Mary sat in her apartment tears staining her face. Everything was falling apart. She had lost the man she loved. She'd never seen Andy so angry. How could she tell him what she needed to tell him. Would he even listen? She needed her best friend desperately so she dialed the familiar New York number and waited for an answer.

"Hello?" A familiar voice came across the line

"Rhoda." It was all she could say

"Mary?" She asked

"Oh Rhoda." She said, "Everything is such a mess."

"What happened, Kid?" She asked alarmed

"I told Andy about Lexi and he was furious." She explained, "It's over."

"Oh Mare, I'm sure he'll come around. You know how men are."

"No Rhoda, I could see it in his eyes." She said, "He said he can't be with someone he doesn't trust."

"I'm sorry, Mary. I really am but don't give up hope."

Mary wiped her eyes, "That's not all Rhoda."

"What is it?"

"I'm...I'm pregnant." She could barely get the words out without sobbing again

"Pregnant?" Rhoda repeated, "Well, what did Andy say?"

"He doesn't know." Mary explained, "I just found out."

"Oh Mare, you've got to tell him right away."

"How?" She asked, "If I call him he'll just hang up. If I go see him he'll just throw me out."

"Make him listen." She said

Mary sighed heavily, "I jut hope I can." She looked at her watch, "I guess I need to go over there and get it over with."

"I wish I was there with you. I can come out for a few days." Rhoda offered

"No, you don't have to do that." Mary insisted

Rhoda wasn't convinced, "I'll get the first available flight. Now you go talk to him."

Mary smiled slightly, "Thanks, Rhoda,"

"I'll call you when I've got my flight scheduled." She said

/

Mary nervously approached Andy's apartment and knocked on the door. She had no idea how she would break this news to him. He finally opened the door after what seemed an eternity

"Hi." she said

"What are you doing here?" he asked clearly unhappy to see her

"Andy, please we need to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about so please leave." He tried to shut the door but she stopped him

"Yes there is." She insisted, "Can I please come in?"

"You can say whatever you need to say right here."

She sighed heavily and decided to just get to the point, "Andy, I'm pregnant."

He was momentarily stunned, "On second thought, I think you better come inside."

He let her and helped her off with her coat but he didn't know what to say.

"Andy?"

"You are really something." He said, "You expect me to believe you?"

She held back the tears as best she could, "I'm not lying. I just found out today."

He walked from the foyer into the living room and sat down, "I can't believe this."

She walked into the living room, "I know. I was shocked when Dr. Fleming told me."

"Weren't you on the pill for crying out loud?" She asked

"Yes, of course, but nothing is fool proof. I guess I should have known."

"No, we're both responsible." He said

She took a deep breath, "Look, I know you don't want this and I don't want to pressure you. But I don't want to do this alone."

He looked up at her and the fear in her eyes was evident, he got up and walked over to her, "Mary, I won't abandon my child. I wouldn't do that."

She nodded, "But this doesn't change anything with us. I know."

He sighed heavily, "Mary, I really need to time to absorb all this."

"Of course, I...I understand." She needed time too, "I should be going." She walked over to the foyer and put on her coat

"Look, I'll...I'll call you." was all he could seem to say

She smiled slightly and nodded then walked out the door before the tears started to fall

/

Rhoda arrived on Saturday and Mary had never been so glad to see her. She hadn't told anyone else about the baby and since Wednesday she hadn't talked to Andy. She didn't know how she had done it but she got through the rest of the week and now she at least had someone to talk to. She dropped Rhoda off at her hotel and they were talking in her room.

"So you haven't talked to Andy since that night?" She asked

"No, I'm trying to let him sort things out." She explained

Rhoda looked at her friend, "But you're scared?"

Mary's big brown eyes said everything, "I haven't been this scared since I was pregnant with Lexi."

Rhoda put her arm around her, "But Andy's not going to abandon you or the baby. You told me he said that."

"I know. But it...it wasn't supposed to be like this." She got up and walked over to the window and looked out at the city

"I know." Rhoda said and went to her and put a hand on her shoulder

Mary turned around and began to sob. Rhoda hugged her, "It's gonna be alright, Kid. It's gonna be alright."

/

After spending most of the night with Rhoda Mary returned home. Rhoda wanted her to stay at the hotel with her but she felt like being alone even though she was happy Rhoda was here. She changed into her pajamas and sat on the sofa her mind still a jumbled mess. She picked up a book off the coffee table The Pregnancy Handbook. She brought her hand to her abdomen and couldn't help but smile a little. You can't possibly know how much I love you already my sweet baby. I promise I'll take good care of you. She got up to get a glass a milk and the doorbell rang. She looked at her watch, it was almost ten. She opened it to find Andy standing there.

"Hi." She said hesitantly

"We need to talk." he said

TBC