I'm updating this now! Sorry for neglecting this. =P I'll make more of a concerted effort to update these stories more frequently. Thank you for your reviews and favorites! I own nothing except Nicky.

Jenni hoped that going to the zoo would take her mind off of Roger and his bullshit. Nicky was happy to go anyways. Jenni remembers the time she went with Nicole to the zoo in Cancun. They saw the crocodiles and monkeys. Nicky's favorite animals were tigers. Luckily, this zoo had tigers. The make-shift family clambered into Pauly's Cadillac and they headed to the local zoo. When they got there, Nicky ran out of the car and skipped towards the entrance. Jenni gripped his hand protectively, and clasped Pauly's hand in the other. Jenni tried to pay for the admission but Pauly insisted. Jenni blushed and argued back but acquiesced in the end. The couple and child wandered around the zoo, admiring the different animals. There were reptiles, primates, birds, crocodiles, lions, tigers, bear, oh my.

But seriously, Nicky was enjoying himself. Pauly was having a good time bonding with the boy and sneaking romantic moments with Jenni. Jenni still couldn't get her mind off of Roger. Once, she swore she saw a guy that looked like him. For the most part though, Jenni saw families. That was the worst part. A happy, caring mother. A happy interacting father. Happy children. All around happy family. That was what Jenni and Roger used to be...a little. Now they were a broken family. The worst part was that Nicky was feeling the brunt of it. Jenni didn't want the little boy to be in pain, or be upset about the potential divorce. She wanted to get along with Roger for Nicky's sake, but the man was making a hard time of it.

Jenni stopped the boys' walking and offered to pay for lunch. Pauly, like the gentleman he is, offered to pay again. Jenni firmly turned him down. "You payed for the admission. I'll cover lunch." she said. Pauly rose his hands in defeat.

"Okay." he said. The man watched Jenni as she walked away. He found a lone picnic table to sit at with Nicky. He watched in his peripheral vision what she was getting: hot dogs, fries, sodas. He managed to pay attention to Nicky and answer his childish questions. There was one question that surprised him quite a bit. Nicky furrowed his eyebrows and looked at Pauly curiously.

"Are you going to marry my mom?" Pauly nearly choked laughing. He looked at Nicky with a bewildered expression and asked him to repeat himself. Nicky did and Pauly couldn't contain his shock. He trailed with his mouth open and said nothing. Jenni came back with the food and sat down, asking what the boys were talking about. Nicky leaned forward on the picnic table and smiled. "I asked Uncle Pauly if he was marrying you!" Jenni's face grew pale and she looked at Pauly. The guido shrugged and the woman laughed a little.

"I'm still married to your dad, honey." she explained. Not for long, she thought to herself. Nicky looked confused. Jenni groaned, not really wanting to get into it. However it was inevitable. She brushed a hand through her hair. "Pauly and me are just...dating." Nicky asked what dating meant and why they were dating if she was still married. Pauly put a hand on Jenni's shoulder, asking her if they should get into this now. Jenni nodded. "He needs to know..." she whispered. She turned back to him. "Your dad...cheated on me. He went with another woman while we were still married." she explained. Nicky furrowed his eyebrows.

"Isn't that what you're doing? Going with another man while you're still married to Daddy?" he asked. Jenni's mouth formed an 'o'. Roger seemed okay with the relationship but at the same time, not really. She never looked at it like that before. Maybe Nicky had a valid point. She stood up abruptly. Pauly stood up too and grabbed her shoulders.

"Jenni..." he called. She pulled away from him.

"I-I need a moment to myself." she walked away and went towards the restroom. "Go around with him and finish up. I'll meet with you later." she ignored the sad look on Pauly's face as she stormed away.

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Pauly inwardly banged his head against the wall. Why did Nicky have to bring it up? Open that can of worms? Better yet, why was Jenni encouraging his questions? Now she was in a confused state. Pauly walked around with Nicky to look at the other animals, but he wasn't as enthusiastic or happy as before. He wanted Jenni by his side. He felt like a single father, walking around. Also, he was worried about her. She couldn't leave the zoo but it was unhealthy for her to be pacing around, worrying. He rushed Nicky through the rest of the zoo and was eager to go out to the car. Thankfully, he found her leaning against the Cadillac smoking a cigarette. Nicky greeted his mother and got into the back seat. Pauly lingered outside and spoke to her.

"Is everything okay?" he asked. She nodded and continued to smoke. Pauly knew everything wasn't okay. Jenni was hiding the truth from Pauly and he wasn't sure why. After a few minutes of silence, he gently ripped the cigarette out of her fingers and stomped it out. "That stuff's not good for you. You need to quit." he stated. Jenni scoffed.

"Easier said than done." she said irritably. Pauly kissed her cheek and caressed her hair with his hand.

"Tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing's wrong!" she exclaimed. Pauly grabbed her shoulders.

"Tell me!" he demanded. Jenni broke down into tears. Pauly let go of her and stared. He knew it was serious if she was crying. Through tears, she explained how Nicky was right and that technically she was cheating on Roger. Pauly hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. "You're not cheating on him...he knows about our relationship and he's okay with it." he said. Jenni shook her head, saying it was okay. She kept saying it was wrong. Pauly glanced at Nicky every now and then. Thankfully, he wasn't paying attention. Pauly rubbed Jenni's back. "Come on...be strong for me and Nick..." he trailed. Jenni wiped her eyes.

"You're right." she said.

"You deserve to cheat. He cheated on you first." Pauly comforted her. She smiled weakly.

"Yeah, but I'm no better by doing this. I don't think we'll work out. Can we just be friends? For now?" she asked. Pauly was taken aback.

"Are you friend-zoning me?" he asked. Jenni laughed a little. Pauly always knew how to make something funny.

"For now, yes." she said, brushing a hand through her hair. "We can still live together and be friends; but I don't want to take the relationship further until I get divorced." she explained. Pauly let out a sigh of relief. Jenni was getting divorced.

"That's good. When will you tell Roger this?" he asked. She shrugged.

"I guess when he comes over tomorrow to beg me back." she said. Pauly smirked and stepped towards the car, asking if they were ready to go. She nodded and walked to the other side. He asked one last question: how they would explain this to Nicky and if she needed help. Jenni shook her head. "I'll do it tonight...by myself. I think that'd be better." Pauly nodded and got in the driver's side. He and Jenni were civil and normal as they drove back to the house. Pauly was somewhat disappointed. He wished he and Jenni could take it to the next level...Ah what is he thinking? Roger and Jenni aren't even divorced yet. The two have had their share of fights but they've managed to weather all these years. They might even get back together. Pauly hoped the latter choice wouldn't be a huge possibility. When they got home, Nicky went in the house. Jenni and Pauly lingered outside. Jenni explained to Pauly she wanted to talk to Nicky on the couch alone. He agreed and said it was reasonable. While she went inside by herself, Pauly sat out in the car. He decided to call his friend Jerry. That would pass the time.

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Jenni shut the door and called for Nicky. The clone of Roger ran down the steps and jumped on the couch. She laughed and told him to take it easy. Nicky asked what was up. Jenni sat down and said she needed to talk to him. Nervousness rushed through her. She could only imagine how her young son felt. Being without his father was tough, however he adjusted to Pauly quickly. Maybe this was good, maybe this was bad. Jenni would never know. It seemed okay. Nicky didn't seem scarred or visibly upset. He actually seemed like he wanted Pauly and Jenni to get married. She didn't know. She'd have to explain things in more detail and get his opinion.

"About what?" he asked.

"About the whole situation over the past few weeks. It's probably been really stressful, huh?" she said, Nicky shrugged.

"A little." Jenni asked if he had any questions. Nicky nodded. "Are you and Daddy getting back together?" he asked. She shook her head.

"No, baby. I'm sorry. Your dad and I are getting what's called a divorce. It's when two married people get un-married." she said, putting it in the simplest terms. His face fell a little. She picked up her tone. "BUT, you can still see your dad every weekend."

"How come I'm not seeing him every weekend now?" he asked. Jenni decided that if he was going to slander her, she was going to slander him.

"Your dad doesn't want to see you. He only comes around when it's convenient and easy for him." she said sternly. It may have been harsh to break it to a kindergartner like thay but it was the only way she could do it. He nodded slowly. "I'm sorry. He does love you. He just isn't around that often. That will change soon though, bud." she said. Nicky nodded.

"What about you and Uncle Pauly?" he asked. "Uncle Pauly's not my dad, but he's kissing you like Daddy used to and he spends time with me like Daddy used to..." he trailed. Jenni bit her lip.

"Well, buddy, until Mommy gets divorced from your dad, we won't be as kissy-kissy gross like that." she said sticking her tongue out. Nicky laughed. Jenni was glad to see that genuine smile of her son's. "Eventually, we might get married but we'll see. Don't talk about it too much, okay? Especially not in front of your dad, understand?" he nodded vigorously. "Good." she kissed him on the top of his head. "Any more questions?" she asked. Nicky nodded and held one finger up.

"One more!" Jenni looked expectantly. "Are we a broken family?" Jenni furrowed her eyebrows and moved closer to her son.

"How did you hear that?" she asked. Nicky shrugged.

"This kid at my birthday party said I had a broken family. He heard it from his parents, how Daddy cheated on you, then you left and we moved in with Uncle Pauly, and then Uncle Pauly's like my dad now..." he trailed. Jenni asked who said this. "Tommy Roseritz." he said. The little boy was choking back tears at this point. "Tommy said that Uncle Pauly only hangs out with me because he has to, and he feels bad. Is that true?" he asked. Now the boy collapsed into tears. Jenni moved close to Nicky and hugged him. A male voice sounded near the door. Pauly's.

"That's not true at all." Pauly practically ran forward and sat down on the couch. He lifted Nicky into his lap and smiled a little. "I love you like my son, and that kid was just lying. He's probably jealous that you have such an awesome uncle." he said, tousling Nicky's hair. He hugged Nicky. Nicky, now crying fully, buried his head into Pauly's broad shoulder. Jenni hissed into Pauly's ear, joining in on the group hug.

"I thought I told you to stay outside and leave me alone to talk to him." Pauly smiled and kissed Jenni on the lips.

"I'll never leave you alone." Jenni smiled and hugged Nicky and Pauly. Maybe they were a family after all.