Challenging: Day 13

Word Count: 78,020

Summary of Events:

Gabrielle went to Pastor Ken's church on Sunday and ended up getting invited to lunch, while Jeremiah was invited to attend Sunday School as well. Jennifer met with the local society columnist and told her all about Nicholas' affairs and how their marriage was falling apart. Reid was visited by Pastor Ken, who generally just tried to get to know him, not that Reid was sure what to do with the visit. Gabrielle went to the doctor and got news that threw a wrench into any plans she may've had, and she went to go tell Reid first.

Excerpt of the Day:

""You've been crying," Reid said, concern even edging his voice.

Gabrielle nodded.

"Are the kids alright?" Reid asked.

"Yes," Gabrielle replied, nodding.

"What's the matter?" Reid asked.

Gabrielle settled her hand cover the small child — and everything else contained under the skin of her abdomen — "I'm expecting again."

Reid's mouth slowly closed, the concern remained on his face while his eyes took on a mixture of concern and guilt. After a few moments he looked away and stayed that way for a long time before bringing his gaze back up to her face — passing it over her abdomen on the way.

"Sell the truck," he said.

"What? But why?" Gabrielle asked.

"You'll need the money," Reid replied. "Sell the truck."

"But then what are you supposed to drive when you're released?" Gabrielle asked.

"Don't worry about that," Reid replied.

"You're going to be released Reid, eventually," Gabrielle said.

"I'm not discounting that," Reid said, getting to his feet and putting his hands gently, yet firmly, on Gabrielle's shoulders."However, by the time I get out the tires will be flat and the engine's probably going to be seized — or at least in some nasty shape — and the work to fix it will be as much as a new truck. Let someone else drive it. We'll worry about what I'm going to drive when we get there. Right now I can't drive, the truck does you no good, so sell it."

"But the car won't work either," Gabrielle said. "It's not big enough, and Jeremiah isn't old enough to sit in the front seat."

"Then use the money from selling the truck to get a van," Reid said. "And sell the truck because it'll get you more money."

"But how do I do that?" Gabrielle asked.

"Ask your pastor friend or somebody, maybe they'll even buy it from you," Reid replied.

"How did you know about Pastor Ken?" Gabrielle asked.

"He came to see me," Reid replied.

"Oh," Gabrielle said; she wasn't sure what else to say, being as Reid had stiffened and looked mentally shut down. Gabrielle wrapped her arms around Reid and held onto him tightly.

Reid relaxed and returned the embrace. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"I want you there when the baby comes," Gabrielle said.

"When'll that be?" Reid asked.

"May, I think," Gabrielle replied.

"The trial will have started by then," Reid said.

"I don't care if there's a bunch of cops," Gabrielle said. "I want you there."

"I want to be there," Reid said. "I want to be out of here. I'd do anything to get out of here."

"Don't try and dig your way out or anything like that," Gabrielle said, releasing her embrace and pushing back on Reid's so she could look him in the face. "Be on your best behaviour. The better you behave the more lenient they'll be and hopefully the quicker you'll be out of here even on parole — the less conjugal visits required too."

"I don't think I could dig out of here, I'm not a gangster with friends," Reid said, a ghost of a smile teasing the corner of his mouth and lighting his eyes."