Before you get into this chapter I want to take the time to thank everyone who has read, reviewed, and encouraged me to continue this story. I was going to save this thanks for the last chapter, but if life has taught me anything within these past couple of days it's that it's never too early or bad to express how you feel.

For those of you who do not know, one of my family members passed away last week. It was sudden, unexpected, and downright awful. I will not get into the details, but I will stress how important it is to check in on your loved ones and always swallow your pride to seek help no matter what. Maybe if I (and others) had put our foot down on certain situations maybe, just maybe this loved one would still be here. It's completely unfortunate but all I know is that we have an angel watching over us now.

Again, thank you so much for your support. I appreciate every single one of you, even if you don't review.

Side note: This chapter lowkey pushes the "life is too short to fight" notion. Kinda weird, but kinda nice that I'm able to tie this message in with this update. I love you guys.

Scott could not hold a grudge anymore. Whatever happened, happened. If anything he was letting it get to him rather than allowing it to make him grow.

After he had found out he was in shambles. He forced himself home for the summer, sleeping in almost daily, and refusing to leave his room unless absolutely necessary. Nobody at home asked him any questions, they just knew something had happened.

Courtney had been his first serious girlfriend. He had respected her and that's what hurt the most. Scott could have easily given her anything she wanted, but she sought those things with his best friend. He didn't want to know how or when it had started, and he refused to let his mind wander to those thoughts.

Regardless of how fucked up the situation was, he could not find it in himself to hate her. He was beyond pissed, but saying he hated someone was not something he could bring himself to do. Even Duncan. He probably would have continued fighting with him until they were both in the hospital, but he could never hate him.

The day he spoke with Courtney he felt lighter. He needed that. Needed to see her, needed to express how he felt, and also give her a chance to speak to him. It hurt him to see her so broken with her own guilt, but a part of him knew she deserved a little of the pain.

Now he needed to face Duncan.

When they were little kids they had made a pact. It was really stupid now that he thought about it. They had to be around eight years old when Duncan and Scott had their first fight. It wasn't anything serious, a simple dispute on who would be the red power ranger. Once they realized it was no fun pretending by themselves they came back and hugged it out; or rather, punched it out. They agreed to never be mad at each other no matter what the circumstance was. As children, they could not have ever imagined something like this would happen, and it was stupid to even think that their little pact still held any ground. But here he was ready to talk it out no matter how much it hurt.

Scott pulled up to his shared home. The lights were off which never really meant anything. Either Duncan was home, letting the darkness consume him, or he was out. The door was unlocked as he stepped inside but no sound was heard. Scott continued walking into the home until he made it to the stairs. There he heard the faint sounds of the shower running and decided it was best to wait.

Twenty minutes later Duncan came down the stairs, hair wet and lopsided from the shower. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Scott sitting on the couch, two beers on the glass table. Duncan awkwardly took a seat next to him. They did not face each other, both staring at their own reflection from the table. Scott cleared his throat and then took a sip of the beer.

"I talked to Courtney today."

Duncan wasn't sure how to respond. He hadn't even talked to Courtney for more than 5 minutes each week since everything came out. Scott continued as he noticed the silence stretch around them.

"We're okay. She and I, I mean." He took another sip, "You on the other hand."

"Look man, I know I fucked up," Duncan said, his voice lower than he wanted it to be.

Scott laughed. It wasn't one of those laughs that was light, it was one that held a tang of annoyance. "Is that your apology? That you just knew?"

He turned to face his green-haired best friend. If he could even call him that after all of this.

"You're a fucking asshole, a shitty friend, and the only reason I'm here is because of our stupid pact we made when we were eight."

Duncan could not even argue back with him. Scott was right. He was an asshole, and he definitely would never win an award for being the world's greatest friend. What he did was unforgivable, but here Scott was trying to salvage their lifelong friendship because of a stupid pact.

"Why her?" Scott asked.

Duncan turned to face him, if he was being honest he had no idea. Courtney was everything he hated, or was supposed to be. Whatever changed within those last couple of months was just as much a shock to him. If he really thought about it his feelings were always there, just suppressed. One thing was certain now, Duncan loved Courtney.

"It just sort of happened, and now?" Duncan paused, not being able to even say the words out loud to Scott.

"Now you love her."

It wasn't a question. Scott knew and all Duncan could do was nod his head. They both sighed as they sipped their beer.

"I know you probably don't want to hear this from me, but I really am sorry."

"I know."

Duncan and Scott were back to their normal stupid routine in no time. Sure it was a bit awkward at first, but they refused to let something like this linger any longer. The next big conversation involved the rest of the guys.

For the first time in his life, Geoff was not subject to the blank looks of dumbfoundment. DJ signed, moving his fingers in small circles around his temples trying to process the pure bullshit that was being spoken about.

"Bro. I'm positive babies aren't made that way." Geoff tipped his hat back, opening his mouth with a sharp gasp. "Unless!"

"No," DJ said sharply with a look of pure disappointment at his two friends. "Have you never read one of those What's Happening To My Body books in middle school?"

Scott seemed to think about the question for far too long which answered DJ's question immediately.

"Well, it's safe to say I know what to get you for your birthday this year."

"Awesome man! Let's go halfsies with that one!" Geoff chimed in causing DJ to hold his tongue.

God, his friends were idiots.

"Anyway," His attention was on the only person who had not said a word yet, Duncan.

"What's this mean for you?"

Duncan shrugged. He hadn't had much luck in the speaking to Courtney department. She had made it impossible to have a serious conversation with him since that dreadful day, but he knew he'd have to eventually face her.

"We text."

"That's it? Bro, that's your baby mama or mami?"

Geoff nudged Duncan on the side with a smirk on his face. Duncan only stared back at him. He was seriously debating knocking him out at this point. Luckily, DJ saved his ass.

"For the love of God, Geoff. Shut the fuck up."

The blonde held his hands up in defense, "I was only trying to lighten the mood." He patted Duncan on the back, "You should try going to see her. Bridge said she's been in a good mood lately."

Duncan finally grew some balls and found himself knocking on Bridgette's door. When the door swung open every word he had rehearsed seemed to vanish when he saw Courtney standing there. Her hair was pulled back only leaving a few strands hanging down to frame her perfectly heart-shaped face.

"Hey." He whispered with a half smile.

The door creaked lightly as Courtney pushed it all the way open. "Hi."

Neither said anything next. Duncan stuffed his hands in his jacket pockets trying to come up with anything at that moment. He knew he probably looked like an idiot, but Courtney broke the silence before he had time to knock himself down further.

"Do you want to come in?"

Duncan nodded as he walked into the doorframe and into the living room.

Neither chose to bring up the conversation they had just before reality hit them in the face. Maybe it was better that way. Duncan had to focus on many things that did not involve a new relationship- like graduating. He was surprised he made it that far in his education but was glad he had something to show for his future. Now more than ever. Courtney also had too much on her plate. The baby for one, and she was not naive to the fact that she would indeed need to rearrange her plans to put her child first.

Everything that was weighing on both Duncan and Courtney's shoulders was starting to feel light. It was truly important as Courtney approached her last two months of pregnancy.

"I have an appointment in a few hours if you–" Courtney began but was stopped as Duncan immediately answered her.

"Yes."

Getting to the doctor's wasn't as awkward as they thought it'd be. What was awkward was when the receptionist eyed the duo as they approached the front desk. Courtney, shamefully, requested a new patient form to update her records. In reality, no one gave a shit, but that still did not stop Courtney from feeling like she was being judged.

Duncan and Courtney sat in one corner of the room whispering to each other about family medical history. When the question about Duncan's paternal side came up he tensed. Courtney knew it was a touchy subject and apologized. Duncan shrugged as he watched Courtney cross out any boxes involving half of his identity that he knew nothing about. Once everything was filled out he took the new forms up and waited for their turn.

He was nervous. Never in his life did he think he'd be so scared for something so routine. Courtney was on the home stretch, if something was wrong with the baby they surely would have known by now. Still, the fear continued to creep up on him. He froze when Courtney's name was called and only came back to his senses when she patted his shoulder to follow her.

They were escorted to a small room where Courtney was instructed to lie back and lift her shirt. Her round bump was put on full display as the clear gel was squeezed and spread over by a small device. The ultrasound technician paused, pressing a few buttons to capture a picture as the screen fixed on an image of a fetus.

"Holy shit." Duncan said in awe, Courtney eyed him as he cleared his throat, "Sorry. Just, wow."

There was definitely a baby in there. The feeling of actually being able to witness this was pulling something out of Duncan. He hated the situation they were in that prevented him from experiencing this sooner, but he was grateful he had this moment to save forever. That was his child and he was going to be part of her life, forever.

The next sounds brought tears to the brim of his eyes. He didn't let them fall but the feeling of Courtney's fingers lacing around his almost did it.

The heartbeat.

His little angel was strong. He knew it, that little ass-kicker was going to be a perfect version of himself and Courtney.

Then something happened.

They both stared at the little fetus portrayed on screen. Both were at a loss for words. Courtney was in pure shock, while Duncan's face was plastered with a look of pure joy. He laughed, squeezing Courtney's hand in his.

"That's my baby girl!"

There on the screen was a very noticeable finger being held up. Duncan reached over and clicked the same button the ultrasound technician had been pressing to take updated pictures. He was definitely framing this one.

Life, work, and more work are consuming me but that's okay. I'm currently working on editing these last few chapters, and on updating a few chapters of Please, and of course, as requested, Guns N' Roses.