Disclaimer: This is purely a work of fiction, written for fun, not profit. I have nothing to do with Guiding Light, and no share in the ownership of it.

Chapter Four: What She Doesn't Know

Dinah stared at Bill. "What the hell is she talking about?" she demanded in a low, hard voice that left no room for b.s.

Bill, being Bill, tried some anyway. "Dinah, I-"

"Oh my god, it's true." She looked horrified. "What did you do?"

He thought about holding out awhile longer but knew better than to try. Instead he threw up his hands in exasperation. "What do you think I did? There are only so many ways you can accidently get someone-"

Ava shoved past him, heading for the door. "Quit acting like you're the victim here," she snapped. "I didn't do this on purpose. I didn't want a kid any more than you do, and I'm the one that's going to have to be pregnant. So if you think you're the one that deserves a pity party-"

"So you didn't get pregnant on purpose, then," Dinah said coolly, arms crossed over her chest.

Ava shot her a narrow-eyed look. "No, I didn't. And how is this any of your business?"

"Bill's my brother," she informed her, and Ava was very lucky that looks couldn't kill. "Assuming this kid is his, then it's family. You'd better believe it's my business."

Ava scoffed. "Oh that's nice. You don't even know me, Dinah, and you've already judged me and decided that I'm lying and trapping Bill-"

"You're right, I don't know you." She still sounded so calm. Bill knew that he'd be in for it once Ava left and his sister didn't have to be on his side anymore. "But I'm certainly not judging you. I just know what people are capable of, and I don't want my brother to be hurt. Surely you can understand that."

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I don't have to stand here and take this, so I'm leaving. But you-" She glared at Bill, "need to quit avoiding me so we can deal with this." Ignoring Dinah completely, she swept out of Bill's office.

He groaned and leaned back against his desk, rubbing his forehead. "Don't even start," he warned his sister, not looking at her. "You can't say anything I haven't already thought a thousand times."

She was actually silent for a moment. Then, tightly, "Does Lizzie know?"

Bill did look up at that. "No. I haven't told anyone- especially not Lizzie- and you can't say anything, all right?" He pushed off from the desk, started to pace. "I mean, I've only known for three days. I don't know what to do yet. And until I figure it out, I need you to keep this quiet." She didn't say anything, just kept looking at him, until he stopped in front of her and burst out, "Dinah, I need you to have my back on this, okay? If you tell anyone-"

"I won't tell anyone," she bit out. "But Bill, if Ava's going to go through with this pregnancy- and if you're sure the kid's yours- then there's not that much to figure out. You have to tell her."

"I know," he said quietly. "I just- I don't know how. I've changed, Dinah. I am better than I was when I first came back to town, and not just because of Lizzie. I wanted to change, and I have. People trust me now, Dinah. Lizzie trusts me. When she finds out…"

Dinah sighed and hugged him. "Lizzie cares about you," she told him firmly. "You two can work this out. Don't let her give up on you, all right?"

Bill nodded. "I'll try."

"Do better than try."

He just hoped that he could.

Ava stared through the store window, looking at the display of baby items. The store seemed to be filled with any toy or outfit or piece of furniture imaginable. It was so strange to think that soon this place could become a regular destination for her, not just a building to glance at as she walked by.

A baby, she thought for the billionth time, feeling as dazed by the idea as always. She hadn't been expecting this. She certainly hadn't wanted this. But… for so long, ever since her adoptive mother's death, she had felt alone, and it had only been worse when Sandy left her. Sure, she had family now- Jeffrey and Olivia and Emma- but she'd come so close to losing her biological mother, too, that it had made her feel that sense of loss and loneliness all over again. But this baby… her family would grow. There would be someone new to love and be loved by.

She had no idea how she was going to handle single parenting, even if Bill wanted to be involved- which she seriously doubted- but she already knew that no matter how much stress and hassle this baby brought into her life, the love would make it more than worthwhile.

A small smile curved her lips. "I'm going to be a mom," she murmured, barely resisting the temptation to touch her still-flat stomach.

After a few more moments she finally walked away, never noticing that she was being watched from someone inside the store.

"Our three-month anniversary is coming up," Lizzie told Reva as they shopped for clothes for Sarah.

"Is it?"

"Yeah, at the end of next week." Lizzie held up two similar sundresses, trying to decide which color would suit Sarah better. Her voice self-deprecating, she added, "I know it's silly for me to be so excited- I mean, it's not like we're going to celebrate it or anything-"

"It isn't silly at all," Reva assured her. "I'm glad things have been going so well for you. He really seems to make you happy."

"He does," Lizzie said quietly, a warm smile crossing her face. "And you know, I think I might actually make him happy, too." She laughed wryly. "It's a nice change from my usual relationships."

"Well, you're older and wiser now," her former mother-in-law pointed out, teasing.

"That's for sure," she agreed, laughing quickly. Then, sobering, she added, "You know, I always wanted someone who could love me for who I am. Coop was always trying to change me, and Jonathan didn't love me to begin with, but Bill… I think I might actually get my wish this time."

Reva smiled. "Good."

Lizzie smiled back, then wandered over to a nearby rack of accessories to look at some cute headbands. When she glanced up, her gaze drifted to the store window and she saw Ava Peralta, eyes oddly soft, looking inside.

Lizzie blinked, wondering if she was just imagining it, but a second look proved that Ava was still there. She looked… strange. Very unlike the bold, determined woman Lizzie was used to dealing with.

She frowned. She doesn't seem like the type to daydream over baby clothes- but then again, people probably always thought that about me. Still, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right about this.