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Chapter 8

Disclaimer: I only own the characters that I make up.

It was a week later and LeeAnn couldn't stop thinking about her run in with Chris. How could he have known that she was going to be there? She already knew that her parents didn't like him and her grandmother kept mentioning this boy she thought would be good for her. This left only her grandfather.

Nathan was excited it was Sunday and that meant that LeeAnn would be picking him up to go back home. His dad had been really hard on him this weekend. They did suicides and than Dan made him shoot 20 free throws in a row. And if he missed one then he had to start over.

LeeAnn was on her way to pick up Nathan when she decided to go and talk to her grandparents first.

LeeAnn knocked on the door and was greeted by her grandmother.

"LeeAnn sweetie what are you doing here?" Mrs. James asked.

"I was actually hoping to talk to you and grandpa about Chris." LeeAnn answered.

"Oh hunny I told you to stop worrying about him he is no good for you."

"I know that but I think that grandpa's thoughts are different."

"So then you know."

"Know what." LeeAnn asked.

"That your grandfather called Chris and had him come over."

"Yeah I had kind of figured that one out on my way to pick up Nathan."

"Oh where is Nathan. That little boy is so cute. And in case I haven't already told you I am so proud of you for taking him in the way you did."

"Stupid is what I call it." Mr. James said coming to the door.

"And why was me taking Nathan in stupid." LeeAnn asked putting her hands on her hips.

"Look at what it did to you and Chris. That little boy ruined everything. You know that Chris's family is very wealthy and his parents are not at all pleased by this. I'm sorry LeeAnn but if you don't get rid of Nathan then we are going to have to cut you off financially." Mr. James said sadly.

"Grandpa there is no way that I can send Nathan back to live with Dan. He hates it there and Dan treats him so terrible. I would think that my family would want to support me." LeeAnn said nearly in tears.

Mr. James's face softened. "LeeAnn I love you and I wish there was something that I could do but there isn't. You know that they hold a lot of power and could shut down my company. I need to think about my other grandchildren as well."

"I know. And that's why you can tell the Keller's that you are no longer supporting me."

"LeeAnn don't be silly. You can just find someone else to take Nathan in. Chris isn't that bad. You can still fix it." Mr. James cried out.

"Grandpa do you actually know what Chris did to Nathan?" LeeAnn asked.

The older man just shook his head no. "He neglected Nathan first then when the poor boy went to get his own snack he feel of the stool hit his head on the counter and the glass plate broke. This shouldn't have been a big deal it would have taken Chris not even 5 minutes away from the TV. to get it for him. Then Chris decides that he needs to spank Nathan, something that might I add he had no right to do. I don't spank Nathan I know how much it scares him because his father always does. But no Chris broke my promise to Nathan. I can't be with someone who thinks that it is ok to beat a child. It wasn't even a normal spanking grandpa he was pretty much beating him with a wooden spoon. Don't you see I can't be with someone who treats my baby like that." LeeAnn said now in tears.

Mr. James and Mrs. James just looked at there eldest granddaughter and felt such pride. "LeeAnn I wish that this could be different. I can no longer give you money but I will always be there for you in other ways." Her grandfather said.

"Thanks and really the daycare is doing so well that I don't need the money." LeeAnn said proudly.

She sat and talked to her grandparents for awhile longer and then decided that it was definitely time to go and pick up Nathan.

Nathan was sitting outside by the basketball hoop just waiting for LeeAnn to come and get him. She had said that she would be there at 3 but it was now 4 and now Nathan was kind of scared. What if she had forgotten about him? Or even worse what if she didn't want him anymore.

Just as Nathan was about to panic he saw her car pull into the driveway. LeeAnn got out of the car and walked up to him.

"Oh buddy I'm so sorry. I went to see the James grandparents and I ran a little late." She said hugging him.

"It's ok I'm just glad you came." Nathan said shyly.

"Nathan did you think that I was just going to leave you here."

"Maybe a little." Nathan said looking at her with sad eyes.

LeeAnn led him over to the bench and sat him on her lap facing her. "Look at me Nathan and I want you to listen ok. I would never leave you here. I know how much you don't like it and so I would never do that. I love you and you are always going to be my little boy. No one and nothing is ever going to change that."

"I love you too." Nathan said with a wide smile

They decided to pick up Haley and go to the playground for a little bit.

"Ok so what do you guys want to play on today?" LeeAnn asked.

"The SWINGS."

"The MERRY GO ROUND."

They both shouted together.

"Ok well how about we go to the Merry go round first and then to the swings."

"Ok." The both said running towards the merry go round.

LeeAnn sat on a bench and just watched the two of them for awhile. It was funny but she had a feeling that they were going to end up being more then just best friends. Who knows maybe they would be soul mates. LeeAnn thought to herself laughing.

Over on the merry go round the kids were having a blast.

"Push me fast Nathan." Haley shouted as she held on tight.

"Are you sure." Nathan asked laughing.

"Yes run as fast as you can and then jump on." Haley screamed

"Ok but you asked for it." Nathan said running as fast as his little legs could carry him.

"Weeee." Haley shouted as she turned round and round.

"Come on Nathan take my hand and jump on." Haley said putting out her one hand while holding on tight with the other.

"Ok ready one two three." Nathan said as he took her hand and jumped on.

The two laughed as it spun around until it finally came to a stop. The two tried to walk to the swings but were to dizzy to get anywhere. They both fell in the grass next to each other laughing.

"That was fun." Haley said giggling.

"That was tiring." Nathan said as he was still trying to catch his breath from running.

"Hey I have an idea. How about since you pushed me I'll push you on the swings." Haley said turning to look at him.

"Ok. But the last one there is a rotten egg." Nathan said as he got up and bolted towards the swings.

"Hey no fair you didn't warn me." Haley said pouting.

The two got to the swings and Nathan managed to lift himself up onto it.

"How high do you want me to push you?" Haley asked.

"Really high."

"How high is really high."

"Super high."

"But how high is super high."

"Haley just push me as high as you can ok." Nathan said annoyed that she didn't know what super high was.

"Oh ok. Why didn't you just say that silly?"

"I did." Nathan said laughing.

The two kids played on the playground for awhile with LeeAnn keeping an eye on them from a distance. To be honest this wasn't the life that she had expected. She never thought that at 18-19 she would be alone and raising someone else's child as well as her sister for the most part. Sure she sometimes wished that she could just be a teenager and she hoped that she wouldn't some day look back and have regrets but at the moment she was perfectly content.

LeeAnn was ripped out of her thoughts by two little hands grabbing each of hers.

"Come on LeeAnn we want you to play too." Nathan said dragging her.

"Yeah you need to be more fun." Haley said putting her hands on her hips.

"Fun, oh you mean like this." LeeAnn asked as she ran after her sister before engulfing her with tickles.

"Nathan…..Save…Me." Haley got out between her fits.

"Don't even think about it or your next." LeeAnn said moving her hands towards his stomach.

"Not if you can't catch me." Nathan said running away.

"We'll see about that." LeeAnn said running after her.

She finally caught up to Nathan and threw him over her shoulder.

"What do you think we should do with him bub?" LeeAnn asked with an evil smirk.

"Umm throw him away." Haley said laughing.

"Ok. Looks like its time for Nathan to get thrown in the garbage." LeeAnn laughed.

"No. don't throw me in the garbage." Nathan said kicking and laughing.

"Bub I think that our garbage is talking." LeeAnn said stopping.

"That's because I'm a boy not garbage." Nathan said still laughing.

"A little boy. What it can't be." LeeAnn said putting him down. "Oh my gosh it is a little boy. Haley you wanted me to throw him away." LeeAnn said pretending to be shocked.

"Not for real LeeAnn. It was just for pretend." Haley said sarcastically.

LeeAnn smacked her forehead. "OH man I should have known that. Well I guess now I owe you two huh."

The two kids just smiled and nodded. "How about Ice cream will that work?" LeeAnn asked as she saw their faces light up.

"Can we get two scoops?" Haley asked.

"I suppose." LeeAnn answered.

"And can I get chocolate sprinkles." Haley begged.

"You drive a hard bargain James but I think that can be arranged." LeeAnn smiled.

Both of the kids ran out to the car as fast as their little legs could carry them.

Later in the afternoon LeeAnn went to drop Haley off but found that no one was home.

"Well bub it looks like your staying with us tonight huh." LeeAnn said trying not to sound upset that her parents had just up and left.

"Yay can I bring Mr. Waffles." Haley asked grabbing her bear.

"Oh course you know that he is always welcome."

"This is going to be so much fun Nathan." Haley smiled.

"Yeah we can play go fish and other games."

"Oh LeeAnn can Nathan and I have a slumber party in his room." Haley asked with big puppy dog eyes.

"I suppose but only if you two are really good about getting ready for bed ok."

"We will we promise." Nathan said holding out his pinky for LeeAnn to take.

"All right you little rascals lets get home then."

After watching Peter Pan the two kids were exhausted they got into the pj's and went straight to bed.

Haley was wearing her "I beat up boys." T-shirt and Nathan was wearing his "But she didn't get me." T-shirt that LeeAnn had made for them.

It was later that night when it started to storm. Haley woke up right away.

"Nathan." Haley whispered.

"Uh huh." Nathan replied.

"Are you awake?"

"I am now. What do you want?" He asked angry that she had woken him up.

"I don't like storms." Haley said starting to tear up.

"So then go get LeeAnn." Nathan said trying to go back to sleep.

"I don't want to bother her. Mommy said that LeeAnn hasn't been sleeping good because she misses Chris."

Nathan immediately felt bad. He was the reason that LeeAnn couldn't sleep. If he had just waited then it never would have happened.

"Well then just go back to sleep." Nathan said back.

"Nathan."

"What Haley."

"Can I please sleep with you?" She whispered.

"Fine but don't hog my blankets." Nathan said moving over.

Haley climbed into the bed and hugged him. "Thank you Nathan. You really are my best friend."

"You're my best friend too." Nathan said putting an arm around Haley and closing his eyes.

The two fell asleep in a few minutes and that's when LeeAnn came in to check on them. What she saw shocked her. Nathan and Haley were sleeping in the same bed. Haley had her head on Nathan's chest and his arm was around her shoulders. LeeAnn grabbed her camera and took the cutest picture ever. However she wasn't too sure how she felt about this. They were only five and they were already sleeping in the same bed. Maybe this wasn't going to be so easy.

HAha I know that this chapter took forever but I have been so unmotivated. I am not going to promise a quick update because chances are that won't happen but you will get one at least once a week that I can say.

Now please review and let me know what you guys think. And what you would like to see.