Part 9: Aftershock

See Part 1 for disclaimers

Okay, so maybe I should mention for those of you who might be wondering, this story takes place shortly after Nat's return from the hospital, where she currently is on the show, but Cristian is not alive.

One of my bestest friends wrote a paragraph of this because I was stuck; it's the one in bold. Be sure to check out her account atwww (dot) fanfiction (dot) netNotUrGirlGo read and review her story today!

Now that I have that cleared up, here's the story. Please review! Manda

"Natalie Vega?" Natalie gasped in recognition at the voice on the other end of the line. "Cristian?" He cleared his throat. "No, no. This is me, the man who ruined your life." She sighed deeply. "The imposter?" "Is that what I'm known as in Llanview? I can't say I'm surprised. My name is Travis Randall, in case you're interested."

"I'm really not. Why are you calling?" Travis sighed; he'd known that this wasn't going to be easy but he hadn't realized just how hard Natalie would make it. "I just wanted to call and apologize for putting you through so much hell." Natalie laughed bitterly and replied in an icy tone, "Trust me, I've been through so much more now."

"But thank you for calling and apologizing for making me believe that my husband was alive and then making me go through the agony of 'losing' him once again. Thank you; it really means a lot." She slammed the phone down and tried to cry, but she had run out of tears, so instead she lay there staring at the ceiling, trying to think of nothing at all.

The next day, the gynecologist called her back and gave her the news she'd been expecting. She thanked her hollowly and went downstairs to talk to Viki, who was in the kitchen making tea. "Hello, baby." She hugged Natalie tightly, having heard the end of the conversation between her and Michael the night before.

"Mom? I have some news… I don't know if it's good or bad, I think it's somewhere in the middle." Viki held her out at an arm's length and studied her face carefully. "Does this have anything to do with what happened with Michael last night?" Natalie winced at the memory. "You heard that, huh?" Viki nodded and waited for her to explain. "Yes, it has everything to do with that." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Mom, I'm pregnant." Viki gasped sharply. "Oh, honey…" Natalie's face crumpled and she fell into Viki's arms, and they sobbed together. "Sweetie, how long have you known?" "For about a month now, but I just found out for certain. Mom, what the hell am I supposed to do?" Viki held her tightly and protectively, her voice breaking as she replied, "I don' know, honey. I don't know…"

Two months later, Natalie had decided against going back to Mesquite but had not felt comfortable staying in Llanview either; not in such close proximity to Michael. So she had flown to London to spend the months until the baby was born with her father and brother. Her family had promised not to tell either of the McBains that she was pregnant until she returned with the baby.

Nine months had passed Clint and Natalie were sitting on the couch. She had her head resting on his lap he stroked her hair. "How are you feeling sweetheart?" She frowned, "My back hurts, my feet are swollen, and it's burning up in here." "Aww, let's see what we can do about that." Clint got up and placed a pillow under her head. He placed another under her feet he turned up the air conditioner up some more and added another coat to his layer of clothing. "Better?" She smiled, "Much better. Thanks Dad." He smiled, "Anything for my baby girl. What else can I get you?" She smiled sweetly loving the attention, "If it's not too much trouble may I have a drink of water?" Clint smiled, "Soaking up the attention are we?" She laughed, "Don't you know it." He kissed her on the forehead. "One glass of water coming up." He walked away and she reached for the remote to the TV, but it was to far she stood up to get the remote she suddenly felt a sharp pain she knocked over a vase trying to sit back down." Clint shouted, "Natalie are you okay!" He ran in the room. "What's wrong?" She looked up at him with her hand on her stomach, "I think the baby's coming." "Now?" "Soon." Clint looked around lost, "What do I do?" Natalie shook her head, "Call the hospital tell the doctor we're on the way. I'll get my bag." He ran around frantic, "Right the doctor. What's his name? Never mind I'll find it." He dialed the phone. "Dr. Richman she's going into labor! She's in labor! Natalie is! Yes. How far apart are the contractions? Uh, I don't know. Natalie!"

"Yeah?" She grimaced with pain as another contraction came. "How far apart are the contractions?" "Five minutes!" "Five minutes!" he shouted into the phone. "Is that a good thing?" "Five minutes apart? That's not good; that means you need to get her to the hospital now or you're going to be delivering that baby yourself." Clint's eyes widened and he hung up the phone.

"Come on girl, we've got to get you to the hospital!" He grabbed her bag, which they'd moved to sit by the front door since she'd entered her final month, and helped her out the door. "Remember your breathing!" He demonstrated and she had to laugh at his comical expression. "What are you laughing at?" She shook her head and clutched her stomach in pain as another contraction came.

TO BE CONTINUED