"Holt on My Heart"
OK I know the setup was the living room after dinner but this scene wrote itself out on the balcony so that where it takes place... I got this idea from the first scene with Frances in Steele Sweet on You where she only mentions 2 of the 3 children.
They stood together on the balcony
looking at the stars. The last few months had been a whirlwind
with a fake wedding, a real wedding, Daniels confession that he
was Harrys father and then just yesterday the doctor confirmed
what she already suspected--a baby on the way. Harry had gone
on
and on for the past twenty four hours about their first child
and she knew she would have to tell him the truth. She had kept
the secret for 6 years. She had wanted to tell him before, many
times, but was afraid the secret would push him away. It still
haunted her, it was with her every day. She
hoped he would understand. She had to tell him. He had a right
to know.
"I have something to tell you".. she hesitated, wondering if she should go on, wondering if the risk in destroying everything they had built was worth it.
"There's something I never told you about Wilson..about after he left."
"Laura what are you getting at?" he sounded a little annoyed. "We're married and expecting our first child, what does your past possibly have to do with that? I'm not going to leave you like he did. Don't you know that by now?"
"It's not my first child" she said very quietly.
"What?" His voice changed from anoyance to shock.
"I was pregnant when Wilson left. I never told him. He never knew. I never told anyone." She took a deep breathe and continued afraid to stop, knowing if she did she might not be able to finish. "The only other people who know are Frances and Donald. I didn't want to tell mother. Frances and I came up with a plan. Frances told mother she was pregnant again. Wore maternty clothes and padding, the whole nine yards. Donald was in on it too."
She took another breath and Harry interrupted "and you hid the pregancy from your mother?"
Laura continued, " That was the easy part with me in LA and mother in CT I simply didnt see her for most of that year. She was occupied with Frances 'having another baby' . Frances had told her the due date wa sa pmonth past mine, she came out visit when I was due. She helped me through labor and delivery and took the baby home with her. She told people she went into early labor. "
Harry immediately put two and two together, "Laurie Beth?"
Laura started to cry, and turned away from her husband. "Yes Laurie Beth is mine..and Wilsons. That's probably why you've always had such a strong connection to her. No one else knows..no one can ever know ..but I thought I should tell you. Please forgive me."
Harry chuckled a little and walked over to put his arms around his wife. "Well that explains why my favorite neice has such a stubborn independent streak." His voice grew serious again "Laura, there's nothing to forgive. You weren't ready to be a mom then. You were devestated when that cad left you. You did the only thing you could think of. You haven't deserted Laurie..you've been the best aunt she could ask for."
Laura sniffled "I thought you'd be mad, after all you were unwanted shuffled around-I didn't think you could forgive me for giving my own child away. I just didnt know what else to do."
"It must be hard seeing her call Donald and Frances mom and dad.. to know she's yours and not be able to tell her."
"She's too young to understand. Maybe someday. Hopefully she wont be too mad at me. Frances and I agreed we would tell her eventually. I still haven't figured out how we can tell Laurie Beth the truth and not tell my mother. Hell I don't know how I am going to tell her about this baby."
Harry studied the pain on his wife's
face and began to realize what his own father must have gone thru
wanting to tell him the truth for 20 years and seeing pain and
hurt everytime he tried. No wonder Laura had been so adamant
that Daniel tell him the truth. She had been there herself, gone
through it by herself except for her sisters help. It made sense
why she had tried to avoid contact with Frances. And why she had
been so hurt and angry when Wilson reappeared in her life a few
years ago. It had taken a lot of courage for her to tell him the
truth. He looked down at Laura who was resting with her head against
his chest. he kissed the top of her head and whispered "you
are going ot be a great mom. You are a great mom."