Ok guys this is it..the last chapter..it's been a great ride and I am sorry to see it end but I feel that I have done everything I can with this story.. I just want to say thank you to everyone for sticking with me through this story and I hope you like the ending.

P.S. To amanda: I am going to Temple University in Philadelphia. Thanks for asking.

Chapter 12

Five excruciatingly long days passed before he saw Elizabeth again. He'd called often, but she hadn't returned his messages. They kept missing each other at work, too. When his buzzer sounded on Saturday morning, his heart leapt with hope. He used the intercom to answer.

"Yes?"

"Jason? It's Elizabeth. Do you have a minute?"

He had way more than a minute, but tried to remain calm.

"Of course, come on up."

He pressed the button to release the lock then went to open his apartment door to wait for her.

She looked wonderful, casually dressed in worn jeans and a green wool sweater beneath her bulky coat. He could barely keep himself from hauling her into his arms and kissing her.

"I'm so glad you stopped by. You look wonderful. Do you want something to drink?"

Cripes, was he babbling? He needed to get a grip.

"No, I'm fine."

She shed her coat, then stood awkwardly in his living room.

"I thought I should tell you in person."

His gut clenched at her solemn tone. "Tell me what?"

She glanced away, but not before he saw the pain in her eyes. "I've had some bleeding."

"Oh, Elizabeth, I'm sorry."

Now he did cross over to pull her into his arms. "When? Why didn't you call me? I would have been there. There's no reason for you to go through this alone."

She didn't resist his embrace, but hid her face in the crook of his neck. "Do you really mean that?"

He was shaken by the news, already grieving for the baby that might no longer be, but he was more worried about Elizabeth. How much blood had she lost? Was she really all right, emotionally?

"Of course I do. Nothing is more important than you, Elizabeth."

She pulled away, enough to search out his gaze. "I want to believe you."

He squashed a wave of frustration but kept his tone calm.

"I wish you could believe me, too. I'm not the one who hurt you. I wish I could take care of the guy who did."

She sighed and blew out a breath.

"I guess I should explain. My dad was a doctor, Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Children's Memorial Hospital. He left us when I was a senior in high school. Afterwards, my Mom started taking sleeping pills. She was a mess, hardly able to cope. I was the oldest of five kids — I had to keep our family from falling apart."

Jason nodded, finally understanding what she'd gone through and why she had such a strong aversion to doctors. "I'm sorry."

"I'm usually the responsible one, until I met you." She placed a hand over her flat stomach.

"I haven't lost the baby yet, but you need to know, it's a real possibility."

"I won't deny how sad I'd be if you lost the baby, but I meant what I said. Making sure you're healthy is my main concern."

He brushed a kiss on her forehead. "It'll be okay, Elizabeth. I'm here for you, no matter what."

She was quiet, then reluctantly pulled away.

"You scared me when you said you were falling in love with me. Mostly because I've been feeling the same way. And I'm so afraid of ending up like my mother. My family is still pretty much in chaos."

"You're one of the strongest women I know."

Jason hadn't met her mother, but he knew Elizabeth. "I wish I could give you a guarantee, but I can't. All I can ask is for you to give me a chance to prove we're different. We are not your parents."

"I know." She raised her gaze to his. "I've been telling myself the same thing. I don't want to ruin what we have."

The tightness in his chest eased.

Cautiously, he asked, "And what do we have?"

With a hesitant smile, she gently placed her hand over his heart. "I'm not exactly sure, but I'm anxious to find out."

Not an overwhelming proclamation of love, but he was willing to take it. After all, they had the rest of their lives.

He hauled her into his arms where she belonged.

"Me, too."

The End

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