A/N: As always I would first like to say a big thank you for all who have reviewed, favorited, and followed this story. You encourage me to keep writing everyday! For this chapter I tried to give an idea of the emotions of each of the characters and then led in to soft type of ending to this particular chapter. I still have a few more chapters to go and the drama is not quite over! Please keep reviewing as I appreciate each one! Enjoy reading =)

"Kate, please Katie, talk to me!"

"Ana I just don't know what to say. I am at a loss for words."

Ana took the magazine away from Kate's lap and took her hand. Kate sat there on the bed, motionless and teary eyed. It was a rarity to see Kate so immediately crushed.

"Was Leila pregnant when you were there? I mean did you have any idea that she could have been?"

"No Ana, not at all. She was drinking with the rest of us."

"You know I can't even really address what happened with you guys and Leila in New York. Christian becomes upset and I just don't understand why he won't talk to me about it. Can you please fill in these blanks? How did she seem like? What did you think of her?"

"I didn't know that she was the woman who stalked you and held you at gunpoint. I didn't have a clue. She seemed nervous and shy. Then again I caught her naked in our apartment. Ethan was so happy with her. He was the happiest I have ever seen him. It made me feel good inside to know that someone had that effect on my brother. When we were in the car he would reach over and grab her hand, gently stroking it. He would rub her neck and she would nestle her head against his hand. It was so different yet welcoming."

"What happened that night?"

"The night before Christian arrived we all went out to a restaurant and then some club. It was me, Ethan, Mia, Leila, and Leila's best friend Olivia. Olivia was the sweetest person. You would like her Ana. We actually hung out most of the night while an awkward Mia, Ethan, and Leila love triangle played out. In talking to Olivia I saw how much she cared for her friend and how much she loved her. She would walk on fire for her. It's the same kinds of feelings I feel with us Ana. When Leila came back over to us from being with Ethan Olivia told me that Leila knew Christian. Needless to say I was shocked. Out of nowhere the girl begins crying and I actually felt so bad for her. I took her by the hand and led her out the door to talk outside."

"So you basically made her surrender to the ever notorious Katherine Kavanagh inquisition?"

There is a faint smile on Kate's lips.

"Yes, well I wanted to know what was going on but I was never prepared for what she was going to tell me. I had so many emotions going through me when she told me her story. I was angry, shocked, hurt. Even through all of that you just should have seen her Ana. She was crying so hard, I doubt she could have seen properly through her tears. Her breathing was erratic and I could tell she was scared. I felt terrible for her I know how much my brother meant to her."

The tears begin to fall down Kate's face at quicker speed as she continues to speak. She is constantly wiping the tears from her eyes. Ana runs into the bathroom and grabs some tissues to give to Kate.

"Ana, when she hugged me, I could feel her heart beating so hard in her chest. I could feel her shoulders rising up over and over again as she cried. It's the greatest thing when a person who is sick has healed and it is the worst thing when people can't acknowledge this and then stigmatize them with their past mistakes for the rest of their lives."

"I don't even know what to say Kate. I felt horrible and enraged about what happened with you guys that night. The woman was obviously not on my list of favorite people but when I saw her that day in my office I felt bad for her. Christian came in, being a bully to her and it upset me."

"I don't even know what to think right now. I know that's my brothers baby and he doesn't even know. I am that child's aunt! I need to go to New York and find her. I don't give a fuck about what Christian has to say or Elliot. This is part of us Ana!"

"Call Ethan right now!"

Ana hands Kate her cell phone.

"Breathe Katie, just talk to him."

Kate hits brother and it rings three times before Ethan picks up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Ethan what are you doing?"

"Getting ready to get on a plane in a few."

"What?! I thought you weren't leaving to New York until a few days?"

"Some of dad's partners needed to move ahead in closing in on some media outlet deals and needed me there so I am heading there a few days early."

"Ethan I need to talk to you badly there is something I really need to tell you."

"Can it wait? I'm about to board. I'll talk to you when I land. "

"You know what I'm heading over to New York right now! I'll be in later tonight. Love you brother see you tonight!"

"What?! Kate!"

"Bye!"

Kate quickly hangs up on Ethan and starts grabbing her things together, getting ready to leave.

"Kate what the hell are you doing?"

"I'm going to go back to my apartment. Pack. Then I am going to head to New York, talk to my brother and talk to Leila."

"Kate are you sure? What about Elliot?!"

"Elliot is a big boy he can take care of himself for a couple days."

"And Christian?"

"That's your husband, not mine. He has to deal with it. Look, I love you to pieces. I would cross oceans for you but this is about my brother and his child, my niece or nephew. This is a Kavanagh thing, not a Grey thing. This is where it comes down to in protecting MY family!"

"Who am I to argue with Miss Katherine Kavanagh?"

Ana reaches for a hug from her best friend.

"I love you more than you will ever know. You know it's getting to the point that I can barely put my arms around you!"

"Ugh I feel like such an awkward geometrical shape!"

They both chuckle at the seemingly futile attempts to wrap each other in a bear hug.

"I love you too Katie. Be safe. Be in touch."

"As always, Steele."

Back in New York, Olivia and Leila's Apartment….

"Aww now don't you look so adorable with that bump!"

It made me feel good to have Olivia be so supportive throughout my pregnancy. It still feels weird to say that I am pregnant.

"Oli, another egg roll please!"

Olivia picks the fourth one up and puts it on my plate.

"I know your eating for two but you are seriously acting as if you are eating for fifteen!"

Rubbing my belly I smirk at her.

"I need my nutrients, growing child inside."

"Excuse."

"Don't hate?"

"Yeah, yeah….anyways so….are you nervous about the showcase?"

"No and yes. No because I am confident in my work, I am very confident. I've worked hard. Yes because, and don't get me wrong Olivia, you are my rock, but its just I don't have him to be there for me that night and give me his encouragement even with his child."

"You know that even as your telling me this I've already told you what you needed to do."

"I know its just he probably won't care. It has been close to four months and he probably doesn't even feel the same way about me anymore."

I jump off the couch as the doorbell rings, taking both Olivia and me by surprise.

"Wow Lele, did you order another pizza like last time or is it Leah or Sabi sneaking you in some grilled cheese sandwiches from Louie's? I swear you make me never want grilled cheese again!"

"Actually no I've done neither unless one of them is surprising me because they are such a good friend!"

Olivia rolls her eyes at me and heads to open the door. Olivia gasps as Kate is standing there with a teddy bear.

"May I come in, please?"

I hear Kate's voice and instantly pull a blanket over my belly. Olivia lets her in and Kate sits at our dining table.

What is she doing here? Did Ethan send her here? Is Ethan here?!

I'm nervous in seeing Kate. It has been awhile and I haven't spoken to her since we all went out that fateful night. Seeing her makes me think of Ethan and I am hurting again. I start talking as the silence is becoming awkward.

"You look good Kate. How have you been?"

I smile at her and she smiles back with tears in her eyes. Kate is holding the teddy bear close to her.

Why does she have a teddy bear? I am so confused right now.

"Leila, is that my brother's baby?"

I lower my eyes to the floor not wanting to discuss this at the moment but knowing that I have no other choice.

"How did you find out?"

"Ana gets the monthly art review. You were in it for an upcoming showcase." I saw your picture and I saw that you were rounder than the last time I saw you. Is it my brother's baby?"

I start crying. A combination of pregnancy hormones and emotional pain triggers a river of tears that continue to flow and I cannot stop them. Olivia comes to me and gives me a hug and starts to talk for me.

"Kate, Leila is carrying Ethan's baby. I told her to tell Ethan however after everything that happened with Christian and Ethan she didn't want to bother him anymore. She figured it would save everyone the trouble if she did this without all of you."

"Fuck Christian! Really Leila why?! This is my brother and his child! I came here immediately when I saw that picture."

"Is Christian going to follow you or Elliot here?"

"I don't fucking care if they send the United States Army behind me! My brother's here in New York. I need you to go talk to him."

"Kate I love him but he clearly made his intentions clear about not wanting to be with me."

"Leila, here is the thing. Regardless of what happened between the both of you that is my brother's child. If you won't tell him I will. Now are you going to come with me or not."

I look up at Olivia and wait for a defense, a defense that never comes out of her mouth.

"Olivia, I can't. Please you know I can't."

"Lele I've told you time and time again how much I love you and that I am always going to be there for you however from day one I always believed Ethan had a right to know. I think you know what you need to do."

Kate comes over to me and sits next to me. She presses the teddy bear against me looking at me with tears in her eyes.

"Please lets go Leila. Please do this for your child."

I start to rub my belly and thoughts of Ethan invade my mind.

Little one, I loved you the moment I knew you were coming into this world. I've only tried to do what I think is right but I think it's now time to meet you daddy. You need to hear his voice. I need to hear his voice.

"Fine Kate. I'll come with you."

My nerves are shot, which isn't something I should be experiencing too much now that I am pregnant. I'm terrified of rejection, hesitant yet I want to see him more than ever right now. Before I know it Kate and me are in a car headed to her and Ethan's apartment.

"Ethan, Ethan! Its Kate are you here?"

Kate goes around the apartment looking for Ethan in every room while I sit on the couch. I lightly smile at the memory of hiding behind this couch completely naked. I've had magical times in this place. I've missed it so much. Despite the pain I have a sense of complacency here.

"Doesn't look like he is here yet. We will just wait until he comes home."

"Do you think he's on a date?"

I cringe at my question. I would die a thousand deaths if that were the case.

"No, he's not. He's on business here for our dad. These types of things can run late at times. Leila, are you hungry, thirsty."

"I am actually really thirsty."

"I'll go get you some water."

I'm exhausted. I still do the sleep for hour's thing. Tonight is no exception especially with all the excitement of seeing Kate and coming back here to the apartment. Kate comes back from the kitchen with water and sees me knocking out on the sofa.

"Are you tired?"

"Very tired actually."

"Here why don't I take you to one of the bedrooms and you can get some rest."

We walk down the hallway to the bedroom where Ethan and me first made love. As I sit on the bed I am reminded of that night, all the emotions, the way his body felt against mine. I still feel our presence in this very room. With these thoughts I drift asleep, peacefully as I am, at least for a moment, in part of Ethan's world.

2 hours later…

The door closed and Kate left the kitchen to approach her brother.

"Hi Katie, give me a hug."

Kate wraps her arms lightly around him.

"That was convincing."

"Ethan we need to talk. I have something important to tell you."

"Please tell me you aren't pregnant!"

"No! No I'm not pregnant."

"Okay…then what is this about?"

"Do you still love Leila?"

"You came all the way to New York to ask me about her?"

Kate nods her head.

"We've been over this subject many times. Yes I did but she lied to me Kate and after finding out she was with Christian, I don't know…I just didn't want to get hurt anymore."

"So does that mean you don't love her anymore Ethan?"

"Kate, I love her more than life itself. Its over though. What if she went crazy later on Kate? What if she was really still in love with Christian? What if she was just using me to get to him? I needed that trust and she just didn't trust me as much as I trusted her."

"You know people can change. When we refuse to accept it we make them hurt. I know Leila is fine."

Kate wraps her brother in a big hug and starts to tear up.

"Katie what's wrong? Did something happen with you and Elliot?"

"No, nothing like that. Its just that…what I am about to show you is very heartbreaking to me and I need you to know that I am always going to be here with you through thick and thin, always. Now, I'm going to walk with you to the back bedroom and I need you to be very quiet."

"Katie…you're um…. kind of scaring me."

Kate puts her fingers to her lips and pulls Ethan down the hallway towards the back bedroom and quietly opens the door.

"Shhh…Leila is sleeping."

"What is she doing here Kate? Did she go drinking, is she drunk?"

"No."

Ethan is growing uncomfortable by the minute. He runs his hands through his hair and gently rubs his temples.

"What is this about Kate."

Kate heads quietly to the bed motioning Ethan to come next to her. She stands by Leila, with tears in her eyes. Ethan goes next to Kate and holds her by the arm. Kate gently removes the covers from Leila exposing her condition.

"Ethan, here lies the mother of your child."

I wake up to hear a man broken into pieces crying from the living room. I feel groggy and completely out of it wondering if I am in some dream being in Ethan's apartment. I struggle to get out of bed and try and listen to the conversation that is taking place outside. I don't want to go out just yet. I hear Kate and Ethan talking, my Ethan, my love. How I've missed his voice. I struggle to maintain composure as I stand by the door.

"Brother, please its okay, I'm her for you. It's going to be alright."

Kate is sitting to the side of her brother holding onto him while he tears fall down his face. At this moment we are connected with each other in the same emotion.

"Katie…I"

Ethan bangs his fist hard onto the coffee table. Kate reaches over and pulls him away.

"Ethan! Stop it! You will wake her up and this is not how she should first see you!"

"Did you know about this?"

"I just found out. Look Ethan when you left she later found out she was pregnant. She didn't go to you because after you changed all your contact info she felt that you didn't give a shit about her anymore. She kept it a secret so that you could live out your life in peace. Yes that was fucking dumb and I told her that. I'm still pissed about that but Ethan your going to be a father. You're going to be a father Ethan!"

"Katie….who else knows about this?"

"Just Ana. Not Christian or Elliot or anyone else for that matter."

"Kate, I'm a fucking disgrace! I should have never left her here on her own. I should have never gone away! That's our child Katie; I wasn't there when she found out! I wasn't there when she may have been sick! I wasn't there to take care of her and make sure she is being healthy." Fuck!"

Oh little one! Little one…your daddy cares I know he does!

"You can change that Ethan!"

"How far along is she?"

"Four months in a week."

"I need to go in there and talk to her. Without you Kate. Just stay close by. Hand me, hand me some water. She might be thirsty."

Kate hands the bottle to Ethan and grabs him by the face.

"Go in there and talk, do not yell. She has been through a lot and she is delicate. I don't give a fuck what you say if I here either one of you going cuckoo in there I am coming in."

I hear Ethan approaching the bedroom and quickly get into bed. I pull my hair out of its ponytail and let it hang down. He will know that I have been crying. My eyes are so puffy. As he gets closer I feel like my heart has dropped into my stomach. As he walks in I feel my heart pulsing faster and instinctively I hold onto my belly for comfort. It is the only thing that has given me comfort over the past few months.

"Hi Ethan."

For the first time in a long time there is nothing I can say. I can't ramble on about anything. I can't find anything to come up with to cut the tension in the room. I'm silent.

"When did you find out?"

"About a month and a half after you left."

Ethan walks over to me and sits on the bed next to me. As I lay there next to him he looks into my eyes but says nothing. He takes his hand and gently goes through my hair pushing it out of my face. He then trails his hands up and down my arms. I see the nervousness on his face. How I've missed this man. I've missed him everyday. Not a day has gone by that I haven't pictured us together, next to each other again. Without words I take his face in my hands. I lean in close to him and as I move I wince in pain. My back tends to hurt a lot more and when it does it makes me the pain is sharp. Ethan immediately notices and wraps his arms around me.

"What's wrong?"

"My lower back hurts a lot these days. I'll be fine I just need to get a soft pillow and I'll be okay."

"No, you won't do that. I'll be right back in minute."

Ethan comes back in about fifteen seconds carrying a bottle of lotion.

"Take off your shirt."

"No its fine, Ethan…I…."

Before I can say anything he is lifting my shirt above my head. He then gently removes my bra.

"Sit in between my legs."

I do as I am told. He rubs the lotion onto his hands and begins rubbing my back in smooth circular strokes. How I had missed these massages. Just like that we were both back in our own world. That comfort zone where no one could hurt us. I had dreamed about this for days and I finally was experiencing it once again. There was something different though about us in our zone this time. Little one was here too. He needed to feel little one. I reach back and take his hands and gently place them around my bump. I rest my hands on top of his. He makes his way around my belly feeling every part of me. He rests his head on my shoulder and I can feel the moisture on his face. He then begins to talk to me in his soft voice that is like a lullaby to me.

"Baby, I feel that even by saying how sorry I am it is not enough. Why didn't you tell me though?"

"You believed Christian. You guys thought I was a threat. I never used you Ethan. When I found out I was pregnant, I was beyond terrified. I wanted to tell you but I didn't want you to get the wrong idea about me anymore. So, I chose to stay away. I thought you wanted to do the same."

With ease, Ethan grabs my face and holds my chin up to face him.

"What I did was unforgivable. Kate was right. I don't deserve you but I've never stopped loving you. Never. You have changed my life for the better. I logged in more hours at the company, became more involved so that I could support you. I'm not a billionaire, I don't have a fancy jet, and I can't fly you around the world every week. What I can promise you is that I will take care of you the best way possible, make sure you have every need met. I will be at every doctor's appointment, every ultrasound, every baby class; I will be with you through it all. You will no longer be alone. I'm here baby."

Through light sobs I quiet him down.

"Ethan I love you with all my being. I am proud to carry your child. I know all of this happened at lightening speed but I am okay with it. I carry our love inside of me. I wouldn't trade that for the world. I'm scared though. I don't want you to leave for anything again."

"Baby lay down on the pillow."

As I lay on the pillow he gently rubs my head.

"You are not going home tonight. Its very late. I'll have Kate pick up anything that you might need but you are staying here. I've wasted so much time baby and I am sorry.

"I missed you so much."

"As did I. Now, go to sleep. You need to rest. I am going to go outside and talk to Kate and I'll be in soon to join you if you want."

"I couldn't ask for anything more."

With that being said I begin to sleep. Ethan loves me he never stopped loving me. As I drift in and out of consciousness I hear Kate beaming with happiness of being an aunt and laughing with her brother. I do have a family. Nothing can drop me from my cloud nine. Nothing….