"I hear you." Grant nodded. "Ella's the exception but Kate and Becky? I don't know why they think I need their advice on – well – pretty much everything."

"If we're having a contest I have to go with that it's worse for me." Quinn replied, grinning. "One of mine actually has a license to carry a gun."

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"Katrina? You ready?" Colin called out knocked softly on the bathroom door.

On the other side Kate stared at herself in the mirror, trying to calm herself. Blinking back tears, she held a hand to her stomach, terrified to find out what was going on with her.

She slept the day away. When she wasn't sleeping, she was lightheaded and dizzy. Her skin looked dull and her hair seemed lifeless. She had been trying to deny it for weeks but she had to finally face the truth.

Deep in her heart, she knew it. Something was terribly wrong.

"Katrina?" He said again, worry filling his mind once more. "Honey? We're running late. Are you OK?"

"Just a minute." She replied, hoping he couldn't hear the fear in her voice. She added more blush to her cheeks and chose a darker shade of lipstick, hoping it would do the trick. She took another deep breath and walked towards the door.

She opened it slowly and stepped out, smoothing a hand over her stomach again, praying that it would all turn out to be nothing. "OK. Let's go." She said with a wobbly smile.

Colin caught the worry in her eyes. He kissed her quickly and grabbed hold of her hand. "Katrina." He said with a sigh. "It's going to be fine."

"I hope so." Kate whispered under her breath as he led her out the door.

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Quinn waved at Grant as he jogged off. He turned back to face the field, shocked when he saw someone there. A young woman and a small boy about Aidan's age were playing a game of catch. His eyes roamed over the girl, who was wearing cut off shorts and a fitted t-shirt. Her dark hair was pulled back and tucked under a baseball cap. She smiled widely as she caught the ball easily, throwing it back with perfect aim. Two things peaked his interest. Not only was she just his type, but both she and the kid had a great arm.

Just looking out for the team, he thought as he hopped off the bench and moved closer to get a better look.

"Good catch Ty – you're doing so great." The girl said with a laugh blowing a bubble and snapping her gum. "I'm going to throw a pop up now. Go back a few feet."

"Like here?" The boy asked as he ran further into the outfield.

"You go it." She replied. "Here you go. Look up."

She threw the ball high in the air. The little boy bit his lip and concentrated, catching it and throwing it back with little effort.

"Nice catch." Quinn called out.

"Thanks!" The boy said his face lit up with a smile, revealing a missing tooth. He had huge brown eyes and a face full of freckles. He ran over towards him.

He looks just like his mom, Quinn noted as he looked from the boy to the pretty woman standing nearby. The difference was that her freckles were isolated to a sprinkling over her nose. She looked at him suspiciously. "Hi!" He said as he gave her a big grin.

She didn't smile back. She moved to stand behind the kid, placing her hands protectively on his shoulders.

Quinn's interest peaked further as he noticed she wasn't wearing a ring on her left hand.

Quinn couldn't help but notice the mother seemed a bit uptight. His second thought was how young she looked. If his estimation of her age was right there must be some sort of story here. In contrast, the kid was much friendlier. He waved and shifted his weight back and forth, pounding his fist in his mit. "Hi! I'm Tyler. We just moved here." The boy said brightly.

"Tyler." She cautioned him, her voice full of annoyance. "How many times have I told you not to talk to strangers?"

Ty's face reddened as he stared at Quinn for a long second. "But he's not!" He called out excitedly. "Oh wait – no way! You're Quinn Donovan!"

He always got a kick out of being recognized. He knew someday soon it would be a thing of the past. "That's right I am." Quinn laughed. "Nice to meet you Tyler."

"You can call me Ty. Everyone does." He replied. Quinn watched as Ty turned around towards his mother and spoke quickly. "You remember him right? He was a pitcher for the Yankees. He almost went to the World Series. But then, your arm got hurt – right?"

"Yeah. That's right." Quinn said, bringing his eyes to hers and turning on the charm. "I'm sorry. I didn't catch your name."

"I didn't offer it." She replied.

"Her name's Billie." Ty said with a smile.

"Interesting name." Quinn commented as he stared at her. There was something so incredibly intriguing about her. He wondered if he'd have a chance to find out more.

Under his gaze, Billie's spine stiffened. Ty might be impressed but she knew better. She knew his type. She was sure he was a player in more than one sense of the word. Young kids were not his only adoring fans. He probably had a whole slew of groupies following him around. How could he not with his boyish good looks and what appeared to be an innocent expression? Billie was certain of one thing. Quinn Donovan was far too handsome for his own good.

Billie was finished with him, but Ty wasn't nearly done. "Yeah. But it's not her real name. It's a nickname."

Sighing loudly, Billie was desperate to leave. Something about Quinn Donovan made her incredibly nervous. She wasn't quite sure what it was. "Tyler. That's enough. We have to get going." Billie said sharply as she moved to take the boy's hand.

"Aw geez. OK." He looked down at his sneakers and kicked the dirt. He looked up at Quinn adoringly. "It was really cool to meet you Mr. Donovan. Do you really live around here?"

"You can call me Quinn and yes. I do." He nodded as he looked over at Billie again. "I also coach one of the Little League teams." He pulled down the brim of Ty's cap as he said with a grin. "You know something? Maybe you'll end up on mine."

"I don't think so..." Ty said his voice full of disappointment. "We already signed up. I already know that I'll be on a different one."

"Tyler. C'mon." Billie said, cutting him off. "If you'll excuse us – we have to get home."

Quinn could see she was serious. "I think your Mom wants you to go. Take care – Ty. You too, Billie." He said with a laugh as he turned and walked away. Port Charles was a small town, and Tyler said he was playing Little League. He was sure he'd see the mysterious Billie again.

"Wait! She's not..." Tyler began as Billie dragged him off in the other direction.

As he fought to keep up with her, Ty began giggling. "Hey Billie? Why didn't you say anything?" He looked up at her and laughed harder. "Ha ha ha! That's so funny. He thinks you're my mom."

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"How have you been feeling Kate?" Dr. Oliver asked with a smile as she looked through Kate's chart.

"She's been really tired. She sleeps a lot. I think she's over doing it." Colin replied.

The doctor gave him a smile. "Colin. Thank you. I appreciate you letting me know, but I actually asked your wife." She turned to Kate and asked again. "So? How's it going?"

"Colin is half right. I haven't done much of anything lately. Just doing simple things have made me really tired. I've been sleeping quite a lot lately. And the thing that's worrying me is that fall asleep so quickly."

Something in the chart gave the doctor pause, but her expression and voice revealed nothing. "Any nausea? Dizziness?"

Kate nodded. "I've had a few dizzy spells."

Colin looked on with shock and concern. He had known she was tired but dizzy too? Why hadn't she said anything?

Dr. Oliver made a note in the chart and asked for some clarification. "How often?"

"A few times a day." Kate replied her voice shaky.

Colin's mind raced, trying to take it all in.

The doctor kept on with her questions. "Besides the fatigue and dizziness is there anything else?"

"No." Kate shook her head. "I just – honestly – I feel completely drained most of the time. And everyone keeps saying how pale I look. Aren't I supposed to be glowing?" Kate attempted to lighten the mood, but failed miserably. She couldn't even fool herself. She was relieved to have it out in the open. She knew that even if it was bad news, knowing for sure was better. She'd drive herself crazy if she didn't find out. She reached to grab Colin's hand, her voice rising in panic. "Do you think everything's OK?"

Dr. Oliver took a deep breath and chose her words carefully. "I'm a bit concerned about the dizziness." At her words, Kate's eyes widened and tears began to fall, the color draining from her cheeks. Used to this type of reaction, the doctor fought to keep her calm. "Katie. Listen to me. The baby's heartbeat is good and strong. There are many explanations for what you're feeling. You just might be a little anemic. If it's not that – we'll find out what it is. Now, I'm going to draw some blood and run some tests to make sure."

Kate squeezed Colin's hand tighter and began to shake. "Oh my God." She said with a sob.

Colin's pulse raced, unsure of how to comfort her. He was suddenly scared out of his mind.

The doctor put down her clipboard and made Kate meet her eyes. "Kate. I promise you – we will find out what's making you so tired, but if you make yourself upset you'll just make things worse."

She moved next to Kate, swabbing her arm with alcohol and gently plunging the needle. She drew two vials of blood and set them aside. She quickly placed a piece of cotton in the crook of Kate's arm and attached a band aid.

"How long will this take?" Colin said softly as he put his arm around Kate's shoulders.

"I know that you're anxious for answers, so I'll push to rush it through the lab." Noticing Kate's expression, Dr. Oliver spoke slowly. "Listen to me, Katie. There's nothing to worry about until I say so - OK?"

Kate nodded, unable to find her voice.

"Why don't you get changed now, alright? I'll be back in a few minutes." Dr Oliver said quietly as she made her way out. Reaching the hallway, she leaned back against the door. Taking a deep breath she hoped when the tests were done she could give them the news that they wanted to hear.

Colin moved to stand in front of Kate and pulled her close. "Katrina." He sighed. "Why didn't you tell me? I had no idea you were so worried."

"I know I told you I was fine. I didn't want to worry you in case it's nothing – but..." She clung to him and tried to breathe. "Oh God, Colin. What if something's really wrong?"

He was just as frightened, but he couldn't let her know that right now. "OK. Listen to me, Katrina. C'mon. Just listen." He pulled back and stared into her eyes, holding her face in his hands. "You heard what the doctor just said. If anything is wrong – and I'm not saying that it is – but if anything's the matter we'll find out and we'll fix it OK?"

Kate desperately tried to calm herself, but it was so difficult when there was a chance there was something wrong. Holding her close, Colin exhaled sharply and hoped he was speaking the truth. He rocked her back and forth a bit and placed a kiss on her hair. "It's OK, Katrina. Everything's going to be alright."