Two days after Molly blew up at me, I decide to stop by her place, hoping that she's less mad.

"Moll?" I ask, opening the door.

I look, and she's sitting at the table, eating some cereal at the table.

"Hi." She gestures for me to sit down.

"Uh... what's up?" I ask, trying to see how she feels.

"Nothin'." She shrugs.

"So, uh," I say, "Where is Dario's brother? Is he here? Because I'd like to talk to him." He /is/ the one who told on me, after all.

"Paolo?" Molly smiles. "He went out to get coffee." Her dreamy expression is now replaced with a confused one. "Why do you want to talk to him?"

I shrug. "I just... wanted to find out why he... told on me."

Molly rolls her eyes. "It was an accident. He's a really sweet guy, and he wouldn't do it on purpose."

"Whoa. Do you like him or something?" I ask her, surprised at how she's talking about him.

"Yes. I went on a date with him last night," she says, trying to hide her smile.

"Oh! Wow," I comment. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I wanted to get to him before you could," she snaps.

I sigh. "Molly, you know I've explained-"

She cuts me off. "I know. I'm kidding." The tone of her voice tells me otherwise.

"So, how did it go?" I ask. "The date, I mean."

I'm cut off by the door opening, and a cute, young guy comes in with two cups of coffee in his hands. He gives one to Molly and kisses her on the cheek.

Then he notices me and gives me a somewhat confused look.

"It was good. And thanks, Paolo," Molly says to him. "This is my... mother, Jackie."

"Nice to meet you, Jackie," Paolo says. He has a strong Italian accent, and seems polite. "You're Molly's mother? You could be her sister."

I smile. "Thank you." I glance over at Molly and she's tapping her nails against the table, looking irritated.

"So," I say, "I was, um... just leaving. I'll see you later, Molly, Paolo." I nod toward both of them. "Bye."

I leave, knowing that Molly didn't want me there.

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

**MOLLY'S POV**

I'm so relieved after my mom leaves. I can't help but be pissed at her still. I mean, Dario is fourteen years younger than her! It's terrible...

Paolo turns to face me at the table. "Why'd she leave so soon?"

"She... had work," I say distractedly. "So, thanks for the coffee." I smile shyly at him.

"No problem, baby." He smiles back.

"So... are you ever play guitar for me?" I ask him.

He smiles, looking down as he does so. "Saturday, I have a performance. You'll come to that, okay?"

"Fine." I smile again. I feel like a little girl. I can't stop smiling.

He, also keeps smiling as he looks at me.

"What?" I ask, seeing him watching me.

"What is your full name?" he asks me.

Hmm, what a weird question...

"Um, Molly Emma Girard," I say, but it sounds more like a question.

"Molly Emma Girard, you're beautiful," Paolo says to me, smile still on his face.

My heart melts. I blush and smile. I want to kiss him, but I'm unsure if I should, because we've only kissed once.

I try leaning in a little bit, feeling like an idiot, but he gets the hint. He cups my chin and kisses me, soft on the lips. This one is a little longer than our first kiss.

Once we pull apart, we smile at each other again. It's the sweetest thing I've ever had with somebody. And it's only been a day.

"So..." I say awkwardly, shrugging.

"Want to go on the porch?" Paolo asks.

"Sure," I say.

We go on the porch of the apartment, up high and looking over the crappy city. Sitting down in one of the two chairs, Paolo lights a cigarette and leans back.

"Want one?" he asks.

"No, no thanks," I say. "I-I don't smoke."

"Ah." Paolo nods. "Wish I didn't."

I sit there awkwardly as Paolo smokes, looking over the city.

For a few minutes, we sit in silence, until I hear the door slide open, making me jump.

"What're you two doing out here?" Dario asks, walking out and sitting on one of the plastic chairs. "Not exactly a romantic setting, huh?"

I smile and shake my head. "Not exactly."

Dario smiles back at me. "I caught your mother leaving as I was on my way in."

I feel surprise surge through me. "And?" I raise my eyebrows.

Dario looks confused. "...I said hello?"

"Okay." I relax and lean into my chair.

"Don't tell me you're still mad at her for that," Dario says, but it sounds like a question.

"I... it's not that. It's just... the way she is. She doesn't understand." I shake my head.

Dario does the same, only at me. "I think you need to put in consideration what your mom is going through. I mean, a divorce, and-"

I cut him off. "Why are you supporting her? I didn't even think you knew anything about her. I thought it was just, like, random hookup day or something."

Paolo is watching us both in surprise, still holding his cigarette.

"It wasn't," Dario says defensively. "We talked, beforehand."

"So, are you saying you want a relationship with her now?" I ask, my voice raising.

"No, that's just irrational. But why do you care anyway?" Dario asks.

"I don't." I stand up and cross my arms. "I just... don't like the thought of my roommate being with my mom. And the age difference makes it a little more uncomfortable, too."

"Well, you have nothing to worry about," Dario says. "Honestly, I've practically forgotten about that night. I'm sure she has, too."

"Good." I walk inside quickly, indicating that the conversation has ended.

My phone is ringing on the counter, so I pick it up. Noticing that the caller I.D. says 'Mom', I roll my eyes, but pick it up anyway.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Moll," my mom says. "You doing anything tomorrow night?"

I play with my hair. "Umm, maybe. Why?" Hopefully Paolo will ask me out on a date or something.

"Because my old friends and I are getting together, and bringing out kids along, too. I wanted to schedule it around you. I have no clue what you're doing these days," she says.

Damn. I can't get out of this. "Uh, well... yeah, I think tomorrow's good. But how come I have to go? It's gonna be boring."

"Invite Dario and Paolo," she tells me. "They're almost family, and then you'll be entertained."

So will you, I think. "Alright. I'll ask them."

"Okay." My mom pauses. "Are you gonna ask them now?"

"Well, they aren't around," I lie. As soon as I say that, though, Dario yells something to Paolo, and my mother can clearly hear it.

"That... sounded like a guy's voice," she says.

"Yeah, I'm outside." I look around and shush Dario and Paolo. "It's one of the neighbors."

"Alright." She pauses. "Well, I guess I'll talk to you later, then?"

"Yup. Bye."

"Bye."

I hang up the phone and then walk up to Paolo and Dario.

"What was that all about?" Dario asks.

"Just my mom," I explain. "She's having some... party. And wants you guys to go."

"When is it?" Paolo asks.

"Friday. Uh, tomorrow," I say.

"Okay, I can make it," Dario says.

"So can I," Paolo says.

I whip out my phone and redial my mom's number.

"Yup, they said they can go," I say when she picks up.

"Oh, good. Well, it's at my friend Donna's house... like five minutes from your place, actually. I'll meet you guys at your place tomorrow so you can know where to go. Be ready by five thirty!" My mom sounds excited.

"Fine," I say. "Bye." I shut my phone.

"So...?" Paolo and Dario are giving me strange looks.

"She said to be ready at five thirty tomorrow," I tell them, and they nod.

Great. I don't know what to wear now.

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

JACKIE'S POV:

Work passes by, and before I know it, it's the next day.

Molly didn't sound too thrilled about going to Donna's tonight, but I don't care. It's my night, and I'll enjoy it.

Spencer is excited to leave the house with me. Asher keeps insisting that I let him stay.

This is so cool. It's like, we're all going to be a family again.

I get home from work on Friday to see Paul in the living room. Normally, we ignore each other. But today, he looks me in the eye.

"You taking the kids out tonight?" he asks.

"Yeah. I have a party thing," I explain.

"You drinking? Because I don't want you drunk around my kids," Paul says gruffly.

"No, I'm not. And why do you express concern, you hypocrite?" I give him a disgusted look.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Paul says.

"The Christmas party two years ago," I remind him. "You know what, never mind. I'm going to get ready."

"Just keep walking," Paul says.

I take about forty-five minutes to get ready. Then I go in the kids' rooms and get them.

"Mom, do I really have to go?" Asher asks. "I don't know anybody. I just wanna stay here. With Dad."

I shoot him a glare. "With your father? You spend almost every day with him. You don't spend any time with me."

"Yeah, but you're gonna be at a stupid party!" Asher says. "You'll be talking to people."

"Ash, /please/. I want to show you guys off. These are friends I have barely talked to since I was a teenager. I said I would bring my kids. Plus, they have kids of their own," I explain.

He rolls his eyes. "Whatever."

"Okay, now, come on. We've gotta go." I go to Spencer's room to get her, then we leave for Molly's.

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

After going to Molly's and getting her, Paolo, and Dario to follow us, we arrive at Donna's.

Steven isn't there yet, because I don't see his car. However, there is a different car in the driveway that I don't recognize.

I open the door, and Donna rushes up quickly.

"I am so sorry. I had no idea she was coming," she explains, pointing behind her.

I see Laurie sitting on the couch behind her.

"Is that...?" I ask.

Donna nods. "Okay, but just... let everybody in. I wanna see your kids." She turns to the stairs. "Eric! Jackie's here!"

I walk in. "Uh, this is my son Asher. He's thirteen," I tell her as he walks in. Spencer emerges behind him. "This is Spencer. She's eleven."

"Hi, I'm Donna," she says to them. "Wow, it's so weird to finally meet you."

"Hi," Spencer says, smiling shyly.

"Hey." Asher nods.

I smile and roll my eyes at them.

"And this must be Molly?" Donna says, seeing more people walk in. "Oh my God, Jackie, she looks exactly like you."

"We get that a lot," I say, grinning at my oldest daughter. She gives a weak smile, then turns back to Paolo and Dario.

"And, this is her roommate Dario," I say, introducing them. "And his brother Paolo."

Donna shakes hands with them as Eric comes downstairs, and we do the introducing thing all over again.

Molly is standing really close to Paolo, almost hiding behind him.

"What's wrong," I hear him mumble to her.

"Nothing," she whispers.

Donna gives me a look. "Do they have a thing?" she mouths, so I nod.

I hear a car pull up.

"Hyde's here," Eric says, opening up the door once again.

A teenage boy walks in. He has wavy, dark hair and is pretty handsome for his age. I know right away that it's Steven's son, because you can tell by the eyes.

"You must be..." Eric trails off, looking at Steven's son.

"Gage." He nods.

"Hyde's son," Eric says, clarifying it.

Gage nods as his father walks in. "Hey."

"Hyde!" Donna hugs him, and so does Eric.

"Alright, alright, Forman," Steven says, laughing a little while pulling away.

Jenny comes down the stairs and frowns when she sees everyone. "Mom, I thought it was just Aunt Laurie and the kids coming?"

"No, Jen. We're having, like a... a little party," Donna explains.

I turn to face her. "The kids?"

"Laurie's kids," Donna explains. "Reg, Liz, come here!"

Two teenage kids come out of the kitchen. Both of them are tall and blonde, but the boy looks older.

"Reggie, Lizzie, this is my friend Jackie. She knew us all when we were your age," she tells them. Then she turns to me. "Reggie is seventeen; Lizzie just turned thirteen."

I nod. "Nice to meet you." I turn to Donna. "Where's Laur-"

I'm cut off by Laurie walking in. "Jackie?" she asks.

"Hi, Laurie," I say politely. I notice Spencer standing behind me. "What's wrong, sweetie?"

She shrugs.

I put my arm around her and turn back to Laurie. "So, your kids seem nice."

"Oh, you met them? Yeah, they're good. Sometimes," she adds.

"And I'm guessing you got married?" I ask her.

She smiles blissfully. "Yes, I did. His name is... oh, here he is now!"

I notice a familiar looking man walking up to us and putting his hand on Laurie's waist. She grins at him.

"You look... very familiar," I say to him as he approaches.

"Well, I should," he says. "You dated my brother all of those years."

I gasp. "Casey Kelso?"

The couple smiles again as Casey nods. "Yeah, a long time ago, I came back to town; tried to hook up with Donna. She had been with Eric for a while then, and... well, Laurie opened the door for me. We just kind of... happened."

"Well, I guess it makes sense," I say. "Neither of you wanted to end up with anybody."

"Yeah, I guess so." Laurie smiles as she notices Spencer. "Who's this?"

"This is my daughter, Spencer. She's eleven." I gesture from Spencer to Laurie.

"Hi," Spencer says to Laurie.

Laurie smiles back to her.

"And my son Asher is over there." I look over and see him sitting on the couch with a Gameboy. "Ash!" I call him over. He rolls his eyes but comes anyway.

"Meet Laurie," I tell him. "Laurie, Casey, this is Asher. He's thirteen."

"Hey," Asher says, uninterested.

"Oh, thirteen? You're the same age as my daughter. She's right over there." Laurie points to where she's standing, talking to Jenny. "Lizzie!"

Lizzie walks over, noticing her mother. Casey nudges Laurie in the arm. I don't think he wants her to introduce their daughter to Asher.

It's almost sweet to see Casey and Laurie together. I mean, who would have thought? And with kids, too!

"Lizzie, this is Asher," Laurie says. "Why don't you guys talk?" She grins at me and winks. "I think we could set them up," she mouths.

Casey nudges Laurie again.

"Oh, will you quit it?" she snaps at him. Then, she faces me again. "So, you have two kids and I have two kids. Where's your husband?"

"Um..." I trail off. "I actually have three kids. Molly is over there." I point to where she's sitting, next to Paolo and Dario.

"You have a daughter that old?" Laurie asks in disbelief.

"Yeah... with a different guy," I explain.

"So you've been married twice," Laurie concludes.

"And divorced," I admit. "Well, not yet, technically. But I will be."

Laurie looks shocked. "Wow, of all people," she says quietly.

"Yeah," I say.

After talking to Laurie for a while, (and confessing to my affair with Dario... she approved, needless to say) I go by Steven. I notice that Eric just walked away from him to tell Jenny something.

"Hi," I say, sitting next to him.

"Hey." He smiles at me.

I see his son sitting by him. "So this must be Gage?"

"Yeah," Steven says as Gage turns to look at me.

"Who's this?" he asks Steven.

"This is Jackie. My ex-girlfriend from high school," Steven says, grinning slightly at me.

"Nice to meet you, Gage." I smile at him.

He's about to say something when a ringing is heard.

Steven puts his hand in his pocket and pulls out a phone, answering. "Yeah? ...who the hell cares, it's my weekend... yeah, well you should have thought about that before you planned the whole thing out... you really think he wants to be there for a damn birthday party? ...really, do you think I care? ...whatever."

He hangs up. "Sorry about that." He turns to Gage. Before he can say anything, Gage talks.

"Was that Mom?" he asks.

Steven nods and rolls his eyes. "Yeah."

"What did she say?" Gage asks.

"She was bitching at me about how you should be home this weekend because it's Ian's birthday party, and she wants you there." Steven rolls his eyes again.

"Oh." Gage frowns. "Am I gonna have to go?"

"Nah, if she calls again, I'll ignore it," Steven says, putting his phone back in his pocket.

I frown, noticing this. Steven is being kind of rude. I wonder if Gage cares that Steven talks badly about Gage's mother.

"So, um," I say, to break the tension, "did you see my kids?"

"I can tell which ones are yours," Steven says. "The girls look just like you."

I smile at this. "Thank you."

"Yup." Steven nods.

I see his communication skills haven't changed a bit.

"Can you imagine," Steven says, leaning back. "what it would have been like if you never split? If Sam never came in the picture, if I never caught you and Kelso together?"

"Well, that doesn't matter. It was so long ago." I pause. "Plus, you weren't going to propose, anyway."

He smiles slyly at me. "Yeah, I was. Until I caught you and Kelso."

"Really?" Even though it was forever ago, the thought makes me smile.

"You two were gonna get married?" Gage asks, listening in on our conversation.

"Yeah, but... things got in the way," Steven says. "I mean, it obviously wasn't meant to happy. I like the way things turned out."

I shrug. "Yeah, I guess so. My life isn't anything like I thought it would be... at all. But I'm glad I have my kids, and my friends."

Steven nods and looks over at Gage. "Yep. My only regret is being with his mom. But I can't hate too much, or else he wouldn't be here."

I look at Gage, who looks emotionless. I feel bad for the kid...