The One Night Stand

Chapter 20

  Jane took care of everything. She'd called Trent and told him Cat had some pain while they were out shopping. She told him not to panic and Jane would make certain Cat got home safely. The women sat in the cab, neither speaking. Cat had had the scare of a life time, she was eternally grateful the baby was fine. She could sense her sister staring at her, but she didn't look up. Jane pulled her baby sister into her arms, cradling her as Cat cried.

  "You had a close call sis." Jane said, wiping Cat's tears with her handkerchief. "You have to be more careful. You know anything strenuous is risky."

  Cat blushed at her sister's words, she had never felt so tiny and insignificant until that moment. She felt bad for Tom who would be blaming himself. She remembered his tears while he watched hopelessly as Cat writhed in pain. She knew Jane held him responsible, Cat had to set the record straight, she couldn't stand it if Jane took out her wrath on Tom.

  "It's not Tom's fault, it's all mine. Please don't blame him, you saw his face, he felt horrible." Cat pleaded.

  "So he should. What sort of a man has an affair with a pregnant, married woman?" Jane exclaimed shaking her head. Cat knew it was no use trying to explain to Jane, she would never understand the kind of passion Cat and Tom shared.

  "He loves me." Cat said looking at her sister.

  "He loves what he can't have! And you, how do you feel about him Cat?"

  "I... I don't know..." Cat answered, she would never say she loved Tom aloud.

  "You love his young dick, is that what it is?" Jane asked harshly. Cat grimaced a her sister's cruel words. "Cat, you have a wonderful husband and a baby on the way, why can't you be happy with that?" Cat thought about the question, why couldn't she?

  "Are you going to tell Trent or Sam?" Cat asked quietly.

  "Don't be ridiculous Cat, this is between the three of us. But if you keep seeing him, I will tell Trent." Cat knew her sister well enough to know she never made empty threats.

"You give him up, you hear me, and be greatful for what you have."

  Trent arranged a flight home immediately, and true to his word, the removers arrived at Sam and Jane's apartment that same day. Although most of their things went into storage since the apartment was already fully furnished. He'd insisted on no rent, much to Jane's chagrin.

  Cat and her husband flew home and made the first available appointment with Cat's obstetrician. The doctor had confirmed that some bleeding was common and he made an appointment for the couple to have an ultrasound to confirm the baby's perfect health.

   Trent accompanied his wife during the ultrasound. Cat stared in amazement as the tiny peanut began to resemble a baby. The doctor then confirmed Cat's time frame, announcing the baby was approximately twelve weeks old. They declined to find out the baby's sex, preferring a surprise. Cat's spirits were up after the ultrasound, but it didn't last.

   The talented writer didn't feel the urge to work, instead she slept more than usual and stopped running. Cat wanted desperately to talk to Tom, to ensure he wasn't punishing himself, but she didn't have a chance to call him. Jane called a few times but the conversations were strained, both women feeling awkward.

   Cat spent a lot of time on her computer, looking at baby products. When Trent wasn't nearby, she looked up Tom's fan web site for recent pictures of him. The last picture was taken at JFK International the day after Cat had seen him. The picture was of him and Sam, saying a tearful farewell. Cat gasped, could he have told Sam what happened? No he wouldn't betray Cat, she suspected the tears were because her mother had banned her from seeing Tom again. Poor Sam, Cat thought, being punished for her aunt's stupidity.