The Reunion After Seven Years

Nicole tried her best to stay under the quilt for as long as possible. She was just not ready to face Kerr this morning and the quilt seemed like the best shield at the moment.

Kerr saw this but walked over to her anyway. He paused as his hand hovered over the quilt. He gently touched the bit of her face that was visible and then pulled the quilt away.

"Well, our baby is in there now. Does knowing that still make you shy? Or are you nervous?" Nicole was always shy about sex even though she was already pregnant with his baby. She seemed very innocent, almost pure. But this was one of the many things he loved about her. Her utter purity.

Listening to Kerr's calm and deep voice always made her feel grounded. Her nerves eventually settled down and the image of Kerr from the previous night flashed in front of her eyes. Her nerves were replaced by worry and anxiety.

She decided to approach it tentatively though. She responded, "So, you still remembered that I'm pregnant?" Her hand automatically drifted to her slightly swollen belly as she spoke of the pregnancy. She was aware that Kerr had tried to be careful the night before. Nevertheless, she couldn't help but feel worried.

Being with child called for utmost care to be taken, on both of their parts. Thinking about the night before made her uneasy now.

"Yes Nicole. Do you really think I'm that ignorant?" He caressed her face. "Are you okay? Did I hurt you last night? I will make an appointment and take you for a checkup."

He was quite worried about her. The effect of the drug had lasted a long while the night before, but having known that she was pregnant, he had let go of her when he felt a bit better.

He couldn't fall asleep the whole night. When the effect of the drug finally wore off, and he became sober, he went in for a cold shower and lost track of time. He was in a sort of trance and he only snapped out of it when he heard Nicole stir in bed.

Although he felt nothing like it, he came out looking refreshed and bright.

Nicole now sat there, her hands on her waist and a pained expression on her face. Having Kerr's arms around her did not seem to help as the ache in her back continued to throb.

"My back hurts and my waist is sore," she groaned. "What happened to you last night?"

a business dinner. But seeing his state last night raised

trick last time, that Kerr had the chance to have sex with Nicole. That was a turning

I didn't want it to happen this way. I was tricked." He looked at her and then leaned in for a soft kiss. "I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you." Seeing her face

what him and Nicole had built together. This he was sure

be able to handle a betrayal, she hated the thought of

think of only one person who would do such a thing to him. Only Sunny had something to

night in his drugged haze, which meant the effect of the drug hadn't worn off at that time. But she couldn't help feeling suspicious. She wondered if anything had happened between Kerr and Sunny. 'Did

him up, she wouldn't have let him go, since it was such

could not bring himself to lie to her. He told her everything he could

helped her into the bathroom while talking to her and Nicole let herself be led without saying a word. Through her bath and while he helped

think of anything to respond with. It was possible the pregnancy was affecting her, making her insecure

her imagination from running wild about the disturbing possibilities of the night before. So far, however, she kept

everything they had been through and all the times Kerr had supported her unconditionally, she wanted to give it the benefit of the

down the stairs with him where they found Jay sitting at the dining table looking angry. Suddenly, the phone rang and they heard Vedder answer the phone. He brought

a call

Nicole to eat first while he attended to the

with an empty gaze. She sat at the table and ruffled Jay's hair, "Good

Kerr walked in. Given the situation, she had to send him away all of a sudden and she knew this had bothered him deeply. She had to fix this

was trying, but he wasn't going to be appeased so easily. He looked away

any time for me anymore. You don't need me anymore." Jay felt

was supposed to be their time.