Previously...

After we'd found Aisley and were heading out from the indoor play area, Michael bumped into a classmate from school. Michael was going to walk right past but with a little encouragement, I got him to actually start a conversation with the other kid. It was so surprising but Michael actually had pretty good social skills when he wanted to.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Ask Aisley, she'll tell you."

Rose pulled her bottom lip with her front teeth, looking up at me with disbelief. It made her seem innocent as she thought over what I'd said. I let the idea hang a little while longer as my client and I headed into the gym. I hoped for my sake that Rose agreed.

"Are you sure you guys want to do this? Because no one's forcing you," Rose said sweetly to her two children as she knelt down before them. We stood in the car park of McDonalds, cars zooming around us and little children squealing like it was Christmas morning.

"They're sure. Now come on! She's waiting!" I ushered Rose, pulling her up off the pavement by her slim waist. The soft material of her dress rubbed against the rough skin of my palms, soothing me slightly, which was strange. Such a simple action shouldn't create a reaction like that. I shook my head. Now wasn't the time to dwell on what was most likely nerves.

Rose sported a beautiful black dress that made passing fathers stare – but was completely unsuited to eating at McDonalds – while Michael and Aisley were dressed in a more casual manner. Aisley wore a pretty blue dress, and Michael wore jeans and a T-shirt. Both of them dressed for the occasion, leaving me to wonder why Rose dressed up so much.

I must have been staring at Rose with a befuddled expression because she rolled her eyes as she took Aisley's tiny hand in her own. "You want me to play the role of a-" She quickly covered Aisley's ears "-bitchy, spoiled wife, right?"

I nodded as Rose took Aisley's hand once again as the four of us headed to the entrance. Michael trailed behind slightly, way too focused on his video game to pay any attention to our conversation.

"Well, this dress suits the character," Rose continued, and I agreed whole-heartedly with the brunette. It certainly gave the impression of a money-lusting, spoilt, soon-to-be ex-wife.

"I think mummy looks beautiful," Aisley piped in, looking up at her mother in awe. I smiled at how adorable the situation was at that moment. But The little girl wasn't lying either; her opinion of her mother shone through brightly. And – I had to admit – I'd never seen Rose dress so... nicely – with the exception of the first time we met and the lunch date with Tasha. But since it had been so long since the first time Rose and I met, I don't really remember how she dressed. I just know it was very attractively. Of course, that didn't last very long because not long after, Michael was born and Rose consequently became the woman I know and love today; the sarcastic, loving, casual-dressing single mother.

I can't deny that that opinion might be changing though.

"Thank you, sweet heart. But you're my daughter; you have to say that."

I frowned at the little self-confidence Rose seemed to have. Surely, she'd have at least a bit more. But I guess the scrum bag Jesse ruined that.

She patted her daughter's head affectionately, running her long fingers through Aisley's brown curls. Aisley seemed to agree with me – at least on her mother's lack of self-confidence since I doubt the girl would consider her father a scum bag, even if he really was one – because she too frowned, pulling her mother to a stop. Fortunately, we were right in front of the main doors, meaning we weren't able in any leeway to get hit by a passing car. Now wouldn't that be tragic if we did.

"No, I don't. You're always pretty. Right, Dimitri?" Aisley stated matter-of-factually, turning to me and waiting for my response.

The question was a little sudden, and most definitely caught me off guard, especially because I'd been looking for Tasha through the glass walls. I turned back to the two girls who stared at me expectantly. My delayed response seemed to be frustrating Aisley, and affecting Rose negatively.

For the first time today – if not ever – I looked at Rose from another male's perspective. I looked at Rose as more than a friend; just for a second.

The black dress was truly stunning, and if I remember correctly, was one of the many we bought on our shopping trip. But the truth was Rose didn't need to wear such an expensive dress. Even on the days where she walked into work, hair ruffled, clothes stained, she radiated with beauty. The dress and make-up only enhanced the features that made her so desirable. As cliché and Hollywood as this sounds, I'd seen Rose... but never really looked.

So, with a whole new opinion of the woman standing in front of me, I responded with complete honesty. "You look breathtaking; any man would be lucky to have you."

Rose smiled up at me with that cute, tiny turn of her lips that was completely rare and reserved for very few people. I felt slightly blessed to know I was one of those people.

Rose seemed pretty happy with my answer, but her daughter didn't seem so pleased. She tsked me, shaking her head slightly and stomping off.

I glanced at Rose, her alarmed expression matching my own.

Michael trailed after his younger sister, full attention still on the video game resting in his hands. I must have underestimated his multi-tasking skills though, because what he mumbled next suggested that he had been paying attention to our interaction.

"I told you it wouldn't work."

That confused me. What didn't work? What was Rose's mischievous daughter up to?

Rose appeared as suspicious as I did, so I concluded that it was something between the two siblings, and decided precariously that I would not get involved. The last thing I needed was to be pulled into a scheme by two children. No doubt it would end badly.

Rose shrugged and strutted through the automatic-opening doors, leaving me to follow.

As soon as I walked through the double doors I was overcome with the aroma of oil and could practically taste the fat from the kitchen. To me, a grown man that had a strict diet of fruit and vegetables, this place was like a prison. To Aisley, however, this was paradise. I guess that's why she wanted to meet Tasha here.

"Dimka! Dimka, over here!" A voice called through the chatter of children and disciplining parents. It was complete chaos in this crowded area, but Tasha's black hair stood out, making her easy to find.

I grabbed Aisley's tiny hand in my own and pulled her gently over to the table Tasha was sitting at patiently. Aisley skipped joyfully next to me, waving to random girls her age.

Tasha ran up to us, grinning madly. She winked at me seductively before kneeling down to Aisley's height.

"Hey beautiful. I'm Tasha, what's your name?" Tasha asked sweetly. I looked down on the two affectionately. I loved that Tasha seemed so at ease with Aisley already.

Aisley seemed to snap back to reality and stopped looking over Tasha's shoulder to finally look her in the eyes.

"Huh?"

Tasha's smile fell slightly for a second.

"What's your name, sweetie?" Tasha repeated, glancing up at me wearily.

Aisley smiled a sweet smile, but I knew better. It was twisted, evil, and devious.

Rose's daughter let go of my hand and took a small step closer to Tasha. "Who wants to know?" She practically spat.

My eyes widened in complete shock. Sure she could be rude sometimes but this... this was a completely new side of Aisley.

I interrupted the two girls before Tasha could respond. I glanced harshly down at the tiny girl, giving her a fierce stare when she looked innocently up at me. Aisley quickly cowered away, mumbling an apology.

"Go play with someone," I whispered, shoving her away gently.

She nodded, running off.

I looked back to Tasha, her beauty taking my breath away. She smiled softly at me before her gaze shifted slightly to my left as I felt someone interrupt our moment. It was small, but essentially still, a moment.

"Mia!" My girlfriend exclaimed, rushing into Rose's arms.

Rose looked at me with her eyebrows raised, patting Tasha's back awkwardly. I just gave her a 'play nice' look, and headed off to find a table, trying not to step on any little people in the process.

Michael and Aisley sat down next to me, opposite Tasha and Rose. I have to say; Rose seemed a little unnerved, and it befuddled me as to why.

"So Dimitri, are you going to introduce me to your children?" Tasha asked, twirling the liquid in her glass with the straw, looking at me curiously. She smiled at the children but they didn't seem to give her much notice. Michael was still playing his idiotic game while Aisley looked over his shoulder.

Luckily I'd told them that they had to have fake names, and it seemed that they'd come up with some... interesting ones.

I gave Aisley a nudge, causing her to perk up slightly.

"Huh? Oh, right. I'm Bridget Belinda Belikov." She pointed to her herself and then Michael. "And this is my brother Bobby Bob Belikov. Pleasure to meet you, Tahlia," Aisley answered. I raised an eyebrow and all that was going through my head was:

What. The. Fuck.

Bobby Bob Belikov? Were they trying to insult me?

Rose looked just as shocked, eyes wide and mouth agape.

I glared at her when she eventually came out of her shock and started giggling quietly.

"It's uh... it's Tasha," she mumbled, looking at 'my children' as if they'd gone crazy. She's not wrong there. "And, um, is that your middle name or one name...?"

"Yeah, why you got a problem with that?" Aisley exclaimed bitchily; not a word I would normally associated with her, but at the moment it suited her perfectly.

Rose gasped and attempted at stuttering out chastisement but failing miserably. "Aisle-Belin-Bridget! Whatever the hell your name is! Don't say that!"

I dropped my head into my hands, shaking my head at the poor job the Hathaway family was doing at the moment. I didn't even want to know Tasha's reaction to that derisory mistake.

Fortunately, Tasha didn't seem to notice – or she just didn't say anything – and struck up more conversation with the kids. It was sort of one-way, what with Aisley almost falling asleep and Michael's face practically glued to his game screen.

Kill me now.

It was this one question that actually made me want to strangle someone, one question that changed my life and made me do something I really didn't want to do. Something Michael had pestered me to do for ages.

"So, Bobby, what sort of stuff do you and your father do together?" Tasha questioned. She seemed to be on her last nerve but definitely keeping her calm. I knew she was on the verge of giving up all together.

I was munching on a chip when Michael perked up, raising and eyebrow at Tasha. He turned to look at me, grinning like a mad man. I think it was then that I almost started choking on the chip. I coughed suddenly as it tried to violently force its way down my throat.

Michael slipped his electronic game into his pocket and rested his hands delicately over the table top. He placed a mask of innocence over his face and Tasha instantly melted, being sucked in by his cuteness. She smiled softly.

Michael frowned a little, and I knew at that moment, I was screwed.

"Well, nothing much. When I was four he used to read me a story and tuck me in, but only a few times every year. I remember, though, that he promised to take me to Hawaii, but it hasn't happened." God damn it, that stupid kid even forced a tear to roll down his cheek.

His mother watched humourlessly, a knowing smirk resting on her pretty lips.

Aisley didn't seem too interested, humming to herself, almost like she knew he was going to do this.

Almost like Michael had told her previously of his plans.

Like he'd been planning it.

Kill me now – again.

"Why not?" Tasha was officially sucked in by his charade.

"Be-because," Michael stuttered out, sobbing a little as he slowly pointed his overly dramatic, shaking finger at Tasha (like the added phrase? I thought we could add more to Michael's act since we were already at it). "Because he met you."

"Dimitri!"

Ah shit.

And that's how I ended up sitting on the sticky, tiny, airport chair, a plane ticket to Hawaii sitting in my fisted hand.

BAM! How'd you like that? Did you expect it? Do you think that when Dimitri sees Rose in a bikini he might become a bit more...entusiastic about the trip? ;)

What do you think is going to happen on the trip?

I COMMAND YOU TO REVIEW! OR...OR I'LL...uhhh... GET REALLY REALLY MAAADDD! Yeah, lets go with that ;)