10

A few weeks later, things had started to settle down. Greg had thought over his choices concerning Jaiden, and decided he was going to get her another pair of shoes. However, he didn't know what size foot she had, or what she liked, so he gave her a gift card to DSW Show Warehouse instead. Jaiden decided to forgive him, as usual.

It was also time for the girls to get their mandatory checkup. Jaiden had decided to go first to get it done and over with. Riley sat in the waiting room of the hospital, twirling her thumbs as she tried to be patient. She smiled at the doctors and nurses as they went by, feeling exceptionally self-conscious, knowing that they all knew that she was one of the rapist victims.

Jaiden emerged from the room, a smile on her face. "I'm all good!" she told Riley as she gave her the thumbs-up. "I've got that psychological thingy in ten minutes, so I'll meet you for lunch, okay? The usual spot," she added checking her watch. Riley nodded. Stretching as she stood, Riley walked into the small white room, greeted by Dr. Harnet.

"Good morning, Riley. It's nice to see you again. Here is your robe; I'm going to leave to let you change, and I'll need a urine sample. I'll be back in a few minutes." Alone again, Riley slipped off her clothes and put the bare-behind hospital robe on. After she gave her urine sample, she sat on the cold table as she waited for the doctor, crossing her fingers that everything would be normal.

When Dr. Harnet returned, she asked her some of the general questions. "When is your birthday?"

"October 13th, 1982."

"When was your last period?"

"A little less than a month ago. I should be starting here soon."

After a few more questions, Dr. Harnet began the tests. Riley just zoned out, not wanting to think about anything. She closed her eyes, letting her mind find somewhere else to inhabit for the time being. Her thoughts drifted to that night, of how she was angry and frightened. She had let go of her bitterness from that day, but sometimes the images still haunted her dreams. She remembered how Greg's face looked the first night she dreamed about it. She had screamed and sat up, breathing heavily, and he bolted up too, his eyes still tired, but his mind alert and concerned. She smiled, thinking of how she had yet to tell Jaiden of their engagement.

She came back to reality when she heard the doctor shut the door as she went to process the information. She sighed in relief that nothing had been too excruciatingly painful.

The doctor came back in, her face rigid with tension. "Riley, I have some news, and it isn't looking good." Riley looked at her, silently questioning her words. "The tests came back. You're pregnant."

Riley gulped loudly, the blood draining from her face, leaving her looking sickeningly pale. Her skin became chilled, and her eyes opened wide. Her hands began to shake uncontrollably, and her voice quivered as she whispered, "P-pregnant?"

Dr. Harnet nodded with a sense of regret. "Yes. I didn't believe it either at first, but I tested it three times, and every time it's positive. There's no denying it."

Riley said nothing, and the doctor knew that there was nothing more she could do for her, so Dr. Harnet left her to get dressed again.

The two girls sat in a small restaurant, eating their food and conversing. Riley had put on her "Happy-Face", that way Jaiden didn't know she was completely devastated inside.

"So, tell me, what's been going on lately? I haven't gotten to talk to you much these past weeks," Jaiden asked while reaching for her glass.

Riley thought for a moment before responding. "Well, you know that night that we went back to the reservoir? Greg asked me to marry him when we got home!" Jaiden struggled not to spray her soda all over Riley.

"He proposed and you didn't tell me sooner! Some friend you are!" Riley blushed a little and smiled.

"Well, we've been sort of preoccupied, with statements and stuff. I just never found the time."

"Yeah, yeah. So was it really romantic?" Jaiden tossed her hair back over her shoulder.

Riley shrugged. "It wasn't what I had expected, but it was very sweet. He came out, and I think he was trying to get on one knee, but he fell backward. I reached out my hand to help him up, and he slips this little cardboard box in my hand, and then says, 'Open it, if you think that you really love me.' I did, and it was this beautiful ring," she said, showing off the ring. "And then he said that if I could agree to marry if after the odd day we had, then he knew that I really loved him and would always be there for him."

Jaiden grinned. "Sounds like he really wants to be with you. I don't know how you did it, but congratulations. I can't believe you can stand to deal with him all the time."

"He's not as bad as everyone seems to think. He's a real sweetie when he wants to be, and so cute. I don't know what I'd do without him."

Riley sat on her bed, getting ready to go to sleep. She was undressing when she looked over in their full-length mirror. She saw herself standing there, in her matching black bra and bikini underwear.

With a sigh, she gently slid her hand over her still-slender stomach. As she did, she tried to decide whether to tell Greg that she was carrying the baby of a criminal.

He walked in the room in his boxers, slowly approaching her. He caressed her arm, and gently kissed her bare shoulder blades. She decided against telling him as he kissed her passionately.

"They're engaged you know," Jaiden said suddenly. Warrick propped himself up with his elbow and looked down at her.

"Who?" he asked as he stroked her arm gently. Jaiden shifted her position in the bed so that she was looking up at him. She was dressed in a white camisole and pink, satin shorts. The intimate aspect of their life together had been put on hiatus since the rape. Warrick didn't mind; he knew she wanted to get over the traumatic event first. It was only natural for her to be a little hesitant after such an incident.

"Greg and Riley," she replied. "Happened after our visit to Eagle Valley Reservoir." Warrick inclined his head. Inside, he was worried. Did she know what he was planning? Was she expecting something to happen?

"You said that Greg applied for that promotion?" she asked. Warrick blinked. She had completely changed the subject.

"Yeah, he wants to be a CSI Level Two, now," he replied quietly. Jaiden smiled a little. "Why?" he added.

"I think he deserves it now," she murmured. "They could use the extra money." Warrick kissed her gently.

"I'm proud of you," he whispered. Jaiden blinked with surprise.

"Why?"

Warrick smiled and kissed her again. "You're starting to think better of Greg," he replied. Jaiden shrugged.

"He's still annoying, but that doesn't mean I can't hope for the best for him," she murmured as she looked out the window that let in the city lights. She closed her eyes and sighed. Tomorrow I put my life in the hands of the jury, she thought. God be with them.