Nine Crimes Chapter Seven
Two months have now seemingly passed since I have started my affair with Natalie. Two whole months, though the last month Natalie has been pulling away from me. She no longer texts to meet up and she ignores my phone calls to her. I'm not even sure why but it hurts. My wife is still giving me the cold shoulder with sex and now Natalie, the only one who gave me any attention sexually lately is now doing the same.
"Zac," Kate's voice yells breaking through my thoughts and I turn to look at her. "Can you help me get things ready downstairs?" she asks as she raises an eyebrow. "The guests are going to be here soon for Shepherd's birthday and the living room still looks like a mess."
I just nod and stand from our bed, "Sure babe," I force a smile as I walk past her, briefly pecking her lips. She has still been taking trips out of town so I know she is still cheating on me, but I just don't feel like I have any right to call her out on it and I love her too much to call her out, or at least I think I do.
I hear Kate's footsteps behind me and I sigh. I know it's wrong but I almost wish she'd let me do this on my own, but she probably fears I'll make a worse mess of the living room than it already is. "You know Zac," Kate starts. "I can see the outline of the darn nipple ring through your shirt. I still don't understand why you got it. It looks awful on you."
Rolling my eyes, I turn to face Kate once we make it downstairs, "I got it because I wanted to be cool, hip, you know," I shrug seeing Kate isn't buying it. "Or I'm just having a midlife crisis," I lie. The real reason I got the nipple ring is because Natalie asked me too. Saying it would be hot and that she'd like to pull on it during sex. And I obliged, for some reason I just can't tell Natalie no.
Kate rolls her eyes as well but doesn't say anything else and we clean up the living room in peace. After it is clean, Kate excuses herself upstairs to as she says, go change into something that doesn't show off her barely there baby bump. She is now four months pregnant and showing just a bit, if you look at her stomach just right.
When she leaves, I just sit on the couch and run a hand through my hair. I know the guests will soon start showing up, and among them will be Natalie and Taylor. I'm hoping that I can get Natalie alone at some point and confront her on why she is ignoring me.
Hearing the doorbell ring, I stand from the couch and go to answer it. Once I have it open, I smile as I come face to face with Natalie and Taylor, all of their kids, except for Willa who Taylor is holding on hips, come running inside, right past me. I swear all four of them are little ninjas.
"Come in," I tell them, moving aside so they can. "Your kids already have."
When they both come in, I shut the door behind them and see Kate coming down the stairs. Her attention immediately going to Natalie who she drags off into the kitchen with her. I just sigh and hope this isn't how the rest of the day will go. Kate staying glued to Natalie's side, but then again they are known for that. Being glued together at events.
Looking at Taylor, I start to say something but the doorbell sounds again and I turn, answering it. This time being greeted by Nikki and Isaac. Once they are in, their kids run upstairs and Isaac and Nikki engage in a conversation on the couch.
It seems after Isaac and Nikki's arrival everyone else shows up and my job has now become that of answering the door and greeting everyone, some of whom I don't even know and I suspect Kate has met through her various mom groups and play dates she signs up for with the kids.
Once everyone has shown up, the party gets under way and soon I seem to be surrounded by a bunch of kids and people I know as well as strangers. Natalie is no longer stuck to Kate's side though, in fact Kate has disappeared, leaving Natalie in charge of the kids and making sure Shepherd opens up all his presents. As I look around, I also notice Taylor is gone and Willa is glued to my mom. I suspect Taylor has probably snuck out to smoke since he knows Kate hates smoking inside of the house.
Shaking my head, I decide to go upstairs and find Kate. "Kate?" I call out in question, once I have got up the stairs.
Not getting a response yet, I continue my search, throwing open a few doors but coming up empty. It's when I reach the bathroom though and hear crying that I know I have found her. Opening the door, I frown as I see her on toilet, holding her stomach. "Babe?" I ask as I bend down in front of her.
Kate raises her head and looks at me, "The baby," she says through her tears. "I'm cramping and spotting," she frowns and I know why this is hard on her. She has a history of miscarriages and she fears she is miscarrying this baby.
"Do you need me to call the hospital?" I ask as I feel a lump forming in my throat. I don't want Kate to lose our baby. She can't lose another baby. There was the baby before Shepherd and the two before Junia.
Kate shakes her head no, "If..if I am still feel like this after the party then you can take me to the hospital. I don't wanna ruin Shepherd's birthday," she smiles sadly as she stands from the toilet and holds onto me. "Now let's get back downstairs because I bet Natalie is probably going crazy."
I laugh some and walk Kate back downstairs, where things resume as much back to normal as they can. It's after most of the people have gone and only Taylor and Natalie and their family are here that things go away from normal.
"Zac!" I hear Natalie yell from the kitchen and I rush in there to find my wife laying on the floor. "She fainted. "Call nine one one," Natalie says her voice coming out harsh as she goes back to trying to get Kate to wake up.
I frown but does as Natalie says, dialing nine one one and informing them of everything that has happened today. After I get off, I see Taylor in the kitchen bent down over Kate as well. "The paramedics are on there way," I say bending down as well wishing Kate would come too.
Taylor nods, "I told Natalie I'd take the kids to moms and meet you two at the hospital," he says and I lock eyes with him, noticing a strange emotion in his eyes. One of fear and sadness.
"Okay," I mutter still confused by the emotions in Taylor's eyes. After I speak Taylor rounds up the kids and leaves.
Not long after he has gone the paramedics arrive and I just watch, feeling helpless. I want Kate to be alright. I want my baby to be alright and there is nothing that I can do to make any of it alright.
"Come on Zac," Natalie speaks and I feel her arm on my shoulder as she leads me out the door, grabbing the keys to my truck along the way. "I'll drive you to the hospital," she sighs as we make it to my truck and she literally pushes me in.
As I buckle up, I watch Natalie get in, "I don't let just anyone drive my truck," I croak out as I feel tears stinging my eyes and soon falling down my cheeks.
"And I'm not just anyone," she smiles sadly as she starts my truck and pulls out, driving towards the hospital.
I'm not sure how long the actual drive is but it feels like forever until we make it to the hospital. When we do, Natalie parks my truck and we both get out but I run ahead of her, wanting to get inside and find out where my wife is and if my baby is okay.
Being told to sit in a waiting room I just growl as I sit down. I hate waiting. I hate not knowing anything. Feeling a hand on my leg though after sitting down, I look over at Natalie and she just offers me a smile.
"Kate will be okay," Natalie assures me. "And so will the baby. It's a Hanson, it's a fighter," she nods.
I just frown more and grab her hand, lacing our fingers together. I like her being here. I need her and I'm glad to know that right now I have her and she isn't ignoring me.
Eventually I look up as a doctor comes out and I raise an eyebrow, seeing Taylor coming out with him. When the heck had Taylor gotten here and why is he with the doctor?
"Mr. Hanson?" The doctor asks me and I just nod. "Your wife is doing fine now. It seems she was just dehydrated and under a lot of stress, which would account for her spotting and cramping. The best thing I can recommend is that she take it easy for the remainder of her pregnancy and not to be under stressful situations."
I just nod at his words, smiling, "Can I see her?" I ask run a hand through my hair.
"Of course," he tells me letting me know her room number before he walks off.
I just look at Taylor and raise my eyebrow.
"I..umm...I weaseled my way back there," he just shrugs not even telling me why. I just shake my head and walk off, going to see Kate. As I do I swear I can hear Natalie raise her voice as she starts to yell at Taylor.
Again I shake my head, hoping they don't cause too much of a scene because that is the last thing Kate needs to hear. That her best friend and her best friend's husband got kicked out of the hospital for arguing.
Two months have now seemingly passed since I have started my affair with Natalie. Two whole months, though the last month Natalie has been pulling away from me. She no longer texts to meet up and she ignores my phone calls to her. I'm not even sure why but it hurts. My wife is still giving me the cold shoulder with sex and now Natalie, the only one who gave me any attention sexually lately is now doing the same.
"Zac," Kate's voice yells breaking through my thoughts and I turn to look at her. "Can you help me get things ready downstairs?" she asks as she raises an eyebrow. "The guests are going to be here soon for Shepherd's birthday and the living room still looks like a mess."
I just nod and stand from our bed, "Sure babe," I force a smile as I walk past her, briefly pecking her lips. She has still been taking trips out of town so I know she is still cheating on me, but I just don't feel like I have any right to call her out on it and I love her too much to call her out, or at least I think I do.
I hear Kate's footsteps behind me and I sigh. I know it's wrong but I almost wish she'd let me do this on my own, but she probably fears I'll make a worse mess of the living room than it already is. "You know Zac," Kate starts. "I can see the outline of the darn nipple ring through your shirt. I still don't understand why you got it. It looks awful on you."
Rolling my eyes, I turn to face Kate once we make it downstairs, "I got it because I wanted to be cool, hip, you know," I shrug seeing Kate isn't buying it. "Or I'm just having a midlife crisis," I lie. The real reason I got the nipple ring is because Natalie asked me too. Saying it would be hot and that she'd like to pull on it during sex. And I obliged, for some reason I just can't tell Natalie no.
Kate rolls her eyes as well but doesn't say anything else and we clean up the living room in peace. After it is clean, Kate excuses herself upstairs to as she says, go change into something that doesn't show off her barely there baby bump. She is now four months pregnant and showing just a bit, if you look at her stomach just right.
When she leaves, I just sit on the couch and run a hand through my hair. I know the guests will soon start showing up, and among them will be Natalie and Taylor. I'm hoping that I can get Natalie alone at some point and confront her on why she is ignoring me.
Hearing the doorbell ring, I stand from the couch and go to answer it. Once I have it open, I smile as I come face to face with Natalie and Taylor, all of their kids, except for Willa who Taylor is holding on hips, come running inside, right past me. I swear all four of them are little ninjas.
"Come in," I tell them, moving aside so they can. "Your kids already have."
When they both come in, I shut the door behind them and see Kate coming down the stairs. Her attention immediately going to Natalie who she drags off into the kitchen with her. I just sigh and hope this isn't how the rest of the day will go. Kate staying glued to Natalie's side, but then again they are known for that. Being glued together at events.
Looking at Taylor, I start to say something but the doorbell sounds again and I turn, answering it. This time being greeted by Nikki and Isaac. Once they are in, their kids run upstairs and Isaac and Nikki engage in a conversation on the couch.
It seems after Isaac and Nikki's arrival everyone else shows up and my job has now become that of answering the door and greeting everyone, some of whom I don't even know and I suspect Kate has met through her various mom groups and play dates she signs up for with the kids.
Once everyone has shown up, the party gets under way and soon I seem to be surrounded by a bunch of kids and people I know as well as strangers. Natalie is no longer stuck to Kate's side though, in fact Kate has disappeared, leaving Natalie in charge of the kids and making sure Shepherd opens up all his presents. As I look around, I also notice Taylor is gone and Willa is glued to my mom. I suspect Taylor has probably snuck out to smoke since he knows Kate hates smoking inside of the house.
Shaking my head, I decide to go upstairs and find Kate. "Kate?" I call out in question, once I have got up the stairs.
Not getting a response yet, I continue my search, throwing open a few doors but coming up empty. It's when I reach the bathroom though and hear crying that I know I have found her. Opening the door, I frown as I see her on toilet, holding her stomach. "Babe?" I ask as I bend down in front of her.
Kate raises her head and looks at me, "The baby," she says through her tears. "I'm cramping and spotting," she frowns and I know why this is hard on her. She has a history of miscarriages and she fears she is miscarrying this baby.
"Do you need me to call the hospital?" I ask as I feel a lump forming in my throat. I don't want Kate to lose our baby. She can't lose another baby. There was the baby before Shepherd and the two before Junia.
Kate shakes her head no, "If..if I am still feel like this after the party then you can take me to the hospital. I don't wanna ruin Shepherd's birthday," she smiles sadly as she stands from the toilet and holds onto me. "Now let's get back downstairs because I bet Natalie is probably going crazy."
I laugh some and walk Kate back downstairs, where things resume as much back to normal as they can. It's after most of the people have gone and only Taylor and Natalie and their family are here that things go away from normal.
"Zac!" I hear Natalie yell from the kitchen and I rush in there to find my wife laying on the floor. "She fainted. "Call nine one one," Natalie says her voice coming out harsh as she goes back to trying to get Kate to wake up.
I frown but does as Natalie says, dialing nine one one and informing them of everything that has happened today. After I get off, I see Taylor in the kitchen bent down over Kate as well. "The paramedics are on there way," I say bending down as well wishing Kate would come too.
Taylor nods, "I told Natalie I'd take the kids to moms and meet you two at the hospital," he says and I lock eyes with him, noticing a strange emotion in his eyes. One of fear and sadness.
"Okay," I mutter still confused by the emotions in Taylor's eyes. After I speak Taylor rounds up the kids and leaves.
Not long after he has gone the paramedics arrive and I just watch, feeling helpless. I want Kate to be alright. I want my baby to be alright and there is nothing that I can do to make any of it alright.
"Come on Zac," Natalie speaks and I feel her arm on my shoulder as she leads me out the door, grabbing the keys to my truck along the way. "I'll drive you to the hospital," she sighs as we make it to my truck and she literally pushes me in.
As I buckle up, I watch Natalie get in, "I don't let just anyone drive my truck," I croak out as I feel tears stinging my eyes and soon falling down my cheeks.
"And I'm not just anyone," she smiles sadly as she starts my truck and pulls out, driving towards the hospital.
I'm not sure how long the actual drive is but it feels like forever until we make it to the hospital. When we do, Natalie parks my truck and we both get out but I run ahead of her, wanting to get inside and find out where my wife is and if my baby is okay.
Being told to sit in a waiting room I just growl as I sit down. I hate waiting. I hate not knowing anything. Feeling a hand on my leg though after sitting down, I look over at Natalie and she just offers me a smile.
"Kate will be okay," Natalie assures me. "And so will the baby. It's a Hanson, it's a fighter," she nods.
I just frown more and grab her hand, lacing our fingers together. I like her being here. I need her and I'm glad to know that right now I have her and she isn't ignoring me.
Eventually I look up as a doctor comes out and I raise an eyebrow, seeing Taylor coming out with him. When the heck had Taylor gotten here and why is he with the doctor?
"Mr. Hanson?" The doctor asks me and I just nod. "Your wife is doing fine now. It seems she was just dehydrated and under a lot of stress, which would account for her spotting and cramping. The best thing I can recommend is that she take it easy for the remainder of her pregnancy and not to be under stressful situations."
I just nod at his words, smiling, "Can I see her?" I ask run a hand through my hair.
"Of course," he tells me letting me know her room number before he walks off.
I just look at Taylor and raise my eyebrow.
"I..umm...I weaseled my way back there," he just shrugs not even telling me why. I just shake my head and walk off, going to see Kate. As I do I swear I can hear Natalie raise her voice as she starts to yell at Taylor.
Again I shake my head, hoping they don't cause too much of a scene because that is the last thing Kate needs to hear. That her best friend and her best friend's husband got kicked out of the hospital for arguing.