A poll on my Twitter determined that this would be the next update so enjoy :)


The two of them spent a good amount of time just laying on the bed together, neither spoke but they didn't need to either.

Yawning Stephanie needed to go to bed but she also didn't want to leave from his arms either however she wasn't going to jump right in and spend the night with him even if nothing happened between them. Slowly sitting up she felt bad when she saw a look of disappointment flash across his face, "I should go to bed because we'll both be up early and I know I have a busy day before we go out somewhere for dinner. Thank you for this Paul and goodnight." Bending down she pressed a kiss to his cheek before she got up and left the room.

Pushing himself up onto his elbows as he watched her leave this evening had taken a much different turn to what he had expected but laying there with her in his arms had felt more right than anything he had felt in a very long time. Getting off the bed he picked up his credit card from the top and put it back in his wallet before he pulled some boxers from the drawers and put those on, he just wanted to check on Chloe and then he would get an early night himself, an early night with some paperwork but it would be comfortable in bed.

The next morning the nausea was worse than ever so when Stephanie entered the kitchen and smelt his coffee she soon exited it so she wasn't sick everywhere. She wasn't sure when she would be able to face the kitchen to get something to eat but hopefully the coffee smell wouldn't linger for too long.

Paul saw Stephanie walk in and walk right back out of the kitchen looking a little green around the edges so abandoning his own breakfast he got up and made her a couple of pieces of plain toast and put them on a plate before he went off in search of her. Entering the lounge he spotted her with her head in hands sat on the couch, "Hey. I made you some toast, it's plain and everything. Are you going to be okay to watch Chloe?"

Lifting her head slowly she forced a small smile for him, "I will be fine, I promise. Hopefully some plain toast will settle my stomach and I will be able to get through it."

Walking closer he wasn't sure exactly how close to get to her as he didn't want to make her nausea worse if his aftershave was too strong so he placed the plate carefully on the arm of the couch, "Enjoy your toast and just let me know if you can't watch her yet okay?"

Reaching for the plate she was not going to disappoint him by not doing her job, "I will be fine. Exactly how long do I have before you need to be working?"

He didn't even know what the time currently was, "Uh . . . anything between eight-thirty and nine is fine with me. Just rest for the minute whilst I go and finish my breakfast but if you need anything call me."

This time the small smile on her face was a genuine smile, "Thank you." Taking a small bite of her toast she just didn't want to be sick.

By lunchtime Stephanie was starting to feel a lot better so she happily made them both a sandwich and was just putting everything away in the fridge when she felt his presence behind her. Closing the fridge door she turned around to see him leaning against the island, "Lunch is ready. I was going to bring it to you."

"Looks like I just saved you a job then doesn't it? How are you feeling?"

Picking up the plates she took them over to the table and placed them down assuming he was going to stick around, "Better, it's not gone completely but I am feeling a lot better than I was first thing this morning however I still don't think I could face coffee."

Sitting at the table opposite her he wasn't about to put her through that, "Don't worry, I won't make you." He wanted to ask if she called the Doctor but he also didn't want to be pushy and to make her angry as they were supposed to be going out on a date tonight and he didn't want to ruin it, "I booked us a table for tonight, I hope you'll be okay to go out and eat."

"I will be fine I promise, I am feeling a lot better now so by then I will be all better. Where are we going? Or is it going to be one of those dates where I have to wait and see when we arrive?"

Smirking at the idea of teasing her about it he realised that for a first date it probably wouldn't be his smartest move, "I thought an Italian restaurant would be a safe place, it wouldn't be too spicy for you so it would be a good option."

Abandoning her sandwich she got up from her seat and moved over to him and perched herself on his knee feeling an overwhelming desire to be close to him, "Can you not be so sweet please?"

He wasn't sure if he had just done something wrong or not but he did like having her close, "Sorry, I am trying not to but it comes kind of naturally with you. Have you heard about Jade's interview to see if she got the job yet?"

Reaching across the table she pulled her sandwich towards her, "When she was here last night she said that before they even interviewed her that they had already chosen the person who was going to get the job. One of these days she will be lucky enough to get a job."

"I'm sure she will be, she's your best friend which means she must be crazy and driven and pretty much everything people are looking for in an employee."

Turning her head to look at him she raised her eyebrow, "Because she is my best friend she must be crazy? Speak for yourself."

Laughing he didn't mean it like that, "I didn't mean it quite like that but everybody needs a crazy best friend so it isn't an insult."

Playfully glaring at him she went to stand up, "I see how it is. No more cuddles for you."

Quickly taking hold of her hips he wasn't allowing her to get away that easily, "Too bad, I'm not allowing you to move so you should sit down and just allow me cuddles whilst I can get them because I won't get any until Sunday as we can't do this in the restaurant."

She thought his argument for her to stay was adorable so she sat back down, "Okay you win."

Sliding his arm around her he held her to him, "Good I'm glad, thank you."

They finished their sandwiches with a relaxed conversation before he had to get back to work but before he settled down to work he had a phone call he wanted to make. Shutting his office door firmly he sat down at his desk and scrolled through his phone book until he reached Shawn's name and called him.

He was supposed to be working but when Shawn saw one of his best friend's name on his caller I.D. work was no longer important, "Yo Levesque."

If he wanted to be able to relax and enjoy his weekend he needed to finish his work off today so he wasn't going to take long, "Yeah yeah yeah. I don't have long Shawn but I wondered if you were still thinking about getting a new Secretary/PA type person to float around the office where needed?"

"Am I still thinking about it? Nope, I fucking need one badly but I haven't had time to even think about a job description let alone write it and post it anywhere. Why do you care?"

He didn't even know if this was the kind of work Jade was looking for but a job was a job he hoped, "Because I know somebody, and no it isn't Stephanie so keep your grubby hands off of her, who is looking for a job."

"Is she pretty?"

Laughing Paul clicked around on his computer opening a couple of files he needed, "Of course that is your first question. I guess she is pretty, it all depends on your definition of pretty but she's young, feisty and full of way too much energy for my liking however she does have a young son."

"And what? If like some of the other girls who have kids he is in Kindergarten or school then her hours can be arranged around his schooling or if she wants to go proper full time I can help get her the childcare like I have for some of the other Mom's that I have working for me. Give her my cell number and tell her to call me at some point over the weekend please but make sure she tells me you gave her my number or I'll hang up, I don't want my wife thinking I have any women on the side."

Unable to stop himself laughing at the comment he shook his head, "Like any other women would have you. Thank you though Shawn, I appreciate this."

Waving his hand to invite his next client in Shawn sat up a little straighter in his chair, "No thank you Paul, if she passes the interview then you will have saved me a lot of time I don't have to waste. I've got to go as a client is here but I'll talk to you soon. Give your daughter some hugs from me and we should hang out soon, I think a barbecue is in order."

"I think it is too. Talk soon Shawn, bye."

Hanging up the phone he quickly wrote down Shawn's name, number and his office address on a piece of paper before he turned his attention to his work.

When they had finished their lunch Stephanie cleaned up the kitchen before she laid Chloe down for her nap and whilst she was asleep she did some cleaning and made sure there were two clean and tidy guest rooms for Jade and Tyler to sleep in.

By the time she had finished cleaning Chloe was awake so she took her back downstairs and contemplated making Paul a cup of coffee but she didn't want to push her luck before the date so decided not to, she'd ask Jade to make him one. Entering the lounge she was going to make the most of what little time she had left with Chloe today and sat down on the couch with her and a book to have some quiet reading time.

She hadn't quite finished the book when the doorbell rang and she knew exactly who it was. Standing up she put Chloe in a playpen recently placed in the corner of the room so she could get the door, "Let the madness begin."

Opening the door she smiled at Tyler who was practically jumping up and down, "I think you've got the wrong house, I don't know you."

He stopped jumping and pouted, "Aunt Stephy."

Smiling widely she motioned for them to enter, "Come in."

Nudging Tyler forward Jade stepped inside relieved to be able to put her bags down, "Thank God for that, my arms were killing me. I don't suppose I can get a drink of water can I please?"

"Nope, you are not getting fed or watered the entire time that you are here . . . of course you can. Let me ask Paul if he wants some coffee a minute and if he does you can make it whilst getting yourself some water."

"I don't suppose a cuddle with Chloe comes as an added extra does it?"

Smirking she shook her head, "You have her all night but sure, if it is will help you do me a favour then go right ahead. Why don't you take Tyler into the kitchen and get yourselves a drink and I will ask Paul if he wants some coffee and then I'll bring Chloe with me?"

Quickly ushering her son towards the back of the house she was looking forward to exploring this house a little as it looked beautiful.

Whilst Jade and Tyler went to the kitchen Stephanie went back into the lounge and picked Chloe up giggling when she hit her in the face accidentally with her stuffed toy, "Yeah I see it, don't worry about that." Walking through to the study she knocked gently on the door before she pushed it open, "Hey, sorry to interrupt but Jade is here and I wondered if you wanted some coffee? I told her she could make you some if you did."

Spinning around in his chair he smiled at his two favourite girls, "It's okay thanks, I've not got much work left so I don't want to fill up on caffeine but thank you for the offer."

"Okay. We will leave you to it but I promise I'll keep the noise to a minimum for you."

Shutting his office door she headed into the kitchen, "You're off coffee making duty Jade so no cuddles." Walking over to the table she sat next to Tyler, "Your Mom found a glass huh?"

Cutting in Jade glared at her best friend, "Only because my son told me where to find them, you were no help."

"I wasn't even here."

"That is exactly my point."

Stephanie rolled her eyes as Jade picked up her water bottle and joined them at the table.

Paul finished off all of his work and saved it and then he allowed himself to relax a little. After taking a moment to relax he grabbed the paper from the desk before he went in search of the women.

As he walked out of his office he headed in the direction of the noise and soon found them all sat in the kitchen, "Why hello to all of you." Walking straight over to Jade he handed her the piece of paper, "Call this guy before Monday and tell him that I gave you his number."

Looking at the piece of paper she raised her eyebrow before she looked up at him, "Who? What? Why?"

"I'm not telling you anything, you'll have to call to find out."

Puzzled she looked at Stephanie for help but she just shrugged so she got up, "Tyler be good please, I will be back now."

Watching the woman hastily exit the room he turned to see Stephanie eyeing him strangely but he was not going to tell her anything, "I have officially finished my work for the day so who wants me to do what?"

Tyler's hand quickly shot up into the air, "Me, me, me. Can we play ball p'ease? Mommy's bad."

Stephanie couldn't help but snigger whilst Paul shrugged his shoulders, "Sure, I think there is a ball floating around here somewhere so let me grab some shoes and I will try and find it." Turning to Stephanie he kissed the top of his daughter's head, "Be good and Daddy will steal you for a cuddle soon."

Before he could leave she grabbed his arm feeling guilty, "You can cuddle with her if you want and I'll go and play outside with Tyler?"

Shaking his head he squeezed her shoulder gently, "Don't worry, I don't mind. As long as I can get a cuddle before we go to dinner I will be happy I promise. Now let me go and find this ball."

Turning around to exit the room he was almost bowled over as Jade came rushing back into the room and threw her arms around his neck, "Oh my God, thank you Paul."

Laughing he felt awkward being in this position with the best friend of the woman he wanted to date, "You're welcome."

Having turned in her seat Stephanie was now staring at them, "What has he done that warrants you mauling him?"

Pulling back Jade was smiling brightly and practically walking on air, "He has got me a job interview, not only is it a job interview but I am the only one being interviewed. I am so excited right now, I might finally get a job and my life might actually be looking up."

"I didn't do anything really, I mean Shawn is an old friend and he is super busy so hasn't had time to advertise for the post and you need a job so you'd be helping him and he'd be helping you, it's a win/win. Now if you'll excuse me I have a ball to find so me and Tyler can go and play outside and you girls can gossip."

Sitting back down at the table her smile was huge, "If he wasn't so into you I'd be going after him, he's so sweet."

Stephanie was pretty sure her friend was talking crazy, "He's not that into me."

Snorting in the most unladylike way she shook her head, "Who are you kidding? He's really into you and I know you're really into him too so don't let your insecurities due to your past ruin your future."

Sighing heavily Stephanie picked Chloe up from on her lap and turned her around to face her, "I think I'd prefer to talk to you, you don't lecture me."

Walking back into the kitchen Paul rolled the ball he had found across the kitchen floor towards the door, "Come on Tyler, let's leave these women to fight amongst themselves and let's play ball."

Sliding out of his seat Tyler ran over to the ball and picked it up, "I'm gonna win."

Reaching the little boy he carefully picked him up causing him to squeal, "Nope, I'm going to win."

Unlocking the door whilst keeping a tight grip on the little boy he pushed the door open before he set him down outside, "I'll be careful with him Jade, I promise."

"I know you will."

With Paul and Tyler out of the way it gave Jade a chance to properly talk to Stephanie.