Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with General Hospital.

A/N: Sorry for the delay. I had to rewrite this entire chapter. It was originally riddled with angst, but it didn't feel right. So now its fluff, which is definitely needed at this point in the story. Don't worry, the angst is no where near over, but this chapter needed to be this way in order for the story to progress the way I originally planned. Thanks for reading.

To Choose Life

Chapter 19

My shift came to an end at 5:00. I waited patiently for Dillon in the lobby. He finally arrived and I smiled at him when he entered the room. "Ready to go?" I asked.

He nodded. "You look really nice today," he offered.

"Thanks, I'm just glad I could squeeze into it."

"Are you kidding? You can barely tell that you're pregnant."

"Are you kidding?" I responded. "I'm huge."

"No, you're five months pregnant and barely showing."

"'Barely', isn't the word I'd use," I said, as I flattened my black shirt and looked down at my expanded waist.

"You look fine," he said as we climbed into his car.

"Why do the employees at ELQ know that you're having a child?"

"My grandfather announced it."

"Of course he did," I muttered, picturing the smug smile on Edwards face when he thought about the heir I was carrying.

"So how have you been feeling?" Dillon asked.

"What do you mean?"

"We haven't really talked about your Mom since you got back from your kidnapping."

"I'm fine Dillon. I'm just trying to focus on something positive, like proving she's innocent."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, I've had a few weeks to come to terms with it."

"I know. I just worry about you."

"You don't need to. The baby and I are fine. I'm eating healthy. I'm sleeping and trying to stay relaxed."

"Are you planning on signing up for any birthing classes?"

"Birthing classes?" I exclaimed, trying to keep the laughter out of my voice. "Dillon, when have I been the type to go to birthing classes?"

"Since you got pregnant."

"This pregnancy hasn't turned me into a soccer mom."

"Its something we could do together for the baby…"

"Dillon no, we're not attending birthing classes together."

"Why not?"

"Are you serious? I don't want to sit in a room with a bunch of happy pregnant women and practice my breathing."

"It will be fun and we'd meet other women that are pregnant. We might even meet the parents of our child's future friends."

"You are such an idealist. You know I love that about you, but come on, we're not exactly going to be the parents of Leave it to Beaver."

"No, we're going to be parents on our own terms. I just think this could be fun," Dillon insisted.

"Obviously we have very different ideas of fun."

"Have you given any thought to names?"

"I don't want it to start with 'L'. I want it to be original."

"Any ideas?"

"Not really. If it's a girl, I'd like her middle name to be Laura."

"That sounds good."

"We still have four months to think about it."

"I know, but it doesn't hurt to start thinking about it."

Dillon parked the car at the mall and we made our way inside. "Where do you want to start?" he asked gently.

"With the dress. You have to match the shoes to the dress."

"Of course you do. How could I forget?" he muttered sarcastically as he followed me into one of the stores.

I pulled some dresses off the rack and carried them into the change room. Dillon waited patiently until I emerged.

I opened the door and met his gaze. "What do you think of this one?" I asked.

"You look beautiful," he said, as he came towards me. "It's perfect."

"I don't know if pink really works. Maybe I should go with black. It's more thinning," I said as I stared at the pink dress I was wearing.

"You don't need to wear something that is slimming. You look beautiful," he whispered.

"Let me try on another one," I said before disappearing back into the change room.

I pulled the black dress off the hanger and slid into it. It was tight at the top but hung loosely around my waist. The length dipped just below my knees, but in it you could barely tell that I was pregnant.

"What do you think?" I asked, as I stepped out of the change room. Dillon stood speechless for a minute.

"You look amazing," he said, as he slid the zipper up.

"That's sweet. What do you really think?"

"I'm serious. You look gorgeous."

"Really?"

He nodded. "It's perfect." His fingers lingered on my back at the top of the zipper for a second longer before he pulled his hand away.

"Okay, I'll take it," I said, before slipping back into the change room and removing the dress. I tossed it over the door to Dillon so that he could pay for it.

I slid my clothes back on and met him at the cash register.

"Where to next?" he asked gently, as he followed me out of the store.

"Shoes," I said cheerfully.

We went into the nearest shoe store and I looked around at the many pairs of shoes. "I miss my feet," I cried, as Dillon gave me a very confused look. "My feet are huge."

"No they're not," he said as he looked down at them.

"They're swollen."

"Well you are pregnant," he said, as I lifted a pair of shoes into my hands.

"Won't those hurt?"

I nodded. "Unfortunately. They wouldn't even fit me anymore anyway."

"You'll get your feet back when you give birth."

"Oh in four months?"

He smiled. "Come on, sit down and I'll get the sizes of shoes you want." I did as I was told. Dillon went around the store and gathered several pairs of shoes in my size.

I rubbed my hand against my belly, as a woman sat down beside me. "When are you due?" she asked gently.

I turned to smile at her. "April."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you," I said gently.

"I have three at home," she continued.

"Wow, this is my first."

"The first is always the most fun," she offered.

I kept my laughter at bay. I wouldn't necessarily call any of this fun.

Dillon arrived with several pairs of shoes. "You must be the father," the woman said to him.

"Yeah," Dillon answered, as a smile appeared on his face.

"Have you been together long?" she asked.

I was really trying not to laugh now. Dillon looked slightly uncomfortable. "No," he answered.

"Well I wish you the best," she said gently, as she placed the shoes she was trying on back into the box. "Congratulations. A baby always manages to put your life into perspective."

"Thank you," I called after her as she left.

"What the hell was that?" Dillon asked.

I shrugged. "A friendly woman," I answered.

"How do those fit?" he asked.

I looked down at the flat heeled shoes I'd placed on my feet. "I hate them," I moaned.

I watched Dillon trying not to laugh. "They're just shoes."

I turned my gaze to him. "Shoes make the outfit. I can't wear something that I don't like."

"I see," he said, as he started to twiddle his thumbs.

I bent down to try on another pair and my back began spasm in response. "Oww," I cried.

"What's wrong?" Dillon exclaimed in a panic.

"I hurt my back."

"Here," he said as he slid onto the floor and placed the shoes on my feet. I watched him kneeling down and smiled. I couldn't help momentarily feeling my love for him shining through.

After trying on ten pairs, I picked a pair that wasn't exactly practical but weren't hideous either. Dillon paid for them and then took me to a salon to make an appointment for my hair and nails.

Afterwards he bought me dinner at the food court. "I had fun today," I said as I sat down.

"Me too," he said gently.

I smiled at him over my hamburger. "You're not too bad to shop with, for a guy."

"Thanks, I think."

"You're welcome."

"Is there anything else you want for this party; since I'm dragging you along?"

"I don't know. What do you have in mind?"

"How about new jewellery?" he suggested.

"I could use new jewellery."

I took the last bite of my dinner and Dillon threw out our garbage and then led me to a jewellery store. He brought me up to the counter and the sales clerk came over to us. "Can I help you?" she asked.

"We'd like a diamond necklace and bracelet," Dillon insisted. The clerk took us over to her diamond showcase and Dillon turned to me. "Pick what you want."

"Are you sure?" I asked gently.

He nodded. "I owe you a lot. More than just for this party."

"What do you mean?"

"You're my best friend. You're going to be the mother of my child. You have provided me with a sense of happiness and contentment that I know I would never have found with Georgie. I owe it to you. I have been a jerk to you for way too long and I have to make it right."

I smiled. "You're not a jerk. Who was the one that flew to the Markhaam islands with me to help save my father? Who was the one that always had my back when my father abandoned me? Who was the one that held me all night when my mother relapsed, even though he was in a relationship with someone else? You, Dillon have had my back for as long as I've known you. Our history is interesting, to say the least, but you've always been loyal to me, even when I almost had an abortion. So you don't owe me anything."

"I still want you to pick out whatever you want."

"All right, I'm not going to argue about diamonds."

I stared into the showcase and picked out a simple necklace and bracelet laced with a few diamonds that sparkled under the fluorescent light. The clerk pulled them out and Dillon put them on me. "You look beautiful," he whispered.

"Thank you Dillon," I said softly, as he lifted a mirror so I could see my reflection.

"We'll take these," Dillon told the clerk.

She nodded and Dillon handed her the jewellery. She rang them up and Dillon paid for them.

"Ready to go home?" I asked.

"Want ice cream for the ride?"

"I think you know my answer."

He laughed as he followed me out of the store and over to the ice cream kiosk.

XXXXX

Dillon stopped the car in front of Carly's. "I really did have fun today," he offered.

"Me too," I responded softly. "I'll see you at the party Friday night."

"Okay," he said, as I climbed out of the car and went inside.

"Well?" Carly asked, as I flung open the door.

"I had fun," I answered evasively.

"Good," she said. "I'm glad to hear it. You need more fun. So what did you buy?"

"I didn't buy anything."

"Have I told you how proud I am of you lately?"

"No, but that's really sweet."

"You seem more like my little sister with each passing day."

I smiled at her. "I love to hear that."

There was a knock at the door and Carly went to answer it. Nikolas stood on the other side with Spencer in his arms. "Spencer," I exclaimed, as I stood up and took him from my brother's arms.

"Carly can I speak to you?" Nikolas asked.

Carly nodded, and allowed him to come inside. "What's up?"

"I have been doing a lot of thinking. Reconciling with Emily has put a lot of things into perspective to me. Mostly that Courtney was Spencer's mother and also your best friend."

Carly nodded. "Okay," she said as she tried to understand where Nikolas was going.

"I was mad that you tried to keep me from my son, but a part of me sort of understands. The fact is, Courtney would want you to play an active role in his life and so do I."

"Really? After what I did to you?"

"I'm not excusing what you did, but Spencer shouldn't suffer from your mistakes. He deserves to know about his mother and there is no one better to tell him then you."

I saw the tears that spilled from Carly's eyes, as Nikolas said this. "That really means a lot to me."

"I know you and Emily aren't that close but she will be helping me raise him. However, I would like to make you his God Mother."

"Really?"

"Courtney would want it that way."

"Thank you Nikolas," she said softly. "This truly means the world to me."

"You're welcome. However, I ask one thing?"

"What's that?"

"That you will never pollute his mind against Emily."

"I won't. You are his father and I have no right to say anything about the person you choose to raise your child with. Even if that person is Emily. I don't hate Emily. I hate Elizabeth. That I might object to."

"Well I don't have any plans on stealing Elizabeth away from my brother."

Carly laughed. "Can I offer you a drink?"

"I don't want to intrude."

"Believe me, you're not intruding. If anything, you just made my day."

"All right, I'll have a cup of coffee," he answered. Carly smiled, as she slipped into the kitchen.

"That was really nice of you," I said to my brother.

"I spent too much time being bitter. I have my son. I reconciled with Emily and I feel its time I start remembering what's important in life. So when is the next time you're coming to stay with me?"

"I don't know right now."

"Well what is going on in your life?"

"Carly and Jax gave me a new position at the Metro Court."

"Really, what is it?"

"I am the new head of PR."

"Congratulations."

"And she's really good at it," Carly said as she reentered the room.

I spent the next couple of hours enjoying the company of Nikolas and Carly. It felt good to remember what its like to be surrounded by those that love you. I also loved any second I got to spend with my nephew.