Jen smiled as she watched AJ play with Anthony. It was nice to see that he cared about Anthony. Anthony giggled as AJ tickeled him.
"You have a way with kids," Jen said.
"You think?"
"Yeah, I haven't been able to keep him from crying this long."
"Maybe he knows that he's back home in a loving enviornment," AJ thought.
"Maybe," Jen said sitting on the floor next to AJ.
"You alright?" AJ asked noticing that there was something was on Jens mind.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Jen said forcing a smile.
"Alright," AJ said kissing Jen lightly on the cheek. She sighed, and turned to face the tv, which she had turned on. AJ turned his attention back to Anthony, his mind never wandering from his concerns for Jen.
Jen stood up when she heard the door bell ring. She slowly headed to the front door. She didn't really feel like being bothered. Jen opened the door and saw Brian.
"Hi," she said.
"Hey, how are you feeling? I know it's been pretty tough," Brian asked.
"I'm alright, just not feeling very social."
"That's alright," he said.
"Come in, don't mind me," she said as Brian headed to the living room and slightly laughed when she saw AJ playing with Anthony.
"Hey AJ," Brian said.
"Yo Rok, what's up?" he asked.
"Nothin much."
"Cool," he said.
"Can you come with me for a second? I wanna talk to you about something," Brian asked.
"Yeah, sure," AJ said getting up from the floor. Brian headed to the kitchen with AJ following closely behind.
"Don't get to close to Anthony," Brian warned.
"What? Why?" AJ, asked confussed.
"AJ, I know that you are only trying to do the right thing, but he's not your kid, but not only that, but Nick..."
"I don't care about Nick. He isn't about to be in this kids life. You know as well as I do that he didn't want any of this," AJ interupted, angry.
"And you did?"
"No, but I just want to do the right thing."
"Is that the only reason why you're watching over Anthony? Because you think it's the right thing?"
"Not entirely. I really like Jen and I want to see if there is anything between me and her and I know that Anthony was going to be in my life, I'm more than ready for that. That and I know what it's like to grow up without a father."
"Just don't get to involved so that you're at a point where you can't let go."
"Why would I ever have to let go?"
"If things didn't work out between you guys, you'd have to leave and I don't know if Anthony would be able to deal with that."
"Brian...."
"He's right," Jen said from the door way.
"Jen come on."
"It's not only Anthony, it's me. I don't know if I could deal with it, you leaving I mean. I've been through so much already."
"I'm gonna go and let you guys talk," Brian said walking out of the kitchen.
"Jen, I'm not like Nick, you know that. You also know that I just wouldn't leave. I'm always going to be around for you and Anthony."
"Yeah, you say that now, but you don't know what's going to happen, you don't know the future. I don't want to get close to you and I don't want Anthony to get close to you because you and I don't know whats going to happen."
"What about me getting close to him and you? Don't I have feelings too? I want to be there and there isn't many guys that will be there for you. Please just let me be there for you two."
"I don't want to get hurt again."
"You won't, I promise. I would never do anything that would cause you pain."
"I wanna be with you, I really do, but there are so many things that make it wrong. Like the fact that you're not Anthonys father."
"Look Jen, we've gone through this already. I don't want to replace Nick, I just want to be there and nothing else."
"AJ..."
"Jen, come on. We've been through all of this already. It's the samething over and over. So please, just give me a chance."
"Alright, one chance."
"Thank you."
"Just promise you won't hurt me."
"I promise that I would never do anything to hurt you or Anthony ever."
"Thank you for everything AJ," Jen said and then went to give AJ a hug. AJ returned the same emotion by wrapping his arms around her.
"Are you going to let me help you?"
"Yes."
"Alright, good. I'm sorry about keep bringing all that up, I just want to be sure, I don't want to force you."
"No AJ, I really need you. Please don't leave me, I wouldn't be able to deal with it."
"I'm not going anywhere, don't worry," AJ whispered softly into Jens ear.
"Guys," Brian said sticking his head into the kitchen, breaking up Jen and AJs moment.
"I thought you left," AJ said.
"I was going to, but then I figured that Anthony would have been in the living room and I just wanted to make sure that nothing happened."
"Oh my god thank you!" Jen said heading towards the living room.
"So, I guess you're staying with her," Brian assumed.
"Yeah."
"AJ, I don't know if that's a good idea."
"I know what I'm doing."
"Alright man, becareful, you're taking on a lot. I hope you know that."
"Yes I know that and I'll be just fine not doubt about it," AJ said then smiled. Brian sighed and walked out of the kitchen. AJ headed to the living room and smiled when he saw Jen playing with Anthony. This was going to work out, he knew it.
Chapter 10