This is for StarCrossedLover's1001 2nd contest. The rules are really simple, just take a couple, and make them have a kid.

Oh, and this is a sequel to my other story, As Wise as a Snake, As Harmless as a Dove. You don't have to read it, but I would really appreciate it. :D

Natalie Kabra (now Cahill) had been married to Dan for only six months when she missed her period. At first, she thought it was stress.

But when she missed it again, she began wondering. Sneaking out of the mansion that day, she had gone to a low-life grocery store, a.k.a. Dollar Tree, and bought a pregnancy test.

She wished she'd had Amy do it for her. The people in there...stank...and the workers openly admired her. It was, to say the least, awkward.

Besides that, the store was dirty, and Natalie could feel the fleas trying to jump into her perfectly silky black hair.

But when the pregnancy test was positive, she knew it had all been worth it.

That night, she had prepared, by herself, a beautiful dinner. She had made small cupcakes, lemon frosting ones, with a simple tossed salad, and lasagna, all Dan's favorites, minus the tossed salad.

She'd set the table in her best dishes, the ones with the pattern of a rose in the center of the plate, and put on a beautiful flowered tablecloth.

Natalie had gone all out, even buying candles, and lighting before he got home. But Dan was late that night.

He didn't show up, and now she was pacing, waiting for him.

"Where are you Daniel?" She asked.

She glanced at the clock. It was 7:30. Dan was normally always home by 5:30, at the latest.

Her shoulders slumped, and she sighed. "Maybe he got stuck in traffic?" She questioned. Now she was just coming up with excuses.

Just then, the door opened and Dan walked in, enveloping Natalie in a hug. "Hey." He said, a twinge of annoyance on his face. He rolled his eyes. "The stupid kids next to my work were playing in the parking lot," He paused. "Can you believe it?" He sighed, shaking his head. Blond hair flew everywhere. "They were playing volleyball right in front of my car, and it took them soooo long to pick it up. They had to pick up their net, which took like, half an hour." Dan continued mumbling about stupid kids, and Natalie felt her heart sink.

He doesn't like kids. Natalie began to panic. He doesn't like kids...he doesn't like kids...he doesn't like kids...he doesn't like kids...

"Natalie?" Dan waved a large hand in front of her eyes. "What are you doing? Are you even listening?"

Natalie felt panic race through her. She forced herself to smile. "Sorry." She smiled again. "I was just thinking about our dinner. I made lasagna!" She smiled up at him, and he smiled back.

He placed a hand on her back, and pulled her to him. "Ok. Let's go eat."

oO0Oo

Natalie didn't tell Dan about her pregnancy. She just smiled, nodded, and did other wifely things to make her husband feel loved and appreciated.

After dinner, they went out and sat out on the patio.

Dan looked down at her, his jade eyes questioning. He cocked his head. "Ok, what's up? Cobras don't just make dinner for no reason." He grinned.

Natalie pretended to be annoyed. "What?" She rolled her eyes. "So I can't even make a simple dinner for my husband without him asking what the occasion is? Wow."

Dan rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Just...you know."

"What?" Natalie asked, looking up at him.

"Nothing." Dan said. He looked away, as if uncomfortable. Then he yawned. "Honey, I really need to go to bed. I'm really tired, and I don't know if I can stay awake much longer."

"Why?" Natalie asked. "You just got home." She pouted.

Dan planted a kiss on her cheek and smiled. "Look, try chasing snotty-nosed kids away from your car for two hours. It takes quite a lot of energy."

Natalie looked down. "Oh."

Dan didn't seem to notice her lack of response. He stood up, gave her a quick kiss, and then headed off to bed.

Natalie stared off into the distance. The sun was setting, a bright fireball in a clear blue ocean.

The wind blew softly, rustling the surrounding trees. It was a beautiful night, one Natalie would normally love to share with her husband, but instead, all she wanted to do, was curl up and cry.

He doesn't like kids. She lamented. How the heck am I supposed to tell him that I'm pregnant? She bit her lip, and ran a hand through her waist-long hair.

She sighed. "Maybe...maybe..." She stopped, setting her jaw. "I just won't tell him."

Something in the very back of her mind seemed to whisper, You could get an abortion. But Natalie ignored this. "It's me and Dan's child, I won't destroy it. Even if he doesn't like it and kicks me out."

She stood up, and padded inside, turning on the TV. She plopped into an overstuffed armchair, and tried to pay attention.

She couldn't. All she could think about was the fact that she was pregnant, and her husband, the love of her life, the one she'd dreamed about having children with, didn't like kids.

Natalie stared at the screen, not comprehending the plot at all. "I don't know what to do." She sighed.

"I guess, I guess, I'll just live with it."

She licked her lips, took a deep breath and prepared for the worst nine months of her life... and looked up pregnancy blogs.

So...how'd I do? I tried to describe stuff. LOL. That's what I'm awful at. Please point out my faults. I would really appreciate that. :D

Until next chapter,

39addict101