Very short but necessary chapter... Hope you enjoy!

Dealing

Part 19: Revelations

Natalie took a deep breath as she placed a hand on her slightly swollen stomach. It wasn't enough to notice yet, but she knew that wouldn't be the case for too much longer. She worried her lower lip nervously as she tried to imagine her mother's reaction to the news that she was four and a half months pregnant… and that the baby might be John's.

Her eyes filled with tears as she tried to picture the look on Viki's face when she told her that at the time of Michael's death she had been having sex with John… Making love, an inner voice whispered. Her mind quickly pushed the thought away. It was just sex. That's all it was… That's all that it can be.

She knew that there was no way she could handle things if she let herself think otherwise.

"Mom, I have something to tell you."

Viki's look of confusion quickly gave way to concern when she saw the expression on her daughter's face. "Of course, darling. What is it?"

Natalie took a deep breath, staring down at her folded hands as she whispered, "I'm pregnant."

Viki inhaled sharply, standing up and moving to sit on the couch beside Natalie. She wrapped her arms around her daughter.

Natalie went into her arms willingly, burying her face in Viki's neck as she clung to her like a small child and allowed all of her fears and shame to come out in the form of her tears.

After a moment, Natalie pulled back gently and wiped the tears off of her cheeks. Viki didn't say anything, knowing that she would speak when she was ready.

"I'm four and a half months pregnant…" Her hand slowly found its way to her stomach, and she caressed it gently as she continued.

"And… Mom, there's so much you don't know." She turned to look at her mother, needing to see the look on her face when she told her.

"The night that Michael died looking for me… I was with John." Her words were deliberately vague out of respect for her mother, but she knew that Viki would figure it out.

She searched Viki's face carefully for any sign of the judgement and disapproval she was sure would be there. To her surprise, she found nothing but love and acceptance as Viki nodded for her to continue.

Natalie told the entire story at a fast pace, her words jumbling together in her rush to get the story told. When she had finally finished she felt an overwhelming sense of relief, and she couldn't help the tears that spilled down her face.

Viki smiled as she brushed Natalie's hair back, gently wiping away her tears. "Feel better?" Natalie nodded, leaning her head back against the couch. "It's like this weight has been lifted."

Her mother smiled and gently asked, "Have you thought about when you're going to tell John?"

Natalie's sense of peace disappeared as she felt the fears begin to creep back in and she shook her head. "No. This is Michael's baby. It has to be."

"Darling, I understand that you want it to be Michael's child, but that doesn't make it so. John has a right to know that you might be carrying his baby, wouldn't you agree?"

Natalie hesitated, and she had just opened her mouth to reply when Jessica's scream rang out from the foyer.

TO BE CONTINUED