Talia.

"I think I'll talk to Talia, then," I decided. "I doubt anything I say will pacify Rachel at this point."

"That might be for the best," Elizabeth conceded after some thought. "You do still have that elephant in the room to discuss."

"The what?"

"The fact that Talia wants your child, dummy!" the brunette opposite me rapped the table impatiently. "It's a decision that's going to involve more than just the two of you, and even if Amy is fine with it, there's still Rachel to think about. If Talia gets - "

"Okay, okay, I get the idea," I sighed. "...I do want this to work out between the two of them, Elizabeth. Talia's a wonderful friend, and I owe that much to her after what she's done for me."

"You and me both. But whatever you do, Ian, I know you'll make the best decision for everyone." smiled Elizabeth, placing her fingers on mine with a gentle squeeze. "And I'll be here to support you, Amy and Talia every step of the way."

I spent the drive home in troubled silence, trying to fight off visions that were now starting to make themselves known. Elizabeth had brought up extremely tricky issues we had to resolve, and we knew all too well the difficulties a child could bring, along with the joy of parenthood. It wasn't something I could see Rachel agreeing to, especially under Talia's terms, and I wasn't sure how absolutely comfortable I was with the idea.

And yet, there was something tantalizing about the prospect of Talia in a maternity dress, glowing with radiance and motherly affection, an unmistakable bulge underneath her prominent bosom, and knowing that I was responsible -

The sound of a blaring horn reminded me to keep my eyes on the road before I caused an accident.

"Get your head together, Ian," I muttered to myself, grimacing as the other driver shook a furious fist at me.

By the time I got to unlocking my front door (thankfully without further near misses), I still had no solution for the thoughts miring my head.