Here is another chapter for all of you...thanks for the reviews. You have been great and I've enjoyed writing this story for you. As always...keep them coming.


A week went by and Jen kept the fact that she was pregnant to herself. She managed to keep herself in high spirits when she was around everyone, including Garret, but when alone all she could think about was what to do. Children were something she had never thought about having…believing she couldn't be a good enough mother. She knew this was something that she couldn't hide, especially as the months wore on.

She had been feeling a little better, which she was definitely relieved about. Trying to hide the fact that she couldn't keep any food down, not even at work, was hard to do without raising questions. Somehow no one noticed and she carried on as if everything was fine.

Garret, however, saw differently. He couldn't put his finger on it, but although she seemed fine, she wasn't. He saw she was still tired and usually ate very little food…she could look happy one minute and then sad the next. When Friday came, she left work before him…he was wrapped up working on a case with Jordan and they never got a chance to make plans for the evening.

Hours later Garret found her asleep on the couch when he arrived at her apartment. Using the key she had given him months ago, he let himself in and quietly shut the door when he saw her. He moved closer and could see the dark circles under her eyes…make-up clearly not hiding them now. He wasn't sure what to think at this point…what was wrong with her…he worried there was something more.

Sighing he headed to the kitchen and opened the bag he brought with him. After leaving work he stopped and picked up some soup for the two of them. He just wanted to spend a quiet evening with her in hopes that she would talk to him. Startled by a noise behind him he turned to see Jen leaning against the wall…the blanket that covered her on the couch was wrapped around her.

He set the bowl down and walked over to her. "I hope I didn't wake you…I'm not sure if you have eaten, but I brought us some dinner."

"Smells good…" She didn't say anymore as she leaned into him.

Wrapping his arms around her they stood in silence for some time before he spoke.

"So…are you hungry?" He felt her nod against him and then walked with her over to the counter.

Her mind wandered throughout dinner…she was afraid to tell Garret that she was pregnant, afraid that he would think this happened on purpose. She tried to dispel the thought…Garret wasn't that kind of man. More than anything …she was worried that she couldn't be a capable parent.

"Jen…Jen?"

Her mind came back to the present and she looked towards Garret who had a worried expression on his face.

"I'm sorry…did you say something?"

"You seemed a million miles away. Look…I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm beginning to get worried. Your emotions have been all over the place lately. Did I do something wrong?"

Jen's eyes shot in his direction. "No…of course not…what gives you that idea?" She picked up her bowl and quickly headed back to the kitchen. She heard Garret get up as well and he wasn't far behind.

Placing his bowl on the counter he took hold of her arm and turned her to look at him. "I know we have been putting in a lot of hours at the morgue lately and its getting to everyone, but there is something wrong here…with us. You act as if everything is fine, but there is more going on."

Jen pulled away and moved a few steps back. "There isn't anything wrong with us. Just as you said, we've been putting in long hours. Its affecting me more than anyone else…that's all." She didn't want to have this conversation now.

Garret wasn't buying it. "Maybe that's part of it, but there's more…"

"Garret…you…"

"Do want out of this…is that it?"

"What?" She was shocked…she couldn't believe what he said.

"You heard me." His voice was filled with a hint of anger. "I obviously don't know what else to think…." He saw her about to speak and quickly continued. "…and don't use the long work hours or how you have been feeling as excuses…you've…"

"Garret…please…we can't do this now." Her voice cracked with emotion.

"Do what…talk? I thought after everything we've been through…" He walked closer to her. "Tell me what's wrong…is it me? Did I do something…say something?"

"I told you that you didn't do anything wrong?" She didn't want to discuss this anymore…all she wanted to do was hide away somewhere and be left alone. Turning around she walked out to the living room.

Frustrated Garret ran his hand over the back of his head and then followed her. He sat down next to her on the couch and silence settled in.

Jen's mind raced. She knew he had every right to know that she was pregnant…keeping it from him was making things worse.

Looking down to the floor she finally spoke. "Garret…you must believe me when I tell you that you did nothing wrong. I've been trying to work through something…I've just needed time to think about what do."

"Come to any conclusions."

Jen shook her head, still keeping her gaze to the floor, "no…no I haven't."

"Maybe if you tell me what that something is, then maybe I can help."

Getting up, she put some distance between them. She couldn't hide this anymore. Biting down on her lower lip she turned to look at him. "I'm…I'm pregnant."

She waited…for the anger…for the screaming, but all he did was get up, pull her into his arms and hold her. She was confused…this wasn't what she thought would happen. She broke the embrace and pulled back.

"Didn't you hear me…I'm pregnant."

"I heard you." He brought his hand up to her cheek, slowly caressing it. He saw the tears begin to form in her eyes.

"I don't understand…you're not mad…upset?"

Now it was his turn to be confused. "Maybe shocked…this wasn't planned, but why would I be either of those things? You're having a baby…our baby."

"I was worried that you would think I did this on purpose…trapping you in this relationship…I know we were careful, but not that first time…" She was stopped when Garret pulled her close and brought his lips down on hers. His kiss deepened and she wrapped her arms around him.

When they pulled apart, his eyes met hers…he brushed a strand of her hair back. "I love you and nothing changes that…and I mean nothing." He watched as the tears she had been trying to control fell freely now. Slowly he wiped them away. "Its getting late…you need your rest. We'll talk about this tomorrow…ok?"

Jen smiled slightly and nodded, "You'll be here in the morning?"

"There's no other place I would rather be." Garret wrapped his arms around her and walked with her to the bedroom.

As she slept, he held her close to him…listening to her even breathing. Her reaction had surprised him to say the least…the idea that she thought he would be mad didn't make sense. However, one thing still puzzled him…he remembered her saying that she 'needed time to think about what to do.' The sentence repeated itself over and over in his head and it began to concern him. Pulling her closer he slowly closed his eyes and tried to sleep, with his dreams filled with the possibilities of the future..