Chapter 2

"Mommy!" Gaby shrieked as the door opened welcoming her into her mother's apartment. She loved being in one. Martin had a house in suburbia--white picket fence and all--making Gaby like the nice change of pace the city had to offer. Sam smiled as her daughter rushed inside leaving her and Martin standing there at the doorway.

"You wanna come in?" Sam asked. It was usually just dropping her off, stating what time he was going to pick her up the next day, and then leaving. No talks when Gaby was there since their talks would either end with them fighting, or one of them making the mistake of leaning in and kissing the other.

"Yeah thanks," Martin replied following her inside the apartment. It seemed fairly clean and organized. He realized he hasn't been in there for about two months. Nothing much has changed though, Gabby's baby picture still held up on a big poster like thing on the wall of the hallway and random pictures were still posted on the bulletin on the counter.

"Why is daddy still here?" Gaby questioned.

"He and I are going to talk for a little while, could you go to your room and change into whatever clothes you want. We're going to Coney Island today."

"Really?!" Gaby asked her hazel eyes lightening up. She loves Coney Island, especially with her mom.

"Yes, now go!" Sam said playfully. When they heard the door shut sure that Gaby was out of earshot, Sam motioned Martin to join her on the couch. "What do you want to talk about?"

Martin looked up at her fidgeting with his hands not knowing how to say it. "I need a favor."

"Okay? What is it?"

"Could you take her her for the rest of the weekend?" Martin asked. "I know you're not on call."

"Okay sure," Sam agreed. "Can I ask why?"

"I have dates."

"Dates?" Sam clarified. She had always thought he was a one man woman type of guy, but things change. She knew that. Maybe more than anyone.

"Yeah, you know... Katrika from VC and Yesenia from NYPD?"

"Oh, well. Good luck with them," Sam said standing up and escorting him out. Martin nodded not knowing if she was being sarcastic or if she meant it. Not talking to her outside of work was really making him rusty on reading her. "Call me when you think you'd be able to pick her up or if she needs to stay here one more day."

"Okay, see you Sam."

"Bye Martin," Sam said closing that door. She lent on it taking a few breaths. Why was she acting so weird? He was dating, so what? She was, too.

"Mom?" Gaby asked walked over to her with a weird confused and disgusted face. "Are you wearing [ithat[/i to the park?" she asked eying her mother's clothing.

Sam shook her head with a smile remembering she was only in white short shorts and a a camisole. "No, let me just get changed and we'll go okay?"

"Okay." Gaby said sitting down on the sofa and reaching for the remote.

"Don't touch it Gaby. Don't you think your dad didn't tell me you're grounded."

"Ma," Gaby groaned looking around for some other source of entertainment. Seeing the gossip tabloid laid out on the coffee table, she sighed. That would have to do.

A few minutes later, Samantha emerged from her bedroom a book bag on her shoulder looking up at her daughter who was lost in the gossip column. "Are you bringing clothes?"

"What for?"

"Rides that get you wet."

"Could you pack me some mom? It's about Paris Hilton," Gaby asked showing her mother the colored animated picture of Paris Hilton in court.

"Alright, I don't wanna hear complaints about the clothes I picked though, okay?"

"That's not possible mom," Gaby said getting back into reading the tabloid. She shook her head knowing that if Martin found out about Gabriella reading tabloids and celebrity gossip magazines he would either tease her or blame her for another one of those "I don't like this color anymore" type thing making them re-do both her rooms in their respectable homes and the contents of her closet.

"Don't tell you're dad you were reading that, or we'll both get in trouble."

"I won't Mommy! I promise!"