Gideon hummed to herself while she cleaned her small apartment. She liked Central City, liked her apartment, loved her job and really liked the new friends she had been introduced to. In the past few weeks she had been invited to join them on several occasions and had enjoyed herself each time. The group were so much fun and Gideon liked all of them.
She especially liked that she got to see Michael. He was kind, handsome and had a dry wit she appreciated. Plus he was so sweet with his son. Always attentively listening to whatever the little boy said, never dismissing Jonas in any way but didn't give into him, being stern when he had to be.
Whenever they ran into each other in the cafeteria during the week Michael would invite her to join him and Jonas for lunch. She would never admit it to anyone, but she tried to plan her day to see them at lunch as often as possible.
The phone rang, making her smile slightly, when she saw who was calling just as she was thinking about him.
"Hello, Michael," she greeted.
"Gideon?" he replied confused before swearing under his breath, "Sorry, I meant to call Ali. I don't know how I called you."
"Daddy…" Gideon heard Jonas voice faintly in the background.
"Just a minute," Michael told his son before speaking to Gideon, "I hope I didn't disturb you."
Gideon smiled to herself, "Of course not. I'm tidying up. Is there something I can help with?"
"No," he told her, "I just wanted to let Ali know I found the back-pack Jonas wants for school. It's not earth-shattering."
Gideon chuckled softly, "Of course."
"Daddy…" Jonas insistent voice came again.
"Alright," Michael said to his son before talking to her directly again, "Jonas and I are going to see a movie this afternoon. He thought you might want to come."
Smiling Gideon asked, "Are you sure? I don't want to interrupt your time together."
"You won't be," he assured her, "Besides Jonas and I know it's a movie you want to see."
"If you're sure then I would like to join you," she replied.
"Excellent," Michael said, "We're going for lunch at Clover first so come join us for that. We'll be there in about half an hour."
"That sounds like fun," she said, "I will be there," hanging up Gideon glanced at herself in the mirror, heading to have a quick shower and change.
x
Gideon took a seat on the couch while Michael carried their food into the kitchen, the puppy they'd collected from Katrina following at his heels, and Jonas climbed up beside her still chattering about the film they'd just seen.
She had enjoyed her afternoon with them. When she'd thought about it after hanging up Gideon was worried he was just being nice inviting her to join them but, from the moment they'd seen her Michael had smiled and Jonas ran over to hug her hello, making her feel like she was very welcome.
Michael had invited her to join them for dinner as well, it was only sandwiches since they'd been out for lunch as well as having popcorn at the cinema, but Gideon instantly agreed.
While they ate, Michael put on a movie and they sat together watching with only Jonas making comments breaking the silence. It was one of his favourites after all.
"Okay," Michael said after the movie, "It's time for you to go to bed, Jonas."
"No," the little boy pouted.
Michael frowned at him, "Jonas, don't make me have to give you into trouble after such a good day."
The pout became more pronounced and Gideon forced herself not to smile at how cute the little boy was.
"Go put your pyjamas on then come and say goodnight to Gideon," Michael told him, "Now."
With a long-suffering sigh Jonas dragged himself to his bedroom leaving them alone.
"I should go," Gideon noted.
"Please, don't," Michael replied, "Once he's in bed that will be him for the night and we can have an actual adult conversation."
"That sounds nice."
x
Rip smiled when Jonas came running back in. He was wearing his current favourite pyjamas which Maggie had given him that had spaceships all over them.
"Okay," Rip said to the woman sitting on his couch, "I'll be back after I've read to him. Are you okay?"
Gideon gave him a smile, "I have some wine and I enjoy cooking shows, I will be perfectly fine while you put him to bed."
Rip smiled and tapped Jonas on the shoulder, "Say goodnight to Gideon."
"Night, Gideon," Jonas threw his arms around her, "I had fun with you today."
Rip watched Gideon's surprised look melt into a warm smile as she hugged the boy back, "I had lots of fun with you too."
Taking his little boy's hand Rip headed into the bedroom with him, glancing back at the woman on the couch smiling to see her sitting there. He'd felt a connection with her from the moment they met and was happy they'd become friends. They had a lot in common, Jonas loved her and Rip always enjoyed her company.
"Daddy," Jonas said climbing into bed, "Can Gideon come with us to the beach next week?"
Rip smiled, "I'll ask her if she wants to come."
With a grin Jonas settled against his pillows waiting for Rip to read to him. Picking up the book Rip opened the book to the next chapter and started to read. Once he finished the chapter Rip ensured his son was tucked in before kissing him goodnight and leaving him to sleep.
Returning to the living room Rip found Gideon still sitting there, he picked up his own glass of wine and sat back on the couch.
"He is a wonderful little boy," Gideon noted.
Rip nodded proudly, "He is. Don't get me wrong he can be a terror sometimes but most of the time he's a joy."
Gideon laughed softly.
"He wanted me to ask you if you want to join us next Sunday when we go to the beach," Rip told her, "It's Bobby's birthday and he decided he wants a beach party. I'm not sure why since he hates the sand but Bobby can be eccentric at times."
"If you're sure I would not be intruding," Gideon said softly.
"Of course not," Rip replied, "You know Bobby thinks you're amazing, especially after you helped him with that computer virus."
Gideon laughed, "It sounds lots of fun. I have a small favour to ask you as well."
"Which is?"
"Are you going to the fundraiser on Friday?" Gideon asked.
Rip sighed, "Tina got to me and guilted me into agreeing to go."
"I still don't know many people here," she explained, "And since you are going I was hoping we could go together?"
A smile touched Rip's lips, "That sounds like a great idea. We can be each other's shield against boring conversations."
Gideon laughed taking a sip of her wine as they began to chat some more.
Rip opened the door early in the morning to find Ali, Katrina and Gideon standing there.
"Did I miss a memo?" he asked, "Why are you all here? You do know what time it is?"
Katrina rolled her eyes pushing him back out of the way so they could enter the apartment, "Do you think we would not come to see Jonas on his first day of school?"
Rip sighed, "He's a little apprehensive so try not to overwhelm him."
The three women nodded before all cooing when Jonas wandered into the living room wearing his new jeans and Westbrook School Sweatshirt.
Katrina and Ali instantly went over to him for hugs, telling him how grown-up he looked and how they couldn't believe he was going to school.
"How are you?" Gideon asked softly from Rip's side.
Turning to her he sighed slightly, "A little sad to be honest. I can't believe he's old enough to go to school."
Squeezing his hand she smiled at him, "It just means you have done a good job to get him here. And from what I know Westbrook is a very good school."
He nodded, "It is. Jonas is so smart and I know how hard it is when you see things the way he does to go to a school that can't cope with it."
Gideon smiled, "Well, you have found a place that will teach him properly."
"Daddy," Jonas came over to him, "Why is Gideon here?"
Gideon crouched down beside him, "I wanted to see you on your first day of school. Are you looking forward to it?"
"I think Daddy will miss having lunch with me," Jonas said on a loud whisper.
Rip saw the amused smile touch Gideon's lips, "I think he will."
Jonas looked up at Rip before turning to Gideon again, "Will you have lunch with him so he's not lonely."
Rip could see Katrina and Ali desperately trying not to laugh at Jonas' request while Gideon looked up at Rip with amusement sparkling in her storm grey eyes.
"I promise," Gideon said taking Jonas' hand in hers, "I will have lunch with your daddy so he doesn't get lonely."
Jonas threw his arms around Gideon's neck hugging her tightly.
"Okay," Rip said, "We have to get going or we'll be late."
Jonas frowned, he looked at them all before asking, "Can they come with us, Daddy?"
"I think everyone has to go to work," Rip started.
"We can't come," Katrina took over quickly, "But I'm sure Gideon will be able to."
Bemused Rip turned to Gideon, "Can you come with us? I don't want you to be late for work."
She gave him another smile, "It's not a problem, Michael. I would be happy to come with you to drop Jonas off."
x
Westbrook school was a bright modern building surrounded by green fields but also a large security wall to ensure the children were safe while there. Gideon turned to the man sitting in the driver's seat staring at the people streaming in the gates.
"Michael," she rested her hand on his, "Jonas will be late if you don't move soon."
He turned to her and nodded, "I know," he looked into the backseat where Jonas was sitting staring at all the people, "Are you ready, Jonas?"
Jonas nodded a little unsurely but Michael climbed out the car and released his boy from the backseat.
"Okay," Michael smiled at his son, "You are going to have a great time at school. And you don't have to worry about me because Gideon will meet me for lunch."
"I know, Daddy," Jonas told him.
Michael chuckled softly, "I will come pick you up when you finish today and we will do something fun."
Jonas threw his arms around Michael before looking over at Gideon, "Are you coming in with us?"
"I…" Gideon started before trailing off when Jonas looked up at her hopefully, "Of course. Someone has to make sure your Daddy leaves."
Gideon took one hand while Michael took the other and they walked Jonas into the school.
x
Rip felt his son grip his hand tightly as they walked towards the school, there were tables just inside the main door for those starting that year. Jonas saw the one for them and started pulling them towards the small queue.
"Good morning," the woman sitting at the table greeted them, "Child's name please."
"Jonas Hunter," Rip said watching the woman check her list.
She found his name, marked it off and pulled out an envelope from her box, "Jonas, you are in Miss Spencer and Mr Thompson's class this year," surprising Rip by speaking directly to Jonas and not ignoring him, "This has all the information about the school for your Mom and Dad."
"That's Gideon," Jonas corrected, "She's my Daddy's friend. My mummy is an angel."
The woman stalled at this information before nodding, "Well this will give your Dad all the information he needs."
Jonas took the envelope before handing it to Rip.
"Mr Hunter," the woman smiled up at him, "If you go into the hall behind you Miss Spencer is waiting for Jonas. You can say your goodbyes there."
"Thank you," Rip nodded, they headed into the hall which had all the children starting school today. Some saying goodbye to their parents, a few in tears while others were sitting with their new class.
Taking a breath Rip pushed a smile onto his face and crouched down in front of his son, "Okay, you are going to have a great day," Rip told him, "And I will see you after it. Give me a hug."
Jonas hugged him before he tugged Gideon's hand so she would come down to his level for a hug too.
"Bye Daddy," Jonas told him with a smile, "Bye Gideon."
They watched Jonas walk over to his new teacher who talked to him for a moment before introducing him to another little boy. Rip watched his son completely forget about him while he made a new friend.
Gideon touching his hand made him turn to her, "It's time to go."
Reluctantly Rip followed her out, glancing back once to where Jonas was oblivious to Rip's departure.
When they reached the car Gideon slid her arms around him, giving him a quick hug, "Are you okay?"
He sighed, "It's a little pathetic how hard this is."
"Not really," she assured him, "You're a very good father. Which shows in how confident he was joining his new class."
Rip sighed, "He's only in for a few hours today so I should get you to work."
"It's not a problem," Gideon replied, "I don't have much scheduled for today."
"We're going out for dinner tonight with Katrina and Ali to celebrate Jonas' first day at school" Rip told her, "Would you like to join us?"
Gideon nodded, "That would be nice."
He caught her hand before she could get in the car, "Thank you, for coming with me today. I needed the support more than I thought I would."
She gave him a bright smile, "It is never a problem, Michael."
