Eliza was able to ignore the occurences -- at first.

Nicol's pie shop was being restored back to it's origional state, though it would take awhile. In the mean time, he ran pie deliveries to his regulars.

Weeks passed and Eliza's stomach became larger and larger as the baby within grew.

Nicol went on with his days, opening his business everyday, selling his pies and setting a strict routine for himself. Occasionally Jude would stop by and sometimes with Jim as company.

Eliza had not looked into the enchanted mirror once since Nicol's departure.

"Hey, Jude," Nicol greeted in his dull tone, rolling up fresh doe. "Where's your buddy?"

"Outside -- taking a call, I think."

"You seem pretty close," Nicol said, "It's good to know you're doing well with your love-life."

"And... you? How is Maureen?"

"Gone, Eliza came back and simply ordered me away so that's what I did. I left."

Jude looked confused. "But... wasn't she... pregnant?"

"She is,"

Jude didn't know what to say.

"But I'm confident that she will come find me."

"Oh?"

"Sorry about that," Jim said, taking a seat next to Jude at the counter. "Just checking in with a client."

Jude gave Nicol a look.

Nicol said nothing further on the subject.

Hmm. I want to continue with this, but I'm not sure if you do. Do you?

I do, I was just waiting for you

Oh, okay.

Two months later, Eliza -- seven months pregnant now -- had returned to the states. She was living with her sister.

Nicol was fully aware of Eliza's return, but kept his distance. He had seen her pale face and the heavy bags under her eyes, knowing that she was having a difficult time with the pregnancy.

The pregnancy was certainly taking its toll of Eliza. She felt constantly ill, couldn't sleep, and had trouble with pains.

After closing up the store for the night, Nicol was on his way home.

Heavily pregnant and sick-looking, Eliza was waiting outside Nicol's apartment building for him.

He was surprised, to say the least, to find Eliza waiting for him. He stopped three feet away from her. "You look unwell."

"I'm still pregnant. Of course I'm not well."

"And what do you want me to do about it?"

"I want you to pay for my doctors bills, for starters."

"Why should I? You were the one who demanded I stay out of your life."

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