It's been almost an hour of Amelia lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling because she cannot sleep. The look of hopes in his eyes as he shared his feelings with her was torturing her, making her want to give up on her decision, run to him and tell him what he needs to hear, tell him the truth that she loves him too. Simply, the loneliness of the room had made her practical and took back her reasons which she could not overlook again. 

She cannot take advantage of his goodness anymore. Even if he loves her and might accept the kid too, but her self-respect and the fear for her baby’s future was not allowing her to give in to her heart's wishes. She wondered what if someday he would want a child of his own and though she wouldn't mind that, but his feeling towards her first born can change. She cannot risk that. She can't afford to see her child suffer just because she had fallen in love with someone.

Moreover, Her biggest fears were those related to Jacob. He still does not know that she is pregnant and if he learns that she is pregnant with his child and has moved on in life with Zach, he might do anything to hurt them. Jacob may not love her , but surely he has too much pride. It wouldn’t be a welcome thought to him that after running away from him, Amelia married the man he suspected she was having an affair with.

She has no idea how she will deal with him whenever life might tangle things up and bring them face to face each other again. If it was just about her, she wouldn’t have cared but it’s about the people she loves that she is worried about them being hurt. Zach and her baby... she has to be hard on herself and follow her decisions, no matter how much her feelings tries to over-rule her thoughts.

These reasons prevented her from declaring her love, but it couldn't stop her from thinking, remembering and recalling the things he had said to her. She lay on her bed, sleepless and thinking about Zach and the things he had told her while they were in the main hall after Sam and Rachel retired to their rooms to go to bed.

Flashback of the time,they came inside the mansion*

Rachel and Sam had purposely asked what delayed them. Zach told her that they were outside, talking. Since, it looked obvious from her eyes that she had been crying, Sam inquired about what went on. Amelia said the half-truth of remembering Abram. And, that directs to their talking about Orphanage and Amelia telling her about Zach being its member. They started asking her about Abram.

“I trust he is doing okay, what a smart boy he is, and it’s so sad to see him bear with so much at such young age,” Sam stated, as she recalled things she heard about Abram from Amelia. She wanted to help Amelia with sending messages through her to him and at the Orphanage, but, Jacob had found it out and had warned them both.

Amelia and Sam looked at each other in acknowledgement that they both remembered that same unfateful day when they were caught and warned. And, later Amelia was beaten up because she argued to go just once.

It was Rachel’s words that cut down her thoughts,”Why, what is wrong with him?”

“He suffered some issues with his right leg that is why he used to limp,” Amelia replied.

“Aunt Arlene is very caring. I am certain she must be doing something about his situation..” Zach put in.

“Abram has limped since a young age, I believe its not curable,” Amelia said in a sad tone.

“You are very fond of him, aren’t you?” He asked, recalling how happy and fondly she played with him.

“I love all of them, but yeah... him a little more,” She said guiltily, but proud at the same time as she added,”Abram is a very talented boy. He plays piano and mouth-organ so well.”

“That’s good. Hopefully this hobby will help him go through with spirit at ease.” Zach said, trusting that if he is so secure that he can forever bring that up as a profession.

“Hopefully,” Amelia nodded.

“You are going to have a baby of your own in your laps to love and play with, so be happy about it.” Rachel said to cheer Amelia when she found her face looking sad.

Amelia smiled at her words and somehow her eyes lingered on Zach’s face who was looking at her smilingly. A minute passed by with their looking at each other. It was when Rachel coughed that both became aware and looked away awkwardly.

“You are lucky for having a chance of having a kid with you.,” She said looking at Amelia and then shifting her gaze to Zach said in a complaining tone, “Some people does not understand the value of having a family... and the needs of great grandmother...”

Zach chuckled and hugged her, sitting by her side, “Oh My Old lady, Am I not enough for you?”

“These cheesy words will not melt me or make me feel better, Zach Mc Cord” She said making him chuckle more. Sam and Amelia watched them with adoration. Later, Sam and Rachel left, Zach and Amelia were left alone.

“What?” Zach asked Amelia as he turned away to look at her after kissing and saying bye to her grandmother.

Amelia waited for them to go away and then said,”Why do you do it?”

“Do what?”

“You know, what she wants Zach, But, you always change the topic somehow.”

“Amelia, I told you what needs to be told in that issue. Understand, please.” Zach said haughtily, not understanding why no one understands him.

“What should I understand, Zach. It’s you who needs to understand.” Amelia said in a mild frustration. “A while ago, I asked you the same thing but you diverted my question. Do you think I didn’t noticed it?”

“Huh...” He let out a breath.

“Really? Then do not talk about second chances with me, Zach”

Zach just couldn't hold it anymore. He knows his actions may be futile and might affect their friendship again, only it seems like life is not giving way to let things be easy for him. He sighed and said,"The problem is that there is just one you and I can never find someone like you,”

“Zach...” He said it so as a matter of fact way that made her gasp.

He turned away from her, walking toward the staircase leading to his room added,“I never knew that my destiny will bring you back to me again, that my wish will be granted, I would be capable to sit beside you.. Talk to you... I had only ever imagined it, but never truly believed it to be possible.” Then turning to face her, looking straight in her eyes, emotions clearly displayed in his eyes, he stated emotionally,”For years, I had secretly wished for this moment, but I never dared to expect anything from fate and not even after meeting you because...” He stopped suddenly as if saying more would hurt him.

“...because?”  She said as if she was in a dreamy state. For days, there were avoiding each other, knew everything but has been pretending, but now everything is right in front. There were no more pretences.

He took a deep breath and said,”because I thought you still love Jacob.” Closed his eyes for a pause and then opened them slowly as his gaze hooked on to hers as he added,”Also, I didn’t wanted you to believe the worst of me, like helping you because I expect something in return.”

That is not true. She knew. She felt the need to clear that piece of doubt from his heart and give him some peace. “I may have been hard on you about everything before, But now I am sure that your intentions are purely selfless, I do mean it.” Amelia voiced out slowly.

“You do?” He cannot believe it. It got him so emotional. He came forward,a lmost near to her in few strides.

“Yes, I do. I believe you...” Amelia said with same emotion."But,You need to move on, Zach. We can't..." Her voice just hanged on the air. She couldn’t complete her words.

"I know... I know we can't now. I know, I said we are friends and we will always keep this friendship alive between us, but that doesn't mean I can't hope for more."

"You shouldn't when you know all it will bring to you is pain."

"I am all right with it. I am willing to wait for you belong to me, to be here with us."

"I don't belong here, Zach"

"No one belongs here more than you, Amelia."

"Zach, please...."

"Amy, you do recognize how I feel, you had known it for a while I know. And, I have this feeling that you might love me too someday..." 

He's calling her Amy with so much feeling only made the position of her heart weak in the given situation. She held her grounds, though. She had already risked too much by sharing and asking. She cannot afford to give away more.

"It's not possible, Zach..."

"Why? Because you're not divorced? I really do not care about that or your past and anyway you will be getting divorced so how does matter?"

"Zach, I can't... Please understand." She pleaded. 

"I'm not forcing myself on you, Amelia. I probably never will. But, it's my choice with what I do with my life and if I want to keep hope and wait then I will. You might not return my feeling, but you cannot take my hopes from me, you cannot stop me from loving you, for waiting for you." He said softly.

"Oh Zach.... What did I ever do for you to love me so crazily?" She read almost as a whisper, only flashy enough for him to pick up.

"If you will ask me reasons, then I own none. It had been a completely fated feeling for me. I can't say if I wanted to or not because Gran kept pushing me for marriage and for her happiness and my peace I tried, but in my heart, I couldn't be true and thankfully my fate and choices were in aligned with what I feel. That kept me from moving on." He stated with a slight laughter. Amelia knew that laughter has been only a trick to conceal his beliefs. She is not so dumb to not see it and she wished she could be equally confident about everything as he. Only she was not.

"Think, Amelia... Someday you have to move on, then why not move along with me." His words stumped her. She had nothing to say after that. She sat there like a dumb listening to his reasons and opinions. "Have you ever thought just maybe, you belong with me? The way we kept coming together after our official first 'fall' meeting in the elevator. Don’t you consider it can be all God's plan’s for our future."

"I had a very bad past Zach and I'm not willing to hope much for the future. I just want to live my present. The only future I am worried about is my child. I can't consider myself going to anyone, anymore." She stated to him clearly though in her heart she recognized that the latter part was a prevarication. In her heart, she already belongs to him.

He closed the distance between them, coming more closer to her saying, "Will you ever realize just how a good deal of me belongs to you and possibly give us a second chance?"

"I don't believe in second chances, Zach" She lied again, turning her face away from him.

He took hold of her face in his hand and said,"But, I do. And, if I have to wait my entire life, hoping for you to grant us a second chance then I will do so. But, I will not give up again. I lost you once and see where it lead us. I regret letting you go, Amy and if I do so again, I will never be able to forgive myself."

The way he said "Amy" again had made her feel like throwing up on her decision right then and hold his hands and tell him that he does not have to wait, her heart already belongs to her, but call it her fate or bad timing or an indication that she should not give into momentarily emotions and let go of her wisdom. She moved away from him saying,”I think we must go to our rooms now. And began to walk away from him.

Zach didn’t wanted to end things like this. He didn’t wanted to spoil everything they shared, their friendship, he took hold of her hands and said,"Please do not run away from me like this, Amelia.” She turned around and his expression caught her breath. He looked hurt. “Zach, I am not...” He didn’t let her complete the words and cut in saying,”Please do not let anything I shared, affect you in a wrong way. Believe me, I will never push you into anything to do with me."

"I trust you, Zach. I know, you won't."

"Promise me, it will not affect our friendship." He asked. He needed to be confirmed.

"I promise, Zach." She meant it. Amelai couldn’t see herself giving up on their friendship either. She loves him far too much and she ahs realized it now. She may not have that love explored, but she is not going to give up their friendship because of it and lose him completely. No, she cannot do so. Not till she is here, she thought sadly.

Love is a killing emotion... Why couldn’t they just be friends?,She thought.

Earlier today, she had made him a promise and she will keep it. She will not let it affect their friendship, but she couldn't stop them from affecting her mind and heart. She only has control to not do anything about it, but she is powerless when it comes to stopping herself from feeling and thinking. These distances, fights and arguments had only made her more fond of him. And, today it all came out. Not just from him, but she likewise. 

And now, she lay on her bed thinking about everything that happened today. Today has changed everything between Zach and Amelia. Their friendship just didn't got firmer, but it made them recognize that how much they mean to each other, how much their hearts are in love.