Ellie sat in the back of Ava’s car.  Ava was giving her and Marco a ride home after an evening spent at the hospital.

“Grace Ann, it’s a nice name, kind of old fashioned but nice,”  Marco said as soon as the group of friends was settled in the car.

“I think Liberty made a good choice.  It’s classic not old fashioned,” Ava added.

“What about you El?  Have you thought of a name yet?”

“Not really,” Ellie answered Marco.

“Let’s think of some names.  Me and Ava can help you pick.”

“Sure,” Ellie said void of any emotion.

******

Being there for the birth of Grace Ann had really bothered Ellie.  Listening to Liberty’s screams had scared her.  And she couldn’t stop thinking that she would be alone.  Liberty had JT but Ellie had no one.  There would be no one to hold her hand while she screamed.

After about fifteen minutes of Marco and Ava throwing out names Ellie had heard everything from Sebastian and Dominic from Marco, to Jacob and Riley from Ava. 

“Well I kinda like Holden,” Ellie finally joined the conversation.

“Holden, that’s cute.” 

“Yeah I like it,” Marco said.

“Well I’m not real sure.  I’ve thought of several others,” Ellie said beginning to open up again.

“Like…”  Marco prodded.

“Wait!  Let me get this first,” Ava said reaching for her cell phone.

“Hello,” Ava answered as Ellie and Marco continued to talk.

“Are you excited El?”

“Well until today I have been really ready to see this baby but after listening to Liberty I have to admit I’m a little freaked out,” Ellie admitted to her best friend. 

There was just something about Marco that made Ellie able to tell him anything.  And she knew he felt the same way.  Ellie knew that Marco would always be there for her but she also knew that Marco didn’t deal well with blood so he wouldn’t be holding her hand.

Ellie and Marco were quite as they were pulled into Ava’s conversation with whoever was on the phone.

“How the hell did you get my number?”

“Your dad,” the caller answered

“What? God, what else did he tell you?”  Ava yelled.

“That you’re staying with your aunt.  Did you really think I would believe the exchange student crap Ava?”

“FUCK IT!  What do you want Tucker?  Why are you calling me?  Why now?”  Ava continued to yell into her phone.

“Who’s Tucker?” Marco asked Ellie.

“Are you with a guy?” Tucker was now yelling after hearing Marco’s voice.

“Yes Tucker I’m with a guy.  An amazing guy and you caught us in the middle of something very important.   I’ll tell you what why don’t you forget my number and forget me.  Because Tucker I forgot you that night on your porch.  Remember that?  Oh, nothing else to say?”

Ava didn’t wait for Tucker to say anything.  She hung up her phone and threw it into the backseat. 

“Oww!” 

“Oh god, Ellie, I’m sorry,” Ava said and started to laugh.  The laughter didn’t last.  Soon tears were falling and sobs replaced the laughter.  “Why can he still hurt me?  I haven’t cried over him in over a year.  First time he calls and I’m falling apart.” 

Ava was ranting, Marco was staring at her not sure what to say.  He didn’t have a clue what was happening.  But Ellie knew.  Ellie knew Ava’s heart was breaking all over again.  She had to say something.  But what?

“Ava lets go to the Dot and get something to eat,” Ellie said when she couldn’t think of anything else.

“El she is upset.  Are you really that hungry?”  Marco couldn’t believe that Ellie wanted to eat now.  Was pregnancy turning her into Spinner?

“Shut up Marco.  I thought we could all sit and talk and Ava could calm down a bit.  And yes as a matter of fact I am hungry,” Ellie answered.

“No, the Dot’s good.  I could eat too,” Ava said before Marco could reply.

******

Once the three were sitting and had placed their order Marco asked again “Okay who is Tucker?”

“He is Seth’s father,” Ava answered calmly.

“Seth? Oh right god I had forgot about him,” Marco said.

“What did he want Ava?”  Ellie asked after rolling her eyes at Marco.  Sometimes he was just too much of a guy.

“Maybe he wants to see Seth,” Marco offered when Ava didn’t answer.

“He doesn’t know there is a Seth,” Ava admitted to Marco.  “I don’t know what he wanted he didn’t say.  But it doesn’t matter cause I’m not going to talk to him again.” 

“Wait back it up a bit.  Why doesn’t he know about Seth?”  Marco asked the confusion plain on his face.

“Well,” Ava began. 

Ava told her whole sad story.  Marco’s reaction was pretty much the same as Ellie’s. Disgust and hate for this person he had never met and hoped he never would meet.  The other feeling he had was sadness.  Marco felt sad for this girl who had become his friend.