Chapter 18
Martha awoke some time later in unfamiliar surroundings. A few seconds of deep breaths and she slowly turned her head to see Jack and Carl sat beside her bed. Somebody was gripping her hand tightly, but she wasn't sure of who it was. 'What happened?' she muttered, her throat dry. Carl attempted a weak smile at her. Jack sat brushing her hair away from her face. 'You fainted' she heard Carl say. 'The doctor says from your heart rate, it seems stress related'
Martha remembered the few moments that occured before she left the house. The row she'd had with Carl. Storming out on him. 'Is my baby OK?' She felt the person let go of her hand and realised it was Carl. She looked at Jack, who smiled through his tears. 'Your baby's fine' he informed her. Martha felt a wave of relief spread over her.
'Who found me?' she asked. Jack nodded towards Carl. 'That would be Carl. He phoned me after you arrived here. I came straight away' Martha remained silent for a few moments, before turning to Jack. 'Can you leave Carl and I alone for a moment please?' she asked. Jack paused for a few moments, before nodding. 'Sure' he said, as he got up and left the room. 'I'm sorry' she muttereed. Carl nodded. 'I know. That's not what's important right now. We'll sort that out when you're better'
'What have you told people?'
'What about?' Carl asked.
'The wedding. It's supposed to be happening in two weeks. People are going to need to know what's going on'
'I've not told them anything yet. I don't know what's happening myself, Martha. It's all too confusing.' He looked away from her for a few moments and then looked back at her. 'You love him, right?' Martha nodded. 'Yeh. I'm sorry, but I do'
'Right, you're having his baby. Me? I'm no part of this.' he stated. Martha shook her head. 'That's not true. I love you too. I always have.'
'Yeh, but not the same way you love Jack. And then there's the baby. I don't want to keep a family apart because of my feelings'
'So, what are you saying?' Martha asked, half sure, half not. Carl held back tears. 'Go to Jack, Martha. Be with someone who you love and who loves you back, not with someone you don't love. And then there's your baby'
Martha closed her eyes to avoid the tears rolling down her cheeks. Carl loosened his grip on her hand and leant over to kiss her softly on the cheek. 'Take care of yourself. Be happy. Oh, and let me know when you've had the baby. I'd love to come and see him...' he trailed off, remembering the arguments they'd had over what sex the baby would be. 'Or her' he concluded. 'If that's ok?'
Martha nodded. 'Of course'. She watched as he left the hospital room, a mixture of emotions running through her.
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A few minutes later, Jack walked in. Martha smiled at him. He smiled back. 'I saw Carl on his way out' he told her. She didn't reply. Jack sat on the chair by her bed, and gripped her hand tightly. 'It's good though, right? It means we can be together'
Martha pulled her hand away. Jack looked at her, confused. 'What is it?' he asked. Martha wiped a falling tear away. 'I'm sorry Jack, I can't be with you. The truth is, I think I need to be alone. You can still have everything to do with this baby. And who knows? Maybe somewhere down the line, we can be together. Just not yet' She waited for him to reply.
He didn't. Instead, he stood up and walked towards the door. 'Where you going?' she pleaded. Jack looked at her, his face red and puffy. 'I thought you said you needed to be alone' he said, and turned and walked out, leaving Martha sobbing into the pillow.