Chapter 10:

At the coffee shop

Grace walked slowly to the entrance of the coffee shop in a numb state. She peered in the foggy window to try to catch a glimpse of the person awaiting her arrival. Not seeing anyone she recognized, Grace turned around and started to walk back down the street. She turned and glanced over her shoulder and being satisfied that no one was following her she started to walk forward again when she ran into a man walking in the opposite direction. Glancing up quickly, Grace mumbled a small excuse me and started to keep walking when the man reached out and grabbed her arm. Angered by the force with which he grabbed her, Grace whirled around to yell but stopped as she looked into the face of her ex-husband.

"Leo…I…"Grace stammered as she tried to regain her composure. But Leo wasn't listening. He just looked at her quickly and hugged her tightly. Grace breathed in the familiar scent and closed her eyes. But just as soon as she got comfortable Leo pulled away.

"Grace. Thank you so much for coming. I know I don't deserve it but let's go back to the coffee shop. I'll buy you a drink. A doughnut. Come on, Grace. Let's be friends." Grace tried to resist. She knew that Will would kill her if he knew what she was contemplating. She looked up into Leo's eyes as if in their gaze she would find a clue of what she should do, but as she glanced up all hope was lost. The chocolate eyes she had fallen in love with so long ago melted any defiance. Slowly she took his hand and started towards the coffee shop.

Will's apartment

Will sat on the couch with a book of poetry in his hands as Karen's sleeping head rested on his lap. She had not stopped crying all day until Will had taken her home and she had fell asleep to him reading poetry to her on the couch. As he looked down at her peacefully sleeping figure, Will sighed. He started to think about the past few years he had known Karen. Now looking back over them, he realized that Karen was the strongest person he knew. Will placed his book on the coffee table and contemplated all the events of late as he played with Karen's hair. As his mind rested on the thought of Karen's pregnancy, something inside him snapped. He realized what he wanted. What he had wanted for so long. A baby. With his insides warmed with the thought of a baby with Grace, he knew what he had to do. Softly he eased Karen's head off his lap and onto a cushion. He ran softly to Gracie's room and opened the door. To his shock he looked into the room and was met with nothing. Absolutely nothing. All of the clothes, furniture, everything was gone. In a panic, Will ran out of his apartment to Jack's across the hall. Rapping impatiently on the door, Will started freaking out. Jack opened the door and peeked his eyes out.

"Oh. It's traitor number two. What do you want Wilma. Or should I say, Poodle." Scoffed Jack with a sneer.

"Jack, not now. Grace is missing. All her stuff is gone. Do you know where she went?" asked Will in a flurry of words and emotion.

"Will, why would you care anyways. You're the one who broke her little heart. But if you must know, she moved in with me this morning. She said it would leave you and your new hag more room." Quipped Jack in a nonchalant voice as he examined his nails.

Will's heart wanted to explode from his chest. His head was pounding and his ears were ringing. When his senses were restored he turned to Jack. "Jack. Is she in there right now?" Will sighed as Jack shook his head.

"She's with L…, with her…ummm…MOTHER!" stuttered Jack, breathing with relief at the thought of what he had almost blurted. Will gave Jack a puzzled look.

"With her mother? She hates her mother. Why is she there?"

"Will. You, her EX-best friend hurt her feelings. She's desperate for love. Not that she wasn't always; I mean come on…with that hair. But anyways, she's gone home in search of love." Jack lied through his teeth.

Will was still slightly confused but he reasoned that with Gracie, anything could make sense. "Oh well then. But Jack? Could you tell her I stopped by?" pleaded Will. Jack rolled his eyes at his FORMER-best friend but slowly nodded his head as he shut the door to his apartment.