*Trisha*

Nate and I- yeah, we're not seeing eye to eye today. At all. And now I'm in the doghouse because I forgot to book the studio for him today. I slipped up, which isn't like me, and Nate is letting me know it's not acceptable.

"I don't know how you could have forgotten to book this." Nate stares at the calendar on his phone and shakes his head at me.

"How many times do I have to apologize? Obviously, it was a mistake. I completely forgot. One time. God, Nate. Let it go. I've been a little busy throwing up every other minute. Cut me some slack." I explain.

"You know I can't. I need to rely on you. And lately -"

"Yeah, lately, I've been doing this all in my own! Hell, even Paul is helping me more than you right now." I slam my laptop closed. "You've been doing anything and everything to busy yourself so you don't have to deal with this 'situation'."

"I don't really know what to say to that. You know this life I live. This job, this industry. And anyway, Paul fucking lives with you, Trish. He's with you more. And for good reason thanks to your asshole ex, ok? YOU'RE WELCOME for making sure you are safe."

Ugh, I can't stand him sometimes!

"Don't be a dick." I mutter. "Sorry I have fucking morning sickness from being pregnant with my best friend's baby."

"Unfortunately, right now I am talking to you as your boss, not your best friend. I need to know I can count on you. You have always been stellar at your job and keeping your personal life separate. I'm sorry you're---'" He purposely leaves out the word, "--- and sick, but I need to have a personal assistant that can get this job done, especially since I'll be going on tour. You know.. the tour you've been pushing on me for a year now?"

I can feel my eyes beginning to sting. I have never been reprimanded by Nate. I've always gone above and beyond with my job so hearing this stabs me a little.

"Yes, Nate. We all know you're sorry I'm pregnant."

"Oh my God. Enough with the snarky comments. I'm wasting my time. C'mon. Julia will be home from the Avalon soon and I want to make sure she's ok."

"You're just dying to get away from my presence, aren't you, jackass."

"Today? Yes. Yes I am." He says harshly.

"You're always so quick to make sure Julia is ok. There are plenty of people around in that house to make sure she is ok. When was the last time you asked ME that? You know. The one that's sick and slacking because of you." Heat rises to my face.

"One. It wasn't just me who played a part in that game. Two- you just said yourself Paul does more than I do. I'm sure he is checking on you to make sure you're ok." Yeah, thank goodness for that because lately Nate hasn't been giving me the time of day. He couldn't care less. All he cares about is Julia.

"You're so wound up in Julia it's sickening."

"You know I'm gonna marry Julia someday, right?"

I freeze. I don't know why, but I do. Hearing Nate say those words... He's never been marriage material. He admits that. And neither have I. Not with the jobs we have. We've never ever wanted to get married before. We've always been on the same page. Now, now everything's changing. Everything is shifting. And not to my advantage.

I'm going to have Nate's baby while he marries Julia. I'm going to be doing this alone. A hard lump forms in my throat just thinking about this.

"Wow.. Ok." I sit back in my chair.

"What? You and I were never planning on-----" Nate says nothing due to possible ears anywhere, leaving out specific parts. "Just because you're----. You know that."

Well...kinda? Not get married- but be doing this together. We're not, though, are we? He's making that pretty clear now.

"Of course I know that. I just didn't think Julia - You know. A forever thing."

"Trisha, what did you think this was? A phase I'm going through??" He arches his brow.

"I mean...... yeah."

*****

James

I'm at Griffith Park with Casey and Julia, and my dog and I'm starting to remember little bits and pieces from it. Me and Julia walk down the gravel path together while Maggie drags Casey ahead of us.

"It's nice out today, huh?" Julia smiles up at me and I nod.

"I think Jennie and Katie are stopping by to visit and bring dinner later today. I heard last time someone said Jennie has a new boyfriend?"

Good grief. Jennie will never settle down, will she? I notice Casey stop short and talk to someone ahead of us. Then we see who it is.

"James. Say nothing. I mean it."

"Julia. It's nice to see you out and about, getting fresh air." Jeremy smiles down at her and I already want to throat punch him. I'll repent after.

"James. You look good, man. How are you feeling?" Jeremy asks. How the hell would you like me to answer that, you ass. Oh I'm just dandy. Let me use my words- oh wait. I cant. What a dip.

"He can't speak yet." Julia says sharply.

"Right. Well, give it time. It'll all come back."

"Hey, since I've got ya, can I have a word with you?" Jeremy asks Julia.

Casey walks over with Maggie, and I begin to pet my dog, trying to stay cool.

"What is it, Dr. Donovan?"

"Can I steal her for five minutes, um... Casey.. right? Go head, we'll meet up with you guys."

Casey looks at Julia like she doesn't know what to do or how to answer.

"Yeah. It's fine. We'll be right behind you, Case. James. Go ahead." I nod but continue to look back a few times while walking away. I feel uneasy about this. But we can't let this guy know we are aware of anything happening between him and Julia. Still, the pit in my stomach tells me something isn't right.

"I don't know what to do, James." Casey whispers, keeping her eyes forward. "Tell me what to do."

I don't know what to do either. Even if I did- I can't express it.

We both look back at the same time and notice Jeremy and Julia never started walking, so we can't see them.

"Yeah.. I don't like this. C'mon." Casey turns around and we walk back towards Julia.

"C'mon Jule. James needs to use the bathroom." Casey lies and I nod.

"I need to go help him." Julia pivots and starts walking . "Walk fast. Please. Just walk fast and don't look back." She says while keeping her eyes focused forward as she cries.

We don't say anything until we are in the car driving away.

"Did he say anything to to??" Casey looks at Julia through the review mirror and I turn back to see her. Julia nods and closes her eyes.

"Did he do anything to you?"

Julia nods.

"Shit."

I want to kill him. I really do.

****

*Trisha*

Th car ride back to Nate's was silent. We both looked out our own windows. We're drifting apart from each other and it hurts. I know it doesn't hurt Nate because he is moving forward. He has someone he loves. Julia. All I have is a restraining order and a baby on the way. It fucking hurts.

I'm able to hold in my emotions until after dinner before I make my way to the bathroom. Tears begin to form from this awful day. This time, Nate follows me instead of Paul and for once, I actually wish it were Paul helping me.

I don't get sick. That's not why I came in here. I came in here to hide. I sit on the tub and cover my face while I cry. By the time Nate comes in I'm sobbing.

"Trish..." Nate sits on the edge of the tub with me but I keep my face covered.

"Trish nothing. I'm trying, Nate. You think I WANT to be in this position?"

Nate realizes I'm not crying because I don't feel good, but crying because of the things that were said earlier and the mistakes I made.

"I'm trying so hard. You never cut me slack." I look up at him now. "The things expected of me, Nate... I've always been able to handle it. You know it was true what I said earlier? Not once have you asked if I was ok. Or how I felt about all of this. You know that? Not one fucking time." I cry. "Not one time."

Nate stares down at the floor for a moment then nods.

"I'm sorry. You're right. I haven't." He says softly coming to that realization. He wraps an arm around me. Yet he still doesn't ask me how I am. That breaks me a little more. He doesn't get it, does he?

"I need to go home." I stand up abruptly and walk into the living room. Paul looks up and can see I'm upset.

"You ready, Paulie? I need to get home." I turn away quickly and press the elevator button. Paul gets the hint and we exit together. I say nothing until I'm in the car. Then I burst into tears, catching Paul off guard who now doesn't know what to do.

"I think I'm gonna lose my job. I can't keep up. I'm always sick. I made mistakes left and right today and Nate had to talk to me- as my boss." I frown and shake my head. Paul's eyes widen and he's speechless. "Just drive. Please. I need to be home."

I look out my window and cry the entire way home. I know part of it is my hormones. But part of it is from the day. I don't know how I'm going to do my job.

Or what I'd do if I lose it.

*****

*James*

Trisha looked off today. Something happened. more than just her being sick. Once they leave Nate sits next to Julia with me on the other side of her.

"You look stressed." Julia says.

"She's not keeping up with her job. She forgot to book the studio for my rehearsal today which messed up the agenda for the rest of the day."

Oh. Wow. Poor Trish. She's having a hard time with this all. I bet Nate was hard on her today to top it off. He's a very demanding individual. Granted he's a celebrity so it's expected, but I bet Trisha isn't used to falling behind.

"Trisha did? That's not like her." Julia shares the same shock as me.

"I need a reliable P.A. I tried to talk to her about it as her boss but she wouldn't have it. I may have to start looking around for someone to take over her job while she's pregnant."

Noo. Don't do that. She works so hard! That would kill her if Nate fired her.

Nate's phone goes off and the moment he looks at it I can tell more stress is being dumped on him.

"I'm gonna kill her. I have a dinner meeting tonight that Trisha forgot to tell me about. Shit. Sorry doll, I gotta run." Nate jumps up and rushes out the door.

"Jeeze. Trish is really off her game lately. I can't believe she's having his baby. Nate won't really talk about it with me. He's engulfed in work and so busy. Plus I think it's hard for him to accept. If he thinks Trisha is slacking now, wait till she has the baby. Their main priority is going to be that child." Julia lets out a sigh before continuing.

"Nate assures me everything will work out but I don't know where I fit in that equation." She closes her eyes. "I feel so lost."

She wouldn't feel lost if she were with me. But I can't change her mind. Especially now. Look at me! I'm pathetic. I rest my hand on the side of her face while her eyes are still closed and kiss her cheek.

"Why are you always so sweet to me?" She ask. I give her a little smile and lean in more. I kiss her lips gently and Julia doesn't push me away. I keep kissing her lips and notice her eyes drop down my mouth. She leans in wanting more and then places her hand on the back of my head to pull me into her. I smile in the middle of the kiss but it only lasts a second. My kiss becomes needier and I pull Julia up to straddle my lap.

God I need to be with her.

"Wait." Julia breaks away but I start kissing down her neck making her breath hitch and my dick twitch. "Wait, James. No. We can't."

Yes. We can.

"That line we keep crossing... we can't, remember?"

I back away, shake my head and tap her temple a few times, giving her a longing look. She needs to escape. To forget shit. As do I. We now have the house to ourselves. We can do whatever we want.

We can forget- even for just a little while. We can forget.

"You're trying to get me to forget shit for awhile...."

YES! I nod to let her know she got it right.

"I'm sure you need to forget shit for awhile too, huh." She puts her hands on my face and I nod again. Christ, I need to forget so much right now. I just want to feel normal. To have everyone look at me normal and treat me normal. I just want to be back to myself. I want the old James back. I'll never take it for granted. God, please.

My eyes begin to tear up and I rest my forehead on Julia's. She closes her eyes and I kiss her neck again.

"We're not having sex, James."

I drop my shoulders.

But then Julia takes my hand and pulls me up off the couch, walking us to my bedroom. The moment she slides the doors closed I crash my mouth into hers feverishly. Everything happens fast.She pulls up my shirt and I take it off. But then... she kisses down my chest. Down my abs. I watch her and tense up. It's been a while since she's done this. Everything with us is urgent and rushed.

Julia drops to her knees and pulls down my shorts and boxers in one shot. When she strokes me she looks up at me and I swear I could hit my high just from this alone.

Julia makes me forget. She takes me in her mouth and makes me forget so hard I'm panting from forgetting. She makes me forget so good I can't help but pull her in for more. She makes me forget so well she can hear my voice through my moans, and I groan loudly right before I come down her throat.

She makes me forget everything .

*****