Shoutouts: JasonLeeScottFan- I know Tommy seems like he's being stupid, but Kat is the one pushing him away at this point. That will be remedied eventually. Yes, Kim and Jason are married.
Wondergirl4you- Yeah I always thought Rocky was such a great guy. I'm glad to see that you are enjoying my story. Hope you like this chapter.
zeopurple- I reread the last chapter after reading your review and I do have to agree that it seems unlikely that Kat would agree. Guess in my mind I know the type of person that Nikki is, she's pushy and would have gotten Kat to come over wither she agreed or not. Hope that helps clear that up. As for Casey, she is really based on a close friend of mine. She really honestly was in Casey's shoes when her boyfriend pretended to be the father of another friend's baby… long story short. Everything Casey does is what my friend really honestly did. I know it seems like she's almost surreal, but Mindy was always like that. I love your feedback, it always gets me thinking about how I can make things better so readers can be in my mindset when reading. Thanks for reviewing.
"You invited Kat?!" Tommy questioned. Nikki had told him about running into Kat at the store and inviting her to dinner.
"Yeah. I figured might as well, you're mom said that she wanted to go see Kat while they're in town. She hasn't seen her in a couple years."
"More than a couple. Since Kat and I broke up." Tommy muttered to himself.
"Anyway, she may not feel too well so you may have to go get her. I insisted she come tonight."
"Why wouldn't she be feeling well?" Tommy asked already knowing the answer.
"Well, I was going to let her tell you herself… Kat's pregnant Tommy! Isn't that exciting?"
"Yeah, good for her." Tommy tried to sound as believable as he could. Truthfully he felt like screaming at the top of his lungs and hurling himself down the stairs head first. Kat just couldn't have slept with Rocky, there's something going on. "Are you sure that you want my mom giving Kat all the attention?" Tommy raised an eyebrow.
"What are you talking about? You're mom wouldn't ignore me for Kat."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that Nikki. Remember that my mom has known Kat for years and even now still considers her the daughter she never had."
"It'll be okay Tommy. You're mom wanted to see her, and she's not doing anything tonight… So what if I get ignored for an evening. You're parents will be here for a four days."
"Whatever." Tommy shrugged before leaving the kitchen. This is going to be a nightmare from hell! Tommy thought to himself.
______________
Kat took a deep breath before ringing the doorbell. She gently brushed her hand down the front of her empire waist black dress. The cut of the dress hid her growing stomach. She had decided she wasn't going to say anything unless asked about it.
She knew there was no way out of dinner tonight. Nikki would send Tommy to fetch her if she didn't come and there was no way she was going to be alone with Tommy.
"Kat! So glad you came!" Nikki greeted cheerfully.
"Thanks for inviting me. I brought you a bottle of wine. Your favorite if I remember right."
"You are right, you're too sweet. Come on in."
"Katherine!" Tina called from the living room. Katherine smiled as she made her way toward the tall slender woman standing with her arms open.
"Hi Tina." Kat said as she wrapped her arms around the brunette. Tina's hazel eyes seemed to shimmer with pure delight.
"My god honey, how long has it been? I'm so glad you moved back to Angel Grove."
"Five years I think." Kat shrugged. "I couldn't stay away. I lived in London long enough."
"Far step from here or even Australia isn't it?" George Oliver said before giving Katherine a hug.
"Yeah, very different. They say they speak English but I had no idea what anyone was talking about." Kat laughed.
"Imagine how we felt when we met your father." George laughed. "How is the old man?"
"He's doing fine back in Australia. He had a heart attack two years ago, but has since completely recovered."
"I see what you mean Tommy, they're practically worshipping the ground she's standing on." Nikki whispered as they set the table.
"I warned you." Tommy shrugged. He knew he just had to try and avoid being near Kat as much as possible.
"Dinner's ready." Nikki called into the living room.
"About time." George joked as he took Tina's hand. "Smells divine Nikki."
Kat took a few steps into the dining room and paused. She felt herself fighting back the nausea. "You okay Kat?" Tina asked when she realized Kat was not moving.
"I'm okay, just a little nauseous." Kat replied as she closed her eyes. She didn't wait any longer before dashing toward the bathroom. She silently thanked god she knew where it was in the house.
"Is she okay?" George asked Tommy.
"I guess it comes with the territory." Tommy said as he pulled out a chair for his mother.
"Territory?" Tina questioned. "Is Katherine pregnant?"
"Yes she is!" Nikki replied happily.
"Oh my! That's wonderful news. I didn't even know she was married."
"She's not married." Tommy replied.
"Oh…" Tina remarked.
"Who is the lucky man?" George asked.
"I don't know. She hasn't said." Nikki answered. The group fell silent as Katherine rejoined them.
"Are you feeling a little better?" Tina asked.
"Yeah, I just haven't felt good lately." Katherine shrugged.
"Congratulations dear." Tina smiled. "I'm so excited for you. Babies are the most precious parts of your life."
"Thanks." Kat smiled. Apparently Nikki or Tommy had said she was pregnant.
"Hopefully you two get with the program and decide to make us grandparents sometime soon." George teased. Nikki smiled at Tommy. She wanted a baby and Tommy knew it.
"Well dig in." Tommy said as he took his seat. He glanced over at Kat sitting by his mother. He noticed that she was swallowing hard. She must be nauseous again. He quietly got up and went to the kitchen. He returned with ginger ale and crackers in hand. "Here this might help."
"Thanks Tommy." Kat said as she took the food from him. "Dinner does look really good Nikki. I'm so sorry."
"It's okay Kat. You can't help what makes you sick right now. I bet I have other things in the kitchen that can help."
"That's okay, this is just fine." Kat said before biting into a cracker.
"When are you due?" Tina asked. Kat froze. She knew that if she answered truthfully Tommy could do the math and know that Rocky was not the father. But if she lied Tina would surely know. She finally decided on the truth and prayed that Tommy wouldn't catch on.
"The baby is due just before Christmas. So I'm really hoping the baby comes on time."
"Well my dear, we have some shopping to do." Tina smiled. Katherine gave her a puzzled look. "I want to get you a few things and give you some advise. Since you don't have your mother anymore, allow me to step in. I can be the honorary grandmother."
"Thank you Tina, you don't know how much that means to me."
"It's my pleasure Kat. The three of us ladies can go shopping tomorrow, provided you aren't working."
"I don't work the weekends." Kat smiled.
"Then it's settled. Does that work for you Nikki?"
"Sounds great." Nikki replied.
"Okay then I guess it's a date." Kat smiled before taking a sip of her ginger ale. I wish I knew how to get out of this. This is going to be nothing but trouble.
"Tommy please don't go, this invitations are already sent. I can't cancel again." Katherine begged her fiance. "We've canceled our wedding twice already. Can't your job be put on the back burner for once?"
"Kat this is really important. I will never get another chance like this ever again. Anton said that he'd give me two weeks off for our wedding and honeymoon. That will be enough time."
"So you're going to leave me here to move all my stuff into your house and finish planning our wedding? Then leave me alone right afterwards. Tommy you'll be gone for five months, what am I supposed to do without you?" Kat said angrily. She couldn't believe that Tommy was taking yet another dig so close to their wedding. They had been engaged for three years and postponed their wedding twice before. This time the invitations were sent, the reservations made, the dress picked up… She just had to finish getting the rest of her belongings from her flat in London.
"Kat, if this was your dream getting in the way I'd understand."
"Tommy, my only dream is to marry you. I gave up dancing for you. You asked me to move home so we could finally get married . Well here I am and now you want to go and leave me alone!"
"Kat please don't do this…"
"No you should be the one not doing this… Tommy so help me god if you get on that plane tomorrow I'll go back to London."
"Katherine, I have more than enough time to spend with you for the wedding and honeymoon. Once I'm done with Anton than we can start making our life together. It's only going to be five months. Please wait for me."
"Not this time Tommy." Kat replied with tears in her eyes. She slipped off her ring and held it out to him. "Go chase your dreams. I'll start over, on my own."
_____________
Kat groaned as she rolled out of bed. Morning already. "I just can't escape Tommy! He's even in my damn dreams." Kat mumbled to herself as she made her way into her bathroom. She hadn't thought much about their breakup but for the last few weeks it was all she could think of. What if I had handled that differently?
` She had called off their entire relationship and ran back to London. There she had met John. She tried to put Tommy in the past and agreed to marry John after a year of dating. But as fate would have it, she never married John either…
Kat climbed into the shower and let the hot water run down her back trying to shake off the memories invading her mind. She leaned back against the wall and gently placed a hand on her bump. Well, little one, we're in a lot of trouble the two of us, but somehow we'll make it through.
She quickly finished her shower, dressed, and made herself some toast. Nikki and Tina would be at her house any minute. Sure enough she had just barely finished her toast when the doorbell rang. Tina and Nikki came in as Katherine opened the door.
"Oh Kat, this a nice little place you have." Tina said. "Did you buy it or are you renting?"
"I bought it." Kat said as she slipped on her shoes.
"When are you and Tommy going to buy a place? I hope before you two finally decide to have a baby." Tina said.
"Tommy and I have been talking about that. We actually have an appointment with an agent next week to start looking for a house. Once we have a house then we can start on our family."
"Well I'm glad for that Nikki. George and I have been on Tommy to do that since you two got married." Tina replied. "Ready to go Katherine?"
"Yeah, I'm ready." Kat said before grabbing her purse. Ready as I'll ever be.
Tina pulled Kat all over the baby store. Holding up various items saying how cute they would be in her nursery. Kat even began to enjoy shopping for the baby. She forgot all about the trouble that seemed to follow her everywhere.
"Oh Kat, you just have to let me get you this crib." Tina said as she ran her hand over the headboard. "This would be perfect for your baby."
"I don't know Tina, this crib is just too much." Kat said as she looked at the price tag.
"Don't worry about cost my dear. I insist that you let me get it. George and Tommy can set it up for you." Tina said as she signaled one of the workers.
"Thanks Tina, I really appreciate this." Kat said with a smile.
"Have you thought about how you want to decorate the nursery?" Nikki asked.
"I guess I was waiting to find out if it's a boy or girl." Kat shrugged.
"Come here." Nikki said as she hooked Kat's arm. She lead Kat over the crib sets. "There are some great sets here that would work for a boy or a girl." Nikki began pointing out sets that she thought were cute. Kat however focused her attention on a subtle blue blanket hanging on the wall with a white tiger etched on it. It had matching sheets and crib bumpers. Even though blue was most commonly thought of as a boy color Kat knew that this pale shade of blue would work for a girl's room as well.
"Do you like that one?" Nikki asked.
"I love it. It's so beautiful." Kat replied.
"Then we'll get it." Nikki said as she grabbed the set off the shelf.
"Oh I can get that." Kat said. Nikki held up a hand to protest.
"I will get it for you. Tina is getting you the crib and I'm getting the set." Nikki said.
"Thank you so much. You really didn't have to do that." She wouldn't be so nice if she knew who the father was…
"Katherine have you registered anywhere?" Tina asked as she joined the two women.
"Not yet, I hadn't even told anyone yet."
"Well, we'll have to help you register here. I see you found your theme. I love the tiger. I'm sure that there are plenty of items to go with that. Let's keep shopping."
Kat looked once again at the tiger blanket on the wall. That blanket was going to tie her baby to it's father even if he never knew that it was his.
___________________
"Good morning sleepy head." Casey nudged Rocky in bed.
"Hmm, morning sunshine." Rocky mumbled back. Casey laughed.
"It's already ten, Rocky. We really should get out of bed now."
"Are you kidding? You kept me up till four. So I should be able to sleep till noon."
"I didn't hear you complaining all night about still being up." Casey teased. Rocky chuckled before crawling out of bed.
"I was enjoying myself too much to complain about the time." Rocky stuck his tongue out at Casey playfully.
"Careful, I might make you put that tongue to better use."
"I might enjoy that too much" Rocky replied before planting a kiss on Casey's full red lips.
"Don't tempt me Mr. DeSantos." Casey warned as she tore herself away from Rocky. She quickly slipped on a dress from her suitcase.
"Casey," Rocky started. Casey paused and looked up at him. Rocky walked across the room and took her hand. "You know how much I love you right?"
"Of course Rocky. I love you just as much."
"Would you marry me?"
"Rocky! Oh my God! Are you sure?"
"Casey I love you with all my heart, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to have children with you. I want to sit in the rockers together when we get old. I want that whole life with you and only you."
"Yes, Rocky I do too!"
"Hold on." Rocky disappeared out of the room only to reappear with a box. "I was going to propose at dinner and down on one knee, but this felt like the right time." Rocky said as he opened the box to reveal silver band with a single diamond. Rocky got down on one knee and held the ring up to Casey.
"You are just amazing Rocky." Casey said as she slipped the ring onto her finger. Rocky stood up and wrapped Casey into a bear hug. "I've never been happier."
"I know, me either." Rocky said as he released Casey. "We just have to figure out what to do about our jobs and homes."
"I was going to tell you over dinner, but now seems the best time to tell you. I got the job here in Angel Grove!"
"You did!?"
"Yes, I'm the new editor of the Angel Grove Herald! I start next month!"
"This really is the best day of my life now!"
"So if you agree I'll move in here then."
"Hmmm I think I have to think about that," Rocky said. Casey shook her head before kissing him again.
Something in her story just doesn't add up. Tommy told himself as he sat on the porch with his dad.
"Something on your mind son?" George asked. Tommy looked up from the paper.
"No, just reading. Why?"
"You haven't said much since dinner last night and I can tell you aren't really reading that paper."
"Dad…"
"Tommy, I have always been able to tell when something was bugging you. Your mother and wife aren't here. It's just us guys. What is going on?"
"Dad it's nothing…"
"Is it Kat?"
"What?" Tommy was taken by surprise.
"I know how you felt about her and probably still feel that way. Her being pregnant is bugging you." George said with sincerity. "Tell me the truth, do you still love Katherine?"
Tommy stared at his dad for a while not sure how to answer that. "Yeah dad. I love Kat. I never stopped."
"But you married Nikki anyway?"
"I thought Kat was involved with someone in London."
"Do you love Nikki?"
"I… it's complicated." Tommy stuttered.
"It's a yes or a no Tommy. You either love Nikki or you don't."
"No it's not." Tommy argued. George leaned forward and stared at Tommy.
"Have you been having an affair with Kat?" George asked. Tommy's mouth nearly dropped open.
"How did you…"
"I know the look of guilt. I had an affair on your mother before we adopted you."
"I never knew."
"We never told you or your brother Kevin. We put it behind us and I have been faithful ever since. So I have to ask, is the baby yours?"
"Supposedly the baby is from a one night stand with someone else."
"You don't believe her do you?" George asked. Tommy wasn't sure if he was trying to get at with his questions.
"Not really. First off the guy is Rocky, those two just don't fit together." Tommy started. "Then last night she said she's due before Christmas. She's four month pregnant and she dumped me less than two months ago."
"So good chance that this is my grandchild right?"
"Very good chance Dad. She just won't admit it."
"She's trying to save your marriage." George shook his head. "But that's not her choice. It's yours. You have to make the choice. Kat or Nikki?"
"Dad what are you saying?"
"My marriage was worth saving because I loved your mother not the other woman. But you love Kat, so where does that leave Nikki?" George said with a raised eyebrow. Tommy leaned back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling. "So again I ask, do you love Nikki?"
"Not as much as I love Kat." Tommy finally said. "I mean I have feelings for her, but they're not as strong as for Katherine."
"Then I think you know what you have to do." George said.
"What will mom say?"
"She should understand. She knows the affairs of love. If not, she'll come around." Tommy continued to stare at the ceiling on the porch. All his friends kept saying to let Kat go but his dad was sitting there telling him to think about his own feelings and go with what he thought he should do. "If Kat will have you, I know a good lawyer Tommy," George said suddenly.
"Are you serious? It's that easy?" Tommy said. "I say I want to be with Kat and divorce Nikki?"
"Tommy, you can't worry about hurting Nikki. Don't you think that you're hurting her right now by loving someone else while you hold her? Even if she doesn't know it, you are slowly killing her heart. Sometimes in love, you just have to put yourself first."
Now if only I can convince Kat that this is the right thing to do. I want to be with her and I know she wants to be with me. Then comes the hard part, telling Nikki.