A/N: I am a horrible person. It's been over a month since I've updated and I sincerely apologize. Things went crazy at work again with this audit I've been preparing for and then the other job took over most of my free time. As my birthday promise to myself, I promised I'd update before the week was through. (Birthday was Monday, btw)

Thank you for hanging in here with me. I'm truly sorry about the long absence.

Sharon (azure266) Thank you so much for you kind note. It meant the world to me to know I touch someone so deeply.

Kate: Sorry for worrying you. I didn't mean to disappear. I hope you won't abuse me too much for my Houdini act.

Lucy: Thanks for reading this. I'm sure you'll be rereading it since it's been so long since I've sent it. Thanks for understanding about why I haven't updated.

All my other reviewers, thank you so much. I'm going to try and be better at updating again. I promise, so don't think I just left ya'll hanging.

Chapter Three

Reasoning and Recollections

"A divorce?" Dylan questioned.

"What were your options?"

"A reconciliation or a re-evaluation…I've never wanted a divorce." Dylan said.

Marco chuckled, "What's the difference in reconciliation and re-evaluation? What would be re-evaluating?"

"Our relationship. Are we friends, lovers, husbands, partners, or should we just carry on like we already do?" Dylan answered.

Marco shook his head again, "You are nuts. I have to go. I think you need to re-evaluate your ideas before you decide to continue this conversation."

Dylan watched as Marco walked into the locker room. He couldn't believe that Marco had dismissed him that easily.

Dylan finished his work out and returned to his apartment. When he opened the door, he jumped out of his skin. On his couch sat a very pregnant Paige, waiting…with purpose.

"What's up squirt?" inquired Dylan.

"I don't know…you're in Marco's class and I wasn't told. I think you facing him after all the years is news worthy. And besides, I have to have some entertainment since I don't get out that much anymore. Chad is hovering and fussing, I'm going to smack him soon." Paige admitted.

Dylan laughed, "So, how is my new niece and nephew?"

"They're fine. It's their mother you should worry about. I have three more months of this and I already look like a beached whale. And I feel like the Goodyear blimp." Paige said as she affectionately rubbed her stomach.

"Yeah, but you love it. I can see it in your eyes." Dylan said sitting next to his sister.

"Not to think we dropped the earlier topic, so, how's it going with Marco?"

"Not too good. I can't tell him I want to come home. It's too hard."

"Dylan, you love him more than life itself. You need him. He needs you, he just won't admit it. You've got to make the first move because he feels like you shut him out when you signed this lease without him." Paige explained.

Dylan dropped his head into his hands and sighed, "I was stupid, wasn't I?"

Paige smiled sadly, "Yeah, you were. You never should've made those decisions without him. You didn't even tell him of the offer by the Bruins before you signed with them too. What were you thinking?"

"I wasn't and that was my problem." Dylan scrubbed his hands across his face, "I loved him so much but hockey was my dream. It had always been my dream, I thought he'd understand and support it. I never thought it would change things between us."

Paige rubbed Dylan's back, "You're a guy, you can't be expected to be thoughtful all the time. But hun, this was life altering. You were dropping out of college to play hockey. You were signing a contract that would have you away as much as you'd be home. And then you went and signed a lease on an apartment when you have a townhouse across town. Marco probably felt threatened and like he was having all his decisions made for him. He couldn't have liked that. I know I'd kill Chad if he tried to pull what you did."

Dylan groaned, "When you put it that way, I fucked up."

Paige half-laughed, "Can we say understatement of monumental proportions?"

Dylan sat back and rested his head to look at his ceiling, "Damn, I can't believe I never even considered him when making all these decisions. It's almost been six years since I signed that damn contract and I never realized any of this before. Am I that dense or did I just not want to think about it, subconsciously knowing that I was wrong? Don't answer that." Dylan said quickly.

Paige levered herself off the couch, "Well, I'd better be going. Chad should be home soon and if I'm not there he might freak. Do me a favor, figure out that you want Marco and are willing to make an ass of yourself to get him back. It might be the highlight of my pregnancy."

Marco got home from the gym and found Chad on his doorstep.

"What do I owe the pleasure of your visit, brother-in-law?"

Chad beamed a smile at him, "Just wanted to check on you. Heard Dylan's in your class and was curious."

"Paige sent you because she's cornering Dylan, I take it." Marco guessed accurately.

"She a meddlesome brat but she's my meddlesome brat and I love her. Besides, I don't think it would be wise to cross her right now. She's a little angry that I managed to impregnate her with twins." Chad admitted.

Marco laughed as he unlocked the door. "Come on in and tell me what she wants to know."

Chad sat on the couch and watched as Marco left the room, only to emerge freshly showered fifteen minutes later.

"Sorry but I just got home from the gym. I needed that."

Chad just nodded, "I understand."

"So, how is Paige doing?" inquired Marco, delaying the conversation of intent.

"She's pregnant with twins, how do you think she's doing?" Chad retorted sarcastically. "No, really she's great. The doctor said she's right on schedule. The kids are healthy and active."

Marco laughed good naturedly, "Next time you decide to drop in bring her along. I'd love to see her."

Chad nodded again, "Now for Dylan. What's going on?"

Marco shrugged, "I don't know. He's in my class. I'm his teacher. He misses me, according to his first writing assignment. I'm just so confused, Chad."

Chad smiled tersely, "I understand, dude. Dyl is a mystery. He's been that way for years. The happiest I've ever seen him though is when he was with you. He loves you, man. You love him. I don't see what the real problem is here."

"The problem is that he tried to change our life without consulting me. He wanted me to give up everything so he could do what he wanted. He should've asked. I would've agreed to the hockey, even the dropping out of college. Although reluctantly about that and not without a fight. I wouldn't have given in about the apartment though. I don't understand why he needed a place of his own." Marco confided. It felt good to finally be able to discuss this with someone.

Chad left somewhat satisfied he had enough answers to placate Paige. He went home to find her sitting in their living room reading a magazine.

"Well, what did Marco have to say?" she asked without looking up.

"He still loves Dylan. He just felt threatened by Dylan making all those life altering decisions without him." Chad cliff noted it for her.

Paige nodded, "Exactly what I told Dylan. He still loves Marco so much he can't even see straight. Stop laughing, there was no pun intended on that one." She chuckled along with him for a moment. "We need to intervene. They need to be together."

Chad sat at her hip, "Yeah, but what do we do? How can we get them together?"

Paige sat straighter in the couch, "We call James. I'm sure he and Leslie can help think of something. This maybe the best group effort we've ever done."

Chad just nodded as she reached for the phone on the table next to her.

Paige had set up a dinner meeting with Leslie and James for Wednesday. This meant each couple had three days to think of something to get the couple back together.

By Wednesday night, James, Paige, Leslie and Chad had a plan brewing. James and Leslie agreed that Marco and Dylan needed to be together. Now, just to plan it all out.

The week went by slowly for Marco. He attended his classes and taught the ones he was supposed to be teaching. He assigned homework, graded it and handed it back. The students were doing well.

"Class, I know it's Friday. I know you're anxious to get your weekend started. Therefore, I'm going to leave you with this thought. Wednesday you have a test. It's on the first three chapters in your books. Study carefully. Monday we will have a review session. Class dismissed." Marco waved his hand at the class.

Marco went home and started to cook dinner. Whenever he was stressed this was his relief. He hated cooking for himself but it didn't seem like he had much of a choice at the moment. So, he made a Pasta Primavera, salad, garlic bread and cannoli's for dessert. He knew why he made the meal; he just didn't want to admit it.

He wanted to play the ostrich a little while longer and bury his head in the sand. If you can't see it, it's not there theory.

A knock on his door brought him back to the present. He looked around his kitchen, disoriented at first and then realized the noise he heard.

He rushed out of the kitchen to answer the front door. He gasped at whom he saw on his doorstep.

It was Dylan. More importantly, it was Dylan with a suitcase.

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