Ash looked so out of place like he didn't know what to do or say as he shuffled from one feet to the other until at last he mumbled uncomfortably, "i'll just be outside." and then he too left, that leaves grandmother and Karl.
Grandmother sat at the edge of the bed and took Van’s hand, her calloused hands were a comfort to Van. Colour and health had since returned to the old woman’s face and Van couldn’t be more happy.
"Do not take to heart what your grandfather said dear, he's just as surprised as the rest of us." She coaxed. "Tell me dear who's the father?"
Van almost rolled her eyes. "Grandma the doctor didn't say I am pregnant."
"Is the doctor's suspicion unfounded?"
Van bit her lip, she wanted to deny it but she wasn’t so sure anymore. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Alright dear." grandmother sighed. "Get some rest we'll talk tomorrow after you get the test results."
After grandmother left, Van levelled Karl a pointed look when she noticed he was still standing there with that grim expression on his face.
"Whatever is on your mind just say it."
"Calloway better not show his face to me."
Van rolled her eyes. "There is no need to go all macho on him." she said. For a moment Karl seemed to relax a bit.
"If it turns out that you're pregnant will you tell him?"
"I don't know." Van hadn't thought about that. To be honest she didn't want to think right now she just wants to lie down and sleep and forget tonight's debacle ever happened.
Karl sighed, "I wish you'd tell me what he did to hurt you, I can't stand to see that light in your eyes grow dim every second."
"I can handle it."
"You don't have to do it alone."
Van smiled through her tears. "You know you're the best brother anyone could ever have right. Kristina is so lucky to have you."
Karl groaned. " How did you even know about her?" He asked. "Anyway, she doesn't think i'm good enough."
"Why, what happened?"
"Nice try sis but we're not talking about my relationship here." Karl smirked trying to look like it wasn't a big deal but Van saw through his charade of being valiant and she wished he'd tell her what was wrong. "Aren't you going to tell the old folks that you’re married?"
"Not yet."
"You should get some rest." he kissed her cheek and left.
Van laid back and closed her eyes, her hand instinctively went to her lower abdomen. Shock and fear rippled through her and she wondered what she'd do if she was actually pregnant.
The next day the doctor confirmed it and had referred her to a gynaecologist who'd put a stamp on it and made it as real as can be. Van was eight weeks along, it meant that the baby was conceived on their honeymoon in Bohol she was thrilled and filled with wonder that she and Jake could create something so wonderful. After her initial shock had abated and even though she had no idea how things were going to be from then on she was optimistic.
The doctor told her all she needed to know, what food to eat and had prescribed the necessary vitamins and Van left the hospital in high spirit.
Ash came to pick her up. He seemed to be keeping his distance and his aloofness amp up a notch when Van confirmed what the doctor had told them, she couldn't tell if he also thought she was a woman of lose morals or if it was something else. Although she'd found him annoying when they first met, over the past few days since her arrival at the mansion they'd become sort of friends.
"Is anything wrong Ash?" she asked.
"No." he didn't even look at her then so she dropped the subject.