So, this is the parallel universe to 'Bailey'- please read and review!

Love Rhyleigh xoxox

"Come on, Mama!" five year old Bailey Rafter urged from the restraints of her car seat. "We gotta get to Daddy's house before it gets dark!"

"Why before it gets dark, gorgeous?" her mother Sammy inquired, glancing into the backseat. Her daughter was struggling in the booster seat, wriggling around with her beloved bear in her arms.

"B'coz Uncle Ben says that's when the monsters come out!" her eyes were wide.

Sammy stifled a laugh- Ben was a stirrer, and had been for as long as she had known him.

"It's not funny, Mummy!" Bailey was indignant, as Sammy turned their little car onto Nathan and his family's street.

They had an odd relationship- but they had been in love since the day they met.

"Do you think Crazy Charlie's gonna be there?" Bailey said conversationally, as Sammy opened the door to unbuckle the little girl.

"I don't know, sweetheart, you might have to ask Daddy".

The grumbling from her arms put a small smile on her face- it was blatantly obvious that their daughter did not approve of Nathan's girlfriend. She was sugary sweet, and reminded Sammy a little too much of her mother.

"I don't like crazy Charlie", Bailey said matter of factly, squirming to get down. "are you coming to Grandma and Grandpa's barbecue tomorrow night?"

"I think I've got something on tomorrow night, kiddo". Setting her to her feet, Sammy watched as Bailey reached up to knock on the door.

"Hey, there's my munchkin! How are ya, babe?" Nathan Rafter laughed as Bailey launched herself into his arms. "I've missed you, kiddo! How have you been?"

"I'm good, Daddy! We got here 'fore it got dark, so the monsters didn't eat me". Her blue eyes were serious and Nathan couldn't help but laugh. "Daddy! That was my serious voice!"

"You're a little drama queen, aren't you?"

"Aunty Rachel says there's nothin' wrong with that".

"We shouldn't expose her to Rachel Rafter wisdom", Nathan informed Sammy. "Sound like a plan?"

Sammy just laughed. "Have fun this weekend, Nathan. Love you, kiddo".

"Love you, Mama". Bailey blew her a kiss and Sammy caught it, pressing it to her heart, making the five year old giggle.

"You don't want to come in?" Nathan checked with his ex.

"No, I've gotta go. Finish stuff for work and all".

"There's my favourite little girl!" Nathan's girlfriend Charlie called. "Hi, Bailey!"

Bailey scrambled out of her father's arms, to the safety of her mother. "Mama", she whispered. "Crazy Charlie's here... can I stay with you tonight?"

"Be nice", Sammy warned. "Daddy likes Crazy Charlie and he'll be sad if you don't stay this weekend".

She sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Hi Charlie", she whispered.

"So, what's the plans for the weekend, Sam? Any big homework assignments she needs help with?"

"A family tree", Sammy nodded, handing over a roll of cardboard. "If you could help her with that, just stick the pictures down and stuff".

"Can do- and I think we can make a trip to the park with Rubes, what do you think, kiddo?"

"Yeah!"

Sammy dropped a kiss to the little girl's head, whispering the warning once more. "See you on Sunday, Nathan. Love you, Bailey. Bye, Charlie".

Charlie beamed saccharine sweetly. "Goodbye, Sammy!"

"See ya, Sam". Nathan grinned.

Bailey put on her best puppy dog eyes, staring her mother in the eyes. "Love you, Mama".

Sammy let herself out, heading towards the little car she called her own. She and Nathan had been in the middle of a rough patch when she found out she was pregnant with Bailey, and had decided to stay friends for the sake of the little girl. They had stayed together for a few months after their daughter was born, but they found it too hard, raising a child in the midst of their dramas. So, they went separate ways, hoping that one day they would bounce back into each other's arms. Neither really dated much, and Sammy held onto the hope of finding herself with Nathan once more. the day she had attempted to spill her feelings to him, she found that she was one day too late, and had held in her feelings ever since.

Nathan followed her out to the car, leaning against the silver automobile. "So, while I'm gluing pictures to posters, Sam, what will you be doing?"

"Sleeping".

"With?" his eyes sparkled and Sammy hit his chest, giggling. Despite their past, the two had remained close. They had a spark that no one else could explain- Nathan was protective of her when she dated, while Sammy held in jealously over his current relationship. They were both aware of the chemistry, but had remained comfortable enough with each other to ignore it.

"Oh, you're funny, Rafter". She grinned at him, opening the car door. "Don't let Bailey go to bed too late. Have fun at the park with Charlie".

"Oh, yeah, about that..." he chuckled nervously and his ex wife just looked at him, slightly suspiciously. "Um..."

"Nathan, just spit it out".

"Um... we're kinda... engaged".