Chapter Eleven

Eve pulled from her kneeling position before the toilet and sat on the floor.   Julian sat next to her, handing over a glass of water she gratefully accepted.  Every trace of food purged from her stomach, all that remained of her bout with nausea was the rancid taste that filled her mouth.  He pressed a cool washcloth to her forehead and stroked her cheek.  Worry clouded his hazel eyes.

“You don’t look well, Eve.  Maybe I should take you to the hospital.”

“I’m fine, Julian,” she said, finishing the water and placing the glass by the sink.

“You don’t look fine.”  Julian took her hand.  “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you look awful.”

“Gee, thanks.”  She laughed.

“I’m serious, Eve.  I think you need to see a doctor.”

She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror.  “Okay, I’ve seen one.”

He frowned.  “That’s not funny.”

“Honestly, I’m fine.”  She removed the cloth from her forehead and dropped it in the sink.   “This is just a part of pregnancy.   I was the same way with Whitney and Simone.”

“Whitney and Simone?”

“Yeah.   I had morning sickness day and night during the first trimester with each of them.  I think you’d better develop a thicker skin.  You can’t want to race me to the hospital every time I get a little nauseous. You’ll be a basket case when the baby is being born.”

“I’m sure I will, anyway.  I can’t stand to see you in pain.”  He pressed her hands to his lips.   “Eve, I want you to know I already love this baby, and I’m glad you want me to be a part of its life.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

He shrugged.  “Well, there is that question.”

“Question?”

“Eve, I know about the romantic evening you and TC shared.  We talked about it, remember?  I stayed outside the house to keep my eye on Liz, and we saw you and TC go upstairs.”

She closed her eyes and sighed.  “Julian….”

“Shh.”  He shook his head and placed a finger against her lips.  “It’s not a problem, Eve.  Like I said, I already love this baby. It’s a part of you, so how can I not?”

Tears welled in her eyes.   Her hormones were already out of whack, and here was Julian being so wonderful he was making her cry.

Julian brushed the tears away.  “My darling, what is it?  Are you feeling sick again?  I’m not sure what Dr. Carver has in her kitchen, but I read that tea and soda crackers help ease the nausea.   I’ll go see….”

He read? She shook her head, amazed, and grabbed his hand as he eased off the floor.  “Don’t go, Julian, I’m not feeling sick.”

“Then why are you crying?”

“Because you love me and this baby.  And you’re reading about pregnancy?”

“It’s no secret I love you, and I want to be well versed on what to expect with your pregnancy and how to deal with everything.   I have children, but I’ve never been a part of their introduction into the world, or even their lives in any fatherly way.”  He pulled her close to his chest.  “It’s going to be different with this baby, Eve.   I’m going to be a part of his or her life through everything.  All your doctor appointments, Lamaze classes, changing diapers, feeding; I’m going to be there for all of it.  And when we find our son, he’s going to be a part of it, too.”

Eve sighed.  “You are going to be an amazing father.”

He laughed.  “I’ve heard Fox say, ‘You’re amazing, Father,’ but I think you actually meant it as a compliment.”

“I did,” she said with a kiss to his cheek.  “Our daughter is going to be lucky to have you.”

“I like the sound of that, ‘Our daughter,’ but I think you’re being a little presumptuous on a couple of fronts.”

“No, I’m not.  I didn’t have the morning -- well, all-day-sickness, with our son that I’m having with this baby and had with the girls, and I know beyond a doubt that she is yours.”

“How could you know?  I do consider this baby mine, and it makes me feel good that I’m the frontrunner for you, but you couldn’t possibly know for certain. ”

“Yes, Julian, I can. You saw me head upstairs with TC, but nothing happened.”

“What?” he mumbled.

“We danced a little, but then TC got a call from one of his players with some sort of problem.  He talked with him while I showered.  When his call ended, over twenty minutes later, I got the call about Sheridan.  I headed straight to the wharf and later to the hospital, and that’s when I saw you.  TC and I haven’t been together in a very, very, long time.  This baby is yours, Julian.”  She placed his hand on her abdomen.  “There’s no question about it.”

“The baby is mine?”

She nodded.  The pleased look on his face filled her heart.  “It’s one of the main reasons I didn’t want you to do whatever it was you had planned for TC.  I didn’t want my baby’s father in prison.”

Worry crept into the happiness shining in his eyes.  “I think this is even more reason for me to have let my plans go through.”

Her jaw dropped.  “Julian! How can you say that?”

“How can I not?  I’m sure TC knows I’m the one who had plans for him.  When he finds out we’re having a baby; there’s no way he’s going to let us be happy.    You should let me do what I need to do.   Take care of him for good.  He wouldn’t be able to hurt you, or us, ever again.”

“I think I can handle TC without you having to get your hands bloodied, so to speak.”  Julian helped her up from the floor.  “I think it’s time we went back to Harmony.  TC and I need to have a talk.”
 

Author’s Note: As much as I love Endora on the show, she never happened in this story, and neither did that wild night at Tabitha’s.