100

After the judge declared Alexander Meyers and his wife guilty as charged, things have been significantly different in Catherine's life.

She felt more at peace with herself. She stopped feeling guilty of being the only one that survived the accident.

She feels more relaxed to stand before her mother-in-law.

She stood outside their apartment building, waiting for Ace to drive out their car from the garage but she wasn't just waiting, she was lost in thought as well.

For the past three days she hasn't been herself. She missed her period the other month and this month as well, she wondered if she had an infection. She fell sick constantly and missed a lot of lectures. She hated the fact that Ace missed his lectures as well because of her.

"Get inside the car and stop thinking." Ace called her out.

Catherine sighed softly and walked over to him. "Sorry," she mumbled before getting inside the car.

When Ace joined her inside the car, he took her hand in his and lightly squeezed it. "I don't want you to worry much, when we go to the hospital we will find out what the problem is and get it solved then we can resume classes. Nothing much." He told her.

She nodded her head and glanced out of the window.

When they got to the hospital the OBGYN carried out a test on her and after a while the result came out. The doctor invited Ace and Catherine to his office to tell them the test result.

Catherine was nervous as she hoped that it wasn't something serious.

"Doctor, is everything alright? What does the result say?" She questioned curiously.

The doctor smiled and opened, then pushed the envelope towards them. "Congratulations, you're three weeks pregnant, my dear." The Doctor said and for a while the both of them couldn't utter a word.

None of them thought about pregnancy.

She was on a pill and he has always been careful as well.

A pregnancy? This early in their lives?

They had a mixed reaction.

Catherine was scared. Her hands shook as she picked up the envelope. She pulled out the rest result and stared at the bold positive written on it.

She gasped and closed her eyes. "Oh my God." She whispered. The doctor knew what the problem was. That wasn't the first time she saw that same reaction from another expecting mother.

"Are you not ready?" She asked and stared at Catherine. "You are still very young, it is okay to be scared. Do you ever want children of your own?"

Catherine slightly nodded her head and the doctor smiled again.

"The problem is not because you don't want a child, the problem is that you're not yet ready for one. Let me tell you. I had my first child at the age of 19. I was a freshman in college when I got pregnant with my first child. I was scared. I was nervous. I had several breakdowns. I was alone. But I pictured how my child would be when he comes into this world. I imagine his innocent face. I imagined him calling me "Mama" loving me. That thought alone was my inspiration. As a medical student I push through my pregnancy period with love and hard work." She said and stood up from her chair. " You are an Hampton. You can stay at home and still continue your studies. You have nothing to worry about, sweetie. You have your husband, several maids and bodyguards around you. Everything will be just fine. You and your child will pull through it, healthy."

Catherine smiled softly and glanced at Ace who nodded at her.

" Thank you, Doc." She whispered.

"I should write out things that you should avoid from now onwards." The doctor said she sat back on her chair and wrote down a list. She handed it over to Ace and gave him her card as well.

"Call me anytime you need advice or help with anything. I'll always be available for you." She told her.

" Thank you, Doctor Knowles."

*****

"Oh my goodness! Ace. A Baby." She whispered and placed her hand on her flat tummy. " A Baby is growing inside me. It is so unreal."

Ace pulled her close to himself and wrapped his hands around her.

"Everything will be okay. I'm here for you and our Baby." He assured her. She looked up at him and placed her hand on his chest.

"Is it going to be a boy or a girl?" She queried curiously.

"Whichever one it is, we will love him or her with our whole world."

Catherine held him tightly and sniffed. " I love you, Babe."

"I love you so much, my Butterfly." He retorted.

Catherine was sitting inside the living room while Ace and Anitra made dinner.

"Wait a minute, are you saying that Catherine is pregnant? Holy shit. You didn't waste any time." Anitra said and Ace rolled his eyes.

" Who knows, Kisa might be next." Ace said and turned off the gas. "What is your plan with Kisa?"

Anitra walked towards the fridge and brought out some fruits before closing it. He wasn't comfortable with answering Ace's question because he didn't know what to say.

"You don't know yet." Ace stated and shook his head. "Make up your mind soon, Steele. If not, you're just wasting both of your time." He told him before walking out of the kitchen.

Ace dropped the bowl of rice in the middle of the dining table and walked inside the living room to check up on Catherine. "Are you okay, Butterfly?" He asked her and she hummed.

"Come, we should call your mother before she finds out on her own." She suggested.

Ace walked up to her and grabbed his phone from the table. He sat down beside her and dialed his Mother's number.

"Veronica Hampton speaking,"

"Mother, it is me." He said and glanced at Catherine.

" Ace, I was planning to call you tomorrow. How are you and your wife?" She asked.

" We are fine, Mother." He responded. " I have something to tell you and that's why I call."

" Go on, I'm listening."

" You'll soon be a grandmother, my wife is pregnant."