Hey there everybody, welcome to chapter 2! So, big news. This guy is now on AO3 as well!

Before we get into this,. there is mentions of rape in this.

Please enjoy this chapter!

Ollie practically skipped into his apartment after his visit to the drugstore. He wasn't sure why, but that Amelia woman he met seemed so nice. He felt like a teenager again when he was with her.

Sure, she was beautiful, but she also just seemed kind, smart and responsible. Everything Ariella wasn't.

'' Hey Ollie'' Izzy said from his couch, looking up from her issue of Sports Illustrated.

'' Hey Izzy, see you let yourself in again.''

'' Your kid wanted to play in her room, I have a spare key. You do the math.''

'' Fair enough'' Ollie breathed, sitting down. '' I feel like I've been standing all day.''

'' Well, you are an archeology professor, your job does require you to be on your feet most of the day.''

'' True. So, guess what?''

'' Tell me.''

'' Ariella took out the last repeat on Mia's meds. I have to call our physician to get a new prescription.''

'' Why'd you even go out with her in the first place?''

'' You know I ask myself that exact question every day.''

Izzy laughed. '' Alright weirdo, there's something else you aren't telling me, spill it.''

'' I'm not hiding anything'' Ollie breathed.

'' Liar. I've known you since you and Ariella first moved in here when Mia was just 3 days old. I know when you're hiding something…spill it.''

'' Fine, I met someone.''

What happened next, was something Izzy almost never did…she squealed. '' Oh my God, Ollie that's so great, what's her name, address, marital status, Instagram handle-

'' Relax. Why do you need to know if she's married or not?''

'' Its 2022, people are in open relationships. Can't be too careful now can ya?''

'' Eh, fair point. Look, her name's Amelia, she's really cool, and I think she likes me, even though I knocked her over.''

'' Aww, so romantic. I call godmother of your children.''

'' Mia isn't enough for you?'' Ollie smirked.

'' She's old and I want a new one.''

'' She's not a used car Izzy.''

'' Oh please, you know I'm kidding. So, did you score her digits?''

'' Sure did-hey, what're you doing?'' Ollie responded as Izzy swiped his phone from him.

'' Texting her. I know you Ollie, you'll chicken out and spend the night eating a store-bought cake on the toilet.''

'' That happened one time!''

'' I know'' Izzy tapped away at her friend's phone. '' Hey, she responded.''

'' What did you do?'' Ollie panicked, grabbing his phone.

-x-

30 minutes earlier

'' Hey bud, bought you your…stuff'' Amelia called, walking into her apartment. As a journalist, Amelia made a nice living for herself and Jake.

'' Awesome, thanks'' Jake said, getting the magazine from his mother. '' Mom, you ok?''

'' Fine bud, why?''

'' You're blushing. We aren't near any horseradish so its not an allergic reaction. What's going on?''

'' Nothing.''

'' Amelia Josephine Jones…''

'' Don't call me by my first name Jacob. Remember I can ground you at anytime. And I know you have that trip to Dino Henge in a few weeks.''

'' You're right. Sorry, I was out of line. Let me try again. What happened?''

Amelia sighed. '' I met someone.''

'' Awesome, I'm so happy for you. What's his name?''

'' Wait, you're happy. The last guy I went out with, you called the cops on him saying that he was driving a stolen car.''

'' Hey, that was a year ago. And turns out he was driving a stolen car. I want you to be happy mom. Now spill.''

'' Alright'' Amelia said, sitting down on a nearby couch. '' His name's Ollie. He's a very sweet man from the drugstore. He knocked me down as I was getting your stuff.''

'' So, when're you going out?''

'' Easy there. We haven't even had a proper conversation-what're you doing?'' Amelia asked, as her son took her phone and began to type on it.

'' Texting him. Mom, Dad's been gone for a long time, its time you got back out there. And if this dude's as nice as you say, then you need to see him. I'll do the planning.''

''Alright go for it'' Amelia rolled her eyes.

-x-

And now

'' What's she saying, what's she saying?'' Ollie shrieked.

'' Easy Romeo, she just said hey is all.''

'' Well, answer back, Oh Gd, this is just like how it started with Ariella.''

'' Stop it! Amelia isn't like her, from what I've heard. Look, I'm sending her a GIF of a whale breaching and saying whale hello here.''

'' You better know what you're doing Izzy.''

'' I'm a girl, I know what we like. See, she responded with question'' Izzy went red. '' You better read it.''

Ollie took the phone. '' She wants to meet up. For a date. She says she's taking me up on my previous offer.''

'' Aww, that's so sweet. You're saying yes.''

'' But when, where? I haven't been on a date since I was 28, and we all know how that went.''

'' Oh good Gd. Look, Fern and I are going to Steak Me Home Tonight, tomorrow afternoon. You two are coming.''

'' On your date? I don't know Iz. Its really not the kind of thing I'd do.''

'' Oliver Akana, you're a catch. You're nice, smart, funny-ish and pretty cute too.''

'' I thought you were into women?''

'' I still have eyes dude. So, I'll take that'' Izzy snatched back the phone and continued to text. '' Congratulations Ollie, you have a date tomorrow night.''

-x-

'' Ok, how do I look, do I look like a 32 year old mom who hasn't been in a serious relationship since she was 20?'' Amelia asked.

Jake looked at his mother. She had changed into a pink top, leather jacket, faded jeans and boots.

'' More like motorcycle chick.''

'' Hey!''

'' Kidding. Mom you look awesome. If this Ollie guy is as cool as you say he is, then he'll be into you whether you're wearing a 25000 dollar wedding gown or a black trash bag.''

'' Thanks sweetie'' Amelia said, kissing the boy's forehead.''

'' Eww, get off'' Jake squealed.

'' Hey, don't be rude to your mother'' came a voice from the front door.

'' Pop-pop!'' Jake ran into the old man's arms.

'' Thanks so much for babysitting. Honestly I'm pretty nervous for this date. I'm a bit rusty'' Amelia said, hugging her grandfather.

'' Ah, no sweat sweetheart. You know I love this little guy, even if he's reading porno magazines.''

'' Yeah, I'm pretty fond of him too.''

'' So, before you leave, tell me about this guy.''

'' Well he seems nice, even though he knocked me over.''

'' He knocked you over? Doesn't seem so nice to me.''

'' Trust me Pop-pop, I can make decent decisions.''

'' Amelia. I love you but forgive me if I'm a bit cautious, I remember how Jake came to be.''

'' Hey mom, look what I found'' Jake gave his mother a picture from her room. It was of him and her at White Beach when he was 4. He had gotten his head stuck in a bucket.

'' Aww, even if you're reading stuff I don't care for, you're still my little man'' Amelia ruffled the boy's hair.

'' Hey, you have a date to get to and I have a great grandson to spoil. Go on'' Pop-pop smiled.

-x-

'' Not the ideal place for a date, but it was your turn to choose'' Fern smiled as she sat across from her girlfriend.

'' Hey, great food, great prices, what's not to love?''

'' The fact that there's a play area over there'' Fern pointed.

'' Not a bad thing, we can creep strays out by saying that we don't like boys.''

'' Izzy!''

'' Kidding. Ah, even 4 years later, you're still so easy to annoy. Never change baby.''

'' Aww'' Fern leaned over to peck Izzy on the cheek. '' So, you said that Ollie's joining us tonight, and so is his date?''

'' Yeah. The plan is for them to arrive and for us to be a bit entitled and request a new table not far from them so we can keep an eye on Ollie in case he screws up.''

'' He might not.''

'' True- and speak of the devil!''

'' Sorry I'm late, parking's a nightmare, hey Fern'' Ollie said, sitting down.

'' Hey Ollie. How's Mia doing?''

'' She's great! Just turned 5 last week and her aunt Izzy here is doing a pretty good job of babysitting her when I'm at school.''

'' Good to hear- oh my Gd!'' Fern's eyes went wide as she saw Amelia approach.

'' That's your date? Nice job Akana'' Izzy teased.

'' Hi there, Ollie, nice to see you again'' Amelia said shyly.

'' Hey, wow, you look…wow'' Ollie breathed.

'' Thanks'' Amelia said sitting down. '' You look pretty wow yourself.''

Izzy gave Fern a signal to flag down a waitress.

'' Yes, how may I help you?'' a waitress said, approaching them.

'' Hi there…Ronda'' Izzy read. '' My girlfriend and I want another table…that one if you don't mind'' Izzy pointed at a nearby booth.

'' Certainly?'' Ronda said confused, leading the pair away.

'' Weird'' Amelia breathed. '' Friends of yours?''

'' Yeah. The one with the curly black hair is Izzy, she's my next door neighbor as well as my best friend and my daughter's godmother. The other one is her girlfriend Fern.''

'' Oh, they're lesbians?''

'' Yeah. Super huge LGBTQ+ supporters as well.''

'' Oh cool. So, what do you do for a living?'' Amelia asked.

'' Professor at PRIME University. I mostly do stuff about Egyptology and general archeology. Yourself?''

'' I'm a paranormal journalist at Buzzblast. I write pieces about haunted attractions in Pine Ridge, like the abandoned warehouse which supposedly has ghost workers there.''

'' Oh I read that, that was you?''

'' Yeah. I know its weird but I love the paranormal. Curses, ghosts, all of that just makes me giddy. Not to brag but I do own an original VHS copy of An American werewolf in London.''

'' I saw that. One of my favorite movies.''

'' Same. Wow, I feel really comfortable around you.''

'' Thanks same here. So, if I might ask, why did you and your ex break up?''

Amelia rubbed her arm.

'' Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to pry.''

'' No, its fine. It started when my son Jake was two years old. I had been with my high school boyfriend Andy since 9th grade and we got married when we were 19. I had a steady job at Buzzblast, mostly doing pieces on the best pizza in Pine Ridge and lifehacks. He…didn't. Andy got a job when we were married for 3 months at a local iron foundry, it was there that he discovered beer.

He'd come home drunk and would hit me. Call me names like privileged bitch, ungrateful and slutty. One night, he came home more drunk than he'd ever been before hand. He barged into our apartment and pinned me down, next thing I know, he-

'' Raped you?''

'' Yeah. Thankfully our apartment was right next door to a police officer who came in and arrested Andy. He's been in Pine Ridge maximum for 12 years now. But, he did impregnate me. I was told by my grandfather that I should abort the fetus, but I didn't want to. 9 months later, I gave birth to my little boy Jake.''

'' The one who likes magazine porn?''

'' Yes, that one'' Amelia laughed. '' Now, since you asked me, I'll ask you. Why did you and your ex breakup?''

'' Ariella was my college girlfriend. I met her in a 20th century history class. We were the only ones who knew who Karl Marx was. She seemed nice at first. When we graduated, she got a job at a law firm but it got too much for her. She started to do coke. A lot of it. I once came home to find that our door stop had been replaced by a 5 kilo bag of cocaine.

My mom helped me send her to rehab and it seemed like she got better. Five years ago we were blessed with my daughter Mia. Both myself and my family were sure that the old Ariella was back, but turns out she wasn't. She started buying black-market cold and flu medication. Even going as far as to steal Mia's ADHD pills. Eventually I told her to leave. Izzy's practically helped raise Mia, she's an absolute blessing.''

A silence took over the table. '' Guess we're two broken people aren't we?'' Ollie sighed.

'' Yeah. But, we do have two things that keep us afloat.''

'' And those are?''

'' Our kids. Here's mine'' Amelia took out her phone and showed Ollie a picture of a fair skinned boy asleep on a bed.

'' Jake?'' Ollie asked.

'' Yeah, he's 12. Can I see Mia?''

'' Oh sure'' Ollie dug out his phone from the satchel he carried around and showed Amelia a picture of a young girl playing with a Disney princess.''

'' She's so cute. Let me guess, 4?''

'' Close, 5.''

'' Wow, I'd love to meet her sometime.''

'' Same with Jake, he seems cool. Assuming this date is going well , hopefully we meet each other's kids n our second one.''

'' Well, I'm certainly enjoying myself.''

'' Same here'' Ollie smiled.

And scene. Thanks so much for reading guys, hope you enjoyed it and as usual, stay safe and stay awesome!