Disclaimer: Same as always.

Chapter 14

Petey's brow furrowed as he continued listening to the person on the other end of the phone. He wasn't really sure how this conversation had come about but he knew he didn't like it. He tried to be open minded about most things, but what this person was asking him to do seemed so wrong and dirty. He shook his head to clear his thoughts away just as the other person paused. Taking this as his cue, he stated flatly. "Are you kidding me?"

"Don't get mad at me, Petey. All I'm saying is to think about what I'm telling you."

"After everything that's been going on, you expect me to do something like that? Where would you ever get the idea that I would," his exasperation was coming thru clearer than what he wanted, but he couldn't seem to stop it. This had to be the stupidest idea he'd ever heard. And to be coming from his girlfriend was even worse.

"Very easily actually, I mean she's been through so much lately. She's trying to get back on her feet again after leaving her home and family behind. Add to that what her ex did to her not that long ago. I would think you'd jump at the chance to do this."

Her high pitched voice was starting to grate on his nerves. And the fact that she tried to rationalize this didn't help. Still he tried to remain calm, "Why would I 'jump at the chance' to hurt her?"

"You're looking at it the wrong way, sweetie. It wouldn't be hurting her, more like giving her extended time to heal. Meanwhile you'd get to spend time with Brooke."

"Tina I can do that now. Sure, Crystal and I haven't got it all figured out yet, but we are working on it. If you talked to her more you'd know that."

"Yeah I know she's prefect. But tell me something, what's to stop her from packing up and leaving? You have no written agreement between you to say that you can see your daughter. She could disappear tomorrow and you'd never see either of them."

He wanted to call her on the jealousy he could hear in her voice but the rest of what she said left him speechless. His mouth opened and closed several times before he could utter a sound. It was a moment before he realized that she had hung up. Petey shook his head in confusion, unable to even begin thinking on what she had said. .He replaced the phone on its base and walked into the living room where his daughter was playing. Crystal had agreed to let him watch her while she caught up on work.

He grinned. Brooke was busy running her tiny hands all over a textured book he had gotten for her. Petey had tried to read it to her, but all she wanted was to touch. Her face lit up as he walked over and lifted her out of the playpen he had set her in while he'd been on the phone. She clutched the book and kicked her feet in happiness. Petey couldn't stop his grin from widening as he cuddled her closer to himself. She patted his cheek and said. "Dada!"

"Yes, sweetheart, Daddy's here." He sat down with her on the floor, knowing she wouldn't stay if he put on the couch.

He watched as she used the table to pull herself up into a standing position, half facing the table and half facing the television which played softly in the background. One hand gripped the edge of the table while the other reached towards the bears that were dancing across the screen. He listened to her babbling, only being able to make out the occasional 'bye-bye' and 'no'. Eventually she looked back at him, her smile nearly splitting her small face as she moved around the table, keeping a hold of it at all times. He knew what she wanted him to do. It was a game they had been playing off and on all day.

Petey slowly stretched towards the table, making sure she could see his face the entire time. Finally his hand was just an inch to the left of her legs. He waited an instant before running his fingers lightly under her foot. She squealed loudly and slapped her hand on the table. A second later his hand brushed her side, much to her delight. Using both hands she grabbed his much bigger hand in hers saying, "Dada!"

He laughed before gently disentangling his hand lest she decide to take off running with it. Petey walked around the small table, picking her up and rubbing his face into her stomach. Brooke squealed and laughed louder, grabbing at his hair. He spun her around in a fast circle before walking towards the kitchen. "Hungry, sweetheart?" he asked, already knowing the answer, but still laughing at her emphatic nod.

"All children love hot dogs." Crystal laughed. "Just make sure she eats something else with it."

Taking Crystal's words to him to heart, he put Brooke into her highchair and went to the refrigerator to get out her dinner. He set the jar of mashed peas and carrots on the kitchen table, careful to keep it out of her reach, along with her spill proof cup filled with milk. He heated the hot dog up, while he listened to her talk, adding an occasional comment as if he knew what she was saying. Once it was done, he removed the skin and cut it up into pieces placing a few at a time onto her highchair tray. He smiled at her enthusiasm even as he watched her closely to make sure she didn't choke.

Once she had eaten her fill, he removed her and walked into the bathroom. He filled the bath tub with just a little lukewarm water and placed her inside, adding a few toys. Keeping her in his sight, he set her pajamas on the counter before kneeling on the floor to wash her. By the time he was done, she was clean and happy and he was dripping water everywhere. Laughing, he placed Brooke on his bed and changed into a dry shirt before making his way into the family room.

By the way she was rubbing at her eyes, Petey knew it wouldn't be long til she was sound asleep, and he wanted to enjoy every moment of this he could. He turned the television down and picked up one of the books Crystal had brought with them. Stretching out on the couch, he settled Brooke into the crook of his arm and started the story. Brooke sat completely still, mesmerized by the sound of her father's voice and the bright colors in the book. Half way through and the child was sleeping soundly. Petey smiled and moved her closer to him, making sure not to wake her.

His friends James and Allen had told him that it was moments like these that made life worth while. And even though he had agreed with them, he'd never known just what it was like. He could've never imagined the humbling yet powerful feeling of having another life dependent upon him. Brooke brought him joy even as she scared him to death. He kissed her forehead gently, whispering, "I love you. Sweet dreams, baby," before he closed his eyes, the smile never leaving his face.

It was late by the time Crystal pulled up to Petey's house. She had taken full advantage of the day he'd offered her by taking Brooke. She'd finished unpacking into the new house, spent some time working, and then decided she needed an evening of pampering. She'd laughed at first, but it had been an idea she couldn't turn away. She'd spent time soaking in a nice warm bath, then eaten her dinner leisurely, instead of rushing like she normally did. She'd curled up with the new James Patterson book that she'd gotten but never had a chance to read. Crystal had managed to curb her desire to call Petey a few times, knowing he'd take it that she didn't trust him. Instead she'd forced herself to be content with one call during the midday, then turned her mind to other things. It had been hard for her to let Brooke go for a whole day, even with her father. She knew it was something else she'd have to work on.

Walking up the pathway to his door, she let herself in with the key he'd given her for just such an occasion. At first she was a little startled by the lack of sound and light. After letting her eyes adjust to the dimness of the house, she made her way into first the kitchen, seeing the remnants of their dinner, then into the living room. The sight that met her eyes brought a smile to her face and at the same time, tears to her eyes. She stood behind the couch, looking down on its occupants. Brooke lay on her father's chest, with his arms securely around her, his head bent towards hers, as if smelling her hair and her tiny hand filled with the material of his shirt. She almost hated to disturb them, but knew she had to. She lightly placed her hand on Petey's shoulder, shaking slightly. She laughed quietly at the bewildered expression on his face as he tried to figure out where he was and what had woken him.

"Hey," his voice was groggy with sleep.

"Hi. Sorry to disturb you, I just wanted you to know I was here." She smiled down at him, stilling his movements to get up. "I was wondering if it would be ok for Brooke and I to stay here? I don't like to have her wake up in a place she didn't fall asleep in the night before, at least when I can help it."

"Of course you can, you know that. Did you have a good day to yourself?" Petey said, coming back to himself a little more.

She nodded. "It was great. Thank you so much, Petey, I had no idea how much I needed it. I can't wait for you both to see the house now that it's mostly unpacked. Got some work done, and then took some time to just relax."

He smiled at the look on her face. She seemed almost like a new person, completely rejuvenated. Her eyes were brighter, her body more relaxed. There was a glow about her that he hadn't seen in months, not since Brooke's birthday party. He made a mental note to try to do this more often for the both of them. Of course it was no hardship for him to take care of the angel in his arms.

"Good. Let me get her into bed, then do you want to talk?"

Her smile widened as she replied. "I'd love to. Adult conversation is something that I miss on a daily basis sometimes." She laughed softly. "Meet you on the back deck?"

He agreed and she moved into the kitchen while he stood carefully with Brooke in his arms. He heard her in the kitchen fixing the tea she liked so much as he tucked Brooke into her baby bed. Kissing her on the top of her head, he turned and wasn't surprised to see Crystal standing in the door. He smiled as she made her way over to the baby, giving her own goodnight wishes before proceeding him from the room.

He knew he had made the right choice in asking her to talk, and there was a lot to discuss between the two of them. Petey was determined to make tonight the night they had a long needed heart to heart.

A/N: Aww! Finally Petey and Brooke get a day together! LOL Sorry for the delay, life has been crazy for me, and will only get worse in the coming week. I decided to break this chapter into two, just because it seemed right. I didn't want this one to be too busy. But I can tell you the next one is a chapter I've been waiting to write since I first started planning this story. The bad news that it'll be a week or so before it's up. Sorry.

Anyway, you know what to do. Review. :)