Dean-
I was picking up Amelia from school. I saw her standing with Ryder and a few other friends. One boy, who I didn't know, was standing too close to her. Ryder didn't like it either. I pulled up to them.
"Amelia", I yelled.
She said goodbye to her friends and then came over to my truck.
"You think we can give Ryder a quick ride home?", she asked, getting in.
"Sure", I said.
She waved him over and he got in. Amelia was playing with her hands, quiet.
"How was school you two?", I asked.
"Good", Ryder answered.
"Bean how about you?", I asked, using her nickname.
I hadn't used it in a long time, mostly because she had asked me to stop calling her that. She looked at me.
"Fine", she replied softly.
"You sure? You know you can talk to me right. I'm just as good of a listener as momma", I said.
"Just tell him Amelia", Ryder said.
He didn't sound happy. I glanced between her and the road.
"Darlin", I said.
"Mikey asked me out", she mumbled.
I raised a brow.
"First of all, who's Mikey?", I asked, trying not to raise my voice.
If I wanted them to come to me more, I needed to control my anger when they wanted to talk boys.
"Are you mad?", she asked.
"No Bean, I'm not. Go on", I said.
We pulled into Ryder's house and he got off without saying goodbye to Lia. Which was off for them.
"So want to tell me who Mikey is?", I asked.
"He's a friend of Ryder's. During math class he sent me a note asking me out. I told him I didn't know because you said I couldn't date till I was sixteen", she said.
"Do you like him?", I asked worried.
I didn't want any of my girls dating, but it was inevitable. Boys were coming into their lives.
"I don't know. How do you know?", she asked, looking at me.
"Well, what do you feel when you look at him?", I asked.
This was definitely Lexi's thing. I wonder if she felt uncomfortable talking to them about boys too.
"He's cute, but I don't know him and I don't know how I feel", she said.
"Can I ask you something?", I asked, pulling into the mall parking lot.
She nodded.
"How do you feel about Ryder?", I asked.
Her cheeks turned a light pink. She bit her lip nervously the way Lexi does.
"I won't get mad, I like Ryder", I said.
"I don't know either. I like being around him and he makes me laugh. How did you know you liked mom?", she asked.
I smiled. We got off the truck and walked to the front doors to enter.
"Well for me it was the moment I saw her. We were backstage at NXT and she was just so beautiful. Everyone got along with her, she was so sweet. You girls are a lot like her", I said, setting my arm over her shoulder.
"It was love at first sight?", she asked smiling.
I nodded.
"Something like that. I wanted her to be my girl more than anything. No other woman could compare to her", I said.
She nodded.
"Don't date anyone just yet. Get to know this Mikey kid first like you know Ryder. The best love grows out of friendships and if this kid is still around when you're sixteen then go for it or maybe if you want to date Ryder, that's okay too", I said.
"Did you wait till you were sixteen?", she asked.
"No, but I grew up differently. I want you and your sister to wait because I want you to enjoy being kids. Have fun with friends, focus on school. You'll have plenty of time for boyfriends when you're older, trust me", I said.
She nodded, hugging me.
"I like spending time with you alone, thanks daddy", she said, resting her head on my shoulder.
"You are my princess and I love you Lia. I am so sorry for making you feel like you weren't", I said.
She nodded.
"I told you I would tell you why I was afraid to get too close to you. I think it's time you knew, before you were born, one of my ex's kidnapped your mom", I said.
"What?", she asked.
I nodded.
"She was pregnant with you at the time and I almost lost you and mommy. It scared me so much, then you were born premature. I watched over you everyday while they had you in that box. I wanted to switch places with you, it was the second time I almost lost you. I blamed myself for putting you there and as you were getting older, I pulled away because I didn't want to hurt you again", I said.
"But those situations weren't your fault dad or were they?", she asked.
"I blame myself, but your mom doesn't", I said.
"Well if mom said it wasn't your fault, then it's not. I don't blame you and I'm fine now", she said.
I smiled and nodded. I cupped her face in my hands before kissing her forehead.
"Come on, let's get this shopping done", I said.
She giggled.
"Oh before I forget, I'll be taking you with me to sign my contract. How about it kid?", I asked.
She smiled and nodded.
"I'm sorry daddy", she said.
"Why?", I asked.
"For making you feel bad. For saying you loved Gracie more than me. I know it's not true", she said.
I kissed the side of her head.
"I might say one of you is my favorite, truth is, you're all my favorites. I love you all equally, including these new Twinkies coming our way", I said.
She laughed. We went into several stores before we stopped and got a smoothie. I felt a hand on my arm.
"Hi, it's crazy running into you here", Carla.
I rolled my eyes and Amelia watched this woman. She squeezed my arm and pushed her chest into my side. I took a few steps back and she closed the space between us once again.
"What are you doing at the mall?", she asked, taking my hand with her free hand.
I tugged it away.
"With my daughter", I said.
She tried to put her hands on me again, but Amelia stepped between us.
"Hi Mrs. Mena", she said.
"You know her?", I asked Lia.
Lia nodded.
"She's Lizzy's mom", she said.
The divorce chick. Now I knew why she was getting a divorce.
"I didn't know he was your dad Amelia", she said.
Amelia nodded.
"Yeah and I don't think my mom would appreciate you all over my dad. They are happily married, unlike you. No wonder your husband cheated on you", Lia said.
Carla glared, I grabbed Amelia and pulled her behind me before Carla could do anything to her.
"Every man strays eventually. They get bored and want something better", Carla said, winking at me.
"Then why would he pick you? All wrinkly and saggy. My mom is still young and naturally beautiful", Amelia shot back.
Carla's jaw dropped. I tried not to laugh.
"Lia, enough, respect your elders", I said.
"Slap her. She deserves it for talking to me like that. Every kid needs discipline", she said.
"My wife and I don't hit our kids", I said.
She rolled her eyes.
"You know what else, I think you should find another gym. We will also be happy to give you back this months payment", I said.
Amelia and I got our smoothies and walked away. Lia was playing with her straw.
"What's up kid? I can hear you thinking over there", I said.
"Would you ever cheat on mommy or have you ever thought about it?", she asked worried.
"No to both questions. I love your mother so much, she's my world. She's the only one who can put up with me. She gave me you and your brothers and sisters. I'm more afraid of her leaving me", I said.
"Mom would never do that", she said.
"I know that too", I said smiling.
Lexi-
Everyone was here except for Dean and Amelia. Roman was in the living room wrestling with the twins and Elijah. Which I was thankful for, he could use up all their energy.
"RKO", Camden yelled and tried to RKO Roman, only to hang off of him.
Chloe jumped on his back.
"Are you feeling weak yet uncle Joe?", Chloe asked.
He chuckled, both kids hanging off him. Elijah grabbed Joe's leg and laughed. Ronnie did the same to his other leg. Gracie was laughing really hard.
"Get him Eli", she cheered.
The front door opened and Dean walked in with Amelia behind him. Dean smirked and Lia laughed.
"Hi uncle Joe", Amelia said.
"Hey baby girl", he replied.
"Hey man, you've got something on you", Dean said.
Dean came over to me and wrapped his arms around me. His hand gently laying flat on my stomach.
"Are you sleepy now uncle Joe?", Chloe asked again.
"I think it's starting to work", he said, yawning for effect.
Dean chuckled.
"What are you doing Cam?", he asked.
"The RKO", Camden replied.
Dean groaned. I kissed his cheek.
"Ron, come here pumpkin head", he said.
She let go of Roman and skipped over to Dean. He whispered something into her ear and she giggled, nodding. She went over to Gracie before yelling like Roman does before he spears someone. She ran to him and jumped, making Roman lose his balance a little. He dropped to one knee.
"Super man punch Eli", Amelia said.
Gracie picked up Elijah and tapped Roman's face with his little fist. Roman groaned for dramatic effect.
"Now you can RKO him Cam, I guess", Dean said, rolling his eyes.
I giggled. Cam did as his dad said. Dean went over and turned Roman onto his back.
"Pin him", Dean yelled.
All the kids jumped on Roman and laughed. Dean counted to three. The little ones cheered for their victory.
"Alright, dinner time now that everyone is home", I said.
Roman quickly stood and scared the kids. They screamed and ran to the kitchen. He stopped by me.
"Hey brother, thanks for keeping them busy while Lexi made dinner.", Dean said, picking up Eli.
"No problem. Has anyone told you that you have a lot of kids", Roman said.
Dean laughed and nodded.
"With two more on the way", he said.
"What?", Roman asked.
Dean nodded and looked at me.
"Its twins", I said.
"I'm happy for you guys, with everything you've been through, you deserve all the happiness in the world. If having a big family makes you happy, then more power to you", he said.
"Thanks man", Dean said.
We walked into the kitchen, Gracie was serving the little ones. I thanked her.
"Have you guys thought about buying a bigger house. I mean with two more on the way, you would need more room.", Roman said.
Dean looked at me and shrugged.
"I'm starting to think we might have too", Dean said.
I nodded.