Together We Grow Stong

Disclaimer: I do not own ABCfamily, I don't own the characters... Just a hopeless writer obsessed with Secret Life... don't sue me!:

Summary: First of all, everything on the show has happened, just some altering of the last episode... Ricky comes back to confront everyone... and Amy isn't going to just let him leave again.

Chapter One

Don't Walk Away from This

Ricky's POV

I looked at Ben like he was a crazy person. Did this kid really just try to hit me? Yes, he hit you... and you should be hitting him back...

"I am not going to hit you..." I heard myself saying... although I wasn't sure why. This kid slept with my girlfriend. Ruined everything for me practically. And here he is hitting me and I'm not even going to hit him back. That's because you're a dad now, you cant just run around hitting people...

I shook my head clear, and I shook hands with Ben. Believe it or not, I was forgiving him. He's a teenage hormonal boy that got into a situation because Adrian Lee is one persuasive lady when she wants something. And I liked Ben. He is a stupid rich whiney baby, but because of his father I had a good home, a good job, and because of him he had an actual chance at raising John the right way. The responsible way...

"So we're friends?" Ben asked me, hopefulness was evident in his eyes.

"Yeah, we're friends. But take my advise, Ben, as a friend. Amy is never going to forgive you." I told him.

"Never? Surely some day..." Ben said.

"Never, Ben. You had sex with Adrian. Amy will never get over that." and she wouldn't. I know Amy. I know how sensitive she is. I'd be lucky if she even talks to me again.

As Ben was getting up to leave, there was another knock at my door.

"Am I the only one that realizes it's 6:30 in the freaking morning?" I asked, disbelief written all over my face, "Who is it now?!" I yelled through the door.

"Your mom," my mother said, and my father's voice chimed in, "and dad."

I looked at Ben and he nodded, "I'm going to get ready for school. See you there?" he asked,

"yeah, yeah, I'll be there." I told him and opened the door for my parents.

After we hugged and they told me how happy they were that I was back, we had a seat.

"Ricky... we'd like to help you with John." my mother told me.

"help me with John, how?" I asked nervously. I did not want to start conflict with Amy, not now.

"We want to help you get joint custody. We want to know our grandson. We can help you, son." My adopted father told me.

"You know, Amy doesn't even know I am back. I should go see John... can we talk about this later?" I did not want to have this conversation right now.

I walked them to the door, grabbed my keys and phone, and walked out with them. It was 6:45 am... school was at 8... I could go see John... maybe take him to daycare for Amy.

I drove to Amy's before school. I saw Amy and John before they saw me. And my heart felt whole. This feeling was happening more and more lately. When I was away from Amy, she was just John's mother. The woman who took care of my handsome baby boy, who I trusted to make sure he survived. When I was near her, she was the amazing, beautiful woman who stayed in school, worked, and took care of our son. She was strong and brave and when I see her with John... I want to wrap them both in my arms and protect them. Ever since I kissed her, I've imagined what it would be like to be a real family with her. Husband, wife, mother father and son. I shook my head clear and noticed now that they noticed me.

John's face was lit up and Amy had what seemed to be relief wash over her features and she was coming for the door. Just as I made it to the porch, I made the mistake of looking at Adrian's house. And my face fell when I noticed her noticing me. She smiled and I shook my head and just walked into the Jergen's household.

"Amy..." I started to yell after her.

"Hey, welcome back." She said, with that, "you left us here" look on her face.

"Look, Ames..." I tried, but she just shook her head and handed John to me.

"I'm not doing this right now. Your son missed you. Next time you choose to take off for a few days, remember you have an 11 month old that actually does know who you are, and he notices when you're gone. Besides that... we'll talk after school." she said, brushing past me, not even giving me the chance to respond. "Can you feed him while I get ready for school, please?" She yelled back down the stairs.

I didnt even bother to answer her.

"How's daddy's big boy doin?" I asked, giving my son a kiss.

John smiled back, "dadadada" he said a few times and clapped his hands happily.

I held him close to my body and kissed his forehead again as I walked into the kitchen.

"I told Amy..." Ashley said sitting at the table next to us.

"I never said you couldn't" I told her.

"She was worried about you. Whether she lets it on or not, she was worried. And it made her feel better. Knowing you were okay. At first, anyway." Ashley said apologetically.

"and now?" I asked, although I already knew the answer.

"Now she's past worried, and she's hurt that you could just up and leave John like that. So she's going to hide her hurt, by being angry with you." Ashley said.

"I'm not hurt, or angry." Amy said, surprising both of us.

Ashley looked at her surprised and I just looked down.

"You ready for school?" I asked, cutting in. "I'd like to take John to daycare... and maybe you could ride with me so we could talk before school. I can't wait until tonight when I get off work to tell you some of the things I'd like to tell you..."

"I can have Dad take me to school, Amy. You guys should talk." Ashley said, leaving the kitchen to tell George that she needed a ride.

Amy glared at me but gave in." Will you go get him in the car? I just gotta go grab his diaper bag and my books."

I smiled at her and picked John out of his highchair. He just smiled.

"daddy loves you John" I said into his hair and held him close. John just smiled and cuddled into my chest

Amy walked out of the house and towards my car. As she was putting her things in the back seat, I looked up to see Adrian staring at us. I gave her my, we'll talk later, look, and drove off towards John's daycare.

Surprisingly, Amy was the first to speak.

"I am angry Ricky. I'm angry because for the first time since John was born, you left. And our eleven month old son, he noticed. He cried out for you in the middle of the night, Ricky. and that makes me angry. Because whatever upsetting drama is taking place in our lives, WE have a child. And he loves you. Don't walk away from this, Ricky." Amy looked like she was gonna cry.

I pulled over and pulled her into a hug. I shouldn't have held her so long, I shouldn't have wanted to hold her longer, but I did. "I'm so sorry Amy." I said into her hair.

She pulled away and looked up at me, "I know. I shouldn't be so upset. It just made me realize how lucky I've been that you've wanted to be apart of your sons life. And it freaked me out. What if something happened to you? What would I tell John?" she laughed. "I'm sorry."

And I couldn't help but smile at her as I pulled back onto the road. "I'm the lucky one." I said, and before she could comment, John started crying.