20.

They sat there in each others arms at their spot. Loren wanted so badly to take the pain away from Eddie.

"I can't believe that I thought I was in love with her. It makes me sick to my stomach knowing now that she was the one who killed my mother. I argued with my dad over her and gave her everything she wanted."

"Eddie, you didn't know."

"Why? Why would she come into my life like she cared about me knowing she killed my mom? I let my mom down."

"Shhh... Your mom would not want you to feel guilty about any of this. You didn't know."

"I believed all of her lies Loren, every last one."

"Well on the bright side maybe this means she really isn't pregnant." Loren said.

Eddie pulled back and looked into Loren's eyes. "I love you." he said finally giving her a smile.

"Come on. We need to go back. Your dad is worried sick about you."

"How do I face him Loren?"

"Eddie, don't even think for one second that your dad holds anything against you."

"I hope you are right Loren Tate."

"I know I am Eddie Duran." she said with a smile. Together hand in hand they walked back to Loren's home.

Ian wanted to do something special for his Sprite. He was afraid though to make a commitment to her. He didn't know if he could do it. Yes, it's what he wanted but he was lost in this. This is something he never experienced. He started to talk to Eddie about this but realized he didn't want to burden him with this. So he thought of the next best thing.

"Hello."

"Hi. um.. are you busy?"
"No, not right now. Eddie just left with his dad. They had some things they needed to talk about."

"Ok, good."

"Ian, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just I really needed to talk to someone about this."

"Okay, well do you want to come here or me come to you?"

"If you could come here it would be greatly appreciated. I don't want any interruptions."
"Okay. I'll be right over." she said hanging up the phone.

"So what is this important thing you need to talk about?" Loren asked as she walked into Eddie's penthouse.

"I need to find out some information. I need to make sure I know what I am doing before I go any further."
"Is this about Mel?"

"Yes, it is."

"Okay then. What do you want to know?"

"I'm confused. I don't want to hurt her and I want to make sure I am ready for a relationship. I've never been in one before and I don't know how to go about it." he said looking ashamed.

"Ian, do you love Mel?"

"I do, well at least I believe I do."

"Okay, so that's where you are confused. Do you think about her when you wake up and when you go to sleep?"

"Yes, I think about her all the time."
"Do you always want to make sure she is safe and happy?"

"Yes, I would do anything to bring a smile to her face and of course I want her safe."
"When you think about her do you imagine a future with her?"

"I can't not. I feel like she has always been in my life and if she was to leave it I would be lost."

"Well Ian, you are in love with my besty." Loren said with a big smile.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. That's what love is."

"So do you think I can do this?"

"A relationship?"

"Yeah."

"Well you just said you would be lost without her so yes. Besides being a best friend to Eddie is a relationship. Maybe not the same kind but still a relationship."
"Yeah, definitely not the same kind." Ian said laughing.

"Well I think you should go for whatever it was you were planning."

"How did you know I was planning something?"
"Because that's what got you all worked up. I've seen you with Mel. You two are perfect for each other. She is the yen to your yang."

"Thank you Loren." he said giving her a hug.

Loren laughed and then left.

Max and Eddie talked and Max finally got through to Eddie that he wasn't to blame for all that happened. In fact if they all thought about it Eddie was the one they could all thank for bringing three beautiful women into their lives. Eddie chuckled and said bye to his pops. He wanted to go to the cemetery to see his mom, but first he wanted to make the drive that they did that fatal day.

"Hey you." Nora said walking into Max's arms.

"Hi."

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, he just wanted to go up and see his mom before he came home. Where is Loren?"

"She went to see Ian. He asked if she could give him some advice."
"I bet that's about Mel. It's nice to see him finally interested in someone especially someone like her."
"Yeah, she's a character and I wouldn't change her for anything."

"Yeah, me either."

They heard the door open and in walked Loren.

"So how did the advice giving go?"
"Great." Loren said with a smile. "I think he is scared but who isn't. Besides I think they love each other."

"Yeah." Max said looking over at Nora. Loren saw the look and couldn't help but smile.

"So where is Eddie?"

"He went by to see his mom at the cemetery."

"Oh, okay. Is he okay?"
"Yes." Max said. About that time his phone went to ringing. "Hello. Yes, this is Max Duran."

"What is it?" Nora asked after seeing his face go pale white.

"I will be right there." he said into the phone before hanging up.

"What is it Max?"

"It's Eddie, he's been in a car accident."

"No, please. I'm going with you."

"Let's go." he said and they all got in his car and went.