I'd like to thank annabellex2, AkireAlev, SuperNeos2, HendersonLover6185, simpLEEreading, DeniseDEMD, rainy dayz and silver dreams, Kameslover3, 4ever with Kames, LoveSparkle, Kendaliosis, winterschild11, Mystery Girl 911, beckyyy, CUTE CARGAN LOVE, jamesmaslowlover, logiebears, and Chey21 for your lovely review. I would also like to thank everyone who faved and alerted this as well.
Chapter 2: The Meeting
James sighed as he looked down at his watch. He was going to pick Annabel up from school today. He was going to talk to her teacher, Mr. Knight, about her. He didn't know what he was going to say just yet, but he knew he was going to have to explain how Annabel was a good kid, just a little misunderstood. Most of her class mates thought it was weird how she wanted a mom.
"Diamond!"
James looked up and saw his boss Wally Dooley walking over to him. James groaned. Wally Dooley was a walking lawsuit. He was a pervert and harassed James on almost a daily basis. This was not what James needed right now. He was almost done with his work and he was about ready to leave. He had to pick up Annabel soon.
"Sir," James said looking up at his boss. He knew if he stood up Wally would start checking him out. James didn't what that.
"My secretary is going on maternity leave in a few weeks and I was wondering if you'd be available to temp for her since your done here next week," Wally said. James cringed in his mind and screamed no in his head.
"Yeah," James said. Sure Wally was creepy, but James needed the money. He had to suck it up and work. He needed to bring in a paycheck somehow to keep him and Annabel afloat.
"Great, I'll let the temp agency know to give you a call," Wally said with a creepy smile that James's stomach turn in knots. Wally turned to leave.
"Sir," James said standing up. Wally turned to face James. "I have to pick my daughter up at school, is ok if I take off a little early to get her," he asked.
"Daughter?" Wally asked shocked.
"Yes, my daughter, her teacher wants to talk to me and I can't reschedule again," James said.
"Go ahead, as long as you're done with your paper work," Wally said.
"I am," James confirmed. Wally just waved him off and James gathered his things. He left the office building and headed to his car. He knew working for Wally as he personal secretary wasn't a good idea, but it was better than going to another company and learning a new job.
-I Want a Mom-
Kendall was sitting at his desk while Annabel and Harrison were sitting together talking to one another. Kendall was watching Harrison again, not that he minded, and Annabel had to wait here for her dad. He was coming into to talk to Kendall.
Kendall looked up as he heard the clack of high heels. He saw his colleague Jo Taylor walked into the room. Jo was the school's art teacher. Jo was also an old friend of Kendall's. He had met her in high school and they had even gone to college together. Jo had stayed in Sherwood and Kendall was getting to know her again as they worked together.
"Kendall, I need to talk to you…oh," Jo said trailing off as she saw Harrison and Annabel sitting in the room.
"Hey Miss Taylor," the two eight year olds chimed.
"Hi guys," Jo said smiling at them, "what are you doing here?" she asked.
"Kendall's gotta watch me cause my dad is working again," Harrison said. Harrison knew Jo pretty well since she was friends with both Kendall and Logan now that they had moved back home to Sherwood.
"I'm waiting for my dad to pick me up," Annabel said.
"Did you guys have fun in class today?" Jo asked. She had had the kids for art today. Both kids nodded their heads. Jo smiled at them. "Well I'm here to talk to Mr. Knight," she said to them. The two kids nodded their heads and Jo walked over to Kendall.
"What's up," Kendall asked her in a low voice as the two kids talked to one another.
"It's about Annabel, she got into a fight with Max again, something has to be done," Jo said lowly.
"Did Max start in or her again?" Kendall asked lowly.
"He did, but this has got to stop," Jo said shaking her head.
"Well Annabel's dad is coming in and I'm going to talk to him and I'll have to talk to Max's parents as well," Kendall said looking over at the two kids. They were oblivious to the two adults. There was a knock at the door and Kendall looked past Jo and saw a stunningly handsome brunette man standing there. He was tall and had the most perfect face Kendall had ever seen. His hazel eyes were to die for. Kendall was torn from his thoughts when Annabel shouted, daddy, and then jumped up to hug him.
"I take it you must be Mr. Diamond," Kendall said standing up. He couldn't take his eyes off this man. He was gorgeous. Kendall was shocked that this man was Annabel's father. He couldn't be any older than twenty three. He looked a bit young to be the father of a eight year old. He looked way too young and hot to be a dad. Kendall couldn't take his eyes off him either.
"Mr. Diamond is my dad, my name is James," James said giving the two a charming smile. Kendall fought the urge to laugh and nodded his head instead with a smile tugging at his lips.
"Well I'm Mr. Knight and this is my colleague Miss Taylor she's the kids art teacher," Kendall said introducing the two. He finally tore his eyes off James and looked at Jo who looked a bit awestruck too.
"Nice to meet you," James said politely as he shook both their hands.
"You wanted to talk," Kendall asked his eyes on James once more. James looked down at Annabel and hen to Harrison.
"Annabel, Harrison, why don't we got for a walk and we can get the paintings you made in class today. They should be dry by now," Jo said catching on to what the brunette wanted, "if it's ok with your dad," she added to Annabel.
"Can I dad? I made a really good picture," Annabel said excitedly.
"Ok," James said hugging Annabel with one arm. Jo walked over to her and Harrison. They both followed her out of the room. Once they were gone James turned to Kendall. "Annabel's a great kid really, she's just a little different," he said.
"I've noticed, she's a remarkable student when she's not mad," Kendall said nodding his head.
"I know and we're working on her temper, but she doesn't explode unless she's pushed. I've been trying to teach her other ways to deal with her anger, but she's always complaining about this kid Max," James said.
"Max Stetson he's another student of mine," Kendall said nodding his head. He looked at James and couldn't help but think this man was too young to have an eight year old daughter. He couldn't get the thought out of his head. "I'm sorry but if you don't mind my asking but aren't you a little young-" Kendall started.
"To have an eight year old daughter?" James finished for him. Kendall blushed and nodded his head. James obviously got this question a lot. "Annabel was born when I was sixteen, her mother didn't want her so I was left to raise her," he said.
"So that makes you twenty four?" Kendall asked shocked. He was right though. James was too young to have a daughter.
"Good to see my daughter's teacher is smart," James joked.
"Sorry, but I wanted to talk about what Annabel did for an assignment yesterday," Kendall said blushing embarrassed.
"She brought up the mom thing," James asked knowingly.
"I take this has happened before?" Kendall asked curiously.
"Last year she did the same thing," James sighed.
"Well this is my first year here at Sherwood Elementary, but I just want to make sure Annabel is safe," Kendall said not realizing his mistake at first. "Not that I'm implying anything," he added quickly.
"I know, she always does this though. I'm used to it," James said holding his hand up. "like I said her mother didn't want her and she left. Her parents moved her out of town and she hasn't attempted to make contact. Annabel doesn't quite understand why she doesn't have a mom. I've tried explaining, but she hates that she doesn't have a mom and wants one so bad. She's not scared to admit it either," James said.
"Wow, I didn't know," Kendall said shocked by this tidbit of information.
"Yeah, I've tried my best with her and I'm not the worlds best father, but I'm doing what I can with what I've got," James said.
"You seem to be doing a good job with her," Kendall said nodding his head.
"Thanks," James said smiling. "If you don't mind my asking who was the boy that was here?" he asked.
"That's my friends son, I watch him some days after school while he's working," Kendall said. "I don't have a son, but it not for lack of trying, but finding the right person is hard," he said. James nodded his head in agreement.
"Person?" James asked curiously. Kendall opened his mouth to reply but stopped.
Voices were heard approaching the room. James turned around as Annabel, Harrison, and Jo walked into the room. Annabel and Harrison were holding big paintings. Jo also had a stack in her hands.
"Dad, look what I made," Annabel said holding out her painting to James. James turned to her and crouch down to look at the painting. In her hands was a big painting of random colors in a big swirl. "It's abstruck," Annabel said smiling.
"Abstract," Jo corrected her.
"Abstract," Annabel said as if she hadn't made a mistake.
"Well I love it," James said smiling at his daughter. "It seems to big for the fridge but maybe we can make some room in the living room for it. Maybe we can move that tacky picture Carlos put up finally," James said.
"No, I like that, Carlos said it's a classic," Annabel protested.
"You don't even know what that means," James said shaking his head. Annabel just pouted. "fine we'll leave the stupid tacky poker dogs up now get your bag we have get going," he said to her. Annabel put her jacket on and grabbed her backpack. "Say good bye Annabel," he said.
"Bye," Annabel said to the other three in the room.
"It was nice meeting you Mr. Knight, but Annabel and I have to go," James said.
"Yeah, it was nice meeting you James," Kendall said nodding his head with a smile. James and Annabel left and Jo looked at Kendall. "What?" he asked her.
"Oh my god no," Jo said.
"No," Kendall said shaking his head. He knew what Jo was going to ask and he didn't want her talking about it in front of Harrison. He looked at Harrison who looked confused at the two adults. "Never, now are those the rest of the classes paintings?" he asked.
"Yep they've all got names on the back and are you sure?" Jo asked.
"I am sure, I would never do that," Kendall said.
"I thought…" Jo trailed off.
"Not anymore, now don't you have something to take care of?" Kendall asked. Jo just laughed and nodded her head.
"This conversation isn't over," Jo warned.
"It so is now leave I've got work to do," Kendall said.
"Bye Harrison," Jo said smiling at the young confused boy.
"Bye, Miss Taylor," Harrison said.
"After schools over you can call me Jo," Jo said smiling. Jo was friends with Kendall and Logan and visited often enough, but Harrison still called her Miss Taylor.
"Are you kidding it took me forever to get the brat calling me Kendall again after I became his teacher," Kendall said.
"Ok Jo," Harrison said with a grin.
"Brat," Kendall said glaring at the boy and Jo laughed again and left.
-I Want a Mom-
Logan was leaning against the wall in the staff lounge. He had his cell phone pressed to his ear and was smiling. He was talking to Carlos Garcia, a man he had met the other night in the ER when he came in with a slight concussion and no memory of how he got it. He had made Logan laugh and Logan being daring had given him his number. They had had a date the next day. And now, Carlos had called Logan again.
Logan looked around the food court nervously. He was supposed to meet Carlos here for their date. He wasn't sure what to expect. Carlos had come into the ER last night with a concussion and no memory of how he got it. He had also had lots of stories for Logan that made the young doctor believe last night wasn't Carlos' first night in the ER, that and he knew a few nurses by their first names.
"Looking for someone?"
Logan turned and saw Carlos standing there with a smile on his face.
"Nah, just this guy I met last night," Logan said playfully. Carlos laughed and walked over to the brunette.
"Well I'm looking for this really hot doctor I met last night," Carlos said. Logan laughed and shook his head.
"So, what are the plans?" Logan asked.
"A surprise," Carlos said. He grabbed Logan's hand and pulled him to his feet. "Did you drive here?" Carlos asked.
"Uh, no a friend needed to borrow my car I had to take the bus," Logan said blushing.
"Great," Carlos said smiling. He pulled Logan to the exit.
"Wait we're leaving the mall?" Logan asked shocked.
"Yeah, got a problem with that doc?" Carlos asked looking over his shoulder at Logan. Logan was speechless. This was so random and spontaneous. He shook his head and Carlos continued to drag him from the mall.
Once Carlos had gotten Logan into his car and started driving did Carlos reveal he had no idea what he was doing. They ended up at the small lakeside boardwalk that was getting ready for Christmas. There were lights and the small booths that had Christmas-y things. The lake was starting to freeze over finally and soon there would be a skating rink. They decided to walk around a bit since it wasn't too cold, but it wasn't warm either. They ended up in a small café drinking hot chocolate and talking about anything that came to mind.
The only thing Logan didn't talk about last night, was his son Harrison. He wasn't sure how to bring that up to the Latino without freaking him out. There was already a four year age difference between them, he didn't need to give Carlos another reason to not want to date him. He really liked Carlos and Harrison was weird about him going on out dates. He had to plan this carefully and get Harrison used to the idea of him dating. That would only happen when he was ready to tell the Latino, which had to be soon if he didn't want to scare him away.
"I had fun last night too," Logan said smiling as he thought about it.
"So, I know this may seem a bit soon but would you like to go out again sometime?" Carlos asked.
"Normally I'd say this was soon, but with you things are different," Logan said laughing.
"We have only been on one date," Carlos reminded the doctor.
"I know, crazy right," Logan said smiling despite the fact that Carlos couldn't see him.
"Yeah," Carlos said, "so I was thinking maybe this time we could go to a movie or maybe dinner," he said.
"That sounds nice, but I don't get another free day until the weekend," Logan said. It wasn't a complete lie. He had the day off tomorrow, but he had promised Harrison they would do something together. Harrison was looking forward to spending the afternoon with him after school.
"Great, Saturday then I'll pick you up for our date," Carlos said. Logan didn't need to see the Latino to know that he was grinning. He hadn't know him that long, but Logan could just tell.
"Gonna tell me where we're going this time?" Logan asked curiously.
"Just dinner and a movie this time and nothing to fancy," Carlos said.
"Alright, I'll text you my address later," Logan said.
"I dropped you off last night," Carlos said.
"That was at a friends so I could get my car back," Logan reminded the Latino. It wasn't a lie he had gotten down to his car with Harrison when he remembered the blonde had his car keys and had to go get them. He only lived two blocks away anyways.
"Oh yeah, so just send me the address and I'll be there to pick you up," Carlos said.
"Yeah, I will," Logan said, "As much as I'd love to continue talking I have to get back to work," he said sadly.
"Oh right, go save lives," Carlos said with s chuckle. "I'll see you Saturday," he said.
"If you don't end up in the ER again," Logan teased.
"Don't you'll jinx me," Carlos joked.
"Bye Carlos," Logan said laughing.
"Bye Logan," Carlos said.
Logan hung up and pocketed his phone. He remained in the staff lounge a moment longer, thinking about Carlos and how he would react to Harrison. Most people Logan dated did not like that he had a son. They all thought he was too young to have a kid and usually dumped him, or they thought Harrison was annoying since he got clingy when Logan tried to date.
Logan sighed and shook his head. He would cross that bridge when he got there. Right now he had other things to worry about. Logan pushed himself off the wall and started back to work.
-I Want a Mom-
James made his way into Garcia's Diner. It was a diner that was own by Sylvia Garcia and where Carlos worked as a waiter. James needed to talk to Carlos. He had just dropped Annabel off at his mothers and raced over here.
James spotted his best friend behind the counter looking around the barely filled diner. He had a glass of soda in his hand. James knew once the dinner rush kicked in this place would be filled so he had to hurry. James walked up to the counter and sat down on a stool. Carlos looked up at him and walked over to him.
"Sup dude," Carlos asked.
"I met Annabel's teacher today," James said.
"What did he say? Was he an ass," Carlos asked.
"He just wanted to know more about Annabel and how to help her, but that's not what I want to talk about," James said quickly.
"What then?" Carlos asked confused.
"Her teacher is Kendall Knight," James said.
"Holy shit really?" Carlos asked his drink slipping out of his hand in shock.
"Would I lie?" James asked.
"The Kendall Knight, the guys you spend our entire freshman year pining after?" Carlos asked grabbing a rag to clean up the mess he made.
"Yes, the same Kendall Knight, I swear to god it's him. I know those eyes," James said dreamily.
"Wow it's a small world after all," Carlos laughed.
"I know, and I was trying hard not to freak out. I don't even think he knew who I was though," James said.
"Doesn't surprise me, he never paid attention to you in high school," Carlos said.
"I know, but he seemed interested today, I mean I think he was checking me out," James said with a smile.
"I don't know why, I mean you're not like the hottest guy around," Carlos said sarcastically. "I mean how do you find time to stay in shape with work and watching Annabel," he asked.
"Annabel is a work out. She's a hyper kid and when she throws her fits I have to pick her up and take her to bed, that's a workout in it's own since she's getting bigger," James said.
"True," Carlos said nodding his head in agreement.
"Oh god, Kendall is as hot as he was back then," James sighed letting his chin rest on his hand.
"No, don't go there he's Annabel's teacher," Carlos said.
"Boo, this sucks, he's back and I can't even flirt now," James said making a face.
"Don't even try, Annabel will think it's weird if you try to date her teacher and he's like what twenty eight now," Carlos said.
"I'm twenty four, it's not that big of a deal," James said.
"It was when he was eighteen and you were fourteen," Carlos said.
"That was then this is now. We are both adults and I can flirt if I want. Nothing will come of it, but I now have something to look forward to with parent teacher conferences," James said cockily.
"Dude, don't," Carlos said.
"It's just harmless flirting, like he'd ever date a student's parent. Besides I'll never really see him outside of school since I'm an office temp, oh but he might see me at Sherwood's Grocery," James said thoughtfully.
"Tell me you didn't," Carlos said.
"Annabel needs new clothes and I am not going to ask my mom for money, she talks down to me for weeks after I do," James said shaking his head.
"James you're spreading yourself too thin," Carlos warned him.
"I am not, it's only weekends, Friday nights to Monday nights," James said waving his hand.
"Who's gonna watch Annabel?" Carlos asked.
"My mom," James said.
"Dude you know I'm free on weekend nights," Carlos said.
"No Carlos, you do enough already," James said shaking his head.
"Dude let me help," Carlos said.
"Fine, some nights you can watch her too," James sighed.
James hated that Carlos gave up so much time to watch Annabel. He was keeping the Latino from living his life. Carlos was often busy looking after Annabel for him he didn't get out much. James felt bad for asking the Latino so he rarely asked, unless it was an emergency. Carlos usually offered his services to watch Annabel and wouldn't take money either since they were bros.
-I Want a Mom-
Kendall was sitting in his apartment alone. Spot was in the other room sleeping like the lazy dog he was and Kendall had some lesson plans to work on. He wasn't able to focus on them though. He was thinking about his encounter with James. Even a day later the brunette was still on his mind.
They hadn't talked long, but Kendall didn't know what it was about him. He was thinking about the way he walked into the room almost as if he had owned it. He had seemed so confident, yet at the same time he seemed vulnerable. James did seem to really care about Annabel too.
James was a unique. Kendall didn't know many guys that would take in their daughter on their own, especially when they were sixteen. His high school years had to be rough. Kendall wasn't sure how having a kid in high school was, but he knew how it was in college. Harrison had been born when he and Logan were twenty. He had helped Logan raise Harrison all throughout the rest of his college years and Logan's med school. Kendall and Logan had often been at one another's apartment all through college. It was almost as if they had date except they didn't have sex or even kiss. Raising Harrison had been hard, but that was college where the hours were a bit flexible. High school had to have been harder.
There was just something about James though. Kendall felt like he should know him from somewhere. He wasn't sure where though. The last name Diamond did not ring a bell in his head. James did live in Sherwood though, possible his whole life. He was twenty four, so maybe they had gone to school together. Kendall wasn't sure though. He didn't know if James had lived to Sherwood before Annabel was born or after.
A loud insistent knock at the door brought Kendall from his thoughts. He looked over at the door shocked and then to the clock on his wall. It was almost five, he wasn't sure who it could be at his door. Kendall sighed and pushed his lesson plans aside and walked to the door. He opened it and saw Logan and Harrison standing there.
"I thought today was your day with him," Kendall teased. He often joked that He and Logan were like an old divorced couple the way they traded Harrison off.
"Ha ha, very funny," Logan said, "Harrison wanted to go to the park and I told him he needed his inhaler and we can't find it. He said the last place he used it was here yesterday," Logan said.
"Right, come in," Kendall said nodding his head. Harrison ran into the apartment and straight to the extra bedroom where he had been playing yesterday. Kendall knew it was probably in there.
"Sorry to just barge in," Logan said looking to where his son had run off to.
"It's ok Logan," Kendall said smiling at him. "So am I watching him on Saturday then?" Kendall asked with a smile.
"If you don't mind," Logan said.
"I don't mind the kids fun to have around, but you might want to look into getting him a backup inhaler since he always seems to lose it," Kendall said.
"I just might have to," Logan said nodding his head. "So what were you doing before we barged in?" Logan asked curiously.
"Just working on some lesson plans," Kendall said.
"Spot no!"
Kendall and Logan shared a look before heading to the bedroom where Harrison was having a tug of war with Spot over the sleeve of his hoodie.
"Why did you take you jacket off?" Logan asked as he walked over to Harrison and Kendall to his dog. Kendall swatted Spot on the nose. Spot released the sweater and Harrison turned to Logan.
"I took if off so I could get under the bed and grab my inhaler," Harrison stated as he held the small object up for Logan to see.
"You have to keep that in your pocket Harrison, it could be the difference between life and death," Logan said.
"I know dad, it falls out of my pocket, I'm sorry," Harrison said.
"That's ok, but just keep an eye on it more, next time you might not find it. Now, put your jacket on and let's get going," Logan said smiling at his son. Harrison nodded and grabbed his jacket from the bed where he had thrown it.
"Bye Kendall," Harrison said as he walked out the door.
"Bye Harry," Kendall said smiling at the boy. Logan said good bye to the blonde and told him to train his dog better and left. Kendall just laughed and picked Spot up.
-I Want a Mom-
Annabel laughed as she ran from the living room with James right behind her. James laughter and lifted her up. Annabel let out another laugh.
"Caught ya," James exclaimed as he swung his daughter up.
"Dad," Annabel cried in shock as James set her down and proceeded to tickle her. Annabel started to laugh once more. Soon the two were on the floor laughing and panting trying to catch their breath.
"Read for bed Bel?" James asked.
"No," Annabel said shaking her head.
"Ok, would you at least like some warm milk, all that laughing must've made you thirsty," James said looking at her. Annabel thought for a moment and nodded her head. James led her to the kitchen and got her a glass of milk and one for himself. They sat down together.
Once they finished James managed to talk Annabel into a bath with the promise that she didn't need to go to bed after. Annabel took her bath and James saw that she was getting tired but didn't want to admit it. He got her dressed in her pajamas and they both sat down on the bed. James grabbed Cinderella and started reading to her. By the time he finished reading Annabel was yawning and half asleep. James tucked her in.
"Night Anna-bear," James whispered.
"Night dad, love you," Annabel mumbled.
"Love you too," James said pressing a kiss to her forehead.
James made his way to her lamp and turned it on and then turned the light off. He left the room with a smile. He knew it was moments like these that made parenting worth it. These sweet little moments where he and Annabel were happy. Just knowing that Annabel was happy warmed his heart.
He left her room and made his way to his bedroom. It was only nine o'clock, but he was tired. He loved his daughter, but she was a handful. He climbed into bed thinking about Kendall and his meeting with him the yesterday.
He hadn't been able to get the blonde out of his head ever since he had seen him again. Back in high school when he was just a freshman Kendall had been a senior. He had been hot then and James had had the biggest crush on him. Time had only helped the blonde. He was still hot and James' old crush had sparked again. He had managed to keep his composure though.
James sighed and tried to get his brain to calm down like his body, but his mind was racing with thoughts of the blonde and most of them weren't innocent at all. A lot of them involved student teacher situations that weren't meant for classrooms.
Wow the response to this was so unexpected. I wasn't sure if this was a good idea, but you all seem to like it. So to show my gratitude I made you all an big chapter with some surprises. This is only the beginning. As the story progresses we will find out what happened to Harrison's mom as well. So yeah, I hope you all liked this.
Always
OUTOFMYMIND