Chapter 22
…
Sharon walked up the stairway towards Eve's flat and knocked on the door, taking a deep breath before the door opened, Eve smiling back at her.
"Sharon hi."
"Hello Eve, I'm sorry to bother you but is Kate here?"
"Of course, come on in."
Eve stepped aside as Sharon came inside, waiting for Eve to close the door before following her through to see Kate laying the table for dinner.
"Who was that at the door dearie?"
Kate turned, her smile fading when she saw Sharon standing beside Eve.
"We have company, Sharon, you fancy some chilli? There's plenty?"
"No, I'm not staying. Look, I just had a phone call from James and…"
"Gareth…is he alright?" Kate asked with concern evident in her voice.
"He's okay, but it looks like it's baby time." She smiled against her better judgment.
"Oh my god, M's having the baby…wait, isn't it too soon?" Eve asked.
"Not really, he only has what, two weeks left, arriving a couple of weeks early won't affect either of them. Anyway, James needs us both there, unless you want to back out of this."
"Back out, I gave Gareth my word that I'd be there for him until that baby was in his arms and I intend to do just that. I always keep my word sweetie."
Kate strode past her and into the bedroom she was currently staying in to grab what she needed. Sharon rolled her eyes at Kate before looking back at Eve.
"Sorry about that, I guess I deserved it."
"Look, isn't there some way you two can get past what happened between you? Kate's been so miserable since you broke up."
"We didn't officially break up and we…"
"Well you haven't exactly worked through anything have you? Sharon do you love Kate or not?"
Sharon glanced back towards Kate's room before nodding her head.
"Of course I do, but my mother Eve."
"It was a very long time ago, before your mother met your father, it was one night. It's not like they kept in touch and anyway, Kate doesn't feel anything for your mother, not now…only you…this is killing her."
"It is, really?"
"Well you know Kate, she'd never admit to it but..."
"Right I'm ready dearie, Eve we'll call you."
"Good luck and Sharon, forgive her…please." She smiled, holding the young woman back.
…
James knocked lightly on the bathroom door when he went up to check on Mallory, hearing a low groan coming from inside. James opened the door to find Mallory on his knees, his hands gripping the side of the tub as he concentrated on his breathing. James knelt down beside him, a hand coming to his back as he kept his head down.
"Didn't even have time to get in the bath huh?"
"No, they're getting worse."
"Worse before it gets better right."
"Are they coming, Sharon and Kate?"
"Yeah, they're on their way don't worry. Sharon wasn't thrilled about you doing this at home though."
"My choice James."
"I just don't want anything happening to you."
"It's a bit late for….ahhhhhh."
Mallory reached out, taking tight hold of James free hand as a contraction forced him to cry out.
"Deep breathes okay, I'm right here."
James ran his thumb over Mallory's knuckle as the older man relaxed from the contraction.
"Would you help me in to the bath?"
"Of course, let's get you up."
James wrapped his arm around Mallory's waist before getting to his feet, helping Mallory as he got up slowly. James held him tightly and helped him in to the warm water, James never letting go until he was safely in. Mallory leaned back against the tub, letting out a shaky breath before looking sideways at James who knelt down beside him.
"I'm sorry about all of this."
"Don't be silly."
"I feel like an old man, I could barely move with the pain."
"It's nothing to do with your age, I'm sure all women feel this way too."
James watched, running a hand up Mallory's arm as the pain began again, his entire body tensing with the pain.
"Jesus…James I…I can't do this."
"It's a bit late for all that now, she's on her way."
"James I…I can't, I was a fool to think I could handle this."
"You're gonna be just fine, I'm right here with you and Kate and Sharon are on their way."
"You said that ages ago, how long does it…aaarrgh James, please I…it's getting worse."
"Okay, just try and relax, I'll give Sharon another call okay."
…
Sharon and Kate sat in silence as they waited for the traffic lights to change, Sharon looking towards Kate to see her watching the people walking past.
"Kate we really need to talk."
"I assumed you didn't want to sweetie, it's been more than a month."
"We can't go into Gareth and James like this, they're not fools. They'll sense something isn't right and more stress is the last thing Gareth needs."
"Then we'll just have to act better."
Sharon cursed under her breath as the traffic moved; she drove for another few minutes before deciding to pull in to the first parking space on the street she could find.
"What are you doing?" Kate asked.
"You know something Kate; you have no right to be this angry at me. You and my mother are the ones that kept this from me. I should be angry at you, both of you."
"Well I thought that's what was happening."
"Look, I talked with my mother. She gave me her word that what happened between you was a one night thing and that it never happened again."
"Well she's right and I told you as such, why believe her and not me?"
"She's my mother."
"And I'm just the woman you were sleeping with."
"No, you're the woman I fell in love with and I guess after everything you told me about your life with Reddington and then my mother, I got scared. Scared about what else is going to pop up in the future."
"I told you everything, the thing with your mother…that was for her to tell you, not me. Also, there is nothing else."
"What?"
"Aside from your mother and Raymond, there is nothing else. I give you my word on that but if you can't trust me then I…"
Sharon took off her seatbelt before leaning over and kissing Kate, the older woman's hand coming up to hold the side of Sharon's face.
"Kate I'm sorry, for everything, for not understanding with the whole Reddington thing right away and for not allowing you to explain about my mother and more importantly, for not talking it out sooner. I love you Kate, I want us to be together."
"I want that do sweetie."
"But no more secrets, I need to know everything. Everything, even if you think it's unimportant from now on. I want us to work as a couple."
"There's nothing else dearie, I promise you."
Sharon's phone rang as she gave Kate another kiss.
"Oh dear, it's James."
"He's probably wondering where we are."
"James, we're nearly there so you…what's wrong. Okay, calm down…when did the water break? James, we're on our way, we'll be there in five."
Sharon hung up her phone, putting her seatbelt back on before starting the car.
"His waters broken already?" Kate asked.
"It would appear so."
"It's happening quickly."
"Very quick, this is why I'd have preferred him in the hospital."
"Between us we'll manage, he'll get through this."
Kate reached over, squeezing Sharon's hand in support before the younger woman drove out of their space.
…
To Be Continued…