A/N: Thank you to my awesome reviewers: mrsreedus69, angelicedg, WishfulThinker66, rocknrollprincess131, and lollipop2404. I hope you all like this chapter, and yes, Rick is back, haha.

Enjoy!

Amy Phillips had fallen – hard – and it wasn't just for one man. No, make that two. They were exactly the kind of men that she'd hoped for, but never imagined that she would have to choose one. She had spent her whole life searching for one suitable partner, only to wind up with two wonderful men that would give her anything she asked of them. It made her head spin and her heart ache.

Two weeks had passed and their arrangement continued, but she knew that a decision would need to be made soon. Rick and Steve didn't pressure her in any way to do so, but she could sense it in their actions. Both were quite possessive and starting to become cold toward each other. She spent half of her nights at Steve's house, while the rest were enjoyed in the quiet of Rick's bedroom after Carl had gone to bed. She'd sneak in through the window, feeling like a hormonal teenager that craved a late-night hookup – which was exactly what it turned into. There hadn't been a repeat of the first night. Sometimes Rick had her and sometimes Steve did, but never at the same time. She understood though, and appreciated her private time with each of them.

But one morning, everything changed.

Amy had spent the night alone, a rare occasion, and after getting dressed, went downstairs to make breakfast. Lauren was already in the process of making coffee and greeted her cousin with a lazy smile, followed by a groan.

"What's your problem?" Amy asked as she opened the fridge.

"Damn cramps… Shark Week is here with a vengeance," Lauren said and massaged her low belly. "Could you pick up some Midol or something at work? Maybe some tampons, too. Isn't it great to finally have a decent supply? I'll never take them for granted again…" she said in a wistful voice.

Amy laughed and nodded in agreement, but as she watched the brewing coffee, her smile faded. A violent wave of apprehension rolled in her stomach and for a moment she thought she was going to be sick. She braced her hand on the sturdy countertop and suddenly wasn't so hungry.

"Uh, I forgot that I have to be there early today. I've gotta go," Amy lied, skipping the coffee, too, for fear that it might come right back up.

Her face must have turned a pale shade of green, because Lauren asked, "Are you okay, Cuz?"

"Yeah, um, I just don't want to be late. I'll see you later," she said over her shoulder and headed for the door.

After throwing on her jacket, Amy walked quickly to the supply building. It was empty, as it should be, so she went straight to the toiletry shelves. It only took a few seconds to find what she needed. The building had a utility bathroom – it wasn't anything special, but would serve its purpose. She locked herself in the small closet-like space and, with shaking hands, opened the rectangular box. She followed the instructions and then placed the white stick on the edge of the sink. Closing her eyes, she sat on the lid of the toilet and buried her face in her hands.

Three long, agonizing minutes passed. She took a deep breath that did nothing to calm her nerves and darted back to the sink. The world went out of focus as tears flooded her wide eyes. She covered her agape mouth and fell to the side, her shoulder connecting with the hard wall.

What would this do to Rick and Steve? What would it do to their relationship? She didn't see them as the leaving type, but this complicated things far more than anything else she could have imagined.

I need to tell them. They need to know.

Amy tried to think of their reactions, and, oh God, how would Lauren react? How would she continue the façade in front of the whole town? She didn't think her heart would allow it. She couldn't keep it up for another nine months – and then what? Rick would die watching her and Steve become parents, when he just as easily could be the child's father. She had to talk to them. The guys would know what to do. They were, well, a part of her. She wouldn't have to make this decision alone, or at least, hoped that she wouldn't.

After hiding the evidence underneath a pile of paper towels in the trash bin, Amy left the bathroom and locked up the supply building. She strode down the empty street, searching for any sign of her men. Her boots clacked on the fractured pavement as her head swiveled from side-to-side.

Finally, she saw Steve. He was up on the wall, just as she'd anticipated he would be. He was dressed in a navy blue polo and dark jeans, looking as strong and capable as ever. She allowed her mind to wander for one brief moment and imagined what it would be like to have a child with him. She'd seen him in uncle-mode with Mary's daughter, so she knew he was good with kids, but not once had he spoken of wanting to be a father – and that worried her.

When their eyes connected, he grinned and climbed down to meet her on the sidewalk. He brushed his mouth over hers and tucked a stray lock of brown hair behind her ear.

"Hey, beautiful," he whispered. "I missed you last night."

Amy gave him her best smile and nodded. "I missed you, too."

"Did you go…?" he asked, his expression tight.

"No," she said, "I was alone last night." I can't keep doing this, her brain screamed, to them or to me. It isn't right.

Steve picked up on her sad gaze and frowned. "Is everything all right?"

She swallowed hard. "I need to talk to you and Rick. Can we meet at your house?"

"Of course, babe, but what's this about? You're scaring me…"

"It's okay." I think. "I'll explain then. Have you seen Rick by any chance?"

Steve cleared his throat. "I saw him on patrol about twenty minutes ago. He's probably on the other side of town."

"Okay, thanks. So can we meet at your place in about ten minutes?"

"Sure," he answered, and stopped her before she could turn away. "Are you sure you're all right?"

"I'll be fine."

She gave him one more kiss on the cheek, hoping to erase the concern in his features, and went off to find Rick.

Rick had just finished dealing with yet another domestic dispute between the town's doctor, Pete, and his wife, Jessie. The two carried on a love/hate relationship and he wondered how many warnings he could deliver before the couple would take him seriously. It was clear that Pete was abusing Jessie, but neither would admit to it.

With a heavy sigh, Rick opened their front door and started down the porch steps, only to see Amy walking by in a hurry.

"Hey," he called out.

She jumped, one hand pressed to her mouth and the other covering her stomach. "Hey. I was just coming to find you…"

"Really?" He studied her face for a moment and saw dread in her eyes. "Are you okay? Did Steve—?"

Amy huffed out a breath. "No, Steve didn't do anything. I just need to talk to both of you…right now."

Shit. She's made a decision. Rick swallowed hard. Is she leaving me for him? He wasn't sure if he could handle the heartache, especially if she and Steve carried on in front of him for real this time. What if they got married…and had kids? Oh, shit.

"Okay, where do you want to do this?" He hoped he didn't look like the fearful one now.

"At Steve's place. He should be there."

"Okay, lead the way."

Amy reached for his hand, her fingers grazing and briefly mingling with his. He dared a glance at the nearby houses and noticed Pete watching them. Rick pulled his hand away and slid Amy a look of caution. Her expression fell, and he wondered if she understood. At least she'd been willing to touch him – that was a good thing. Or maybe she just wanted to lessen the blow. Goddammit.

They walked next to each other, silence driving a wedge of tension between them. Occasionally, Rick would steal a glimpse of her face and felt his gut clench at her forlorn appearance.

I love you, Amy.

He wanted to say it so badly, for maybe those words would change her mind, influence her decision somehow. He couldn't do that to her, though. Plus, if she didn't return those feelings, he'd look like a fool. Self-preservation, right?

They made it to Steve's, and Rick held the door open for her as she brushed past him. The floral scent of her shampoo lingered and his heart tightened painfully in his chest. It would be torture to smell that lovely scent day-after-day, the same scent that clung to the pillow beside his, and know that she wasn't his anymore. Whenever they were joined together, he would bury his face in her silky hair and breathe her in. What he'd give to do that one more time…

She didn't actually say what she wanted to talk about, so cool it, he reminded himself, but judging by the look on her face, it wasn't something good.

Steve was in the kitchen, preparing a pot of coffee, and he met them at the island with three mugs. It was the same place they'd discussed the conditions of their crazy arrangement – how fitting for it to end there.

Stop it.

Rick watched Amy refuse her cup of coffee and his brow knitted – the woman never turned down caffeine. Steve occupied one of the high stools and Rick took the seat next to him as Amy circled the granite countertop. He hadn't been this close to the other man in quite some time and, while he wasn't crazy about Amy's other half, he was willing to put his hostility aside for her.

Amy drummed her fingers on the island's hard surface, looking like she was ready to jump out of her own skin. She chewed on her bottom lip and had a hard time meeting the anxious gazes just two feet away. Finally, she did, and Rick felt another pain in his chest when he saw that her eyes were glazed over with unshed tears.

Here it comes… She's going to leave one of us. Me. Both of us? Oh, God.

"I'm pregnant," she whispered.