Alex and Dillion are, of course, referring to Liam, but Liam has zeroed in on Alex. He points directly at him and looks back at me.

"Explain to me, please. Why does he keep showing up? You two have a thing going?" Liam demands, obviously angered.

"And what if she does?" Alex counters.

"Yeah!" Dillion adds, "She'd be doing a hell of a lot better than you. I'd say she's finally come to her senses."

I see my parents about to jump into the fray, but I try to stop them with a raise of my hand and a shake of my head, and to my surprise, they stop. Maybe things can be different?

I now position myself between Alex and Dillion, who are on one side and Liam on the other. "Liam, if you want to talk, let's talk, but Alex and Dillion, you're not helping," I say, suddenly feeling exhausted. Too much adrenaline, with all these emotions running high.

"Sorry, Cat," Alex immediately replies and stands down, but Dillion and Liam are still glowering at one another. I shouldn't expect less. They have a long-standing history of hatred between them and my brother now has more reason than ever.

"You should be sorry," Liam taunts Alex before looking back at me. "And you never answered my question?"

"I wasn't talking to you!" Alex says, and Liam takes a step forward.

Dillion puts the pizzas down and states coldly, "Give me one good reason I shouldn't rearrange your face for what you have done to my sister?" Liam takes two steps back.

Alex's face immediately changes and he takes a defensive position beside me, between Dillion and Liam. Putting his hands on Dillion's chest to hold him back, Alex implores, "No Dillion! You know that's not what Cat wants."

Dillion struggles to get hold of his emotions.

"I'm here to set things right," Liam says, "but I need to talk to Cat. Alone!"

"What could you possibly say to make up for messing around behind her back?! How is she supposed to trust anything you say or do?! The one time you're expected to step up and take responsibility, you abandon her, leaving her feeling isolated and scared!" Dillion hollers, pressing on further but Alex still has him in check.

"I love your sister!" Liam announces, "and I know she loves me, too."

Alex looks back at me. That brief distraction is all it takes for Dillion to get the upper hand. He gets past Alex and grips up Liam by his shirt. My father now jumps in, getting there quicker than I would have expected him to.

"Let him go, Dillion!" Dad demands, trying to push them apart. I see the searing anger on my brother's face, and I can't help but notice the fear in Liam's. Liam is no fool. He is well aware my brother can knock him flat in a heartbeat, but I don't want my brother to get into trouble, especially over me.

I'm on the other side of them, imploring my brother to stop. "Please, Dillion. I..." My heart is pounding in time to the throbbing in my head. The last thing I hear is Alex saying, "Shit, not again," before my world turns black.

_ _ _

My eyes open and I shield them immediately from the light above. I feel like a vampire looking into the sun. It's scorching my brain.

"Cat! Oh, thank God!" I turn my head towards my mom's voice and peek out from under my arm. "Mom?"

"Yeah, KittyCat. I'm right here."

"Where's here?" I question.

"The hospital, Sweetie. You passed out."

My head feels so fuzzy. "I ..." then the realization dawns. "The baby?!" I scramble to sit up, however, a firm but gentle hand holds me down. "The baby is fine, Cat."

This time I turn the other way and see my dad. "Really?" I ask, my voice trembling and my eyes stinging from the tears.

"Alex told them this wasn't the first time. He filled the EMT's and us in on everything that happened before, so they didn't take any chances. When you got to the hospital, they did an ultrasound here in the room."

"We got to see the baby for ourselves, Cat." Mom adds. "Your baby is thriving."

I sink back into my pillow as the tension drains from my body. "Thank God," I say in a hushed whisper.

My dad pushes the hair away from my face. "Cat, the doctors believe you have Chronic Hypertension. Since this is only the beginning of your pregnancy, there is an increased risk that you'll end up with Preeclampsia, which could mean serious complications for both you and the baby. Your mom and I have been talking..."

"Please, don't," I say, looking from my dad to my mom.

"Cat, listen to your father. Please."

"I don't want to give up this baby. I can't. Please, don't ask me again."

Dad sighs. "I would love to ask you to do that, Cat, but I know you won't have it. However, your Mom and I think it's best you don't return to school."

"What?"

"It's too much pressure, Cat," Mom adds. "I don't want something bad happening to you."

"But I have to stay in school, Mom."

"No, you don't, Cat." Dad assures me, "You have nothing to prove."

"That's not it. I'm only covered under your insurance if I stay in school." I see the understanding of what I'm saying dawn as my parents exchange looks.

"I'll downsize my classes. I'll take it easy. If it comes down to school or the baby, you know what I'll decide."

Mom grabs my hand. "I know, but you have to remember, you're my baby and I don't want to lose you." She swipes at a tear that rolls down her cheek.

"You will not lose me," I promise her, giving her hand a squeeze.

"I was so scared," Mom says, "You were in the middle of everything one moment and the next in Alex's arms. Thank God he caught you."

Alex.

"Is he...?"

"Out in the waiting room, along with your brother and Liam," my mom answers

My dad continues with, "There was one good thing your little stunt did. It kept your brother from killing Liam. Although I have to say, after all I've found out about Liam today, I half wish Dillion had given him a good thrashing."

I giggle. "You've changed," I remark, looking up at him.

"Not really. Perhaps we've just misunderstood one another all this time. I am proud of you, Cat. You're such a powerful woman. Just like your Mom. I... I'm sorry I never said it before."

My heart aches for a completely different reason. I never thought I'd ever hear those words from my dad, ever.

"Don't cry, Sweetheart," I don't even realize the tears have escaped my eyes until my dad wipes them away.

"I love you, Dad!"

"Damn it! Now you're going to make me cry, Cat," Dad says, roughly running his hand over his face. "Ahem!" he tries to clear his throat. "I'm going to get the boys. I know it's killing them not to see you."

"But they're only allowed in two at a time," Mom reminds him.

"I'll let them figure that out. When they get here, I'll meet you in the waiting room, Sarah. We'll get something to eat, while we wait for the boys."

Mom simply nods her head as Dad leaves the room.

"Alex told your dad and me that you've been living with him and he's been looking out for you. Seeing how he stepped in when you fainted and how he's handled himself, us, and the people in charge at the hospital, well... let's just say he is a rather remarkable young man."

I smile. "He really is."

"He seems quite taken with you."

"It's not what you think, Mom. We're just friends."

She has that knowing look that mothers get but only smiles. "Of course, KittyCat." She leaves it at that. "I'm just glad someone will watch over you since you insist on going back to school."

"I love Alex. I don't know what I would do without him," I say honestly.

The door opens, revealing Liam standing there alone. He looks so lost. Mom looks around. "Just you?"

"I asked if I could have a moment to talk to Cat alone and Dillion agreed to give me 10 minutes before he comes back. He's really eager to see you, Cat. So was I," Liam admits, making eye contact with me.

Mom stands up and kisses my forehead. "Your Dad and I will be back soon. Hopefully, they'll let you come home."

"That would be outstanding," I agree. "Love you, Mom."

She smiles. "I love you too, KittyCat." She pats Liam's arm on the way out of the room.

Liam takes a seat next to me. "How are you?"

"I've been better," I respond with a half-laugh.

"Right, stupid question." He runs his fingers through his hair. "The baby?"

"Alive and well," I affirm. I am wondering if he's hoping for a different answer, but I've already decided what I'm doing so it really doesn't matter what he wants. Even if, God forbid, I lose this baby, I am not going back to Liam.

"That's good," he says, awkwardly.

"Liam I..."

"Cat. I'm so sorry for all of it, cheating on you, leaving you to deal with all this alone, for landing you in the hospital, not once but twice now. I would never hurt you intentionally. When I saw you faint, I was so scared. Alex caught you and immediately knew what to do. Everyone was freaking out, myself included, but he kept everyone level-headed, saying our focus should be on you."

Oh, Alex.

"He's right, you know. My focus should have been on you. I lost sight of what matters most. I lost my focus, Cat. But I can do better. Please tell me I haven't screwed up so badly that we can't get back to where we were?"

I'm at a loss for words. I don't want to hurt him, either. "Liam, I do love you."

Liam immediately brightens and moves to the edge of his seat, grabbing my hand in his. "I love you, too!"

"But, I think we are better off apart."

Those few words crushed him. "I'm sorry." I continue, "I don't want to hurt you either."

"Then don't do this. Don't say no. Give me another chance to prove myself to you," he begs.

"It's not about that. I know you, Liam, all your hopes and dreams. I know you inside out and backward."

"That's why we belong together," he implores.

"No, that's the reason we belong apart. We don't want the same things. We are on different paths. I love you and I imagine I always will, especially since we will always have this child to connect us. I will never stop you from having a relationship with him or her. We will continue to be a part of one another's lives, just not as a couple."

"Why not? Why can't we be a couple again?"

I sigh. Why? How do I put this...?

"I'm different. I've changed. This baby has changed me, for the better, I think. I want... more. I've pushed my needs aside because I have been living your dream. My primary focus has been helping you achieve that dream, and I know you will. I don't doubt it. But now... I want more. I need more. My focus has shifted."

"You're not making sense. What do you want, that I can't give you?"

"Love."

"But I DO love you!"

"Not the way I need to be loved. Not the way I want to be loved."

"I don't understand," Liam says, visibly frustrated with this entire conversation.

"You love me for everything I do for you, but I want to be loved for just being me. I know that may not make sense to you, but I know it's what I deserve."

Liam sighs. "Am I really that selfish?"

I smile and squeeze his hand. "I prefer the term driven."

Liam laughs. "Yeah, that's a little easier to swallow. I'm sorry I've neglected you, Cat. You're right. You deserve better and I want to be better but it seems..."

The door opens. "Your time's up!" Dillion declares, stepping into the room.

"Looks that way," Liam replies sadly. He kisses my cheek. "Goodbye, Cat. Just remember... should you need me?"

"I know where to find you," I reassure him.