Authors notes: Sorry for the delay in updating. I've been very busy lately. I have stumbled upon more free time though in the next few weeks so hopefully i'll get the chance to update more frequently. Thank you to everyone who has been following this story this far )

Chapter 10

"I'm going to get you!" Jay threatened as he chased after Christine. She squealed with laughter as she tried to get away from him dodging chairs and even running through one guest's legs. He let her stay a few feet in front of him letting her think she was actually going to get away. Once he had her cornered he picked her up and started tickling her.

"Let me go Jay!" Christine yelled as she laughed hysterically. "Let me down!"

"Not until you say please." Jay said continuing to tickle her. She squirmed trying to get free. Jay couldn't help himself and started laughing. He thought Christine was adorable and truly couldn't wait for the day that he and Emma had their own little batch of Hogart's running around.

"I see you're still picking on people half your size." Sean said interrupting Jay's thoughts.

"Daddy!" Christine squealed throwing her arms out for her father to take her. Sean took Christine from Jay's arms and set her down on the ground.

Christine quickly scanned the crowd looking for her new friend Manny. Once she spotted her she took off running towards her across the room.

"Christine Cameron!" Sean yelled after her and Christine turned around stopping in her tracks. "Where are you going?"

"To see Manny." Christine replied turning back around and taking off again. Sean watched as his daughter approached Manny and shyly got Manny's attention. Once Sean saw that Christine was safe with Manny her turned around and continued his conversation with Jay.

"I'm glad you could make it." Jay said as he nervously sipped on his drink. His drink was alcohol free but he thought a shot or two of something strong definitely wouldn't hurt him at this moment.

"Yeah me too. But I must admit I never thought I'd see the day when Jay Hogart was at a party that didn't have any alcohol." Sean commented. Sean could tell Jay seemed a bit nervous around him as he also had the night before. Now he understood why. "Must've been Emma's idea?"

Jay let out the breath he had been holding. Sean knew about them. Jay caught Emma out of the corner of his eye. His eyes met hers and she gave him a knowing look. In that look Jay could read that Sean knew about them and that he was partially okay with it. Well at least okay with it enough to still be standing there talking to Jay. Jay nodded to Emma to let her know he understood and she turned away becoming engrossed in her previous conversation to a fellow party guest.

"Yeah, it was Emma's idea to have an "alcohol free" pre wedding lunch thing. She thought it would be respectful since it was a family oriented event." Jay said. "But don't you worry. The alcohol will be flowing tonight at my bachelor party. You're coming right?"

Sean thought it over. He knew his duty as a friend should be to help celebrate the upcoming nuptials. But personally, he didn't feel like celebrating at all. How could he celebrate Emma and Jay getting married? "I'd like to come out tonight Jay but I don't have a sitter for Christine." Sean said making up an excuse. Well it was partially an excuse. He really didn't have a sitter for Christine.

"You do now." Spike said interrupting the conversation between the two men. Christine was now attached to Spike's leg. "Snake and I are going to be home tonight and Jack is staying at a friend's house. We'd love to watch Christine for you for the night. It's been a while since we've had a little girl around the house."

"Thanks for the offer." Sean started. "But I couldn't ask you to watch Christine."

"You didn't ask. I offered." Spike stated. "And I won't take no for an answer."

Sean couldn't explain to Spike the real reason for his hesitation to let her watch Christine. Emma would be quite uncomfortable if she knew about this situation. Maybe this is what Emma needed to admit the past and tell everyone about Christine. Afterall, maybe after Emma saw her own family around Christine she would realize what a mistake she was making marrying Jay and decide to go back to Wasaga with them. It was worth a try anyways Sean thought. He wasn't about to give up on Emma so easily.

"Please daddy? I want to go with Spike." Christine said pulling on his pant leg and pulling him away from his thoughts.

Sean looked down at his daughter who stared at him with her big brown eyes. It was almost impossible for him to say no when she looked at him like that. "Alright Chrissy," Sean said giving in to her. "You can stay the night with Spike as long as you promise you'll be good."

"I'm always good, daddy." Christine replied.

"We're going to leave now." Spike announced extending her hand out to take Christine's. Sean said goodbye to Jay agreeing to meet up with him at Spinner's a couple of hours later. He took Spike and Christine up to the hotel room so he could pack an overnight bag for her.

Jay walked over to the beverage table and snuck up behind Emma who was pouring herself some punch. He wrapped his arms around her and lightly kissed her neck. "Not here. My fiancee might see us." Emma said jokingly before turning around and putting her arms around Jay's neck. She leaned in and softly placed her lips on his letting them linger for a moment.

Jay's mind raced right to the gutter filled with dirty thoughts. All he wanted to do was sneak Emma out of the rest of the party and take her up to the hotel room and have his way with her. "Do you have the key to Manny's hotel room?" Jay asked.

"I do." Emma answered already knowing what Jay was thinking. Emma scanned the party. Most of the guests had left. The only ones remaining were Manny, Spinner and Jimmy. Emma was sure they wouldn't mind waiting for a little bit while Jay and her snuck up to the hotel room.

"Let's go then." Jay said grabbing Emma's hand and pulling her towards the door.

Emma got Manny's attention and signalled that she would be back in a few minutes. Manny smiled as she watched the two lovers head out the door.