Long Time Running - By Hannah Foster Page 0,1

asked, her heart thumping loudly inside her chest.

"Rachel and Greg are going to have a baby. It's all over for them."

Sitting up with a start, the sheet dropped and pooled around her hips, she tightened her jaw.

"What do you mean it's all over for them?"

Hearing the tone in her voice, he gave her a curious look. "I mean that Rachel isn't doing her fellowship. She's going to take time off to be with the baby. All those plans that they had - to move to Europe and travel - they're all gone. What a waste."

"It's not a waste" she protested more intently than she wanted. "They may not get to do what they originally planned to do but they are getting something wonderful. Maybe a child means more to them than traveling?"

Leaning against the door he studied her carefully.

"Nat," he began slowly, "I'm happy for them if this is what they want but I would hate for them to resent their child down the line when they realize what they gave up to become parents. Oops babies can derail a person's life and they can end up taking their anger about that out on the child."

A rueful smile formed on her lips and she exhaled slowly. "I know babe, but not everyone is doomed to repeat the mistakes of their parents."

Eric's had not been an easy childhood, his parents had been distant and cold. His father, a domineering man who was never satisfied, had berated and belittled his son to the point that by the time Eric was a teenager he was clear about never wanting to be a father.

None of this was news to Nathalie. She knew his feelings on the subject of parenthood and had never once tried to change them.

He shrugged. "I hope not. I'm just glad it isn't an option for us. It would feel like a nightmare if I were in Greg's place. I feel sorry for him."

"You don't think he's happy about this? They are in love and have been together almost as long as we have," she said softly.

"What's he supposed to say?" he quipped. "Only a jerk would tell people this was awful news or not take responsibility. I know they didn't plan it but he's kind of trapped now." Turning towards the door, he missed the dark clouds that passed through Nathalie's eyes. "Anyways - pancakes and bacon sound good?"

"Yeah" she replied distractedly as his words echoed through her mind.

As he left the room she flopped back against the pillows and sighed heavily as her eyes filled with tears. Her hand came to rest against her still flat stomach and her mind began to churn. While she had long known his feeling about children she had never really imagined she would be forced to choose between the man she loved and the child she never expected to have.

Chapter 1

Seven years later

Sitting on a bench, soaking up the late spring sunshine, Eric watched as Jack scrambled up to the top of the jungle gym. The young boy stood at the top and waved excitedly before sliding down the long, winding silver slide. As his feet touched the sand underneath, he scurried over towards him.

"Did you see me, Eric? Did ya?"

Smiling, he nodded. "I sure did Jack. That must be your fastest slide yet."

"I'm gonna go down on my tummy!" the seven year old exclaimed.

"I don't know buddy, I think that's an invitation to bang your head."

The young boy jammed his hands in his pockets and chewed thoughtfully on his bottom lip. "But you're a head doctor - the best head doctor - you can make me all better!"

Eric's cheeks tinged brightly at the compliment and reaching out, he ruffled his thick brown hair. "Maybe but I'd prefer not to have to work my magic on you, okay? No tummy slides."

His bottom lip jutted out in a tiny pout and his green eyes betrayed his disappointment only for a moment before he inhaled and smiled. "Okay Eric - you gonna watch me?"

"Always" he replied, watching as he ran off back towards the jungle gym.

Reclining further against the bench he let out a long, slow breath. It was his green eyes that always took his breath away. They were a reminder - often a painful one - of what he was missing. Even after all these years he had not come to terms with how things ended. If he could even call coming home to an empty apartment an ending at all. He had