My note….I never thought I would add to this story. And now, since there will be no more help from the (horrible) Degrassi writers, where JimAsh is concerned, I thought I'd take the few good(or at least I think they're good) ideas that popped into my head...and run with them . So, with that said, here is the unexpected sequel to 'Twist of Fate'.

THE EX FACTOR

CHAPTER 1: COMING HOME

July17, 2011

Both had planned on finishing law school at NYU, before considering the possibility of moving back to Toronto...but fate, and a custody arrangement, changed their plans. The judge ruled in favor of Ashley and Jimmy's petition for primary custody of Tyler...with the stipulation, per Craig's request...that the boy be raised in Canada.

So, move they did.

And now, instead of taking classes over the summer, or going on a first real family vacation, the Brooks' set out to pack up the life they had started in New York, and move back to the familiar setting of their childhood.

"I really think we should make an offer on that place in Etobicoke now, so we can be in there within the next month or so", Jimmy reasoned, as he and Ashley looked over their options for the umpteenth time that week. "I don't wanna be moving the week classes start".

"But the asking price is fifty thousand over our max, Jimmy", Ashley argued. "And we were being really generous with that amount".

"I know, but it's perfect", Jimmy countered, passing Ashley the listing. "...three bedrooms, split level, master on the first floor, less than an hour from campus...".

"Yeah, and perfectly inaccessible", Ashley grumbled sarcastically. Surprised by her tone, Jimmy's eyes flickered up to meet hers. Ashley's expression softened and she took his hand. "Jimmy, from what I remember, you had to use the garage entrance just to get into the house because there were five steps leading up to the front door, and even that was a struggle. There was nothing about the inside that was even remotely accommodating for you...the counters were too high, there was no lift at the stairs, so the second floor was inaccessible, the master bath only had a tub, and forget that sloped backyard".

"So, we'd have to renovate the master bath", Jimmy shrugged indifferently. "The rest of the stuff I can work around".

Ashley was becoming frustrated, but refused to let it show. "And just how are we supposed to afford these renovations?", she asked almost playfully.

Jimmy smiled at her and reached for a page in one of his file folders. "If I work full time during the day while you go to school, I can take my classes at night, and you can go help Paige launch her new jewelry company...you know she's desperate for an assistant, so the pay'll be good...and in no time, we'll have the extra money for the renovations".

Ashley paused to consider his offer, he always made it sound so simple. "So, when would we have time to get our schoolwork done?", she questioned, turning serious.

"We'll manage Ash", Jimmy assured her dismissively.

Ashley waited and watched an oblivious Jimmy, as he began to collect the scattered papers from the table top. "And what about Tyler?", she asked pointedly, bringing up the subject that hadn't so much as been mentioned yet.

"What about him?", Jimmy retorted nonchalantly, finally looking up at his wife.

Ashley gave and incredulous snort. "What are we supposed to do with him?".

Jimmy grinned, totally unaware of his wife's increasing frustration. "We're supposed to raise him?", he joked playfully, but Ashley wasn't amused.

"No, I mean...how are we supposed to do that if we're both either at school or at work?", she sniped sarcastically.

Jimmy paused for a moment, lost in thought. "Well, he'll have school in the morning. Right?", he waited for Ashley to confirm that he'd gotten the time for Tyler's Kindergarten class right. She nodded affirmatively. "Then I guess we find an extended care program for him in the afternoon, and a daycare that can take him until evening".

"Okaaay", Ashley sighed heavily. "...but I really don't want our son stuck in institutions all day, having complete strangers taking care of him".

Jimmy could see where she was coming from, and he really didn't want that for Tyler either...and some of his fist memories were of daycare, and workaholic parents...but he wasn't quite ready to give up this fight, "We can make it work Ash".

"I know we can", she said softly, slipping from her and pushing Jimmy back a little, so she could take purchase on his lap. "Especially if we stay here".

Her lips we so close to Jimmy's ear, that her breath tickled his neck and sent goosebumps down his arms. "What, like here in East York?", he queried as he playfully nuzzled his nose against her neck.

"Well yeah, close to family and friends and...", her words trailed off into soft giggles as Jimmy tickled the back of her ear with kisses. "...and like here, in this house". Those words stopped Jimmy dead in his tracks. He broke away and gave Ashley a incredulous look. "C'mon Jimmy, you haven't realized it yet?", she asked, but his expression only became more confused.

Ashley gracefully switched from Jimmy's lap, back to her seat, and took both of his hands into hers. "Our mothers?", she hinted again. "How your mother is always saying that she thinks it's time to downsize a little, that her and your dad don't need a house this big anymore, but how it would be a shame if they couldn't find a nice young family who needed an accessible house to buy it...", the emphasis was starting to register and Jimmy clearly recalled the previous nights dinner conversation. Ashley smiled when Jimmy started to finally 'get it'. "And my mother, who's constantly volunteering to take care of Tyler".

"More like begging", Jimmy chuckled at the reference Ashley made to describe Kate's desire to be with her grandson.

"They've missed so much time with him Jimmy", she whispered achingly. "...we all have".

Jimmy nodded slightly and softly kissed his wife's hand. "This place, huh?", he asked rhetorically, his eyes sweeping around the room as he did so.

"You're mom said it's nearly paid off, so if we took over their payments, it'll most likely be cheaper...then even rent would be. And if you can manage school and a part-time job, I can juggle my classes and the child care...then you wouldn't miss so much time with Tyler and I won't have to go to work for Paige", she quipped with a mischievous glint in her eye. Jimmy smirked, his wife always made a good argument...she was definitely going to make one hell of a lawyer.

"And maybe with all the money we'll be saving on mortgage payments, we can by him one of those junior basketball hoops", Jimmy joked playfully.

Ashley gave a serious nod, then finally let a small grin break through. "Of course".

"And a swing set for the backyard", this time he sounded serious, and excited. Ashley nearly melted.

"Sure", she agreed wholehearted, but then lowered her head slightly. There was a short strained pause before Ashley looked back up to meet Jimmy's gaze. "And maybe if there's some extra money...since this place is already accessible, and we won't have to worry about renovations...", she hesitated, her eyes hopeful, but her expression cautious. "...maybe we could even try to give Tyler that little brother or sister he's been asking for".

Her words were a barely louder than a whisper, but Jimmy heard her loud and clear. He leaned forward and captured her lips with his. Ashley's hands cupped his cheeks and she pulled him closer. "We'll have to talk it over with my parents though", Jimmy gasped out, once they came up for air. Ashley nodded in agreement.

They were just about to kiss again when a small voice announced, "We're home!".

Jimmy smiled at the sight...the trio standing in front of him, hand in hand, Tyler in the middle between Mr. and Mrs. Brooks. And with a quick glance at his wife, he replied, "Yes you are".


Awww, I like this one...it makes me all warm and fuzzy...wait no, that's the 90plus temps outside(so it's actually warm and sweaty, not warm and fuzzy). But weather woes aside, here is my next endeavor...not exactly original, but exciting none the less.

I used the towns listed above for purely creative purposes, I have no clue where the "real" Degrassi is, so I decided to partially wing it(real towns, fictional characters). I sounded good to me. I also added dates because I wanted to follow the time line I started, but never used, in the last story.

I hope you all enjoy this one. I will try to update this and 'Everything', as often as I can. And please R&R, it would be really helpful to know if you like...and hearing from you guys makes me really, really happy:)

Degrassi is not mine.