Author's Notes

For those not paying attention to the time frame or incase you're wondering. It's been about 14 and a half months since Fox had last seen his friends, and Jamie is now 5 and a half months old.

With that note, here we go! Thanks!

Zythxx

X

Fox watched his other baby go off his driveway for a bit less then he had originally wanted, but this amount would suffice for now. He had a lot of memories into that car from when it was nothing but a scrap pile and Fox and James made it a rebuilding project for the two. But now he had other, more important matters to deal with. It ate up to much fuel anyway for someone his age to be able to drive all the time. His other baby was wiggling around in his arms looking for attention as she began to cry. Fox digged out the binkie from his shirt pocket and tucked it into Jamie's mouth as it quickly calmed her down and set her down into the stroller for the moment. He digged out his old cruiser hover board as he was preparing to go job hunting for the day and possibly try to check out some car lots for an older type vehicle whenever he would need the transportation.

"Good morning Fox." His babysitter had just arrived right on time like planned. Fara came up with a nice smile as she sent a nice wave to the vulpine, him returning the gesture as she walked on over toward the baby in the stroller. "Good morning you little cutie. You get more precious everyday."

"She's getting easier to control also, but she still likes to cry every so often."

"Of course she's just a little baby." Fara kissed the child's cheek as she raised her out of the stroller. "So for how long?"

"As long as you can I guess. I kind of did plan to be out nearly all day, do you mind?"

"Not at all. Actually would you mind if Krystal came over and watched the baby with me? We did have plans but I had to cancel and then she asked why and so I told her I was going to watch Jamie."

Fox thought about it for a moment, not because he didn't trust Krystal around with Jamie but because he hadn't seen her for the longest of time now. Over a year had passed since he last talked to her and he didn't know if it was the smartest move to let her see the baby before her own father.

"I suppose its okay. She's not mad right?"

"Oh not at all, she's actually pretty thrilled to meet the baby." Fara admitted as she bounced the baby off of her hip getting a better hold on her. Jamie looked from one teenager to the other back and forth as she wondered what was going on. But her sights landed on the vixen holding her now.

"Okay sure, when does she plan on coming over?"

Try right now. Fox heard an all too familiar voice pop into his head like usual or maybe not usual but usual for this particular teenager. Krystal came walking over rather quickly with a nice smile across her muzzle as she approached the two teens. Her eyes landed on the baby but first she had Fox to deal with. At first Fox expected she wanted a hug but was rather the opposite as she slapped him right across the face.

"That's for not talking to me at all, even ever since you came back." He looked back to the blue vixen as her paws were on her hips with a more annoyed look on her face. He wanted to rebuttal but then she wrapped her arms around him, "And that's for me finally getting to see you again."

"You have a strange way of doing things." Fox said as he rubbed the cheek that was slapped rather hard. It was obvious she hadn't change all this time. Krystal turned her attention to the kit flailing around in happiness as Fara pulled out the binkie so they could hear the audible laugh.

"And who's this little cutie?" Krystal leaned forward as she zoomed in on the baby's face. She was quite adorable and definitely had the looks of Fox, but she couldn't see too much of Jessie's face in the mixture.

"This is Jamie." Fara told her as the baby must have been real happy with Krystal's coming as she was exaggerating with her arms. It was a bit of a shock to the three as it seemed like Jamie wanted to be held by Krystal.

"I think she wants you to hold her." Fara handed the baby over to Krystal as she took hold of the kit. Jamie seemed to be quite infatuated with Krystal as she seemed all but to happy. She put on a smile for the baby but then she grabbed one of the bangs of her hair causing the baby to laugh and Krystal's smile to diminish.

"Hey well I need to get going thanks again you two." Fox put on his shades as he gave each of the vixens a goodbye hug and turned his attention to the baby in Krystal's care. "Be good for daddy's friends okay Jamie?" She only replied by hitting Fox in the head with the Arwing rattle and let out a happy laugh. "That's what I thought." The two vixens giggled at the baby's response as Fox stood back up. "Her foods up on the kitchen table and everything else you should need. If there's a problem just give me a call alright?"

"Fox she's 5 and a half month's old not like she's 3 and we would have a problem."

"Alright just saying. Thanks again I'll be back later today."

"Bye!" The two vixens's waved as Jamie's dad went on by on the hover board. The two headed toward the front door as Krystal shifted Jamie's position.

"So I got a funny story to tell you." Fara opened up the front door letting Krystal go first.

"Oh?"

"Yup, it has to do with Fox and his mom's breast milk."

X

The cool breeze felt good as Fox skated on into town. Although his body may have been there his mind was far from reality. Krystal seemed to be fine with his return along with Jamie being around. But how did everyone else feel? Fara did say that it was water under the bridge, Krystal knew that Fox was back but why didn't she ever stop to visit? Why hadn't any of them come to visit except for Fara? Did they all maybe feel as though it would be better to leave him alone since Jamie was around? Or was it something deeper then that…He could only help but to wonder as why his friends would believe it would be best to just let Fox be without anything so much as saying hello. But if his memory served him right, Fay was still a bit on the mad side, of all people she knew how to hold a grudge on someone. Maybe she had gotten to Bill and he refused to say hi, but then again they were next door neighbors and also long term friends going way back and so Fox found it strange how Bill hadn't came over to say hello either. Fara may have said that Katt was apart of those who felt like the past was the past, but Fox always remembered that she was kind of like Fay, that's how the two were great friends with one another. Perhaps she got to Falco and that excused those four. Now all that was left was Miyu…

"Miyu." Fox softly whispered to himself as the word of the lynx's name was lost in the wind. Miyu Alexis Lynx had been his friend since childhood, they had memories so old and sacred that only the two knew about and it would always keep that way. Was she really hurt that bad with what happened with Jessie? To be friends since childhood and for her to not even speak to him for over a year, it hurt him on the inside. But maybe Fox hurt her even more and she felt like she was either repaying the favor, or just couldn't face him now that the creation of Fox and Jessie would always be with him. Whatever the reason was that Miyu had chosen to stay away, Fox respected it. If he remembered correctly Miyu always had a good reason for whatever she did, he believed this was no different. But sooner or later she would have to talk to him, everyone else was coming to except him again and pretty soon she might find herself alone just as Fox was all that time.

He was so lost in thought he nearly passed his first stop, a small home style diner that needed a waiter or so. Fox collected his board and placed his shades up over his eyes as he walked on in. The smell of pancakes stacked three high and farm fresh eggs filled his nose as he walked on into the diner that was quite busy even for the morning period. He walked up to the front counter as a more elderly silver vixen was wiping the counter.

She stopped what she was doing as she saw Fox approaching her, "Well hello there honey, what can I do for you?" Fox digged out his resume as he placed it onto the counter.

"Good morning I'm Fox and I'd like to apply for your open position." He shook the elder's paw as he could tell she must have had rough years growing up during his age.

"Good morning to yourself, you seem to be a bit young to be working here. This is more of an elderly and family restaurant, not really what you kids are into these days."

"Well right now I'm in need of any work I can get a hold of."

"Alright then I'll get my husband. He handles all of these applications." The vixen disappeared leaving Fox alone for the time being. He looked around as the restaurant was definitely older style and had ornaments, decorations and pictures all over the place. It definitely suited the atmosphere of a family style eatery. The vixen came back with a canine probably the same species as Bill. He gave Fox a hard look as he picked up the application and Fox waited in uncomfortable silence.

"Fox McCloud huh?" He asked out loud, "So you're James McCloud's boy."

"Uhhhh yes I am."

"So Fox it says here you're only 17, I take it that means you're still in high school?"

"Yes I am but I currently don't go to school normally, I take online courses."

"And why's that?" Fox was a bit struck by the sudden question as he really didn't want to answer, but if it meant he would get the job then that's all that would matter he supposed. He looked over his shoulder as no one was paying attention to him, as he replied back in a quiet tone.

"Okay well I'm raising a kit on my own and my mates completely erased us out of the picture. The dad is raising the baby if you can believe that. So I don't go to normal school because I don't have time to."

"Oh I'm sorry to hear that."

"No please don't be sorry, I'd rather have it this way then for her to be raised by her mother." Fox admitted as he popped his knuckles. The canine looked toward his vixen wife as her eyes said the same thing.

"Where is your baby?"

"I have some friends babysitting right now as I plan to be out nearly all day if I don't find any jobs."

"Well you found one right here my boy." The canine extended his paw as Fox shook it generously, "Dane Rout, and this is my wife Tanya."

"Thank you very much I truly appreciate it."

"It's no trouble Fox, how soon can you start."

"I'll be in first thing tomorrow morning?"

"Sounds good then."

"Thank you." Fox turned around as he placed his shades back on and headed out the door. So far this morning was going great. Now all he needed was a second job and maybe find a junk car and things would look the brightest.

X

"Do you want to handle it?" Fara asked as that same foul stench filled the air. Krystal was currently holding the child so she must have smelt it twice as strong.

"Sure, my mom just gave birth to my baby brother about a month ago, so you can imagine I have some experience in these types of fields."

"I can imagine." Fara watched as Krystal went to work on Jamie. Disposing and then wiping and finally finishing with a brand new diaper. It was always tricky to get the tail to go through on the first try and not hurt the baby but she managed to do so. She raised Jamie up as the two smiled victoriously.

"That bad diaper didn't stand a chance huh Jamie?" Her only reply was a small laugh as Krystal tucked the baby away. "She's not as difficult to deal with then my own brother, he's such a pain."

"You should have seen her when I very first met her. According to Fox's parents and himself she would never stop crying."

"I guess she's not so bad now that she's a bit older, you know not in that newborn stage anymore." Krystal passed the baby onto Fara but she started to put on her bawling mood by the sound she was making. Fara quickly gave the baby back as she was returning to her old happy mood.

"I'm sorry I guess she just doesn't want to be held by anyone else whenever you're around."

"Oh it's fine." The three took a seat onto the couch as Krystal tucked a binkie into the kit's mouth. "Is that true Jamie? Do you only want to be held by me?" She tried to get a good response from the baby but only found a binkie shot into her eye. Perhaps that wasn't the smartest move to make as she made the baby incredibly happy. Fara took the baby for a slight moment as Krystal rubbed her eye. But they both quickly noticed that she wasn't crying like she had been before.

"Why isn't she crying now that I'm holding her?" The two tried to figure it out as Krystal felt Jamie's tiny grasp on her pant leg.

"Maybe since I'm right next to you she can still get around." Fara experiment as she let go of Jamie and set her down gently onto her lap. The child found her way crawling toward Krystal until she was completely resting on the vixen's lap letting out a happy laugh.

Krystal picked up the child as she sat in her lap, "I guess she just really likes me or something."

"Maybe it's because of your fur."

"My fur? On how it's blue?"

"Yea you know, maybe because Jamie sees it as very unique or something." Krystal let out a small smile but frowned on the inside. She would have liked to think Jamie had a deeper connection with her on more then just her fur color. She wanted to believe that at least, but then again maybe there was no other reason.

"Maybe." Just then someone bursted through the front door. Vixy found it as a surprise to see Krystal and Fara watching the baby as Fox was away.

"Oh hello there Krystal, it's nice to see you again after all this time honey. I can see you've met Jamie already."

"Nice to see you again to Vixy, and yes she's such a cutie." The three vixen's went to go meet with the kit's grandmother as it seemed like she had been grocery shopping. Fara went to go help with the groceries as Krystal was still babysitting.

"Vixy I have a question for you." Krystal asked as the elder vixen looked her way while putting away some cereal.

"And what's that hon?"

"Can you think of any reason why Jamie would want me to hold her over anyone else?"

"What do you mean?" She stopped in place as Krystal beckoned Fara over. They showed Vixy just what they meant as Fara stepped away from Krystal and took Jamie from her grasp. She didn't take anymore then three steps away as Jamie was starting to become unhappy, and so Fara placed her back into Krystal's hands. Right when she did so did the baby instantly calm down and put on a smile.

"Hmmmm I'm not sure maybe she just likes you. That's a little on the surprising side since she's known Fara longer. I'm not sure honey it could be anything really." Krystal smiled on the inside as she was sure the baby preferred her to Fara, though it's not like it really mattered. The fennec quickly forgot about the results as she had a question of her own for Vixy.

"I have a question too Vixy."

"What is it?"

"Don't infants need to be breast fed practically all the time? And you know with Jessie not around and all…"

"Well that's not necessarily true. Yes it's better and healthier for the baby but it's not necessarily needed. The end result if she isn't breast fed enough is that she's just crankier more often. Just as long as she's getting the nutrients which Jamie is since she drinks my milk then it should be fine." Vixy pulled out a battle of water as she turned to the two vixens to share something she had been keeping a secret to herself. "And to be honest…I've stolen Jamie away a couple of times in the middle of the night. It's more of a bonding thing really. I obviously wouldn't tell Fox about this as you know how he would react to that site." The three shared a laugh as Jamie wiggled around in Krystal's grasp, wondering what they could possibly be saying.

X

Fox walked through the doors to an eatery more suitable for teens and young adults. Hip hop music filled his ears as he saw many younger species chatting and eating to themselves as it was pretty full even for the morning as well. This was his last stop for the day in the job searching; even if he couldn't pick up a second job at least he had the diner to keep him going for the meantime. But he didn't know how long his credits would last so he wanted to keep a foundation down for as long as he possibly could. He looked around as this place was pretty colorful. Fluorescent lights of all colors were left on even with the main lights on to give the place a more night time atmosphere. The waiters weren't dressed in traditional clothing, the waiters and waitresses were dressed in clothing just like a teenager would normally wear, with the restaurants design and logo as they were wearing all jet black t-shirts.

"Can I help you?" Fox jumped to the sudden question as he looked to the black and white Border Collie behind the front counter. Fox pulled out the resume and slid it to the young adult.

"Hey I'm Fox and I wanted to apply for your open position." Instead of the traditional handshake the man lifted his shades to reveal his baby blue eyes, quite rare in a canine Fox believed. He looked over the resume and looked back up to the vulpine in front of him.

"Fox huh? You're a bit young to be working here bro. It's not illegal for me to hire minors but everyone I normally hire is at least eighteen." He seemed not interested as Fox took back the resume.

"Well I'm seventeen and a half. And yea I knew that but this is my last stop for the day."

"So you really need a job I take it?" He wiped the front counter as he prepared an order of drinks still keeping his conversation with the to young of a vulpine he believed.

"Yea really is an understatement. And I just landed a first job already earlier this morning."

"Two jobs? Why does a broski like you need to work so much? Aren't you still in school?"

"Yea I only take online courses though besides my jobs I'm much to busy to go to regular school."

"Why?" Fox was a bit annoyed but his the annoyance, so far every post he's applied for has wanted to know just why.

"Okay look I won't go into details but I'm raising a kit on my own as her mother kicked us out of her life. So right now I need work to get some credits so I can get her what she needs."

"Whoa I'm sorry." He moved back as that was a bit hard to believe, but this kid seemed serious. He didn't really want to hire this kid as he didn't seem like the reliable kind with his hover board in his grasp, but after overlooking his body for a slight second did he offer him a deal.

"Alright do these for me and you have yourself a job. You wear what I give you to wear, you stay away from the alcoholic beverages and you figure out how to work that DJ station, and grow out that white tuft of fur on your chin a bit longer, it'll make you look older. You'll be a waiter and a server but also we throw music and live entertainment out to keep the customers interested and keep them coming back. I'll give you a lesson on how to run that DJ station over there sometime. Can you work now for about…" He looked on over toward the clock as he tried to estimate the time, "Four hours or so?"

"Yea I'm free for a bit longer."

"Sounds good, Jason's the name by the way. Follow me and put your stuff behind the counter." Fox did as he was told and followed the manager placing his board and bag behind the counter and followed the Border Collie.

"Don't you drive?" He asked as they headed toward a backroom passing some other employee's. He reached the closet door turning on the light as he went through a shelving of clothing.

"I do but I actually just sold my car this morning. I need to get an older car, more like an A to B car sometime soon."

"Really now? I got one for sale if you're interested. I'll see what I can do for you. What size do you wear?"

"That'd be great and I wear Large."

"See if you can fit into this." Fox was handed everything from a shirt to shades pants and even a belt. Fox read the tag as this was a bit absurd, he was expected to fit into Medium clothing. "The bathroom is right behind you." Fox only nodded and kept quiet as he went in to try and see if this stuff would fit. A couple of minutes passed as Jason waited for Fox to come out. A moment later did the vulpine emerge a bit stiff and uncomfortable.

"This stuffs a bit tight." Fox felt as though the pants were going to come undone and that his arms were being suffocated at the sleeve cut off.

"That's the point the clothes need to flare out your body, you're pretty ripped for someone your age. You're also eye candy for the chicks that come through here. Not bad." Jason admitted as Fox passed the test, "You know how to serve customers right?"

"Yea I've worked at a fast food joint before."

"Well have at it then." Jason handed him a pen and notebook for orders as he tucked it away into his pockets. Fox only nodded as he put the shades over his eyes and headed out toward the customers.

For the next four hours Fox worked nonstop as he filled order after order for customers his age and older. Just as he was told Fox stayed away from any alcoholic beverage and so Jason had to take care of it. Fox found himself even busier then some of his coworkers as they were watching the show put on for them. But the good news was Fox was finding many generous tips left for him. Just near the end of his work shift he passed one of his female coworkers and a sudden very uncomfortable and intruding feeling.

Fox wanted to yelp but Jason covered his mouth and pulled him away from the female canine. "You better get used to that, she's my sister so I can't fire her for that kind of crap." Fox only nodded as he breathed easy. He looked at the clock as his shift was just ending, out of the corner of his eye he could tell that same canine was winking straight at him as Jason turned his head stating 'No'.

"Nice job today Fox. I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Sounds good." Fox grabbed his gear not bothering to change as he was running a bit later then expected. "Take it easy."

"You too." Fox disappeared through the door as Jason's sister came to his side.

"That guys hot, what do you mean no?" She sounded a bit sad as he laughed at her.

"He's too young for you."

X

Fox had to admit that the tight clothing felt good when the air found its way through to his body. Although he would have prepared to wear his normal attire if it meant he had a second job then he could bear through it, he believed that things were really looking great as he had landed two jobs and possibly found a car to buy for cheap. He turned into the super market as he needed to buy some more food for Jamie and possibly some diapers. He had to leave his bag and board at the entrance door as he grabbed his wallet and stuck it into the small pocket and picked up a handbag to grab his things. Fox was minding his own business quickly going through what he needed and went to grab some of the mush baby food and grab a drink for himself.

"Fox? Is that you?" The vulpine turned to the calling of his name to see an older lynx approaching him, Miyu's mother.

"Diane hey yea it is me."

"Oh my Fox you've grown so much since I last saw you." She walked up to the vulpine in awe as they exchanged hugs.

"It has been a while, just out shopping?"

"Oh yes I'm doing a bit stocking up at the house. What about you?" Fox didn't really want her to know what he was shopping for as he hid the basket behind his legs.

"Oh just you know my own things and for what mom needs."

"I haven't seen Vixy in so long, is she doing well?"

"Yea she's fine, you know just like before."

"So how is your-"

"Mom I found the tissues, who are you-" A feminine voice interrupted her as she turned the corner on Fox's left hand side. She passed mid sentence as she saw the same vulpine she hadn't seen in over a year, "talking to…Hey Fox."

"Hi Miyu, it's been a while huh?" He admitted quietly as he could tell she was eyeing the contents of his grocery cart.

"Yea it's been a real long time. I can see you're shopping for…"

"Your baby." Her mother finished as Fox looked back from one lynx to the other. He could tell things had gotten awkward and now was probably time to leave.

"Well I uhhhh better get going. It was nice to see you both. Tell Chad I said hi." Fox quickly fled the scene as that was probably the worst encounter he could have had with Miyu. Maybe she didn't want to believe the reality that Fox had a baby girl to take care of now and possibly she had stayed away from him for so long.

But it didn't matter now, whether she wanted to believe reality or not Fox did have a baby girl on his paws now and her wishing it wasn't true wasn't going to happen. Fox paid for his things and quickly tucked them into his bag and headed out the door. Miyu watched him disappear into the night as she also believed this encounter could have gone better, maybe. Fox was lost in thought as he road home in the dark. The hover board created a natural florescent light so he could be easily spotted in the dark by nighttime drivers. But what was on his mind now is just how Miyu took his sudden appearance and the news that his child was in fact born. If she was still mad she would have tried to start an argument right there or perhaps just fled from him. She just…took it like anyone would have he supposed. Sure she was a bit taken back from it but that's to be expected when you meet with someone you hadn't seen for a year, and the next time you see them they're shopping for their kit. He was only thankful Jamie wasn't with him at the moment or that encounter could have been a lot worse.

But he soon forgot about it as he road home. Things were looking great; he landed two jobs that would fund him financially to take care of Jamie. With flexible hours he could still do his school work and be there for his baby kit when she needed him. Fox rushed home as he had been gone since late morning and was just now getting home as it was turning dark. He's had no calls all day so perhaps she was easy to handle, or had destroyed the house and Krystal and Fara fled the scene and she's been all alone this whole time. But he would soon find out.