Chapter 3 Contemplation and Uncertainty

He was totally speechless for a moment, which worried Carmelita. It took a moment to sink in. He shook his head violently. "W-what? Wait, so…you mean…that baby in there is mine?" he blurted, pointing to her baby bump.

"Ours," Carmelita corrected, placing her hands on her stomach. "I'm doing the work here. But yes…yes, it's ours."

He looked at her, mystified. "Well...hold up, how do you know it's ours?"

"Because Sly," she said quietly, untangling her blue curls with her fingers. "You're the only guy I've ever gone all the way with."

Sly couldn't believe it. He was a father, soon-to-be anyways. Well this changed everything! The news was blissful and wonderful. And it was such a comfort to know he truly was Carmelita's one and only. He was struck by a wave of deep remorse for accusing her of sleeping with Tony now. He was also seized by worry about what was going through her mind at this point.

Lots of things were swarming her mind, actually. She was an Inspector, expecting the most wanted master thief's baby. What would Interpol think? Would she be fired? Surely she would be. Immediately upon the discovery. Granted, it wasn't her fault for being in a relationship with a guy who was pretending to be 'good' just to have him unexpectedly revert back to thievery. But everyone knew about Cooper returning to lawbreaking, and all her fellow agents who worked with Carmelita at Interpol could easily tell the fox and raccoon were together when they were partners. It wouldn't take long for her coworkers and boss to piece together that the kit she was carrying did in fact partially belong to the master thief. When they figured it out in a few months, if they hadn't already, what would they all think of her? What horrible things would they say to her? Or say behind her back?

It frightened her to no end just thinking about it. Chief Barkley would be dissatisfied to no end. He'd probably yell at her and express his disapproval in front of everyone on the force. She would never be able to show her face at HQ ever again. She'd just quit before her short-tempered boss got the chance to fire her. She'd find a new job. But what kind? She could never be respected by higher ranking officers and officials; she could kiss climbing the career ladder goodbye. Her parents would feel so ashamed, what with their daughter scarring the family name like this, as she came from a long line of law enforcers. And Tony. Would this destroy their friendship in the workplace, and outside of work, when he finds out that she is pregnant with the infamous Sly Cooper's kit?

Sly was a little confused and scared himself. He didn't know anything about being a dad, and he couldn't look to his own for guidance, for his own father was long gone. And he still had his gang. He wanted to return to them so everything could continue being the way it was back then. He loved Carmelita, but he had only just reconnected with his best friends. He just couldn't turn his back on his legacy. Despite this all, he couldn't help but wonder if Carmelita needed him as well.

Carmelita's eyes filled with fright at the overwhelming worry enveloping her. As if answering his unspoken question, she clung to him, hugging him tightly. "I'm scared to death, Sly," she whimpered.

At first caught totally off guard by her sudden warm contact, Sly smiled and tenderly wrapped his arms around her to console her. It had been long since he'd been permitted to be so close to her, and it felt amazing. He could almost feel the gashes in his heart healing at her touch. He then said what any other guy in his shoes would say at this point: "Hey, don't you worry. Everything's going to be fine."

"How the hell is everything going to be fine?" she erupted shakily. "I'm an Interpol officer carrying a notorious crook's baby for crying out loud!" Tears began to fall from her eyes in a trickle, making her words sound almost like an attempted pun. "I don't know the first thing about being a mother!"

Sly smiled and rolled his eyes as he gently stroked her back. "Calm down, Carm. Just relax. It'll all be ok. I'll take care of you."

She looked up at him and sniffled. "You will?"

"Of course. Carmelita, I'd want nothing more than to help you through this. Every step of the way. I promise. We'll just…figure it all out together."

She rested her head in his chest and wrapped her arms around his furry neck, and her tears subsided. "You mean it?" she whispered weakly.

"Absolutely," he said with a nod.

She sighed. "Thank you Sly."

Sly happily rested his chin atop her soft head of curls and sighed as well. He thanked the stars this had happened. As frightening as it was, having this kit would bring them together once again.

She began to fall apart before his eyes, shaking her head feebly as she cried. "I'm so sorry! I never should've kicked you out. I was just shocked and angry and was being rash-"

"It's ok Carm," he said in a soothing voice. "You were mad and I completely understand. You caught your own partner breaking the law. You had every right to be mad with me."

"I was just frustrated," she sobbed. "And I wasn't thinking straight. It was a huge mistake. And I realized that after you left. It hit me that I'd be looking after a baby all by myself." Tears continued to well up in her fright-filled eyes and she sniffled, her voice becoming meek. "And I don't know if I can..."

The raccoon picked her up and placed her in his lap as he lovingly caressed her cheek. "You won't have to. I'll be here for you, and I'll help you take care of our kit."

Her lips trembled as she looked up at him and she wiped away those annoying tears that persisted to fall with the back of her hand. "So...does that mean you're ok with being a dad?"

"Ok?" he asked with a smile. "I'm more than ok; I'm thrilled Carm! I've always wanted to be a dad some day." He shrugged. "The news is just more sudden than I was expecting. But that's alright. This is gonna be wonderful."

Carmelita smiled and gazed up at her lover. That was a relief and a huge load off her back. Without warning, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him down to lay next to her on the bed. She snuggled close to him. "God I've missed you so much," she murmured.

He nuzzled her gently and chuckled softly. "I've missed you too."

"Well I guess that settles it then," she decided aloud.

"Settles what?"

"I'm keeping it," she answered.

He stared at her in sheer horror. "I'm disturbed that you would even consider getting rid of it!"

She shrugged guiltily in return. "Well like I said, I couldn't take care of it alone, the memory would be too much for me. A-and I thought you were gone for good."

"I'm not gone, Carm. I'm right here. As long as you want me here."

She beamed and wrapped her arms around him, drawing him closer to her. "I'll always want you Cooper. Even if you are a criminal."

He closed his eyes and continued to nuzzle her. His once shattered aching heart was now mended. The ache he'd once felt began to fade away.

They lay there snuggled close for several minutes, saying nothing, but simply taking comfort in each other's company.

All too soon though, Sly wiggled out of her loving embrace. She looked up at him with a puzzled and slightly worried look.

"I gotta get back to the gang. They'll be worried sick if I don't show back up tonight. I'll come back to visit you though. I promise."

She jumped up and ran up to hug him once more. There was much more affectionate cuddling than he'd prepared himself for tonight, but he sure didn't mind. "When are you coming back?" she asked.

"As soon as I can. I just gotta get back up with them for now, ok?"

"Ok."

Sly kissed her forehead. "Get some sleep, mon amour."

He went to the balcony outside and leaped off of it into the night, and she snuggled back into her warm bed, feeling so much better knowing Sly was back in her life.