Men Plan, God Laughs
Chapter...."And Baby Makes Three...and Tyler
A/N: Hey remember me? lol sorry I haven't written much this summer....blame it on ff.net....lol
disclaimer: Don't own anything except Shawn Ashmore...okay I don't own him either , but we can wish :-)
* * *
"He's so cute," exclaimed Ann one of Jamie's "Bleacher Junkie" friends.
"Thanks." Jamie replied exhausted. A week ago Ned had developed colic and had kept crying-nonstop-. He and Val had decided that though they were both still living with their parents they'd pay for most of Ned's needs. That meant Jamie had to get a part-time job as well as continuing as an EMT. He knew he loved his son, but Jamie still found himself waiting for the nights when Val would take Ned. The nights he could be sixteen again.
He didn't realize how hard it was. Even at home. Besides his mom and dad had basically refused to help him take care of Ned. Sure they loved their new grandson but, they were going by the "You made your bed, now lie in it" approach. Ned James Waite-Lanier smiled a little baby smile that Jamie could help but laugh back at. He wondered how he had actually become a father- with Val Lanier of all people. Any why? The question many people had asked him. Caitie had in the first conversation they had , when she had found out about the baby. She wasn't angry she said. After all they had never gone out, but why? He couldn't answer then, and he really couldn't now. He loved Caitie, he knew that more then ever, but why he had let himself have sex with Val was something that had no answer . It was simply a mistake. A mistake that ruined many lives. But, Ned was here and for the rest of Jamie's life he would never go away. "That's my daddy." Jamie knew the voiceless child was saying to himself. That was enough for now.
* * *
He missed her. As much as Tyler hated to admit it. Her smile, the way she laughed. He found it hard to pretend that everything was okay. But, it wasn't he still loved her.
"Damn it." he said to himself. He didn't want to be some pathetic loser, standing in the shadows still loving a girl who didn't love him back. Move on. That was the best thing. Besides the cool comfort of summer was approaching and he was going to visit his dad. Sure, it meant staying in an empty house, eating cold dinners, and watching his lawyer dad come home with one cheap girlfriend after another, like the one that broke up his parents marriage, but that was okay. Tyler would have a chance to get away.
* * *
Godmother.
Sure, she could do it. In the event that Jamie left Val and went to her, she'd take care of Neddy.
Nah. That was just mean. Caitie loved Ned ,and Val was her best friend. Besides they didn't love each other. Jamie and Val just…..cared for each other. Caitie sighed and headed for the church.
* * *
"Will he come? Will he not come? Do I want him to come?" Val repeated to herself . She didn't even know if Tyler had gotten her message. She'd finally gotten the nerve to call him the night before. Val had been so relieved when Mrs. Connell-Stein answered the phone. That way she didn't have to say anything like :"Hey I'm sorry I cheated on you with one of your close friends, and then got pregnant, but can you be my son's godfather anyway?"
"Hush sweetie." Val whispered, juggling Ned on her hip as he began to cry.
"Let his aunt take him." Brooke, the Queen of Paperwork and an angel in disguise, said reaching her arms out to take the baby.
"Thanks Brooke, you've been great."
"I know." she grinned jokingly.
"Am I late?" said a voice behind her.
'Tyler?" she reached out to hug him, but then pulled back. "I didn't think you'd come."
"Even though I'm still mad at you, I couldn't take it out on you're son."
"Well, thanks anyway." she smiled.
He smiled half-heartedly. "No problem."
"Do you want to see him?"
"Of course."
Tyler walked over and fell in love with the child instantly. He had fiery read hair, which made everyone wonder where he'd gotten it from, wild dark, eyes that were just like Jamie's . However he didn't really look like his parents. Maybe more of Val, but Tyler though that was because he looked like a boy version of Brooke. He smiled as he held the baby. "Hey Ned, I'm your godfather."
"Shall we begin?" the minister questioned.
"Yes, Jamie replied.
"Who are the godparents?"
"Hank Beechem, Tyler Connell, and Caitlin Roth…."
* * *
"Hey Tyler, wait up." Jamie called as Tyler walked away from the party Joanna and Frank Lanier had held for Ned. "Aren't you going to stay?"
"Um, William wanted me to do something for him at home."
"Anyone ever tell you, you're a bad liar?" Jamie said sarcastically.
"Anyone tell you not to sleep with their girlfriend?"
"No, but I did Tyler." Jamie said exasperated. "I'm sorry but you have to get over it."
Tyler didn't know what came over him, but Jamie looked so cocky, that months of anger came out. Tyler reached up and punched Jamie in the face.
"Guys!! Stop it!." yelled Val stepping out the house.
"Val stay out of it." Tyler said.
Val walked over and tore the two apart. "No, you stay out of it. I'm sorry about what happen but you have to move on. Jamie and I have a son, nothing is going to change that."
"You're the one who invited me here."
"Maybe I shouldn't have."
"Maybe" he replied walking away.
* * *
It was a summer of change. Too much according to Brooke. Last year her sister had been perfect. Perfect daughter, perfect -with the exception of math- student, cheerleader, EMT, everything going for her. Now it was strange when you realized the people in your life actually aren't what they seem. That sometimes they made mistakes. One big enough that every time your father looked at you, you saw the disappointment and regret in his eyes, or the shame, behind the masked smile of your mother's . Val saw it and it was slowly eating her apart. Brooke could tell.
She still didn't get it though. How had the two most unlikely people come together and produce Ned?
* * *
"Daddy I'm pregnant."
The words played over and over in her mind.
"You're joking, right honey?"
"No."
The man shook his head. "How did this happened? Why?"
"I--"
She shook the words out of her head. No use regretting what happened. Ned was here and she loved him more then anything. But Val wasn't the same. She didn't think she could go back to the world of foot ball games and parties, dates, and classes after becoming a mother. She wasn't a child any longer. And she knew she could stay in Kingsport anymore. She'd known that for a long time. The disappointment, guilt, Jamie, Tyler. She had to leave.
* * *
"Come on Jamie, we've gotta call." yelled Hank rushing to the rig.
"Coming." he replied putting his coat on.
"Jamie?" he turned around.
"We've got to talk." Val stated looking down at her hands.
"Jamie!!" Hank yelled again.
"Um sure. I'll come by you're house later okay? "
"Alright."
"So this is it?" Jamie replied hours later.
"Yeah, I think so."
"You're going to tell out favorite person?" Jamie joked.
"Not yet."
"You should." he smiled. "I don't know you but he still loves you."
"So does Caitie."
"Caitie loves you?"
"Cute. You know what I mean."
"Yeah, I feel the same way too."
"Good."
"Bye Val."
* * *
She walked nervously up the stairs to Tyler's house. She held this up for the last minute. Two hours from now , after saying goodbye to everyone - including her sweet son- she'd be on a plane.
Ring the doorbell spoke.
"Val." he said stepping outside.
"Hi."
"So, what did u come here for?" a cold voice barley sound like Tyler replied.
"You know when we were going out we had everything planned. We'd go to college and med school together, then get married. Then, I spent a night with Jamie and everything changed. Our plans were ruined. Now, I realize that life has a way of doing that. I love my son Tyler, I don't' wish he never happened . But-"she reached up and kissed him. "I still love you. I took my GED to graduate early , so I'm going to college in New York. Ned staying with Jamie for six months, till I get settled in and then I have him for six months."
"What did you come here for." he repeated.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry and I hope you forgive me… and goodbye."
"Okay." he said harshly.
"Ill see you when I visit then."
"I'll be here." he said finally as a small smile spread across his face.
* * *
A/N : So what do u think? Did I do this story justice? There will probably be a sequel in the near future. Until then look out for "Never Promised you a Rose Garden"