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Liz sat up against the headboard. Her eyes adjusting to how bright the room had become. She looked to her side and a bit of sadness spread across through her. Conrad's side of the bed was cold against her fingertips as she touched the blanket.

She willed herself to get up before her mind could convince her otherwise. She grabbed her phone and made her way to the kitchen. She stopped at the counter and a smile spread across her face as she picked up the note Conrad left her.

Had to head out a little earlier than I wanted. I promise I'll make it up to you with a box of cookies. I love you - C

Liz looks over at her phone as it vibrates in her hand. She answers and puts it on speaker, "Hey, River."

"Hey." River says in a sing-song voice, "You sound happy which is a good thing."

"Yeah." Liz smiles as she grabs her coffee and creamer from the fridge

"I take it Conrad took the news better than you expected?"

"A lot better." She says putting ice in her cup before turning back toward her phone, "He says he's terrified, but-"

"Not mad and gonna leave you on the side of the road like you said he would?"

"Okay." Liz says pouring her coffee, "So, maybe I overreacted a little bit."

"A lotta bit."

"But can you blame me? We've never actually had a conversation about kids or what we would do if something like this happened." She says placing her things back in the fridge

"Mm, yeah." River says, "Have you talked to your mom? Or Dakota?"

"No." She sighs

"Oh, well, you should. Especially your mom."

"I know." She says before leaning on the counter with her head in her hands, "God, this is already so stressful."

"I'm sure once you tell everyone, it'll be less stressful. And you've already told the most important person."

"Yeah, I guess so." Liz says, "Hey, I have to go get ready for work, but I'll text you later, okay?"

"Okay. Love you, Lizzie."

"Love you, too."

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Liz ruffled through her bag as her phone continued to ring. She frowned at the screen before answering. As she put the phone up to her ear, she sighed, "Hey, Taylor. I'm about to get on the road to beat traffic, can I call you back?"

"No, no. It's extremely important."

"What's wrong?"

"Steven was in a car accident."

Liz stops in her tracks, "What?"

"He was in an accident and we're at the hospital right now." She says shakily, "We're trying to get updates, but Belly wanted me to call and tell you since she's trying to get all of his information."

"Oh my god." Liz mutters as she rushes to her car, "Um, okay. I'll- I'll get on the next flight out there, okay? And I'll tell Conrad."

"I've already called him." She says, "You don't have to come. Laurel and John should be here soon."

"No, I'm coming. If Conrad can't, I will." Liz says tossing her bag in the passenger's seat and starting the car, "Tell Belly I'll try to be there in the next couple of hours."

"Okay."

"Okay. I'll see you soon."

"Okay, bye."

"Bye." Liz says before hanging up. She quickly puts her seatbelt on and races out of the parking lot.

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It had been about 7 hours since Liz talked to Taylor. Her heart hadn't stopped racing from the time she found the earliest flight to Rhode Island. As she entered the hospital, she texted Belly telling her she was there. And as she looked around the lobby, her eyes landed on Jeremiah hunched over on one of the benches.

"Jere." She called out as she rushed over

Jeremiah looked up and immediately stood, "Liz."

"Hi." She says as she pulls him into a hug. She pulled away after a few seconds, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He says shaking his head

"Have they given any updates?"

"No, nothing really."

Liz sighed as she ran a hand through her hair, "I texted Belly to let her know I'm here. Are they letting anyone up?"

"I don't think so. Just immediate family."

"Shit." She says as she looked down at her phone, "Belly said she can meet at the elevator." Liz takes a few steps before turning back around noticing Jeremiah hadn't moved, "You coming?"

"No, I'll just wait down here."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah." He nods, "Yeah, you go ahead."

Liz frowned, but nodded along anyway, "Okay."

She then rushed over to the elevator. As soon as she made it, she heard a ding and the doors opened. Belly walks out and Liz immediately pulls her into a hug. Belly holds onto Liz as quiet sobs escape her lips. Liz sighs into her hair, "It's okay."

Belly pulled away, but kept Liz close, "I'm so scared."

"I know and that's okay. But Steven is gonna be okay." Liz nods rubbing Belly's arms, "And I'm here for whatever you need."

Belly nods as she wipes her face, "I think Conrad got a doctor to take over his case."

"Yeah, he told me he was gonna try to make sure he was taken care of since he couldn't make it."

"I'll have to remember to thank him." Belly sniffles

"I don't think it'll matter to him. He just wanted to do something."

"Will you come up and wait in the hallway with me?" Belly says, "Taylor's in the room with him now."

"Yeah, of course." She says pressing the button. The door opens and the two step inside. As the doors shut, Belly presses the button to the floor. Liz sighs as she tucks her hair behind her ear, "You didn't want Jere to come up with you?"

Belly shakes her head, "No, no, no."

"Did something happen?"

"Um.." Belly mutters as the doors open. Liz follows her out, "Yeah, kind of."

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

Belly sighs as she sits on the bench on the end of Steven's hall. Liz sits beside her while Belly leans back into the wall, "He cheated on me."

Liz straightens up, "What?"

"Yeah, it was a few months ago when he took his spring break trip to Cabo." Belly explains, "We got into a fight before he left and he hooked up with another girl that goes to our school."

"Oh my god, Belly. I'm so sorry."

Belly shakes her head, "He said he thought we were broken up. That he was so sad and numb and got drunk. And it just happened. I found out at a party last night."

"It was only the one time?"

"It was twice."

"Twice?" Liz says with raised brows, "Belly, something like that doesn't "just happen" twice. It's barely a mistake when it happens once."

"I know." Belly says, "But he thought we were broken up."

"Belly, that's bullshit and you know it. If he genuinely thought that, he wouldn't have kept it a secret for so long. He would've told you as soon as he got back."

"I know." Belly sighs, "But he's here now and he's waiting down in the lobby just incase we need him."

"That doesn't excuse it, Belly." Liz says softly, "I know you appreciate it, but that doesn't mean he's in the clear."

"No, I know he isn't. A part of me just wants him to be here. Next to me. But I'm still so pissed at him."

"It's because you love him, Belly. Even when you're pissed at him, you want him close."

"Have you felt like that with Conrad?"

"Yeah." She nods, "The entire time in Cousins when we trying to get the house back, I was pissed at him, but all I wanted was to be with him. Anytime we argue, I can barely stand to be in the other room away from him."

"I guess that explains the ring." Liz looks down and instinctively flexes her hand. She looks back up at Belly who smiles at her, "I noticed it in the lobby."

"It was about a month and a half ago." Liz says, "I only got around to telling my mom and Dakota before I got so wrapped up in work."

"Well, congratulations."

"Thank you." She smiles making Belly chuckle, "Please don't tell anyone yet. I promise I'll get around to it. I just-"

"I won't." She says making Liz smile. Belly looks ahead at the wall, "I kind of wish I was like you guys sometimes."

"What do you mean?"

"Growing up, I had always kind of seen that you guys were close. And then that year in Cousins when everything happened with Susannah, I just remember being so jealous. Wishing that I could be where either of you were. Having someone by my side no matter what."

"You had Jere."

"It wasn't like you had Conrad." Belly says shaking her head, "Conrad's always been there for you. Even when didn't have it in him to be there for himself."

Liz smiles softly before scooting closer, "You'll have someone like that. Whether it's Jere or if some other guy sweeps you off of your feet. Until then, I'm here."

Belly smiles before laying her head on Liz's shoulder. Liz's cheek lands on the top of her head.

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