| Dustin and Heather pulled into Heather�s driveway and parked behind Nick�s car. Dustin gripped the steering wheel, � Heather, let�s just go. We can come back later-� � No,� I have to do this now,� She took off her seatbelt and got out of the car. It only took her minutes to reach the front door, but it felt like hours. She didn�t know what to expect on the other side. She reached for the doorknob, but the door flung open. Nick stood there, holding a suitcase. Heather looked down at the case before looking back at him. � You�re leaving?� He said nothing, but pushed past her and headed towards his car. He opened the back door and threw in the case. � I have another bag, and I�ll be gone,� He said walking past her and back in the house. Heather followed, slamming the door behind her. � You can�t leave! What about us?!� � There is no us,� � Please don�t say that,� � Why? Have you gotten so use to lying that you can�t see the obvious? It�s over Heather. It has been for a long time,� � I don�t believe that, and you don't either. Nick I never lied about my feelings for you-� � But you lied about your feelings for Dustin. You said he was just a friend and I wanted to believe you so bad-� � Dustin?! What are you talking about?� � I really don�t want to talk to you anymore. Let me just finish packing and I�ll be gone.� Heather sat on the couch and said nothing else, and watched Nick climb the steps before disappearing around the corner. He�d been up there for almost and hour when Heather went up. He was so buy getting his things that he didn�t see her. � Here,� She said handing him the paper. � You might want this too,� He turned and looked at her curiously before taking the paper from her hands. � To show your family,� She added. � You can�t really see anything yet, but there�s his heart,� Nicks eyes welled with tears, but he blinked them away handing the picture back to heather. � I don�t see anything,� He lied. � Sorry,� � No,� That�s your picture. I already have one. Maybe your family would like to see it,� � Don�t make this harder than it has to be, Heather,� � Damn right I�m gonna make this harder,� She said turning him to look at her. � You�re not just walking out on me Nick. You�re walking out on your child-� � How do I know that�s my kid? Huh! You slept with Dustin didn�t you? Why should I believe anything you say?� � Because I haven�t slept with Dustin since you proposed. I admit I wasn�t faithful to you before, but I never-� � You never wanted to? Or you never liked it? Or you thought of me the whole time? Don�t insult me-� � I was going to say I never though you�d find out. I played with fire and I got burned. I learned my lesson. And I�m sorry, but because you�re angry with me or Dustin, don�t take it out on your child, Nick. Don�t hate something created completely out of love.� Heather tentatively reached for Nick�s hand, gently placing it on her stomach. � Believe that I love you, and I�m so, so sorry for hurting you the way I did.� Nick�s eyes softened and for a moment, but he quickly removed his hand and turned back to his suitcase. � I�ll be out in a few minutes,� HE said shakily. Nick looked down at his suitcases afraid to look back at her. He threw more clothes in his bag and listened as she turned and left the room, closing the door behind her. Still holding the picture in his hand, he looked down at. He ran this thumb lightly over the glossy paper, wiping away the tears that had fallen. � My baby,� He whispered. � Heather�s and mine,� � Heather!� He called dropping the photo and heading for the door. He ran out into that hallway. � Heather!� Heather heard him and turned around to quickly and lost her footing, tumbling down the rest of the steps. Nick watched in horror as Heather flew backwards. It was over in a matter of seconds and Heather lay on the floor at the bottom of the steps not moving. Nick ran down the steps and knelt down, sweeping her up in his arms. � Oh god!� He cried. � Heather, baby,� Heather�s eyes fluttered, opening slowly. � Nick?� She said softly. � You have to stay with me okay?� Nick could feel her slipping away, and gently shook her. � Look at me, Heather.� He said. � We�re going to get you to the hospital, but you have to keep your eyes on me okay?� She nodded faintly. � Good, now we have to stand up,� � You�re not going anywhere,� Dustin said. Chapter Twenty |