A/N: here's chapter 4. thx a lot for all ur awesome reviews! You guys have no idea how happy they make me. and just so you know, I have no idea where this story is going. It's kinda writing itself. Now on with it. Have fun.


Starting Over

Chapter 4

The party is going pretty well. I can't remember the last time I had this much fun. Jared's friends start to leave and soon there are only the grown-ups, Jared and Alex. John is playing with the kids, getting his ass kicked at Xbox while we laugh at him. I mean, he's losing to a 6-year old. Although I have the impression that he's just letting Jared win. Either that or he just sucks at this game. But it's still pretty funny. Every time he loses he makes all this funny faces like it's the end of the world or something. I didn't know he could be such a drama queen. Jared is having the time of his life.

Richard has barely said anything the whole party. He's just standing here, glaring at John. Is he jealous? Well, if he is, it's his damn problem. Besides, he has nothing to be jealous of. It's not like John and I are having an illicit affair or something. I guess he just thinks he still has, I don't know, some sort of power over me, like I'm his property.

He finally gets up and announces he's leaving. Thank God. I walk him to the door but only because I'm polite, otherwise I would've let him to find his way out on his own. Mean, I know. But after all I've put up with him for the past seven years, this is way more than what he really deserves.

Once we get to the door he turns to me. "Who the hell is that guy?" he asks in a tone that he probably think is threatening. I lift my eyebrows at him.

"What are you talking about?"

"That Dr Carter. Who the hell is he?" he asks in the same tone as before.

"Not that it's any of your concern, but he's a friend from work." I say glaring at him.

"Are you sleeping with him?"

"What?!" I ask surprised. "No! And even if I was, it's none of your god damn business!" How can he even ask something like that?

"Of course it's my business! You're my wife!" I laugh out loud when he says that.

"I'm your EX-wife, Richard. And what I do with my life only concerns me." I say coldly.

"Don't say that, Abby. I know you still love me, you still want me." I look incredulously at him.

"What are you talking about?" He comes closer to me, leaning down. "Richard, what the..." then he kisses me. Son of a bitch! Who the hell does he think he is? He tries to get entrance to my mouth with his tongue but I push him away from me. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" I say disgusted and slap him across the face.

"What's going on here?" I hear John's voice. I turn to him. He looks worried.

"Nothing, John. This asshole here is just leaving." I say. He looks at me concerned. I turn to Richard. "Don't ever come here again. Now leave."

"Jared is my son." Richard says. I laugh at his face.

"You never gave a damn about him. He's MY son. Go. Away." I say, my voice stony cold.

"Didn't you what she said?" John says. "Leave! She doesn't want you here."

"Bye, Richard."

I push him out of the house and shut the door, leaning against it. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath to calm myself and prevent the tears that are gathering in my eyes from falling. Bastard. How could he do this? In my house, nonetheless.

"Are you ok? John asks gently touching my arm. I open my eyes and look straight at his. A lonely tear runs down my cheek. He brushes it away with his thumb.

"Sorry you had to see that that." I say feeling embarrassed. He shakes his head.

"Good thing that I saw it. He could've done something to you." He says gently pulling me to a hug.

"I can't believe he had the nerve to try and kiss me! Bastard." I say more to myself than to John. I wrap my arms around his waist resting my head on his chest. The tears running freely now on my cheeks.

"Don't let him get to you. It's what he wants. Don't let him win." He says running his hands on my back to comfort me.

We stay like that for a while, neither of us willing to move. Or at least I don't feel like moving. I don't know about him, but this feels so good, just holding each other. After a few minutes, I look up at him.

"Thank you, John." I say giving him a small smile. He kisses the top of my head.

"You're welcome." He says and I detach myself from him.

"Sorry about this." I say gesturing to my puffy eyes. He smiles.

"It's ok. Don't worry." He says putting an arm around my shoulders, leading me back into the house. "You know I'm here for you if you ever need anything, right?" I nod smiling.

"But still, thanks again." He just smiles at me. "You go ahead. I'll go to the washroom to make myself a little more presentable." He chuckles and turns to the living room. "Hey, John?" he looks at me. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about what happened."

He reaches out and takes my hand in his giving it a reassuring squeeze. Electricity runs through my body like every time he touches me.

"Don't worry, Ab." He says and makes his way to the living room.

I just stand there amazed. Can someone please tell me again what I did to deserve this man in my life?