A/N: Sorry for the long wait. I'll try to make this chapter exciting.

Chapter 4

"Wh-what are you doing here?" Katey stammered.

"Who is this?" Ben put his arm around Katey. "Is this an intruder?"

"No, this is Javier," Katey explained. "Susie, could you please leave the room."

"Sure," Susie replied, heading towards Dominic's room.

As soon as the door was closed, Katey said, "Why are you here? You've been gone for almost a month. Now you're coming back to me?"

"Katey," Javier stood up, "just let me…"

"Don't come any closer," Ben stood in front of Katey.

"Siddown," Javier shot Ben a look. "Stop trying to be an overprotective ass with my Katey."

"Ben, please," Katey nudged him towards the couch. He opened his mouth to protest but shut it and sat down.

"Javier, why are you here?" Katey demanded.

"I couldn't be without you," he explained. "I couldn't handle all this pressure. Working two jobs, coming home to screaming kids and a nagging wife day in and day out. It's not the life I wanted. So I wanted to make something of myself and you were just holding me down. But all this time without you, I realize that I need you and I love you."

She longed to say I love you too, but after everything he had done, Katey didn't want him. "I'm sorry," she fought back tears, "but after what you did, I can't. I'm with Ben now. Leave." Ben smiled with Katey's last comment.

"But…" There was no use in objecting. Javier stood up and kissed Katey on the cheek before he left the apartment.

Once outside, he began crying. He knew that he wouldn't last without Katey or the kids. He caught a taxi and headed towards his friend's house. Sam had offered to let him stay at his place if Katey didn't take him back.

"I'm so sorry, man," Sam said, as soon as he saw Javier on his front step. "Jill already set up the couch for you."

"Thanks," Javier half-smiled as he entered his friend's house. Sam also worked at the grocery store. He was a nice guy. His wife's name was Jill and he had a three little girls.

"Hey, Javi," Jill entered the room carrying their youngest daughter, Megan, who was the same age as Julie. Javier smiled and returned the greeting, but it hurt him inside to know that he was missing his little girl grow up. Sam's other two girls ran in.

"Uncle Javi!" Shelley and Hannah cried, running towards him.

"Hey girls," Javier bent down and hugged the little girls.

"Thanks so much for letting me stay here," Javier was very grateful.

"You and Katey having some problems?" Jill asked.

"Yeah," Javier didn't feel like explaining.

And so the days continued. Javier lived with Sam and Jill. Half of his pay went to Katey and the kids, which was his choice, some to Sam and Jill, and the rest for his personal use. He never asked anything from Katey. He loved her, so he let her have the life she wanted. She was probably much happier with Ben. Javier assumed that she loved Ben more than himself.

Although his life was sad, Javier didn't become depressed until he picked up the mail five months later.

A/N: Yeah, I'm horrible. I haven't updated in forever and I'm leaving you with a cliffie. I'll try and update on Thursday.