I wake up looking at the ceiling I see Matthew watching me "Does Mark know he knocked her up?"

"No, nor does he care" he said bitterly "He just saw her as a conquest which he conquered."

"I see, so how did you end up involved?"

"Karen rang about 2 months after he dumped her to let me know that we had a new family member coming, she could not tell Mark, so she told me. I offered to look after her and the baby, she initially declined as she did not want to burden us but I insisted. She was broken by Mark, Rose. I am probably a fool, but for some reason I fell in love with her when she was going out with Mark, the moment I can pinpoint was the wrestling match we had. I thought I would never have a chance with her, and I wouldn't have except for Mark's baby. I would have just let her go, but when I heard that I just couldn't."

Mark paused here "I called her every day after finding out and talking with her only made me love her more, I asked her to marry me about 4 months ago and I was happy that she said yes. And now we're married. "

"Wow, I had no idea that Mark was like that, but now you mention it, he has been through a lot of girls. I always liked Karen and I can see the need to protect her. She doesn't need judgement and nor do you. Unfortunately, that's what would most likely happen if anyone else knew."

So I was allowed to stay for the week. I got to see first hand, how much Matthew truly did love Karen and the damage Mark had done to her.

Karen and I became great friends but I found myself repeating "Matthew loves you, don't doubt that, I can see that you love him too trust that feeling. " and she would nod.

I flew back to the house I shared with Mark.

"So do I know Matthew's wife and will I ever meet her?".

I look him straight in the eye "You know her, but Matthew and I will be dead before you know or even see her again. "

Mark never mentioned finding out again.

Karen's view.

Rose and I were great friends by the end of the week. She promised that she would be dead before anyone else in the family found out, and I believed her. I always liked Rose, even when I was going out with Mark.

A week after Rose left, I was enjoying sex with my new husband when my contractions started. My daughter was born 8 hours later. She was 2 weeks early, apparently having sex that late in the pregnancy can trigger early births. I didn't know that, as I hadn't done midwifery.

It was probably just as well as Matthew was needed to help with the baby that first month, and true to her word my friend Ruby came when Matthew was needed for school and helped me for a further 3 weeks. It was then I was finally able to enjoy my husband as our baby had finally settled into a regular routine which enabled sleeping and other activities more pleasurable.

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