Author's Note: Nothing bad in this chapter just wanted to address a couple minor things. First: I know Riley is slightly OOC right now a couple people have mentioned it, as well as it's a concern for me as well. The ultimate goal will be Riley becomes more...Riley as time goes on. You'll notice it a lot more in the Sequel I've started: Period of Adjustment. But he will become more and more in character, but thank you all for keeping me honest :-)

Also! Thank you for all the fantastic reviews, I know this is a short chapter, I may add another one tonight later, but I felt it is an important chapter. Now that I'm into the Sequel fairly well I've come to the decision I will at least rewrite a version of the first movie that will deal with more in between scenes as well as an AU version. It will be fundamentally different, but have some of the same dialogue.

Last, but not least, I'm looking for a beta, English Major or not, I'm occasionally terrible with grammar, also I don't always catch small details until after I've posted them (aka age issues) so if anyone is interested, please let me know.

Chapter Seven

Frank and Wendy left the new father and son to themselves, Ben had promised his mother that they'd meet up at three, have dinner and go shopping for Riley. Riley was sitting next to Ben, watching television, while Ben read a book on ancient Roman history. He glanced up at the boy and decided to go for gold, "My mother would like to meet you."

"Really?" The boy sounded almost excited about the idea of meeting someone else new. Nothing like the boy who had sobbed in his arms hours earlier.

Ben nodded, "She can't wait to be a grandmother. I told her that if you were up to it we'd go to an early dinner then take you out shopping for some new clothes and stuff."

"Really…I…I don't need new clothes, I…" He looked at Ben, "I don't wanna be trouble."

Ben put his book down, "Riley, I have money, it's one of the benefits of being a grown up. And even if I didn't, your new grandma does and she's dying to spend half of her retirement plan on you and spoil you rotten. So, as a favor to both of us, let her spoil you rotten."

Riley grinned, sensing the sarcasm. "Is she nice."

Ben smirked, "She's the most amazing mother in the universe. You'll love her."

"I think I'm up to going today."

Smiling, Ben looked at the TV, "Then you probably should go grab a quick shower and get ready, we'll leave here in half an hour."

"Can…can I take a hot shower."

His gut rolled, stomach dropping, had this child never taken a hot shower, "Of course."

"Thanks!" With that Riley gingerly lifted himself from the couch and hurried into the bathroom.

"Towels are in the closet across the bathroom, and wash your hair."

"Kay!" With that he heard the door shut and the water start running.

Ben lowered his head into his hands, trying desperately to calm his nerves. There were so many things this child had missed out on. He was ten; Ben figured that was roughly eight years of real childhood left before the world expected him to act like a man. Ben looked towards the hallway, eyes falling to the bathroom door. He felt his eyes water and rubbed at them with the back of his hands. He wouldn't cry, not here, not with Riley right behind those doors.

Leaning over, he grabbed the phone off its cradled and quickly dialed his mother's number. He waited for the sweet voice to answer. "Hey, it's Ben."

"Hi sweethart, what's wrong?"

She always knew when he was upset, "Nothing, I'm fine. Riley is excited to meet his new grandmother."

"OH wonderful! A new little boy to spoil. Are you coming here?"

"Yeah, we should be there in about two hours depending on traffic."

"Splendid, I'll see you then sweetie, and Benjamin, for every ounce that boy hides what he feels…so do you. Remember you're allowed to feel too."

"Thanks mom."

Ben hung up the phone and looked back at the bathroom, he could hear a light voice coming from the room, and realized Riley was singing. He chuckled, shaking his head and moved into the master bedroom to clean up and get ready as well.

Riley enjoyed the long hot shower; he hadn't ever taken one longer than maybe ten minutes. He let the feelign soak into his bones and sighed in contentment. He stepped out of the shower after nearly twenty minutes and looked down at the pile of clothes. They were dirty; he didn't actually have any clean clothes. He felt shame well up, Ben had wanted him in something nice and he didn't have anything.

"Riley, are you okay?" Ben called, knocking on the door.

He closed his eyes against another wave of shame as he looked up and saw the bruises on his hips. "No," He whimpered.

"Can I come in?"

Riley didn't respond, but Ben hoped tht was an okay. Pushing the door open he saw Riley standing there, completely naked, skin red from the heat of the shower and the boy glanced up at him, tears shining in his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Ben moved forward, well aware of the fear that could be rippling through the child. "Are you okay, did you fall?"

He shook his head, burying his face in his hands. "I'm sorry," He sobbed.

Ben stepped forward, heading no caution to the state of the child, and gently pulled his hands away from his face, "Sorry for what?"

"I don't have any nice clothes."

Ben felt his heart break; he gently pulled the child close. "Riley," He whispered as he hugged them, "I have clothes my mom brought me when I was a kid. And you're going to get your own clothes. I'm so sorry, don't cry, please don't cry." He whispered, not sure how much he could take of this little boy sobbing.

"Come on, my mother brought some clothes from when I was a kid. They're probably out of date, but they're clothes and you're welcome to wear them." Standing up, he took the child's hand and led him out of the bathroom.

Riley reached up to wipe his face, but Ben beat him to it, he grabbed a wash cloth and gently wiped the child's face of salt and tears. Putting that on the counter top he stood up and reached his hand out.

Riley looked up at him with such trust in his eyes, that Ben almost felt suffocated. Riley reached out, taking his hand and gripping it as he followed Ben in to the master bedroom. Ben lifted him up and sat him on the bed. He pulled a pair of underwear, shorts, a t-shirt for the boy. "You'll have to wear your old shoes until we can buy you a couple pairs."

"That's okay," Riley replied as he pulled his underwear on. He then pulled the shorts and t-shirt on, they were a little big for him, but he looked up at Ben. "Thanks."

"You're very welcome. You ready to go?"

Riley nodded and lifted his arms up. Ben was sure that one day Riley would get too big for this, but if it made him feel better, he'd carry Riley around for the next year. He lifted the child to rest against his hip, grabbed his keys and wallet, and locked the door.