Back again and with me I finally bring a spanking new update. Merci beaucoup for the lovely reviews and your continued (extended) patience with moi.
On a sidenote I gotta say that I'm a little surprised with the turn out my new Jate one shot "Finding out" got. Extremely thankful to the 5 people who did review but on a whole I guess the premise wasn't as well received as I initially thought it would be.
Anyway as a result I've come to the conclusion to perhaps keep it's jate heavy sequel one shot (possibly M rated), "Reaction" out of the spotlight….
Upon finding out she was pregnant, which in itself was a miracle, but never the less joy was all she felt for being given a second chance at being a Mother. The one thing that would have made it perfect was having Jack here. However as much as she longed for it, she also made herself aware of the reality of the situation and the last thing she wanted was to disrupt his life again.
So she made her peace with the denial of that fantasy and instead focused on the future growing inside of her.
Unlike when she was pregnant with Lily, she knew what to expect this time, other than the sex of course, which at this stage was a little early to determine. Though all she cared about was that it was healthy and more importantly that it wouldn't experience an occurrence of Lily's unfortunate fate.
Diane was the first to find out. Surprisingly not lashing out as much as Kate expected her to, but it later made sense to Kate when she noticed Diane trying to play matchmaker between her and Tom. Funny she didn't know that his preference in a partner branched more towards the "male" variety.
Still, Diane remained relentless in her attempts to wipe any trace of Doctor Shepherd from her daughter's memory.
Keeping his distance, for the time being, he checked into a nearby Motel. Uncertain about the duration of his stay but what he was certain of was winning over the woman he loved, especially from the clutches of her over possessive Mother.
The other obstacle was the guy he'd seen with Kate. Their jovial interaction a little more than his jealousy could stand and though he didn't know the guy, Jack naturally despised him for potentially being able to offer what he wanted to as well.
However what set him apart from this guy was the history he shared with Kate. Not to mention a beautiful baby girl, as short as her life may have been, he still credited it as the pinnacle in their relationship.
"You're not gonna get her back just sitting here thinking about it."
With that in mind he grabbed a quick shower and dressed for the day. His schedule solely consisting of the primary reason he'd come to Iowa. However on his way he'd decided to stop by a nearby Diner to grab a quick bite.
Not even taking his appetite into account until now.
(A half hour earlier)
Unsure of what she wanted to with her life, employment wise, she agreed to help Tom out at the Diner he and his family owned. Besides it keeping her productive, it would also give her a much needed distraction.
"Thanks for doing this Katie" Tom verbally gestured, hurriedly putting on his apron. Only then noticing that he'd put it on inside out, much to Kate's amusement. However she reined it in and instead helped him out, knowing he was highly meltdown prone.
Plus having to manage his family Diner was enough pressure as it stands. So she sympathised and did the best she could to assist him. However an hour into her shift and she started to feel queasy and lightheaded. Having thought she'd gotten rid of the symptoms, but apparently they'd lingered to bother her one last time.
At first she tried to ignore it in light of the busyness within the Diner. Thinking and hoping it would pass but it only got worse.
"Are you alright?" one of the waitresses asked, noticing a distinct paleness in Kate's face as she approached the counter, ready to request the order she'd just taken.
"Yeah, I'm…." Kate hesitated, suddenly finding it a strain to even speak and before she could attempt to dismiss it, she was hit with another wave of nausea. It's effects more stronger than the first and this time Tom noticed and approached.
"Katie, what's wrong?"
"She's just…." The waitress tried to explain but Kate cut her off.
"I'm fine." Kate argued, failing to maintain determination when she then nearly passed out, firmly suggesting that something WASN'T fine.
Without any further argument, Tom drove her to the Hospital and once there ushered her towards the first Doctor he spotted. His frenzied actions briefly amusing Kate, before knowledge of the current possible crisis registered within her thought process.
All she kept praying for on the way to the examination room was, "please let my baby be alright"
She couldn't survive the loss of yet another child.
(A half hour later)
The moment he walked in he was welcomed with a bustling environment. The kind he felt right at home with considering the fact his family wouldn't be caught dead in a place like this. However he never cared about what they thought. All he cared about now was having Kate with him again.
So with that in mind he sat down at the last corner table in the Diner. Picking up the menu to see what could suffice his physical hunger seeing as there was no fix for his emotional.
"Everything go okay?" one of the waitresses asked Tom as he came back round the corner, Kate not in tow this time.
"Yeah." Tom replied, "she just needs to take it easy is all."
"And what are the odds she's gonna respect that?" the waitress joked making Tom smile knowingly.
"I thought that too, so I phoned in some assurance." Tom revealed and elaboration wasn't required seeing as the waitresses' concentration suddenly set on something else at that moment.
"Whoah" she started, finishing with a low whistle.
"What?" Tom naturally questioned.
"Hunky Hottie at 1 'o' clock." The waitress revealed. "and…."
"Oh God." Tom cut in, clearly alarmed by the sight and he pretty much left it at that before quickly descending into the depths of the kitchen.
"Oh God?" the waitress exclaimed hot on Tom's heels, "Oh God what?"
Tom thought over his options for a split second. Knowing he wasn't respecting Kate's wishes in telling a complete stranger this, but he knew this stranger was relentless as well and wouldn't rule out pummelling him to the floor for an answer. Besides she already knew about Kate's pregnancy.
"It's him Shannon." Tom informed. "Katie's ex."
"Oh" Shannon commented then sparked with a thought. "So what do you think he's doing here?"
"That's a good question. One I'd certainly like to find the answer to, among other things." Tom proposed, very curious and admittedly furious at one Jack Shepherd.
She was always one to fight anything which involved doing "nothing", but the circumstances in this situation were worryingly dire if she didn't obey the rules.
However what wavered that decision was Diane's constant berating of her not being careful enough. Kate knew she was merely saying it out of concern but she didn't need yet another person scolding her.
Knock, knock
"I'll get that sweetie." Diane hollered seconds after the second knock rung out followed by a chorus of excited screams. Making Kate think whether she'd gone back in time to her High School days, but when she finally saw what the commotion was standing at her bedroom door minutes later, standing next to Diane, she too couldn't contain her happiness.
"Claire?" Kate exclaimed. "what are you…." Kate barely got the chance to get out before her eyes fell on the baby girl in Claire's arms.
"Auntie Kate I would like to introduce Gabriella Littleton Pace." Claire stated, bringing a bright, tear filled smile to Kate's face. Her emotions heightening when Claire approached and wordlessly transferred a sleeping Gabriella into Kate's arms.
"Wheres Aaron and Charlie?" Kate then asked as she cooed over Gabriella.
"Back at the Hotel." Claire explained, smiling at how Kate's natural interaction with Gabriella.
Diane didn't stick around to witness that.
"So, how have you been?" Claire asked.
"Uh…" Kate hesitated, suddenly realising what still lay hidden beneath the thick duvet.
A part of her wanted to tell Claire but the other considered the odds of Claire not telling Jack the first instance.
"Things are good." Kate finished, trying to pull off a convincing smile but Claire knew her long enough to see right through it.
"He misses you, you know." Claire admitted, a tad surprised when Kate then let out a bitter chuckle.
"I mean it." Claire argued the case, confident that this was how her Brother felt the last time she visited him.
"Yeah, well he has a funny way of showing it." Kate scoffed. "Besides I don't think Kathy would be happy about….."
"What does this have to do with Kathy?" Claire interrupted, frowning in confusion and then widening her eyes with realisation of what Kate thought. "Wait, you think…."
Choosing the perfect time, Gabriella decided to make herself heard in the form of a wail. Kate quickly moving to usher her into Claire's arms and that's when the duvet fell in the process.
Much to Kate's luck Claire concentrated more on calming Gabriella, giving Kate the time to realize her exposure.
However in the midst of her efforts of trying to conceal her secret, Kate was then stopped by an "Oh God" being elicited from a clearly shocked Claire, followed by the obvious question, "Is it Jack's?"
Knowing it was no use hiding it anymore Kate simply nodded "yes", gazing down at the one part of Jack she did have.
He felt like he'd been waiting for hours and when service did finally arrive, it was what Jack least expected. More so when the person decided to then seat themselves opposite to him.
"You might not know who I am and I couldn't care less. All I'm warning is for you to stay away from her." Tom stated, low and determined in his tone, ticking Jack off more than he initially was. Already assuming who this guy was judging by what he'd witnessed the day before.
With that said Tom moved to leave but Jack was far from done with being told what to do by yet another person.
"Excuse me." He exclaimed.
"Did I not make myself clear?" Tom shot back.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Jack spat, uncaring of the fact that his tone was starting to attract attention.
"Someone who wouldn't get a woman pregnant only to then abandon her!" Tom shouted, accidentally slipping up in the bargain, and Jack's reaction was nothing short of shock; realization kicking in instantly enough for him to connect the dots.
A blasted cliffhanger, how unlike me lol.
Next Chapter: Claire has a proposition for Kate and so does Jack…
Brownie points to the person who can crack the abbreviation of this Chapter's title.