Do I stay or run away and leave all behind?

It's times like these you learn to live again

It's times like these you give and give again.

It's times like these you learn to love again.

- "Times Like These" by Foo Fighters

When Carly first informed her of Diego's feelings, she tried to keep her distance from the former mob prince. She even attempted to find a new place to get her routinely morning peppermint tea and muffin. But it just didn't have the same taste. She told herself it was probably a different tea brand or different muffin recipe than Kelly's diner. Deep down, she knew it was because it was not being served by the one person she unexpectedly comes to rely on the most in the world.

The days she did not see Diego, she thought of him. When she had an exciting encounter with one of the hotel's infamous regular clients, she would think, "Diego would find this funny.' If she had a sudden craving in the middle of the night, she didn't think of asking Mac or Georgie, who she lived with but thinks to call Diego. And when the baby kicked for the first time, her first instinct was to hold on to her stomach. The second was calling Diego and how he would love to felt that kick. It's that instinct that Maxie realized, and she doesn't know how it happened or when, but she knew for sure she had developed feelings for Diego. It's that realization that allowed her to accept Diego's offer to accompany her to the appointment to find out the baby's gender.

They grew close together as time passed, but a conversation of feelings never took place. There was no declaration of "I love you." Instead, they found themselves wanting to be in each other presence and embracing each other more often than before. Interlocking fingers during outings. Maxie consistently placing her legs on his when sitting on the couch together. Diego affectionally giving hugs with a kiss on the head every time they meet up. Eating from each other's plates, more so Maxie than him. She's sure her family has seen the dynamic change in their relationship, but it's Carly to be the first one to question her.

"So, when are you making it official with Diego," Carly asks while walking into Maxie's home without a knock.

"Hi, Carly, how are you? Please come in!" Maxie said with a hint of sarcasm.

"Hey, your father is the Police Commissioner. It would help if you knew better not to leave doors unlocked," Carly replied with a grin.

"Carly, it's a Sunday afternoon. I don't want to have a serious conversation. I want to lay in my PJs and do some online shopping," Maxie stated while lounging on the couch with a laptop on her lap.

"Shopping for who you or the baby, you know what doesn't matter, don't buy anything yet!" Carly exclaimed while grabbing the laptop and placing it on the coffee table.

"Why not?" Maxie questioned curiously.

"Cause I plan to throw you a baby shower, but before we discuss dates or themes, I need to know the status of you and Diego. Will he be attending as a 'friend' or as official boyfriend and potential future stepfather."

"Wow – you just, just wow! When I think you can't be any blunter and why did you air quote the word friend. Diego is my friend," Maxie stated with annoyance.

With a questionable stare, "just a friend, who you love and recently always clinging onto," Carly states rather than question.

"Cling! I don't cling, and if anyone clings to a friend, it's you to Jason. And Diego is my friend; of course, I love him."

"First, I don't cling to Jason," Carly replied while Maxie let out a laugh.

"Carly as your friend, you and Jason have too much of close friendship."

"Yeah, because Jason is just not a friend, he's my best friend just like I know you and Diego have become best friends, but your friendship has developed into something more."

"Okay, Carly your right, Diego is my best friend. Can I go back to shopping," Maxie answered while reaching for her laptop.

Carly moves the laptop further away. "No, because if Jason and I showed each other the level of affection you guys have been doing, Jax would be a very jealous husband right now," she says.

Silence. Maxie, ponder the recent weeks with Diego since the doctor's appointment. She knows she has feelings for Diego, more than she should be considering the circumstances of life right now. "Carly, I care for him deeply, but I am in a place in my life where I don't think I can return the same level of feelings Diego has for me. It won't be fair to him; I am not fully over Jesse, and I am having another man's baby."

"Maxie, no one expects you to forget Jesse; he was your first love. It's not wrong to admit that you're falling in love again. And Diego doesn't see your baby as another man's baby; he sees your baby simply as your baby. He loves you."

"I know he does, but I need time. And I do not need a baby shower," Maxie said with a sad smile while finally being able to pick up her laptop.

"You are getting a baby shower."

"It's only October!" Maxie exclaimed.

"Yes, which means you have time to imagine your ideal nursery and creating a baby registry."

And the world spins on – Carly picks January, a month before her due date for the baby shower. The irony is not lost on her that the baby's due date falls in February. Life has unexpectedly taken Jesse from her in February. She will bring new life, her baby, in February as well. They pick the color green as the scheme for the shower. Carly reluctantly agrees to let Robin have input on the planning. Maxie is unsure if she knows enough people that will care enough to attend her baby shower. Carly and Robin finally agree on something, informing her that she's far more loved than she knows. They also both make her promise not to buy everything for the baby cause that's the purpose of a baby shower.

October 31st hits, and it's Maxie's 20th birthday. Mac has the front yard covered with pumpkins and goblins. Bowls of candy from lollipops to M&Ms are ready for the Trick-o-treaters. Georgie baked vanilla cupcakes with orange-colored-icing the day before to give out at Kelly's diner. She also wakes Maxie up with one of the cupcakes with a single candle – "Happy Birthday, Maxie. Make a wish."

Maxie smiles a small smile. She remembers her 19th birthday, with just Jesse present, who gifted her a cake with a candle at Kelly's diner. She closes her eyes and blows, wishing Jesse was still here. Her eyes open, and she knows it's a wish that won't come true. Maxie goes from feeling sorrow to guilt because the image of Jesse is replaced by Diego in her mind and reflects back to the day of the ultrasound.

"Are you nervous?" he asked her, sitting on a narrow, uncomfortable chair in the corner of the examination room.

"A little, okay, maybe a lot," she replied with a nervous smile.

"A good nervous or afraid nervous," he asked.

"Both, nervously excited to know if I am having a girl or boy but worry if he or she is healthy. I worry about my heart, and if it would factor into the well-being of my baby," she answered honestly.

Diego got up from his chair and walked towards her. He made sure to position himself right by her shoulder so he wouldn't be in the way of the doctor. Slowly, with slight hesitancy, he touched her left shoulder and gave a gently comforting squeeze.

"I am sure everything will be fine," he said with a sincere smile. Maxie stared back at him, wanting to ask about his feelings that Carly claimed he had for her. Before she can find the words, the doctor entered the room. Maxie introduced Diego as her good friend. Diego remained quietly by her side while she and the doctor spoke.

When it came time for the ultrasound, without a thought, Maxie grabbed Diego's hand, the same hand that squeezed her shoulder a few minutes ago. And upon hearing of the baby's heartbeat, Maxie swears she sees a glint in his eyes as he brings her hand to his lips. And with that small peck of a kiss on her hand, Maxie felt a sincere sense of belonging that she hasn't felt since Jesse.

Perhaps Carly was right after all that she, Mariah Maxmillina Jones is falling in love with Diego Alcazar.