Michael lifted LJ into the shopping cart. The baby fussed at him, and Michael pretended to fuss back. "Don't give me that," he said. "I want to go home too, you know."

As if he understood, LJ stopped fussing. Michael handed him his plastic teething ring. "Here," he said. "I'll go as fast as I can, okay?"

LJ started gnawing on the piece of the plastic, and Michael sighed. He readjusted his backpack and started to pull the cart out from all the rest.

"Michael?" he heard. He froze. "Oh my god."

It was Veronica. He turned. "Veronica," he said. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm home for Christmas break," she replied. "I came to get some more stuffing." She had two plastic bags in her mittened hands. Her eyes lit on LJ. "Who's that?"

With a start, Michael realized that Lincoln hadn't talked to Veronica for a long, long time. That Vee didn't know about Lisa…or LJ. Oh man. "Uh…" Michael said. He shut his eyes for a moment, then plowed forward. "This is LJ. My nephew."

Veronica's eyes got enormous. "Your nephew," she said. "Lincoln's son?" Her mouth was agape. Michael nodded slowly.

"Since when?" she asked. "I mean…oh my god."

Michael stared at Veronica, who was staring at LJ. Suddenly, the sound of plastic hitting the floor broke Michael out of his daze. He bent and grabbed the teething ring off the floor, wiping it off on his coat before handing it back to LJ. "Don't do that," he said absently, knowing it was just to say something. LJ wouldn't listen, after all.

"How old is he?" Veronica asked.

"9 months," Michael said. He could see Veronica doing the mental math, and not liking the numbers she came up with. "It's gonna be his first Christmas," he added, because he couldn't think of anything else to say.

"Oh, Michael," Veronica said. She put down her grocery bags. "Give me a hug, huh?"

Hesitantly, he walked over to her, and hugged her. He was a lot taller than he had been last time he'd hugged her; she remarked on it. "You've grown!" she said.

"Just a little," he said. He was almost as tall as she was now, though. It felt a little weird.

"Where do you live now?" she asked, releasing him.

"Same place," he said.

"With four people?" Veronica said.\

"No. Me, Linc, and sometimes LJ. Lisa's got her own place." He studied Vee's face; she tried to keep it still. He could read her anyways.

"Hmm. Okay. Well, do you have plans for this afternoon?" she asked.

"Not really," Michael replied. "I was just going to take the groceries home and watch LJ, so…"

"You should come with me, then," Veronica said. "Seems like I've missed a lot of stuff since I've seen you last." She tried to sound light, but Michael could hear worry in her voice. He smiled at her. She was always good to them.

"Well, I have to get the groceries first," Michael said. "You want to come with me?"

"Sure," Veronica said.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

"I don't have a car seat," Veronica said.

"I was taking the bus," Michael said. "He just sat in my lap." He shifted LJ's weight higher on his hip.

"I don't like this," Veronica said.

"He'll be okay," Michael said. Veronica gave him a look, and he sighed. "Do we really have a choice, Vee?"

He could see her start when he called her Vee. Because Lincoln had always called her that? But she capitulated.

"Hold him tight. I'll drive really carefully," she replied.

Michael refrained from saying anything rude; he did take care of LJ more than anyone else after all. He got in the car and buckled his seatbelt, carefully settling LJ on his lap. The baby was still sucking on that teething ring, looking curiously around the car.

"I know. This isn't Mommy's car, is it?" Michael cooed to LJ. "This is Veronica's car. It's a lot nicer, huh? That's because Veronica has money."

"Michael!" Veronica said, swatting at his arm as she got into the driver's seat.

"I'm just explaining the facts of life," Michael said, switching back to his normal tone of voice. "The kid has a right to know!"

She shook her head. "Do you want to take the groceries to your house before going to my place, or do you just want to stick them in my fridge temporarily until I take you home?"

Michael thought about it for a second. It would be easier to just take them to Vee's, with the baby and all. Plus…he really didn't want her to see what kind of mess he and Linc and the baby were living in. He hadn't been able to clean it up for a couple days, and it looked awful. But…he needed to let Lincoln know where they were. He was probably at work by now, but Michael could leave a note. "Let's stop at the apartment quick, so I can leave a note and drop off the groceries," he said. "Maybe you could stay in the car with LJ?"

"Works for me," she replied after a moment. She put the car into drive, and Michael tightened his grip on LJ's little frame as they pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

He quickly put away the few groceries he'd purchased, and ripped a piece of paper out of one of his school notebooks. He scrawled a note on it quickly.

Lincoln,

Met Veronica at the grocery store. Went to her house with LJ. Will see you later.

Michael

Michael read it over again with a sigh. He knew it wasn't a great note, but he figured he would be home before Lincoln would even see it, and so it wouldn't matter. He had a feeling Lincoln wouldn't necessarily be happy that he'd hung out with Veronica.

Well, too bad. He wanted to see Veronica. He could deal with Lincoln later.

He left the note in the middle of the table, weighed down with his math book, and left the apartment, turning off the lights and locking the door.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Her parents weren't home; there was a note on the fridge that Veronica crumpled up and tossed as she put her groceries inside. "Make yourself comfortable," she said. "You want some food or something?"

Michael couldn't help his body's reaction. His stomach growled loudly, as if it had been waiting for the question. He hadn't eaten breakfast this morning. Veronica laughed.

"I'll take that as a yes," she said. Michael blushed as he pulled off LJ's snowsuit and put him down on the kitchen floor before taking off his own coat and kicking off his shoes. "Where should I put these?" he asked.

"Right inside the door's okay," she said. "It's not like you haven't been here billions of times, Michael."

Which was true…but it felt different now. Maybe because the last time he'd seen Vee, he'd been almost eleven years old, not twelve years old, with a nephew, and a completely different life. He quickly put their things where he always had, then went back to the kitchen.

Veronica had picked LJ up off the floor. "LJ, huh? For…Lincoln Junior?"

"Good guess," Michael replied.

"Was that Lincoln's idea?" she asked.

"I don't know," Michael replied.

"That strikes me as something he would do," she said. She held the baby out at arms length. "He's cute. He looks like Lincoln."

"And Lisa," Michael said. "Lincoln thinks he has her eyes."

Veronica raised her eyebrows, then looked towards Michael, bringing LJ to her chest. "Lisa's eyes? He's got your eyes, Michael."

Michael felt his eyes widen. He'd never thought LJ looked like him at all. He supposed that didn't make sense, though. He and Lincoln looked somewhat alike, so if the baby looked like Lincoln…well, he'd look something like Michael too. Michael shrugged. "Whatever," he said.

Veronica gestured towards the fridge. "Get something to eat, Michael," she said. "You're awfully skinny."

Well, that was something he wouldn't have to be told twice.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

"We should probably get home," Michael said, sighing. He didn't really want to leave his comfortable place on her couch. He watched LJ scooting happily across the carpet.

"Is Lincoln going to be wondering where you are?" Veronica asked, turning towards him.

"No," Michael said. He knew Lincoln would be at work until ten or so. "He's still at work. I just…we've imposed enough."

"You're not imposing, Michael," she said. "I haven't seen you for so long. I've missed you, you know."

She was serious. It made Michael feel good, that she'd missed him. "I've missed you too," he said. More than you can even guess.

"Listen," she said. "What time does Lincoln get home from work?"

"Eleven, maybe a little earlier," Michael said.

"Well, there's no reason for you to go be home alone for hours then. We'll watch a movie or something, alright?" she said.

"Okay," Michael said. Part of him knew he should go home…but he WAS sick of being home with just LJ for company all the time. And it was almost Christmas, and that was supposed to be time with family. And if Lincoln wasn't around…well, Veronica was practically family. Where it counted, anyway.

"I'll make the popcorn. Do you like extra butter?" she asked.

"Yeah," Michael said. He jumped up to go after LJ, who was scooting towards the Christmas tree again, looking at the ornaments with a gleam in his eye. "LJ, no!"

He scooped up the baby long before he got to the tree, and LJ started to wail. Veronica laughed.

"How about you pick out a movie?" she said. "You know where they are." She rose gracefully and headed back into the kitchen.

Michael struggled with LJ, who was resisting his efforts to be held. "I know the ornament is pretty," Michael said, trying not to sound exasperated. "But you can't play with it. It'll hurt you."

LJ let out another indignant squawk. "I know. Uncle's so unfair," Michael said again. He managed to pull LJ into a more secure hold and tickled his stomach. "I'm a big meanie, huh?"

The baby wailed again, but with less conviction this time, and Michael tickled him again. "Yep. Uncle's a big meanie. Come on. Let's pick out a movie." He hefted LJ higher on his hip, and carried him over to the movie cabinet.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Veronica was amazed. Michael had always been different. He'd always been too smart, too sensitive, and too…old, for his age. But now, watching him, it was like watching an adult in a twelve year old's body.

She'd watched him with LJ. He was like the perfect uncle. Hell, the perfect parent. Patient, good-natured, but he set boundaries. LJ didn't get to do anything dangerous; Michael always rescued him from situations that weren't safe, like his continuous attempts to eat her parents' glass Christmas ornaments, but he didn't stop him from harmless explorations or normal kid stuff that wouldn't hurt him. He seemed to have an intrinsic understanding of what LJ could understand, and what he couldn't, and he didn't get angry about things that the baby just couldn't do anything about. It was astonishing to her.

He really took it seriously, is what it was. Veronica couldn't imagine Lincoln taking care of his son as well as Michael did. Which wasn't fair…but it was true. It was just a different kind of personality.

But he was still just a kid. She'd almost forgotten, until he'd fallen asleep during the movie. He'd fallen asleep on her couch, his arms wrapped firmly around LJ, his head lolling against the back of the couch. He was getting bigger; he was near her height now, but he still had that pre-teen look about him, the softer face and skinny frame. He was still the same Michael she remembered; a worrier to the core, too responsible for everyone else, but often forgetting himself. She pushed his hair off of his forehead; he could use a haircut, that was for sure.

She picked up the bowl of popcorn and turned off the TV, leaving the two sleeping in the glow of the Christmas tree as she went into the kitchen.

She heard a knock at the door, and her eyes went to the clock. It would be…she sighed and opened the door.

Lincoln stood on the other side, his hands deep in his pockets. His eyes got round when he saw her. "Veronica," he said, sounding surprised. Who did he expect to answer the door at her house?

"Lincoln," she replied. "Come in."

"Uh," he said. "I…uh, just came to get Michael and LJ."

"I know," she said. "They're asleep."

Something in his face shifted. To anger. What was he angry about? Veronica didn't understand. He came in, not bothering to take off his boots. "Michael!" he called loudly.

"You don't have to wake them!" Veronica said. "Jesus, Linc!"

"What? You know better than me, how to deal with them?" he asked, turning on her. He lowered his voice slightly. "I'm not gonna carry both of them home! Michael's a big boy."

"He's only twelve, Lincoln," Veronica replied. "You had him watching LJ all day? By himself? He might be more responsible than you, but he's not an adult yet!"

"They aren't your problem, Veronica," Lincoln replied. "Michael!" He raised his voice again.

"Shh!" Michael's voice wafted in from the living room. "I'm coming; don't wake LJ."

Veronica watched Lincoln clench his teeth and his fists. "You just had to get your nose where it didn't belong, huh Vee?" he asked.

"I just wanted to see Michael. It's only been…god, Lincoln. A year and a half? I wasn't trying to do anything."

"Don't," Lincoln said. "We're fine. Don't give him the impression we aren't."

And then, it sunk in for Veronica. "I wasn't trying to give him the impression you weren't fine. I just wanted to see him. Okay? However you're raising him and LJ, that's okay." She could hear that she was trying to pacify him with her voice, and she hoped he couldn't. "I know you're doing fine, Lincoln."

Lincoln's eyes met hers. She could see desperation there. He needed to believe her. "All right," he said. "Michael, come on," he directed towards the living room.

Michael emerged from the living room, carrying the sleeping baby. "We have to get him in his snowsuit," he said quietly to Lincoln.

"I'll do it," Lincoln replied, taking the baby from his brother. "Where's the snowsuit?"

Veronica grabbed it from behind the door and handed it over. She watched silently as Lincoln dressed his son, careful not to wake him. "You ready, Mike?" he asked, zipping up the main zipper of the snowsuit.

Michael nodded. "Thanks, Veronica," he said, giving her another hug. She kissed the side of his head, knowing he wouldn't notice.

"You're welcome anytime, Michael," she replied, releasing him. "All of you," she said, looking at Lincoln. "Lisa too."

Lincoln's eyes met hers. They looked tired. "Thanks, Vee," he said quietly. "Come on, Mike."

They walked out the door, towards the bus stop. Veronica shut it behind them but watched through the window.

She still loved them. She still loved HIM. And now…he'd had a baby. With another woman. And yet…her heart wouldn't let them go.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

"Why'd you go to Veronica's?" Lincoln asked him as they waited for the bus.

"She was at the grocery store," Michael replied. He had the awful feeling he'd done something wrong, but he couldn't figure out why going with Veronica would be the wrong thing. "She…she offered."

"Why didn't you go home?" Lincoln asked again. His voice wasn't exactly sharp, but Michael could hear an undercurrent there. He wasn't pleased.

"I…I just, I didn't want to…" Michael bit his lip. "It was early. And you were at work, and Lisa was at work, and we don't even have a TV, and I…I hadn't seen her in a long time, and…I just wanted some company, you know?" He heard his voice squeak a little when he asked the question.

Lincoln sighed. "She invited you?"

"Yeah," Michael said. "It was her idea." He sniffed in the cold.

Lincoln nodded. "So…what did she think of LJ?" he asked after a long pause.

Michael swallowed. "She thinks he looks like you," he offered. "And she wanted to know who named him."

Lincoln chuckled. "Figures," he said. There was more quiet.

"I…I didn't think you wouldn't want me to go see her," Michael said. That was a lie, but he kept his head down, hoping Lincoln wouldn't look at him. "We always used to go over there."

"She's not my girlfriend anymore, Michael," Lincoln replied. He sounded sad. Those words hung between the brothers for a long time. In the distance, Michael saw the headlights of the late night bus. He looked up at Lincoln, whose face was tired, and a little bit sad.

"I miss her too," Michael replied.

Lincoln's head snapped towards Michael. "I didn't say that," he said roughly.

Michael shrugged, and looked at his boots. He heard Lincoln sigh.

"You fucker. Don't you dare tell Lisa…anything, you hear me? I will kick your ass. And I'm not joking." Lincoln's voice was stern.

Michael nodded. "I won't," he said. He figured everyone was entitled to a secret or two.

The bus pulled to a stop in front of them, and Lincoln gave Michael's shoulder a shove. "Go," he said.