NEW YORK CITY, NY – KIRSTIN’S LOFT – FEB. 14TH, 2002 – Tuesday

     “I came as soon as possible. What happened, girl?” Grace said after shutting the door behind her and seeing Kirstin lying on her couch.

     “I’m pregnant.”

     “What?” Grace asked incredulous. She couldn’t believe that so much was happening with her best friend’s life in such a short period of time.

     “I’m pregnant. And it’s Tom’s baby.” Kirstin cried out.

     “Oh, my God! Kirstin! What’s going on with your life? Oh, my God!” Grace sat on the couch and placed Kirstin head on her lap.

     “I know. Oh, my God. What have I done to deserve all this? My life was so perfect a month ago. I had the next 10 years of my life all figured out. I was getting married and was gonna have a perfect job with a perfect husband that loved me so much. Now look at me! I cried every single day this last week.”

     “K, baby, everything will be alright. I really don’t know why all of this is happening to you, but I know it will pass. Ashley is with you now.”

     “I’m not so sure anymore.” Kirstin looked up at her friend.

     “What? What happened?”

     “I told him. About the pregnancy. And about the baby being Tom’s.”

     “Oh, my. And what did he…” Grace got interrupted by Kirstin.

     “He just… took off. Said he needed sometime to think about all this.”

     “But… can you blame him? I mean…”

     “No. I don’t blame him.” Kirstin cut her friend off one more time “I guess he’s right. I guess I would have done the same thing. He’s too young to take care of someone else’s baby.” Kirstin turned her face and let a tear drop.

     “Yeah… but he’ll think about it and will come back to you. You guys can’t be apart again. He’ll see that.”

     “I really hope so…” Kirstin sighted.

 

NEW YORK CITY, NY – HOTEL – FEB. 14TH, 2002 – Tuesday

     Ashley opened the door to his room and, once inside, collapsed onto the bed. He stared at the ceiling, hundreds of thoughts going through his mind. Seconds later, he heard a knock on the door. He put all his efforts into getting up and heading to the door.

     “Saw you entering your… What’s up with that face?” Erik asked when he noticed Ashley’s look. Dan was right beside him. Ashley just shook his head and collapsed again onto the bed.

     “What’s wrong, Ash?” Dan asked, shutting the door behind him.

     “Yeah, you look… tense.” Erik pointed out.

     “Yeah, well…” Ashley shook his head “You’re not gonna believe it when I say it.”

     “Try us.” Dan suggested.

     “Kirstin is pregnant.”

     “What?” the two said in union.

     “Yeah.” Ashley said.

     “But… how could you…” Erik started but got cut off by Ashley.

     “With Tom’s baby.”

     “What?” the two asked incredulous again in union.

     “That’s all there is to it. She’s pregnant with the waiter boy’s baby.”

     Erik looked at Dan that returned the glance. They stood in silence for a while.

     “Hm… And Ash, what are you gonna do about it?” Dan asked to break the silence.

     “I don’t know.” Ashley’s glare was glued to the ceiling.

     “What did you tell Kirstin when she told you that?” Erik inquired.

     “That I needed some time to think about it.”

     “And what did she said about that?”

     “She said she understood my position. And also said that she’s gonna raise this baby with or without me, but that she’d like me to be by her side.”

     “Hm…” Dan didn’t know what else to say.

     “And, ahm… Did you think about that already?” Erik asked.

     “Somewhat. I really don’t know how to react to all that. I mean… how am I suppose to react?” Ashley was still looking up at the ceiling.

     “I really don’t know, man. It’s a really tough one.” Dan informed his friend.

     “Yeah… I just think you should really think about that. It’s really important that you make a decision and tell Kirstin as soon as possible, because if you don’t wanna be part of that, she’s gonna have to start preparing herself psychologically, because it ain’t gonna be easy for her to raise alone the child of a man who cheated on her days before the wedding.” Erik expressed himself.

     “Yeah, I guess…” Ashley still couldn’t face anything but the ceiling.

     “So… we better leave you to it. If you need us, we’re gonna be in our room, alright? Just call or come over. And let us know when you make up your mind.” Dan said trailing to the door.

     “Will do. Thanks guys.”

     “No problem, bro.” Erik said and closed the door.

     Ashley sat up with his eyes closed. He then opened his eyes and stared at his relationship ring. He twisted it around his finger. He had to make up his mind. And soon.