Note: Can people stop asking me to end my series in the reviews to focus on more series? I love my series. They are my children. I give the same amount of attention to each of my stories. Writing is the only form of joy I have right now and when people ask me to end one of my favourite series Its like a stake through my heart. If you don't like a series don't read. I run nine series. I'm not about to pick favourites. lol Thanks

May 1st, 2003

Carlos looked at Alex as she stirred the soup on the stove. He had a smirk upon his face. She glanced at him with a frown.

"You I have a kick me sign on my back or something?" She asked him.

"No, Ma'am." Carlos chuckled, "I'm just checking out Jimmy latest thing."

"Latest thing? Baby, I am his thing." Alex laughed shutting the stove off.

"So I've heard." Carlos said. Alex shook her head.

"We live together, Carlos." Alex said pouring soup into the bowl. "We love each other and we're going to live happily ever after."

"Does Jimmy know this?" Carlos asked. She nodded slowly.

"Yes he does. We've discussed this, Carlos, so don't you worry." Alex said spooning her soup. The alarm started to go off. "Shit. Right when I sit down to eat, this happens."

"Ain't that the truth." Carlos got up.

"It'll be ice cold when I get back." She mumbled running down the stairs. Luckily, the fire wasn't a very big one so it didn't keep Alex and Carlos away for long. There was only one critical patient. But Alex's soup was still cold when they came back.

* * *

Alex walked into the house to the smell of steak cooking. She smiled brightly and walked into the kitchen. Jimmy and Joey were making a salad.

"Boy, this is a nice surprise." Alex smiled at them.

"We're making you dinner." Joey said jumping tomatoes into a bowl. Alex nodded.

"I see. Can I help?" She asked. Jimmy shook his head.

"You had a long day today." He said checking the meat.

"You better believe it." Alex chuckled pulling plates out, "I had to work with Carlos today. Doc called in sick and Kim had an appointment." Joey nodded.

"Mommy's tooth was hurting her yesterday." He said.

"I know, Buddy." Alex smiled as she set the table.

"Hey, Alex?" Joey looked up at her.

"What?"

"My birthday is soon." Joey grinned. Jimmy chuckled softly.

"I know it is." Alex smiled, "I may have already got a gift."

"Oooh. Do you know what I even want?" Joey asked.

" A smack on the butt." Jimmy said, "Put the salad on the table, Joe." Joey grabbed the salad and ran out. "What did you get him?" Alex smirked as she looked at her boyfriend.

"You think I'm going to tell you?" She giggled.

"I'm his father. You need to tell me." Jimmy said.

"No I don't." Alex winked as she walked out of the kitchen. Jimmy smiled and walked out with the food.

"Finally." Joey said, "I'm starved. I could eat a horse."

"I bet I'm more hungry than you. I didn't even get to eat soup at work today." Alex pulled a chair up to the table.

"Eat up then." Jimmy smiled and served up the food. They all started to chatter at once. This was a typical family dinner now. Alex loved it. She loved being part of a family again.

June 3rd, 2003

Things were getting tense in the house. Not because of anything bad, but because of Joey's birthday. He was insisting on getting his presents soon. Alex couldn't take it anymore.

"Can't I give him his present?" Alex moaned.

"Why? His birthday is in a few days." Jimmy chuckled.

"Because it's a beautiful day out there." Alex said batting her eyes. Jimmy shook his head trying not to laugh at her.

"It's not his birthday, Alex." Jimmy said.

"But he needs it now." Alex said. Jimmy looked up at her.

"He needs it?" He asked her. Alex nodded.

"All right." He said. "When Kim comes by you can give it to him." Alex grinned and jumped onto his lap.

"I knew you'd give in." She said. Jimmy shook his head.

"You know how to work me already." He said. Alex gave him a quick kiss when he heard a car pull into the driveway.

"Must be them." She scrambled up and ran outside.

"Hey." Kim smiled as she stepped out of the car.

"Hey." Alex grinned as Joey ran up to her.

"Guess what?" Joey said.

"What?" Alex asked. Joey opened his mouth and showed her a hole in his mouth. "You lost a tooth!"

"Yeah and he tried to get five bucks out of the tooth fairy." Kim laughed.

"I know how to work her, Santa, and the Easter Bunny." Joey said. Alex shook her head as she led them to the garage.

"Okay, Buddy, it's a beautiful day out so I talked your dad into letting me give you your birthday present early." Alex said. Kim arched her eyebrow.

"Really?" Joey cried with excitement.

"Yeah." Alex chuckled opening the garage door. There sat a brand new bicycle.

"Oh my god!!!" Joey cried and ran to the bike, "Thank you!!"

"It was my pleasure." Alex said. I'm frowned deeply and started to walk away.

"I wish you told me what you were getting him, Alex." Kim said.

"Why?" Alex frowned as she caught up with her partner.

"Because I already got him a bike." Kim said.

"Oh…Well, He can have one bike here and on there." Alex said.

"That's not the point." Kim snapped, "I'm his mother. I'm supposed to get him these kinds of gifts. Not you." Alex stared at her completely hurt. She didn't know Kim would get upset.

"I'm sorry." She whispered, "I never meant to step on your toes. Joey wanted a bike and I thought he'd-"

"Thought he'd like you more if you got him it?" Kim asked her.

"What? No!" Alex said. "Kim, why are you so pissed at me?"

"I'm not." Kim sighed, "Just next time ask what I'm getting him."

"Okay. " A small smile appeared on Alex's face. "I'm not replacing you, Kim. I could never do that. He only has one mother."

"I know." Kim said softly, "I'm just jealous I guess."

"You have no reason to be jealous." Alex said leading her friend to her car again.

"Oh no I don't. You're just in a stable relationship and spending time with my son." Kim said, "I am happy for you though, Alex."

"I know you are." Alex winked, "Why don't you come over Sunday night and we can have a nice family dinner."

"I don't know." Kim said, "Would Jim approve?" Alex laughed.

"I could care less. I told him you're my best friend so he needs to get used to having you at my house all the time." She said.

"And he didn't freak?" Kim chuckled opening her car door.

"Nope." Alex said, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Of course." Kim said as Joey sped out of the driveway. "He better not hurt himself." Alex nodded backing away from the car.

"He's wearing a Helmut. Bye." Alex went back to the house. Jimmy stood at the window with a smile on his face.

"A bike? He's thrilled." Jimmy said as Alex wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Kim's coming over for Dinner Sunday night." She said softly.

"Great." Jimmy chuckled turning around, "Joey will be out for awhile." Alex chuckled with a nod.

"Just enough time for me to start the barbecue." Alex winked as she walked to the kitchen. Jimmy smiled to his self. No matter what was thrown at Alex, he knew she would make a great stepmother to Joey.