Jeremy stands in the doorway to Rowan's nursery and smiles as he watches Chantal put him down for a nap. He loves that child as his own, but there's a part of him that really wishes for his own child still. He and Raine had discussed having more children once, but it seems like such a long way off. Jeremy desperately wants a child of his own now. Chantal turns from the crib and they walk out the door together, closing it behind them. When they settle on the couch together, Chantal takes Jeremy's hand in hers, and then she presses it to her stomach. Jeremy is confused by the gesture.

"Jeremy, I'm pregnant," she says quietly.

Jeremy's eyes widen. "Really? Whose is it?"

"Yours."

"Mine?"

Chantal and Jeremy had slept together once, a few months back. They had gone out for lunch and one thing had led to another in the backseat of Jeremy's car. It was a whim and it hadn't happened again. They never told Raine and, honestly, Jeremy never really thought about it again. He never expected this to be the outcome.

"It couldn't be anyone else's," Chantal says almost defensively.

"Are you sure?"

Chantal rolls her eyes a little. "Unless my girlfriend isn't telling me something."

"It's mine," Jeremy says softly, in shock.

"What are we going to do?" Chantal asks.

"You want to keep it, don't you?" Jeremy asks carefully.

"Yes."

Jeremy sighs in relief. "We'll figure out something, don't worry."

He kisses Chantal softly and they end up having sex on the couch. It's almost like making love, Jeremy is so careful. Afterward, Jeremy lays his head on Chantal's stomach and talks to his unborn child while Chantal's fingers comb through his hair. He wonders what he's going to tell Raine. He'll react badly to the fact that Jeremy and Chantal have even had sex. Jeremy's not sure that he wants to know how Raine will react to Jeremy impregnating his wife, but there's only one way to find out.

**

"I saw Chantal this morning when I was getting the paper and if I didn't know better, I'd say that she's pregnant," Raine says conversationally as he makes himself a cup of coffee.

Jeremy spits out a mouthful of cereal and then coughs as he chokes slightly. Raine puts down his coffee and comes over to pat his back. The entire time, Jeremy's mind races. Chantal is starting to show. He can't put off telling Raine forever.

"Jer? Are you okay?" Raine asks with worry in his voice.

"Fine," Jeremy wheezes.

Raine tilts his head at Jeremy, and then he picks up his coffee and comes to the table to sit down next to Jeremy. Jeremy keeps his head ducked for a second. It's now or never, he tells himself as he takes a deep breath.

"Chantal is pregnant."

Raine pauses with the cup of coffee halfway to his mouth. "What?"

"Chantal is pregnant. Almost five months, to be exact."

Raine sets down his cup of coffee. "Who's the father?"

Jeremy takes another deep breath. "I am. I'm the father."

There's a deadly silence as Raine's face becomes a mask. "Get out."

"Michael--"

Raine stands up abruptly. Coffee sloshes out of his cup onto the table. He stands over Jeremy. "I said get out."

Jeremy stands up and tries to touch Raine's face, but Raine takes a step back, out of his reach before turning his back on Jeremy completely.

"I'm sorry, Michael. I didn't mean to."

"Get out, Jeremy. Before I do something I'll regret."

"Michael--"

Raine spins around and grabs Jeremy by the neck, pinning him against the wall. He squeezes Jeremy's neck hard as his eyes burn into Jeremy's.

"Shut up. I don't even want to look at you right now. Either of you. I don't want to know you. How could you betray me like this? Did you think I would be happy for you? Happy to have to pretend to the public that this child is mine? How dare you." He releases Jeremy's neck. "Get out."

Raine stalks off downstairs, slamming the door behind him. Jeremy stands there with tears in his eyes for a moment, and then he goes into his bedroom and starts packing. When he's done, he heads right next door to Chantal's house. She takes one look at him and opens her arms. Jeremy steps into them and breaks down.

**