Note: Hello lovies! Here is Chapter 25 which is shorter than most of them. Yesterday, I finished Chapter 27 and its massive. I think that Chapter 27 is the longest I have written to date.

Be forewarned... This chapter is light because the others to come will bring a lot of darkness...

Please review and respond...

XOXO

Chapter 25

[Part 2]

Friday, August 15th, 1997, 6:55am

Katie slammed the door to Tara's bedroom so hard one of Matt's paintings fell to the floor.

Matt sucked his teeth and placed his empty bowl in the sink.

"Katie needs rehab," he said once more.

"I know that Matthew," a frustrated Tara replied as Luis Mario walked out of his bedroom, dressed and ready for the day.

"How long does withdrawal last for?" asked Tara again.

"Depends on how much she has in her system," replied Luis Mario as he walked towards the coffee marker. "According to my PCP, it could last a couple of days or a couple of months. Heroin addiction is not for the faint hearted."

Tara put her head down on the table when she heard Katie's painful moans coming from her room.

This morning alone the whole house was awoken with Katie's continuous vomiting and screams. She had deep scratch marks in her arms and legs from her incessant scratching. She told Tara every inch of her body hurt. Tara was scared that Katie would do something drastic in order to get another fix.

"Tara, we really need to discuss putting her in a program."

Tara looked up and saw Luis Mario leaning against one of his counters, a coffee mug in hand and the shiner growing darker by the day.

"I know," she whispered, tears threatening to spill over.

"We should also go to the police before those bruises fade."

"Yea, they aren't going to believe a fucking junkie," replied a clearly frustrated Matt. "Trust me when I say, that they aren't going to believe her."

"Sounds like you have some experience in that department," said Tara.

Matt grabbed his keys. "I'm heading in to work. Someone should stay with her. Don't leave valuables around." Matt walked out of the apartment and slammed the door.

"That was strange," muttered Tara as she slowly stood from the chair. Given how far along she is in her pregnancy, her belly was getting bigger and her moves were becoming sluggish.

Luis Mario put his mug in the sink. "How did you sleep?" he asked gently as he walked over and put his arms around her waist.

"Ok," she whispered looking into his eyes.

For the past two nights, she has shared his bed. Much to her surprising, she felt incredibly safe in his presence.

She knew that Matt knew but given that his main focus was Katie, he kept his remarks to himself.

She felt her baby move and a small smile spread across her lips.

"She is moving?" asked Luis Mario as one of his hands touched her baby bump.

"We don't know if she is a girl yet," as soon as Luis Mario touched her, the baby stopped moving. Tara moved to wash the few dishes that aligned the sink.

"At what time is your appointment on Monday?" Luis Mario crossed his arms in front of him.

"9:30," she replied as she ran the water and start washing the dishes. "I'm going to stay here all day, with Katie."

"I should stay with you."

"No, Mr. Diaz needs you at the bodega. You have been neglecting him for the past two days." She shut off the water and turned to look at him.

"Tara, if you can try and talk to Katie about going to a center."

Tara nodded and cross her arms in front of her so not to cry.

"I don't think she wants to, Luis Mario. I don't know what that bastard did but Katie is terrified. And Matt was right…he isn't one to lay down after someone does him wrong. You beating the living crap out of him worry me. He could retaliate."

"Tara, we aren't in Charming. I'm not part of a motorcycle club."

Tara flinched a bit.

"Sorry, but it's the truth. I could walk down the street and not worry about retaliation from no one. If that asshole comes up to me, then I'll handle him." He strolled over to her and kissed her in her cheek. "Try to get some rest, I'll call you later."

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Friday, August 15th, 1997, 8:32 am

Tara finished scrubbing the bathroom floor once more. Groaning, she stood and dumped the dirty water in the toilet bowl and flushed. Katie had thrown up three times since both Matt and Luis Mario left.

Tara washed her hands and walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water. Walking towards her room, she slowly opened the door.

"Katie?"

Katie lay in Tara's bed, shivering uncontrollably. She didn't even bother looking towards Tara.

"It's so fucking cold," she said, her teeth rattling.

"It's over 90 degrees." Tara sat next to Katie and put the glass of water on the night table.

Katie's skin was clammy and her hair was in knots. Tara swallowed the lump forming in her throat.

"How about we get you to a hospital. Matt says there are a lot of good programs out there for people who are trying to get off drugs."

Katie moaned. "Please Tara. I need China White."

"China White?"

It dawned to Tara that Katie was asking for a fix. "Katie, come on. You are stronger than this. Just ride it out, Kitty Kat. You could do this."

Katie shivered in silence for a few moments.

"Please hug me, Baby T," she whispered.

Tara's heart broke for her cousin.

Lying down next to her, Tara wrapped her arms around Katie's fragile frame pulling herself as close as possible to her cousin given her belly. Katie started crying and all Tara could do was comfort her as much as she could.

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Friday, August 15th, 1997, 3:01pm

"Tara!"

"What?" She mumbled, her voice thick from sleep.

"Where the fuck is Katie?"

Tara opened her eyes. She sat up and swung her legs out of the bed. "What do you mean, where is Katie?"

"She is gone, that's what I mean."

Tara jumped out of her bed.

"Katie!" she yelled out as she search the loft and even went as far as going to the roof.

Walking back into the loft, Tara noted Matt's face.

"What?" Tara barked.

Matt shook his head. "I told you to get her help. We should had dragged her ass to the hospital or to a center."

Tara opened her mouth to respond but Matt quickly put his hand up.

"Save it and help me look around the loft. She probably stole goods that she will sell to get her fix." He turned around and walked into his room.

"Matt!" Tara followed him.

She gasped when she saw the state of his room. Being the ultimate clean freak, Matt kept his room in top-notch condition. Now it looked like the Tasmanian devil had ran thru it.

"Oh my God," Tara whispered as Matt stepped over the broken glass on the floor. "I'm so sorry, Matt. I fell asleep. I didn't hear her do this."

Matt turned and walked past her. "Let's look around the house. Let's check if there is anything of value missing."

"Aren't you going to check your room?" Tara followed him into Luis Mario's bedroom, where Katie had opened every drawer and even his closet. Clothes decorated the hardwood floor.

Tara burst into tears as Matt reached for the phone that was in one of Luis Mario's nightstand.

Tara sat and cried while she heard Matt dial and speak to Luis Mario on the other line.

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Friday, August 15th, 1997, 5:28pm

There was a soft knock on her door.

"Tara?"

Tara remained motionless as she heard her door open and felt her mattress dip.

"Did the cops leave?" she asked as she stared at her ceiling.

"I didn't call them," replied Luis Mario.

Tara opened her eyes and slowly sat up.

"Why not?"

Luis Mario took one of her hands. "I think you have more than enough on your plate. Having your cousin in jail is not really going to help anyone."

"Thanks," muttered Tara. "Look, I'm sorry for what she did."

"She is in big trouble and has a serious addiction. Hopefully, she gets help before its too late."

Tara felt a few tears roll down her cheeks—tears that Luis Mario quickly wiped off with his thumbs.

She took a few deep breaths.

"What did she take?" she asked bracing herself for the truth.

"Matt was sensible enough to lock up all his valuables."

"And you?" she probed.

"A couple of thousands I had just in case I needed cash in hand."

Tara groaned and leaned back against her headboard. She felt her baby kicking, her frustrations clearly upsetting her overly active baby.

"Don't worry about it Tara. Money come and goes."

"No," she responded. "No, what Katie did was not ok. I'll pay you back, eventually. How much did she take?"

"Tara…"

"No!" she nearly yelled.

She took a deep breath. "You have done more than enough for me in these last months." She gently moved to get up from the bed. "I'm going to pay you back as soon as I can. Even if it's in installments; I have experience with handling money and paying people back. Had to do it for years with my Dad and his bar taps all over Charming."

"Look Tara…"

She stood and held her hand up. "Honestly, I really don't want to argue with you about this." She walked over to the door. "I'm going to help out Matt straighten up."

Tara walked out of her room before Luis Mario even responded.

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Monday, August 18th, 1997 9:43am

"Are you sure?" whispered Tara as she felt tears dwell in her eyes.

Dr. Coco leaned forwarded into her forearms.

"Unfortunately yes, your baby's heart rate is too low. According to the pediatric cardiologist, this all points to your baby having a heart condition upon birth."

"Oh God," Tara placed her face in her hands.

"Now, the peds cardio and I will be working closely to monitor the baby throughout the remainder of your pregnancy. Tara, I need you to listen closely to what I am about to say."

Tara looked up, her eyes red.

"Are you sure you don't want to call one of your friends that accompanied you last time."

Tara shook her head. "No, they are both working."

Dr. Coco nodded. "Well, there isn't any easier way to break the news, so I am just going to be candid and lay out all your options."

Dr. Coco paused. "You are late into your pregnancy but if you choose, your pregnancy qualifies for a late term abortion."

Tara opened her mouth angrily to protest but Dr. Coco held her hand up and stopped Tara from speaking.

"I am not saying you should have one but it is an available option. You have two weeks before abortion is no longer a viable option. Given the condition of your fetus, there are a lot of dangers that are looming in both of your futures. There is a chance that your baby's heart rate will get better but there are more chances of both you and I winning the lottery. According to the peds cardiologist, Dr. Yang, more likely than not, the heart rate will remain just about the same or potentially get worse. With that said, there are major risks if you decide to carry this pregnancy to full term." Dr. Coco paused.

"Go on," Tara whispered.

"If the fetus' heart rate does not improve, there is a high change that you will have a late miscarriage or potentially birth a stillborn."

By this time, Tara's tears were rolling down her cheeks.

Dr. Coco opened one of her drawers and produced a box of tissue and gently placed it in front of Tara.

Tara took a few and wiped down her tears.

"Should I continue?" asked Dr. Coco.

Tara nodded.

"Now, if the baby is born with a heart condition, we will have to assess upon birth and Dr. Yang will come up with the best plan in order to ensure the baby's survival, however, there is a chance the baby won't make it past the first twenty-four hours. If Dr. Yang deems it appropriate, more likely than not, she will have to operate on the baby's heart. Again, it all depends on how the heart looks upon the baby's birth. There is a chance that the baby won't make it past the initial surgery…"

"Stop! Just please stop," sobbed Tara.

Dr. Coco stopped.

"How did this happen?"

"Genetics, more likely than not," responded Dr. Coco. "Tara, you need to understand that this is not your fault in anyway." Dr. Coco paused. "You have a difficult decision to make. I am not pressuring you in any way or form but you have to consider what is in front of you. Best-case scenario is that your baby is born with a heart defect that will plague both of your lives forever. Worst case…" Dr. Coco didn't finish the sentence but looked at Tara expectedly.

"I will give you some time to think things over," Dr. Coco stood and walked around her desk.

Tara wiped her tears. Shakily, she stood, "Dr. Coco, may I please make a call from your office phone."

Dr. Coco nodded her head and picked up the headpiece of her phone. "Where do you want to dial?"

"To Charming, California."

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Monday, August 18th, 1997 4:01pm

"One of us should at least come with you."

Tara shook her head as they moved further down the line.

"I am going back home for a couple of days. I should be back before you know it."

Luis Mario shook his head. "You don't know what is waiting for you in Charming."

Tara snorted. "A drunk Daddy, a probably pissed off ex-boyfriend and even more pissed off mother to that ex-boyfriend."

"Tara…"

"Luis Mario, I was just told that there is a huge possibility that the baby I am carrying is going to die. I know you don't agree with my decision, but I have to tell Jackson the truth. He deserves to know that I am carrying his child and that this child might not make it."

They moved down the line.

"What are you going to do?"

Tara shook her head as her lips trembled. "I don't know. I have to talk to him."

They continued moving down the line, Luis Mario holding Tara's small duffel bag.

"I wish you would let me pay for your plane ticket, you'll get there faster."

"I want to reduce my debt to you not increase it. Plus, Dr. Coco advised against it."

"Against flying or against traveling?"

Tara chose not to answer the question, the answer quite evident.

"How about you call him instead?"

"And what? Explain to him over the phone, how I kept this pregnancy from him? And how our baby might die? Yea, he would love me telling him that over the phone."

"What if you don't come back?" he whispered as he turned to look at her.

Tara looked at him. "Luis Mario, I hate Charming; I couldn't get away from there fast enough. I promised Dr. Coco, I would be back by next week for another follow-up with her and Dr. Yang. If Jax decides to remain in Charming given the circumstances, then that is a decision he has to live with for the rest of his life."

"And if he chooses to come with you?"

"Then, I am hoping you welcome him into your home with open arms like you did me. If not, then I promise to move out as soon as I find a place for Jax and I."

Luis Mario looked at Tara. "Did I mean so little to you?"

"No," Tara quickly responded. "You mean that much to me that I am being honest with you."

Tara noted how the lady in front of them perked up, attentively listening to their conversation. Tara rolled her eyes and turned to look at Luis Mario.

"I should have never slept in your bed when Katie stayed over. I shouldn't have allowed you to cuddle with me or kiss me. I should have respected our boundaries. Instead, I let them get blurred in a moment of weakness between both. The reality of it is that you have become one of the most important people in my life. You are one of my best friends and I don't know where I would be without you. But my reality changed today. My baby needs his or her father now more than ever. Jackson has always given me clarity in my most dire situations."

"He also chose that club over you," pointed out Luis Mario.

"And for that he has a lot of explanating to do," they moved closer to the ticket window.

"Please call me often, doesn't matter the time." Luis Mario put one of his arms around her shoulders.

Tara gave him a small smile. "I will."

They approached the window to where a ticket lady stood.

"One ticket, to California," said Tara as Luis Mario placed her bag on the floor.

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