The next day at work went really fast and before I knew it I was clocking out to go home. As soon as I was outside I pulled out my cell and called Kenny...

"Sup..this is the Ken-dog,"

I rolled my eyes before talking into the phone "How's she doing?"

"She fine," he replied

"Great," I said "I'm on my way home."

"Okay," he said "see ya soon."

I hung up my phone and went to wait for my bus..which should be coming any minute. I was really glad Kenny agreed to watch Amy until she started school. The bus arrived, I paid my fee and went home. Twenty minutes later I pulled the yellow strip and got off the bus. I opened the door to my apartment and was greeted by little niece..

"UNCLE STAN!" she exclaimed as she leaped off the couch and rushed over to me.

"Hey," I smiled bending down to her level "did you miss me?"

She smiled and nodded...my smile widened it felt good to have someone miss me. Sometimes it hurt knowing that your best friend you hung out with all your childhood doesn't really want anything to do with you and only call you every few months. Then you have your parents who are pretty much disappointed in you because you didn't further your sporting career. Well more of my father then my mother. I didn't feel comfortable going to visit them so he could do his best to make me feel guilty. As much as I wanted to become then next big football star I could never keep my grades up in high school which resulted in me getting kicked off the team. My father made it worst when he lost his temper and got in a fist fight with my couch and I was told even if I did get my grades I was forbidden to ever play again.

"Alright," Kenny said walking out of the kitchen "I'm off...gonna go home and sleep for a bit."

"Thanks man," I said

"Sure," he replied "same time tomorrow?"

"Yeah," I nodded.

"See ya tomorrow Amy," he waved before leaving.

"Bye Uncle Kenny!" she called back

"Let's get ready to go to the Goodwill and our supplies," I said to her.

xoxoxoxox

All through the store Amy stuck by my side as I tried to be an adult and pick out the pots and pans I needed. I even picked put dishes, bowls and utensils. On our way to the check out Amy's eyes caught sight of something glittery, she stopped midway and stood there staring. I looked down at her and followed her eyes and found that she was looking over a pair of black and pink glitter sneakers. I looked down at her shoes and for the first time I noticed how dirty and worned they were.

"I tell you what," I said "next week I'll take you school shopping and you can get a brand new pair of shoes."

She looked up at me and smiled and for the first time I felt like I just wanted to always want to make her happy and be there for her. When were finished at the Goodwill we started on our way home and Amy wanted to help out. I handed her the lightest bag but she was happy to be helping her Uncle.

At home I washed all the items I had just bought and then proceeded to pull out some frozen hot dogs I got last night at the store. I placed them in some water and let them cook while I went to join Amy on the couch.

"So how's Uncle Kenny treating you?" I asked

"Good," she replied with a smile "he's funny."

"Funny?" I asked "he's not telling any of his dirty jokes is he?"

She shook her head (no) before giggling "He told me how Mommy use to beat you up."

"Oh so that's funny to you?" I smiled

She nodded "A little."

"You know what I think is funny?" I asked with a smirk

"What?" she asked smiling

"This," I said before using my fingers to tickle her sides which resulted in her being in a fit of laughter.

Her little laughs filled the entire apartment and it was almost impossible for me to hear the knock on the door. It started out softly before it transformed into a pound and causing me to jump. "I wonder who that is?" I whispered to her. She shrugged her shoulders before covering her face with a nearby pillow.

I walked over to the door and opened it slowly to find Mrs. Stevens standing there. "Fuck," I said in my head "what the hell does she want?"

"Hello Mr. Marsh," she said flatly before pushing herself pasted me and into my apartment.."I heard you got a place of your own and I had to come inspected it."

"Oh sure," I said with a tiny smile "but be warned I don 't have much stuff yet, pretty much just a couch and one bed."

She just looked at me and rolled her eyes "So you say you only have one bed and who gets it this time?"

"Well right now my bed is set up in Amy's room and I am sleeping on just floor in my room," I explained

"Any why is that Mr. Marsh?" she asked

"It's just until she gets her own bed," I said softly

"Have you registered the child in school yet?" she asked pulling out her damn note pad.

"No..not yet," I sighed

"And why not?" she asked in a mocking tone "I think you have had plenty of time, don't you?"

"Well I thought it was better to wait until after we found a place of our own before I registered her."

She nodded before writing something in her note pad.."So when do you plan on getting her registered then?" she asked

"Tomorrow after work," I lied hoping that Kenny wouldn't mind watching her a little longer tomorrow.

After the tour I walked her to the door where she closed her her note pad and stuffed in her oversized purse. "I am going to be keeping a close eye on you Mr. Marsh."

"May I ask why?" I asked innocently

"Because I don't like you," she replied bluntly.

My eyes widened when she said that "Well that's nice to know."

"There's more to life then just jokes," she replied before turning on her heel and walking away.

"Dumb bitch," I thought as I watched her make her way to her car and get it. "Uncle Stan?" Amy whispered from behind me

"Yeah?" I asked turning back to her

"Is dinner ready?"

"Shit!" I hissed as I rushed to the kitchen and thank God I was just in time to catch the hot dogs before the water boiled out. I plated them up and sat down in our eating nook on the floor.

That night I was having a hard time sleeping, for some reason I just couldn't get comfortable and no matter how much I tossed and turned nothing felt right. I closed my eyes and was just about to finally fall asleep when I heard the door of my room squeak open, I sat up to see Amy's outline standing there holding her teddy close to her.

"What's wrong?" I whispered

She didn't say any words but came rushing over to me and I could tell by the way the light shined off her face that she was crying. "Amy what's wrong?" I asked taking her face into my hands...

"I miss my Mommy," she cried

My heart sank "I know," I whispered hugging her close

"Why did she have to go?" she sobbed as she placed her face in between my shoulder and neck.

"She got sick," I tried to explain

"But why?"

"I don't know," I sighed "she just did."

She cried for a good half hour before it all got quiet and I knew she had fallen to sleep. I knew I should return her to her room but I did not want to risk her waking back up. So I gently laid her down softly on one of my pillows and as I slowly removed my arms from under her I heard her whisper..."Don't leave me Uncle Stan."

"I won't," I whispered before laying down beside her and covering us both up.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

My day at work seemed to drag on the next day from not getting enough sleep, my eyes burned and muscles ached. To make matters worst we had a busy day and the pile of dishes never seemed to get any smaller. By the time I was done from work I just wanted to go home and relax but instead I had to go register my niece in school. I filled out all the paper work and showed them my paper work stating that I was Amy's legal guardian. When I was done with the school I stopped and picked up a pizza from Carlino's.

"You look like hell," the waitress joked as she took my money

"Just tired," I sighed

"How's your niece?" she asked as she handed me my change

"She's doing good," I replied "sometimes she cries about things."

"Poor baby," she replied

"ORDER!" the cook called from the back

"Be right back," she smiled before walking off to grab the pizza box. I watched her from behind as she retrieved my food. When she returned she handed me the box "Anything else I can get you?"

"Some paper plates would be good," I smiled

She nodded before bending down to grab a bunch of plates and as she bent down I couldn't help but to notice what a nice ass she had. "Here you go," she replied placing the plates on top of the box.

"Thanks," I smiled trying my best to hide my guilty look.

"Have a nice night Stan!" she called as I left.

At home I invited Kenny to stay for dinner if he didn't mind sitting on the floor...which he did when Amy begged him to...

Thanks for your reviews...anyway here is my next chapter I hope you enjoyed it. Sorry for any typos. I would like to add that this is not going to be an OC love story, so have no fear. This story is about Stan's relationship with his niece. So leave a review if you want to hear more...have a wonderful day!