Shawn realizes that being second best doesn't have to be a bad thing.

Disclaimer: Not mine!

PsychPsychPsychPsych

The California sun beamed down on Shawn Spencer as he brought his motorcycle to an easy stop in a familiar driveway. So far, it was a good day. It was before noon and he was out of bed and had already managed to prank call Lassie.

He parked his bike and hopped off of it, removing his helmet before he smoothed his hair back into place. Juliet had invited him over for lunch (hey, eleven-thirty was still before noon) and he found that he was actually looking forward to it, despite the past two rocky years they had endured.

Three years ago, it had been out of the blue (at least to him) when Juliet suddenly broke up with him. And shortly after that, he had gotten onto his motorcycle and just drove. He was on the road for close to a year before he finally came back to Santa Barbara, and when he did, he didn't expect anyone to welcome him back with open arms. But it had been a blow when he learned that Juliet was dating someone else.

It shouldn't have surprised him. She was a beautiful, intelligent, feisty, incredible creature who deserved so much better than what he could offer.

And apparently, she had found it.

He made his way to the front door and hesitated only for a moment before knocking.

There were voices inside, and he was about to knock again when the door finally opened. Juliet beamed at him. She had let her hair grow even longer, and she was absolutely radiant. His keen eyes flickered to her left hand and the diamond ring that glittered. Married life certainly agreed with her. He brought his eyes back up to her beautiful face.

"Hey, Jules."

"Shawn…" Stepping forward, she wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug.

He returned the hug slowly.

"I'm glad you're here." She pulled away from him.

"Of course I came. Free food!"

Juliet laughed and waved him inside. "Well, get in here."

He followed her into the house. He had been in her home many times, but sometimes he felt downright awkward in it. Then he saw the person that he had come for, and he dropped to his knee, extending his arms.

Little Molly Lassiter looked up from her toys, and on seeing the familiar face, she squealed and pushed herself to her feet. Then she toddled over to Shawn, arms out and a bright smile on her face.

"Hi there, Molly mine!" He engulfed the baby girl in a hug before he tossed her up in the air.

Molly squealed hysterically as she landed safely against his chest again. "Shawnie!"

"I know you're not throwing my daughter again, Spencer." Carlton Lassiter's deep voice resonated in Shawn's ears.

Shawn hugged the little girl tight. "No way, Lassifrass!" He carried Molly over to her toys and sat down with her in his lap. "Okay, Molly Mae, guess what time it is?"

"Cookie!"

Shawn laughed. "No, not cookie time." When he found out about Juliet's pregnancy, he had resented the baby at first. Deep down, he knew he didn't have a chance of winning her back, but the baby cemented that in his head. And he had been angry about it for a while.

Then, during a freak storm, he and Lassiter had been forced to work together and deliver Juliet's baby. He had been the third person to hold Molly (after her parents, of course) and after that, his entire life had been changed.

He looked down and realized that Molly had been waiting on him. "Oh, yeah." He kissed her forehead. "Who is your favorite guy in the whole wide world, Molly mine?"

Molly squeaked and clapped her hands together. "Daddy!"

He had walked right into that one. "Okay, smart girl, who is your second favorite guy?"

She giggled again. "Shawnie!"

"That's right!" He hugged her tight, then tickled her and delighted in her little laugh.

Okay, so maybe being second best wasn't so bad after all.

The End!

A/N: Hehehe. Thanks for reading, and please review!