Caprica City

The present day

Laura was sitting in the bathroom waiting for the result of the pregnancy test. She had buried her head in her hands. Two years ago Richard won the campaign and became the President of The Twelve Colonies of Kobol, and she became the Secretary of Education. And his lover again. Despite the fact that he wouldn't leave his wife, she was sleeping with him. Again. And now she was worried. She hadn't felt well for a week and her breasts were swollen and hurting. She was worried that she might be pregnant with the President's baby. She loved children and had always wanted to be a mother but she hadn't found the perfect man and later she started sleeping with Adar. She wanted to have a baby, but their baby could destroy her career and his. She couldn't allow herself to destroy his and marriage. The small clock which was standing on the washing machine started ringing. She turned it off and looked at the pregnancy's test.

"Oh gods." She cried out.

The tears slowly flowed over her cheeks. The test showed two lines. She was pregnant with the President's baby. Laura left the bathroom and made her way to the bedroom. She stripped from her clothes and dressed into her blue satin nightgown. She lied down on the bed and nestled into the pillows. She started crying. Unconsciously her hand rested on her abdomen where her unborn child was growing. Her miracle.

She knew Adar wouldn't acknowledge this baby, but she wanted it. She wanted to be a mother even if her child wouldn't have a father. It could be her last chance for motherhood.

Laura was lying there when she heard a horn from a sports car. She rolled on her left and ignored it. Then her phone started ringing. She turned it off. She didn't want to go out; she just wanted to sleep.

Unfortunately, her date wouldn't give up and the next thing which she heard was her name. Wallace Gray was one of her best friends who was one of the richest businessmen on Caprica and also the government's adviser in industry and economy. They had known each other since college and never spilt apart. Wallace was one of Adar's many friends despite the fact that he was more his air bag than a friend. Tonight he was her date to the presidential ball and now he was standing above her with his arms crossed on his chest.

"Laura what are you doing? You should have been ready half an hour ago. We'll be late if you don't get up now."

"Leave me alone. I'm not going." She muttered to the pillows.

"Oh yeah, right. You are going, Laura. It's a very important party. You know that." Wallace sat on the bed next to her and placed his hand above her arm. He saw a wet puddle on the pillow. "Laura what happened? Why are you crying? Laura?"

She rolled to face him. Red eyes and no makeup. She was sad, breakdown. She whispered his name and sadly smiled to him.

"I can't do it. I just can't watch him all night with her." She didn't tell him about the baby. He was her friend, but she didn't know how he would react and besides it wasn't the best moment for that kind of confession.

"Then don't. You are going with me not with him. And I promise you'll be enjoying this party. Now, come on. Dress up." Wallace helped her stand up and wiped her tears away. She pulled him into a secure hug and thanked him.

Fifteen minutes later she was wearing a knee length black dress. She put makeup on and made her way to the living room were Wallace was waiting for her. He only smiled to her and told her how beautiful she was. Then he gave her an arm and lead her to his Aston Martin. He opened her door and made sure she was comfortably sitting in the car. Next he took the driver's seat and switched the engine on. He pulled the car out of her drivewayand headed to Capitol Street where all of the government's buildings were. Tonight in one of them there was a presidential ball. They approached the entry. Wallace left the driver's seat and helped Laura by offering her his hand. Then he gave the car's key to one of the carboy and leaded his partner inside.

The ballroom was full of people. Women were wearing magnificent dresses in many different colors with all kind of ornaments. Some of them knee-long but most women preferred long dresses with high-heel shoes. Men were wearing tuxes, mostly black. A fashion parade, indeed. Even if it was another boring political ball, it was the social event of the year and people would kill for an invitation. Laura didn't have this problem. She was a member of the government and she had to participate in those kinds of events despite the fact she hated it.

They were walking to the table when she saw Richard and his wife. They were approaching. Laura squeezed Wally's hand tighter. He pulled her closer and softly whispered into her ear that they had to say hello to them. She nodded and smiled. It was a whole eternity for them to reach the President and his wife walking across the crowded ballroom. Finally, they stopped in front of them. Laura put her best smiled on her face even if was a sad one.

"Mister President. Mrs. Adar." She said.

"Madam Secretary. Wally." He answered with a smirk when his wife and Wally were exchanging formalities. When they ended, Wally smiled and grabbed Laura's hand which Adar immediately noticed and frowned about. Wally led her to their table still not letting her hand go. She grabbed his arm and pulled even closer to him.

He smiled and whisper to her ear, "That went well."

"Yes." She answered and sat down at the table next to him. She said hallo to other guest, who were sitting there. She knew every single one. There were after all the members of the cabinet and their spouses.

TBC

thanks to my beta Alicia

please R&R