star6

"P-p-p-pregnant?"Nick stuttered four months later as Howie announced the news to his friends.
"And you didn't tell us?"AJ growled.
He knew he should have kept his promise to Grace but these were his friends and they had a right to know whether or not the child was either one of theirs."This is the exact reason I didn't say anything to you. I feel bad enough breaking my promise to Grace."
"You weren't ever going to tell us?"AJ shot back.
"Dammit AJ! It's not like you had a relationship with the girl or anything,"Nick countered.
"Nick's right,"Howie agreed."And you haven't made any attempts at trying to put together one either."
"Something going on I don't know about?"Nick inquired confusedly.
"AJ fell for the girl and he's never made an attempt to do anything about it."
"So that's what that scene was all about that night? You really didn't want her to leave but you figured you wouldn't actually have to feel anything if she did. Is that why you leave the twenty all the time?"
"No. And don't try to start analyzing my feelings."
Howie cleared his throat."Excuse me but did you forget what I just told you? I mean not that it matters because it probably is neither one of yours anyway."
"One small detail D, we make millions and you don't think she'll try to come after us for the money."
"Oh come on Age, she barely spoke three words to me the last time I saw Grace and that was nearly two months ago."
"So you've known about this as long as they have?"
"Yeah. And Grace didn't want me to say anything because even I wasn't supposed to know until it was visibly apparent."
"Come on Howie. There's a very real possibility that kid is one of ours and you're willing to dismiss it?"

"He's got a point,"Nick agreed.
"But what if it isn't?"Howie argued.
"Then it isn't but we have every right to know about it,"AJ shot back.
"No you don't because she left your lives the minute she walked out that hotel room door. She no longer wanted to be a part of your lives anymore."
"I don't buy that. Maybe me but not AJ here. I was a little selfish in my actions but I saw the looks passing between them all night long and it was more than just an evening's worth,"Nick noted.
"Whatever the case may be, I don't want either of you nosing around her okay? I love Grace and I don't want either of you screwing that up for me. Grace is a nice girl and I don't want her to think she can't trust me. So for my sake, please just let it be. I just wanted you to know."
"Yeah sure,"Nick acknowledged reluctantly. The thought of another human being brought into the world that could possibly be his? He just couldn't fathom the reality of it all.
"No problem man,"AJ agreed but he wouldn't forget about it. He just couldn't because he knew deep down that the life growing inside of Cindy. A woman so sinfully delicious and yet underneath the stone exterior hid a heart of gold just waiting for the right man to come and take her away from all the heartache and pain of her day to day life. Sounded like a fairy tale perhaps but one he intended to make come true somehow; he just didn't know how yet.

"Grace?"Cindy grasped at her stomach while they were having dinner out that evening.
"Are you okay Cindy?"
She bit her lower lip; breath escaping through the slight gap.
"Can you move?"
She shook her negatively.
"I'll get you some help. Hang in there sweetie,"as Cindy's grasp tightened on the chair and the moans escaping her lips made the surrounding tables aware of her gripping pain.
Grace returned."They've got somebody on the way Cin,"she grabbed her hand reassuringly.
She helplessly looked toward her friend as the pain continued to slowly consume her. She knew she was losing her baby and she was going to fight with all her heart to keep this life alive. Her maternal instinct had kicked in and she couldn't fight the feeling that this was meant to happen. She didn't know why; she just knew.
Three hours later she was lying in the recovery room as Grace approached her friend in her weakened state."I don't know what to say Cind. I really wish I did."
"You don't have to say anything Grace,"she sputtered."I'm just happy that you're here for me."