Finally I have finished another chapter. And I do apologize. The last two months have just flown by. And I really did not intend for the last chapter to be a cliff hanger. But hopefully this will answer all of your questions. Happy reading. And thanks so much to everyone who took the time to review. They are so up lifting.

San Antonio, Texas

John slapped his hand against the fence of the paddock, anger coming off him in waves. Anger at Mark for thinking he knew everything, at his new girlfriend for her interference, at his own girlfriend for not being here with him. But most of all anger at the world for conspiring against him.

Turning his head slightly he caught sight of the broken top rain and the anger turned to fear as he relived the horror of the 1200 pound horse charging at his small daughter Leaning over he fingered the sharp edge, shutting his eyes against the pictures that swam through his head. Visions of that same sharp edge puncturing his daughter's skin before the force threw her violently to the ground.

"I was frozen to the spot, I was so scared." He said in a soft voice, knowing Mark was behind him. "If you hadn't been there she would be dead."

"That doesn't make you a bad parent." Mark said just as softly, all traces of his earlier anger gone. "It just means that you're human and you love her very much."

"But despite that I am a bad parent right? Isn't that what you wee saying earlier?" John asked as he stared out into the darkness. He had to work hard to mask the tears that were threatening.

The older man sighed as he leaned against the fence. "What's going to keep her from coming over and doing it again? Or something just as dangerous?"

"Not a thing." John's shoulders slumped as he admitted the truth. "Now a days Ari does what she wants when she wants."

"That's obvious." Mark muttered shaking his head. "Now I know that you haven't been a parent for very long and there's always learning curves. But you were doing so good and everyone was happy then boom."

"Boom is right." John mimed the motion with his hands.

He waited for the younger man to continue then growled when the silence remained unblemished. "Why don't you start at the beginning."

The other man laughed bitterly. "The beginning. Well let's see. My mother never accepted me. In fact she went out of her way to make me feel left out." He paused. "Shouldn't I be laying on a couch for this?"

"John." Mark growled in warning, causing a grin to flash in the darkness.

"Okay, okay. But it's the truth ya know." He gave a little laugh. "Life was getting really good. I became champion, home life was great. Journey, man she's the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Now she's probably going to leave and Ari, shit she'll be in juvie before the year's out." He slapped the fence hard. "Damn it, how did everything get so messed up?"

"That's easy. You stopped listening to your family. It'll get you in trouble every time." Mark pointed out grudgingly.

"Well old wise one. What the hell are you advising me to do?" Came the sarcastic reply.

He ran a hand through his hair as he resisted the urge to smack the younger man. "When exactly did the big boom happen?"

John grinned slightly at the choice of words. "That's easy to pinpoint. We got a home visit from the social worker about three months ago."

Mark straightened up from where he was leaning on the fence. "Why the hell didn't you tell me?" He yelled giving the other man a slight shove. "Didn't you learn anything before?" He paused to take a deep breath. "Are you having custody issues?" He asked in a more reasonable tone.

John waved the question away. "Nah, my mother just wanted to stir the pot up. It's just something she does. But according to my lawyer I need to show good faith and follow the case worker's suggestions."

Mark winced. "I'm almost afraid to ask."

"In her opinion Arianna is a very troubled young girl who would greatly benefit from seeing a behavioral health counselor." John recited in a falsetto voice. At the older man's confused look he continued. "She needs to see a shrink for her traumatized childhood."

Mark swore under his breath. "That's a load of bullshit."

"You're telling me. But she put it in her notes so of course we have to comply She even gave us a list of recommended doctors." John shook his head as he rolled his eyes heavenward.

"And what did the esteemed doctor have to say? That she could do anything she wanted?" He guessed.

"Pretty much. Cause by setting boundaries and punishing her we are furthing her trauma." John answered, flushing at the look the other man sent him. "I had to at least try. What if there was some truth to what she was saying?"

"I guess I can understand your reasoning. Maybe." Mark muttered.

"Thanks I guess." John gave a half hearted laugh. "But I think we can both say it was a bad decision on my part."

Mark patted the younger man on the back. "Welcome to parenthood. There are no guidelines giving us specific instruction on what to choose."

"Then how the hell do I know what's right and what's wrong?" The words were laden with frustration.

"Listen to your instincts. Relay on the advice of your family and friends." Mark told him wisely. "I'm guessing this is the root of your problems with Journey?"

"After the first week she was ready to throw in the towel. She told me flat out that it wasn't going to work." he admitted.

"And of course you didn't listen to her."

John winced. "I scheduled more and more appearances and autograph signings, leaving her to deal with the situation. No wonder she's about to leave."

"Knucklehead, why don't you do something about it. She hasn't left yet." Mark was quick to point out.

"I know and it sounds so simple when you say it but I don't see it being that easy." John shook his head slowly, a frown on his face.

"If you want easy, then yeah don't do anything. Ari will end up with your parents after all and Journey will be gone. You'll be champion with no complications at home." Disgusted he started to walk away. "Damn kids."

"That was a low blow." The younger man called after him, an edge to his voice.

Stopping Mark turned back. "It's called tough love, get used to it."

They both turned at the sound of the screen door slamming. "Daddy." Ari called out. "I'm hungry."

John waited until she was almost upon them before answering. "You should have eaten dinner."

"I didn't want to eat that junk. It was all veggies." She made a disgusted face. "I want Mcdonalds."

John kept his face blank as he struggled not to give in to her. He could feel Mark standing beside him watching. "Too bad. You have leftovers or you can wait until breakfast." He held up a hand when she started to argue. "I don't' care which you decide but I do want you back in the house." Turning her around he gave her a little push. "Now."

Turning her head she searched his face before sliding her gaze over to Mark. She narrowed her eyes at the smirk he gave her. "Bastard." She muttered before racing for the house.

He stopped John form going ofter her. "It's going to be baby steps cause you know it isn't going to happen overnight." He commented causing John to throw him an incredulous look but refrained from commenting.

They stood there staring into the darkness for another five minutes, each deep into their own thoughts. "So" John said finally, a smile in his voice. "Sammie seems nice."

Mark narrowed his eyes. "Yes she is. And I would appreciate it if you would stay out if it for awhile."

"Well now that would be easy and I thought, based on our previous discussion, that easy was the cowards way out." He said, grinning openly.

"You're a pain in the ass, you know that right?" Mark drawled as he paced away. John crossed his arms over his chest and waited expectantly.

"Fine, what do you want to know?" Exasperated he threw up his hands.

"Let's see, nah, nah, oh..." John pretended to tick stuff off on his fingers. "Are you going to invite her to the wedding?"

"That's your big question?" Mark asked in surprise and relief. He paused to think about the question as the younger man made a face. "Well she's already met you so it couldn't get any worse."

John pretended to yank an arrow out of his back. "Direct hit." He yelled causing the older man to roll his eyes. Shaking his head Mark again began to walk toward the house.

"Laney seems to like her." John called as he caught up with him.

"So far." Mark frowned thoughtfully, stopping just shy of the house. "Actually why you're here I was wondering if you would talk to her."

"About Sammie?" John asked warily. He wasn't sure if he even liked the other woman yet.

"No... about drinking." At John's surprised look he continued warily. "Shawn mentioned that he might have seen her drinking at a party."

"And you haven't busted her yet?" The younger man asked in astonishment.

He shrugged. "Shawn wasn't sure it was her and I'm afraid if I jump on her without cause it'll push her to go ahead and drink anyway."

"And you think it'll sound better coming from me?" Came the incredulous surprise.

Mark groaned as the implications hit him. "God help me , yes."

Uaaaa, okay, but only if you answer one thing for me."

Mark closed his eyes against the look on his friend's face.

"Have you slept with her yet?" John asked as he danced out of reach and into the path of the car moving up the driveway.

"You should have hit him." Mark called out as Shawn climbed out of the car, causing his best friend to laugh. "I didn't expect to see you two tonight."

"Laney called us. She said bloodshed was occurring and John might need reinforcements." Mandy informed him as she put her arm around the younger man. "You don't look like you need the ER yet." She teased.

He scoffed. "I can take this old man anytime." He boosted.

Shawn shook his head. "He doesn't ever learn does he?" He asked, stepping in front of the bigger man in a blocking move. "So, I heard your girlfriend was here?"

Mark groaned at the unholy light that gleamed in all three sets of eyes. "I have a feeling she's not going to be my girlfriend for much longer."

Dave's house, Connecticut

Randy sat staring at the ceiling as the silence dragged. Five then ten minutes passed. "I feel like I'm five again and my mom made me sit in the corner." He muttered, causing Journey to choke on a laugh. "Seriously man." He turned to Dave, whose grave face betrayed not a hint of laughter. "I know you're searching for the right words because you don't want this whole thing to hurt us. But you have to realize that this is so much worse." He practically yelled the last words.

"Maybe that's the plan." Journey suggested, her eyes twinkling. "Maybe he's trying to punish you for something."

"That's possible, but it would have to be something we both did because you're here too." He narrowed his eyes in thought.

"I doubt it. This isn't really bothering me." She told him smirking. "You're the one that's going stir crazy."

Glancing around Randy noted that Dave had the beginning of an irritated scowl while Jayden's eyes were watering as she struggled to keep a straight face. He winked at Journey as he pushed back his chair. "Maybe he's dreading the hysterics so much that he keeps putting it off. So if we do it before then he won't have anything to dread."

Smiling she pushed back her own chair. Simultaneously they both fell to their knees and grabbing the older man's arms, began wailing. Shocked speechless Dave looked at Jayden for help. Trying to catch her breath all she could do was shake her head at them.

"Stop it." He roared finally as they both fell to the floor. "What the hell has gotten into the two of you?"

"You." Randy said bluntly standing up and leaning over the other man. "You act like you're dieing in five days."

"Maybe I am." Dave answered calmly, not blinking an eye.

Randy froze in the act of sitting, his face stricken.

"Dave." Jayden admonished sternly.

"They deserved it." He shrugged guilty.

The four once again sat in uncomfortable silence. This time Journey spoke up. "How about we play twenty questions." She decided brightly. "Are you going to be dead in five days?"

"No." He replied grudgingly.

"Having heart trouble?" Randy asked getting back in the spirit of things. Dave shook his head.

"How about AIDS or Hepatitis?"

"Or any STD for that matter." Randy jumped in, wincing as two legs kicked him under the table. "Guess that's a no." He muttered glancing at both older adults as he rubbed his shins.

"What about cancer?" Journey asked as she shook her head at her brother. Nobody answered causing her to look up suspiciously.

"Maybe." Dave admitted.

"How do you maybe have cancer?' She asked shooting Randy a glance. "Isn't it a yes or no thing?"

"It usually is but you have to remember we're talking about Dave here so you never know." He pretended to shake his head sadly.

Dave's shoulder's slumped as he began talking. "I thought I had a back injury so I went to the doctor."

The younger man held up a hand looking confused. "You thought? You didn't really tear a muscle like you told us?"

"Randy." The two females yelled in exasperation. "Let him talk." Jayden said frowning at him.

"No." Dave said slowly, showing a vast amount of patience. "I had a lot of pain in that area but didn't remember injuring it. The pain became unbearable so I had it checked out. MRI showed a tumor."

"So it is cancer?" This time Journey was the one looking confused.

"Tumors don't always have to be cancerous." Jayden explained. Her eyes remained fixed on her boyfriend.

The younger girl shrugged. "So then it's no big deal right? They can just take it out and test it?""

Randy smiled evilly. "Or better yet they can take this really long needle and stick the thing into his back. Kind of like they're going to do when you give birth." He teased causing her to turn pale.

"Make him stop." She complained turning to Dave for help.

"It's wrapped around my spinal cord." He said starkly, bringing instant silence to the table. "Before we began treatment I was beginning to lose feeling in my legs."

"But it's better now right?" Journey asked softly as if afraid to upset the balance. "I mean you're walking okay."

Dave nodded. "I've been undergoing radiation treatments. It has shrunk the tumor enough that they think they can get all of it. If it is cancerous I'll have to have chemo."

"You've been going through radiation hell and you haven't fucking told us?" Randy broke the strained silence, his face tight with anger. Before anyone could comment he had jumped up and stormed into the kitchen. Once there he did his best to resist the urge to slam his fist into something.

"Didn't you realize you didn't have to go through that alone. Damn it." Having heard Dave come in behind him he kept his eyes fixed firmly on the window. "That's what's family's for. Shit I feel like I let you down or something."

"Now you know how I always felt." Dave responded dryly, though his eyes remained grave.

Randy whipped around. "Don't you dare fucking tell me you did this to teach me a lesson." He whipped out, giving the other man a hard shove.

Dave shoved him back. "I did it because I didn't what you to have to go through what I was." He began pacing around the kitchen. "I feel so damn hopeless all the time. The uncertainty and the not knowing are driving me crazy." He pounded his fist against the counter. "God I hate having to put you through this."

"You know." Randy stated calmly. "This is the first time tonight that you haven't acted like a robot." He went to the freezer and pulled out a pint of ice cream. "That makes me feel a hell of a lot better." He grinned as he dug into the frozen treat.

Dave gave a started laugh. "You're crazy. God, your crazy."

Preview for next chapter.

How does Randy really feel? What's the next step for Dave? Will John reconcile with Journey? How will he feel about the baby?