Author's note: Due to some comments, I feel that I must make this announcement. To anonymous: This is my story. I said it's a CalebxWill pairing in the summary, and if you dislike the CalebxWill pairing so badly, don't read it. To all my other reviewers: You guys rock! Have a cookie:D
Chapter 6: Admitting the truth
Cornelia was grateful for the darkness of her living room as she stared at the phone. So far she had called everyone but Will and Caleb; to her relief, the other guardians had excepted her pregnancy as easily as they had excepted Will's and were now planning a second, sooner baby shower for Cornelia's baby. But now she was terrified to call Will's number. She reached out for the phone, picked it up, then let it fall back onto the cradle.
With a low, world weary sigh, Cornelia walked into her small kitchen and made herself a cup of tea. Then she walked back into the living room, sat down beside the phone, and slowly dialed Will's number. Maybe they won't be home. Cornelia thought hopefully.
The ringing stopped, and Will's voice said politely, "Hello?" In the background, a television program chatted about the 5th month of pregnancy.
"Hi, Will. It's Cornelia." The 16 year old half laid across her couch and stared at her window. "Do you want to hear something that you probably won't believe?"
The television was turned down, and Will's smile warmed her voice as she replied, "Sure. What is it?"
"Well, you might not believe this, but...um...you know how Caleb and I were very serious when we were dating?" Cornelia stammered, feeling like the world's biggest idiot. "Very, very serious?"
"Cornelia, Caleb's already told me that you slept together." Will said pointedly. "We did too, if you'll kindly recall."
"We...we...um." Cornelia forced a laugh. "Are you sitting down, Will?"
"Yeah." Will replied. "I can barely get up now. What is it, Cornelia?" Her impatience was heard in her voice, making her sound cold and uncaring.
"I...I didn't just sleep with Caleb." Cornelia said quietly. "I mean, we did sleep together but...but our relationship didn't end the way it was supposed to when we broke up."
Will's voice came sharply through the phone. "Cornelia Hale, what the heck are you babbling about? You're not making any sense."
Die all, die merrily. Cornelia thought ruefully. "Will, Caleb got me pregnant before we broke up. I'm pregnant with Caleb's baby." The words, so reassuring and comforting when said in Cornelia's mind, now sounded convicting and harsh when spoken outloud.
"What?' Will whispered. "No. You're lying. You're lying!" Her voice broke, and for a moment or so Cornelia could hear her crying softly. "Admit it, Cornelia. This is just a sick, cruel joke."
"I'm not lying, Will. That why I was sick for so long. It was morning sickness. And, all those doctor appointments were my mother trying to make me get an abortion. Will, please, don't be angry." Cornelia hastily explained. "I never told you or Caleb because I didn't want to upset you two, and once you got married it was way too late for me to tell him!"
The phone clattered out of Will's hand and stuck the floor loudly. Distantly, Cornelia heard Will crying and then the low, deep murmur of Caleb's voice. Then the door slammed shut, the television was turned up, and, like an afterthought, the phone was lifted off the floor and wordlessly placed back on the cradle.
Cornelia listened to the dial tone for a few moments before she lowered the phone. Well, I pictured that going differently. Cornelia thought ruefully.
A fist hammered on her door. "Cornelia! Open up!" Caleb yelled.
And now, to face the judge. Cornelia thought grimly as she got up and opened the door.
"How dare you? How dare you lie to Will like that?" Caleb demanded. "We're married now, Cornelia! We love each other. It's over between us!"
"Caleb." Cornelia said sharply. "I'm not doing this so you have to divorce Will. I'm happy you married her. I'm doing this so you will know and be a part of the baby's life. I don't want you to leave Will. I just want you to know!"
Caleb froze, watching Cornelia. His eyes fell on her belly. "When did we...did I...?" He asked weakly.
"Just after my birthday." Cornelia replied quietly. "That's when I got pregnant."
Caleb sat down on the couch, still staring at her belly. "Is it a girl or boy?" He asked after a moment's wait.
"A girl." Cornelia replied quietly. "She's getting big so fast!" Her smile widened as she said that, already caught up in the rapture of her baby.
Caleb reached out a timid hand and laid it on her belly. "She's already kicking?" He asked quietly. "I guess she's much older than Cadman."
"Older than who?" Cornelia asked curiously, her hands still caressing her belly.
"Cadman. It's a name we might call Will's baby. Does...she have a name?"
"I was thinking of Rosalyn Moss Hale." Cornelia admitted. "Or Diamond Rose Hale."
Caleb was quiet, his eyes locked on her belly. "I guess I'll have to get used to being a daddy for 2 children." He said, standing awkwardly. Suddenly he turned and hugged Cornelia. "I'll...be back later, okay?" He asked.
Cornelia smiled. "Okay." She agreed. Long after Caleb left, Cornelia sat on the sofa, feeling her skin tingle from Caleb's embrace. I don't think I love him as much as I used to. Cornelia thought to her baby. Now I think I love him for your sake. But...I don't think I need to love him as much now. I've changed somehow. She looked out the window and smiled at the couples walking. Now she could see a few single parents. They all looked happy, not lonely. I think you've made me change somehow.
Cornelia sat down at her sofa again and sighed. "That doesn't mean I won't try to find you a daddy, mind you." Cornelia said aloud. "I just don't think I need Caleb anymore." She looked at the picture of her birth father, and at the one of her mother, and felt happiness and hope rise up in her heart for the first time in a long time.