She moved her fearful brown eyes in Eric's direction, then passed them back over towards Howie. Her emotions were wildly out of control. Her mind was reeling, thinking back to why she had fought with Howie in the first place...why had she kissed Eric just now...why was she so worried about making the wrong choice. It was like the rest of her life depended on this one decision. Howie or Eric?
***In a Quiet corner of Central Park***
"Oh, Brian..you have certainly out done yourself! Look at all this. The perfect, romantic picnic breakfast, complete with two small glowing candles. This is amazing...how did you ever have time to prepare all this?"
"Well, a true master never reveals all his secrets! But let's just say, I've had this sorta idea in the back of my mind for a while now. I just made it come to life...actually, your smile is what brought this whole morning together."
Blushing with gratitude, "Brian, I don't know how to thank you. This is so amazing. No one has ever suprised me like this before."
"I'm glad. I wanted to be the first man to shock and amaze you with his romantic talents. Hehehe, I'm just playn'. Really, it was no trouble. No come on, have a seat on the blanket and let's eat.
The couple sat down on the red and white checkered picnic blanket. Brian passed Michelle a bowl of strawberries, along with a batch of chocolate chip pancakes (her absolute favorite).
"I love these pancakes, they're my favorite."
"I know, that's why i made them."
"How did you know...."
"That they were your favorite, I have my sources."
Her smile widened, as did his. "Thank you Brian. Who knew? The man can sing, he's a complete sweetie. And he can cook! Is there anything you can't do?"
"Yeah, I can't stop thinking about you."
Her heart melted. The look in his eyes told her he was absolutlely serious. And she felt the same way. He inched closer to her on the blanket, pulling in for a long, sensual kiss.
Breaking away from their passion-driven kiss, he gazed at her and said, "Can I ask you something?"
***BAck at Becca's Place***
Becca forced herself to get out of bed. If she didn't get up now, she'd miss her appointment. It had been a long sleepless night for her. Her mind was too preoccupied to worry about sleeping. She felt the weight of her worry, along with the fact that she hadn't slept, hit her like a ton of bricks. She dragged her feet all the way to the bathroom. Before switching the bathroom light on, she looked over at Kevin. He was curled up in a ball, his knees tucked into his stomach. His long legs had kicked the sheets out of place and the blanket was now laying in a heep on the floor. She giggled at his messy state, intertwined in the covers, his hair completely standing on end. Then the realization occurred to her once more. She could never give this sleeping angel what he wanted most. Feeling tears well inside her, she quickly dashed into the bathroom, locking the door behind her.
She looked into the mirror, barely recognizing the grief-stricken, tear-stained face that starred back at her. She looked down at her body, gently holding her stomach. The tears flew down as if a dam of emotions had broken inside her. All she could do was cry as she thought back to those words the doctor told her yesterday. Pulling her from her thoughts, Kevin knocked on the door.
"Hey good morning baby, Can I come in? I wanna brush my teeth."
Quickly wiping her face off, not wanting Kevin to see her distressed state, she answered rather loudy, "No!! Don't come in"
A little puzzled, "Okay...any particular reason. I just want to brush my teeth."
"I mean, just give me a second, I'm not in the shower yet."
Kevin not fully realizing what was going on, partly forgetting for the second that Becca had been crying her eyes out the night before, said "So...ahh..maybe i could join you then." His laughs were interrupted by her sobbs. Snapping back to reality, Kevin, realizing something was wrong, demanded that she open the door. "Bec..are you alright? Open the door now...I'm coming. Oh baby, what's wrong?" he pulled harder on the locked door, finally able to pull it open once she unlocked it.
There was no hiding her tears now. It was no use, he saw her. Tell him now, or think fast.
In a second, his arms were around her. Pulling away slightly to check to for bumps or bruises or anything else that would cause the strong women he loved to break down to tears. "Bec...what's wrong. Tell me. Please, I'm so worried."
"Kev...I..."
***At Mel's Apartment***
DING DONG! The door bell sounded, and Melanie jumped up from her spot at the kitchen table, unsure of who would be ringing her bell this early in the morning.
"Delivery for a Ms. Melanie Ashen."
She called back, "Coming....hang on a sec!"
Thinking to herself, "Funny, I didn't order anything through the mail?"
She opened the door and the guy handed her the most beautiful boquet off sunflowers she had ever seen. The yellow and orange flowers were decorated with an enourmous green bow, complete with a card. She shut the door, as she handed the delivery boy a tip.
"These are sooo gorgeous! I can't believe he did this!" she exclaimed aloud to no one in particular.
She read the card aloud, it said, "To my baby, Mel, I just wanted to say how much I care. Please meet me at 12:30 pm at our pizzeria...you know the one. I wanna tell you something. Forever Yours, Guess Who."
Her heart did a double flip as her mind went on about what he could possible need to talk to her about.
***Back at Sel's***
"I..umm....Eric, I think you should leave."
Shocked, he relpied, "What? You want ME to leave. Sel no, i won't."
"I believe the lady said to leave."
Sel thought to herself, "Once again, Howie has come to my rescue. What was I thinking, how could i run to Eric just because we had a fight. Fights are fixable, broken hearts aren't. For the first time i know what i want. Howie."
Grabbing his jacket, "Sel, this is not over. In fact, this is FAR from over!" Eric screamed slamming the door behind him.
She turned back to Howie. "Thank you."
"For what Sel...I was being a friend, but wait...i forgot you don't know how to be that."
His words stung her. "Howie, I'm sorry. I love YOU. Forgive me."
"Ya know Sel, everything can't be fixed with an 'I'm sorry' and a kiss. It doesn't work that way. You betrayed me, just as Eric did. Broken hearts can't be fixed Selena. i thought you knew that!"
"I do Howie" fighting back the water in her eyes, "But I love you."
"Why do you keep saying that? It's not true. How can you say you love me. Those are just words Sel, just words. If you really lovd me, we wouldn't be in this mess...you wouldn't have KISSED him."
The tears now streaming, "But I thought, if you still loved me...and i chose you..we could..."
"We could what, Sel? Work this out!"
Her last desparate attempt, "I love you 'D."
"Well Sel, that's just not enough for ME now!!"
***In Central Park***
"Of course, ask away."
"Michelle, I know this may seem a bit premature, but i gotta ask anyway."
Michelle nodded, encouraging him to continue.
"Michelle, would you be my girl?"