After everyone ate dinner, Elaine took Zoey upstairs to take a bath. Randy went outside for some fresh air. After Auden stuck the rest of the dishes in the dish washer she too joined him outside.

"Not that I'm not happy, but what convinced you to not leave? " asked Auden as she sat down beside him on the step.

"I just couldn't. I realized not only would she suffer from my absence but I would too. It's funny I remember how life was before her but I can't see life ever being that way again. I got her and I'd hate to lose her to anyone or anything" Randy answered.

"Our resident jerk has a heart after all" Auden teased.

"Very funny".

"Seriously I'm glad you stayed, I don't know how we would have made it".

The door opened behind them and they found Elaine standing there smiling.

"A little girl would like you too to come up and say good night".

"Ok Mom".

Randy and Auden came inside and went straight upstairs. They found Zoey sitting in the middle of Becky's bed waiting for them.

"All right kid, get under" Randy said pulling the covers back.

"Daddy do you think we could go and get a new bear tomorrow. It's lonely sleeping without Randy next to me" Zoey said.

"Sure, we'll see".

"Randy? " asked Auden confused.

"She named it after me" Randy said a little smugly.

He found it annoying at first but now he was proud of the fact his daughter named something after him. He cursed Vanessa to hell for burning it up in the fire.

"Now you get some sleep, you've had a long day" Randy said kissing her on the forehead.

"Will you be here in the morning" Zoey had to make sure.

"Yeah I'll be here. I have to start looking for our new house so that we don't have to stay with grandma and grandpa too long".

"Ok. I love you a lot daddy, good night" Zoey said." and good night Auden".

"Good night Zoey" Auden said smiling.

Randy turned on the night light and walked to the door with Auden. He looked back at her one last time before closing the door too. They retreated back to Randy's room. Auden picked up her bed clothes to go change in the bathroom. But she stopped short.

"Randy".

"What's up".

"Why is it that you don't have any interest in me? ".

Randy looked at her. Was she really asking him this. They had to have this conversation sooner of later.

"Listen Auden, I just think you'd be better off with someone else. I don't think I'm what you want" Randy replied.

"How do you know this? ".

"I just know its best".

Rejection. That's what she felt. All he had to say was she wasn't good enough. The tears gathered in her eyes and she couldn't stop them fast enough from falling. Randy looked at her and groaned. Woman and their tears.

"Come on, don't cry. I never pictured you as the crying type" Randy said walking over to her.

"You shouldn't judge a book by its cover".

Randy knew he shouldn't but he found himself pulling her into his embrace and rubbing circles around her back. All this time with Zoey has really turned him mushy, but he would never admit that.

"No need to cry Auden. What do you see in me anyway? ".

Auden sniffled before replying.

"I see a man who never knew he could love or be loved by someone other than himself. Randy your great with that little girl. She really thinks the world of you. It touches my heart you didn't leave her all alone. You're the father I would want for my kids someday" Auden explained.

"Take it from me, I don't think I want anymore kids" Randy replied.

"You say that now until it actually happens".

"No I think I'm good with Zoey".

Auden looked up into his blue eyes and sighed.

"What? ".

Auden had to know what those lips tasted like. Quickly Auden covered his lips with hers for a brief minute before pulling away. Randy's eyes were wide and he was licking his lips.

"I um….I…..I'm going to sleep on the couch" Randy took his pillow and rushed from the room without a word.

Auden stood there, he didn't like it. The tears flowed all over again.

Randy got downstairs and flung the pillow on the couch and sat down. What just happened?

He didn't like it…..he didn't like it…..he loved it.

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