**Thanks for being so wonderful! I'm glad you're enjoying this! **
Amanda drove to Elaine and Bob's house nervous as can be. She had written up a journal about the way Brandon liked things done, she brought his blanket and his stuffed Tinky Winky that talked. And she brought the three books they read at bed time. She had written up a meal plan and how he wanted things cut up or left the way they were. It seemed crazy, but that was what life with Brandon was like. He was becoming much more laid back about things then he used to be, but there were some things that she just couldn't get him to budge on. Just like the Teletubby movie was his safety net. If he was overwhelmed, he watched his Teletubbies and life was good.
They talked about how much fun he was going to have and how he'll get special time with Nana and Papa. Amanda made sure she did everything to keep his spirits up and keep him excited.
She pulled into their driveway and turned the car off. She turned around and looked at Brandon, "Are you ready to sleep at Nana and Papa's?"
Brandon smiled, "YEAH!"
"Let's go!"
Amanda got out and helped Brandon out of his car seat and unbuckled it so she could leave it with them. As she was carrying the stuff towards the door, Elaine came out.
"There's Brandon!" Elaine said with a smile.
"HI Nana!" Brandon called. "I'm sleeping at your house."
"Yes you are!" Elaine replied as she helped Amanda.
They walked into the house and Amanda showed Elaine the notebook. They went over a few things and then Elaine smiled at Amanda, "It really means a lot to us that you're doing this. He's going to appreciate it also. Thank you."
Amanda nodded, "I'm nervous. But if it helps to keep him positive and looking forward to a sober lifestyle, then I'm glad to help."
Elaine smiled, "Well, you'd better get going so you don't miss your plane. We have a fun weekend ahead of us."
"If anything happens, please, don't hesitate to call me."
"You worry too much sweetie, things'll be just fine." Elaine said reassuringly.
Amanda hugged and kissed Brandon, "I love you. Be good for Nana and Papa."
"I will. Bye mommy. Wuv you too."
Amanda quickly left. She hoped she was doing the right thing. Not just leaving Brandon with Bob and Elaine, but going to see Randy. Part of her was afraid because they hadn't seen each other since he walked out. And the other part of her was afraid she wouldn't be able to stop herself from falling for him again.
Saturday Morning
Randy awoke at the normal time. He went down for breakfast and then headed to group. Saturdays and Sundays were a bit more relaxed then other days now that he was on day 68.
Just as group was letting out, Deidre, one of the weekend staff, approached Randy. "You have a visitor."
Randy looked confused. "No, I don't think so. You must have me confused."
"Nope, you're Randy Orton. There's a guest for you in the lobby."
He wondered if Nathan came out to surprise him again. He shook his head and followed Deidre. God how he hated being the fuck-up older brother that Nathan was looking up to.
Then Deidre opened the door and Randy froze in his tracks.
Amanda stood up and smiled, "Remember me?"
"Oh my God… What are you doing here?" He asked with a smile on his face. Then he went to her and hugged her.
Amanda hugged him back, "Wow, you're even more muscular now."
"Well, I work out a lot in here when I get stir crazy." He replied. "I can't believe you're here. Where's Brandon?"
Amanda smiled, "He's spending the weekend at your parents' house. I thought you might like a visitor."
Randy smile faded, he took her hand and sighed,"I don't deserve you being here. I'm so sorry how I ruined things."
She squeezed his hand, "Don't do this. You've already apologized. We're past all of that. I wouldn't text with you and chat with you and write you letters if I was still that pissed off. We're working on moving past all of that for our sons' sake. Let's look to the brighter side. No more negativity."
He nodded. "Thanks Amanda. So how long are you here?"
"Till tomorrow. I don't know what you're allowed to have or do now, so I left it open so I could stay as much as they'll let me, and then tomorrow I'll come see you before I leave."
"Well, I'm on day 68 now. I'm allowed to go off property with someone sober. Wanna go have lunch somewhere?" Randy asked.
She looked at him, "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Yes, we've been on a few day trips, and I've been ok. Plus, you're sober. You don't do drugs, you're not going to take me to a bar. It'll be fine." He replied.
Amanda got up and walked over to talk to Deidre. She signed a form and came back over to Randy. "Alright, consider this your first weekend pass. You're a free man until I bring you back here tonight. But you will be tested upon arrival."
Randy hugged her again, "Wanna see my room? I've gotta grab my stuff."
"Sure." And she walked with him.
Randy walked her inside. It was a small room. But nice. And on his bed was his journal. "Oooh, what's that?" She asked.
"My journal. And no you can't read it. It's not always pretty."
"Recovery isn't always pretty. There'll be good days and bad days as you travel on your journey. What matters is that you know how to handle the bad days." Amanda replied.
"Gee, have you been studying?" Randy asked playfully. He pulled on his shoes and jacket. "Alright, let's go."
"Actually I have. See, if you're going to be in Brandon's life, I need to know how to help out in whatever ways I can." She said cautiously.
He looked over at her, "That's very sweet of you. Thank you."
They got into Amanda's rental car. "Where would you like to go?" She asked Randy. "Within reason."
"First, did you bring more pictures of Brandon?"
"No, I brought a memory card. Let's quick run to the store and you can print off the ones you want. I have pics of your parents with him." Amanda replied.
"Have you heard from them? How's Brandon doing?"
Amanda shook her head, "I got a text from your mom this morning that said last night went fine, today has been great and your siblings are coming over to reconnect with him." Then she looked at him, "He sure does ask about you lately."
"Really? Aww…I really want to see him. I want to be a dad again. I want to do things right this time. I've even contemplated leaving rehab early so I can have some extra time to just be able to hang out with Brandon and start rebuilding our relationship." Randy said as reached over and squeezed Amanda's hand.
She shook her head, "Don't go doing anything drastic. Take care of yourself first. Especially if you're still having intense cravings."
"Amanda, there are so many things in my life that I want to stay sober for. I've seen the light as frickin' cliché as it sounds. Plus, there's so much that I want to accomplish. I just…I want to get things started."
They pulled into the local Wal-Mart parking lot. They went back to the photo lab and she handed him the memory card. As he looked through the pictures, tears filled his eyes. Finally he looked at her with the tears still on his cheeks, "I want to be in the picture again. I want to be the guy who is proud of his family and knows how to be a man and I just want life to be a life again. I want us to be us again."
Amanda froze. Did he just say what she thought he said? "Randy…I don't think you're supposed to even think about getting into a relationship right away. Let alone one with your ex-wife. Maybe for the time-being you should just focus on getting the rest of your life back in order."
"I know, and I will. But you've been there for me…when there was nothing requiring you to be. We've been divorced for a long time now. But yet, there you were. And here you are. Amanda, please. Hear me out. I know that I'm ok. I know that I won't screw up. I could come home with you. Check into a local, outpatient facility in St. Louis and spend the day there and the nights rebuilding with Brandon and you and my family. This isn't a bad idea, this isn't just crazy talk. And as you see that I'm getting my life back in order and my priorities straight, you'll see that we're meant to be together." He turned so he was completely facing her, then he took her hand in his, "I love you Amanda. And I love Brandon. I think that the best thing for him would be for our family to be a complete family. Mom, Dad, kiddo under the same roof. Please….can we work towards that? Will you allow me back in and be your man?"
**Oooh…cliffhanger! What would you do? What would you say? Please read and review! **