NOTE: Martha's five and half months pregnant. It's been two weeks since Ray's death.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Martha spent the next three days working up the courage to mention a paternity to test to Jack. She was scared that he might get angry or upset with her; so she kept putting it off. If there was a chance that Grace wasn't Jack's; then he deserved to know.

"So, what is it that you want to talk about?" Jack asked, as he sat down next to Martha on his couch.

Martha looked at him and inhaled a deep breath. "Um………," she trailed off. She didn't know how to start.

"Okay, well you're clearly nervous. So it must be something serious," Jack said, when he noticed that Martha looked a little uncomfortable.

"It is," Martha nodded. "Well, I think it is," she added.

"What is it?" Jack was worried.

"Look, you're probably going to think that I'm being selfish," Martha sighed. "And honestly, I probably am being a little selfish. I just don't want you to get upset or angry with me, because I'm just looking out for you. And if there's even a slight chance that she's not yours, then I think it should be done," she blathered.

"What are you talking about?" Jack asked.

"A paternity test," Martha stated. "You said yourself that you couldn't bond with her. Maybe it's because she's not yours. I mean, would it really hurt if you were to just get the proof?"

"Are you saying that you don't think Grace is mine?" Jack said.

"No, I didn't say that," Martha defended herself.

"But you think I should get a paternity test done?" Jack pointed out.

Martha sighed. "I'm not telling you to do anything. I'm just making a suggestion. It's your decision if you do it or not," she told him. "Hey, if you want me to mind my own business, then just say so".

"No, it's okay," Jack assured her. "Truthfully, I've thought about it a few times. It's just I really don't think Megan would lie about something like that. I know that she can be nasty at times; but I really don't think that she'd lie about me being Grace's father," he explained.

"So, you're not going to get a test done?" Martha questioned him.

"I don't know," Jack shrugged.

Martha just nodded, and then quickly looked away. She couldn't help but be upset; and Jack noticed this. "Hey, if you want………," he started but Martha cut him off.

"No, no. Its fine," she told him as she stood up. "I shouldn't have even said anything. You and I aren't even together, so it's none of my business. It was selfish of me to even bring it up. Listen, I have to go. I'm meeting Macca for lunch," Martha said as she walked to the door. She wanted to get out of there fast. She felt too uncomfortable.

"Bye," Jack sighed as Martha walked out.

Maybe she was right. Maybe he should have the test done. The only problem he had to worry about was Megan. Would she agree?

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Later that evening Jack decided to go and see Megan. He had thought about it and had decided that he would ask her about a paternity test. But as predicted; Megan wasn't too happy about the suggestion.

"Where has all this came from?" she demanded.

"It's something that I've been thinking about for awhile," Jack sighed.

"Well why didn't you ask me to get one done when I first told you about Grace? Why have you waited so long?" Megan was getting upset.

"Look, I'm not going to lie to you anymore," Jack began. "I'm having trouble forming a bond with Grace. I don't know why, and I feel really bad about it. But if we get this test done, and I see the information that says that she is definitely mine; then maybe it will help me get closer to her," he explained.

"You don't feel anything towards Grace?" Megan cried.

"No, not really. And like I said; I feel really bad about it," Jack told her.

"I can't believe that you don't think she's yours. Look at her Jack," Megan pointed to Grace who was playing on the floor. "She is yours, whether you believe it or not".

Jack was beginning to get frustrated. "I never said she wasn't mine. And if you say she is, then I believe you. I know that you wouldn't lie about something like that," he said.

"If you believe that she's yours, then why do you want some test to tell you what you already know?" Megan questioned.

"It would just make me feel better, okay. And Martha and I w………….," Jack started, but was cut off.

"Wait, Martha?" Megan scoffed. "She told you to do this, didn't she? God, why doesn't that surprise me," she laughed sarcastically.

"Leave Martha out of this," Jack defended. "It was my decision".

"You know what? We'll get your stupid test done if it makes you happy," Megan snapped.

"Yeah, it would make me happy," Jack thanked her. "Now, I can't stay any longer. I have to go; I have plans," he continued as he walked to the door.

"Let me guess, plans with Martha?" Megan huffed.

"For your information, Kim and I are going to Rob's for a few drinks," Jack glared at her.

"Oh, well have fun," Megan exclaimed.

"I'll call you tomorrow so we can organize a day to go to the hospital for the test," Jack then told her and walked out. "Bye," he called.

"Whatever," Megan muttered after Jack was gone.

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NEXT MORNING

Martha walked up to Jack's front door and knocked. It seemed to take ages for someone to answer the door; and when it finally was answered it was Kim. He looked a little worse for wear.

"Jack's still in bed. Late night," Kim yawned.

Martha sighed. "Oh well, I won't stay. Can you tell him I popped in?" Martha asked.

"Yep, sure," Kim yawned again. "Oh, if you see Kit, can you tell her I need her?" he asked Martha.

"Ewww," Martha exclaimed. "Hell no. I'm not your pimp. Do it yourself," Martha laughed and walked back to the front door.

When Martha walked out she crashed into Megan; who was standing on the front porch.

"Let me guess. You're here trying to talk Jack into getting a paternity test done?" Megan glared at Martha.

"Get out of my way," Martha pushed passed her.

"Are you in a bad mood?" Megan laughed. "It wouldn't have anything to do with what Jack got up to last night, would it?" she smirked.

Martha froze in her tracks. She then slowly turned to face Megan. "Excuse me?" she said softly.

"Whoops, I guess Jack hasn't told you yet," Megan said.

"Told me what?" Martha demanded. She didn't like the sound of this.

"Jack's going to tell you eventually, so I may aswell tell you now," Megan started. "Jack came to see me last night. And I guess you could say he stayed a little longer than expected," she explained.

"What?" Martha was confused. She didn't want to believe it. She didn't want to believe that Jack would go to her.

"Remember how you said that it would be hard task for me to get Jack? Well, it wasn't so hard," Megan laughed. "I only had to touch him, and he was putty in my hands. He was as good as I remembered," she smirked.

"You're a liar. Jack would never sleep with you again," Martha snapped.

"Sorry, but it's true. And look, he even left his jacket at my place," Megan held up Jack's leather jacket. "He was in such a rush to get home early this morning, that he forgot it," she explained.

Martha didn't know what to say. Megan had the proof that Jack was with her. She had his jacket. She could feel her eyes starting to well up with tears. And they would soon start dripping down her cheeks.

"Lost for words," Megan laughed. "Look, Jack's with me now. I can give him so much more than you ever could. So just deal with it," she said smugly.

Martha let out a sob, and quickly spun on her heels. She ran as fast as she could and jumped into her car. She clicked her seatbelt in and revved the car. She sped off without even taking a glance back.

How could he? How could Jack hurt her like that? He said that he loved her. It was a lie. It was all a lie. Jack was just like every other jerk on the planet.

She hated him. She never wanted to see him again.

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NEXT CHAPTER: How will Jack get himself out of this latest fiasco?

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