Chapter 14
'You feeling better?.' Jack asked, handing Martha a cup of coffee. She smiled weakly at him. 'I guess. I'm sorry'
Jack smiled. 'Don't be sorry. I do think we need to talk though' he stated. Martha nodded. 'Yeh, we do' she agreed. Silence fell upon them as they both struggled for what to say. Martha was first to talk. 'I don't want you to feel pressured by this. It's up to you whether you're involved in this childs life or not'
Jack nodded. 'I know. I just...I'm confused'
'Me too' Martha replied. 'Carl and I never really spoke about kids. We never planned anything like that. And now I'm pregnant, and it's not even his baby.'
Jack stared at her. Before he could stop himself, he spoke. 'He doesn't need to know' he said. Martha looked at him, confused. 'What do you mean?' she asked. Taking a deep breath, Jack sat besides her and grasped her hand with his. 'I mean, we don't need to tell him the baby's mine'
'What?' Martha spoke, her mind spinning. What was Jack saying? He looked at the floor awkwardly. 'You love Carl. I know you do. I know you want to be with him'
'Yeh but this is your child' she said, tears in her eyes as confusion swept over her. 'Are you telling me that you can just give up? Watch another man raise your child? Allow that man to believe it's his child?'
Jack placed his head in his hands. 'I don't know Martha. I just... I know that if you tell him this baby's mine, it'll be the end for you two. Is that what you want?'
Martha remained silent for a few moments, eventually shaking her head. 'No. It's not'
Jack sighed. 'Right. Then tell him it's his. Ignore the dates, they can easily be wrong. Just concentrate on your relationship for now' he smiled, trying to remain strong.
Martha nodded. 'And you?'
Jack stood up. 'I'm ok. I want you to be happy. That's all I've ever wanted. So...'
'What?'
Jack looked at his feet and looked back up. 'I think it's best if I stay away for a while. Give you and Carl time alone' he said, trying to hide his pain at saying at. Martha, although it hurt her too, nodded in understandment.
----
'So, this is it?' Martha whispered as Jack opened the front door to leave. Jack nodded. Slowly, he pulled her closer to him, and enveloped her into a hug. 'It won't be too long. I will come back. I just think you need a few weeks alone, without me'
Martha smiled, weakly. She watched as Jack opened the front door. 'Jack' she called after him. Jack turned to look at her. 'What is it?'
Martha felt a tear trickle down her cheek. 'I love you'
Jack nodded. 'I love you too' he said, before turning away and walking out of Martha's life...