Nancy had finally convinced her reluctant father that she would be okay going to Ned's by herself. He made her promise to leave her cell phone on and to call him if there was any problem.
Nancy had been visiting with her dad and Hannah for two hours. She had stayed longer than she planned and really needed to go before she chickened out. She had to be ready to face him.
She hugged her dad and her Hannah one more time before she left out the door. She was just about to step into her father's Mercedes when a taxi pulled up in front of the house. Nancy watched as the passenger stepped out of the taxi and gasped when she realized it was Frank. The cab drove away leaving Frank and Nancy standing on the driveway staring at each other.
"What are you doing here Frank?" Nancy asked with an expressionless face.
" I'm sorry Nancy but I couldn't let you face him alone."
"I can take care of myself."
"No you can't," Frank began with an angry look in his eyes, " why won't you ever let anyone help you? Why do you always need to be a super hero? I lost you to Ned once and I'm not going to lose you to him again."
Nancy was about to yell back when she realized he was right. She didn't only have herself to worry about, but also her unborn baby. And he was afraid to lose her. She realized he loved her as much as she loved him. She could never get back with Ned now and she knew it. He had only been a stand in, her comfort zone. It had been unfair to both of them and look where they ended up.
Nancy looked up, met his eyes, and smiled. She closed the distance between them and gave him a hug.
" Thanks Frank, " she whispered in his ear, " for everything."
"I just don't want to lose you – or the baby," he said with a shy grin.
Nancy pulled back and smiled at him again. Hand in hand they walked to the Mercedes. It was time to confront Ned, and even though she wouldn't admit it, she was scared.