A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review and follow! I appreciate it. I survived my work trip, but that first day was rough. Taking a 5:15am flight is no fun whatsoever, especially when you have a cold. Like I said though, I made it through, and I'm pretty much over my cold. Now while I haven't posted an update for this story in a couple of weeks, I did post a one shot entitled "Home for the Holidays". It's a glimpse into the future of the Tasker-Montgomery family and might answer a question or two you might have. Check it out if you're interested. Back to "Things Change". This chapter picks up where the last one left off. Hope you enjoy this update!
/
Marissa pulled up to front of school, put the car in park, and turned to the backseat. "Okay. We're here. Have fun, and I'll see you in this same spot in a few hours."
"If something comes up and you need us before then, just give us a call. Okay?" Bianca added.
AJ nodded as he unfastened his seatbelt. "Okay."
"Have a good time."
"Thanks, Mrs. Tasker-Montgomery." Amber said as she reached for the door. Before she could open it however, AJ had already made his way out of the car and had opened the door for her. Amber smiled shyly and murmured a soft 'thank you' to AJ.
"You're welcome, Amber." AJ replied.
Bianca and Marissa exchanged proud smiles as they watched their son help Amber out of the car.
"Bye, Mom. Bye, Ma." AJ said as he shut the car door.
"Bye, AJ."
The couple stayed parked until they saw AJ and Amber walk into the school.
"That was pretty slick of AJ to get to the door and open it for Amber. I can see where he gets his moves from." Bianca said as she eyed her wife.
Marissa grinned. "Ah, what can I say? He's a quick study. Plus, we just want to make the ones we care about feel special."
"Well, you definitely succeed. Let's go home. Danny's getting a little restless. I'm also thinking that I want to dance with my wife some more."
"As always, you have the best ideas." Marissa put the car back in gear and headed home.
/
AJ and Amber walked side by side into the school gym as they exchanged nervous glances. The boy had been tempted to ask to hold her hand but backed down at the last minute. When they reached the door, AJ held it open for Amber, who again gave him a shy smile in return. Once inside, they glanced around the room. The decorations were typical for a middle school dance. There were balloons, streamers, and a banner welcoming everyone to the Spring Fling, and in one corner, there was a photo booth along with costumes for participants to have their pictures taken in. Tables had been set up around the room for people to sit, and refreshments and snacks were set up on tables close to a wall. Finally, there was a DJ on the stage. Again, it was all typical for a middle school dance, right down to how the room was divided. The boys were grouped together on one side, and the girls were grouped together on the other. In the middle, there was what could best be described as a no-man's land.
AJ and Amber glanced at each other and sighed. They had hoped it would be different, and that everyone would be mixing more. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Even the students who were considered couples that they knew were attending the dance together had been split up. Just as AJ was about to say something to Amber, two of her friends, Brittany and Lanie, came over.
"Amber! We've been waiting for you to get here!" Brittany said excitedly.
"We have to show you something." Lanie was pulling Amber away before either she or AJ could say anything.
AJ was left standing by himself, completely stunned by what had just happened.
/
Miranda was standing over to side of the room talking to her friend Jessica when she saw what happened. When she saw her brother's shoulders slump, she knew she had to do something to help him out. AJ had really been looking forward to the dance with Amber, and he had put a lot of time and effort in learning how to slow dance. Her brother had definitely gone outside of his comfort zone for this, and Miranda was going to make sure it didn't go for naught. She studied her surroundings as she came up with a plan.
/
Max trotted into the family room and plopped down on the floor next to Danny. The tot giggled and moved closer on his blanket next to the family's faithful pet. Bianca smiled as she watched the pair interact. Max was as patient as he was loyal and loving, especially with Danny. Bianca cocked her head and smiled even more as music filled the room.
Marissa entered the family room with a smile and held her hand out. "May I have this dance, Mrs. Tasker-Montgomery?"
"Yes, you may, Mrs. Tasker-Montgomery."
The couple swayed in perfect time as 'Our Love is Here to Stay' played in the background.
"I do love Ella Fitzgerald, but you know that."
Marissa grinned. "Yes, I do. In fact, I have several of your favorites lined up for tonight."
Bianca raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like you're planning on sweeping me off my feet."
"You've found me out. Oh well, I guess I'll just still have to go through with my plan."
"Lucky me!"
"And lucky me. Although, the full sweeping of you off your feet will have to have to wait until AJ and Miranda are back from the dance and in bed."
"Oh, I can definitely deal with that." Bianca laughed as Marissa spun her around and followed the move with a dip of her wife. "Wow, you are smooth."
Marissa waggled her eyebrows. "You haven't seen anything yet."
/
Miranda quickly realized that she was one of the very few people at the dance who could cross over to the other side of the room without anyone thinking anything of it. The reason for that was actually quite simple. It was because AJ was her brother. Everyone knew how close they were so it wasn't a big deal for her to go over to the 'boy's side' and talk to him. That was one part of her plan. For the other part, Miranda needed help. She needed a distraction for Brittany and Lanie. So, Miranda enlisted Jessica and Emma. Jessica was her best friend and would help her out without question. Emma was family as well as a good friend. Once Miranda explained that AJ needed help, Emma was on board. The three girls quickly came up with a plan. Miranda was given a few minutes head start to make her way over to AJ, and then Jessica and Emma would step in.
/
AJ sighed as he glanced across the room at Amber. It looked to him like Brittany and Lanie were talking her ear off, and Amber looked as miserable as he felt.
"Hey, AJ."
The boy glanced up and smiled sadly when his sister sat down next to him. "Hey, Miranda."
"The dance isn't turning out like you thought it would, huh?"
"Nope. I want to be spending it with Amber, but Brittany and Lanie are in the way. I like them okay, but what's their problem? What did I do to them? Why do they always seem to pull Amber away?"
Miranda thought for a minute before she answered. "I don't think that they have anything against you personally. I think it's more that they're scared."
"Scared? Of what?"
"I think Brittany and Lanie are scared of losing their friend, of losing Amber." Miranda continued when she saw AJ's confused expression. "Sometimes when people start dating someone, they forget all about their friends because they are just so focused on that person that they're dating. The Moms have mentioned that happening with friends that they had. Those other people stopped doing things with their friends. You know like going places with them, because they were so focused on who they were dating."
"Oh yeah. I remember them talking about that. The Moms didn't want to be those kinds of people. They didn't want to lose their friends. You really think Brittany and Lanie feel like that? I mean, this is Amber's and my first date."
"I do. I really think that could be it. They like you, AJ. I mean, I can't really think of anyone who doesn't. You're nice and are always willing to help someone out."
"I would never get in the way of their friendship with Amber. That's not something I would do."
"I know that, and you know that. They don't though, not really. I just think that they're scared that you might."
"I guess I can see that, but …"
"I know. They're going about this the wrong way."
"Miranda's right."
The siblings turned to the voice they heard and saw their friend Tommy.
AJ nodded. "She usually is, kinda like our Moms. It's a little annoying sometimes."
Tommy chuckled. "I bet, but it doesn't take away from the fact that she's right. I mean, if I'm being honest, I'm a little worried too. We're best friends, and if you start dating Amber, are you still gonna want to hang out with me?"
"Of course I am. Just because I like Amber, it doesn't mean that I'm not going to want to do things with you. She doesn't like to do everything I like to do and the same with me."
"That's good to hear. So, how can I help you out tonight?"
Miranda smiled. "Tommy just proved my point about Brittany and Lanie. The difference is that he talked to you instead of trying to get in the way of the two of you. Now, you might not like what I'm going to say next, but I have to say it. Just like Brittany and Lanie are going about this the wrong way, so are you and Amber."
"What? We haven't done anything."
"That's the point. You're letting them get in the way. You and Amber need to stand up for yourselves more. Put your foot down when they pull something like this. Talk to them instead of just standing there and letting them walk all over you. Look, I know why you don't want to say anything, and I know why Amber doesn't want to say anything too. You're not JR. You're not a bully. You care about people and don't want to see anybody hurt. You're like our Moms, but like our Moms know, there's a time to stand up for yourself. This is that time. Amber, for the most part, is the same way. She doesn't want people to think she's like her mom. There's one big difference between the two of you. Amber is afraid that people might think she's reverting back to being a bully again. Standing up for yourself is not the same as being a bully."
AJ thought about what his sister had said, and after a minute, he began to nod. "It's really annoying when you're right."
Miranda grinned. "Sorry?"
"Don't be. Besides, I know you're not really sorry. Thanks. I needed that kick in the butt. Judging by the look in your eyes, you have a plan to help me out."
"I do, and now that Tommy's here, he can help."
Tommy nodded. "I'm in. Whatever it is, just name it."
"Good. Slowly look over to where Amber is."
The boys did as instructed. Jessica and Emma had successfully put some separation between Amber and the other two girls.
"Now's your chance. Go ask Amber to dance." Miranda encouraged her brother.
"Okay. I can do this." AJ nodded, stood up and squared his shoulders.
Miranda looked at the other boy. "Come on, Tommy. We're going to be AJ's backup."
Tommy smiled. Miranda was pretty amazing. She was the one person there who was able to bridge the divide between the two sides, and she wasn't afraid to do it, especially when her brother was involved. "Let's do this!"
/
The trio made their way across the gym floor. As they did so, the three of them could feel the eyes of almost every other student on them.
AJ walked straight up to Amber. "Hi."
"Hi."
"Would you like to dance with me?" AJ asked as he held out his hand.
Amber smiled brightly and took the offered hand. "Yes, I would. I'd like that very much."
Lanie whipped her head around and stepped away from Emma and towards Amber. "Wait! You can't go with him!"
AJ took a deep breath and held up with hand. It was now or never. He could do this. Miranda was right. He wasn't like JR. He was like their Moms. AJ was a Tasker-Montgomery. "Yeah, she can. I asked her to dance, and Amber said yes. I'm not exactly sure why you and Brittany keep trying to get in between us, but you need to stop. Neither Amber nor I have done anything to deserve you doing this. We like each other." AJ glanced at Amber who smiled and nodded.
"We do."
AJ grinned when he heard Amber's confirmation. He then turned back to Lanie and Brittany who had joined her friend. "Are you afraid that Amber won't want to do things with you anymore if we go out?"
Lanie started to protest but was stopped by Brittany.
"A little, yeah. We don't want her to forget us because of you."
Amber stepped forward. "You really think I would do that?"
"Yeah? We've seen it happen with Gretchen. She used to be really close with Laura until she started going steady with Colin. Now, they barely talk."
"Well, that's not me or AJ. You're my friends and have helped me through some pretty bad stuff. I'm not going to forget that, and I'm not going to stop being your friend because I like AJ."
"And I wouldn't get in between you and Amber. Like she said, you're her friends and have been there for her. Why would I try and stop that? As long as you don't hurt her and I don't think you would, we're good. Same holds true with Amber and my friends.
Amber looked at Tommy and nodded. "He's right." She turned back to her friends. "You know AJ, and you know he's telling the truth."
Brittany and Lanie looked at each other. They knew Amber was right. AJ really was a good guy, and they could tell he cared about their friend.
"You can trust AJ." Miranda added.
"Yeah, you really can because you know Miranda would kick his butt if he didn't do what he said." Tommy teased his friend.
AJ rolled his eyes. "Are we okay?" He asked the girls.
Lanie nodded. "Yeah, we are. We're sorry. We didn't mean to hurt either of you."
"It's okay. Next time though, talk to me. Let me know." Amber said.
"We will. You should probably go dance." Brittany said.
"Nobody else is though." Amber bit her lip nervously.
Miranda turned to Tommy. "Would you like to dance with me?"
Tommy grinned when he realized this was part of Miranda's plan. She wasn't going to let her brother or Amber go out onto the dance floor alone. "Yeah, I would."
AJ shook his head and smiled. He really did have the best sister in the world, and she was also a pretty darn good wing woman. AJ looked at Amber. "Problem solved. Still want to dance?"
"Definitely." Amber smiled and followed AJ as he led them to the dance floor.
As if it was planned, and AJ wouldn't be surprised if Miranda had done just that, a slow song began to play. AJ remembered how his Moms had instructed him to hold his dance partner and did exactly that. Soon, he heard others join them on the floor. AJ turned to Miranda who was dancing nearby with Tommy, and he smiled and mouthed 'thank you'. Miranda returned the smile and winked. Each knowing they would always have the other's back.
/
Marissa pulled up to the school and tapped the car's horn when she saw AJ and Amber to let them know that she was there. They walked to the car holding hands, and AJ held the door open for Amber. As AJ quickly made his way to the other side of the car, Marissa smiled proudly. Once the kids' seatbelts were fastened, the redhead pulled out.
"How was the dance? Did you have a good time?"
Amber nodded. "Yeah, it was really fun. AJ is a really good dancer."
Marissa smiled and glanced in the rearview mirror just in time to see her son blush. "Is he? Well, I'm very happy to hear that, and I've even happier to hear that you had a good time."
As they made their way to Amber's house, Marissa observed the two quietly while they talked and replayed the events of the evening. She mentally took notes that she could share with Bianca when they got home. Marissa parked the car in front of the Baldwin residence and watched as AJ once again hurried around the vehicle to open the car door for Amber. The two walked to the house and paused outside the door. Marissa saw Amber lean in and kiss AJ's cheek before she hurried inside. AJ stood dumbstruck for a minute before he realized what he was doing. He returned to the car, sat in the front seat this time, and fastened his seatbelt.
"You had a good time, Buddy?"
"Best night ever, Ma." AJ answered with the biggest grin on his face.
Marissa had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing. She was thrilled to see her son so happy.
"Do you think we could stop at Krystal's on the way home? I want to get Miranda a slice of chocolate cake. She really deserves it."
Marissa was curious but decided not to ask what Miranda had done to make AJ want to get her the treat. She had a feeling she would eventually find out what happened though. "We can do that."
"Thanks! Ma?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for teaching me to dance."
"You're welcome."
AJ sighed happily and smiled even more as he thought about the evening again, especially how it ended. "Best night ever."