Disclaimer: I do not own The Secret Life of The American Teenager or anything. It is the property of its respective producers and writers, and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.


California

"I can't believe we sneaked around the house" Amy said while brushing her teeth.

"Well Amy, would you like to say hello in the middle of the night and have to explain to your Dad and my Mom why we didn't call or let them know we were coming?" Grace looked at Amy and continued unfolding her clothes.

"Yeah.. Good point! So let's just spend the night here, get up and get ready for probably a difficult morning.. I'm glad we got this flight, I didn't want anyone to pick us up in the airport" Amy widened her eyes while saying it.

Grace nodded. "So let's get some sleep sis"

"Ok, good night Grace!" Amy said while getting comfortable in the bunk bed.

"Sis!" Grace exclaimed.

They both laugh and decided to sleep and rest. Amy couldn't fight her thoughts and took her a while to finally sleep. So much had happened in 6 weeks, it's hard to assimilate and it seems that a lot changed and at same time, everything is like when she left. She decided to give up and just accept the fact she would have to deal with it in the morning and wished she had got along with Grace before, Grace has been a really good friend.

George and Kathleen were making breakfast, a little late than usual, it was Saturday morning around 8:30. George was taking a sip of his coffee when Grace and Amy came through the door, the surprise of seeing them both made him spill some coffee on his shirt.

"Good Morning!" said the girls in unison.

"Ames? What are you doing here? George was startled by the surprise.

Kathleen turned around from the stove and yells "Grace?"

"Hey calm down you two, we just wanted to make a surprise, we got home late last night and slept on the guest house" Grace was trying to explain and not laugh about their reactions.

"Yeah Dad, I didn't want to make it a big deal, you knew I was coming anyway" Amy said while playing with her fingers.

"I knew you were coming next week, young lady! You should've called and we would pick you up" George wasn't so happy about Amy not telling him but was happy she was home. "Well, maybe you just didn't want to let someone know you were here, So you could check what's happening when you're not here huh?" He teased her.

"Dad! No.. I just.. I didn't want to make a big announcement and have people following me around everywhere…"

Grace whispers to Kathleen "Ben, the stalker" and they both roll their eyes.

"and" Amy continues "I came to see my son, I missed him a lot" Amy smiled and Grace lead her to sit for breakfast.

"Well" Kathleen interrupted the silence "Let's eat something, I'm sure they have a lot to tell us about New York, George"


On the guest house, Grace was looking for something in her bags from New York. "Hey Amy, did you tell Ricky? What time he leaves work today?

"I had to text him, he's working and I wanted to make sure he doesn't have plans for dinner so I can meet John. He usually leaves around 5pm on Saturdays, why?" Amy was concerned, she knew Grace was up to something.

"Oh great!, we have time to get you ready and I have a gift for you, remember?" Grace squealed in excitement. She handed Amy a bag and asked her to open it.

"Wow Grace, you didn't have to do this, it's beautiful"

"Own Amy, of course I had, you're family, did you forget? And after all those talks in New York, I figured that you need a little bit of passion on your life and it's not about the color, I know you're more into black and white. This is only a push.. You need some passion and you need to learn to enjoy life Amy"

"I loved the color, well thanks! Yeah I know, this sounds familiar.. Someone once told me that I suck in being happy" Amy giggled and tried to bring a sarcastic tone to the truth, she didn't want to explain that to Grace.

"You can thank me later, Amy. We're just starting! I'm going to help you with your hair and nails and all that. Then I can drop you by your old house so you can get your car, so there will be no excuses to come home early!" Grace demanded and smiled.

"Ok.. So you already planned everything huh? Ok I'll give a shot, I never did something like that so.. I'm going to take a hot bath first and then we start your transformation day" Amy said and rolled her eyes, walking towards the bathroom.

Within a few hours, Grace managed to cheer Amy up. They did their nails and it was time for Amy to dress up. Grace gave Amy a little bit of privacy but, still, in the other side of the door, she kept hurrying up Amy. Grace was curious to see the result of this afternoon hard work.

"Come on Amy! Let me see it" Grace squealed.

"Ok, I'm coming.. I'm coming!" Amy was wearing the new dress Grace gave to her. It was a lace short dress, ending almost on her upper thighs, with a deep V-neck, sleeveless in a deep-red color. She was using her hair different than usual, Grace helped her with some loose curls. Her makeup was simple, her black eyeliner and red lipstick were contrasting her pale skin. Amy had just finished to put on her black heels. "So, what do you think? I loved the color, Grace"

"You're beautiful! I love it wow! Great team job today, sis!" Grace said with shining eyes and a big smile.

Suddenly someone knocked and came in. "Wow Ames! Are you dressed to see your son or the father of your son?!" said George with a half-smile.

"Dad! Stop teasing me! No, I'm not dressed for anyone.. Other than myself. I'm dressed for me, Amy" She said with confidence on her voice while spinning around the room and showing them the dress.

"Hmm that's new! But it's good, I like it Amy! If my little girl is happy, than I'm happy! You don't need to impress anyone other than yourself!" George said in relief and feeling proud of Amy, her confidence was showing how much she had grown up in only a few weeks. "Well, I came by to let you two know that I brought Amy's car over.. So have fun and give my grandson a big hug for me" George smiled and left.

"I'll do Dad, thanks!"

"Well Amy, now it's the time, it's almost 6pm. I think you gave Rick enough time to clean up and even if it's a little early, you can use John's bed time as excuse… So let's go girl! I made you an overnight bag.. It's .." Grace was talking when Amy interrupted her.

"Wow Ow overnight bag? I'm not spending the night.. Did you forget that we broke up and he probably hates me? Hmm I will be ok and drive home safely after dinner, but thanks anyway" Amy was a little surprised that Grace assumed she might stay at Ricky's apartment after everything.

"Ok! I forgot but.. But.."

"No 'buts' Grace!"

"But there's always make up sex" Grace blurted.

Amy's face was more red than her dress at this point. "Well I will not even reply to this.. You know how I am"

"Ok, Sorry! I had to say.." They both laugh and left the guest house and walked towards the driveway and Amy's car.

"Wish me luck, thank you for today" Amy said while opening her car's door.

"Good luck sis!" Grace closed the car's door and waved to Amy.


Earlier that afternoon.

"Hey Bunny, thanks again for this" Ricky said "It wasn't planned, she just came back and John will be super excited about it"

"No problem, just don't make it a habit" Ricky nodded to Bunny and she continued "So, are you ok? I mean it's the first time you'll see her again"

"I'm ok, I don't know what we are going to talk about but we're two adults with a son, so John is a big subject and we need to talk about raising him anyway" Ricky reply trying not to show any emotion in his voice. He was a little nervous and anxious about this visit.

Ricky left earlier to get John from his parents' home. He used the extra time with Margaret taking care of John to clean up first and show up all dressed to pick up John.

"Hi Mom, is John ready?" Ricky said while entering the kitchen.

"Hello son, yes he is all set. He is with Ethan downstairs. How are you?"

"I'm fine, and it took me by surprise but I knew sooner or later she would come back to visit" Ricky sighed

"Well, surprise or no surprise, you'll respect her and talk as two adults, friends and John's parents"

"I know, I am not stupid. Amy's still part of my family, she'll always be family. Even though we are not a couple anymore" Ricky sighed again as it was difficult to said it out loud.

"I'm proud of you, son! And don't forget that once there was love between you two or perhaps.." Margaret was interrupted by Ricky

"I'll stop you right here, I think it's enough lecture for one night ok?!" Ricky said and both laugh.

Ethan was helping John to get upstairs. When they got into the kitchen he looked at Ricky, measuring him up and down. "So it's a date. Let's go back there John" Ethan said willing to tease Ricky

"It's not a DATE!" Ricky was upset "It's just John's mother visiting and having dinner with us"

"Oh.. I believe you.. Except the fact there's too much cologne and effort on this outfit.. for a 'family dinner'.." They both stared at each other while Margaret was shaking her head, but Ethan continued before leave the kitchen "and since when you call Amy 'John's Mother '? He looked at Ricky showing his indignation and left towards his room not giving Ricky a chance to answer.

Ricky waved to his mother on his way to the parked car while holding John and his backpack. Driving home was a short commute. Usually it would take Ricky ten to fifteen minutes, and he would be parking by the butcher shop. Not today. Ricky buckled John's car seat. Hold his head for a few seconds while going towards the driver's door and exhaled deeply. Today, It seemed like hours, driving that same route, that should only take minutes. Ricky looked for his son's eyes on the rear-view mirror. He couldn't imagine his life without John anymore and he couldn't ignore the fact that if there was not a "Amy" in the picture, there wasn't a "John" either.


Amy is holding a bag of Chinese take out in front of the butcher shop. She was frozen and standing right there, hoping somehow that night wouldn't be awkward. The tension ran through her face. She opened the door and quickly closed it back. She widen her eyes and ran to the car's mirror to check on her eyeliner. She slowly moved her lips and correct her lipstick. She took a deep breath and it was like her confidence was feeling her chest. She ran her fingers through her hair and finally left the car. The only thing she could think right now was John, her son. In two seconds, she saw vividly the past 5 years. It was a blink and a lump in the throat, a sudden mas of feelings traveling her body.

In two minutes, Amy was on the top of the stairs, going through her purse and realizing she should not use her key, not today. She got closer and could hear footsteps and muffled voices. My boys.. She thought while knocking the door.

She could hear Ricky and John talking when Ricky was coming towards the door. "Hey buddy, go to your room and get some toys.. No, it's not mommy. Mommy is coming in half an hour.. It's soon" following a slight sharp sound of the door opening.

The door was half open and Ricky was moving along the door and his body towards the apartment entrance. He finally looked out of the door and saw Amy. They both sigh and stare at each other for a long minute. Ricky was astonished and speechless at that moment. He measured her up and down a couple times and at this point, he had his mouth half open tending to an unintentionally smirk. Amy looked frozen and afraid of her choices, come in earlier and dress up. She couldn't stop staring at his eyes and that half smirk. That smirk made her heart race.

"Hi Ricky.." she sighed.

"Hi.. Amy" Ricky said in a dry tone. "You're.. You're.."

"..Early?" She interrupted him.

"Yeah.." Ricky agreed although it wasn't what he was thinking.


...

"So she did come earlier.. Huh" said Anne in disbelief of her first born actions.

"Yeah.. She did. Did she tell you anything about this at all?" George sighed and tries to make a conversation with his ex-wife and friend.

"No, she didn't and I don't see why she wouldn't tell me something like this"

"Can you believe your daughter? She even dressed up and put on makeup and everything.. Why so much effort to see her son? I know what this is.. Amy doesn't fool me.. with this story of 'I'm not dressed to anyone other than myself blah blah' " George blurted out like a high school girl mimicking Amy's words.

"What? ..wait, she is your daughter too! She dressed up? Tell me how was her hair? And shoes? Which color is the dress? Anne was curios and couldn't realize how they were acting.

"By now she's in the apartment above the butcher shop.. Siting on the couch and probably John's already sleeping and.. Oh no.. Oh God.. That damn couch I gave her is a bed!.. And Ricky!" George said grinding his teeth. He was losing it, he felt it was his daughters 15's all over again, all the drama.

George and Anne played numerous "what if's" during a long hour. They finally felt as having a normal teenager daughter, except the fact of John's existence. The last time Amy was so long without a boyfriend was before Band Camp. They both like Ricky and love to see how a great man he is compared to when they first met him. They wouldn't have any problem if Amy decided to go back to him. George even loved Ricky as his own son. They even kept the Thursday's Night, Spaghetti Night tradition without Amy. George always remarks "A dinner without the beauty, yet a real meal with real meat". They were worried about both getting hurt again.

"Did she arrive yet?" Anne interrupted their girl talk.

"Let me check.. Hmm no signs of her car yet and Grace still on the kitchen here so, no" George said while going around the houses and peeping through the windows.

"Uh-oh.. It's one in the morning, George!" Anne gasped.