Summary: Lies, deception, everything has a price ... what is the price of shame?
Disclaimer: I do not own them
A/N: Any reviews will be welcomed, any flames will be shared with friends for laughs.
Chapter 12
Alex woke up feeling a bit better, but still sore. She knew that her workload was piling up at the office and decided that she would go in for a few hours and get some of it done. She showered and went to put on her favorite pair of jeans, but was horrified to see that she couldn't get them zipped or buttoned, her stomach in the way. Tossing them to the side, Alex reached in the closet and grabbed one of the new outfits Walker had gotten her. Throwing on the maternity pants, and a big poofy sweater Alex grabbed her purse and the car keys and took off towards the D.A's office.
Alex parked her car and walked inside. It was good to be somewhere that was normal, somewhere the threat of Mr. Sakara didn't seem to reach her. She smiled at Miranda and leaned over to pick up a bundle of papers that had fallen from her hands.
"Don't you dare pick those up. I will get them for you," Miranda said, coming from around the desk. "Good Lord Alex, you are getting close to time aren't you." Alex placed the same smile on her face that she used with Walker, and even put up with Miranda placing her hand on her stomach, talking about the baby.
Alex thanked Miranda and then went inside her office, closing the door behind her, grateful to be alone for a few minutes. Alex spent the rest of the morning going through paperwork, and by early afternoon she found that she was starving. She really hadn't eaten a lot in the past couple of days, and her stomach was protesting enough as it was without the added hunger. Tossing the paperwork aside, Alex grabbed her car keys, and headed to CD's for a bowl of chili.
Alex hadn't expected people everywhere to stop her, but at every corner going to the parking lot someone stopped her, placing their hands on her stomach and asking her when she was due. Alex rushed out the door then, her hands trembling when she sat down in her car. Now not only was she lying to Walker but to all the people she worked with. Putting the car in gear Alex took off towards CD's, where she hoped she didn't run into Walker. She didn't think she could take him looking so happy, not today.
Alex sighed with relief when she pulled up and didn't see Walker's truck. She parked the car and walked inside, but was stopped at a table by the same elderly couple that she had seen in there a hundred times.
"When are you due dear?" the lady asked her.
Alex fumbled with the answer, but finally blurted out. "In about two months, maybe a little more."
"There is nothing like a child my dear. That is a precious little one growing inside you."
Alex smiled but walked away from the table as fast as she could. She had wanted to scream to the woman that it was nothing but bags of saline solution in her, not a baby. By the time she sat down at the counter, two more people had rubbed her stomach. Alex was tired of strange people touching her, tired of telling the same lies over and over.
"Alex, when did you get here?" CD asked, coming from the backroom.
"Just a minute ago CD. I am starving. Can I please have a bowl of chili, and a glass of tea would be wonderful."
"Coming right up. Just give me a minute to take these drinks over to that table."
Alex stirred in the seat, trying to find a comfortable position as even sitting was becoming a chore. When she finally got situated CD placed the bowl of chili in front of her and an apple, along with the glass of tea. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away they say, and I figured why take any chances."
"Thanks CD," Alex offered grabbing the spoon and taking a bite of the chili. She ate in silence, watching CD go about his tasks and was content to just be left alone. She was not expecting CD to ask her what he did.
"So when is the next doctor's appointment, and when do we find out if you are having a boy or a girl?"
Alex choked a bit on her chili, an immediately CD was patting her on the back. "I didn't mean to make you choke on your lunch honey."
"It's not that CD. It's just ... well, I hate going to the doctor. It is never a pleasant experience to say the least."
"Well, the doctor is only doing what is best for you and the baby, so endure it a bit longer Alex and then you will have a beautiful baby in return for all of it."
Alex smiled again, and picked up her glass of tea to wash down the chili, when the door to CD's burst open and Walker came running through. "Alex, you scared me half to death. I went home for lunch and you were gone. Why didn't you leave a note or something? I have been out of my mind worrying."
Alex had the decency to look ashamed. " I just went into work for a few hours. I couldn't stand being cooped up any longer, I was going insane."
Walker had made it to the counter by then, and placed his hand on Alex's chin lifting it to meet his gaze. "I worry about you Alex. This pregnancy hasn't been very easy on you. Just let me know when you are taking off to work from now on."
"I think Alex should go ahead on maternity leave anyway. Just look at her Cordell. She looks exhausted."
Walker stared at Alex and noticed the dark circles under her eyes, and the flinch every once in awhile as he assumed the baby kicked or moved. "I think you are right CD. Alex why don't you just work from home. You were going on maternity leave next month anyway."
"Walker, I will go stark raving mad if I am cooped up at home all the time with no one to talk to, and nothing to do."
"You can always fix up the baby's room the way you wanted it. You haven't had the chance, so I thought this would be the perfect time." Walker then leaned in to whisper in Alex's ear. "I will also come home for lunch, and I am sure we can find something to occupy you every few days, if you are up to it," he winked.
Alex opened her mouth, "Walker, you are so bad." she blushed. "If it means that much to you I will take my leave now."
"Now that it settled why don't I join you for lunch, but first I have to call Trivette."
"Why Cordell?"
Walker then blushed. "I left him back at headquarters, and I kind of told him if I didn't contact him within the hour to put out an APB on you."
Walker left Alex sitting open mouth, while he called Trivette and told him that he had found Alex, and ten minutes later he was walking in. "You know Alex, I think my heart stopped a couple of times this morning. You sure know how to send Walker into a panic."
Trivette came over and sat down on Alex's left and stared down at her. "That baby is getting bigger and bigger, maybe it is a future football player. I could give the little guy lots of tips you know."
Walker cuffed Trivette on the head. "Who said it was a boy, and besides my little girl is not allowed out of the house without me till she is thirty."
The four of them spent the rest of the day talking about the baby, and what each wished to do, CD and Trivette even arguing about the name for the baby. Alex went along with the whole charade, but finally she had gotten to her breaking point. "Walker, I am tired. Can we head back to the ranch?"
Both of them wished Trivette and CD good bye and then left. Alex was so glad to get inside the house she immediately flopped down on the couch. "Everything on me is sore, my feet, my back, my stomach, everything."
Before she knew it Walker was sitting beside her, her feet pulled into his lap while he rubbed them. "Don't worry Alex. You have an appointment next week with the doctor. Maybe he will tell you exactly how much longer till the baby is due."
Alex bit her lip, and smiled at Walker. She knew exactly how long till the baby was due, three weeks and her life would be over. Three weeks until Walker would know all about the lies she had told, she just hoped her nightmare didn't come true.