A/N: Sorry for the wait. I got writer's block. I have finished this story though. 2 more chapters to go. I ended it because I have a feeling this Fall my life is going to be quite hectic!

Chapter 22: Let's Give It A Try

I stared at shock at her stomach . . . she was thin but there was no mistaking the slight bulge there. My breath caught in my throat and I looked at her quickly … we had made a baby. She shook her head and tried to push herself further into the wall.

"It's not yours," she muttered, darting her eyes away. I frowned and reached for her.

"You don't have to lie … it HAS to be mine. You wouldn't have jumped into bed with someone so soon. How far along are you?" I asked and she shrugged.

"About three months and a half … nearly four," she whispered and then she looked at me angrily.

"But you don't have to show pity on me just because I'm pregnant. I'll do fine on my own!" she declared and I chuckled.

"Really? Well, I think you're doing a swell job," I sarcastically said as I pointedly looked around the cluttered room. Dust was caked on everything and the blinds were shut tight. I looked at her closer and saw dark circles around her eyes.

"Annie … have you not been sleeping either? You have to eat … and sleep … for the baby and yourself," I said.

"Go to hell! I never asked for this baby … it isn't yours. It's mine. I don't want nothing more to do with you, you son of a bitch!" she flared. I closed my eyes and then I opened them before I reached for her wrists.

"Bart, no, stop it … let go of me!" she pleaded. I shook my head stubbornly.

"NO! Not until you know the truth! I didn't go to Melodie – she came to me! I thought she was you! It was dark and I was sleepy and I thought I was dreaming because something didn't feel right. I would never hurt you like that! I didn't want Melodie, I wish I'd never touched her! She wants me so she can snake back into Jory's life! Or maybe she is trying to win me over because she wants my money! Who knows. This is her fault … she must have seen you in your room so she came to mine, taking a chance that I would be too tired and eager for you that I wouldn't see the difference. It's like she raped me, Annie … why would I want her when I have someone like YOU? It's taken me a while but I am just a lonely, cold bastard without you in my life, Annie. I haven't barely eaten and I didn't even shave since you left. I stopped going to work, I stopped caring about money! All I want is to be with you until I die!"

I paused, shocked that I had just poured out my heart to her. How stupid! Now she would step on my heart and smash the remainder into pieces …

"Why didn't you tell me then?" she asked, a little more softer as if she believed me.

"Annie … you barely gave me a chance," I reminded her and she smiled painfully.

"Yeah… I've screwed things up, huh?" she asked, wiping her eyes as tears began to surface.

"No… Melodie did that. Out of spite and jealousy … and to hurt me. Who knows what the rest of her unknown reasons were," I muttered, not even wanting to think about it. I moved closer to her.

"Come on … you need to eat Annie … well, we both do," I said, reaching for her hands. She shook her head.

"I've messed things up. How can we go back to what we had? It's been so long," she whispered. I stared down into her light blue eyes and pulled her closer against me.

"We can try, can't we? It's seemed like years to me … but my heart never forgot you or what you did to me …" I drifted off.

"I love you, Annie. More than I've ever loved anyone. I've never really wanted to spend my life with anyone before, not the way I want to spend it with you! Please … let's give it a try. What do you say, Annie?"

Annie was quiet a moment. Finally she took a deep breath, wove her arms around my neck, and gave me my answer in the form of a hot kiss that went on and on….