Natalie and her mother headed out to the car. She had an appointment with the doctor to confirm her pregnancy today.
The past week had been horrible. Natalie didn't know what she prefered, confirmation in the affirmative, or to find out that the test was mistaken. On top of that, her father had been rather quiet. He had been civil in their few converstations, but in a cold kind of way. Natalie knew her mother must have spoken to him about this, but he hadn't said anything either way about her pregnancy.
Natalie hoped that Taylor would arrive soon. He did say that he would come...
Taylor
Taylor caught his breath as he and Tony teleported into Natalie's yard.
"Nat!" he called after her, before saying a quick goodbye to the teleporter.
He rushed over.
"Sorry I'm late. My Dad called."
Natalie
Natalie was all smiles.
"That's okay," she said. "I'm glad you're here. We were just about to go."
It was perfect timing, for as she said that, her mother sat down in the driver's seat.
Taylor
"Alright," Taylor rubbed his hands together as he followed her to the car.
They were soon on their way, and arrived in about ten minutes.
Natalie
Natalie sat down on one of the seats in the waiting room while her mother informed the receptionist that they were here. Mrs Bryant then rejoined them.
"We're up next," she said.
"Okay," Natalie nodded in a small, quiet voice.
Taylor
Taylor reached over to gently take one of her hands in his.
"You know... breathing is great form of sustaining life. You might want to try it sometime," he joked to lighten the mood.
Natalie
Natalie looked over for a moment, then giggled.
"Natalie Bryant?" called the doctor.
Natalie stood and, with a final glance at mother and boyfriend, made her way over.
"The tests won't take that long," she assured her, leading her into the office. "It's the waiting for the results."
Mrs Bryant watched until the door closed behind her daughter, then glanced over at Taylor. She was certainly pleased that Taylor was here - that said much for his character in her opinion.
Taylor
"Sorry I didn't really say hello or anything," Taylor apologised, looking across at Mrs Bryant.
He was grateful for the supportive pheremones she was casting, especially as he was sure he'd picked up on someone else in the waiting room recognising him already.
Mrs Bryant
"That's fine," Mrs Bryant replied. "I was busy driving at the time."
She was quiet for a moment, then turned to regard him better.
"So, Taylor, what do you plan on doing if Nat's pregnancy is confirmed?"
Best to face the matter straight on, she figured.
Taylor
"It depends on what she wants," Taylor said straight out.
"But in all honesty I desperately hope she carries it to term."
Mrs Bryant
Mrs Bryant nodded, relieved at his answer.
"So, assuming that she will, you would want to be a father to the child? Actively, that is, not just in spirit."
Taylor
"Of course," Taylor held back a mild scorning tone.
"I meant along the lines of... if she didn't want it then I'd bring it up myself. If she does... well then I guess we have distance issues to sort out..."
Mrs Bryant
"Good," Mrs Bryant said. "I've heard too many stories, both knowing and not knowing the people involved, about boyfriends who weren't as supportive. I'm glad to know that Natalie didn't pick, well, a dud."
Taylor
Taylor's eyebrows rose.
"Well, thanks," he said, not sure whether it had been a compliment or not.
He hesitated, biting his lip.
"Do you think she is?" he asked suddenly, "you know... women's intuition and such?"
Mrs Bryant
Mrs Bryant considered for a moment.
"I have to admit," she said at last, "that I just can't picture being told that she's not pregnant. I think she is."
Taylor
Taylor sighed, then ran his fingers through his hair.
"We have to make this work somehow," he shook his head, talking mainly to himself.
"But I can't leave Tulsa right now."
Mrs Bryant
Mrs Bryant nodded.
"And Nat just got her job, which she may need to quit towards the end of her pregnancy to take care of the baby. And I imagine sooner or later you'l be touring again... We'll work something out."
Taylor
"I hope so," Taylor almost whined.
"I can't let this one go. Not this time."
He put his head in his hands, his mind racing.
Natalie
"This one?" Mrs Bryant repeated with a frown.
It was at that point that Natalie finally emerged from the office. She thanked the doctor again, and approached her mother and Taylor, an unreadable expression on her face.
Taylor
"Nat?" Taylor stood as she approached, holding his hand out for hers.
"Do you... want to go outside?"
Natalie
Mrs Bryant stood also.
"Well," Natalie replied with a nervous chuckle, "we have to go outside to get to the car anyway..."
Mrs Bryant smiled and took her daughter's other hand.
Taylor
Taylor shrugged good-naturedly.
"Ok then, let's go."
He escorted the two women outside, and to their car.
Natalie
"So, how'd it go?" Mrs Bryant asked once they were all seated in the car.
"Well," Natalie replied, as if trying to sound composed, "it's official. I'm going to be a mom."
Taylor
"Really?" Taylor didn't know whether to be excited or concerned.
He hesitated, then reached over to take her hand again.
"Let my first question be... do you think this is a good thing?"
Natalie
"Umm... well..." Natalie stammered for a moment. "I mean, I did always want to be a mom. I just thought I'd be happily settled down with the right guy at the time. I... I don't know if I'm ready for this..."
Taylor
Taylor glanced up toward Natalie's mother, before lowering his head.
"Let's wait until we get back. We need to talk," he said decidedly.
Natalie
Natalie took a deep breath and nodded. Mrs Bryant turned back in her seat, started the car and soon they were off. The trip back home was silent.
Upon their arrival, Mrs Bryant ushered everyone into the dining room and made up some hot drinks for everyone.
Taylor
"Thankyou Mrs. Bryant," Taylor gave a small smile when she handed him his drink.
He glanced at Natalie.
"But... may we be excused for a while?"
Natalie
"Uhh, sure," Mrs Bryant would have preferred to be in on it, but she realised some things were best worked out without her presense. "In here? Or would you rather go to Nat's room?"
"Perhaps my room would be best," Natalie replied, getting up.
Taylor
"Thankyou," Taylor nodded his appreciation.
He glanced at Natalie again, before leading her to her room and inside.
Natalie
Natalie closed the door and sat down on the bed.
"Sorry about the mess," she said, absently.
Her mind was a little preoccupied with her pregnancy.
Taylor
"Nevermind," Taylor said absently, pulling a nearby chair over and indicating for her to sit on the bed.
"The issues we have to address are a little more important," he attempted a joke.
Natalie
Natalie took a deep breath and nodded.
"So, umm.... what... what do you want to do?" then she rushed on: "I was thinking about it - and I definitely was to keep it."
Taylor
Taylor was suddenly breathing a lot easier.
"Thank God," he whispered.
"Your Mom mentioned how you'd have to give up work as... you know, you got along," he gulped slightly, "I don't know if... you'd be interested in coming to Tulsa for that time? I'd completely understand if you'd rather be with your family."
Natalie
Natalie chewed her bottom lip.
"I don't know," she admitted. "I mean, of course I want to be with my family. But this baby is going to be both my family and your family. And I certainly wouldn't want to deprive you of your baby. Y'know... if you wanted... which I gather that you do given your current expression of interests."
She gave him a tiny smile
Taylor
"Well, yeah," Taylor agreed, cupping his free hand around the warm mug he held.
"And well... you know Zac has a lot of kids, and only a couple ever live with him. I'm not sure the family as such will mind what we decide."
His eyes moved to the doorway and he bit his lip again.
"Personally I don't think I'd ever want to be away, but obviously without some major sacrifices on either side it won't happen. I can't leave Tulsa right now - we're just starting to pick up the pieces, you know. And in all honesty I would put that on the line if it weren't for our lack of finances and thus our futures depending on it."
He was quite obviously struggling to make any kind of decision.
Natalie
Natalie nodded.
"I understand," she said. "Plus, this is going to be an extra financial drain..."
She shook her head.
"I'm sorry. I just... I just don't know what to do or how to handle this or... or anything."
Taylor
Taylor began tapping his fingers on the mug nervously.
"What you said earlier, in the car..." he began carefully, "about wanting to be settled down with 'the right guy'. I mean... Do you not think that I am?"
Natalie
"Umm, well..." Natalie stammered. "I, umm... I wasn't thinking of you specifically. I was thinking, y'know, generally, when I said that. Not that I think that you wouldn't be the right guy to settle down with. If things ever went that way I think you would be the right guy. I was just saying... y'know what my plans were before this happened. Do you know what I mean?"
She was sure that came out all confused.
Taylor
"Yeah, yeah I do," Taylor agreed.
"I kind of hoped I'd be in the same situation to be honest. I guess things just never work out the way you planned them."
He took another sip from his mug, a still massive internal debate going on.
"Ok, how about..." he began softly, "how about we leave this for the moment. Obviously it's hard to come up with something right off the bat, but maybe if we give it time - say, a week or so - it'll just come to us. Wishful thinking I know, but I don't have a better idea right now."
Natalie
Natalie nodded slowly.
"Yeah... I think we both need some time to think things over. At least we have some time ahead of us before we have to make any decisions. I probably won't even start showing for another month or two."
Taylor
"Do you... want to keep this between us for now?" Taylor suggested.
"The last thing we need is the population finding out, if you know what I mean."
Natalie
Natalie grinned.
"Yeah... that's probably a good idea," she said.
There were a couple of her friends she knew certainly couldn't keep their mouths shut, and they would never let her hear the last of it if they found out she was pregnant with Taylor Hanson's baby.
Taylor
"Ok," Taylor nodded.
"And I promise to call if I think of anything."
He finished off his drink, then stood rather regretfully.
"I'd better get back," he said, "but don't be afraid to call if you need anything. And I mean anytime, day or night."
Natalie
Natalie stood up as well and nodded.
"Okay," she said, a smile on her lips. "Thanks."
Taylor
Taylor followed her from the room, pulling out his phone to call Tony on the way.