Not anymore

I had to be there for Carly. Being away from here these last few months has been driving me crazy. I wanted to be there for my baby. I wanted to be there for Carly, but she wasn't making that very easy on me. So that's why I was going over there tonight to tell her that I wasn't going to let her brush me aside anymore. Even if she didn't want to be with me, I still wanted to be there for her and the baby, and I was going to be.

I rode the elevator up to her place, the place that Abigail, Carly and Isabella all used to live. She'd redecorated it, making it her own for her and the baby, but it was still the same place, still a few floors above me in the building we lived in. Stepping out of the elevator, I walked across the lobby to the door. Lifting my hand, I knocked, waiting for her to answer.

I was just about to open the DNA test when I heard the knock. I slid the paper back in the envelope and stuffed the envelope inside a magazine and shut it. I headed to the door, swinging it open and stopping in shock. He lived a few floors down, yes, but I had never in a billion years expected it to be him. I suddenly felt naked, I was wearing nothing but my bra and pajama pants with a robe that was wide opened. I quickly pulled it shut, covering up my growing belly and took in a deep breath as I tied it. "What? Is there something I can help you with or was my ignoring your phone calls not a giant clue that I don't wanna talk to you?"

"No," I said, walking in, brushing past her as I did. "It was not. But thank you anyway." I told her, walking in and looking around the place. "I like what you have done with the place, Dulce. It is you."

I sighed, turning to him, looking at his back as I folded my arms over my chest, annoyed. "I don't recall inviting you to come inside. In fact, I would rather you leave. I'm not in the mood for your crap.. so please.. I'm exhausted, the baby is killing me to eat something and I wanna take a bath and crawl in bed, so, please, thanks for the compliment on my place but go."

"Hungry? I will take care of that," I told her, walking toward the kitchen. "Pasta?" I asked. So, it was a little cliched, but I wanted my baby to have the best.

"I don't want pasta. Especially not your pasta.." I sighed heavily. "Get out of my kitchen, come sit on the couch.. we need to talk anyways.. the faster we talk, the quicker we get this done and I can make that sandwich I've been dying for.. so.. please."

"Sandwich?" I looked back at her, shaking my head. "You need something more than a sandwich. Come in here and I will make anything you want. We can talk while I cook."

"Damn it, Jeff. I don't want your fucking food!" I snapped at him, letting out a low sigh. "Listen, I have the DNA test results and I wanted to read them with you since you're here but I am NOT doing that in the kitchen." I turned, walking back into the living room and sitting on the couch. I tugged the envelope out of the magazine and opened it.

I stopped, turning to her, walking slowly over to the living room, sitting down on the couch beside her. Food could wait, especially since she said she had the DNA results. "What do they say?"

I felt my heart stop when I read the name Jackson Frost. Yes I loved Jackson. I did. But he was my friend.. and I didn't want to share a child with him... not when part of me always thought if the baby was Jeff's it would fix us.. what had broken us apart. The name made me angry. At myself for being so damn stupid. I reached up, brushing a tear away and handing him the paper. "Jackson's.. the.. baby is Jackson's." I said, looking over at him sadly. "Sorry.. if it's worth anything I sorta wished it was your baby.. but not everything goes the way you want it too." I sighed.

I looked over the paper, my heart breaking in two. I let my head hang, shaking it as I closed my eyes. I didn't know what to say, what to do. I loved her, more than anything, but this didn't changed how much I loved her... Unless she wanted to be with Jackson now, to be with her baby's father. Looking up at her, I reached out, caressing her cheek. "I miss you, Caroline." I did, more than anything.

I closed my eyes, pushing his hand away. "Stop, Jeff. This doesn't change anything. I told you I wasn't going to be second best and I meant it. And this just proves we aren't meant to be." I said, nodding to the DNA results. "Please, just go. I'm not in the mood to fight with you."

"I am not here to fight with you, Dulce. I am here because I love you and I want to be here for you and the baby." Sighing softly, I leaned closer to her. "Just because Jackson's the father, does not mean that I do not love you and it does not mean that I do not want to be here for you and the baby. You are not second best. There is no one in this world like you, Caroline. No one. And no one ever could be like you."

"Yes I am second best or you would have never cheated on me.. please, just go. I'm done with this fucking back and forth game. I want you to leave me alone. I mean it. Leave me alone. Stop calling. Don't come here. Just leave me alone. All you do is exhaust me." I stood up, walked to the door and opened it, staring forward. "Go."

I sighed again, this time more heavily. Standing up, I walked over and stopped in front of her. Leaning down, I pressed my lips to hers. I kissed her, deeply and fully before stepping away. I smiled down at her, but didn't say another word before walking out into the lobby and to the elevator. Pushing the button, I looked back, waving at her before stepping into the elevator and going back to my apartment downstairs.

I touched my lips when he was out of site, trying to catch my breath. He always made me feel this way.. always.. I took in a sharp breath, shutting the door and walking over to get the envelope. I grabbed it, tugging some shoes on and running out the door. I didn't even bother getting dressed. I left in my robe and shoes and grabbed a cab.