Author's Note:I'm dedicating this story to Mary (Jan2StaMuse) in recognition of her constant gushing comments about my writing! :)

Joy still couldn't believe what she was doing. She'd become...a baby-sitter. It was yet another of those normal teenage things she'd missed out on by becoming pregnant at fifteen. But, through a strange twist of fate, here she was. The first job had come about by accident. She'd received a call from a man she'd met, asking if she were free on Saturday. She'd said yes immediately, thinking it was a date. But, just Joy's luck, there had been a mix-up, and she was being asked to watch Oliver's three-year-old son, Jacob. Joy had felt pathetic, wearing an evening gown while she chased after Jacob.

But something had happened that night. Jacob soon grew tired as Joy read to him. He'd fallen asleep peacefully next to her. All at once, she realized what Melanie had been going on and on about for years. There was something about the way Jacob seemed to like her. A few weeks later, Oliver had called again, saying that Jacob hadn't stopped talking about her since that first night.

Oliver seemed relieved when she arrived. But that was nothing compared to Jacob's reaction. He'd grinned as he ran toward her, nearly knocking her down.

"Whoa, Jacob! Go easy on poor Joy," Oliver said. When he realized what he'd said, he blushed. "I didn't mean it like that."

Joy smiled. "It's all right. I've been looking forward to this. We're going to have so much fun, right?"

Jacob nodded enthusiastically. "Yup. You're the bestest baby-sitter ever!"

"Wow! Ever?" Joy asked.

Jacob nodded.

"Well, looks like I'm not needed here," Oliver said. "Joy, you know where everything is. Have fun." With that, Joy and Jacob were alone.

So far tonight, she and Jacob had had a snack, colored, and watched a video. Joy was grateful that Jacob was once again beginning to fade. Looking after him was fun, but also exhausting. Even still Joy liked it. Jacob clearly liked her, which didn't often happen with members of the opposite sex. And the way he'd smiled at her and chattered away about how pretty she was definitely made her feel good. The boy was curled up against her side, the same way he was the last time. Joy found herself stroking his hair. Though he was certainly a handful, right now, he looked downright angelic.

Suddenly, Joy's imagination started to run wild. She pictured herself a stay-at-home mom, like Melanie. She used to wonder how Melanie could think that was enough. Wasn't there more to life than bake-sales and soccer practice? At one time, Joy had believed there was. But now, the business she'd worked so hard to build was gone. She didn't even have much to show for it. All her former clients had found new hair and makeup people. That was the trouble with Hollywood; everyone was replaceable.

What Joy needed was something permanent. She thought she'd found that by coming to Cleveland with Melanie and Victoria. But that hadn't worked out as she'd hoped. As usual. She listened to Jacob's breathing as it deepened. He was nearly asleep, leaving Joy alone with her thoughts. The more she pictured it, the more Joy wanted a child of her own. But it seemed impossible. With each passing day, her chances of ever becoming pregnant became slimmer. She glanced out the window, noticing a star. As a child, she used to make wishes on stars. As an adult, she knew that wishing didn't do a bit of good. Then again...what could it hurt? Looking up at the night sky, she took a deep breath. "I wish I could be a Mum." She wiped a stray tear from her cheek.