Author's note: In "Big Time Moms" it is said that James' parents are divorced. My sister said that the tension that leads to divorce can build up all the way from when the kids are really young. So she suggested this. She, being the James fanatic, actually helped me out a lot with James' morning, so I dedicate this to her. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.


Chapter 2

The Diamond Diaries

"Get out of the bathroom!" She screamed through the door.

"I'm not done yet!" He screamed back.

"It doesn't take 20 minutes to brush your teeth!" She said.

"But mom!" He whined.

"If you're not at the breakfast table in 5 minutes I will break this door down!" She threatened.

He let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine!" He whined, and he heard the footsteps of his mother finally leaving. He turned back to the mirror and combed through his hair one more time, then once he was finally satisfied he set the comb down on the sink. Using both hands, he pointed at his reflection, making guns shapes and clicking with his mouth as he moved his thumbs up and down, then he finally exited the bathroom and went downstairs.

His mom was on her cellphone while cooking breakfast when he entered the kitchen and sat down. She set a plate of eggs and toast in front of him while talking on the phone, then went to the fridge. He watched as she held the phone in the crook of her shoulder while pouring a glass of orange juice, then she set the juice on the table and finally hung the phone up with her free hand. She sighed in frustration as she rubbed a hand over her eyes, then turned to her son and offered him a small smile.

"Well look who finally decided to come out of the bathroom." She joked. "I was worried I'd have to send a search party in there."

"Hey, perfection takes time." The 8-year-old stated simply as he mouthed a fork-full of eggs.

She sat down beside him and smiled, brushing a hand across his face. "Well you don't need that much time honey." She said with pride. That earned a big grin with puffed up cheeks as he smiled with his mouth full, which made her own smile grow.

"Hey Brooke have you seen my comb anywhere?" His dad said as he entered the kitchen.

Mrs. Diamond shot her son a look which caused him to duck his head guiltily. "James." She said sternly.

"Sorry dad." He said in a small voice.

"Aaah that's alright son, I guess we'll just have to get you your own next time we're out won't we?" He said as he sat down at the table. James looked up and beamed, nodding his head.

Mrs. Diamond got up and put a full plate in front of her husband. "Listen, something just came up at work. Do you think you could take care of him for the day?" She asked him.

He rolled his eyes and sighed in agrivation. "I thought this was your day off! I have something to do today!"

"I know I know, and I would take him with me, but remember the last time I took him to work?"

Mr. Diamond looked up thoughtfully, then shivered at the memory. "It took a month to get all of that facial cream out of your office carpet."

"So you see why I can't take him?"

"Well I can't take him! I have that thing. . . . .With a buddy." He said hesitantly.

"What could possibly be so important that you can't take care of your son for one day?" She asked irritated.

James just sat in silence eating his breakfast, as his parents' patience kept wearing thinner and thinner. Unfortunately, he was quite accustomed to his parents fighting. To James, this was just a typical morning.

"Come on, this is really important!" Mr. Diamond pleaded.

"It's always 'really important'! But you never tell me what it is! Where are you half the time and what are you doing that is so important?"

"It's none of your business!"

"None of my business? I'm your wife! How could you say it's none of my business?" She screamed at her husband.

Their voices kept raising higher and higher. James couldn't take it anymore, he brought his knees up to his chest and covered his ears, trying to block them out. Tears made their way down his cheeks and he squeezed his eyes shut sniffling.

Mr. and Mrs. Diamond finally realized what they were doing, and they turned to find their son crying quietly in his chair. Mr. Diamond let out a heavy sigh. "Alright. I'll take him with me." He said quietly. Mrs. Diamond nodded and watched guiltily as her husband walked over and kneeled down to James. He placed a hand on his knee and James flinched, finally opening his eyes. "Hey buddy, you wanna come to the pond with me?" He asked in a soft voice.

James sniffled, then wiped an arm over his eyes and nodded. Then he fell into his fathers' arms, and his mother came over and kissed him on the forehead. "Why don't you go grab your skates?" She said in a gentle voice.

James nodded and ran off, leaving his parents in the kitchen. Mr. and Mrs. Diamond shared a guilty look, then Mrs. Diamond got ready for work while Mr. Diamond got ready to take James to the pond.


James was anxious to get to the pond, and away from the terrible morning. He needed something to distract him, something to help him pretend it never happened. Plus he always loved skating, and he wasn't that bad at it either. He knew how to balance, and steer, and he could last longer then 10 minutes without falling. The only thing he didn't like about skating was the helmet hair. It could take hours, sometimes days, to get his hair to its previous perfection after wearing a helmet for two hours. But for the ice, it was worth it.

When they reached the pond, James noticed two other kids on the ice. He sat down and started putting on his skates, then grabbed his helmet. James grimaced at the infernal head gear. In his opinion, anything that is designed to go on top of the hair should be burned at the stake. . .With the exception of Bandanas. Bandanas are cool. But he supposed it was better to have a little helmet hair then to have brain damage from hitting your head too hard on the ice or something.

He reluctantly clicked it on, when he noticed that his dad seemed to be looking for someone. He was helping James tie his laces quite anxiously, when he seemed to spot someone near the tree behind James and he nodded to them. "You ready to go?" Mr. Diamond asked, almost impatiently. James nodded and his dad helped him up and to the ice. "Alright kiddo, have fun." He said and gave him a light push onto the ice before speedily walking over to the tree. When James looked back he saw his dad talking to a young woman. He had never seen her before, so he figured it was someone from his dad's work.

James shrugged the previously awkward moment off and skated forward. He skated slow at first, then once he was comfortable, picked up his speed. He experimentally started swaying back and forth, turning his skates to the left, then to the right. Then he started turning, making a full circle. He was finally comfortable enough to look up and observe the ice fully. One kid was at the very far end of the pond skating what looked like really fast laps in the tiny space, and another was near the middle skating sloppy figure eights. When James looked behind him he saw another boy getting on the ice with his dad. The big icey pond was getting smaller and smaller with all these people on it.

James looked back down and watched his feet as he skated more circles in his own little area. He wasn't really paying attention to what he was doing and his circles were getting bigger and bigger. Suddenly, 'BAM!' He and the boy in the middle of the pond collided full force into each other and fell flat bottom on the ground.

"Ow! Hey watch where you're going!" James yelled holding his helmet covered head.

"You watch where you're going!" The other boy shot back, in the same position. They glared at each other for a second, but another yell broke their stare and they turned to the source, eyes widening.

"INCOMING!"


Author's note: Yes, Mr. Diamond is cheating on his wife. But it's canon! You can't blame me! Poor James is all cute and niave. X3