The Nature of Things

Chapter 17

Author's Note: Gayle, how would I survive without you??? RL and Beta, you are the best and I love you dearly!

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Justin sat in the car for almost half an hour before he got up the courage to go knock on Brian's front door. While waiting for him to answer, he practiced what he was going to say. A small giggle escaped him when he looked down to see a small black and white shadow following Brian.

"She really likes you, huh?"

"She's a royal pain in the ass. I can't seem to get her out of my lap or my bed."

"Smart cat."

Pushing Zoey back with his foot, he opened the door all the way, allowing Justin to push past. He turned to find his ex-lover heading straight for the kitchen. Following, he wondered just what it was that Justin wanted.

"Coffee?" Justin asked, pulling a cup from the cabinet above the sink.

"I'll have to make more. Jen usually takes a cup to work with her and I drank the last of it before you got here."

"Sit; I'll make it. Still over the oven?"

"Of course."

They were both silent while the coffee pot was started and began to percolate. It wasn't an uneasy silence much to Brian's surprise. Accepting the cup from Justin, he was reminded of those many mornings that Justin had his coffee waiting when he got out of the shower. Without question it would be sitting on the counter next to his toothbrush when he stepped out. He missed those days.

"How are you, Bri?"

"I'm good. Or as good as can be expected for a man who just bought a house, let his ex-lover's mother and sister move in to his guest house."

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Molly sat outside of the church listening to the bells ring. She always felt calm there and right now calm was what she needed. A war raged between her heart and her mind. She knew that having this baby would be the hardest thing she'd ever have to do. She also knew that aborting it would be even harder.

"How can I love someone born from the worst thing that ever happened to me?"

"You'll find the love you need."

Molly turned to look up at the priest who stood before her and shook her head. She hadn't heard him approach and the fear registered on her face. He sat beside her, took her hand and smiled softly at her.

"Don't be afraid. You have the strength in you to face anything that comes your way."

"How can you know that?"

"I just do. I'm Father Adam, and you are?"

"Molly."

"Nice to meet you Molly. Now what has you questioning your strength?"

"I'm pregnant, Father."

"A happy time should not bring such sadness as that in your eyes. This baby is not what you expected?"

"No. This baby comes out of terror and fear."

"No child is fear, Molly."

"I was raped."

"I see, but you must remember that it is not the child that did that to you.  The child is innocent."

"I'm so scared. I know I have options, but I can't bring myself to abort this baby. Yet, I can't imagine raising the child of my rapist."

"Have you considered adoption?"

"Yes, but then I lose my baby."

"There are open adoptions, Molly. You could still be a part of this child's life, in a non parental role."

"I don't know, Father. I just can't make a decison right now. I have to get through the trial first."

"If you ever need someone to listen, I'm here."

"Thank you, but I should really get back home now."

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Justin finished his coffee and picked up the morning paper. Opening it he skimmed the local news and nearly fell off his chair at a headline buried on the fourth page.

***Local rape victim deals with pregnancy aftermath***

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Casey sat in the common room and stared at the prisoners all around him.  Snatching a morning paper from his cellmate he tried to see if his name had made it into the papers. What he found surprised him.

Jumping up he ran for the phones and called Craig.

"I thought I told you not to call here anymore."

"Yeah, well, your fucking bitch of a daughter is having my baby, so I figured maybe you could help me."

"And just how the fuck do you think I could help you?"

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Brian was in the bathroom when he heard Justin screaming for him. Finishing up, he threw the hand towel on the floor and ran to him, anxious to find out what was wrong. Entering the kitchen he was surprised to find Justin pacing the room with the newspaper in his hands, muttering to himself.

"What's wrong, Sunshine?"

"Did you know about this?"

"About what?"

"This fucking lie they printed in the paper." He flashed the paper in Brian's face and continued his tirade. "They're fucking saying that Molly is pregnant by that son of a bitch."

"What? How the fuck did they find out?"

"You mean, it's true? She really is pregnant?"

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