Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

AN1: Thank you so much for the amazing support you have given me. I DECIDED to update again, but at this stage I'm not sure exactly how frequently I will update.


July 11th 1998

Over a year has passed since Mike started to live with Jessica, and after Edith was declared an unfit guardian Jessica was granted permanent guardianship. Even though it has been a change, for both of them, Jessica and Mike have both gotten used to the new arrangement and Mike has even been able to spend a lot of time with his grandmother.

It's a Saturday and until recently that would mean that Jessica would be working all day, but instead she went into the office early and got a few hours of work done before she headed out to Brooklyn.

Arriving at an oval Jessica finds a group of kids playing baseball. As she makes her towards the kids Jessica notices that Mike is hitting and so she just stands back and watches, and as Mike hits the ball thrown by a person Jessica knows to be his friend Trevor she can't help but smile proudly.

For about ten minutes Jessica watches but then she realises that Mike has noticed her so he comes running over.

"Jessica, when did you get here?" Mike asks, sounding excited.

"When you were batting." Jessica tells him, "You did really well."

"I'm not as good as Trevor, or some of the other kids." Mike says, with a shrug, looking like he doesn't want praise.

"Did you do your best?" Jessica asks curious.

"Of course." Mike answers.

"Then that's all you can hope for." Jessica tells him.

"Maybe, I still prefer reading." Mike answers.

"There's nothing wrong with that." Jessica assures him, and Mike frowns, "What is it, Mike?" Jessica asks concerned.

"Tess and Trevor say that I need to spend more time outside, less time in the library." Mike reveals.

"Mike, listen to me, there is nothing wrong with you enjoying spending time in the library. You just have to do what you want; it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks." Jessica assures him, honestly in the last year she has seen that Trevor may not be the best influence on Mike, Tess on the other hand seems to be more of a positive one.

"Can we go home? I want to continue the books I got from the library." Mike admits.

"Of course." Jessica tells him, "Go say goodbye to your friends and then we can get going."

"Cool." Mike says with a smile, before running over to where his friends are.


It has been a few hours since Jessica and Mike left Brooklyn and after making their way home the two of them have been sitting in Jessica's home office, Jessica doing her work while Mike reads on the couch that's in there.

"I though Quentin was coming home today." Mike says as he reads, not looking up from his book.

"He called this morning, his business trip has been extended." Jessica reveals, sounding less than happy about that.

"Oh." Mike says, and the two of them drift into silence as Mike reads and Jessica works.

The silence only lasts a few minute before they both hear the doorbell ring.

"I'll be right back." Jessica says, making what she is doing and standing up.

"Okay." Mike says with a nod, his eyes glued to his book and Jessica can't help but smile fondly as she is pretty sure that there could be a war going on around Mike and as long as he has a book he'll be okay.

As she gets to the door Jessica is surprised to find a young blond man standing on the other side.

"Harvey, what are you doing here?" Jessica asks surprised as she wasn't expecting him.

"I was in this office and I found this as I was sorting. I thought it might be important so I figured I'll bring it to you." Harvey says, showing Jessica an envelope.

"Thank you, Harvey, it is." Jessica says, taking the envelop from him, "Would you like to come in for some coffee?" Jessica asks, as even though she tries her best to keep her personal and professional lives separate it is probably about time that Mike and Harvey meet as the two of them have been close to running into each other more than once in the last year.

"I would, but I can't." Harvey admits, looking apologetic, "I've got to go meet Dad and Marcus." He reveals, "We're going shopping to get things for Harvard." He reveals, not looking forward to shopping, but he is looking forward to spending time with his dad and brother.

"Then you better get going." Jessica tells him, "Thank you for bringing this to me." She says, sounding grateful.

"You're welcome." Harvey says, "I'll see you Monday."

"See you then." Jessica responds and as Harvey walks away Jessica heads back inside, closing the door behind her and heading straight back to her office.

"Who was that?" Mike asks as Jessica walks in.

"Someone from the office, Harvey. I've told you about him." Jessica tells Mike.

"He works in the mail room, you became a mentor to him and he's starting Harvard Law in the fall." Mike says from memory.

"Exactly." Jessica says as she walks over and sits next to Mike, having gotten used to Mike's memory though it still surprises her at times, "He brought me something." She reveals, "A few days ago I draw up some documents and I had a friend who specialised in family law look them over."

"What kind of documents?" Mike asks, looking at Jessica in interest.

"If you're willing, I would like to adopt you." Jessica informs Mike.

"Really?" Mike asks, looking shocked as he isn't sure how to respond to that.

"Really." Jessica confirms, "Mike, I would never want to take the place of your parents. I would never try to, they'll always be with you, but I do love you like a son, and I would like to make it official, if you're willing." Jessica reveals and Mike looks like he is thinking that over.

"I would like that too." Mike says with a nod, "But what about Quentin?" he asks, wanting to know what Jessica's husband will think as the two of them aren't close.

"He knows I was drawing up the papers, and going to ask you." Jessica answers, giving a lawyer's answer.

"But he's not going to sign them." Mike realises.

"Not now." Jessica says, not sure if Quentin will ever be ready to sign them, "But that doesn't change what I want, and I want to adopt you." Jessica assures the twelve-year-old.

"I want that too." Mike admits, "But I don't know if I can call you Mom." Mike admits.

"That's okay, you don't have to call me anything but Jessica if you don't want to." Jessica assures him.

"Okay." Mike says with a nod, "Adopting means I can change my name." he realises.

"Only if you want to." Jessica tells Mike, honestly she will not make him do anything that he's not comfortable with.

"I want to." Mike tells her, "I want my name to be Michael James Pearson-Ross."

"You didn't even think about that." Jessica notes, it filling her to joy to hear what Mike wants his name to be.

"I have thought about it, just not today." Mike admits as he avoids looking at Jessica.

"Oh." Jessica says, actually being surprised something that Mike is about to do a lot, "I think it's perfect." Jessica says, smiling at Mike, causing him to smile back, "I'll fill out all the paperwork and file it."

"Okay." Mike says with a nod.

"You know the work I have to do will only take a couple more hours so how about when I'm finished we go to video store and pick up some videos so that we can have a movie night with pizza." Jessica suggests.

"Really?" Mike asks looking excited.

"Really." Jessica confirms.

"Cool." Mike says with a grin and as he does Jessica heads back to the desk so that she can get her work done while Mike goes back to reading his book.


Hours later Mike and Jessica have watched more than a few movies and they are both sitting side by side in the living room. As another movie ends Jessica notices that Mike has started to fall asleep.

"Mike." Jessica says.

"I'm up, I'm awake." Mike says, opening his eyes and looking up.

"I think it's time you go to bed." Jessica tells him.

"Noo, I'm fine." Mike says, his voice clearly sleeping, "I want to keep watching."

"We'll watch more tomorrow." Jessica says, turning of the TV, "It's bed time."

"Fine." Mike says, looking annoyed, "Night Jessica." Mike says, giving her a hug and Jessica places a kiss on his cheek before Mike gets up and heads to his bedroom.

After Mike leaves Jessica gets up and heads to her office so that she can get some more work done, honestly not minding that she missed out on doing work to spend time with Mike.


Hours later Jessica has finished her work for the night Jessica is heading up to bed herself, but before she does she does what she has done every night for the last year, goes and checks on Mike.

As she quietly opens Mike's door Jessica isn't at all surprised to find that Mike's reading light is on, nor is she surprised to find Mike asleep holding a book.

Walking over to the boy that will be her son soon Jessica takes the book out of Mike's hands, marks the page, and puts it on Mike's bedside table before gently tucking him in bed.

"I love you." Jessica says, placing a gentle kiss on Mike's forehead before turning off the light and heading out of the room, leaving Mike to peaceful sleep.


November 6th 1998

Thanks to Jessica's connections Mike's adoption was processed and approved even quicker than usual something which both Mike and Jessica were thankful for as it was something stable, though even though it is now official not much has changed for Mike, he goes to school, spends time with his friends, and goes to his grandmothers after school until Jessica comes and picks him up.

Under normal circumstances that's exactly where Mike would be on a Friday night, at his grandmother's house, but it's not a normal night. Having left school with his best friend Mike was meant to be having a sleep over with him, but as they got in a fight which resulted in Trevor telling him that he doesn't want Mike to stay over anymore Mike decided to go to Jessica rather than to his grandmother.

Sitting in her office, working hard, Jessica is distracted by her phone ringing.

"This is Jessica Pearson."

"Hello Ms Pearson, this is Steve from security, there is a boy here to see you, he said his name is Mike."

"Send him up to my floor." Jessica requests and she quickly gets up and heads towards the elevators, getting to them just as Mike steps out, "Mike, what are you doing here? I thought you were sleeping at Trevor's?"

"We got into a fight." Mike says with a shrug, "I didn't want to go to Grammy's, I wanted to see you so I came here." Mike says, it being clear that he is hurting after his fight with his best friend.

"Okay, let's go to my office." Jessica says, putting her arm around Mike's shoulders as the two of them walk towards Jessica's office.

"Is there a big case going on?" Mike asks, noticing that everyone around seems to be hurrying.

"No more than usual, this is just how things are here." Jessica explains.

"Huh." Mike says, looking around in interest as they get to Jessica's office.

"Do you want to talk about what happened between you and Trevor?" Jessica asks curious, as she closes the door behind her and Mike.

"Not really." Mike admits, knowing that if he does it will probably just make Jessica angry at Trevor.

"You sure?" Jessica answers, knowing that she won't completely give up asking but she will for now if Mike wants.

"Yeah." Mike says, "I know you have work that you need to do, and I won't get in the way, I can just sit here and do my homework." Mike offers.

"I've never thought you'd get in the way." Jessica assures her son, "If you want I can take you to the library so that you can get some books to read, though they're all legal texts."

"I really don't mind." Mike admits, actually looking forward reading some of them, "But I think I'll do my homework first." He tells Jessica.

"Okay, make yourself comfortable wherever you'd like." Jessica tells him.

"I will." Mike says, walking over to the table other than Jessica's desk where he makes himself comfortable.


In less than an hour Mike has finished all his homework and for at least five minutes he has been completely board as there is nothing for him to go.

"Mike, I can take you to the library in a few minutes." Jessica informs him, "I just have to finish this."

"I can go on my own, I read the directory." Mike reveals and Jessica debates that for a few seconds.

"Okay, but if you're not back in ten minutes I'm coming looking." Jessica informs him, as she is pretty sure that Mike can't get into trouble at the firm, what he can get into is getting lost in the library because there are too many things he will want to read.

"Fine with me." Mike says, getting up and heading to the door.

"Mike." Jessica says when Mike gets there and he turns around and looks at her, "If anyone gives you a hard time tell them to come to me."

"I will." Mike says before heading out.

Making his way through the firm Mike is amazed by how busy everything is, how quickly everyone is working as it is something he has never seen before as while he has been to the firm since Jessica took him in it was times where there weren't many people there.

After a few minutes Mike arrives at the library and as he walks in he gets a look of complete amazement on his face.

"Wow." Mike says, looking around at all the books, all the books that he would love to read, having no idea where to start Mike walks over to the nearest shelf and starts to read the titles, trying to pick the best book to read.


It has been three hours since Mike returned to Jessica's office after going to the library and ever since Mike has been sitting in silence reading.

"Mike…. Michael." Jessica says.

"Did you say something?" Mike asks, sounding confused, looking up from his book.

"Yeah, I did." Jessica tells him, "It's time to go home."

"But, but, but, I'm reading this." Mike objects, "Can I take the book with me?" he asks.

"No, someone in the firm might need it." Jessica says, causing Mike to look disappointed, and as he does Jessica gets an idea, "How about some nights after school you come here instead of going to your Grandmothers or spending time with your friends." Jessica suggests.

"That would be great." Mike says with a grin, "I really love this place." He admits, as even though he has only been at the firm a few hours it feels like a place he belongs.

"So do I." Jessica admits, "Let's get out of here." She tells Mike and the two of them pack up their stuff and head out.

"When I was walking in I saw a hotdog cart; can we get dinner from there?" Mike asks Jessica curious as they make their way to the elevators.

"No."

"But…." Mike starts to say.

"But nothing. We've had take out twice this week, that's too much." Jessica informs Mike, "I'll cook us something when we get home."

"But it's going to be a while before we're home, and then you've got to spend time cooking, and cleaning up after, it would be a lot easier if we just picked something up." Mike argues, his voice completely serious, "And it would take a lot less time." He adds.

"Good argument." Jessica admits, being amused by it.

"So does that mean we can have hotdogs?" Mike, asks, looking excited.

"No." Jessica tells him as they walk into the elevators, causing Mike to pout as the elevator doors close.

Once they get downstairs Jessica talks to security about making sure Mike is allowed upstairs when he visits, before they start to make their way home, it being clear to Jessica that Mike isn't happy about not being able to have hotdogs for dinner.


July 16th 1999

Ever since Mike visited the firm that first time Mike has been going to the firm at least two days a week usually he does his homework in Jessica's office before heading to the library and honestly Mike has loved ever second he has spent there, and Jessica is pretty sure that it won't be too long before he knows more than most of the first year associates.

Having spent all day riding bikes with Trevor and Tess Mike is completely exhausted and has decided to go home rather than going to his grandmothers where he was going to go.

Letting himself in Mike hears noises coming from the living room so he heads there,

"Jessica?" Mike asks as he walks in, "Quentin?" he asks as he walks into the living room, as he does he finds Quintin with a woman who definitely isn't Jessica.

Mike may only be thirteen years old but he is sure that he knows exactly what they were doing, especially the way they jumped away from one another when they heard her approach.

"Mike, I wasn't expecting you." Quentin says, sounding shocked.

"Clearly." Mike says with a frown.

"This is Lisa, we work together." Quentin explains.

"I don't care; I'll be in my room." Mike says before heading upstairs.

As soon as Mike is in his room he pulls out his discman, grabs a book and lays on his bed, having no interest in leaving his room until Jessica gets home.

Mike has been listening to music and reading for a while when he hears a knock, which he ignores, and not long after the door opens and Quentin walks in.

"Mike, we need to talk." Quentin says as he removes Mike's headphones.

"I don't want to talk to you." Mike says, sounding angry.

"Doesn't mean we don't have to talk." Quentin tells Mike as ever since Jessica took in Mike it became clear that for the first time, ever, there might be something that is more important to Jessica than her firm, or at least someone that is closer to being second than he's ever been.

"Fine." Mike says annoyed, "I won't lie for you, I won't cover for you, that's all I have to say about this…" Mike says completely meaning that, "Now, you can leave my room."

"Okay." Quentin says with a nod before leaving the room. As soon as Quentin leaves Mike once more puts his headphones on, turns up his music, and goes back to his room.


It has been hours since Quentin came into his room to talk to him and ever since Mike has only left to go get the pizza that he ordered, not speaking a word to Quentin as he went.

As he continues to read and listen to music Mike hears a knock on his door and this time he can tell that it's not Quentin who is knocking.

"Come in." Mike says, taking off his headphones and the door opens and Jessica walks in, "Hi." He says, smiling at Jessica, "How was work?" he asks curious.

"Good." Jessica answers, deciding not to mention that Harvey asked to stay with them as she is pretty sure that Mike would be all for that, even though he's never met Harvey.

"Mike, I need to talk to you, about Quentin." Jessica reveals as she sits down on the edge of Mike's bed.

"What about him?" Mike asks, though he can guess.

"He asked for a divorce." Jessica reveals, "He's moving out tonight. It's something that has been coming for a while." She explains, telling the truth, not entirely sure whether she believes that there is nothing going on between Quentin and Lisa.

"I'm sorry, Jessica." Mike says, moving forward and hugging her, "I know you love him."

"Thank you, Mike." Jessica says, returning the hug and feeling incredible grateful for Mike's support.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Mike asks curious, wanting to do something to help.

"You already are helping, and it's not your responsibility." Jessica tells Mike.

"I know I don't have to, I want to." Mike tells her, "We could have a movie night." Mike suggests, "And you can pick the movies." He offers, it being a big deal as he usually picks the movies they watch.

"Oh really, I can?" Jessica asks, looking amused as she knows for Mike that is a big offer.

"Yep." Mike says with a nod.

"A movie night sounds good." Jessica admits, being pretty sure that she couldn't concentrate on work, even if she tried.

"Cool."


An hour later Quentin has left and Jessica and Mike, both wearing comfortable clothes, are sitting side by side on the couch, watching movies. As they watch Mike moves closer to Jessica and as he does Jessica puts her arm around her son, and as she does she realises that even though it has been a truly bad day and she's lost her husband, just sitting with her son, not even talking makes her feel a lot better.


November 10th 1999

Having left the firm early, something she never does, Jessica is making her way to Mike's school. As she makes her way, watching the clock as she goes she can't help but worry that she is going to be late, she can't help but worry that she is going to miss what she left work to see.

Managing to get to Mike's school with minutes to spare Jessica hurriedly walks through the buildings and to the auditorium. Walking in Jessica finds that most of the seats are taken, but as she looks around Jessica spots a familiar person with a seat empty besides her and so she walks over.

"Edith." Jessica says

"Jessica, I was worried you weren't going to make it." Edith says as Jessica sits down next to her.

"I wasn't going to miss this for anything." Jessica admits as she had a meeting a few months earlier where it was decided that Mike would skip a year and start high school, something which made him happy as it put him in the same year as Trevor and Tess, and ever since he started Mike has been doing amazingly well.

"Neither was I." Edith responds and they drift into silence.

A couple of minutes later a person walks onto the stage, "Welcome to our freshman debate, I would like to introduce our competitors for today's first debate Michael Pearson-Ross and Harriet Rogers, who will be debating the topic of doctor assisted suicide." The person says "Miss Rogers, call the coin toss."

"Heads." Harriett says.

"It's tails, which means Mr Pearson-Ross you can choose which side you'll be arguing."

"The Against side." Mike requests.

"Of course." The person says and a minute later the debate begins, as it does Jessica starts to smile proudly at her son and once she starts she doesn't stop as the more Mike speaks, the more he argues, the prouder she becomes.


An hour later the debate has finished, Mike winning his match, and Jessica and Edith have made their way to where the students are.

"Grammy, Jessica!" Mike says, sounding excited as he hurries over to them.

"Michael you did so well." Edith informs him as she hugs him.

"Thanks Grammy." Mike says as the two of them break apart.

"Your Grandmother's right, I'm so proud of you Mike." Jessica tells her son.

"Thanks Jessica." Mike says with a smile before hugging her too, "I'm so glad you made it."

"There is no way I would have missed this." Jessica assures him.

"Mike." A voice says as Mike and Jessica break apart and the two of them turn to see Trevor and Tess walking towards them.

"You guys stayed?" Mike asks, sounding surprised as he knows that they usually have more important things to do.

"Of course we did." Trevor says.

"We had to see you kick ass." Tess says with a smile.

"How'd you know I would?" Mike asks curious.

"Because you always do." Trevor answers.

"Thanks." Mike says, smiling at his friends, "Do you have to go back to work?" Mike asks Jessica curious.

"No, I've taken the rest of the day off." Jessica admits, "I though the two of us, and your grandmother, could go out to dinner." She reveals, "And Tess, Trevor, if it's okay with your parents you are welcome to join us."

"Sure." Trevor says.

"That will be great." Tess adds and after Jessica calls both their parents to make sure the group of five head out, Mike grinning at the thought of spending time with his two best friends, his grandmother, and his adoptive mother at the same time, something which basically never happens.


March 4th 2000

Even though it is a Saturday Jessica has gotten up extremely early so that she could get some work done before making breakfast. Once the breakfast is nearly ready Jessica makes her way upstairs and into Mike's room.

"Mike, time to wake up." Jessica says, shaking him awake.

"I'm sleeping." Mike says, rolling away from Jessica.

"Breakfast is almost ready; you've got to get up." Jessica tells him and Mike just mutters something that she can't make out, "Mike, if you don't wake up not only are you going to miss out on breakfast but you're going to miss out on opening your birthday presents." Jessica tells him.

"I'm up, I'm up." Mike says, bolting upright.

"I thought that would work." Jessica says, looking amused, "Happy fourteenth birthday, Mike." Jessica tells him with a smile, "I'll see you downstairs in a few minutes." Jessica informs him.

"Okay." Mike says with a nod and Jessica heads out of the room, allowing Mike to get changed.


A few minutes later, just as Jessica is serving up breakfast, Mike walks into the kitchen and sits down at the kitchen bench.

"Perfect timing." Jessica says, putting a plate in front of Mike, "Eat and then you can open your presents." She says as Mike's eyes drift over to the pile of present.

"Okay." Mike tells him, "Apart from dinner with Grammy, Tess and Trevor what else are we doing today?" Mike asks curious.

"Well, I thought we could go those second hand bookshops you're always talking about and you can choose several books from all of them." Jessica tells Mike.

"That would be amazing." Mike says with a grin.

"I thought you'd like that." Jessica tells him, "And I have another present for you, one that I couldn't wrap." Jessica reveals, causing Mike to look at her in interest, "I'm in court this week, and I've arranged things so that you can spend the week in the gallery watching, if you'd like." Jessica offers as she's talked to Mike's school and it will be considered an educational experience.

"Are you serious?" Mike asks shocked.

"Yes." Jessica confirms and seconds later Mike jumps down from his stall and runs around to Jessica and hugs her tightly.

"Thank you, thank you so much." Mike says as he hugs her.

"You're welcome Mike." Jessica tells her son as she returns the hug, feeling that she made the right choice.

"I love you, Jessica." Mike tells her.

"Oh, Mike, I love you too." Jessica responds, feeling her heart fill with joy as she is pretty sure that Mike hasn't said those words to her before.


Two Days Later

Ever since Jessica told him what one of his birthday presents was going to be Mike has been looking forward to this moment, and it has finally come, Mike is sitting in the gallery of a court room, watching a real trial.

Watching Jessica give her opening statement in complete amazement, Mike realises two things the first is that the person who has been his mother for three years is incredible good at what she does and he is completely impressed, and the second thing he realises is that he wants to be just like her, he wants to be just as impressive, he wants to be just as commanding and he hopes that one day he can be.


July 22nd 2000

It has been months since Mike watched Jessica in court arguing a case that she won and ever since Mike has become even more determine to be just like her, in fact he's been reading more and more legal books so that he can be.

Even though it is a Saturday Jessica is at the office, having dropped Mike off at Trevor's before she came in, working hard. As she is so focused on the work that she is doing it takes Jessica a moment to realise that her phone is ringing.

"Hello." Jessica answers.

"Is this Jessica Pearson?" A voice Jessica doesn't recognize asks.

"Yes, who is this?"

"I'm Doctor Richard Mallard from Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Centre, a Michael Pearson-Ross was just brought in ….."

"Is he okay?" Jessica asks worried, cutting of the doctor before he can say more.

"Mr Pearson-Ross has hurt his arm, but without your consent we cannot asses how hurt he is." Doctor Mallard explains, "According to his two friends who were brought in with him he fell of his bike."

"I'll be there as soon as possible." Jessica tells the Doctor, feeling her worry for her son grow.

"Of course, see you soon." Doctor Mallard responds.

The second Jessica hangs up her phone she quickly grabs what she needs and hurries out of her office, honestly not caring about how she must look to the people who watch as she hurries by.


Honestly, for Jessica the drive to Brooklyn has never felt as long as it did this time. As she sits in the back of her town car Jessica's mind is on her son, she cannot help but worry about him.

"We're here Ms Pearson." Jessica's driver informs her.

"Thank you." Jessica says, getting out of the car and heading inside.

As soon as Jessica walks into the hospital she makes her way over to the information desk.

"Hello, how can I help you?"

"I got a call saying my son has been brought in, Michael Pearson-Ross." Jessica says.

"Of course… he's still in the emergency department, go down that corridor and follow the directions."

"Thank you." Jessica responds and does exactly what she is told.

A few minutes later Jessica is let into the emergency department and she is shown into the room where Mike is lying in the bed with Trevor and Tess standing next to his bed.

"Mike." Jessica says, hurrying over to her son.

"Mom." Mike says, sounding thrilled to see her, what he said not drawing on him until after he said it.

"What happened?" Jessica asks, not focusing on how amazing it feels to hear her son say that, even though she wants to, as she is more concerned about his wellbeing.

"Trevor and I were racing down a hill, I hit a rock and went over my handlebars. I landed on my arm." Mike explains to Jessica, "It hurts, it hurts a lot." He says, tears of pain coming to his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Mike." Jessica tells her son, hating that he is in so much pain, as she reaches out and pushes his hair out of his face.

"I told you two it was a bad idea." Tess says, looking between Mike and Trevor.

"Yeah, you did." Trevor responds, feeling a little bad about what happened to his friend, and as she hears that Jessica has to fight a frown as she is pretty sure that it would have been Trevor's idea and he convinced Mike.

"It was fun until I was hurt." Mike admits.

"That's usually the case." Jessica comments, "It's probably going to be a little while before we know something, you two don't have to stay." Jessica says, looking between Trevor and Tess.

"I'm not a fan of hospitals." Trevor admits, "I'll call you later." He tells Mike.

"Hope you feel better." Tess says.

"Thanks Trevor, Tess." Mike says and after responding with smiles both Tess and Trevor leave.

"Do you hurt anywhere else?" Jessica asks her son once they do.

"No." Mike says, "Doctor Mallard should be back soon, he couldn't run tests without getting your consent."

"That's the Law." Jessica tells him.

"I know." Mike responds, and the two of them drift into silence, both hoping that Doctor Mallard comes back soon.


Hours later, Mike, who now has a red cast on his broken left arm, is lying in bed and Jessica is tucking him in, something which she hasn't done for a little while as Mike said he was getting too old.

"Are you comfortable? Are you in much pain?" Jessica asks worried.

"Yes, I'm comfortable. No, I'm not in much pain." Mike assures Jessica.

"Good." Jessica says, honestly having spent most of the day in a state of worry, "You should have known better than doing something like that." Jessica tells Mike, finally doing what she has purposely not done all day.

"I know." Mike says, "Trevor suggested it, and at first I wasn't sure, but then it sounded really fun and Trevor kept saying that it would be a good idea."

"Mike you've got to stop doing things just because Trevor says it will be a good idea, you've got to decide for yourself and not worry about standing up to him." Jessica tells her son, being pretty sure that one day Trevor is going to get Mike in a lot of trouble, or seriously hurt, or maybe both, and she hates that.

"I didn't want him to think I was no fun." Mike admits.

"I understand that feeling Mike, but if you don't think something is a good idea don't do it, no matter what Trevor, or anyone else, says." Jessica tells her son, hoping that if she tries to do so slowly then she will be able to get Mike to see how much of a bad influence Trevor is.

"I'll remember that." Mike says, not sure if he's going to be able to do that, "About what I said at the hospital…" Mike starts to say.

"We don't have to talk about it if you're not ready." Jessica tells Mike, "I would be more than happy if you want to call me Mom all the time, but I would understand if you're not ready for that." She admits.

"I, I think I want to." Mike admits, as he avoids looking at Jessica, "But…." Mike starts to say, before trailing off, not sure how to explain what he is thinking.

"You're worried that you'll forget about your Mom, that if you call me Mom I'll be replacing her." Jessica realises, being able to tell what Mike is thinking.

"Yeah." Mike says with a nod.

"Mike, you'll never forget your Mom, or your Dad." Jessica assures him, "They'll always be with you, and you wanting to call me Mom, if that's what you want, will not change that. No one can ever replace them."

"Do you really think that?" Mike asks curious.

"Yeah, I do." Jessica admits.

"I'll think about it." Mike responds, failing to hold in a yawn.

"Okay." Jessica says with a nod, "I think it's time you should get some sleep." Jessica says, leaning in and placing a kiss on Mike's head, "Sweet dreams." She tells him before standing up and heading to the door.

"Night Mom." Mike says in a quiet voice and Jessica can't help but smile as she walks out of her son's room. Even though she completely meant what she said about it being okay with her if Mike doesn't want to call her Mom it still means everything to her to hear it, and she would very much like it if he called her Mom all the time, but she will not force him to if he doesn't want to.