At 23 weeks pregnant, Vanessa already felt as if she was going to burst. The little girl in her was certainly an active one, ever since she had started to move around a couple of weeks before. Knowing that they were expecting a baby girl was helpful, since Vanessa had found she was a fan of decorating the baby's nursery. She had already begun to come up with ideas for the look of the room, but she had planned on waiting for a better time to talk about them with Tyler. Whatever they decided on, Vanessa was sure of one thing: their baby girl would be spoiled, but very much loved by both her parents.

All in all, it seemed to be a basic, normal day. Since school was out, Grayson was upstairs, playing with a new friend he had made. The family had moved into Suburbia about two months before, and the two boys had become good friends. Vanessa was home--for once--because the professors of the Ancient Mythology department were at a conference all week, meaning she had gotten a week's worth of vacation. And, Tyler was home, adding sugar to an already sweet day.

Vanessa didn't know what Tyler had been up to for most of the morning. She had gotten out of bed at 7:30am, to pick up Kyle--Grayson's friend--by 9:00am. After they had made it back to the house, and the two boys had run upstairs, Vanessa had settled down in the sitting room and opened a book, reading for an hour and a half before realizing what time it actually was. She had planned to make Grayson and Kyle's lunch first, and so she had set to do that, making tiny chicken salads for both of them. After they had ate--and had subsequently run off again--Vanessa cleaned up after them before wondering where Tyler was. She had wanted to make lunch for the two of them, but without knowing where he was in the house, she couldn't ask him.

Tyler had managed to sleep in an hour or two past six this morning. It was rare when he was able to do that. When he'd woken up Vanessa was already up. He knew Grayson was having a friend over today. Kyle's parents had a conference to attend for their work so Tyler and Vanessa had offered to keep the boy today and overnight and the Weatherby's would pick the boy up from Grayson and Kyle's summer soccer practice the next day.

Tyler got up and showered and went down to eat. Helen, their housekeeper, wouldn't be in til this afternoon to clean the huge house. Vanessa did most of the cooking anymore. Though at times Helen insisted on making dinner for the Cunninghams to give Tyler's pregnant wife a break. Tyler adored the older woman, so he never protested against her.

After eating Tyler went out to the garage to do some up keep on the cars, then he headed back in to clean up cause he'd gotten all greasy. By now it was almost noon. Tyler forgot about eating lunch and headed to his home office on the first floor across the foyer from the small library/sittingroom, where he kept copies of critical patient's files so he could have extra time to try to diagnose them. He might be a surgeon, but there was more to it that just using a scalpel. A couple hours went by and Tyler never noticed. He was immersed in his work on his only day off this week.

Since marrying Tyler, Vanessa found herself stepping more and more into the role of being a mother, and feeling more comfortable with it each day. Grayson was a kid, and although he had lost his mother a few months before, he didn’t show it anymore. Now, he seemed to be happier, more like a normal six-year-old. And, Tyler was a wonderful father. He was kind and loving toward Grayson, but he still didn’t allow him to get away with unruly behavior or improper things. And, she knew her relationship with Grayson was also becoming stronger. They weren’t quite friends yet, but they were friendly enough toward each other to co-exist with minimal problems.

While she was cooking, Vanessa made sure to keep her mess to a minimum. Their housekeeper Helen was a sweet woman, and she knew Tyler adored her greatly. She had apparently used The Vow quite a while back, and her and her husband Harrison had enjoyed a long life together before Harrison had passed on the year before, a victim of pancreatic cancer. She had been incredibly kind toward Vanessa from the first day they met, and slowly, the older woman was beginning to grow on her.

Since Vanessa didn’t know where her husband was—and really didn’t feel like searching around the house—she decided to go ahead and make lunch, hoping he would like what she chose. Luckily, they had the ingredients for French lentil salad with goat cheese, so she set to making it. It wasn’t too long before she was done, and she placed two bowls of the salad, as well as a couple of different salad dressings, on the small table in the kitchen, since they usually ate all meals but dinner in there. When she looked around and saw that he still hadn’t come down, Vanessa sighed and began to search the house for him, looking in room after room. When she looked in Tyler’s office, she found him there, staring at a file of some sort. She slowly walked up behind him, then placing each of her hands on his shoulders. ”You ready for lunch?” she asked, though she knew he was probably right in the middle of something.

Tyler was a bit startled when Vanessa touched his shoulders and spoke. Lunch? What time is it? he shut the file he was looking at and checked his watch. It was almost three. Late lunch. he sighed and leaned back in his office chair. He reached back and took hold of one of her hands and tuned the chair to face her. Sorry, I must have lost track of time. Did you eat yet? he asked her, as he spoke he put a hand on her extended belly and rubbed it light.y, his way of saying hello to the baby girl she was carrying.

When he learned that his pregnant wife hadn't eaten yet, Tyler frowned and stood up. Come on... you know you don't have to wait on me to eat. I don't mind eating alone when I miss a meal. he said leading her back to the kitchen. mm... looks good. he said smiling at her. He leaned down and kissed her lips lightly, then he sat down and started to eat. He didn't put dressing on his salad. He preferred not to most times. After a few bites Tyler looked to Vanessa. So... have you told the father yet? he asked. He'd made a deal with his wife when he'd learned of her pregnancy. That she had to tell the father the baby existed before it was born. And if she didn't... they were going to tell the child the truth of her heritage when she was fourteen. But Tyler really hoped Vanessa would tell the father herself. No one deserved to be kept away from their child.

Vanessa knew she had startled him a little, and though she hadn't meant to, she hadn't apologized either. She was sure he knew of her true intentions. Plus, he was probably going to be hungry, which would most likely distract him from that. Sure enough, she was right. She watched him look at his watch and realize that it was indeed almost three in the afternoon. He had been hard at work, and so had she. "I snacked on some carrots, but I was mostly waiting for you. Trust me, I'm fine." She thought it was sweet, how excited Tyler was for their little girl. Even though he wasn't the biological father, he was just as close as he could be, which was enough for her. She knew that her little girl would not only be well-provided for, but she would he loved. It did help that Tyler was a doctor, even if he was a neurosurgeon. Vanessa kept a close eye on her health already, but he always reminded her of the little things.

Vanessa put her hand over the one Tyler hand on her belly, and when he stood up, she took his hand. He was the one to lead her back to the kitchen, to where their meal was awaiting them. She was happy that he liked what she prepared, and she gladly kissed Tyler when he kissed her. She then sat down at her side of the table and began to eat, grabbing a nearby salad dressing spray bottle that actually contained lemon juice. She sprayed some on her salad before continuing on, stopping when Tyler asked her a question. She hadn't expected Tyler to ask such a question, especially when they were sitting down, eating lunch. Normally, she would have asked to talk about it at a later time, but she decided to indulge him, for once.

Vanessa shook her head, then taking another small bite of her salad. "No, I haven't. Then again, Mike's been out of town a lot lately, and so he hasn't been around the office for a few days. I figure he'll be back soon, but honestly...I don't plan on telling him. It'll make things awkward around the office." Vanessa continued to eat. When she realized what she had said, she stopped, staring down at her foot. She probably looked a bit peculiar to Tyler.

Tyler watched her. She'd always been so careful not to give away the identity of the father. But she'd slipped up this time. He'd been trying for a while to figure out who it is. Not that it really mattered, he would still love the baby like his own, like he had with Grayson. But he still wanted to know. Mike? Tyler began trying to remember the faces of her coworkers he'd met the few times he'd picked her up for appointments or family outings over the last few weeks. One face stood out... what had been his name? Dr. Kahl? he thought aloud. He looked up to Vanessa as he said it, gauging her reaction. Wait... you're on a first name basses with one of your bosses? Well of course you are, you were sleeping with him. Tyler stood up and began passing the floor, his salad forgotten. His mind was raising, trying to remember and gauge this man.

That man had not look stupid. He'd looked.... jealous. Like he'd been offended by Vanessa marrying Tyler Cunningham. Like he'd been ready to punch Tyler for being with Vanessa. Vanessa... how can you not tell him? How does he not know the child is his? you have to tell him. He'll find out on his own other wise. And I don't want this thing to get ugly. I am a figure of importance at the hospital Vanessa. he paused in his pacing and looked at his wife. They already know you're pregnant, they all suspect it isn't mine. If the details get out and into the wrong hands, my career could be tainted. Your career could be tainted. he sighed and wiped his hand over his unshaven face. He realized he'd forgotten to shave this morning. he scratched at the stubble. he thought for a few moments... getting his thoughts together. In his mind there was only one way to go. You have to tell him the truth Vanessa. Before the child is born. The longer you wait the worse this could get. The man needs the chance to make the right choice and be there for his daughter. he sank back into his chair, his shoulders slumped like the weight of the world rested there. He looked tired... You have to tell him soon... or I will invite him over here myself and I will tell him myself. I don't want to have to do that... he deserves to hear it from you first.

In those moments, Vanessa not only felt disgusted with herself, but she knew she had really screwed up this time. She hadn't meant to reveal the father of her baby girl. She had wanted the entire thing to blow over. She had hoped that her indiscretions would be covered up by her new marriage, but the only thing it had done was put a spotlight on everything. She knew that Tyler loved her--she was sure of it--and she knew he had a large heart. He was caring for the son of his late wife, and he claimed that boy as his own. He was going to take care of her baby girl, and if something happened to Vanessa, then her girl would have a father to care for her and love her. In those moments, Vanessa became scared of the beating their relationship was going to be taking for the months to come.

He began to pace the floor, forgetting about the food that had been prepared for him. Vanessa had seen Tyler under various amounts of stress, but this sight was something new to her eyes. Mike was definitely jealous of her being with another man. She had seen that the second she had informed him of her decision to use The Vow. It had showed every day since, whenever they were in the office together. So, if he knew Vanessa was carrying his daughter, it would make things that much more worse. But, there were many other things she faced if she chose to conceal the truth even longer. Tyler was right. She had to tell him.

She continued to watch as he slumped back into his chair, looking obviously disheveled and tired. Vanessa close her eyes for a second, took a deep breath, and opened her mouth. "Fine. Believe me, I don't want to. But, if I don't, you will, and I won't have it." She then stood, grabbing her bowl of salad, and her fork. "I'll be in my room," she said softly, before departing for her old room. She knew she'd be sleeping alone for a few nights, at least.

Tyler watched her go. He felt bad for upsetting her. he knew it wasn't good for the baby. But he had to make her understand that he was serious on this issue. Had to make her see that it was the way to go about this. Tyler was a man of class, and this situation was losing points in that department every day that passed.

He forced himself to finish his food. Then he went back to his office for a few hours. he made sure that Grayson and his friend were fed dinner, and made it to bed on time. The Tyler retired to his room... the one right next to Vanessa's. She'd only been sharing his bed for a couple weeks. And they still hadn't actually had sex, though she and Tyler had done some.... make out sessions with a bit of heavy petting involved. But Tyler just couldn't get over the fact that there was a baby inside of her. Logically he knew it was safe... but he couldn't tell his emotions that. So they would do pretty much everything except intercourse.

Tyler cleaned himself up and lay on his bed. It felt oddly empty without Vanessa next to him. He sighed and got up, deciding to go check on her. He hadn't seen her since this afternoon. He stood in the hall and lightly knocked on her door, just loud enough that she would hear it if she was still awake, but not so loud that it would wake her up if she was already asleep.