Except it wasn't two years. It wasn't until Sophia was four, that Sean had come home from the army. Sohpia was now a bubbly little girl with long blonde curly-ish hair and big blue eyes. Emma was a woman now too, just finished college and was a writer in a magazine for- you guessed it- Environmental matters.

FOUR YEARS LATER.. .Sean was now 21. Emma almost 20. Sophia 4.

Manny was now 20, Jay 22, and Mattie almost 5.

Sean had only been home two months from the army. He was home for good now but he could still feel Emma mad at him. He was exhausted of them fighting though. She had grew bitter towards him, and he could tell. He had yet to open his shop yet.. you know, the repair shop with Jay?

Four years had really put a dent in him and Emma.. a painful dent. She would barely look him in the eye anymore, and it made him question why. Why wasn't he man enough now? He had gone to war for her, for Sophia, and them this big huge house. Yes, maybe he didn't fulfill his promise yet but he would! Soon..

When he didn't come home for good those two years ago, he proposed to her instead. The wedding was beautiful, and Emma was happy, but Sean could tell in her eyes she was still upset. She cried all night with him when he had to go back.. it was the hardest thing he had to go cause Sophia also cried the next morning and didn't want him to go either.

The alarm rang loudly and cruelly on Emma's side of the bed. Why couldn't people just wake up when they felt like it? Who made up the stupid rule that said we all had to grow up and get jobs ? And what kind of sadistic prick said we all had to spend more time at work than at home with our families?

The whole system was screwed up. The sad thing was, everyone accepted it, and nobody ever questioned it.

Sean hated Mondays since he's been home. He really, really did. He hated working for Tony again too, and not for himself. It was too much stress to build up his own shop right now though. He still had nightmares from being over in Iraq. He was still getting 'welcome home' parties from friends and family. He always wanted to share as much time as he could with Sophia right now.

"Sean."

He heard her but he ignored her, hoping he could sneak in a few extra minutes of some much needed sleep. Jay had asked him to go out for beers last night, seemed Jay was having no lucky with Manny either but at least Emma hadn't been seeing anyone else while Sean was gone. Manny, he heard, was shacking it up with her new boss at work. Her and Jay still weren't back together and she had custody of Mattie, Jay had him on weekends.

"Sean, wake up, it's 6 o'clock," Emma said.

"I know," he grumbled into his pillow with his eyes still closed.

"I need you awake. Are you awake?" she said impatiently, the annoyance obvious in her voice.

It was a good thing his eyes were closed. He would've rolled them at her. Jesus, did she really have to start in on him as soon as he woke up? The woman couldn't give him five measly minutes before she started nagging him?

"I'm up." He finally opened his eyes and turned to face her.

Emma was already dressed and ready to leave for the day. He raised his eyebrows at her almost sexy librarian look.. .too bad she wasn't as frisky as she use to be and he swore they hadn't had sex since he came home. It had been a weird night when he showed up back home at the front door after his leave from the army, they fucked like rabbits but she could still seem so mad at him even as he made her eyes see stars. The next days, she acted as if they hadn't even done it and hadn't gotten back down to buisness.

She worked long hours at the office. She was always the first one to leave in the morning and it use to be Spike and Snake that would help her drive Sophia to day care but now Sean did it (if he wasn't working).

"Well?" Sean rubbed at his sleepy eyes. "I'm up. What do you want?" he went to embrace her for her to shrug out of his hold and the phone rang. She picked it up fast. Sean bit the end of his tounge, hurt crossing over his face.

Had four years really been THAT brutal for her not being here?

Meanwhile, Emma couldn't be late. She had a meeting at 7AM. God only knew what kind of traffic would be waiting for her as soon as she merged onto the freeway that led downtown. She couldn't stay and fight with Sean today, she was too exhausted too. He had no idea what it was like being a 'single mom' when he was really out there, chosing to be away from them in the army. Yes, she was deep down mad at him and may forever be...but she was trying to. Sean owned her heart but that didn't mean she'd let him step on it anymore. She was more independent now then she'd ever been and she didn't think he knew that yet.

"I gotta run," she grabbed her bag and shouted over her shoulder, "Wake Sophia up!"

Sean blinked, and put on his jean pants. He was still the hottest buffest thing and since the army, he may of possibly been more. He saw the girls, and woman, staring at him once he returned home and especially at work when he worked on cars. Yet it was still Emma he wanted, but he wasn't sure anymore if she wanted him. It was too painful to admit out loud though..

As much as he hated mornings, the worst part about it was waking up his daughter. He knew it was weird, but waking her made him feel so guilty. She always looked so adorable when she slept. He hated interrupting her sleep.

"Soph," he whispered as he shook her little shoulder. "Wake up, baby. I made breakfast. Are you hungry?"

When she was alert enough, he pulled back her covers so she could stretch. Her little body wore her favorite Disney princess pajama's. Even though she was 4-years-old, he carried her to the kitchen table so she could sit and eat with him. He kissed her cheek before he set her down and she groaned tiredly. Clearly, she was Daddy's princess. Daddy's girl. She went wild every time he came home, and when he left it was even harder and she threw tantrums, that use to bring tears to Sean's own eyes when he had to leave. He hoped they knew it was hard for him too.

Now, he never had to do it ever again and they got this nice big house because of the money he made over there, and his daughter was living a MUCH more suburbia life than he ever did when young. Did his parents visit? Mostly his mom. Now and then.. Spike and Snake were more involved with Sophia though.

Her blue eyes were still a little droopy, and she moved her long blonde hair out of her face with a yawn,. "Daddy, can I have cereal?"

"But I made waffles. They're still nice and warm."

"Please?"

Sean sighed. "All right."

It was astonishing how easily he constantly caved into her. He knew all parents believed their kids were cuter and better looking than others, but he truly believed Sophia was the most adorable little girl he'd even seen in his life and she was. Teachers always raved about it to him when he picked her up from school, or random strangers on the street or in stores.. She'd inherited her mother's blonde hair and spirit, his blue eyes and milky skin. Someone had once asked Emma if she'd like to put Sophia in modeling, but ofcourse Emma was against that.

After Sean dropped her off at daycare he climbed back into his red vehicle and reluctantly drove to work. He didn't exactly hate his job , but it wasn't like he was eager to go to work every day. He got to work with cars which was great. He loved cars and always had. The problem was he had more fun driving them, building them and designing them than rather just fix them.

He'd get his own shop, one day.

In the end, he went with the job that paid more because he wanted to be able to provide for his family.

His family…

What family? He adored his little girl to pieces. He'd willingly throw himself in front of a bus to protect her. His wife was the problem, even though he'd step infront of traffic for Emma too, but...Their marriage was shit. They hadn't had sex since… Jesus! He didn't even want to talk about it. Sean remembered when the sex used to be constant. There was a time when she seemed just as hungry for him as he was for her. They shared a bed, but now all they did was sleep in it. He still craved sex frequently, craved her. On days when the urge was overwhelming, he'd go to the gym to work the tension out of his system, or he'd have to do what good men who wouldn't cheat on their wives did.. jack off in the shower. Unfortunately.

As he neared his exit towards work on the freeway, a billboard caught his eye and triggered his memory. It was an advertisement for a new magazine coming out that Emma's office now owned and was coming out with. It had become increasingly popular over the past year. Everyone she worked with, Sean had met at the party for this opening.. they were mostly models, rich snobs, high end lawyers and writers who thought they were too good for simple verbal conversation. Her boss, David, was an asshole too and Sean swore he had his eyes on Emma, his wife.

((((((((((************))))))))))

"Tell David I'm taking an early lunch," Emma said to his secretary as she walked past her desk.

The girl at the desk was also a student who went to Degrassi as of now, Emma hired her because she sort of reminded her of herself. Her name was Claire, "Of course Mrs Cameron," she responded automatically.

The elevator ride down to the lobby took longer than usual since people kept jumping on and off between every floor. Emma spent the time fiddling with her cell phone, and her thumb stopped on Sean's number...they never texted another like they use to. She leaned sadly on the wall. He use to text her the silliest things, or the sexiest.. Emma snapped out of it, seeing it was her stop. When she was finally able to step off she accidentally ran into another person. The apology was already out of her mouth before she looked up from her phone. "I'm sorry, excuse me," she said.

He chuckled. "There's no need to apologize. I was doing the exact same thing."

Emma was known for keeping her composure even during the most strenuous situations, but she fumbled for a moment when she took a good look at the stranger. It was Jesse, from top floor. He had use to be dating Ellie Nash, which was a funny thing to Emma. Small world. ..Sean's ex girl friend.

"W-What?" she sputtered, knowing his eyes hungerily looking at her.

He shook the iPhone in his hand for emphasis. "I was texting." His eyes continued looking her over and his smile became lopsided. Then he stepped around her so he could join the others who had boarded the elevator.

Even after the doors shut, Emma stood in the lobby, staring at the closed door for a few seconds too long.

Get a fucking grip, she scolded herself. It's not like you've never seen a man before and we all know Jesse is the scumbag of the office. A dirty pig. We all know your husband is a lot more attractive and charming too. Emma paused to snicker as she walked, too bad her husband didn't look at her the way he use to though and she couldn't stop starting fights with him.

Emma remembered that time a few weeks ago when she even tried to give Sean a break, and she felt well...a little craving for him. Horny, honestly.

Once, on purpose, she'd forgotten to grab a towel for herself... FLASHBACK:

"Sean! Could you bring me a towel?" She stepped out of the shower, dripping wet.

He opened the door and handed over one of the towels from the closet in their bedroom. "Here," he'd said in a bored voice. Then his blue eyes seemed to widen a bit when he took in her nude, wet body. "Um," he seemed to force himself to look away. It was ridiculous. They were married for God's sake! "Did you need anything else?"

Emma still hadn't covered herself with the towel. "You could close the door," she smiled seductively, at least, that's what she thought she did. Evidently she didn't know how to properly flirt with her own husband anymore since he's been gone for so long. Sean completely missed her meaning and shut the door, leaving her standing there alone, totally dumbfounded. Did her suggestion go over his head? Or was he just not interested in having sex with her anymore?

She wasn't stupid either! She heard him getting himself off in the shower that night, and other times..

...it made a wife and even girlfriend feel...well, hurt.

END OF FLASHBACK

(*****)

Jay was still chuckling and shaking his head as he listened to Sean's latest marital update. "Jesus man, no sex that long? That's a record for you both, not counting the army leaves before."

sean sighed and leaned back against the uncomfortable bench in the park. Jay had brought Mattie to play with Sophia, and they sat there, mooping about Manny and Emma as usual. "If you don't count the night I came home, me and her haven't had sex in.." he looked up, counting in his head, "Nine months."

Jay's mouth gaped with wide eyes.

Sean watched Sophia shove Mattie and as Mattie chased her, she waved to Sean as she ran by before she jumped back onto the wings.

"Your little girl is beating my son up." Jay said matter of factly.

"Yes she is," smirked Sean proudly and Jay couldn't help but chuckle as he watched Mattie try to steal the swing from Sophia. Those two had never got along but always ended up playing with only another.

Sean narrowed his eyes to Jay, knowing it was a tough subject. "How's you and.. Manny?"

"Well, she's totally given up on me for that prick professor she met in college," he confirmed, taking a deep breath but sadly shook his head.

Sean frowned, "That's not fair. You showed her you changed. You work full time at Tony's.. you ALWAYS grab Mattie when you're supposed to."

"Those girls man." he chuckled, "They love to hate us." he muttered under his breath, "And we hate to love em'."

"Still not over her?" Sean asked quietly.

Jay gave him a look and taunted, "You aren't banging Emma anymore, she seems to hate living with you, yet you still live together.. Honest? If she kicked you out tomorrow, would you be over her?"

Sean shook his head no, "Nope." he admitted. "Hates me or not, I'm hers." he lifted his hand, to his wedding ring.

"Rings don't mean shit, it's the person." Jay told him. "If you want to bang your hot wife-"

"Hey." snapped Sean jealously. Why did Jay have to mention 'hot?'

"Sorry. If you want to bang your- probably as horny as you are- wife, then do it. Don't hold back. Remind her what she's missing, who she married." he had to laugh, "Emma's probably just moody and uptight cause she needs to get laid too." he squinted his eyes at Sean, "Am I really sitting here telling you to go bang your own wife? The girl you've been obsessed over since you were a kid? The girl whose got a rack like-"

"I'm going to kill you if you finish that sentence." Sean declared, although Jay was right. Since having Sophia, Emma's curves and body- fuck, he remembered how hard it was turning away that one time weeks ago when she was in the shower and forgot a towel. He wanted to fuck her senseless right there and, as Jay put it, remind her who she belonged to... but he had been so confused on where they stood. Her body was still as tight and toned as it was in highschool, only bigger breasts.. another reason Sean hit the showers that night.

Jay had finished laughing, and he looked around, "Why are we here again?"

"Because you wanted to hang out in the middle of the week," Sean reminded him. "And we both have to watch our kids on Tuesdays. This park was the only place we could think of.."

Out of nowhere, Jay said: "People probably think we're a gay couple."

Of course he laughed. "What? Why?"

"Because we walked in here together with little kids, and you're wearing a wedding ring," he added. "I guess that makes you the bride."

"Nah," Sean took a drink from his ice cold water. "Nobody would believe that. Besides, I'm too pretty for you anyway."

Jay snickered

(((((******)))))))

Emma had met up for Manny at lunch, Manny was as foxy as high school with her long brown hair grown out again. She was a college student turned model, turned singer, turned actress. Emma noticed since Manny's fling with her drama professor that turned into a relationship, she had stuck with modeling (didn't see that coming did you?). Her new boyfriend was such a jerk and scum, told Manny she couldn't act but was sexy enough to be a model. Emma couldn't believe Manny hadn't grow out of those jerks yet.

"You know Sean's with Jay right now right?" Manny asked her, sitting on a restaurants patio.

Emma laughed softly, "Probably."

"They're probably talking shit about us." Manny chimed in.

Emma looked at her wierdly, "I...don't know if that's true.." she tried not to smile at Manny's everlasting fuel for Jay Hogart.

Even if Manny didn't share a son with him, Emma knew Manny would always want Jay...she was just to stubborn to admit it and now with a new boyfriend? It made things too complicated.

"So?" Manny had to ask, "Sean's been home for two months.. hows everything? BAck to normal?" she tried not to smirk, "Getting it on the ol' Semma fashion way?"

"Not even a little bit." Emma mumbled, and tried not to feel the tears burning her eyes, "I feel he might not love me anymore.. we can't even share a meal together without talking unless we're fighting."

"Em, sweetie." Manny looked crushed for her, "Sean will always love you."

"Really?" Emma asked with a bitter snicker, whipping her tears "I literally stood there naked in front of him and he didn't do anything. We had sex the first night, but minus that, it's been 10 months of no sex Manny." she bursted into tears and felt embarressed but blurted out what was on the back of her mind, "What if he's found someone else?"

Manny got up, quickly going to Emma's side "OH Emma, never! He'd never! Sean's gone to hell and back just to have you. Hello?! Prison!? Remember that little showdown with Peter Stone back in highschool!?"

Emma still wasn't convinced, but sadly smiled. Her heart was breaking though, her skin crawling to think about Sean with another girl. If that was the case, she might have to go jump off a bridge. Ofcourse, that was a sick joke... she'd never leave Sophia like that, though she hoped Sophia wouldn't mind if her mother killed her father if he was cheating.

Manny hugged her and sighed. Ah, Sean and Emma..the drama never stopped.