Kathleen waited nervously outside Salingers restaurant until well after closing. She didn't know any other way to do this. She didn't want to show up at Charlie's house. They needed some privacy for what she had to say and she hoped he would at least listen to her. Charlie came out and locked the door behind him.

"Chairlie." She said hesitantly

His head snapped in the direction of her voice, "Kathleen, what are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you." You couldn't miss the pleading in here voice

"Kathleen, please. We've been through this."

"I know and I'm not here to rehash anything but you need to know..." She began

"Need to know what?" he asked clearly irritated

She looked down and when she raised her head to meet his eyes hers were brimming with fresh tears, "I'm pregnant, Charlie."

All the color drained from his face, "You're what?"

"I'm pregnant." She said again but it was a barely a whisper

"It's mine?" He asked and as soon as the words left his mouth he regretted it

The look in those blue eyes was unmistakable, "Of course it's yours. I can't believe you, Charlie." She turned away from him

"Kathleen," He said gently touching her shoulder, turning her around, "I'm sorry."

She wiped her eyes and nodded

He looked at her sympathetically, "Are you okay? I mean is the baby..."

She smiled slightly, "Yeah, the doctor said everything's fine. I'm about eight weeks."

Charlie looked around, they shouldn't be standing at midnight on the street talking about this, "Why don't we go get some coffee?"

She nodded and he guided her down the street to an all night diner. Once in their booth he could see how tired she was, dark circles had captured here blue eyes and held them hostage.

"Shouldn't you be getting home?" She asked

"Everyone's asleep by now anyway." He knew she was referring to Kristen

"What can I get ya?" the waitress came over to their table

"Um, I'll have decaf." Charlie replied

"I'll have some milk." Kathleen said after a moment

"Comin' up." the waitress smacked her gum and walked away

"Milk?" Charlie asked

"The doctor said coffee is bad for the baby, even decaf." Her uncertain eyes asking the question she was afraid to voice

The waitress came with their drinks and she took a sip of her milk nervously.

"Kathleen, you know that I'm with Kristen and we're probably getting married." He explained

"I know. I didn't tell you this with the hope you'd come back to me. That would be foolish. But

you're going to be a father whether you like it or not."

"And I will not walk away from my child." he said, "I promise."

"I know this is a lot to absorb." She said, "I still can't believe it."

"We don't have to figure it all out right now. I mean we're tired and emotional." He acknowledged, "So, drink up and I'll walk you back to your car."

/

After making sure Kathleen was safely on her way home Charlie headed home himself, collapsing in bed thankful he didn't wake Kristen. But he tossed and turned so much he finally went into the living room where he slept fitfully for only a few hours. He was in the kitchen downing coffee when Kristen walked in the next morning.

"Hey, sleepy head." She said giving him a kiss, "You must have gotten in late last night."

He forced a smile, "Yeah."

She poured herself a cup, "Everything alright at the restaurant?"

"Yeah, it's not that."

"Oh, well then what's going on?"

"Hey, that's my sweater, Claudia," Julia whined as she and Claudia walked into the kitchen, "I didn't say you could wear it."

"Yes you did." Claudia said, "You just forgot."

"Okay, you two, knock it off or I'll leave you to walk to school." Bailey said following behind them

"Okay, okay." Julia and Claudia said in unison

Bailey looked at Charlie, "Rough night, big brother?" He teased

"You could say that." He looked at Kristen in that way that said they needed to talk

"Well, we'll grab breakfast at school." Bailey said, "Come on, guys, let's go."

"Yes, master." Julia said sarcastically and the three of them left

"Okay what did you not want to say in front of them?" Kristen asked

Charlie rubbed his eyes and sighed, "When I closed up last night Kathleen was waiting for me."

A look of confusion crossed her face, "What did she want?"

"She's pregnant, Kristen."

"What?"

"She's pregnant." He repeated, "And it's mine."

She felt like the wind had been knocked out of her, "Oh god."

He got up and and went to her, resting his hands gently on her shoulders, "I'm sorry. This is the last thing I want but I can't walk away from my child."

She nodded, "You're sure. I mean she's not just trying to get you back by pretending?"

"I don't think so." He said, "I've never seen her so scared. She tried to hide it but I could see it in her eyes."

"Well, we'll just have to deal with this." She said sounding far more confident than she felt

"Hey, I love you. Don't forget that." He assured her

She smiled slightly and nodded

/

Later that day Charlie went to Kathleen's in hopes of talking more now that they had some time to absorb the news. He rode the elevator up and when he saw her he knew she hadn't slept any better than he did.

"Hi." He said nervously

"Hi." She replied, "Come on in."

"Are you alright?" He asked, "I mean..."

"Charlie, I'm fine." She assured him, "I'm pregnant not sick."

"I know. I just..."

She nodded, "You want some coffee? The real stuff? You look like you could use it."

"Yeah." he said

"Well, it'll be a minute. I don't have any made...you know."

He nodded and took a seat on her sofa as she went into the kitchen. She returned a minute later, "Well it's brewing." She took a seat on the sofa but not close to him

"Thanks."

She looked at him, "You told her didn't you?"

"Yeah, this morning."

"And she was upset?"

"Shocked more than anything."

"Tell me about it." She said

"Kathleen, I meant what I said. I will not abandon my child."

"Charlie, I've been thinking and maybe it would be best for everyone if I didn't have this baby." She said

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying it's not too late to...terminate."

"You can't be serious?" he asked becoming angry

"Charlie, look at the turmoil it's causing." She said, "You don't really want this and what business do I have being a mother?" She got up from the couch and turned her back to him

He got up and went to her, gently turning her around to face him, "Look me in the eye and tell me that's what you want." and with that her resolve crumbled and he took her in his arms, "It's okay, I promise. It's going to be okay." He promised as he gently stroked her back.