Amy has been missing for about 3 weeks now. I would have thought by now that she would have gotten herself caught. Ivan's still in a coma. Nancy has decided to go ahead and make the move and bring him home. They will set him up in the dining room. Abby his nurse at the hospital decided to take on his case and be a home health care nurse for him. That makes me feel so much better because she's been with him since day 1.

Nancy and my mom had talked me into taking time off of school. I didn't t want too but with everything going on, it makes sense. The last few weeks have been pretty much uneventful, which I'm thankful for. My mom took me to my baby appointment and the baby is doing great. I've been having lots of dreams that we are having a girl so maybe Morgan is right.

Brad, Courtney, myself, Nancy, Brad's dad Tom and my mom and dad all had thanksgiving at Nancy's house. It was really nice and a lot of fun. My mom and dad get along great with Brad's parents, so they took that as an opportunity to team up and talk me into taking time off of school. I still haven't gone back to work at the hotel. I did explain to Jeremy that I am pregnant. I think he was a little less than thrilled for me. He's letting me collect unemployment though, I offered to quit and he said no to just collect. I don't know if he's angry with me or not.

Morgan found herself a man so I haven't seen much of her recently. But Courtney, Morgan and I are going out tonight. It's been too long. Figured I'd take advantage before I'm huge and can't move. We decided on going to the the Phi Beta party. I will be the DD of coarse. Brad will be at his parents house working on his dad's hot rod.

We arrive at the Phi Beta house and it's packed. Derek is in the hallway, his glass raised above his head and he's shuffling between people. He looks over and spots me. Changing directions he comes toward me, grabs my hand and pulls me through with him. The Phi Betas have a heated tent out back so that's where Derek leads me. As soon as we get to the tent and head inside he pulls me into a tight hug.

His words a little slurred."I thought you fell off the face of the earth!"

"No I'm here. Just so much happening the last few months."

"You don't have a drink yet, you need a drink, come on let's get you a drink."

"No Derek I'm good. I'm the DD tonight."

"Oh come on Ella one or two never hurt!"

"Derek I'm ok really. I don't need to drink to have a good time."

"Ella come on. You never turn down a drink." His face lights up with realization in that ohhhhh I had epiphany. "You can't drink because you're pregnant!"

"Shhhhhhh!! I don't the whole world knowing my business!" I say.

"Ella, how could you let it happen?" He softens.

"It was an accident. My birth control failed."

"I'm so sorry. I feel so bad now." He says.

"Why?" I ask.

"Well you meet this guy, you go through hell because of his past, he ends up in a coma and no one knows when he will ever wake up. You're going to be a single mom Ella."

"I'll be ok Derek. He will wake up eventually. His bodies resting."

"Ella let me take care of you. Let me help you raise the baby."

"What?!?! No! He's going to wake up."

"You don't know that Ella! I'm studying premed. The longer you are down the worse off you are."

"Derek the doctors have no concerns. There's brain activity."

"Doesn't mean anything Ella. He's not here now. You need someone."

"I have Courtney, Brad, Morgan, my mom and dad and Ivan's mom and dad."

"That baby needs a father too Ella!"

Now he's freaking me out. He's more or less yelling at this point. Morgan comes into the tent and hugs me. "There you are! I've looking for you. It's a bit crowded Courtney suggested that we'd leave."

"We can, just give me a minute and I'll be out."

Morgan hugs me again and whispers in my ear, he's in love with you and has been since he met you the first day of school. Pulling back from our hug I look at her and she winks walking away.

"Look Derek I appreciate your concern, but everything will be ok. It's going to work out."

"Ella" he says holding my hand. "I just don't want to see you alone in this. I want you and that baby to be taken care of. "He says pulling me closer. He lifts my chin and gently kisses me. I surprise myself by returning the kiss and that kiss starts to get more heated.

I back up. "Wait I can't"

"You can" he's pulling me back and kisses me again and not as gentle this time.

His tongue slides between my lips and our tongues dance. His hand is on the back of my head and the other around me at the small of back. My hands are pulling at his hoodie pocket. Stupid hormones I can't stop myself and I don't want to stop. I need this.

He's pulling me closer and holding me tighter against him. I feel his need growing against me. He pulls away gasping and looks at me with need and want and certainty. He whispered "I've dreamed about this for a long time." My hands move to his hair and I pull his lips to mine. I stop. I need to text Courtney and Morgan and tell them to go ahead and go.

Me: hey just go on without me. Derek's in bad shape I need to make sure he's ok.

Courtney: are you sure? We can come back if you want us too.

Me: no it's fine. Go have fun. I'll have his car I'm going to drive him home and if I need to pick you up I can.

Courtney: you're a good friend talk to you later.

Derek's grabbing my phone and sliding it into my pocket. He uses the edge of my pocket to pull me close to him. People start walking into the tent now realizing it's here. He whispers in my ear again "let's go somewhere." Derek's grabbing my hand and guiding me out of the tent down the side of the house to his car. He pulls the keys from his pocket and I grab them.

"You are not driving." I say.

He grumbles and goes to the passenger side and climbs in. I start his car and he's staring at me. He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Where too?" I ask.

"Well you tell me." He says.

"I think you need to go home and sleep it off. I'll drive you home and get you to bed."

"How about I take you to bed Ella?"

"Derek I can't. This is a mistake. I'm helping you because you are my friend."

"Do you kiss all your friends like that?"

"Well no." I blush. "I was wrong."

"Come on Ella. That kiss said you wanted me in more ways then just a kiss."

"I know and that was stupid of me. Derek seriously I cannot do this. Ivan's in a coma and I have his baby inside of me."

"Ella...." His phone rings. "Shit hold on."

Hello. No Sam I left. I drank way too much. Ella's driving me home.

Alright, yeah I'll be there tomorrow.

Later.

Moments later I pull in front of his house that he shares with Bill, Sam and some guy Gary that I've never met. My apartment is a block from here but that does me no good since its burned to the ground. I contemplate asking to keep his car but not sure I should. I look over at him and take in his features. He has brown hair kind of longer on the top and a faded shave to the bottom, he has blue eyes and he's very muscular. He has both his arms covered in completed tattoo'd sleeves. Some tattoos peaking on the side of his neck. I don't know why but I have the urge to trace the lines on his tattoos.

"You're staring a hole in me Ella." He says and is sliding out of the car. He walks to the driver side opens my door and holds his hand out to me. I take it and he holds my hand as we walk to his front door.

He grabs the keys from my hand to unlock the door and he is now pushing me against the wall and is kissing me hard. I nudge him away.

"I'm sorry. I just can't do this. I'll see you later." I say trying to turn and walk away. He grabs my hand and I'm sucked back in again.