The Deal

The palms of her hands started to swear the moment she walked into the building where his office was located. Going to the third-floor she steps off the elevator and over to where his secretary Grace was busying typing. "Hi Grace, is Austin busy?"

"Mrs. Cooke, no you can go right in."

He looked up from his desk when she walked in, surprised yet happy to see her. "Blair," he said, getting to his feet. "Why are you here? Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to see you. If it's about the divorce papers I haven't had time to look them over."

"You've had them for over a week."

"I know, but I've been busy." Just seeing her standing before him, wearing a tight black skirt and knee-high boots brought up all the feelings he felt about her, from desire, to love and missing her. He ached to take her in his arms, to feel her lips on his and to touch her in the way that had her moaning his name.

"Well, that's not what I'm here for. There's something I need to tell you but I don't want you thinking we're getting back together. I still want a divorce." Her head started to spin and she wobbled, grabbing onto the back of the chair.

"Blair, what's wrong?" he asked, rushing to her side.

She held up her hand to stop him from touching her. "I'm OK, I just need to sit for a minute," she said, moving around the chair she sat down.

"Can I get you something to drink, coffee or water?"

"Water please."

He went and poured her a cold glass of water and hands it to her, he watches as she drinks it all in one gulp. He could tell she was nervous but she also looked pale and tired. "What is it you need to tell me? Is it your health, are you ill?"

"No, I'm not ill, I'm pregnant with your baby."

"What?" he asked, his eyes moved down to look at her stomach. "We're having a baby?" A smile spread across his face, a warm feeling coursed through his body. "Oh my God that's great, we're having a baby, this changes everything."

She looked at him with terrified eyes. "No, it changes nothing between us."

He went and kneeled before her, placing his hands on her lap. "You're having my baby. I love you and I know you love me too, our child needs two parents."

"I only told you about the baby because you have a right to know you're going to be a father and to be a part of its life. Also, he or she has a right to know its father but this changes nothing, I still want a divorce."

He got up, feeling his anger rising. "So am I suppose to be a part-time dad, seeing him every other weekend or just on holidays?"

"No, we'll work something out," she said, feeling very drained and was wanting to go home and lay down. "You can see the baby whenever you want, I won't deny you. But we have to set up ground rules. Once the baby is born you can visit and when he or she is old enough you can have overnight visits. We're going to have to learn to co-parent."

"I'm not giving you a divorce, not now. I'm a strong believer in having a child grow up with two parents living under the same roof. With your career you're going to need help, you can't do it alone."

She stood up, regretting having come here to tell him. "I will fight you on the divorce. I didn't have to tell you, I could have kept quiet."

"Don't you think I would have eventually found out?"

"I know you would, but by then I'd have my freedom. Austin, please sign the papers and let me move on."

His eyes watered up. "Don't you love me?"

She looked back at him, swallowing the lump that seemed to be lodged in her throat. "I'll always love you, but I'll never be able to trust you again and that's not a marriage. I'm sorry, but you need to let me go." When she stood up she became dizzy and had to sit down.

"That's it, I'm taking you to the hospital."

"No, I just need to go home and lay down. I've been working a lot of hours, not knowing I was pregnant, I'm just worn out and need to get some rest."

"Then I'm giving you a ride home."

"I don't need you to do anything for me, I can take care of myself."

"You're pregnant and weak, I'm driving you home whether you like it or not. I'll drive your car and later take a cab back here to get mine." When he saw she was about to protest he tried to talk some sense into her. "What if you were to have another dizzy spell while driving and get into an accident, do you really want to risk our baby's life?"

She thought about it and knew he was right and due to lack of sleep and food, she agreed to let him take her home. "OK, you're right, I shouldn't drive. I need to get some food in me and go to bed."

Placing his hand on the small of her back he walked out with her and getting to her car took the keys from her, waiting for her to be seated before getting into the driver's side.

Leaning back in the seat she closed her eyes, his scent drifted over, giving her goosebumps. She knew that being this close to him was dangerous and thought it was a mistake letting him drive her home. She still loved him and it would be so easy for her to fall back into his arms. When they got to her apartment he insisted that he go up with her, to make sure she made it alright.

He waited until she opened her door and stepped inside. "You go get into bed and I'll make you something to eat."

"I can make myself some food so you can leave now."

"I'm not going anywhere until I see you've eaten. Don't fight me on this, it's my baby you're carrying and I want to make sure you eat and get some sleep, then I'll go."

She knew how stubborn Austin could be and there was no point in arguing with him, so giving up she heads to the bedroom. "I'm changing and going to bed, let yourself out whenever you want."

"I'll make you something to eat first."

"Whatever," she said, walking away.

He goes into the kitchen and roots around the fridge and cupboards, he noticed she didn't have much in the way of food. Opening a can of soup put it into a pot and places it on the stove, he then makes a ham and cheese sandwich. He then pours her a glass of milk and a glass of water, setting it on the tray he carries it to her bedroom. The door was open so he walked in, she was in bed and her eyes were closed. He stood watching her, his heart felt heavy, wishing that they could work things out. Now that she was having his baby he knew he wasn't going to give up on them, he would find a way to win her back.

She opened her eyes and saw him standing there, tray in hand. "Are you going to give that to me or just stand there watching me sleep? It's kind of creepy."

The corner of his mouth lifted up into a sly smile, he got busted. "I wasn't sure whether to wake you or just let you sleep for a while. But now that you're awake you can eat this delicious meal I made for you," he said, putting the tray over her lap when she sat up.

"Delicious meal?" she asked, raising her eyebrow and couldn't help but smile.

"OK, maybe not delicious but it's something. You really don't have much here in the way of food so I did the best I could."

"Thank you, I do appreciate it," she said, taking a bite of her sandwich.

"We do have to talk about this pregnancy, I want to be a part of every step from the doctor's appointments, the scan when you have them and mostly the birth."

"There's no reason for you to go with me to the appointments."

"I want to, I have a right to be there."

"Look, you don't have to be there, but what say you come with me when we do the scans and when the baby comes you can take me to the hospital and be there for the birth? I really am being generous, I could refuse to let you be there for any of it. Really, the doctor appointments are just checkups and doesn't involve both of us."

He thought about it, he wasn't going to argue with her, not when she was feeling poorly. "OK, I can live with that, but when you get further along, like your last couple of months I want to take you to the appointments."

She yawned and her eyes felt heavy, she handed him the empty tray, keeping the water on her nightstand. "I really need to get some sleep, please show yourself out." When he took the tray and started walking away she called out to him. "Thank you for bringing me home and making me something to eat."

"You're welcome," he said as he walked out.

He did up the dishes and looking in the fridge he decided to go to the store and stock up on food for her. If he couldn't be with her he would make sure she had plenty of healthy food for her to eat. When he went to tell her what he was going to do she was fast asleep so he slipped quietly out, grabbing her keys on the way.

At the store, he filled the cart with meat, potatoes, vegetables and lots of fresh fruit. Knowing that women liked sweets when pregnant he also put a couple tubs of her favourite ice cream, chocolate chip into the cart. Paying for everything he loaded his trunk up and headed back to her apartment, where he had the doorman help him carry the groceries up. He went and checked on her, she was still asleep. Going over to the bed he pulled the blanket over her, leaned down and kissed her forehead.

Waking up she could smell food cooking, it smelled good and it made her stomach growl. Climbing out of bed she puts on a robe and goes out to see who was in the kitchen. She thought maybe Rachel had come over but was shocked to see Austin.

He looked over at her while he stirred the sauce he was making for the spaghetti. "I hope you don't mind but I figured you'd be hungry when you woke up."

"What are you still doing here and where did all this food come from?" she asked, going into the fridge to get a glass of milk.

"I noticed you didn't have any food so I went to the store. Now that you're pregnant you have to make sure to eat properly. Sit down, it's ready."

"You're staying?" she asked when he dished out two plates and set them down.

"I thought since I made it and I'm hungry I would stay and eat with you, or would you rather I leave right now?"

Well, there was no way she could make him leave after he went to the trouble of getting all the food and even cooking for her. "It's alright, you can stay for dinner, but this is a one time deal. I didn't know you could cook."

"I can, I just don't have much time to do so, and I have cooked for you before."

"Yes, but it was always something simple, like eggs and toast, and you burnt the toast," she said, letting a giggle escape her lips.

"It's nice seeing you smile," he said, taking a bite of his food. "Blair, I want you to think about us, about us getting back together. I know what I did was terrible but I do love you and I'm so sorry. I wish you would consider dropping the divorce proceeding. We belong together and I promise you won't regret it."

"You've made promises to me before and you broke them."

"I won't this time."

She shakes her head. "I can't, I just can't risk getting hurt again. If you're done eating maybe you should leave."

Wiping his mouth he set the napkin down. "I'll go after I do the dishes."

"No, I want you to go now, my housekeeper will do them tomorrow." She gets up and walks him to the door. "I do want to thank you for today, the ride home and the food."

He touched the side of her face with the palm of his hand. "If there's anything you need just call me and I'll be here. I will be in touch with you in a few days to see how you're doing. I really do love you and I miss you."

She shut the door when he walked out, she could still feel the heat from his hand when he touched her face. Her feeling of great loss hit her like a ton of bricks, she still loved him and wondered if she could live without him.