will be okay,” she scolded herself.
Silently, she stroked his arm. This was what he needed more than anything – to not feel alone.
Michael felt like a child, missing the comforting touch only a mother could provide – something he’d never known. Maybe this is what it felt like -- warm, safe, and not feeling so alone. He appreciated Natalie’s efforts, and was happy he came back.
He had no idea what his future would hold, but for now it looked like he wouldn’t be alone.
Chapter 4
Natalie didn’t expect it when the news got bigger. Not only had Kent Davidson been charged with tax evasion, but her period was late. The last few weeks, she did the best she could to soothe Michael. He seemed to be getting a grip on the reality of the controversy. She didn’t have the heart to tell him yet, because she had no idea what it would mean. It was that stupid second time they made love that night, they went without a condom. She should have known better, and the last thing she needed was to end up pregnant.
For some reason, the news latched on to Kent’s story as they dug into his past. He was fodder for gossip, having been married so many times, and the idea that his first wife died in a boating accident was suddenly seen with suspicion. That was the hardest part for Michael to hear. His father swore it was ruled an accident, but the seed had been planted, and his faith in his father tainted.
It was an accident, Kent swore, but no matter how he said it, he knew his son would always have doubt over the incident. The damn media was tearing into him, leaving nothing but scraps of his life. How they could fling half-truths and total lies was beyond him, and if had the means after he paid back the taxes, he’d go after those bastards for putting his family through this.
His latest wife cut and run, and he could have cared less. He didn’t feel anything for her anyhow. She was just a warm body in his bed and a person to spend his money he no longer had. But Michael – Michael was the one person he did give a damn about, and seeing him hurting so badly was shredding him apart.
Natalie’s possible pregnancy had her reeling. With her period late, she couldn’t fathom what this would mean. First off, she was in no way ready to be a mother, and Michael wasn’t in the position to be a father right now. This wasn’t a child born from love, but one from a lustful moment. She never wanted to think like that, but she couldn’t help herself. And how could she bring a child into this chaos?
She’d have to make a choice, and it would be difficult. Having a baby meant doing the responsible thing, and that meant a peaceful and happy home. She couldn’t let him live in a family that was crumbling and taking everyone down with them. No, she’d have to get out of the contract and raise the child alone. That thought alone overwhelmed her.
Natalie pulled her arms closer to her body, taking a deep breath, realizing the impact this would have on her life. She couldn’t afford a child; she could barely afford to take care of herself. Would she have to go back home – let go of her life here in the city, and admit that she’d failed? She’d do it for her child, to give them a more stable life, but that meant that Michael wouldn’t be in the picture and that wasn’t fair to him either. Would he go with her? Would he start over?
This was crazy. She probably wasn’t even pregnant, and she’d put herself through all this stress for nothing. It would be here soon and life could move forward, though she had no idea what her life would consist of at this point. There was supposed to be an engagement, but she wasn’t doing anything until she found out the truth. She’d put off going to the pharmacy to pick up a pregnancy kit, but today was as good as any other day to find out. She almost didn’t want to know, because it could once again shift her world in ways she wasn’t ready for.
Pulling on her shoes, Natalie headed out the
Silently, she stroked his arm. This was what he needed more than anything – to not feel alone.
Michael felt like a child, missing the comforting touch only a mother could provide – something he’d never known. Maybe this is what it felt like -- warm, safe, and not feeling so alone. He appreciated Natalie’s efforts, and was happy he came back.
He had no idea what his future would hold, but for now it looked like he wouldn’t be alone.
Chapter 4
Natalie didn’t expect it when the news got bigger. Not only had Kent Davidson been charged with tax evasion, but her period was late. The last few weeks, she did the best she could to soothe Michael. He seemed to be getting a grip on the reality of the controversy. She didn’t have the heart to tell him yet, because she had no idea what it would mean. It was that stupid second time they made love that night, they went without a condom. She should have known better, and the last thing she needed was to end up pregnant.
For some reason, the news latched on to Kent’s story as they dug into his past. He was fodder for gossip, having been married so many times, and the idea that his first wife died in a boating accident was suddenly seen with suspicion. That was the hardest part for Michael to hear. His father swore it was ruled an accident, but the seed had been planted, and his faith in his father tainted.
It was an accident, Kent swore, but no matter how he said it, he knew his son would always have doubt over the incident. The damn media was tearing into him, leaving nothing but scraps of his life. How they could fling half-truths and total lies was beyond him, and if had the means after he paid back the taxes, he’d go after those bastards for putting his family through this.
His latest wife cut and run, and he could have cared less. He didn’t feel anything for her anyhow. She was just a warm body in his bed and a person to spend his money he no longer had. But Michael – Michael was the one person he did give a damn about, and seeing him hurting so badly was shredding him apart.
Natalie’s possible pregnancy had her reeling. With her period late, she couldn’t fathom what this would mean. First off, she was in no way ready to be a mother, and Michael wasn’t in the position to be a father right now. This wasn’t a child born from love, but one from a lustful moment. She never wanted to think like that, but she couldn’t help herself. And how could she bring a child into this chaos?
She’d have to make a choice, and it would be difficult. Having a baby meant doing the responsible thing, and that meant a peaceful and happy home. She couldn’t let him live in a family that was crumbling and taking everyone down with them. No, she’d have to get out of the contract and raise the child alone. That thought alone overwhelmed her.
Natalie pulled her arms closer to her body, taking a deep breath, realizing the impact this would have on her life. She couldn’t afford a child; she could barely afford to take care of herself. Would she have to go back home – let go of her life here in the city, and admit that she’d failed? She’d do it for her child, to give them a more stable life, but that meant that Michael wouldn’t be in the picture and that wasn’t fair to him either. Would he go with her? Would he start over?
This was crazy. She probably wasn’t even pregnant, and she’d put herself through all this stress for nothing. It would be here soon and life could move forward, though she had no idea what her life would consist of at this point. There was supposed to be an engagement, but she wasn’t doing anything until she found out the truth. She’d put off going to the pharmacy to pick up a pregnancy kit, but today was as good as any other day to find out. She almost didn’t want to know, because it could once again shift her world in ways she wasn’t ready for.
Pulling on her shoes, Natalie headed out the
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