Once Leslie got in the door, she went straight to bed. She was exhausted and confused. Being pregnant sucked royally (it was impossible thinking that she was only in the first trimester), and not just because Alec was being such a jerk about it. Leslie fell asleep, but instead of dreaming, she started formulating plans in her head for her to go about looking for a more convenient job when the baby came, quitting her old one, finding a small flat for her and her brood, and whether she wanted to ask about paternity tests. Kevin would easily oblige, but she knew Alec would sooner hang himself.
Meanwhile, Alec came into the apartment just as Jules headed out for an evening. "Jules, is Leslie here?"
Jules frowned. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Cut the crap, Jules. Is she here or what?" Alec demanded, losing his patience.
"She's sleeping. Wake her and she'll probably kill you…" Jules warned. "I have a date; tell Les if she wakes up and lets you live to not wait up!"
"Haw. Haw. Haw," Alec laughed sarcastically. Jules shut the door behind her. Alec took a look around the apartment, rolling his eyes. The place was so small. How could Leslie expect to raise a child in such a small apartment? No way she could find a proper apartment by herself in her delicate condition. Alec found a piece of crumpled paper on the floor. He curiously picked it up and read it. It was Leslie's note from her doctor confirming her pregnancy. He didn't understand medical lingo, but he could certainly decipher what the letter meant. Reading it made Alec realize how Leslie felt when she first read it. The poor thing must have wanted to jump off a cliff. Alec knew he did now.
Alec heard a small moan from the bedroom. He turned around and saw Leslie in bed through the open door. Making sure not to disturb the sleeping woman, Alec made his way into the bedroom. Leslie laid on the small bed ensnared in a few flimsy sheets. The bitter December wind was blowing freely through the open window. Leslie must have been freezing. Alec went and shut the window. He then grabbed an afghan from the towel closet and spread it over Leslie, tucking it under her chin, making sure every inch of her was covered. Then, as Leslie slept, Alec tidied up around the apartment, making sure all the alcohol was locked up, etc. Alec opened the fridge, and after seeing the countless boxes of leftover takeout of various nationalities (it was like the UN of 30-minute deliveries), he decided he'd go shopping for her for some healthier choices tomorrow…even going as far to allow himself to buy a few peppers for her.
After about an hour, Alec went back into the bedroom and sat next to Leslie's bed. If she stayed asleep much longer, he might lose his nerve and leave before speaking to her. Alec reached out a hand and gently caressed Leslie's soft, cold cheek. This made Leslie stir, twisting around for a moment before shooting up in bed like she'd had a nightmare. Alec was so startled he jumped off his chair. Leslie wasn't startled. She took one look at Alec and grimaced.
"You've come to borrow Springsteen again?" she asked coldly, getting out of bed. Alec stepped aside to give her room.
"We seriously need to talk," Alec began.
Leslie turned to him sharply. "Sure, let's talk. Let's talk about your out-of-hand reaction. Let's talk about how embarrassed you made me this afternoon! Let's talk about—"
"—I get it! I get the drift!" Alec insisted. "Look, Les, I read the doctor's letter…and I'll go to the appointment with you."
"Alec, don't feel sorry for me. I know you're just doing this because Kevin put you up to it," Leslie said, walking into the living room, Alec following.
"I'm NOT feeling sorry for you! Look, I was…being a pain in the ass, and I should not have acted so irrationally."
"Cram it, Alec. Please. You'll lose your voice and might have to skip work!" Leslie said.
"Why won't you listen to me?"
"Alec, I think I've heard enough. How do I know you're not doing this just to make the problem go away?" Leslie went to the fridge and grabbed a Chinese takeout box. She grabbed a pair of wooden chopsticks from the silverware drawer and dug into the box, which was filled with pork lo mein.
"Les, that crap's not good for the baby. I'm going shopping for you tomorrow and I don't give a damn what you say about it," Alec ordered.
"Buy what you want, Alec. Suck up to me all you want. It's not gonna work," said Leslie. Alec started getting red. How the heck could he apologize and offer his help when Leslie wouldn't let him talk?
"Les, I'm not gonna waste my energy here. I just wanna let you know that Kevin and I will BOTH be here for you when you need us…" Alec offered. Leslie took another bite of the Chinese spaghetti. Alec sighed and headed for the door. Before opening it, he added, "…and if you and the baby need a home, my door's always open for you." Alec opened the door.
"Alec!"
Alec turned around. Leslie set aside the take out box and ran to Alec's arms. She draped herself over his shoulders as he put his arms around her slender waist. It certainly wasn't going to be slender for much longer.
"Alec, thank you. Thank you!"
"Aw, Les. I'll be here for you every second of every day if you need me. I'm sorry I acted like an asshole," Alec said.
"I'm so scared!" Leslie said. Alec bit his lip.
"I am too."
Leslie pulled away from Alec. She saw a strange glow in his eyes, one she'd only seen once before. She'd seen it when she first called him out on his infidelity. It was fear.
"Can you still come with me to my doctor's appointment?"
Alec looked momentarily at the floor. "What about Kevin?" he asked.
"What ABOUT Kevin? Alec, don't worry about him…" Leslie licked her lips and smiled. "…worry about me!"
"Oh you!" Alec suddenly grabbed Leslie and picked him up in her arms. Leslie yelped as Alec carried her to the sofa and set her down. Leslie looked up at Alec, who grinned down at her.
"Are we cool?" asked Alec.
Leslie shook her head. "No. We're more than cool. I just…"
"Just what?"
"I need to learn to trust you again. Our relationship wasn't exactly solid before. How can I lean on you without trusting you?"
"Les, it's different now. We're NOT worried about OUR future. We're worried about YOUR future. Deceiving you or going behind your back wouldn't benefit me, so why would I?"
Leslie started chuckling. "There you go, 'me me me' again!"
"But this time, it's NOT about me or my life! It's about you and this life," Alec said, placing his hand on Leslie's stomach. Leslie put her hand on his hand subconsciously. Their faces were close, just staring into each others' eyes. Suddenly Leslie snapped out of it and got herself up and off the couch. Alec moved away, and his shoulders dropped as Leslie shook her head and went into the bedroom.
"I'll see you tomorrow…" Leslie called without even turning her head. They were WAY too close just now. She couldn't even make eye contact with Alec now.
Alec nodded. "Yeah…yeah sure." Alec headed out the door and shut it behind him without looking back.
Out on the street, Alec turned and looked up at the window in Jules' apartment. It was Leslie's bedroom window now. A dim light glowed in the window. Leslie's shadow appeared in the window, tussling her hair about and wrapping a scarf in it like she would before bed. Alec saw as she took off her shirt and slowly put on a night shirt. Alec smiled as Leslie turned off her light, her shadow disappearing.
Alec turned his gaze to the red streetlight as a delicate mist began falling around him. Alec's heart had just fluttered as he gazed into Leslie's eyes while she lied on the sofa, his hand on her belly. But Alec knew he had to ignore it. He couldn't afford to fall in love with her again. It was all but unnatural now. Something deep inside him told him that Leslie's unborn child was Kevin's. His instinct may have been wrong. But if he was right, he couldn't love Leslie. It would screw things up beyond any possible repair. He had to try to forget how he'd once has Leslie, then lost Leslie, and how it stood now that he wanted Leslie back.
Alec knew it would be like trying to walk on water.