A/N Thanks to everyone that has read and reviewed the last chapter and a special thanks to H6p8gv for helping me with remembering things that we want in the chapters...

4.

"LINK! Is that you!?" Tracy asked incredulously.

"How'd you get my number?"

Link stayed calm. "Your mom gave it to me."

"Why are you calling me after all of this time? Tracy could hear his sigh as he looked for the right words. She knew that he was probably running his hand through his hair.

"I'm so sorry for what I did. I know now that it was a stupid mistake."

A hundred different emotions were flowing through Tracy's body. "Mistake?" She tried to keep her anger in check.

"I want to talk but not over the phone," he told her.

"Where then?" Tracy asked.

"I was thinking we could talk over dinner."

Tracy didn't know what to say. On the one hand she was still heartbroken and angry at Link but the other said to give him a chance.

Link grew worried over the silence. "Tracy you still there?"

Tracy realized she hadn't responded. "Yes, you took me by surprise."

"I don't know if going would be such a good idea," she added hesitantly.

"Trace, look after I left I was so depressed. I realized that walking away from you was the biggest mistake I've made in my life. I'd do anything to make it up to you. Please come to dinner with me so we can talk."

Tracy heard remorse in his voice. "Alright."

Link smiled though she couldn't see it. "Great. I'll pick you up tomorrow at 6. Wear something nice."

Tracy hung up not believing what just happened. Amber walked in the room as she put the phone on the receiver.

"Who was on the phone?" she asked Tracy.

Tracy looked at her. "Link asking me out to dinner."

"I wouldn't go if I were you. Remember how hurt you were when he broke up with you?"

Tracy nodded solemnly. "I remember but a part of me still loves him and wants to get back together with him."

Amber frowned. "Still. I know that deep down inside Link's a good guy but he's been gone for so long."

"I'm going to go and see what he has to say." With that Tracy left the room.

Penny walked in a minute later. Amber pulled her aside. "Penny we have a problem."

Penny looked around fear etched in her eyes. "What?"

"Link called earlier an asked Tracy out to dinner. I can't talk her out of going out with him,"

"I always knew she still loved him."

Amber grinned at Penny's response. "True but its still not a good idea."

"I don't want Tracy getting hurt again either Amber. Maybe she'll listen to me."

"I sure hope so."

Penny found Tracy in Robby's room. She was feeding him a bottle.

"Trace, can I talk to you?"

"If you are trying to persuade me not to go to dinner with Link then forget about it. I've already made up my mind."

"Tracy you know that I like Link but he left with no explanation and what does that say about the guy?"

"Dinner will give him a chance to explain himself Penny. I owe him that."

Penny's eyes creased. "You owe him nothing. He's the one that left."

"I know but I still love him. I want to give him another chance."

Penny sighed knowing that she wasn't going to win.

The next afternoon Tracy was still going to the dinner. Amber and Penny had given up on trying to convince her otherwise and had agreed to watch Robby. Tracy picked a beautiful blue dress and styled her hair in a French twist. Link arrived early and when Tracy opened the door she found he carried a bouquet of flowers and chocolates with him. He was still as handsome as he was before the break up and Tracy couldn't help the feeling of her heart beating faster at the sight of him.

"Hi Trace. These are for you."

Tracy took them from his hands and smelled the flowers. "Thank you."

He looked her up and down. "You look beautiful."

She smiled. "Thank you so do you." He was wearing a blue suit that offset his brilliant eyes.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Merlottes, it's a fancy steakhouse."

"No wonder why you told me to dress nice," she told

He escorted her to the car and opened the door and let her slide in.

She grinned at him. "My, what a gentleman you are."

He winked at her then closed the door and walked to the driver's side, getting in himself.

Link turned towards Tracy after starting the car. "I missed you Trace."

Tracy frowned. "I missed you too Linky, oops Link."

Links eyebrows rose. "Why'd you fix yourself?"

Tracy sighed. "I haven't seen you in months and you broke my heart."

Link looked sad. "I hope to remedy that."

He leaned in to kiss her and she pulled back, pushing him away.

Tracy looked straight in his eyes. "Look Link I was hesitant to even agree to go to dinner with you so I'd appreciate it if you didn't kiss me."

Link looked disappointed. "Come on doll it's been so long since we kissed. I just wanted to see if we still had any chemistry left."

"And whose fault is it that it's been so long?" Tracy told him.

Link looked down at his hands which were in his lap. The rest of the drive to the restaurant was silent. Merlottes was a short distance outside of town. It was a one story building with soft light emanating from it. Link opened the car door for Tracy and escorted her into the restaurant. He opened the door for her before walking in himself.

"You really are a gentleman," she told him. He smiled and winked. Tracy's heart started beating faster at that wink. She took his arm and he led her further inside.

"Two under Larkin," he told the tall host. The host looked in his book and nodded.

"This way please," he told them as he led them to the table. Tracy noticed that there was a dance floor and candles placed in the center of each table. Link pulled Tracy's chair out for her and she smiled at the gesture. He then sat opposite her. They ordered wine and steak and baked potatoes from the waitress. Tracy then looked back at Link curiously.

"So what happened to us?" she asked.

Link ran his hand through his hair. "Remember when I talked of going to California and you wanted to stay because you were happy working for Corny?'

Tracy nodded.

"Well I guess I just thought that by breaking up we'd both be happy. I could be free to head out in the world and you could happily stay here."

"But Link I told you that going to California was an option I'd think about."

Link nodded. "I know I just guess I got impatient waiting. I wanted to make it big."

"That still doesn't excuse everything."

"I know Trace but I would like to make it up to you."

Music started playing and Link stood and held out his hand to her. Tracy stared at him for a moment before taking it. He led her to the dance floor but Tracy took his hand and stood farther away from him as they swayed to the music. Afterwards Link pulled Tracy's chair out for her as they sat at their table. The waitress brought them their dinners.

Link started the conversation back up. "After I broke up with you I did go to California like I thought I wanted to. But after being there awhile I realized hat I missed all of my family, friends, and most importantly I missed you."

Tracy melted a bit with the dance and the intensity of his eyes. "Oh Linky that's so sweet."

Link grinned at being called by his nickname again. "I still love you Trace and I am so sorry for what I did."

The waitress came back and they ordered a chocolate brownie sundae with two spoons. She came back and moving the candle put it between them. They both took a bite.

"Trace the reason why I asked you to dinner was to see if you'd consider giving a guy like me another chance?"

Tracy's mouth almost dropped. She had dreamed of a moment like this but never expected one. She pinched herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. "I love you too Link, but you really hurt me so if I decide to give you another chance you have to promise to not do that again and we'd need to take things slow."

Link grinned. "I promise."

Tracy grinned. "Alright I'll give you another chance.

"So what have you been up to since we broke up?" he asked smiling at her previous words.

"I've been working at the studio and for the past year I have been raising our child."

Link almost fell off of his chair. "Our what!? We have a child!? Why'd you never tell me?"

"You were the one that wanted some space," she simply answered.

Tracy took her purse and took out a picture and handed it to him. "His name is Robby."

Link stared at the photo. "He has your beautiful brown eyes and my nose."

Tracy smiled and nodded. "He's a handful at times but I couldn't imagine life without him."

Link paid the check and helped Tracy out of her chair. He then offered his arm to her and held the door open before leading her to his car. He opened the door for her again and she grinned. He then walked around the car to his side.

"So what shall we do now doll?"

"Maybe we should go somewhere a little more private and comfortable to talk more."

"We can go to my place," Link told her.

"Your place! Link let's take things slow."

Link nodded. As Tracy looked at him though, she could feel the emotions that had lived dormant within her. She leaned over and kissed him. She could feel his surprise but he soon reciprocated. Soon the kiss turned into a French kiss.

"I've forgotten how good your mouth tastes," Link told her.

"Same here," Tracy added with heavy breathing.

Link managed to drive them back to their place where they started kissing again the minute they got in the door. Clothes fell to the floor as they made their way to the bedroom. Link followed Tracy onto the bed his lips never leaving hers. He kissed down her chin and neck where he lingered. She giggled as he nibbled her skin. He then moved down her body. After unhooking her bra he attacked her breasts nibbling them Tracy whimpered and he moved back up to silence her. When he pulled back he smiled.

"I really missed that whimper too."

Tracy smiled and whimpered again. He smiled as he leaned over and kissed her. She rubbed her hands up and down his back and arms. He attacked her neck again making her giggle. She could feel his muscles tense. Tracy kissed his neck and shoulders moving slowly down his chest and back up.

Tracy pulled back a little. "We'd better use protection because I don't think we'd want to make the same mistake so soon after reconciling."

Link nodded. "Yes, I don't want that to happen either." He pulled open the nightstand drawer and grabbed a condom. After making love they lay in bed. Link was rubbing his fingers up and down her cheeks.

"Can I come over tomorrow and see Robby?" He asked.

Tracy smiled. "Of course. I'd like him to meet his father."

After getting dressed, Link drove Tracy home. They shared a goodnight kiss as they stood at the door. As soon as she was inside the door Penny saw her.

"What did Link want?"

"He asked me to be his girlfriend again."

Penny was sightly shocked. "You said no right?"

Tracy diverted her eyes. "Um"

"Did you say yes?" Penny asked incredulously.

"Yes."

"Why? Remember he broke your heart!"

Tracy nodded still not looking at Penny but then gazed at her. "I know, but he's changed."

"I hope you're right. By the way it sure took you a long time to get home from dinner."

Tracy diverted her eyes again. "I know. After dinner we went back to Link's place and after allowing our hormones and pent up emotions out we had sex."

Penny put her hand up to her mouth. "You shouldn't have done that!"

"Relax Penny. We used protection."

"Still I wouldn't have thought that you'd let something like that happen."

"It just happened. Neither one of us had control."

"I'm fine anyways. Link and I just got a little drunker than usual last night."

"That's still no excuse."

"Please Penny give him another chance for me."

Penny sighed. "Alright. I'll try but only because you asked me to."

Amber walked in at that moment. She was upstairs with Robby. "Try to do what?"

"Link asked me to be his girlfriend again and I said yes. I know that he's changed and I want you both to give him another chance."

"What! I can't believe him! And you for agreeing!" Amber exclaimed.

"Please Amber."

Amber's voice softened. "Alright."

Tracy smiled. The next afternoon Link drove to Tracy, Penny and Amber's. He rang the doorbell and Amber answered the door.

"Link!"

"Hi Amber, is Tracy here?"

"Um yes."

"I invited him to meet Robby. I must have let that slip my mind," Tracy said from the living room.

"Oh I see," Amber said.

She allowed Link inside and Jim ran up to him and growled. Link bent down and scratched his head.

"What's wrong boy? Don't you remember your old pal?"

Jim sniffs his outstretched hand and after a few moments wagged his tail.

As Link stood he grinned. "Hey Penny."

She looked surprised. Amber kept a watchful gaze on him. "Link, um hi."

Link found the living room and smiled as he saw Tracy. He walked over and gently kissed her lips.

"Hi."

She grinned. "Hi."

He handed her a box. She opened it up and smiled.

"Oh Linky you're so sweet to bring me a batch of your special brownies."

He grinned. "You deserve it darlin."

Penny saw the brownies. "Oh brownies."

"Link brought them but it would be fair not to share," Tracy said holding the box out to her.

Penny grabbed one. "Yes you're right."

Robby sat behind Tracy's leg. He peeked out at Link.

Link smiled at him. "This must be Robby?"

Tracy smiled and nodded. "Yes, he's a little shy."

Link bent down and peeked at him. "Hi Robby."

Robby hid his face.

"Once he gets to know me he'll be alright," Link said confidently.

"He will," Tracy said.

He smiled. They spent the afternoon talking about Robby. Tracy told him about her pregnancy and how hard it had been being a single parent. Amber and Penny shot looks at him whenever they passed by the room. Tracy felt as though they were keeping an eye on him.

Link looked down at his hands. "If I had only known."

"Link, I never told you till now so don't beat yourself up."

Robby was in his playpen. Link got up and went to him.

"Hey Robby want to play peek a boo?"

Robby just looked at him, his eyes a little downcast from being shy. Link covered his eyes then uncovered them.

"Peek a boo Robby."

It took him a few more tries to get Robby to laugh but when he did Link had a huge grin on his face. That night she saw Amber at the kitchen table. She sat down next to her and frowned.

"What is it Trace?"

"I wish I hadn't you throw out that picture of Link and I."

"Wait here," Amber said. She ran upstairs and came down moments later. She handed the picture to Tracy who smiled up at her.

"I couldn't throw it away. I knew that you'd want it one day."

Tracy stood up and hugged her. "Thank you!"

Over the next several days Link visited Tracy and Robby. Robby had started warming up to Link and now smiled a similar grin at him every time he saw him. He didn't feel the need to hide. Amber and Penny had started warming up to him as well once they saw that he wasn't going to hurt Tracy again.

Tracy called her mom to tell her that she was back together with Link. She received a "that's fantastic hun" from Edna.

Corny called her into his office one day. Tracy sat full of curiousity.

"So how are things going?" he asked.

"Things are great."

"Oh?"

Tracy smiled and nodded. "Link and I got back together."

"When? How?"

"A little over a week ago he called asking me to dinner and we talked," Tracy answered.

"I'm so glad. You two make a great couple."

"Thanks," Tracy beamed.

Link was sitting next to Tracy with Robby in his lap the next day. "We should bring Robby to my parents and let them meet their grandson."

"Do they know about him?"

"Not yet."

"Alright he should know all of his grandparents," Tracy agreed.

The next day Link picked up Tracy and Robby. He drove them to his parent's house. His mom opened the door and a huge smile crossed her face as she saw Tracy.

"Tracy! It's been too long, how are you dear?" Heather Larkin said as she hugged her.

"I missed you too and I'm been well, you?"

"Oh fine sweetie."

Heathers gaze fell upon the bundle in Tracy's arms. His face was nestled against her blouse. In his arms there was a teddy bear. "And who do we have here?"

"Mom I'd like to meet your grandson Robby."

Heather's eyes widened. "My what!?

"I didn't know it at the time but when I broke up with Tracy she was pregnant."

"Oh! Hi Robby," she told him. He snuggled into the blouse more.

Link grinned and looked at his mom. "He's a little shy."

"Well come in," Heather said moving from the door.

"I'll be right back Trace. I'll go get his truck."

"Alright," Tracy said as he pecked her cheek.

When they were in the living room, Tracy place Robby on the floor so he could play with the truck that they had brought. He stayed close to his parents hardly gazing at Heather. Eric Larkin walked into the room.

"Tracy! So nice to see you!"

She smiled. "You too Mr. Larkin."

Eric then noticed Robby.

"This is our grandson Robby," Heather told him.

"Grandson really?"

Link nodded. "He's shy though."

Eric looked at Robby and grinned. "He certainly has a nice truck."

Tracy looked at him. "Corny bought it for him."

"That was awfully nice of Mr. Collins."

Heather nodded. "I bet that everybody was happy to see you. I heard that Tracy was living with Amber and Penny."

Link shook his head. "They made it clear I wasn't welcomed at first but I think they're warming up to me now."

Tracy spent the rest of the visit answering questions about Robby and what else had happened since she last saw Link's parents.

TBC....