Chapter 13
Jack sat on the sofa, staring into space. Numb. He hadn't said anything since the revelation, and the tense silence was starting to become unbearable for Martha. Quietly, she moved and sat besides him, placing her hand on his shoulder. The silence remained, as they both secretly wished for the other to say something. anything.
'Is it mine?' Jack spoke. Martha looked at him and nodded.
Jack stood up. 'No. It can't be' he said, the anger building inside him. 'It could be Carl's' he said. It was more of a question than a statement. Martha shook her head. 'No. Carl and I haven't 'slept together' for a while. We were having so many rows, that was how we ended up...you know'
'No. I don't believe you. How do I know you're not making this up?'
Martha stared at him in disbelief. 'What? Why would I? It's not like I'd want to have a baby with my best friend. It's not like I want to ruin my relationship with Carl' she snapped, standing up.
Jack had never seen her so worked up before, and it worried him. Her face was red and she looked like she was about to burst out crying.
Realising he'd over stepped the mark, he turned to her, regretfully. 'I'm sorry' he said. 'It's just a shock. I mean one minute we're out looking for wedding dresses, and the next you're telling me you're pregnant'
'I know' she said. 'It was a shock to me too' Jack smiled, sadly. He understood how confused she must be.
'So, I take it you haven't told Carl?' he asked.
Martha shook her head. 'No. I can't. He'll figure it out, I know he will'
'No he won't. Trust me, as a guy, I know we don't think of them things' he said. Martha looked thoughtful for a moment. 'Yeh, but the doctors will know, at scans and stuff. What if they say something?'
'They won't. Even if they did, would Carl really realise?' Martha shrugged. 'I don't know. I'm scared, Jack. I love Carl so much. H'es the one person I've ever truely loved. There's nobody in the world I'd ever want to be with besides him. Now I could lose it all'
Jack remained silent, before replying. 'No you won't. You and Carl are meant to be. A match made in heaven and well...' It killed him to be saying these things to her. 'Well, if you two truely love each other, you can work through it.'
She looked up to face him. 'You really think so?'
Jack nodded. 'Yes, I do' he said softly.
'Thank you' she smiled, resting her head on his chest. 'No problem' Jack replied, gently brushing his fingers through her hair and lightly kissing her head. All the while, his heart aching for her.