"Hi 'Leen, Kevin." he said shortly.

"Hey Nick." Kevin grinned. That had been a good first step in the road to winning Aileen back and he was pretty sure Nick had witnessed some of their reunion.

"Oh, um, 'Leen, I got those chocolates for you, but I left them in the car. I'll run and get them."

Nick ran out of the apartment and jumped into his car. He slammed the door and banged his fists on the dashboard. "Damn him, damn it, damn it, damn it!" Nick continued beating his fists on the dash until they were sore. He took a deep breath and lay his head on the steering wheel. "Okay, Carter." he said to himself. "Think about it, was she ever really yours to begin with? We only had one time, really. One wonderful time." Nick sighed and slapped his hand on the dash again. "I have to be the bigger man here, otherwise she'll hate me forever. If she wants Kevin, okay. That's her decision and I'll honor it. She'll still be the mother of my child. I'll still see her."

Nick returned to the apartment carrying the gift-wrapped box of chocolates. Kevin had just finished helping Aileen up and was kissing her cheek.

"I love you, baby. I'll see you later, okay? I have a surprise for you."

Nick cleared his throat. "Here's your chocolates, 'Leen." She turned and threw her arms around his neck.

"Oh, thank you!" She kissed him on the lips. "I've been dying for one of these!" Kevin turned Aileen back to him, hugged her and said his goodbyes. Nick sat on the couch, watching with a frown.

"What was that all about?"

Aileen looked up from the chocolates. "What...Kevin?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, he stopped in to see how I was and...." she hesitated.

"One thing lead to another." Nick finished for her. "Look, 'Leen, I'm not going to stand in your way if you want to go back to Kevin. I won't understand it, but I won't stop it. I just want you to really think things through before you make any choices that will affect your life like this." He moved to her side and put his arm around her. "Just promise me that, okay. Don't jump into anything, even with me."

Aileen hugged him and nodded her head. "I've been thinking, trust me." She smiled at him. "Don't worry I won't be hasty with my choice."

Kevin returned later that night. Aileen was in the middle of sorting through some of the baby clothes she had been given. "God, I hope it's a girl!" she said when Kevin came in. "These dresses are just too adorable!"

Kevin checked out some of the piles of clothes. "Looks like you have enough for a full team." he said.

"Well, between you and Nick, I think I could open a store and still have enough!"

Kevin pulled her up to a standing postition. "Look, could we go sit in the living room? I have something to show you." They walked through the apartment and sat on the sofa. Kevin pulled a package out of his pocket and put it in Aileens hand. "I won't say anything, you tell me." Aileen opened the small box and gazed at the ring that lay inside.

"Oh Kevin, it's beautiful!"

"Do you like it?"

"It's gorgeous!" She went to take it out of the box and then hesitated. "Kevin, I can't accept this." She handed the box back to him. He looked crushed. "Kevin, it's not you and it's not Nick. I just haven't thought everything through yet. I need to decide for me first, and the baby, what will be best. I'm just not ready yet." Kevin nodded.

"I understand, 'Leenie." He kissed her cheek. "Just remember that I'll be waiting whenever you're ready."