Rory was exactly 2 months pregnant when she decided she had to tell Tristan, and no over the phone, although that was what his sorry ass deserved. She knew she could no longer work from home, although Bridget had been very nice about it. She took only a week's worth of clothes, she didn't want him to sweet talk her into staying with him again. She would tell him, then leave, stay in a hotel and search for a apartment. It was an established to-do list in her mind. Her mom hugged her goodbye, and wished her good luck. Rory knew she would need it.

The flight was long and exhausting. Rory looked down at her belly. It was slightly bigger, but not much. She would really start showing soon, she knew. She took her one bag and hailed a taxicab like a pro. She had spent months in Manhattan, and it was once her and Tristan's city. She told the cab driver, a nice old gentleman where she was headed, and he started some small talk.

"Real nice apartments up there."

"Yes they are."

"I heard they had a penthouse taking up the whole top."

She couldn't help but brag a little bit, although in a humble way, "I used to live up there."

"Used to?"

"My ex-boyfriend's house."

"That where you headed now?"

"Yeah."

"It's good when couples make up."

She didn't bother to correct him. She was tired.

He dropped her off and wished her good luck, and she paid him. She dragged her bag to the elevator, and got on it. Surprisingly, the elevator man recognized her. Then, how many people did he constantly take to the top floor?

"Miss Gilmore? Haven't seen you in a long time."

"Jack, how are you?"

"Good. Good. And you?"

"Pretty good."

"Mr. DuGrey hasn't had another girl up there," he said, as though it should reassure her.

"Oh."

They rode the rest of the ride in silence. The elevator doors opened and Jack said, "Goodbye Miss Gilmore."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Tristan hadn't had alcohol in a month. In the first while when she was gone, that was his life. Tons of alcohol, his life was one big hangover. He cleaned himself up, but was still depressed. He had stopped trying to call after a while. He took her picture out of is wallet, took the picture of them dancing off his desk at work. The guys, the same assholes who he had drank with the night he ruined his own life, had noticed he was single and tried to hook him up, but he hadn't gone out on even one date. He hated himself.

He was lying on the couch, when he heard a soft knock on the door. He dragged himself up, and cursed silently the person behind it, but when he opened it, he saw her. "Rory," he said, but no words came out. He mouthed her name and she avoided eye contact.

"We need to talk," she said almost emotionless. He saw the hurt in her eyes.

He opened the door wider, and she took a seat on his couch.

"Coffee?" he offered, but she shook her head.

"I only drink 2 cups a day."

"Why?"

"I don't want to hurt the baby."

She said it so plainly, and his mouth dropped open. It wasn't exactly the way she planned on telling him, but it would do. This was no a rekindling of their relationship. It was just her dropping in to tell him what he had to know. What she couldn't say in an email or a phone call.

He stood speechless for a while, "Your pregnant?"

"Yes."

"Were going to have a baby?"

"I'm going to have a baby."

"Rory, please. I'm so sorry I"

"Tristan, this is hard enough already. I can't deal with this again. My baby needs stability, love, and so do I. I'm going to look for an apartment this weekend. I'll send you a card when the baby is born."

"It's my kid too."

"You don't deserve to be a father."

"I know."

She hadn't expected him to agree. She looked away.

"I'm scared, but I'd rather be a single mother than…"

"I've been sober for a full month, not one drop of alcohol."

"Just one time like how you were could ruin my… our baby's life.:

"It will never happen again."

"I don't…"

"Rory, I know that I screwed up. I know that you should go far away, but even if you won't let me love you, I will love our baby. I will be a father. I wish that you would let me be a husband someday."

"I promised myself I wouldn't come back. Wouldn't let you charm me into it."

"I'm not at all charming right now. I'm a man, in love, begging for forgiveness."

"I don't know what to think."


"Give it time then. But please at least stay here. Don't check into a motel room."

"I'll stay in the guest bedroom, but only for one night"

"Thank you."

Tristan was up with the sunrise, and surprisingly so was Rory. She wanted to stay with him again, but her heart was tender, and she was afraid of being hurt like she had been before. She sipped on coffee, decaf. He smiled at her softly.

"Good morning Rory."

"Tristan."

"Are you going into work today?"

"Yes."

"Let me take you to dinner tonight."

"I don't know."

"Please?"

"Okay," she said very reluctantly.

She wanted to cut him completely out of her life, but she knew that would never be possible. He would at least get to see his child, the courts would make sure of that. And how could she ever truly cut out of her life her baby's father. She wanted to get back with him, she really did, but she couldn't stand the thought of being a fool, going back and experiencing the same pain, and leaving a second time, this time with a child caught in the crossfire. He was sober. Good. He was humble. Good. But he wanted her back? Desperately. He had stopped drinking and hadn't seen another woman. Was one fight, no matter how bad, worth writing off the possibility of true love and the perfect life?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Her being pregnant hit him hard. He was going to be a good daddy, no matter what. He would do whatever it takes to be a good father, and if she would let him, a good husband. He had no doubt that he was in love. He had no doubt that she was the one. He wanted to have Rory on his arm, and his child on his knee. He wanted to be the perfect dad, the friend of his children. He wanted to have Rory and his kids in a beautiful, loving home. It was all so within reach. He had to prove to Rory that he loved her, and that he would never ever hurt her again.

He picked her up from work, and they went to dinner at a lovely little restaurant. They ordered, and they talked.

"Rory, I have to say I'm sorry. Please, let me be a part of your life again. I know I don't deserve forgiveness, but if you forgive me, I will make up for it. I promise."

"I want to. I swear I do, but it's not that easy. We could maybe get back what we had, but I don't want to have to worry that someday you'll come home drunk."

"I've been drinking weekly since I was 15. I was drinking daily when I turned 18. It went to about weekly again when I met you, and then after I realized that it ruined my life, I haven't done it. I won't do it again."

"It's just so much so quick."

"I realize that, and I'll wait."

"But…"

"I'm going to be a good dad Rory. I'm going to be there at the hospital, and I'll be there for our kid, the way my dad never was for me. But I'm not going to be the one to explain to them why we aren't together, because I did something stupid Rory, but I think I love you enough to make up for it. And I'll prove myself to you."

They went through dinner, and before they split to their separate rooms, she kissed him. Just a small peck, and she said, "We can try."

He went to his room, laid on the bed, and thanked god for giving him a second chance he knew he didn't deserve.