| Author's Note: it WAS evil of me to leave it off right where Serena went into labor. ::snickers evilly:: But here's the next chapter. Baby will come and we'll see how well Amy and Greg's relationship progresses when certain parents make the scene and a certain man from her past returns. So please read and don't forget to review! Reflections of Hope Chapter 4 "Can't you drive faster?"Darien shouted at Lita as he held his moaning wife in his arms. She was having the contractions extremely close together, each coming much harder then the last. The moment her water had broke Darien had raced upstairs to get the little bag she'd packed for herself for her time in the hospital, coming quickly down the stairs as he shouted orders for them to hurry up and get outside so they could leave. They'd watched, with some amusement and shock, as he'd tripped in his hurry and tumbled down the stairs. Serena, Darien, and Lita had gotten into Lita's truck, with Amy and Greg getting into Greg's to head to the hospital. Lita was driving as fast as she could, Greg on her heels, as Darien continually shouted at her to go faster. "Darien, I'm already going a hundred! How much faster do you want me to go?!"Lita shouted back at him, swerving off the highway and down the road toward the hospital. "Stop it, both of you."Serena snapped, her face glistening with sweat, her clothes sticking to her heaving body as she gripped her husbands hand tightly in hers."This doesn't help-"she was cut off as another contraction hit, coming so hard she reared up, her other hand coming up to grab at Darien's hair and nearly tearing it from his head. With his eyes bugging out of his head, he spoke over the pain."Breathe honey. Just breathe. Remember how they told us? Like this."he began demonstrating, nearly hipraventilating in his attempt to show her how it was done. "Shit!"Serena hissed it, her grip on Darien's hand hard enough to break bone."Damn it! Bastard! Damn you, this is your fault!!"her voice rose to a high scream as the contraction hit its peak. They came to a screeching halt in front of the hospital, Darien leaping out and carrying his wife in his arms as he headed for the building. The moment they were inside a nurse came with a wheelchair and told him to put Serena in it, but he refused, holding onto her as she sweated and panted against him. Once they'd taken them away, Amy, Lita, and Greg went to wait in the maternity waiting room. There was a glass window seperating them from where the babies were brought after birth and they watched other parents coo at there children, beam proudly as the nurses held them up for display. "I think he was waiting for you Lita."Amy commented. "Probably. Thats what Serena told me the last time I called. That as soon as I got back, the baby would come."she rubbed the back of her neck a moment."Who knew she'd turn out right?" "She should be having the baby soon."Amy glanced at the clock on the wall. They'd been waiting for an hour."The contractions were coming way to close together." The moment she spoke another baby was brought in, with a head full of dark hair, wrapped in a blue blanket. The moment he was brought in Darien burst into the waiting room, still wearing the blue pants and shirt they'd given him to wear for the delivery, his eyes wild with excitement, his hair standing on end. "Where is he?!"he ran to the glass and watched the nurse place the baby down on an examining table, the others rising to stand beside him."Thats him. Look at him. Did I tell you guys it was a boy?"his blue eyes turned dreamy as he watched the nurse carefully examining his son."Nine pounds. Nine solid pounds. He's a champ. He got my hair. And Serena's beautiful eyes."he placed a hand on the glass, his voice trembling just a bit. "Oh Darien."Amy hugged her brother, then Lita, then went willingly into Greg's arms."He's so beautiful." "Handsome too."Lita's own eyes dampened with tears."What did you guys decide to name him?" "Darien Cameron Stanford."Darien whispered, then turned to them, smiling hugely."The moment he came out Serena started laughing and called him D.C. Her little D.C. So D.C. it is." They watched as the nurse willingly lifted him, displaying him for them. The boy was handsome, with his fathers dark hair, sharp cheekbones, and strong chin. But when he opened his eyes it was Serena's smokey one's that stared back at them, meeting his family for the first time. Darien left them to return to Serena, telling them they would allow them in to see her in probably another two hours or less. The three of them remained by the glass, watching the nurse change and pamper D.C. as he slept soundly on the examining table. "Wow. Serena had him in less then two hours."Lita shook her head."Amazing. Most women it takes almost forty eight hours." "Thats Serena. Always in a hurry." "He looks just like Darien."Greg observed, more shocked then ever that they had allowed him into this tight circle they had formed. "Yea he does." Lita left to run home, shower and change. While she was gone Greg and Amy went downstairs to the cafeteria and had a quick lunch before heading back upstairs. They waited in the waiting room for another half hour before the nurse came to them and told them they could go see Serena, informing them of what room she was in. "I want to hold him."Amy didn't notice Greg take her hand, or the way she curled hers about his."I want to hold him, to kiss him. Oh! A baby, can you believe it? My nephew." "And your about to meet him."enjoying her excitement, he tugged her into Serena's room, the first sight that greeted them of Darien holding his son in his arms, gazing down at him."Hey daddy." Darien looked up, grinned at them."About time they let you guys in! Come here and meet D.C." Amy went to Serena first, stroking a hand over her silvery hair."How are you feeling?" "Tired, exhilerated. You name it, I'm feeling it."leaning back against the pillows her husband had piled up for her, she watched Darien showing there son off to Greg."Look at him. He can't get enough of him." "Can you blame him?"she went to join them, taking D.C. into her arms for the first time. She watched the babies lash's flutter, then his eyes open, smoky and drowsy, focusing on her face."Hello D.C. Aren't you handsome? Aren't you beautiful?" "He looks just like his daddy."Serena murmured, smiling and tilting her face up for the soft kiss Darien would give her, his hand taking hers and holding it as he stroked a gentle hand over her cheek. "I love you."he murmured it, burying his face in her hair and shutting his eyes tightly for a moment against the emotions that swelled inside him. A family, everything he'd ever wanted. HIS family. "I love you too."she soothed him with her touch, smiling at Amy as she cooed at there son."He's the most handsome baby, isn't he?" "He is."Amy agreed. D.C., already recognizing his mothers voice, let out a small cry that soon turned into a long wail, causing Amy to laugh."Wants his mommy." "He does."Serena held out her arms, taking him and cuddling him as Darien settled down next to her to watch."There's my baby. There's my handsome little D.C." Amy hadn't felt so much peace and love filling in her in such a long time. The image her brother, Serena, and D.C. created filled her with envy, but also tranquility and gratefulness that they had been able to find each other. They remained for another half hour before leaving to allow Serena and the baby to rest. Darien remained, watching over both of them as a hawk watched over its young. "Its been a hell of a day."Greg said as they walked outside and headed for his truck."Tired?" She nodded."A little. But not too much. I can only imagen how Serena must feel right now." "Exhausted is my guess. Come on, I'll take you to dinner."he opened the passenger door for her and lifted her inside, coming around to climb in as well and buckle his seatbelt. "No, I'd rather go home. I have to call my parents."she turned to look at him, watched his lips tighten."Why don't I fix us dinner?" He turned to her, surprise clearly written across his features."You? Cook?" "Its not something I haven't done before Greg."she reached over to run a hand idly along his arm, feeling a small tingle of desire at the strength beneathe."And maybe you could stay over." He smiled, slow and with enough desire to have the tingle turn into full fledged lust."Maybe." It was later, after they'd eaten the pasta dinner she had made and were sipping red wine she had poured, that he ran a hand along her back, cuddling her closer to him on her sofa as they watched the fire crackle in the fire he'd built."That was good Amy." "Thanks. One of my many hidden talents."turning her head up to his, she brushed her lips softly across his jaw."Tired Greg?" "Actually, I'm feeling something else."he set his wine aside to bend to her lips, to cover them with his and let his tongue taste the wine on her tongue, feel her moan ripple through and into him. Taking her glass of wine from her fingers, he set it aside as well just as his hands roamed down to cup her soft breasts, to mold and squeeze as his lips became hard and demanding, his body pushing her smaller one back against the cushions of the sofa. She wondered that he could provoke such desire in her, such dark, raging emotions no man had ever been able to stir inside. It worried her only because she could never keep this, could never remain with him. She took him to her bed that night, awoke early the next morning when her bedside phone began to ring. The shrill sound snapped her awake, causing her to sit up and rub at her eyes. The sun wasn't out yet and when she looked at her bedside clock she saw it read 6:30. Groaning and secretly hoping it wasn't a patient, she reached over to answer it, only to be brought up short by a heavily muscled arm lying posessively across her stomache. She'd almost forgotten that Greg had spent the night and that in his sleep he liked to cuddle her close, which had surprised her. She attempted to push his arm off, failing when his grip tightened and his long, hard body nestled closer to hers. Rolling her eyes and chuckling softly, she picked up the phone and answered it. "Hello?" "Amy? Amy, my darling girl, how are you?"the voice was soft, gentle, and immediately had her stiffening against Greg. "Mom."the sound came out in a choked gasp, causing her to clear her throat and calm herself. Her mother was in Europe, thousands of miles away. There was no possible way she could know Greg was right beside her."Mom, I'm glad you called back." "Of course I would darling. Your father and I are on our way back."Anna Stanford frowned on the other end of the line, hearing her daughters nervousness and reading it well. Her child had always thought she could fool her mother with the cool composure she'd drilled into herself over the years, but never had."I'm calling you from the concord."she waited with a soft smile to see how Amy would react to this. "The concord?"her voice raised a fraction, horrifying her when Greg groaned and began to shift against her."Oh, well. I thought you'd call to tell me before you started back." Anna coughed to cover a laugh."We called and told Darien an hour ago. We thought we should let you sleep a bit more before calling to tell you."she glanced up, watched her husband, a tall, broad shouldered and well built man come in from the back, prowling restlessly through the cabin."Your father didn't want to wake you." "Amy..."Greg slurred, still half asleep as he opened his dark eyes to peer up at her."Who...who'r you talking to?" Swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat as his hand traveled up her stomache toward her breasts, she struggled to keep her tone even."Tell Dad I love hearing from you guys day and night." Anna listened as her daughters breath suddenly hitched, a deep, masculine voice murmuring to her. Pleased Amy was obviously busy, she spoke briskly."I'll tell him. We'll be seeing you within two hours darling." Thomas stopped his pacing and muttering, turning dark blue eyes, eyes the same color as his son's and daughters, on his wife."Is that my baby doll? Here, let me speak to my little girl."he strode forward. Anna, knowing her husband's fierce protectiveness over his only daughter and also keen hearing, shook her head quickly."She's tired Thomas. You'll see her when we get there." Grumbling again and scowling at his wife, he turned and began pacing once again. "Expect us soon darling. We'll meet you at your apartment so we can all go to the hospital together. Bye bye."hanging up on Amy's sputtering, she grinned to herself. "Wha...whas going on?"Greg shook his head, ran a hand through his dark hair."Who was that?" "My parents."she whispered in quiet horror, the phone still held in her hand, the dial tone filling the quiet room. They were coming...which meant they would see him. He frowned at her, then took the phone and hung it up himself, placing it back in its cradle."Are your folks that bad?" She snapped herself out of her thoughts, realized one of his big hands had moved up to cup a breast."No, of course there not. There just....there coming. Today. To meet D.C."she blew her bangs out of her eyes."Oh God, my parents are coming."on a moan of despair, she covered her face with her hands. Confused and worried, Greg sat up to wrap an around about her shoulders."Hey, don't worry. Come on, there great, aren't they? Darien always said they were."this situation was way out of his league. He had no idea what her parents could have done to cause this. Of course he wouldn't understand, she thought warily. He didn't know that with there coming she would have to leave him, to back away from him as much as possible. Her 'casual' fling was over. A man like him....her father would never approve. Oh God....Dad....she moaned again and buried her face deeper. He took a moment to scratch his chin."Um...well, come on, I'll cook you breakfast." She looked up at him as if he were insane."Breakfast? I don't have time for breakfast!"she glanced around the room, the morning sun beginning to filter through and show there clothes scattered about."Oh God, I have to clean this place up. I have to shower and get ready!" He watched, completely taken back, as she leapt naked from the bed and rushed out of the room. It was two hours later that Greg stood watching Amy scan the living room and kitchen of her apartment with narrowed eyes, continuously checking over each and every corner to make sure no dust had been left anywhere. She had been on a tear since the call from her parents, going from completely ignoring him, to shouting and ordering him about. He had thought it best to nod and reply,"Yes'm," to whatever she wanted. Even he wasn't idiot enough to go against a woman on a rampage. He checked his watch, estimated her parents would be arriving very soon."Maybe you should change. I think your folks will be getting here any second." Her eyes widened in horror, riveting on him."Any second?!!"and he was still here! She had to get him out! "Yea, any sec. Go change, I'll wait for you."he laughed at her look."Give them another half hour, I was kidding. Just hurry up." Relieved that that gave her time to change, then gently nudge him along, she raced from the room. He heard the shower turn on and was considering joining her when a knock came at the front door. A bit surprised her parents had arrived so soon after all, he decided to let her finish her shower and went to answer the door himself. When he opened the door he found himself faced with a small woman of smooth striking features very much like Amy's, and a man, tall and powerfully built, eyeing him with suspicion and some shock. The man was an older replica of Darien, but with a few more lines creasing a face that had seemed to only grow handsome with time. Anna quickly measured him and was shocked to find he was the opposite of what her daughter normally dated. He wore jeans and a t-shirt, with boots that looked to be worn with age. His build was tough and strong, a build that came from hard work and a deep, bronzed tan that only the sun could have blessed him with. But it was the features that astounded her, black hair and eyes topped by dark brows, sharp cheekbones and an angular chin. He had the look of a fighter, a boxer of the streets who let no one push him around. When one of those dark brows raised in question, Anna had to fight from drooling herself over a man who was old enough to be her son."Hello, I don't believe we've met."she extended a soft hand with perfectly manicured nails."I'm Anna Stanford, Amy's mother." He did something she'd never thought a man like him would do. Lifting her hand, he brushed his lips across it."Greg Knight. Its a pleasure. I can see now why Amy's so beautiful." Her heart fluttered just a bit."A flatterer, I see." "To the core."he released her hand only because her husband looked ready to jump him any second if he didn't. "Where's my daughter?"Thomas barked at him, striding past him and into the apartment, searching for his child. Anna smiled in apology, stepping inside when Greg gestured for her to come in."This is my husband, Thomas. He's very anxious to see Amy."she explained as Thomas circled the room. "I can tell."Greg braced himself when the older man rounded on him."Sir." "Are you sleeping with my daughter?"Thomas lashed out, his face drawn into a scowl. Horrified, Anna speared her husband with a glare before placing a hand on Greg's arm."Please, I apologize, but he-" Greg held up a hand."No its ok. I guess I'd be pretty ticked too if I found some guy inside my only daughters apartment."he lifted his eyes to Thomas' and held the man's fiery glare."I won't answer that question because our private life is, frankly, none of your business." A boy with grit, Thomas thought, secretly pleased. All the others had cowered beneathe him, which had disgusted him to no end. This one might have some potential after all. Just as the thought entered his head, Amy came walking into the room, dressed in casual jeans and a t-shirt she had bought with Greg at the mall, coming up short when she saw her parents. Her hair was still damp from the shower, her face washed clean of make-up, her blue eyes widening in shock when she saw them all standing together in her living room. "Mom. Dad."forcing a smile because her insides were screaming with terror, she managed,"Your early." "It isn't any of your business Thomas Stanford."Anna scolded her husband as they followed Amy and Greg to the hospital, driving moderately through traffic."Our daughters a grown woman who makes her own choices." "I know that Anna."he grumbled, annoyed because she would forever find ways to make him feel like an idiot."But she's my baby. Darien was born self reliant, always knowing what he wanted and when he wanted it. Amy made me feel like some use, needing me when the boy never did." Anna couldn't help smiling at her husbands handsome profile. It was true there son had been born independent, but Thomas had never quite realized that over the years, Amy had become independent as well. "They've grown up. And Darien has given us our first grandchild."she reached out and laid her hand over his, there fingers entwining."Its only a matter of time before Amy marries as well. She's twenty six Tommy, she's not a baby." "I'll always remember the way she held on to my hand when she took her first steps."when he heard his wife sniffle, he turned and saw her eyes were glistening with tears."Ah, Anna, don't do that. You know it breaks my heart to see you cry." "I'm not."but she whiped the tears and gave a waterly laugh."I think it will always warm me to hear how you speak of our children." They pulled into the hospital's parking lot, parking and getting out to head for the entrance doors. Amy took them to the maternity ward and straight to Serena's room, giving a brief knock before going inside. "I've brought company."she announced with a smile, Serena and Darien both lighting up at the sight of who they'd brought. Greg leaned back against the wall and watched as the new grandparents tickled and held D.C., hugs and kisses enchanged all around. He didn't join in, didn't move to because the moment Amy had seen her parents standing in her apartment, she'd began backing away from him. He wasn't so much of an idiot that he didn't know it. He'd tried taking her hand and she'd quickly moved away; he'd tried kissing her cheek and she'd glided out of his reach. She'd been treating him as a friend, he thought with disgust. As a good friend who was just happening to get in the way. He also knew why she was doing it. If it had been that idiot Thomas Harding then she would have been showing him off to her parents, bragging about his career and his pedigree, his parents and how smart he was. She'd probably gone out with the pencil neck because he had the same name as her father, he thought with a sneer. So this was it, he thought. This was the end in her mind, at least. As soon as she got a chance she was going to dump him nice and easy, before he got any more ideas. He figured he might as well let her try. "I've wanted a moment alone with you darling."Anna spoke, she and Amy sitting together in Serena's room. The three men had left to go eat dinner after Anna had run them from the room so she could speak alone with Amy, Lita and Serena both in the room. Amy raised a delicate brow, a gesture much like her mothers."We aren't alone though, are we?" Anna waved a hand."Lita and Serena must know what I'm going to bring up." "Greg."Lita quickly put in as she stood by D.C.'s crib, watching him sleep."She's going to drill you about Greg." Anna nodded."I always liked your quick mind Lita." Lita looked up to grin at her."Thanks." "Excuse me?"Amy held up a finger."But what about him? Greg is just a friend." The other three women were silent, staring at Amy for so long that she began to fidget."He is. There's nothing going on between us." "My poor baby. Do you really think I would believe that?"Anna laughed at Amy's shocked look."I've seen the way he looks at you. The man would fall at his knees if you asked him too." "Well....thats his problem. I DON'T have feelings for him."she stood, began to pace."Were only friends, I'm telling you." Anna watched her daughter, saw something she had never seen before."Amy Stanford, are you ashamed of what there is between the two of you?"she spoke sharply, causing Serena and Lita to glance at one another, brows raised. Amy stopped pacing because her mother had hit the mark precisely."No, because there isn't anything between us." Anna knew her daughter well, and she also knew she could stand here and argue with her for days and Amy wouldn't bend."Fine. I'll just continue speaking of him as if you two 'were' seeing one another. Or even sleeping with."she kept going even as Amy attempted to speak."Your father may be weary of him, but personally I see great character in the man. He does have the looks of a fighter, of a man who would allow nothing or no one to push him around. But I can also see a gentleness in him that few men posess. Especially when it comes to you Amy." She couldn't speak, couldn't think of words to form because what her mother was saying she had never heard her say before about any of the other men she'd dated."What?" Anna laughed."Amy, why are you so shocked I would think this about him? He's a good man." "A good man?"she stood slowly and walked to the window of the room overlooking the parking lot of the hospital below. Something was being set free inside of her, something dark and boiling that had been buried for years."You think HE'S a good man?" "Why wouldn't I?"she noted how her daughters eyes had turned a dark and violent blue, the way Thomas' did when he was ready to explode."I have yet to get to know him better, but I can already see he has strength inside him, a kindness and sincerity most people lack." Worried, Lita went to her friend and placed a gentle hand on her arm, felt how tense she was."Am, whats wrong?" "He's a good man."her voice was strained, she knew it was, because she was trying with all her might to keep the anger inside."You think Greg is a good man." Weary now, Anna nodded."Yes, I do." "But you didn't think Donovan was a good man. You looked at him and rejected him the moment I brought him home."her voice was trembling, vibrating with a fury that had been kept leashed for almost eight years."He never had a chance."and she had loved him, she recalled, loved him with everything a young girls heart knew to give. Anna, Lita, and Serena all froze, confused for a moment before the memory of a man came back to them, a man of dark hair and eyes, much like Greg's."Donovan? Donovan Powers?"Anna whispered the name, utterly shocked Amy had brought up a man who had been out of her life for years."What does Donovan have to do with this?" "I loved him!"Amy said it fiercely, whirling on them, Lita stepping back from her in complete shock."I loved him with all my heart, with everything I could give, and I turned him away because of-"she halted suddenly, her eyes widening with what she'd just revealed."Um...I mean....well..." They watched as Amy reigned in, as she struggled to bring herself under some control."Why did you turn him away Amy?"Serena asked quietly, having seen the pain, heartache, and fury she'd kept locked inside for years finally burst free. Now she'd done it, Amy thought in quiet horror. She'd always managed to keep her emotions locked inside, never allowing even Lita and Serena to see how hurt she'd been when she'd turned Donovan away. It had been the hardest thing she'd ever had to do in her life. Anna, seeing Amy's distress, spoke up."Donovan, I remember him. A very handsome boy, even more handsome as a man." Amy's eyes shot to her mothers, wide and questioning."You've seen him?" "Yes, I have. Thomas and I ran into him in Milan. He's become quite famous over there, racing his boats on the circuit much as Greg did."she cocked her head."I wouldn't be surprised if the two of them new each other." "Donovan...."it had always been his passion, his dream. He'd confided it to her countless times, spoke of the future they would have had if she hadn't turned him away. And even in those last moments that she'd seen him he'd been so angry, so hurt by her cruel words, that he'd shouted at her the day he was rich and good enough for her he would return and she would have to face him. Anna saw the light in her daughters eyes and wondered at it."Yes, Donovan. He's grown quite handsome and quite popular with the ladies. But it was you he asked for even as a pretty little blonde draped herself across his arm."her voice was curious, recalling that encounter."He said to tell you 'hello' from him." She couldn't think, couldn't focus when memories of what they'd shared were suddenly flooding back."That was kind of him." "Yes, it was. He's changed very much, grown into a reckless, yet responsible man. Thomas enjoyed him very much." Amy turned away, back toward the window. Donovan. Her first and only love. And what of Greg, her mind whispered to her. He'd become important to her as well. Anna, sensing Amy's distress, decided to leave the three women alone. They'd always been able to help one another, which had pleased her to no end. She rose."I'll be joining the boys for dinner. And I'll make sure to bring those three back in one piece as well."giving both Lita and Serena meaningful looks, she left them alone. It took a moment, a quiet one, but Amy whirled back to them and began her pacing."I loved him. You two must have known how much, even if I never told you guys." Serena nodded."Of course we did. Everyone could see it. You two were so happy together, so in love. It confused us when he left so suddenly one day, just gone, and you walked around as if he had never existed." "I HAD too."she stopped to press the heels of her palms to her eyes."Oh God, Donovan. He swore to me, that day on the beach, that he would come back."her voice wavered, trembled, and she allowed the tears to come."I believed him at first, prayed everyday he would keep good to his promise and come back when he was ready, when it was time. But when he didn't I just....I couldn't..." Lita caught her as she shuddered and the sobs wracked her slender frame."Oh Amy. Why didn't you tell us? Why did you keep this to yourself?"she held her lightly, looking helplessly to Serena. "I just....I didn't WANT to make him leave. It was the hardest thing I'd ever had to do." Frowning, Lita led her to Serena's bed and sat her there so Serena could take her hand and hold it, the three of them linked together."Amy, what aren't you telling us? What happened to make him leave?" "I made him leave. I did!"even now the memory of it ripped at her heart."My father....he didn't approve, didn't like it whenever I went out with him. My mother hid her dislike, her distrust, but I knew she didn't like him either. How could I love and marry a man both of them disapproved of?"she wiped her tears, struggled for calm."I called him that day and told him to meet me on the beach, that I needed to speak with him. And when we met I told him I didn't love him anymore, that I couldn't. There was no way it could ever work out between us, no way he and I could have a future. I broke his heart....and mine." "Oh Amy."Serena could say nothing else, only weep with her at the pain it must have caused her friend so long ago. "He said he'd come back. He was so angry, so hurt, but he said he'd come back and prove to me that he was worthy, that we were meant. But he never did."she began to rock herself in her friends arms."He never came back." "Amy, I can understand its hard what you went through, was very hard, but now you have Greg. And doesn't he mean anything?"Lita asked her softly. "He means too much."she admitted to them, unable to lie any longer."He means more then I ever would have believed. When I began to see him it was meant only to be for fun, to pass the time and enjoy myself, but....he's different."she stood suddenly."I have to go. I need to think. I'm sorry."and quickly left the room. She walked quietly to the doors of her apartment, huddling closely inside of the coat she wore. She'd left the hospital after her discussion with Serena and Lita, not thinking once of waiting for Greg. She'd taken a cab home and had shivered against the fierce wind on this night as she'd made her way upstairs, the icy air stinging her cheeks and turning them a rosy pink. She knew Greg would be angry, knew he would come looking for her, but she'd had to get away. Her mind was in a riot of emotions, feelings of depression and loss raging against one another inside. She needed to think them through, one by one, as she usually did without any interuptions. She was approaching the door when she looked up, squinting against the dark and seeing the outline of a man waiting in front of the doors to her apartment. She could only see his silhouette, the broad shoulders that tapered down to a slim waist. He wasn't Greg, she knew that. She would recognize Greg's body even in the dark. This man was a stranger. Suspicious and just a little frightened, she made sure to keep one hand inside her coat pocket, gripping her keys just in case she would need to use them."May I help you?"she asked from a cautious distance. She watched him unfold his large frame from the railing, his face hidden from her in the shadows."Amy Stanford?" The voice....there was something familiar in it, a memory tingling in the back of her mind."Yes. Who are you?" He was silent, watching her, until he finally spoke."I've come back." The single statement had her stiffening, the memory coming back full force."Oh my God....you....it-its you....."her hand covered her mouth, her heart tripping frantically inside her chest."Donovan?" He stepped forward and out of the shadows, the sharp planes and angles of his face coming into view. The eyes were still a vivid and stunning blue, had always captured her intrigue even years before. But in that moment they were angry, fiercely angry, and riveted soley on her. "I've come back."he bit out each word, the deep rumbling baritone causing shivers of fear to run down her spine."Do you hear me? I've come back!" He'd always had a quick and fierce temper."Donovan, is this the way to greet me after eight years?" He reached out and took her by the shoulders so swiftly she blinked."There wouldn't have been eight years if you hadn't tossed me out of your life!"the anger had never faded, and neither had the hurt."And now I'm back. Do you understand why?" She had always thought when she saw him she would be joyous, ecstatic. Now she only felt a small bubbling of fear for this man who was relatively a stranger to her."Donovan, please." "I've made a name for myself. I'm rich, like you always wanted. Isn't that what mattered to you? Whether or not I could fit into your rich society of friends?"he shook her slightly, but with enough force to have her head snapping back."Well now I can!" "Donovan, please."she reached a hand up to push at his chest, which was as hard and unrelenting as a rock."Don't do this." "I never stopped loving you."his voice dropped low, the snapping blue eyes traveling over her face, drinking in the sight of her as a grown woman. She'd been lovely and innocent as a girl, was now alluring and beautiful as a woman."Not for one moment. Everything I've done has been for you, every moment, every step I've taken." Once she would have loved to hear those words, but hearing them now only brought on a wave of unease."I never forgot you Donovan."she felt the hands on her arms loosen, saw by his eyes that he was calming."You were always in my heart." He struggled between the anger and betrayel he'd felt for years, the love he had for her rising to replace them."And you were always in mine."his hand came up to cup her cheek."Why did you make me leave?" "Donovan, it was so long ago. Can't we forget it even happened?"she touched her hand to his cheek as well."Lets try and be friends." He jerked back from her as if he'd been burned."Friends?"he asked in shock and confusion."Friends? I didn't come back looking for a friend." "But we don't even know each other. We've both grown, become different people then what we were eight years ago." His eyes studied her, narrowing."There's someone else, isn't there?" She sighed, nodded once."Yes, there's someone else. He-" "AMY!"Greg's bellowing tone came to them, causing her to jump and Donovan to stiffen."Why the hell did you just leave like that?!" She bit her lip, turning to him as Donovan faded back into the shadows once again."Greg, please lower your voice." He strode to her, missing the outline of Donovan's form in the shadows."I want to know why you left that way. If I didn't know you I'd swear you were Superwoman or something." Even knowing Donovan stood behind her, she found she could laugh."No, I'm not that strong. Greg-" He noticed him then, his dark eyes moving past her to his shadowed form."Who are you?"he asked menacingly, gripping her and shoving her protectively behind him. Donovan was silent a moment."Greg Knight."he stated it flatly. Even as she frowned in confusion, Greg was stepping forward."Holy shit, I don't believe it. Don? Donovan Powers?" "Its me."Donovan came forward and Amy could see his eyes were filled with both pleasure and confusion."I'd heard you'd started over, I just never knew where." Greg laughed."I didn't tell anyone. Didn't think of it."the pleasure at seeing an old friend had come quickly, and now the suspicion that he stood here with Amy came as well."What are you doing here Don?"he placed a possessive arm around Amy, drawing her to him. Donovan watched the single gesture."Are you two-" "Yes."Greg cut in smoothly, rubbing a hand up and down Amy's arm."Yes, we are." Donovan looked to Amy."I....I thought...." "We need to talk Donovan."she ignored Greg's tightening grip."Come by tomorrow afternoon." He nodded once, his gaze moving over Greg before he turned and left them. The moment he was out of sight Greg let her go."What the hell is going on? What is he to you?"he asked carefully, struggling to hold back the fit of rage that wanted to explode from him. She fit her key into the lock, opening the door and stepping inside with Greg directly behind her."I should be asking you how it is you two know each other." "DON'T change the subject!"furious with her, he watched as she shut her door and strode calmly into the kitchen to make coffee."What the HELL was he doing here?!" "Please lower your voice Greg. I don't want my neighbors complaining to me."she set the timer, then took out coffee cake and a knife, beginning to cut it."Do you want some?" "No I don't want some! I want to know what he is to you!" She let out a small sigh."All right, fine. Donovan and I dated several years ago. Eight to be exact. We broke up, he left, and that was the end of it."her shoulders lifted in a careless shrug."And now he's back." He watched her calmly cut into the coffee cake, watched her measure her slice precisely, and it was then he noted how she seemed to be concentrating extra hard on retaining a calm exterior. She was hiding something and trying her hardest not to let him see that. It was then that his mind went back, recalling a conversation they'd had outside on Darien and Serena's terrace, where she'd told him of another man she'd once loved, the only man she'd ever loved. He also remembered the way she'd looked at Donovan when he'd been standing before them, the way her eyes had clung to his retreating form as he'd walked away. He went to her and took her upper arm in his grip."He's the one you loved, isn't he?" She dropped the knife as he whirled her to face him, her eyes dark and guarded despite his rage."Do you really want to know?" He swallowed his fear."Hell yes I do." She looked up at him, her eyes steady on his."Yes, he's the one I loved." He had been hoping with everything inside of him that she wouldn't say that. But somehow, he had already known. He released her arm, took a step back from her."I see. And now he's back. How convenient." The hurt showing so clearly on his face triggered something inside her, anger and resentment a mask for the growing love she was struggling to hold back."Convenient? Is that how you see it as? I loved him Greg!"she turned and marched back into her living room."I loved him and had to give him up because of....because of my own stupidity." "Oh you mean you dumped him because he didn't measure up either."he spoke savagely, with no remorse, even when he saw her flinch."Because if you brought him home for mommy and daddy, they'd see he was just another fleabag, another guy without a perfect pedigree like your other Thomas'."his eyes were black, on fire with rage, when he followed her and planted himself before her."Which is the same exact way you look at me." "And what if it is?"she shot back, furious because he had seen through her when she had thought she was cleverly hiding the truth."What if I do have high expectations for me, for my future?" "You have them for the wrong reasons!"it hurt like hell, he realized. It hurt like hell to love someone and not have them love you back, worse because of a past you had no control over."I love you! I love you for YOU, not because your father was a Senator and a Congressmen, not because your family is one of the wealthiest in this country! I don't care about money or background, about where you came from and the way you were raised!"he took her by the shoulders, holding her still so he could look into her eyes when he poured his heart out to her."I love you for who you are, for the person inside. I love you because you make me smile, you make me laugh, and because you make me forget the past I had to grow up with."he shrugged, let her go and backed away."But it doesn't matter, does it? Because that past is the exact reason why you don't want me. Ironic, isn't it?" She didn't know what to say, what to feel. She had known how she felt for him, had known she loved him, but had never imagened he would love her as well. She had held onto the fact that he would tire of her and move on, that it was in his nature as her brother had feared. She took a cautious step back, put a hand to her swirling head."I don't know what to say to you Greg." His laugh was quick and humorless."Amy Stanford, reknown psychiatrist, doesn't know how to solve a simple problem like this." Her eyes flashed with quick temper."Go to hell Greg. Just because you love me, because you want me, doesn't mean I have to love you too."the lie nearly singed her tongue, but she continued on."I make my own choices, my own destiny!" "Then here's your chance."he spoke bitterly, shoving his hands into his pockets, his heart shattered with every word she'd just said."Find someone you can bring home, someone you won't have to worry your parents will like or not. Hell, bring Donovan home. I'm sure your parents would love him."he turned and opened her front door, keeping his back to her for a moment."Goodluck Amy. I really hope you find this perfect man your looking for."and with that, he was gone. She couldn't think, couldn't feel. She felt numb inside, empty of all emotion, except for the pain that was sneaking past. Sorrow and guilt were coming quickly, but the heartache was faster to come. Falling to her knees, she buried her face in her hands and wept. Stay tuned for chapter 5, definitely the last chapter to Reflections of Hope. Any comments, please send them to sailorperfect@yahoo.com |