Stacie Conrad sat on the bench keeping a close eye on her two and half year old daughter Bella. She let out a small laugh as she watched the young toddler playing in the sandbox, thinking that she was going to be taking half the sandbox home with them.

Stacie's attention was diverted for a moment when an African American woman sat on the bench. She was taking the jacket off of a what Stacie guessed to be three-year-old boy. He skin was a beautiful caramel color and he looked a bit like the woman so she assumed she was his mother.

"Okay, little dude," the woman said. "What are the rules?"

"No hittin'," the little boy said. "And no sand go home 'cause mama ain't got time, um,-"

"To vacuum," the woman finished for him causing Stacie to smile.

"Right," the boy said. "Mama ain't got time to va-va-come."

"Close enough," the woman said with a small laugh. "Go have fun. I'll be right here."

"Kay," the little boy said and ran off to the sandbox.

He was running too fast to stop himself and he tripped over the edge of the sandbox causing him to fall into Bella and knocking her down. Both kids started to cry and the two women jumped off the bench to rush over to them.

"You're okay, Bella," Stacie said picking up the crying girl and hugging her to the chest.

"He sca-scareded me," Bella hiccoughed.

"I know, baby," Stacie said. "But he didn't mean to. It was an accident."

"You're okay, Jackson," the other woman said as the little boy looked down at his leg and continued to cry. "You have a little scrape but you're fine."

"It hurts," the little boy cried.

"I have some wipes if you want to clean it," Stacie offered the other woman.

"Thank you," the woman said. "That would be helpful."

The two women carried the two children back to the bench. Bella had stopped crying now. Stacie set her down and grabbed her bag. She pulled out the wipes and handed them to the woman.

"It might sting," Stacie whispered to the woman. "Just an FYI."

"Thanks," the woman said. "I"m Cynthia Rose, by the way. My friends just call me Cynthia."

"I'm Stacie Conrad," Stacie said.

"I Bella," Bella piped up.

"Nice to meet you, Bella," Cynthia said. "This is Jackson."

"Hi," Bella said and waved.

Jackson didn't say anything but he did wave back at Bella. Cynthia finished cleaning his scrape and put a band-aid over it.

"There you go, Jax," Cynthia said. "Good as new."

"Hey, Jackson," Stacie said. "How would you and your mom like to join us for ice cream? Our treat because you were such a brave boy while your mama fixed your boo-boo."

"Yay, ice cweam," Bella screamed.

"Can we, mama?," Jackson asked.

"How can I say no?," Cynthia mumbled. Stace heard her and let out a small laugh. "No, seriously. How can I say no? He's already hyper and I have an interview tonight. I can't leave him with my mom all hyped up on sugar."

"I'll watch him for you," Stacie said without thinking. Cynthia looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Okay, here me out. I know you just met me but I can give you references and signed affidavits that I'm a good person."

"I don't know," Cynthia said. "I'm just starting this job. I don't think the people I'm trying to work with will like it if I have to leave to take care of my sugar laden son."

"Okay, maybe another time," Stacie said sadly. "Sorry, Bella. Jackson and Miss Cynthia can't get ice cream with us."

Bella's lower lip puffed out and her eyes teared up and got big. "But I love him."

"Oh, my God," Cynthia said. "Please put the pout away. We'll go."

"Yay," Bella and Jackson yelled.

"I knew you were a goner as soon as she pulled out the pout," Stacie said with a laugh.

They were sitting in the ice cream parlor chatting while the kids were enjoying their treats. Bella did something that made Jackson roll his eyes. Stacie laughed.

"Oh, my gosh," Stacie said. "He's like a mini Beca. He's got the plaid shirt, the eye roll. Throw a big pair of headphones around his neck and he'd be her."

"Beca?," Cynthia said.

"Oh, my best friend, Beca Mitchell," Stacie said.

"Beca Mitchell?," Cynthia asked voice higher than normal. "Beca Mitchell as in music producer Beca Mitchell from Titanium Studios."

"I'm guessing you've heard of her?," Stacie said.

"Heard of her?," Cynthia said looking a little sick. "She's my new boss. I mean, I'm hoping she'll be my new boss."

"Wait," Stacie said sitting up. "You said your name was Cynthia Rose. CR, like in CR Dean?"

"Yeah, that's me," Cynthia said.

"Oh, my God," Stacie squealed. "Beca has been talking about you nonstop since she heard your demo. She loves your sound and is really into your rap. Wait until I tell her I met you before she did."

Stacie pulls out her phone and dials Beca.

"What's up, Stace?," Beca said as she answered the phone.

"You'll never guess who I'm having ice cream with right now," Stacie said.

"Stace, I don't have time for games," Beca said. "Just tell me so I can act all impressed and get back to work."

"CR Dean," Stacie said.

"What the fuck, dude?," Beca screamed into the phone. "How did you meet her? And before I did."

"She has a son and Bella and I met them at the park," Stacie said with a smug smile.

"Put me on speaker," Beca ordered.

"Say please," Stacie said.

"Please," Beca said. Stacie put the call on speaker. "CR? Dude, your demo blew my mind. I know you're coming in tonight to talk but I have to tell you I am ready to sign you like yesterday."

"Are you serious?," Cynthia asked.

"Absolutely," Beca said. "Look, why don't you spend some time with your son and come by the studio tomorrow morning. We can sign you and then I can get you into the booth. I really want to hear you in person."

"Wow, Miss Mitchell, I don't know what to say," Cynthia said feeling somewhat overwhelmed.

"First, call me Beca," Beca said. "And second, just say yes."

"I, um, I'll need to make sure my mom can take Jackson," Cynthia said hesitantly.

"I told you I'll watch him for you," Stacie said.

"Dude, you couldn't find a better babysitter than Stacie," Beca said. "How about this. Stace, can you bring Bella to the studio tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Stacie said. "I don't have anything planned."

"Cool," Beca said. "CR, why don't you bring little CR-"

"Jackson," Cynthia said interrupting.

"Sorry," Beca said. "Jackson. Why don't you bring Jackson with you, Stacie will bring Bella to visit and she can keep an eye on Jackson while we talk and work. We even have a day care that my girlfriend, Chloe, manages here at the studio, so there will be other kids for them to play with. They'll have a blast."

"Come on, Cynthia," Stacie said. "He'll be in the same building as you and I'll watch him like he's my own. And, Chloe is great with kids."

"Okay, okay," Cynthia said. "I know when I'm beat."

"Yes," Beca yells. "Be here by 9:30 tomorrow. I can't wait to meet you in person CR."

"Same, Miss-, um, Beca," Cynthia said.

"Give Chloe a hug for me and tell her I'll see her tomorrow," Stacie said before ending the call.

"Oh, my God," Cynthia said. "I was so worried about how Jackson and I were going to make it and I've already got a job offer. Thank you, Stacie." Cynthia pulled her into a hug and Stacie hugged her back.

"No thanks necessary," Stacie told her. She pulled back from the hug and the two women looked at each other. Cynthia finally cleared her throat.

"I'd better get Jackson home," Cynthia said. "Um, we'll see you ladies in the morning."

"See you in the morning," Stacie said. She watched and Jackson and Cynthia walked out of the ice cream shop. There was something about Cynthia that Stacie couldn't stop thinking about. She shook her and helped Bella clean her face before they also left the ice cream shop.

Six months later Stacie thinks back on that day. She and Cynthia became close really fast. After Cynthia signed with Beca's label, Stacie helped them find a nice apartment. Chloe insisted that Cynthia put Jackson in day care at the studio since Bella spent a lot of time there when Stacie was working. The two toddlers were best friends and did everything they could together.

Stacie wasn't complaining. It gave her a chance to get to know Cynthia better. They had quite a few nights when Cynthia came to pick Jackson up from Stacie's because when Cynthia stayed late in the studio to talk and get to know one another.

Stacie learned that Cynthia' and her wife, Denise, were high school sweethearts. Neither of their families approved of the marriage originally, but when they found out Denise was pregnant they changed their minds. Cynthia and Denise were ecstatic when they found out Denise was pregnant with Jackson. They had actually used Cynthia's brother as a donor so they could have biracial child that carried both their DNA. The pregnancy went well and Denise did everything she was supposed to. After Jackson was born, Denise had some complications and passed away when Jackson was only two days old. Cynthia fell apart and if it wasn't for her mother and father, she may have lost Jackson to child services. It took almost a year for Cynthia to pull herself together. She decided that she and Denise had always talked about Cynthia trying to break into the music scene. So, Cynthia started making demos and sending them to every studio she could find.

Beca had one of her people call Cynthia to come in to talk. Stacie said it was because Beca didn't want to fangirl on the phone. Beca said it was because she didn't want to get Cynthia's hopes up when the owner of the label called her.

Stacie started having strong feelings for Cynthia about three months ago. Stacie had just told Cynthia that Bella's father didn't want anything to do with her or Stacie and moved to Europe to avoid them. Cynthia got so angry Stacie thought she was going to get on a plane and track him down. She really didn't want to know what Cynthia might do to him in the event she actually found him.

It was Friday night and Jackson was spending the night at Stacie's. Cynthia hung around for a while having a beer with Stacie. Something they've been doing for the past few Fridays.

"Beca's really happy with the new raps I showed her this week," Cynthia said smiling. "She said she sang one for Chloe and-"

"Don't tell me," Stacie said. "I've know those two for like seven years and I know exactly what Beca rapping does to Chloe."

The both laugh and tap their bottles together before taking a drink. "Oh, you spilled some on your shirt," Stacie said leaning over and wiping at Cynthia's shirt.

Stacie looked at Cynthia and realized that their faces were extremely close. Stacie didn't move. She looked into Cynthia's eyes and licked her lips. She didn't even think about it, she leaned all the way into Cynthia and pressed her lips against hers. It was soft and sweet and really only lasted a few seconds when Stacie pulled back, eyes wide and a look of shock on her face.

"Oh, my God, Cynthia," Stacie said. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

Cynthia doesn't say anything. She puts her hand behind Stacie's head and gently pulls her toward her. When she doesn't meet with any resistance from Stacie, she propels herself forward and smashes their lips together. This time the kiss lasts until they need to come up for air.

They press their foreheads together and Stacie smiles. Cynthia smiles as well. "I haven't felt like this about anyone except Denise," Cynthia said. "And it scares the shit out of me."

"I'm scared, too," Stacie said. "But, I really like you Cynthia. I think we're worth taking a shot at."

"Are you asking me out, Miss Conrad?," Cynthia asked with a grin on her face.

"Is the answer yes?," Stacie asked playfully.

"Most definitely," Cynthia throws back at her.

"Then, yes, I'm asking you out on a date," Stacie said. "Just you and me. No kids. No worries. Just you and me, getting to know each other much, much better."

"I'd really like that," Cynthia said and pulls Stacie in for a kiss.