Make Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brhrwMnBFyQ

Violet hears about the murders at the studio on Twitter the next morning. Her head is throbbing. She had cried herself to sleep over everything last night. The pregnancy and about paying someone for the murdering of the father of her child. She had done it. It was done. Nick is dead with some other whore and Violet is all alone. Maybe her sister would take her in? She didn't know if she could do it alone, even with the money she had left.

Violet begins to cry again. The guilt of killing Nick is overwhelming. She holds her belly, wondering if she should keep it. How could she kill this child too? It was too much. The weight on her chest and shoulders makes her unable to get out of bed. She couldn't stop crying. Her whole world is gone.

Sure, she has a home, and would have to some how get Panni back. That was enough to go on for, but Pandora was enough of a responsibility. She didn't know if she could handle being an single mother with a history of pornography and nothing else to put on her resume.

Her phone rang. It said Nick. Violet answers .

"Hello?" She hears Nick's voice. She could not hold back "Oh my god, Nick! You're alive!?"

"Yes, I'm here Vi. Are you OK?" He asks with tears of regret flowing down his face.

"Can you come here? So I can see you? I feel like this is a bad dream, or a nightmare I can't wake from." Violet said, almost losing consciousness.

"I'll be right over."

"Please? I don't feel good."

***

In 15 minutes, he is at her door, knocking, ringing the doorbell, calling, texting. Nick knew she was in there. He finally gives up and calls 911.

***

When the paramedics arrive, Nick explains how she was feeling sick on the phone and now he can't reach her. They broke in with Nick's help. He says he will take responsibility for any damage.

They find her in her room and she is not conscious. They check her vitals as Nick's heart skips a beat, watching Violet lying there. Her skin was as pale as the dead.

"She has a pulse. Let's try to wake her." They give her some light slapping on her face to rouse her. Violet begins to come to. "Who are you? What are you doing in my room?" She asks in a groggy state.

Nick speaks up. "Violet, these are just paramedics. You must have passed out or something. I'm here, you're safe. These women are here to take you to the hospital."

"OK." Violet is too weak to respond further.

"We have a second heart beat here, but it's faint. Let's get them to the hospital." The paramedics begin to get Violet on to a stretcher. It takes a second for it all to register. Comprehension of the true meaning of the words begins to ricochet through Nick's mind.

He says it out loud. "She's pregnant?"

"It looks that way, sir." Says one of the paramedics.

***

Violet wakes alone in the hospital. There are wires and tubes all over and an IV in her arm. She is feeling better, like she had a long night's rest. She presses the button to call the nurse. In a few moments, one arrives. They exchange pleasantries and the nurse begins to ask her some questions to evaluate her state of mind.

When she is done the nurse goes and gets a doctor, who puts Violet through a similar battery of tests, as well as a few physical.

An ultrasound was done while she was unconscious, and she is told the baby is in perfect health, as long as mother begins to take in more nutrients and calories. Violet understands and is given a hearty meal, which she voraciously feasts upon.

Violet is given back her phone to call for a ride. She is to be released within an hour. She calls Nick. It sounds like he was sleeping. "Hey, Violet?"

"Hi Nick." The energy of their love could be felt again in their voices.

He shook the cobwebs and remembered what mattered most. "Vi, the baby?"

"The baby's fine, and yes, you are the daddy." Violet was happy to say it. "I'm so sorry Nick...."

"I am too," he cuts her off "that doesn't matter right now. Are you OK?"

"Yes, I'm fine, they want to release me soon, are you near?" Violet asks.

"Yeah, I'm in the hospital parking garage." Nick says, "I'll wait here until you are ready to go. I love you Violet."

"I love you too, Nick."

***

On the drive home, he puts his hand on her thigh, and she smiles. At the next red light, she moves his hand to her belly. They kiss.

***

Nick takes Violet back the apartment and walks Pandora while Violet settles in. She's wrapped in his hoodie like a blanket on the couch watching Rick and Morty on Hulu, when Nick gets back with the dog. Pandora skips the usual water drinking after a walk, for an immediate cuddling with Violet. Nick joins them. They laugh for the next hour at their favorite cartoon before Nick orders food.

Over the next two hours they eat, laugh more, and cuddle themselves into the intimacy they remembered.