I DO NOT OWN ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN THIS STORY BESIDES THE OC'S.
The Next Day (Tuesday)-
Leslie's Point of View-
Today, I didn't have work and Olivia is feeling much better after the little episode yesterday. It rarily happens and she lives just like a normal kid, but sometimes she has trouble letting go due to attachment issues which I have no idea where she had gotten. I walked towards her school to pick her up and head to the park like we always do on Tuesday afternoons and I was planning on dropping by Neal's place to see if he had typed up my resume and look over June's newspaper. I stood outside Olivia's school when I saw the brown haired man with the peircing blue eyes walking down the street towards me, he was wearing his gray suit with a fedora to match it.
"Neal, I thought you had work?" I said as he stood beside me.
"I do, have you ever heard of lunch break?"
"Yes, this is kind of late for lunch."
"It is, but I worked through my normal lunch period to get off at this time. Plus, I wanted to take you and Olivia over to my friends house to plan Olivia's birthday party." Neal said.
"I don't know Neal."
"Come on, let me...it'll make Olivia happy and absolutely no costs.."
"Neal, you've helped enough..."
"I know, but maybe I want to help more..."
"Well, what if I say you at least let me help pay you back in installments...when I get a new job..."
"Does that mean you have an interview?" Neal asked.
"I have one tomorrow morning...but it is at the place I'm working know moving up to waitress instead of dishwasher."
"Does it pay more?"
"Not a lot more, $5 more an hour..."
"That is somewhat of a difference, you going to continue looking elsewhere right?" Neal asked as we heard the bell waiting for kids to run out the doors.
"I'm going to try." I said smiling.
"Good..." Neal said as Olivia ran out, her face lit up when she saw Neal and she ran faster down the steps, Neal squatted down picking her up.
"Neal! What are you doing here?" Olivia asked.
"I came to take you to my friends house, we are going to start planning your birthday party."
"I'm having a party?" Olivia asked excitedly.
"Yep." I said smiling as Neal set her down, he held onto her hand and he turned to me holding out his other hand.
"I don't have cooties." Neal said smiling, I smiled grabbing onto his hand as he led us to his friends house, I was nervous to meet this person because I never was this social until I met Neal. The house seemed nice from the outside, I heard a dog barking from the inside knowing it must be a big dog. Neal let go of my hand knocking on the door then re-grasping my hand, he looked to me smiling.
"Coming!" A female yelled from inside before the door opened a few moments later. "Neal, what are you doing here?" She asked drying her hands on the rag before hugging Neal.
"We talked on the phone about the party..." Neal said.
"Right, right...come on in...you guys don't mind dogs do you?" She asked looking to me.
"Not at all, Olivia loves dogs." I said when she stepped aside letting us walk in.
"Olivia must be this cute little thing." She said looking down at my daughter.
"Yes I am." Olivia said smiling.
"Nice to meet you Miss Olivia, I'm Elizabeth." Elizabeth said.
"Okay Elizabeth, whoa that's a big dog!" Olivia said chasing the dog around the house.
"You must be Leslie." Elizabeth said.
"How'd you know I'm Leslie?" I asked.
"Neal has told me about you, come on in, you guys hungry? Thirsty?" Elizabeth asked.
"No thanks..." I said.
"I'll have some tea..." Neal said as I followed him and Elizabeth to the dining room table seeing Olivia in the other room playing with the big dog, she was petting him mainly and talking to it.
"You want some tea?" Elizabeth asked.
"Sure..." I said as Elizabeth started to make the tea, "You talked to her about me?" I asked.
"Maybe..." Neal said as I noticed the photos on the wall, I walked over looking at them closely and assumed that was her husband.
"Is this your husband?" I asked.
"Yep...he works with Neal." Elizabeth said.
"That poor guy..." I teased.
"They are partners in crime...it's really cool..." Elizabeth said as I looked over at Neal and he shrugged.
"Your husband is very handsome." I said.
"Thank you, but not as handsome as Mr. Caffrey." Elizabeth said looking to Neal.
"Thanks Elizabeth." Neal said blushing a tad, Elizabeth walked out with three cups with the teabags as the teapot was on the stove.
"When is Olivia's birthday?" Elizabeth asked sitting across from Neal and I.
"March 15th." I said.
"Awesome...what does she like?" Elizabeth asked.
"She LOVES Hannah Montana." I said.
"Hannah Montana?" Olivia yelled from the other room running in with the dog behind her.
"Yep, you love Hannah Montana?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yep, I LOVE her, she is amazing! She can sing, she is beautiful, she..." Olivia said going on her rant about why she loves Hannah Montana, I think the list had gotten longer.
"Okay, well we are going to have a Hannah Montana birthday party." Elizabeth said.
"Are we? Mommy, are we?" Olivia asked excitedly.
"Maybe, depends on how much it is..." I said.
"Please mommy?" She said putting her hands together and pouted her lips.
"Neal, you have watched my kid for too long." I said looking to Neal.
"That's not my work, that is Mozzie's work...he must of taught her that one day..." Neal said.
"We'll see..." I said.
"That means yes..." Elizabeth said as Olivia squealed and ran away to grab the dogs toy to play with.
"I don't know, it seems expensive." I said nervously as Elizabeth got up when the pot was sqealing from hotness.
"It won't be that expensive unless if we make it expensive." Elizabeth said.
"What's the difference?" I asked.
"Buy the more inexpensive things, and don't invest in things you don't need." Elizabeth said.
"Alright, what do you have in mind?" Neal asked.
"Well, Hannah Montana everything, like table clothes, napkins, plates, and on her birthday cake. We can do coloring contests, pin the tail on the donkey, they may even have pinatas in Hannah Montana shape and goodie bags." Elizabeth said.
"Sounds good so far." I said.
"We can do musical chairs, water balloons and we can do a bar-be-que with hot dogs and hamburgers." Elizabeth said.
"How much money would all this be?" I asked curiously.
"Well, we can have the party here to save money on locations, we have a picnic table and spare tables and chairs in the garage so we got that covered...I would say if we shopped as bargained as we could, I would say $200 tops..." Elizabeth said as she was writing down a list of things that she will need.
"Thanks Elizabeth, are you sure you would want to host it here? I mean, that is a lot of kids and possibly their parents running around..."
"I can handle it trust me...so, her birthday is on a...Wednesday, would that work for you?" Elizabeth asked looking at her agenda then looked up at Neal and I.
"I work Wednesday's." I said.
"You won't be able to get the day off?" Elizabeth asked taking a sip of her tea.
"I could but I prefer not to since I need the money." I said.
"Workalic like my husband and Neal here, no wonder you two have hit it off...how did you two meet anyway?" Elizabeth asked.
"Um..." I said hesitant looking to Neal.
"Its a funny story, I met her at the park, we bumped into each other and here we are now." Neal said.
"The park, isn't it beautiful there?" Elizabeth said.
"Yeah...Olivia loves going there...how did...um...I never caught your husbands name..." I said.
"Peter..." Elizabeth said.
"How did you and Peter meet?" I asked sipping my tea.
"It was the cutest thing, he tried to pick me up with some pick up lines but he just isn't the flirting type...it was so adorable though..." Elizabeth said.
"Would he mind having the party here?" I asked.
"Not at all, he can't wait to meet you." Elizabeth said.
"He knows about me?" I asked as Neal was just as shocked but yet he had fear in his eyes.
"Somewhat...not as much as me though..." Elizabeth said.
"Okay..." I said weirded out.
"Anyways, what days do you have off?" Elizabeth asked.
"Tuesdays and Thursdays..." I said.
"What would be better, the day before or the day after?" Elizabeth asked.
"I vote the day before." Neal said.
"Me too...what time would be best? I don't want it to be too late since it'll be a school night." I said.
"What about 4 PM to 6 PM?" Elizabeth asked.
"Good with me, what about you Neal?" I asked looking to Neal.
"Fine with me..." Neal said smiling.
"That's set...why don't we meet in two weeks on the 26th and I will give you the invitations to pass out and I will account for her whole class...how many are in her class?" Elizabeth asked writing down the next meeting.
"I would say 20 to 30, no more than 30." I said.
"I will plan for 25, I don't see that many people showing up and I will adjust to the amount that do show up...what is your phone number so they can call and RSVP?" Elizabeth asked.
"Put mine down..." Neal said.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Yeah, it'll be no problem..." Neal said as Elizabeth made note to put Neal's number as the RSVP number.
"If I need to get a hold of you for any questions, you want me to call Neal?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yeah, that will be the best way..." I said.
"Well, I got to get back to work...I'll walk you back home before heading to work..." Neal said as I looked over at Neal seeing him smile.
"Okay then..." I said standing up grabbing my glass.
"I'll take care of it, no worries..." Elizabeth said.
"Thank you so much Elizabeth..." I said as she stood up, I gave her a hug as Neal pushed in his chair and slid out from the side of the table.
"Thanks Elizabeth." Neal said as I walked to the other room to grab Olivia hearing the two whisper but just assumed it was about the party.
"Olivia, it's time to go." I said.
"When's my party?" She asked standing up.
"March 14th..." I said.
"A month away..." She said.
"Yep, I am going to write a note to your teacher, will you be able to give it to her?"
"Yep, I am a big girl." Olivia said as we walked down the hall to join Neal and Elizabeth in the door way.
"We ready to go?" Neal asked.
"Yep." Olivia said.
"Thanks again Elizabeth." I said.
"Thanks Elizabeth." Olivia said looking up at Elizabeth.
"No problem sweetie." Elizabeth said smiling as Neal opened the door letting Olivia and I walk out first as he shut the door behind us.
"She's nice..." I said walking down the steps with Olivia a few steps in front of me jumping down the last step.
"She is..." Neal said as he stepped down the couple of steps to be with me and he grabbed my hand as we walked down the last steps together watching Olivia hop over the cracks singing the 'Don't step on the crack, or you'll break your mom's back' rhyme with each time. "So what do you have planned for Valentines?" Neal asked.
"Nothing, may try to buy some cookie or cake mix to make them into hearts with Olivia and decorate the apartment in hearts while she's in school." I said.
"Well, that's not acceptable..." Neal said.
"Why isn't that acceptable?" I asked curiously.
"Because you aren't celebrating nor do you have a date..."
"What do you suggest?" I asked pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
"Why don't you, Olivia and I go out, I'll surprise you..." Neal said smiling.
"It better not be something too special." I said.
"I promise...so is it a go?" Neal asked.
"Yeah..." I said.
"Great...I will see you Thursday." He said smiling and winking at me before he squatted down, "Bye Olivia, will I see you Thursday?"
"Yes..." Olivia said as she hugged Neal.
"Behave." Neal said pointing at her.
"I will." Olivia said smiling and giggling before he stood up smiling at me before he turned around heading back to work. I couldn't help but to worry about Thursday, with it being Valentines Day, it being Neal, and still unsure if it's a date. I haven't been on a date since I have had Olivia so I don't know if I even remember how to date. I grabbed onto Olivia's hand taking her up to our apartment trying not to let my daughter know that I am worried and scared about Thursday, I didn't know what to wear nor how to act on a date. Maybe I was reading too much into this, maybe it's not a date and he just wants alone time with me, is that still classified as a date? I grabbed my daughters backpack off her back opening it looking through the paperwork.
"You got homework, why don't you do it now before Hannah Montana comes on?" I asked as I handed her the work she had to do, it was only writing the alphabet.
"Okay." Olivia said taking the sheet from me and grabbed a pencil from her bag as I pulled out one of her papers and borrowed a pencil from her writing a note to her teacher asking for a list of all the students in her class and explained what it was for. I slid the note into the folder that the teacher looks into everyday to gather homework and send paperwork home for me to see. "Mommy, I'm done!" Olivia said as she walked over handing me her work.
"Let's look at this..." I said as I pulled her up onto my lap looking at her writing seeing how she wrote each letter and noticed she didn't crossed her t's. "Why didn't you cross the t's?"
"I always let Jimmy cross my t's and he lets me dot his i's." Olivia said.
"Jimmy isn't here, may I cross the t's or do you want to cross them?" I asked.
"You can cross them..." Olivia said as I leant forward crossing the t's for Olivia as she sat on my lap watching me cross the t's. "May I watch Hannah Montana now?" She asked.
"Absolutely." I said kissing the top of her head letting her get off running to the bed turning the television on.
Elizabeth's Point of View-
I shut the door after Neal walked out with Leslie and Olivia, I truly liked them both, I got some good vibes from her even though we didn't talk much except Olivia's party. I went back to the table cleaning up the tea cups that were now not being used. Before I walked out to the table sitting back down looking at what I had discussed with Leslie and Neal making a schedule of what will happen first, second, etc. I then begun to make a shopping list of food, decorations, and other things that will be needed for my shopping trip for this party. I got up walking outback with my notebook sitting on the back porch drawing out the backyard and trying to imagine how to decorate and where to put everything. I was focused on this for the next couple of hours until I heard the front door open, I stood up calling for our dog to come in shutting the door meeting my handsome husband in the entrance to the kitchen.
"Hey sweetie, long day at work?" I asked kissing him lightly.
"Yeah...doesn't help that Neal took a late lunch...I don't know what has gotten into him, but I think it has to deal with this Leslie chick...I knew she was no good." Peter said getting worked up again as he was loosening his tie.
"Honey, you can't say she is a bad influence if you haven't met her..." I said leaning onto the island.
"Like you have." Peter said.
"Actually I have..." I said moving a strand of hair out of my face.
"You met Leslie? Why hasn't he introduced me to her?" Peter asked.
"Well maybe because you assume too much...plus your a little nosey..." I said smiling as I stood up going over to the cupboards looking for what to cook for dinner tonight. I then felt two arms wrap around my waist and Peter's lips kissing at my neck.
"Why don't we order in some Chinese food and you can tell me all about this Leslie girl?" Peter asked.
"Okay, but your lucky I don't feel like cooking." I said turning around wrapping my arms around his neck giving him a light kiss, "You go change and I will order it." I said as he gave me a kiss back before he walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs to our bedroom as I pulled out the menu for our normal Chinese place calling them and ordering our normal meals. I put the phone up and went upstairs to grab my laptop bumping into Peter as he was coming out.
"Did you order it?" Peter asked.
"Yep, they said it'll be here in 30 minutes..." I said.
"Okay..." Peter said as he gave me a quick peck on the lips before I went into the room grabbing my laptop carrying it and the cord downstairs plugging it in and turning it on so I can start pricing things. "You got a new client?" Peter asked.
"Kind of..." I said in a teasing manner.
"Kind of? Who is it or am I not supposed to know?" Peter asked.
"Well, I'm planning a party for someone, but it's not an usual person I would plan a party for."
"Who? Neal?" Peter asked chuckling as I just got a dead serious look. "Neal's planning a party? For what? His birthday isn't here already is it?" Peter asked.
"Not his party, he wants me to plan Leslie's daughter party..." I said.
"How old is her daughter turning?"
"7...and I kind of said they can have it here..." I said.
"That'll be great, I can finally meet Leslie...was she here earlier?" Peter asked.
"Yes she was...she is super nice and a very good influence...her daughter is precious and loves dogs and Hannah Montana..."
"Let me guess? Our back yard is going to be filled with Hannah Montana and screaming 7 year olds?"
"Yep...but will it be worth it?" I asked leaning onto his shoulder.
"Yep..." Peter said smiling wrapping his arm around me watching the basketball game with him for a little while until our food arrived then I got back to work on this party.
