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

     Now Ashley was the one staring at Kirstin as if he hadn’t understood a word she had just said. He stood like that for a while, with a frown on his face. How could she not want what he had just proposed?

     “K, I know you think you can raise this baby on your own, but I don’t think…”

     “Ash, can you just… shut up for a while?” Ashley stopped talking and stared at Kirstin “First of all, I know I can raise this baby by myself. I know it won’t be easy, but I never really thought it would be, so… I am prepared. As weird as it may sound, I am prepared for that. Second…” Kirstin took a deep breath before continuing “This is hard. I… I really felt… relieved when you told me you’d be willing to help me with the baby. It would be so much easier if you were by my side. But then you started talking and talking and I realized something. You don’t accept the baby. You accept me. And as long as you have me, you’re willing to get everything else that comes with me. And that’s not really what I want. I want this baby to be loved. If I’d raise it with you, I’d want you to be a father. A real father. I’d want you to love him. But as I noticed, that’s not what you’re willing to do. You’re willing to raise it as long as I come along. And that’s all. I know you will never see this child beyond the ‘Waiter boy’s baby’ label. And that’s not what I want. I don’t want you to feel angry every time you look at this child. Because that’s not its fault. That’s just… wrong. And I don’t want that.”

     Kirstin got Ashley speechless. Maybe he was thinking all those things when he decided he’d take care of the baby. But how could she know? Was it that obvious? But… was that what he was really thinking?

     “Kirstin, I…” Ashley started to play with his fingers “I don’t know what to say. I can’t really tell you none of that crossed my mind, because it did. But I’d like you to give me a chance. If you accept me and accept me taking care of this child, raising it with you, then I really think I can love this baby. It will be ours. No matter what happens, it will be ours. We’re gonna be the parents. And I’m not as cold as ice, I will love it. All I ask of you is some time to get used to the idea. Because all my life I imagined me marrying you first and then having kids. My own flesh and blood. But I am willing to give up my dreams to be with you. I may not be willing to do this for the baby just yet, but you gotta understand me here. All I can say is that I know I’ll love it eventually, so, can give me this time?” Ashley looked straight at her. Kirstin’s eyes were watery and she felt like crying.

     “Ash… If all you’re saying is true and…”

     “It is the truth.” Kirstin got interrupted by Ashley “I promise.” Kirstin looked deep into Ashley’s eyes and she knew he was telling the truth.

     “I… I think I… I can give you this time. Because I really want you by my side right now. No one else but you.” a tear drop from her left eye. Ashley wanted to help her with her baby. What else could she ask for?

     Ashley got up and so did Kirstin. They kissed passionately until Kirstin broke it with a worried look on.

     “What?” Ashley asked already concerned.

     “It’s just that…” Kirstin had to say something that Ashley would not understand “I think I… no, I don’t think. I will… I’ll tell… I have to tell… Tom about it. About the baby. Because it is his, you know? He gotta know about it.”

     For a second, Kirstin closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip, thinking Ashley would scream at her. But that didn’t happen.

     “Ok.” Ashley said after taking the information in and Kirstin opened her eyes “I think you’re absolutely right. He has to know about the baby.” Kirstin’s jaw even dropped a bit. How could Ashley have changed so much? He would never accept that.

     “Really?” Kirstin asked incredulous.

     “Of course. One way or another, it is his baby. So you gotta tell him.”

     “I can’t believe you’re actually agreeing to this.” Kirstin hugged him.

     “K, baby, look at me.” Kirstin, still hugging Ashley, looked up at him. He brushed a lock of hair away from her face “I’m not always gonna agree with you, but I’ll always be there for you. So, don’t worry. I understand it.”

     “Thank you, Ash.” Kirstin hugged him even tighter.

     “But, listen, I have one condition.”

     “Yeah?” Kirstin asked, already worried. What would that be?

     “That I go with you when you tell Tom about it.”

     “Ok. That’s not a problem. Not at all.” Kirstin breathed relieved. That would be even better if Ashley was there with her. Then Tom would see they are happy together and not even Tom’s child could tear them apart.