Rob couldn't understand why Janet felt the need to tell him in person, to tell him at all. As far as he was concerned Eddie could find out thru the ridge rumor mill. After all the drama and demission he had caused he didn't deserve Janet's consideration. But Janet stood her ground, carefully explaining all the reasons Eddie needed to hear it directly from her, she needed to explain to him after all that had happened between them; he deserved at least that. Rob was angry, but deep down he knew Janet was right, he just didn't want to admit it.

"Look, I am going to run over there get it out of the way and then I will me you and everyone at the Johnson in for brunch. Make sure Annie wears that pink dress ok." Rob looked at her, his eyes pleading "Please just trust me on this ok." He wrapped her arms around his neck, a small smile on her face before she kissed him.

"Ok, Janet. Ok." He whispered before he kissed her again.

Janet pulled up to Gelson, not really sure what she was going to say. But when Eddie opened the door, it all became very clear. She was going to lay it out, simply and quickly.

"Uh, Hey there." Eddies mind went blank, Janet was the last person he expected to see on his doorstep looking so bright and fresh early on Sunday morning.

"Hey..."

"Uh, Pizza Girl she just left, she and Phil got in to a fight. Were you suppose to pick her up?"

Well yes but.. I uh... I came here to talk to you too." For a moment, Eddie felt a twinge of hope that Janet was there telling him she wanted him back. But the glimmer of hope was quickly thwarted when he saw the glimmer of a huge engagement ring, (that was probably the equivalent of his life savings) on her finger.

"Does this talk have to do with that." He said pointing at the ring. Eddie felt as though a batter ram just pounded him in the gut. He wanted to puke. Janet just nodded, unable to look at Eddie face "So you got engaged."

"Uh Eddie, I got married...on Friday." Janet forced herself to look into Eddies eyes as she spoke, watching the pain register on his face.

Janet was over a week late, knowing in her bones that she was pregnant. She smiled from ear to ear as she ran to the drug store to buy a test, while Rob slept. She had been living with Rob and Annie in the Flats for months, decided to keep her place until the market picked up, eventually renting it out to Pizza Girl. She and Phil were at a crossroads, his unwillingness to leave the house and Pizza Girl's need to move forward in her life, caused ripples and wave for the usually calm couple. Janet felt like she was floating on air, she and Rob had talked about a baby in the abstract, they had talked about getting married too but Rob still had not asked. He had tucked the ring away after the Eddie incident, waiting for what he didn't know.

"Where did you run off to so early this morning." Rob asked standing at the counter pouring her some coffee.

"Uh I might not be able to drink that!"

"What why?" Janet pulled the test out of the bag and watched as Robs eyes lit up.

"Janet really?" She nodded furiously as she ran into the bathroom. "Janet WAIT!" She stopped dead in her tracks. "Don't move stand right there OK."

Janet stood there perplexed as Rob ran up the stairs, returning a few minutes later with a sleepy Annie and a small black box in hand. Janet's heart leapt out of her chest, and everything felt like slow motion as Rob got down on one knee.

"Janet... I have had this for a while now. Waiting for the right moment... This is the right moment. I love you... you have given me something I never thought I would have again. Something I never though we would have again." He looked at Annie who quickly got down on one knee beside her father. " Janet will you marry me?"

"US!" Annie shouted out correcting her father.

"Us, Janet will you marry us?"

"You got married... wow... I was not expecting that..."

"Yeah, it was a justice of the peace thing, just me and Rob and Annie…"

"Why the rush?" It was a stupid question, in his bones Eddie knew why. He just needed t hear her say it. The final nail in the coffin.

"Eddie, I am having a baby. Rob and I are having a baby..." Eddies heart broke, he could no longer hold on to the fantasy that he and Janet were going to find there way back to each other. "I wanted you to hear it from me, not from Phil or Ikey."

"Well I... appreciate that... I uh... really am at a lack for words Janet..." The dream he had so many months ago flashed in his brain, now it felt like a warning. He realized that Janet was lost to him a long time ago, he just didn't want to admit it. Holding on to the past was easier then thinking about a future without her and now he had no choice.

"Look Eddie, Hannah is due any day... you and I are going to be god parents to this child, we are going to be in each other lives. These past six months avoiding one another, its has been good for no one. I am here trying to extend a branch... we need to get past the past..."

"You're right... I get it now Janet I really get it... Its been over two years..." His voice trailed off, and he got lost in thought. Janet just stood there watching him work everything out in his head. "If I would have known that morning was going to be the last time I would kiss you with out pain or sadness... I would have paid closer attention..."

"Yeah... me too Eddie...me too." Janet extended her hand to him "Friends?" He took her hand in his.

"Yeah, friends."

"Good! Get your coat."

"What why?"

"You are coming to brunch."

"Janet I don't brunch, real men don't brunch..."

"Tell that to Owen and Nick. Come on get your coat."

- END OF PART ONE -

I know guys, I know. Don't hate me... but I had to do it... but fret not... Part Two is coming...