Page 203 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“We made him. We wanted to know all your movements before you got taken.”

She shook her head walking over to the drinks cabinet and poured herself a whiskey, then she sat down beside him and took a huge gulp. He was watching every move she made. Every miniscule one.

“I don’t know.” She said quietly. “I was embarrassed, and I didn’t want to freak you out either.”

“Why would you freak me out?”

She shrugged. “I overheard you and Brandon talking. I heard what you said about maybe wanting kids and that I couldn’t.”

He nodded. So she had heard, he thought. “I didn’t mean…”

“It got me thinking. I’ve buried my head about it for so long and you’ve been so vehemently against it that it felt like I could be but then what you said changed everything.”

“I was only against it because you couldn’t have kids.” He stated.

“What?” She said looking at him.

“I didn’t want kids, not for a long time but now…” He sighed. “I didn’t want you to feel pressured, to feel like it was an issue.”

“It is an issue.” Maddie snapped.

“Maddie, I love you whether you can have children or not. It makes no difference to me.”

“And if I can?” She said quietly.

His eyes widened. “Can you?”

She shrugged. “It sounds like it.” She said quietly.

“How?”

She covered her face feeling suddenly really mortified by the whole conversation.

“Why are you so ashamed by it Maddie?” He asked quietly.

“Because it is shameful.” She said. “Every other woman can do it, every other woman can just get pregnant if they want too and I…”

“Not every woman can.” He said gently.

She snorted putting her glass down. “It’s the most natural thing in the world and I can’t even do it without help.”

“But you can?” He said.

“Yes.” She said.

He pulled her into his arms. “Tell me Maddie. Explain it to me. All of it.”

“I’ve been having hormone injections.” She said. “They’re meant to kick start my reproductive cycle.”

“And then you can get pregnant?”

“Sort of. The doctor says I have reduced fertility so I’d probably need IVF.” She replied.

“Okay.” Cole said. “If you want to…”

“Do you?” She said looking at him.

He gave her a wry smile. “Yes but only if you do.”

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