All the Money in the World

Chapter 4

"James," Katie said with a click of her tongue. "Would you like a drink?"

"Please," he smiled, "Bourbon, neat," he requested.

"You can get it," she gestured to the bar. "I'm assuming you know what this is. You were referred, this isn't-"

"I know what it is," he said, eagerly pouring himself a drink. "It is my first time doing anything like this, though."

Katie smiled at that and nodded. "Interesting. Who referred you?"

"An acquaintance," he explained, "At my golf club. Said he's known you for years, an Alec Clermont."

"Yeah," she giggled, "I know Alec."

"Is..is that okay? I know you only take a certain number-"

"Shh," Katie hissed. "You're fine, James. This is your first time," she strolled by him and pushed him down onto the chaise. "Let's just...get to know each other. Our time together is tailored to you, so, tell me what you want."

--

*The Next Morning - Second floor of the gym*

When Kate heard footsteps coming up the steps behind her she assumed it was Alec but she turned to see Heather instead. With a smile, Katie waved before turning back to the tiny pile of bills on her desk.

"Morning," she greeted Heather. "You're not usually up here, what's up?"

"Deposit," she explained, handing Katie the money from membership dues. "Those two late payments cleared."

"Cool," Katie took the envelope.

Before stepping away, Heather grabbed the client list from Katie's desk. "Uhh, what was that last night?"

"What?" Katie asked, truly unsure of what she meant.

"You were with that guy longer than scheduled," she said with a hint of judgment.

Katie nodded, "Yeah, well I got something out of it too."

"Wait, did you fuck him?"

"No," Kate said adamantly. "That's my only rule, I don't allow that here, that's not the point of what we do."

"I know," she sighed heavily. "I wasn't sure if maybe you were covering for like a fling, or something, cause Happy is gone."

"No way," she said forcefully, "I would never. I have a mutually beneficial relationship with James Barrowman...he just doesn't know it."

"Oh my god, tell me now."

"It's not like that," Katie laughed. "It's not as salacious as it sounds. If he calls again, though, fit him in whenever he wants, seriously. I'll make it work."

Heather nodded, "Okay but you seriously have to fill me in eventually."

"I will," Katie promised. "Once it all works out, I'll tell you everything."

--

*A few weeks later*

"Hey," Katie poked her head in Tara's open office door. "Got a second?"

"I do," she smiled, "Come in."

"I was just dropping off Charlotte," she explained, "And figured I'd stop in."

"Remember when daycare was our battle?" She asked, somewhat apologetic, as Katie sat across from her. "Well, the surface of our battle."

"God, yeah, and now we have much bigger problems to deal with."

Tara pursed her lips and nodded. "You want to grab lunch later?"

"I can't I have to handle something tonight," she said vaguely. "I just, uh, I'm pregnant."

"Oh," Tara drew her head back. "I thought you had a tubal when Charlotte was born?"

"Yeah, I did," she huffed. "Clearly it did not stick, I guess."

"The rate of failures is actually higher than a lot of people assume," Tara said with a deep frown. "But the one other issue with tubals is a lot of times when it does fail the pregnancy is likely to be ectopic, the egg is fertilized outside the uterus."

Katie slowly nodded, "Yeah, I remember reading about that when I was deciding to do it. If it is that means..."

"That the pregnancy isn't viable," Tara said sadly. "I'm sorry, Katie. Judging by your reaction it's not the news you wanted, even if it's not for sure."

"I want to have Happy's baby," her voice cracked. "I didn't know I did until now."

"Okay," Tara reached over the desk and gave her hands a squeeze. "Let's do some blood work, we'll monitor the HCG and in a few weeks do an ultrasound to see."

"A few weeks?" Katie gasped. "I have to wait?"

"The pregn-, I'm sorry, the baby is too small to see right now. You just got the positive test, right?"

"Yesterday," she sniffed.

"Yeah, you'll probably have to wait about two weeks, give or take, depending on your blood work."

Taking a shaky breath in, Katie nodded and stood. "Okay."

"Hey, everything's going to be okay," Tara said softly. "Even if this doesn't go how we're hoping certain tubal procedures, depending on how they've been preformed, can be reversed."

"Yeah," she sighed, "'Cause Hap would really go for that," she whimpered. "A surprise is one thing but," she shrugged and shook her head.

"You never know," Tara said as she scribbled two notes and handed one to Katie. "Take the prescription to the lab on the first floor, they'll draw the blood. This," she handed her a post-it note, "Is a prenatal you can start, doesn't hurt to be prepared."

"Thank you," Katie said, already seeming despondent. "I guess you'll call me."

"I will," Tara walked around the desk to give Katie a hug. "If you need me, Kate, I'll be there."

With a weak smile Katie nodded and left the office. There wasn't time to worry, she had to finally pull the trigger, so to speak, with Barrowman. At least that would distract her for the next 24 hours.

--

Just a shortie to get us into the weekend! I know someone you have guessed/wished for this but it was in the plan all the way back when I wrote the first story! I made sure back then that the science would matche up! xoxo Pretty please vote and comment, you guys rock!