Chapter Four

Pretty baby,

Don't you leave me,

I have been saving smiles for you.

Pretty Baby – Vanessa Carlton.

"Are you feeling ok?" Tim asked as I stepped out of the bathroom, still relishing the feel of the cold water I'd just splashed on my face. I put my hand on my forehead checking my temperature.

"Yea I guess I ate something bad last night." I told him rubbing my stomach.

"Take a Rennie, or drink milk. It might settle your stomach." I nodded in thanks and then moved to the kitchen to drink some milk.

"I can call work for you if you're that ill." Tim said slipping his shoes on. I opened the fridge taking a swig of milk. Abbey was at day care with Madison, the two got on really well.

I closed the fridge and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

"No I'm ok; it's wearing off a little now." I told Tim with a shaky smile. The whole of me felt a little unstable. I decided to suck it up. Now wasn't the time to be losing it. Marriott's case was in the next few days and I knew if I stayed at home alone I knew it would get to me.

Tim picked up the keys as I moved towards the front door.

"If it gets worse go straight home." He told me. "Take the car and I'll get a lift back with Calleigh or Delko." I nodded in response opening the front door and revelling in the blast of fresh air. I'd feel better when I got to work I kept telling myself.

The dead body in front of me was like any other dead body I'd seen. It wasn't particularly grotesque, nothing horrible had happened to it. It was in prime condition; sure a raw smell was coming from it but nothing that I hadn't experienced before. All dead bodies had it a little one in a while. Apparently that was enough to make me want to throw up. I fought back nausea as I moved around Alexx and out of the door, hand over my mouth. My stomach churned. I was trying to make it to the bathroom; I only reached the bin outside of the morgue double doors. I clenched either sides of the bin as my stomach heaved. I pressed it to my face. I felt hands raking through my hair pulling it back, and holding it back for me. The next few minutes the only thing that could be heard down the corridor was the sound of me throwing up. Eventually when my stomach stopped wrenching. I took an intake of breath. The inside of my mouth tasted of everything I had just thrown up. I lifted my head up to see Alexx leave and return with a bottle of water.

"Here you go honey." She said, her face etched with concern, as I took the bottle from her gratefully.

"Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant honey?" she asked me as I took another swig of the bottle I nearly choked. Yet as I did everything had begun to click into place. The nauseous feeling I'd been having the last few days wasn't anxiety over the impending court case, I was guessing.

"I thought it was anxiety over the trial." I confessed. Alexx wrapped her arm around me.

"It's best to take a test to be sure." Alexx told me, I nodded, feeling a little numb over the whole thing wrapping my arms around myself. She was right of course.

"Come on honey let's get this over and done with." Alexx said as we both cumbered to our feet, she guided me out of the building by the arm gently. I had no idea what the hell I was going to do.

"It's blue." I told Alexx exiting the stall. A feeling of insecurity hit me. What the hell was I supposed to do now? Tim was going to run a mile when he found out. I took a deep breath attempting to ground myself. There was no way I was getting rid of it. Yet there were so many things to consider. Abbey was a good kid but she was a handful on her own, with two of them…

Rubbing my eyes I leaned over the sink splashing cold water on my face again. Alexx rubbed my back.

"What are you going to do?" she asked me. I could tell she was anxious.

"I guess I'll be giving this back." I told her pulling at the engagement ring on my finger. Alexx frowned at me questioningly.

"He's not going to want to know me if he finds out I'm pregnant, he scares easy, he'll run a mile." I said pulling at the ring harder, it just wouldn't come off.

"I think he gave you that ring for a reason sugar. He'll stick with you through thick and thin. You know that. Timmy running away isn't the problem is it?" she spoke honestly and blunt. I swallowed hard and turned to her.

"Your right. I just don't want to end up being together because we have a child, and all this stuff with the trial and the Mala Noche, it's not a great time to be having a baby." I told her fiddling with the ring. Alexx smiled at me sympathetically.

"I don't think it'll be like that at all. I think Timmy will be happy your having his baby and the Mala Noche threat…we're just going to have to live with it, by the time that little guy comes out it'll all be over." I felt reassured by her words if anyone knew Tim it was Alexx, and besides I'd have to see how he felt tonight when I told him. Sensing I was somewhat assured by her words she leant forward taking my hand in hers and looking at the sparking gem in the engagement ring.

"Now honey, tell me some more about this ring."

Tim was sitting across from me in the living room; his notes were spread out on the table in front of us, as he read through them.

"Tim, I need to talk to you." I started uneasily twisting the engagement ring on my finger. He frowned putting down the paper and turning his attention to me.

"Are you thinking about throwing the trail?" he asked me leaning forward suspicious, I felt my own eyes widen and my face turning into a frown as I erupted, I was on my feet in seconds.

"Seriously you think I'd throw that case after what the bastard did to me?" I snarled at him.

"You've been acting strange for the past few weeks I just thought that's what you were thinking about doing. It's alright to be scared but you have to go through with it. This guy tried to rape you." Tim was also on his feet, his voice rational and calm. Our eyes met as they did something passed between us.

"Tim, I'm pregnant." His mouth moved but nothing came out. I felt myself recoiling. He wasn't happy, Alexx was wrong…He was suddenly in front of my, his arms going around me pulling me close, his nose rubbed mine.

"When did you find out?" he asked in awe. His eyes were eon my stomach, looking for any sign of difference.

"You won't be able to see it yet." I told him affectionately. "I found out today, I hurled during an autopsy. Alexx made me take a test, she's the only person that knows." I confessed.

"How are doing?" he asked me. I shrugged.

"At first I was a little overwhelmed, but now…" I gave him a tired smile. Tim dropped to his knees in front of me. His face level with his belly.

"You were worrying how I was going to react?" he asked putting his hands gently on either side of my hips. I looked down at him, running my hands through his thick dark hair.

"A little." I admitted. He kissed my stomach before pressing his ear against it.

"Hello in there!" he said with a grin across his face. "It's your Daddy; I can't wait for you to meet the rest of your family."

I grinned, dropping to my knees in front of him. I pressed my forehead against his.

"Your going to make a wonderful Dad, Timmy."